Racing in 2013

Now that I’m past my whiny phase of “my marathon training wore me out” and back to running seemingly normal distances (3-4 miles, 4 times weekly), it’s time to take a look at which races would be worthwhile for 2013.  I’ve mentioned it before that I would like to sign up for less races this year and choose races that are well-run or for a good, local cause.  I have a more strict budget this year as I’m buckling down on my expenses and saving much more of my income.  Last year’s race budget was, I fully admit, not good and a bit selfish.  I’m fortunate that I’m able to pay these registrations and travel out of pocket (or using Holiday Inn points, travel miles), but I really should be saving more money for the future instead.  FWIW, I received NO freebie entries to races.  I mean, that’s sort of a given considering I’m a no-name blogger, but eh, though I’d put it out there.

So far, here’s the line-up I’m thinking about:

Feb 3 – LVRR Superbowl 10K.  I signed up for this a couple months ago when I received an email that registration had opened and typically runs out quickly.  Sure enough, registration did close quickly this past year.  It’s a well-organized local race, the race shirts are awesome – Brooks neon long-sleeve tech shirts – the course is challenging, and I’m an LVRR member, so it’s sort of a given.

April 13 – Rumspringa Half Marathon.  I haven’t signed up for it yet but would like a half marathon to run in the spring.  We will be on a cruise during the weekend of the Lehigh Valley half marathon (I know, I know, pity us) so the best bet is to find another local one mid-month.  Rumspringa is put on by Uberendurance Sports of Philadelphia, who also runs the 1/2 Sauer-1/2 Kraut marathon, so I know there will be delicious German food and beer present.  That’s about enough reason to run this one.

March 30 – Mt. Penn Mudfest 15K.  This is a popular trail race put on by Pretzel City Sports of Reading, PA.  It’s listed as one of the top 10 trail races to run in the United States.  Every other race I’ve run hosted by Pretzel City has been pretty awesome, so I know this one will be a good (and difficult) one.

May 18 – Bethlehem Police Department Torch Run.  Supports the local Special Olympics.  You can sign up for different run lengths – 3, 6, and 13 miles (the whole shebang).

July 14 – Quadzilla 15K.  Okay, so this one was torturous last year but I want another shot at it this year.  I was pretty dehydrated and dealing with jet lag last year.  Maybe this year I can turn it around and do a little better.  It is a kickass course that runs around the Trexler Nature Preserve north of Allentown.  Definitely a unique race and difficult as hell.

September 8 – Via Half Marathon.  Our office puts together teams for the relays (I ran the relay last year) and I think I’ll step it up to the half this year.  The half starts in downtown Bethlehem and ends in downtown Easton.  The course runs along the beautiful D&L trail.

October 20 – Runner’s World Half Marathon.  Rob and I ran this together last year and it was a great event.  We live in Bethlehem, spend a lot of time in the historic downtown, and enjoy being outdoors.  The race was a great tour of all our city has to offer.  Also, the start was at the Sands Casino and I enjoyed gambling at 5 AM and using luxuriously clean pre-race bathrooms.

That’s about it for the “big” races for 2013.  There are some local 5K races I’ll be doing, as well, but their registrations haven’t opened yet.  They are: Trout Creek Trot 5K (August), Celtic Classic 10K, Running of the Nuts 5K (November), and probably the Bethlehem Turkey Trot (November).

Max number of races that I’m looking to do is around 15.  That’s far fewer than I ran last year and totally manageable.  Also considering that Rob is now free on many weekends (different work schedule), we may be able to run more events together.

Also…

DietBet Update!  Day 4.  SW: 140, CW: 136, GW: 134.4.  Pounds to go: 1.6.

Yesterday’s lifts: Jamie Eason LiveFit trainer, Day 40, Leg n Deadlift Day.  I’m back up to a 185 deadlift – 1 rep x 5.  Rawwrrrr, lifting power.

Yesterday’s eats: 1539 Calories – 52g carb, 100g fat, 116 g protein