My 2012 race schedule is apparently following a pattern:
1 race in January
Can you guess how many races I’m registered for in March?
That’s right, 3 races!
(I feel like I’m writing an episode of Sesame Street right now)
First up, the St Patricks Day 8k in DC on March 11th.
Yes, that means I still have one more raceless weekend to endure before I see a start line. No, I am not happy about it.
I ran this last year as a tempo workout after a 22 mile training run for Boston the day before.
I’ll probably do the same thing this year since the 8k distance is not really on my OMG MUST PR NOW list. Fun fact: I could not actually tell you my 8k PR. Another fun fact: I think racing 8k is stupid. Add .04 miles and just make it a 5 miler, I mean, really.
Next, the race formerly known as the National Half Marathon on March 17th. It’s now owned by the Rock N Roll race series and has a new name that I refuse to use (slash never remember).
I also ran this last year and set my current half PR. Tragically, I don’t think I’m going to be in shape to repeat that performance and it’s likely I’ll turn the race into a tempo effort run, marathon goal pace workout, or some kind of fun long run with added miles. TBD, kids.
Lastly, the race I’m most excited about.
Now, I know as soon as I announce this one, I’m going to be the subject of a fair amount of judging, especially from my DC friends who spent a particularly unforgettable December morning either stuck in traffic or freezing at a severely delayed race start. And that was just the beginning of all of the not fun things that happened with the race. Believe me kids, I was in Vegas that weekend and woke up to the angriest twitter feed I’ve ever seen and then spent the following days reading all about the race catastrophe on the internet and hearing the insane amounts of regret from all of my friends who considered their registrations the biggest mistake in the history of racing.
But I believe everyone deserves a second chance, especially if that second chance involves chocolate.
So on March 25th, you can find me in San Diego, running 15 kilometers towards some hot chocolate.
Or, just mimosas. Something about hot chocolate in Southern California Springtime weather does not scream “refreshing post-race bevy.” Anyone want to join me in starting a new race series: the Mimosa Marathon? I think it’s got mad potential.
Confession: The real motivation for my trip across the country?
Mimosas + beach + tall blonde runner friends.
Sign me up.
I mean, worst case scenario: RAM history repeats itself and we get stuck in traffic.
And we still had fun in the end.
Plus, I hear some of my other favorite SoCal Runners invested some time telling the folks at RAM what’s up with organizing a race (you know, properly measured distances, safe conditions, and other complex matters). I hear the race organizers are committed to making San Diego as great as DC was shit, and I’m excited to be there myself to judge fairly assess their success. OUaL and I are planning to wake up super early (like, March 24thish early) and run enough miles on to get to 22 for the day. I think the real race logistics danger lies in us getting lost in the streets of San Diego before the gun even goes off.
And that sums up my race plans for the month. Only 10 more tediously long days until three straight weeks of race fun begins. Anyone else joining me at any of these races? What’s on your calendar for March that’s getting you mad excited to run, train and race?
All those race plans sound like so much fun!! I am also doing the St. Patrick’s Day 8K in DC as a tempo/motivational run! (Although, I will be going at a much slower pace than you :)!!) It is a really strange race distance, I definitely took pause when it said “8K”. Like, why not make it a 5 miler or a 10K. Awkward! I am gearing up for my next half and haven’t done a race since November so I figured it is time! Anyhow, enjoy all your upcoming races, can’t wait to read about them!!
I’m down for the mimosa marathon and race series. Every runner loves a mimosa. Maybe we diversify and offer a bloody mary alternative? Or perhaps the bloody mary is what we serve at the mud run in the race series…
Brunch Drinks Race Series? I like it. Also, love where your head is at on the bloody mary/mud run idea. Most wounded runner gets strongest bloody mary?
What if we called it “Brunch Drunk” 5k, 10k, Half, etc.
Runner with the most signs of wear (mud, blood, etc.) gets a big pimp cup of bloody mary!
great idea? or greatest idea??!!! I love the idea of the pimp cup. Maybe a mimosa in pimp cup relay?
I’m also doing national half ( or whatever it’s now called), I’m really hoping for a new pr as last years race was my first half! You will be in a much faster corral then me, but I’ll keep an eye out for you!! Sounds like an amazing March!
