My 2013 goals are pretty simple - Some are a broken record of past failures, but they are definitely taking a different turn.
Running related goals
* Run sub 3 marathon
* Run less miles than 2012
* Run faster (avg) in 2013
* Set short distance PR(s) = 5k - 10k
* Finish 1st 100 mile race
Other Goals for 2013
* Downhill Ski > 10 times
* Wakeboard > 20 runs
* Boat > 15 times
* Golf > 5 times
* Weights and Core > 150 times
* Weight < 200 by Birthday and stay there rest of 2013
One of my biggest goals is not an easy number related goal, it is to take the opportunity to do many more of the activities that I love to do. (Racquetball, tennis, volleyball to name a few)
I will not run as many marathons or ultras in 2013 - I am not ruling out a 24 hour race, although I have no plans for one right now.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A Big Horse 2012 in review
2012 was the year of running many miles, running many races (For me) and performing mediocre or worse at almost all of them.
I will hit a little over 6,000 miles this year. I have run 12 races of marathon distance or further with 3 tries at the 24 hour race. Each 24 hour race is an emotional adventure that is always self enlightening.
I hit 192 pounds just prior to Badgerland Striders 24 - The lowest have seen on a scale in many years. Since then I continue to struggle and after taking 10 days off after Desert Solstice 24 I am back @ 220 pounds.
2012 was an "OK" year. I am happy to have met many new people, I learned some valuable lessons. One lesson is that I need to do consistent speed work, I cannot just run a lot of miles, sharpen with speed for a few weeks and perform at a reasonable level.
The adventure of the year was Glacial Trail 50M ~ After 2+ inches of rain Friday night and 3 inches during the race, it was a mud skating fest.
Disappointment(s) of the year = FANS24 and BLS24. Both of these races I was in really good shape and ran too hard early and blew a chance at making the USA 24 hour team. I believe this was a blessing from God. Although I have had a couple of good 24 hour races in my career, I really do not like the 24 hour race and it beats the snot out of me.
Final thing I learned ... All running and no play makes this Big Horse unhappy. I need to do a multitude of physical activities in addition to running to be happy.
May God bless your 2013
Good running to all!
I will hit a little over 6,000 miles this year. I have run 12 races of marathon distance or further with 3 tries at the 24 hour race. Each 24 hour race is an emotional adventure that is always self enlightening.
I hit 192 pounds just prior to Badgerland Striders 24 - The lowest have seen on a scale in many years. Since then I continue to struggle and after taking 10 days off after Desert Solstice 24 I am back @ 220 pounds.
2012 was an "OK" year. I am happy to have met many new people, I learned some valuable lessons. One lesson is that I need to do consistent speed work, I cannot just run a lot of miles, sharpen with speed for a few weeks and perform at a reasonable level.
The adventure of the year was Glacial Trail 50M ~ After 2+ inches of rain Friday night and 3 inches during the race, it was a mud skating fest.
Disappointment(s) of the year = FANS24 and BLS24. Both of these races I was in really good shape and ran too hard early and blew a chance at making the USA 24 hour team. I believe this was a blessing from God. Although I have had a couple of good 24 hour races in my career, I really do not like the 24 hour race and it beats the snot out of me.
Final thing I learned ... All running and no play makes this Big Horse unhappy. I need to do a multitude of physical activities in addition to running to be happy.
May God bless your 2013
Good running to all!
Monday, December 3, 2012
I've Been Challenged - Desert Solstice
My friend Jen has challenged me to a 24 hour duel in the sun. We are both running Desert Solstice on December 15-16th and to make it interesting she called me out to race for beer(s).
She has been running reasonably well lately with a 19:35 Heartland 100 mile finish (1st female 6th OA) in October.
I took some down time in September and October, so I am not in top shape, but reasonable shape - So the 20 miles I agreed to spot Jen is reasonably fair.
My DW Jill is crewing both Jen and I - So it will be easy to keep track of where we are at in our battle.
