2014 Ottawa Race Weekend - May 24-25, 2014

[AndyM]

Just registered for the marathon. Eek!!!

[HCcD]

Just registered for the marathon. Eek!!!

Who are? What did you do to our Andrea?

First ATB and now Ottawa?

[AndyM]

Just registered for the marathon. Eek!!!

Who are? What did you do to our Andrea?

First ATB and now Ottawa?

I know. I'm actually worried I've lost my marbles.

[Avis]

Well, that settles it. I didn't sign up for the half, and now it's too late. I was doubting, anyway, that I'd be ready for a half by this spring. I didn't want to sign up so early, and wind up putting too much pressure on myself. I'll keep working, and who knows? Maybe 2015 will be the year!

[deerdree]

Well, that settles it. I didn't sign up for the half, and now it's too late. I was doubting, anyway, that I'd be ready for a half by this spring. I didn't want to sign up so early, and wind up putting too much pressure on myself. I'll keep working, and who knows? Maybe 2015 will be the year!

I have a feeling there will be quite a few bibs up for grabs come transfer time.

As I said upthread, I'll be in town that weekend. But I probably won't make any decisions about what (if anything) I'm running until transfer time rolls around closer to the date.

[Jwolf]

Well, that settles it. I didn't sign up for the half, and now it's too late. I was doubting, anyway, that I'd be ready for a half by this spring. I didn't want to sign up so early, and wind up putting too much pressure on myself. I'll keep working, and who knows? Maybe 2015 will be the year!

The good thing about the half-marathon distance is that there are many to choose from-- you don't have to do the one on Ottawa Race Weekend. It is hard to sign up more than six months in advance, I agree (facing the same dilemma for Vancouver half in May).

[Avis]

Well, that settles it. I didn't sign up for the half, and now it's too late. I was doubting, anyway, that I'd be ready for a half by this spring. I didn't want to sign up so early, and wind up putting too much pressure on myself. I'll keep working, and who knows? Maybe 2015 will be the year!

The good thing about the half-marathon distance is that there are many to choose from-- you don't have to do the one on Ottawa Race Weekend. It is hard to sign up more than six months in advance, I agree (facing the same dilemma for Vancouver half in May).

Yup! Right close by there is the North Hatley Half marathon on Mother's Day weekend, and the Demi-Marathon de Sherbrooke (although that is starting to sell out quickly) at the end of June. But there won't be any other Maniacs to meet and greet at either of those events.

[canalrunner]

Also the Limestone Half in Kingston a couple of weeks before, Toronto Good Life and Mississauga Halfs, and the Montreal and Run for Reach Half Marathons in April. Sure there are others around Ottawa around the same time.

[Kelodie]

I will be signing up for the 10K. Worst case, I can walk it.

[barebuns1]

I really like the look of the shirt. I don't know if I should wait much longer to decide if I should run this marathon and then drive to Calgary and run theirs the week later.

[Irongirl]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

I think the RR clinics are to "blame" for the rush on registrations. They push it very hard and encourage people to sign up early.

Really? Interesting?

As the instructor of the half marathon clinic that leads up to this race, I can actually say that the early sell out is a huge detriment for my clinic.

The current clinics will definitely remind their members to register early, but, when it comes time for the actual clinic for this race, the numbers are getting lower and lower every year since first timers that didn't realize they had to register early aren't going to take a clinic for a race they can't run.



I've been suggesting/talking to the RR about seeing if they can buy a block of bibs for their clinics to be able to sell them as a package.

[La]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

I think the RR clinics are to "blame" for the rush on registrations. They push it very hard and encourage people to sign up early.

Really? Interesting?

As the instructor of the half marathon clinic that leads up to this race, I can actually say that the early sell out is a huge detriment for my clinic.

The current clinics will definitely remind their members to register early, but, when it comes time for the actual clinic for this race, the numbers are getting lower and lower every year since first timers that didn't realize they had to register early aren't going to take a clinic for a race they can't run.



I've been suggesting/talking to the RR about seeing if they can buy a block of bibs for their clinics to be able to sell them as a package.

Not the clinics starting in January, but the ones that are on now (e.g., Chilly Half here in the GTA). I'm not sure how else there's such a rush on registrations so early - it certainly can't just be past participants racing to sign up early.

As to your last point, I think that would result in fewer spots being available to the general public.

[Irongirl]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

I think the RR clinics are to "blame" for the rush on registrations. They push it very hard and encourage people to sign up early.

Really? Interesting?

As the instructor of the half marathon clinic that leads up to this race, I can actually say that the early sell out is a huge detriment for my clinic.

The current clinics will definitely remind their members to register early, but, when it comes time for the actual clinic for this race, the numbers are getting lower and lower every year since first timers that didn't realize they had to register early aren't going to take a clinic for a race they can't run.



I've been suggesting/talking to the RR about seeing if they can buy a block of bibs for their clinics to be able to sell them as a package.

