It took me a long time to decide what to do – the email from my broken ankle 2017 Chicago Marathon deferral has been sitting in my inbox for about 3 weeks. I went back and forth back and forth weighing my options.
Pros:
– Chicago was a bucket list race.
– Along with the NYC Marathon and the Marine Corp Marathon it was in the top 3 on my marathon to do list, and it was the only one I had not yet checked off.
– I’d been dreaming about it for years and I actually made it into the lottery.
– If I didn’t do it I’d probably regret it or feel I was missing out.
Cons:
– I swore I would never train in the summer/run another fall marathon again!
– I would have to pay the $195 registration a second time. (You lose it when you defer.)
– Did I mention I swore I would never run another 100+ degree August run after Chicago 2017?
When it all came down to it the problem was things were pretty even for me. My HATRED for summer training, I had planned on fall/winter marathon training only after Chicago 2017, was pretty even with my desire to not miss out on Chicago.
I am not going to lie. Marathons have been ugly for me lately. I got really sick at the start of 2015 and fought that battle until I finally started to get the right thyroid and hormone meds in May of 2017. Because of that I was forced by the doctor to walk most of NYC in 2016 as I was not allowed to run or train.
Chicago was supposed to be different and in July/August my new meds started kicking in and I finally started feeling more like myself (I am still not 100% yet, but better than I have been in the past 2 years). Some of the 50 pounds I had gained was coming off. My running was feeling a bit more natural and at the end of a 17 miler I realized that I would be able to run all of Chicago. Then, BOOM, a fall down the stairs led to my broken ankle. It was CRUSHING to say the least.
I am now about 70 days post break and not yet cleared to run, or capable of it for that manner. I have deferred two fall/winter half marathon already. It is hard to think about a full marathon when you cannot even run. However, my deferral date will come and go soon and the truth is I may not be running at all by then.
After much consideration, and a lot of beating myself up about it either way, I decided I am going to suffer through one more horrible summer of 100+ degree training days to finish what I started and run Chicago. I’ll knock that bad boy off my bucket list and then post-Chicago I will focus on only fall/winter marathon training.
Here goes nothing – Cheers to Chicago 2018! (and no more crazy illnesses or injuries!)
I’m glad to hear you’re going to give it one more try! I can’t believe they make you pay again, though. That doesn’t seem right.
Will you be training differently this time around?
I’ll be praying I don’t fall down my stairs and break my ankle, does that count?
Good for you!!! That price point is nuts though. $195?!?!?! Lawd.
NYC was $255 this year!
Woohoo! Maybe next summer will be cooler? 🙂
My fingers are crossed. I think this was a hot summer everywhere.
Oh wow! Excited for you. All the best with training (and weather) this time around!
Thanks so much. Fingers are crossed that this is my year.
I love your ability to find a positive in every situation. You’ve had a rough go of it for sure the last few years. I can’t wait to watch you come back and crush this
Yes, 2015 and 2016 were tough with all the doctor drama trying to figure out what was wrong with me.
Then this year with the diagnosis, trying to get meds right, and then the broken ankle…
but that just means 2018 is my huge comeback year right?!?
Good for you! I’ll be cheering you on all next summer 🙂
Thanks so much, I’ll meed all the cheers (and crossed fingers) I can get.
Wow! These are great news, Abby! Fingers crossed for next summer and you really have plenty of time to prepare and train.
Thanks so much. I am really hoping that the mobility comes back to my ankle soon so I can start run/walk intervals.
I would love, love to run Chicago one year. I’ll be sending you positive thoughts all year long in the hopes that you get no illnesses or injuries to prevent you from running in 2018!
Me too Clarinda, me too, the past few years were rough so I am hoping 2018 is the year of the comeback.
Yay! Great to hear you’re going to give it a go! Hoping you have a smooth (and cool!) training cycle!
Ye to both of those, I hope this summer isn’t as tough.
The price of the Chicago marathon $195 The price of crossing the finish line of Chicago marathon…..priceless! You will be very happy with your decision. It definitely is a bucket list race.
Yes, I worry that I would regret it if I did not use my deferral.
Yay for giving it another shot! Chicago is a great city to run! Hope you recover and will be back to running soon!
Thanks. I am hoping to be cleared to run in Jan. so I can slowly start easing in with some run/walk intervals.
Excited for you – but please stay away from all obstacles 😉 Seriously, you can do this!
Turns out just my stairs are obstacles for me… uh oh!