Can't decide what race for marathon weekend!

[runner_princess]

Hi guys. I am trying to settle on what to register for marathon weekend 2012, and keep changing my mind. I toyed with idea of Goofy but don't know if I'll be able to happily complete that much distance. Right now, I'm trying to choose between the full and the half.

I've run four halfs (my fifth will be this Saturday), and feel super comfortable with the distance. I'll be running my first full in Chicago in October. I'm torn between running the half which I know is a doable distance and getting in a second marathon at Disney with only three months recovery after my first full. Then I have the thought of doing the half casually for photo ops, and really running full the next day. HELP!

I've been running since September 2009 and currently average between 20 - 30 miles per week; will get closer to 50 mpw during marathon training.

Which race would you choose?

 

[Duanerice]

2 words: GOO FY. You will love it!
Duane

 

[FFigawi]

2 words: GOO FY. You will love it!
Duane

Yeah, what he said

 

[fashionista311]

I wouldn't sign up for a second marathon until you know how you feel after your first. you may feel awesome and ready to go...or you may not be. I know after my first marathon i couldn't even THINK of being on a formal training plan, doing another long run, or much less another 26.2. Plus, I ended up favoring an injury, and needed to take a month to recover. About 3 months after my first I did a half marathon "for fun" (aka no training plan) and ended up PRing - and I know it was really all because of my marathon fitness. Also a bunch of coaches - off the top of my head I can say Bob Glover but I know he's not the only one (because I've read his NYC strategy about 50 times)- say you should wait 6 months until attempting another marathon.
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/training_index.htm

Also in regards to Goofy (and this is totally my own opinion I'm sure others will differ) - why rush it? You only get your first marathon once. I would say savor that, and then save Goofy for when you need a new thrill.

 

[stitchfan18]

Goofy! I have a similar plan for Goofy, take advantage of photo opps and play a lot during the half, and try to race the marathon more. Of course I know there will be photo opps I miss during the 1/2 that I'll have to get during the full too, so I don't plan to be too hardcore about running the full all out. I do plan to have tons of fun though!

 

[Sandy321]

Chicago - in October - a marathon!

May the Weather be on your side!

DH is a runner, he loves it - I hate it! I do it so I can support him, and I can go to Disney and not feel guilty - so what is your motivation?

For dh he is doing the Goofy - his philosophy would be you are trained and are raring to go for October - so you will use that same training in Jan in Disney!

and since you sound like a real runner -

you will probably wear that Goofy Medal proudly, and if you chose not to go Goofy, you will always wonder - I bet I could!

but if I'm wrong, it will work out - do what your gut tells you to do!

 

[rubato]

Goofy! It was my first full and I did great!