Overall I feel pretty good, although the inside of my right knee still gets pretty angry some days. 2 days of downhill skiing this weekend did not help much. The hope is that in the next 11 days of taper it will quiet down and disappear.
The field of 19 athletes is pretty stacked
http://www.aravaiparunning.com/desert-solstice/
Although you never know who is going for a super fast 100 mile time and who is going for the 24 hour distance. I know for sure that Phil McCarthy, Jen Aradi and myself are all looking for the 24.
It's funny but if I would have a bad race, I could finish dead last with this field. I have never finished dead last - I am hoping to save that experience for another time.
I think I better start over-dressing for my runs here on out. The weather is a lot different in Phoenix than in Wisconsin this time of year.
Good running to all -
She has been running reasonably well lately with a 19:35 Heartland 100 mile finish (1st female 6th OA) in October.
I took some down time in September and October, so I am not in top shape, but reasonable shape - So the 20 miles I agreed to spot Jen is reasonably fair.
My DW Jill is crewing both Jen and I - So it will be easy to keep track of where we are at in our battle.
Overall I feel pretty good, although the inside of my right knee still gets pretty angry some days. 2 days of downhill skiing this weekend did not help much. The hope is that in the next 11 days of taper it will quiet down and disappear.
The field of 19 athletes is pretty stacked
http://www.aravaiparunning.com/desert-solstice/
Although you never know who is going for a super fast 100 mile time and who is going for the 24 hour distance. I know for sure that Phil McCarthy, Jen Aradi and myself are all looking for the 24.
It's funny but if I would have a bad race, I could finish dead last with this field. I have never finished dead last - I am hoping to save that experience for another time.
I think I better start over-dressing for my runs here on out. The weather is a lot different in Phoenix than in Wisconsin this time of year.
Good running to all -
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monkey Race Report
That was painful - But pain was expected. What was not expected - The 1st time ever, I ran into some kind of wall in the last 5 miles. It acted like glycogen depletion, but I do not believe I was depleted. I ate the right things the week before, I ate well the night before, I had 800 calories the morning of the race and I had 7 gels in the race. How the heck do I hit the glycogen wall?
Maybe it wasn't the wall. I have hit the wall in training runs and twice in half marathons that I went in depleted. But it acted like the wall. Any attempt to keep the pace reasonable caused me to be out of breath, light headed and almost pass out.
It was a beautiful day to run in hills outside of Nashville. Cold early, but by the time beer was served it was great weather to hang out and drink beer.
Thank you to Trent and all the volunteers that make Monkey special!
Good running to all!
PS - 3:13:17
Maybe it wasn't the wall. I have hit the wall in training runs and twice in half marathons that I went in depleted. But it acted like the wall. Any attempt to keep the pace reasonable caused me to be out of breath, light headed and almost pass out.
It was a beautiful day to run in hills outside of Nashville. Cold early, but by the time beer was served it was great weather to hang out and drink beer.
Thank you to Trent and all the volunteers that make Monkey special!
Good running to all!
PS - 3:13:17
Friday, November 16, 2012
11/16/2012 Anticipating The Monkey
Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is in less than 2 days. I have taken a break from seriouse training after the Badgerland Striders 24 Sept 1-2 through the end of October. I am not in particularly good shape. But "The Monkey" deserves my best effort I currently have available. Boasting 3600 feet of ups and downs on pavement in Percy Warner Park (PWP), the Monkey will punish me regardless of my fitness.
"The Monkey" is an old school race, not about PRs, but running hard and reckless. Pace is pretty useless as running 5:45 or 7:15 may be an excellently paced mile in the PWP. "The Monkey" is about old and new friends joining together singularly in purpose - To survive the Flying Monkey Attacks.
Post race Yazzo beer is excellent and "The People's Buffet" (potluck) allows us to share a little piece of the part of the country that we are from. I tend to bring something cheese related (WI).
