June 1st is approaching…which means race price increases (here is an old post on Race Registration Savings Tips)! As you all know I am tweaking my Chicago Marathon training plan this weekend. Like last year, I plan on incorporating some races as part of my long runs this summer/fall (at marathon pace). This is where I need your help…I am torn between two races for my 20 miler weekend (not too concerned about swag):
Race Option #1 – Navy Air Force Half Marathon
Image: Navy Air Force Half Marathon
- $90 for registration (Price Increase June 1st)
- 7:00AM start, which is 2 miles from my apartment
- Flat, familiar course (I ran this last year)
- Crowd support
- Temptation to come home and will be 17 miles for the day vs 20 miles, perhaps cover 5 miles beforehand
Race Option #2 – Metric Running Festival – Metric Marathon
Image: Howard County Striders
- $55 for registration (Price Increase July 31st)
- 26.2K = 16.27 miles, which means I’ll cover 3.73 miles on my own (likely beforehand)
- 8:15AM start, about an hour drive from DC or 30 minute drive from my parent’s house
- Not a flat course, and something new! I am not opposed to some hills
- Less crowd support
Which race would you choose?
UPDATE 6/1/15: Thanks for all your comments! I chose the Metric Running Festival 🙂
Share the Love 
Olander
May 30, 2015Since you ran the Navy/Air Force half last, you should run the Howard County 26.2K. I like to do different run, just to see new places. I enjoy reading your running blog. I starting following you after the Shamrock in Virginia Beach.
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015That is a good point, I’ve never run in Howard County before. Thanks for following, Olander! Hope you had a great weekend and thanks for your help.
Karen
May 30, 2015Definitely try something new! Plus it’ll be closer to your miles for the day, less miles for you to run on your own. Plus, I find what smaller races lack in volume they make up for in enthusiasm 🙂
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Very true! Thanks for the help, Karen 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC
May 30, 2015howard county! fun fact: i graduated from high school there 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Free Things to do in DC this summerÂ
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Ahh you are a HoCo grad! It is a unique distance I’ve been wanting to try.
Chaitali
May 30, 2015I would vote for the howard county race too since it’s something new, closer to the actual distance you need, and no temptation to go back home early 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Semper Fi 5k
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015All very good points, and to make sure I run all 20 I could arrive early (which I usually do anyways 😉 ) and get the mileage in.
Coco
May 31, 2015I’d go for the and the challenge of Howard County!
Coco recently posted…God In The Mix
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Hehe, thank you!
Kristina
May 31, 2015What do you think the weather will be like at these races?
I am trying to decide if I should travel for a half marathon in September to get ready for Chicago since we don’t have any halves here in South Florida. Ideally I’d like to run someplace where the weather will be similar to what we’ll experience on race day as well.
Kristina recently posted…I Have Bronchitis and am Re-Listening to Serial
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015I looked at my recap from last year year and I described it as “perfect running weather”….but the weather in DC in Sept/Oct has a mind of its own.. it can be humid (I remember a week later it was) or chilly. Do you have some races in mind already?
Kelli
May 31, 2015Interesting. since your goal race is flat, I would suggest the flatter course. Unless you are managing injury where it is better to have variability in terrain. Specificity is key in race prep. That said, if you think you’re less likely to get the run in with the logistics of the Navy/Air Force half, then the hilly miles are better than not getting the miles in.
Kelli recently posted…Church Creek TT (40K)
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Thanks for your feedback, Kelli! I think the logistics, I’ll likely get all my miles in with the hillier course (I’ll drive through the course ahead of time to get an idea of the elevation change). Hope you have a great week!
Karen @ Fit in France
May 31, 2015Save some money and try a new race !
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…La Marollaise 10 K race recap
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Thanks, Karen! I think you are right 🙂
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
May 31, 2015I vote Howard County just because it is cheaper and a longer distance.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Garmin Forerunner 220 Review
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Good reasons to choose the metric marathon, thanks for your vote!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils
May 31, 2015Both sound like good choices. I like that the Howard County is cheaper & is new but the first starts earlier & is closer. Depending on the forecast, the earlier start may be the better option if it’s going to get very hot/humid. Look forward to seeing what you pick!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Weekly Recap: May 25 – 31
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015I wish the Howard County race started earlier, I could get there an hour earlier to begin my run. I checked my recap from last year and it was “perfect running weather”, but Sept/Oct can be very random each year.
Melinda
May 31, 2015That metric marathon is hilarious — I would totally run that one!
Melinda recently posted…SUNDAY LATELY: Doing, Appreciating, Designing, Humming, Expecting
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Very cute, right?! This has been on my bucket list for awhile.
Sharon
May 31, 2015I would choose the new race! Cheaper, longer, and sounds challenging with the hills! 🙂
Sharon recently posted…Boston’s Run To Remember Half Marathon Race Recap
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015Cheaper is appealing – the extra $45 can go towards Chicago …or other races 😉
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
June 1, 2015I’d vote for the new, and cheaper experience. What an interesting race distance too!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon Training Log – Week 4
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015It is! I’ve only heard of one other in the area (Kent Island) and that is usually held during Cherry Blossom time. Thanks for your vote!
Christy
June 1, 2015I’m not a fan of hills so I’d be tempted to re-run the flatter course, but I think you should go for the Howard County Striders since it’s significantly cheaper and new scenery makes a run a bit more fantastic!
Christy recently posted…China Adventures
Run Jenny Run
June 1, 2015I’ve never run a race in the county before, so it would definitely be a nice change in scenery. The price is very appealing as well.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner
June 1, 2015ooh tough one-I think I’d go with the Howard County race. I’ve heard mixed about the other. Good luck!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Strawberry Shortcake with Banana Cream
Run Jenny Run
June 2, 2015Thanks, Deborah! I went with the HoCo race 🙂