Yesterday I saw a post on Facebook saying that registration was opening for one of the races I want to do this year. My heart rate went through the roof! HA! The thought of hitting register/paid made my heart rate increase and I could feel it happen – seriously! I had a good laugh at that!
I haven’t posted my running schedule yet as I am still decided on a few runs. I have however decided that I will run my (2nd) 1/2 Marathon in the Fall. I’m toying between two runs: Valley Harvest Marathon (10 minutes from my house) and the Prince Edward Island Marathon (5 hour car ride with both girls one way). What do to? Let me break it down:
Valley Harvest Marathon – 1/2 Marathon – October 12th
- $60 (early bird is before Aug 31st)
- Kids Run (Yes – Lilly ran last year)
- 10 minutes from my house
- Thanksgiving weekend
- Sunday morning @ 8:30 am
- Have run the 5k and 10k before in the past – great events
- Could just run the 10k this year (and do PEI 1/2 the following weekend)
- Potential of have family and friends throughout the course – if they want to get up that early 😉
Prince Edward Island Marathon – 1/2 Marathon – October 20th
- $67.50 (early bird April 30th)
- Kids Run – YES!
- Travel costs ($250- $350 – gas, bridge fees, food)
- Sunday morning 9 am
- Having my little family there to cheer me on and maybe a few others too
- 5 hour car ride with both girls (one way)
- Staying with family for 4-5 nights (Drive over Friday and come back Monday)
- Did I mention it would be a 5 hour car ride with both girls more than likely on my own
- Weekend with my husband and girls…plus Aunts/Uncles BONUS!!!!
- Driving 5 hours BACK HOME a day after the 1/2 Marathon more than likely by myself (unpacking car, laundry, meals etc)….maybe I’ll just take some vacation time.
My heart really wants to run the PEI 1/2 (like, REALLY WANTS TO) but the logistics of doing that could be pretty stressful leading up to and then still having to travel back home. I just have a feeling that it would be a great run to do. I want to do the Valley Harvest because its 10 minutes from my house, I’ve run the 5k and 10k before, it’s familiar to me and I feel like there will be less stress (potentially).
Registration opens tomorrow for The Tartan Twosome Run!!! (Sept 12th & 13th) A coastal 5k Friday night at sunset overlooking the ocean and the Classic 10k the next 8am sunrise. This would be perfect for training for my 1/2. Plus, I can dress up like a Pirate…RRRRRRRRRR! I’m in!
What to do, what to do. My heart is torn. Valley Harvest (Oct 12th) OR Prince Edward Island October 17-19th?
Also, I never realised how much I value those kids runs! Lilly is already excited to do another run this year!
Have you ever been stuck on which races to run?
Do you register the day registration opens or wait?
Do kid’s runs matter to you?
Piper's Run 
I am such a type-A freakazoid I always sign up SUPER early!
I’m going to sign up tomorrow for the Tartan Twosome as it sells out VERY fast. I think I am going to wait until the last possible moment between the other two. I’m just completely on the fence!
PS – Hope you have a fabulous honeymoon!!!
This is a tough one! It really sounds like due to travel stresses you’re leaning more towards the Harvest, but I can tell you I traveled for my 2nd half and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be (even with flight delays to AND from)… I even beat my time from my first half by 10 minutes!
Traveling isn’t so bad. I think once I decided to do it (if that’s the one I chose), then I can get my head wrapped around it and plan as best I can. Right now I’d be more worried about the trip then the actual 21.1km 🙂
Come to PEI. We could have a meet up! Also, you could make it a mini-vacation. The fall is a beautiful time of year on PEI.
I’d love to meet up! Yes, I was thinking it could be a mini-vacation – maybe I could/should take a few extra days off after the run.(PS-I’ll be in PEI before then so i’ll connect and we should meet up).
If you need a place to stay for the race, we have cottages and we have really good off-season rates! (shameless plug, I know, but hey, thought I’d offer!). We’re pretty far from Charlottetown (45 mins), but we’re close to a beach and in a beautiful area for family vacations!
ha ha, we actually have thought about that 🙂 I have family in Ch’town (that’s where my husband stays when he is working there). It’s very tempting!
oooh that’s a hard decision! I would personally probably go for the closer one because it’d be less stressful but it’s not everyday you do a half-marathon and it should be special.
It’s not every day I do a half-marathon – your right there! Decisions, decisions.
Ohh, I’ve always wanted to go to PEI, so that’s the one I’d choose if you can find a way to swing it! I hear it’s beautiful!
I have to admit, PEI is pretty beautiful and that time of year anywhere in the Maritimes (NS, PEI, NB) is absolutely stunning.
For me I would have to choose the HARVEST. I could NEVER drive 5 hours home after a long run like that. And especially being loving to, and patient with, 2 little girls as well. Good luck to you whatever your choice!
Oh Elle, you just swung my vote towards the Harvest! ha ha! If I did PEI, I would take the remainder of the day to rest and sleep….but would then have do drive home the following day.
Your absolutely right about being patient with both girls – that can be a hard thing to do on a good day let alone a car trip. Our last two trips were pretty successful. So many things to think about.
It’s funny, I was looking at the race route for the PEI marathon this week… Coincidence?!
I say Valley Harvest- but that’s just because I stress out easily and the logistics for the other one would cause me to not enjoy it.
I might end up doing both…well, not the 1/2 distance but a 10k in one or the other…just to get a feel for both runs.
OOO I like that idea more!!!
I love getting the early bird price, signing up for races is addicting to me lol this year I’m taking it slow because we’re traveling this summer
I’m all about the early bird price too!
Tough decision! As a NS girl now living in BC I would choose the Valley Harvest only because I went to Acadia and I’d love to do a race there one day. Both would be awesome though, and as someone who frequently travels to races and drives home the sane day it’s really not that bad and I have two small kids too 🙂
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