I have been avoiding writing this post, since I knew it would make this more real. But the thing is… it’s pretty real. So I guess I’ll just let it spill.
I deferred my entry for Chicago until 2016.
Several weeks ago, I was climbing a few 14ers (mountains that are over 14,000 feet) in Colorado, and on the way down from the last one, I twisted my knee a little. I didn’t think too much of it, so the next day, I still ran my prescribed 18 miles. It went horribly. I couldn’t go very fast and I spent a lot of it limping. I finished when I probably shouldn’t have.
I took a bit of time off, and it helped. I got back to running and everything was ok. But as soon as I got back on my feet, I got a terrible upper respiratory infection that included a high fever and lots of coughing. I couldn’t run at all for a full week. So… since I had basically missed out on my peak marathon training, I decided to defer until 2016.
HOWEVER… I am officially running the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa Oklahoma on November 22. I am back to running, and my knee feels good (my lungs feel okay). I realized that Chicago wouldn’t be very fun, but with training and hard work, Route 66 is gonna be awesome. The best part is… I already have a race to PR my marathon time next year!
Route 66 is going to be especially great. I’ll be running it two days before my 29th birthday and as soon as I’m done, Frank and I will be driving out to Utah for some canyoneering and mountain biking. I couldn’t be more excited.
Instead of being sad about this… like I was when I pushed the button to defer, I am using this as an opportunity. This is going to be tons of fun AND Chicago 2016 is gonna be awesome!
She Runs the Wasatch 
Well done for deferring, it’s always such a tough decision to make but it sounds like you made the right one! I’m deferring my first HM by a month after posting a cry for help on my blog and thankfully getting lots of advice and support! Good luck 😀
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Good luck with your half! It can be upsetting when you have to push your dreams back a little bit. Good luck with your half though. It’ll be an awesome experience!
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Whoo hoo!! I’m so glad this sad post turned into a happy one at the end!! You’re gong to do great in Tulsa!!
That’s cool that you’ll be running Chitown in 2016…I’m hoping to be there with you! Fingers crossed!!
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I hope you end up running it! I’d really like to see you there. I was really upset when I pushed the button to defer, but I was thrilled to sign up for Tulsa. It should be a fun race!
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I hit enter too soon. Ha! I’m so sorry to hear about this!!! Awww! But, I hear great things about Rt. 66 AND now you get to run Chicago next year anyway! I’m trying to find the positives in this. But you made the right call not to push it through injury. Great job to you for listening to your body!!!
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Yeah. I’ve heard they have a great crowd and a great race. This way, if I ever decide to do a marathon in every state, I wont have to go back to Oklahoma. It’s pretty boring there. Haha.
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Way to listen to your body Kerri! It’s hard to make a decision like that, but you want to be in top condition for your first marathon. It’ll be hard enough as it is! And, it sounds like that couldn’t be a better birthday celebration!
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Thanks. I was kinda thinking that. i don’t want to be in sub-par condition when running my first marathon.
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I’m so glad you found another marathon to run! I think it sounds like you picked a good one!!
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I really wanted to do the one with you, but the double loop and lack of crowd support made me a little nervous. This one seemed like a better fit. I’m pretty excited!
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