Run this morning:

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 32 minutes

Weather: Awesome!

Comments: Legs felt like lead, but I still was able to maintain a decent pace—and plus the weather was beautiful, so I’m not going to complain.

Summer is really the only time there are races to be run up here, which means I have to take advantage of it and run as many different races as possible. I enjoy running all distances, so I will be running everything from the 5K to the marathon. So far this is what my race schedule is looking like:

Friday, May 31 – Twilight 12K

This race is run at 7 p.m. on Friday night and usually that would be approaching twilight for most areas of the county, but since we live in the land of the midnight sun, it was still be very bright out. Either way, I’m excited. It is a different distance and there are tons of people that come out for this event. I’m hoping for a pretty easy PR (personal record) at this race since it will be only my second time racing a 12K. Plus last year when I ran it with my sister, we didn’t push the pace too hard because she was injured.

Saturday, June 22 – Mayor’s Half-Marathon

This is the premier marathon and half-marathon of the summer for Anchorage. I ran the marathon two years ago but am not in marathon shape, so I am sticking to the half-marathon this year. I did run the half-marathon in 2008 but have been out of town running Grandma’s Marathon the other couple of years.

Saturday, July 13 – Bear Paw 5K

I ran this fun little 5K at the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River last year for the first time. I even set a PR, which I would love to do again.

Sunday, July 21 – Her Tern Half-Marathon

This is a new event in Anchorage and one that’s only for women. It was definitely a more expensive event, but there are extra perks such as: a hand-crafted bracelet for each finisher, a post-race pamper party, and a pre-race party fashion show and photo booth. I would love to be able to break my current PR of 1:31 at this event.

Saturday, August 3 – Alaska 10K Classic

I ran this 10K for the first time last year and had a very enjoyable experience, so I am looking forward to running it again.

Sunday, August 18 – Moose’s Tooth Marathon

I have decided to make my next marathon the Moose’s Tooth Marathon, which is part of the Big Wild Life Runs event. I have run the half-marathon many times but never the full. The course is on the Coastal Trail and the Chester Creek Trail, which I am very familiar with, so I am hoping that will help me. This will be the focus for my training this summer and what I will peak for. I would love to be able to PR at this event, so I hope and pray everything goes well.

Sunday, September 29 – Kenai River Marathon

I normally wouldn’t run another marathon this soon, but this race has a very small field and I think it would be fun to run it and place high in the field. But who knows, maybe I won’t have recovered from the Moose’s Tooth Marathon and will dog it.

As you can see, I don’t care what the distance, I enjoy racing period. I will be running:

1 – 5K

1 – 10K

1 – 12K

2 – Half-Marathons

2 – Marathons

I’m excited!! I think this is a good mix of distances for me, and I’m hoping to set some new PRs. I would love to achieve the following:

- A PR in the 5K.

- Break 41 minutes in the 10K.

- A PR in the 12K.

- Break 1:30 in the half-marathon

- Run 3:15 in the marathon.

I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me. I am starting my training much later this year than I would have liked, but I’m hoping the base I built last fall will carry me through and help me achieve my goals. But whatever happens, I am excited to run some races!