What would you do for a medal?

I don't know if you remember, but back in February I found a link to a Washington half/full marathon series.  The Tri-Cities marathon is part of that series, so I thought it would be "fun" to see if I could get 3 more half marathons done this year as part of that series.  Well, the thing is, I have to actually run specific races, not just any half marathon (so my January half marathon doesn't count), but I ran the San Juan half specifically because of this series.  That was a hard half, and I have no desire to do it again.

I had decided to The Happy Girls Run in Spokane as my second race of the series.  I had originally decided to do that one because it was in Spokane. I wasn't thrilled about going to Spokane (it's a 6-7 hour drive) but I have an aunt that lives there so I could stay with her.  Every other race I saw was in an area where I knew no one and was too far for a day trip.  Well, then about a month ago I was looking at it and noticed it's a trail run, which I don't do . . . I was going to, but was really not looking forward to it.

Then I was looking at what other races, and the same weekend as the The Happy Girls run was the North Country Wine Run.  Wine run?  of course I'm going to look at that.  That one was south, near Portland, Oregon, but still in Washington.  Well, while Chris was in the hospital I had a talk with his brother about an aunt and uncle of theirs that has been disappointed that we haven't seen them when we are down in that area.  I didn't know they lived close to where we go every winter with my family, but I thought, well, if they live close to where this run is, maybe they'll let me stay there.  And then I didn't call them.  And then I sorta forgot (procrastinated) to register for the race. 

Both of those races were last weekend.  Which means I missed them.  Which means if I don't find another race, I will have run the San Juan Half for nothing (well, bragging rights, but does that really count when you were planning on getting a medal?).  So I was looking at other half marathons through the end of the year, and the pickings are slim.  There's the Seattle Marathon in November, but if you've been to Seattle, you know it's pretty hilly, and it's Thanksgiving weekend, and it's our year to go to eastern WA for Thanksgiving. There's another trail run at Lake Padden, but again, it's a trail run, and the difficulty is hard. . . So that brings me to the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Half . . . This Saturday, 2 1/2 hours from my house. 

Benefits: 

• It says it's an easy race. 
• It's only 2 1/2 hours from home (which isn't bad compared to most others). 
• It starts at 9am, instead of earlier. 
• Fried green beans . . . (see photo below)

Cons:

• It's 2 1/2 hours from home.
• I'd have to wake up at week day time, not weekend time.
• It's 4 days away, so the price is pretty spendy.
• It's Oktoberfest in Leavenworth (which equals busy).
• I'd have to come home right after the race because it's Oktoberfest and there's no way I'd find a room (or be able to afford one).

So I could leave home at 5:30am (very early), but I could eat and drink in the car, so that's a benefit, and then run, then drive home.  I could potentially be home before 3pm, so I would still have the late afternoon/evening at home.  And I've definitely woken up early on a weekend to go running before, so that wouldn't be a big deal . . . well, maybe not that early, but on weekdays I wake up at 430, so my body is used to it. 

I'm thinking I'm going to do it.  I would love it if I had company for the drive, but both Damian and Chris have to work and my sister is coming back from Hawaii Friday night, so no way she wants to go.  I asked a friend, who said she would . . . if she wasn't going to Las Vegas for her boyfriend's birthday.  So this is another lonely running trip just for a medal.  ; )

This year's wine walk with my sister in Leavenworth

OHHH!  I could get these fried green beans at
one of my sister's and mine favorite restaurants.
Yum! =)

P.S.  If someone reads this and wants to go, I'm taking any and all offers.  ; )