We are rapidly approaching December and that means we’re wrapping up this year and moving on to the next!
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what my race plan is for 2018. I’ve already announced that I am signing up for a spring marathon (my second), but beyond that, I’m extremely flexible! Since I’ve been hearing a lot from other runners/bloggers that they haven’t nailed down their race calendar, I thought this would be a great Running 101 topic to help you figure out where to go next!
That’s right, Running 101 is back in session! I have really enjoyed creating posts catered to beginners and offering tips to help maximize your experience as a new runner while providing some friendly reminders to the more experienced runners! I really hope you appreciate my tips on how to plan your next year of running – now is the time!
I’ve previously shared the following Running 101 topics:
- How to Build a Support System as a New Runner
- How to Be Motivated to Run and Train in the Winter
- Essential Gear for Running in the Rain
- How to Fight Your Negative Inner Voice
- How to Have a Successful Running Off-Season
- Greatest Tips for Summer Running
- How to Cope with a Running Injury
I’m linking up with Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run, Debbie, Lora, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner and Annmarie, and Nicole for Wild Workout Wednesday!
[bctt tweet=”Time for some #runningtips on how to plan your next year of running and racing! #sweatpink” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
How to Plan Your Next Year of Running
If you know me by now, you know that I’m a planner. I am most at peace when I have created a plan that I’m ready to execute, and that’s definitely the way I like to operate when it comes to running, training, and racing! Unfortunately, since there are so many races to consider, the planning process can be very overwhelming! Since I’m planning a wedding in 2018, I really need to be on top of things and get my plan together. Here are the steps that I take when thinking about my race plan – I hope you find it helpful!
Think About Your Running Goals
It’s so important to break down your running goals from year-to-year. In 2016, my big goal was to run my first marathon, so every race I signed up for was in preparation for that moment. In 2017, my big goal was to PR in the half marathon, so obviously, I ran a lot of half marathons! If you’re really focused on getting a PR, trying a new distance, or running in as many different states as possible, it’s important to know that from the jump, as it will shape what types of races you consider for the upcoming year.
It was great to PR the half marathon in my hometown of Buffalo, NY!Block Off Important Dates on Your Calendar
Obviously, there is more to life than running – shocking, right? I recommend noting the important dates that you already know about so that you can schedule your running and racing accordingly. For example, I’m getting married(!) in Fall 2018. I don’t have a date yet, but I know that my weekends from September to November will be very busy and not the time for training for and running big races.
Here’s a quick list of dates to block off:
- Vacations/Holidays
- Birthdays
- Weddings/Graduations
- Work Trips/Conferences
- Community Events
Now, that doesn’t mean that you should run a race during your birthday weekend, but it’s best to keep that in mind!
Make a List of Your Top Races for the New Year
Now that you have your goals in mind, get together your wish list of races. Here’s a way to think categorize them as you develop your plan:
- Races that you loved – Did you run a race and love it so much that you want to do it again?
- Races that are a tradition – These are the races you’ll always do no matter what, like an annual Turkey Trot or company 5K run
- Races in a location you’d like to visit – It could be in a new city or a new country! I loved getting to run in Seattle and Montreal!
- Races you missed out on last year – This could have been due to an injury or scheduling conflicts.
- Races that are for redemption – Maybe you want a do-over of a disappointing race.
- Races that are expensive – Disney, anyone? The sooner it’s on your radar, the better!
- Races on your bucket list – I was so happy to finally run a Ragnar Relay in 2017!
- Races that fulfill your goal – If you want to BQ, find the races that you know are flat and fast!
If you’re looking for recommendations for races, you can always go to Google and search for reviews. Personally, I’m very partial to BibRave.com – you can find very detailed race recaps for thousands of races around the country! You can also reach out to local running groups to find out about the hottest races.
