We all know running—and life—rarely goes in a straight line. In this honest and encouraging post, AMR staffer April shares her personal journey of adjusting goals and finding peace with the pivot.

Last fall, I signed up for a spring half marathon. This spring, I ran a 10K because sometimes you’ve got to make like Ross Geller and pivot.

I have participated in the half marathon distance at the annual Bakersfield Marathon since its debut in 2016 (give or take a few pandemic years). Despite the amazing destination races I have done, the Bakersfield Marathon is my favorite event. I love meeting local runners, and best of all, I love sleeping in my bed the night before a race. Their inaugural event in 2016 was also the first time I trained using a plan from Another Mother Runner, so it’s extra special to me.

I signed up for the half-marathon, printed out my handy training plan (The 13.1 Run/Walk plan, just like last year), and got to training. Training started in December, and I kept up reasonably well at first. I even got in my 10-mile long run in February. A few weeks later, I headed to Arizona for another 20-mile Mammoth March with Another Mother Runner, and I felt great. And then…. the wheels just fell off. Life got in the way, and I just could not seem to get out the door for a long run. And then a soreness in my foot that I had ignored for a few months (runners… if you know, you know) went from occasional to constant. That is when I emailed the race director and asked to be switched to the 10k. 

Right before the start

I’m no stranger to the 10k; I have participated in several, including the one at the Bakersfield Marathon in 2023. It is really such a great distance because you can train without it taking over your life completely, and you are done in around an hour, which allows more time in the finishers’ area! Once I decided to change my race, I felt instant relief. I had already gone over six miles in my training, and my foot didn’t hurt much when I went shorter distances. I was able to enjoy running again without stressing out over each run.

Finished!

It was soon race day, and everything went great! As I’ve written before, I enjoy the party in the back, and this race was no different. I made several friends along the course and felt good at the finish line. The weather was wonderful, and I enjoyed a perfectly curated playlist. “Freedom” by Beyonce ft. Kendrick Lamar really fired me up! I did feel a few twinges of envy when I saw the half-marathoners walking around with their medals. The jealousy was short-lived, though, because I felt really great after the race and had no soreness the next day. I’m sure I would have finished a half marathon, but I know it would not have been pretty. I’m content with my decision.

I’m happy to report that the pain in my foot is gone, and I’ve resumed my regular running schedule. I do not have race plans on the horizon, except for the Bakersfield Marathon, which I will take part in next year for its tenth anniversary. I hope to do the half marathon, but I am fine with choosing the 10k again. I am happy that my aging body can still manage races, and I will continue until it cannot. And then I will pivot myself to something else.