Good luck! Even if it changed its name to something less awesome, it will still be a super fun race. Hopefully alittlebit warmer this year!
I will be there at the National Half as well!! (I also refuse to call it USA whatever). I will be much slower than you as I am trying to break 2 hours.
Good luck with all your races – the San Diego race sounds awesome!!
Good luck! I don’t know if you’ve run it before, but I think it’s a fast course. You can totally break 2!
Thanks! I ran it last year and came in at 2:01 – planning to destroy it this year! I’m ready!
Fun March!! I will be running then drinking at the National Half as well!
I’m running two half-marathons in March (New Orleans on Sunday, Atlanta on 3/18), and then the cherry blossom on April 1st. I have never done multiple races in a month, especially at these distances, so I’m hoping to just survive! Especially since I’ve basically been injured since my last race (November, Savannah half). But I’m so freaking excited!
I’m running a 5K in NYC this weekend and then gearing up for the DC half as well. I think the DC half will be a slooooow one for me (I’ll be 5 months pregnant) but I’m looking forward to it. Can’t wait to hear about the San Diego 15K – that’s my favorite distance. I’m also in for Cherry Blossom this year which I’m way too excited for – it’ll be my 3rd year in a row running that one. Enjoy your race-filled March!!
Are you doing the Coogan’s Shamrock 5k? I’ll be there too!!!
That’s the one! I ran a lot of NYRR races last year but this wasn’t one of them so I’m excited to try a new course. I hear it’s hilly though! Are you doing 9+!?
I am! after running NYC last year I am SO. HOOKED. haha! It’s a bit hilly but not terrible. If you’ve done Harlem Hill, you’ll be fine. Are you doing 9+1?
I’m actually qualified for 2012 but am having a baby in July so I can’t run it this year :( Kind of bummed about it but making qualifying for 2013 my goal for this year. I LOVE running in Central Park since I live right there. I love your blog by the way!
Thank you! We should meet up for a run sometime! Also, I think you can defer your entry if you don’t use it in 2012 (although I can’t remember if that’s changed with the new rules) – but regardless, you will do it and have a dominating post-baby marathon! =)
Would love to run together – always looking for new running partners. I was thinking of deferring but thought doing 9+1 would keep me honest this year. We’ll see how it goes!
Emily, you’re one of my favorite people ever. Yes, I’m a creep and lurk from my corner of Chicago and stalk your blog, but my training is on the upswing and I seriously get so freakin’ pumped to run and sweat and increase mileage every time I read a new post from you. ahhhh! love.
Sign me up for the Mimosa Marathon. I will bring my sparkle skirt. And I promise I won’t run inside with my water bottle this time…
march will be epic, at worst. I am running my first marathon (Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach) and then the Cooper River Run in Charleston! woot woot.
national half remains my favorite hm–it was my first! ran it when I was in college in dc
Have fun at Shamrock! That race looks SO fun. Your first marathon will be totally epic. Have a blast and good luck!
I’m in for the national half too! Hoping the weather will keep up as it has been and we have great race day condition. Dare I say exactly like this morning? I’m hoping for a 1:45, also my friend will be playing around mile 8 (think girltalk) so keep an ear out!
Good luck! And you’d better believe I’ll be listening for some girltalk style jams. Love it!
I’m supposed to run the National Half (it will take a small miracle). I’m actually going to be in SD from 3/21 to 3/25 — didn’t know the hot choc 15k/5k was going on during that time!
I live in San Diego and can tell you lots of my friends are excited for the Hot Chocolate. Word on the street is, as you’ve also heard, that it’s going to be great to make up for DC. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks! I can’t wait!
As someone who experienced that shit show that was Hot Chocolate DC, I heard that the Dallas event was flawless so you should be ok with San Diego. Honestly, as much as the race sucked, the jackets weren’t half bad and the post-race party was pretty sweet. It just sucked because of all of the other factors, but you’ll have fun with it!
Oh, to be young and kid free and be able to travel to races!! Sounds like so much fun. But it’s a three-race month for me too, just here in the ATL: 10K on Sunday (hoping to break 50 mins in that); Publix Atlanta Half on the 18th (hoping to finish in 1:50 or so) and on the 24th, a 5K which is basically a fun run for my kids’ school system, but I placed in my AG last year, so hoping to do so again.
