What’s Next
| October 15, 2012 | Posted by Emily under Uncategorized |
(Part 9,281)
There are a few questions that I’ve been getting on the reg from pretty much everyone in my life since approximately 11:24 am on May 20th. Friends, family members, random runners I’ve met on the trail, my liquor store cashier who gets a visit around 10 am every Saturday morning for two 5 lb bags of ice and a 6 pack, my coworkers, and my neighbors that watch me emerge from my apartment two times a day decked out in running gear are all asking some variation of the following:
“What’s with the switch to ultras?”
“Why do you like trail running better than road running all of a sudden?”
“No more marathoning? I thought that was your thing.”
To which I keep responding: “What the hell are you people talking about?”
So let me be clear and state for the record: I did not choose ultras over all other race distances. I am not done with marathons. Or roads. And spoiler alert, I’m also not about to declare that I’m back to road running for good, because really, people, why the hell should I have to choose? That would be like asking me to permanently enter into a monogamous relationship with craft beer over dirty martinis, andre, and nuun cocktails. And I’m just not ready to make that commitment. Nor should I ever have to, because as far as I’m concerned, a girl can certainly have all of the above.
And the same goes for ultra running, trail running, marathoning, and road races. I would like to order a great big helping of all of the above, please and thanks.
My recent flirtation with trails and ultra running was never meant to replace road races or good old fashioned marathons. The last few months have been a bit of an experiment to see if I like high mileage running enough to ADD ultras to my running schedule. Emphasis on “add.” And after loving pretty much every stride of three 50ks and a 50 miler over the course of the last 4.5 months, I can say with great certainty that ultra running is here to stay.
But, I am far from done with marathons.
Even better, I’m pretty anxious to get back to the 26.2 mile distance.
I love, love, loved the 50 miler (yes, I know, I still haven’t written a race report, blah blah blah) but I also miss running fast (for me) and I’m mentally and physically ready to change things up again.
So that’s what I’m going to do. At least for the next few months.
On January 27th, I’ll be toeing the line at the Carlsbad Marathon. And for the 15 weeks until then, I’ll be busting my ass to make sure that I cross that finish line with a shiny new marathon PR in hand.
So say goodbye (for now) to crazy long back to backs every weekend and get ready to welcome back track workouts, tempo runs and a (new and improved) goal marathon pace.
GUESS WHO LIVES REALLY CLOSE TO CBAD AND DOESN’T HAVE ANY PLANS THAT WEEKEND??
You’re coming all the way to my neck of the woods (I live in Encinitas , the net beach city south and work in Carlsbad). I’ve run the Carlsbad half twice now but never the full – I’m going for Surf City Marathon which is a week later for the 2nd year in a row now. Looking forward to seeing how you like Carlsbad! The weather is perfect and it’s a pretty flat, fast course so I’m sure you’ll be in PR city. Why did you choose it other than for all of the above? It’s a bit of a trek but of course well worth it in my opinion!
I’m running the Surf City Half Marathon…my first!
Awesome! It’s a really great race – well organized and a fast course!
Awesome, variety is fun. You can do it all!
Go get it, girl! My money’s on you to PR in Carlsbad :)
I ran Carlsbad this year as my 2nd marathon – Now I am about to take Marine Corps as my 5th! Can’t wait for you to crush your PR in Carslbad!!! (I know you’ve had a ton of hills in your recent running – but when I went to Carlsbad I was surprised at how hilly the course was – just in case!) :)
Sure you wont sneak in another ultra between now and Carlsbad? Wahahahahaha
I miss running fast; not sure why I’ve been getting progressively slower these past few weeks and frankly, it’s depressing. Can I have some of your speedy-ness? Really. Seriously.
All I have to say is “YOU GO GIRL!”
For the record you are a complete BA and I am super inspired by your crazy running self!
Also will you share your Nuun cocktail recipe?
I’m a believer in having your cake/wine and eating/drinking it too, so keep on sampling those road races, marathons, and ultras, Emily!
You don’t have to choose, do you? Isn’t that the joy of running? Do them all!!!!
Do I hear sub-3 in your future???? :-)
Hey, Emily! I watched a tape of the London Olympics Marathon the other evening and do you realize that your PR marathon time beat a few of the Olympic runner’s times? Would be cool to see you in the next trials. Not to put on pressure, hee,hee. I’m just saying …
Why choose when you can have it all? I think I see a sub 3 marathon pr in Janaury? Good luck, I love following your journey!
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