So, it will likely come as a surprise to no one that I really want to run one more half marathon this spring. I’m in a groove and I’m liking it. But, my spring is a little crazy with soccer games and events and other social activities, so I’m pretty well limited to one weekend.
That leaves me with three race options:
Redemption
My very first half marathon was the Zooma Annapolis half marathon in 2008. It was not a good experience for me. Some of it was my fault, some of it was beyond my control, some of it was the race itself. Thankfully, like childbirth, while I remember being miserable, the pain has diminished enough to think I could run it better. (Not necessarily faster as speed is barely making a comeback and it will likely be warm, but better and smarter.)
Wine
Source: Virginia Wine Country Half
The Virginia Wine Country half marathon runs through area where Beer Geek’s dad lives. It’s a beautiful area and they give you wine. I don’t know if I can get a bib, but I’ve seen a few for sale and they offer a legal transfer, so it’s a good possibility. It’s an easy drive, the logistics look manageable, and did I mention wine?
Buh Bye Comfort Zone
Source: North Face Endurance
North Face Endurance half marathon. It’s a trail race, but I’ve been told it’s a good intro to trail racing and can be run in road shoes. It’s beautiful. It’s an easy drive. It’s on Sunday, which works better for me. But I’ve never run a trail race and I’ve read that if it rains a lot between now and then it could be a big ole mud fest (and I’ll admit I’ve never been the least bit tempted to run a mud race. Just sayin’) It definitely falls in the category of “saying yes when I want to say no.”
I have no idea which one I to choose. A monkey throwing darts at a wall would likely make as informed of a decision as I might…
Which would you do?
Am I crazy to want to get in one more half this spring to get the nice round number of 8? Maybe you shouldn’t answer that…
Should I just stop and say “hey, I’ve run 7 amazing half marathons this year.” Perhaps I should stop while I’m ahead…
Do Zooma. I am working the Tough Chik booth there. You can crash in my hotel room if you want.
so being from the dc area also, you are looking at some of the races i considered for june 1/2 – actually, these three are the three I was looking at also! hahaha. anyway, im partial to wine but i have been looking to get into trail running myself so i would probably personally go with northface just to try something new out. 🙂 good luck in your decision and just so you know there is a vintage va wine fest at bull run park on june 1 and 2 also! 🙂
I would go with the wine one – that way I could run and then drink wine!!
Good luck picking one!
I did Wine Country last year, and it is a beautiful race. But the logistics are awful. It has started late every year in its existence, the porta-potties are way far away from the starting line, and you will stand in line forever to get your tasting wine glass. But, seriously, it is a beautiful race and if you aren’t cramming it in to a day with other obligations, it is well worth the drive.
I live within a stone’s thow of the North Face Endurace race course, and will be running the marathon relay the day before. I would totally walk down to cheer you to the finish if you did that one!
I’ve got a Zooma race on my bucket list and am always up for a race involving wine but I would, hands down, go for the North Face Endurance half.
Well you know I’m partial to ZOOMA 😉 (And I’d finally get to meet you – I’ll be there working)…but I have to say the North Face half sounds like a cool one.
If you feel like you are capable of doing another half right now without injury then go for it! You are a tough lady and I don’t see any reason not to make it 8! Pick whatever one you want (I haven’t done any of those, so I don’t really have any input) and have fun with it!
I’ve got 8 this year and a full. Go for 8!
I did the North Face 10K a few years ago, while my friend ran the half. We both really loved it! I’d vote for that one!
Do zooma! This course took me down in 2011. I certainly hope to do better. The wine certainly does sound very appealing!
Of course I am telling you to run the 8th, because I do not like odd numbers. I would do the wine country one. it looks pretty, (it is actually on my list) and like you said it has wine. good luck!
I would do Zooma, but it’s only because I would want to stay with T. Wish that weekend worked for me—I still need Maryland.
I thought about doing the wine country one but I’m not ready yet. It sounds awesome though. That said, I think YOU should do the trail race. Because you know you can do road halfs, so you should challenge yourself with a trail half.
I did the Northface 1/2 last year – won the entry on Tonia’s blog! – and loved it. There was a lot of rain the days prior so it was a total mudfest, but it was the funnest mudfest ever. I’m partial to trail runner so that one gets my vote. 😀 I wanted to run the full this year, but dh freaked at the idea of spending that much money on a race. One day…