Picking a Marathon: Decisions, Decisions

January 23, 2018 by 40 Comments

In case you missed my goals post, I’ve declared 2018 the year of 26.2! So now that I’ve put it out there, the obvious question is which race?

I’ve been mulling over all lots of options…LOTS of options! My husband will tell you that I’ve become a little obsessed.

I know I want to do a fall race. While it’s hard to anticipate potential conflicts with my boys’ school schedules, I have marked a couple of weekends that are no-gos, as well as crossed off Columbus Day weekend for a family wedding. Late fall is looking like the best bet – and, given the sometimes “too warm for this girl” conditions that September and early October can bring, I’m ok with that.

So I’ve narrowed it down to 3 options: MCM, Richmond, or Philadelphia.

Marine Corps Marathon – October 28

Pros:

  • “The People’s Marathon” has a reputation for being a great race that is first-timer friendly.
  • Offers a tour of DC monuments, the emotion of the blue mile, and then there’s that whole Marine presenting you with your medal at the finish thing!
  • Race management with the precision of the military
  • An awesome finisher’s medal

Cons:

  • Registration by lottery. (Yes there is the option of running the 17.75K for a guaranteed entry, but of course, that involves incurring more travel expenses).
  • No corals at the start – 30,000 or so folks trying to self-seed?!
  • Time limits along the course – there are two “Gauntlets” plus the infamous “Beat the bridge” (Do I want that kind of pressure for my first time?)
  • Uphill finish

Richmond Marathon – November 10

Pros:

  •  “America’s Friendliest Marathon” also gets great reviews, especially for first-timers.
  •  Scenic course and relatively flat, with a downhill finish
  • 7-hour course limit
  • Awesome swag
  • New to me city to run in

Cons:

  • Traveling to a new city – hardly a stretch but as this is the only “new” city among my options, do logistics come into play?

Philadelphia Marathon – November 18

Pros:

  • Another race that gets high marks for first-timers
  • I’ve run the half so there’s some familiarity with the course
  • Course is a mix of city and suburbs with some hills, but nothing too ugly
  • 7-hour course limit
  • I’m planning to run RnR Philly in September which could be a good preview

Cons:

  • Is there boredom in familiarity?

Have you run any of these races? Which would you choose? Any other suggestions?

I’m linking up with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run.

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Filed Under: race shopping, Tuesdays on the Run

Global Running Day 2017

June 6, 2017 by 9 Comments

Global Running Day is Wednesday!

So on the first Wednesday of June, the annual call goes out to celebrate running!

The driving rain we’ve been dealing with here for the past couple of days is supposed to finally break tomorrow so I’ll be starting my celebration with a run, of course. Then it might be time for a little retail therapy in the form of both gear and races 🙂

SPIbelt – SPIbelt has been with me since my earliest days of running! Use code michelle2017 to save 15%!

StrideBox – I have shared my love for StrideBox many times here! Use code RunningDay17 for 50% off of the first box for a new regular monthly subscription to StrideBox! (Offers good only on 6/7)

SkirtSports – And I’m always happy to share a little SkirtSport love 😉 Use code SPRINGCPT20 to get 20% off.

So many races – Active has teamed up with a bunch of races to offer registration discounts. And, everyone who registers for a participating event on 6/7 will automatically be entered to win a swag bag valued at $500, featuring products from Garmin, New Balance, Gatorade, and Road ID just to name a few. Click here for details.

How will you be celebrating?

Linking up with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for this week’s Tuesday on the Run – the topic this week is Global Running Day, naturally! 

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Filed Under: #REALwomenmove, #StrideBox, Global Running Day, race shopping, Skirt Sports, SPIbelt, Tuesdays on the Run

Runfessions – Thanksgiving edition

November 25, 2016 by 16 Comments

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I’m still on the road hanging with the in-laws, but am taking a short break to join in to share some runfessions with Marcia and others. Come join us and cleanse your sweaty soul!

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Runfession: I took a full week off from running after my Vegas adventure …and I didn’t miss it! I was t-i-r-e-d y’all and my body was clearly craving some down time.

Runfession:  My eating habits have gone way off the rails. I mentioned that there was some “indulging” in Vegas (how could there not be?!), but things have not improved greatly since then. Time to reel it in!

