Friday, November 07, 2008

2009: Revealed

It's no secret that my plans for 2009 have been in the works for some time now. I realize that everything won't necessarily go according to plan, but here's what I would like to see on the calendar next year.


January/February

Training! It's too darn cold (and blizzards too likely) to race in Ontario during these months.


March

1st: Chilly Half Marathon, Burlington, ON
I ran this race last year and loved it. Plus, almost everyone I know seems to be running it so it seemed like a good way to kick off the season. Space is limited to 2000 and it sells out very early, so I already registered for this one.

29th: Around the Bay 30K, Hamilton, ON
The oldest road race in North America (Older Than Boston, as advertised on the shirts). I registered last year but had to sell my bib due to ITBS issues.


April

20th: Boston Marathon
Don't choke on your Gu, I clearly did not qualify, but my girlfriend did and I wouldn't miss it. We're already planning the road trip.

26th: Hartwell Challenge Half Marathon Relay, Aurora, ON
We're "competing" (and I use the term loosely) as couples with a group of friends. This is a great (and small!) local event where I volunteered last year and I can't wait to be a part of it again.


May

9th: Desjardins 10K or Hazel 5K, Mississauga, ON
This was intended to be my first marathon last year, but it didn't work out. Not sure which distance I will go for, but it looks like a great event.

17th: Bluenose International Marathon, Halifax, NS
This is the big one for next year. My aunt lives in Nova Scotia and has generously offered to have us stay with her for a week and will also show us around the beautiful province. It's reputed to be a challenging but scenic course. Hubby will run the first half with me.

23rd/24th: Ottawa Race Weekend
This one is on my list, but the timing clearly doesn't work out this year. We're planning a weekend getaway to support some friends and hopefully meet up with some bloggers.

31st: Toronto Women’s Half Marathon
This will be its inaugural year and offers some truly unique and "girly" amenities, from the 19K chocolate station to the Firefighter's Water Station, not to mention a special finishers' memento (details are still hush hush). Hmmm, sounds a lot like the Nike Women's Marathon...maybe some Tiffany bling? The event was capped at 1000 and has already sold out, so I'm glad I registered early. This one will no doubt be for fun!


June (if I don't need to sleep all month to recover from May)

7th: MudRun 10K, Toronto, ON
We completed this challenging and dirty trail race this year on a team of 3 with a friend of ours and placed 6th. Next year we're going for top 3!

20th: Mitsubishi City Chase, Toronto, ON
An "urban adventure" team challenge similar to The Amazing Race with challenges to be completed all over the city. I knew immediately after the race that my first time would not be my last.


July

11th: Rebecca Run 5K, Newmarket, ON
I placed first (in my category) this year, so naturally I have to go back to defend my title! (Although, I'm sure that won't happen again...)

19th: Nissan 10 Miler at The Distillery, Toronto, ON
It takes a scenic and historic route in Toronto, and it's a unique distance for us Canadians, so I want to take advantage.


August

22nd: A Mid Summer Night’s Run 15K/30K, Toronto, ON
I heard rave reviews from some friends and also like the idea of running at night. Not sure which distance - 30K would work out well in training for a September marathon, but I'd like to incorporate a 15K race. We'll see!


September

7th: Labour Day Oakville Half Marathon
This is a maybe, as it might be by only shot at a Fall half-mary, even though it's still Summer.

27th: Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
I've told a few people that I would not run this full again because I hated the second half of the route, but part of me wants to make it a tradition since it was my first. And overall, it's a great event and the biggest in Toronto.


The End!

We'll be in England for most of the month of October and there are limited races around here in November and December, so I'll be playing it by ear. I think that's enough for one year anyway, don't you?

24 comments:

Sarah said...

Sounds like a sound plan! Enjoy Halifax, it is beautiful!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

there are some great races in there! like you said -- i'll see you at some of them! It'll be fun to get some roadtrip marathons in there, and going to Boston would be awesome.

joyRuN said...

Whoa. Sounds like a super-busy plan, especially May!

Can't wait to see what kinda goodies are in store at the Toronto Women's half.

Have lotsa fun :)

Marci said...

That looks like a great plan. I will be running Chilly and ATB as well! Look foward to an abundance of race reports!

J said...

HOLY COW!! (i did not choke on my gu lol) Seriously that is like an amazing list and super long! You made me tired just reading it - or it could be i am just tired from track practice...

Way to go girl!

Run Mommy said...

Looks like a great schedule! I wish the Women's half was not already full - I would have done that one for sure..

Road Warrior said...

you've got quite a 2009 planned. Can't wait to follow you as you rock out!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have lots of racing going on! One of my friends qualified for Boston too. We are thinking of taking a trip to support her. Plus, Boston is only an hour from where my family is!

Unknown said...

I got tired just reading that. I have no idea how my body would withstand that schedule. Sound like a blast though.

Runner Leana said...

That is one busy 2009, I love it! Sounds like you have a great round of events on the schedule. I'm looking forward to hearing the details of the women's race in TO!

Jess said...

Sounds like a busy, but fun, race year coming up!

Sonia said...

ATB is my MOST FAVORITE RACE!! Totally amazing race, you'll love it too I'm sure. And 30K is just the perfect distance =)

Bluenose is definitely challenging and the weather can be totally insane (2005 was in the middle of a typhoon) but I've heard good things about the race. Plus haligonians are the best =)

Looks like a fun year ahead of you! I'm totally jealous that you can make plans and are healthy to run them. Keep it up!

AddictedToEndorphins said...

You have a wicked wicked race season. I loved the "Don't choke on your Gu. Hahahah"

I'll be volunteering at the Women's Half since tis sold out, but I'll be registering for ATB (hard course but amazing) and Chilly Friday, so I'll see you there. And at Mississauga, people I know will be doing the 5 and 10k runs, so I'll be THERE too. And at Scotia and I completely forgot about the mud run, so I'll have to add that to my list:) And I'll see you at Ottawa too if you make it there.

You're making me excited! Can't wait for all the race reports (and blogger time together)

Thanks for reminding me:)

Julianne said...

That's quite a list! I LOL'd on "Don't choke on your Gu!" Haha! You're gonna be a busy busy lady next year!

JenZen said...

What a great year plan!!! I love relay races too. I ran one in Little Rock last year and it was a blast.

Umm...blizzard??? What's that? :D

BeachRunner said...

Wow that is a great race list, packed with fun and excitement.

yumke said...

A good handful are on my list. Midsummer is nice but the warning is true -- it does get dark in the last 10K of the 30 . Fun though. And ATB is awesome. One of my favourite races I've ever done.

And I, too, am plotting my revenge on waterfront. Luckily, we can sign up well into the summer without fear it'll fill up :)

Marky Mark said...

Very ambitious! I'd love to do ATB but we will be away. I liked the first 15K of Midsummer and while yumke had recommended sticking to that distance and not doing the 30K due to the dark, I did the 30K. I found the second half difficult and struggled in the dark. In '09 I think I'd go for the 15K. Still trying to decide whether to do another marathon next year (or ever).

Marcy said...

OOooooo you're going to be a bu-say one!! Nice!! Can't wait til next year ;-)

Heather said...

Looks like a crazy, fun schedule!

Unknown said...

Wow, the plan looks good. It's nicely sprinkled throughout with awesome races!

Lily on the Road said...

Oh, thanks for the list, hmmm, maybe I can fit a few in on my list too!

Mudrun sounds like a blast!!

And come on, you can train in the winter!! hahahaha

Steve Stenzel said...

I LOVE winter 1/2 marathons!!

And enjoy your time at Boston!!

Aron said...

sounds like an awesome 2009!!!