Help! How Do I Choose My Races?

Well, hello there. :-)

When I started this blog, I think I forgot that I was a single mom working more than full-time trying to exercise as much as possible & already having trouble accomplishing everything. So, why not start a blog to work on in my "free time"? Hahaha. Raise your hand if you can relate.

I think about blogging every day. Does that count? Yeah, didn't think so.

Luckily, I am starting a new job soon that should offer more flexibility & all my weekends off, so I plan to get my training schedule & blogging schedule down to a science. (That's the plan anyway)

This is my very last weekend of being on call for my current job. I am beyond excited about this. My daughter is spending the weekend with her grandparents. I have been busy "spring" cleaning. Wait, let me rephrase. I have been busy looking at piles of clutter I pulled out of closets and thinking about cleaning. I have gone running, done laundry & had a lovely time at the farmer's market yesterday.

I've spent much of today researching races. I really wish I could do them all. Unfortunately, I am not a millionaire. Bummer. Now I have to narrow it down. I am lucky to live in a super-fantastic city (Austin, TX) that offers tons of race options. I'll bet I could find a 5K every weekend if I wanted to, and there are at least 4 local half marathons I can think of off the top of my head.

I registered my daughter & I for the Race for the Cure. This was a no brainer. My family has been impacted by breast cancer more than I care to think about, & a friend was recently given this diagnosis & started chemo last Friday. A team was formed for her (Breast Friends Forever...catchy, eh?) & now we are recruiting & raising money. Here is a link to our team page:

http://austin.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/AUS_AustinAffiliate?team_id=226802&pg=team&fr_id=2682

If you decide to donate, please do it under Natalie's name. Last year she got so excited watching her thermometer rise. She checked it daily. It was also touching listening to her tell people why she was doing the race & explaining to people what cancer was--in a way only a 6 year old can. Now that she is 7, I'm sure her explanation will be even better.

I've also talked my mom into doing the 1 mile portion of the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving with Natalie so I can do the 5 mile part. (http://thundercloud.com/index.php/trot-home) I love the idea of teaching Natalie to exercise on Thanksgiving, rather than stuff her face with food. I haven't technically registered for this one yet, but am pretty sure I will.

I am also thinking about the Run 10 Feed 10 (http://run10feed10.com/home/#!/main) which is a 10K (6.2 miles) and the Run for the Water (10 miles) (http://www.gazellefoundation.com/runforthewater/).

AND I need to figure out which half marathon will be my first. I will be doing one sometime between December 2012-February 2013. My original plan was to travel to San Antonio in November for the Rock & Roll half, but with the new job & other obligations, I decided to do a local one. I just need to choose one & register.

There is a local option I could still do in 2012. It is the Decker Challenge (http://www.austinrunners.org/DeckerChallenge). I am leaning toward this since I really wanted to do one this year.

 There is also the 3M half in January (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/HalfMarathon/) which is "mostly downhill". That might be a great one to do as my 1st one...but then I worry that I would feel that I took the easy way out by choosing the "mostly downhill" race. But is there really an "easy way out" when running your first 13.1? Hmmm.... And the starting line is pretty much within walking distance of my home. I would be avoiding crazy race traffic. Another great bonus.

And lastly, of course, there is the Livestrong (http://www.youraustinmarathon.com/). This has been in the media a lot lately for obvious reasons. No matter what's been said & what is true or not true, I still believe in my heart that this is a great race for a great cause.

So, now the decision making must take place. This is sooooo hard. I wish I could just do them all. Maybe I'll just pick the one with the best bling. Or flip a coin. Or ask for help. Yes! That's what I'll do. Anyone that reads this is welcome to give input. Please give input. I'm waiting. Hurry up! Choose my 1st half marathon. Thanks so much. This takes the pressure off. Lol.

This is the saying on the new t-shirt I want from http://www.whoohagear.com/. Love this!

Happy Labor Day weekend, all. :)