Pondering Boston
So I am headed to the Boston Marathon this weekend. At least that is what I think I am doing. I am really not sure yet. About 25 percent of my mind wants to go and about 75 percent doesn’t. The chances of going really stand at 50/50 or perhaps closer to 60/40 that I will go. The marathon promises to be held in Nor’easter conditions, which is looking to make this long run, even longer
I know I just did the Kurt Steiner 50k just two weeks ago, but since that time I just haven’t been running well. It is more a mental thing than anything else. Physically I am just fine. I didn’t even have any soreness the day after the 50k.
The fact that the weather is supposed to be horrible for the marathon is one of the reasons why I want to go. This way I can always look back and say I did the Boston Marathon under the worst conditions it was ever held. Then again, hanging out with my kids at home while the rain and wind pelts my windows as we play games all day is incredibly appealing.
I know what part of my problem is lately. I’ve gone through this ambivalence towards training and racing before. I guess you can kind of call it a burn out. I’ve gone through 3 cycles in my life where I have gotten back in shape, only to let my fitness slip away after a few years of training. I am like a bear that needs to go into hibernation and wake up in the spring. I am fighting mightily against this urge. I am getting older and I don’t have many more spring times. In each of my previous cycles the in fitness and out of shape periods have become progressively longer. If I let myself go into hibernation, it could be many years before I feel another spring time. By then it might be too late to ask my body to get in shape again. I need to keep this going for the sake of my kids, wife and most of all myself.
So for anyone out there reading this between now and Sunday morning; what do you think? Should I go torture myself in the wind and rain come Monday morning or should I kick back and relax with my kids this weekend? The New Jersey Marathon is only two weeks away and I can always sign up for that, plus have my kids cheering for me at the finish line.
Or should I just do both?
I know I just did the Kurt Steiner 50k just two weeks ago, but since that time I just haven’t been running well. It is more a mental thing than anything else. Physically I am just fine. I didn’t even have any soreness the day after the 50k.
The fact that the weather is supposed to be horrible for the marathon is one of the reasons why I want to go. This way I can always look back and say I did the Boston Marathon under the worst conditions it was ever held. Then again, hanging out with my kids at home while the rain and wind pelts my windows as we play games all day is incredibly appealing.
I know what part of my problem is lately. I’ve gone through this ambivalence towards training and racing before. I guess you can kind of call it a burn out. I’ve gone through 3 cycles in my life where I have gotten back in shape, only to let my fitness slip away after a few years of training. I am like a bear that needs to go into hibernation and wake up in the spring. I am fighting mightily against this urge. I am getting older and I don’t have many more spring times. In each of my previous cycles the in fitness and out of shape periods have become progressively longer. If I let myself go into hibernation, it could be many years before I feel another spring time. By then it might be too late to ask my body to get in shape again. I need to keep this going for the sake of my kids, wife and most of all myself.
So for anyone out there reading this between now and Sunday morning; what do you think? Should I go torture myself in the wind and rain come Monday morning or should I kick back and relax with my kids this weekend? The New Jersey Marathon is only two weeks away and I can always sign up for that, plus have my kids cheering for me at the finish line.
Or should I just do both?
posted by Rebel at 8:20 PM
4 Comments:
Like you, I've had periods of fitness and periods where I'm more of a couch potato. I think I've gone through more than three cycles though. And I'm also getting older, which makes it harder to get into shape once I'm out of shape. Sometimes being a couch potato feels good -- nothing aches, I get to watch lots of CSI, and I get to spend more time with my family. I think I feel more myself though when I'm training. I can't explain why. It has to do with who I am at my core.
Anyway, I think you should go to Boston. I'll never be fast enough to get there so I'm automatically impressed with anyone who can. Bad weather can serve as an excuse if you have a bad time. It can also make a good time sound REALLY impressive. Take your family with you to cheer you on and celebrate with you afterward. I love challenging weather. It makes me feel alive. To not go will be to let yourself down. Go! Just remember to share the excitement with your readers:)
I say go. Never miss an opportunity.
Boston is waiting for you. A marathon is simply the sum of the competitors. So it can't be the same event if you aren't a part of it.
There will be other times with the kids. Besides, you're showing them by competing to raise the bar on their lives when they grow up.
The storm is a challenge. Boston always seems colder than NY. But you've swum in water that cold.
Don't quit before you start.
Both! You know you want to. Just don't hurt yourself, okay?
Todd!
I fully expect to be able to look up you Boston results next week.
There's no way you could stay home and not regret missing the race. You always come away from a finish with a sense of pride. Sometimes I know it's hard to get to the start line. But hasn't it been worth it?
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