One of my all time running highlights was winning second place for my age category in a 4th of July run in Middletown, Ohio. I ran almost a minute faster a mile than I normally did. (And yes, there were more than two people in my category.) When the first mile came and the time-keeper called out the time, I almost turned back to ask, “What did you say?” Instead, I ran like heck to the next mile marker for a confirmation. I was on fire. I think it had to do with: living in Albuquerque at the time, running a lot with a guy I was dating who taught me some running tips, and buzzing a bit from the two days drive to get to Middletown. Besides the fun of doing so well, being a part of a community event pulled me right into the milieu of Middletown. Man, was it glorious.
If you’re a running type, here are some running events listed on the Web site Active.com to consider when thinking about where to travel for your running highs. My run in Middletown was impromptu. I didn’t know the run existed until I showed up at my friend’s friends’ house. This list goes through March 2008.
On the International Scene
Tri Escape to Bermuda Triathlon: 10/21/07 –St. George’s, Bermuda
Run 22nd Venice Marathon: 10/28/07—Venice, Italy
Run adidas Dublin Marathon: 10/29/07 –Dublin, Ireland
Run Puerto Vallarta International Half Marathon & 5K 2007: 11/4/07–Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Run Brooks Brighton 10k: 11/18/07 –Brighton and Hove, UK – England
Run Firenze Marathon: 11/25/07 –Florence, Italy
Tri Island Triathlon Series™ Turks & Caicos: 12/1/07 –Grace Bay, Providenciales, TCA
Run Reggae Marathon & Half-Marathon: 12/1/07– Long Bay Beach Park, Jamaica
Run Lisbon Marathon: 12/2/07– Lisbon, Portugal
Run Milano City Marathon 2007: 12/2/07 –Milan, Italy
Run The Santa Dash: 12/2/07 –Liverpool, UK – England
Run Cabo Half Marathon 2008: 1/19/08 –Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Run Porto Santo Marathon- Madeira Islands: 3/1/08 –Madeira, Portugal
Run Monaco Marathon: 3/30/08 –Monaco, Monaco
In the United States
Tri EnduraSport Half Triathlon: 11/10/07– Freeport, Bahamas, BHS
Run The Las Vegas Marathon & Half Marathon: 12/2/07 –Las Vegas, NV
Run Honolulu Marathon: 12/9/07 –Honolulu, HI
Run Walt Disney World Half Marathon: 1/12/08 –Lake Buena Vista, FL
Run Walt Disney World Marathon:1/13/08 –Lake Buena Vista, FL
Run P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona: 1/13/08 –Phoenix, AZ
Run Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon: 1/20/08 –Carlsbad, CA
Run ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon: 1/27/08 –Miami, FL
Run Surf City USA® Marathon & Half Marathon (formerly Pacific Shoreline Marathon): 2/3/08 –Huntington Beach, CA
Run Los Angeles Marathon: 3/2/08– Los Angeles, CA