Boy, do I have a lot on my mind as we reach the end of October! Running has been going well, but things haven’t gone the way I expected at all. So I’m going to be venting a little bit, just to warn you!
Good thing it’s the last Friday of the month, meaning it’s time to link up with Marcia’s Healthy Slice to share our “Runfessions”! I’m also linking up with Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday! Let it all out and confess what you’ve been holding back when it comes to your running and training!
[bctt tweet=”Racing and training woes…it’s time to share those running confessions aka runfessions! #runchat “]
Runfessions for October
My Fall Racing Schedule is Falling Apart
When I look back at what I originally planned for the fall, it really makes me sad. While I’m really excited about the Annapolis Half Marathon and my first distance race in Buffalo on Thanksgiving, there was so much more that I had lined up that became a flop. Here’s a list of the races that I was supposed to do, that are now not happening.
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half or 6K:
I didn’t really do enough research on this race to make it happen – I didn’t even sign up! The race was held the week before my trip to Disney World with my sister, and it just wasn’t a priority for me. So I don’t feel too bad about missing it.
Blacklight Run 5K:
From blacklightrun.comThis was a race I signed up with some friends several months in advance that I thought would be a lot of fun. It was supposed to take place in September, but that turned out to be the Pope Weekend in Philly. So instead, they moved the date to the night before my Tough Mudder…
After picking up my bib and making arrangements to carpool, I made the decision to bail out at the last-minute. Tough Mudder meant too much for me to risk going to this chilly event in Camden. I still feel like an a-hole for missing the event and think my friends are mad at me about it. Oh well…
Trenton 10K:
I am really, really bummed about missing this race. I was so looking forward to running the bridges, enjoying some great scenery in this New Jersey race, and finally meeting Sharon from Run Hike Play, but it takes place the same day as my Homecoming – plus, we have softball playoffs. I’m so disappointed that I won’t get to go; I will have to put this back on the agenda for next year.
Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon:
This is still a possibility, but I’m on the fence. I never paid for race registration, and the cost is now so high that I am not sure it’ll be worth it – $120 for a half marathon? Sigh… Plus, the race is over 2 hours away so it’s not the most convenient in the first place I was really looking forward to running along the beach and enjoying the after party…
I know a few of you are planning on this race – what do you think, should I splurge, or should I just put it on next year’s list?
I’m Wondering If Tough Mudder Was Worth It…
When it comes to bonding with a great team and having fun doing something crazy, YES, the Tough Mudder was totally worth it.
But I wonder if I spent too much time and energy worrying about this race, and not focusing on running “real” races – hence the situation I’m in with a very dried up fall schedule.
Plus I’m still annoyed that I paid $175 for registration and all I got was a lousy cotton T-shirt and of course the headband that I’ll never wear, lol. I’m glad I challenged myself, but I think I’ll have to try out the Spartan or even another Warrior Dash to get muddy on a budget!
I’m Still Nervous About the Running Club Roundup
At the beginning of the month, I introduced my new blog series, the Running Club Roundup and I’m super excited and relieved that my first run with the Philly Runners was a generally positive experience!
But I’m a still a little bit scared to go through with it. Runners can be really friendly…but they can be cliquey too. I’m nervous that I won’t be made to feel welcome at some of these runs, and I really don’t want to write about a running group and give them “bad publicity”, so to speak. At the same time, I want to be completely honest about my experiences. It’s a tough balance…
I’m still deciding where my next group run will be. I have a 10-mile run on tap for this Sunday, so I’m thinking about joining one of the local groups for a long run. That could be pretty interesting!
What runfessions would you like to share?
It’s always hard to see a race schedule fall apart – believe me I know, especially this fall! But, the beauty is there will always be another race run 😉
That’s true – there are always other races! I’ll be okay…
I totally get where you’re coming from on the overbooked on races part, Janelle! I had to pull back on two RnR destination races this month and I feel terrible about it but it was the right choice. I’m asking myself wth I was thinking??
Your Tough Mudder is water under the bridge and it’s great to hear you bonded with your team so well but I’d be ticked about the cheap tee as well. Seriously.
I so admire you for even doing the running club thing. I hope your experiences going forward are great ones!
Thanks for linking up!
Thanks, Marcia! It’s so tough when things don’t go to plan…I’m just relieved I didn’t blow a ton of money on these races – I only paid for one! Every time I see people with Tough Mudder Under Armour shirts, I still get annoyed, not gonna lie! Of course I can sign up to do Tough Mudder again next year for only $99 – ha!
Good luck with your running club! I don’t know you but honestly you seem like such a sweet, fun woman I imagine your running club will go very well 🙂
I do the same thing, I see all these events I want to do, but then life happens…as long as your get your goal races in, it’s all good. I am in training group right for my half and honestly, it hasn’t been great. You never know how those things are going to go…
$120 for a half?! OK, that may not be helpful, but yikes. I think if you had fun at the Tough Mudder, it was worth it. You know you’d shorter mud races that won’t take up your time, so lesson learned for next year. It’s always tough when there are so many options.
