2012 race plan

I haven’t blogged too much about running this year. Only to complain about stupid guys who have a problem with girls being faster than them. It’s all good. I’ll just keep running faster.

Moving on… a couple of weeks ago I signed up for my 6^th marathon. I can’t believe I’m running another one. Coming from the girl who said she’d never do one—ever. It’s in my DNA to keep trying at something until I get what I want to achieve. And since Boston has continued to elude me, I gotta keep trying. And it’s too late now. I paid the $150, so I’m running Chicago this October with my friend Lindsay.

My goal is to obviously BQ. Even though I checked if off my 30 list last year, I didn’t technically do it. Shocking I know. I broke 3:40—which was my goal at the beginning of 2011, but then Boston decided to change their standards later in the year. I now have to get 3:35. So that is my running goal for this year—again. Except Chicago is notorious for having non-ideal running conditions. For too many years there were ridiculous heat waves in October and one year it was incredibly cold. And since I’ve been lucky with pretty good running weather for the last 5 races, this year is the one that is bound to be not ideal. Knock on wood. Seriously. Do it. Given that, I'll try my best, but I will also acknowledge that some things are out of my control. As much as I would like to think they are.

Last year was a bit nutty with traveling for work, but this year, hopefully it won’t be as much. I should be able to get into a nice running routine, which may or may not include a running team. For my last 3 marathons I’ve pretty much trained on my own. I’ve gone to a few speed classes, but due to work it didn’t happen as much as I would have liked. I also didn’t make it a priority. This year that will change. I’ll also explore joining a running team that will take me. I would like to find a team that will take me and my slow ass, but will also challenge me. I think NYAC is out of the picture. Last I checked, I won’t be competing in the 2016 Olympic Trials.

My yearly marathon is usually the big race that culminates my year of running. Usually it’s the last major race I do—minus our local Turkey Trot of course! In the months leading up to it, I usually do a bunch of shorter distances, including ½ marathons. So far I’m officially signed up for three ½ marathons.

First up is the Vermont City Marathon Relay Memorial Day weekend. Since it’s a relay, I plan to run ½ the distance of the full marathon. As of now, my sister Emily will be the other leg. A couple of friends may also sign up and run the full marathon. I’ve never done a marathon relay, so this should be fun. And as a celebration, I decided that I will be visiting Magic Hat Brewery.

I also plan to do a couple of ½ marathons with Rock ‘n Roll and in August will make my way to Providence. In September, I will run Philly for the 6^th year in a row. When I first ran that race in 2007, I didn’t realize I would be running it every year since then. Let’s see how long I can keep the streak going.

Other than that, I may sign up for the Brooklyn ½ in May and do a bunch of smaller races. I’d like to get a faster 5k or 4-miler at some point. I would also love to another relay similar to Ragnar. Let's see what 2012 brings! .

Check back for more updates! And I leave you with this: