Something is different this year.
I blew off a race today.
The Labor Day 5K in Leawood drew me to the starting line each of the past couple of years. It’s a flat and fast course. Last year I PR’d.
I have been thinking about the race, and even encouraging others to partake. But this morning, I laced up the Mizunos and headed out. For a semi-long run.
My work schedule this week is going to play havoc with my running schedule. So I wanted to be sure to get my runs in. The idea of a 5K sprint just wasn’t appealing.
All of my running focus at the moment is on Oct. 18. The
I am obsessed with redeeming myself. Two years ago I attempted a full marathon. It didn’t work out so well. Looking back, I realize now, I started the summer with an overuse injury.
Guess what? Logging lots and lots of miles and running longer than I had ever run before in my life was not a good strategy for healing. 19 miles into the marathon in 2006 I was limping. Big time.
DNF city. And the demons of self-loathing and self-doubt have been running wild inside my mind ever since.
This summer, I have been feeling much, much better. I have been logging my miles, focused on the fall. My previous marathon failure, though, has left me toting around a bunch of extra emotional baggage. As strong as I feel at the moment, will I really be able to get it done -- finally -- in October?
I know I should weave in some speed work. But this morning, I was much more focused on getting in a solid 8 miles with hope of making me stronger for Oct. 18.
