Is there anything more fun than picking out your next few races?
Paging through a race report, or through fliers you get in some other race’s goody bag, you feel full of possibility. Could the 5K with the flat, fast course be your next PR? Could daydreams about a great-sounding post-race party carry you through your next couple long, hot runs?
Here’s a glimpse of what I’ve got ahead. Race schedule subject to change at racer’s discretion.
The Crystal City Twilighter 5K in Crystal City July 25.
Blue Crab Bolt 10K Trail Running Series: first race on Aug. 1 is held at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, Md., second is Aug. 15, in Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg, Md.
I’m also planning on a good half-marathon to run as a pre-MCM tune-up. Something flat, fast and fun to massage my ego before the marathon. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach on Sept. 6 is the current front-runner (ha), and the Philadelphia Distance Run on Sept. 20 is trailing just behind.
And to keep me honest in the pool, I’m looking at:
Chris Greene Lake Cable Swim, Charlottesville, July 11. I’d do the two-miler.
Wildwood September Splash, Sept. 26. A fun-sounding 1-miler.
Any other suggestions for open-water swims in the Washington area this summer? If so, suggest ’em below!
Looking for more great summer races in the Washington area? Check out my Examiner post on that very topic.
Amy Reinink 
I’ll have to check out that blue crab bolt – sounds fun!
I hear the Philly distance run is a good one!
They have a 10k/20k out here in Leesburg in August. I hear it’s a pretty packed field though.
You have some great races lined up! I want to do Virginia Beach one year. I’ve heard it’s a fun one.
Sounds like a great mix of distances, trail, and road races.
I’m with you on schedule may change at racer’s discretion. I always feel like if I say I’m going to do a race I have to do it, no matter how my body may be feeling.
Right?!? Why do we do that to ourselves? I have a serious fear of commitment about registering for races because I feel like it’s basically a guarantee I’ll hurt myself before it … but still be forced to run it, since I’ve committed and all. Because THAT’S a smart way to look at it. 🙂
VAB RNR! i’m so doing that! 🙂 well…….. in theory i am. i still need to uh sign up. but some of my friends are in so i need to get on that now that the fee is already ridiculous. i vote for it!
Nice! For the reasons described above, I almost always wait too long to sign up for these things. But really, all signs are pointing toward the VAB RNR … in theory, we should meet up if we both do it!
More open water swimming… I know you’ve said NO but you need to get into tris. Trust me cycling isn’t that bad!
Find a way for me to ride a bike without my hip screaming at me, and I’m in!
Wow, I’d never heard of a lot of these races and they look great. I’m going over to the Examiner now to see what else is around the area this summer.
I’m about 95% sure that I’ll be at that Crystal City 5K!! I think a race at night sounds so fun 🙂 and it’s right after my bday, soooo, birthday celebrations post-race sounds pretty fun too. haha. You’ll have to let me know if you decide on that one!
NICE! That’s the most certain one on the list, so we should definitely meet up for post-race libations!