After a marathon training cycle I tend to go one of two directions; I either change it up and dive into training for 5Ks and faster races, or I take a long break from racing or training for a specific race and just enjoy running without a schedule dictating my runs.
After NYC I did the latter. However, the new year and our Boise Betties team goal setting meeting got me thinking about what races I want to run this Spring, this year, and even over the next ten years. I’ve always had my mental bucket list of races (and an actual bucket list) but I decided to write them down and share them!
See, with the goal setting exercise our coach made us identify our ten year running goals. In addition to being healthy, one of my goals is to run the World Marathon Majors races outside the United States. Jeremy and I had always talked about it as a “one day” thing on our bucket list, but writing it down made it feel more concrete and within my grasp. I suppose writing down the rest of my bucket list races is a way to concretize what otherwise felt like a distant dream. After all, Neil Peart wrote “a spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.“
So here are the races I want to run and, God willing, will run in my lifetime.
The World Marathon Majors
Jeremy and I ran Boston and Chicago together, and New York individually. We love to travel and decided a few years ago that we would run each of the races in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series. The remaining three are those outside the United States: London, Berlin, and Tokyo.
Setting a ten-year goal is a little tricky since each of the three below have a lottery entry system. Hopefully (fingers crossed) we can get into each race at least once in the next ten years!
California International Marathon
CIM has only been on my list for a few years. It came on my radar when I started following more elite runners and realized it was known for being a blazing fast course. Now that I live so much closer to Sacramento, I hope I can run this race in the next few years. I’m not looking for that illustrious OTQ many seek at CIM, I would settle for getting my sub-3:15 🙂
Big Sur International Marathon
Two words: bridge and beauty. Photos of that bridge alone were enough to make me want to run this race. The tagline is pretty enchanting too “Running on the ragged edge of the Western World.” Swoon.
Hood to Coast (or a another big team relay)
Heyyyy, anyone looking for a team member? I’ve read so many Runner’s World articles about these relays and they look SO FUN. I want to live in a van for two days. I’ve almost been on two Ragnar teams, but it hasn’t panned out yet. And if Kevin Hart did one, so can I! Hood to Coast is top on my list and I know some runners from the Portland area, so keep me in mind guys 😉
Honolulu Marathon
For a reason some who know me well will understand, Oahu has a special place in my heart. I would love to return to run a race there and the Honolulu Marathon is my top choice. I would run this one slow, just taking it all in and cherishing the memories I have in this beautiful place. Considering it’s in December and I live in a place that is 50 degrees colder that time of year, slow will probably happen whether I choose to or not!
Amberger Halbmarathon (or any race in Amberg, Germany)
I lived in Amberg, Germany for three years and ran the country roads and bike paths through the Bavarian countryside for three years, but I didn’t run any road races! I ran one awesome cross country relay race called the “landkreislauf” and a few races on the Army base, but no races in Amberg. Jeremy and I got engaged there so I know we will be back and I can redeem myself. I’ll just need my dad to translate the registration form, because yes his German is WAY better than mine even though I lived there for three years.
Bay to Breakers
Naked runners + hilarious costumes + San Francisco. I would even be content just to spectate this one.
And More to Come!
The list will probably grow, but I’ve checked others off over the years including the big 10 milers in Washington, DC and the stateside World Marathon Majors. There are lots of races I’ve kicked around the idea of like the Athens, Inca Trail, or Great Wall of China marathons. There are plenty of races I want to run, and many more I will run before I get to these, but these are the one I must run. Whether I get to it when I’m 35 or 75, these are the ones I’ve gotta run before I kick the bucket.
What are you your bucket list races?
Such a great read. Big Sur looks gorgeous
Only marathon on my bucket list is NYC. Half wise, so many fun destinations. Would love to run in Montreal, Boston, the Hudson River Valley
I lucked into Cherry Blossom my first year entering, so glad to have that one.
I should have more half marathons on the list. But I agree, I think in terms of destinations where it would be fun to run vs. a specific half marathon I want to do. NYC is the best!!