Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Fall Racing Calendar

If you know me, you know I normally have a fairly full racing calendar. With that said, although I have a lot of races on my calendar, I tend not to "race" a lot - meaning, I'll run races as training runs/ with friends/ not with a PR as my main focus.

This past marathon training cycle has included THREE full marathons. I ran the LA Marathon on February 14th, the Phoenix Marathon on February 27th and will run the Big Sur International Marathon on April 24th.

Ha, I didn't realize until I put these two finisher pictures side-by-side how similar
my two February marathon outfits were... I guess I'm pretty predictable!

Let's be real, the distance is a BEAST! I guess my thought with doing so many so close together is that if I'm already in "marathon shape", I might as well get in as many as I can before my fitness level dips down and I have to ramp it up and train all over again.

After Big Sur, I don't have any full marathons on my calendar for the year. I entered the drawing for the NYC Marathon, but if you remember the news from a couple weeks back - I didn't get in. So now my calendar is WIDE OPEN.

Yes, I realize it is crazy to already have a race on the
calendar for February 2017, but the registration prices
are just THAT good... Also, as you can see, my fall
(& winter) months are WIDE OPEN as of right now!

Having said that, I think I would like my fall full marathon (if I were to add one to the calendar) to be a FAST FULL! I think if I'm going to go through the motions, I'm going to give it my all and see what I can really do (I will be the first to admit that this training cycle I put in the mileage, but totally slacked on any and all speed work - hence my slower times).

Now, that doesn't mean I am going to be charging for a BQ or necessarily a PR, but I do think that if I run a fall full, I'd like it to be a fast course and one that I could really get serious about (unlike Big Sur which is TOTALLY all about the views... I mean have you seen that course?!).

So, here is where I need your help...


I'd love to hear the suggestions you have for a FAST FALL FULL! I have a couple potential races in the back of my mind (the Detroit Marathon {it would sort of be like a homecoming for me, finally getting to run a race in the state that I grew up in and love dearly}, the St. George Marathon {I've heard great things but it is a lottery entry so even if I want to do it, it's up to the race gods as to whether or not I get in and can run it}, the REVEL Canyon City Marathon {let's just say I have some unfinished business from last year and might need a redemption race}, etc.), but I know my scope is narrow and limited, so I figured I'd open it up to YOU!

Any suggestions for a fast full marathon?

33 comments:

Erica Kolsrud said...

I was thinking of doing the Twin Cities - first weekend of October. It is a top 10 urban marathon, nice BQ course, but a few rolling hills I am told. But weather should be nice. And if you did it then I would for sure sign up!

Anonymous said...

Do Detroit! I've heard it's a great race and you get to go international into Canada!

Unknown said...

Columbus! It's an incredible race and a really fast course. Good luck!

Kerri said...

I know that the location of this race isn't "exciting" but the Nebraska state fair marathon is billed as the fastest, flattest course in the country. I ran the half last year and oh em gee. Flatter than a pancake!

Unknown said...

Chicago, Revel CottonWood, Revel Canyon City, Twin Cities, WineGlass, Philadelphia Marathon

Erica @ Erica Finds said...

Steamtown is my fave fast fall fall. I have also heard great things about Columbus. There is always CHICAGO (also a lottery now - but you may get in on qual time - I think it is 3:45 - that was your Revel Time?) Wineglass.

Bree at Clarity Defined said...

I've heard great things about the Ventura Marathon (in September) being a really fast course (and a great one for BQing). I haven't done it myself because I say no to marathons, haha, but I'm from Ventura so I know a lot of people that have run it.

I'd guess Vegas RNR would be pretty flat and fast depending on the crowds.

Unknown said...

Chicago, flat fast course, but it is lottery and that is still open to enter. October weather can be hit or miss though so you need to be prepared for hot or cold! There a number of great IL marathons in the fall that have flat fast courses, Fox Valley and Naperville to name a couple. Also I've heard great things about Milwaukee too! Good luck!!

Kristen said...

I second Steamtown!! I grew up in Scranton and am planning to make it my first ever Full this fall :)

Mattie said...

