Wednesday, October 1, 2008

You Saw This Coming, Right?

Pop quiz: So what do you do when you have all this marathon training under your belt and you fell short of your goals on race day?

A.) Eat dirt and die
B.) Say, "Maybe next year ..."
C.) Say, "Fuck next year. How about next week?"

The Viper seeks redemption. Sitting at the corner of Impatience and Stubbornness, my quest for the sub-four-hour marathon will not stop at the 2008 Akron Marathon. I'm shopping for a new race.

The Towpath Marathon seems the most doable of any I've found so far. I mean, I've run the course before. And it's close. But it's soon, as in Oct. 12 soon. Will my legs be ready? I think they will, maybe. As you can see, I have not yet drunk my own Kool-Aid.

But I've got this marathon in me, and it's got to come out!

Do any of you faithful readers have any suggestions for a marathon in the next month, within an eight-hour drive of Akron? The only requirements are a cheap overall trip and that the race not be on the weekend of Oct. 18-19, which admittedly is a good weekend for marathons but the Viper would so rather be vacationing that weekend. (And yes, I've already looked for a marathon at my vacation destination.)

Here are some other possibles:

Add to the list. NOW!

23 comments:

Marcy said...

Do the Mohawk Hudson with me on Oct 12 :P It's flat and downhill. Very fast. It's really small though, and Albany is a dump but hey the course is speedy LOL

Sun Runner said...

Shoot, I was going to suggest Detroit but it's October 19.

Turi Becker said...

Hmm, don't do the trail one. They're fun and easy on the knees, but not fast.

I'm in the same situation - kinda tanked on my marathon last weekend, but I think I have my eyes on one in a couple weeks...

Ian said...

Well, it doesn't really meet any of your requirements, but I hear that all the cool people are going to be running the Arizona Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in January.

Jess said...

Baltimore's an amazing race, but it's super hilly. If the hills don't bother you, it's one of the best atmosphere's I've raced in.

Kristina said...

Richmond Marathon, early Nov. I ran it in '02. It's flat (one moderate hill in the middle), reasonable in size, and fairly well supported by spectators. 7 1/2 hrs. from Akron, according to Google maps.
Harrisburg Marathon not too scenic (I used to live there).

raulgonemobile said...

This is probably entirely too soon (falling into choice "C" above), but the Wineglass Marathon is on Oct 5.

It's a flat course, at least..
Approximately a 5 hour drive from Akron to Corning, $90 registration at this point.

Sun Runner said...

Not running related (*gasp*) but thought you might enjoy this: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95170954

Vava said...

Yeah! Check out the Niagara Falls Marathon on October 26th! I'm running the 10k race before the marathon starts, and the course is uber flat - perfect for your sub 4:00 attempt! I think Niagara Falls isn't that far from Akron since my Dad used to drive to Akron all the time from here in Toronto (he's in the rubber industry)...

S said...

I was going to recommend the Niagra Falls Marathon...but I see vava already did...so never mind. Also, the Richmond marathon is usually very well organized and is a relatively easy course and the city area is pretty cheap so it won't cost a lot to stay here (but I'm not sure I agree with google maps time to get here). And it has the added benefit of me running in the 8k (yeah...that's probably not much of a benefit...never mind then). Good luck finding a race!

Adam Dunn said...

I say harass your friends and family into setting up water stations some weekend, then follow the thin blue line and run Akron again. Even if you don't break 4 hours, you should finish first. And think of the excitement in dodging traffic.

Aileen said...

Chicago Marathon. October 12th. It HAS to be better than last year. And there are some excellent drinking opportunities.

gin hall said...

Vacation as running? Sir, you have crossed that line into no man's land. Aren't you going to Cooperstown? I say you should run home from NY.

the erratic epicurean said...

dude - there is one in early november (sunday the 9th) in the outer banks!!

here's how it is described, "varied terrain, coastal, scenic, incredible community and spectator support, entertainment at every mile, Boston qualifier , walker friendly."

running near the beach! go for it man! (can i come along? just think of the NC bbq we could eat post race!!)

C said...

But if you run Detroit you can see/ridicule/punch Nitmos. Isn't that reason enough?

Ms. V. said...

Um. You could FLY 8 hours, and do one in CA!

Unknown said...

How about not thinking about marathon till next year? If I were you, I would be spending time in a hot tub and downing on a six pack of beer.

Ms. V. said...

I've got a pic on my blog of you Viper...you big slacker. Just pick one, for God's sake!

Jess said...

Twin Cities Marathon is this month. I don't know if MN is within driving distance from Akron. To be honest, without a map, I'm not entirely sure where Akron is located within...Ohio, right? Oh dear, I'm sure that somewhere, a geography teacher just died.

Laura said...

Flights from Akron to Albany the weekend of the Hudson Mohawk Marathon are only $230. I didn't check Cleveland but those might get even cheaper. Anyway, this leads me to the best idea yet:

Fly to Albany on Friday, then hitch a ride with my mom from Albany to Hartford (90 mins), where you can join me in the Hartford Marathon (supposed to have an awesome post-race party) on Saturday. Try for a sub-4 time. If you fail, go back to Albany and run the Hudson Mohawk Marathon on Sunday with Marcy. TWO chances to reach your goal! How can you go wrong?

Obi-Run Kenobi said...

You should definitely consider Baltimore, although yes, it is hilly in parts. But you'll get to see the intriguing parts of Baltimore that you can only see running the marathon or watching The Wire...I mean, you get to run around Ft. McHenry and the harbor. Yeah, just focus on that and not the course through East Baltimore. There are, however, good bars to be found throughout Baltimore if you choose to come. My favorite has been ranked as one of the best places to drink beer in the country by Imbibe Magazine!

Richmond is probably too far away for you, but it's supposed to be a great race and probably less hilly than Baltimore. I'm running the half in Richmond because it's being held on my birthday so I'm hoping there's some good bars in town to hit afterward.

Laura said...

I just got sold on Baltimore when I discovered there is a $35 bus that goes between there and NYC - so it's basically just as close as Hartford for me (which I was thinking about doing that day). If you go to Baltimore, maybe we can meet up there?

Nitmos said...

Trail Marathon....not a good idea for a PR seeker. Unless that trail happens to be across the gravity free zone on the moon.