Lots of you right now are probably feeling a small void in your life. It might be a good thing. You have just spent four to five months focusing on a goal. You have now reached that goal, and are wondering what you can do to fill that space that was once filled with marathon training. Hopefully you are still running, but it might not feel the same. This is not uncommon after a marathon. It is especially true after a fall marathon. The days are shorter. The weather is colder. You are not outside as much. It all adds up. I have been asked by lots of you about a late winter or a spring marathon. So that is the point of this post. What comes next for everyone? You are of course welcome to pick your own races, or not race at all, but if you still have that urge (or maybe you just think you can still do better) lets see what people plan to do next. Races are always more fun as a group. Here are some marathon options that all have a half marathon as well. All races are within driving distance:
NOTE: Vote in the poll I just added. You are welcome to change your vote based on how others are voting, just don't vote from multiple computers for yourself.
- FL 01/27 ING Miami Marathon: This is a well sponsored fast growing race. The size is slightly smaller than Richmond. The course is flat, and Miami is a nice destination.
- GA 02/02 Tybee Island Marathon: This is a small race with good reviews. The course is a loop course, giving many opportunities to see your teammates. 1,200 total finishers last year (80% in the half)
- SC 02/16 Myrtle Beach Marathon: A flat beach course, that can be cold and windy. 1,700 marathon finishers and 2,400 half marathon finishers last year. Lower cost and close by.
- FL 02/17 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer: A new race that has been heavily promoted. Expect a big crowd. Has a really cool looking course map (check it out), with two miles on the sand. Looks like fun.
- GA 03/01 Snickers Energy Bar Marathon: 2nd year for this small race. Year one had great reviews. 500 total finishers, with easy access from the hotels.
- VA 03/16 Shamrock Marathon: A popular spring race at Virginia Beach. If you like the beach, it is close and affordable. Shares some roads as the RnR Half. Can be cold.
- DC 03/29 National Marathon: Has become a great alternative to the Marine Corp. Scenic course with less crowds (about 5,000 total). They have a team competition too. Fun stuff for the family to do in DC.
There are other races that you can consider as well, but I thought these were good options. Each race above is a link to the race website. Having a half marathon on each race makes it so we really could take a crowd and have a good time.
I was going to do a poll for this, but I think using comments is better. Please post a comment if you plan to run something. If you are willing to go with more than one choice, let us know what they are. This post is open to comments from EVERYONE. Even if you are reading the blog for the first time. Just be sure to include your name so we know who you are.
I'm very interested in the half OR full marathon in Myrtle Beach.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a WARM weather flat course--once my foot heals of course!
ReplyDeleteOne way to fill the void is to volunteer at an event instead of running it. I am trying to drum up support for a 5k in Nashville in conjunctin with the Blooming Festival. We have an excellent course outlined, facilities to use, a scoring firm that's reasonable, and contacts for adverstising. A few "dept. heads" are needed.
ReplyDeleteShamrock half (ask me after Philly if I want to run another full)
ReplyDeleteI promised my semi-son I would run the Country Music Marathon in Nashville on 4/26 with him . . . love to have others join us!!!! The more the merrier!!
ReplyDeleteGuess I would be open to another one a little earlier too.
Frank
country music is a fun time, done it once, i could be talked into that again. although, i am interested in DC/National (or either getting more out of shape and working on my golf game)
ReplyDeletematt
country music is a fun time, done it once, i could be talked into that again. although, i am interested in DC/National (or either getting more out of shape and working on my golf game)
ReplyDeletematt
Matt,
ReplyDeleteCall Jeff if interested on the golf game thing!!!!! I am sure some "marathon" golf training can be arranged!!
Wait, did I just arrange for my husband to play more golf???
I am interested in doing a full probably Shamrock. Is the course falt in Nashville and what is the date for that one?
ReplyDeleteDerek-
ReplyDeletePatti, Jeff, and I ran Shamrock last year. It is about as flat as you can get. You ran basically the first 1/2 of the course during the RnR. The "crowd" support is pretty thin but overall it was a solid race. Shoot me an email if you would like more comments, etc.
i am ready for a full in march, probably the shamrock since it is closer.. any half's out there before march.... cliff
ReplyDeleteI am going to post a poll - so we can get an idea of where the larger population is leaning.
ReplyDeleteContinue to post here with comments and questions.
In the polls you can only vote for one option. So go with your priority. I know some are interested in the Country Music race, but I excluded that from the list, because it is further out. I was trying to stay in March or earlier.
Zippadeedoodaa! Patti, Jenni, Tracy H., and I are heading to Disney for the marathon weekend in January. All of us are running the 5K, Tracy is running the 1/2 marathon, and Patti, Jenni & I (and Charlie from Chicago) are running Goofy.
ReplyDeleteEven though these races are filled up, there's never a bad time to go on a Disney vacation (and you could come cheer at the Disney races)!
I ran the Half in Mrytle Beach two years ago, great race, lots of cheering fans for the half, cant answer for the full, start and finish in the same area, early start leaves plenty of time to shop at Broadway on the Beach. Most beach front hotels run a shuttle to and from the finish. Post race party was fantastic!! It was at The House Of Blues and had FREE food and they showed the race on the jumbo screen. It was my very first half marathon and I thought it was very organized!
