Telescope Reviews: Messier Semi-Marathon for wimps

Hi, I've been maturing an observing challenge idea (on my drive to work, as always) for deep-sky observers the wimps who do not want to be up until 6 AM observing, or normal people who can't afford to be up until 6AM observing, because even if they don't have to go to work in the morning, their 3 year old son will be up and running by 7:30 anyway. I believe I fall in both categories.

It's called the Semi-Marathon. As you guessed, the idea is to log in one night half of the 110-object Messier Catalogue. I've never done it yet, but the best I ever did in one given night is 40 objects, but not planned beforehand. I believe this one is doable.

Here are the suggested rules:
1. target list rules:
1.1. you pick 56 or more objects according to the following rules:
1.2. rule: so you don't pick out just the easiest ojects, if you plan to look at a given object in a given constellation, you must pick all the Messiers in that constellation
1.3. you are allowed one mulligan on one object you choose beforehand you won't try to view (of course you won't resist the challenge once you're out there) which you would have been obliged to view because of the (1.2.) "consetllation rule" (for example you believe the object is too faint for your telescope.
1.4. If the constellation rules forces you to have more than 56 objects on the list, your bad.

2. Observing rules:
2.1. digital setting circles and GOTOs are off
2.2. manual setting circles are still ok, as they still require a good deal of observing and chart-deciphering skills
2.3. you are allowed one mulligan off your whole observing list (hence the 56 objects in the list) of an object you can locate
2.4. object must be positively identified
2.5. binoculars and/or multiple scopes are ok, as are simply viewing the object through your finderscope (rule expressly made for 3600mm focal length telescopes who can't care less than about those dumb open clusters).

3. Completion rules
3.1. Two halves: you decide that you will run another semi in 6 months time, including all the objects you have not seen in the first semi
3.2. Three halves: you can run the whole Messier List in three semis, provided that at the end you have the whole catalog, including your mulligan objects.

Anyway, there is nothing to win except self-accomplishment and, most important of all, a better knowing of the night sky. So you can make up your own rules.

Benefits:
- you can run one whenever you want in the year
- you pick your observing times (depending on your day / night schedule, the phase of the moon...)
- you can still have a little sleep
- you can have fun just by building your game plan
- it's still an observing challenge as you still have to hit 100% of your target list

Who wants to join me, when the skies clear and the full moon is gone?

--------------------
Matt
CI700 mount with various scopes on top.