April 26, 2016

I've got a fever, and the only cure is more marathons

You know after the Boston Marathon, a day in which every runner at work is in fact sneaking away to watch the Boston Marathon streaming online, that it is almost fall marathon season. Okay so it's at least fall marathon lottery and registration season.  

Everyone and their mother is registering for marathons, maybe catching the fever and running their first or running multiple races. 

Of course as always, I'm super inspired and motivated to train again after watching the Boston Marathon and seeing all the heart and reading all the stories that come out of it. 

boston-marathon-pro-compression-socks

I want another, faster BQ (Boston Marathon qualifying time) since I am less than a minute under my qualifying time and need to be faster to apply and be accepted to run nowadays.  I'm still shy about talking about it, but it's something I want that I can't deny. 

I talked about why a BQ is an A goal but obviously it's not everything here last year before I ran the Chicago Marathon.  Since I wanted to run a flat-ish marathon course, my options were limited. Because of my school schedule I also didn't want to run a marathon that was going to be a big trip and farther away.  

The Philadelphia Marathon has been on my list of races to run for a while.  I've shied away from it the past couple of years because I really would rather run a race earlier in the Fall since I have more time to train in the summer and less in the Fall, especially now that grad school is crazy.  I ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon a couple years ago and have obviously raced there a bunch.  

Once I PRed a half marathon in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago (recap to follow!), my choice to run it was solidified. I love Philly, and it loves me.  I signed up on the day registration open, sadly missing their really discounted marathon entries, but still getting early bird registration. 

philadelphia-marathon-2016-registration

philadelphia-marathon-2016
So yep, Philadelphia Marathon 2016, and I'm all ready to go

Not so fast. Did you forget that I'm a crazy runner lady? 

I've got a fever, and the only cure is more marathons
Maybe I'm an old fart, but this skit never gets old!
I've been getting emails for weeks from the Chicago Marathon about entering the lottery or applying for guaranteed entry (which I qualify for again, as I did last year).  Then I saw a bunch of friends were entering the lottery. Then I thought long and hard about getting vengenace on that Chicago Marathon course which mostly because of the heat last year, kicked my butt. 


So despite only being able to pop in and out of Chi-town for a weekend to run a race, I found myself literally an hour before the lottery and my chance to apply for guaranteed entry ended, pulling out my credit card and submitting my application.  How could I not when I again didn't even have to go through the anxiety-inducing lottery process?!

BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE CHICAGO (when it's not freezing cold and wintry or when it's hot and I'm trying to run 26.2 miles) . 

Honestly Chicago is so well-organized and has been two good experiences for me, that it's hard to not run it again. 

So yup, Chicago again and then Philadelphia a little over a month later. 
Third time's a charm with Chicago?  


chicago-marathon-2016-guarantee-entry

I read you need to forget your last marathon before doing another. I think I have definitely forgotten all the pain and tears from the end of Chicago Marathon 2015 and only remember the smiles, beers, and post-race doughnuts and pizza. 

Runners are a crazy & awesome breed of people.

chicago-marathon-2016-expo

Do you have any big goal races or fit events later in the year? Are you a fellow crazy runner? 

22 comments:

  1. I love the Philly marathon and between that and Chicago I think you will have no problem getting a BQ that's fast enough to get you registered!

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  2. I was a crazy runner last year - did both Baltimore and Philadelphia within five weeks of each other. I think I've done all I can do with the marathon distance and at least for this year am stepping down to try to PR in the 5k.

    I've read speculation that the cutoff for Boston 2017 will actually be much smaller, given the trend of BQ times from last fall's major races and this year's Boston. But I guess we won't know until September. Just don't count yourself out until then.

    I've run Philly six times and despite its shortcomings, I still love the race (though it helps that it's my hometown race and there is a lot of nostalgia tied to it). If you have any questions about it, let me know! Good luck with your training this fall and bettering your BQ. If not 2017, you'll be there in 2018!

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    1. That's totally understandable. Also really interesting about the BQ times. I'll definitely apply anyways! I'd love to talk about Philly after I run Chicago based on my goals. I also have lots of nostalgic Philly love so that helps too!

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  3. You are a crazy running lady but I approve :) My mom ran Philly (her first and only) so I have fond memories of watching her on the course. I am running MCM!

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    1. Haha thanks! Ooh I was toying with the idea of MCM. Maybe I'll be out there on the course cheering!

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  4. I really hope you get another BQ this year, you can do it!

    I love Chicago. I went there for the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon last year, loved it, and I'm going back to run the race again in July. I'm running the NYC Marathon this fall as my first marathon. Hopefully it's a good experience and if it is, I'll be entering the lottery for the Chicago Marathon.

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    1. Thanks so much! NYC is on my list to do one day-everyone loves it!

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  5. Ran the Philly Marathon last year and LOVED it! Of course the weather was abnormally beautiful for November and hopefully it will be for you too! I am a fellow crazy runner: I am due for hip surgery and have postponed it until after I run Ragnar Richmond, Cleveland Half and ZOOMA Annapolis Half. Then I get my surgery and it will be hard core rehab to get back to running for Ragnar DC in September. Like others my main goal is to BQ and being 3-minutes away and having to have surgery, I am more determined (and pissed off) than ever to get it in 2017!

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    1. Lady you're such a hard worker I think you'll totally get it in 2017!

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  6. This is going to be your year to qualify for Boston (and actually get in). I know it!! Hopefully we both can so we can experience the magic that is Marathon Monday together in 2018. So excited for you and to start doing runs together soon!!! Missed you this AM at PR Day! It's like they created this new workout just for us ;)

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  7. I remember talking with you briefly about it. I think you're making a good choice. 2016 is your year.

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  8. wow - good for you!!! I loved running the Philadelphia Half. If I ever ran another marathon, it would be Philly. Good luck to you on both races!

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    1. Thanks so much! I agree that the Philly half is nice!

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  9. YESSSS. This time you need to make sure and see me.

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  10. Woohoo Chicago!! I'm not gonna lie: I'm totally paranoid that it's going to be hot this year, since it's been hot at all the other big US marathon (the Trials and Boston) so far this year. But maybe we'll get lucky. Fingers crossed! And I'm totally with you on forgetting your marathon before registering for another one. The only time I don't ever want to run another marathon is during the last 6.2 or so miles of a marathon - but once that's over and my soreness has gone away I'm ready to think about the next one haha.

    Bethany @ Accidental Intentions

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    1. UGH I KNOW. It's been so warm but there's nothing I can do about this freak weather anywhere nowadays.

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  11. That sounds like a great plan of attack! And if a BQ is your primary goal, and it's warm in Chicago, you could take it easy there and then really go for it in Philly. Excited to see your training and progress.

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