Woohoo for 3 race months! Good luck crushing all of yours!
First race of the year on 3/18! The Shamrock 15k over a giant hill. And my 26th birthday.
PERFECT birthday present! Good luck at it!
With all these west coast trips, you just need to cancel a return flight and stay here ;)
You have no idea how tempted I am to do that!
Yessssss, I am also running the National Half. I haven’t decided on a time goal since I just finished my first one (thanks for all the congrats!). I feel like my super competitiveness will come out and I’ll want a PR even if it’s only a second. That might be a little too ambitious, though. Honestly, I’m just happy to be running the race in support of Girls on the Run. I do know I’ll be celebrating my Irish heritage with a Guinness as soon as possible after the race… Guinness for breakfast? Yes, please.
Can’t wait to hear how Hot Chocolate goes for you! I hope your experience is MUCH better than mine. :)
I will watch the blog for the 12 races you’re apparently going to run in December.
Also, the Hot Chocolate people belong in federal prison, but good luck to you anyway.
lol to the federal prison comment.
I am also excited for the 12 race december!
If someone would give me some midweek races to sign up for, you know I would be all over that!
I just started reading your blog and it is one of my new favorites! I absolutely love your positive attitude and your fast pace is so inspiring!
I also am perplexed by the distance of an 8k. We have the Shamrock Shuffle here in Chicago and the only other 8k time I have to compare it against is last year’s race! Oh well, it is still a fun theme and a bit more challenging than a 5k.
Welcome! Good luck at your 8k! Even if it is a stupid distance, it’s still a fun distance!
You’re come to my town! I nearly signed up for the San Diego Hot Chocolate 15k as well but considering my first 70.3 is the following weekend (California/Oceanside) I felt it was better to hold back and wait for chocolately goodness next year. Are you guys just driving down for the day ? Let me know if you need any restaurant recommendations!
Oooh thanks for the offer! We definitely might be in touch for some carbtastic recs. Good luck revving up for your 70.3! That’s so exciting, and SO early to be racing so far! I’m impressed. No way could I knock out a half in March.
Thanks! Trying to get ready for IM CdA which is an early IM race, hence the early Half IM!
For post-race breakfast I recommend The Mission Cafe in downtown San Diego! They have the best blackberry banana pancakes around as well as awesome egg dishes with TDF rosemary potatoes. I would recommend splitting 2 things …or order 2 things for yourself! ;)
Wow that was supposed to be “coming” not “come.” Comment fail.
You
So
Freaking
Rock.
Loving the schedule.
The hot chocolate race has me drooling.
mimosas after the race?
why is there even a question mark in that sentence?
Seriously. I thought you knew me. And yes, duh. Mimosas after the race. Period. Exclamation point. Take your pick. It’s a happening thing.
I’m running the St. Patty’s 8K. It will actually be my longest race ever (I mostly stick to 5Ks). Since I ran a 5K in Feb, I’m thinking of trying to progressively run longer distances throughout the year… 10K in April…
I totally support that plan! You’ll be marathoning by the end of the year!
Count me in as another local who almost signed up for the hot chocolate run!
Well, I’m teetering on the fence on whether I should do the chocolate run or the Into the Wild trail run the day before (http://www.intothewildoctrailrun.com/event_date032412.php)
Decisions!!!
How long are you guys staying in SD? Would you guys be up for meeting up and hanging out? (yes, because inviting myself to hang out with fast running people I’ve only read on the internet isn’t weird at all……:P)
REGARDLESS! Can’t wait to hear about your updates!
Race for me!! I can’t sign up for any races and NOT because of injury!! I’m looking for a job and will most likely have to move across the country to where ever I’m hired!!! It’s driving me crazy that I can sign up for some RUNS!! You’ll just have to represent this Emily too!!!
I hate not being able to plan ahead for races. Good luck with the job search and hopefully you’ll end up somewhere full of awesome races!
I’m running the USA Half too! I will be wearing flag shorts and I can’t wait. I love America. I have trained like shit, so my goal is to finish without walking and/or dying, no PR. I’m ok with that because I know I will have a day filled with green beer awaiting me at the finish line!
I’m pacing the National Full, as usual. Any chance you’re around to meet up the night before the race for some carb loading?