I’ve already got several big races on my calendar for this year and a couple more that are on the radar. I thought it would be fun to lay out my plans for the next several months, at least when it comes to racing! I think I’ve got a solid schedule that will set me up for success in regards to my two goal races later on in the year.
March 15: NYC Half
When I was starting to lay out a marathon training plan, based on Hal Higdon’s Novice 1 timeframe, I needed a half marathon the weekend of March 14-15. Conveniently, the NYC Half was that weekend! Although I had put my name in the lottery for 2014, I didn’t get drawn. My hopes weren’t high, but I decided to give it a try. I was overjoyed when I was selected from the lottery! This will be such a fun way to see my favorite city!
April 19: Gazelle Girl Half Marathon
I was supposed to run this last year, but when my grandma got sick, my priorities shifted drastically and training took a backseat. Andi and I have 18 miles scheduled for that day, so my plan is to run about 4.75 miles before the race knowing that I’ll likely pick up that missing 0.15 miles along the course, and then go into the race. I know I’m not going to want to run the extra miles after!
April 25: Rivertown Races Half Marathon
Although I haven’t registered for this one yet, it’s definitely on my mind! Because Gazelle Girl is only six days prior to this, I plan on treating this more like a long run where I get a medal at the end, rather than a race. It’s generally a smaller crowd, so I think it will be easier not to get caught up in the race day excitement. I’ll have to do about a mile before the start to round out my prescribed distance for the day. This is the third year they’ve put on this race and it will also be my third time participating; in 2013, I ran the half; in 2014, the 5k.
May 9: Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k
Oh, River Bank. I had zero plans to do this race for 2015 because I’m in taper mode by that time, but then they revealed a really sweet new medal for this year and I was sold. Bling envy, much? I know I’ll have to be extra, extra, extra cautious not too push myself too much because my goal race is only two weeks later! In all honesty, though, it’s such a fun, big community event that it would feel weird to not do at least some part of it!
May 23: Bayshore Marathon
My first of two 2015 goal races! Honestly, I’ll be happy to a) just make it to the starting line, and b) then actually cross the finish line. The marathon has been such an elusive distance for me, but I am laser focused on this one. I want it so badly I can taste it.
June 14: Grand Rapids Triathlon
Although I haven’t registered for this one yet, I am planning on doing the sprint distance!
July 12: Grand Haven Triathlon
This is another one I still need to register for, but I’m planning on the Olympic distance. This is pretty much where I grew up, so I think it will be really fun to race my hometown, given that when I was growing up this is not something I ever (EVER) would have considered doing. I’m pretty confident I had no idea what I triathlon was at that point.
August 9: 70.3 IRONMAN Steelhead
My second of two 2015 goal races! I’ll be honest, this still kind of freaks me out, but I know (hope) once I get further along in training, it will calm my fears a bit.