Saying hello…and goodbye to Two Oceans

As KK and I depart for our annual Easter break down in Cape Town, I must admit, I’m feeling a little mizz. In fact I’ve been feeling a bit down for a while now. You see, as everyone packs their bags and counts down to the Two Oceans half or ultra marathon, I won’t be running the race this year.

I pulled out due to injury as well as not being mentally ready to race against a cut-off time of 3 hours I feared I would miss (again). I was at a point where my running was not fun anymore and I hated the training. So I made the decision to stop stressing about my running, to focus on the 10km races and start falling in love with running again…

It was not an easy decision but once I made it, it was a weight off my shoulders and I still think it was the right decision. I have really enjoyed the shorter distances and I’ve had fun not having to constantly watch my pace. I’ve been happy with a 4km run in the evenings from home and sleeping later when I don’t feel like getting up at 3:30am for a race. It has helped me get back my “running mojo” and I’m enjoying it more than ever.

Yet it still doesn’t take away the fact that I wish I was running on Saturday. It doesn’t take away the fact that reading people’s tweets and blogs as they count down to the race doesn’t fill me with a tingle of jealousy and bit of regret.

While I know runners don’t judge one another, I am my biggest critic and keep trying to convince myself that pulling out of the race doesn’t mean I’m quitting. It means I’m doing what’s right, for me, at this point in time.

But it’s a heaviness that fills my heart.

I will still be there to support KK and the rest of our running gang. I’ll most probably get *goosies* when the gun goes off and I’ll still be super excited to see my running friends cross that finish line.

I’m holding thumbs that KK runs a PB! I wouldn’t miss that for the world!

Ps: this will be my last blog post until we get back from holiday on the 15th April.

Have a wonderful Easter!

5 thoughts on “Saying hello…and goodbye to Two Oceans

  1. Pingback: Okay Two Oceans, clean slate, here I come! | Keeping up with the Walkers…

  2. I am new to running and have also been battling injuries, but the physio does want me to keep going (I don’t yet do long distances although did a half marathon walk on Sunday (my poor feet 😦 ).

    I can fully understand why you feel so incredibly disappointed, but as you said you are making the right decision.

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  3. I don’t blame you. I have been running, or should I say plodding along, for years hoping I would find my ‘mojo’ and become a runner….but nothing. I look for any excuse to walk. I also find the 10 – 15km races more enjoyable than the longer runs……but I suppose it is only because I can walk most of the way and still make the cut-off 🙂
    Enjoy Two Oceans and Cape Town, and I hope KK runs a PB
    P.S. It is ok, to be a spectator sometimes 🙂

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