blessing in disguise?

So what does one do when they can't run? Beside complain about not running, think about running, and avoid the new Runner's World? Well, they (I) sign up for races. Is this wrong? One race right after another. Besides signing up for the Cleveland marathon I am now officially signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Yes, I know I swore I would never run this horrendous, overcrowded race again BUT my friend and her fabulous sister are running and I can never, EVER pass up a race with friends who don't normally run. Next on the sign up sheet... either the Cincinnati Pig 1/2 marathon or relay. This all depends on my friend who may switch teams and I would either take her relay spot and run the same relay leg as her on different teams (I would run with her husband, sister and her sister's boyfriend) or just run a very hilly but fun half marathon 2 weeks before the Cleveland full! Hey the swag is fantastic and I haven't visited my friends since they moved to Cincy so it is about time I made the 4 hour drive. Then come Feb 1st the Chicago marathon registration opens. Do I sign up? I'm thinking it might be YES!

Honestly as stressed out as I am about this foot/ankle ridiculous, random injury I have it has been the best thing for me. I was burned out before the injury. I was not enjoying running; it felt like a chore. I didn't want to do anything my schedule called for and couldn't find joy or motivation in anything. Now I appreciate running. I look forward to the day I can run to McCormick Place (my 10 mile turnaround point of my 20 mile run). I can't say I won't take the ability to run for granted again but I will embrace it with everything I have once I return. I miss weekend long runs. These last few weekends I've spent wandering around the house trying to figure out what to do. I can not wait for this Thursday in which I meet with the podiatrist again. Happy, positive thoughts I will be out of the horrendous black boot and on my way to lacing up 2 shoes. Though before that I have another work trip on the schedule. So I hope 1) the blizzard they are calling for does not actually hit and 2) my flight makes it back in town so I can make my appointment and 3) Dr. Jacobson clears me for running once again. After fitting me for orthotics of course :)

Add Hawaii to the list...

of states I've raced in! Saturday morning I ran the Day of Hope 10K. I went for a 3 mile run along the path behind the hotels Wednesday morning and when I came back from the run I realized it might be kind of fun to see if there were any small races happening in Maui while I was here. Nothing like last minute. The Day of Hope started 2 hotels up from where we are staying - perfect! Even better proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. I signed up online before the deadline.

I decided to not really "race" the 10K. 1) It's hot. I don't race well in heat and haven't run in the heat in awhile. 2) there are some significant hills 3) I'm on vacation and want to have fun. So I took my camera with me along the course and enjoyed the 6.2 miles! Pictures will be posted when I can get my hands on my USB cord. I may have pushed too much the first mile then backed off significantly to work my way towards some serious positive splits ;) Since it was a small race I found myself running by myself a lot but I passed a few runners over the last 2 miles and found my race rabbit to finish strong in front of the Four Seasons Hotel around 56:40. I pretty much ran my marathon race pace but it's all good. Afterwards, I enjoyed the amazing breakfast buffet (amazing fresh fruit, bagels, water, juice, snack mixes, muffins - oh my!) they had for the runners and walkers overlooking the ocean. Not too shabby of a way to spend a morning in Maui!

my "what's next?"

It's official! I waited until it was nearly 90% full. I started the training program a couple of weeks ago to see if I could do this. Tonight (early Monday morning) I stayed up late to financially pull the trigger.

Your registration is complete!

Event Name: 2011 Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge

Date & Time: January 08, 2011 05:40 AM

Location: Walt Disney World® Resort

Gah! What have I gotten myself into?!?

Anyone else planning on running Disney 2011???

next race?

It's only 3 days since my last half marathon and I'm already trying to find the next race. I tend to have an idea of what races I want to do then sign up based on how I'm feeling last minute. There are very few races I plan far enough in advance to save money. I know it's not the most cost efficient option but I have saved myself a few times when I ended up having to be somewhere else on race weekend.

Prior to the Akron 1/2 I was on Facebook (when am I not) and saw an ad for a Monster Dash in Chicago. Normally I don't pay too much attention to FB ads but this one caught my eye. I had never heard about this race. I clicked over and liked what I saw. Half marathon in downtown Chicago = easy travel. People dress up, there is sweet swag like fleece running jackets, hats, and a belt buckle medal! Heck for the kids run they get a fun light up monster t-shirt.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about running another 1/2 about 4 weeks later and the day before I leave on a 2 week vacation so I didn't sign up right away. After how good I felt last weekend I think I want to keep it going and see what I've got on a flat course. The course is a simple out and back on the lakeshore path starting downtown and heading south. I'm pretty sure there may be 1 hill and after Akron it's a joke of a hill. Running a race on Halloween has to be fun - right?!?!

So how do you choose your races? Do you sign up last minute or are you a super planner?