Hello!...and Goodbye, Wishlist Wednesdays

Hello Blogosphere!

Oh, how I have missed you.  Sorry I've been MIA (not the rapper).  Things have been crazy busy around here.  Ok, thats not true.  Things have been normal busy.  And yet, even normal busy is too busy for me to post regularly.  Because thats the thing about blogging.  It takes time.  Not only do you have to think up (semi-)coherent blog posts, but you have to sit down at your computer and type them up.  What?!  Ludicrous! (not the rapper)  Why can't I just speak my blog posts to the wind and have them automatically appear on screen in perfect format?  Including pictures? (I'm talking to you, Siri.)   

Well, I'm still looking for that balance, and until I find it, you will be stuck with sporadic posts that may or may not have something to do with anything.  Or nothing to do with something.  Depends on how I'm feeling that day.

Speaking of sporadic, this will also be my last installment of Wishlist Wednesdays (did I just hear a sigh of relief!?)  I will still post about races, since I still spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about racing, but I'll post on whim, rather than only on Wednesdays.  So you may very well be getting a bucket list race post Monday-Friday.  Consider yourself warned.

Wishlist Wednesday: Zooma Annapolis

This race is totally runnable for me.  Its less than an hour from where I live, and its a half-marathon, a distance I am comfortable with.  Its not a challenging, high altitude, crazy elevation-gain, ridiculous mileage race that I tend to think about.  But I'm drawn to it because it geared towards women (though men are welcome too).  I like that.  Becoming a female runner/athlete can seem intimidating, especially if you are just blossoming into athleticism in your 30s/40s.  I like that this race (and other races like it, the Disney Princess Half-Marathon comes to mind) offers a supportive, female-focused race atmosphere.  I've never run in an all-women (mostly women) race, and I think it would be fun.  Plus you get a commemorative necklace!

The Zooma race series hosts half-marathon and 10K races around the country.  Check out their website for a race near you!

Have you ever run a Zooma race?  Or any other race for women?


RAR!

Wishlist Wednesday: Sogonapmit Marathon

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about races.  Seriously, if I could race very weekend, I would. On Wednesdays, I post about races that I wish/hope/dream I will/could run in the future.  Whether or not I am physically capable of completing some of these races is a different story altogether!

Wishlist Wednesday: Sogonapmit Marathon

I had never heard of the Sogonapmit Marathon until last week.  But as soon as I learned about it, I knew I wanted to run it.  Why?  Because the Sogonapmit Marathon is not just a marathon.  Its a race.

Now, hold on, you may say.  Aren't all marathons races?  Well, yes.  But most people running a marathon are usually just competing against themselves: trying to hit a certain time, trying to PR, trying to qualify for Boston, or just trying to finish.  And while I recognize that competing against yourself is completely legit and totally bad-a**, here's what I like about the Sogonapmit Marathon: you aren't just competing against yourself.  You are also competing against 2,000 half-marathoners.  

Huh?

Ok, here's the race details: At the butt-crack of dawn (literally - the marathon starts at 3:20 AM), you take off and head towards the start of the half-marathon.  You have 2.5 hours to get there and head back before the gun goes off, and the half-marathoners hit the course.  You spend the next 13.1 miles trying to stay ahead of the fresh legs that were probably just waking up when you started your marathon.  

I don't know about you, but to me that sounds super fun.

Whats also super fun is that the first half of the race (the half where you are stumbling running in the dark) is all uphill.  Oh wait, thats not the fun part.  The fun part is that the second half of the race is ALL DOWNHILL.  Aka, super fast.

Course Map and Elevation

Technically, this race is the Timpanogos Half Marathon.  The Sogonapmit Marathon is just double that (duh), an added "challenge" for the crazies: start at the finish line of the half, run to the starting line, then head back to the finish.  Bonus: the bing is pretty cool too.

via RunItFast.com

The Sogonapmit Marathon and Timpanogos Half Marathon will be held on July 27, 2013 in American Fork, Utah.  Registration opens Thanksgiving Day.

  

RAR!

Wishlist Wednesday: San Francisco Marathon

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about races.  Seriously, if I could race very weekend, I would. On Wednesdays, I post about races that I wish/hope/dream I will/could run in the future.  Whether or not I am physically capable of completing some of these races is a different story altogether!

Wishlist Wednesday: The San Francisco Marathon

I've run in San Francisco.  Once.  It was years ago.  I ran from Union Square, near where we were staying, up to Coit Tower and back.  I don't remember the mileage of that run--since I didn't consider myself a runner back then, just someone who ran occasionally--but I do remember really enjoying the streets, and hills, of San Francisco.

