Running Code 3

It’s hard to believe that it’s already OCTOBER!!!  Yeeee Haaawww!! It’s my most FAVORITE month ever!!!  But it’s also time to get my 2012 Racing Schedule in check.  I’m excited, but yet, I know that I don’t really have a strong desire to run that much at all.  I do have races that I want to run, and I know that I will run, but I know that I will sign up for races as they come up and not so far out in advance unless I know that it’s a race that I want to and will run!

Sooooo … with that being said … let me tell you what’s on my mind, and what I’m filling my running plate up with right this second … Here we goooooo ….

January:

Pajama Jam 2 Mile Run, Stockton, CA, January 1.  It’s a crazy midnight run in which runners run 2 in their pajamas.  I had so much fun running last year, except I ran in a negligee and it was FREEZING cold!!!  This year I’m running with my friends, Alexis and Becky, and we’re planning to wear a Forever Lazy!

Brazen New Year’s Day Half Trail Trail Run, Lake Chabot, CA.  I can’t believe that I’m going to run this crazy race again.  Last year was fun, but it was cold and wet.  I’m hoping for another good run and to just have some fun.  It’ll be a good way to start our year off!  Mind you, that Alexis, Becky, and I are running Brazen’s New Year’s Eve Run the day before, so this will be an interesting, but fun run.

California 10 Miler, Stockton, CA.  I ran the 10K after working all night last year and had a lot of fun.  I’ll consider running it again.

Nike Women’s Half Marathon.  Com’mon, it’s Nike … Who wouldn’t?  I’m in, are you?

Tracy Half Marathon, Tracy, CA.  This is a new race and I’m hoping that it works out.  I’m excited to run close to home.  I’m excited that more races are being held close to home.  It should be a nice, fun, flat run.  I’m looking forward to it!

Tough Mudder, Phoenix, Arizona, January 14

Rock n’ Roll Arizona, January 15

This sounds pretty ambitious … to do Tough Mudder on Saturday, then run the RnR AZ Half on Sunday.  It sounds ambitious, but I know that it’s so doable.  It’s crazy, but I am entertaining the thought and I am seriously considering doing this  ** While it was fun to entertain the thought, it’s sad that it’s not going to happen. I thought about it.  Chris said I should go, but in the end, it was just a tad unjustifiable.  I would love to have run in AZ with my friend, Audrey.  We’ll have to plan another day. 

***Update 1/8/12***  I AM running Rock N’Roll Arizona!!!  My husband, who loves me soooo much, planned my trip with my friends, Erika and Audrey!  How cool is that?  He got my ticket for $10, and my entry fee was only $75!!!  Yippeeee!  So, I’ll be flying out on Friday to meet my friend, Audrey, whom I’ll be staying with, and running with both she and Erika on Sunday!  Thanks so much, My Love!!!

February:

No races scheduled yet.  Last year I ran Davis Stampede and I absolutely hated it.  I have no plans to run yet this month.

**Update** My February schedule now includes the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon in San Francisco, CA on 2/05/12.  I’ve run this race twice before, however, was not considering running this race because of the fact that there is NO bling.  No medals!  For real?  This is a health care company that continuously promotes the slogan “Thrive.”  Kaiser Permanente encourages it’s employees and members to “find their motivation,” however they don’t seem to understand that a medal (a.k.a. “bling”) is a form of motivation, nor do they offer their employees a discount on their sponsored events.  I’m not happy with that.  But … I’ll run because my friends are running and I want to be with them, and I’ll just continue to express my discontent with Kaiser.  Sorry, KP, but it’s true … Medals are a motivator, as are employee discounts.

March:

Shamrock’n Half, Sacramento, CA.  I’ve run this with Mac 2 years in a row and it’s a fun run through the city of Sacramento.

Oakland Running Festival, Oakland, CA.  I am running Oakland!  I know, right?  Oakland!  I’m excited.  =)

April:  Last year I ran Santa Cruz Half.  The year before, I ran Pescadero’s Artichoke Half, and I have to say that I love running in this area.  I’m just not sure which race I’ll run, or if I’ll run at all this month.

Update:  I am running Running of The Elks Half, Elk Grove, CA.  It’ll be Elk Grove’s first half marathon, and it’s not that far away from my home.  It’s perfect, although I know that running the beaches of Santa Cruz would’ve been much funner!  It’s okay though.  I’m happy to run in Elk Grove.  I’m going to try and talk my boys into running the relay.  That should be interesting.

