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Finding my mojo in the Mid-Atlantic area

ezellrhezellrh
in Races & Places 🏁⛺

Problem:  After two weeks of hard-sickness this OS, having to cancel my 2014 A race due to an overseas move, and other minor OS distractions (some welcome - like my Auburn Tigers making it to within 20 seconds of winning the national championship, I couldn't not go to that one!), I am having some serious problems finding my mojo (motivation to go down to the pain cave/hit the bricks).  The problem is, all of a sudden I don't have any serious goals/races for this year.  So I've started brain-storming and seeing what I can come with. 

Solution:  Find some pretty cool races to put on the calendar to get my juices cranking again.  I need a good reason to wake up at zero-stupid thirty to train right now. 

Constraints: 

1.   I'm moving overseas in July and will be starting the trek sometime early June.  As part of this trip will be multiple stops to see family, once I start moving west, no more racing or the spouse will strangle me in my sleep.  The latest I can probably get away with racing is the 1st or 2nd week of June.  

2.  No triathlons longer than a half (and it would need to be something pretty epic for me to go that long).  I don't really want to do multiple long bike days on the weekends this summer since they won't be building for a iron-distance race.  Running long is ok because I can do most of that before the family wakes up.   

3.  Races/events have to driving distance (4-5 hours max) from Washington, D.C.

Ideas so far:

1. Tour of Sufferlandria - virtual, already planned on doing this to finish the OS.  Repeat event.

2.  Rock n Roll USA - 15 March (Half marathon in DC).  I'm already registered for this.  Repeat event.

3.  Hell of Hunterdon - 22 March (Epic bike race in NJ).  Looks cool and there is a small EN presence there.

4.  North Face 50 Mile Trail Race (DC) 7 June (50 mile trail marathon in DC).  Could look to better my time.  Repeat event.

What other races or event are out there that might meet my constraints above and fall into the "epic" or "cool" category?  EN presence (how-ever small) would be a bonus as well.  Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Danielle SantucciDanielle Santucci
    Hello fellow mid-Atlantic ENer! I'm not sure this is an epic race by any means, but have you thought about the MCM 17.75k (11.03 miles) race in April? I noticed a hole in your schedule above and thought an April race with an odd distance might be of interest image

    Also, not sure if you are familiar with the Kinetic half and sprint in May at Lake Anna. A lot of people opt to race the 70.3 on Sat and then turn around and race the sprint on Sunday. Course is really nice and the organizers do a great job.

    I too am running the RnR 1/2 in March as well...good luck to you!
  • lancelsulancelsu
    I was going to mention Kinetic half too.  I'll be there again this year (done it twice previously).  Very well run race and actually (IMO) a decently challenging course. 
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Where you moving to Roy...sounds like you could have some epic and exciting races in 2015!! The advantage of living overseas is getting to do races that few Americans could afford to travel to if they live in the CONUS.
  • ezellrhezellrh
    All, thanks for the Kinetic recommendation.  Know about that one and will keep it in mind.



    Paul, short answer is Okinawa Japan.  Long answer is see link:

    http://members.endurancenation.us/F...fault.aspx

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    OK - I'm caught up. First, congrats on the promotion to Lt Col. Second, you would be seriously remiss not to catch IM Japan while you are there...yes, still a good flight to the north, but nothing compared to coming from the states. Third, didn't I read that Okinawa agreed to completely relocate the US base there? If that happens during your tour, that could present a lot of logistics challenges in the office!
  • ezellrhezellrh
    @Paul, thanks. Yes, Japan is one of the ones on my short list of races to seriously look at, assuming my work requirements allow me the time to train for it (big assumption). My wife really wants me to look at Cairns as well. As to the closure, there is recent pressure on the governor to close down the air base at Futenma. That really wouldn't impact me because I'm being assigned to a different base (Camp Schwab). Regardless, the entire family is starting to get really excited about the move and the unique opportunities it brings.
  • John HenaultJohn Henault
    Roy - best of luck on the move and Semper Fi! I spent some time in Okinawa as a young enlisted Marine in 1989-1990. I was at Camp Foster in an artillery unit. Boy does that seem like a lifetime ago! Although my priorities were different then as an 19-yr. old Marine, I had a lot of fun!

    Based on people's signature lines, it looks like there are a large number of us registered for the R-n-R Half in DC this year. I did it last year also, and it is a fun, flat course.
  • kimmydctkimmydct
    Roy- Not sure if you've considered Rev3 Quassy Half. June 1, HUGE EN Presence, EPIC hills and I believe 5-ish hours from DC (312 miles). AND as an added bonus, I'm doing it. image
  • Gordon CherwoniakGordon Cherwoniak

    Roy,

    Congrats on the promotion, unfortunately  I don't have any good race suggestions.

    Gordon

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