"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Tuesday 25 October 2011

The Difficult Decisions are Usually the Right Ones to Make

I made a very difficult decision this morning. I will no longer run the Golden Gate Challenge this weekend. It was not easy to do this but I know it was the right decision.

Don’t worry, nothing is wrong and I’m not injured. I just don’t feel I’m ready. I know most people will say go for it and you will be ok and so on, but this is different. I know I am only 80% ready for this and because it is a 3 day race away from home, I have decided not to go and get myself into trouble. I’m listening to my body telling me I should give it a break from a heavy race that can break it down completely.

I’ll be honest, some of this has to do with my bad mugging experience of a few weeks ago. I decided that day to keep things closer to home for a while. This doesn’t mean I won’t do any away races. If I was 100% ready and the race was not as challenging, I would have been there. However, I am not ready to have my loved ones worry about me all the time. We all realized that day how we must treasure every moment together. Having them worry about me for three days does not feel right to me.

Anyway, enough babbling. I don’t feel ready for this race and decided to rather give it a skip. I have already adjusted my training for my next goal, the RAC Tough One (32km/20miles) on 27 November.

Happy running everyone!

39 comments:

Unknown said...

Good call Johann. I understand how hard a decision like this could be, but will be the correct one.

Christi said...

Like I said on Facebook I think you made the right decision. You have to go with what is right for you. That is what matters most!

Robin said...

Decisions like this are never easy but ultimately, we know ourselves best. I'm sure you made the right call.

One Crazy Penguin said...

Definitely not an easy decision, but family always has to come first.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world :)

Kate Geisen said...

And you know, if you aren't feeling comfortable, you aren't going to enjoy the experience. That race isn't going anywhere.

Marlene said...

You are right that the tough ones are usually the right ones.

I'm so sorry, I completely missed the terrible news of your experience. I just had to go looking for it. How awful. :( Thank goodness you are okay, but I can see how something like that would stick with you.

Peace to you and your family.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Not an easy decision, but are smart for making it, races will always be there to do

Raina said...

I hope you have no regrets, Johann. Enjoy a peaceful weekend with family & friends!

Liz said...

Other runners will know how hard it is to make this kind of decision. There are more important things in life than doing every race, and if you're not ready then it's definitely a wise move to pull out.

Ewa said...

Johann, I have utmost respect for the way you set your priorities. People in your life are more important than anything else.
There will be plenty of other races and maybe one of these days you will decide to do this one too.

Jill said...

You probably just regret not getting those hiking poles and that made you freak, huh? :) Kidding, of course!! You do what you gotta do, Johann...this is all just part of "life" and this race isn't any ol' 5k in your backyard, you gotta be 100% mentally tough in a race like this ... if not, you could have severe issues. I'm so happy to hear you're making the right choice for where you're at right now. You will get there but give it time, my friend!!

Jill said...

Um...I just realized that's pretty much the same advice you gave me today. :)

Jerry Smallwood said...

I can totally empathise with you Johann, it is calls like the one you have made that "Maketh the man" as my father used to say. It may sound an old fashioned phrase in these modern, more enlightened days but it is "What makes us human"
You will, in time, come to terms as to what happened a few weeks ago, it will make you stronger.

ajh said...

Sounds like a good decision. Safe and warm thoughts sent your way. Enjoy the extra time with your loved ones.

A-Pi (Peter) said...

Sorry to hear about that - hope all's well now.

Paul said...

Good call.... I would do the same thing...take care of hearth and home first.

I study carefully the postings of all older running bloggers. There aren't many bloggers in that category and I figure all the info they have to give is very very valuable.

Thanks for sharing ur actions and advice...

paul

Anonymous said...

For me the 3 days are a killer . . . when I tell my wife I am going for a run and I say it is a short one.

What only 6 hours?

Time is very valuable, family VERY important, and 3 days away from home is a long time. If it was in the neighborhood, I would say do it anyway, but I have been there and done the same. Focus on the next race.

Anonymous said...

I don't blame you considering what you've shared. Sound decision, friend.

HappyTrails said...

Good call Johann, now enjoy your free weekend close to home!

Char said...

You know you've made the right decision. I'm sure it was incredibly tough but sometimes the right thing to do is just sit this one out. It'll be there next year and the year after.

Giorgio said...

I think it's the right decision Johann! If I didn't feel confortably I wouldn't run a planned race!

Giorgio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will Travel said...

There have been times when I should have made this decision and didn't, and I've always regretted it. Sounds like you're training proactively and thinking holistically about what you're looking for right now. Awesome.

Unknown said...

Better safe than sorry. :-)

Lauren said...

These kind of decisions are the toughest to make. I'm sure you made the right one. The one thing I hate about faraway races is missing my family. I try to take them with me when I can.

Happy running to you this week Johann!

The Green Girl said...

Johann, I missed the post about your mugging until now. ::huge hugs:: I don't blame you for wanting to be close to your loved ones.

::sends positive energy to Johann::

Mike said...

Johann...You have many years of running Ultra's under your belt. If your gut says stay home...it must be right.

Molly said...

You gave me some good advice this past summer when I decided to forgo a race, and I think it's smart of you to listen to your body and mind. Enjoy the weekend with your family!

Lindsay said...

i certainly don't blame you! enjoy the extra time at home with your family :) (i'm sure your legs appreciate it too!)

ultra collie said...

only you know what is best for you and yours :)
bet you have a great run at home :)
take care

Lesley Looper said...

Tough call in a way, but I do "read between the lines" a sense of peace and relief about your decision. It's good you have your sights on the next goal, too.

Laura said...

WOW! This is great to read something like this instead of the usual thing we read about someone spending the time/$ and trying to bust out a good race and getting injured.
happy weekend!

Amy said...

I'm sure it was hard to come to this decision but it sounds like you have your priorities straight! And I can imagine that the fallout from being mugged is still with you in some way, so it's good to acknowledge that and give it a place in your considerations.
Hopefully you'll have a calm and restful weekend with your family! enjoy!

Richelle said...

Wow, what a difficult decision this must have been for you! But it sounds like you made the right one. There will be another opportunity to run this race. Enjoy the time with your family!

Black Knight said...

I am sorry but you are right, you made the right thing.
The same here, because of a very strong bronchitis I will skip the Florence Marathon and as you did I have already adjusted my training for the next goal.
Have a good week end.

Jennifer said...

Smart man! With all the mileage you DO put in, in the long run you'll hardly even remember this "miss"!

Unknown said...

YOU are one smart runner and man and it's good for all of us for you to share this honesty and thoughtful decision with us all!
Thanks, J.

Staci said...

Glad to hear you're listening to yourself - too often we don't pay enough attention.
I've was wondering why I didn't see your pics on facebook - I haven't had much time to read my blogs, glad to find out why you didn't take part.
See you at Tough One.

Anne said...

You are a wise man Johann and I agree that you have to go with what feels right for you right now. That race will be there another year and in the meantime, I have a feeling you won't be lacking in fun challenges. Take care Johann :)