Monday, March 2, 2020

Marching and Racing into Spring


March 2020 is gonna be a busy and fun month for this runner!

There's some traveling on tap. A new state to check off. And my favorite non-running event will be  the culminating crescendo.

Care to hear what's on the roster?


This coming weekend, the hubby and I are traveling to Omaha, NE for the Leprechaun Chase.  This 10K is one of the funnest races we do every year, only this year we're doing the Omaha venue instead of Des Moines. It's kind of a long story, but the Des Moines event isn't happening this year, so the race organizers gave me a free registration to the Omaha Chase (which had been an AG prize from the 2019 Des Moines Chase).

The Leprechaun Chase is actually, just like the name implies, a chase! The Lasses (all the gals) get a 5-minute head-start across the start line before the Lads (all the guys) are allowed to take off. Hence, the Lads chase the Lasses and the first to cross the finish line earns a free green beer for all their fellow comrades. Rumor has it the Lasses have won every year in Omaha, so it will be interesting to see what happens this Saturday. I've heard the course is pretty hilly, so that will be a big change from the relatively flat one I've run in Des Moines the past several years. Also, this will be my first-ever time running in Nebraska, so I'll be able to add that to my Destination Excursions page on the blog (above).


My birthday is March 14th. Yes, I'm a Pi Day baby. I was a total math geek when I was a kid, so I really would have embraced the 3.14 significance of  my day of birth, but it's only in recent years the "Pi Day" thing has gotten any attention. Anyways, something I'm considering is doing a Week of Pi Challenge...running 3.14 miles (essentially a 5K) everyday for a week (Sunday, March 8th through Saturday, March 14th). I've done running streaks many times, but I've never attempted a 5K streak. Rest assured, I do not plan to run any of these Pi runs fast. Like all of my other streaks, it's more for the challenge of doing the daily runs than it is for setting any PR's while doing so. And, it's only for a week. I always do a Pi run on my birthday anyways, why not have that be the grand finale?

Birthday "Pi" run 2019
Also on the agenda is Spring Break. The hubs and I will be spending several days in the Tampa, FL area, and I've found a race to do while there (isn't that what most runners do?). It's the 39th annual Driscoll's Strawberry Classic. I'm registered for the 10K. Fingers crossed, let's hope the weather will be seasonal.

On Saturday, March 28th, I'm returning to the Chocoholic Frolic (in Iowa City). Last year was the inaugural event, and it was a lot of fun on a very windy spring morning. There is a 5K or 10K option (I'm doing the 10K) and I will be defending my 1st place AG honors from last year. If all the stars, moons, and planets align, I'd like to try for a PR. If anyone is interested in joining me (or doing another Chocoholic Frolic event), CHOCKIM will save you $10 off your registration (check out their site HERE).
Windy hair, don't care at the 2019 Chocoholic Frolic
Lastly, the very next day, is the Fight for Air Climb (in Des Moines). Everyone knows this is another favorite event of mine. I've climbed in Des Moines in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and also in Chicago in 2014 . I've been doing all kinds of stair-training, since the last week of January. And just this weekend, the youngest daughter decided to join me! It's bound to be a fantastic morning on the stairs, as we raise funds for the American Lung Association. I climb to honor those who have successfully quit smoking, as well as the many others who are still battling that fight and/or dealing with lung disease. I'm also climbing in memory of my late mother-in-law, who suffered from COPD in her final years. I do have a fundraising page (HERE) if anyone would like to support my efforts.
from my first Climb, April 2013
Well, that is what's on tap for March. There's even more happening in April (ahem, back-to-back half marathons and a 1-mile race, for starters). Stay tuned!

How's your Spring calendar shaping up? Any big races happening? Any new events you're running for the first time? Are you ready, and as excited as I am, for some racing bibs and finish lines?

I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up
I'm also linking with Debbie,  RachelDeborahLisaSmitha and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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33 comments:

  1. Four events and one streak challenge! What a great month March is going to be! I didn't know the Leprechaun Chase was an actual chase. That sounds exactly like something I would LOVE to do.
    I also like your streak challenge idea. Running 5k a day for a week sounds very doable. Are you worried that the Fight for Air Climb is right after your Chocoholic Frolic 10k? Or is the stair event less of a race and just more kind of a fun challenge?

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    1. I have done so much climbing, the Climb will not be a big deal for me. It's a race, in that all the climbers are timed, but it's over the course of several hours during the morning. One never knows exactly where one places until the last person is done. That said, a LOT of climbers are doing it for the challenge with no goal of a finish time, and many are doing it as a tribute to friends or family suffering with lung disease.

