USA Marathoning: 2006 Overview

If you like marathons, and you like numbers, this is the article for you! Every year MarathonGuide does an annual recap of US marathons. They look at the breakdown of races, runners age, runners speed, and more. It is a fun read when you have a few minutes. You can take a look to see where your 2006 marathon performance stacks up against the rest of the country. You might be surprised to find you are doing better than you thought. You can see what the average time is for your age group and more. Enjoy!

NYC Marathon Registration Open

Start spreading the news. . . For anyone who was interested in running the ING New York City Marathon, registration official opened today at noon. The odds of getting in are stacked against us making it in, but from what I have been told, this is the best race in the world. Next time you run with John Tracey, ask him about his experience. You will likely run home and register right away. There is a $10 application fee regardless of acceptance or not, so it cost money even to be rejected. Ryan and I are both in the lottery. I hope others will join as well. Link

RUN RSVP: 02/07 (UPDATED)

Well last weekends run did not go so well. I think only Arthur made it out there with my last minute cancellation. Lets try this again for Saturday. It has been a while since we have had a big group run. Hopefully we can start to get more of us out on the roads. Tell a friend. . . even better, bring one with you. Many of us that were recovering from injuries are back running. It would be great to see you again!

If you can't run Saturday, post when you can run. I know several of you are running 20 miles or more this weekend. Let us know where and when you are running. You may pick up a running buddy for at least part of your run, which can come in handy around mile 18.

Run Details:

• Day: Saturday
• Time: 8:30 a.m.
• Where: Harris Teeter (UPDATED)
• Distance: 5-12 miles
• Route: Candle Wood, Knob Hill, etc. (link)
• Supported: Yes - Fluids at the train tracks

This is a pretty standard route for us, and is "pace-friendly", because we should pass each other regardless of pace. I do not have time to create written directions, so make yourself familiar with the route. This is also an easy route to shorten or add to if you need to adjust your miles. The water stop is marked on the map.

Race Options

For those who are interested in racing (but not marathoning) there are several races coming up soon that are just a short drive away. I have mentioned many of these before, but some are new to the list. Every where you look there are new races, and some old races you probably did not know about. Running races is a great way to stay focused on your running without getting bored of the same things day after day. You don't need to enter to try and win, and even to "race" it. Just get out there to enjoy it.

03/17 Run for the Oaks 5k - Raleigh, NC

This local race begins at City Market, and drew 891 runners last year. The 5K is the first race of the day starting at 9:30 a.m. The kid's run for children ages 10 or younger begins at 10:15 a.m. The course, which is generally considered Raleigh's fastest 5K course, starts and finishes at the City Market. There will be water at the start and finish plus a water stop at the ½-way point. Splits will be called each mile.

03/24 The Great Human Race 5k - Durham, NC

This is a charity event benefiting nonprofits throughout the Triangle. Runners are encouraged to stay near the finish line when the race is over and cheer on the walkers at the end of the nonprofit portion of the event. There will be refreshments and activities for everyone following the race. The 5K course begins at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Downtown Durham, North Carolina.

03/31 Monument Avenue 10k - Richmond, VA

Enjoy the rockin’ music and imaginative cheers from the Spirit Groups along the scenic, tree-lined medians. Soak in the cheers from thousands of partying spectators. Celebrate people watching at its best as costumed runners and walkers mingle amongst the 24,000 participants. Then join the awesome post race party in Monroe Park. It’s all part of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, voted the best road race in the southeast!

03/31 Cooper River Bridge 10k - Charleston, SC

The Cooper River Bridge Run provides a world-class 10-K foot race. The race promotes continuous physical activity and a healthy lifestyle through education and opportunity. The Cooper River Bridge Run is the best organized and the best conducted 10-K race in the world. It includes world-class competition in a unique setting with unparalleled participant satisfaction. It broadens community cooperation and participation in healthy events throughout the year. The Cooper River Bridge Run serves as a model of health motivation for other communities throughout the world.

04/14 Cary Road Race - Cary, NC

10k, 5k, and a 1 mile fun run. Last year over 550 runners finished the races. The 5k and 10k start at different times, so you could run them both if you were interested.

For even more races, check out the North Carolina Road Runners Club. If you plan to run a race, or would like to share one of your favorites, use the comment feature for this post.

Ursula's Disney Update - Feeling Goofy?

As you may know, I traveled to Florida last month to run (walk) in the Disney 1/2 Marathon. The whole family went. The Millers were there too and also ran the 1/2 race. Even though I had been injured, I was already signed up and determined to still participate even though I couldn't really run it. Since my approach to the race was a little more casual and it was Disney, I took the opportunity to cross off an item on "Life's To Do List." I ran the race in costume. I thought you may enjoy seeing some of the pictures taken during the race -- both with my camera and by the Enjoy!

Ursula

P.S. Next year will be the 15th anniversary of the Disney Marathon. I must have lost my mind. I registered for the Goofy Challenge this week -- which means running the 1/2 Marathon on Sat. and the full marathon on Sunday. It is Jan 12-13, 2008. It is already 85% full because they cap registration at 3,000. Patti is up for the challenge too. Anyone else crazy enough to do it? It will be fun and exciting! You have to sign up soon though...

Note from Michael: If any body wants to publish information on the Blog, let me know. I am glad to put anything out here for you. I am not sure, but I think anyone can make a post, but if it easier, just shoot me an email.

Run and Some Family Fun

Ryan and I have kicked around running the National Half Marathon in March. This is the second running of the race. About a dozen of us went last year for the inaugural event. Frank ran the full marathon, but everyone else (Jeff, Patti, Ursula, Kinnie, Kevin, Brad, Gerry, etc) ran the half. For a first time marathon it was a fun race. This year the course is improved, and they will have a full 12 months to get people entered. The end result is a bigger and better race.

This is a great race to take the family to. They do not have any kids races, but DC is loads of fun to do with the family, and the trip does not require airfare. Last year after the race, we visited the Botanical Gardens, the Washington Monument, the Air and Space Museum, and even took in the kite festival that was going on. The Metro makes it easy and affordable to get around.

So if you are looking for a early spring race, and a mini family vacation check out the National Marathon.

RUN RSVP: 02/03

Time for a "Super Bowl Saturday" run! Several of you have said you are interested in running this weekend, so hopefully we can get a good crowd. You can run a little extra so you can eat more at the Super Bowl party at our house on Sunday. You can run any distance and any pace you would like. Please reply if you plan to run.

Run Details:

• Day: Saturday
• Time: 8:30 a.m.
• Where: Ford's Colony
• Distance: 6 miles (loop) / 10 miles (out-and-back)
• Route: Cart Path Route