Caution: Post written with major coffee and race registration high (it’s a thing).
Going into this year, I wasn’t sure how much racing I’d do. I wanted to see how my body responded to training and see how my motivation was after having a baby. Plus, I had no idea how I’d balance training with working full time, breastfeeding and taking care of a baby. Well, after only one month, I’ve been hit with the race planning bug and it’s here to stay. The details will work themselves out.
First, I signed up for my first half marathon of the year! The La Jolla Half Marathon has always been a favorite of mine, despite it’s difficult course. It is by far Mike’s favorite half marathon and after a few friends indicated they were signing up (and the prices went up on January 31), Mike and I pulled the trigger and we BOTH SIGNED UP! Of course I made sure my mom could come down and spend the night to watch Siena on race morning (Does this mean we’re going on a “race date”? Is that a thing?). I’m pretty excited for this race and I plan to use it as base building for races later in the year. If anything, I will do speedwork in the form of hill repeats once a week (lots of hills by our house), but I don’t plan to do a lot of intense training for it. I just want to build up my miles safely. More on my training plan later (i.e. once I figure out my training plan).
Next, and pretty freaking exciting, is that I was selected again to be a part of the Rock n’ Blog team! This year a perk of being an ambassador is that we’re given a Global TourPass which means we can run unlimited Rock n’ Roll events! Of course, being that I do not have unlimited funds (plus a baby…), I can’t simply galavant all over the world running Rock n’ Roll races (this pretty much sounds like my dream – travel the world doing races) but I do plan to take advantage of this amazing perk as much as possible. Right now I’m pretty set on running the Carlsbad 5000 (April 3), the San Diego Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon (June 5) and I’d love to run Rock n’ Roll Las Vegas Half on November 13th (seeking travel buddies for this one!!!). I’ll have a lot more to share about Rock n’ Blog, including a discount code for all races, soon.
If you remember, I’m also an ambassador for the San Diego Craft Classic Half Marathon (use code FITNESSFATALE for $10 off the half or $5 off the 5k) which takes place in July so that means I have plans for at least 4 half marathons this year. I’m going to have reunite myself with my love for the sunrise (or pre-dawn) run once I’m back at work.
Last, I threw my name in the hat for the 2016 New York Marathon. I know the lottery is a long shot (about a 10% chance for non NY residents apparently) but this race is on my bucket list and I might as well start trying now. More on 2016 marathon planning in another post.
CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?!?!
Will I see you at any of these races? Have you ever entered the NY Marathon lottery?
Love NYC! Best marathon I have ever ran – and I have ran Boston and Chicago – the other 2 big ones and NYC is my favorite! It is a 26.2 mile finish line with loads of people cheering the whole time! BEST RACE EVER! I hope you get in! I have entered 4 years and I got in 1 year. I did put my name in again this year though! Fingers Crossed!
This just makes me want to run it even more! I’m glad to hear you got in at least once – your odds are better than the odds I found online! Good luck this year !
I can feel the excitement!!! Even pregnant I have a couple half marathons in mind that I want to do in the Fall post baby. Us runners are a crazy breed!! Can’t wait to read some race recaps!!
Haha yes we are! I get pretty excited about racing again – it’s been too long – 1 year 3 months to be exact since I was able to really run hard (I had to change it to hard instead of fast since I’m sure it’ll take a while to get fast again)!
Super exciting about this year’s Rock n Blog team! You’ll have to keep me posted on if you decide to run Vegas – I was seriously sad to miss all the action last year so am considering the race this year!
Oh yay!! I will keep you posted for sure! And congrats on another year with the team!
Very exciting!!! I have a friend that had her first baby a couple months before you had Siena. They have had a few “race dates.” 🙂
NYC is amazing. My favorite marathon hands down!! I entered the lotto 3 times(and got in with the 3 strikes and you get in the 4th year–you no longer can get in this way) 🙁 I did Vegas the first year it was at night. I think they have gotten most of the kinks out of it now. I think it would be fun to do again.
YAY!! I’m so glad you got the running itch too! It sounds like you are mentally/physically in a good place and are really excited and committed to racing and running this year. I can’t believe you put in for the NYC marathon! Eeek. If by chance you get in, would you take the family or make it a solo trip?
I can definitely feel the excitement – and it’s contagious!
I honestly don’t even know what I’d do yet! It depends on how the year goes for us financially – at this rate it’d be a solo trip and I’d be hopeful that I could find at least one other person to travel with! If anything Mike would possibly come too and we’d leave Siena with the grandparents. We’ll see!