One and Done vs Once Again



As much as we really enjoyed every race, there are some that we try to do over again and then some that as nice as it was, are more than happy to say it was a one time deal.  I think you will notice that location, and time of year, are what play the biggest part in whether or not we consider a race again.   Here's our list of just a few, organized by time of year.




Disney World Marathon Weekend:  We've done this set of races three times now and we ALWAYS have a blast.  Although Meranda said she is not crazy about the Marathon course, I have a feeling that this year was not the last time we will be doing that race! However, the time of year is not ideal. It's in January, a week right after Christmas vacation.

Disney World Princess half marathon weekend: We always have a blast at this race. The timing is both a positive and a negative. The weather can be iffy in February so it's always nice to have a trip to Florida planned during that time but it's also a bit stressful because you never know if you will have a flight delay or cancellation.

Shamrock, Virginia Beach: In the past several years that Lacey has done this race the weather has never been nice. It's a great, flat course and if she's in the area would be a race she would consider again.

April Fools Race, Atlantic City:  This is one of my favorite Spring races. I've done it four years in a row now and if the timing permits, we'd love to continue to do it. However, this particular weekend seems to be a big weekend for races and there are some others we've been wanting to try out so perhaps we might put this one on hiatus but we will definitely be back.

Rock n Roll Dallas: We love Rock n Roll races and this was a great one to check off but not one that Lacey would do again, for no other reason than just logistics.

Boston Marathon: Of course this was a dream race to run but because of what happened in 2013, I have no desire to run this race again. Maybe that will change in a few year, who knows.

Big Sur Marathon:  I've come back twice for this race. Not something that I would consider every year, but I would definitely be open to the possibility of running it again someday if the logistics and timing work out.

Rock n Roll Nashville:  Again, a great RnR race but not one I'm putting on my list every year. I have a friend that lives in Nashville and it would be great to combine the race with a visit with her like I did before.

Disneyland Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend: As much as we both LOVED this race weekend, logistically it is not possible for us to do it every year. Disney World races are much more accessible to us than Disneyland. As you may recall, Meranda is not a fan of flying that far anyway. And for that reason, we are fine to say Tinkerbell was a one and done race.( for now anyway)

Run For the Dream, Williamsburg, VA: The time of year (first weekend in June) makes it difficult to do this race again. Even though this race is on hiatus this year, I hope one day we can make another fun weekend out of it. I would hate to say "one and done" for this race although it is looking that way.

Rock n Roll Virginia Beach- Again, always a fun time and because of the East Coast logistics, one that I will continue to run.

Harvest Festival 5K - This is a local race that has become a tradition that we run with family. Lacey has won an age group award each year. We will continue to do this race.

Runner's World Festival- You would think this would be a no brainer since the location is ideal. Although the Runner's World folks put on a great race with lots of activities throughout the weekend, I am more than happy to say this was probably a one and done for me. It takes place in October and although the weather was fine the year I ran the race, it can be a tricky time of year. I wasn't crazy about the course either. Also, unless you stay at the Sand Casino, the hotels are not all that close to where all the action is. It is definitely a race that is worth going to at least once though.

Rock n Roll Las Vegas-This was a great race for the half marathon but not so much for the full marathon as the course was rather boring once you got out to the desert not to mention that once the sun went down it got very cold. As fun as it was running beneath all the lights, we are not sad to say that this was a one and done race mainly because of the location (hence long flight, not convenient).

I guess the trend is, if we find a race we like and it is easily accessible and the timing is right, we will try to go back again. If we have no desire to run a race again, it just means that it is not conveniently located for us to do it each year and really is not a reflection on how we felt about the actual race. There are some that we view as One and Done, but perhaps if the situation presents itself, we would consider again.  -L & M

We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.

43 comments:

  1. I'd love to get back to do another Princess run too! So much fun!!! I think about one and done vs. let's go back after a race too.

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    1. I think the Princess races are the ones we've done the most of actually!

