Should Tracy run the Brooklyn Half Marathon?
I'm trying out a little poll here. Please, please if you read this, vote. I will go with whatever the three of you readers decide for me.
Here's the deal: I'm mostly prepared for the race physically. Mentally, I could not be less excited about it. I had an amazing race there last year, but this year I'm worried that doing the race will be a recipe for disaster and I'll end up even more burnt out than I have been lately.
If the race goes well, it will be a nice baseline kick-off to marathon training season in the fall. If the race goes poorly, I might end up even more discouraged than I am at present.
I am registered for the race, although the cost isn't a huge factor (it was $25 to register). I could go into it as a training run, intending to take it easy.
In addition to the poll, please leave any and all thoughts in a comment below.
The poll will be active until the 20th, which is kind of the very last possible moment when I have to decide (being as the race is on the 21st). And yes, I'm a good Chicagoan, so vote early and vote often.
I'm trying out a little poll here. Please, please if you read this, vote. I will go with whatever the three of you readers decide for me.
Here's the deal: I'm mostly prepared for the race physically. Mentally, I could not be less excited about it. I had an amazing race there last year, but this year I'm worried that doing the race will be a recipe for disaster and I'll end up even more burnt out than I have been lately.
If the race goes well, it will be a nice baseline kick-off to marathon training season in the fall. If the race goes poorly, I might end up even more discouraged than I am at present.
I am registered for the race, although the cost isn't a huge factor (it was $25 to register). I could go into it as a training run, intending to take it easy.
In addition to the poll, please leave any and all thoughts in a comment below.
The poll will be active until the 20th, which is kind of the very last possible moment when I have to decide (being as the race is on the 21st). And yes, I'm a good Chicagoan, so vote early and vote often.
DO IT!
ReplyDeletemostly, selfishly, because i'm running it, too.
I'd say yes, but *honestly* treat it as a training run unless you feel awesome on race day, and way more motivated between now and then. And my answer changes if you get injured.
ReplyDeleteI agree with runtosmile. Maybe you need the mental kick in the ass of a race - let it happen and see how it goes, especially if you feel physically ready.
ReplyDeleteSure, since you're already signed up. But don't let it discourage you, and just take it easy and have a good time. I know that's easy to say, but really.
ReplyDeleteI said MAYBE. I think you should only do it if you have some zany reason to do it that will make it awesome. Like eating a bag of skittles at every mile marker. Or dress like Rainbow Brite and raise awareness for rainbows.
ReplyDeleteYou've teetered on burn out here lately, so if it isn't tooting your horn, i wouldn't go for it. Find something that makes you say: I MUST RUN THIS.
Do whatever you feel like doing the night before the race. If the thought of getting up and going to run makes you want to cry? Skip it. If the thought of missing it makes you want to cry? Run it. If you get there and realize that you really, really have no desire to do this? Go home. It's a cheap registration fee and you won't be out any travel-related expenses, so go with whatever floats your boat the night before and morning of.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't sweat it. Like Dawn said, decide the night before. Running it just to run, when you haven't had the desire to race doesn't do you any good. We run because we love to run, right? If you aren't loving running right now, then don't risk making it worse by forcing a race you don't want to do.
ReplyDeleteIf you are already registered, I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing is, I have done two halves and not been in to it, mentally, lately, and know it doesn't really make me feel any better when I finish.
I said "maybe" too, but really, I like what Dawn said. You don't have to run it. It doesn't matter. It's only $25 and they're not going to cancel your next birthday if you miss it, right? That said, even though I've never run it (yet) I imagine this is the most popular of the Grand Prix for some reason other than the majority of runners happen to live in Brooklyn. That said, using it as a training run is a fine idea, too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and let me add - you should totally become a duathlete! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Throwing some new sports into the mix does wonders for the motivation and child-like-wonder elements of endurance sports.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes line up with the training run mindset and then the power of low expectations leads me to a surprising finish. So I voted maybe.
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog for a while now, but have not commented before. My vote is yes, but in fact you should only run it if you want (as others have posted before me).
ReplyDeleteKeep up the interesting posts; I enjoy them.
I'm with Lauren. I think it will be a blast and you'll have a blast if you do it with me or know you are meeting me after. Particularly since I'll be running this on post-Ragnar jelly legs. Think of how you'll make fun of me!
ReplyDeleteRun it with a mantra to repeat if the going gets tough. I favor "I control the hills, they do not control me" (esp. for the Prospect Park hill). Run it, sweetie!
ReplyDeleteYou failed to mention you have a 35K trail race the next day!! Save your legs for the muddy fun Sunday. :)
ReplyDeleteergh, 25K***. I'm still asleep.
ReplyDeleteRun it as fast as you can, we need a good and accurate indicator of your current fitness level. You can walk the 25K. Believe me, I practically just did.
ReplyDeleteBesides, it's judgement day. Wouldn't it be great to spend that in Coney Island?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/04/may-21-2011-judgment-day_n_804166.html
i'm debating the same question myself...ran the More half last month (came in happy) and just didn't have the go go (or happy ITbands) to prepare for this race....Maybe it's the financial obligation (loss of $25 vs. loss of lots more $$ with other 1/2's), maybe it's the fact that i signed up for my first full in oct., but i'm just not FEELING this one....i'm gonna take it as it comes...a 13.1 run, not race and enjoy the festivities afterward....take care & take it easy.
ReplyDeleteI say: go for it. Wing it if you have to. :)
ReplyDeleteI lurk, and enjoy your blog. So. Anyway. I say run it, and find a different way to be successful. Already had a great race there? so instead, use it as a tempo workout. do 3 miles easy, then kick it up to 10k pace and work as hard as you can. Then cool down the last few miles. Or, take your camera, and take pics along the way while you take it easy so we all can enjoy it too!. :) good luck-
ReplyDeleteThis is tricky, I would have voted no prior to my suck-ass race on Saturday and the reasoning would have been that this sucker might have you feeling less great by yourself, if it ends up being a tough day, than if you skipped it. However, since thinking about my own crap race, and knowing summer is right around the corner and things aren't going to be prettier weather-wise for awhile & we all need to pull on our big girl pants, I'm voting yes - run it. Face the potential for suck and embrace whatever the day brings.
ReplyDeleteGiven the current weather forecast I now say run it. It's going to be a good day.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of frustrated - I had 92 votes earlier this afternoon and now I have 53. Gah, blogger, you stink! Gah.
ReplyDelete