I've been so excited/focused/tunnel-visioned about the BIG EVENT (aka Green Bay Marathon) for this spring, that I've kind of neglected to think beyond May in terms of running. Tuesday night an old college friend sent me a facebook message that I should consider running marathon #2 in 2010 as well. Huh? TWO marathons this year? Well. Why not? Her race suggestion solved all of my fall/winter racing issues that I had been having. I'd like to consider it the missing piece to my running puzzle.
February 6th Frostbite 2 & 4 Mile
But let's start at the beginning shall we? I start marathon training on February 6th (or something like that) so I figured I could do this race I've said I was going to do every year since I started running but have yet to. The name should say it all, really. Since the primary reason I've wussed out on doing it EVERY YEAR is because it's painfully cold in February. Duh! But it'll give me something to keep me motivated until marathon training starts. And maybe everyone else in my AG will be too wussy to run, and I'll get an auto AG award.
March 13th St. Patty's Day Mile, 5k, & 5 mile
I love St. Patrick's Day. I love green. I love to run. What's not to love about a race that combines ALL THREE?!?! Answer: Nothing. So why not. I've done the 5k for 2 years, and might do that or the 5 mile, depending on what fits into my schedule the best.
May 16th Cellcom Green Bay Marathon
June 5th Pavilion Wellness 10 mile, 10k, & 5k
I did the 5k last year and it was the race that I awarded myself with my GARMIN for PR'ing in. Go Jerbear! I have no clue which distance I will attempt, because I have no idea how my legs will recover after the marathon. I'm just excited to squeeze in as many shorter races as possible this summer, because sometimes a girl just likes to run faaaaast.
June 13th Swan Lake Half Marathon
(tentative)
Again this race probably stems from my recovery from the marathon, but after looking at my schedule I was sad that I only had one HM on it. The 1/2 is probably my new favorite distance (sorry 5k, still love YOU!). This race is close to my hometown, and is the kick off for their small town summer festival, so it'd be fun to get another HM in.
September 12th Sioux Falls Half Marathon
Oh the race that started it all. This will be my 7th year running my city's big race, and this will be one of the races I train hard for. Look for a MAJA PR next fall. (hopefully). They are actually starting a full marathon after taking 20+ years off from doing it. I toyed with the idea of running it, but eventually all the pieces fell into place, and I was happy that I got to stick with the 1/2.
October 3rd Twin Cities 10 Mile
(if chosen by lottery)
I also toyed with running the Twin Cities Marathon as it is on my "list" of marathons to run. After some advice from Glenn, I realized it probably wouldn't be smart to PR in a 1/2 and then presumably PR in another marathon 3 weeks later. Thanks for being my voice of reason. I've always said 10 miles is my favorite training run distance, so why not do a 10 miler? I figure I'll get the experience of the cities in the fall (I loooooove the cities, I should just move. Hmph.) and experience the huge crowds and atmosphere, but only have to run 38% of the distance.
December 6th Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Which brings me to marathon #2 for 2010. I had originally wanted to do Disney World 2011 in January with Melissa , but even after an unseasonably mild winter so far (yes, we had a HUGE blizzard, but we usually have had about 4-5 major snow storms by this time of year) I realized that most major training has to be done by mid-late November. Which makes an early December race purrrrfect. Plus I have a feeling I could maybe get the guy to attend that one.
_________________
Sidenote. Funny convo about the Vegas Race......
Me: Do you wanna come with me to Vegas in December?
N: Are you trying to trick me into something? :)
Me: ???? Are you referring to me tricking you into running a race with me in Vegas or me tricking you into marrying me in Vegas? I'm guessing either option is equally terrifying.
Later while watching The Hangover....
Me: If we do accidentally get hitched in Vegas we should get the high roller package and get our pic on trucker hats!!!
N: You would like the coffee mugs more.
Me: OMG SO TRUE!
The kid knows me well, no? :)
________________________
K back from La La Land and back to the land of running....now is the time where you tell me that you're totally signing up for the same races as me and we plan sweet meet ups (unless you're a stalker in which case I'm a black belt in karate!). Not included in the official schedule is about 4-6 5k's in the June to August months that have yet to be solidified. I also wouldn't mind throwing in another relay because last years was oooooh sooooooo fuuuuuuuun.
Who else is excited about 2010?!?!?!?!??