Monday, April 16, 2012 at 9:58PM I've finished five of thirteen races - not quite half way there. Although if you count the recently added Walt Disney World 2013 Half Marathon, I've got nine more to run.
Here is where I've come out on each of the races so far.
And below are the races I've left to run.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 3:11PM Registration for the 2013 Walt Disney World Half Marathon opened today, and you bet I signed up again! It'll be my 14th half in 14 months (one more month and race than I planned but I'll just call it my "bonus" race).
I'd encourage anybody who is on the fence about it to absolutely sign up. I know its a lot of money, but its Disney - they do it right. And it gives you something to look forward to (and train for!).
You can also check out my 2012 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Race Review here
If you want to know more about the Chear Squad program - read my review here (I got it for my parents last year, but really couldn't find any opinions online about it before I purchased).
Updates on the Phoenix Half Marathon (March race) as well as the Chi-Town Half Marathon (April race) are posted! Next up - Bayshore Half Marathon in my beautiful home town of Traverse City, Michigan.
Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 1:57PM Half marathon #5 is in the books.
The Kranch. One of my many nicknames (thanks friends).
On paper it was a prime day for a run - slightly overcast and unseasonably warm for Chicago in April (but perfect for running). The race started at the south end of Lincoln Park, and north along the lake shore path up to Montrose Harbor and back. The course was relatively flat, aside from the under- and over passes. A decent amount of spectators lined the course, and even though we were sharing the path with the normal runners and bikers, we didn't come across too much traffic. My favorite spectators were the lovely people around mile 4 that were handing out cups of beer.
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 7:25PM For my April race, I chose the Chi-Town Half Marathon - a small, locally run race that should be a nice change from the out-of-town races I have been doing. As much as I love to travel and run new routes, it'll be nice to just be able to focus on the run, and not have to think about all the other details that an out-of-town race presents.
Pre-race communication has been great - timely emails with the important details (packet pick up, course updates, etc). Packet pick up was at a local running store and you can tell they have put on a variety of races by their level of efficiency. They didn't have a "swag bag" like other races do, which was fine because those are usually just filled with fliers for other races I end up throwing away. Just my bib, shirt, and safety pins is all I really need.
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 7:24PM If you read the Phoenix Half Marathon review, you know what a challenge that course was. Mentally, I was completely unprepared for what a (nearly) all down hill course would require. On the surface, it sounds easy, right? I couldn't have been more wrong and I'm definitely paying for it post-race.
I've been fortunate to have relatively easy post-race recoveries, so this was a whole new experience. I was sore before the race even finished and knew the recovery period ahead would be hard. What I wasn't prepared for how long it kept me down and the impact it would have on this half marathon challenge.
Nearly every race training plan out there includes a "strength and stretch" day and typically I've skipped it. Foolishly, I never really thought it would have a huge impact, and its worked out seemingly alright. Well, until Phoenix. And now, my friends, I've been reformed.