In 2004 I ran my third marathon, the Chicago Marathon. Having had a grueling experience while foolishly running the New York City Marathon while injured the year before, I was thrilled to be injury free and running a flat race.
I ran my first three marathons in a pretty simple fashion.
I wore cotton, didn’t have a fueling strategy, a time goal, or a GPS watch on my wrist. Heck, I didn’t even know how to use the lap function on my Timex watch.
My training was as simple as my gear. I ran for time, not pace or distance. I ate a carb-heavy, low-fat diet. I refueled with bagels and lox. I didn’t strength train, get enough sleep, foam roll, go to physical therapy or give up dairy.
I knew very very few people who had qualified for Boston and no one who was vying for a BQ time in their next race.
And ya know what, I loved nearly every single minute of nearly every single run because being a runner and calling myself a marathoner was enough.
Now, I stress over too many minor things. It took me way too long to find the perfect running shoes for this season. I still can’t decide what shorts to wear for the race. And with a mere ten days away from the start of the race, I haven’t quite nailed down my race day fueling strategy.
Every single option for every single question a marathoner can ask is answered in a different way by nearly every single runner visible on social channels giving me the option to second guess the decisions I have made for my next marathon, the 2014 Chicago Marathon.
As I sit here in my kitchen wondering why I’m taking my taper so seriously (and by seriously, I mean I haven’t ran since Sunday) and why I’m not motivated to lace up my shoes and go for a run, the answer is clear.
*Alternative title for this post: “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated?”
I hear ya! I’ve been trying to uncomplicated things in a major way over here. Since my last BIG race in the Spring, I decided to just train for fun and not follow a strict plan. For the most part, I’ve done that, but not sure it’s made me “happier” or made race training easier. My half-marathon is in 10 days so I’ll find out soon enough if this plan works.
Try to go back to the 2004 you. But I wouldn’t suggest wearing cotton 🙂
Definitely no more cotton! I hope you have a great race and find your happy space!
Phew…glad I am not the only one feeling a little OFF! 🙂 Hope I see you in CHI!
Yes, I hope to bump into you!
Amen, sister. All the info we have now, the technology, the social media–it can suck the fun right out of it. I think back to my first marathon in 1998 and it was SO simple. I trained by time, not miles, didn’t even look at my watch while out on the course, took in some GU when I felt like it, and ran a BQ. It was almost too easy. Now? I don’t really even enjoy the process all that much, which is why I have taken a break from marathons. I want to get back to a place of simplicity!
I am right there with you. After Chicago I have to take a break and I HAVE to find the fun again!
Oh I could apply this same thinking to so many things. Why do we as humans ALWAYS complicate the simple? I feel like often times all those things are available and we think we must use them but really they complicate the simple. I love a good run with no gps watch no music and no drama. Just me and my heavy breathing. 🙂 Good luck in your marathon!! Enjoy the taper.
I seriously could have written this post! I am feeling more nervous/scared than excited, and I know it has to be the other way around to have a great race day. I have been second guessing myself since I had that bad run on Saturday (followed by another bad run). But just remember, WE’VE GOT THIS and that no matter what happens — goal time or no goal time — every marathon is a miracle. If we just get out there and run, smile, remember that we’re so blessed to get to do this … I know we’ll be ok. Can’t wait to see you kill it out there. xo
Ramblings from Taper Town is my new favorite phrase.
Don’t worry–you’re going to do great!!
I think we can all relate to this in one way or another. When I started it was certainly more simple and didn’t make it nearly as complicated as it is now. But growing involves taking things seriously and complicating things (either by our own doing, or just life happening). I remember the days that were more simple of running, and sometimes I try and replicate that. Go out for a run without a plan or my GPS or all the other things. But in general, I am very grateful for my running journey- it’s important to us, so we complicate it and take it seriously. As we would with anything in our lives. Enjoy the rest of taper- relax and unwind, it’s all going to come together and Chicago will be great!