I’m not the most decisive person. Not always but most of the time. If someone has a strong opinion, I’m happy to just go with it and leave the decision making to them. It drives my husband crazy.
Right now, I’m stuck. One of my goals for 2013 is to run a half marathon but I can’t decide which race to run!
Some of you may remember that I was supposed to run the MORE/FITNESS Magazine half marathon last April when I got sidetracked by injury.
Now, I’m back to running and feel comfortable and I really want to run a half marathon this year. Part of it is for redemption and part of it is for the love, joy and thrill of training for a race again. I haven’t trained for and run a race in a really long time (2005 maybe?) but I kind of love the idea of training. It makes me excited.
Here’s the thing. I want a local race. I don’t really have it in me to do a destination race (although part of me would really love to run SeaWheeze – Lululemon’s half marathon in Vancouver). I would prefer to run a spring race so that I can focus the second half of the year on yoga and yoga teacher training.
I’ve narrowed it down to three races:
- MORE/FITNESS Magazine Half Marathon – April 14
- New Jersey Half Marathon – May 5 (PS Why is it officially called the Long Branch Half Marathon while the full marathon is called the New Jersey Marathon?)
- Brooklyn Half Marathon – TBD (I’m assuming it will be sometime in May like it was last year but New York Road Runners hasn’t released the date yet.
Or, should I put off the half marathon until the fall and focus more on building up my running base and leg strength so that maybe I will be in a better position to run the race that I want to run versus just completing the race?
HELP ME!
Have you run any of these races? Is there another race that I should consider? What would you do? Discuss.
I say do the Brooklyn half, this gives you plenty of time to start building a base, then start a training plan about 16 weeks prior to the race. I’m excited for you! Go get that 13.1
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Sorry that I’m useless to answer this question. Wrong coast. Just pick a race that you enjoy and that gives you plenty of time to train properly. I’m planning a mid April half…we can compare notes!
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My input: is Philly too far? I would recommend doing the Broad Street Run in early May. 10 miles. And then do a fall half. Give yourself the base to run the race you WANT to run. Good luck!
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Hmmm, that’s a really interesting idea. Philly isn’t too far and my in-laws live nearby. Thanks for the suggestion!
No problem
I personally love running in Philly and early May tends to be nice weather.
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None if the above and run San fan instead with all of us…cduh.
Ok I joke I joke.
I haven’t run any of those, but I have heard some great things about the Brooklyn half!! If I was closer to the city this year I’d sooooo run that one!
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I would kind of love to run San Fran but don’t think that I can (but maybe I’ll be out there to cheer you on?). I love the idea of the Brooklyn Half. I just wish that they would release the race date!
I would say the Brooklyn Half gives you plenty of time to build up your base…but then again I love racing in the fall!!
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I’m very indecisive too so I’m the wrong person to ask! I’d go with the latest race just to give yourself time to build more. Good luck!!
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i’m going with the first one simply beacuse it’s the day before my birthday. that seems like reason enough, right?!
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That’s a good reason
I would love to do SeaWheeze too – looks like so much fun and I love destination races (and lulu)
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Doesn’t it look like such a fun race? One year I will do it.
I worry about you so I’m going to go with you running it as late as possible and that Ed has under his eagle eye to make sure you’re not pushing yourself or your newly improved knee to hard. xo
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I think you can safely build up to a half distance for late spring. The Brooklyn one would be super cool b/c it’s your home turf. The NJ one would be pretty cool, too, being at the shore, plus Michele (NYCrunningmama) is running the full. I might be tempted to come join you at one of them, too!
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Michele’s trying to convince me to do NJ. I’m seriously torn!! And it would be so fun to have you join one of those races!
No pressure – but if you run NJ on 5/5, I will come and cheer you on. It’s practically in my back yard!
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I’ve very tempted you know. I’ll keep you posted.
I’m training for my first half marathon right now and I’m feeling really good about the 12 week training path that I’m on. I think you should do a spring race, but I’m no help on which one as I am a SoCal girl. http://www.thebusymomsdiet.com/half-marathon-training-plan-for-a-busy-mom/
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The Brooklyn one seems cool. If there is any of the Lady Speed Stick Women’s Half’s around you I would highly suggest it…I did 2 of them last year and they are wonderfully run!
xoxo from Trinidad
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Thanks Corey. I’ll look to see if there are any of the Lady Speed Stick halfs in my area. Sounds like fun!
I haven’t run any of those… and also tend to be indecisive as well! If you’re worried about strength and a good base, I’d go for one in May for a few extra weeks to train. Wish I could meet up at one of these! I’m hoping to do a fall race in the northeast…
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I’m hoping that you do a fall race in the northeast too!!
Sure can’t help you with any of them. Maybe the most scenic?
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More Half! I’ll be at the expo & out there cheering you on!!!! Also, Philly RnR Half in September is a while away but is an amazing race and is definitely on my calendar. Join me!
