Run, Dawnie, Run!: Commitment

June 15, 2006

Commitment

The more observant among you may have noticed that while I had a whole slew of summer and fall races listed in the sidebar, I hadn't yet put a fall marathon up there. You may have been wondering, "Is Dawn running a fall marathon? Which one is she doing? Is it going to be a Top Secret race? Or maybe after the sauna in Madison she's just going to stick to 5 and 10Ks like a sane person."

Well, the last one certainly isn't true, as I have very rarely in my life asked myself, "What would a sane person do?" before deciding on a course of action. Nor would anyone who actually knows me describe me as a sane person. Really, it came down to the fact that I just didn't know. I was planless, which is not a state I like to be in.

It wasn't my fault that I was planless, though. I had a plan! My plan was to enter the lottery for New York. If I got in, I'd run that. If I didn't, then I'd run Chicago. No problem. Plan A and Plan B, lined up and ready to go. Until Chicago went ahead and filled up before Memorial Day, which.... whatever. I have a wide variety of thoughts on the complete ridiculousness of the situation, but we'll just skip over that. Suffice it to say I was shocked, amazed, and somewhat annoyed. My Plan B was now kaput. Useless. Very much un-plan-like. However, I wasn't worried. I still had Plan A, which was to run New York if I got in to it. No problems.

I did start pondering other fall marathons, as Plan B Redux. There was Milwaukee. There was Grand Rapids. There was the Marine Corps Marathon, if it was still open. Heck, I could even go run Detroit again, if I really wanted to. I tossed these ideas around in my head, but never really picked one or gave it any sort of serious consideration. Mostly because it never occurred to me that I wouldn't get in to New York. I mean, I knew it was a possibility, I just never thought it would actually happen.

Then it did. And I was suddenly confused. I latched on to Marine Corps, but wasn't 100% committed. Then, before I could register, it filled up. All righty, then. No MCM for me. So, now what?

I thought. I pondered. I knew people that would be running Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, and Steamtown. I did consider running Detroit again - it's close to my parents' house, which means free lodging. Plus, I'd love to go back there and run a really great race, to even out the death march that it turned into last year. Except there was one small problem - I just couldn't get excited about it. The more I thought about it, the more I was afraid the course - which was gorgeous in spots, but largely uninspiring - wouldn't hold up well to a second viewing. I finally just decided to knock that one out of consideration.

Milwaukee and Steamtown were all good and well, except they were early in the month and wouldn't fit with the half I want to run on October 1. (Milwaukee is on the 1st, and Steamtown is the following weekend.) Plus, the overall downhill of Steamtown worries me - I'm not sure how my legs would hold up to that, especially since I don't really have a good way to train on hills around here. Sure, I can hit the gym and use the treadmill to train on uphills, but I'm not sure how I'd prepare my legs for that much downhill. Maybe a year or two from now, when I'm in better shape overall.

After hitting Marathon Guide and looking at damn near every race that would be run in the midwest during the month of October, I finally decided on Grand Rapids. It'd be close to home. I knew some people that ran it last year, and they had nothing but good things to say about the race. And, really, how can you not love a race that has Oprah and P. Diddy pace groups?

So, Grand Rapids it is. It's out there. I've told people about it. The time goal I'm working with right now is 4:30, but that's subject to change, depending on how this summer goes. All that's left to do now is register (which will be done by the end of next week, I promise).

Posted by Dawn at June 15, 2006 01:04 PM

Comments

boooo, boooo i say!

what happened to vegas? c'mon! VEGAS! lots of rbf'ers running vegas, lots of support, lots of fun!

Posted by: jeff at June 15, 2006 01:31 PM

A weird year for marathons, isn't it?

Glad you were able to pick one. I'm sure you'll do great. Plus, it can't possibly be 90 degrees in Grand Rapids in October, right?

Posted by: Jay T at June 15, 2006 01:59 PM

Good for you to finally decided on Grand Rapids and to put it in writing. That's strange how the other ones filled up so fast--plus NYC doesn't know what they're missing by saying no to you. Good luck with training.

If not GR, you could run Philadelphia in November.

I have a soft spot for Grand Rapids. My great-aunt lived there for many years. After retiring as a science teacher, she volunteered at the zoo as a snake lady.

Posted by: ShoreTurtle at June 15, 2006 02:24 PM

I've heard great things about GR, too. You'll be brilliant. :)

Posted by: RunningJayhawk at June 16, 2006 08:37 AM

Sorry that Plan "A", "B" and "C" fell through. Sorry you didn't get into Marine Corp. It would be great to see you at another marathon, but I have also heard good things about Grand Rapids. I hope you have a great training cycle. I just know that you can hit your goal if not beat it.

Posted by: marathonmike at June 16, 2006 07:29 PM

You have a well designed blog, and I can see myself stopping by regularly.

It was nice meeting you tonight. See you 7/23.

Posted by: Full Metal Lunchbox at June 16, 2006 11:45 PM

It's a shame I won't be ready to run a full marathon this year, otherwise I would parrot Jeff and yell "Go for Vegas"... then, I'd join you!

I'm looking at doing a trip to the US some time around the last quarter of the year. I might aim for a half marathon if I enter any RBF meets though. Guess I'll see if anything's on when I'm in the country. :-)

Anyway, I'm rambling. Best of luck with the races! Glad to hear you've settled on a goal.

Posted by: Reece at June 17, 2006 12:26 AM

Great to meet you last night. Good luck in your running and we'll see you in July for the second annual CRU meet up. I'll bring the corporate bullshit book!

Posted by: Taylor at June 17, 2006 11:12 AM

Hi. I got to your page via jayhawk's. I had really wanted to attend dinner w/ you all but I was leaving town. Anyway....I think it is awesome that you are doing Grand Rapids and how great to have a Oprah and P. Diddy pace group - I'm jealous chicago is not that cool. Also, I see you are running the Women's Race in Chicago - I should be there too expect all my friends are backing out but maybe if we meet before the race we'll see each other there. Happy training.

Posted by: Nicole at June 18, 2006 10:55 AM