As many of you know at this point, I didn’t get to run the Boston Marathon this year. Of course, now that the news is out it was for a wonderful reason. However, that didn’t mean it was hard to let go of my dream this year.
The thing is this dream is still very much alive. I like to look at my dream of running Boston as a delayed dream instead of one that is gone. The truth is, it may be delayed until next year or it may be delayed well beyond that – we do not yet know.
I know that I made the right decision not running this year. As we drove to Boston, I wasn’t really at peace with my decision yet. I’d seen so many pregnant women out there running and I kept thinking – why couldn’t I be like that?! I knew I was very early on in my pregnancy, which was what made me the most uncomfortable. Had I already been in my 2nd trimester I would have run to enjoy it.
After watching the marathon and seeing so many struggle with the heat and conditions, I knew I had made the right decision. It made it a bit easier to come to terms with, but there was a part of me that was a little sad I didn’t get to run my dream race.
The dream deferred.
My husband knows how important this race is to me. He has been so supportive in helping me keep my attitude up and focused on the possibilities that lay ahead. I wish I had a definite plan to tell you all, but as of now most of what we have discussed is just talk.
My due date is 12/5 so I imagine I’ll have this precious baby sometime the first 2 weeks of December. From there, at minimum there will be an 8 week recovery window. That’s ideal and assuming there are no complications. That would then put me around early February to start running. If I want to take a chance at running Boston 2017 it would give me 2.5 months to train.
It sounds doable, and yes it is a goal for me, but I’m not putting pressure on it to make it happen. The main reason is I want my focus to be on having a healthy pregnancy and baby. If everything works out that I can then run Boston – great! If not, there will be some disappointment but I know that it won’t be the end of the world. I honestly haven’t even thought too much about it besides trying to keep up a running base while I can when pregnant.
My coach recommended anywhere from 2-6 miles during the week, and then longer on the weekends depending on how I feel. That seemed doable to me, and that is what I have been aiming for since I started back running again. I realize at some point things may change, so I’m focusing on fitting in what I can while I can. I also try to incorporate cross training (specifically spinning) at least 2-3 times per week.
So there you have it. That is where my Boston Dream stands. There is still a possibility it will happen but there is also a possibility I’ll have go back and re-qualify. I’m trying not to stress about it and take it a day at a time. I’ll train to keep a base and reevaluate after I’m cleared to run again.
Life happens and sometimes it brings us things even more wonderful than we could imagine!