It’s hard to believe the day is finally here… I’m currently en route to Nashville, TN for my very first half marathon. I’ve never done a half. I’ve never been to TN. I’m excited about the trip!
I will just be honest here…. I feel very ‘blah’ about writing this post. I wish I could say that I felt ready, and that I was hopeful for a good race. But unfortunately I’ve developed a nagging right knee pain during my last 2 weeks of training that has prevented me from running longer than 3 miles at a time. I suspect that it is due to weakness in my hips and upper leg muscles (much of what I dealt with with my left knee a couple of years ago), but nothing has made it better except for not running.
I am going back and forth about whether or not I should drop to the 5k. I think about the last 4 months of training, all of the miles I logged, all of the cross training, the hours upon hours of exercise each week and all of the accomplishment I felt each Sunday when I ran a long run. It makes my heart feel a little heavy that I may not end up crossing the half marathon finish line after all of that. Part of me wants to just try for the half, but deep down I feel like there is no way I will make it to 13.1.
I’m not quite sure what I will be doing in the morning, so it will be a game time decision. This is a Rock n’ Roll Race so I can switch to the 5k with no problem tomorrow morning. I brought everything I would need for the half just in case. If you are interested in following along tomorrow morning, my bib number 37201 and I’m in one of the last corrals. Please send me positive vibes in the morning!
-Sam
P.S. If anyone wants to drop a DNF story here to make me feel better than I would greatly appreciate it!
What are you up to this weekend?
Friday Chats: Wedding Weekend!
Friday Chats: Easing into Entrepreneur Life
Friday Chats: Dental Struggles
Friday Chats: Couch Shopping
I’m sorry you’re feeling injured and not ready! I’ve been following your training and, while I totally get how devastating it would be to not accomplish what you set out to do, you have to go with your gut. I’ve never had a DNF, but I have had a few DNS, and I’ve had a race where I ran through pain and wasn’t able to run for 2 months after crossing the finish line. It’s not worth it to end up injured! I’m rooting for you to get through the half this weekend, but if it’s not meant to be, just know that the half marathon distance will be there for you whenever you’re ready. Best of luck with whatever you decide!
Thanks Tracy! I ended up dropping down to the 5k… maybe the Hokie Half is my race for this year after all? ;)
I just discovered your blog & have been reading some of your older posts. You should definitely go for the Hokie Half! I’m currently a rising senior dietetics student there (Go Hokies!) and am hoping for that to be my first half! I’ll be starting training soon :)
Awesome!! I’m so glad you found my page :) I definitely think it would be extra special to complete a half in Blacksburg :)
Hey Sam, sorry that you’re facing this tough decision. I agree with Tracy that an injury isn’t worth running the half. Especially if you will be in pain for 10 miles. That’s such a good way for you to end up hating the half marathon distance and possibly running in general.
I’ve had a couple of DNS races and I never felt badly about them; it was always the right decision even if the reason was that I just didn’t feel like running/racing that day. The only time I had a DNF was when I tried to run a marathon before fully recovering from injury and that felt terrible. It hurt my body and it hurt my pride. Having been there before I can tell you that I would much rather DNS 20 races than DNF 1 race.
Just like intuitive eating can lead to a healthy body, intuitive running can too! Listen to your gut feeling and have a great trip!
Thanks for comment, Kristina! It made me feel better yesterday. Hope you had a good weekend.
Good luck Sam! Just try to have fun. Make your decision tomorrow based on how you’re feeling. Yes you have put in a lot of work, but even if you do the 5k, it isn’t put to waste. You’ve built your base for another half in the future if you ever choose to do so. Plus, you get to explore Nashville. Go with your gut but have fun! There is no shame in a DNF.
Thanks, Sarah!