If there’s one thing I’ve learned during this injury debacle it’s that I should really tame my registration zeal.
You see, prior to spraining my ankle, I went on a run around San Francisco with these lovely ladies:
While cavorting across and around the bridge, I devised a plan with Nicole (green tank!).
At that point, I had gchatted my life away with her but only met her in real life once. But I suppose it was fate because by the end of those 18 miles we already had travel plans together.
After she returned home to SoCal, we exchanged frantic and eager emails about said plan and researched all of our options. Then, it was time to click and make it official:
Yaaaaay!!! But shitttttttt…
Prior to the ankle sprain, this was going to be my comeback race. The marathon where I demolished my antiquated marathon PR and where Nicole smashed her PR as well! But with the injury, my plans changed.
I spoke with my coach and my PT, and pending a smooth recovery (fingers crossed!), I will still run the marathon, but it won’t be the PR-shattering race I had imagined. Why? Well, because I still have Ironman on the brain — it’s going to happen this year.
With my proposed Ironman plan, my coach will only allow me to run the full if I “go easy” so it won’t eat up into my recovery time. (Coach Paul says it takes 2-3 weeks to fully recover from a marathon where you really push yourself.) Le sigh…no big comeback race, but hell, AN IRONMAN!
Moral of the story: don’t register for another big race until you’ve completed your first Ironman. Genius.
Who else will be at the Eugene Marathon?
Side note: be sure to check out Marathon-Finder.com. Nicole and her boyfriend actually created it and it’s a super EASY, simple and clear way to research marathons. No clutter, no ads, just filter your info and boom: pick your race!
Happy Running!
I’m registered for Eugene! Have you run it before?
Marathon-Finder is super cool!
Ironman… that’s just so amazing. Like, I can’t even get my brain around it amazing!
Awesome!! I haven’t run it before, but excited to. See you there!
also registered. the town and course are amazing, whether you’re racing, running, or spectating. (then again, I’m a PNW native and slightly biased. ^.^)
sending happy ankle-healing thoughts your way so you can get back in the Ironman saddle and kick some butt.
Nice!! See you there!
I almost registered for Eugene but didn’t want to have to commit to a plane ticket if my back decides to not cooperate again…but I hear it’s a great race! When can you run again?? And what’s the Ironman decision??
You mean I get to see your pretty little east coast face again? Yessss!
I’m planning on doing Eugene, too! Although I don’t want to pull the trigger until I know I can fit in the training next semester : / Would love to see you gals there, though! And I’m on pins and needles waiting to hear which IM it’s gonna be…
DO IT!!!!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see you there!
Waaaaait wait wait wait. Ironman this year!!?? Or “this year” as in next year? Ps Eugene will be great…. Sorry I can’t commit to joining… Stupid hip! 🙁
Woops! “This year” as in 2013!
I sooo want to do Eugene, but it’s just not going to happen this year thanks to Wildflower. Next year I really hope I can do it!
PARTY IN EUGENE!!! See your IM-to-be pretty little self there 🙂
P-A-R-T-Y!!!!!!
Eugene is going to be a party!!! I’m so glad you are still doing it with me despite AnkleWatch2012. We will have to pick another epic marathon for your comeback race !!!
Awesome on Eugene, though I hope your ankle is ready to do a marathon at that point – I’m assuming the answer is yes, but registering for any race while you are injured is a risky proposition. If your ankle takes another 1.5 months to heal, that would put you at Feb 1 to start training for a 4/26 marathon – likely possible, but the timing is really tight. I just don’t want you to put undue stress on yourself to train for a race if your body isn’t ready – the last thing you want to do is to get injured again. I am even hesitating on signing up for the RNR San Jose half marathon today that isn’t until October 2013 (due to the $20 discount today), in case my body still isn’t ready to do a half marathon then.
I went to Eugene a month ago – the city really is phenomenal for running. The best running trails and best running culture I’ve ever been around anywhere in the US. And the running talent there is 2nd to none. I did a 10K race there, in terms of the marathon route it went from mile 16 to 18, and mile 24-26. And just in looking at the marathon course map, you will go by basically every good running spot in Eugene. The course looks amazing. Though at times the course is pretty narrow, though in the early miles on the Eugene city streets that may help reduce congestion for later on when the trail narrows when it is on the Willamette River. My guess is I’ll never be able to do Eugene marathon due to tax season going until 4/15, but you never know.
http://www.eugenemarathon.com/site_media/dynamic/2012/04/2012_EM_Map_8.5×11.FINAL.web.pdf
For the marathon-finder website, maybe I did the search wrong, but it didn’t seem to bring up any marathons in CA in Oct or Nov, even though I know Fresno has the 2 Cities marathon in November. Also, didn’t see SF marathon in June on there either. Maybe there are bugs to iron out, or maybe I did the search wrong? I usually use marathonguide.com to find marathons, but there are likely tons of other sites out there.
http://www.marathonguide.com/races/Races.cfm?Sort=State&Place=USA&StartDate=12%2F11%2F12
Awww have so much fun in track town, USA! It might not be the PR race you were looking for, but you will surely be in your happy place. Thinking of you girl!
Exciting!!! I think you’ll have even more fun by not being able to race it. And it’ll just be so amazing to be running a marathon during your training!
How is your ankle doing?
I hope your ankle is healing quickly! I am running the Eugne full- and it will be my first 26.2. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Woohoo! See ya there!!
Page, I am an avid reader of your blog for quite some time now. I was just wondering if you could dedicate a post on what you do in terms of fueling while you are recovering from you injury? Do you lower your calorie intake (since you are exercising less and expending less energy) or do you keep it the same? I’m sure this is something that many athletes deal with so I was curious to know about your take in it. thanks !
btw! i admire your preserverence in all this..stay an inspiration to others!
Hi Gin – thanks for the comment. I don’t actually count calories but instead just try to eat everything in moderation and stay active. I would say that I’m eating less than when I was training, but that’s also a natural response as I’m not as hungry as I was. To me, it’s all about balance 🙂