This week, Aron was pestered by my Gchats. What do I do? Lose my money? Sell the bib? As my running sensei, she’s my sounding board (thanks, Aron!). The pressure was on to decide whether I am going to run the Oakland half marathon next weekend.
I had every intention to run the half as I mistakenly got wrapped up in the Schwaggle $50 deal and purchased it without referring to my race schedule. Little did I realize that the weekend of the race was also the weekend of my final 20+ mile run before Boston. To me, this final 20 miler is crucial as after that, taper begins. Other people suggested that I add on mileage after the race, but my mind doesn’t work that way. Once I’m done with a race – I’m done for the day.
As I was checking in on Twitter yesterday, I saw that the Oakland Marathon had a deferment policy – and it ended that day. This is a big deal in the race world as a deferment policy is rare – if unheard of. I immediately jumped on the opportunity, Facebooked the race for clarification and submitted my paperwork to defer until 2012.
First and foremost, I want to say a big THANK YOU to the Oakland Marathon for having such a policy in place and engaging with the online community. This seemingly trivial conflict posed a bit of a struggle for me and your flexibility is much appreciated. I will see you in 2012.
There were a few important learnings here: easy on the online deal excitement (do we really need that Groupon – I’m such a sucker) and always refer to your training schedule. Easy enough.
But in the bigger picture – what would you have done? I’m not one to lose my money and something feels weird about having someone else run with my bib (let alone it’s illegal to transfer). Also, have you ever deferred a race? Did the race allow it? Do you think a quality long run in more important that race day practice?
Aaaaaaannnd, you know I hate blogs without photos, but this time, the most unnecessary video of Lola (and yes, I’m talking in my “baby” voice to her):
Happy running and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I would be with you-the 20 miler is more important than race day practice but I probably would have done some silly go to the half and add on 7 miles thing because I love race days so much. Awesome that Oakland allowed you to defer! I hate that so many races don’t.
Glad you got to defer! I’m not sure I would have even thought about that as a possibility.
I’m in the process of trying to set up my racing schedule now, and I’m totally struggling with how much I should be running with races and marathon training, etc. Training’s important, but I love racing!
You’re definitely smart to defer. It had been earlier in training I would have said, do the half and then do another 7 at a slower pace just to get in the miles. Seeing as how this is your LAST 20 miler before the big race, this is definitely the best decision to make!
I unfortunately had to lose $$$ on Chicago this past year because I injured myself and they didn’t have a deferment policy. I was mad to lose the $, but I was also mad that I wouldn’t get the chance to run it this year. I’ve also given my # to my sister in law a couple times for smaller local races that have a lottery process, but seeing as how we have the same last name I don’t think that is a huge deal 🙂
I love races so much and it’s been so hard to not register for every race out there. I’m making myself wait though because so far none of the races I’ve registered for have a deferment policy. I should definitely start checking into that.
Good call to defer! I think more races should have this option…especially marathons. I have 2 friends that had to drop out of marathons last fall due to injuries. One was able to defer and the other wasn’t.
I think the most important thing here was that you know yourself as a runner very well… 1. you can’t not race a race and 2. you wouldn’t want to add on after. I have done both of those things with races and training runs and it has worked great, BUT I also know I can cruise a race easily and I don’t mind adding on… Keeping your #1 goal in site is the way to do it so great job 🙂
Also SO AWESOME they have a deferment policy!!!
And I am cracking up at this: “running sensei” lol hardly 😉
BUT THANK YOU <3 I love to help where I can 🙂
I think deferring is the right call too. That is great that they have that policy. Pretty much every race I enter now doesn’t have a deferment policy (unless you pay the race entry fees both this year and the next – ala New York Marathon deferment policy). So basically it’s not really a deferrment policy, its only a way to get guaranteed entry into next years race.
And while you could have ran the race as a pure training run, personally I would be so tempted to run it all out because it’s a race, so that’s probably good that you’re just going to do the regular 20 mile training run.
Also, next year you might have the same problem in terms of timing, I think you will be making an annual trip to Boston in April with how well you’re running!
You did the smart thing, its nice that they allow deferment! I probably would have run a 7 mile warm up and tried (unsuccessfully) to hold myself back in the race. In fact, I’m thinking of signing up for a half on the day of my last 20 this season. Must lay off the register button!
That’s cool they let you defer. Plus it will feel free next year.:)
It seems like you did the right thing. Last year I raced a half marathon on a day that was supposed to be 17 miles. I thought I would come home and add on four, but after the ride home and sore/stiffness set in, I didn’t end up doing it. This year for the same half I’m supposed to do 15…I may add another 1.9 on, but I also think running 13.1 hard is comparable to 15 easy/medium. But 13.1 does not substitute for 20! And the last 20 miler is such a confidence booster / gauge for the marathon, it is mentally necessary.
thats awesome that they let you defer. I got really sick and missed my race this past weekend so bye bye $30…sigh. Oh well
Good luck with the 20 miler.
I love that Lola’s pillow says princess haha
deferment is an AWESOME policy! Go Oakland! love my city 🙂
I’m sad you aren’t running it though…I was looking forward to keeping my eye out for your big, high hair bun, and being inspired by what a rocket you are. You’re a rocket page!!
I knew it! Now you’ve gone so far as to post a video!!!
I know! I’ve overdone the puppy posts! I’m cutting back now…