So I'm thinking that I should one day run the San Francisco Marathon.  Apparently the course takes you through Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina, Golden Gate Park, Haight Street, the Mission, and many other areas of beautiful San Francisco that I vaguely remember from my trip oh-so-long ago (there may or may not have been copious amounts of alcohol consumed on that trip).  Plus?  The course takes you out and back across the Golden Gate Bridge.  How awesome is that?

SFM Course Map

Not from the SF marathon, but an awesome picture nonetheless
(src)

From what I've read though, the San Francisco Marathon is not for the weak of heart.  Or legs.  Or for those with vertigo.  San Francisco is famous for its hills.  And thus, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), the San Francisco marathon is a crazy hilly course.  Crazy hilly.  Did I mention there would be hills?

SFM  Elevation Chart

The 2012 race was this past weekend, and Devon Crosby-Helms won the women's event.  Her race recap is here.  And here's a hilarious race recap from 2011.  The 2013 race will be held in June due to the fact that America's Cup will be in San Francisco next year.  My birthday is in June next year (its in June every year).  Hmmmm.....

Have you ever run the San Francisco Marathon?  Is it worth the pain? :)







RAR!

Wishlist Wednesday: Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about races.  Seriously, if I could race very weekend, I would. On Wednesdays, I post about races that I wish/hope/dream I will/could run in the future.  Whether or not I am physically capable of completing some of these races is a different story altogether!

Wishlist Wednesday: Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs 50K / 50M / 100M

I've never been to Lake Tahoe.  In fact, I've never really wanted to go...until I saw the pictures for this race:

Photo by Jason Chan

Photo by Jason Chan

Photo by Jason Chan

Photo by Jason Chan

Stunning.  Breathtaking.  Sign. Me. Up.

Except...*gulp*...this is not an easy race.  Those beautiful mountains?  Killer.  From the race website:

This Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs take place on high elevation alpine and sub-alpine forest trails and dirt roads in the Carson Spur of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The event is located on the northeast side of Lake Tahoe. All distances begin and end at the Spooner Lake State Park, which is at 7,000 feet. The highest point of the event is just below the 9,214 foot Snow Valley Peak (which also provides one of the best views on the course). The low point on both courses is at the bottom of the now "infamous" Red House Loop (A Taste of Hell) at approximately 6800 feet. 

The motto of this race is "A Glimpse of Heaven, A Taste of Hell."  Holy smokes, I like that.

The TRT Endurance Runs include a 50K, 50M, and a 100M, so your elevation gain differs between each event.  Nonetheless, it sounds like those mountains are brutal, regardless of the distance.

Still, I think the views are worth it.  The TRT is now officially on my bucket list.

I have to thank Megan over at Running Aimlessly for bringing this race to my attention.  She just ran the 50-miler this past weekend, and ROCKED IT.  This is her second 50 mile event, and she's run five marathons and five 50Ks.  You guys should go check her out.  She's totally bad-a**.


What races are you excited for?


RAR!

Wishlist Wednesday: Big Sur...and Badwater

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about races.  I don't think about how well I would do, or if I can even physically complete the race.  I just think about how fun! it would be to run...this one! and this one! and this one!

Seriously, if I could race every weekend, I would.

Hence: Wishlist Wednesdays, a weekly post about races that I wish/hope/dream I will/could run in the future.  Hopefully you will discover a new race that you'd like to run (wanna run it together?!)  And if you have a race on your bucket list, I'd LOVE to hear about it!!

Wishlist Wednesday: Big Sur International Marathon - Big Sur, California

The Big Sur Marathon is a race that I'm sure is on many a-runners wishlist. Starting just south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and ending in the town of Carmel, California, its supposed to be one of the the most beautiful marathons in North America, if not the world.

From the course description: "Featuring rolling hills, Big Sur is the largest rural marathon in the world, winding through redwoods, paralleling ranches, and offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean."  (all photos take from the official race website):

The course cut off is 6 hours and I'm not sure I would make it considering I would be stopping every 10 feet to take a picture!  

Not only is it a beautiful course but also a challenging one.  In addition to the rolling hills, there is also a 2 mile, 500 foot ascent from Hurricane Point around mile 10.  Not to mention the ocean wind pounding you as you run.  Beautiful but brutal.  

