Race Dreaming for 2017

I’m looking outside at the sunshine and 50+ degree weather knowing that this may be the last I see of it until at least March. It’s seemed pretty mild around here this month but I suppose anything would feel mild after 6 Michigan winters. I can’t wait for everyday to be a beautiful spring day! I’m done with winter and it hasn’t even really started.

So in my goals for 2017, I talked about how I’d like to do more running and that this year will be the year I become a runner. Race motivation is usually a pretty good reason to start training and reaching for those goals so I’ve been researching and making mental notes over the last few months about events that might be appealing. Races need to be on Sunday which cuts out around 50% or more of my options, especially locally. I think I’ve picked my big race for the year but there are some other options on the table as well!

The last 2 years in a row I’ve done the Iron Girl Triathlon, once by myself in 2015 and then last year my sister did it as well. It’s not focused on running, but if I was a better runner, I think I’d have even more fun comparing it to previous races since I generally suck at running. This year the race is later in August so it’s pretty much impossible for my sister to do it which is depressing but I’m not sure I’d be able to convince her to do it anyways. The race seems to be getting put on by a different group so I don’t know exactly how that’s going to affect everything either. I’d like to do the race again, but I still can’t afford a bike and if I’m doing other races, I don’t know if I can afford it… I’m thinking a lot about this one and I think I probably will do it but it will probably come down to money more than anything else.

The only other tri on this list is The Nation’s Triathlon on September 10, 2017. This race was recommended to me by my mentor a couple years ago and I almost ended up signing up for it before my back completely freaked out and became impossible. I love the idea of doing the race down in DC with all the monuments and history. If I did this race, I’d want to do the Olympic length because I’ve never done one before but I’d really have to know my back could handle it before trying. The biggest con against this race is the relative closeness to my planned “big race”.

So the BIG goal for 2017 is to run a half marathon. I don’t have any real interest in running a full marathon ever but I really like the idea of running a half. Not so long that I never want to run again but still long enough to push myself and enjoy the overall experience. I’ve been looking at local-ish races but nothing in the time frame I was looking at really stood out to me. Then, the other day, it popped into my head. Why not go somewhere? I’m really looking for an experience because if I’m laying down a lot of money to go run, I want it to be a good race. So unless something changes or it sells out before I register, my 2017 half marathon is………

The Chicago Half Marathon on September 24. I love Chicago and I think it is the prettiest big city I’ve ever been to in the US. Since I went to school 1.5 hours away from the city, it was a favorite date and hang out spot. I also went on a few field trips down there and I just love how pretty it is along the lake there.

(Photo was taken in 2011 just after my mom died and before I went to Australia with my family for a month)

After I posted my 2017 goals, my sister texted me and was like, “I’ll run a half with you”. SO after a long 1 am text convo the other night, she. is. in! If we could make it work with Brady’s schedule, he might do it with us as well! It’d be interesting to figure out the logistics of traveling up there for the race but I’m really looking forward to this. I think it’s going to be an awesome race.

Other Races that pique my interest:

SeaWheeze (half marathon), Vancouver, BC. After reading about Angela’s experience at last year’s race, I decided that this was a race I’d love to run one day. It looks like it has gorgeous views and I’ve also never been to that part of Canada.

Disney Princess Half Marathon, Florida. This is probably the first race that I ever looked at to make me want to run a half marathon. I love Florida. I love Disney World. Can’t lose here. I don’t know how well I’d handle being in the crowds by myself because I can get anxious in large crowds but this is a bucket list race for me.

Maui Half Marathon, Hawaii. I saw this on a few lists and I have to say, it looks gorgeous. This would be worth taking a racecation for.

Ragnar Relay, Anywhere. I spent some time reading about others’ experiences on these races and I love the general vibe of this kind of race. While I don’t know if I’ll ever get to do this kind of race because 12 people is a large group of people when you have no runner friends, it’s still on my radar if the right opportunity presents itself.

Rock’n’Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. I vacationed in VA Beach for a few summers while I was in high school so it’d be cool to go back and do this race there.

Runner’s World Half Marathon, Bethlehem, PA. I found this race a couple years ago and really wanted to do it with my hubby but things didn’t work out. Since it’s a mid-late October race, I could do this one this year if I really wanted to but I don’t know.

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, D.C. I feel like if there’s one running race I’d like to do in DC, this would be it. Wouldn’t it be perfect if the blossoms were actually in bloom the day of the race? This is a hard to get into race, but another bucket list race for me.

 

So that’s that. Let me know if you’ve done any of these races and which ones you’d recommend!

What races are you looking forward to in 2017?

 

linking with Running with Spoons <3