In 2009 I ran the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. Since then I have run several half marathons, Hood to Coast twice and several 5-15k races. After last year's back to back weekends of Hood to Coast followed by the Wine Country half marathon, I decided to take a break. My body was telling me it needed some recovery and I felt some tightness in my psoas and hips from running a straight downhill in Hood to Coast. After I ran the Wine Country half, I was complaining about my hips at the finish line. My dad looked at me and told me he didn't think I should do so much long distance running because of the way my body reacts. It wasn't what I wanted to hear but I actually agreed. The way my body felt after my first marathon was not great and I was injured for 8 months following. Then I felt pain in my psoas for months after last years intense back to back runs. Maybe long distance isn't for me? I took a good long healthy break and started running a few times a week 2-5 miles in November. Since then I've only run when I felt like it. I do a track workout about once a week and a couple of shorter runs. I ran get that feeling of 'free' that I love just as much from a 4 miles run. I ran the Shamrock 8K a few weeks ago and really did not see any races on the horizon for me this year at all. In fact I knew I wasn't even going to run Hood to Coast this year because it is my mom's 60th birthday. Recently I have told friends that I don't really feel the need to run any long distances and doubted that I would ever run anything more than a 10K again. I thought maybe a 15K or a half marathon would be something I'd do maybe one more time, for a milestone like a good goal after pregnancy to get in shape or for my 30th birthday or something. I just didn't feel the need!
Soooo........... I'm not sure how this happened but I did something crazy, on a whim and an impulse. Yesterday I got the email from the Nike Women's Marathon saying that the random drawing for an entry is now open. They have a 1/2 marathon option now, and I thought, hmmmm, that would be so much easier than what I ran 3 years ago! Half the distance! A few minutes later I noticed that two of my friends, sorority sisters and former Hood to Coast team mates had started a group ID. They posted it on facebook and what do you know.....a couple minutes later I had registered to be a part of their group! After all of those declarations to myself about not running long distances again....there is a chance I will be running a half in October. I feel good about it because:
a.) this is just an entrance to the drawing and we may not even get selected to participate
b.) I will not put any pressure on myself to run it in a certain time like I have done in the past
c.) I love these two girls and I know they are not pushy or competitive and we will just have a great time running it, enjoying the views of San Francisco, and having a great girls weekend at the same time!
d.) Again, I will re-state that I will not try to run this race fast at all. It could be a slow and leisurely pace!
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| This is the attitude I want to have if I run the race....just having fun! This is Shane and I before my race at the expo in 2009 |
Anyone else out there enter the drawing to run in the Nike Women's this year? Let me know!!
3 comments:
WELL more power to you! I know you need to listen to your body, etc. but if you feel up for it and so energized about it like you are now- I saw go for it!
I'm certainly not doing the Women's Half but I was like you after Hood to Coast...done running. I even told myself that was my last Hood to Coast. But there is just something about running that pulls you in. I've just finished 2 months of physical therapy and my knees are feeling pretty good. So much that I think HTC # 5 is going to happen. Crazy.
I am SO happy that you joined us!! It is going to be so much fun! I love running with you, friend! and don't worry, we won't push for speed! lol.
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