Before the end of January, I signed up for a spring 1/2 marathon! This is the one where I’m going to run under 2 hours…at least, that’s the plan. : )
The race is the Twin Lights Half Marathon. It runs through Gloucester and Rockport, MA. I’ve run 10ks in both places before, and they have been two of the nicest race courses I’ve ever done. I mean check out this picture from the race website –
The twin lights!
Unfortunately, they were also two of the hilliest races I’ve ever done, and this one isn’t any different. I’m a little nervous that the hills will hurt my chances of getting my time goal, but to be completely honest I’d rather do a scenic, hilly race and miss my time goal than do a boring, flat race and get it. Before I signed up for this race, I actually found out about another half in the area that is on the same day that claims that it is “not scenic, but flat!”, and I STILL chose this one.
So, there it is. I chose to run the hilly race for my time goal. I prefer to think of it as choosing the scenic race…I mean, it starts and ends at a beach, the seashore will be visible for most of the race! And, that sort of thing can speed me up, too. I don’t really think it was a bad decision.
Plus, I’m going into it knowing the profile, and will just tackle as many hills in training as I can.
Who knows what an 80ft elevation change really feels like anyways?
I think I only have about 5 readers, but here’s some questions for you special few: Would you chose a tough course for the view when you have a time goal? Is the scenery an important factor for you when choosing a race?
Let's Go Running 
I think because we are runners just running against ourselves, I’d choose a more fun race, even if it meant a potentially slower time. You can always run another half later this spring – nothing serious rests on you reaching that goal time with this race!
Good point, Liz. If I don’t break 2 hours this time, there’s always another race. And really, I want to get that goal time, but more than that I want to have fun.
well, i’m not a runner, so a hilly 13.1 miles sounds super terrifying to me. HOWEVER, with that being said, I signed up for the 44 mile country ride (hilly) for the Ride for Roswell, instead of the canalside ride (flat) because I wanted to see new scenery. I have a lot of training to do to be able to tackle hills like that, but I can do it. And I am spending a week in the Finger Lakes in early June, so I will have a lot of opportunities to ride some pretty substantial hills.
So I guess, yes. I would have done the same as you if I was actually a runner.
Fay, that’s great! As someone who doesn’t own a bike, 44 hilly bike miles sounds just as terrifying as 13.1 running miles does to you. We can so do it!
I think you’re going to enjoy running with the pretty views so much that you’ll forget all about those hills! You’ve got this!
I sure hope that’s what happens. It always seems longer when it’s straight and flat, right?
Pingback: Top 5 Friday: Spring Races | Let's Go Running
Considering I’ve only done one half and it was totally flat, I think I’d need to stick to another flat course. The hills might kill me. More power to you though!
Jeff’s on your side, he said he’d pick a flat one, too!
Pingback: February Resolution Check-in | Let's Go Running
Pingback: Thoughts on Racing – My 2014 Race Plans | Let's Go Running
Pingback: Twin Lights Half Marathon – {04.27.2014} | Let's Go Running