spring marathon close to Chicago

Two more days in 2012 and then we will be counting down to the New Year and a fresh start. What are your goals for 2013? Have you thought about what you want to do, where you want to go and which direction you plan to take your fitness?

For me, the next step in regaining my fitness is building my miles in order to be the fastest I can possibly be at the Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago on April 7th. I’m always the fastest in the weeks leading up to a marathon and for several months after…..quite possibly because my mind is trained as much as my body. I want to run fast on April 7th so I picked a spring marathon. The Lansing Marathon in Lansing, MI. April 21, 2013.

Exactly 111 days from today. Plenty of time.

The Lansing Marathon offers a multitude of races: Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, & a kids race. The race director promises an excellent race:

The course is flat, fast, scenic and varied with both city and country terrain. The course is USATF certified and the marathon course is a Boston qualifier. There is great on course support with lots of tremendous volunteers and outstanding, lively spectators. Excellent fluid stations and an exciting finish right in front of the State Capitol building. Terrific post-race food and beer. Great medical support on course, too.

If you are looking for a BQ, or a PR at the Half Marathon distance, this might be the race for you. It will be small, flat and fast!

The race also partners with The Lansing Moves the World Foundation.

Lansing Moves the World (LMW), coordinates an “ACE” Program for kids in Lansing schools, community centers, and at Lansing Boys and Girls Club. This project promotes coordination, agility, movement skills, stability, running speed, teamwork, and overall fitness and also has emphases on community involvement and educational advancement. ACE stands for Activity, Community, and Education.

LMW coordinates the activity of elite Kenyan runners. When the Kenyan elites are in Lansing, they help with the ACE program and plant trees. When they are back home in Kenya, the help with our kids in the troubled Tana River District and also plant trees in de-forested areas of Kenya. We call Lansing the 24/7 marathon; we are trying to help children, somewhere in the world, around the clock. Details about LMW are at HERE.

Lansing Marathon Prize Pack Giveaway

One free entry to the Lansing Marathon race of choice;
A free training plan for either the full or half marathon ($39 value);
A free e-copy of the training book, Aurora ($19.95 value).

If you would like to be entered to win the giveaway package 1) “like” the Lansing Marathon on Facebook HERE and leave a comment below telling me you did so, including the name under which you liked them so that I can verify. 2) A second entry will be given for anyone who likes the Lansing Moves the World (charity) Facebook page HERE, please leave a separate comment telling me you liked LMW. 3) A bonus entry will be given if you share the giveaway via social media or a blog. Please tag TooTallFritz while sharing so that I see it, and yes, please leave a separate comment for each share.

A winner will be drawn on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at noon (12pm). This is a quickie so that I can make the announcement prior to my departure for Ragnar FL. This will also allow everyone time to use the discount code before the price increase in Jan 8th.

Did I mention a discount code? Yes! The Lansing Marathon has generously offered a $10 discount code! The early bird pricing is still valid ($95 for the full & $60 for the half) up until January 8th, so take advantage of the $10 discount prior to the price increase! Register HERE using the coupon code: CHICAGO10

I look forward to seeing you in Lansing! This is going to be an amazing race and I hope to see a lot of friendly faces!

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

As the we countdown to the end of the year, it is also a countdown for early bird registration to a lot of major spring races. And while spring means spring cleaning, sweet weather, budding flowers & March Madness to some, as a runner, we are thinking about our race calendar. Specifically, do we schedule a spring marathon or not? Normally, I would be coming off an amazing fall racing season so the answer for me would be NOT. However, 2012, while absolutely amazing, was not so amazing on the running/racing front. Therefore, I too am stalking the spring marathon calendar. And I found one.

The Lansing Marathon. April 21, 2013. Multiple events: 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, Kids Race and Marathon. Charity component: Lansing Moves the World Foundation. Close to Chicago, Ft Wayne & Indy.

More details to come but before you get swept away in registering for something this weekend before the possible price jump, take a look at the Lansing Marathon. That’s where I’ll be and I’d love to see a few of you there too!

More details to come. A free entry & prize pack to the Lansing Marathon is also on its way. Hmmm…..maybe I’ll see you in Lansing this spring?