Hollywood Half Marathon, Hollywood, CA.  Run with the stars?  Lured by a beautiful girl?  Okay … I’ll go!  Hubster says its okay to go run with Shiloh and Penny!  Horray for Hollywood!!!  I wanted to run this, but it’s not gonna happen.  I’m still hopeful, but not so sure.  We’ll see. 

May:

Indy Festival 500 Mini Marathon, Indianapolis, IN.  I ran this race last year and loved it.  The plan is to run it again this year, but plans change especially when the race is so far away from home.  But you never know.

Fresno California Classic Weekend Half Marathon, Fresno, CA.  I am a Legacy Runner for this race.  I loved running it last year with Penny and Kristy.  It was fun.  I loved running through the Fresno Zoo.

Run To Eradicate Polio 10K, Stockton, CA.  I ran this 10K after working all night last year and had a blast.  It was fun.

June:

See Jane Run, Alameda, CA. I still like this race and running for chocolate business.  If I run it, it will be my third year in a row.

July:

I got nothin’ for ya.  Last year I ran the DavisMoo-nlight Run and hated it, and I ran the SF Marathon First Half.  I have no desire to run in Davis,CA or the San Francisco Marathon at all.  Not even for that bling that they have advertised.

Update:  I am “IN” for the S.F. Marathon, Second Half.  I know that I said I wasn’t going to run SF, but I decided that I would.  I need to to get over whatever it is that I need to get over.  I need some sort of redemption from this race since my race last year sucked so much.  I am hoping for a good, happy run.  To just have fun and do what I need to do.  =)

August:

S.F. Giant’s Half Marathon, San Francisco, CA.  I loved this race.  It was the funnest race ever!

Keep Moving Forward 10K, Riverbank, CA.  A fun run to help aid those with visual problems/blindness.  I like this race because it’s literally right across the street from my Mother-in-Law’s house!

September:

Half Moon Bay International Marathon, HMB, CA, September 23.  I am a Legacy Runner for this race.  I loved this race so much last year and I can’t wait to run it again!!!

October:

Muddy Buddy, San Jose, CA.  This race is a duathalon and my partner for the last 5 years has been a beautiful girl named Rosie.  This race is fun and crazy!  We have enjoyed it so much that we keep going back over and over again!

Nike Women’s Marathon, San Francisco, CA.  My first marathon was the NWM.  It’s now become a tradition for me to run and raise funds for the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society.

Stockton, Half Marathon, Stockton, CA.  I’m a Legacy Runner for this race. It’s a nice little home town race.

Morgan Hill Half Marathon, Morgan Hill, CA.  I’m not sure why I registered for this half.  I know that it got good reviews.  I know that it sounded fun.  I also got it at a discounted rate at over 50%.  I know, I know … not a good idea sometimes, but … =)  I know I’ll have fun regardless!  =)

November:

Two Cities Half Marathon, Fresno, CA.  

Run To Feed The Hungry 10K, Stockton, CA.  It’s become tradition for me to get my turkey in the oven in the morning, run the race, then come home and finish up what I need to do to get Thanksgiving dinner done and ready to eat!

December:

Walnut Creek Half Marathon, Walnut Creek, CA.  This was a nice race despite being cold, and the angry drivers, and backed up traffic.  I really enjoyed running it, especially the really nice 2.5 mile uphill run!  =)  I can’t wait to run 2012!

Operation Jack Satellite 10K, Virtual.  This is a virtual/satellite run that can be run anywhere.  I love this run.  I love helping my friend, Sam Felsenfeld, and his son Jack and raising awareness for Autism.

2011 was an ambitious year for me.  So far it’s only October and I have already run 13 half marathons, 3 10Ks, and one 10 miler.  I have yet to finish off the year with the races that I have scheduled … 1 duathalon, 4 half marathons, 1 10K, and one full marathon!!!  =)  As much as I have enjoyed running, it has been known to burden me and caused me to quit many times.  When that happens, I know that I need to let go and take a step back for a minute.

My 2012 schedule is equally as ambitious.  I say that I’m not going to run, but I know that I will … I’m easily presuaded.  It’s all good.  Running has been my passion for such a long time that for me to stop would be somewhat of a shock to my body.  Also, I know that I will be training hard doing other things besides running.  I’m excited for the year to come.  An ambitious schedule and a touch of insanity works for me … Wheeeee … Who’s coming with me?  Let’s gooooo …. !!!