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  2. It's really too bad that Chocoholic race doesn't have a half option. I have to admit that IA is not on the top of my states to visit (except to meet you, of course), but a race that involves chocolate is always a big draw for me.

    Good luck with all your races!

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    1. Iowa definitely is not a huge draw for non-Midwestern folk, I totally get that LOL

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  3. You are a racing machine as always! I runfess I have not raced in Iowa or Nebraska. My bad. How fun to have your daughter join you for the Climb! I actually invited my daughter to do one with me but was shut down immediately. :|

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    1. Yes, I am really looking forward to the daughter doing the Climb. She's always up for a challenge (she's the one who ran Dam to Dam with me two years ago).

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  4. March is going to be so much fun for you! I'm running a a local no-frills 5K the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day but that's all I have on my running schedule for this month.

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    1. There's a 4-mile St Pat's race I considered doing, as well as a 5K in another town...all on the 14th. But I figured, it's MY day dammit...I'm gonna do my own thing LOL

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  5. What a great racing roster for your bday month! I have a 15k coming up and I'm pretty sure that we're going to be in Chicago the day of the Shamrock Shuffle, which will be my first race outside of my home state.

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    1. I have heard a lot of great things about the Shamrock Shuffle...enjoy!!!

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  6. You have a great list. Happy PI birthday!!

    I am excited to run the nYC Half on March 15. You have to do that one..a birthday trip to NYC!!!!

    I will be excited when I can run in a skirt!!

    I have another half in April and May...hopefully be warmer by then.

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  7. You are not kidding around with your Spring schedule! It's going to be great.

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    1. I love having a lot of stuff on the calendar. I'm gonna be running anyways, might as well have some fun & excitement along with it ;-)

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  8. Lovely exciting news! I remember that chocolate run medal from last year, wish I could join you. Have fun!

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    1. Awh, it would be fun to have you jump on plane and join me ;-)

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  9. Wow you sure do have a jam packed fun month ahead! Looking forward to following along on your adventures.

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    1. It just kind of happened....But, it's gonna be fun ;-)

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  10. You sure do have a lot on your March calendar! Enjoy!

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    1. I'm gonna be running anyways, tight? Might as well do it in a race setting ;-)

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  11. Wow that's a lot! There's a 9/11 stair challenge that I hope to do this year. Maybe I'll convince one (or both) of my daughters to do it with me.

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    1. OH, do it!!!!!! It's always so neat seeing all the fire fighters lining up, in full gear. Everyone stands and claps for them as they walk down the halls leading to the staircases. It always gets me all blubbering...

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  12. So many fun things planned! March is such a great time for local races but I am just closing my eyes and pretending they're not there LOL. We have the international Gate River Run 15K on Saturday, a fabulous St. Patrick's race at the historical cemetery and a new 3K at the Alligator Farm. I think I might sign little man up for that one.

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    1. March is finally when the races start happening in Iowa...fun to get back on a race course!

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  13. You would totally love our Pi race! There are tables of PIE at the end! (you do like pie, right?) So many different flavors. Yummmm. I am doing a Shamrockin Shuffle. The event is trying for a Guiness World Record for most finishers in an athletic kilt (so specific!). The kilts look really cute :) Sounds like you will be very busy this month. fun!

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    1. Of course, I like pie! That Shamrockin Shuffle sounds like a great time! Take lots of pics, please ;-)

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  14. That's nice that you got that free entry into the Omaha race! All your March races sound so interesting. I love the chase idea, plus that stair climbing thing...whew! Well, we know you're in shape for it! I have a pretty busy March too, three races plus this weekend I'll be volunteering to stretch golfers before a golf tournament that benefits St. Judes.

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    1. The Chase is so much fun! And all the green...honestly, I have to shake my head (and roll my eyes) at the people who don't dress in green. Honestly, it's for St. Pat's ;-)

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  15. You have some fun things lined up for March! The Pi streak sounds like fun. And I love that your daughter has decided to join your stair climb!

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    1. I'm really excited for the Pi streak. It's one of those things I've been thinking of for awhile, and the week of my birthday is the perfect time to give it a go.

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  16. Sounds like an exciting month! That St. Patricks day race sounds really fun. I've never heard of anything like that before!

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    1. This is the only Chase I've seen (well, for Des Moines and Omaha, that is). It's such a fun concept, and the green running gear/costumes are awesome ;-)

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  17. I am so late responding. You have some great races this week! I am excited for the Pi streak. Would love to do that one with you. Thanks for linking up!

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