Okay, I'm super eager to run a marathon again. I am about to push the button and register officially for the Newport Marathon here on the coast in Oregon. I am thinking 1 marathon a year is good for me right now in my life since it takes a ton of time and really, I don't want to give that much time to training all year...especially with 3 kids ages five and under. But running another marathon feels right to me...a comeback...redemption after my injury that kept me from running the Portland Marathon. I know that I could wait and do the Portland Marathon in October but I'm thinking 1. I don't want to wait that long. 2. I want a big race to train for now and 3. Part of me wants to just train for something new this summer like a tri.
Soooooo, getting to my question... The Newport Marathon is a super fast course. Something about this bothers me. I don't know what it is that really bothers me. I know it is still 26.2 but maybe it is because I don't want the fact that it is a fast course to make my race time seem easier or hold less weight than what it would be if it was a more challenging course. It could also have something to do with the following comments from friends about this race:
Friend 1: "Oh, The Newport Marathon is so easy! Anyone could run that marathon!"
or
Friend 2: "I love the hardcore marathons:) 26.2 is impressive regardless of the course, but there is something about a flat to slightly downhill course that seems like cheating. " (she later apologized for how it sounded and she is sweeter than anyone so I didn't think she was trying to be offensive)
So, if I do run the Newport Marathon and get a really awesome time and qualify for Boston again or run much faster, does it seem like less of an accomplishment because the course is easier than some? (I know, really I shouldn't care but I do).
Hoping to hear from a few of you late nighters tonight before I purchase my race. I might also wait until the morning! This is a big commitment. I want to make sure I'm happy with my decision.
Thanks for your advice and feedback,
Amanda
Friends 1 & 2 sound like assholes. hahaha. I'm sure they're nice people, but, look, you ran a marathon, it's not easy. Every course is going to be different. And anyone who judges you based on which marathon you ran? Is an a-hole. Really. Marathon elitism is stupid. Running a marathon is friggen awesome. That can't be taken away from you just because the wind was blowing the right way that day, or it had an extra water stop, or it doesn't have a billion foot elevation gain and trolls that try to chop your feet off around mile 11.
ReplyDeleteI would love to run a flat fast course if the scenery is nice. The Des Moines Marathon was full of hills and hard! Fun but it seemed like more than just the miles. I will do it again this year and faster but it would be hard to qualify for Boston on that course.
ReplyDeleteAt some point the distance is all about whats inside you anyways and every course has some kind of appeal in some unique way. If all the other factors add up then go for it.
If Boston had the caveat of a hard course for qualification then it would say so in the rules.
Hey Rose, they were actually pretty nice friends and didn't mean any harm...especially since I have not run the race yet. :) But have to say you have me laughing with your comment about marathon elitism..
ReplyDelete"That can't be taken away from you just because the wind was blowing the right way that day, or it had an extra water stop, or it doesn't have a billion foot elevation gain and trolls that try to chop your feet off around mile 11".
I almost missed the troll chopping your feet off part until my husband read it out loud.
Thanks Angie! And yes, it would offer a beautiful course!
If a "fast course" was the ticket, anybody who ran it would BQ. It still takes a fast enough runner. If you want to do Newport, do it and know that if you do well, it's YOU, not just bc of the course.
ReplyDeleteThe Elkton Runner ERG suggested the Newport marathon to me as it is a gorgeous course. Unfortunately, it falls the first weekend of June which is the start of post-season college baseball and I really want to support my hubby (and take a free trip! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are in the Pac NW--wow we could really be running buddies! Maybe we could virtually train together for a race and meet up?!
I signed up for the Windermere (Post Falls, ID to SPokane, WA) May 14th. It is a flat course, but 26.2 miles is a feat and I hope you feel proud to complete that distance regardless of the course!! :)
Dang it! Trying to give my permission on the phone keypad and lost the whole thing! You know the answer to your question ;-) and we are giving you permission to proceed! Lol. I'll bet these friends think that having an epidural during childbirth makes one a cheater there, too! Run Newport, woman! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys Now I feel stupid for asking this question...silly really. I know what I am going to do and you're right, I already knew the answer....just nice to have support and feedback. Registering for a race is always a big deal to me...i'm signing on to a lot of work! :) Thanks to all of you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jess, I am in the PC NW. And yes, I remember you telling me that about ERG and your hubby. Maybe next year you can run it...I hear it is a super fast marathon. ;) he he.
