Fall Race Plans

After the drought that is the South Florida racing calendar that is May through August, to scan the fall/winter race options is a bit like being on a diet and standing in front of a scrumptious buffet: I want everything!

However, I have to temper my plans and carefully select races that I really want to do; otherwise, it would be tempting to race every weekend, and I think both my family and my checking account would object. So, after some careful consideration and mindful planning, I unveil for your pleasure: Jess' Fall Race Plans -- ta-da!

October 17: A1A 15K
Technically, this is a "training run" for the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Road Racing Club that they host every year to kick start the SoFlo marathon training season, but it's a timed course, you have to pay to register, you get a shirt and a bib, and they provide course refreshments, so I consider it a race. I ran it 4 years ago when I was kicking off my Disney Marathon training, and it was the first 15K I'd ever run, and I believe maybe even the first time I'd run that distance period.

October 31: Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon
This is a new race in South Florida (last year was the race's inaugural year), and it will be my first time running it, so it will be entirely new to me. The course map looks scenic and the after-race food is supposed to be awesome. Plus, go check out the medal! Pretty dang cool.

November 13: The Key Biscayne 10K
This 10K was my first post-Norah race last year, and I really enjoyed it. Plus, I like 10Ks and there are so few of them around here (it seems like many former 10Ks are getting re-made into half marathons these days), so the chance to run a "rare-breed" race is one I like to take advantage of. Plus, once you read my next race plan, you'll see how this fits into a grander scheme.

November 14: Ft. Lauderdale 13.1
Yup, I am going to try and achieve a mini-version of Disney's Goofy challenge. My version is half the distance of Goofy: 10K on Saturday and Half Marathon on Sunday. When I told Jerry about this plan, he remarked: "So does this mean you're just 'part Goofy'?" Guess so.

November 25: Tamarac Turkey Trot 5K
For me, this is the only 5K worth doing. It's become a Thanksgiving Day tradition for me and I've run it the past 5 years in a row. And how could I not? The course goes right by my front door and the start line is literally a block away. Best race location ever. This year, I think I am going to push Norah in the stroller and try to con Jerry into running it as well (it is our 5 year wedding anniversary afterall, and it's romantic to sweat together, right?). Thus, I hope to make this year's "trot" a family affair!

December 12: Weston Half Marathon
Yeah, I just can't help myself: I have to go for the trifecta of half marathons, so I can round out the year with half a dozen of these bad boys (one of these years, I'd like to race 12 HMs in a year -- one a month -- but to do so, requires a hefty travel budget to fit races in April-Sept and right now, there's no immediate forecast for that kind of travel moola). I've never run this race before, but I have run this course before since I used to run in Weston when I trained for the Chicago Marathon in 2007, so the course is familiar. That's about the only advantage, because otherwise, this course is bor-ing! (Oh, but it is also very cheap: Just $35! A bargain race!)

So, that's the plan, yo. When I told Jerry of my schedule, his response was: "I think you are focusing way too much on running. You should be directing more of your energy toward your fantasy football team."

His opinion.

But if I totally suck at fantasy football, at least I can blame running for taking up my time. Anyhoo...I haven't assembled a training schedule yet, but that's my next task. Doing so is a teeny-bit tricky because I plan to try and continue streaking while training (if I can manage it), but I'll be honest: I'm a mostly "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of girl so I'm not worried -- it'll work out.