whats up next?

everyone i know (yes, everyone. seriously.) is writing a "whats up next" sort of post. i wanna be all like "im gonna spend too much money on shopping for xmas gifts (as always) and eat a lot of complex carbs on a thursday in november (related: its also my birthday! what goes best with turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing with gravy and carrot casserole? cake. duh)...

but these "whats up next" posts are all about running. i need new friends who just want to eat and be lazy and spend money... where are you?! but if you know me well enough, you know that wouldnt probably satisfy me either, as evidenced by the fact that i said after running my super fast (for me) half marathon PR last week that i was going to take time off from running. and then i ran 20 miles over the following days, including speed work. i have a problem.

of course the problem could be a lot worse. running 20 miles is better than eating 20 bags of doritos (although i guess it depends on who youre talking to). but i like to run so that i can eat those doritos. see how that works? it all evens out i think. (i was gonna post a pic of something dorito related here so i went and started searching pinterest. dont do that. now im starving).

so anyway... whats up next? well i thought i was going to have to work on the ever dreaded turkey trot 5k race day, but alas i realized i have it off, and i have henry coverage. so sadly i have to go and try to knock some sort of respectable time there, despite my true hatred for that course. (run as fast as i can for the first mile, fall apart and die the third mile. happens. every. damn. year.) maybe i can try to keep it somewhat consistent this year? probably not. we'll find out.

this is how i feel about 5ks.

i am sad that i am working on thanksgiving day though... not only because its my bday and who wants to work on your bday?! but also because i love the thanksgiving day 4 miler in portland. oh well, maybe next year. (or maybe work will be slow and i can ask to come in after? we'll see). and for the rest of this year, the only other thing i have planned is the Operation Jack satellite 10k. this is the 4th year we have put on a small fun event here in maine to help support OJ... you can read more about it here and register and come join us for the 10k run/walk on dec 28th. and then we go and drink coffee and eat all the carbs at mr. bagel after! i wonder if they have doritos?

2014 is still kinda up in the air at this point. theres a small local 5k ill do in january with sarah and then the mid winter classic 10 miler in february. tyler, brayden, and i have already signed up for the great bay half marathon in april, one that i have done a few times. a gorgeous hilly course but a great event, and im excited to have them involved this year!

why do i buy race photos?! cuz i look hot. clearly.

i said i was going to do a triathlon again next year but i just dont think thats gonna happen (i dont have a bike. kinda important). instead ive almost decided on a may marathon and maybe an ultra marathon, and potentially two marathons in the fall. im sure other small races will come up here and there, but i need to focus on what i really want to do. what is it that i really want to do? still to be determined. ive got time.

what are your 2014 race plans (or dorito eating plans... related: can i join you)? how far in advance do you schedule/sign up for races? is anyone going to join me in these races? are you hungry now?