At the beginning of each year, I have one simple goal. To be better then I was the year before. This applies to every aspect of my life. A better husband. A better father. A better runner. Better mentally. Better physically. etc....I may sound like a broken record on this front but this will never change.
With that said, I have numerous goals surrounding running/training for the new year. None that I will bore anyone with but do want to state one of them.
Training not impacting family life - The unfortunate reality is my Saturday and/or Sunday long runs will get in the way of family time and this honestly kills me. However, for the remainder of my training, it'll be up to me to make sure it doesn't get in the way. This means many runs before the family is awake and after the family has gone to sleep. It won't be easy but I have no other option.
Now my 2012 race schedule (only including ones I've committed too) as follows:
March 10th - Run Through Time Marathon, Salida, CO - I'm treating this as a training run with no intentions of resting up for the race. Conditions will determine how hard I actually push it.
May 12th - Quad Rock 25, Fort Collins, CO - Likely giving this one a hard effort since it'll only be 25. I had contemplated the 50M but I'd rather not risk a long recovery considering the vert involved.
June 23rd - San Juan Solstice 50, Lake City, CO - HELL YEAH!!! My favorite race in one of the coolest locations this state has to offer. Any excuse to run in the San Juans is a damn good one. While I won't kill myself during this run, I'm giving it very strong effort.
August 18th & 19th - Leadville Trail 100 Run, Leadville, CO - My A race of the year. Every single run and weight lifting workout is being done with this race in mind. No short cuts here. Just a shit load of hard work. Can't F'ing Wait!
19:29!
1 day ago
Agreed on the family time. It's a good juggling act for sure, but it's worth it. It kind of turns you into a running-hermit (I think I only met up with others for a run 4 times last year). All part of the challenge, though. One of my favorite runs of the year with a group in Boulder where we were out until 2am on a Wednesday night. Something I wouldn't have done if I had normal hours to work with. We'll make a point of getting some family-time-friendly night runs going this year.
ReplyDeleteStoked dude! In all honesty, my best bit of advice is that training in Leadville is overrated. You won't be running fast/hard enough (or at least, you shouldn't be) for it to make a huge difference in the race. Instead of running 3-4 hrs in Leadville, run for 5.5-6 here on the front range. You know the course baby, go get some!
ReplyDeleteThis statement: Every single run and weight lifting workout is being done with this race in mind.
ReplyDeleteThat is what it is all about.
Good thoughts from others so far. With the increased training time, something has to give. Thankfully, family isn't one of them. Night-time TV? Yup. Sleep? Yup. Other social stuff? Yeah, that will probably be scaled back.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get up real early for a training run, I take it as a challenge to be present and active with the fam throughout the rest of the day. Sure, everything in me is screaming for a nap, but that's just part of training. As you know there will be a point in time during the LT100 when your body starts screaming again for sleep!
I'm stoked we'll be at several of the same races!
CB - Good call on getting out for some night runs. We should definitely bag a long run some night with a full moon.