This is the third and last time I am updating this race calendar, with the exception of adding a few smaller races here and there when they pop up. The biggest and scariest change to my schedule is dropping Key West. I really wanted my goal race to be Key West, but it is just not going to work out in 2018, so instead I am running the Naples Half Marathon. Naples is the same day as Key West, it is flat & fast, and will be perfect for my 40th birthday goal.
I turn 40 on January 12, 2018. My dream goal time for a half marathon has always been 1:45. My PR is 1:54:36 from 2011. My goal for the Naples Half is 1:45. If I can achieve this 1:45 then I plan to shoot for a BQ in November 2018 at the Space Coast Marathon or in January 2019 at the Celebration Marathon. In addition I would like to PR in every distance during my 40th year. These are some big goals, but if I don’t tackle them now I probably never will. Forty is going to be my year!!!!!!
2017-2018 Race Schedule
- June 4th: Echo Half Marathon. This one is not definite, but I missed it last year due to a broken toe and it is basically the last half in Florida until fall.
- July 23, 2017: San Francisco Half Marathon. Since we were considering a trip to California to visit my sister-in-law, I figured why not run a race. When I googled races this one popped up!!! I have never been to San Francisco and figured this would be an awesome way to see the city for the first time. I will be running the first half which includes running on the Golden Gate Bridge!!!!
- September 9, 2017: Fit Foodie 5K. I was an ambassador for the Tampa Fit Foodie last year and I loved it! This year they are hosting it in Clearwater and it is only a one day event, rather than three days, but it was super cheap to sign up early and I needed to add a 5K to my race schedule.
- October 29, 2017: Cocoa Beach 1/2 Marathon. Due to a family commitment I was unable to run the inaugural Weeki Mermaid half, so like any normal runner I needed to find another half to run. Cocoa Beach kept popping up in my Facebook news feed and it looked so nice that I decided to sign up. I even convinced my husband to run it, which is something I never thought would happen, pretty sure it will be his first and last half.
- December 17, 2017: Mount Dora Half Marathon. Don’t let the Mount part fool you, this is a Florida race and while I am sure there are some hills, there are no Mounts. This race was on sale until 12/31 for $38. It was pretty much a deal I couldn’t pass up.
- January 14. 2018: Naples Half Marathon. This is my goal race. I turn forty two days prior and I plan to run it in 1:45. I have a couple of friends who are going to run it with me too! It should be lots of fun!
- February 4, 2018: Best Damn Race Safety Harbor. This race had a sale that was so good I couldn’t pass it up!! That’s a good reason to run a half a few weeks after Key West, right?
- February 24 & 25 2018 : Gasparilla-The Michelob Ultra Challenge (5K, 8K, 15K 1/2 Marathon). This is a race I have been wanting to do since I moved to Florida and next year is the year!
This is my most packed race schedule thus far and I am really looking forward to it!!!!!
What upcoming race are you most looking forward to?
You’ve got some really fun races on your calendar! I’m still eyeballing Key West for January. We’ll see…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted..Stronger Every Day!
Love all the races that you have on your calendar! I hope to do a half marathon in Florida one day, just need to pick a race!
Kimberly G recently posted..Chicago Marathon Training Recap – Week 2
What an exciting race schedule! All the best reaching those goals!
Marcia recently posted..It’s Race Week: Here’s How I’m Being My Own Hero
I’m excited for you and all your goals and race! You really cannot beat a half for only $38!!
Clarinda recently posted..Lemon-Cilantro Kale Salad
I like that you aim high for when you reach the milestone age of 40! I want to BQ again too and run Boston a decade after I first ran it. Feels like I have to work harder now even though the required time is 5min slower.
Elaine @myRUNexperiment recently posted..Be the Best Version of You and Sleep Smarter
You have some fun races on your schedule! Looks like you mean business this year
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted..Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad Meatless Monday
I’ve run Fi Foodie for the past two years, but unfortunately they moved the race to the same weekend as ZOOMA so I couldn’t run it this year. Hopefully next year there won’t be a date conflict!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted..Let Marathon Training Begin!
Those are some good races you have in there! Good luck! Can’t wait to follow your journey.
Smitha@FauxRunner recently posted..Running in Jekyl Island, Georgia Coast
Your calendar looks like too much fun! And congratulations on your awesome echo half time this past weekend!
Looks like a great line up of races! I’m only registered for two races this year, taking it easy getting back into it.
Anna @ Pipers Run recently posted..Half Marathon Training Week 10 Recap
Big goals give you something to chase after – and pride in achieving them! Good luck!
COco recently posted..A Week Of Tough Workouts
You have some awesome goals1 Your race calendar looks amazing. 😉
Rachel recently posted..Easy and Refreshing Citrus Ginger Salad Splash
Gasparilla has been on my Bucket List for so me time…but will probably have to wait until (at least) 2019 since we have another dance recital (and graduation) happening next spring. Oh, San Fran! I’d love to go back and do the half (the full would be a major tough endeavor with all those hills)…such a neat city!
Kimberly Hatting recently posted..Shall We Taper?
Cocoa Beach, Mt Dora and Gasparilla are all on my bucket list. 🙂 I will make it to these half marathons, hopefully next year! 🙂 Your plan looks awesome!
Great calendar!
I am hoping to make it to Safety Harbor this year – as a Best Damn Race Ambassador, I would love to be able to run the whole series. We’ll see if it works out. That being said, I also want to do Gasparilla.
I am looking forward to my fifth Space Coast Half. A couple of Rock ‘n’ Roll races, another crack at the DONNA Half Marathon, and a few other things I have on my calendar. It’s going to be a great year!
Jenn recently posted..weekly wrap: 5.28.17 – 6.3.17
What a great idea to set a race goal for your birthday!! You’ve totally got this.
Michelle Rogers recently posted..Community comes together to support the fight against cancer
ah the San Francisco half sounds awesome! I went to San Fran once and fell in love, I’d love to go back for a race.