Half Marathon - KC or Denver
Denver - October 14, 2007 - http://www.denvermarathon.com/
Kansas City - October 20, 2007 - http://www.waddellandreedkcmarathon.org/
Gretchen, Anne, Shelly - tell me what you think!
The concern about Denver is the altitude, but Denver itself is at 5,280. The air may be a bit thinner than you are accustomed to (except for Shelly), but the air is also more pure - the lack of humidity is really nice, in my opinion. When I visit my parents and run in Golden, which is about at 5,674 ft (ha - that would constitute a big hill here!), I do notice just a slight difference, but not much. It is not like going skiing and being at or above 8,000 or 9,000 ft. The sun is more intense, however. The course is downtown and mostly flat.
The concern about Kansas City is that the course itself is rather hilly. I am not as familiar with KC itself, but the course looks nice.
Personally, I am leaning toward Denver for multiple reasons:
1. Shelly will run it with us!
2. My parents live there.
3. Aimee lives there.
4. I love Denver.
5. The date is slightly better as Anne and I will likely run the 30th Annual Tulsa Run 9k on October 27. (any takers for this one?)
6. I am going to contact some college friends to see if they want to run Denver (Michelle, Vicky?).
7. I love Denver.
Besides the altitude, the problem with the Denver half-marathon is that it is on a Sunday and not a Saturday. The other problem may be that Nathan's 6th birthday is October 10 and I would most likely celebrate it with him that weekend. The KC is rather close to the Tulsa Run, but is on a Saturday.
The pros for KC:
1. Saturday race.
2. Within driving distance of Tulsa and Minneapolis (is that right, G?).
3. New course, new city, so lots to discover.
4. Challenging, but not at altitude.
5. Shopping on Sunday!
6. Celebrating with friends Sat night!
7. Angela cheering us on (and could we convince her to try the 5K?).
So give me your pros / cons and we will make a decision in the next few weeks.
Kansas City - October 20, 2007 - http://www.waddellandreedkcmarathon.org/
Gretchen, Anne, Shelly - tell me what you think!
The concern about Denver is the altitude, but Denver itself is at 5,280. The air may be a bit thinner than you are accustomed to (except for Shelly), but the air is also more pure - the lack of humidity is really nice, in my opinion. When I visit my parents and run in Golden, which is about at 5,674 ft (ha - that would constitute a big hill here!), I do notice just a slight difference, but not much. It is not like going skiing and being at or above 8,000 or 9,000 ft. The sun is more intense, however. The course is downtown and mostly flat.
The concern about Kansas City is that the course itself is rather hilly. I am not as familiar with KC itself, but the course looks nice.
Personally, I am leaning toward Denver for multiple reasons:
1. Shelly will run it with us!
2. My parents live there.
3. Aimee lives there.
4. I love Denver.
5. The date is slightly better as Anne and I will likely run the 30th Annual Tulsa Run 9k on October 27. (any takers for this one?)
6. I am going to contact some college friends to see if they want to run Denver (Michelle, Vicky?).
7. I love Denver.
Besides the altitude, the problem with the Denver half-marathon is that it is on a Sunday and not a Saturday. The other problem may be that Nathan's 6th birthday is October 10 and I would most likely celebrate it with him that weekend. The KC is rather close to the Tulsa Run, but is on a Saturday.
The pros for KC:
1. Saturday race.
2. Within driving distance of Tulsa and Minneapolis (is that right, G?).
3. New course, new city, so lots to discover.
4. Challenging, but not at altitude.
5. Shopping on Sunday!
6. Celebrating with friends Sat night!
7. Angela cheering us on (and could we convince her to try the 5K?).
So give me your pros / cons and we will make a decision in the next few weeks.
7 Comments:
ITA about the altitude. I've had the reverse affect, where I go to a race in CA, and have no performance gain after training at 5,000 feet or above.
I probably would not travel to KC for a race, so I only have a few thoughts on Denver.
One being that the course is all pavement, not my first choice coming from the foothills of Boulder. However it sounds pretty and scenic and family friendly, so I'm in.
There's also http://www.boulderbackroads.com/.
While I've never done this race, it's usually pretty hot still, and that's not so fun out by the Rez. So, to me, October sounds better, even if on pavement.
I would love to vote for Denver, simply b/c of Aimee, but I have true fear of trying to run in altitude. I got sick on a ski trip once due to altitude and although I have skied since then with no problem, I know that the possibility is there.
So KC gets my vote. This is not to say that I won't do Denver if the votes go that way.
Anne
You know I vote for Denver, but I understand if you wussies can't handle the altitude. JUST KIDDING!!! Seeing as I would be sitting on my ass WATCHING you run.
Seriously, either Denver or KC, I am excited for you all and will route you on in person or in spirit!
oops ROOT! :) Freudian Slip anyone?
And Anne, as I mentioned on Gretchen's blog, there is a real difference between 5,000 feet where Denver is and 10,000-14,000 feet where the peaks are... just sayin' :) You just want to make sure you come in some time before the race to acclimate. And stay at my house!!!
Either will work for me. The only real 'pro' to kc is it's driving distance (and Angela). But Denver has Aimee...
It's not a popularity contest, promise.
Also, I do have family in both cities...
no, you could not. i can't even jog with my shins and my knees. it's very discouraging.
but i would be more than happy to show you the sights after you recover. and we may have a delicious new guest room to offer by then...
Post a Comment
<< Home