Looking Ahead

I am now 9 days post marathon so obviously I have been thinking furiously about what my race plans are for the fall. I hummed and hawed over whether I wanted to do another marathon or if I should just stick to halfs. If I did the marathon I'd have to run it alone which I am not too crazy about. Those last 10k were tough and I really needed the push of a friend to help me stick with them. Had Patty not have been with me I may have ended up sitting on a park bench and calling Derek to come and pick me up. I could always go with a pacer but that's a lot of distance to cover with small talk. Nicole suggested we run together but her goal of 3:40 makes my legs hurt just thinking about, and she's not doing a full any longer any way. Looks like sticking to halfs it is! So my goal is to run 3 halfs and hope that at least one of them I can run sub 1:50. I'm going to train with goal paces for a 1:45 finish and see what happens. Nicole is also going for a 1:45 half and her plan looks pretty interesting so I may be stealing hers.

Upcoming races are as follows. I am only actually registered for a few because I am a woman and reserve the right to change my mind!

May 25 Sulphur Springs 25K trail race. This is my first ever trail run (other than Bronte creek trails) let alone trail race. I'm running it with my friend Marina so I'm planning on it being super fun! Oh, the Altra trail shoes that I won on Ali's blog arrived last week so hopefully I can include some trail runs into my routine this summer. I will not be wearing these new shoes for S.S though. My old NB's will be getting the call up for this race and then more than likely retired.

June 8 Moon in June 5K. According to McMillan if I want to run a 1:45 half then I should be able to run a 22:41 5K. My PB is 23:something (remember I'm not anal like some people LOL) from the same race last year. Let's see what happens....

July 1 Canada Day 5K. This is a maybe. I told a girl at work that I would run it with her. And by run it with her I mean drive there, run, wait for her at the finish line and drive home. She has yet to commit though so we'll see. I do however have the perfect outfit so I may go just so I can wear it.

August 17 Midsummer Night's Run 15K. That's right. 15K. I will not be running 1 meter farther than 15K at this Godforsaken race. LOL The 30K race for me last year is what nightmares are made from. :oP

Sept 21 or 22 Mighty Niagara Half is super appealing to me because it is a Saturday which means I don't have to take a day off of work for it. Really I wanted to run the Springbank Half in London (where Kyle will be attending university) on September 8 but it is the same day as the Ovarian Cancer walk that I have already committed to doing again this year with my stepmother who is a survivor. If I don't do the Mighty Niagara I will do the Oakville Half again this year. I enjoyed it last year other than the sleeping in and extra distance bits. Those I could have done without.

October 20 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half. I will be looking for redemption from my fail there last year. I'm hoping to be able to run this with Nicole and be able to walk away with a smile on my face and not in near tears like last year. The part I love about this race is being able to see the elites go by on Lakeshore. Obviously in the other direction.

November 3 Road 2 Hope Half. If I can't get my sub 1:50 at either of the other races I should be able to do it hear. It's a bit of a cheat because it's a downhill course but desperate times could call for desperate measures.

December 26 Boxing Day 10 miler. Surely I'll be able to convince someone to run this with me again this year. The snowman medal is enough to make me come back. Hopefully the wind decides to not make an appearance this time.