Normally, Tuesday nights would mean track work at Gilman, but not today after opting for one more week of mental and perhaps some physical recovery. My Saturday race/Sunday long run left my legs rather trashed Monday. Though we did a decently paced 6 miler that felt good aerobically, my legs and particularly my right hip were none too pleased with me. Since I've had nothing but left leg problems for a while, it was nice to have the other leg hurt for a change. After 27 total miles of bike riding today though, I feel much, much better.
So instead of running fast in a workout, I'll dream of running fast in races to come! As I have eluded to earlier, I am rewriting my entire approach to running. This includes training, racing, and volunteering. Everything is being turned upside down in an attempt to maximize my chances of getting faster. I can see that it will be exponentially harder to get to the next level, but if I did it once in 2010, I can do it again this time around. I just won't be expecting anymore 10 minute half marathon PRs (if only it were that easy)!
So, from the racing perspective, I will be committing to significantly fewer races. Not only that, but all races have been carefully selected and planned such that:
a) they fit into my training schedule and I can actually ease off the week of the race (except for one 5k)
b) as much as possible, they are spread out, and there are never more than 2 in a month (I can go back-to-back if one race is a 5k)
c) where possible, I will only run in races that have a high probability of strong competition
To that end, there are a lot of races I have done historically that I will not make an appearance at. I won't run nearly as many BRRC races this year as the competition just isn't there (including their GPS series). Though I may be available to cheer for Back on My Feet runners at their occasional race, more often than not, I will not be doing races that they go to.
Ultimately, I'm throwing my name into races to race. Obviously, not every race will be an "A" level goal race, but I intend for each one to be a real effort. By limiting it, hopefully I won't burn out mentally and physically as I seem to have done at the end of the fall season this year. I can also focus more on training too.
With that, here is the list. I have yet to sign up for any duathlons, as I'm waiting to see if the powers that be will grant me a professional license. If they don't, I'll take a good shot at qualifying at my first duathlon of the year.
January:
1/1/2012- Resolution Run 5K, Patterson Park, Baltimore
1/7/2012- BRRC Frozen Fingers 5 Miler, Lake Montebello, Baltimore
February-
2/5/2012- Chilly Willy Duathlon, 5K run 10 mile bike 5K run, St. Petersburg, FL
~2/25/2012- 10 Mile Club Challenge, Howard County, MD (get some!!!)
March-
3/11/2012 - Shamrock 5K, Baltimore, MD
3/17/2012- National Half Marathon Washington DC
April-
4/16/2012-Boston Marathon
4/28/2012- USAT Duathlon Age Group National Championships, 5k run, 35k bike, 5k run Tuscon, AZ
May-
5/12/2012- Cascade Lake Duathlon, 1.86 mile run, 15 mile bike, 3.1 mile run Hampstead, MD
June-
6/3/2012- Blackwater Duathlon, 10K run, 70K bike, 10K run, Cambridge, MD
6/16/2012-Baltimore 10 Miler (possibly as a pacer, undecided)
2012 is right around the corner!
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