I was thinking about the Philly RnR half too. Hmmmm, why is it so difficult to make a decision? I’m so torn!
I am partial to the Long Branch half since I live in NJ (and am considering it myself!). Just pick one you feel is far enough away to train for (as much as you want to) and you would enjoy (would you rather look at the ocean or explore Brooklyn?). In the fall, my usual races are Philly Rock’n'Roll Half and Atlantic City Marathon/Half/10K/5K in October. Good luck deciding!!
~Ang
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Thanks Ang. I was looking at the Philly RnR half for a fall race if I didn’t do a spring one. And I’ve heard good things about Long Branch. I know I just need to figure out for myself what makes sense and what my preference is.
I did Brooklyn back in the day and it is a really nice run! And, you know me, I’m never fully prepared but run anyway. And, yoga teacher training? Did I miss a post somewhere??
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Nope. Didn’t miss a post. Haven’t made a final decision on yoga teacher training. Trying to figure out schedules which is partially why I’m having trouble deciding on a half!
NJM! I so want to run that, but I’ve got a work thing that will likely prevent me from doing so. Always next year, right?
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There IS always next year. That’s a good point. I could always do one of the other ones next year, right?
I’m awful. I want to RUN ALL THE RACES! I have to learn the art of all things in moderation!
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Oh they all sound so good! I would wait until the latest one so that you are not rushed in getting yourself ready
Take your time and build up.
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I am indecisive too it drives my hubs crazy. I would pick one you haven’t done before/haven’t trained in that area so the scenery is new. ORRRRRR come do the Zooma Cape Cod half in September with me
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I have weight I’m trying to lose from injuries i had several years ago-part of my problem is age and distance so when I considered a Half I decided that I would choose the one (November) that left me with as much time as I could to train and weigh less, so I could complete my race (even though for me it is NOT a race), and run more than walk, which at this point is mostly what I have to slow and do! I tend to err on the side of caution, (again I have another person depending on me-so I am extra careful) but ask yourself how you feel? Are you ready to go that distance yet? Good Luck! You’ll do great!
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Thanks Sue. That sounds like a great plan you have!! I usually err on the side of caution but there’s a part of me that just wants to get at it. I think it’s because I’ve been injured and recovering for so long! Good luck to you too!
Pending NYRR keeps the new Brooklyn Half course and you can get in (last year it sold out in like 8hours – who knows if they will do a lottery?) I say go for BROOKLYN! even though I literally finished in last place last year it was awesome!
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Last year’s course looked like so much fun. I hope that they keep it. I kind of annoys me that they don’t release the whole race calendar for the year!
It sounds like you have other goals for the Fall and plenty of time for a spring half, so my vote is one of those! But, I don’t know a thing about those races, so no help there. I always look for good weather (50s is ideal for me) and an elevation profile I like. Good luck with your decision!
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If I could pick one to do myself I would choose the More/Fitness half. It looks really fun! I don’t know much about the actual races though, sorry!
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Wow! I like them all. I really wanted to do the race in vancouver too. When I saw it in Runners World I was so envious of everyone that was going to get to run it.
How much have you been running? If you think you can safely get to the mileage, I’d do any of those. Which one has the best scenery?
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If it were me I’d go with the More/Fitness race since you weren’t able to run it last year. Plus I love magazines. Haha!
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I would say – base it on your overall goal: just to ‘complete’ one or to increase stamina and speed and aim for a faster finish? It sounds like the latter, upon reading, so if htat’s the case, I vote fall and in Boston. Great one in Newburyport….just saying
You knew where I was going with that suggestion in part, right?! Either way, I am excited for you!
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I was just going to say what Jobo did – depends on your goals, or if just finishing, after your surgery last year, is goal ‘enough’. I vote for Brooklyn (might also be the same weekend I am doing mine, the one I think you *really* should be doing, ha ha!)
how funny, I am not decisive when it comes to things like eating out, but race selection I can usually do
I look at where i want to travel and then what folks have said about the course. I am sure you’ll have fun at any of them!
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I think you can safely build for a May race…
I want to tell you to come a little more north and run Toronto. It’s May 5th….
OK, I’m going to tweet it out and tempt you by tagging some folks, one of whom is a cyborg and she might come after you.
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Come and do San Diego in June!
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I think that if you have the time to train and really feel like you’ve healed from the injury, then go for it! Racing is so much fun. Can’t wait to get back out there myself!
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I have no clue what to suggest- I’m indecisive too!! Very exciting though!
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I vote anything on my coast
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My vote goes to SeaWheeze! But if you really don’t want to travel, the Brooklyn one sounds good. But isn’t it multiple laps? In some ways that could be fun.
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I vote either NJ or Brooklyn – but only b/c I am doing both of those – HAHA. I think you will be fine by the late spring – you are already up to a good # of miles…we are still 3 months out from the earliest one, so I think you would be fine =)
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