Running Notes :: Daydreaming about a Marathon and Running a Surprise 5k

About Me...

I'm Kathy Brown and I've been an application developer in Lotus Notes/Domino since 2005.

Prior to working in IT, I've had numerous careers including an Investment Analyst and even an Actress (long ago and far away).

And I (try to) love running!

kathy (at) runningnotes (dot) net

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So I've been daydreaming about running a marathon. I've run two half marathons now. Hey, does that count as a marathon? :) It won't be this year, maybe not even next year. But more and more I am considering running one. It used to be a "never, no way" kind of thing, but it keeps creeping back into my brain. This last half marathon wasn't so bad, hey, it was even fun. Why not?

Which leads me to wondering WHICH marathon should be my first? Conventional wisdom says your first should be flat (duh), have good crowd support, well organized and close to home. How about three out of four? Flat and close to home do NOT go together around here. While *someone* on Twitter mentioned an Anguillan triathlong, I think I'll stick to a marathon. ;) So, daydream ideas:

Nike Women's Marathon - this one just sounds awesome, Godiva chocolates, Tiffany necklaces for medals (handed out by fireman in tuxes!). Only problem, you can only get in by lottery. Oh, and I'm guessing it's a little hilly since it's in San Francisco. Ahem.

Boston Marathon - this one would just be cool for the history sake of it. Of course there is NO WAY I would qualify, so I would have to raise money for charity. Not a problem, just being clear that I would never qualify. :) And it's in April, which would mean the majority of my training would be in snow and cold temperatures. Oh yeah, and a little thing called Heartbreak Hill.

Dublin Marathon - I have no idea what the terrain is like here, or the crowd, but I've always wanted to go to Ireland. And I've heard this is a good race. However, that is kind of far to go for a marathon.

Walt Disney World Marathon - I know it's Goofy. Ha ha. But I think this would be a lot of fun. However, it's in January. Training in freezing New Hampshire weather and then running in possibly hot Floriday weather does not sound like a good idea. It is pretty flat however and has marginally good crowds. No crowd support in the parks, though.

Cape Cod Marathon - reasonably close by and sponsored by Dunkin Donuts, what more could you want? I've heard it's pretty hilly though.

Other considerations:

I've heard the Marine Corps Marathon is a great first marathon. However, it doesn't really spark any excitement in me. And if I'm going to train 4-6 months, I think I need to be excited, don't you?

I've also heard the Chicago Marathon is another good one. Again though, no spark.

Hmm, this actually sounds like I'm considering this doesn't it? Any thoughts?

Oh yes, and the surprise 5k I mentioned in the title. Someone I know registered for a race and can't run it tomorrow morning. So, I'll be running the Margarita's 5k Fiesta in her place. Wish I'd run a bit more this week.

Comments

1 - I did a 5k at the Dutchess County Classic and it is a flat course. They also have a half marathon and full marathon. The full marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, so there is quite a turnout. It is in September in upstate NY. I did it with my wife, brother in law and sister in law, so can't attest to the same fun factor for you...

Posted by John At 08:49:55 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

2 - Whilst I don't run, yet, I hang out with a lot of people that do. During a recent conversation concerning marathons, I found out that a lot of the ones that you mention are full. I've heard the same thing about triathalon's. For a country that seems to be getting fatter, it amazes me that these events are enjoying such popularity.

Posted by Gregg Eldred At 09:17:36 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

3 - *Some* runner types complain that ever since Oprah ran a marathon, everyone and their mother thinks they can run a marathon. I happen to think that is pretty cool. Running a marathon is the new mid-life crisis! Emoticon

Upstate NY isn't THAT far from me. Flat, huh? I'll check it out!

Posted by Kathy Brown At 09:45:15 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

4 - You're always welcome to hang out in Richmond - the Divas will support ya.
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How about the Amica Newport RH { Link }

Posted by Marie Scott At 13:10:49 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

5 - Hmm Richmond has gummy bears. May have to add that one to the list. Emoticon

Posted by Kathy Brown At 13:38:41 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

6 - These three sites should help you chisel away as at your permutation set and select a gem for you.

But if you want flat, head to the heartland--just do it in the summer to avoid tornado season (early Spring and early Fall), or go to New York City...run in the Fall, so you'd have the summer to train, and close to home...just take Amtrak right to Penn Station, so you can relax the entire trip.

Good luck! :)

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Posted by Bill Malchisky At 14:18:28 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

7 - Thanks Bill! I'd seen marathonguide.com, but not the other two. I'll def check them out!

Posted by Kathy Brown At 15:23:35 On 04/05/2009 | - Website - |

8 - The Bay State Marathon in Lowell, MA in October may be just the ticket. It is flat, training would be in the summer months, not far to go and it is limited to only 2000 marathoners and 1500 marathoners. Chicago has 45,000 runners; ugh!!!!

Posted by Elisa At 15:44:02 On 06/05/2009 | - Website - |

9 - The Bay State Marathon in Lowell, MA in October may be just the ticket. It is flat, training would be in the summer months, not far to go and it is limited to only 2000 marathoners and 1500 marathoners. Chicago has 45,000 runners; ugh!!!!

Posted by Elisa At 15:45:09 On 06/05/2009 | - Website - |

10 - Hi Dollysmum!! How ya been? Anyway, I forgot all about Bay State. Isn't it lacking a little in, um, scenery, though? I thought I read some race reports that it's in some yucky spots and not a lot of crowd support. Is that true? Otherwise, flat, October and nearby might be the race for me!

Posted by Kathy Brown At 16:16:26 On 06/05/2009 | - Website - |

11 - Haven't seen you on LLR lately but I still enjoy your blogs. I don't think there is a marathon where there is wall to wall scenery. There was a post by SeeEricaRun that states: "I just wanted to add that I had my doubts about the double-loop, too, but Bay State has been hands-down my favorite marathon yet! I thought the volunteers were awesome, the other runners were great - I chatted with a lot of people on that course. The high school kids at the water stops are tons of fun, and they have SOOO much food at the end. Also, finishing in the stadium is a blast.
You do not see the finish at the halfway point, in fact, you can't see the finish until you're somewhere near third plate."
So I have chosen this as my fall Marathon. I felt the same as you when I started running: "No way am I interested in ever doing a marathon." Then one day your doing a longish run and think, "I wonder how far I could go? Maybe I could do a marathon" And the next thing you know you are training for one. Then you run it and think "Never again. Too far. Not my cup of tea." And then another day you think "I wonder if I could just try it one more time and better my time. It wasn't that bad" So here I am to encourage you to give it a go. The worse that can happen is that training doesn't go well and you can transfer to the half. Good luck and keep running. Emoticon

Posted by Elisa At 19:29:48 On 06/05/2009 | - Website - |