Feeling oh-so-un-inspired

When I finished my marathon in June having just missed sub-3 hours, I was sad/pissed at myself and beyond motivated for a re-do. The week immediately after that marathon, I was chomping at the bit to keep running despite needing rest. I emailed my coach and asked if I should find another marathon to run within the month. I was in good shape and didn't want to waste it. Plus I wanted to undo all the negativity in my head and just f-ing run sub-3. But, my coach emailed back and said it was not recommended and that I should give myself at least a few months to recover. Ugh.

So that is how I ended up registering for the California International Marathon ("CIM") on December 8, 2013. The race takes place in Sacramento and is renowned as a super speedy course. I signed up right away without giving myself an out. Because, good lord, if I can't run a sub-3 on this course, I'm really in trouble!!!!!

The problem is that I've lost a lot of that initial motivation. The pain of coming close, but missing my goal is more distant and my competitive desire to run sub-3 is waning. I mean, who really cares if I run sub-3? My parents certainly don't. My friends don't. Travis does for my sake. But do I still care?

I knew this would happen and it's the whole reason I signed up for the race right away. Had I been more passive and waited around, the race surely would have filled up and closed, and oops, I wouldn't be signed up. But I was proactive.

So, what now? I'm about 3.5 months out from this race, need to start getting my butt into gear, and it's kind of the last thing I want to think about right now. On top of that, I've fallen off my #sexycore routine. My desire to reach my marathon goal by focusing on the little things is fading fast.

Quite simply, in the spirit of "I-paid-130-dollars-to-run-this-race," I will get my butt into gear. And luckily, my other half just signed up as well, so we're in it together. That helps. I know I will get it done.

From a pure running motivation perspective, I've been focused on changing up my routine. On not running the dreaded, flat bike path route that I normally do. On finding new paths and trails. My running goal for last week was to not run the same route twice. And surprisingly (or not?) it was really freaking fun to find new trails, all by myself. I got a few CRs (always good for the ego) and some encouraging kudos from Travy (also good for my ego).

This week, I will attend practice (after missing the last 2 weeks). I will continue to explore the trails in our backyard and go for more CRs. I will create a new #sexycore routine to mix things up. And I will freaking just have fun!!!!! 

Trail running in Park City, UT