How do you pick the events you participate in each year? Do you run the same races over and over or mix it up?
I’m trying to plan my schedule for the rest of the year. I certainly learned last year that nothing is guaranteed but since racing is my favorite part of this whole adventure I hope that a lot of it will happen in the coming months. I tend to race more than most people but I only have a few really big races that I specifically train and taper for.
I’m looking forward to doing a lot of traveling and figure I might as well go for it while I can. I’m not married and I don’t even have a pet. Plus I work for myself and can bring work with me pretty much anywhere. I typically don’t even bring my work stuff on race trips since I am trying to focus but at least it’s an option.
I feel very lucky to be invited to races each year and realize how spoiled I get as an elite runner. Free entries and travel to amazing places with the opportunity to go out and do what I love more than anything is pretty hard to beat. All road races are different but some even offer meals or per diem for food so the out of pocket expenses is really minimal.
I definitely have my favorite races and hope to fit some of those in this year. I am THRILLED to be going back to Freihofers in June. Normally I probably wouldn’t travel across the country for a 5k but this race is really special to me. I LOVE their school visitation program and wish other races would do something similar. It’s really nice to get out and go to schools and talk to kids about having a healthy lifestyle. Getting to race one of the fastest 5k road races in the world is an added (and very humbling) bonus.
Some new races are getting thrown into the mix as well. I’m hoping to jump into a race in Portland while visiting my Aunt in March and looking at a half marathon in a couple of months. I’m always looking for reasons to go back to Chicago so I’ll probably run some events there including a couple I haven’t done before. I’m still not sure what I’m racing on memorial day or what my next marathon is but both of those are in the works. I’m sure I’ll jump in a lot of things last minute as well but I like to have a basic idea of my year so I can plan my training and line up travel. It’s going to take me awhile to get back to where I was pre-injury but I am just thrilled to be able to run and race again pain free. Hope to see you at a race this year!
You are living the life, Tera, Do you have your training plan on-line? Not that I’ll use your plan but would like to see how it plays out as you go from race to race month to month, just to imagine the type of workout you’re prolly doing. I plan on doing some 10ks and try my hand at a 10 miler or maybe even a half this year.
Last year I ran 10 – 5ks, pretty much two a month and had a ball. I really pigeon holed myself, but hope not to do that this year. I really don’t train for a particular race, rather, I train to attempt to lower my times – sounds silly I know, but they’re just 5ks. Currently I’m recovering from a minor injury and should be ok in a couple weeks and almost ready to begin steady training. Ideally I’d like to train for the 10k by getting up to speed with tempo runs lasting 6-8 miles. I know it’s going to be tough especially since last year all I focused on were 5ks.
Maybe I’ll have the op to meet up with you if we partake in a similar race in Chicago. Some of my favorites are the Shamrock Shuffle, The Lincoln Park Zoo Run, Ravenswood, Race to Wrigley, Bucktown 5k, Terrapin and Dia de los Muertos, to name a few. I met you last year at the Lung Run, at Montrose Harbor, it was a pretty thin crowd that morning. I really don’t like that course but run it because it runs along my old HS CC course and since all of my running is done at the lake front – that’s my course. You’ve kicked off your season already and to a great start I might add. Keep the faith…
I totally agree that racing is part of the whole adventure so its important to me to run many of the same races locally if I can year after year. There is a nice progression and consistency that comes with doing that. But it is nice putting a bigger goal race on the calendar that includes travel, usually at sea level. Its a great motivator with a nice end goal.
When I do get the chance to travel to a race (usually only once a year), then I like to mix it up and see new places.
Happy racing to you in 2013!