Hardcore.

**On an unrelated blog bizness note, I’m going to make the move to self-hosting to start 2010 on a new foot!  Let me know what you like about my current layout and what you’d like to see change.  Should I add any additional pages?  Additional post tags?  Also, can you see my current banner?  I can view it on some computers, but not others.

You’ll see this in a number of posts in the next week, as I make the final tweaks to karathon.com!  **

While I consider myself to be a runner, sometimes I don’t think I’m a real runner.  I say this because I NEVER run in the rain, snow, cold or extreme heat, unless I absolutely have to (one of my nine races to qualify for guaranteed marathon entry was a 10K in the rain).  I’m perfectly happy to run on the treadmill — when I’m not training for a race, I don’t run super long distances anyway — but, like I said, I feel less hardcore than other runners (like this super hardcore woman, for example).

So, anyway, there’s a 15K race tomorrow morning — 9.3 miles! — that a friend of mine (my lovely workout buddy Nicole!) suggested we run together.  She has to run it; the 15K is the last NYRR race of the year to qualify for the 2010 NYC Marathon, and she still has one more to complete to guarantee her place.  I, on the other hand, don’t have to, and have had to run, or not to run? in a constant loop (like the numbers from the radio tower on LOST) in my head all day.

On the one hand, it would be lovely to start the day off with a long run with great company.  Also, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t regret it if I went.  I’ve only ever regretted running one race: the 2007 Grete’s Great Gallop Half-Marathon in Central Park.  I wasn’t prepared AT ALL for 13.1 miles, much less 13.1 incredibly hilly miles in the park!  I crapped out at mile 8 and walked home with my tail between my legs, in a TON of pain.  Ugh

On the other hand, there are a few cons: the race starts at 8am.  It is going to snow in NYC tomorrow.  Even if it isn’t snowing during the race, it is COLD out.  Race day registration will cost me $25, $25 I don’t need to spend.  Also, you haven’t run more than 6 miles in MONTHS.  Decisions, decisions!

The one good thing is that I have an answer for (almost!) all of the cons.

The race starts at 8am? That’s not that early!  You should be up anyway; your weekday sleep is all messed up when you sleep in too late on weekends.

It is going to snow in NYC tomorrow.  Weather forecast says it won’t snow until Saturday afternoon.  BOOM!  Lawyered.

Even if it isn’t snowing during the race, it is COLD out.  Remember how you JUST said you wanted to be more of a hardcore runner?  Running a 15K in below-freezing weather totally gives you running street cred, and even more if it snows during the race!!

Race day registration will cost me $25, $25 I don’t need to spend.  Eh, you’ve wasted plenty of money on stuff you don’t need before.  Plus, you just spent some $$ on cold weather running gear — you need to use it to make it worthwhile!

Also, you haven’t run more than 6 miles in MONTHS.  Okay, this one is a pretty legit excuse.

So, what would you do if you were me?  Would you brave the cold, spend the cash and run in the morning with your friend?  Or would you stay snuggled up in bed, warm and dry but decidedly NOT hardcore?  It’s a tough call…

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