Key In on Your Upcoming Season
Even though you may have a list of potential races for the entire year, you have to focus on what’s immediately coming up on your calendar! I like to think about racing in two seasons: Spring and Fall. How many races do you think you’ll want to run in a season? Do you prefer spring races (i.e. training through winter) or fall races (i.e. training through summer)? That will definitely impact your decision on scheduling races!
I like to plan my races in a way that ensures that I can achieve my goals. This past spring, I was focused on the half marathon so what did I do? Ran several half marathons and a couple of 10 milers and 10K’s. Some of the races served as additional training runs, and I was fortunate to reach my PR goal! There was a method to the madness and it worked, but I was way too burned out to plan a similarly busy fall! You have to be realistic when you plan how much you want to race and consider how it will shape the rest of your year.
Register as Early as Possible
If you’re new to signing up for races, it’s important to know that the longer you wait to sign up, the more you will pay to race! That’s why it’s important that once you know for sure what races you’re running, sign up ASAP! It’s not a real commitment until you’re officially registered. Trust me, I’m going through this right now as I’m almost on the verge of signing up for that aforementioned spring marathon for 2018!
What is the most annoying type of email in the world? Notifications when race prices are increasing! Even though I ran the Rothman 8K this year, I’ve been getting all kinds of emails from the Philadelphia Marathon promoting discounted prices for 2018. I wish I could say that once you sign up the annoying emails will go away, but that would be a lie!
A note on race insurance – some of the larger races now offer the option to purchase race insurance in the event that you can no longer participate in a race due to injury, pregnancy, etc. First off, let me say FINALLY! If you’re worried that you may need to pull out of a race, make the investment to protect yourself!
Don’t Forget to Find Race Discounts
If you’re still gunshy about signing up for a race too early, keep an eye out on race discounts throughout the year! How do you find them?
- Follow the races on your radar on social media, especially Twitter and Facebook.
- Check out Facebook Groups that share race discounts – you’ll find some great deals!
- Look for Race Ambassadors – they usually have a discount code available. In the past, I have been an ambassador for Rock ‘n Roll, The Love Run, The Perfect 10 Miler, and ZOOMA and currently I’m a BibRave Pro Ambassador – check out my Race Discount Page for a ton of discounts!
Know You Can’t Do It All
Even with the best-made plans, you still may not be able to run all the races. It’s okay! At the end of the day, a race plan is a guideline, not a bible. Every year I want to run a Turkey Trot but sometimes plans change or life gets in the way. Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t meet the arbitrary racing goal that you set for yourself.
I hope you found these tips helpful and that you have an exciting year of running and racing ahead!
What’s your approach to race planning for the following year? What races are you most excited about in 2018?
Great tips!! all of them 🙂 I like how you listed out how to organize your priorities. I am fan of early registration because does save you money and provides motivation to get rolling on training, it is too easy to back out if you haven’t committed the $$ lol
Thanks a lot, Karen! Yes, early registration can definitely help with motivation, especially if it’s a big race!
I need to work on my race plans for next year. Not sure what I want to do about tri races and I have to figure out our travel. Not ready to deal w it
It’s tough when it’s so far away, right?
I’m stuck on the “goals” part. I want to run a fast 5K but I’m also considering a 50K. I can’t necessarily do both, but I could probably do one in spring and one in fall. But there are so many great races to choose from that it’s hard to narrow down! Gah…
Oh that’s exciting! My big goal for next year is marathon #2, and a PR would be wonderful! And there are just TOO many races…it’s tough!
These are all great tips! I actually did plan my second half (which was supposed to be my first, oops!) to fall around my birthday.
I was lucky when I got married way back in the day — I got married in my hometown (not too far from where I live now), but at the time I was living in MD. I just went home several times to give my input & my mom basically did the rest. Much less pressure than nowadays!
I do have some races on my radar; they don’t have a price increase to February. I kind of wish it was sooner to force my hand . . . and one hasn’t actually even posted next year’s date yet. I will be super bummed if they don’t do it in 2018!