No marathon is easy. Fast flat courses can really hurt a lot. Nothing wrong in going for this one.
ReplyDeleteYou need to do what best for you and your family of course but I think triathlons are a great break from the hard impace of marathon training. :)
ReplyDeleteLC
You know, some people think Boston is easy, bc the overall elevation goes down. It's all relative. You are running the marathon for yourself, so who cares what other people say?
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, def try a tri this summer, so much fun!
i don't believe there is ANY easy or lesser marathon! flat and fast courses are still crazy hard. for years they wouldn't let times from boston count because it was a "net down hill" race, turns out that the course is harder because of the downhills...
ReplyDeleteit sounds like your friends enjoy challenges, and look for ways to add an extra challenge which is to be admired...but a marathon is a marathon. i think that you'll be disappointed if you pick one thats harder that you can't really test your self at. you don't want a "throw away" race where you just watch the scenery go by....
hope you figure this all out!
There's no such thing as an easy marathon. Period. Do it and don't think twice about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat!??!? An "easy" marathon? I don't think so. You should do it and enjoy every minute of it. You are strong and inspiring and I'm excited to read about your journey towards this race!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see an easy marathon - no such thing!!! Pick the one you want to run and forget the rest!!
ReplyDeleteI'm accustomed to training on hills, and I'm here to tell ya that the first half of Vegas KILLED ME because of its flatness. My hip flexors and abductors were screamng. "Fast and flat" does NOT = easy!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post-interesting comments!
ReplyDeleteDoes friend one run marathons? Truthfully, I am the queen of inserting my foot in my mouth unintentionally so I'm cutting her a break!
I've actually thought of Newport sometime. I have relatives that direction and the course is apparently BEAUTIFUL!
A marathon is a marathon. I don't care where my PR came, I would be damn proud of it. Different courses are different for different people. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I think I prefer hills not because of the challenge but because I think they actually make my time faster. I haven't really run a flat supposedly "fast" course and I'm not sure it would make me ANY faster-actually might even slow me down without the changeup of muscles. I am more afraid of the flatness of Chicago than the hills of NYC and both of these are on my bucket list. I would not even hesitate to register for Newport. Convenient, in the time frame you're looking for and a certified BQ marathon. A PR there is as good as anywhere for sure!!
I completely agree with most of the posters above - there is NO such thing as an easy marathon. Yes they are different but that is just one of the factors that makes the race - how you're feeling on the day, the wind, the weather, the waterstops, those pesky trolls - 26.2 is 26.2 If you want to run it, run it. It sounds like a great race ... your biggest obstacle is you not wanting to fail yourself and comparing yourself to the girl you were - accept yourself as the amazing woman you are now and train to the best of your ability for what sounds like an amazing marathon. Leave the rest of the doubters behind. (I BQed at Berlin - an "easy" course. It's where Gebreselassie sets his records. Easy? My *ss. Running a good race is HARD!).
ReplyDeleteI agree, 26.2 is 26.2, if you want to do Newport do it. Some courses are faster than others, that doesn't make them easy. My first Marathon is the Colorado Marathon that pretty much all down hill point to point course, and I don't think it's cheating at all!
ReplyDeleteI got my BQ on a course that was deemed "fast" - but I didn't give a crap. I don't think it took anything away from the accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteMy best advice is to not care what anyone else thinks/says. If this is the race that beckons you, do it!!
If it's a race you really want to do - do it! Long miles are long miles - challenging. Plus, 'fast courses', I think, can be harder because they can make you push a harder pace that may not be as 'familiar'. Ultimately, if it is a race that's appealing, Go For It and have FUN! That's what counts. Thanks for stopping by our blog - Summit County is such a beautiful area - I LOVE the mountains and am so thankful for where we live!
