|
|
|
|
genie
Master of Prissface
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
|
| Back to top
|
|
 Posted: 01/03/03 - 15:21 Post subject: Fall event suggestion...I know it's early BUT.....
I know, I know, it's SO EARLY to be thinking fall, but since one of my goals is to do a fall marathon, I've been shopping and am 95% sold on Twin Cities. There's a 5K that Saturday and also a 10-mile race on Sunday for those not ready to conquer the full monty. Here's the website for your perusal. The date is October 5, 2003. It looks to be a nice mid point location for all of us, and while it does close after the max number has been reached, I have been told it's like a two-week time frame, not two hours like Marine Corps so if we have the decision in hand by May 1, which is registration time, we all should be able to get in.
I know Coach and Mega did this one last year and jrjo has done it also, so I'm hoping they can give us their perspective on the course, expo, etc. I am most likely going whether we make it the official event or not, but I would LOVE some Riff Raff company as I take on the mighty 26.2 for the first time. (Course those of you running the full will be done LONG before me so y'all better be yellin' LOUD at the end.....hehehe)
What say, gang? Shall we take the Riff Raff Traveling Road Show to the Land of 10,000 Lakes??
|
|
|
|
|
jrjo
Gone Fishin
|
|
|
Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/03/03 - 15:59 Post subject:
I've got this brand spankin' new calendar and for the last couple weeks I've been penciling in races all over it. Now Oct 5th has this big TCM on it. Last year I cranked up my mileage getting ready for the tcm 26.2 and got injured enough to not be ready, but was ready enough for the tcm-10 miler... a sweet alternative in itself. Since the 26.2 is my pr course from '00, I'm probably biased but the race does have incredible organization and crowd support the entire way.
With May 1st awhile off, there's plenty of time to talk yourselves into it and then get online and sign up. Thanks Genie for circling the wagons.. I've been hoping for an autumn sequel to Madison!
|
|
|
|
|
genie
Master of Prissface
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/03/03 - 16:01 Post subject:
And I may be biased but I really like the Midwest!!!! It'll give me a chance to check out possible long-term relocation plans......
|
|
|
|
|
coachmarkos
my boys could swim
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 11387
Location: 1st in AFC West
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/05/03 - 23:11 Post subject:
Genie,
You would have to pick the marathon that I have ran the last two years, and dropped out of one, and got a personal worst time in the other.
Some positive thoughts:
jrjro said this, but the crowds are awsome, insane, amazing, fantastic, I've ran Grandma's and this kicked it's @$$.
The expo is awesome, great speakers (if you go to those) and tons of merchandise to look at.
I really appreciated the free glass of Sam Adams light I got with my coupon after the marathon.
Some negative thoughts:
This race keeps filling up faster and faster, it could be tough to get everyone in.
With a large marathon like this, it could be hard to organize a get together/social event. Last year it was me, mega, and jrjo and mega and I never found jrjo.
And of course my number one reason: This race kicked my ass twice! It's a great course, but for varying reasons, it seems to have my number.
I was thinking about the Mount Rushmore International Marathon. It's in Rapid City, it's quite small, and well organized. The crowd support is nothing like twin cities, but your family and friends are able to drive along the race course, and keep cheering for you every couple of miles.
Just a thought.
|
|
|
|
|
megawill
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2002
Posts: 1552
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/06/03 - 00:15 Post subject:
Well I've only run a grand total of 2 marathons. I ran Indianapolis in 2001 and TCM in 2002. The two races are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Indianapolis is run simultaneously with a half marathon which draws pretty good numbers....but once the half marathoners turn for home and the full marathoners go forward it got pretty lonely (about 600 full participants)...this would have been okay but there was virtually no crowd support...which made the last couple of miles even tougher to conquer. On the plus side, like Coach says your own 'support team' will be able to easily manuever the course to cheer you on.
TCM for me was just an awesome experience! The race is capped at 8000 entries and typically there are about 6500 finishers. To me this was about the right size. Large enouge so that you will never be running alone but not so crowded that you constantly need to worry about elbowing fellow runners as you push your way through the course. The crowd support is unbelievable and the organizers tout the course as the most beautiful urban marathon. I don't believe you can run more then a block or so the entire race without cheering fans lining the way. You run around several lakes, and through a park and then up (way up) stately Summit St. The organization is top notch. I especially like the beginning of the race which starts right outside the Metrodome (home of the Twins and Vikings)...and up until race time the Dome is open so you can stretch inside a warm building and won't face massive lines to the john. On the down side you will be asking people to make a commitment early. Be ready to to pony up $65.00 sometime during the 1st week of May...I think it closed last week in about 10-12 days. I've considered going back this fall, but quite frankly I'm not real sure that I want to run a fall marathon this year....I didn't deal so well with the heat last year and the idea of going out for a 20 miler at 5:30 am with the temp in the 70s and humidity in the 90% range just doesn't sound real appealing to me right now. If I do run in the fall, I may shoot for something a couple of weeks later...
---
megawill
|
|
|
|
|
genie
Master of Prissface
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/06/03 - 17:07 Post subject:
Running in the heat was my big reason for not EVAH wanting to do a fall marathon too, but TCM just sounded like a really cool option. I'd honestly prefer to do a spring or winter one because I train best in this weather.....but.....just putting out a feeler to see what everyone is thinking.
Right now I'm at "if I can do a fall marathon, TCM is it."
|
|
|
|
|
genie
Master of Prissface
|
|
|
Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/06/03 - 17:10 Post subject:
| coachmarkos wrote: | With a large marathon like this, it could be hard to organize a get together/social event. Last year it was me, mega, and jrjo and mega and I never found jrjo.
|
That's because you did not have the Social Director Extraordinaire orchestrating your every move!! We had 20+ people in Philly last year for the marathon and managed to spend a lot of time together. Staying at the same hotel helps a lot with that, it's why we usually pick a group hotel, be it the race host hotel or another, cheaper one, and all get rooms there. I'd definitely organize if we decided to do it, my main concern was, as you said, everyone needs to decide by May 1 so we can all register before it fills up. But again, it was just a suggestion, I want to get everyone's input first. I'm glad you two reported in with your thoughts though, that will help lots! THANKS!
|
|
|
|
|
shelflifers
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Posts: 18633
Location: Austin, TX
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 01/06/03 - 17:24 Post subject:
I'll run anything that has the potato sack race in it. Just sign me up!
But seriously, the Twin Cities is something I could picture attending...
|
|
|
|
  |
All times are GMT - 4 Hours
|
| Page 1 of 1 |
Related topics: | |
|
