Now why would I want to go and do that? It all started with the idea to run 1 marathon from the inspiration of a friends 1st and another's 2 in 2 weeks at the age of 50. I read the books, watched a few movies and documentaries, finished MY first, got faster and more obsessed, took my shoes off, and finished a few barefoot. Dean Karnazes did 50 in 50 days, a few have broken his record up to 51, 52 and nowStefaan Engels has run 365 in 365 days. I read blogs, websites, and message boards everyday while keeping MarathonGuide.com on my favorites list. I research days when I can squeeze in a race or a marathon in between my hectic band schedule with Lloyd Dobler Effect and plan out the details even if I am not able to sign up yet.
There is a little bit of fantasy involved, but I feel strong and right now I love taking the long runs to think and completely disappear from the world. Well almost, I still end up most times at the Open City Cafe in Woodly Park, Washington DC for breakfast and have to ride the Metro home which bring me back to reality. For the most part though, I look forward to these long runs as most would look to a Friday night out with friends, or a special event or concert.
Earlier this summer when my plans were foiled to run the Baltimore Marathon and I had to defer 10 weeks out, I felt guilty, empty and almost depressed. Being halfway through a plan and having to re-adjust my training was disappointing but what also hurt was having to give up my attempt to become a Marathon Maniac this year (More on that below).
I reset my sights and began planning for the future and in the process I have become more obsessed with the 26.2 mile distance than ever before. Besides falling under the marathon curse and sometimes marathon envy, I am going to do 6 in 6 months for a few of other concrete reasons.
1. I don't want to start training plans from the beginning. This will be the third year I have laid out my plan meticulously on a calendar and started from “Week 1″ and worked longingly towards a goal. This year was a little different since I was running almost 30 miles a week before I commenced a program, but I still roughly followed the direction. I'd like to be doing a different amount and kind of training and keeping in marathon form with 2-8 weeks in between races as opposed to full 18-week schedules
2. I want to be a Marathon Maniac. My dreams of Bronze Level membership were destroyed after my Baltimore deferment (due to band schedule) which would have had me complete Baltimore/Marine Corps in the required 2 weeks (16 day) time period. After further research, I discovered I could still qualify by running “3 Marathons within a 90 day time frame” and with Marine Corps locked in for October 30th, the NCR Trail (November 26th) and Rehoboth Beach (December 10th) would easily satisfy this goal. But after looking further, I discovered that I would have the opportunity to complete “Marathons in 6 consecutive calendar months” which would place me in the Silver Level if I succeeded. (If only there was a marathon on Nov 13th or Dec 18th within a 2-3 hour drive I could complete 4 in 51 days for GOLD LEVEL! Maybe next year)
3. PR. My first marathon in shoes is my current PR of 3:59:50. Even though I will run the NCR trail marathon in either ZEM 360′s or Merrell Trail Gloves, I want to achieve a barefoot and personal PR in one of the races. I know Marine Corps is fast and fun, Miami posts a lot of PR's and the NCR is known for a high percentage of Boston qualifiers. I only want to improve 5-10 minutes at first and if I am getting fast, even more would be great. I don't think I have the guts to qualify for Boston yet, but that will be a future goal when I am not just enjoying running and actually able to put more time into going fast, not just going long.
4. I eventually have a goal of running a marathon in every US state, at least 10 countries, and enough more to total one for every year I am alive. So because of these goals, I feel like I need to play a bit of catch up. 1-2 a year isn't going to cut it.
The 6 in 6 attempt:
Marine Corps Marathon: Washington, DC (Oct 30th)NCR Trail Marathon: Sparks, MD (Nov 26th)Rehoboth Beach Marathon: RB, DE (Dec 10th)Miami Marathon: Miami, FL (Jan 29th)Pilot Mt or Myrtle Beach Marathon (Feb 18th)DC Rock and Roll Marathon: Washington DC (Mar 17th)
It is a lofty goal I know, and currently I am only registered for the first 3 because I am still trying to plan around for the remaining and don't want to waste fees. Luckily Baltimore was only $30 to defer to next year, but most marathons give no refunds, no deferments, no transfers, and no mercy.
If all is going well, I might tack on a few more in April or , May and beyond, but I want to try my hand at a Triathlon this summer or early fall and therefore might postpone more races till fall 2012. Next year I do plan on doing Baltimore (since I've already paid) NYC if I get in (3rd year in lottery) Marine Corps (because why not run 4 years in a row if it's right down the street) and any others I can find that fit into my rock and roll touring schedule. I have yet to line up any 26.2 races that align with Lloyd Dobler Effect shows out-of-town but I am hoping next year for some luck in the Midwest or South.
