Honolulu Marathon

        So I have been dreaming again. What best do housewives who work full time and have tons of energy do anyway BUT dream,? Despite feeling super crappy this week health-wise I am looking forward to a shiny new year, full of new potential (just don't  mention the T word). This year was the shittiest year in a long time, my grandma died, my mom totaled her car, I ran a slow marathon (again), lots of tragedies in the news almost monthly, and yes, we elected a man for president of the US who ran a racist campaign. So I am looking forward to any ray of light in 2017.....My dreams are now in doing a travel marathon, the Honolulu Marathon.
         This week I have been "under". For me, who has not gotten sick in over 4.5 years (knock on wood) even a cold is a huge deal. I have been sneezing and sneezing and my head feels like a squirrel is caught between my temple and my brain, no fever, but who needs a fever, I feel crappy enough. I have been juicing up as always. My hubby makes veggie juice in juicer and leaves me half almost daily. I have also not been to the gym in 4 days, which has been very tough emotionally to bear. I need my workout to feel normal, so out comes the "Miriam" who cries about the dumbest things and 20 minutes later feeling just fine. This morning I was a mess about a dumb argument I had with hubby about the new president, of all things. Thankfully, I now know not to believe my thoughts when I get this crazy so I just walked out and drove to work.
          The idea for Honolulu came from a running magazine, one of many I get at home and hardly ever even look at for lack of time and/or energy. Under the heading of marathons for slower runners (or something to that affect) both Honolulu and Missoula marathon were mentioned. Polling friends about both immediately made Hawaii the winner. Not only that but a friend who I worked with offered me a place to stay in December, so in my mind, I am 99% ready to sign on the dotted line. The mom guilt of leaving my family for 2, possibly 3 days still exists, but, nothing a few sessions with some good girlfriends can't smooth out. In the meantime, right now I feel not only ill, but I am also feeling bloated and huge and slow....a natural emotional state from not working out for half a week. Part of me knows this guilt I lay one myself is pure bullshit, but I can't help myself, the perfectionist in me is always on my shoulder eating away at my confidence.
            Initially I had thought of having the whole family go and if we spend so much to get there why not make it 5 days? I roughly did the math and it came to $6,000 for all of us to go to Hawaii for 5 days next December. Sadly, that is beyond what we'd like to pay for a family vacation so the only logical next solution is for me to go alone. I will have to figure out additional support for my hubby with the kids when the time comes, but for now I need not worry. Already they are much more independent, and in a year from now, maybe they will even be more independent, maybe even independent enough not to drive my hubby crazy with their sibling wars. Okay, here comes the guilt again. I need to call a girlfriend.

Envision Realty: Georgetown 10 Miler (2-Day Challenge)- All there is to know

Basic information about the race(s)

When is the race: Saturday, April 9, 2016 - Sunday, April 10, 2016

Where: C&O Canal Towpath Georgetown • 3700 Water Street Washington, DC  20007

Price: $ 60 for each day or $90 for both days

Websites where you can get more info: Active.com, OR on Facebook 
Hosts: DC Running Club 
Out and back race

* 4TH Annual Georgetown 10 Miler.(started in 2013)  

* THERE WILL ONLY BE 600 SLOTS EACH DAY. 

* Race begins on the Capital Crescent Towpath upstairs across from Jacks Boathouse located at 3700 Water Street. The route is an out and back on the towpath so you finish where you start.

PARKING: There is parking on Water Street and several parking garages on Water Street.

BIB PICKUP: Bib Pickup will be at the race location each morning on April 9th and 10th beginning at 8:00am. The address is 3700 Water St NW Washington DC.

SWAG: Each participant will get a newly designed 2016 custom performance t-shirt and custom medal.  The 2-Day Challenge participants will get an additional custom medal.

Additional Info: We will have a bag check, water stations will be at the clearing at about the 2.25 mile mark and at the finish line.  Bathrooms will be at the start/finish line.  Post race brunch specials will be at a local waterfront restaurant TBD.  The course will be open for three hours. 

AWARDS: Awards will be given to the top three male and female each day.

Cancellations & Refund Policy

Registration fees are NON-REFUNDABLE, and you cannot transfer your bib to someone else 

* You can defer your registration for 1 calendar year.  

* The course is open for 3 hours 

Online Reviews and Reports on this race: 

Info below from: http://www.thismamarunsforcupcakes.com/2013/03/race-review-georgetown-10-miler.html

* The race was is not closed to the public.

* A photographer and pics available for download for free 

Info below from: http://www.katrunsdc.com/race-recap-and-review-georgetown-10-miler/

* Expect a somewhat disorganized packet pickup

http://www.runwashington.com/2013/03/10/inaugural-georgetown-10-miler-rewards-those-who-signed-up-fast/

* They start runners off at different waves because the path is narrow. 

http://stillarunner.com/2013/03/14/daytrip-to-d-c-10-miler/ says the 'flat course will yield you fast times"

Capon Valley 50K Run- everything there is to know.....

Official site is: http://runcapon50k.com/ 

Cost: $75-80

Location: Yellow Spring, WV

Date: May 7, 2016

Basic Event details and schedule

* The course is hilly, and very runnable. 4500′ elevation gain, 4400′ loss, according to another blogger.

* There are a number of stream crossings, and just a few rocky areas.

* Runner completion time limit is 8 1/2 hours. This is a great run for first time marathoners.

