Hanging up the goggles (somewhat)
I was running with my friends yesterday when my friend Janelle brought up the fact that in my earlier post this week I said I had only swum 2,500 yards last week and that it wasn’t enough if I was doing the Bay Swim. Which is totally and completely correct. Good thing, then, that I have decided to pull out of it.
You see, between my aches and pains, a trip to Arizona and Ohio that didn’t really allow for time in the pool, I am WAY behind where I should be for getting in the proper yardage. I was already debating what to do about the swim when I got this in an email from the race director:
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If you haven’t done an open water swim of at least a mile in the past year, the race director requires that you have someone certify that you can swim 3 miles in a certain amount of time (I think 2 1/2 hours?). I knew that, but I didn’t realize that there was a deadline for getting that certification in. March 2 is the deadline. Getting this email last week while in Ohio, I knew it was pretty unrealistic that I could find someone to certify me that quickly. Yes, if I really, really wanted it I probably could. But my enthusiasm for training that much in the pool has been waning of late, so this was all the push I needed.
The nice thing is that they send you a refund, minus a $25 processing fee. More than fair, I think.
Am I a feeling like a bit of a quitter? Yes, admittedly so. But I also know that life is too short to spend forcing things you don’t really want. I do want to do the Bay Swim some day, without question. Right now, however, I’m enjoying the ability to run again, to train for a marathon again, too much. I don’t want the added stress of fitting in big swims at the moment. Another year, when I’m not training for a spring marathon, I’ll probably throw my name in the hat again. But not now.
Have you ever signed up for something and regretted it?
I have lived the phrase about life being too short to force doing things you do not want. and for me the GIFT of aging is when i know in my heart it’s the right choice—quitting or STOPPING is never a failure.
xo
Miz recently posted..Happy birthday Dr. Seuss
love this comment!!!
Tara Burner recently posted..Let Me Pick Your Brain & Hard Work
I am so agreeing with you! You don’t really need to force yourself on something you don’t really want. Everything has it’s own time..
Wynona recently posted..Unlock iPhone 4
I agree with you, Amanda…I think focusing on one large goal at a time is the best thing you could do…The Boston Marathon is exciting enough for the spring!! Hope you get lucky again next year =)
PS -> Love that you were refunded the $! That makes me happy!!
Michele @ nycrunningmama recently posted..Is borrowing (or selling) a race bib wrong?
I’m 100% with you. Definitely the right choice from your side. It is also different with swimming I think. Running through on bad training is one thing, but swimming… I recently pulled out of a 3 day stage race. I signed up months ago because there is a long waiting list. I didn’t know at the time I’ll be getting married a month before the event. With all that my training was just not right and I pulled out.
Johann recently posted..Some SA Running Rules
I echo what Miz said
I signed up for a measly 5K after multiple ankle injuries…stupid move and then had to no show it…dumb on my part, thought if I signed up I’d push myself to do it then realized that having blown out my ankle twice in a matter of months would not be the smart thing to run it! I’m getting wiser w/my old age
Tara Burner recently posted..Let Me Pick Your Brain & Hard Work
Well said! We shouldnt waste our time or energy on things that aren’t fulfilling us.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..A Shameless Plea, Mud Runs, and “I Wanna Be That Bird”
Ditto Miz. The pool and the bay will be there. Getting to Boston post-injury is a huge goal, and I don’t think you should feel bad at all that you have chosen to focus on that.
Raquelita recently posted..February in Review
That’s a great requirement from the organization – I haven’t seen that from many open water swims. And sounds like the right decision on your part, too. Now, more time for running!
Abby @ Have Dental Floss, WIll Travel recently posted..Midnight Cowboy Rides Again
Funny you mention this b/c for some reason in the shower yesterday I was thinking about you and that swim. Sounds like the right decision for where things are for you right now. Nothing is ever set in stone. We are always changing and can always reserve the right to change our minds!!
Shut Up and Run recently posted..Shut Up, Punk!
If it adds stress, it isn’t worth it. I think you made the right decision. My Dad is actually doing that race, his first in many years!
Molly recently posted..WW: I finally broke down and bought a race photo.
Races are like men, every now and then something really special comes your way but the timing may not be right. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” Your not a quitter. xo
LisaM@RunWiki recently posted..I May Never Go Back to “Regular” Again
I think you should follow your heart so I say chuck the swim for now! I think we all know what we really want! I would trade out most everything I have planned for a chance to run NYC!
Coy recently posted..Fuerte – that means "bad ass" in spanish
Good for you! Sounds like it’s totally the right move. Gotta prioritize, and right now it’s all about Boston!
Allison Johnson recently posted..I’m Not Dead
Definitely sounds like the right decision, for right now. Some times things just dont’ go according to plan.
marlene recently posted..Three Things Thursday
Good call on pulling out, and awesome that they refund!
Heather recently posted..It’s Friday I’m in Love
About mid-race, I regret signing up for just about everything.
But I’m too much of a cheapskate to pull out ahead of time so I tend to be pretty conservative with what I actually plunk down the money for.