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  2. I'm doing the RnR Vegas Half this year and am excited about it but also pretty sure it will be a one and done type of race :) There are local races I've done multiple times but I think most destination races would be one and done for me just because there are so many out there to try!

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    1. That is exciting that you are doing Vegas This year! Yea, it's always hard for us East Coasters to travel frequently out west to do races. That's why they are one and done for us as well.

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  3. I'm debating on giving up my Kentucky Derby Half marathon for the Nashville RnR one next year just because my step daughter does that one & a friend wants me to drive down with her. WHYYYY do they schedule these on the same day. UGH

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    1. I know so many good races are scheduled on the same weekend. We usually end up doing the same ones though. I say check out RNR Nashville next year. RNR puts on a great race for sure!

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  4. Accessibility is definitely a factor that plays a role in my race registration decision making. If the race is easier to get to, and there aren't a lot of travel costs involved, then I'm more likely to rerun the race as opposed to one that is expensive to get to.

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    1. I don't mind traveling as long as it's not cross country..lol. We have so many cool races on the East Coast that I need to look into!

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  5. We thought princess was going to be a one time deal until we experienced it for the first time. It's definitely a race worth repeating. But then again, any Disney race is worth repeating!

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  6. I also agree about accessibility. I am not a fan of certain races, but feel everyone is entitled to their opinion. The Disney races have changed alot and while we used to do many each year, we are not quite as keen. This year I will run two, but next year may be none. The marathon majors are my goal and the cost to get to some of those races is very high, so most will be a one and done.

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    1. I agree. Bigger races are one and done, especially when extensive travel is involved!

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  7. We have stumbled upon our "once-again" race - the Houston half marathon. It's just such a great event, fun weekend, that we keep signing up for it.

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  8. I guess I sort of have this same kind of list. It's funny because the ones nearest me are the ones I only want to do once or I haven't done at all. My faves are not as close. I've only done a few of the ones you've listed above. I still have not run a Disney race and it's so close to my house. (Disneyland) I think Vegas is the one I've done the most times but that because I already love being in Vegas and can drive there in 4.5 hours. Maybe I'll see you there this year!!?? Have a great week!!

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  9. I just did Tink for the second time- I ran it the first year. It was awesome and the weather was fantastic. I definitely want to do it again. I'm also doing Vegas this year. The last time I did it was the first year it was at night and it was a complete disaster. I've heard they've made some changes and now it's great.

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  10. Totally agree with your sentiments on whether to do a race again or not. I am hoping to run RnR Las Vegas this year for the first time! RnR Chicago is a classic that I'd be happy to do every year, too. And I will never turn down an opportunity to run a Disney race, other than the fact it's gotten so expensive!

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  11. Since I'm trying to do one in every state (1/5 of the way through after 4 years -- that's kind of scary), all my halfs are one & done. Which is kind of hard -- there are so many races to do!

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  12. There are a few marathons I would do each year if I could. One you mentioned above Big Sur its just gorgeous and such a fun perfect challenging course. But like you I've run a few that I enjoyed but probably would run again because once was enough :) There are so many awesome races out there I would still love to try. The Shamrock one you mentioned is one on my list.

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  13. There are a few races I really love and would do again but I am on a mission this year to do some new ones

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  14. I just did my first Tink and I'd do it again. I love love love the DL Half though (this year will be my fourth).

    Princess was a one and done for me, pretty much from the second I crossed the finish line and I haven't waivered. I'd still encourage others to give it a shot (especially if they're East Coasters), but despite the fact that it's on my birthday next year and will always line up with my birthday week (and what better way to celebrate than Disney World?!), I was extremely disappointed in the course and lack of spectators. Spectators make a race for me.

    I have a couple RnRs on my list, but they may have to wait until my race budget improves (it was a big Disney year).

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  15. I would love to be running still so that I could run the Cincinnati Flying Pig half again. Loved running around my hometown.

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  16. I tend to do local races more than once, whereas races I have to travel to are usually one and done. Hills and weather also influence my decision!