ReplyDeleteI want people to form their own opinions, but here is mine:
ReplyDelete- Tybee and Snickers look fun to me, but they are small and cheap with a local flavor. After doing Disney, Grandms, and NYC. Small and cheap is appealing to me.
- For some reason, I am struggling getting excited about Myrtle. I have no real reason why.
- Shamrock, does not interest me. I would like to stay out of VA for my next marathon.
- I love the National Half. It is a great family weekend. Have not done the full, but feel they do a great race.
- Would conisder Country Music too if time permits
- 26.2 with Donna. Right now this is my vote. It is a bit long for a drive, but with a few vans very doable. Jax is a fun city, and the course looks really fun to me. I do expect this to be a big race, but also think it will be fun to do because of the cause.
So for me:
-Top Pix: Donna, Snickers, Tybee
-Mid Pix: National
-Low Pix: Myrtle
I really need to stay somewhat close to home if I end up running a late winter/early spring race. I would really love to do the Country Music Marathon but I don't think this is the year for me to do this one, for a variety of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Shamrock but I'm with Michael on wanting to stay out of Virginia...as much time as I've spent running there this year they might start requiring me to file a VA state income tax return!!
I guess the long and short of it is....I think if I do a race in early '08 it will be Myrtle. Although the race doesn't exactly "thrill" me yet....the fact that it will be pretty easy to get to and pretty cheap is appealing.
Michael said...
ReplyDeleteIf this helps, here are the driving distances:
2:45 - Shamrock
3:45 - National
3:55 - Myrtle
5:55 - Tybee
7:15 - 26.2 with Donna
9:00 - Snickers (further than I realized)
9:25 - Country Music
12:30 - Miami
Derek--I just talked with somebody this weekend in Philly and they said Nashville was hilly--may want to check a course profile on their website or on www.marathonguide.com
ReplyDeleteShamrock is bone flat--chilly last year (24 degree wind chill and windy--run a good portion near the beach) But FLAT!! Did I mention that??? Not many spectators...probably the weather. But well organized, great volunteers, free Irish stew and beer...if that excites you after 26.2!!!!!
Oh...and my vote after running the Philly full....Jacksonville HALF or Shamrock HALF!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know I am new to this running thing-but who is Donna? I probably just said something stupid but where is that race at. I am down for whatever like Scott, I would not mind staying close since the wedding is coming and I am broke as a joke. So if Myrtle is in the cards for some, I could do that one (full) but if not I might have to stay local and do Shamrock. I think Myrtle is not to anyone because the website does a poor job selling it.
ReplyDeleteNot a stupid question. . . in the post, all of the race names are hyperlinks. Click on those and you can see the details.
ReplyDeleteDonna is the race director who is a breast cancer survivor. She lost her sister to breast cancer, and has been organizing races to raise money ever since.
I prefer the Myrtle Beach event, but will be happy to go with the majority. I am leaning toward a Half.
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot first thing is first-Krispy Kreme Challenge Baby!!
ReplyDeleteI have changed my vote for now. I voted for the National. One reason, is they have a team challenge that saves you 10 bucks if you sign up a team of five runners. The other is I still really like the race.
ReplyDeleteI plan however to still run Tybee if my knees are doing okay. I will not sign up until the last minute. This gives me two full months between races.
Tybee really does look cool:
- You can say at a B&B or rent a condo for not much money.
- Easy for family to see you 8-10 times with walking more than a mile
- Only $45 entry fee
- Very cool medals
- Only 300 run the full, but another 2000 run the 5k and half.
So you get a big crowd feel but a PR sized crowd for your race. Could be a fun road trip.
Just read up some on the Tybee marathon....looks quite interesting. I also like that it is in early February - less training time!
ReplyDeletei am pretty much already committed for myrtle, so that is what i voted for. i have a friend who is in for it. it will be his first full, so i would have a hard time changing. i will say having done it three times that it is a good, but not great race. i love seeing the ocean MANY times. the last 9 miles are somewhat boring, but that is no real biggy for me because the first 17 are great.
ReplyDeletei have all kinds of experiences including crashing at twelve in a try for boston, then having to run into a 15 mph headwind for the last 6 miles! last year it was 26 degrees at the start, but nice at the finish. i keep going back, so that says something. had great seafood at a nice restaurant at broadway after i ran it with mikah (he did the half). nice experience.
i guess i mainly do it because of the timing, the relative convenience, and the day (sat.). if you stayed sunday it would make a nice family weekend. race is pretty well organized. there are a couple of mile markers that are consistently wrong, but that is no real biggy. nice expo and pasta dinner (a little pricey like most.)
there are two races i want to suggest (maybe not for this poll but just a "hey, think about this for yourself or a couple friends"). having really enjoyed my triple lakes trail race experience, i am thinking about umstead trail. i think it is in march. also, if you have never done one of the country's great small marathons that is also close to home, you should definitely consider ellerbe springs! this race usually has about 150 (mostly cult-type following), runs through the country (rockingham- sand hills, think "hilly"). it begins and ends at a quaint, historic country inn, where they have a pre-race pasta dinner on fri., offer rooms (only twelve, but i did get one one year!), and serve homemade chicken and dumplin's at the finish- think "delicious! the awards are local pottery creations.
the mangum track club puts on this great race, and they are a great example of a fun-loving, creative local running group.
whew! if you're still reading, congratulations!