On October 19, I will have been writing this blog for two years. A month and a half later on December 2, I will run my sixth marathon, the California International, my last chance to qualify for the Boston Marathon before the deadline I set myself in my blog's title.
If I don't make the Boston cut-off on Dec. 2, I will continue the quest. I have a good coach, a program based on heart rate that I have enjoyed every day I've run on it and a real understanding of what doing this will take for someone like me. I've made lots of friends who support me both with their words and their examples. I've got a good balance now between my family, my job and my running. I can say I honestly feel that Boston is achievable.
Much of that I owe to this blog. But because I think every good story in old-fashioned print or online has a beginning, a middle and an end, my last post to this blog will be on January 21, 2013, the day I turn 40. I'm planning to have a big party that day that will involve running, and I want to exit this blog on a high note.
This end is nigh regardless of the outcome in Sacramento. I know there is a good chance I will not BQ by 40. I've had too tough a year, and my endurance base has eroded. I feel like my training since I hired Darren in June has been excellent. But even excellent training can't make up for a serious lack of miles for too long a time.
The outcome of the story that's meant to end on Jan. 21 was never certain. Not all stories have happy endings. But the beauty of real life as opposed to books is that in books (and blogs) the story may end otherwise than as you wanted.....but the life goes on and with it come other chances, other beginnings and endings. I'm already proof of this, as my whole adult running life has been the blooming of a second chance not to fail.
This isn't to say I want to run slower than 3 hours 44 minutes 59 seconds at CIM. I'm going to do my level best to hit that golden pace and do what I set out to do two years ago. Underdogs sometimes win.
So I hope you'll stick with me through my next two races (there's also the little matter of a half-marathon in Detroit less than two weeks from now!) and through my birthday, when for better or worse I'll close the book on BQ by 40 and move on to wherever my running feet bring me during the next decade, my best decade yet.
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| Not quite yet..... |
I'm totally Darth Vader "NOOOOOOOO" yelling.
ReplyDeleteNooooo!!! Can't you just do a blog re-name??? What if you BQ at 42??? or 44? A few years older and that much faster........... :-)
ReplyDeleteNot in favor of ending the blog.... You mean you will start a NEW blog right? Ok I am glad we agree.
ReplyDeleteYou know they're not going to let you go that easily. Just keep evolving, my friend! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou can't leave us! Once you get that BQ at CIM we need to watch your journey to Boston!! Come on, we have to celebrate it with you!!
ReplyDeleteDitto to everything below! :)
ReplyDeleteDetermination as well is sometimes an amazing thing. Will be very interesting to see. I so look forward to meeting you in December! And will hang on to the end.
ReplyDeleteno! can i (politely) dislike? i WANT to read about your BQ!!!!!! i don't care when you BQ. i just want to be along (read along?) for the ride! please reconsider :)
ReplyDeleteoh...so sad...this brought tears to my eyes and my throat is tight. I LOVE your blog and I'm always so excited when I see you have a new post. BUT with that said - I totally get what you are saying. And I like endings in movies not to be all neatly tied up and real life is messy. My only consolation will be we'll have to meet up more often in real life for runs, food and making fun of ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW I'll be with you the next 2 races. I get nervous just thinking about it.
your friend,
cynthia
Awwwwww. Bittersweet. I get it though... Wishing you all the best in your training, races, and whatever your 40s brings!
ReplyDeleteDislike. Unfair. Sad face.
ReplyDeleteBut somehow I'll survive! Best be a new blog title announcement tomorrow!
I'm hoping what you meanis that you'll have a new blog, but even if you don't (I hope you do!!) you're stuck with me now. And I'll most certainly be with you through these next couple races and on. I feel pretty sure you're going to have that happy ending, even if the story is longer than you anticipated.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a shame to lose you, but I understand why you're doing it. At least I get to meet you live and in person in Sacramento!
ReplyDeleteTerz, you love running for the running--win or lose, you always win.
ReplyDeleteTerz, you love running for the running--win or lose, you always win.
ReplyDeleteTerz, you love running for the running--win or lose, you always win.
ReplyDeleteWow, a story where the end is near but hasn't unfolded yet! I'm on the edge of my seat.....(that's how I sit at work). I'm making the signs that say, "Run Like You're 39!!!!!!" for Detroit.......
ReplyDeleteNo, you cannot leave us alone. We are not only bloggers but friends. Please stay.
ReplyDeleteCorruption: if you change your mind you will receive an italian running t-shirt.
If don't, the t-shirt will arrive not to forget your friends.
Terzah, this brought tears to me eyes. I am rooting for you and know you will get that BQ either at CIM or elsewhere. Hoping you'll share your future running endeavors in another blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else! Hope you start a new blog :) It has been inspiring and motivating to get to "know" you and I'll be sad if that ends :( :( But, I'm looking forward to following your journey through these next 2 races.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I feel about this..... :( I still have not met you...but I will! I will! I'm looking forward to reading about the next two races and I will continue to stalk you...even if only on FB. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you don't BQby40, I hope you have a BQby41 blog!! But I have no doubt you can do it in Sacramento. Take a break, then have a blog that journals your quest to the big day. Until then, I look forward to your future BQby40 posts! :)
ReplyDeleteWow 2 years already? TIme flies! I'll be sad to see your blog end but I WILL be celebrating that BQ with you. 40 is a wonderful decade. Count on it!
ReplyDeleteCome do Chicago before it goes to a lottery! I enjoy the sherpa gig!
I was so sad to read this. I will miss your blog so much and really enjoy keeping up with you and staying in touch through it. I will be routing you on at CIM! I hope that this is THE ONE. I know how badly you want it.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope you invite me to your Birthday party!!!! It's been a pleasure sharing our somewhat parallel trials and tribulations, though I am 10 years older than you. Take heart. There's many challenges, equally fulfilling, after 40! Life does not end at 40, and in many ways 9for me anyway) has blossomed in full flower! Give it your all, and don't look back. there's so much ahead...
ReplyDeleteWhat!? And then what will we do without you? I can't wait for your party. Yes, thanks I AM free that day!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly don't have to end your blog when you hit 40... but I understand if you're ready to step back. It is a huge time commitment. I know a BQ is achievable for you, too. I hope really hope it's this next race!
ReplyDeleteAw. This makes me sad:(. Of course I will follow you until the end. What happens if you do qualify for Boston? Will the blog still be around?
ReplyDeleteI think that you should just change the name of the blog :) It could be called "I blame my insanity on the recumbent bike". Or something like that. If you really do shutter this biz, you'd best keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're going to keep after that goal! I know you'll BQ when the
ReplyDeletethe time is right.. best of luck at CIM!! I'll miss the blog though.
Maybe you'll miss it too and eventually start up another?? :)
I would have commented here earlier, but you have a special Disqus plugin that doesn't work from my other computer. :-( Just so you know.
ReplyDeleteI consider you to be one of the few running bloggers I've connected with who doesn't just leave a one sentence comment for me. I'd hate to see you vanish from blogger land. I guess I'll still see you on FB.