The race does it right, though.  Taiko drummers are positioned at Hurricane Point and the beats of their drums add power to your step as you begin the long 2-mile ascent.  

Taiko drummers and...taiko runners?

Cresting the hill, your legs are given reprieve as you run downhill and into the sounds of pianist Michael Martinez as he serenades you on a baby grand piano.  

Michael Martinez, BSIM live pianist!

You carry the music with you as cross Bixby Bridge, one of the most scenic points of the race.  

Bixby Bridge

Bixby Bridge and that California Fog

Those three miles sounds ah-mazing.  But it does leave me wondering, whats left for the rest of the race?  Guess I will have to run it myself to find out.

Big Sur Marathon also has some sweet bling.

Last year (2011) the Big Sur Marathon sold out in 29 days.  This year it sold out in 26 hours.  I can only imagine how fast it will sell out when I am ready to run it in a few years (fingers crossed!)  Better practice my mouse-clicking skills now!

To great race reports about running Big Sur can be found here and here.

Have you run Big Sur?  Tell me about it!

Whats your favorite race?  Tell me about it!

And since I didn't post a Wishlist Wednesday last week (or the week before, but I'm playing the vacation card on that one), I leave you with a race I NEVER EVER want to do: Badwater.

Badwater is a 135-mile footrace from the lowest point in the United States--Badwater Basin in Death Valley--to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S.  The race doesn't actually end at the summit of Mount Whitney, but there are some who have run right through the finish line and up to the summit...and back down to the starting line in the Badwater Basin, roughly 300 miles.  Thats called a Double Badwater.  Or just pure c-r-a-z-y.

The race is held in mid-July when temperatures are at their highest.  As you can imagine, running in Death Valley can get a little hot.  Or a lotta hot.  Like more than 120F hot.  Course support is not provided and each runner must bring his/her own crew and all supplies.  

Running Badwater is not on my wishlist of races, but spectating it certainly is.  Maybe one day.

A great race report from a pacer at Badwater 2010 can be found here.  And a great post on why someone would want to run Badwater can be found here (also, check out Operation Jack, a father who runs to fight autism).

Is there a race that you would never run but are still very intrigued by?

.  

RAR!

Introducing...Wishlist Wednesdays

I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about races.  I don't think about how well I would do, or if I can even physically complete the race.  I just think about how fun! it would be to run...this one! and this one! and this one!

Seriously, if I could race every weekend, I would.

So I am introducing Wishlist Wednesdays - a Wednesday (duh) meme in which I will post a race that I wish/hope/dream I will run in the future.  Hopefully you will discover a new race that you'd like to run (wanna run it together?!)  And if you have a race on your bucket list, I'd LOVE to hear about it!!

Wishlist Wednesday: Endurance Life Coastal Trail Series - Sussex, United Kingdom

My sister will be studying abroad in the UK next year, so we're already making plans to visit her during one of her breaks.  Naturally, I want to run a race while there.  And after a little research I discovered that I don't want to run just any race.  I want to run the Endurance Life Coastal Trail Series.  From their website:

"The CTS team has carefully selected the most iconic sections of our special British coastline and have put together a seven stage series that represents a wild and varied cross-section of coastal landscapes and terrain. The Series spans nine months from October until May and comprises of 11 challenging stages.

 Each stage is set in a different stunning location, designed to showcase the natural and historic highlights of that area of unique coastline. Each inspiring stage has its own character and throws up a unique set of challenges. What they all have in common is an incredible abundance of natural beauty, breathtaking scenery and unlimited potential to inspire."

You can choose to run just one race (stage), or you can run all eleven.  They also have a variety of distances to appeal to everyone: 10K, Half-Marathon, Marathon and Ultra.

Based on my sister's schedule, the only race I'd be able to run would be the stage in Sussex, held in late March.  Luckily, that is THE stage I would love to do.  The course takes you along the beautiful southern coastline of the UK, with views of the stunning chalk cliffs looking out towards the English Channel.  I have always wanted to see these amazing cliffs.

Coastal Trail Series -- Sussex

Seven Sisters

As soon as I learned about this race, I phoned DJ Research and told him the plan.  He then promptly told me that March is the busiest time of the year for his company and the chances of him getting off are a million in one.  To which I replied, "So you're saying there's a chance."

Kidding.  I knew about the busy season, but in my excitement, I had completely forgotten about it.  Oh well. So, I will not be running CTS next year...but it is now on my wishlist!!

What races are on your wishlist?  

Have you ever run an Endurance Life Coastal Trail race? 

RAR!