It’s hard to believe that my “big” race of spring is over, I feel like spring just got here. But this doesn’t mean that my racing is over. This year hasn’t been my best for half marathons, I’ve been getting slower, and not training as well, but that’s changing. I’ve been looking over my summer and fall race schedule and I’m ready to point out my big races. Now, you can hold me accountable. There is definitely not a shortage of 5k’s in the mix, which is great. I love having the short, quick race to switch things up. Plus I’m determined to break 25:00 and then break 24:00.
I’ve got some great distance races coming up that I really want to point out, including one that may be a shock to many.
May 25, 2013 – Medina Half Marathon
The Medina Half is in it’s first year, and I couldn’t be more excited for the race. Medina County Road Runners have created this race and received overflowing support through the community. It tops out at 350, but over 400 people signed up to run! The course has rollings hills, but I’m not too concerned. I’ve run about 95% of the course, so I’ll be familiar with where to go and what to expect. This has become my new “big” spring race to come back from the Pig.
July 21, 2013 – Double Trouble 10k
This will be my second 10k of the year, and I’m hoping I can PR. The event is set up as a 5k and/or 10k with the choice to run one or both of the races. I’m opting for the 10k to help focus on longer runs and to see what my legs are capable of at that distance.
August 17, 2013 – Wooster Heart & Sole Half Marathon
This was a half I had looked at last year, but since I was moving that day, I was told I wasn’t allowed to run. I’m familiar with Wooster and have run plenty of the hilly roads out there. I’m looking forward to this one and hoping it will be a good prep and check point for my next fall race.
September 28, 2013 – Akron Marathon
Marathon number 2!
What! You’re probably wondering what I’m doing signing up for a marathon. You’re probably questioning why and when I signed up for this. Well, I signed up a few weeks ago, but running another marathon has been on my mind for months. When Courtney told me last December she was running Eugene, I was totally marathon jealous. I knew that Eugene wouldn’t be in my schedule for 2013, but I still wanted to find one to run. I thought about Chicago, but I was still on the fence when sign up rolled around. Then a few weeks ago, a friend told me she was interested in running her first marathon. At this point, I had two in my mind that I constantly thought about. It was pretty much a nightly ritual that I told Darren I wanted to run another marathon. So when I told my friend I was running Akron, I had finally verbally committed. A few days later I signed up and I’m so excited to be taking another shot at 26.2 miles. I learned a lot in my first marathon, but I’ve got a whole new plan figured out, and I’ll have someone at my side during the race instead of running alone. To top it off, standing under the mile 26 flag a few years ago was what started the whole thing. I’ll be glad to run past that flag instead of standing on the sidelines.
October 13, 2013 – Towpath Half Marathon
Post marathon my legs may be in rough shape, but I’m hoping that this will be my quickest half of the year. All year long I knew that this would be my best chance at running sub 2:00. With the marathon, it may not be, but I’m going to give it my best shot. And if I don’t run sub 2:00, I’ve got a back up….
What are your big races for 2013?
Masher Runs 
I feel like we live the same life haha. NJ was supposed to be a PR half, spring goal race, and it was anything but. Amazing experience nonetheless, but it definitely wasn’t the time/pace I was hoping for. So I completely understand Flying Pig. I’m excited you decided to pull the trigger on marathon number 2!! You’re going to kill it, especially now that you have one under your belt. Hope your training is amazing! I need to get up there to run a race soon but not going to lie – you’re scaring me with all these hilly races 😉 any flat courses you can recommend?!
Think I was on the edge of burnout so I’m welcoming a couple months of stress-free running before training for fall races starts again 🙂 I’m planning on a few 5Ks this summer to work on speed, then a 10K in October and half marathon in November. This will be my lightest fall racing season probably since I started running – totally okay with it!
PS. sorry for the novel!
I’m pretty sure that we do have the same running life. Sometimes running is hard, and other things get in the way, but that’s life.
I’m hoping for a great marathon, we’ll see what happens when the day arrives!
Seriously, Ohio is not that hilly, it just depends on where you are. I live near rolling hills, which aren’t that bad. Closer to Cleveland there are a ton of flat races. I can send you an email with some fast, flat ones. I’d totally be done for 3M Half reunion in Ohio!
Which half marathon? I feel like that would be a great time of the year to run in Texas.
It’s a Shiner Beer Run, each runner gets 4 beers at the finish! Yes please! Pretty excited about it except that last year it was warm and very humid, and the course is hilly. Hoping thinking beer thoughts throughout the miles will help get me to that finish line quickly.
Definitely send some race recs over 🙂 I’m not sure when I can squeeze in the travel (fall or spring), so feel free to send whichever races you think are best – regardless of the dates. Thanks!!
Yep still loving all these races you have found. I haven’t heard of some of these! That August one might end up on my radar depending on which fall marathon I decide on.
If you decide on the Wooster race and stay near the area, I can let you know where to eat before/after. There’s a local brewery that Ryan would love.