Now that the half marathon and the ugly days of summer running are behind me, it’s time to set my next running goal. I am mulling over two options…
Spending a winter snuggled up like this with Stella is a tempting third option, but not one that I shall consider…
Do I run another marathon? I would love to. Much like childbirth, I have conveniently managed to block the negative from my mind (snotsicles, adhesions, plantar fasciitis flares, etc.) and only remember that hear-me-roar feeling when I crossed that finish line. Part of me wants to gear back up and shoot for a spring marathon and a 4:15 time goal again (I finished in 4:22.)
Problems with this option? I’m not sure I’m mentally there for the miles required. Plus, I feel this compelling need to try and get faster. I would like to devote myself to a sub 1:50 half marathon and a sub 50:00 10k. I think I could get there, but not if I recommit to the marathon distance. In fact, over last winter’s beginner marathon training, I lost about 45-60 seconds off my pace…a loss I gladly gave up for the ability to run the increased distance.
If I scrap any marathon plan, then I’ll pursue option 2: The Heartland 39.3 Series. For this, I would run three half marathons in 5 weeks. I would definitely be challenged. In fact, my PF-addled foot might just tighten up and fall off in protest if I force it to do that series.
It’s intriguing…kind of like participating in a hotdog eating contest. Sure, it’s gonna hurt, but there’s a major payoff, right? Plus, I could really work on speed work and tempo runs with this option.
What to do, what to do? I’ll mull it over in the next week or two. And as always, I welcome thoughts/advice/kicks in the ass from my readers. Tell this crazy MaybeMarathoner what I should decide…
In the meantime, I’m thinking about signing up for the Westport Santa Dash…I just got an email for it this morning. You can run a 5k in a Santa suit!
Do you think the suit would be moisture-wicking? Gee, I wouldn’t want the belt to chafe my muffin top! 🙂
The entry fee is only $25 through the 31st of October, so I have time to decide. I’m headed to Vegas this weekend with HH for some football watching/betting, perhaps some golf, and a fair bit of poker playing, so I’ll have plenty of time to contemplate if I want to run a 5k on a cold December morning or stay in my comfy bed with the heated mattress pad set on broil.
Finally, I made up a new playlist for today’s run (with Oscar and our new waist-belt system!)…and as I looked at it, I realized that it is pretty bizarre, which of course means that I must post it. I can’t wait to head out on this beautiful fall day and get pulled around the neighborhood while listening to these tunes. Maybe you could find a kickass running song in there–happy running!
Maybe Marathoner 
Love those jams! Nice variety!! 😉
Good luck with your future races!
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🙂 Thanks!
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You know most people vomit at the end of a hot dog eating contest, right?
Here’s another option……If you want to go sub 1:50, why don’t you work on that now for a spring half? And then use that as your base for jumping into training for an early fall full? You will be surprised how much your speed from half training will carry over into the full. Just a thought….
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Thanks for the input! My hangup about that plan is that I don’t want to train for a marathon over the summer months. I hate summer running, and I don’t like being so rigid with training/sleep/etc. in the summer months. I much prefer longer training runs in the winter (is that bizarre?)
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No more bizarre than me running 20+ miles when it’s ten million degrees. Valid point!
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Ha! Exactly…I would rather have my snot freezing in my balaclava than run 20+ in high heat and humidity.
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So what you seem to be saying is, Maybe Marathon? Hmm. I’ve seen that somewhere before. I vote for the marathon over the 3 halfs (or is that halves?). Of course right now, personally I’d just like to run a 5K. 🙂 One more month and maybe I’ll join you on the marathon trail.
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It is familiar, isn’t it? :-). I know you will be back on schedule and running your ridiculously fast paces soon, my friend!
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🙂
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I am right with you. Marathons just take over the program and don’t really leave room for much else. A half is a much more digestible distance and you are recovered pretty quickly. I’ve only done one marathon and I feel like I’ve ticked that box and I am not particularly drawn back to another – although really annoyingly I took 4.08hrs and feel I want to go back and get below 4 hours – one day. Halves on the other hand – I am always up for a good half. If you have a good fitness base I think you can prepare for a half in 6-8 weeks. I would go the fast half route. Good luck deciding
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Thanks! That is pretty much how I am feeling about the marathon right now…leaning toward the 3 halves.
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I’m running the Heartland Half series as well! You should definitely sign up! Especially because the last half is the Running with the Cows and is supposedly going to be an extremely fast course. Plus, few people can say they’ve run a half marathon in their lifetime, and even fewer can say they have run 3 half marathons in 5 weeks!
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You’ve got me excited about it now…definitely leaning that way! I’ve run several half marathons now, so I’m looking for a step up mentally, and it would definitely allow me to feel like I’m facing a new challenge yet allow me the chance to work on speed! Good luck with your series!
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Maybemarathoner should go after option 1. That way, she can change her name to DamnFuckingRightMarathoner!
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Yeah baby!!!!!!!!
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That is a fantastic playlist. Truly.
I say, run the 5K in a Santa suit and then make that your Christmas card this year, I’ll send you my address 🙂
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