Friday, May 22, 2009

WTH?!

Not to be confused with WTF?!

Post-Pig, I’ve been eyeballin’ some races to participate in through out this summer. I have a handy dandy homemade handwritten list right on my desk. It just screams I’m So Interested In These Races I’ve Even Taken The Extra Step To Manually Write Them Down. Sure, I could have just highlighted those same races on this Michigan Race Schedule flyer I have tucked beneath my homemade list but the thought didn’t occur to me at the time, so back off. A lot of things occur to me after the fact. I’m a regular Hindsight Genius that way.

I’ll be heading to the location of my ancestral home for this Memorial Weekend. As it turns out, there is a series of races on Saturday including a 10k, half marathon and full marathon. I took a pass on the full marathon a long time ago. I had visions of joining the half marathon but balked at the price ($90? That’s a buck for every minute I planned to run the race! Remember, I’m a cheapskate.) But they do have a 10k also.

I’ve gone back and forth more times than Arlen Specter’s political affiliation on whether or not to sign up. I’m not really prepared for a 10k. I won’t feel 5k/10k race ready for another month or so as my speed work is still in the beginning stages. Yesterday, I finally decided What The Hell, why not? Who cares if I flail about and finish a few minutes off from where I’d like to be? I’m sure I can still inspire a few of you to leave me milquetoast, half-hearted Nice Jobs in my comments right?

Besides, the price is right. As mentioned the half marathon costs $90. The 10k is $25. The 10k is 47.3% the mileage (6.2/13.1 for you math morons) of the half. But it’s 27.8% of the cost. That’s called a bargain. If it applied in this case, I’d buy the 10k registration in bulk. But not everything is toilet paper I guess.

Also, I need a baseline for a 10k. I’ve never, ever, never-ever run a 10k before. I always assumed that folks who run 10k’s are different from me. Maybe they’re hiding a vestigial tail or something. At the very least, they smell like cabbage and have small hands (name that movie.) So, instant PR…and one to shatter later in the summer (if I can stand the smell.)

My SOS2 goal is to break 40:00. For this race, I’ll be happy to limbo under 42:00 quite honestly.

The bottom line: I don’t really have a good reason not to run it.

So, WTFN?!

Good luck to the many, many weekend racers! I hope your race is as big of a bargain as mine.

32 comments:

C said...

Austin Powers.

Good luck and enjoy the holiday weekend.

acey said...

being recently laid off...i also pull out my calculator to figure out which races are the best bargains...
i'm usually figuring out gas to flight costs, not mile to dollar cost ;) but maybe i should...i haven't found one i can "afford" yet!

Sun Runner said...

I'm heading up there to support some folks in the marathon. Maybe I'll see you around. :) I haven't decided if my post-marathon legs are up for the 10K or not. I'm itching to get back on the road. Five days off is TOO LONG.

Anonymous said...

$90 for a half marathon is obscenely expensive. They better be giving out lobster and champagne at the post race party.

I, too, am a cheapskate. I found a 5K for $10 this weekend and I'm ridiculously excited. Who cares that I have to drive 70 miles round trip? What a bargain!!

Lily on the Road said...

have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend run....all the best to Mrs. Nitmos, Colt & Filly...have fun!

and Yes, Austin Powers, the man of my dreams.
rrrrRRRRRrrrrr.....shagalicious baby!!

Sarah said...

I feel quite liberated to be a slow-as-sh*t (that's a technical term) brand new runner. (Well not really runner, jogger. Or trudger.) I sign up for races with the only goal being "finish alive." :)

Good luck, and have fun! Yay for three-day weekends.

Razz said...

Good job on the race.

Too soon?

M2Marathon said...

LOL I carry around my two copies of Colorado Runner (the ones that have the awesome race guides) in my bag and look at them at least once a day to "review" which races I want/can afford to do this summer. $90 is highway robbery!!! I thought $40 for a 10k was pretty high...

Ian said...

Thanks for linking 'vestigial' but I still don't understand what it means or how I can use it to make fun of you.

tfh said...

Have fun. If you're anything like me, you won't, because you'll start off by running your first 10k just as you would run a 5k, and the second 5k will be hell. But hell at a bargain basement price.

Mike G said...

It's easy: 20 minutes for the first 5k, 19:50 for the second :)

Jess said...

You'll be able to smash that 10K PR by the end of the summer and then you will get to tell us how awesome you are. Sounds like a plan you'd love lol!

Marlene said...

$90 for a half is STEEP!

Have fun at the 10K. Go get that automatic PR.

Marci said...

Have fun at your 10K, I hope it turns out to be an even bigger bargain for you!

Unknown said...

Have fun with the 10K

B. Kramer said...

Halloween. That's the one with Mike Myers, right?

Good luck breaking you 10-K cherry.

The Laminator said...

See, am I the only one who thinks it's wierd that you have to pay more to run more? Hmmm...I thought the whole point is that you get a discount if you buy (or run) in bulk.

I agree that the 10K is probably the best financial decision for you...especially since you'll make it a bargain with an automatic PR!

Have a great race!

Katie said...

I'm the 10K as my first 10k as well! Only you're much faster and have run marathons. Me? This training was the first time I topped 4 miles.

Unknown said...

Gotta love the instant PR's! Good luck. I don't quite get the vestigial honestly. But funny for sure.

Spike said...

I’m just say’n, if your stupid 10K gets in the way of my marathon, there might be a few DNFs. And if it doesn’t, good luck!

Beth said...

Ahhh, to this former accountant, this was the worlds best post. Percentages and cost per mile, and don't forget that since it will be a PR the ROI very attractive. Good luck- I hope you have a great race!

Kristina said...

Way to work that calculator. Good luck this weekend!

Caroline Novak said...

Hindsight Genius ... chuckle ...

Cheetah Girl said...

I literally just 'lol'ed at the entire post. Thanks for making my morning!

Irish Cream said...

Whoa, that really IS a bargain . . . especially when you consider the free PR thrown in. Nice score there!

X-Country2 said...

WTFN is how I got myself running a marathon. I fully support the attitude.

Vava said...

Good luck! Hope the race went well, and the race I did was a bargain if only because I forgot what I paid for it...

Vava said...

Sorry, dude. On a long shot I looked up your race results (I'm not stalking, I promise. Just curious. I think you'll have to revamp that SOS2 goal for at least the 10k. Nice going!!! A special medal, I assume, was yours.

The Boring Runner said...

New to the blog, but am excited about your speed. Good luck on the 10k!

Marcy said...

I hope it went well but looking at Vava's comment I take maybe not?!

I just did my first 10k evah too this year. Yeah that shiz sucked LOL

Aron said...

that is a deal! i need to run a 10k this year... just need to find one. good luck!

sRod said...

$90 for a half? Who do they think they are? Disney? Sheesh, The Pig Full marathon was less than $90.