Runfession: Last month I runfessed, or gym-fessed, that I missed the gym crazies…well ask and ye shall receive! They have returned to my gym with a vengeance including the guy who insists on working out in jeans. I’m glad they’re back – they make going to the gym so much more entertaining 😉

Runfession: Over coffee earlier this month I had mentioned my casual desire for a new sports watch. Well now that I’ve started looking it’s turned into a full on obsession! I’ve been stalking product reviews like a champ, and am now dropping less than subtle hints to my husband. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the Forerunner 235 will be mine (…such first world problems, I know!).

Runfession: And speaking of first world problems…I continue to wrestle with local vs. destination races. While I have loved traveling these past 3 months for the Rock ‘n’ Roll races, there is a lot to be said for rolling out of your own bed on race morning, (easier on the wallet too, I might add!). If I want to take advantage of some great “early bird” registration deals on some local races I’ll need to pull the trigger soon, but that means giving up some destination races I’ve been eyeing. What’s a runner to do?!

I’m also joining Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey & Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five link-up! frifive2

So tell me, what do you runfess? Have you started race shopping yet?
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Filed Under: Friday Five, race shopping, Runfessions

November’s Coffee Date

November 5, 2016 by 16 Comments

It is the first Saturday of the month and time for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up, hosted by Coco and Deborah!

The Ultimate Coffee Date

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my proud mama moment from last weekend continued yesterday as I watched my son set a new PR at the league championships and finish his cross country season strong! We’re talking about running a 5 miler together this winter…time for me to work on my speed 😉

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m getting so excited for Vegas! I’ve never been and I know part of the challenge for me will be to not try to run around and see and do “all the things”.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’d really like to get a new sports watch and have no idea which direction to go. I love the look of the Fitbit Blaze, but does it have all of the features I need/want? On the Garmin side, I’ve been eyeing the Forerunner 235 – not as “fashionable” but not bad.

watches

courtesy of specout.com

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that 2017 race planning is underway. Travel vs. staying local?  Which distances…half marathons? 10-milers? 10Ks? Repeat races or new ones? And, how many? So many options  – I love when the year is wide open and full of possibilities!

So what would you tell me over coffee?  Any watch recommendations? Have you started race planning?

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Filed Under: race shopping, Ultimate coffee date

Sharing some fun stuff

July 13, 2016 by 7 Comments

Hey guys, I’ve had some fun stuff come across my inbox lately so I thought I’d share.

Virtual runs are popping up everywhere and Rock ‘n’ Roll is getting in on the act. Now you can enjoy some Rock ‘n’ Roll fun no matter where you are! With Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Making a Band Virtual Runs you can run a 5K wherever you want and earn some great RnR bling!

400x400-guitar-solo-medal1There are 3 races – Guitar Solo, Drum Solo and Lead Singer. You can choose 1 or run all 3 races and earn a 4th bonus medal for “making a band.”  Isn’t this a fun medal?! #RnRVirtualRun

Head over to: http://www.runrocknroll.com/virtual-run/ for details.

And, speaking of RnR, the Rock ‘n’ Bloggers just learned that our discount codes are now valid for Las Vegas! Yes! You know you want to run the #stripatnight

RnBCode Black

RnR is also extending our codes into 2017 for Arizona, New Orleans and Mexico City! So let the race shopping begin! (I’d love to make it to NOLA next year).

And, speaking of special codes, you can use my code michelle2016 when you place an order with SPIbelt and receive a bonus goody bag with your purchase!

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, #StripAtNight, race shopping, RnR, SPIbelt

Weekend Update v3

March 30, 2015 by 28 Comments

It was another weekend of scrambling between a hockey rink and lacrosse fields – but mercifully hockey season is finally coming to an end, and my son’s team came in 3rd in the tournament!

There was more spring cleaning/clutter clean out – I’m determined to get this project done because I know if … when it finally warms up enough to get back into my gardens I’m going to have zero motivation to be indoors!

I also did a little race shopping/prepping for the fall. First this happened:

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My husband J & I ran a virtual 5K as part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Kickoff Virtual Run! I’ve been toying with the idea of running the #StripAtNight for a few weeks now, and then last Monday RnR announcemed that registration is opening on April 1. On Friday night, we decided we’re both going to run, so on Saturday morning we headed out to do our “kickoff run.”

To get runners excited for Vegas, RnR is hosting a virtual 5K – you just run or walk a 5K between now and April 1, complete the form with a photo of your watch/treadmill screen/etc. as proof and RnR will send you a free Kickoff Shirt! So Vegas is now on the fall race schedule (or will officially be when I register on Wednesday)!

And, while I had fall racing on the brain, this also happened:

RnR Philly

I registered for the RnR Philly half which will be in October – very excited for this one!

