I’ve used Hal Higdon’s training programs since I trained for my first long race – the Ocean Drive 10 miler – three years ago. They’re free, and I liked the work load and how he makes different schedules for each race depending on your running level.

Most schedules have novice/intermediate/expert options. For the marathon, though, he made two intermediate schedules. The different between the two isn’t huge. Intermediate II assumes that you aren’t starting from scratch or from a huge running layoff. I fell into that category – I didn’t stop running after the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I’d talked with a friend about running the New Jersey Marathon together with the goal of qualifying for Boston. She’d missed out on her first marathon by 90 seconds. So, even though this is my first marathon, I printed out my Intermediate II schedule and hit the ground running.

I did fine to start, racking up more miles than I’d ever run before. But at week five, I started feeling sluggish. My tempo times dropped. My hip ached. I started looking at my running shoes with a smidge of resentment. With long and then longer runs stacked back to back on the weekend, marathon training had taken over my life. Couldn’t go out on Friday or Saturday because of the run, and I’d fall onto my couch on the weekends. Sunday afternoons and nights I could barely function. Then I skipped three days of running while away for a long weekend.

So I made a decision this week: I dropped back to Intermediate I.  I don’t want to burn out or get hurt with only nine weeks to go. My friend picked another marathon, so I don’t have the Boston goal anymore. I’m hoping for somewhere around four hours now, but my real goal first time out is to cross the finish line without requiring immediate medical attention.

I’m a hyper competitive, type-A type, so this decision was hard, but a smart one. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Well, my mom is happy about it. She thinks this whole marathon thing is nuts, and maybe it is. But with only nine weeks left? I’m starting to see that finish line.

P.S. The New Jersey Marathon could sell out this year – first time ever. So if you wanted to run a May 2 marathon, half marathon or relay marathon, better sign up fast.