Ok, I’m done whining. Pretty sure I did enough bitching yesterday so I’ve decided not to do that anymore! Know what else is cool? I won a giveaway! Mmmmhmmm, that’s right! I won the Yoplait giveaway over at Run to the Finish and I’m feeling pretty sassy about myself 🙂 Even better?? IT’S SNOWING OUTSIDE!!! Yep, record high temps on Monday, 6″ of snow on Wednesday. That’s how Denver rolls. I love it! I’d take a picture for y’all but well…it’s still dark out.
A few weeks ago, I finished the Hunger Games trilogy and I really loved it! For those of you that haven’t heard of it, here the book’s summary from Wikipedia:
The Hunger Games is a first person young-adult science fiction novel written by Suzanne Collins. It was originally published on September 14, 2008, by Scholastic. It is the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy.It introduces sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once existed. This is where a government working in a central city called the Capitol holds power. In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of 12 districts for a massive televised battle in which only one person can survive.
The entire series was incredibly exciting and really drew me into the characters and the action. I originally had only purchased the first book because I wasn’t sure how I would like it. After I stayed up way past my bedtime finishing the first book, I immediately ran out the next morning to purchase #2 and #3. I even went to WalMart to purchase these books which, if you know me, is a HUGE deal. I hate that store with a passion, but it was the closest retailer who sold these books and I NEEDED TO HAVE THEM!!
Anyway, now I’m looking for new book recommendations!! I’ll pretty much read anything ranging from chick flicks to sci-fi futuristic novels to nonfiction books. I’m not picky but I would love some suggestions.
Have you read anything lately that is a must-read for me???
Now, onto the second phase of my asking you for help!
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I’d like to run a half marathon this spring and because they always fill up so damn fast, I’m trying to register in the next few weeks (Plus, that’s how I hold myself accountable with my training!) I can’t decide between two races:
1. The Colorado Half Marathon This race take place up in Fort Collins and looks really beautiful! I’ve never done a race in FoCo and would definitely like to give it a try. Another bonus? The race is a gradual downhill down the Poudre Canyon and for those who are trying to BQ (definitely NOT me!), I hear the qualifying percentage is pretty high since it’s such a fast course. The downside is that I think it is kind of pricey for a half marathon– $90. Or is that normal?
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Not too bad of a view while running, no?!
2. Colfax Half Marathon. Referred to as “the longest, wickedest street in America” by Playboy magazine, Colfax always has something interesting to see! Sights to behold can include everything from prostitutes and drug deals to gentrification and yuppy (yet yummy) restaurants. However, it is just a looooong street that I drive down and visit all the time (my hair lady is even on Colfax) so I wonder if it would be a little boring since it is so much a part of my daily life. The bright side is that the registration fee is only $65 which I think is a bit more reasonable for a running race.
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In your opinion, which race should I run??
18 Comments
I would go with #1 for scenic views. It looks marvelous!
You’ve probably already read this series since I’m the last one to get around to it, but I’m currently hooked on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
1. I’m not happy about this snow. But I’m never happy about snow, not even on Christmas.
2. The Hunger Games books were really good. I didn’t think I would like them, but I read all three in like a week. That meant I was totally ignoring my children-but it was worth it.
3. I ran the Colfax Half and it was a pretty ugly place to run. It is a flat course, which is good. But I got high fived by a homeless man. You get to go through a fire station which is cool and running back on 17th is nice. But the Colfax part was sketchy. Also, they did have many mile markers, which I guess isn’t a big deal if you have a Garmin. If you decide to do it, they have a sale right now and it is pretty cheap. Good luck deciding!!
Definitely go with number 1 – Fort Collins – although Colfax can be very entertaining. I would suggest Ahabs Wife, The Book of Negros, Little Bee, and Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust – I also just finished up Cutting for Stone. They are a mix of different books but all really good. We are missing those fun Denver snow days with hot chocolate and a cozy fire – but we have the ocean for now. Good Luck choosing a race!!!!!!
I personally would go with Ft Collins because of the scenery. Plus, I have had a lot of friend run that race and they really enjoy it.
I would suggest the Dragon Tattoo series if you haven’t read those books yet. Excellent reads!
I am not happy about the snow personally but that is because I want to ride my bike sometime soon!
i really really love canyon runs…always so gorgeous! so it would be hard for me to say no to that one 🙂
Unfortunately, 90 bucks isn’t too crazy for a half. I’d go for the first choice!
