To start this post – I do ask though that you please be kind. This isn’t an easy thing for me and I feel that with the help of many of those around me I have made the best decision for my health.
I’ve written this post several times and started over. It’s a painful post for me to write, but one that needs to be said.
I guess I should just come out and say it – I am not going to be running the Boston Marathon. Ouch. It still stings a lot.
You may have notice my Instagram and blog postings over the past couple weeks has had less about workouts and training. The truth is – it hasn’t been happening. I was trying to keep my fingers and toes crossed that I would never have to publish this post so I was holding out until the last minute.
The past couple weeks have been rough. I haven’t been feeling well, in fact in many ways I’ve been feeling like my body has been completely shutting down. Running has been a struggle, and even where I am normally mentally tough, I could barely get through some runs. I took time off and didn’t run in hopes that my body would bounce back. I knew going into this I would just be running for fun, so I figured taking a week off really wouldn’t be the end of the world.
I started incorporating shorter, slower runs off and on but my body wasn’t having it. I had no energy, my body wasn’t recovering, and some days I just felt terrible. It was so frustrating and there have been many hours of tears shed over this. I made the hard decision this week that I will not be participating in the 2016 Boston Marathon.
My body isn’t working with me, and forcing myself to run it would be a poor decision. I don’t know what’s going on and so far I don’t have many answers. This is a very hard decision for me to make, and trust me when I say it was not one I took lightly. I have worked for years/months for this day, and now I am going to have to let that dream go this year.
If I’ve learned one thing over the years it is when to push your body and when not. My health has to be the ultimate goal regardless of how bad I have wanted to run this race.
I have dreamed of this race my entire life. Worked my butt off to get there, and am completely heartbroken that now I will not get my chance. I will still be going to Boston to be the cheerleader for my amazingly supportive husband. I know I get to meet up with a bunch of my friends as well which I hope will take my mind off of it.
I’m trying to focus on the positives:
- I get to witness my husband race for the 6th year in Boston and chase his dreams!
- I get to see so many wonderful friends in Boston.
- I have already qualified for the 2017 Boston Marathon, so the goal will be to get my body back to health and then shoot for that to be my very first Boston.
- A couple years ago I would have never listened to my body or made this decision for my health, I am very proud of myself for doing this.
It’s going to take me a little while to be OK with this, but I know it is the right decision. I am so thankful for my husband who has left this decision up to me, and while he completely agrees with my decision he let me come to the realization myself. Boston will be hard, even though I love cheering him on! I already had the awesome clothes picked out I was going to buy at the expo, but that will now have to wait a year.
I don’t really know what else to say. I was hoping this post would never have to be written, but my health is most important. I can’t ignore it anymore.
I don’t have any fancy pictures for this post, but I figured it was time to talk about a decision that has taken me quite a while to make. This weekend it was finalized that I needed to do this for my health. I respect the marathon distance very much, and know that even if I don’t know entirely what’s going on pushing my body through would only make things worse.
To all those running Boston – run STRONG! I will be at the finish line cheering you on!
A very hard decision but a wise one.
Having had to defer my entry to the London Marathon in the past, I know only too well the anguish you have been going through.
It sounds glib, but it’s true:- “there’s always another marathon on another day”.
Best wishes for your recovery.
So sorry to hear what you’re going through, but you are absolutely making the right decision. More importantly, I hope you figure out what’s going on with your health very soon! Hang in there!
Does Boston still need volunteers? I once volunteered the goal race I dropped out of and it really helped take the focus off of me and prevented me from having a pity party for myself on race day. Could be a good way to really give back.
I can’t imagine what you’re feeling ( I would kill to even qualify) but so amazing that you share this journey with us. As a reader I feel proud to hear you putting your health as the top priority. Prayers to you that you start feeling better fast and can return soon. ❤️
Kudos to you – I had to back out of several races last year, due to my health not being where it should be. Hang in there, Sara, your time will come and congratulations on listening to your body. I am glad you have Boston 2017 to anticipate and that you can support your husband and others this year. It will be painful, but it will still be fun.
You should be so proud of yourself for not only qualifying once for Boston but also a second time. That is a major accomplishment! You can make your first experience running Boston next year the best and most memorable ?
You’re a brave woman and putting your health first makes you a great role model for all those thinking we should just ignore our bodies and push through the pain….after all, without our bodies and our health we wouldn’t be able to run at all!!!
You’re doing the right thing and I can only imagine how horrible it feels though 🙁 But there is next year and the year after that, etc. You are strong, my friend! xoxo
Totally the right decision….I’ve been inspired by your other blog posts on the courage it takes to keep running and training. Now I’m inspired by your post on when to know its time to sit one out. So sorry you won’t be running Boston, but you still get to go and there is always next year. Be strong, and thanks sharing your journey.
I have been following your blog and Instagram for over a year and like many others have said found them inspirational. I too today have just made the decision to defer my place in London next week due to a niggling reoccurring injury and my health just not being up to scratch the past 6 weeks. I am gutted but it has put things in perspective for me reading your blog knowing that others are experiencing the same and especially reading that you respect the marathon distance, that is exactly too how I feel. So thank you for sharing your experience and all the best for a speedy recovery and good luck for all futures races and training, especially Boston 2017.