I received free entry to Wonder Woman, Run Mag Mile and North Shore Turkey Trot as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I’ve only been gunning for the 6 World Marathon Majors for 10 years now. It all came to a glorious conclusion and I managed to check off that BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) from my bucket list in London. I’ve been asked a million times already, What’s Next?
I am grateful that I am not the kind of person who gets post-race blues. I’m still grinning from the 6-Star experience and expect to be for a good long time. I also don’t feel compelled to set another BHAG anytime soon. My inclination is to switch things up, enjoy a summer of not training for anything huge, and focus more on my other love, strength training. In other words running will take on more of a “side dish” role. This doesn’t mean I’ll stop running entirely. I’ve already got some races on tap.
What’s Next?
I’ve been traipsing all over the world lately and it’s time to dial in and enjoy some hometown races and some shorter distances.
Here are some races I’ve committed to:
Wonder Woman Chicago 5k & 10k. June 9. Because who doesn’t want to channel their inner super shero? Save 10% on all Wonder Woman Events with WWBIBRAVE.
How cool is that half zip?
Run Mag Mile 10k & 5k. September 7. This race takes you through Chicago’s must-see hot spots, including North Michigan Ave. aka the Mag Mile. There’s a fun after-party in Grant Park too. The flat, fast course is perfect for newer runners and serves as a great tour for visitors. Get a free stainless steel water bottle when you use code BIBRM19 at signup.
ZOOMA Great Lakes. 5k, 10k, Half September 14. This will be my third time running this race and it promises to be an epic and relaxing girls’ race weekend with some BRF’s. Join us and use RUNTHELAKE to save 15%. Register before June 2 to receive the free upgraded swag bag.
North Shore Turkey Trot 5k & 10k. November 28. Since I’ll be making the turkey this year, a shorter race, close to home is what I’m after and the North Shore Turkey Trot is perfect. A personal pie at the finish line sounds pretty good too! Get a free stainless steel water bottle when you use code BRNSTT19 at signup.
What’s next for you? Do you get sad after accomplishing a big goal? Have you planned out your race calendar? Last day for my giveaways here and here!
I’m linking up with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Five.
I used to get sad after marathons or PR races / meeting goals. Now I just sign up for more! Maybe an ultra should be next?! I’d love to run Oceans to Oceans in South Africa. It’s definitely on my bucket list!
I may end up joining you for some of those races. Shorter distances are my jam right now. Congrats on being selected a BibRave pro! And enjoy your time just running for fun.
Usually I have the next race line up . . . except when I don’t. Like now. But to everything there is a season.
I enjoyed doing a close, low pressure Turkey Trot while I was doing Thanksgiving (except this year I had no desire to brave the cold). Unfortunately, my parents can no longer make the trip here, so once again we’ll be off to them — somewhere — on turkey day.
It was always hectic of course, but in the end, I preferred controlling most everything!
I don’t get the post-race blues, but I feel a bit of “fog-like” existence for awhile with all the “free” time (that will not be spent on long runs). Of course, that fog dissipates, but it is an odd reality for a couple weeks. That Mag Mile 1/4 zip is cool….too bad my fall is gonna be crazy busy with all kinds of said long runs happening ((again)).
I think it’s great that you have accomplished such an awesome goal and now ready to stay closer to home. Nothing wrong with that.
Those all sounds really fun! I wish we had that wonder woman race here in DC. You may be staying close to home but does not look like you will be slowing down!
Sounds like some fun races. I’m sure it will be nice to take running low-key for a while.
After the marathons, to enjoy some hometown races and some shorter distances is a very smart goal. In this period, because of all my incidents and my age, this is my only goal …. but you very soon will be ready for new great adventures.
Wow, you have a lot of fun races on tap! The Wonder Woman one looks like a blast! I guess you don’t need to rest on your laurels. 😉
Sounds like a sensible plan!
Congrats on accomplishing your BHAG!!! I am not surprised you have no big goals on the horizon. Bask in the afterglow of London for a while! 🙂 I have gotten post-race blues already, but I am doing some shorter fun runs right now before tackling MCM again this fall!
Big goals are scary to many of us. They cut right to the A in the S.M.A.R.T. scheme, that is, we may think that we can t attain them. We look at a big goal, and then we look back at ourselves, and where we are right now, and we think what is the point of setting a goal like that, I can never attain it. The reality is that in many cases we don t know what we are actually capable of achieving until we try. We don t know our limits until we actually test them.