Runners Tell All: My Race Bucket List(s)

9.21.2014

"Runner's Tell All" is a monthly linkup for runners of all ages, skill levels, and experience hosted by Sunshine to the Square Inch and The Lady Okie. Each month we'll have a different topic, and you can find all the topics listed here. We are accepting two sponsorship spots for each month, who will receive a sidebar ad on both blogs as well as entry links in the giveaway. 100% of your sponsorship money will go directly toward running-related giveaways. Find more information on sponsorship here. We have 2 spots available for October! There are only 3 months left to join the sponsorship fun!
Before we get started, a quick public service announcement: If your name is Amanda and you entered my giveaway for a bag of Hemp Pro70 protein powder, email me, girl! You won!

Okay, this month's topic is: race bucket list. I made two of them for you.

Let's start with unrealistic. 
Obviously it would be fun to run a race in a place like Hawaii. Because Hawaii. 

I've actually been to Hawaii twice, but sadly I was not a runner then and didn't take full advantage of the whole running-along-the-beach-in-Hawaii thing. And of course any runner knows that it would be amazing to run Boston. However, I have neither the natural speed nor the desire to train for the speed to get fast enough to ever qualify, so that's most likely out. Paris is really just a placeholder for any European country, and I really want to visit Alaska some day. I have cousins who live there, and it just looks awesome. It would be so fun to run there!

The second list of races are slightly more realistic. As in, chances are high I will actually do these. I have friends who live in San Diego and Minneapolis (hi, Alison and Erin!), and I live close to Dallas. I WILL run in Chicago at some point. It is absolutely happening, and when it does it will be glorious. And Little Rock isn't too far from me. I want to do that one because the finisher medals are gigantic aka awesome, plus I've never been to Arkansas.

This year I have actually only run 2 races: a 5k (recap here) and a 10k (PR by six minutes! recap here). I started feeling like I didn't want to run races just to do them. I want to save up my money and run new races and in a place I haven't run before, like the ones on my realistic bucket list. So hopefully I'll get to cross some of these off at some point.

While we're on the subject of races, I am interested in your thoughts on the Rock & Roll race series. The Dallas race is March 2015, and I'm considering signing up. But the fee for just the 1/2 marathon is $80! Has anyone run a Rock & Roll race? Is it worth the money?

So that's my list! Or at least a few of the races on my list. Link up below and share yours! Hop around, meet other running bloggers, and maybe you'll find a race or two to add to your bucket list. Speaking of... I want to suggest two races you should add to your bucket list.

I know Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is probably not high on your list of must-see places, but I've run in this race three times now (the half, full, and 5k), and it really is one of my favorites. First of all, there is a ton of crowd support. It's almost like the whole city comes out to cheer on the runners, and it's really fun. I also think it's a pretty route through downtown, old neighborhoods, and then partly around the lake. If you live in a surrounding state, consider coming out! It's every April.

The Cowtown in Fort Worth, Texas, happens every February and is definitely a favorite of mine as well. For one thing, half marathoners get two shirts (one for registration and one for finishing), and it's a fun race through the downtown stockyards.

Click on over and say hello! Ashley | Tracy

*On last month's giveaway, I asked you guys what your favorite color is. In case you were wondering, pink was the winner! Followed by: green, blue, purple, yellow turquoise, and a last-place tie for orange, gray, and mint. My favorite color is red, which I was sad to see didn't get any love. Come on, people!

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Runners Tell All Linkup Rules


  1. You MUST leave a comment on the person’s blog who linked up directly before you. This is not a linkup for the sake of linking up. This is a linkup to build community and spread the love and encouragement to your fellow runners! Don't be lame.
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  3. Please link back to either Beka or Amanda in your post so others can come here and join in! Or grab the button below and add it to your post. 
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Allison said...

A European race is on my (unrealistic) bucket list too! It would be absolutely amazing to run there!

shelleystirs said...

Can't wait to link up!

Miss Nutralicious said...

