SPRING MARATHONS

My son-in-law, Josh Taylor, and I are now seriously considering what spring marathon we will run in our attempt to qualify for Boston. We originally figured it would be one of three: Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Nashville. All three have positives and negatives.

Five years ago I ran Pittsburgh and really enjoyed the race. There was only one major hill on the course about halfway through the race. The second half of the race was mostly downhill and flat. Pittsburgh is very near, only about sixty miles away from where we live. However, I worry about heat. When I ran Pittsburgh five years ago we enjoyed an incredibly cool morning. Warm temps are definitely possible in Pittsburgh in early May.

I've run the Nashville Half three out of the last four years and managed to place 3rd in my age group in 2012. The country music atmosphere is incredible there with a plethora of talented bands along the route. This race is one of the most popular in the country with nearly 30,000 participants. I'm wondering, though, if the crowd could be a factor in the early miles. Also, Nashville is definitely not flat.

I've never run Cleveland, and the opportunity for a new race experience is always enticing. A big plus for Cleveland is the flat terrain. The older I get, the more I appreciate a flat course where I can get into a steady rhythm. The downside of Cleveland is the mid-May date (May 18). The temperature could easily rise above 70 during the race. The heat kills me.

A reader suggested the Ashville Marathon in Ashville, NC. Scheduled for mid-March, the temperature should be perfect. The course is located on the Biltmore Estate, which is an incredibly beautiful part of North Carolina. However, I'm worried about hills on that course. Also, serious training would have to begin in January for a March marathon. January can be a tough month weather-wise where I live in the Ohio Valley.

There is another marathon we are seriously considering--The Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio. It's scheduled for April 27, so chances are the weather will be accommodating. The race usually hosts about 1000 runners, which means there should not be crowded conditions for the first few miles. However, this plus may become a minus. How lonely will the race become in the latter stages?

Whew! Tough decision. I want to qualify for Boston, go to the Big Dance, and then write the sequel--The Old Man and the Boston Marathon. The marathon we choose could be critical to that goal. Please, if you have opinions on any of these races or other suggestions, comment below!


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