Race Prices

27 03 2012

I have three companies I absolutely will not race with. Two have to do with money, one because they suck and are evil. I have races I won’t run because of the prices. It just isn’t worth it to me. It may be to other people, but it isn’t to me.

Disney Races – Don’t even get me started. The prices are insane. Flat out ridiculous. Add in that I’m not a Disney person and you will never see me at a Disney race.

Rock’n'Roll Series (Competitor) – This boycott is new. And I actually still have one I am registered for this year, but their prices have become ridiculous. I received an email in the days after Rock’n”Roll USA that said this year’s participants could get a $20 discount off of next year’s race. The discounted price is $65., meaning the price for a half marathon is $85. Are you kidding me? You used to be able to sign up early for Rock’n'Roll races early and get a good deal. That is no longer true. So after Rock’nRoll St. Louis, if I even run it, I am done.

There are plenty of fun races, local and not, that you can register for and not spend an insane amount of your paycheck. The Lakefront Marathon is $75 for a full marathon. When I ran the Philadelphia Marathon in 2009 I registered at the early price for $80, again for a full marathon. There are lots of local races that do not have exorbitant fees and that is what I will be running from now on. In fact, I just paid $11 for the South Shore Half. You can’t beat that.

I have paid too much to race in the past. And it is just not worth it to me anymore.

Instead I can buy more running shoes! (Just kidding, I’m still on a self ban).

Do you have a limit? Are there specific races you will pay more for?


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Wordless Wednesday: RnR USA

21 03 2012

RnR USA Group Shot


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RnR USA – Goals and Thoughts

15 03 2012

Now that we are two days from the race I am finally calling the race by it’s correct name, although it is on my calendar as the National Half. With Competitor taking over the race there have been changes. Some for the better, some I don’t know. With changes came outrageous whiny complaints from all corners of the internet. If you want to see what adult temper tantrums on Facebook look like just head on over to the Rock N Roll USA page. Wow people, calm down. If you don’t like the practices of a certain company or race organization don’t run the race. It’s really that simple. Many of the complaints came from people who apparently don’t know how to use the internet and can’t really read. They weren’t hiding information. It was on the website. And you know what? There were issues with last year’s race like missing mile markers. I’m guessing that won’t happen this year.

I love this race because I get to run through my city. I know the course. I have friends running. The funny thing is I don’t consider this a destination race. I don’t care that it is a Rock N Roll race. That is actually not something I think about when choosing a race. I’m not going to not run in DC now that it was bought by Competitor. Yes, the prices are outrageous if you wait to sign up, but I signed up last summer. I paid $55 to run this half marathon. That’s not bad at all.

This will be half marathon #10. I really can’t believe it. When I ran it in 2010 it was half marathon #2.

Goals

  • Have fun
  • Sub 1:55, this is not a PR weekend for me. It was less than two weeks ago that I ran an unexpected 1:52 in New Orleans. I’m really just going to listen to my body.
  • Sub 1:58 (Course PR)

This weekend is not all about the race. I am so excited to see my friends. There will be eating and drinking and relaxing and all around silliness. The advantage of a Saturday race is we run, we nap, and then we play.


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4-5-3: Too many Races?

20 02 2012

Remember when I was going to read a calendar before signing up for races this year? Apparently I still suck at that. I realized today that I have 4 races in the next 5 weeks in 3 different cities. Oops.

The good news is I get to see a lot of friends over the next month.

RnR NOLA is going to be a bunch of us who did Ragnar together as well as half of twitter and dailymile. I can’t wait to see my Ragnar girls. It’s been quite awhile. While yes, we are running a half marathon, we will also enjoy New Orleans. There will be hurricanes.

RnR USA, which until this year was the National Marathon is a half I will always go back to run. I love running through my city. I know the course and even though I don’t run it all the time anymore I can still picture most of it. Plus it’s my birthday race (2 years ago it was actually on my birthday). Now it is a great reason to celebrate my birthday with my DC friends.

And then toss in a 5k and an 8k in Chicago and I have 4 races in 5 weeks in 3 cities.

Bonus: I get to celebrate my birthday in Milwaukee, DC and Chicago!


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