Life picked up after that first Chicago Marathon--I got married, student-taught, graduated college, whirled through my first year of teaching, suffered through a bad stint of anemia (read: no long runs), got my graduate degree, moved to Kansas City, and got a new teaching job. Needless to say, my goal was put on a short hold. I ran halves, but couldn't commit to training for a whole until recently.
I thought getting out there and qualifying would be easy based on my original marathon time and the my half-marathon PR, but we all know what happened when my feet hit the pavement for my two marathons since getting back in the game--RECORD HEAT!!! And a big lesson: I can't control everything.
Now, without a race scheduled before Boston Registration opens in September, I need to focus on which races will get me to Boston in 2013. I will turn 30 in the fall of 2013--so this is it. It is go time.
Right now I am looking at the Twin Cities, Kansas City, and Dallas in 2011; and Grandma's in 2012.
Another goal I have is Debt-Free by 30, so money is an issue. Most likely, my finances will only allow travel to one race in 2011 and one in 2012. Twin Cities is known to be fast, but that would be only my chance in the fall. If I did KC and it was a hot day, I could always fall back on Dallas in December. Grandma's is just on the list for good measure--and the fact that I've always wanted to do it and have a friend in the area to stay with.
So what will it be?
This one :
And
Or this one:
Help me decide...
I would go with KC and Dallas...because it doesn't limit you to one option. You would be upset if it didn't work out and you were only able to do the one race. Looking forward to seeing what you choose!
ReplyDeleteI agree...I think your plans for the KC and Dallas are good! Awesome goal! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about the Twin Cities Marathon (lived in MN for a couple years), but it seems like the KC & Dallas combo makes the most sense.
ReplyDeleteJust catching up on your race report. Scary stuff. Running seems like such a simple thing, but the race-day variables are limitless. Glad to see that you're undaunted from the experience. Love the goals, and look forward to following along - including the inevitable Boston recap. Good luck!
what about http://www.foxvalleymarathon.com/ on Sept 18th?
ReplyDeleteyou can register on the 19th when it opens to all runners. you'll miss out on pre-registering but you'd need at least 3:35 to register early.
do 2012. BQ standards get tougher in 2013.
what training program do you follow? you can do this. and pinning on that boston bib the morning of race day is worth every ounce of effort you put into getting there.
If you want comfortable temps during the marathon, go for TC all the way. It's not worth taking the risk of the heat.
ReplyDeleteTC!! It's a great race! I've never run it, but I lived in Minneapolis for 4 years and have run big chunks of the course at a time. Buuuuut the Dallas/KC combo sounds good too. I was going to run KC as one of my 2 fall marathons, but it's only a week after Chicago...I don't think I'm quite superhuman enough to recover that quickly. Have you looked at running smaller races at all? I've found that's actually where I've run my best races! Especially if they're close to home. No hotel = better sleep + better pre-race routine = better running.
ReplyDeleteGrandma's is also a GREAT and FAST race (umm...downhill), I ran a half there a loooong while back. Just keep in mind that in order to actually get INTO Boston, you gotta get that time DOWN. Those rolling admissions are going to make it tough. I was dreaming of qualifying with an early fall marathon, but I don't know if I'll be able to pull a 3:30...3:40 might be pushing it. We shall see. GOOD LUCK!
I ran grandma's as my 1st and so far only marathon and it was amazing, the first 20 miles you have incredible scenery, the breeze off of the lake and peaceful-ness and then you get into town for your last 6 and you are literally cheered all the way in by every group you can think of! I loved it so much, from the expo to the after run activities...but I am not quite the competitor that you are...so maybe I am judging it for the wrong reasons!! :)
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