I recently sat down and started mapping out my training and race schedule for the rest of the year and noticed a few glaring holes. I have zero races planned between October 1 and November 23 and after my November 24 Berkeley Half Marathon, I have nothing planned for the rest of the year. What?!? How did that happen?
On the one hand I feel like having some down time towards the holidays may be beneficial. I’ll be able to relax with family, get shopping and holiday related chores done and maybe catch up on the other non-running hobbies I have neglected for so long (scrapbooking and sewing mainly). On the other hand I am really truly worried terrified that if I am not “training” for a race that I will fall into old inactive habits. 
I’ll sit around on the my butt watching television and eating everything in sight. Trust me folks, it’s not a pretty picture. I am pretty sure in a past life I was the cat that inspired the Garfield comics.
It wasn’t until I registered for my first half marathon (which is in less than three weeks! Eek!!!) that I committed myself to a regular running and exercise regimen. Before that I did the 9 week C25k program and over the next couple months sort of started and stopped C210k a few times. I ran maybe once or twice a week and topped out at about 2-2.5 miles.
The moment I plunked down the $100 (or whatever it was) and told the world I was running a race I became so concerned about looking like a loser or a quitter to others and a huge disappointment to myself that I have really take this training thing seriously. At first I actually dreaded the training and looked forward to Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week (days when I currently do not run). After some time the feeling of dread associated with another 4 or 5 mile run faded and eventually I started to look forward to running. I think that a big part (not the only part) of that transformation was knowing that I was working towards a goal and seeing my progress. Feeling a sense of accomplishment from reaching a goal has influenced so many choices in my life (from my education and career to my aforementioned neglected hobbies) that it is no wonder I need that when it comes to running too. Without a race scheduled for more than a month this fall or anything on the calendar after late November, what do I have to keep me going?
I know I will most likely be presented with a race that I want to do. I know I will have to register in said race in order to keep on pushing. I wish I was one of the few dedicated and driven folks who can run “for the love of running.” I am not that person. I need a goal, which for me involves being trained for a race.
Thankfully I live in California where you can find a race pretty much every weekend of the year within driving distance. I can’t imagine living somewhere that I may not be able to find a December or January race (hello Montana! How you doing?). For those of you who live in places like that and keep on plugging away – Bless your heart! I am very impressed with your dedication.
I guess the point of this is that if anyone out there feels like their heart is not 100% in the “sport of running” for running’s sake, I am right there with you. Some days I just want to get out there and run my heart out. Other days the only reason I get out there is because I can’t stand the thought of missing a training run. Either way I get out there. So whatever I (or you) need to do to get off the couch and head out the door – I just got to do it!
Xoxo,
Mimi
Run with Mimi 