PETER SHANKMAN
| POSTED ON October 28th, 2009 | 30 COMMENTS | + ADD YOUR COMMENT |
So I’ve been training for the NYC Marathon for the past six or so months.
But here’s the thing – By “training for the past six or so months,” I mean, “doing everything from going to physical therapy to limiting the time I go out, or drink, getting to sleep ridiculously early (even for me) getting up even earlier to go running, and when running hurt too much, biking,” etc.
But of course, like there always is, there’s more to the picture… Traveling over 300,000 miles so far this year, (I hit the 300k actual flown number earlier this week) and spending more than two nights each week since January (averaged out) in a hotel, has limited my training. Plus, earlier this year, to relieve the pain of running, I started cheating on running with my racing bike, and shock of shocks, turns out I LOVED biking, to the point where it actually helped me in other races!
So… Between all of my biking, my hardly ever being in town for actual long races in prep for the NYC Marathon, and a host of other reasons, (most starting with the acronym HARO and ending with the term “business travel,” I’ve made what I believe to be the smart decision, and have deferred out of the 2010 ING NYC Marathon on November 1st, 2009.
First off, let’s understand what deferment means – Since NYC is one of the hardest races to get into in the country, (you either live here and run nine New York Road Runner-sanctioned races plus volunteer at one the previous year to guarantee entry, you enter the lottery (55k+ enter, about 10k or less get in) or you are one of those few freaks of nature people who run a sub 2:30 marathon and are actually invited), once you’re guaranteed entry, you hold onto that like oxygen on a leaking plane. If you have to bail out, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is happy to offer you guaranteed entry the next year, while keeping this year’s fees, and allowing you to pay full price for entry the following year. But you give them your $150+ this year, and even more than that based on what they raise it to next year, because you know how valuable the slot is.
It’s called deferment. It’s a hard word to pronounce, so it often sounds like many other words: “quit,” or “failure,” or “not having the heart,” are a few that come to my mind, specifically. Other words that “deferment” occasionally sound like include “loser,” “not as good as anyone else on your team,” and “pitiful.” I will point out, however, that those words are rarely spoken – when you SAY the word “deferment,” it sounds just like it – “de-FUR-ment.” It’s only when you close your eyes at night does that word sound like any of the ones above. See, your mind will always be infinitely louder than your lungs. Remember – when we talk, we’re using 100% of our vocal capacity. When we think, to ourselves, in the darkness of our bedrooms, by ourselves, we have a whole 90%-92% of our brains that we’ve never even touched yet. So by yourself, in the dark, the brain is always louder than the vocal chords by a factor of 10x, at least.
So yes… A week or so ago, I deferred from the 2009 ING NYC Marathon. I did it for all the reasons listed above – I didn’t have the time to train – I got too focused (and enjoyed more) the training for the completion of my first Half-Ironman (which I did, on October 4, 2009, in 6:58:22.) Lots of reasons.
And based on the majority of those reasons – the Half-Ironman, knowing that now that I’ve done a half, I can do a full, which includes a full-marathon, and if I decide to enter one, then the NYC Marathon has to happen as a training run, etc., and a host of others – I decided I didn’t need to run the ING NYC Marathon this year. So I swallowed what little pride I had, and I clicked the “Defer” button at ingnycmarathon.com – And I won’t lie – it hurt – as most “right” decisions do… But in the end, it was the smarter thing to do, and I’m even a little glad I did.
But I’m also human – And I know that if I stay in town and watch the race, or the pre-race, or the expo, or the thousands of people walking around NYC with their NYC 2009 sweatshirts, it’ll hurt. And they deserve better – as do I. So I’m getting out of town. This weekend will find me in Eloy, Arizona, jumping from airplanes at Skydive Arizona, before giving a pre-planned speech on Monday in Tucson.
With that, I’m using this blog post to wish all my friends – Ken, the NY Harriers, Team SBR, Sarah, my 75-year-old friend, George Hirsch, and 37,000 others the run of their lives. Run fast, run true, run pure, and like I did in 2006, defy gravity. I know you can.
I’ll see you out there in 2010.
