I'm currently training for Mohawk Hudson HM on 10/12. I'm doing my own adaptation of a Hal Higdon plan, that I started in early September about 7 weeks out, picking up where tri season left off. This past weekend I was 4 weeks out, and my long run was 10 miles. Training is going pretty well. We are TTC, so I am mentally prepared for this to be my last PR attempt for a while. I was really looking forward to the fast downhill course and a chance to break 2:00 if I have a really good day.
This week I got an invitation to a surprise birthday party for one of my favorite cousins' 50th. It's the same weekend as Mohawk Hudson, and at fly-to-get-there distance, I can't do both. The party sounds super fun, and I know after kids I may not have the luxury to drop things to fly down for a bday party for someone I (heart). Do it up, no? OTOH, my family (extended and immediate) totally would not expect me to fly down for this party. I'd be a "happy surprise" of a guest.
I've looked all around for an alternate half as a compromise, since I can probably sell my Mohawk Hudson bib. My options are to go to the party and run one of these: 9/27: Adirondack: 2 weeks early, plus WAY hillier. No PR likely here. 10/19: Atlantic City: 1 week later, flat. PR likely, but maybe not QUITE as fast as Mohawk Hudson.
Or I miss the party and stay the course with Mohawk Hudson.
Atlantic City would be promising, except for the non-trivial detail that it's Calvin's first half. He decided to do a half well after Mohawk Hudson sold out, and that's the one he settled on. I kept my Mohawk Hudson bib rather than switching to AC with him, because he has sherpa'ed a lot for me, I thought it'd be nice if I was paying attention to his race rather than my own for his first.
So basically there is no perfect solution. I am really torn.
I have to decide soon - which half would you do? (Alternatively if you know of a half the weekend of 10/11-12 in NOVA or DC, please let me know.)
I already asked my mom what she thought, but she basically said "Wish I could be more help on your decision making - but I am way out of my league in knowing how important what races are for you. I'll keep you posted on what we are doing."
Post by theoriginalbean on Sept 17, 2014 10:13:59 GMT -5
I had a chance to go to Derek Jeter's ceremony on 9/7, and I skipped making the trip in favor of running Canton to attempt a BQ. I trained my ass off for 16 weeks and I wasn't going to let that chance pass me by, or waste all of that effort and boring friday nights and saturday mornings spent on the pavement.
So I guess it depends on how important the PR is, to you.
Well, obviously a PR that you put a lot of effort into working for, is always something you care about. But OTOH, the 13.1 distance isn't going anywhere, and there isn't a bigger "thing" on the line. It's not a marathon that I'm trying to BQ in, and I'm not trying to earn a spot to something else (like Kona or IM 70.3 Worlds). I don't know, how do you ever assess objectively exactly how important a PR is?
Post by libbygrl109 on Sept 17, 2014 10:24:05 GMT -5
It kind of sounds like you know in your heart what you want to do. MH will always be there. And something tells me you'll come back after baby stronger and faster than ever.
I'd stick with Mohawk and be Calvin's sherpa. I'm sure he'd really appreciate it, and even with a kiddo, we are able to go places, so I wouldn't assume this is your last chance to fly in for a weekend.
Love of my life baby boy born 11/11. One and done not by choice; 3 years of TTC yielded 4 MMC and 2 CPs, through 4 IUIs and 2 IVFs. Focusing on making the world a better place instead...and running.
Post by Raggedeannie on Sept 17, 2014 10:25:39 GMT -5
It sounds like you really want to go to your cousin's party if you can swing it. Are you or Calvin faster? (as in, is there any chance you would beat him to the finish and could then be there to cheer him in?) Or could you run part of it together before one of your breaks away?
Well, obviously a PR that you put a lot of effort into working for, is always something you care about. But OTOH, the 13.1 distance isn't going anywhere, and there isn't a bigger "thing" on the line. It's not a marathon that I'm trying to BQ in, and I'm not trying to earn a spot to something else (like Kona or IM 70.3 Worlds). I don't know, how do you ever assess objectively exactly how important a PR is?
OMG, I hope you didn't take my comment as it being "just" a PR! I didn't intend it to come across that way, I was just sharing my experience. We work freaking hard for our PRs, and we sacrifice a lot. I didn't mean to minimize it. I'm sorry if it came across wrong.
Well, obviously a PR that you put a lot of effort into working for, is always something you care about. But OTOH, the 13.1 distance isn't going anywhere, and there isn't a bigger "thing" on the line. It's not a marathon that I'm trying to BQ in, and I'm not trying to earn a spot to something else (like Kona or IM 70.3 Worlds). I don't know, how do you ever assess objectively exactly how important a PR is?
