It's that time of the year, when we humans are looking forward to a new year and desiring to improve ourselves, even if it's only by a little. Runners are no different. Because guess what, you will hit nothing every time unless you have a target in front of you. It really is a fascinating process, this planning your running schedule for the coming year. I hope to be able to run two marathons in 2022. Here are the ones I'm considering:
FALL:
Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH.
Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA.
Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke, VA.
Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary, NC.
SPRING:
St. George Marathon in St. George, UT.
Chicago Marathon in Chicago, IL.
Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.
Honolulu Marathon in Honolulu, HI.
So far I've already run the Flying Pig three times and the Tobacco Road, St. George, Chicago, and Marine Corps once. As of today, I'm leaning towards the Flying Pig and the St. George as being my marathons for 2022. For starters, the Pig was my very first marathon and will always hold a special place in my heart. Furthermore, the course is net downhill, though you do have to negotiate Mount Adams in the first half of the race.
The St. George Marathon was where I got my marathon PR prior to this month's Richmond Marathon. Again, the course is a downhill race, Mount Veyo (pictured below) being everyone's major nemesis.
So that's the marathon distance. The ultramarathon I'm looking into for 2022 is the Night Train 50K in Farmville, VA. I've already run 50K on this course twice, but this particular race is run at night with head lamps. Doesn't that sound like fun?
So that's where my planning is as of today. I share it with you because I don't want you to think I'm a complete nut job. I seriously consider and pray about every race I sign up for. Ultimately, personal exercise is one area of life where we all get to make choices. Our decisions make a difference. Sure there will be setbacks. Hopefully, they are temporary, whereas the benefits of being active extend over an entire lifetime. Lord willing, I will turn 70 in 2022. The point is that I can still move by the grace of God. Embrace the changes in your life. Don't give up dreaming, hoping, planning. Don't let your age limit or define you. Don't stand still. Keep moving forward.