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.
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.
Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 12:48PM 
All signs point to Phoenix
Man, was Phoenix tough! I knew it was going to start getting more intense as the races continued on in the challenge, and with this being race number four, I kind of figured it was going to be a turning point. And turning point is an understatement. But I'll get to that.
Overall, the race was very well organized. The packet pickup was at a business near where the shuttle pick up was going to be. Was in and out in about 10 minutes. The line looked a little intimidating, but it really went pretty quickly. I was staying in downtown Phoenix, so it was about a 20-25 minute drive, but while I was out in that area, I figured I might as well drive the first part of the race. It's the first time I've really ever done it, and I'm glad I did.
Friday, March 2, 2012 at 5:20PM Tomorrow is race #4 - The Phoenix Half Marathon. Picked up my packet today - that went fine, only had to have them update my age (sadly, I am no longer 23) and the race bag came with some pretty cool stuff. Then did something I've never done before - drove the start of the course. I don't know if it made me feel better or worse. I'm quickly learning that the desert to me is.. well, kinda boring. Lots of cactus. Dirt. Rocks. It's pretty, its just not much to look at. And 13 miles is a long way to run without much to look at. And I'm just picturing the vultures swirling, ready to pick off any runners who happen to stray from the pack. Clearly, I'm not feeling the most optimistic about this one, eh?
I didn't think much of the climate change until this afternoon, when I realized how dry everything felt. And I'm not as good about drinking my usual quantities of water when I'm traveling, so I've been trying to make more of an effort, although at this point, who knows what good it will do.