It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start thinking about post-marathon races and plans for now through the end of April 2006. Good lord.
Right now the big question is if I tackle another full marathon in early 2006. My friend Mark ran the Frederick Marathon in 2005 and has raved about it; it’s a small but nice marathon, and it’s on April 30th, 2006. If I wanted to run it, I’d have someone with which to train (which is always nice).
There are other marathons between now and then, of course. The Philadelphia Marathon (November 20th) is still up in the air, depending on what happens at the Marine Corps Marathon on October 30th. Now that it turns out Julie has broken her toe, I’m thinking that there’s a good chance she’ll want to do Philadelphia depending on what happens with the MCM. (The podiatrist said she could run it if the pain didn’t bother her too much, and it was broken a little over three and a half weeks before the marathon so we’ll see.)
And then there’s the “smaller races” route. I’ve already got the Cherry Blossom 10-miler at the start of April on my calendar, and there are lots of fun 5 and 10Ks available in the DC area, from the Turkey Trot to the St. Patrick’s Day 10K, and all other ones in-between. (I’m still a little bummed about missing that colon awareness race, pun intended.) There’s something nice about being able to take it slightly more easy throughout the winter. If I do this, then the chances of me finally buckling down and actually trying to start going to the gym again (and re-learn how to use the equipment and such) is much greater.
There’s also a half-marathon option, of course. One co-worker’s talking about running the Williamsburg Half-Marathon at the end of February, and gearing up for that or another half-marathon is no big deal at this point provided I know it’s coming. My one and only half-marathon finishing time is rather pathetic to me these days so the idea of running another one is appealing. I’d originally talked about running either the half or full Mardi Gras Marathon, but I’ve taken that off the schedule for 2006, alas.
Looking really far ahead, there’s also the question of what to run for fall 2006. The glory of the Chicago Marathon? Make a play to try and get into the New York Marathon? Perhaps the far-off and breathtaking Venice Marathon? (No, really.) The local and by all reports appealing Richmond Marathon? The tried-and-true Marine Corps Marathon? (Which, upon being my fifth, gives me automatic entry for life.) Ok, it’s probably a bit much to think quite this far ahead.
So let’s see, here’s the list of everything under consideration right now, with the caveat that obviously a lot of these will not actually be run. I’m not nuts.
Nov 20th – Philadelphia Marathon
Nov 24th – Virginia Run Turkey Trot 5K
Dec 11th – Jingle All the Way 10K
Jan 29th – Miami Tropical Half-Marathon
Feb 26th – Williamsburg Half-Marathon
Mar ??th – St. Patrick’s Day 10K
Apr 2nd – Cherry Blossom 10-miler
Apr ??th – George Washington Parkway Classic 10-miler
Apr ??th – Sallie Mae 10K
Apr 30th – Frederick Marathon
Apr 30th – Brain Tumor Society 5K Race for Hope
May ??th – Capitol Hill Classic 10K
Oct ??th – Chicago Marathon
Oct ??th – Venice Marathon
Oct 29th – Marine Corps Marathon
Nov 11th – Richmond Marathon
Nov ??th – New York Marathon
I’ve put way too much thought into this.