I’ve never been so happy to see a Friday in a long time. First, it’s so freakin’ cold outside. I don’t even want to leave my bed. Second, I’ve had a busy week at work which involved a out of town stay Tuesday night and two very long days on Wednesday and Thursday. That can only mean a lot of catch up today. Next week is going to be a lot of the same – except it will be in Cleveland, which is much much colder. I fly out Monday, long days on Tuesday & Wednesday, and fly home Thursday.
It’s Friday again and that means another link up with the DC Trifecta, Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia.
Today’s Friday Five is Races to Run in 2015. I’ve got 9 on my calendar for this year already (I’m an early registerer). So I’m going to focus on 5 races that will be new to me this year.
I was so excited to win an entry into the Rock n Roll DC race. I could have actually picked any distance for free. Marathon? Nope…not for me. Half Marathon? Nope…not enough time to train. 5K? That sounds juuuusssst right. I’ve been wanting to do a Rock N Roll race since I started running last year, so I’m excited to get a taste of it next month. Plus, I even get a medal!
This is the second race of the Charm City Run B3 Challenge. I wanted to do this last year because the premium was bananas. Not actually bananas, just really awesome. But alas, I wasn’t quite there yet. This year I am totally there! The course is a nice run through downtown Baltimore, and relatively flat, so I’m hoping for a 10K PR.
3. Frederick Running Festival Half Marathon
I’ve been talking about this one for a while and will continue doing so since it is my main training focus this spring. It’s my hometown half marathon. They have a 5K and a kids race the night before the half. Last year, the 5K was my first timed race and I did the Kids Fun Run with Charlotte. Frederick has a really cute downtown and I’m really excited to run through the city I grew up in.
This is affectionately called the Chuck 12 and this year will be it’s 3rd year. It’s the 3rd race in the B3 Challenge and at the end I collect both my Chuck12 Medal and a B3 Medal. It starts north of the city in Towson and the race course takes you down Charles Street all the way down to the harbor. While there are a few hills in the beginning, the elevation drops for the majority of the course as you head downtown. It will be an interesting and beautiful course to run.
I haven’t registered for this yet, but if I can make it work this year, I will. This race takes place in early December in Cleveland (the only strike against it!) It’s a 5K & 10K race that starts in Public Square, runs to the Christmas Story House and Museum and back (if you do the 10K) the 5Kers get a shuttle back to Public Square. People apparently dress up like pink bunnies, Red Ryder, the robbers from Ralphie’s dream, wear coonskin hats like Scott Farkus. All runners get a fun medal too. They have a virtual option, so I may try to get a group together and do it here in MD.
So those are my five. I’m looking forward to all of them and God willing, they will all be awesome races with great recaps to share. I’m looking forward to a warmer weekend and a little bit of snow to play in tomorrow. Stay warm out there friends!
So what are your five? Are you looking forward to any one race this year? Are you doing any race just for fun?
Sweaty Mess Mama 
You have some good races to look forward to this year! I think that Sole of the City 10K sounds like a great event.
I’m most excited to run the Chicago Marathon this year!
I’m just trying to knock out all the local races this year. Next year I’m hoping to do some racecationing.
Hope you can BQ in Chicago!
I know the race director for A Christmas Story run. It’s a really great race! Everyone that has run it has absolutely loved it. The other races sound fun as well. Good luck with your race schedule this year! 🙂
Thanks!
I’ve heard of that Christmas Story Race and I know a couple people who have done it and said it was so much fun! I want to start traveling more for races. That could definitely go on my list too. Also you are going to LOVE the B3 races and I’m so glad you’re doing it this year! And I had no idea you won that race entry. That’s too cool!
Winning that entry was totally random, I answered a question on Care First’s facebook page and was randomly selected. I couldn’t pass it up, thankfully they have a 5K, no way I was going to be ready to run the half. I definitely want to do some racecations next year. I’m trying to knock out the fun local stuff so I won’t feel like I’m missing something.
How fun! I love races with a cool theme or location. The Christmas Story run is definitely my kind of race.
I know right? When I heard about it, I knew I had to make it happen one day. I told one of my colleagues in Cleveland about it and he and his family ended up running it. I was so jealous.
How fun does that Christmas Story race look?! Would love to run that if I ever find myself in Cleveland, in December. 😉
And so cool that you won a RnR entry!! Congrats! I am sure you will have a blast!
Not so sure I want to be in Cleveland in December, but that race is a good reason to be.
I’ve heard great things about the Christmas Story race! I’d totally be in for a virtual one with you if you end up with that option!
I’m pretty sure that there are enough of us bloggers between Baltimore and DC that we might be able to get a decent virtual together. I’ll keep that in mind. 😊
Awesome! I did the Christmas Story 5K as a virtual race two years ago and it was a blast. I hope maybe I can organize something in the future, although I would love to run past the actual house.
My big five this year are Best Damn Race Orlando, GATE River Run 15K, Castaway Cay 5K, RNR Virginia Beach and the Space Coast Half Marathon. I plan on adding from there.
Castaway Cay! I’d be happy just to be on the cruise! Have fun!
I love the Chuck 12! Recently signed up for it myself.
Aside from that I’m most excited for Boston 🙂
Good luck in Boston, you’re training is going so well despite these temps we’ve had. Maybe I’ll see you at Chuck this year!
That Christmas story race sounds really fun! My husband’s parents live in Cleveland but now we usually just visit them at their new house in Florida:) The Charles St 12 is so much fun!! I think I need to start signing up for some races…
I’m pretty sure if I had to choose between Florida and Cleveland, I’d choose Florida everytime.
I’ll be running the Frederick half! I deferred last year, so this year it is!!
Yeah! Good luck!
The medals for Rock and Roll DC look really cool! I hope you’re able to participate in all the runs on your list this year! 🙂
Thanks! Sometimes I feel like I bit off more than I can chew, but I like a challenge.