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    1. Oh hills are definitely something to take into consideration. There are several local races I've never done because I know the routes are very hilly!

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  17. Thanks for your honest review! The only one in this list I'd thought of doing is Runners World festival, so it's good to know where to stay.

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  18. I'm surprised that you found Boston to be a One and Done for yourself because so many runners I know run Boston every year, even if the course is tough and the weather is brutal. It's like they love the torture!

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  19. You've done a lot of great races. I understand your feelings about Boston. That was such a scary experience that year. I think I'm the same in that some races I do once and others I do over.

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  20. My parents asked if I would do Tink again next year and I had to be honest and say it's not in my plans. I loved the 10k, but it's not one I'd repeat right now.

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  21. That's interesting that the Runner's World Festival is a one-and-done for you, I've been wanting to do that one for years but the timing never works out. I love that there are SO many races that we can choose from. Still haven't had a Disney race yet!

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  22. The Disney races sound like such fun!! I hope to do them one day!

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  23. Rock n Roll Las Vegas is a one-and-done race for me. I just didn't love the crowds. It was fun on the Strip but I don't think I could do it again.

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  24. I love the runDisney races and have done most of them multiple times. I have only done Tink once back when it was in January and would love to do it again now that it's in May!

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  25. Logistics definitely play a part for me too! Savage Race falls at a location about 20 minutes from my house, so it's easy to get to and one I tend to repeat. I like other things about it as well, but the location is just so convenient its hard to turn down! Anything that's close to me (within about an hour away) is usually a go if I can get the weekend off of work. That plays a part too.

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  26. I've done a few of the races in that list and agree with rnr Dallas! I hope to get out to Tink one day soon!

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  27. The ones near me I do over and over again, but anything that requires a hotel is usually a one and done because of expense and how many travel race options there are.

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  28. I loved the vibe from Marathon Weekend! That's why I decided to go back and try the Walt Disney World Half even though it's the same course as Princess. But hey, who can resist Anniversary Bling ;) I'd love to run the Williamsburg race sometime.

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  29. I LOVED the Runner's World weekend, but the timing and location are kind of a pain for me. I'd totally go back as a blogger again, but I doubt I'd make the trip otherwise...

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    1. Yea, I think half of the fun there was being invited to all the events as a blogger!

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  30. You guys hit the nail on the head. One & done vs repeats really depend on timing, logistics, $$$ & love of the course. There are some races I don't LOOOVE, but that work out on all the other parts, so I run them. I'm always looking for new races to try, but hate to blow the whole budget on one or two big races if I could run many smaller ones.

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  31. I haven't done many races, but I would love to do the Color Run again, just because it's so much fun and no-one really takes it seriously, which is good for me.

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    1. It's good to have the "not too serious" races in there. I'm actually doing the Color Run in Baltimore this weekend and looking forward to it being fun and no worry about time or anything like that.

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  32. Great list. Sometimes the race makes it a one and done, but those other factors can play on it. You have a lot of good looking races on here. I love marathon weekend, and would do it every year if I could afford it. I like the January time for the weather getaway, but you get that same possibility of problem getting there. Right after Christmas causes a problem most from a standpoint of I cant take too much extra time off then to save it for the longer time that marathon weekend is.

    Run for the Dream is one I've wanted to run since I started. I don't like the thought of the June heat, but I love the thought of running through that area. I love visiting Williamsburg.

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  33. I heard that about RnR Vegas... the half was awesome, the full notsomuch. Maybe one of these years I'll make it out there!

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  34. i think a hear that a lot about RnR fulls-that the second half of the course is really boring. I have yet to do one.

    and you know I love me some disney races!

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  35. For me...the Disney marathon is a definite REPEAT as well as major races like NYCM, etc. There are also a handful of local races I do every year "just for fun," but other than that, I love using running as an excuse to go new places and try new races, so the vast majority of my races have been one-and-done as of late!

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