The 80-mile relay my Ragnar van was going to run has been canceled. It was going to be October 18, but they moved it to the 25th...I'll be in Seattle for a wedding that weekend (hopefully!), so I had to back out.
That leaves me with some options. The race director refunded our money because of the date change, so I now have to decide how I want to use it. I promised myself I wouldn't sign up for tons of races willy-nilly while we're trying to pinch pennies for the house, but it seems like these are funds meant for races and it would be a shame not to use them!
Option 1: Registration for the 22.4 Challenge, which I completed and loved last year, has opened. The first price increase is looming, so I need to decide quickly if I'll plan to do this again. It's a little pricier, but it's three races instead of just one!
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| Three races from December to April, which will keep me motivated all year. |
Option 2: The original weekend of the relay has two races to pick from. One is a 10k on the 18th, and there's a 10-miler on the 19th. Technically my plan calls for a 20-miler that weekend, so I could just choose to race both and call it even.
I've never done a 10-mile race, so that could be fun, and I love the Race for Fish 10k. I've run it twice and really enjoyed it both times.
Option 3: Pocket the money, put it into house stuff, and do the training run as my plan calls for.
I haven't signed up for any races before the marathon, and I'd like to get a few in so I feel ready. There are so many fun fall races I'd love to do, including the 15k I did last year, and if I could somehow manage to fit some into my schedule, I'd be a happy camper!
On another note, I'm also deciding on which hydration vest I want to get. I need to get it soon if I plan to adjust to it by the time I'm running my 20-milers. Right now I'm between:
The Nathan Vapor Shadow
On another note, I'm also deciding on which hydration vest I want to get. I need to get it soon if I plan to adjust to it by the time I'm running my 20-milers. Right now I'm between:
The Nathan Vapor Shadow
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| A bit heavy by the description, but I like the specialized women's fit. |
Nathan Firecatcher
Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta
Some of these are priced a bit better on Amazon, but I can't find them in stores to try before I buy, which kind of stinks. Maybe I should buy all three and return the two I don't like!
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| Much lighter and less expensive, but uni-sex fit concerns me, although it does have great reviews. |
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| Really light and cut for a woman, designed by Jenny Jurek, but expensive...and maybe with more bells and whistles than I need. |
Which race-refund option would you choose?
Is it in poor taste to register for "housewarming" gifts that are actually marathon gifts? Because the thought has crossed my desperate mind! I'm kidding...Promise.
Is it in poor taste to register for "housewarming" gifts that are actually marathon gifts? Because the thought has crossed my desperate mind! I'm kidding...Promise.
ABK
I'd actually be buying new running gear to wear at your marathon with the refund...LOL.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into camelbacks for hydration packs? I know that Heather really likes hers!
I thinks hydration vest counts as new gear, doesn't it?!
DeleteI like camelbaks except that they only have one chest clip and I want two.
I really wanted to do Rocktoberfest last year ... I'm still thinking about it for this year, but I'm worried about how I'll feel after running the marathon earlier in the month! I'm also worried it might be a boring race, doesn't part of it just loop runners through the parking lot?
ReplyDeleteI love my Camelbak but I bet the Ultra Vesta is nice. Jenny Jurek has worked in running design forever and since she runs a lot I am sure she knows what's up!
I actually haven't looked at th course map for Rocktoberfest. One of my teammates loved it last year so that's what put it on my radar. It would be so fun it you ran it too ;)
DeleteI knew you'd like the Jenny vest because of your ultra-love!
Hey Ali,
ReplyDeleteI've heard really good things about the Nathan hydration vests. My Camelbak is unisex and it really isn't a problem for a flat chested girl like myself, lol. I only wish it had the front pockets. I'd get the Nathan firecatcher....I'm assuming it has a hose to drink from? I don't see one in this picture. It is good to get a tune up race in before the marathon. It's a great gauge of your current fitness level for sure. I'd definitely be tempted by that ten miler. They're so fun and I love the distance! Plus if you've never done one, it's a guaranteed PR! ;)
I like the camel baks I've seen in stores but I want a vest with two chest clips, so that was a deal breaker, sadly. The Firecatcher can hold a bladder but I think I'd have to purchase it separately, which kind of explains the price.
