So I am so frustrated with California. Why must they have most of their races on Sunday? I have done everything short of pulling my hair out trying to find the perfect marathon. I found one. Flat. At sea level. Along the beach. Taking place far enough away that I can prepare, but before the registration time for Boston on October 17th. But oh, one glitch...it's on a Sunday. Oh found another...oops again, Sunday race. This happened about 15 times. Oh it makes me so mad that I have to go out of state for my marathon. For a moment I thought, well it is just one race. What can it hurt if I run on Sunday just this once? Still, deep down I knew that when it came down to it, running one of the most memorable races of my life could never feel right to me if it was on Sunday. Bottom line, I knew I would always regret it. Great quote: "It's easier to make a decision 100% of the time than 98% of the time".
Another aspect of the problem is, that during a marathon, 5 million things have to go right for you to have a great race like weather, how you are feeling that day; etc. A runner's mental state is about 80% of the race. I'm guessing I don't want to be messing with my mental state! For me to qualify will be nothing short of a miracle. There is no way I will hit the pavement without God on my side and underneath my feet. I know there is no way I could do it without him. It's too big. It's no joke. Plus how in the world would I be able to teach my children to honor the sabbath if I don't take a stand on this? There are many races to choose from. They just happen to all be out of state during the time that I want to do it. I choose a great marathon called the "Top of Utah" in Logan. It's a free country. I choose to not race on Sunday.
Marathons I considered:
Newport Marathon
Where: Newport, OR
Why run it: The Newport Marathon starts about 60 feet above sea level and has few gently rolling hills through a residential neighborhood. The steepest hill you'll encounter is 40 feet at mile four. The flat marathon route hugs the Yaquina Bay for much of the race, providing you with stunning views of the water. Make sure you register early -- the Newport Marathon limits the number of entries in an effort to keep the race more intimate and fun. Although the marathon is in June, it's been known to sell out as early as mid-March
Steamtown Marathon
Where: Scranton, Penn.
Why run it: Featuring a 955' net elevation drop, Runner's World has called this race "One of the nation's 10 fastest marathons." You'll really blow off some steam on this course -- this marathon is said to be one of the best places to qualify for the Boston Marathon. In fact, in 2006, 28 percent of all runners qualified for the Boston Marathon. The race is held every October, when temperatures are relatively cool and the fall foliage is beginning to peak.
So, after searching and searching, I've come back to the first race that I thought of, and that is the "Top of Utah" marathon. It is a fast downhill race. The one thing that will be hard is that it starts at a high elevation and I live at sea level now. But oh well! I can't let that deter me. I need to start training on downhill runs! The TOU is almost all downhill.
This course is fast
This course is incredibly scenic
This course is USATF certified
The course starts at Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge, and travels down Blacksmith Fork Canyon and on into downtown Logan. The course drops approximately 1045 ft. over the 26 miles but is only a 1% to 2% grade and won't beat up your legs. It is a perfect downhill course. Many set a PR on this course.
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