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Pick out a marathon for me? Between late October and February?

830 views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  evanflein 
#1 ·
<p>I'm not ready to BQ at Victoria on Oct 10th, so I'm going to run the half there.  I'd like to take more time to train for the marathon.</p>
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<p>So....now I am looking for the usual characteristics...flat & fast.  A few minor hills OK.  Also -- certified, not too crowded (crowds are thickest at my speed), and still open for registration.</p>
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<p>Anywhere.  I have frequent flier miles to burn.  </p>
 
#3 ·
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Sans Souci</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69866/pick-out-a-marathon-for-me-between-late-october-and-february#post_1941180"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Rock 'n' Roll, Phoenix, January.</p>
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<p><br><br>
crowded?  (Otherwise, yeah baby!)</p>
 
#4 ·
Tri Cities (Pasco, Wa) the end of October can be very fast if the wind doesn't pick up. It's flat, scenic, on the small side. Most Marathon Maniacs swear that California International Marathon (Sacramento CA) early December is one of the fastest courses out there.
 
#6 ·
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Econo</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69866/pick-out-a-marathon-for-me-between-late-october-and-february#post_1941210"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><p><br><br>
crowded?  (Otherwise, yeah baby!)</p>
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<p>Econo, I know that is often the complaint with the R 'n' Rs.  I allowed lots of time, took the bus offered from the finish to the start.  There was plenty of room to warm up on the side streets, plenty of loo's (and not all in one place).</p>
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<p>I thought it was one of the best organized races I have done and not crowded at all.  I wasn't in the best shape and had a short marathon program and I PR'd.  <strong>GO for it and GOOD LUCK!!!</strong></p>
 
#7 ·
<p><span>Quote:</span></p>
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Dove</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69866/pick-out-a-marathon-for-me-between-late-october-and-february#post_1941212"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br>
.... Most Marathon Maniacs swear that California International Marathon (Sacramento CA) early December is one of the fastest courses out there.</div>
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<p><br>
Heck, even I qualified there.  It just might be the <a href="http://www.runcim.org/images/courseelev.jpg" target="_blank">fastest course in the West</a>. </p>
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<p>Or, if you don't mind things being a tad warm, join me at the Maui Oceanfront Marathon in January.  No crowds, just miles and miles of great scenery and a chance to see the whales.</p>
 
#8 ·
<p>Maui does sound a tad warm.  Y'know, I could maybe do Tri-Cities and if that attempt goes sour, go for RnR in Phoenix in January.... I know CIM is fast, but somehow it has never sounded like very much fun.  If I run Phoenix I get to pick up another state, too. </p>
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<p>hum.  I could bring Ma Econo -- I bet she'd love the whole RnR experience.</p>
 
#11 ·
I like your plan. I did my first BQ attempt at Tri Cities. The wind ended up causing quite a problem. I missed my BQ by 3 minutes, picked up a AG 1st, and recovered enough that I was able to BQ 4 weeks later in Seattle.<br><br><br><br><br><br>
If you chose Tri Cities, study the course profile. It is flat except for the bridge crossings over the river (4 times if I remember correctly).
 
#14 ·
<p>Ahh, yes, I remember hearing stories of that from those who ran it this year as well :)   Thankfully, the day was really great this year, though it was actually a little on the warm side.<br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Econo</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69866/pick-out-a-marathon-for-me-between-late-october-and-february#post_1941958"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><p> </p>
<p>moon, yes, I've run Napa (in the pouring rain in '09) and the course is sweet. </p>
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#15 ·
<p>OK, here are my data....</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Date............Race........................................Cons</strong></p>
<p>Oct 31st.....Tri Cities Kennewick WA.......too soon to gear up</p>
<p>Nov 7th.......Santa Clarita CA....................a little soon, plus a little warmer temps than others</p>
<p>Nov 7th.......Eye-Q Fresno CA...................a little soon</p>
<p>Nov 13th.....Richmond VA..........................crowd size a bit larger than I like</p>
<p>Nov 14th.....Harrisburg PA.........................course includes "fine gravel", 1 mildly hilly portion miles 18-20</p>
<p>Nov 14th.....Fort Worth TX..........................some gravel?  Past runners report getting lost</p>
<p>Dec 4th.......Memphis TN............................2461 full, 6850 half; too crowded</p>
<p>Dec 5th.......CIM, Sacramento CA.............5800 marathoners (no half); a bit crowded</p>
<p>Dec 5th.......Palm Beaches FL...................6am start (hard for a West Coaster), warmer temps</p>
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<p>They all look great!  So much fun going through and looking at what each one offers.  I ruled out Route 66 due to scheduling issues.</p>
 
#17 ·
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Econo</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69866/pick-out-a-marathon-for-me-between-late-october-and-february#post_1942232"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I ruled out Route 66 due to scheduling issues.</p>
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<p><br>
I almost mentioned it when you started this thread but it's not particularly flat anyway.  I had never heard of that Ft. Worth marathon & it looks pretty new.  Too bad Omaha is too soon!<br>
 </p>
 
#19 ·
<p>CIM was my first marathon, a BQ, and still my PR. The start was a bit congested to get to, but I didn't think the course itself was crowded.  I was running with the 4hr pacing group for the first 3 miles or so and that was a bit tight, but when I left them, there was plenty of room.  Weather is nice, and it is fun to finish at the state house.  I'd recommend this race if you don't decide to do the full at Victoria.  </p>
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<p>Congrats on the great race today!!</p>
 
#20 ·
<p>Thanks GGP, and it's great to see you again! </p>
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<p>Yeah, today's HM kind of changes the equation.  How about I adopt the Zen approach and just see how Victoria goes?  No pressure; can always drop down to the half or treat it as a supported long run (run 20 or so) if it doesn't feel like it's my day.  Then, CIM and a few other December/January marathons offer alternatives if needed.</p>
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<p>Yeah, that's the ticket.  Thanks for chiming in, everyone.</p>
 
#21 ·
<p>You can always come south in December for good marathons without large crowds.  Rocket City in Huntsville is a well organized event, and not hilly.  It does have a good number of turns.  Kiawah Island is on the same date at Rocket City.  Flat and fast, unless you get unlucky and the wind is strong.  Memphis St. Jude is a very fun race, usually the week prior to the first two, but has a few more small hills.  Probably not as fast as the first two, but well run. </p>
 
#22 ·
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<p>Yeah, today's HM kind of changes the equation.  How about I adopt the Zen approach and just see how Victoria goes?  </p>
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<p><br>
You got it Econo....go for Victoria...you are ready for it!!!!</p>
<p>Go grab it!!!!! It is yours!!! </p>
<p>Then...there is always Seattle...potential of great weather...and a familiar course.</p>
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<p>Great race today! Mighty proud of you!</p>
 
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