My running hasn’t been going well lately - I’ve felt a bit like I’ve been faltering. After running the SLC half, I was waiting to see if I won the St George lottery before deciding my summer running schedule. I really don’t run well aimlessly – I need a plan and something to train for. Something big too – 5k races, and even 1/2s aren’t much of a challenge anymore. I need a marathon to train for. Well, the lottery results were in last Friday, and I didn’t make it into St George this year. I was so sure that I’d get in again, that I hadn’t even considered what to do instead. And I really wanted to train for a fall marathon. I did have a few options to consider: Park City, Top of Utah, Marine Corps, or Vegas were all on my list. But none of them were jumping out at me.
Park City is at the end of August and just a little too early in the season to be considered a fall marathon – and the route looks a bit difficult (if I’m gonna run a marathon, I want it to be as easy as possible). From the website, the route looks like it goes up a mountain. I’m not that good of a runner yet.
Top of Utah looks like a great route (mostly downhill at a 1-2% grade), running from Hardware Ranch down into Logan City. But, since it’s the week after LOTOJA, I’d have to run it alone – which would be ok, I guess. It’s always more fun to have a friend with me at the start line.
Marine Corps (considering I could even get into that one) would be so awesome – run around the landmarks of DC – and my dad was a Marine. But, that one would be expensive since I’d have to buy plane tickets (I would have somewhere to stay though, as I have family in the DC area).
Vegas looks like a nice flat route, which actually would be kind of boring – is it strange that I actually prefer hills? I like running up and down. But, the elevation of Vegas would give me a boost – I’m sure I’d do well with the lower elevation. The race is in December, which would mean doing some long runs in the cold of November – that doesn’t sound too fun. Vegas also has one big drawback – it’s in VEGAS. And I HATE Vegas – it’s the epitome of everything that is wasteful and sinful in the world, and I don’t enjoy it there.
So, after much “humming and hawing,” I made a decision: I registered for Top of Utah. It feels good to have a plan. I’m starting out with a much higher level of fitness this year, so I have high hopes. I’m hoping to shave an entire hour off of my time from last year.
And, with views like these, how could it not be great:
10 comments:
YOU GO GIRL!!! Great choice. The Marine Corp Marathon already filled up :( and I had to work that day, crazily. I am looking high and low for the right one too. You are doing great! Awesome pace! I finally ran a 11'30 10K last weekend, and it was HARD. So, I will keep on training. I love a good hour, running in my neighborhood.
I entered the NY Marathon Lottery. If I get in, I will freak out! TBD...
sister, three things:
1: do you need someone who lives in st. george to enter the marathon for you? prob too late this year, and i don't know if it makes a difference, but i don't live down here in the oven for nothin'
2: have you been to MY vegas?? vegas has reinvented itself the last 10 years and there are sooooo many cool places to stay and shows to see!! sin city it still is, but you need to come down and go with me!
3: you said LOTJA (did i get that right? prob not) and our friend is semi-obsessed with those....right on!!
You go on with your bad self. I can barely fathom running a 5k and here you are doing a marathon again. I bow at your greatness!
I've been to Vegas lots - its just not my favorite place. I'm more of an outdoorsy-type person. But, Mindi, I'm willing to give it one more chance if you're offering to take me :)
And yes - LOTOJA - a 206 mile bike ride from Logan to Jackson in one day!!
Wow. I don't think I could do a marathon. I actually trained for the ST. George...(we got in) but didn't get passed 15 miles in training due to some bad hips (I'm like a grandma). I really would like to run the Provo 1/2 because i LOVE it, but I don't think I'll be able to until I fix the foot. I admire your bravery to go for it and I think the route pics look amazing.
Good luck with the marathon. It looks really nice. I admire people who run marathons.
About the Vegas thing...being a local now for 2 years...we love it here. Vegas has everything from shopping comparable to any city in the U.S., restaurants of every kind (not just the chain restaurants that dot the Utah landscape), snow and water skiing within 30 minutes of the strip, Red Rock and Valley of Fire State parks with 30 minutes of the strip (both are beautiful and offer hiking/climbing/biking), Mt. Charleston is within 30 minutes of the strip (looks like the cottonwood canyons but no rivers year round), Death Valley National Park within an hour from the strip, Hoover Dam, Lake Las Vegas, great concert venues, and I can’t forget the great LDS people (Anthem Ward is the best) and wards. We’ve never felt more welcome and part of a ward than in our ward in Vegas. Vegas has its sins but there are plenty of other wholesome activities within minutes of the strip (but not within blocks of the strip unless you dig drugs and prostitution). It’s the number one vacation spot in the U.S...beating out Florida and Hawaii. If you’re ever in the area we’ll direct you to some fun places.
Sorry for blabbing on. I am stoked for you and your marathon adventures. Are you participating in LOTOJA too?
Oh, I forgot to add...
How sweet was it when we went bungee jumping at circus circus and you won the drawing at the stratosphere? Good times.
Yeah, if you're an outdoorsy kind of person, you'll love Red Rock Canyon - it's gorgeous!!!
I truly admire you! Keep up the good work. I would love to run, but need to get in a routine after our move.
That is awesome, I so admire you for all the success you've had with your running! You truly rock! Although I wish you were doing the Marine Corps marathon because then you could come visit ME! But that's selfish of me. ;)
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