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Seems that we're all doing the same thing. 2009 race season is pretty much done (well, for us in a northern climate anyway) and we're looking ahead to next year.
What do you do? Sign up early to take advantage of the reduced race entry fees? Making sure you're registered for the 'must-do' races before it sells out? Or wait to see how your training unfolds and hope for the best when you're ready to register?
I've been bitten by both. I'm a planner... so I tend to be thinking about redoing the same race minutes after crossing a finish line, or skipping it and trying something new.
While eating breakfast one morning last week in SF, the girls and I were throwing out ideas for spring races. I mentioned the TO Women's Half on May 30, 2010, which I know Marlene ran last year and enjoyed. Necklace style race medal (no, not Tiffany... that will be tough to beat... but it's still cute), chocolate aid stations, and firemen at a water stop ;) We decided not to hop on the registration site right away as not everyone was there...
Emails were flying around yesterday morning about this race... while it sold out in November last year, they have allotted more spots this year, but got great reviews from participants in their inaugural year last year... I registered yesterday morning and got my confirmation.
When I checked my email while leaving the pool last night, two of the other girls had tried to register after work, but had since sold out!
They missed out on it this year by waiting just a little too long, but I missed out on it last year because I had this one planned out so far ahead, and ended up injured weeks before the race during my marathon. Speaking of the marathon... that was not a race I had planned well in advance. After a great 30k race at the end of March last year, I figured why not just continue train from there and carry on for a full marathon a month and a half later. Planned months in advance? No. Smart decision? Obviously not, given the outcome... for me.
My goal for 2010 is distances no longer than half marathon, perhaps 2, and triathlons, sprint distance, and working my way to a fall Olympic distance. I'm looking forward to seeing what every one else is planning!
24 comments:
I get frustrated by having to sign up so early and not being able to defer or get some $ back if injuries or something else gets in the way. Injuries prevented me from doing 5 races in 2009. It seems like triathlons are worse than runs though.
Sometimes there are smaller races that don't sell out that are options but that isn't always the case. I've decided not to preregister for a late 2010 half iron since I have a couple of semi-local options. I did, though, sign up for Eagleman70.3 (which sold out quickly).
This week is the signup for the NYC Triathlon. They advertise that last year it sold out in 22 MINUTES!
I like to plan my "A" and "B" races in advance as it helps set my training plans. So next year I'll do 2 half irons (one in June, the other in Sept) and the NYC 26.2(was able to defer to get in but no refund of $) in Nov as my "A" races. Will look to race about once a month to support these races.
Congratulations on getting in! I will admit that when I sign up for something so far in advance (...like Ironman or the Goofy...) that it feels really intangible for a long time. I need a few more short term goals!
I also had to sign up for the Great White North Half Iron tri in September since it sells out so quickly. So my big races for next year are all planned out and paid for!
I tend to sign up less in advance, but I am trying to pick my spots more lately (although you would never know it with two upcoming marathons). I ran the TO womens half and it was a fun event, but I decided not to run it this year (too many races, so little time), but you will love it!
I have noticed the tri's that I signed up for way in advance I had much better success then races that were spur of the moment races.
I have 2 schedules, option A and Option B, it all depends on how my off season improvements go.
It;s a tough call. I missed 2 events that I paid for this year and avoided a third by not signing up ahead of time. Two entry fees is significant $$. And a third would have been that much worse.
On the other hand, when something is really important to me, I have signed up in advance thinking missed opportunity would be worse than lost cash in that case. But for me, that's going to be the exception, not the rule, moving forward.
You have great goals for 2010. As for signing up early . . . I do a little bit of both. If I have a really big goal race, I sign up early. Otherwise, I tend to wait til the last minute.
Great plans Mel!!! A fall Olympic will be great.
it's crazy how fast some races fill up. i mean i like planning ahead, but... lol.
i need to come up with my goals for the remainder of 2009 and then looking ahead to 2010.
Every year we plan one big destination race, so we sign up way in advance for that one. For local or easy driving-distance races we wait a little closer to race time to sign up. It's fun planning out the racing year though:)
Sold out already! Wow, that was quick!