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging with family and watching some great NCAA basketball!

How was your weekend? Did you watch any of the elite eight games?

***Don’t forget, if you want to run a Rock ‘n’ Roll race this year, use the code RUNATTITUDE015 to save $15 on either half marathon or marathon registration in the US & Canada – unfortunately Las Vegas is excluded.***

I’m linking up with Tara’s Weekend Update – be sure to stop by and say hi!

Running 'N' Reading
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Filed Under: #StripAtNight, race shopping, RnR, RnRPhilly, virtual race, weekends

Ultimate Coffee Date – March

March 7, 2015 by 16 Comments

The Ultimate Coffee Date

It’s the first Saturday of the month which means its time for the Ultimate Coffee Date! I’m linking up again with Coco, Lynda and Deborah so grab a cup of your fave beverage and join us!

 

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that while I still feel like a lot my race schedule is still in flux, I did do a little race shopping this week and locked in my registration for both the Newport 10 miler and Boston’s Run to Remember 5 miler. My husband J has decided to run RtR with me.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m secretly grateful to see my son’s hockey season coming to an end. The crack o’dawn games are starting to wear thin, and juggling between both hockey and indoor lacrosse practices is definitely stressing out our weekend schedule!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’m itching to do some spring cleaning! Also it’s been a while since I’ve gone on a de-cluttering tear through my house. After such a long winter, it feels like the perfect way to welcome in spring. Now if I can just figure out how to get my family on board 😉

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my newest TV addiction is Fixer Upper on HGTV.  Maybe it’s because I live in a 120+ year old house, but I love remodel shows. On Tuesday nights, I’m glued to the TV for this one hoping to steal and idea or two.

HGTV-showchip-fixer-upper

Sorry I have to cut our coffee time short today, but it’s time for me to start the lacrosse to hockey shuffle.

If we were having coffee together, what would you tell me? Do you like design/remodel shows?

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Filed Under: clutter clean out, race shopping, Ultimate coffee date

Race Shopping Dilemna

February 25, 2015 by 14 Comments

So the juggling of my race calendar continues….

I have been anxiously waiting for Rock ‘n’ Roll to announce the date of #RnRPhilly, and this happened…..

PHI15_announce_datacap

And I was all “Yay sign me up!”….then I realized that this puts #RnRPhilly one week before #RnRSavannah….gah!

I was so looking forward to running both of these races, but running them on back-to-back weekends is not an option. So now what?

I’ve gone back to staring at the R’n’R website to figure out where I’m going to get my #RocknBlog groove on – and the list of potential races is long:

In September — Virginia Beach and Montreal

In October — Denver (how bad is the altitude?) and Philly

In November — Savannah and Las Vegas (racing at night?)

In December — San Antonio

TBD — Brooklyn

Decisions… decisions – Run Philly or Savannah? Consider running the Strip at Night?And, am I crazy to even consider putting Chicago in July on the list?!?

Any words of advice? Have you run any of these races?

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, race calendar, race shopping, RnR

Somebody’s been race shopping

May 1, 2014 by 12 Comments

I’ve been eyeing these races for a while and now I’ve finally pulled the trigger: loco_smuttyrock PM14_Banner BAA10K banner Two half marathons and a 10K! 

I think my credit card needs a rest!  burningcard

Have you ever gone on race buying binge?

Will you be at any of these races?

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Filed Under: #14in2014, BAA, Philly Half, race shopping, Smuttynose Rockfest

Choosing Goal Races

December 9, 2013 by 16 Comments

StartLine

I’ve been pouring over race options lately trying to figure out a plan for 2014. Thanks to GI issues and a tumble that left me seriously hobbled, I came up short in my goal races and there were no PRs this year. While I don’t have all my goals figured out for next year, I am clear on one thing, I’ll be gunning for some personal bests!

Obviously there are lots of factors that can play a role in whether you snag a shiny new PR on race day – some you can control and some you can’t. In talking with Coach Bennett, who I’ll be working with again for my goal race, he urged me to pay much more attention to the course when choosing the race. While that may sound obvious to some, I’ll admit the course map has rarely factored into my races choices before. And while yes my current half marathon PR was earned on the Newton hills, it does make me wonder what kind of time I could put down on a more forgiving course!

So many things to consider: the timing of races (especially in light of family commitments and a goal to go after #14in2014); local vs destination, and now the course map — decisions, decisions!

How do you pick your races?

Do you have your 2014 races figured out yet?

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Filed Under: #14in2014, goals, PR, race calendar, race shopping