the time in between posts

FINISHED Wasatch last September (survived might be a better word): ran hard, but blew up around mile 70 -- kept to my strategy of sub-24 or bust, which gave me the excuse to run hard until I couldn't. I was on pace until things got ugly somewhere between Millcreek Aid and Deso Lake, guess they were already ugly at Mill in terms of throwing up when I tried to take in some food . . . after I blew up, I shuffled in to Brighton Aid tried my best to regroup and then just bit the bullet and gradually worked my way to the finish line: thank goodness for some patient pacers.

Ran a good number of miles between Wasatch and the New Year (though this was also my down time in terms of serious training). Loads of solid winter running lately with loads of wildlife sightings: the coolest being a mountain lion encounter last week just behind the University. I am starting to get back in the rhythm of good training (or at least training) . . . I am trying to gradually increase mileage and overall strength this winter-spring in a style similar to last year. I have put together a couple of 30 mile days in recent weeks and seem to be hovering right around 60 miles a week in terms of overall distance . . . And knock on wood -- thus far I am doing a little better job than last winter at making myself run up and down . . . been making sure I do at least 1 or 2 jaunts up Mt. Van Cott each week and hope to start increasing vertical by the end of this month.

2011 Race Schedule:

Moab Red Hot 55km -- February 19th
Squaw Peak 50m -- June 4th
Western States 100m -- June 25th
Speedgoat 50km -- July 30th
Bear 100m -- Sept 23rd

this is fairly similar to last year's plan, although the only repeat race from last season is Speedgoat (and this year I plan to race Speedgoat instead of making it the second part of back-to-back 30 milers) . . . my main goals for the season are to finish all the races on my list, to run fast at both Moab and Speedgoat, and finally I am hoping to have successful races at both WS and Bear.

I have come to the irrational conclusion that despite being stronger at the 50 mile distance, I find the difficulties created by the 100 mile distance to be the essence of my personal running journey at this point . . . this despite being pretty certain I swore off ever running 100 miles again somewhere near Ant Knolls last September. In terms of racing/running the 100 mile distance this summer, I am focused on learning how to move well despite suffering, how to better regulate my energy intake so as to keep my stomach from turning on me, and how to finally race the distance instead of simply trying to survive it. Of course, racing is a pretty relative word . . .