A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

my first race cancellation

passion for running category: pose running method,running on Wednesday, May 11 2005

Aaron and I cancelled our May 29th triathlon. I’m pretty sure it’s the first race either of us have ever cancelled. It was a hard decision to make and, for a moment, we both felt a bit sick about it. I can’t speak for Aaron, but I know that for me there was a sinking feeling that if I was to cancel this triathlon, it would become easier to cop out of future events. I definitely don’t like giving myself easy-outs when it comes to race commitments since I find having those goals to work toward really helps me keep a consistent fitness schedule.

However, I’m good with the decision. It was for a very good reason.

The decision is all about focussing on fixing my form and engraining the pose method. When it came down to it, Aaron and I were both concerned that by running 8k after a bike and swim, we’d do damage to the work we’ve done to engrain our new form. We knew there’d be no way we’d be able to run more than a mile or so in pose and that would mean we’d have to walk (poop on that!) or revert back to our old form. Of course, reverting is not something we want to do since we believe it would undo the good stuff we’ve done to date.

So the tri will wait. In the meantime, I will bask in the joy of knowing I’ve finally conquered my fear of swimming and will live vicariously through Dianna and Annalisa.

You GO girls!




10 Comments

4033

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Wednesday May 11, 2005 @

Bummer to be forced to make that choice, but it sounds like you made the right one. There will be other races.

4034

Comment by tracy

Wednesday May 11, 2005 @

Nothing wrong with that. Sounds like a good decision to me. The longer term goal is more important….Good for you for making a tough decision like that.

4035

Comment by Deene

Wednesday May 11, 2005 @

Based on your current training and goals you made a sound decision, otherwise you’d be racing racing an incomplete vehicle.

4036

Comment by susan

Wednesday May 11, 2005 @

I agree. You are off to such a strong start. No sense in take steps backward. You will be happy when you can complete your Tri the way you want to.

4037

Comment by jank

Wednesday May 11, 2005 @

Commitment is tough, sometimes. But it sounds like you’re taking a long view, which is good.

4039

Comment by Lara

Thursday May 12, 2005 @

That seems like a sound decision Mark. I don’t believe for one minute that you are opening the door to future cancellations. When you guys are ready to do it right, you will.

And I give you huge props for facing the swimming fear – being in water sends me into a panic, so I really admire what you’ve done.

4041

Comment by Dianna

Thursday May 12, 2005 @

You’ve worked so hard to reach this point with Pose, I think you two made a solid, well thought out decision. On race day, you wouldn’t have had as good a time, as you would have been worried about your form. And races should be FUN, first and foremost. So kudos to you Bro!

Annalisa and I will GO GO GO, I can promise that!

And nice new look on the blog, btw.

4046

Comment by David

Thursday May 12, 2005 @

I apologize for challenging you but: Do you ever feel like you left your sweetheart back at the dance when you went off with Miss Pose? I need to hear that you really believe the Pose is a better way and why?

4048

Comment by Reba

Thursday May 12, 2005 @

Sounds to me like you know precisely where you are headed and getting there means a few sacrifices I guess. Can’t wait to hear the report on the triathalon you do once you’ve become the POSE poster boy. ;)

4109

Comment by aprilanne

Monday May 16, 2005 @

I?m sure that was a very difficult decision?but it was wise. (I like the new look!)

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