Running races during the summer just does not appeal to me because I just don't do well in the heat. I can do a 5K or a 10K bu that is about it. I usually end up running a fall marathon and dread training through the summer heat but I guess it has to be done.
My next race is the Zooma Napa Valley Half Marathon in June. I won two race entries and I am really hoping that my friend can make it. Since she lost her husband last September, she has started running again but just does not have the desire to race. Her husband was at every race she ran and I think knowing that he will no longer be there just really bothers her. She is a great runner (3:17 marathon PR) and I really hope that she gets back into running in the future. Our plan for this race was to just take it easy and enjoy it. I am sure that running in Napa Valley is just beautiful so we want to take it all in. The host hotel is pretty pricey so we are treating this like a mini vacation not to mention she loves her wine.
I have no races on the schedule for July or August but I might throw in a 5K or a 10K. Then I have the Ventura Marathon on September 7th which happens to fall on my birthday. September is still a hot month in California so at this point I have not decided if I will run the full or the half. In any case, I want to enjoy this race and not put any major pressure on myself but a "Birthday BQ" would be sweet wouldn't it? This race is a last minute BQ attempt for many runners since Boston registration opens right around this time. I usually sign up for one fun race a year and this just might be the one.
How do you feel about summer races?
What is on your race schedule for the summer?
I wish I could run Napa!! It looks beautiful! I don't like racing in the heat either...however I signed up for a July half....crazy!!
ReplyDeleteNapa is going to be so fun not to mention beautiful! I am not sure if I am brave enough to run a half in the summer. I melt in the heat!
DeleteAw I hope your friend enjoys Napa. I feel the same way about heat. I just finished a run of 6 races in 6 weeks and am looking forward to a training break until NYCM training fires up in July. I have the Espirit de She 5k in July on schedule and that's about it until RnR Denver in October.
ReplyDeleteYou are kicking some serious butt with all of these races! 5k's are not so bad in the summer since the distance is short. NYCM is going to be a lot of fun. That race is on my bucket list. Have fun!
DeleteHave you ever played around with this marathon time converter? http://findmymarathon.com/marathon-time-conversion.php It predicts that a runner's marathon time could be up to 10 minutes slower at Ventura than Long Beach due to the higher heat. So I think you're wise to be thinking about which full marathon to target. But I do think a birthday BQ would be awesome and it seems to me you are coming back strong with some great paces on your runs (times that I would like to have, anyway!) Did you see my post today about doing the Boston Qualifying math? It seems to me we will bump up to the 3:55 standard sooner than I thought!
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out that website. I am a little concerned about the weather for Ventura. My first intention for signing up for Ventura was the fact that it fell on my birthday and that has not happened since I started running in late 2010.I think we are pretty close in our times and you are getting pretty fast lately :) I am going to read your post right now!
DeleteOnly 5 and 10 k for me I just wrote that is my last post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe will do 4th of July race, cypress, and looking for others..
I am thinking of doing Cypress 5k again this year. I liked that race but it was warm out there!
DeleteI've got Fontana this weekend, and the Irvine Mud Run with Doug on the 21st! And then in August, we're doing a nighttime color run at the Pomona Fairplex and another mud run up in Wrightwood! I can't wait! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you are doing some races with Doug! I am so weird about mud races. I can't even imagine being full of mud or getting mud in my mouth. Have fun!
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