Race Wish List

Now that I've become a "seasoned" runner, I no longer desire to simply run races, but to find unique races which take me to interesting places and do something out of the ordinary. Running is a great opportunity to go places one wouldn't otherwise venture to and to participate in activities that wouldn't otherwise be possible. It's also a great motivation when you have something special to look forward to that isn't just another 5K on the same old course with the same old group of runners (no offense to my runner friends). :-)

For 2012, I've decided to compose a "Race Wish List" with those races I want to participate in. Here is what I have so far:

2012 Race Wish List
Date	Event	Location
03/18/12	St. Patrick's Day 8K	Bay City, MI
	Reason for running? Tradition. It's a hometown race with a huge following. It's the largest race in Bay City and one of the largest St. Patrick's Day races in the country.
04/14/12	Martian Marathon/Half Marathon	Ford Park, Dearborn, MI
	Reason for running? Coolness. It's a Martian-themed race subtitled "The Invasion of Races." It's got a quirky "Area 51" vibe to it. It's a flat, fast, USATF certified course and it's a pretty big race.
05/06/12	The Trail Marathon/Half Marathon	Pinckney, MI
	Reason for running? This is one of three races in the "Serious Series" of races which take place on some of the best trails in southeast Michigan. I love trails, exploring new places, and of course, a challenge. If you run all three races in the series, you get a pint glass.
05/20/12	The Qualifier Marathon	Midland, MI
	Reason for running? This is an inaugural event and the first local marathon. The course is designed to be flat and fast ; to be the best chance one has for qualifying for an elite marathon like Boston. The route goes through Bay, Saginaw and Midland counties and was designed with input from Bill Rodgers and Greg Meyer who will also be at the finish handing out medals.
06/09/12	Flirt with Dirt 5K/10K Trail Run	Novi, MI
	Reason for running? This is the second race in the "Serious Series" of trail runs and goes through what is described as "6 miles of gnarly single-track dirt trails" starting and finishing at the top of a sled hill.
06/16/12	Michigan Brewing Co. 5K Beer Run	Webberville, MI
	Reason for running? Beer. This race begins with a tour of the microbrewery and then starts as the runners dash out the doors of the brewery and run around the grounds for 3.1 miles. Post-race refreshments include beer and root beer.
07/05/12	Auburn Corn Stalk 5K	Auburn, MI
	Reason for running? Sentimentality. This was the first race I ever ran and the first time I ran 3miles in July of 2008. I have run this local race every year since. It's a good size race with around 300 participants.
07/29/12	Warrior Dash	Mt. Morris, MI
	Reason for running? Fun. This race is as challenging as it is fun. What's greatest, though, is the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you conquered all the obstacles. Where else can you climb over 20 foot walls and trudge through mud up to your arm pits? My oldest son and I ran this last year and next year we've enlisted my husband and younger son to join us.
08/04/12	The Legend Half Marathon Trail Run	Sleepy Hollow State Park, Laingsburg, MI
	Reason for running? This is the last in the "Serious Series" of trail races. It is a 13.1 mile trail run through Sleepy Hollow State Park. Last year there were over 320 participants in the half marathon. Plus, it has a very cool name, "The Legend."
08/25/12	North Country Trail Marathon	Manistee National Forest, Wellston, MI
	Reason for running? Dubbed "one of the most beautiful trail races in the country," the North Country Run consists of an ultra-marathon (50 miles), marathon, and half marathon. I'm not sure if I want to tackle the full or the half. The ultra is not even a consideration for me at this point. The course begins on a 1.2 mile section of paved road and then leads to a 25 mile loop of well-marked trail. The post-race party offers burgers (beef and vegetarian), soup, beer, soda, and water. Also, North Country boasts of having the largest half-marathon and ultra-marathon finisher's medals in the country (and the 3rd largest marathon medal).
09/02/12	Barefoot Triathlon	Traverse City, MI
	Reason for running? The name. I'm not a triathlete (yet). I don't think I could swim a single lap in a pool, let alone 1.5 km in East Grand Traverse Bay. However, there is a "Sprint" version which has a mere 500 m swim. That I might be able to do (with some training). The Sprint Triathlon consists of a 500 m swim, a 16.4 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run. All of which I'd attempt barefoot. Is there any other way?
09/08/12	Mackinac Island 8 Mile Race	Mackinac Island, MI
	Reason for running? To race around the entire perimter of Mackinac Island. I've run across the Mackinac Bridge, and I've run the Great Turtle Half Marathon through the Mackinac Island trails, but I've never raced around the smooth, paved road that encompasses the historic isle.
09/16/12	Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo 5K/10K	Detroit Zoo, Detroit, MI
	Reason for running? Wild animals! Well, the 5K/10K runs actually take place on flat, paved roads around the perimeter of the zoo while the "fun walk" happens within the zoo. But, all participants get to enjoy free admission to the zoo following the race. The money raised from this race goes toward the veterinary care of the animals.
10/27/12	Great Turtle Half Marathon	Mackinac Island, MI
	Reason for running? Scenic and challenging. This course follows some of the paved road around the perimeter of the island with spectacular views of Lake Huron as well as many challenging hills along the island's interior trail system. It is a good reason for a fall getaway. After the race, enjoy a cold beer and a good seafood dinner at one of Mackinac Island's fine restaurants.
11/03/12	Hot Chocolate 15K	Chicago, IL
	Reason for running? Chocolate. First of all, I've never run in Chicago, so it would definitely be something new and different. Secondly, it's a 15K -- a distance I've never raced before. And lastly, it's called "America's Sweetest Race" because after the race, refreshments include a chocolate fondue, hot chocolate, and other chocolate treats provided by Ghirardelli. The race goodie bag includes a reflective wind and water resistant running jacket.
11/11/12	Malibu Marathon/Half Marathon	Zuma Beach, Malibu, CA
	Reason for running? California. Most of this race (all of it for the half) takes place along the famed Pacific Coast Highway. With the Santa Monica mountains and the magnificent Pacific Ocean in view, I can't think of a more beautiful place to run.

In addition to the interesting array of races I have slated for 2012, I still have some pretty awesome races still on the docket for 2011. Tomorrow night, I will be running the Headless Horseman 5K/10K in Howell, MI. (I'm doing the 10K and my sons are both running the 5K). The race takes place at night on a course lit by luminaries and wanders through a cemetery. There is even a *real* headless horseman mascot and a costume contest. I'm going to dress as a bumblebee. Next weekend is the "Run Thru Hell on Halloween Eve" in Hell, MI. That race has a 5K and 8K option. I'm doing the 8K and my sons are running the 5K. There is a costume contest for that race as well. I'm dressing as an angel. :-)

There is nothing eventful planned for November as we will be spending a week in Cancun for a conference. I plan on getting in a couple of runs there of course. I love the Garmin maps of runs in faraway places. I was looking for a good "Turkey Trot" race to do on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but there is nothing within an hour from here and I'm not sure I want to travel that far just to have something to do that day.

The big race this year is December 4, 2011 -- The Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon. We are doing a weekend getaway to Vegas and hoping to catch some shows, visit some shops and enjoy some good food before I run the Strip at night on Sunday. The marathon starts at 4pm and they are shutting down part of the Strip for the run. There are going to be live bands at every mile and Cheap Trick is the featured band. There is also an opportunity after the race to get your picture taken with a showgirl. I'll do it just because. I'm planning on wearing either gold lamé shorts/sports bra or a metallic purple shorts/sports bra combo for this flashy run. I'm hoping to have a good time and also qualify for Boston. Wish me luck!