Not the clinics starting in January, but the ones that are on now (e.g., Chilly Half here in the GTA). I'm not sure how else there's such a rush on registrations so early - it certainly can't just be past participants racing to sign up early.

As to your last point, I think that would result in fewer spots being available to the general public.

RR clinic members are "the general public" though.

I don't have a magic answer, I'm just noting the obvious decline in what used to be the largest clinic at the RR.....at least here. I know way too many people that buy both a half and a full bib now "just in case"......knowing that they could likely sell the half bib. It's also a great revenue stream for the race (the transfer $$s). If I wasn't teaching the clinic this year, I'm not sure I would have shelled out $100 for a half marathon.

[Spirit Unleashed]

I guess many people know the race will sell out, so they get in early. So that trend feeds on itself with people signing up earlier and earlier.

[La]

Wow!!! Half marathon sold out. I guess the change in price was not much of a barrier. Likely lots of resale in the spring. Any predictions for the 10K? Christmas?

I think the RR clinics are to "blame" for the rush on registrations. They push it very hard and encourage people to sign up early.

Really? Interesting?

As the instructor of the half marathon clinic that leads up to this race, I can actually say that the early sell out is a huge detriment for my clinic.

The current clinics will definitely remind their members to register early, but, when it comes time for the actual clinic for this race, the numbers are getting lower and lower every year since first timers that didn't realize they had to register early aren't going to take a clinic for a race they can't run.



I've been suggesting/talking to the RR about seeing if they can buy a block of bibs for their clinics to be able to sell them as a package.

Not the clinics starting in January, but the ones that are on now (e.g., Chilly Half here in the GTA). I'm not sure how else there's such a rush on registrations so early - it certainly can't just be past participants racing to sign up early.

As to your last point, I think that would result in fewer spots being available to the general public.

RR clinic members are "the general public" though.

I don't consider people buying a package (clinic and race together) to be the general public since this model would only be available to people who wanted the package, and because it's sold through a reseller. Just like buying a race package for NYC or other destination race.

[Jwolf]

I guess many people know the race will sell out, so they get in early. So that trend feeds on itself with people signing up earlier and earlier.

Yeah, it's a self-feeding cycle. Also they know they can sell their bib if they need to later on- not all races allow this even if they sell out. I'd guess the Running Room clinics are only a small part of the reason for early registrations.

The same thing happens with the First Half half-marathon here. Granted there are way fewer spots (about a quarter) and less time between registration and the race, but it's a similar end result.

[Pat29]

I registered for the marathon today.

[ShinSplints]

I signed up for the Full. Trying to get back into running groove.
Is there a meet and greet? Have not met any Maniacs in ages. Darn RM shirt shrunk or I got bigger.

[Jo-Jo]

I signed up for the Full. Trying to get back into running groove.
Is there a meet and greet? Have not met any Maniacs in ages. Darn RM shirt shrunk or I got bigger.

I think it may be a little early to organize a M&G

Ian....it will be great to see you again...and just for that I'll make sure I put myself in charge of a M&G...it's like herding cats at times

I signed up for the Half.

[Irongirl]

I signed up for the Full. Trying to get back into running groove.
Is there a meet and greet? Have not met any Maniacs in ages. Darn RM shirt shrunk or I got bigger.

I think it may be a little early to organize a M&G

Ian....it will be great to see you again...and just for that I'll make sure I put myself in charge of a M&G...it's like herding cats at times

I signed up for the Half.

Yippie! (To both shinsplints and jojo)

[ngcaper]

Edit: I registered, it'll be a long training run.

I'm on the fence here...$127 seems like too much for a marathon, but the timing is good, I'd get home from Florida the Thursday before, and unlike Sulphur it won't require I drive for 6hrs on the Friday. That and I'd get a race in before Vermont in July. Then again I don't like large road races, decisions decisions. Anyone have a close full or 50k Mid-May or early June that I could drive to run and drive home in a single day...I am in Ottawa.

[La]

I signed up for the Full. Trying to get back into running groove.
Is there a meet and greet? Have not met any Maniacs in ages. Darn RM shirt shrunk or I got bigger.

I think it may be a little early to organize a M&G

Ian....it will be great to see you again...and just for that I'll make sure I put myself in charge of a M&G...it's like herding cats at times

I signed up for the Half.

Yippie! (To both shinsplints and jojo)

I think it's time for someone to break out the finishing line photo of shinsplints from The Wolfe in 2006!

[carm]

I registered for the 10k a few weeks ago. It will likely be my first race post-baby unless I do a 'fun' 5k before that. I've been off running since late August so I have the pleasure of re-training my body during winter/early spring.

[purdy65]

Just booked my hotel!

Nice and close to the start/finish so that this pace bunny can have calm nerves.

DH will be there to keep me calm

Anyone out there looking to run 4:30?

[HCcD]

Also, confirmed as a pace bunny this year, the 50 minute / 10K r/w... hopefully, I will not be too fatigued afterwards, as I am also registered for the 1/2 Marathon event, the next morning...