2013 Marathon Planning

Its hard to describe exactly how my marathon planning takes shape, but eventually it does.  Some marathons I choose because of the destination, others I choose because friends are going there.

I don’t keep a good chart, computer file, or physical file of my race planning – so I am welcome to suggestions as to how you organize your race planning.

The following Marathon planning list is as much for my own record keeping, as it is a request for your assistance.  If you have any suggestions for my planned visits please add your comments below.   If you are also running any of these listed marathon, please let me know – It would be great to meet! 

1. ING MIAMI MARATHON. Miami, Florida.
Date: Sunday January 27, 2013.
This will be my third year running the Miami Marathon.  I combine this with a visit to see my best friend in Jupiter, FL, so I typically travel to PBI on Thursday, spend 2 nights in Jupiter, then 2 nights in Miami and return from MIA on Monday.  Last year, at about Mile 15, I almost went flying because of a banana peel….. At Mile 23, there were parrot heads serving margaritas!  (Registration paid; Flights are booked; hotel: Hyatt Regency Miami)

–FEBRUARY – no marathon planned yet. I’m open to suggestions, but it will be a busy month in any event because I’ll be going to Israel during President’s Week.  I’ve never been there and am excited.

2. TOBACCO ROAD MARATHON.  Carey, North Carolina.
Date: Sunday March 17, 2013
This will be my second year running this marathon.  My friend Janice lives nearby, so its a good way to catch up.  I like North Carolina.  This is a nice marathon, run along a pretty packed trail. Its also very easy and inexpensive to fly from NYC to RDU.  Last year I was injured and walked the marathon.  The sweep mobile was on my butt the whole time. (Registration paid; Flights are booked; need to book reservation at the host hotel, Embassy Suites.  Holding Sunday night reserv at Hyatt Place RDU Airport).

— International Trip – late March – early April

3. GO! ST. LOUIS MARATHON.  St. Louis, Missouri.
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2013.
I few years ago, I ran a marathon in St. Charles, MO, that I really enjoyed.  I was impressed with St. Louis, so when I saw that Go! St. Louis was on a day that fit my schedule, I decided to go for it.  This will be a quick trip – Saturday morning to Sunday night.  (need to register and book flight. hotel: Hyatt Regency, St. Louis)

— Frequent Traveler University, Travel Geek Seminar – Tyson’s Corner, Virginia – late April

4. PUERTO RICO MARATHON.  San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Date: Sunday, May  5, 2013
The first weekend in May is always a huge weekend for marathons.  Most of my Marathon Maniac friends will be running the Tacoma Marathon – I was a little torn, but I ran it last year.  I had also been thinking of running the Vancouver Marathon, but decided to save a trip to Vancouver for the summer, when I can spend a little more time there.  So, I decided on the Puerto Rico Marathon, when there was a $50 Groupon for it a few weeks ago. Yeah, I’m a pushover for deals.  My friend Kevin laughs at me: he says, I jump on a Marathon entry bargain, then spend $800 to get there.  OK, so I’m a little confused sometimes, but this sounds like a good marathon.  Plus, if Puerto Rico becomes a state, I’ll have run a marathon in all 51 states!  The host hotel is the Caribe Hilton.  I will probably go from Saturday to Tuesday. (proviso, I am having second thoughts about this marathon.  I am a little concerned with the organization and the host hotel. It is still possible that I might switch my marathon to Vancouver….. we’ll see ) (registered for Puerto Rico Marathon; need to book flight and hotel)

5. [Maybe] NEW JERSEY LIBERTY RUN MARATHON AND FLEET WEEK FESTIVAL.  Jersey City, New Jersey.
Date: Saturday May 25, 2013
This is an inaugural marathon.  It is convenient from NYC.  If I am in town for Memorial Day Weekend, this may be something nice to do. (I have not registered)

6.  THE WIPRO SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON. San Francisco, California.
Date: Sunday, June 16, 2013
I have family and friends who live in San Francisco and I really like the city.  People are surprised that I’ve never run the San Francisco Marathon.  There was a cheap airfare a few months ago on Delta and I booked a flight from Thursday to Tuesday.  I will mainly stay with friends and family, but am deciding whether to book a hotel for the night of the marathon.  Hotels are very expensive – I won a free night at any Radisson Hotel in North America in a contest recently – should I use the voucher for San Francisco?  (registered, flights booked; hotel undecided)

— JULY AND AUGUST.  I am undecided.  The last two years I ran the Great Cranberry Island 50K in Maine in July.  Its a wonderful event, with great camaraderie and amazing lobster. That is one possibility. Another is the Missoula Marathon, which I ran about 5 years ago.  Its a “reunion” marathon for the 50 State Marathon Club.  Its a pain to get to, would probably use miles if I went.  Another possibility is the Lululemon half marathon in Vancouver, BC, Canada in August. I usually take one or two longer vacation trips which don’t necessarily entail running a race during July and/or August (last year, I went to Mexico and Argentina).

7.  MAUI MARATHON. Maui, Hawaii.
Date: September 22, 2013
I’ve heard good things about this marathon (well, except for the heat and humidity), and I caught an airfare under $600, so I figured, what the hell. I was here a number of years ago for a wedding, and enjoyed the area.  I am arriving Thursday night and leaving Tuesday morning – a short trip by most people’s standards – a long trip by mine!
(registered for marathon, booked flights, holding reservations at the Hyatt Regency).

— October Seminars for Frequent Crazy Travelers – Chicago – mid-October

8.  [maybe] MARINE CORPS MARATHON. Arlington,Virginia
Date: October 27, 2013
I’ve never run the Marine Corps Marathon.  Last year I was registered but never got there because of Hurricane Sandy.  So, the question is, do I try again? (registration opens March 27, 2013 – sold out in 2 hours last year – need transportation – holding Hyatt Arlington on points)

— NOVEMBER:  I’M NOT RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON. 
I repeat: I’M NOT RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON.  
I’M NOT RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON.  
I’M NOT RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON
Sure, I say this every year, and then somehow register on the last day anyway.  Having run this race more than 15 times, I am eligible to register, without entering a lottery.  As much as I love the NYC Marathon, I need a break from it.  I will probably be in town for this though, and here to greet and cheer for all of you.

9. ANTHEM RICHMOND MARATHON. Richmond, Virginia.
 Date: November 16, 2013
I’ve heard consistently good reports about the Richmond Marathon.  Thought Maybe this would be the year to run it. Plus, I know some people in the Richmond Area, so maybe I’d get to see them.  Question – is there an easy alternative to flying into Richmond Airport?  (I have not registered, or booked travel or hotel).

10.  [Maybe] AMICA SEATTLE MARATHON. Seattle, Washington.
Date: December 1, 2012
I was certain that I wanted to run this marathon, but it just dawned on me that this is Thanksgiving weekend, so I may have to change this to a “Maybe.”  I love Seattle, but flights and award availability is a little high.  Since its a holiday weekend, I would likely travel with Won’t Run For Miles, who likely Won’t Want To Pay too much, so the question is, is there a fun destination over Thanksgiving weekend that he and I can go to (this past Thanksgiving, we went to Istanbul and Amsterdam), and I can travel to a marathon another weekend in December.

 Assuming I don’t get injured, this marathon schedule is quite do-able, and I can probably even add a few more into the mix.

  Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.  Feel free to comment below, or to email me at WillRunForMiles@gmail.com.  You can also find me on Twitter at Katruns26point2.

Please tell me if you live in any of these cities, or you want to join in on  any of these trips. –>