Last year when Krista did Grandma's Marathon, I vowed that I'd be doing it for 2015. My training cycle for Bemidji taught me that I still have some form issues and muscle imbalances that I need to tend to before I attack another big training cycle. The flights to Duluth are currently $900+ and I just don't know if I can hack the long drive on my own.
[Edited to add: I googled the drive length and was surprised to learn it's a little less than 6.5 hours, instead of the 9+ I had thought it was. Hmmm.....]
I tend to reserve the spring season for half marathons and shorter races because it's prime racing season around here, albeit it's a pain to train through the brutal winters. I like the idea of Grandma's because it's not until mid-June.
The other idea I was tossing around was an abbreviated training cycle. One of my best training cycles was for the Philadelphia Marathon when I was in amazing half marathon shape, and did a six week training cycle, one 16, 18, and 20 and it was taper time. It worked great because there was no time for excuses and it didn't wreck my body. I just got in the distance to know that I could complete 26.2 on race day, but not week after week after week of 3 hour runs to cause me injuries.
So that's the crazy idea I'm currently tossing around. There are seven weeks between the Brookings Half and Grandma's, allowing me a recovery week and then the short cycle. I still have plenty of time to decide, but if I find myself jealous of everyone's long-long runs once this spring rolls around, I'm glad I have a plan.
Now to start convincing Susan, Alyssa and others to join me.....
You need to do Grandma's at some point. Awesome course! Good weather typically. Also, good beer options (the important things in life, right?). Just keep in mind the housing situation for the race. Most hotels are already booked and the dorms will open in early spring for reservations. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGrandma's 2015 will be my first marathon!!! I've been following your blog for for a while for tips and inspiration...would be awesome to follow your training for the same race:)
ReplyDelete2015 will be my 5th Grandmas in a row, so I might be a bit biased, but you totally should...
ReplyDeleteI say go for it! Especially when I saw a June race date, because where you live winters are even more brutal than the northeast!!!
ReplyDeleteYou will love love love Grandma's Marathon :) Just a little tip on hotels...All of the hotels double their rates and usually have at least a two night minimum. So, if you can find someone to share a room it's cheaper. Otherwise, I have heard good things about staying in the dorms. This year I stayed at the Blackbear Casino, about a 20 minute drive, and I just had my friends drop me off at the shuttles. The casino was much cheaper and they did not have a two night minimum. Grandma's has been a favorite of mine. It's been my first 5k, half marathon, and full marathon :) AND...even though I'm telling myself I am not running a full marathon next year, I am kicking around the idea of signing up for the half marathon lottery with high hopes I get in!! And I might be willing to carpool ;)
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