Christina recently posted..I’m Back…
A race that sends a refund? Can’t beat that!
Sometimes we just do what we gotta do….it’s hard to be Wonderwoman every single day!
Jill recently posted..Oh right, I have a blog…
I do it all the time… I have a fear of missing out on something so I end up over committing. At least they send a refund that is pretty great!
Sounds to me like you’re doing the right thing–your runs lately have been great and I know that’s your first love. The bay isn’t going anywhere for when you’re ready to return to it.
Terzah recently posted..Bye Bye February!
yikes I don’t blame you!!!!!!
Kristy (@KrisRunTri) recently posted..Twinsburg Indoor Triathlon aka #TriNotToDrown Recap
That swim will be there when you’re ready. You are wise to listen to your heart. Its also great to be reminded that aging has its benefits!
Teamarcia recently posted..Moving Day
Totally agree! YOu did the right thing!
Mamarunsbarefoot recently posted..The Quilt
I pulled out of my planned May 70.3 for a different race. I think it’s totally ok if your goals and your mind change! good for you.
katie recently posted..february, otherwise known as "spring"
You said: ” But I also know that life is too short to spend forcing things you don’t really want. ” I think that says it all! <3
Andrea recently posted..Dental Bad Swimming Good
You always have to do what’s right for yourself.
Toni Church recently posted..Friday Favorites
you are no quitter, you are and educated, smart athlete.
feener recently posted..eating crap food = grumpy
I have been wondering about this. You must be relieved not to be doing it and having made up your mind about it.
Well put! Life really is too short to force yourself to do things that you don’t really want!
And how amazing is it that you got a refund?!
I’ve never regretted signing up for anything but I was really upset when I couldn’t run the Midsummer Night’s Run 30K because I sprained A LOT of tendons in both of my feet. And then I couldn’t run the Scotiabank Half Marathon in the fall so I ended up giving away my bibs twice.
Siobhan @ Siobhan McCarthy.ca recently posted..Under Armour Bra Review & Giveaway!
I’ve never regretted signing up for a race, except for a couple times where I got injured after signing up and not being able to do the race.
Glad to hear you’re in marathon mode, you quitter
.
kidding bout the quitter part.
2 Slow 4 Boston recently posted..If This Is What Being Hip Is All About, Then I Don’t Want To Be
Oh bummer to hear that but your running again and that seems like your true love! I can’t believe they send you money back?! Sounds like a deal to me and kudos to you for following your instinct. There is no rush on stuff eh? Ha remind me of that when I get impatient meeting my “goals” will ya?! Oxox
Can’t wait to read Boston RR!!!
Fueled by Spite recently posted..Tri-Cities half marathon
You might feel or have felt like a quitter but you would have hated that swim if you couldn’t get through it with the ease you would have expected of yourself.
Jason @ Cook Train Eat Race recently posted..Have I Become Addicted? by Karen Bahamundi
It’s great when you know you’ve made the right choice. Life really is way too short to be spending that amount of time training for something your heart wasn’t into. If I find I’m forcing myself to do something, I really try to sit down and think about why I’m having to force it. Sometimes I conclude that I need to carry on and sometimes it means “quitting”. Whatever. This life is short and we need to keep it as sweet as we can. We are not here to freak out about whether or not we quit this race or that. There are much better things to occupy our minds with.
You made the right choice
Julie recently posted..The Injury
Great post. Gave me lots to think about. I am really debating if I should down-grade my May marathon to the half. I keep getting injured and my heart just isn’t into the long run this time around. I think maybe it’s just my pride holding me back from making the switch.
“But I also know that life is too short to spend forcing things you don’t really want.” – love it and so true! Sounds like the right choice…definitely not a quitter, just being smart about your priorities!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..February Rewind
You made the right choice… and the Bay will always be there for you to swim, when you heart is into it!
Sounds like you made the smart decision for you.
Yes, I go back & forth on regretting this 70.3 next month!
That Pink Girl recently posted..Declarations and Confessions
It sounds like you made the right decision!
Bela recently posted..Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Race Recap
Sometimes real life gets in the way of what seemed like a really good idea. It wasn’t meant to happen for you this year.
Char recently posted..Mixed Emotions.
Sounds like the right decision to me… so great that they can refund most of it, too. The swim will be there next year! I’m telling myself that with the marathon that may not happen as well, it helps to remember this is not the only opportunity to race!
Laura recently posted..For the love of running
I’ll bet that feels like a load off! Sounds like a very wise decision that now allows you to focus on just one thing at a time. And how great that they offer a refund! Certain running races should take note!
Racingtales – Alison Gittelman recently posted..You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it
I am learning that getting in swim time is so hard! It seems much more time consumming that getting in a run or bike ride. I can’t imagine training for a full marathon and tri at the same time. No one is viewing you as a quitter. So don’t get down on yourself. I think you are pretty incredible!
Vieve recently posted..Week #9 In Review
AW, bummer. But swimming is so difficult and there is always next year
Kim recently posted..Disney Marathon Relay Photos