-Peter Shankman
Tweet
|
I’m so proud of you, Peter. I know it wasn’t an easy decision. |
|
Love this story Peter, thanks for sharing and for helping us all feel a little bit better when we make the hard choices that are usually the “right” ones. That little voice in the head is like a megaphone when the lights go out and it’s just us, the cats, and the decision. Bravo for doing what feels good to you and what serves you. And have a big whopper of a time falling out of planes. Somehow that seems like a fitting alternative–safer too since you didn’t feel ready to do the marathon thing. |
|
Peter, Been there before, triathlon brother. Yes, it’s the “right” thing to do, but it still hurts… So, good for you! When I’m in town in a couple of weeks, let’s get out there for at least a jog around town! Jason |
|
Absolutely smart call for the reasons you mentioned. Good strategic decision making. That’s how HARO grew, isn’t it? Hey, what are you doing reading this? Shouldn’t you be training? |
|
Peter, I’m so glad that you shared this with all of us – sometimes “no” and “not right now” are the right answers and I forget so quickly that they are in my options list. Good for you for deferring – I certainly don’t see it as quitting, especially since you did the HIM this year. Enjoy your skydiving this weekend! |
|
Can we wish you good luck skydiving instead? In reality I’d rather be lucky while dropping out of a plane than while running in NYC. Have a great time! |
|
Good job making the hard choice … and being willing to share it with others. What I also find personally, is that a word like deferment usually sounds very different when spoken about another (good for them for doing what was best) than when spoken about ourselves (like the words you mentioned above). Let’s all try to cut ourselves the slack we’re willing to cut others. :-) |
|
Even you, Peter Shankman, are human. Now, go jump out of a plane like a crazy person! |
|
Smart, but very hard decision to make. I have completed one marathon and four half marathons. If you mentally aren’t into it, your most likely aren’t going to have a good experience. I work in the financial aid industry and deferment is a common word in my world! |
|
Tough choice, Peter, but you’re a smart man and this was a smart decision. Keep looking ahead, not back. |
|
Whatever you do, or don’t do, we will be proud of you always. You are a very special person. Trust your instincts and follow your dreams. |
|
I am a runner and made a similiar decision to not run in the SB Wine Country half marathon this year because of the massive fires. I wanted to do it so bad (and really felt they should have cancelled it out of respect), but just didn’t feel right about it. Only YOU can make that decision. I just signed up to train for my first half-iron. I am so excited! Have fun jumping out of planes! |
|
BRAVO! The honesty and heart in this writing rings true for all of us when confronted with such decisions. Let all “A” types recognize ourselves in these words and learn accordlingly. Prideful and principle ring clearly here and you continue to show us the right way. |
|
You know, with all of the synonyms you listed, you left out “little” and “girl”. Heh heh, kidding Peter. Go jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Thanks for all you do. |
|
This proves that you’re even smarter than I thought! Good to be able to recognize what is best for YOU. You’ve done SO much this year Peter – smart to defer this event. You wouldn’t have wanted to run it just to run and complete it – You want to run it strong, so 2010 will be the year! Plus, I’m a little selfish – I’m happy you deferred because I’m running it in 2010, and now I’ll be there with you! Woohoo! May the wind be at your back when you run, and all around you when you’re jumping out of planes! |
|
Peter, |
|
Peter, It takes a great deal of courage to make a tough decision and then have the conviction to stick to it. I think you inspired a lot of people today. I know you did me. You rock (but you’re NOT a rock star)! Robin |
|
Good call Peter, I’m glad you made the right decision for YOU. You, of all people, deserve some time off. Go enjoy jumping out of airplanes and get some well deserved rest! |
|
Peter, You’re still a winner and a hero to many. I want to be like you when I grow up. |
|
It is tough to travel, work and train hard.. I signed up for my first marathon in Jan. but I’m primarily a triathlete and of course, running is my weakness! Maybe one day, I’ll make it to the NY Marathon draw and join you! Chin up, Peter. There’s always next year! -Valerie |
|
I know it wasn’t easy but as you said, it was the right decision, so onward and forward. You do so much, that running a marathon on top of it would really make you non-human. Enjoy a quiet weekend. Ha! Like such a thing exists in your world! |
|
Good for you Peter! I’m happy that you recognized it would be a mistake and CHOSE not to. There will be next year! |
|
|
Continue to trust your instincts! They have always led you to the right decision. Be safe this weekend, and be proud. We are! |
|
Great post, Peter. Don’t sweat it, though. While running the marathon is a big deal, that feeling of bigness peters out about two days after the race. I hope next year’s marathon or an Ironman works out for you. And if not, no regrets. Have fun, stay fit, get out there and do what feels right! |
|
I learned the hard way this past Sunday at MCM-sometimes the “right” decision can hurt big time. So I know it’s not the same, but I do know how you’re feeling right now. Hopefully 2010 will be both our years… Have fun this weekend. I’m sticking around here to watch and be supportive but I won’t lie, it is tough!! But that which does not kill you… :) |
|
Oh, come on, Peter— If I can participate (by following a running friend’s progress online!), surely you could! lol- I loved your essay on deferment and guarantee that I would choose skydiving over running any day!!!! I hope you’re having fun, out there! |
|
You did the right thing Peter, as hard as it was to do. Your instincts on these things are always right and I beleive you should ALWAYS listen to them. It is your bodies way of protecting you from harm or injury. I bet if you had run, you would have gotten really hurt and might have had to stop running all together. So, pat yourself on the back for being one of the few lucky people to actually listen to themselves. |
PETER TO SPEAK
FOR THE NEWSLETTER