I am not a country music fan, but I look forward to this annual journey to Nashville.
Good running to all -
"The Monkey" is an old school race, not about PRs, but running hard and reckless. Pace is pretty useless as running 5:45 or 7:15 may be an excellently paced mile in the PWP. "The Monkey" is about old and new friends joining together singularly in purpose - To survive the Flying Monkey Attacks.
Post race Yazzo beer is excellent and "The People's Buffet" (potluck) allows us to share a little piece of the part of the country that we are from. I tend to bring something cheese related (WI).
I am not a country music fan, but I look forward to this annual journey to Nashville.
Good running to all -
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
10/30/12 Blogging Break
Work has become really busy. For the 1st time in a long time it is significantly limiting the amount I can train. I cannot complain as work usually provides me with flexibility to fit in lots of training for my hobby.
I do not plan to post again until I am really close to Desert Solstice 24 hour race December 15-16. I am very excited about this race - So check back in December for Pre-Race thoughts.
Good running to all!
I do not plan to post again until I am really close to Desert Solstice 24 hour race December 15-16. I am very excited about this race - So check back in December for Pre-Race thoughts.
Good running to all!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Back to Training after Glacial Trail 50
Glacial Trail 50 really kicked my butt ... well actually my quads. I am not sure if it was the race or not following my immediate post race recovery routine. I guess it doesn't matter, my quads are still hurting 5 days later.
I have been thinking about training for the rest of the year. Less of a plan and more of training philosophy. For the remainder of 2012, I will be much less focused on total volume and more on quality workouts. I still may end up with a big mileage week here or there, but not at the expense of quality.
I will be increasing my easy pace - I run most of my mileage at easy pace. I have had easy pace too slow ~ closer to recover pace ... recovery pace will remain slow. I will try for 2 quality speed workouts each week and one moderate to long hilly trail run or hill grinder workout. I would expect that speed workouts will be 25% shorter, but with the same volume of speed.
I have plenty of aerobic fitness and will be doing enough mileage not to lose it. My focus has returned to 8k to marathon speed. The trail or hill run is to keep my general hill strength stable.
I have 2 races remaining in 2012: Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon and Desert Solstice 24 hour track race. The marathon is for fun, although I have a handful of friends I want to beat in the race. The goal race is the 24 hour track race and I cannot let the marathon interfere with that goal.
57 days until Desert Solstice ~ 8 weeks ... 6 weeks to train and 2 for taper. Let me see what I can do with the next 57 days.
I have been thinking through a race schedule for 2013 ... Lots of thoughts but not much set in stone, except I am looking forward to the Boston Marathon with my sister.
Good running to all ~
I have been thinking about training for the rest of the year. Less of a plan and more of training philosophy. For the remainder of 2012, I will be much less focused on total volume and more on quality workouts. I still may end up with a big mileage week here or there, but not at the expense of quality.
I will be increasing my easy pace - I run most of my mileage at easy pace. I have had easy pace too slow ~ closer to recover pace ... recovery pace will remain slow. I will try for 2 quality speed workouts each week and one moderate to long hilly trail run or hill grinder workout. I would expect that speed workouts will be 25% shorter, but with the same volume of speed.
I have plenty of aerobic fitness and will be doing enough mileage not to lose it. My focus has returned to 8k to marathon speed. The trail or hill run is to keep my general hill strength stable.
I have 2 races remaining in 2012: Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon and Desert Solstice 24 hour track race. The marathon is for fun, although I have a handful of friends I want to beat in the race. The goal race is the 24 hour track race and I cannot let the marathon interfere with that goal.
57 days until Desert Solstice ~ 8 weeks ... 6 weeks to train and 2 for taper. Let me see what I can do with the next 57 days.
I have been thinking through a race schedule for 2013 ... Lots of thoughts but not much set in stone, except I am looking forward to the Boston Marathon with my sister.
Good running to all ~
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