I Finally Have a Plan! A 2010 Race Calendar

Not only do I have a plan, but I had some time to sit down and think about training programs, and race focus, etc. I even came up with some goals!

2010 Goals:
-Run 10 half marathons
-Run 2 full marathons
-Log 1010 miles
-Break 1:45 in the half marathon
-Break 4:15 in the full marathon
-Set new 5 & 10K PRs
-Register for the 2011 Goofy Challenge

2010 Races:
1.23.2010 - InStep Icebreaker Indoor Half Marathon (Milwaukee, WI) - I already registered for this race. Never done an indoor one, so it might be kind of fun. Plus, I need some kind of motivator to get me through the long Chicago winters! Should be fun for the bf and the parentals to watch.

4.11.2010 - GO! St Louis Half Marathon (St Louis, MO) - Knocking another state off the list! I've never actually been to St Louis, so it'll be a fun weekend getaway. At first I wanted to do the full here, but then I remembered- I don't like to run super-long distances on the treadmill!

5.1.2010 - Wisconsin Marathon (Kenosha, WI) - I did the half in this race last year, and really have a lot of good things to say about it. Fast, flat course. I feel like the race directors actually read the surveys, and actually care about the participants. And of course, who doesn't like post-race beer and brats?!

5.16.2010 - Magellan Development Chicago Spring Half Marathon (Chicago, IL) - I looked into this race last year, but decided on the Soldier Field 10 Mile instead. I keep seeing the tech shirts EVERYWHERE and they are awesome! Definitely thinking about this one... (especially since the price is right!)

6.13.2010 - 13.1 Chicago (Chicago, IL) - I was trying to decide between this one and the North Shore Half. It came down to: 1) I've done the NS Half 3 times before, 2) 13.1 Chicago serves Gatorade and not HEED, and 3) I obtained a coupon code for 13.1 Chicago at the marathon expo and saved a bunch of money. SOLD!

July 2010 - Frontier Days Stampede Run 10K (Arlington Heights, IL) - My hometown race was a pleasant surprise last year. It's cheap (because it's not timed), but you get a lot for your money. I'm expecting hot weather, but that's ok. I loved this race and will do it again and again.

July 2010 - Fleet Feet Women's Festival 10K (Chicago, IL) - Another race I had a lot of fun doing. It was a little crowded at the start, but otherwise it was a great race. I LOVE the shirts they gave away, and will do the race again basically for that reason.

8.1.2010 - Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon (Chicago, IL) - Definitely one of the best races I did last year. I can't say enough good things about it. And I was one of the first people to register for it! Soo exciting!

9.6.2010 - Oak Brook Half Marathon (Oak Brook, IL) - I loved the change of scenery and the trails we ran on. I set a PR on this hilly course, which was just crazy! But I loved it and can't wait to go back. (Of course, if I can convince the bf to go to Virginia Beach, we'll be going there instead!)

9.12.2010 - Chicago Half Marathon (Chicago, IL) - I got a half price entry, plus this is the course that owns my PR! How can I not go back there and challenge it?!

10.3.2010 - Bucktown 5K (Chicago, IL) - A pre-marathon favorite, it's the only 5K that I actually like to do. (Pretty much because the goody bags always ROCK!)

10.10.2010 - Chicago Marathon (Chicago, IL) - I had such a blast doing Chicago this past year. Maybe because I trained for it, maybe because I have a ton more race experience now, but I loved every part of it. I wasn't going to do it in 2010, but I couldn't resist a race close to home on 10.10.10. A lot of people that I've met on RW are targeting Chicago for next year, and I would love to run it with them as teammates. When registration opens on 2/1, I'll be ready and waiting!

10.31.2010 - Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC) - I got a guaranteed entry into this race at the Chicago Marathon expo, and signed up right away. I am SO excited, and it's over a year away. I've never been to DC before, so this is definitely one of the most exciting things I will do next year. I can't wait to pass all of the sites! It's going to be so hard for me to save my vacation time for a whole year, but it'll totally be worth it.

I'll definitely do at least another half in November or December, just haven't picked one out yet. Might be RnR San Antonio, since the bf has never been there but always wanted to go.