I've studied the Phoenix course and it looks fine. I hope it is not as cool at the start as last year, I don't particularly like running in the cool weather. I wasn't aware of the hills in Nashville, so thanks for the warning. To avoid the crowd maybe I can get into one of the front corrals again for Nashville, for both San Jose last Oct and Phoenix coming in Jan I'm in corral 2. For San Diego I think I know the bridge over the waterway you refer to. Looks like miles 8 - 10 are uphill going back through Balboa Park. Should be an interesting year.

For now, I've got these on my radar screen. But in reality, I can't do them all since a couple of them actually are held on the same weekend. Tough choices!

_ New Year's Eve: the 4 miler in Central Park

_ January: NYC half marathon in Central Park

_ February: Bronx half marathon

_ March: ING Georgia half marathon/Mardi Gras half marathon in New Orleans

_ August: Manhattan half marathon

_ September: Wicked half marathon in Salem, Mass.

_ Sept/Oct: Hamptons half marathon on Long Island

Plus, I'm still waiting to see the dates for these but the half marathons in Brooklyn, Queens and on Staten Island.

probably a few 5ks here and there

and finally a triathlon. It will be my first so I'm looking for a sprint one in mid-late summer.

Chicago Half Marathon - September

Memphis Full Marathon - Dec

These are all steps in my training to qualify for Boston Marathon. I just started running last year so it'll be tough. http://stlrunner.blogspot.com

Nike Women's Marathon San Fran