OMG, I hope you didn't take my comment as it being "just" a PR! I didn't intend it to come across that way, I was just sharing my experience. We work freaking hard for our PRs, and we sacrifice a lot. I didn't mean to minimize it. I'm sorry if it came across wrong.
No no, it's fine. My point was more that I honestly don't know how important it is, and am having trouble assessing objectively.
I am a triathlete first, swimmer/runner second. (Former swimmer first. Former struggle-runner. I have worked really, really hard to become a respectable runner.) All my swimming and running races fit in around tri season. So my "A" running race of the year is not my A race overall, KWIM? I am trying to maintain perspective and be sensitive (to my family) about the fact that I've had a lot of "big" races this year. I was just really looking forward to Mohawk Hudson because I skipped a spring HM in the interest of avoiding injury/unnecessary training stress before my June HIM. My HM PR is from my first ever (of two stand alone HMs), so I was looking for a big PR. I can't decide how important that is.
Would Calvin be doing the race regardless? If so then I'd do the race with him- it's his first, and as you mention he's been a very supportive sherpa. If it were me I'd also be looking at it as a chance to do something cool together pre-kids with my husband. I understand you being torn re. your cousin's party- as a compromise could you surprise her by flying down another time- the weekend after? That way you'd get to spend more quality time with her and celebrate her bday- maybe Calvin would go with as a little getaway for the 2 of you?
It sounds like you really want to go to your cousin's party if you can swing it. Are you or Calvin faster? (as in, is there any chance you would beat him to the finish and could then be there to cheer him in?) Or could you run part of it together before one of your breaks away?
For a HM I'm pretty sure I'll be faster - maybe by 5-10 minutes? - but it's his first so I'm guessing a little. I'm not sure if that'd make it better or worse.
I'd have to rent a car to get out to Charlottesville - alas, probably a little too far! But thanks for looking.
Post by emilyinchile on Sept 17, 2014 10:57:45 GMT -5
The man only brought you a granola bar last night, you can run his HM with him! Haha, I'm obviously joking, but in his shoes - with my whole 1 HM that I've done - I wouldn't be upset at you switching to AC, which sounds like it's the best of both worlds for you. I would obviously prefer to have you cheering me at several points along the course, but I'd be just fine with you cheering me across the finish line and potentially getting a PR in something I know you've worked for.
The man only brought you a granola bar last night, you can run his HM with him! Haha, I'm obviously joking, but in his shoes - with my whole 1 HM that I've done - I wouldn't be upset at you switching to AC, which sounds like it's the best of both worlds for you. I would obviously prefer to have you cheering me at several points along the course, but I'd be just fine with you cheering me across the finish line and potentially getting a PR in something I know you've worked for.
Yep. I am here too. Just get yourselves sorted out ahead of time and get there early. Can you bag check?
I think it would be cool for you to both run AC. Once you have kids, the chance to do that kind of stuff together goes way down. I'd go to the family party, run the AC half, and hopefully plan to the Mohawk race 2 years an 1 baby from now!
Yeah i would do AC. Go see your family. You don't know the next time you'll get to see all of them. If you do get pregnant and your husband ends up loving racing, you'll have 9+ months to Sherpa.
Post by spunkypenguin on Sept 17, 2014 12:32:37 GMT -5
How far are you from Corning? There may still be Wineglass half marathon slots open - they had opened up ~100 not too long ago. It's the week before (10/5) and mostly downhill. If not, I'd say go for AC
How far are you from Corning? There may still be Wineglass half marathon slots open - they had opened up ~100 not too long ago. It's the week before (10/5) and mostly downhill. If not, I'd say go for AC
I checked that one right away, remembering those additional spots - it would've been a done deal if I could've gotten a bib. But it appears to be sold out.
Post by InBetweenDays on Sept 17, 2014 13:20:40 GMT -5
In my experience guys don't think as much about needing/wanting race support as women do. So I'd check in with Calvin, and probably do the AC half and go to your cousin's surprise party. You don't sound especially tied to this race (other than the possibility of a strong PR) and a 50th birthday party for a favorite cousin doesn't come along very often.
Yeah i would do AC. Go see your family. You don't know the next time you'll get to see all of them. If you do get pregnant and your husband ends up loving racing, you'll have 9+ months to Sherpa.
I agree with this 100%. You never know when you'll be able to see all of your family again, in a joyous setting, but HMs are everywhere.
I agree that if Calvin is ok with it, skip the mohawk, go to your family party, run AC with Calvin (and maybe get a PR too!) and then keep trying for baby. This seems like the best solution to me.