Training plan and making plans

Boston is just under 16 weeks away, and many people started their Boston training plans this week. I did not. My training plan is still under construction (well, pre-construction). I had already determined that I would not do a full 16 week plan; probably the official plan will be 14 or 15 weeks (depending on whether I have it on paper by next week or not). I don't think it matters that much; I don't think the first week or two will be much different than what I would do without a written plan. (Except for that speedwork thing, maybe.) I do enjoy working up training plans, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I may just adopt my Newport Marathon plan, which I believe is on my computer either at home or at the office. It worked pretty well....

Speaking of plans, December 31 is approaching fast and with it, the rise in prices for some marathons and half marathons. So I really need to think a little about what I want to do next year that might need to be registered for promptly. The price thing isn't that big a deal to me...I would rather pay $10 or $20 more for a race that I know I am going to do, than sign up too quickly and end up either unable to attend, or regretting my decision to sign up. However, there are a number of races that may start filling up fast, and if I am going to do them I might as well sign up and get the "lower" price as well as ensure my spot.

One of those is the Portland Marathon. I am almost certain that I want to do this next year (the full) and it fits in with some other ideas that are knocking around in my head. So I will probably be forking over the bucks for that soon. A less certain possibility is the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. I had fully intended not to do this. In fact, there was something else I wanted to do that weekend. But the "other thing" is not going to be practical this year, which leaves me wondering, should I do Seattle R 'n' R just because it's there? Will I feel left out if I pass on it (without something better to take its place)? This is a decision that has to be made because this is one that really does fill up early. It's not like I have to do some kind of event on that particular weekend (June 25)...I'm just not sure what I want to do.