Decisions, Decisions...

[April]

What is a newbie to do?!

I have been reading some of the past race reports on the forum and have come to a conclusion... I can't decide what races to do. I did...sort of... but now I just don't know. 2009 will be my first full season of racing and all the race reports I read sound like sooo much fun I may change my mind. I have not changed my goals for the season but rather which race to achieve them in. I'm working my way up to my first full marathon, whether it is this fall or next spring, i'm not sure.
 Some of the races that I want to do are Wing Nut Half(already reg.), Run For The Toad, and even though I did it in the fall, the PEC (half or full not sure yet), Fat Ass and of course Disney. Mind you not all of these are for 2009 season, just races I want to do. So I guess my question is which one should I do. What are the most fun and should be experienced first? Trail or road. It doesn't matter I'm game.

Thanks everone's feedback is always great.
April

[The Moose1]

Nothing short and fast?
 

Mike

[Cathy]

There are an absolute plethora of races to do.

When I first started I did not have the wealth of knowledge that you have here.  I was, in essence, flying by the seat of my pants.  I started with finding local races that were not more than 5 (max 10K) in length.  Closer to home was comfortable to me to travel.  All were road races.  I must say, as I remember back, had a blast going to races from Kingston to Ajax.  It is amazing how many you can find.  I did one a month and only found that August was hardest month to find a race local or otherwise.

You are more advanced than I was.  There are more doors open.  So look at your goals and your possible races and you will find what you need.  Remember to not extend yourself too far. 

You have already gotten off the couch (figuratively speaking) so whatever you do from now forward is a positive thing.  Go with your heart and maybe with some friends and you will achieve your goals.

(just my opinion)

[Jane]

If you are doing a half, you should definitely do the Toad afterwards.  It is a great race.  Well, I shouldn't call it a race because we treat it more like a fun run.  It is beautiful beautiful beautiful in the Pinehurst Conservation Area.  I have lots of photos and videos on my Facebook.  If you want, you can add me so you can see them.  I am a friend of Cathy's on there.  Actually, I have tons of photos from LOTS of races for viewing 

There are so many races to chose from and I have my favourites which I just keep doing over and over and over again (I am in a rut - I have done Longboat 10 times now).  We tend to rate races by (1) the food; (2) the registration gift (3) the route (4) the people (5) the door prizes (6) therace package.  And not necessarily in that order.  So as you can see, since travelling to races has become a social event for us as well, the running doesn't even always come first!   

Other good shorter ones to do are the Pitter Patter in Belleville in Apr (5 & 10K), the Spring Thaw (5 & 10K) also in Belleville in May.  The Canada Day run (5K) in Belleville -- surprisingly on Canada Day.  Wolfe Island (5 & 10K) on the first Sunday of July is always an interesting race as well.  In September there is, as I have mentioned, Longboat on Toronto Island (5 & 10K), Sandbanks (5 & 10K) and for the second year, the Army Run (5K and half) in Ottawa.  Oh, we did the Lindsay Milk Run (5 & 10K) in July a couple of years ago too and that was fun but hot.  With all you can eat ice cream at the end! 

There's more, but these are some of our regulars.  Warning -- all the race registration fees can get expensive!   

[Petra]

There are a lot of races and it it very easy to get carried away because they all seem to be fun.

I'm kind of tagging along with Jane to all her favourite races which have become my favourites as well.
In other words, in most cases the races are more of a social outing for me, I get to travel with friends, eat, and run for the fun of it.

The best race in my opinion is the Toad (and I don't even like trails too much!!).  It's just the whole atmosphere there and the people that are organizing it that makes it special, never mind the beautiful scenery.
Only drawback is that it's the same weekend as PEC, so unless you want to run 25k on the Saturday and 21k on the Sunday you have to make a choice.

And if you are looking for shorter races in the area, the Pitter Patter in April (5+10k) and One to One in May (5K) are both in Belleville.

[chattyfeet]

yes, races can get costly if you enter enough...a good way to cuts costs is register early...get the early bird rates.  All races have a discounted fee if you register early.  For e.g. I saved almost $80 last year by registering for all the races I entered early.  I can put that towards new shoes!   I prefer races with an "out and back" course simply because you don't have to waste precious time getting to the start line...or getting 'BACK' to the start line/hotel/your car after you've run the race.   I ran a couple like that...one I had to be up 2 hours earlier than I would have, had the race been an out and back course.  It started at 10:00 (it was a half) and I had to be on a bus no later than 8:30 to get to the start...meaning I had to be at the bus by 8:15, meaning I had to leave my house at 7:30 a.m.  For a race that starts at 10!!!  Trust me, that extra 1.5 or so hours would have served me better in bed.  And another race had us waiting for over half an hour for a bus after....and it ended up being a CROWDED bus!!!!  100's of sweaty runners all crammed in together and pressing against each other...it was GROSS!  But that's just my opinion...some people don't mind any of that...I find it's really best just to do your own thing since everyone is so different.  Sure others opinions can be helpful, but sometimes you can find you're not trying a race that you might actually really like, simply because someone else didn't.  Perfect example, I LOVE Ottawa Race Weekend...for a million different reasons.  But there are many on this forum that don't like Ottawa, for a million different reasons!  And I didn't like Mississauga at all, but there are lots on here who love it, and do it yearly.  So like I said, try to do your own thing, form your own opinions, and be sure to share them on here!

