Normally, I would never post twice in one day, but I felt like this couldn’t wait. I’m home, plus I feel like this needed to be shared, particularly since it’s a shift in my thinking.
David’s comment on my Vegas donation post really got me thinking.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned in six years years of running is developing a budget. I don’t think you’re alone in wanting to race in Vegas or some other far away places. To blatantly ask for money for you to go to Vegas to run a marathon without it being a fundraiser of some sort is downright out of place in this sport. Vegas will always be there. So will London or New York or Seattle or Florida. If you continue to live a healthy lifestyle and continue to run, Vegas is not going anywhere. If you want to run a race in December, check out http://www.runwashington.com — there are several near you!
For some reason, I didn’t look at it like that at first. I was always like, “Yes, let me run Vegas!” I wanted to be there. I wanted to run with the other bloggers. I wanted to run a Vegas marathon. But I had forgotten that Vegas will always be there. That I will always be running, no matter what.
And hey, if I don’t have enough money, that’s a pretty good sign I shouldn’t be running the Vegas Rock ‘n Roll Marathon this year!
Sometimes, when you try to force things that shouldn’t be, they turn out really badly (yes, I know from experience).
And David is absolutely correct.
Vegas will always be there.
So will the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.
And I will continue running.
So what’s the rush?
There isn’t any.
I might not be able to run it this year, or the next, or even five years from now. But that’s ok! Because when the time is right, when everything has fallen into place, I will be there.
I don’t want to disrespect a sport that I absolutely love and enjoy.
I don’t run for the races. Yes, I love the race atmosphere, but I run because it makes me feel good about myself. I love the rush, I love the runner’s high, I love the feeling of Earth beneath my feet.
So the race can wait.
I’ll still run Vegas. Just maybe not this year.
Ahhhh, now that that’s finally off my chest…I feel much better!
If you haven’t already, check out my little project Drop Dead Gorgeous By December! 20 others have joined me so far.
Will you be the next?
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Female. 25 years old. Chinese. Cook. Foodie. UCLA grad. Traveler. Musician. Scuba diver. GWU Law. Runner.
I’m glad that my comment sparked those quick thoughts. I know it sounded good at the time. I wasn’t trying to be negative, just realistic. Set a goal for Vegas, and you’ll get there. Create a Vegas money box or something, and put your spare change in it several times a week and that money will add up quickly.
thats where I am as well.
Sony did ask to sponsor me but only defrayed cost of race fees (which is GREAT! but not everything).
Ive saved for this for a while as well.
Don’t you feel bad, or guilty for one second. I totally know what’s going through your head. You want to do it all and you want to do it right now. I feel the same way. I really want to run a 5k with Val (seattlerunnergirl) this coming Sunday but the registration fee is $30 and in my current situation that’s like asking me to go out and buy a new car! It’s hard, I want to run races and I want to run them all…I opted to go with Team in Training for the half marathon because I just didn’t know if I could come up with the registration money. If they were taking on the Vegas run I’d say hook up with them but it’s not on their list (damn them).
When everyone was getting excited about Miz’s run, I was insanely jealous. I know there is no way in hell I could get down there. It’s not my time. But there will be a time, you can bet on it!
Tara´s latest post: OWiS 34…good stress – bad stress
let’s both set a goal for Vegas… next year, year after, whenever, and then do it together.
I too really would LOVE to run EVERYWHERE and NOW but you know what, it’s not possible right now. First my own back yard, then THE WORLD baby!
Renée (@lowfatpie)´s latest post: A Charm
Interesting viewpoint on it. I was totally gonna give you like five points, but I guess he was right – people really only donate for races that are for charity. Hmmm. So maybe Vegas will happen, maybe it won’t. That race will always be there and there will be other races with bloggers!
Hmm. Five points? I guess points will be like rewards you can turn into cash. LOL. No clue what I was writing there.
I just saw this comment and started laughing. I was like oooo I get 5 bonus Mary points! SCORE. That’s more than what everyone else has
LOL. I feel like I should start giving out points for random occasions.
Good follow up Jess.
Joe´s latest post: Running Shoe Review- The Sir Isaac from Newton Running
Yeah, good follow up. Running budgets kind of suck but it’s a reality for most everyone who runs — even if you don’t have to budget money, you have to budget time and legs. I’d say pass on Vegas this year regardless of the money situation b/c 1L grades are insanely and unduly important to your 2L job prospects. Use reading week to read and outline, not to travel and run. Vegas will always be there, as will all the other great ones.
I usually travel for one marathon per year, and we take one big overseas vacation per year, so that’s most of our fun budget. For the other marathons, I go somewhere in state and for shorter races, I look for cheaper ones with our local club or ones that support a charity that I’d like to donate to anyway to get double bang for my buck (but most races for charity are good ones, not too many racist runs out there or something like that).