"I started feeling like I didn't want to run races just to do them. I want to save up my money and run new races and in a place I haven't run before, like the ones on my realistic bucket list." Yes! I completely agree with this! I am so picky about the races that I run and it has made my racing experiences that much more exciting.

I also tend to do longer races because if I'm paying big bucks, I want to be able to run farther. (I'm cheap.)

Holly said...

I heard about CowTown and want to do that someday!!! Maybe next year or 2016 :) AND WE COULD MEET UP!!!

Amber Marie said...

Ireland or New Zealand would be like running in middle earth!

jaime said...

I've run the Country Music Marathon (RNR race) three times and Virginia Beach RNR half once. I've loved every single race! I think that they did tend to grow really fast and there have been a few races that haven't gone off seamlessly, but I love the support on the course and the medals are awesome. I mention them in my post today. :)

Kristen said...

a european race is definitely on my list, paris would be so amazing!

Becky said...

Another blog I read went on an anniversary trip with her husband to Hawaii and there was a marathon going on that weekend and she ran it! I'd love to do one in Europe - what an adventure that would be. I haven't run an RNR yet but they sound pretty fun!

Tracy said...

Haha love that you have 2 different lists! The first list that I posted a couple months ago is more of my unrealistic, true bucket list. The one today is random but more realistic. I've never run a RnR race because the one in my area is on Labor Day weekend at the beach and it's WAY too hot for me, plus the prices are insane. My dad has done it a few times and says the on-course entertainment is a blast! I have RnR Vegas on my list - I've never been to Vegas and the race looks super fun (and it's at night!) so I feel like that's one that would be worth the high price tag.

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

I like your fun race bucket list! I say save up and do an international one! It would be epic.

Okay - let's talk about Rock'n'Roll. They are fun because it's a lot of people BUT they don't have as many food stops and girl, there are no hamburgers at the end. When I finished my marathon in Seattle (a rock'n'roll one) they had pretzels and I think fruit. Let's just say after I run a marathon I want like a freshly butchered cow waiting for me to eat.

A plus about those races is that they are really good with porter potties, and transportation. In Seattle they transported us from downtown to 26 miles out of town where the race started. They also have really really great crowd support which is a must!

Our Pretty Little Girls said...

I am planning on doing the OKC half this year!!!! So excited. The JMR (Joplin Memorial Run) in southwest Mo is pretty amazing to. I feel lucky that it is in my hometown. They are also adding a full marathon 5.21.16!

Anonymous said...

I have the same thoughts on Boston. It has to go on the list because, well, it's Boston! But who knows if it'll ever happen. Hey, a girl can dream right? And I definitely hear you on exploring new races. I want to run a race in every state so I'm trying to plan ahead to save up for "runcations" rather than just running around New Jersey 860 times!

Andrea H. said...

I love the unrealistic list!! You never can dream too big :) My first half marathon was in Chicago. Great, flat racing city! And I can only imagine how amazing a race in San Diego would be...such fabulous weather there!!

Katie Dupre said...

This race just finished today, for the first time: http://www.beattheblerch.com/ It's based on a post/book about running from The Oatmeal, and by all accounts it was an amazing race. It's in Seattle, and apparently it was just all kinds of fun. If Sheridan and I do the 10k training program I am definitely putting this race on my list for next year! You should check it out!

Julie @ Runnig in a Skirt said...

Such a fun bucket list! I love that your local races are so cool!

Ali said...

Why is Alaska not realistic? You could do it! Register and then just start planning logistics! Also, I totally think you should enter the lottery for Chicago next year. You've got tons and tons of time to train :o)

Ali said...

I totally had to LOL at the freshly butchered cow. I'm all about a cheeseburger after a race, but maybe not right after. Gotta give my stomach a few hours to cool down!

Ali said...

Oh, PS. I'm doing the RnR St. Louis this October. It's my first of their series, but I have some friends that have done a ton. They love them, but they are also kind of wild party people. Their favorite is the one in Vegas on the strip. I've heard that the bands can possibly mess up your tempo, so I plan on running with my own music anyway.