I'm already getting overwhelmed by race decisions for next year. I have NO idea what I'm doing yet.
Just found out that Ottawa falls on the same weekend as the Women's Half this year (maybe because of the way the long weekend falls? Not sure...) so now I don't know what I'm going to do about that either. Was hoping for another cottage weekend with the running group.
Anyhoo, glad to hear you signed up for the half for next year. It's a good one!! Good luck with the rest if your decisions. Should be a good year. :D
I am not great at planning WAY ahead for races...I just feel like I dont' know what I'll want to race 6 months from now. Maybe a 1/2 maybe a full who knows
Im such a planner! If I could register for all my 2010 races right now I would, but I've learned this year that it's nice to leave yourself some space when planning race schedules. What seems do-able November 2009 might seem insane August 2010! lol Glad you got into the half though :)
I'm not sure but there was a booth for a womans' race at the Niagara expo (not sure if it's the same race that you're talking about). I think they still were accepting registrations. They might be at the hamilton expo next weekend so if you know someone in Hamilton, you might be able to get someone to register you if they're there.
I always have a few races I sign up for way in advance, as the popular races here all sell out, but I also do a fair amount of last minute races.
I have to figure out which states we are going to try to hit next year and go from there.
Your plan for next year sounds great.
Usually I sign up for races waayyy ahead of time. Since I've decided to try another marathon next fall, I'm not sure what to do about my tri schedule. I'm trying to figure it out.
hey Mel...I have a few half marathons coming up: malibu Nov 15th, Carlsbad Jan 24th and Surf City Feb 6th...and maybe RnR Vegas Dec 6th...and I really need and want to do another tri...but I'm a bit of a slacker!!! You'll have to motivate us slackers!
It's a crapshoot, I lost a bundle this year on blown race fees and then spent a ton more or fill ins...and medical bills!
I say sign up, it's always better to be inside the tent peeing out!
I plan...and then I wait.
I decide what I want to do, and I train for it. But don't actually register until I'm much closer to the date. Life has taught me that sometimes things don't go as planned, so I don't rush to register. Since I've only done small races so far, it hasn't been a problem yet.
Congrats on getting into the race!
i plan marathons - i get high hopes about doing like 10, but usually only do 1 or 2 a year. anything under a marathon i've always signed up on a whim. sometimes early enough for a discount but sometimes i've paid the rip-off last-minute price increase too. i try to keep my mileage/long runs fairly consistent so that i can hop in a half or 10k without any problems. sure, maybe not a pr, but survivable :) although, i don't race nearly as much as you/pretty much everyone else out here. i have trouble finding local races that work with my schedule, i guess.
Yippee for Planners :)
I am going to train with Fleet Feet for a Marathon in late April Early May. Which one?? TBD I am working on it.
Will also run Race for the Cure 5K to help a friend make it through her FIRST 5K. And Rock N Roll Marathon to help my training partner through her first Marathon...
I am going to use the year of running to raise money for Charity and to help my friends reach their goals. I think less focus on myself and my competitive side will help with the enjoyment..
BUT that does not mean I am not trying for a killer Marathon PR in April or May...
OK that was long.
I am definitely a planner and like to sign up for races early to take advantage of lower reg fees and to make sure I don't get shut out. And since I often travel to races, I'll set up all my flights, hotels, etc. well in advance too which allows me to often use freq flyer miles, hotel points so the trip cost is minimal.
It's hard to predict what might happen so far in advance (i.e., you might get injured or something might come up to cause you to miss the race) but I think it helps me stay more focused in training. But I'm someone who likes to have a year long training schedule that incorporates multiple races rather than training for a specific race and then going from one race to another. To each his or her own, though, as long as well keep it fun :-)
Look forward to following you in 2010!
Glad to see someone else is a planner. :) I already have the 2nd half of 2010 planned (for major "A" races).
I seem to always pick up a few races here there and everywhere. Of course, my fall season is just now starting! Hooray Phoenix.
That's a bummer the race is already sold out.
I think I'm more of a planner than a waiter but some races it's intimidating to sign up SO far in advance.
I think my A races of 2010 will be one tri and one half, everything else I do (or don't do) will simply be for fun only.
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