2022 Racing Schedule

I’ve had a lot of people ask, “What’s your next race?” or “When’s your next marathon?” And for a while I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to pursue next since I met my big dream goal at CIM in December. But now that I’ve had some time to think about it, I’ve decided to focus on some speed for the next couple of months to try and set some new PRs in the 5K, 10K, and hopefully the half as well.

While this schedule is definitely not set in stone, this is what I’m thinking for my 2022 racing plans:

March – 5K Indoor Track
I recently learned about an indoor 5K that scares the bejeezes out of me, but I’m also curious how fast I could run a 5K on the track. We’ll see if I end up doing it, but this is a possibility.

April – Alaska Heart Run 5K
This is the fastest 5K here in town, so if you want to run fast, you have got to be ready early in the season (mid-April). It still isn’t super fast with a good hill right before mile 1 and three tight turns, but a lot of fast people come out for it, so there’s always someone to run with.

May – Trent Waldron 10K/Half Marathon
I am not sure if I would do the 10K at this race or the half marathon. Both are pretty fast, but this is definitely the fastest 10K of the summer. However, if I was ready to run a fast half, I could see myself signing up for that race as well. This race happens Memorial Day weekend and in my mind kind of kicks off our summer races in Anchorage.

June – Twilight 12K
This is a premier race of the summer happening on Friday night just six days after the previous race. The weather is almost always nice and sunny, and there are a lot of fast people who run this race, so it’s a good one to challenge yourself. The 12K distance is different and unique, so it might be an opportunity for a new PR as well.

June – Mayor’s Half Marathon
This course is not fast because of a mile-long trail section through the woods over roots, down steep hills, and finding your footing on a more tactical trail, so if I did this race, I would do it to try and set a course PR for myself or maybe do it as a workout. The half is coupled with the full marathon and the most popular marathon for out-of-state people to check Alaska off their ‘race in every state’ list. Plus it happens right around solstice at the peak of summer, so there is plenty of daylight to go around.

July – Skinny Raven Half
This race would be another fast half to run during the summer come mid-July. It can be a little on the warm side for this race, but if the weather is great, it’s a great day to run fast.

August – Alaska Distance Classic 5K and 10K
Neither of these races are fast, but it is a different challenge to ‘double up’ and do both the 5K and 10K to use as a workout or run for fun, so I could see myself running these races that weekend for a good workout race.

August – Anchorage RunFest Half Marathon/Marathon
I’m torn as to whether or not I would run this marathon again like I did last year. It was a good experience but I’m not jonesen’ to do it again. I would use it more as a tune-up for a fall marathon or as a celebration as a lot of friends and family could see me run this race.

December – CIM (California International Marathon)
I would LOVE to go back to CIM to run the marathon again. It was such an epic race for me (as I did break 3-hours last year), and my family had a lot of fun traveling for the race as well. We’ll see if it actually happens, but this one is definitely on my short list.

I love doing a fall/early winter marathon and training all summer for it here. Summer running in Alaska is the best, so it works out that by fall I’m in the best shape of the year. CIM does get to be a little late to train for as November is often a snowy month, but I managed last year, so I could do it again if need be.

So there you have it, my 2022 racing schedule. I’m excited to participate in a lot of local races because it is fun to see familiar faces before the after the race (and during for that matter!). Travel is easy, and I don’t have to get up super early for any of these races as most of our races start around 9a.m. since we don’t have to worry about the heat here in the summer. Ha! It is fun to be coming off my fastest marathon yet, so I am hoping to capitalize on my fitness and set some new PRs this year!