Running the World: Marathon Musings

It’s February, and the marathon year is wide open. I decided not to list any marathons on my calendar until I had actually registered for them, so the calendar looks pretty blank right now, with only the Myrtle Beach Marathon coming up next week and the Stockholm Marathon in June. But I’ve had several others in mind, close ones that are easy to get to. As much as I enjoy the travel theme, it requires resources; I’ve toyed with the “50 marathons in 50 states” idea, but I haven’t decided to pursue it. Maybe 50 marathons in 50 countries? We’ll see! What I do know is that it’s time—past time!—to do some planning for this year’s “away games.”

In the meantime, I’ve held onto the assumption that I’ll run in a couple of nearby events this spring. Last year I ran eight marathons. I get preoccupied with precedents. I feel compelled to keep the number of marathons high, even if the number of new courses has to stay a little lower. In March 2011 I planned NOT to participate in the local marathon, and then one evening I was driving home from work when I noticed an electronic sign along the freeway alerting drivers to road closures over the weekend. Road closures associated with the National Marathon. I drew in my breath. My heart raced. And I realized I couldn’t stay away from a marathon going on in my city: I had to run it! I signed up at the last minute. Whew, that was close! I would have been so disappointed if the event had been sold out.

Speaking of which … anyway, I’ve got Myrtle Beach coming up, and I’ve been thinking of adding a new page to the blog that’s focused more specifically on reviewing the events and some of the travel resources I end up using. This whole blogging project is still new to me. I may as well explore the possibilities! I generally read a lot of reviews when I’m choosing a new marathon or planning a trip. Sometimes reviews help steer me toward or away from an event or a hotel. Sometimes they make me crazy and I have to force myself to stop reading them or I’d never dare leave the comforts of my own apartment. The first time I went to Myrtle Beach, I read dozens of hotel reviews on Expedia. I ended up in a panic thinking that any hotel I booked would have fleas, bed bugs, and some mysterious goo seeping from the walls or coating the lamp shades. Sometimes you have to shut your eyes and jump. I finally booked a hotel in North Myrtle Beach, and now I always stay there. I guess for all my traveling, I have a limited taste for adventure.

The Ocean Drive Beach and Golf Resort is satisfactory, but the Myrtle Beach Marathon is awesome, a great kickoff to a fresh marathon season. The course is flat—woohoo! I have no qualms in confessing my appreciation for flat running surfaces. Especially when you are just getting back into marathoning and your brain hasn’t tackled the 4-hour challenge for a while, a lack of rise in the pavement provides a psychological boost. Also, you get to run by all the hotels you didn't choose on Expedia. You could probably even stop and take a tour if you wanted to get a jump on planning next year's trip.

I like this place enough to keep going back.

Myrtle Beach also gives out some of the best goodies around (although I’m afraid of jinxing things for this year by writing that). I have a red beach towel from 2009, a lime green beach towel from 2011, two tote bags, one of which I use almost daily at the gym, and two luh-ve-ly medals: my 2011 MB Marathon medal hangs around the passenger seat of my car. The medallion is shaped like flip flops. Ah, makes me smile.

There, I’ve put out my musings. Look for a new tab on the blog site with access to reviews. Coming soon. As soon as I write some.