Truth be told, I’m a little disappointed not to be running the half in Empuries this coming Sunday, but we’ve been really busy the last few weeks and I've been spending way too much money. Plus, Charles’ grandmother is sick and he himself has a surgery on May 4th, so right now I think we need a calm weekend. If the race were closer and didn’t involve renting a car and a hotel stay, I’d sign up and run for fun, but that’s just not the case. Oh, but it is a beautiful course…Next year, next year.
So, as I’ve said a multitude of times, I’m busy, but running keeps me happy and sane, so it’s time to plan the race calendar for Fall 2011.
Please help me choose what to do in the half-versus-full, home-versus-away department. Remember, I have never run a full marathon, but always say I want to.
Plan A
- September: Mercè 10k
- October 24th: Marathon of the Mediterranean (even though it’s a small event, with pretty much zero crowd support and the course is 3 super boring loops.)
- December Half Marathon Mataró
Plan B (a practical, realistic plan. Train for the halves. Enjoy running. Don’t burn out. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.)
- September Mercè 10k
- October Half Marathon of the Mediterranean
- December Half Marathon Mataró
Plan C (What I really WANT to Do, but probably shoudn't)
- September Mercè 10k
- October 31st: Dublin Marathon (Yes, I know that traveling by air for one’s first marathon is sort of nuts, but I just have this feeling that the Dublin Marathon--the fellow pale people, the rain, the friendliness--could work for me. The flights are 89 euros right now too. Oh, one has to dream.)
- December Half Marathon Mataró
Please vote and advise!
dream big ;)
ReplyDeleteI say go for the Dublin marathon! I think having good crowd support and a bigger and friendlier race will make for such a great first marathon experience.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have each run one marathon. Mine was a big one with lots of crowd support, his was small without all the bells and whistles. I say go big all the way! It helps so much to have the crowd support and makes the experience more memorable to have an expo and all the post marathon events. I don't think it's bad to fly to your marathon destination. I have lots of friends who have done it and it's been a great experience for them. Dublin all the way!
ReplyDeleteYES DUBLIN - do it! I ran Dublin in 2005, a LONG flight, but worth it. I would say for your first 26.2, you want a larger marathon, and I think a destination marathon is PERFECT. Sign up and don't look back - you will NOT regret it.
ReplyDeleteI'd say... go for plan C, why not? If it's what you really want, just go ahead, why wait? I'll be at Mercè too and Mataró, hopefully! Wish I could join you in Dublin too :p
ReplyDeletePlan B sounds good too! ;)
Did you really like Empúries? I hated the 10K last year and that was the first part of the half and full marathon. I was disappointed not to run in front of the sea at all.
Come to Girona or do Pineda, nice and well organized!
Hope Charles's surgery goes well for you guys! I'm off to England this coming weekend. My 93 year old grandma's very sick, so even if I had decided to do Empúries, I would have had to skip it!
Ryanair has your name on that ticket! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteHi there, I am in time for giving you a recommendation. I did Dublin marathon last year, flying from the Canaries. Very recommendable, Dublin is a small city and you will find the support you need to run your first marathon. Crowds are very good (offering sweets and chocolates) although there are some lonely parts in the circuit. But what is more important is that you will find the support in other runners, it is much better to run with 12.000 runners than to do it witj 2.000 in a three loop course. Do not think twice go to hunt the Leprechaun in Dublin. You have a race review about Dublin in my blog and also the trainings during the months before. I will be running very close to Dublin in fall: Liverpool, first marathon in 20 years on the John lennon´s birthday.
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for all your comments and animos! You all have talked me into it I think! Gonzalo and Ginny, I'll probably be asking you lots of questions about Dublin:)
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