The weather was a bit more seasonal today with a temp of 24 when I ventured out this morning for a leisurely 60-minute run. With just a hint of lingering soreness from Friday's long run, I'm considering doing a hill workout on Tuesday. Tomorrow is cross training. Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday would be 60-minute runs at moderate effort. Thursday would be cross training, and I expect to take Saturday off. We'll see. But, I feel good about my progress so far. Despite feeling lethargic during Friday's long run, I've felt fine otherwise and the tweaks have been few and ephemeral.
The U.S. Olympic marathon trials will be held this coming Saturday in Houston. I'll have more to say on that subject in the upcoming week. For now, you might check out the official website at: http://www.houston2012.com/Default.aspx
The best news on this front is that NBC will have two hours of coverage on tape delay from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday (January 14).
The top three finishers in each race (men's & women's) will represent the U.S.at this summer's Olympic Games in London. The London games will run from July 27 through August 12. Mark your calendar. Also see the official website at: http://www.london2012.com/
The rest of the U.S. runners (plus jumpers and throwers) will compete for spots on the team at the track & field trials from June 22 through July 1 at Eugene, Oregon. You can find details here:
http://tracktown12.gotracktownusa.com/News/Details/competition-schedule-released-for-2012-u-s-olympic-trials-track-and-field/
There are rumors that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) is considering adding an ultra marathon in the future. If approved, the distance would most likely be 100 kilometers which seems to be the international standard. I can't imagine why they couldn't find a place for ultra running in the Olympics. After all, there's room for shooting, canoe, ping pong, badminton, synchronized swimming, and a 50km race walk. I have nothing against these activities. I'm just saying that ultra running is at least as worthy.
Showing posts with label ultra marathons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ultra marathons. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR
HAPPY NEW YEAR to anyone who happens to find this blog. I'm calling it "RunningThru: Twenty 12" because: 1) I considered and rejected such clever titles as "OntheRun," "TakingFlight," "RunningAround," and many more and 2) the blog will cover my running adventures (and misadventures) throughout (hopefully) the coming year. I'm not sure if/why anyone else will/should be interested, but we'll see.
Last year was a decent running year for me. I completed two marathons and one ultra (the Madison, WI North Face Endurance Challenge 50K). I ran three other road races: 1) the Army 10-Miler, 2) Moonlight Chase 4-Mile (third in age group), and 3) Run With Carl 5K (third in age group).
I have an ambitious schedule for this year. I'm registered for the May 6 Colorado Marathon (http://www.thecoloradomarathon.com/) and plan to run the North Face Endurance Challenge in September. I haven't yet decided what distance: 50-Miler, 50K, or marathon, but I'm leaning toward 50 miles. The 50K (31 miles) is the farthest I've run. (My wife--also a runner but not as intense says that I'm crazy.) I'm also considering the Pikes Peak Ascent in August although my wife (again!) and son are trying to discourage me. She insists I'm crazy. He's more diplomatic and suggests that I might want to wait until I'm living and training in Colorado before trying to run up 8000 feet in elevation over 13 miles. Something about the air. We'll see.
So, I'm beginning the eighth week of a 26-week train-up for the Colorado Marathon. Today I ran 5 miles at race pace. Nothing exciting. I'm old. Race pace is slow--marathon race pace is 10:30; 5k race pace is 8:00. Actually, I ran about 15 seconds faster than race pace today. Despite using my Christmas gift from my son (Garmin Forerunner 405CX) for the first time, I still ran a bit too fast. This is Iowa--a.k.a. Hog Heaven--and today's weather was less than ideal: partly cloudy and 33 degrees with winds gusting up to 40 mph. The winds made it hard--actually impossible--to run a consistent pace! I'll be running 30 miles this week with a long run of 15 this coming weekend.
My New Year's running goals (not resolutions) are 1) a sub-4:20 marathon, 2) complete a 50-Miler within the allotted time, and 3) a 5k at 7:45 pace. What would life be without goals?
So, join me online and on the road . . . and trails this year.
Last year was a decent running year for me. I completed two marathons and one ultra (the Madison, WI North Face Endurance Challenge 50K). I ran three other road races: 1) the Army 10-Miler, 2) Moonlight Chase 4-Mile (third in age group), and 3) Run With Carl 5K (third in age group).
I have an ambitious schedule for this year. I'm registered for the May 6 Colorado Marathon (http://www.thecoloradomarathon.com/) and plan to run the North Face Endurance Challenge in September. I haven't yet decided what distance: 50-Miler, 50K, or marathon, but I'm leaning toward 50 miles. The 50K (31 miles) is the farthest I've run. (My wife--also a runner but not as intense says that I'm crazy.) I'm also considering the Pikes Peak Ascent in August although my wife (again!) and son are trying to discourage me. She insists I'm crazy. He's more diplomatic and suggests that I might want to wait until I'm living and training in Colorado before trying to run up 8000 feet in elevation over 13 miles. Something about the air. We'll see.
So, I'm beginning the eighth week of a 26-week train-up for the Colorado Marathon. Today I ran 5 miles at race pace. Nothing exciting. I'm old. Race pace is slow--marathon race pace is 10:30; 5k race pace is 8:00. Actually, I ran about 15 seconds faster than race pace today. Despite using my Christmas gift from my son (Garmin Forerunner 405CX) for the first time, I still ran a bit too fast. This is Iowa--a.k.a. Hog Heaven--and today's weather was less than ideal: partly cloudy and 33 degrees with winds gusting up to 40 mph. The winds made it hard--actually impossible--to run a consistent pace! I'll be running 30 miles this week with a long run of 15 this coming weekend.
My New Year's running goals (not resolutions) are 1) a sub-4:20 marathon, 2) complete a 50-Miler within the allotted time, and 3) a 5k at 7:45 pace. What would life be without goals?
So, join me online and on the road . . . and trails this year.
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