ReplyDeleteI love that I am one of the late night crew:) Okay, I may be the wrong one to ask but I am ALL about fast courses ha! I really want to do the St. George because I know I will PR on it. A marathon is a marathon and yes some are way harder but I don't care if the whole thing is down hill....you are still an incredible athlete for running that long! I say DO IT!!!! I have heard great things about the Newport marathon!! Your friends wouldn't like me because I am all about speedy courses. Have a great night and let us know what you choose!
ReplyDeletewow wow wow! I never expected such a response...thank you so much for your encouraging words, advice and feedback. I am all registered for the Neport and a few half marathons in between as tune up races. I'm so excited!!! Now if only I could break 3 hours in the marathon like Hungry Runner Girl...wouldn't that be a hoot?! :) Not a serious goal of mine but I'd be happy just to be back to where I was before poppin' out babies. Thanks again guys...I feel so blessed to have such a great community of blogger friends. So glad I started blogging....even if I did get teased at first. :) XO
ReplyDeleteWow, around here (NC) people ask each other which marathons are faster/flatter just so that they can get a good time. No marathon is easy, and if you PR or BQ on a fast course it doesn't negate the accomplishment. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteYay! Looks like you decided and your momentum is going strong. It
ReplyDeleteis all about timing and what works for you. Good for you! Shoot this is just the begining. I wish my schedule allowed for a marathon earlier in the year but there will be more races! Go kick some bootay and I'm totally pulling for you to hit a sub 3 marathon whenever and WHERE ever!
Ps for the record, I'm glad your still blogging too ;)
So glad you registered! A marathon is a marathon in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your tri goals??
Thanks girls. Heather..I have no clue what my tri goals are...I don't have the first idea of how to even start...so my goal would be to finish a sprint or olympic and then go from there. I have a pretty nice bike in the garage just collecting dust. I will surely be asking for advice and wisdom when the time comes!
ReplyDeleteoh, and the breaking 3 hours part...this goal seems very far away...even the thought of running 7 and sub 7 min miles for 26.2 makes me a little sick. 7:30 would be an appropriate and realistic goal pace. Ha ...but maybe someday...I hear women get faster sometimes when they get older? Like what is a woman runner's peak?? thinking that once the kids are school (all three) then I will have some great time to devote to something bigger.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me? First, there is no "easy" marathon - they are all hard. Some are more challenging than others but whatever, they're still all 26.2 miles. Second, you need to do this race..it's been at the forefront of your thoughts for some time now and it's suppose to be beautiful and well girl, you are PUMPED right now and now is the time to start training for a marathon, while the fire is HOT! You go sign up and you ignore your crazy friend 1 and friend 2! Next post I want to see, "I signed up for Newport!"
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! Sounds like a lot of support to ignore others and choose run a fast beautiful course that YOU want to!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your friends are assholes, but saying that to you is kind of assholish, you know? And I accidentally say dick things to my friends all the time. So, I'm glad you polled us instead of totally taking it to heart and devaluing certain achievements.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure my first comment painted me as a bit of an asshole, speaking of. hahahah.
Boy have I enjoyed reading all the comments here today!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I noticed talking to people who ran Newport this last year is: #1 they lengthened the course to make it 26.2 because apparently is USED to be SUPER DUPER fast. Like- a hair too short fast. Now it's "official". And...it was a warm race last year for the coast. You can never tell what you'll get on race day, but you are sure to get a challenge if you want to work for it!
Can't wait to read how your training goes!!!! =D
WHAT??? I am all about finding easy and fast! Darn I missed it!
ReplyDeleteJust Kidding...kind of! Would love to hear more about your training! Good luck MAMA!
Do you have a plan for some spiritual growth as well?
26.2 is 26.2 and a pound of feathers weighs just as much as a pound of bricks. Don't let people get you down!
ReplyDeleteUhh definitely NOT! Earth to Amanda... 26.2 is an amazing feat! Besides, I actually do worse on "flat, fast" courses somehow, so it's nothing less of an accomplishment in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Newport!
ReplyDelete(And I am obviously cheating since I know you picked that one. I just wanted to look cool and feel like I helped choose the winning one!) ;)