Looking ahead…

It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start thinking about post-marathon races and plans for now through the end of April 2006. Good lord.

Right now the big question is if I tackle another full marathon in early 2006. My friend Mark ran the Frederick Marathon in 2005 and has raved about it; it’s a small but nice marathon, and it’s on April 30th, 2006. If I wanted to run it, I’d have someone with which to train (which is always nice).

There are other marathons between now and then, of course. The Philadelphia Marathon (November 20th) is still up in the air, depending on what happens at the Marine Corps Marathon on October 30th. Now that it turns out Julie has broken her toe, I’m thinking that there’s a good chance she’ll want to do Philadelphia depending on what happens with the MCM. (The podiatrist said she could run it if the pain didn’t bother her too much, and it was broken a little over three and a half weeks before the marathon so we’ll see.)

And then there’s the “smaller races” route. I’ve already got the Cherry Blossom 10-miler at the start of April on my calendar, and there are lots of fun 5 and 10Ks available in the DC area, from the Turkey Trot to the St. Patrick’s Day 10K, and all other ones in-between. (I’m still a little bummed about missing that colon awareness race, pun intended.) There’s something nice about being able to take it slightly more easy throughout the winter. If I do this, then the chances of me finally buckling down and actually trying to start going to the gym again (and re-learn how to use the equipment and such) is much greater.

There’s also a half-marathon option, of course. One co-worker’s talking about running the Williamsburg Half-Marathon at the end of February, and gearing up for that or another half-marathon is no big deal at this point provided I know it’s coming. My one and only half-marathon finishing time is rather pathetic to me these days so the idea of running another one is appealing. I’d originally talked about running either the half or full Mardi Gras Marathon, but I’ve taken that off the schedule for 2006, alas.

Looking really far ahead, there’s also the question of what to run for fall 2006. The glory of the Chicago Marathon? Make a play to try and get into the New York Marathon? Perhaps the far-off and breathtaking Venice Marathon? (No, really.) The local and by all reports appealing Richmond Marathon? The tried-and-true Marine Corps Marathon? (Which, upon being my fifth, gives me automatic entry for life.) Ok, it’s probably a bit much to think quite this far ahead.

So let’s see, here’s the list of everything under consideration right now, with the caveat that obviously a lot of these will not actually be run. I’m not nuts.

Nov 20th – Philadelphia Marathon
Nov 24th – Virginia Run Turkey Trot 5K
Dec 11th – Jingle All the Way 10K

Jan 29th – Miami Tropical Half-Marathon
Feb 26th – Williamsburg Half-Marathon
Mar ??th – St. Patrick’s Day 10K
Apr 2nd – Cherry Blossom 10-miler
Apr ??th – George Washington Parkway Classic 10-miler
Apr ??th – Sallie Mae 10K
Apr 30th – Frederick Marathon
Apr 30th – Brain Tumor Society 5K Race for Hope
May ??th – Capitol Hill Classic 10K

Oct ??th – Chicago Marathon
Oct ??th – Venice Marathon
Oct 29th – Marine Corps Marathon
Nov 11th – Richmond Marathon
Nov ??th – New York Marathon

I’ve put way too much thought into this.

6 thoughts on “Looking ahead…

  1. [Chomping at the bit]

    First of all, you didn’t include Knoxville in March, nor did you put the Shamrock Marathon in Va Beach in March as alternatives. And Charlottesville in April…

    I wouldn’t do Philadelphia Marathon, you really will have not had enough time to fully heal and would probably have a disappointing time. I think you would finish, but being so close to each other. IF you used Marine Corp as a long training run and stuck to that then try to run Philly as your main focus, that might work. You should chose, NOW which one and stick to it.

    New york (which is traditionally the week before Richmond) would be what I would eye one. My thinking is that, “Do you feel lucky, punk” with the lottery of NYC, you’ll know with enough time to train for NYC or another fall marathon, such as Richmond (highly recommended). Another Marine Corp will get you guaranteed entry,but if you do the charity runs in the future, do you have to worry about that?? Chicago is FAST! So you could go for another PR time, since you’ll be getting one on the 30th of this year.

    Also, if you do the Frederick Marathon in April, with a good base from MCM in October, you would go into training full speed and could race a half marathon in January /February or Early March and still run a marathon. That would get you that 1/2 PR and still get a spring marathon.

    What about a Spring and Fall marathon in 2006?

    1. Philadelphia is probably only on the cards if MCM starts going really slowly (which I’m thinking now it won’t) or if I’m trying to support J-Money; I’m thinking it probably will not happen.

      It’s a tough call on the rest of the year, though. Definitely a lot of food for thought…

      1. I wonder whether we should carpool (Tod is thinking about doing this run also). And whether I should try to talk my brother into bringing Matthew to watch.

        1. Carpooling is a good idea; it’s much easier to find everyone else that way, and while there is parking it is a bit limited. Julie and I had carpooled out there last year and it worked really well.

          I think Matthew would quite possibly have a good time–seeing his uncles run fast has got to be exciting, and there’s a steady stream of runners both departing and returning. (Since it’s a 5K, the finishers will be back in the blink of an eye.) It’s not so long that it would bore him too much, I think. Provided the weather cooperates, of course. (Last year it rained on us for the first half. Eek!)

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