Do you plan out races at beginning of year?

[ohgillian]

I'm new to this. I don't know what races I want to do, or how many, or when. I just randomly impulse sign up for 5ks.

Presumably some of you have some kind of strategy, yes? It would help me if you'd be willing to share. Thanks.

[Deleted]

I plan out my year so I know when I need to train for what. I choose a few 'goal' events (this year it's an oly tri in sept and a half marathon in May)first and then a few fun ones I like to do that work within that training schedule. I also like to see what friends are running in case we want to put together a team of some kind for a relay.

My schedule for 2014 is in my sig, if that helps!

[secretlyevil]

I plan most of my big races early.

[Susie]

Some races I plan early: the ones that sell out, and/or require lengthy training plans, and/or will substantially frame my year, training wise.

Some races I wait to register for much closer to the event: local races that are less likely to sell out, and races that just fit into a much larger training plan.

The combination is good for me.

Right now I'm registered for 2 races in 2014. They're both half ironman races (June and August) that have sellout potential/are already sold out. I will start training in Feb or Mar. I'm also committed to Ragnar ADK in September.

[Deleted]

I plan about five months out in case I get pregnant (hasn't happened yet). Races planned are in my signature.

[archaeominx]

I do mainly because it's cheaper to register early, plus I generally need to work out travel, child care and training plans. For small races like a 5K, it's not as big as a deal since I wouldn't be traveling for something like that and they are over pretty quickly. Those are more spontaneous.

[jamalynn]

I get a rough outline of big races and I do a lot of the same races every year so I know those too.

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm really torn right now between planning out races and trying (harder) to get PG.

For example, I'd *really* like to do the Myrtle Huddleston memorial swim this year, but I don't know if I want to pursue that in addition to TTC. So I think I'm going to just plan things <3 months out, just in case.

[jene]

I plan stuff out so I know what my training schedule will look like for the year.

[skwcm80]

My goal last year was a race/month. I knew my big race at the beginning of the year, and filled in everything else as I went along.

[texassmith]

I plan if I want to do big races (half or full marathons). 5Ks and 10Ks just fall around those, depending on my training plans and what races my friends are doing.

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[sadlebred]

For cycling, it's very common to sign up the day of a race. I do a general plan but don't do a specific plan until a few weeks out. (ie. I'll look at April's races in March). I know what big events or "A" races" I'll do at the beginning of the year.

ex. I already know that I'm going to visit katinthehat on my way to Austin in Jan. 2015 for the Cyclocross National Championships.

[texassmith]

Dec 27, 2013 22:41:23 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

For cycling, it's very common to sign up the day of a race. I do a general plan but don't do a specific plan until a few weeks out. (ie. I'll look at April's races in March). I know what big events or "A" races" I'll do at the beginning of the year.

ex. I already know that I'm going to visit katinthehat on my way to Austin in Jan. 2015 for the Cyclocross National Championships.

katinthehat should just come to Austin for the race...I'm moving there in June!

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[sadlebred]

Dec 27, 2013 22:56:29 GMT -5 texassmith said:

katinthehat should just come to Austin for the race...I'm moving there in June!

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Hmmmm....have room for a slightly broke cyclocross racer to stay for a few days at your new house in Jan. 2015??

I love Austin; it's such a cool town! I used to travel there occasionally for business. I haven't been in about 2 years and miss it.

[texassmith]

Dec 27, 2013 23:19:14 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Dec 27, 2013 22:56:29 GMT -5 texassmith said:

katinthehat should just come to Austin for the race...I'm moving there in June!

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Hmmmm....have room for a slightly broke cyclocross racer to stay for a few days at your new house in Jan. 2015??

I love Austin; it's such a cool town! I used to travel there occasionally for business. I haven't been in about 2 years and miss it.

Maybe! We're house hunting in the spring and are hoping to have enough room for guests. If we do, you are welcome to stay with us!

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[blndsnbrdr]

Prior to this year I never did.
This I have a calendar dedicated to my race schedules and planning.

Sounds a tad obsessive (even to me!) but I'm looking at multiple 70+ mile weeks with weekend long races at distances I can't just impulsively register for. We need to calendar so I can make sure my training isn't going to majorly interfere with our daily lives.

Its kind of refreshing to have it planned out, but its also super weird to me. I ran 18 races this past year and planned maybe 2 weeks in advance at the most for any of them, most were more last minute than that.

[gt7301b]

The answer is sort of.

I usually plan out the big races and add in smaller races when they fit in my training plan. I am currently signed up for a half in April, but I didn't get into Cherry Blossom and the 10K I wanted to do was moved to the NWM's half date. We also have a list of probable races that we may or may end up doing depending on how our training schedules play out.

[runaways]

I only plan the big races that far out - marathons, and maybe a half but only if it's a big one that sells out early or requires a lottery. It's hard for me to know what my schedule will be like.

[trigal]

I plan my A races pretty early. Some races require registration a year in advance (like an Ironman). Once I decide what A races to do, I sign up as soon as I can. Other races just get filled in as I go.

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2013 17:39:39 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I'm really torn right now between planning out races and trying (harder) to get PG.

For example, I'd *really* like to do the Myrtle Huddleston memorial swim this year, but I don't know if I want to pursue that in addition to TTC. So I think I'm going to just plan things <3 months out, just in case.

I'm in the same boat. I'm basically going with a two pronged approach, and whichever comes off is all good. Plus, improved fitness helps with pregnancy (so I'm told) especially for recovery. If I manage getting pregnant, c-section is the only option for me.