I thought I was alone; the only one on this blog-o-sphere afflicted with the runner’s disease known as commitophobia. And then, one by one, others like me came forth, telling tales and speaking truths about how they have been similarly affected, displaying symptoms of not being able to click the little blue CONFIRMATION button for as long and longer than I have. It’s a travesty really, so many talented runners and avid marathoners not being able to participate in a roadrace; not because of injury, lack of training or prior obligations, but because they simply cannot click a little button. The horror of it all, for me, is that the disease is growing more and more rampant and virulent by the day, and if it ever gets out of control and becomes an epidemic, I’d be looking at jail time or at least some notoriety as being the first to start the conversation.
In order to ‘cure’ myself from this disease and restore my credibility among the 
common running folk who don’t believe in such myths as commitophobia, I’ve made the necessary arrangements and completed the registration (and yes, even pushed the little blue confirmation button) for the 2008 San Francisco Marathon. So, despite the long travel, extremely hilly course, the insanely early start (5:30 AM? What? Whoever heard of starting a marathon at 5:30AM?!), the lack of any crowd support, and the usual early morning fog in the Bay area, I will be running this race on the weekend of my 33rd birthday.
common running folk who don’t believe in such myths as commitophobia, I’ve made the necessary arrangements and completed the registration (and yes, even pushed the little blue confirmation button) for the 2008 San Francisco Marathon. So, despite the long travel, extremely hilly course, the insanely early start (5:30 AM? What? Whoever heard of starting a marathon at 5:30AM?!), the lack of any crowd support, and the usual early morning fog in the Bay area, I will be running this race on the weekend of my 33rd birthday.Woohoo! I am super-psyched, but a little scared as well. I’ve never run a race so far away from home before. If there’s anyone out there who’s done this course and can give a few pointers on what to expect or how to prepare adequately for those hills, please, please, please drop me a line. It would be highly appreciated.
Now, if you all will excuse me, I’m going to find a wall that I can bang my head against for ever thinking I would get an objective opinion on whether I should run a marathon from my RBFs…
15 comments:
You are brave. I'm impressed! The course seems so hard.
I love San Fran! I think that running across the Golden Gate Bridge would be incredible. It looks tough but I'm sure you'll be able to pull it off. What a great birthday celebration!
There is a race report from the '07 SFM on this page. Even though I have not run that course, I did hill repeats working up to tougher ones (10% grade) gradually for my marathon.
I still have commitophobia - share the antidote!
Congrats on committing! I'm impressed.
Congrats on pushing the button. I too have commitophobia when it comes to the confirmation button.
Don't freak about the 5:30 start time. Due to the time change your body will think it's 8:30 am. I used to love traveling to the west coast for that reason. San Fran is a lot of fun - you will have a blast going out of town for a race. It'll be tough but totally worth it!
Yay, congrats on battling your crippling commitophobia and winning! I'm betting you'll do just great in San Fran!
i have trouble hitting "publish your comment" sometimes.
you'll own the hills!
You da man! I wish I were there with you...San Fran, even in fog, is awesome. Enjoy!!
Hi Lam
By the time August 3rd comes around you will be so ready... well I just have this feeling that you are going to pummel the course. Don't even know if I spelled "pummel" correctly, but I couldn't come up with a better verb. I am excited for you. There is nothing like puttting yourself out there on a new and exciting course, but you also chose one all the way across the country that has the reputation of being challenging. Hats off to you! You overcame the whole commitophobe thing and took a chance on a new and exciting experience. I, for one, can't wait to see how you do.
Best of luck with your training.
Ha Ha. I think I suffer from it too. I want to run in races so badly but when the time comes I start to question whether I am ready or not. By the time I make up my mind it is too late.
Nice to know someone understands me :)
Ha Ha. I think I suffer from it too. I want to run in races so badly but when the time comes I start to question whether I am ready or not. By the time I make up my mind it is too late.
Nice to know someone understands me :)
Life is short. Run this marathon. In fact, I have the opposite problem. I tend to run out, sign up for races, and THEN wonder how I'll fit it into the schedule let alone pay for it. I would love to run this race and fighting the urge to sign up right now. Congratulations on the committment!
Way to go! Show those hills who's boss.
I ran the 2nd half marathon last summer-see my blog for a race report...so you have some idea what to expect in the 2nd half of the race (from what I told, is the easier of the 2 halfs!)
It's definitely a fun race, and a great race to build a mini-vacay around :)
Now if you have my version of "commitophobe" I think its type B...this is just the beginning of the problem. I don't have problems signing up for races, but decide to do different distances once I sign up for it. Hopefully you have type A and it is cured....fear for commitophobe tybe B though. It can strike at anytime..and I'm afraid there is no cure yet....I'll be working on with my bioengineering skillz! haha
p.s. and if the cure has anything to do with Islets of Langerhans..I'll pull in your expertise.
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