To Sign Up For My First Official Ultra or Not...

I'm thinking of running a 50 mile ultra marathon. It just seems like the most sane thing to do, considering all the less sane things the mom of a toddler can come up with.

So I decided I would start by putting together a training plan and following it for a couple of weeks, just to see how it feels before I actually sign up.

This past week, I followed the training schedule perfectly. I got in all the runs I was supposed to do without much pain.

Saturday I almost didn't run. I planned to take the weekend off because my shins were bothering me, but my mental state required that I go for a run. Skipping my medication for two days straight was just too much of a hazard. So I went for a 3 mile ez run, thus finishing my weekly miles.

Anyway, I'm running along Saturday and as I naturally begin thinking of how much longer I have to go, I start looking around at the beautiful fall scenery and think, "No one is forcing me to be out here. I can turn around at any point and run or even leisurely walk back home. I am out here of my own choosing." And what a great thought that was. It made me want to run more. And it got me to thinking,

"Do I really want to sign up for a race where I will then be forced to go out and follow a training schedule in order to complete said race?'

I think I enjoy running better when I'm not under the pressure to do some specific race. I'm just running for the enjoyment of it, pushing myself every day to do better and taking a day or two off when I need it.

But as I said before, running an ultra still might be the sanest thing I could do at this point in time.

Comments

[JenniferLeah]

take some time to digest the idea and follow your heart!

I do have to say that I don't have anything in the books (races) and this week has been just amazing for running-the free feeling and the beautiful fall scenery. It just makes you appreciate being alive and active!

[jill]

come to philly & run the long ranger. i'll crew for you! heck, i'll crew for you anywhere in the mid-atlantic/northeast.

[Anna]

oh i do want to do the lone ranger. i totally forgot that i said i wanted to do that. i think it's not set up for the more competitive runner, but for a casual runner like me, that would be awesome!