Upcoming Races

My good friend K is completing a half marathon in every state.  I admire her goal and think it is a great way to travel the US.  (I wonder after she has completed the States if she will try to run a half marathon in every continent???)  I have only run a race in 4 States (AZ, CA, OR & WA).

Anyhow, she has asked me on a number of times to go on a trip for a race.  The first was for a back to back race in Hartford, CT and Providence RI in the fall.  I excitedly told her to take Hwy 2 to see the changing fall colors and gave her a list of places to eat in Boston.  I declined the invite.  Next was Kansas and I had been to Witchita.....and have no desire to ever go back.  Then she mentioned the Riverboat series.  5 races in 5 days (either half or full marathons) in KY, TN, AR, MI & LA.  She only needed to do the first three states and when she said Memphis....I responded with "I will go on the following condition we go to Graceland, Sun Records, hit Beale St for some Blues and eat BBQ!"  She agreed and in the next month I will be running 3 half marathons in a row.  Then I was informed about the walking of the ducks at the Peabody hotel.  So that has been added to the list.

If you haven't noticed by the first two references I am HUGE Elvis fan.  I would make my mother buy tapes (yes tapes) from Columbia Record Club (I would tear out the stickers, lick and affix them to the page).  In the car, we played Elvis until the tapes became warped and the sound was off.  This will be a momentous event for me.   Post races I'm meeting up with friends in New Orleans.  I have never been to this area of the country so everything will be a first and an adventure.  I'm so excited!!!

Needless to say with all this excitement, running 3 half marathons is a whole new game for me.  (What did I sign up for???) The first thing I did was pick my PT's brain.  His suggestion was ~ build up to three long runs in a row, starting with lower mileage.  The only caveat is I'm also training for a marathon.  So I started running 5-5-6 (plus a 4 miler and track) and worked my way up to 10 - 17 - 10 last weekend.  And I survived.  I have a week and a half until we leave and my goal is to keep training for the marathon and taper back.  I have 18 miler planned next weekend, but I will only do two runs instead of three.

I am looking forward to this adventure and if anything it has prepared me for my upcoming marathon.