That’s true, if I hated the Tough Mudder I would have been really upset! But yeah, glad to get it out of the way and check out some different races next year!
High prices are the reason I don’t do many races anymore. Prices have tripled since I first started racing, plus my husband usually races too, so that doubles our expenditure. I’ve been known to get on my soapbox about it :-).
I also had to back out of a few races, including the Honolulu marathon, because of my injury. At least I got a good deal on registration and I hadn’t actually signed up for the others.
That’s so true…my boyfriend and I were going to run Rehoboth together, but yes – way too expensive! I hope your recovery from injury is going well, I would have been so sad to miss Honolulu!
Good luck with your running club! I started running with a local club on the weekends a little while ago. It is a good change of scenery for sure! In our small-ish town, they try and mix up the routes every weekend, and so far, we haven’t completed the SAME route once!
Thanks, Lindsey – it sounds like you’ve found a great running group! They really can add a nice variety to your typical runs.
I am sure running with a new group is scary but I hope you go through with it because I want to hear about. Maybe you will run our group next time you are in DC?! Love the swim cap lol
I complain a little, but I’m definitely going to do it and share with everyone how it goes! I’d love to run with you in DC next time I’m down – I gotta figure out my plans!
Sounds like you’ve had a very busy, conflicting schedule. Don’t let it get to you, you can’t do everything all the time. I runfess that my training has been totally falling apart or at least having it’s set backs. I am grateful that my leg carried me through my trail running camp last weekend but fear that it won’t make the half marathon I have next weekend.
Don’t regret the Tough Mudder! You wanted to do it and who cares that you missed out on “real races” – it was an awesome experience that challenged you. And I wouldn’t shell out $120 for a half! That’s crazy talk. There will always be races. I know as runners we get antsy to fit in more and more and get race FOMO, but just take it easy. There will always be another race coming up.
So you didn’t miss Woodrow Wilson, it was cancelled because of the hurricane! Rehoboth is definitely on my list, but wow, $120 is crazy!
Try not to look at TM as a mistake or something that dampered your plans – I’m sure it was a great experience, and there will always be other fall races! As for the running clubs – I totally feel you. I get intimidated any time I go to a new one. But I have found that even in the midst of some clique-ier ones there are still really nice people!
I have heard really good things about Rehoboth Beach. I was actually thinking about it for next fall after tri season is over. I don’t have the running volume to do anything over a 10K right now. Too bad you will miss the Trenton race…it is hard to do all the fun things, though.
Is it a runfession if I say running is going awesome right now. That’s really all I’ve got to say. That counts righ 🙂
Well, my fall plans have fallen apart due to injury. Life certainly does get in the way sometimes. I don’t mind paying the higher fees if it is a race I really want to do. Sometimes I’ll wait to the last minute to make sure I’m healthy anyway. I seem to jinx myself when I pay too far in advance. LOL. I think you’ll find people in the club to connect with.
It’s a tough balance, right? I have had a couple of races I paid for (including the Runner’s World 10K a few years ago) that I had to DNS due to injury…it’s the worst. I really hope you heal up soon!
So sorry that your running schedule is falling apart. Ummm, yeah 120 for a half??? You better be getting some SWEET swag! If you had fun at Tough Mudder then I think it was worth it. Seriously, don’t have regrets just keep running forward.
So ironic that my blog name is “No Regrets” and yet….haha! You’re absolutely right. Gotta be glad for the good experiences so far!
I have never done a mud race or spartan, etc… it doesn’t interest me. I think I am too old and I hate mud, am afraid to get hurt… just not my thing. Even if your fall schedule did not turn out to be what you wanted it to be, at least you have great perspective and hindsight about the experience !
Oh Karen, that’s totally understandable – except you’re definitely not too old to do it!
Runfession… I would love to run a Thanksgiving morning race but I think I would bail last minute in exchange for lounging, sleep, and snacking, haha! I am also considering starting a running club here in Naples but I don’t know where to begin. They always seem like so much fun and I’d love to get a running group together 🙂
Good luck on forming a running club – it’s a great experience (I formed one at work which is sort of on hiatus now haha)! Yes, I do plan to do a turkey trot and would rather do that then be roped into cooking on Thanksgiving, lol!
You have so much on your plate! I wouldn’t worry about missing out on races! Especially since you definitely make the most of the ones you do participate it. Plus, it does get pretty expensive. I mean – we could get new sneakers for the price of some of these races!!!
Tell me about it…I could definitely get some new shoes or some cute clothes with the price of admission to Rehoboth, I definitely didn’t think of that! Thanks for the perspective 🙂
One reason I never do OCR is because I’m worried training for it will derail my road races, and I LOVE road races. Thank you for being honest about feeling like maybe TM wasn’t worth it for you. I know the headbands are supposed to be a badge of honor, but I’d much rather have a medal.
I think setting up races you want to run is helpful, but yeah, it stinks when you end up missing them. There’s always next year, luckily!
