I lost $118.15 today! Wait, make that: I lost my mind and spent $118.15 on registration for the Long Beach Marathon! Prices go up $10 tomorrow so I figured I’d be crazy if I didn’t sign up today. So that’s how, just five days after my second marathon, I find myself registered for 26.2 #3, to take place October 13, 2013.
If only my running speed could match the speed with which I can go from thinking “Marathons are ridiculous. I was crazy for signing up for this” to “I love a challenge! I can’t wait to run another full!”
I wasn’t joking when I said my emotions were pretty raw after the Mountains2Beach Marathon. I kind of knew that I wouldn’t let myself end my full marathon “career” (ha) on a race where I bonked, but at the same time I felt a little betrayed by my body and disillusioned by running. (That “betrayed by my body” stuff comes from a history of infertility and autoimmune thyroid disease. Exercise helped me take back some feeling of strength and empowerment, and when my body couldn’t keep running strong for the full race, I felt a little betrayed again. Which I fully realize is just messed up, because HELLO, my strong and powerful body just carried me 26.2 miles!)
The day after the marathon, my family and I played tourists in Ojai. As we wandered around downtown, we came upon a used book sale at the local library. Now that combines two of my passions: reading and thrift shopping! I spent a long time browsing all the titles until I came upon one that caught my eye:
Never Stop Running! No matter that it was a book about politics. It was a sign. Do you believe in signs? For me, it’s not a belief that someone’s sending me a sign so much as a belief that we are open to seeing what we want to see in a given moment. I obviously wanted to Never Stop Running!
Have you run Long Beach? Have you bonked in a race and come back to conquer the distance successfully? Do you believe in signs?
Fit Fun Mom 
When I bonked on a half marathon, it was definitely my fault! At the 9 mile aid station I drank an electrolyte drink that I had never tried before, and it went downhill from there. I had to walk a good portion of the remaining four miles and was limping across the finish line… It took a long time to be brave enough for 13.1 again, but I did it 🙂
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Excellent comeback story, thank you for sharing it with me! I hope I can figure out what made me bonk (the gels are the leading suspect) and fix it for next time.
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WooHoo to the next saga of training!!
And, I love used book stores (although I don’t go as much now that I have a Nook) – so fun to browse around!!
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I’m so tempted to sign up for a fall marathon, but I’m trying to proceed with caution as I’m still not sure that it’s a ‘healthy’ distance for me. I’ve heard good things about Long Beach – a colleague ran it last year and had a great experience.
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I’m glad to hear your colleague liked Long Beach! You are so smart to proceed with caution — there’s always another good option in the January – May range if you feel ready for it then.
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