Roadmap of 2013 Races
Last week, I set 8 big goals for 2013. Transforming these goals from dreams to reality will require 2 things: 1) the discipline to do the work it will take to reach them and 2) a purpose-driven roadmap of races to guide my training plans and journey. Know what you want to do. Make a plan to get there.
Below is the list of 2013 races that will direct the compass of my training and racing schedule this year. I have chosen these based on the following factors:
- Located within driving distance of where I live to save costs: During the last 3 years, I’ve taken a lot of racecations: long weekends in New Orleans, Las Vegas, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Florida, and Savannah. While I love a great racecation, this year I am being more mindful of the amount of money and time away I spend on my running and triathlon addiction.
- Fits within times of the year that provide a full training cycle to optimize performance: I know there are many people out there who love to race. People who run half marathons or marathons every month or 5Ks every weekend. I appreciate those of you out there who love to race a lot. However, I am interested in quality over quantity. I want to give myself a full training cycle to train for each race – a 16-week half marathon training plan to reach my half marathon goal. A full 8 weeks to transition to a 10K-focused training plan to reach my 10K goal. 16-21 weeks to prepare for my half Ironman. You get the point.
- Has a course and weather conditions I personally tend to excel in: When possible, I’m trying to zero-in on races that have mostly flat and fast courses, temperatures below 55 degrees, quality race amenities and support, etc.
I will likely tweak the below schedule slightly, but this is where my head is today on 2013 races I will be taking on:
- January 13: Hot Chocolate 15K – Purpose: Run purely for fun and to enjoy being with my running friends. No time goals, lots of picture taking.
- March 2: Mississippi Trail 20K – Purpose: Complete my first trail race.
- April 28: Divas Half Marathon Myrtle Beach – Purpose: First attempt at 1:45 marathon time. I’m excited about the flat course and fun, all-female environment (people hand out boas and tiaras along the course and focus on pampering you). I’m concerned about hot conditions. The average temperatures in April range from 51 to 76 degrees F. The average 64 degree temp is much, much hotter than I like and excel in. I’m compromising my ideal average temperatures for a flat course, proximity to where I live and race timing in the calendar.
- July 4: Peachtree Road Race – Purpose: First attempt at 48-minute 10K. This may be challenging given that the temperatures are typically in the 80s and that the second half of the course is hilly. But I think it is still possible. Or at least it will definitely be a better performance than I gave last year. This race has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It was the first 10K I ever ran when I was 13, and I’ve been a spectator since I was 4 years old.
- August 4: PT Solutions Acworth Women’s Sprint Triathlon – Purpose: Triathlon training opportunity before my half Ironman (I may squeeze in one additional short triathlon before October 26 as another training opportunity.)
- October 12: Rock ‘n’ Roll Brooklyn 10K with Brooks Running Purpose: To have fun with the team from Brooks Running and attempt my second 10K time of 48 minutes or faster
- October 26: PPD Beach2Battleship Half Ironman – Purpose: Attempt a finish time under 5:46, improving my bike time from last year and my run time slightly.
- November 10 or December 14: Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon (not flat) or Kiawah Island Half Marathon – Purpose: Second attempt at 1:45 half marathon, building off the training from my half Ironman
Races still to be determined include an overnight relay race.
I would love to know if you will be at any of these races! It is always great meeting virtual running friends!
What races do you have planned for 2013? What do you think of my current race schedule? Are there any half marathons or 10Ks within driving distance of Atlanta you think I should consider that aren’t on this list? (Preferably races that are primarily flat and in cooler temperatures)
Comments
I think it’s smart to space out your races this way and allow for proper training. I’m one of those that falls into the once race per month category, though I’m sure that’ll change soon. Really, I’m just trying to get used to performing in an actual race (my pace, etc.).
Right now, I’m pacing slow on my long runs, but feeling great and strong afterwards. Entering races gives me a better indication of my performance so I know what I need to work on and where I need to improve.
I still have to figure out an appropriate race schedule for this year, but so far, my big goals are: 1.) Run a 50k in April, 2.) finish first in a trail race (of any distance, really. I want to run, race it and finish first). That means lots of long runs, and some speedwork in between, but I think it’s doable 🙂
Hi Ricardo! You have some seriously awesome goals for this year! I’m going to take on my FIRST trail race, while you are going to finish FIRST in one. Love it! Also glad to hear you are feeling so good on your long runs. That is so key — both mentally and physically. Good luck with your training!!!
Your rules are similar to mine – at least in regards to the traveling. I’m trying to make sure that all my races this year (aside from two I’ve been committed to already) are local, or require a MAX one-night hotel stay (so… drive-able, basically).
I’ll be at Hot Chocolate on Sunday!
I would love to meet you on Sunday, Megan! Good luck at the race.
I’ve always wanted to run Peachtree! You have such a great line up, can’t wait to follow you this year!
Thank you so much, Lisa. And thanks for being an inspiration to me!
Great race calendar, I have still not gotten around to actually doing one of those yet! I am actually in the works of planning a move to Atlanta later this year. My boyfriends family always participates in the Peachtree, so if we are there I will definitely be at that race!
Awesome, Adrienne! Please keep me posted!
Great goal races. I’m so indecisive about what ones I want to commit to!
You are going to love Beach 2 Battleship! I did the full this past October as my first full distance tri and I’m very glad that I picked that race as my first full distance. Whatever your swim time at Augusta was will be about the same because you are with the current the whole way; the bike course is totally flat with hardly any headwind (this was a major problem in previous years but since they changed the race from November to October there’s hardly any wind), and the run is flat except for this very steep, but short hill that you will have to climb one time for the half within the first 2 miles, a small brige (the whole thing is about 10 -15 steps long) that goes over a little brook or stream at about mile 4; and a small but long incline that you have to do twice, once around mile 5 and again at mile 8. The weather is perfect. The run gets a little warm, but it’s cooler than Georgia or Florida (where I’m from). It was about 70 – 75. Let me know if you have any questions about the course and/or check out my race report on my blog.
Thank you so much for all the great advice, Maria! I’m so glad you think I’ve picked a good race!!! I can’t wait to find your race recap and study it fully. Thank you again!
I love how you have a purpose with each race. This is so important. In 2011 I kept racing and racing thinking it would make me faster for a fall marathon, but it wore me out and I ended up overtrained. I haven’t signed up for any races this year, but when I do they will each have a purpose. Thanks for your post: reminded me to stay focused and not get crazy with the races.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Sarah. I recently read the book Run Less. Run Faster. which really reminded me to be more aware of the purpose of every run and race. I’d highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already.
DIVAS is a maybe on my list for April 🙂 Depends how finances look by March!
Yay! Excited to hear that. Please keep me posted! Would love to meet up!