Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Plan B

Something that you quickly learn in distance running is things go awry. There seems to always be something during a long run that will surprise. The trick is figuring how to deal with the unexpected. The most frustrating mishaps are those that are self-inflicted. I'm feeling that way now. I planned to run the Philadelphia Marathon. In the back of my mind, until recently, I worried I wouldn't be able to do it because of my Achilles. So I procrastinated on the very basic necessity of marathon running: signing up for the race. You can imagine where this is going. The marathon is now sold out. So I'm moving on. I'm bummed because a few good friends are running the race, and I had plans to try to keep up with my friend Tom, who is on his way to a sub-three hour race. I was an idiot. No use dwelling on it.

Plan B is the Harrisburg Marathon. I think I went there once during a field trip. Maybe. It means moving up the race two weeks and compressing training. I'm fine with that. After the race on Sunday, I just want to get to the start healthy. I have enough time to add some needed endurance with a couple more 20s. Harrisburg is only three hours from NYC, and the race seems alright. I kinda like smaller marathons, although there are drawbacks. The major one is running alone. I love running alone most times, but it slows me down during races. I noticed in Indy and New Jersey times when nobody was around me. I have a feeling it'll be that way in Harrisburg. Still, I'm excited to run a new marathon and see a city I'd probably never see otherwise. Onward to Harrisburg.

5 comments:

Janeen said...

I laughed a little at the comedy of forgetting this small but essential detail (I regretted the laugher instantly.) :( Sorry you're missing this race, but glad you've found a Plan B

Brian Morrissey said...

Not great with the logistics. It's amazing I can plan training at all. But it all works out in the end. I get to see Harrisburg, after all, 26.2 miles of it. And I do like small marathons, although they can be boring running through suburbs and parking lots.

Anonymous said...

I think it is great that you came up with a plan B rather than giving up!

The Laminator said...

I think we have a name for that in my running circles...we call it "commitophobia"...sorry you got bit by that bug...

Running a smaller marathon isn't all bad. I did it in Hartford a few years back. It makes getting into and out of the event a bit easier. And when there's not that many people, you actually get to look around and enjoy the scenery a bit more, I think...

Brian Morrissey said...

I certainly had a serious case of commitophobia. I've overcome that by signing up for Harrisburg. I'm looking forward to the lack of hoopla there. My favorite race was the Cirulnick-Inamarato 50k. About 75 people ran it.