Do the Fort Collins one! I am thinking I am going to do that one while visiting my sister who is at vet school up there. I did the full marathon in 2006 and it was so pretty (and painful) but the half should be fun because it is shorter. There was some pretty good swag back then so hopefully that will justify the $90.
Book recommendations- Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, it is nonfiction which I tend to be eh about but this book was awesome, so is The Amazing Life of Henrietta Lacks, again I thought eh but awesome nonfiction story and any of the memoirs by Jen Lancaster are my absolute fav. Such a Pretty Fat and Bitter is the New Black- so hilarious. Longest post ever sorry.
Be happy you aren’t running Vegas RnR half – $155. Some races are just ridiculously over-priced, but people pay it so therefore they can get away with it. I’ve run Colfax and I actually liked it because it wasn’t weaving every which way and I thought the aid stations were pretty good (and I saw all the mile markers). Colfax is a very gradual UP while 17th is a gradual DOWN, so you have a little advantage there. The year I did it, they messed up my bib and my name was “Yvette”. We had some fun on blogworld when I changed my blog temporarily to “runwithyvette” 🙂 I have paced a friend at the Colorado Marathon and it was very pretty. The marathon is actually more pretty as it is more in the canyon than the half, but it’s definitely a more rural race than Colfax which is urban.
Pillars of the Earth is a really good book, if you haven’t read it yet. Long though.
I think $90 is a little steep for a half, but I did pay $83 for the Halloween half I’m running so it isn’t unheard of.
Personally, I’d go for the scenery and spend the extra money!
PS…totally pumped about the snow, except for the part where we have a flight out of Denver to head to MN for the Halloween half I mentioned…so far everything is on time but I’m seriously dreading the drive across town!
Hi there I stumbled across your blog at running for Reese’s. I am up here in ft Collins and haven’t done the half here but have a lot of friends who have. It is a really nice course, and have been told the swag bag is pretty good. Hope this helps!
If I EVER get out of this series I’m stuck in, I’m going to read the Hunger Games!!! I’m still reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I’m on book 11!
If I were you, I’d do the FoCo run. It sound way more enjoyable. I just registered for my very fist half marathon for the spring!!!!!! With registration and the mailing of my packet and crap I ended up paying $100, and that was the cheap early price, but it’s my first, so I have nothing to compare it to!
Personally, I would sign up for the one that provides the most race bling (yep, I’m that guy, the blingier the medal and swag, the more I want to do the race)
Though $95 is really steep for a half mary in my opinion
It’s a little earlier, but what about the Boulder Spring Half? I did it last year and it’s hilly but fun. Of the two you’re vacillating between, I’d go with Fort Collins. I may be running the marathon there, so we could do a little meet-up. :^)
Books…I loved Hunger Games too….Right now I’m reading Game of Thrones. It’s definitely entertaining, but really violent, sort of like the Tudors with dragons, so I’m not sure I’ll be reading the massive sequels. If you like dystopian stuff, Oryx and Crake is a really good book (and it has an equally good sequel if you do end up liking it). I’m also reading a new one, When She Woke, that seems really good so far.
Loving all the imput here!!! I’m writing the names of these books down especially the ones you just finished. Looks like somthing my son like as well.
I did Colfax as my first 1/2…not that much to look at. I would love to do the FoCo one…and while the price is a little high, not compared to others as Jill pointed out. I will need to pick a spring race too as I need something to keep me motivated. Your on the north side of town rith? I’m thinking of joining up with the Arvada Running Club. May try to go run with them this Sunday as they are starting their Winter Session.
I liked your bitching 🙂 and congrats on winning a giveaway…I’ve won one! I hope to win more 😛
I think you should pick whichever marathon is easier….b/c that’s what I’d do lol
I think $90 is a bit pricey but if that one is closer to where you are and would be a better course to run then it might be worth the extra $25.
Congrats on winning the Yoplait giveaway!
I love the snow too, i dont love that i dont have power. I read the hunger games and liked them let me know of any other good books, I am always looking for more. I think you should do the Colorado, I ran the full this year and it was so nice! If you are looking for an earlier race I ran the boulder half last year and will run it again this year. I really liked it, I think it’s in march.
I think Fort Collins sounds more enjoyable, $90 and all.
OMG, I loved, loved the Hunger Game Series. I can not wait until the movies!
I had a hard time finding a good book to follow that series up with. I did get on a YA kick and read A Northern Light by Donnelly and the Uglies Series by Westerfeld. I then discovered A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini, which is one of my all time favorites. Now I’m reading You Are An Ironman by Steinberg. Great so far and very motivating!
Glad I stumbled on your blog!