It’s no secret – I obsess. A lot. Among many, my current obsessions lie in the realms of food, semi-colons, running, back fat, and Sid Dickens (who btw could use a little HRMS) – but often, the lines of obsession and reality are a little blurry for Runner Susan. So blurry in fact, that the lines of reality turn into big-fat-sharpie lines of exaggeration and create a lovely Runner Susan World. And as lovely as RSW is, I’m thinking the running goals I have set for myself may be more of an exaggeration than a reality.
My ultimate goal – To qualify for the Boston Marathon. When I was running high school track twenty years ago, it seemed like a simple goal. When I started running again two years ago it seemed like a simple goal that would produce magical results. If I could run a marathon my life would be full of vitality, health, fertility, happiness, love and pleasure. It’s nice to live in Runner Susan World.
Yes, I put in the miles. I run marathons. I am healthier than I have probably ever been. That’s dandy and all, but in order to qualify for Boston I need to shave one hour and fifteen minutes off my marathon time. Seriously, is this realistic?
I do love to run, but I question my motivation and dedication. Because my actions are not those of a runner who truly wants to qualify for Boston. I just don’t know if I have it in me to do what it takes to obtain this goal. I know I can put in the miles – but can I change my lifestyle? And more importantly, do I even want to? Honestly, who doesn’t want to eat cake or drink martinis? And yet this is something I’ve wanted for most of my life. I suppose I’m struggling with the reality of the challenge. I can do the work, I can make the sacrifices – but if I don’t want it enough, is it worth the effort?
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Only do it and keep doing if you enjoy it. From your previous posts you sound like someone who enjoys life and running too much to be obsessed by a target set by others.
Nice profile picture – do you have a professional photographer or are you just naturally photogenic?
In Runner Susan World there is always place for new challenges!
Big hopes require an even bigger heart.
Wait – I’m not supposed to be drinking alcohol?
Maybe THAT’S my problem! Haha. Damn 3:40:59!
Great post Susan & a great question.
I think I agree with some of the other comments – it’s all about balance. Finding a balance between the time required to do the training & the time required to live a full life. I guess it depends on how much you want it. But the thing is – you don’t have to decide how much you want it right now. Otherwise, what do you do tomorrow? Stop running altogether if the price is too high. No, I don’t think so – you keep the big goal in mind but pick an intermediate step or goal towards it. Shaving 15mins off your marathon time etc. Step by step you will get there & be able to eat your cake (& drink Martini’s). Just a thought.
You’ve obviously struck a chord here with many – including my self. I’m about 14 minutes off, and I decided this time I am going for it – starting RIGHT NOW. (Note, I posted my blog today before reading yours!). Your questions are exactly the ones I have been wrestling with for the past few years. My conclusion: I’ve got to give it my best shot to see if I can do it. If I fall short, I will at least know I tried.
Susan – wow – I hope you get this far down.
If this is something that you REALLY want, you will get there. But be prepared for the long haul. It will take time. There will be many ups and downs. It will require more than simply putting in the miles.
You ask:
“That’s dandy and all, but in order to qualify for Boston I need to shave one hour and fifteen minutes off my marathon time. Seriously, is this realistic?”
Yes it is. Seriously. If you really want it.
As Olga says there are obstacles but I know I will overcome them, keep going and keep going step by step ’till the top of the mountain.
Even you have great chances, as Rob’s!!!
Let me ask you this: qualifying Boston is your ultimate goal or was your ultimate goal? Life gets in the way sometimes. So what is your goal?
If you are hot for Boston, remember that you’ve only been running again for two years. You’re just a rookie marathoner.
As a sidebar question, isn’t your birthday coming up?
I think it’s extremely useful and worthwhile to have a lofty goal in life. You really enjoy running, right? So a big goal is like the holy grail hovering on the horizon. I think the best idea is to have a bunch of smaller, more obtainable goals for along the journey, to keep you from getting too downhearted, but one BIG one further in the distance is a very healthy, subconsciously (or consciously) motivating thing. I think having far sighted dreams is what seperates us from animals, and from people who float directionlessly and unhapplily through life. I’ve recently decided my life long goal is to break 3:15 for a marathon. I don’t care that it may take me 10 years to get there, it makes me very excited to think about working slowly and steadily towards such an immense acheivement. The greatest thing about running is that we do tend to get better with age and experience (to a point). I think – my mum ran a 3:10 marathon in her last 40s, so why the heck can’t I?
I also don’t believe that martinis and cake preclude these things. They may for the world class athletes, but not for us regular joes.
Sixty comments already, geez! That is a lot of time to shave off your marathon best, I think you need to really have to want it to succeed – it will take a lot of hard work. On the other side, I think you could really do it if you are willing to make the sacrifice.
Maybe if you keep running and try to live a basically healthy lifestyle with some cake and martinis thrown in for spice, you will reach an age where your qualifying time comes down to be within reach? Want to do Boston in your seventies?
I’ll echo others that said that you can do it(qualify for boston), if you really want it bad. Very attainable if you closely work your way up by marking off each target you set for yourself. You know setting new pr’s by like 5 mins at a time.
There is nothing incoherent about this post Susan. You are searching your soul which is a delight to read about. In the end, it may be that running Boston isn’t what’s important for you; but rather, for you to understand what the desire is about? Just make sure that you’re present on the journey.
Question: Is there such a thing as a marathoner who is not obsessed?
Great post. I think all runners go through this. When I started running I thought I could easily qualify for Boston but that was just a dumb idea. I’m sure you will figure out what is best for you.
Just read this June post about your experience in the Rock N Roll marathon and about whether you have what it takes to qualify for Boston. Yes, it will take more time and commitment. But it is doable! I have 11 minutes to shave off to qualify for Boston. Throughout my marathon training for both the Marine Corps Marathon and the National Marathon in March, my first marathon, I ate cake, cookies, and drank martinis. I don’t know why people think they can’t enjoy food and drink while training. If you CAN’T imbibe those calories when you’re logging 40+ mileage weeks, when, pray tell, can you?!
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