Race Schedule

I have the calendar of half-marathons that I will run in with my University half-marathon team in the current academic year. The dates look pretty good for preparing for Madrid. Here is the list:

• Media Maratón de San Javier - 7th November 2010 - http://www.mediamaratonsanjavier.com/
• Medio Maratón Internacional de Benidorm - 27th November 2010 - http://www.benidormmediomaraton.com/
• Media Maratón Internacional Villa de Santa Pola - 23rd January 2011 - http://www.mitjasantapola.com/
• Media Maratón Ciudad de Orihuela - 13th February 2011 - http://www.tragamillas.org/home1.htm
• Medio Maratón Internacional Ciudad de Torrevieja - 27th February 2011 - http://www.mediatorrevieja.com/
• Medio Maratón de Elda - 27th March 2011
• Medio Maratón de Elche - 3rd April 2011

Of the seven I've run four of them before, in San Javier, Benidorm and Elche i'll be making my debut. From what I could make out from the websites San Javier and Benidorm are both pancake flat beachside courses so would be good courses for making personal bests, unfortunately they are coming a bit too early in the year for me, I hope to be challenging for PB's in the two February races.

There is a bit of a hole in the schedule during December, hopefully I'll be able to find a race nearer the time, a 10k would be perfect. The only other problem with the schedule is proximity of Elda and Elche, they are just one week apart and Elche is just two weeks before the Madrid marathon so on one of the two weekends I would hope to be doing my last long run of 20miles/35km, I think I'll ending up doing just one of the two but i'll leave the decision as late as possible.

The four that I've run before are all good courses and they are well organized so I'm looking forward to going back, but Santa Pola is the highlight. It is one of the most popular races in Spain and the two times I've been there was a really good atmosphere with lots going on to distract you from your tiredness. I'm not so excited by the prospect of going to Benidorm, but who knows, the place might surprise me, i'll let you know!

El Maratonero