May 23, 2014

Five Places I'd Like to Run - Friday Five


It's that time of the week, Friday Five linkup. I have to say I love the link up. Why? Just like a race motivates you to make the time to run, the link up motivates me to make the time to write. The Friday Five also helps by giving an ever changing topic. This week's topic I thought about two directions, do I go "if I could wish anywhere" or "places that realistically plan to run"? I went with yes, the buffet style answer. So this week's topic is

Five Places I'd Like to Run

1. Athens

The first place on the list was easy. I had to go with my answer to a #bibchat on "What is one RACE/RUNcation you’ve always wanted to take?" My dream answer would be to run the "original classic course" of the Athens Marathon. All the history, the architecture and the FOOD. You can also sign up to do it as a tour with Jeff Galloway as coach, which would also rock my socks. So many wins in my book.

2. Pittsburgh

While number 2 may be less exotic than traveling to Europe, it is high on my todo list of races. The steel city is one challenge I'd love to, and plan to, take on. I love the thought of running the bridges (and even those hills). I know it isn't an easy course, but I'm a PA boy, despite what my zip code may say. That gives the Pittsburgh Marathon or Half Marathon a special place for me. Wait, what's that I see? A Pittsburgh 10 Miler? I haven't noticed that before...

3. Anaheim

Given the name of my blog, this one should give you no surprise. If it does, think about what is in Anaheim. Wait for it... There you go. I've run in Florida (see half marathon recap). While I plan to run many more there, I also plan to eventually get my Coast-to-Coast medal (or both), perhaps for running something like this? While the growing popularity has some negatives, it still has many positives as far as I'm concerned, not to mention I want to Pokemon all the medals.

4. Hawaii

I have to include somewhere tropical here. I've always wanted to visit Hawaii, and the thought of running those views and beaches seems like a perfect idea. I'm not even set on where in Hawaii it would need to be. HonoluluMauiHiloKonaKauaiNorth Shore? All of the above? I'm not picky.

5. Carnation, Washington

Why Carnation you may ask. Seems like an odd choice compared to big names like Athens or tropical getaways like Hawaii. The answer is simple my friends. The one thing those other locations and races are lacking: the Blerch. Carnation, Washington will be the location for the inaugural Beat the Blerch 10K, half and full marathon. I just feel like that would be an awesome race to be a part of.

Honorable mentions

I had some problems picking these, specifically who to give the final spot to. It's like fielding the field of 64, who do you cut? Here are my bubble locales and races, still considered worth mentioning even though they didn't make the big dance (in case you weren't inspired enough to travel): NYC, Great Wall of China, Easter Island, Ragnar and the Australian Outback.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!

Eat Pray Run DCYou Signed Up for What?!
Mar on the RunWe Run Disney
The Blonder Side of LifeRunning and Enjoying the Journey

29 comments:

  1. I'm partial to Pittsburgh myself (hometown) so definitely recommend at least the half!! I have several friends who ran the 2500th anniversary of the Athens Marathon a few years ago. I didn't go but it looked amazing!

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    1. I plan to run at least the half at some point. The full will depend on after I run my first full, if I get hooked on them as well or stay with halfs as my primary long race distance.

      That would have been crazy to run for that anniversary.

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  2. Pittsburgh is a challenging and beautiful race, with great crowd support and a fun tour of the city neighborhoods. Of course, I too am a Pittsburgh native, and a bit biased!

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    1. I know I follow several runners from Pittsburgh, which I figured they'd like that choice. My wife went to school there and we both have friends there, so has it's own special place for us.

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  3. I'd love to do the Blerch! I think it needs to be a series, nationwide.

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    1. There was talk about trying to do an east coast race at some point, if they could work it out.

      There will be a virtual race option, which I plan to sign up for.

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  4. the blerch run would be awesome! great list!

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  5. Athens would be incredible!! And I've never run in Pittburgh either...I need more experience running over bridges!

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  6. First of all thank you for adding me to your list! Second I think the race in Carnation has the best name ever! haha I had to look it up to figure out what blerch meant lol

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  7. I've run on the beach in Maui & it was the best! There is a nice little running path in Wailea that takes you past a few of the beach resorts. Ahhhhhh, wish I was there now!!

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  8. ooh I forgot about Athens! We were there a few summers ago and were talking about the original marathon. It was so hot and so crowded there but a beautiful place to visit.

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  9. I took Latin in High School, so I think Athens would be so cool to visit and run there! Of course anywhere in Hawaii would be awesome! My sister and I planning on running in Anaheim as well to receive the coast to coast for 2015.~L

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    1. Got to get the coast to coast. Of course, then there are BOTH coast to coast medals to earn too.

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  10. That's a great list, there. I have Pittsburgh on my list as well (didn't make today's top five, but it's on my much longer, full list). Athens would be awesome, and with Jeff as your coach? Yes, please. I ran Tinker Bell in Anaheim this year and had a great time. It was my first trip to Disneyland, and I loved getting to run through both the parks :)

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  11. LOL, I want to Pokemon all the medals too! And Easter Island, what?!?! I love your list and your reasons!

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  12. The Outback in Australia definitely. Very exotic.

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    1. I think it would be a very unique race and experience. Maybe someday...

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  13. Love how you went for the gold standard with Athens!

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  14. I am running in Carnation WA for the inaugural Beat the Blerch Half Marathon! I am so excited! I'll have to let you know how it goes. But yeah, the Nutella aid stations sound amazing!

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    1. That's awesome that you'll be there. That's exciting. I look forward to seeing how it is. If they do an east coast one, I'm going to try hard to be there, if life allows for it.

      And now I want Nutella.

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  15. Number one - all the way! My dream is to visit Greece someday. What an incredible experience it would be to run the first marathon route!

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  16. So... Pittsburgh. You totally got me thinking. After seeing Mar's build up and then race report of the half marathon, I really need to run in Pittsburgh. I lived there for 3 years, and weighed 50lbs more than I do now and hadn't started running yet (that came after I moved). So it would be a huge, meaningful thing for me!

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    1. I love the city and it really does look like a well put on race. That meaning would make it extra special. Think it's time to take on the hills and bridges!

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  17. I bet Pittsburgh would be great! I was surprised the first time I went there how picturesque it was! There would be a lot to look at and distract from the running!

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  18. The Blerch race sounds awesome! I'd love to do that one some day.

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    1. I think the idea behind it, and the comic, just make it a very fun environment and that you'd have a lot of like minded people.

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