I failed my lifelong goal…
And somehow, I’m still proud of this marathon training cycle
Hey friend, welcome back to the Big Adventure Club ☀️
This one’s a little more personal. I’ve been sitting with the quiet heartbreak of a goal unmet, specifically, my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:19. If you’ve ever trained hard for something, only to be sidelined by injury right before the finish line, you’ll know the kind of disappointment I’ve been feeling.
But the truth? Running has never been just about the race. It’s about the early mornings, the solitude, the strength, the friendships, the slow build of progress, and yes, sometimes the setbacks. So today’s issue is for anyone who’s feeling discouraged. Whether you’re rehabbing an injury, stuck in the stop-and-go of progress, or simply trying to get outside more in a busy city life.
Let’s talk about it.
Mindful Musing
On Failing My Boston Qualifier
I’m sad, frustrated, and embarrassed to admit that I failed my goal:
To run a 3:19 marathon and qualify for Boston.
I’d been building toward this for months; 6 to be exact. I mentioned the goal here and there, but I hadn’t shared how much it really meant to me. How excited I was to line up on race day feeling strong and ready to go for it.
Instead, after my longest training run in early May, I walked away with an injury.
Marathon Approved Running Fit:
Sports bra: Lululemon Wunder Train Stappy Racer Bra
My go-to bra for marathon training and all-day comfort—secure, breathable, and supportive without the squeeze (available in AB and CD sizes).
Running shorts: Lululemon Fast and Free (5 pockets, this blue is 20% off!)
The shorts I trust for long runs: buttery soft, weightless, don’t ride up, and have just enough pocket space for gels, keys, and more.
Soft & bouncy long run shoes: Hoka Clifton 10s | Hoka Clifton 9s (save 19%)
A top pick for marathon training- plush cushioning, breathable, and a smooth ride that keeps you going mile after mile.
Running socks: Courier Hifi Socks
A lightweight, breathable performance sock with targeted cushioning, designed to keep you cool, comfortable, and blister-free on every mile.
Hat: Skida Brim Hat
Light and sweat-wicking, this brim hat keeps sun + sweat out of your eyes without overheating on long runs.
Heart rate monitor: Coros arm band heart rate monitor
Ditch the chest strap & it’s chafing. This arm band stays put, never think about pairing, and gives super accurate heart rate data for training and recovery tracking.
Running watch: Coros Pace 3 | Coros Apex Pro
Lightweight, long battery life, and easy-to-read stats mid-run. The Apex Pro 2 is my go-to GPS watches whether I'm tracking splits or navigating trail routes.
At first I thought it was a minor strain in my lower back. I rested a few days and expected it to fade. But once that pain subsided, the real issue surfaced: an inflamed SI joint. And if you’ve ever dealt with pelvic injuries, you know they don’t just go away with a couple easy days and some ibuprofen.
I scrambled to get help. Thankfully, High Desert Sports & Spine got me in early (shoutout to canceled appointments), but I still heard the answer I was dreading:
“Do you value running this marathon more… or recovering properly?”
The doctor was gentle but firm. “If you’re not getting paid to run this race, it’s best to sit it out.”
Even after that conversation, I kept a small flicker of hope. I gave myself a marker:
If I could run my last 16-miler before taper without pain, I’d race.
You know what came and went? My last 20-miler. Then my 16. Then my 10.
None of them run.
So I made the call: not only would I not be qualifying for Boston, I wouldn’t be running the race at all.
When my therapist and friends asked how I felt, I surprised myself.
Yes, I’m disappointed. But I don’t feel like I wasted my time.
I ran two fast half marathons. I spent hours outside doing the thing I love most: running and being with myself. I went through the highs and lows of another training cycle. The kind that changes you even when you don’t get the finish line moment you’d imagined.
I built discipline. I built joy. I craved morning runs. I connected with people at group workouts. I felt strong in my body. I’ve always seen myself as a runner who’s in it for the long haul. Not just for one goal, one race, or one time on a clock.
Sure, there’s a huge part of me that wanted the race: the validation, the reward, the clean ending to the story. But the longer I sat with it, the more I realized the race isn’t the point. It’s one day. It’s supposed to all come together perfectly, but sometimes life has other plans.
And even when things fall apart, I still want to keep running.
That’s how I know this isn’t a failure. It’s just a diversion in my story.
Community Questions
“Do you have advice for persevering through running injuries?”
This question came from one of you! And I wanted to answer it here because I felt this question so deeply the past few weeks.
My advice? Be honest with yourself, but keep hope close.
Give your body rest before you give it ultimatums.
Get help as soon as possible.
Create a plan, even if it’s just: walk 1 mile, run for 30 seconds, try again tomorrow.
Celebrate tiny wins. A pain-free mile can be just as meaningful as a race medal.
Remind yourself that healing is not linear, but you are still a runner.
If you ever have a question you’d like me to answer in a future newsletter, you can leave it right here in this survey. I read every one.
Leaving Notes
If you’re going through your own injury, setback, or season of slowing down, I hope this reminded you that it’s still part of the story. That your time isn’t wasted, even when the plan changes. That you’re still a runner, a hiker, an adventurer… even if all you can do today is rest.
Leave them anonymously in this survey and I’d love to answer it in an upcoming newsletter! It means the world to know what’s on your mind and what you want to see more of.
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Thanks for being here 💙
Lauren (@laurensbigadventure)