Movin' on up...

Last night I was just sitting here on the laptop considering what I could do to move up the Half Fanatics ranking ladder by the end of the year. Then I saw that 365 day was the cutoff for some qualifications rather than the end of the calendar year.

If I survive my 3 half marathons at the end of the month (3/25, 3/31 & 4/1) I'll move up to Mars (5 moon) level which is halfway through the ladder which maxes out at 10 moons (or Sun level). Then I looked further down the rankings and thought...I can do 20 halfs before 1/29/13...the anniversary of my first half marathon...to qualify for Venus or 7 moons.

Then the more I sat here,  I realized that I could push my 365 day limit to the end of February March since I'll be running in California again in January, Texas a couple of time during the year and New Mexico at least once...that way I can get an East Coast race in to count and increase my half marathon count to 23 for Mercury level (8 moons). Since Vulcan is the 9 moon level and unattainable as determined by the powers that be that only leaves the final level...SUN!

That requires 30 half marathons in 30 states in 365 days. I've been able to come up with a count of 33 races...I'm wondering if I can find 3-5 more so that I have extras in case I miss races. Am I crazy? I know this plan is crazy and crazy expensive...I'll be driving to most of the races rather than flying and renting a car...but I think it may be doable. Hell...I'm not working so I have the time, it's just the cash that gets in the way. Whatever happens I'll at least get to Venus or Mercury. Here's the scary 30 half marathons in 30 states in 365 days schedule that I'd be following with 3 extra HMs for a cushion....

1/29/12 - Tinkerbell HM - CA - (#1) Done!
2/25/12 - Pecos Valley Stampede HM - NM - (#2) Done!
3/3/12 - Xpress HM - TX - (#3) Done!
3/31/12 - AZ Distance Classic - #4 - Begin 365 day count!
3/31/12 - Bloodgusher HM - (Repeat state) 
4/1/12 - A2A HM - OK - (Weekend double HM, 6+ hr drive) - #5
4/28/12 - Drake Relays On-the-Roads HM - IA - #6
4/29/12 - Wichita HM - KS - (Weekend double HM, 6+ hr drive) - #7
5/5/12 - Snoqualamie Cinco de Mayo HM - WA - #8
5/6/12 - Portland Cinco De Mayo HM - OR- (Weekend double HM, 3+ hr drive) - #9
5/13/12 - Hope & Healing - TX (Repeat state)
5/19/12 - Community Hospital HM - NE - #10
5/20/12 - Colfax HM - CO - (Weekend double HM, 4+ hr drive) - #11
5/26/12 - Go Girl Run HM - MO - #12
5/27/12 - Parke County HM - IN - (5+ hr drive) - #13
5/28/12 - Owensboro Memorial Day HM - KY- (Weekend TRIPLE HM, 3+ hr drive) - #14
6/2/12 - Spirit of Magic Valley HM - ID - #15
6/3/12 - Casper HM - WY - (Weekend double HM, 9+ hr drive) - #16
6/10/12 - Wounded Warriors HM - TX (Repeat state)
6/16/12 - Ft Atkinson HM - WI - #17
6/17/12 - Ann Arbor HM - MI - (Weekend double HM, 6+ hr drive) - #18
7/4/12 - Brownville HM - NE - #19
7/7/12 - April Sorenson Memorial HM - MN - (Long weekend double HM, 5+ hr drive) - #20
7/22/12 - Rock & Roll Chicago HM - IL - #21
8/4/12 - Parowan City HM - UT - #22
8/5/12 - ET Full Moon Midnight Marathon - NV - (Weekend double HM, 3+ hr drive) - #23
8/18/12 - Thunderbird HM - ND - #24
8/19/12 - Leading Ladies HM - SD - (Weekend double HM) - #25
Late Aug/Sep/early Oct concentrating on FULL marathons (26.2)
10/21/12 - Rio Grande HM - NM (Repeat state)
11/10/12 - WDW Wine & Dine HM - FL - #26
11/11/12 - Outer Banks HM - NC - (Weekend double HM) - #27
11/22/12 - Atlanta HM - GA - #28
11/24/12 - Kaiser Realty HM - AL - (Long weekend double HM) - #29
12/2/12 - Las Cruces HM - NM (Repeat state)
12/9/12 - Fayetteville HM - AR - #30
12/16/12 - Ole Man River HM - LA - #31
1/19/13 - Temecula HM - CA - #32
1/20/13 - Tinkerbell HM - CA (Repeat state) - (Weekend double HM, 1+ hr drive)
Early 2/13 - Free HM - AZ - (Tentative, Repeat state) - Extends 365 days to 4/1/13
2/16/13 - Myrtle Beach HM - SC - #33
2/24/13 - Princess HM - FL (Repeat state)
2/25/14 - Scenic City HM - TN - (Weekend double HM, 9+ hr drive) - #34
3/16/13 - Rock & Roll USA - DC - #35
3/17/13 - Shamrock HM - VA - (Weekend double HM) - #36

Just because I've made the list for Sun level/10 moons doesn't mean I'm necessarily going for it. It's just nice to know that I can do it if I wanted and I have a plan ready just in case. The goal is at least 20 halfs in 20 states in 365 day. So let's see where this leads...

Hmmm...if I just do all the doubles/triples I'll still be able to get 20 HMs in 20 states in 365 days!

EDIT 3/12/12: Most races changed to weekend doubles. Races in pink are singles and may possibly be dropped unless already paid for or can be made into a weekend double. By doing only the double/triple weekends, I'd be able to get 31 races total if I don't miss any. Drive times indicate time between races and does not include my drive from/to New Mexico.