I think the Holualoa Tuscon Marathon is fast (downhill).

Unknown said...

Eau Palm Beach Marathon in West Palm Beach, FL is very flat.

Edith said...

Richmond Marathon in Virginia! I ran my BQ there but it wasn't fast enough to get in to Boston for 2016 =(
It's a great course with great spectators, nice shirts, medals, hat and finisher blankets! And I would get to meet you in person! I'm already signed up for this year's race!

Lindsay W said...

What about Portland? I've been looking into that one.

Unknown said...

scotiabank Toronto marathon is flat and fast! And with our dollar being so low makes it a great price for Americans!

see_tiff_run said...

Because I would LOVE to meet you (and I have 3 kids and don't get to leave the Midwest very often), I'm going to suggest the Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita, KS. It's the same day as Chicago. I haven't ran the full because I was injured last fall, but I know the half course was fast and flat.

Unknown said...

Twin Cities in Minnesota!

Duchess said...

Twin Cities or Steamtown. My friend BQ'd Steamtown this year...and I run Twin Cities every year :)

Kat said...

Try 'Light at the End of the Tunnel Light' in Washington.

FunRunner said...

I am not running it this year but the Air Force Marathon in Dayton Ohio is fast, there are some boring sections on it, but the medals are awesome and are handed out by 4 star Generals as you cross the finish line. There is also a fly over at the beginning of the race.

Unknown said...

Portland is AWESOME! (And you can save $10 with code MEGAN16) :)

Catherine said...

Space Coast is a flat full, come to FL! It's always Thanksgiving Sunday and is a beautiful course along the river. http://spacecoastmarathon.com Plus it has really cool medals!

SD Mom said...

Go finish your business in Canyon City!

Unknown said...

I know you're a Michigan fan and all, but Columbus has a super flat and fast course. I'm not sure how that compares to Detroit's course. I heard Wineglass is also flat and I had planned on doing that this year but I can't.

*krystyn* said...

For me 2016 is a full race calendar as well, but only halfs and 5k races for me. I'm super jealous though that you'll be doing DDD at DL in September...I so desperately want to sign up and get my Coast to Coast, but between flights and the race cost, it's just not in this school employee's budget. Soooooooooooo bummed!!

On a brighter note, I'll be running the Race13.1 in Detroit on July 2!! Join me???

Knoxie13 said...

I haven't done the full, but the Beat the Blerch half in Carnation, WA was fantastically flat. If the full is similar, I would say its a pretty fast course. The weather can't be beat, either!

robin@kneadtocook.com said...

Steamtown is a good one and in PA so I can come and cheer you on!!!

Sarah said...

There are so many good fall races! Definitely hard to choose. I recommend Ventura Marathon. it's totally flat. I ran half last year. It was unusually hot in CA in September, but other than that is was an amazing race. Cool medals, beach finish & flat!!!!

Stephie said...

Detroit is always fun! Between the Bridge and the Tunnel and running in two countries you can't beat it! I have unfinished business there, but I'll be in NC doing a half iron that weekend this year.

Unknown said...

It's a totally RANDOM, but awesome marathon...the Quad Cities Marathon. It's September 25 this year. http://qcmarathon.org/

I actually ran this as my first marathon back in 2011. Almost 5 marathons and an Ironman later, I would definitely do this one again.

Ange @ Cowgirl Runs said...

I'm AMAZED you can run so many marathons so close together! I hope I can get to a point where my brain and body can handle it, but dang it's HARD!

I'd love to run Free Press one year, it's such a neat concept!

Rebecca said...

Would you be interested in the east coast? I'd love for you to join me at the Newport Marathon in Rhode Island!

Reese said...

I'm doing Richmond as my first marathon in November, I hear it's a good BQ race (not that I'm trying for that at all). It's also "America's Friendliest Marathon."

Where are your skirts from? They are so cute!

Unknown said...

Twin Cities Marathon! First weekend in October and you get to see our beautiful city :) nothing better than Minnesota nice!