Thursday, July 1, 2010

Will 2011 Be the Year?

Here's the thing: I am seriously considering running a marathon next fall.

Since I started to run, I have ALWAYS said that I would NEVER run a full marathon.  Why would I want to put my body through the kind of torture?  Why would I want to run for 5 hours straight (because I'm sure that is how long it will take me)?  Who has the time to run for 4 hours every week or two for training?

Earlier this year, I was inspired to do run a marathon by Christy.  She invited me to do the DisneyWorld Marathon with her again in 2011 and I was seriously planning on it and working towards it - and then I found out that I was pregnant.  I was disappointed about the marathon, but excited for the baby (since we had been trying for a year and I was about to go visit my doctor about it).

Within the last month, the idea of running a marathon has kept coming back to me.  I would really like to try it, at least once... just to say that I did it, and then I can go back to half marathons (I love the distance - it challenges you without putting SO much strain on your body).  And I've thought about it so much, that I've already picked out the race that I want to do.  The St. George Marathon.  It's a lottery to get in (you apply in April, I think) and if I don't get in... I already have a back-up race in mind.

The only thing that would stop me is the fact that I will have an infant for all of the training and the race.  It won't be easy to train.

So - anyone out there that has run a marathon within a year after giving birth?  Is it not as hard as I think it will be or is it harder than I think it will be?  Should I go for it or should I stick to half marathons and save it for another couple of years down the road, when I won't be working full-time plus staying up nights with a baby?

7 comments:

Questionably Texan said...

Obviously I have no experience with the matter, but I would check out Dorothy's blog at http://mile-posts.blogspot.com/

She's a dedicated runner, has small kids, and another on the way. I don't know how much running she did right after her previous pregnancies, but it doesn't sound like she slowed down much.

Blaine said...

Whether you have a newborn or an older child, there will always be reasons to NOT run. You just fit it in and make work.

Becca Lund said...

uh, I consider running to the gas station to get some fattening snacks a marathon, and I do that almost daily...

Mile Posts by Dorothy Beal said...

Thanks for becoming a follower!! I can't believe we have the SAME due date!!! It will be fun to *share* this pregnancy together. Maybe I'll do a whole blog posting on this topic. I always hold back on the nitty gritty mom stuff because I know I have male readers too, but I guess they can just skip the posting. After my 1st baby I started training for my first marathon 9 months later[I later had to abandon right before - since I found out I was expecting again]. After my 2nd baby I started training for a marathon less than two months later and ran it 6 months and 2 days after he was born. I plan on starting training for Boston 2011 January 1st - we will see how much time that gives me between birth and training this time around!

Scarlett said...

Great post! I'll be excited to hear what you decide.

The Boring Runner said...

I've heard St George is a GREAT fast race. And pretty too. I'd love to do it and finally get my BQ. But, I don't have many hills to practice running down! :(

Pining for Pinterest said...

I think you should go for it ;)