[Jane]

I agree with you there, chattyfeet.  I like my races to start and end in the same place too.  I don't like a race where I have to get on a bus.  And I don't like waiting around doing relays either (I say, after I agreed to take a spot in the relay at ATB  ).  It seems to me to be a pain for the organizers too to have to arrange busing. 

I also agree with not liking Mississauga -- I should try it again but it just turned me off so much that I won't.  It wasn't just one thing either.  It was being told when we checked in at the race hotel with a room booked for two double beds five months earlier, only to be told that we had a double and a single hide-a-bed, or we could pay $50 for a room with two small hide-a-beds.  To having teeny race shirts or XL or cotton left  at noon on the Sat.  To a crappy race expo.  And then having the long long lines for buses (which we never ended up taking but got a ride back to the start). 

I do have a special feeling for NCM as it was my first ever long race - the half in 2000.  But I just find the crowds overwhelming now.

I try not to think how much the race registrations cost.  I don't go to the show except like twice a year so save money there.  Don't smoke and mainly only drink on holidays at all-inclusive resorts  .  So I guess races are my form of entertainment.  I am glad that I have a job to pay the registrations though.  People that run don't have laughed at me, that I would pay $60 to go and "torture" ourselves by running 21 or 42K!  They just don't get it.

[Sandy]

There are many reasons to like or dislike a race and you really just need to try a bunch of them to see what things appeal to you.  As a new racer the "stuff" will be important as will the number of people there are to run with.  Newbies tend to like bigger crowds but not always.  I personally like to race where I travel and have done enough races now that I try not to do the same races numerous years in a row....variety, spice and all that.  I like loop races, shorter distances done numerous times.  I didn't think I would until I got into trail racing which I LOVE because it is a much simpler race.  Runners aren't there for the stuff but are there for the course and the adventure.  There tend to be fewer runners overall...did a race with only 35 people and the venues are more self-sufficient.  Pick a time of year that works into your schedule, look at all the races that might apply then start racing!  I would wait until 2010 for your first marathon but other than that every race is fair game.

Good Luck!

[chattyfeet]

Jane, we also had troubles with our room in Mississauga...and I'm like you, I have such a bad taste in my mouth from my first experience I would not go back.  We got to the hotel and found out we had a room with ONE double bed...well, my running partner and I were not sleeping together!!!  (we're very close friends, but I draw the line at sharing a bed with her, the night before a big run!!!!!).  so they found us a room with two beds, but it was a smoking room.  Well, we had no choice, so we took it.  I have to be  honest, even though I am an ex-smoker, I am not a smoke HATER.  I can live with the smell...it's not pleasant but worse things could happen.  Well, do you know what hotels do to rid the smell of smoke from a smoking room?  They spray EVERYTHING with a bottle (or more!) of Febreeze....well, I'll tell you, I would have rather smelled the stale smoke!!  My girlfriend and I both ended up with a headache within an hour of being in the room, the smell was so strong!!!! 

[Jane]

Was it the Novotel? 

I am getting used to sleeping around the night before races.   

I am not a great fan of Febreeze either.  I am not sure why I keep buying it at the P&G sales! 

[Sandy]

Funny but I was just chatting with another race organizer today who said and I quote "one would hope runners wouldn't judge a race by the accommadations"....how wrong she was!

[chattyfeet]

Oh trust me, it was NOT just the accommodations in Mississauga!  I would never judge a race by that alone.  The accommodations were just one of numerous negatives.  And yes, it was the Novotel!  and I must add...not a good value.  Our little room was $150 before tax.  That's what we pay for a fully furnished and equipped suite (basically an apartment!) in Ottawa!  Kitchen, laundry facilities...beautiful hotel!

[Cathy]

So April, any decisions on what you might choose to do?

[April]

Thanks for your input on your fav races, ladies. I really want to do the Toad so I'll have to see if I can get the family to go for the weekend (my sister lives in London. Another reason to go for a visit.) How fast does it fill up?

Although I haven't done any races I do like the loop or out and back concept. It's nice for the friends and family that come to cheer to see you more often then just the finish. And if the race is an hour or two away from home you don't have to hotel it just to get on a bus two hours before the start. I don't want to get up at three in the morn. for an 8am start. Sleep is my friend.

Thanks for the facebook invite Jane, but I may be the only person around not on it. I've looked at the pics and read reviews on here enough to know that I would like to do it anyway. I get a kick out of your race entry rating. I'm a foodie as well but I didn't stick around after the PEC, beer - no, vodka -yes. My Dad and Mom took the family out for dinner.

My thoughts on the season are Wingnut, the surf and turf relay (I'm honored to be asked, thanks Patti), and a fall half - Toad or PEC. And then a few 5k or 10k fun runs thrown in there somewhere. I may even recruit my sister in law for her first 5k.

I have to get into the "it's the journey not the destination" frame of mind. If not I could be missing out.

[April]

Hey Jane, if your ever in the neighbourhood France has the marathon du medoc you could run. It's ALL about the wine and food, gourmet food at that!! Every 3 miles different wine, different food. Costumes and all. You know, if you happen to be driving by France. lol

I had heard somewhere that it was 104 degrees and France had a water shortage, and during the race they ran out of water. Plenty of wine, but no water.