Indecision 2008 (with apologies to Jon Stewart)

Okay, I am panicking -- I mean, really stressing. It is to the point that if I don't stop, I will wind up here.

HK Sanatorium & Hospital - I may just be crazy enough to be admitted!

There are five weeks until the Great Wall Marathon. I have been doing what I can (when I can) to train for this. From what I have read and heard, this is not like any other marathon I have completed in the past. Heck, I started running in Florida -- I am used to flat, flat running trails in high heat and humidity. Since I moved to California almost four years ago, I have added some hills and cold weather. But the Great Wall Marathon is 4,000 steps -- some of which have to be climbed using a rope, some hills (which are probably more like mountains in China), 15 miles of village running, and lots and lots of humidity, high altitude, and heat!


This really didn't bother me at all when I registered to run the marathon. But then, I talked Cindy into flying out here, and coaxed her into running the 10K. Then, I started training -- climbing steps, hiking, running in the middle of the day. I ran/stair climbed/hill climbed/walked/crawled approximately 14 miles on Saturday in just under 3 hours, and now I am really worried. I KNOW I can finish the marathon -- that will not be a problem. But, one of the main reasons for me doing this run is to get that darn medal (and of course, bragging rights). If I don't complete the run in under 8 hours . . . no medal for Jill. For those of you who know me well, you know that will kill me.


So, during my run this past weekend, I started making a Pro/Con list in my head for running the marathon and for skipping the marathon, but running the 1/2 marathon instead.


Marathon -- Pro:

• Bragging rights
  
• Medal (if I finish within the 8 hour time frame)

Marathon -- Con:

• No medal (if I don't finish within the 8 hour time frame)
• May not be able to walk for a few days afterwards
• Will stress up until the start (not too much fun for Cindy or anyone else around me)

1/2 Marathon -- Pro:

• I can complete this fairly easy -- no stress
• Will be able to take more time to enjoy Beijing prior to the run -- again, no stress
• Will be able to walk immediately afterwards
• Will finish within 3 hours and have plenty of time to rest and party

1/2 Marathon -- Con:

• Will totally regret not running the full marathon

So, my dear readers, I am leaving the decision up to you (again, those of you who know me well, know that I am probably the most indecisive person you have ever met). Please look at the poll on the upper right side of my blog and vote! Should I run the full or the 1/2 marathon? Let me know what you think and maybe I will take your advice!