[kmwest]

They did the USATF cross country championships in Mission Bay, San Diego in February. That should be a nice run when I get back in about ten weeks. I figure if I live within 5mi of work I can run each way most days and bike the rest; that will build up a base in addition to my other cycling/lifting/running/swimmi ng workouts.

The Indy Marathon is a nice one. That was my first full marathon, maybe not the best for a first but it's a good alternative to the big ones. It's only around $35-40, you can do packet pickup in about five minutes on the race morning, and you can park a half block from the starting line. The race is well protected and has enough water/gatorade stops.

There are times when it feels like you're just doing a Sunday group run through town, with plenty of room to move and a few people sitting out in lawn chairs watching the race. What sucks is at about the 12.7mi mark, when the half runners peel off and the full guys go straight into the Fort Harrison park. Then it's a lonely 6.5mi out-and-back through the park and along a residential street. There were times in the park that I couldn't see any other runners. So it sucks as a first marathon in that respect.

I'm surprised you picked me out too! Glad I did my standard high fiving of spectators.