DeleteI love the 15k race distance, so I bet 10mi would be really fun!
I vote to do a race that you have never done before!! New races area always fun!!!
ReplyDeleteFor the hydration pack, I bought one from Dick's Sporting Goods. It was unisex and I have no trouble with it, plus I am bigger chested. At first I had to get use to the sound of the water sloshing around but once your music is on and you get in your groove, you rarely hear it. I've never tried a pack designed just for "women," so I am curious to how they would fit me, since I don't look like your average runner.
I also vote to pocket your money and use it for something that may pop up during your training! But getting a hydration pack is really good especially for those longer runs, unless you want to keep looping the same area to get your water :)
I think "something that may pop up" IS the hydration pack. I definitely need one.
DeleteThat's a tough call. I think the 3-in-1 sounds pretty fun and like you said it'll keep you motivated all winter long. But it's also nice to pocket the money of buy new gear. I've learned that hydration packs are so individualized, much like running shoes. Whatever feels best for you is the right choice. I like the belts, but I know some people swear by the handhelds and others like the tiny camel backs....etc. Good luck with your choice!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely seems there are tons of differing opinions on the packs! I had no idea they were such a hot topic hehe.
DeleteGo for both of them - why not? And that way you get your mileage in. Have you used a vest before for marathon training? I'm trying to figure out hydrating issues / ways to hydrate during my long runs.
ReplyDeleteThis will be the first vest I'll use, because this is the first time I've trained for a full. I'd rather carry hydration that plant bottles ahead, and with such long runs in summer, my belt just isn't cutting it.
DeleteThe 22.4 sees awesome :) And I actually really like your buy all 3, then return 2 plan! (I don't know if you were kidding or not though)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a solid plan, too!
DeleteI think running the races you haven't done before would be a good idea. Although, the 22.4 sounds like the smart choice to keep yourself motivated! Running a distance you've never run before could be really fun and exciting. It would also mean an automatic PR, so that's always a plus. I feel that you are super smart and in tune with yourself and your needs and that you will make the right choice for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat happens when all the choices seem awesome?! Lol :)
DeleteAs far as gear goes, I would buy all three, try them on, and return two. Something like this it's really important to get the right fit, and the oddest little thing can make it seem "not right".
ReplyDeleteAnd I would register for the two new ones - for fun, to break up that 20 miler (since you have more than one in your plan you can certainly do that with one of them), to get some longer races in before your marathon, and because chances are good you'll end up signing up for that 3-fer later anyway, just because it was so much fun before.
I probably will buy-and-try all three...glad I'm not the only one who thinks that's a good idea! Also, you know me so well...that 3-fer is so tempting, I'll probably do it no matter what!
DeleteI am so bad at making choices. You love to race and want to do some before your marathon, so I guess it makes sense to use the refund! I was going to say DON'T break up your 20 miler into those two races, but I didn't realize you planned on doing more than one 20 miler. In which case- go ahead and break one up! My first instinct was to do option 1 because it is several distances and you are right, it will keep you motivated all year! As for the vests, I agree with trying them on. I tried on my friend's hydration pack to make sure I liked it before I bought it.
ReplyDeleteMy plan has four 20-milers!! I was going to have to skip this one for the relay anyway, so the substitute races seem like an okay replacement. I'll probably buy all three to try them...I'm glad Amazon has a good return policy! Lol
DeleteI would opt to race before the marathon--I think it helps to get on the starting line a couple of times...
ReplyDeleteI have no experience with the hydration packs--but they kind of look like a jet pack...Do any of them promise faster times???lol