Understand me when I write this and know that I wouldn’t be doing it if I thought it was going to injure me. That being said, after a weeks rest from the ASICS LA Marathon, I have three races in three weeks. The schedule looks something like this:
March 9: ASICS LA Marathon
March 23: Oakland Marathon
March 29: Livermore Half Marathon
April 6: San Francisco Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon
That’s a lot of running, I know. But Oakland and RnRSF were originally the only two on my calendar. When ASICS approached me to be a part of the Blogger Challenge team, it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. The Livermore Half is the wildcard. It’s an inaugural race done by a race series that I’m a fan of — Project Sport. They put on the US Half which I have run more times than I can count. I want to say 6? But the point is, I like their races and the local feel that it has.
The last 4 years, I’ve run with the Oakland Running Festival and each year I look forward to it. Last year, I described it as a running a race where “I finally learned” and it was my first time breaking 4 hours. I have set a PR on this course before, but with my times improving over previous years and this being a hilly course, it is going to be tough to pull off something faster than 3:37. I’m also guessing that my legs are still recovering from LA. The plan is to run a strong race and use this as more practice at maintaining an 8 minute pace. The first 12 miles are up hill then it flattens out, so perfecting the pace on the latter miles will be good training. I’ll see how my legs feel later in the week and reevaluate closer to race day. Also, having run it the past 4 years, those that run it 5 consecutive years will receive a bonus medal.
As far as Livermore and RnRSF, I don’t think I’ll have the juice in my legs to bust out a half marathon PR and I haven’t been working on my half marathon pace over the past few months. Both races will be for fun and good training towards running on tired legs. After that, I don’t have anything scheduled until May/June, so some rest is overdue.
Livermore Half Marathon, 3/29
$10 off code: PRFAN
San Francisco Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, 4/6
$10 off code: HITTHEPAVEMENT
Bay to Breakers, 5/18
$5 off code: PAVEMENTRUNNER5
This week I’ll also have a RnRSF preview post up. I ran the course on Sunday and snapped lots of course photos, so I’ll be able to break down the sites and scenery for you.
Have you ever raced events so close to each other?
You’re a machine! I really wish I had gotten my act together so that I could join you for SF–I’m feeling regret. The last visit at my sons doctor went really well, so I feel more comfortable being away from him now. I’m ready for the next, I think it was Vegas??? I have to check on that one tho because I’m also running Ragnar Vegas around that same time. Good luck with your races coming up–sending you fast vibes.
Last year I raced the Nike Women’s Half the week after the Chicago Full. Then I got Planters fisciatis. But I don’t really blame it on the back to back .
You’re unstoppable!
That’s a lot of miles! Good luck to you :)
I haven’t raced THAT much, but I did run 2 half marathons and rode a century bike ride within a month and a half.
Oh the miles!!! The thought of it all makes me tired but I know you’ve got it in you. It’s all for the love of the run, right? Be safe, smart and have fun!
That is amazing! I have never done that many races so close together, but I think if I did I would need to make sure not to run all of them too hard.
you’ll be totally awesome!! a couple years ago when i (we!) did the san fran half, a week later i did the runner’s world hat trick and surprisingly did awesome (for me!)
Due to funds and family, I usually only run one big race a year so no running back to back marathons for me. :)
Good luck and have fun!
Woah! That is a lot of races… but you’ve also ramped up your mileage so much in the last year or so, of all people, you can handle it! Good luck!
You certainly are ready for a challenge!!! That’s a lot of races! I have three weekends of races coming up ending with a Ragnar Relay…however the distances are certainly not marathons!! Go Pavey go!
You are awesome! You’ve trained and can rock all of these! I wish I had this many races planned, but I still have a ways to go before I’m racing after coming back from injury. I look forward to hearing about all the races in the coming weeks – GOOD LUCK!
You are a machine. I love you enthusiasm for it all. You’re going to do great no matter what.
Wow that’s a lot of racing but I have no doubt that you’re up for the challenge!
That’s a busy schedule. I am doing something similar in May with 3 marathons in 2 weeks. The first one is for speed/PR and the other 2 are for fun and the experience. So, I’ll be looking forward to your updates to see how things are going for you and tips or lessons learned you get out of this.
Woohoo! Glad to know I’m not the only crazy out there… Good luck on all of your races. I know you’ll rock them!
That’s a lot of racing ,but you’re a smart guy, I know you will race smart and have a ton of fun!
Holy Amazing!!! I thought I was pretty close to a superhero when I did 2 marathons in only 2 weeks!!!! It was totally unplanned I usually only do 1 a season, but I trained really hard for the first one and bonked really hard and I just had to try again so I signed up for one as soon as I got home that was 2 weeks away and did it 15 minutes faster!!! :) Good luck on all your races!!!!!!! & have fun….FYI..I ouwldn’t have passed up on the LA one either! It looked so fun!
Wow, that is some serious racing. Can’t wait to hear about it!
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, enjoy???? ;) Hey, glad it is not me! :)
I’ve done some half marathons pretty close together, but I just used them for full training runs and did not race.
I think as long as you listen to your body you’ll be great. And as always we will all be cheering you on.
Love it! Go big or go home Brian! Well, I don’t know what I was thinking when I signed up for my schedule, I just want to survive and finish… I did LA as well, Modesto full March 23rd, Ironman Oceanside 70.3 March 29th, and AR50 April 5th to top it off! It will be fun is what I’m telling myself! :-)
You are a beast and I mean that in the nicest way possible. :) Can’t wait to run with you.
Good luck and kick butt! Wish these races were closer to me!