LESS THAN A WEEK…
- By loramarie03
- 9 January, 2012
- 5 Comments
The countdown is on as the marathon creeps around the corner. I feel like I am way more excited for Houston than I was for Chicago. Chicago is one of those races where I’m glad I marked it off my list of marathons to do, but I will never run it again. Some people absolutely love the race, but I felt like it was mediocre. “Meh” was kind of how I felt about everything — expo, crowds, course, race weather, finisher medal. And, I really wasn’t that pumped up about it going into the race. It was just weird.
Houston looks like a great course. First of all, it starts at 7 a.m., which is amazing since I don’t run well in the heat or sun so hopefully we’ll be done before all that happens. The course is mostly flat and it doesn’t look like 26.2 miles, if that makes sense.
The way Chicago is laid out on paper, it just looks like a long course. Am I crazy? Probably. Anyways, the thing I also like with the Houston course is that the Galleria is the only area I know on that map, and by time I get to it, it’s already 16 miles into the race.
Plus, I am super pumped to watch the Olympic trials the day before. I love Kara Goucher (fellow mid-westerner) and Shalane Flanagan. The woman’s field is so strong so it will be an exciting race. Ryan Hall is my men’s favorite (I mean, who doesn’t love him?!). I love watching the elites, even if they make me feel like this when it comes to running:
Have you ever run Chicago? What did you think of it? Who are your top picks for the elite field next weekend?
Copyright © 2013
That is great you are excited about Houston! I think how excited one is about a race makes a difference in terms of performance. I can think of a few I haven't been terribly excited about that have been "meh" to "downright awful."
I haven't run Chicago. I feel like it is one that I should run once but I am really not that excited about it. For now it will wait.
I am excited about watching the Trials Coverage though!!
I think 2012 is the year to run Chicago Im thinking that this is going to be a cool year since it seems to cycle through (hot for a few years, cool one year, repeat).
You are going to rock the marathon! Take lots of pics at Trials!!
Ahhh thanks!!! The trials race is going to be AMAZING…
Watching the Olympic trials is TOTALLY going to pump you up! I'm timing some treadmill time to watch it. Good luck!