Ok, you really shouldn't be that shocked. I intended to run a spring marathon, I just hadn't chosen one yet. So here is a glimpse at my (wine-fueled) decision making progress.
I thought the Chicago Marathon was an amazing experience, but ultimately, it is not for me. In fact, it really stressed me out. I was agitated the entire time, and i felt like everyone was staring at me and i couldn't breathe. Some people are really motivated by huge crowds of spectators. I am not. In fact, huge crowds make me want to curl up and hide. I might as well have run the whole damn thing naked, because thats what i felt like.
It's not to say i didn't have a good time - i did. It's just not an ideal situation for me, and i don't think i will run my best race at a huge event like that. I run the best when no one cares, knows, or is looking. I know it sounds stupid, but its true. It's like that frog that did nothing when you were staring at it, but then danced every time you look away. I'm that frog, only for distance running.
I actually think i would do best running the 26.2 completely by myself in a post-apocalyptic world that somehow still managed to provided me with water stations. A marathon of one, just for me: The Sarathon. I could even have Matt and Waffles waiting at the end with a medal made from a soup can lid and a t-shirt hand decorated with puffy paint. That would be sweet. Sadly, i don't see that happening anytime soon.
So i was mulling over a few options. I thought Salt Lake City would be fun for a get away, but we are already planning a marathon weekend get away in August, and Matt said I am limited to one a year, until we become millionaires.
Some of local options:
The Illinois Marathon - What sounds like a great mid-sized marathon. I have friends in Champaign, as well as friends running the race!
The Flying Pig Marathon - Fairly large, but really amazing. I did the half last year - but i wouldn't have a chance in hell at a PR with that whole three mile mountain incline in the middle.
The Rockford Marathon - Too soon? I think it might be for me. I ultimately decided that until i know they have their act together, i would rather participate from the sidelines. Which i WILL! If anyone plans on running this next year, keep your eyes peeled for the Gingerfoxxx Party Zone somewhere on the course!
The Sunburst Marathon - I had a great race there! The cobblestone was a little rough on my feet though, and do i want to wait until June??
Misc Small Great Lakes Region Marathons - There are actually a bunch! All very tiny. 500 marathoners or less.
So, what marathon did i choose????
The Jailbreak Marathon makes it very clear: There will be no one cheering. If you need spectators, go away. I like that. It's the anti-Chicago Marathon. It's an extremely rural marathon through the amish countryside. Basically, there is no one around, and the only people watching you are a few cows and maybe some Amish folk. That sounds amazing to me right now as i am still recovering from the corrals, gear check, and finisher's chute of the Chicago Marathon. Its also not too far from where my Dad is buried, and to be honest, it's a good excuse to go visit and leave some flowers. It's such a remote area, that i feel serene just thinking about it. I don't know what stood out about this marathon, but something in their atrocious website spoke to me. I was meant to run this marathon. And who knows, maybe this is the first step in trying to go after the 50 states club? So, There is my plan for spring! Hopefully it will not be 92 degrees that day, but i suppose even if it is, i have plenty of back-ups!
(For the record, I am doing the half at Flying Pig again, and dragging Matt with me. I fully expect him to push me down that hill at some point -It's going to be so fun!)
I think we might be the same person. Just sayin.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - give me a teeny tiny small town race ANY day.
seriously, I have no problem cheering for myself. And, i love cows. They are amuse me.
DeleteI am still after that Chicago Marathon medal, but I definitely enjoyed the pressure-less environment of the Grand Rapids Marathon. I get the lure of Chicago, but I also get why you'd like to run a small one. Marathon training and running is such a solo thing. You know what you're capable of and only you can do it. :)
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of it stems from wanting to please everyone during a big race where there are lots of spectators. People are just yelling at you to keep going and finish strong, and i just wanted to yell "leave me aloneeeee, i want to walk for a minute!"
DeleteI heard that marathon is so low-budget that they use a giant hourglass as the official timing device for the race. Your results are carved on a stone tablet that the Amish deliver via horse and buggy to your house. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not gonna lie, that sounds AWESOME! It's like taking the railroad spikes they give out at trail marathons to a whole new level!!
DeleteThe website for the race seems to be down. I wanted to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised, haha. I would just try it in a different browser maybe. I assure, it's not from too much traffic...
DeleteYou should do the fox valley one next year, it is small, not as small as some of them but it well done
ReplyDeleteSo while I pissed and moaned about Whistlestop and how LONELY I was on this marathon, you were thinking "Wow...that's perfect for me!"
ReplyDeleteI need people and things to look at. Too bad too...it's not far from me!
Very interesting and catchy race name! I think I would need the crowd support. I am someone who feeds off of random people yelling at me. Of course I don't pay attention to any of it, but it pumps me up when I feel like sh*t.
ReplyDeleteSeriously sounds like a good race!
ReplyDeleteYay! So excited you signed up for #5! I don't think wanting to do a smaller race is silly at all! :) And I love the title of this one. Are you going to dress up as the Hamburglar to run it?! :)
ReplyDeleteThe Sarathon...love it. I can't decide if I prefer smaller or larger races. That just means I need to run Chicago next October to decide, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't see beer served at the finish line on the website. Is that going to be a problem? :)
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, this race looks cool! I love scenery more than I love spectators, so this would probably be right up my alley.
I love the crowds during a race ... unless I'm having a bad race and feeling pissy. But I do like small races for their ease - you can find nearby parking (usually free!) and don't have to get there like 2 hours in advance, bathroom lines aren't long, if you do have a spectator, they can easily find you, and there is usually some fun quirk. The random quirks are the best part of small races.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like where I run! All rural roads, makes it a great head clearer!!
ReplyDeleteI got a flyer for this race last year and I seriously thought about doing it. Although I hated the small marathon we just did, at least this one has some curves to it!! That trail was a never ending straight run.
ReplyDeleteI just may have to keep this in the back of my mind as I do like my solo training runs. Or maybe I will be one of the lonely few spectators!