Friday, May 06, 2016

7-9pm Packets will be available for pickup

Saturday, May 07, 2016

7:00am Ruritan Park, River Road, Yellow Spring WV Run Starts

6:30am Run Briefing

5:30am Breakfast will be available for purchase & packets for pick up

Online Reviews and Blogs where this info came from: 

* http://www.racingtales.com/2011/05/09/capon-valley-50k-or-i-am-an-ultrarunner/

* http://itsjustonefootinfrontoftheother.blogspot.com/2012/05/capon-valley-50k-2012-race-report.html

* https://cachai.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/wild-and-wonderful-capon-valley-50k-race-report/

* http://ultrarunningdownadream.blogspot.com/2013/05/capon-valley-50k-race-report.html

* http://peake-performance.blogspot.com/2012/06/2012-capon-valley-50k-race-report.html

* http://jendenichols.blogspot.com/2010/05/capon-valley-50k.html

* http://joerunsrealfar.blogspot.com/2011/05/race-report-capon-valley-50k-2011.html

* http://keswab.blogspot.com/2011/05/capon-valley-50k-may-7-2011.html

* Great pictures of the race: HERE  

What more do we know: 

* You can sleep in the back of your car, sleep in a camper, tents and air mattress or a hotel. Bring a propane grill to cook up some dinner 

* "A fairly low key and low fee event, it draws about 200 runners to run through some rugged trail systems and on some gravel and fire roads that weave up and down the Capon Valley"

* "This ultra is different then the other ultras I have run on the account that this ultra is directed and volunteered by a locals that are not ultra runners."

"this race has approximately 30 stream crossings"

"We stayed at the Courtyard so that the kids could enjoy the pool that evening and the next day.  We went to my favorite restaurant; Carrabba's Italian Grill."/"The only downside was the lack of modern bathroom facilities.  The only option were outhouse/privy-type potties.  "

* "This first section was a great mix of surfaces including backyards, creek crossings, trails and dirt roads covering shy of 4 miles before reaching the first aid station" and "Miles 4 through 10 were a roller coaster of terrain and emotions for me.  The hills were often and steep."

* You can stay at "Capon Springs and Farms (kinda like the Catskills in Dirty Dancing, check it out!) "

* "A very rural area without cell phone service or accurate GPS information"

* "Sleeping in a tent is actually my preferred pre-race rest... it's cheaper, you are close to the starting line, and it feels like an adventure. When all was said and done I probably clocked out for about 6 or 7 hours of decent sleep and woke up without an alarm around 6 AM"

New 16-week training plan- Runner's World

                I was all relaxed in my running schedule until I did the math and figured out that I am EXACTLY 16 weeks from my next marathon, the North Face Endurance Challenge Marathon in Virginia. I looked around online and decided on Runner's World's Running 16-weeks Plan. It has very specific schedule with tempos, speed, long runs and 3 days off a week! But, I am not getting off so easy. It has FOUR 20 mile runs embedded in the program. I may be biting off more than I can chew....but we'll see. So far, I am pumped for springtime and know the warmer days alone will get me out there more. I printed out the plan and posted it on my fridge and made a copy to carry around with me to work. 

Philly Marathon Logistics

Transportation: 

GETTING TO THE START/FINISH LINE

The GORE-TEX^® Philadelphia Marathon will begin and end near our world-renowned Museum of Art at the head of the majestic Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The address for the Museum of Art is 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130. You know, right in front of those famous steps that Rocky sprinted up, inspiring countless imitators ever since.

Center City is compact and very walkable. However, if your feet get tired, we encourage runners and spectators to use public transportation on race day.

Philadelphia's mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city. Several SEPTA buses (Nos. 7, 32, 38, 43, and 48) currently serve the Museum area.

Please check with SEPTA at (215) 580-7800 for information about schedules, drop-off and pick-up locations, and route detours. Also, if you're planning to do a lot of "running around" on race day, please ask about SEPTA's unlimited access one-day pass.

To catch a cab in Center City, just head for the nearest street corner and flag one down. Or call the City Cab Company (215) 492-6500 or Quaker City Cab (215) 726-6000.

SEPTA's Info: SEPTA -The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) serves the Philadelphia region with subway-elevated, light rail, trackless trolley, bus routes, and commuter rail lines. SEPTA bus routes 7, 32, 38, 43, and 48 currently serve the Museum area.

Go Directly to SEPTA's Trip Planner: HERE
I went on the site and could not get clear directions from the suburbs. So it looks like I have to call them directly to get directions for 4:30am from Conshohoken to Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Art Museum) 

PARKING INFORMATION

There are several parking lots and garages conveniently located on or near Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Discount parking coupons for select Central Parking System locations are available atwww.philadelphia.centralparking.com under the "Attractions" tab.

Be sure to call ahead as rates and availability are subject to change.

The GORE-TEX^® Philadelphia Marathon has no direct relationship with any parking companies. Some lots are available for parking without an attendant upon entering, with payment upon exit.

• The Start/Finish area opens at 4:30am – Runners:  Arrive by 5:00am with your bib fastened and visible on the front of your attire.
• The start of the race will not be delayed due to lines at security checkpoints.

• Only clear bags will be allowed in and accepted at Gear Check, all subject to inspection. 
• Arrive with the event issued gear check tag (top of bib tear-off strip) affixed to your bag.

• No Backpacks or satchels will be allowed.
• Hydration packs or belts are subject to screening.