Entering a Half Marathon

You all should have noticed by now that on Labor Day weekend your training plan calls for a half marathon. This weekend is important for two reasons:

1. You need to keep up the miles
2. You can go through the experience of running a race

The second point is important, especially if you have not run many races. Yes, it is true the most noticeable difference between racing and just running is that you pin a number on your shirt, but there is a little more to it then just that.

How will I sleep the night before? What do I eat for dinner? What do I eat for breakfast? How do I pin my number on my shirt? How early should I get there? When do I go to the bathroom before the race? Why are the port-o-pot lines so long? What is a ChampionChip, and how do I hook it to my shoe?

Some of these questions sound silly, but you will ask your self all of these on race weekend. Running in a half marathon lets you experience the nervousness and the fun of racing. This way when your marathon comes you will be more prepared, and maybe a little more relaxed.

One final point to consider. When you signed up to join the Training Team, your goal was to run a marathon. A half marathon will be very fun, and very exciting, but be smart when you run the race. If you go too hard and injure yourself, you risk the chance of finishing your marathon in November. Just don't forget your goal. . .

Now, for some races. There are three options that I know of for Labor day weekend. Two in Richmond, and one in Virginia Beach. You are not required to run any of them, but are encouraged. Here are the options:

• Sunday 9/3 Rock and Roll Half Marathon - Va Beach
  The Rock and Roll is a spectacle. With 20,000 runners, it is the largest half marathon in the US, and has some of the world's best runners. At least nine runners from our team are already entered. This race is full of bands, fans, and fun. It is also expensive ($80), and will likely require an expensive hotel.
• Sunday 9/3 Battlefield Half Marathon - Richmond
  This race fills up in six days. Registration starts tomorrow, so if you are interested sign up right away. It is one of the best deals available at only $10. You will see lots of Training Team members from Richmond at this race, so it would give you a chance to meet some new team-mates. I am not positive, but Don Garber has been the race director in years past, so you can meet him as well.
• Saturday 9/2 Procrastinator's Half Marathon - Richmond
  This race was new last year. It was largely made for those Training Team runners who were too slow to register for the Battlefield. Unlike the Rock and Roll Half, this is only $10 to enter. It will not have the frills of a big race, but will give you a nice run through Bryan Park in Richmond. This registration also opens tomorrow and will fill up shortly after the Battlefield race does.