Unknown said...

I really want to run the Duluth half- duluth is GORGEOUS and you should probably add it to your list :) I hear the ones in Minneapolis are a lot of fun too!

Sarah @RunGingerRun said...

I'm running the Honolulu Marathon this December! I hope it's as awesome as I think it will be.
I've also completed the Little Rock Marathon, you should totally do it! It's not too far of a drive and the medal for the full is always amazing! Just be sure to train for hills. There is a big hill in the second half.

Amanda Howell said...

I think I'm the winner - yippee! I'll send you an email with my contact info. Also, I just have to second the OKC Memorial Marathon as a must-run race. It was my first half-marathon 2 years ago and the crowd support is amazing! There's hardly a spot on the course without supporters.

Anonymous said...

You've got some tough races on your list but Hawaii sounds awesome! I also love the idea of running local races, they always seem to be the most fun.

Aubrey said...

How fun! I just ran my second race this weekend! (we did the color me rad 5k) It was a lot of fun! My parents live in Alaska (I used to live there when I was a kid too) and every year their town does a midnight sun run! We would run it as a family when I was a kid and it was so fun!

Debbie said...

From your bucket list, I've only run Boston. I've done a couple of Rock 'N' Roll marathons and halves. They're great, but any better than other races? Not sure, because the Marine Corps Marathon, Boston, and lots of other city races have runners cheering you on the entire race. A band playing every mile or so is nice, but in my opinion, constant crowds is better!

The Lady Okie said...

Ahh! That would be fun!

The Lady Okie said...

I'm with you, Ali. I usually go for the bagels and bananas, but the burgers need to wait an hour or two :)

The Lady Okie said...

Jealous! That will be awesome.

Unknown said...

I'm new to your blog, but have enjoyed reading a lot of your posts! I've been training for a 10K this fall, and am really leaning towards a Half Marathon in the spring. I'm from OKC, and would love to run that one, but was worried about it being too crowded for a first timer. Any thoughts? Cowtown is right down the road...

Anonymous said...

I've done some RnR races that were great and some that were not as awesome. In general, they're well-run races, but they do nickel and dime you; besides the registration fee, all the merchandise they try to push on you is freakin' expensive and (at least in one of my experiences) if you, say, absolutely could not make it to the expo to pick up your race bib, it's another $40 to get it on race day.

My advice -- check out the course. If it looks solid -- scenic, interesting, lots of places for spectators -- go for it. If not, I'm sure you can find another Dallas race for less money.

Shelley said...

oh my gosh, a race in Hawaii seems like it would be awesome! an I'm going to check out the Cowtown since Dallas/Fort Worth is kinda close to us!

Meagan said...

How funny that we both chose to make 'realistic' and 'unrealistic' lists :) Great minds think alike. This year I've been running any and all races I feel like. Some are new and it's been fun to have a new experience, and others are old favorites. I've only traveled overnight for three of them and all have been within "driving distance" (i.e. less than 4 hours). I think in the future it will be fun to slow down a bit and save my racing experiences for a new-to-me race in a new place. I'd love to run the Cowtown Marathon someday. I've heard great things about it!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

You should totally do Boston! ;) When I looked at my age range and time to qualify I was shocked, I'm never going to be that fast, but I know state employees get to run without qualifying so maybe a new job is in order! ;)

The Lady Okie said...

Hi! Sorry this is a rather belated reply :) Congratulations on your 10k! That's a great accomplishment. I honestly think any race is going to be crowded. There are smaller town races you can do that will have less people, but there still will be people. Personally, I think it's fun to run a bigger race, because more runners = more spectators, and that's always fun. Lots of people cheering for you! Plus, I think they do a great job with organization, so it doesn't feel like there is a huge mass of people everywhere except maybe at the start and finish. Hope that helps! Sorry I couldn't find your email address, otherwise I would have emailed you a reply.

Tamara said...

I would TOTALLY come run with you guys as well!

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