Announcement!

I have made a decision. I have decided to train for a FULL marathon. I have thought about this endlessly, and then finally I realized that this is something that I think I would really like to experience at least once in my life. Now seems as good a time as any, eh? I mean, I'm already trained to at least half it's distance already, and 'tis the season, is it not?! There are two marathons that I am interested in:

http://www.skagitflatsmarathon.com
This one is in Burlington on Sunday, September 13th. It is totally flat, and the course is expected to be beautiful, (not the same course though as my recent half though.) Last year there were 189 participants. Finishers will receive a "medallion." Not that I care, but it is a Boston Qualifier. Runners are given 6 hours to finish.
Cost: $70
Pros: Flat, not too far from home, cheaper, can pick up packet on day of race.
Cons: Same weekend as the Fairhaven Waterfront 15k... and I had really wanted to do this race...

http://www.bellinghambaymarathon.org/
This one is in Bellingham on Sunday, September 27th. It isn't terribly hilly as far as I can tell, but it isn't flat, either. This course is also expected to be beautiful. Some of it is on a gravel road... which can be good or bad. There were 269 finishers last year. Finishers will receive a "finisher's medal." This race is also a Boston Qualifier. Runners are given 6.5 hours to finish.
Cost: $95
Pros: More participants, more time to finish, more time to train for race.
Cons: Farther from home, pricier, must pick up packet the day before, not as flat lol.

I do not need to decide on anything yet. Training for a full marathon is going to be fairly difficult for me time-wise. Finding the time to run all those miles may be, in fact, impossible. I am going to give it my best shot, nonetheless. If kids, work, and life prevent me from being able to be ready for a full in time, then I will commit to running the half at both of these events instead. Sound fair? :)

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are."

~Joan Benoit Samuelson