Yes, I definitely learned my lesson about Tough Mudder. It was the same weekend as the Runner’s World Half, which has been on my bucket list for years! I definitely know what I will choose next year! 🙂
I’ve been tentatively planning to be at RWF next year. If I make it, I hope to meet you!!
Oh that would be awesome, and YES, I’d love to meet you!! 🙂
Lots to think about. And dwell upon. And, a lot to learn from the experience. Sorry for the mix of emotions ((hugs)). I often wonder if I do too many races…there are a lot of favorites, and I look forward to them every year, but do I really NEED to do them every year? (probably not). Of course, I justify doing them because I LOVE the events, and I do not “race” every one of the events I do (especially when a lot of them are on back-to-back weekends. It’s a bummer when a new event comes along, and conflicts with other obligations (work, friends, family, etc.)…..and not every friend, family member, or co-worker understand the loss we feel in missing much-anticipated events. I feel your pain, and wish I could give you a hug in person 😉
*Hugs* It’s so tough sometimes, you know? A few years ago I had 5 races in 7 weeks and it was just TOO much. I do stil get scared about running too many races and getting injured, but I don’t want to have too few races too, you know?
I totally understand your feelings about your fall scheudle…I had to back out of a few races too and totally bummed about it.
Isn’t it amazing how playoff always seem to be during those races that you really want to run. The woes of a sport playing/runner.
Rehobeth…..I was looking forward to meeting you but I am not sure about $120 for a half….that is a bit steep to me at least.
I so admire you doing your run club hops….I am so not social and would find it so difficult.
Tamieka, it seems like I find pleasure in torturing myself with tough tasks, like softball and running in new groups. It’s totally scary but it’s exciting too. Sigh, so sad about Rehoboth 🙁
$120 it A LOT for a half! My Runfession would be that when I look for races to run, the cost is one of the factors! I mean obviously there are some big marathons where it is just going to cost $100+ and it is totally worth it. But I have a hard time paying more than $60 for a half.
Yes, I’ve decided that $120 just isn’t worth it this time around. There are so many other races out there that are cheaper and provide great value! I’d pay more than $60 for a half if I was getting some decent swag.
Its so easy to overcommit ourselves, especially when it comes to adding races to our calendar. I’d suggest focusing on what matters most – time with family – and then sprinkling in the races that fit well with your family’s calendar. Hopefully your 2016 race calendar won’t fall apart in the same way that your late 2015 one has.
So true, Kathryn, I am already starting to think about 2016. I think the big problem I had was that I waited to long to sign up for a couple of these races until it was too late. Things could definitely be worse. I think April is going to be a pretty busy time for races, but hopefully it all balances out! I’m looking forward to training this winter 🙂
Sometimes race schedules don’t go as planned. Life just gets in the way sometimes. I didn’t realize how costly Tough Mudder is. Sounds like it was fun though!
The WWB was canceled due to the hurricane (?) so you didn’t miss that one. I think focusing on the Tough Mudder was a good decision – you had to train to do well and enjoy it, so it was worth that investment of time to get your money’s worth (even if the t-shirt wasn’t worth it). You can do more regular races next year!
Coco, I didn’t even realize the race was cancelled…well I feel better about that one, at least! Yes, I think I’ll be back to more regular races next year, even though the obstacle races are fun in their own right.
It is so frustrating when your running schedule falls apart! Races are getting so expensive so it is even more frustrating because not only to do get to do something you were probably looking forward to, you are also out a lot of money! However, with that all said, when you have a lot on your plate missing/skipping a race is the best thing for you. Hopefully now that Tough Mudder is done your can get back to a normal schedule!
Yes, I’m bummed about the way things ended up, but I’m looking at the bright side – I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done and training is going well. I’m looking forward to finishing the season strong! 🙂
Ah no worries about the Trenton 10K. Homecoming is so much more funner! Hopefully we will meet some other time! If you ever do a race in Northern CA let me know! Or I may be back for NYC marathon (if I ever get in) :). I wouldn’t pay $120 for a half, that’s just way too much, I’d only do that if it was a really great race with great swag like the Nike Half. Good luck with the running group! It was nice to read your take. With moving, I am considering joining a running group out in Davis, but kinda scared too. We’ll see.
I look forward to when we can finally meet! Right, yes I’d definitely pay more for a special race like the Nike Women’s Half, so I’m going to pass on Rehoboth this time. Let me know if you check out that running group! 🙂
I LOVE your honesty and more power to it! We all need more of it in every way and I applaud your efforts. And, how could anyone not want to be open to you in that new running group and be friends If they aren’t – they are losing out!
Thanks, Lori! 🙂
It seems like it’s been a frustrating fall for a lot of folks. I’ve never done a Tough Mudder but I’ve done a Warrior Dash and a Spartan Sprint but nothing longer. At one point I was going to sign up for either a super or the beast but then I got injured so I took that as a sign.
Good luck with your group runs!
Thanks, Kristen! I just wish I was able to run more races this fall, you know?