Planning the next move

With the holidays done and 2011 stretching out ahead of me, I figured it was time to seek out my next running challenge. I've been looking in to doing a second half marathon. Back when there were still green leaves on the trees, I had grandiose visions of running a full marathon this summer, but after completing a half back in November, I came to two conclusions.

1. I think I need to train for and run at least one more half before I take on the challenge of a full.
And
2. I love running, not racing.

Don't get me wrong, I could run a 5k every weekend without skipping a beat, but a half is a whole different animal.
This is what I consider running: I love getting up on a Sunday morning, eating eggs and toast while I complete all my weekend-work, then getting dressed and going for a long run. Out the front door. The run goes wherever I say it does. My course. My rules. My schedule.

Racing on the other hand looks something like this: Pack all necessary belongings and hope I didn't forget anything. Figure out how to simulate eggs and toast in a hotel room at 5:00 AM (in case you're wondering, hard boiled eggs and bread and butter are about as close as it gets) Drive far. Wake up terribly early. Get to start line. Wait...and wait...and wait. Run when and where you're told to.

There are some things to love about racing; the sense of being a part of something, crossing the finish line, cheering people on the sidelines, and most of all, training.

So while I don't absolutely love racing, I do adore running to train for a race. Running when and where I want, but still working toward a goal. So, while I don't think I'm ready for a full marathon race this summer, I think doing another half will give me more confidence to work toward that goal. After all, I didn't always think 5Ks were a walk in the park. But hopefully with another 13.1 mile race under my belt, I'll feel more comfortable with the idea of 26.2.

After much consideration and searching, I think I've decided on Boston's Run the Remember, held Memorial Day weekend. I haven't registered yet, but my mind is pretty made up. Aside from being in the middle of a long weekend, and far enough out that I can wait until the threat of snow has passed to start training, the date has significance not just for our country, but for me, but I'll save that explanation for my next post.

In the meantime,
Hope, love, run,
Marathon Girl