Thanks, Judy! Yeah that wedding is stuff is definitely becoming time-consuming but I’m trying to pace myself and not get overwhelmed, lol!
It’s so funny…I should put race price increases on my calendar to “force my hand” too…and it’s annoying when there’s races you know you want to run and they don’t even have their information posted yet!
I love to do a lot of races…new races, old-time favorites, and unique events (Fight for Air Climb, for example). I’m gonna have a tough time using registration restraint in 2018 since I missed out on a lot of favorite races in 2017 while I was recovering from that surgery. I try to register for as many races as early as possible to take advantage of “early bird” discounts. Getting those events on the calendar early ensures nothing will get scheduled in ahead of them LOL
I like to have a mix of races too. Are you doing the Stair Climb again? I’m rallying the troops at work to sign up again this year since it’ll be the 10th year our company participated. Fun!
I must admit I often miss those early-bird specials so I try to rely on the discounts to tamp things down a bit!
I can’t believe it is soon December. It is hard to think about planning races for next year. I have conquered so much this year with my running that if I do not do any major races next year I think I will be ok with it. I do have one already on the calendar for spring.
This year really flew by! That’s awesome that you had such a strong year :). Sometimes it’s good to follow up with a year with less pressure!
I like having a plan too! At this point 2018 is wide open for me. I would love to get something scheduled Im just too nervous to commit. I feel like I will jinx myself if I sign up for a race!
Ahh I totally understand that worry. I’m hoping to get some quality races in this spring because I know I just won’t have the time in the fall. But which races exactly? No clue!
The post came at such an opportune moment. Trying to figure out what races to run in 2018 🙂 I already know I am doing RnR DC and Love Run Philly. But, need to figure out the rest. Thanks for the tips. I am totally a planner!
I’m glad to have helped! I really need to prioritize my races for the spring but it still seems so far away, lol!
It’s kind of funny, I was hanging up my medal yesterday and looked at all my medals from this year. All but one were from repeat races! That certainly wasn’t my plan when the year started out. When I look ahead to 2018, I’m cautious but I’d like to do a few new halfs. Maybe I will. I’d love to do Chicago again but I’m not sure my body can do that anymore. Stay tuned.
It’s funny how each year can be so drastically different from the next! I’m always looking for new races to try but this year I’m definitely going to stay more local. Chicago is a dream, I hope to do it one day!
I love your tips, Janelle! I’m currently trying to get myself all planned out for 2018, so I pinned this to come back to! Thank you so much for sharing this.
I’m glad you liked this post, Jessica! Happy planning!
Great tips! My race calendar is pretty empty for next year so far because I’m having a hard time thinking past my first marathon which will be in January! I just feel like I can’t even think past that point yet.
Thanks, Chaitali. You are starting the year off with a bang, how exciting! Who knows, you may add another marathon to your calendar after you finish your first! 🙂
I like to do run races that I’ve done in the past. The reason is because I like them. 🙂 For now the only race in my calendar is the Illinois Marathon in April. I might add a few more but at the moment do not know.
I’ve got race planning down to a science. And then I add a bunch of extras LOL.
This year I only have 2 races on my planning calendar: 17.75 to get into MCM and MCM.
I’m sure I’ll add more later, but we have a bunch of non running plans that are currently taking precedence over my running plans…
Totally feel you on signing up. I’d sort of started training for my first half but didn’t really really focus until I paid the money (Fred Lebow in January). Contingent on how that goes, I’ll sign up for another. I’m in the lottery for the NYC Half and CHerry Blossom 10 miler in DC so those decision will be made for me before I run my half. Kind of scary.
Good luck with yours
I am super-spontaneous (mostly) when it comes to races. I am known to sign up the week before… I know they’re often more expensive, but I find it really hard to nail things down so far in advance. I will however start a training plan so if I do decide to run the race, I am ready 🙂