Well, my marathon is less than 3 weeks away now, and after Sunday's run, I am feeling okay about it. Of course there is still the chance that the race will go awful for me, and I am prepared for that, but at this point I think I have done as much as I could have done to train and prepare myself for my first 26.2. (Well, I could have done more, but for my first marathon training I think I did pretty well.)
So this morning I was thinking about what races to do in the fall and I was thinking about how I really would like to have a 2nd marathon on my list by the end of this year....I know, I know...I must be crazy because I haven't even finished my first one yet! What if I hate it? What if it goes horribly wrong? Well, then I guess that is all the more reason to train hard for a rematch with myself!
The one thing I have been thinking that I wished I could do with this race, is to run for something/someone/some charity. So Team in Training obviously came to my mind, and after doing some searching I found that they have an informational meeting in Charleston coming up May 7th for their fall training program! For whatever reason, I had looked this up before and thought that they didn't have anything in Charleston, but I guess I was wrong.
So now I have a dilemma. I would really like to do the Marine Corps Marathon in October, but if I want to do that, I need to register ASAP because they are already 94% full. But should I register now before I know how this first marathon will turn out?
I am going to think about it today and make my decision as soon as I can. Are any of you running the MCM?
**Updated to add: After I posted this, I found out from my local TNT rep that they have unlimited slots for the MCM so no need to worry about registering! So now I can relax, run my first marathon, and then the week after that got to the informational meeting about the TNT program and make my decision.
I think it might be good to have something else to train for after your 1st so you don't layoff running for too long. After my first 1/2 marathon, I didn't have anything else planned to run so I kind of fell off the bandwagon! So in that sense it might be good to go ahead and have something on your schedule! Plus it will be totally different running with TNT than by yourself!
ReplyDeleteI have heard really great things about MCM. I too am trying to find a race for the fall, I'm hoping to find one that is good for BQ, but we shall see!
ReplyDeleteSince this is your first just enjoy it and don't worry, you'll finish!
I've heard really good things about marine corps, too. I think it's supposed to be a bit hilly, but really well organized with a lot of support.
ReplyDeleteWould you do Marine Corps through TNT, or are those two different options you're considering?
RTF: Yes, I have heard good things too. What is BQ??
ReplyDeleteAbby: Yes, I would be doing it through TNT. I realized after posting that they might have some slots saved for their participants so I wouldn't have to worry about registering before it filled up, but I really don't know too much about their program. I have friends in DC so it would work really well for me to do this one.
Niki: I agree! I think doing it with TNT would be a completely different story.
ReplyDeleteI recommend you sign up for MCM now! Or at least don't hesitate to plan another marathon this year. As I was running my marathon, I kept thinking, "I'm never doing this again!" and when I stopped I said to my husband, "Why the heck would anyone do this more than once?" But--well, you know. With a couple of days you realize you must do another! I'm confident this won't be your last. I also feel very good about your level of preparation and think you should, too!
ReplyDeleteHey I just found you via twitter =)...I'm @dunlapa.
ReplyDeleteI say you sign up for MCM. It will give you something to look forward to after May 2nd. Plus, if you run with a group like TNT it will be a whole different training experience. Now that I run with friends it's totally different than when I was training alone.
Love the new header! And more importantly, would LOVE to have you in DC for my birthday! :-)
ReplyDeleteYep, the hay is in the barn, as they say. :) Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteAlso, MCM is wonderful! I have thought about registering for the last few years. But that's the good thing about races, aside from a few, there's always next year.
Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
Not too crazy! Here I am 20 days out from my 2nd full, & my first one was in November :)
ReplyDeletelove it :) i signed up for #2 the day after #1, i just wanted to have the one done first :)
ReplyDeletejust found you through twitter!! so excited for your first marathon coming up!!!
If you go to the TNT meeting and it's not for you, but you'd still like to do MCM, the MCM website has a whole list of charity partners, most of which has reserved spots. Always good to have additional options if you didn't want to do run/walk requirements or team runs or anything.
ReplyDeleteIf you do MCM we'll have to try to meet up!