Monday, January 21, 2008

Shiprock, New Mexico or San Diego?


Yes, I'm thinking about the next marathon. I'd like to do one in May or June. I thought about doing the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, my home town, but that will probably have to wait until next year. I thought about the Whiskey Row Marathon in Prescott, AZ, but it's billed as the toughest marathon in the US. Not ready for that. The Labor of Love Marathon in Nevada? Nope, it goes from 4500' elevation to 7000'. Sounds like a tough one too. The Country Music Marathon in Nashville is a possibilty, but I'd rather have something closer.




That leaves me with the San Diego Rock N' Roll on June 1st (pictured on top) and the Shiprock Marathon in New Mexico on May 3rd.(pictured below).



San Diego will have big crowds in an urban setting. I'll get to go to the ocean and maybe a ballgame.


Shiprock will have less than 100 marathoners in the high desert. No crowds. More downhill, than up. The only marathon on an Indian Reservation. It'll have a bonus too. It's near the Four Corners monument. The only place in the US that four different states touch. I have a strong desire to go there and run a couple miles in the desert through Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. You don't get to many opportunities to cover four states in one run.


So, what do you think? Should I do Shiprock and the four corners? Should I do San Diego and the beaches? Or should I do a different race?


Here's a list of all my marathon races -


Marathons 26.2 miles:
.
1/14/2008 - Rock N' Roll Arizona 5:51:34 ...13:25 pace
.
Half Marathons 13.1 miles:
.
12/9/2007 -Fiesta Bowl - Scottsdale 2:27:41... 11:17 pace
10/7/2007 -Casa Grande Half Marathon 2:34:49 ...11:50
3/18/2007 -Valley of Gold - Tucson 2:42:53 ...12:27
2/18/2007 -Lost Dutchman -Apache Junction 2:43:06 ...12:28
1/14/2007 -Rock N' Roll Arizona Half Marathon 2:47:54 ...12:50
10/27/2007 -YMCA South Mountain Half 2:49:30 ...12:57

15 comments:

J~Mom said...

Gosh, Pat I can see the advantages of both. I think though I am going to vote for SanDiego because you get the cool medals from Elite for doing more then one.

Mendy said...

Hard decisions, I see there, but totally different. I'm partial to San Dog, as I lived there for 4 years and it really is gorgeous. Hopefully, the course takes you along the nicest parts of san diego.

Agree with Lisa too - you could get the Elite medal for it, so that would be an extra medal for your shrine.

CurrentlyVince said...

Wow. Those sound like two totally different races. Based on the description of Shiprock, you might be looking at running a lot of the race by yourself. Do you thrive on crowd support?

Pat said...

I get a certain peace when I run by myself. Kind of like meditating on the run. I did the Casa Grande half marathon and was pretty much alone the whole time. There were always runners in sight, but not really nex to me. I enjoyed that race. But, I enjoy crowds too. I know I'd enjoy both races.

Pokey said...

Micheline had suggested the Ship Rock one to me....but it just is too isolated for my taste. I need some SERIOUS scenery - preferably tropical ;P -- if I am going to run 26.2 miles!!!!

I want to do San Diego someday - when I know I wont exceed the time limit! :P

How are you feeling???? TRC needs a long run.....

Topher said...

I lived in Farmington, NM, as a kid and remember going out to Shiprock a lot. It'd be a great place for a solitary run. But agreed, San Diego would rock, too. Just flip a coin, or do both. Why not?

Irene said...

You know my thoughts on San Diego! LOL. The SDRNR Marathon is very similar to the AZ RNR event, in the way the expo is handled, the corrals, fan support, etc. There are a few hills, and some people find running down the 163 a little strange because you run on slant, but that's one of my favorite parts of the course because it's scenic and I'm running on a highway that is normally packed with cars. This is the only marathon I do. Besides that, if you come out here I would hope to meet you!

Anonymous said...

My vote is for San Diego so that you can get more medals. :)

Dan Seifring aka "OBRATS" said...

http://www.steamtownmarathon.com/ It's all down hill Pat. And you would get to cross off PA as one of your States.

Nancy said...

Wow, interesting and very different. They both sound appealing in different ways, probably part of the dilemma. You seem to like the schedule pretty full, if you wait until June 1, you have a pretty big gap with your last scheduled race. Wondering if you had thought about that, about training and do you want that or would you fill it with other races. Just some thoughts. Good luck with your decision, the both sound neat in their own way.

My Life said...

Well you know I'm going to say SD... ;) But really, if it's between the two I'd still pick SD. For me, I think I'm still at the stage where I need lots of spectators to keep me going. If I was 1 among 100 on a reservation, it might be too easy to slink off if I hit the wall...

peter said...

I have always wanted to do Shiprock. You could do an urban M. any old time. But to come up on that majestic landmark, run by it, leave it behind, would be awesome. I've done 4 or 5 M's with only 100 runners or so, they're kind of peaceful.

Jeff said...

I would vote for San Diego, too. Looks like a blast. Great city too, and a cool ball park to boot.

Cheryl said...

I vote you run both. Pretty soon we will have to start calling you Dean K. :-)

Darrell said...

San Diego IS beautiful with lots of other things to do and see. There is a huge TNT turnout there too, if that makes a difference.