Brian Nicholson: Plan now for next year's running season

Another very popular race in the red rocks of southern Utah is the Moab Half, more correctly called the Canyonlands Half Marathon. This March classic has been using a lottery system since before I first ran it in 2004. According to its website, the registration for the lottery begins “in November and closes in December,” at which time they draw names to fill the 4,000 slots for both races, the half marathon and a five-mile race.

With all of the evolution in the registration dates of the 2012 running season, it’s no longer wise to wait until you’re contemplating your New Year’s resolutions to decide to start running. The time is now, or at least before some of these marathons, half marathons and running series sell out — or start charging higher rates.

Start making a plan now and bring your Internet “A” game when Nov. 1 rolls around. If you don’t, you may not get to the staring line of some of these races, let alone the finish.

Brian Nicholson has completed marathons from Boston to Beijing, a host of Ragnar relays and has developed a keen taste for all things Gu.