Just finished my last long run of 22 miles yesterday and I am ready to tackle Marathon season. Bring on the post race pizza and beer!
There is a little bit of fantasy involved, but I feel strong and right now I love taking the long runs to think and completely disappear from the world. Well almost, I still end up most times at the Open City Cafe in Woodly Park, Washington DC for breakfast and have to ride the Metro home which bring me back to reality. For the most part though, I look forward to these long runs as most would look to a Friday night out with friends, or a special event or concert.
Earlier this summer when my plans were foiled to run the Baltimore Marathon and I had to defer 10 weeks out, I felt guilty, empty and almost depressed. Being halfway through a plan and having to re-adjust my training was disappointing but what also hurt was having to give up my attempt to become a Marathon Maniac this year (More on that below).
I reset my sights and began planning for the future and in the process I have become more obsessed with the 26.2 mile distance than ever before. Besides falling under the marathon curse and sometimes marathon envy, I am going to do 6 in 6 months for a few of other concrete reasons.
1. I don't want to start training plans from the beginning. This will be the third year I have laid out my plan meticulously on a calendar and started from “Week 1″ and worked longingly towards a goal. This year was a little different since I was running almost 30 miles a week before I commenced a program, but I still roughly followed the direction. I'd like to be doing a different amount and kind of training and keeping in marathon form with 2-8 weeks in between races as opposed to full 18-week schedules
2. I want to be a Marathon Maniac. My dreams of Bronze Level membership were destroyed after my Baltimore deferment (due to band schedule) which would have had me complete Baltimore/Marine Corps in the required 2 weeks (16 day) time period. After further research, I discovered I could still qualify by running “3 Marathons within a 90 day time frame” and with Marine Corps locked in for October 30th, the NCR Trail (November 26th) and Rehoboth Beach (December 10th) would easily satisfy this goal. But after looking further, I discovered that I would have the opportunity to complete “Marathons in 6 consecutive calendar months” which would place me in the Silver Level if I succeeded. (If only there was a marathon on Nov 13th or Dec 18th within a 2-3 hour drive I could complete 4 in 51 days for GOLD LEVEL! Maybe next year)
3. PR. My first marathon in shoes is my current PR of 3:59:50. Even though I will run the NCR trail marathon in either ZEM 360′s or Merrell Trail Gloves, I want to achieve a barefoot and personal PR in one of the races. I know Marine Corps is fast and fun, Miami posts a lot of PR's and the NCR is known for a high percentage of Boston qualifiers. I only want to improve 5-10 minutes at first and if I am getting fast, even more would be great. I don't think I have the guts to qualify for Boston yet, but that will be a future goal when I am not just enjoying running and actually able to put more time into going fast, not just going long.
4. I eventually have a goal of running a marathon in every US state, at least 10 countries, and enough more to total one for every year I am alive. So because of these goals, I feel like I need to play a bit of catch up. 1-2 a year isn't going to cut it.
The 6 in 6 attempt:
Marine Corps Marathon: Washington, DC (Oct 30th)NCR Trail Marathon: Sparks, MD (Nov 26th)Rehoboth Beach Marathon: RB, DE (Dec 10th)Miami Marathon: Miami, FL (Jan 29th)Pilot Mt or Myrtle Beach Marathon (Feb 18th)DC Rock and Roll Marathon: Washington DC (Mar 17th)
It is a lofty goal I know, and currently I am only registered for the first 3 because I am still trying to plan around for the remaining and don't want to waste fees. Luckily Baltimore was only $30 to defer to next year, but most marathons give no refunds, no deferments, no transfers, and no mercy.
If all is going well, I might tack on a few more in April or , May and beyond, but I want to try my hand at a Triathlon this summer or early fall and therefore might postpone more races till fall 2012. Next year I do plan on doing Baltimore (since I've already paid) NYC if I get in (3rd year in lottery) Marine Corps (because why not run 4 years in a row if it's right down the street) and any others I can find that fit into my rock and roll touring schedule. I have yet to line up any 26.2 races that align with Lloyd Dobler Effect shows out-of-town but I am hoping next year for some luck in the Midwest or South.
Just finished my last long run of 22 miles yesterday and I am ready to tackle Marathon season. Bring on the post race pizza and beer!
