Make it Happen Monday: Cross an item off the bucket list

My bucket list consists of races I want to run — and nothing else.

I started forming the list mentally back in college when I ran my first marathon. Rather than commit it to memory, I’ve since put it in a Word document. I think the first marathon that ever made the list was the Big Sur International Marathon, which traces the California coast and ends in Carmel. I fell in love with the views the race promises, and the pianist who plays on a baby grand on the course. In his book, Bart Yasso describes it as the most scenic marathon.

I always tell people this is the one marathon they have to do once in their lives because it boasts some of the most majestic views in the Western world. The course runs from Big Sur to Carmel, and the first 5 miles start in the redwoods. From there you work your way through farmland to the Pacific coast. The jaw-dropping moment arrives at the halfway point, when you go over the Bixby Bridge, 260 feet above seal level. There’s always a guy there in tuxedo playing a baby grand piano. I don’t think this course is as tough as some runners believe. I posted a 2:54 there at the age of 46 after having run four marathons in the previous 9 weeks. — Bart Yasso, My Life on the Run

I’ve never felt in any rush to sign up. It’s such an important race that I’ve known I’ll get to it, someday. I’ve mentally sketched out the races I’d like to run during the next two years, and Big Sur hasn’t been one of them. I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon before babies and other obligations arrive, so my focus has been on small, mostly flat races where I have the greatest potential to BQ.

This week via Twitter I learned that registration had opened for Big Sur. I didn’t give it much thought beyond, “I want to BQ in 2012. Big Sur has to wait.” Then, on Friday, I was talking to my friend Hannah (@FeetMoveForward), who said she was signing up for Big Sur. In that moment, I thought, “Why wait for Big Sur? I’ll BQ when I BQ — whether it’s next year or 10 years from now.”

I’ve mentioned this here before, but it’s worth saying again: Life is short. We need to seize opportunities when they’re presented to us. Ultimately, I believe inaction creates the most regret. Big Sur is just a race, but I don’t want it to become a regret.

On Saturday, my husband signed me up for it. In 279 days, I’ll be wearing bib #2575 and crossing another race off my bucket list.

What races are on your bucket list?