It's been a very long time since I've been this excited about my race plans. I have a lot of races lined up. Partly because racing brings me a great deal of joy. I feed off the crowds of big runs and tris; I LOVE the uniqueness of small local run races. The snacks and people at trail races. Seriously the snacks at trail races FAR exceed road races. I love racing with friends and teammates. Racing also really helps me increase speed. As much I like to think I push myself when training alone, I know I go harder when in a race. Whether it be running or a triathlon.
In the last few years I've gotten slow. Some of that is that I am older. And sorta adjusting to this new body. Ya youngsters out there, just wait. Soon you won't bounce back as fast and need more recovery. I'm learning and doing more lifting and recovery things. I mediate more. I now have a pair of RE-Athlete leg compression sleeves. I do more yoga. I listen to my body more. And I try to get better sleep. That last one doesn't always happen, but I've made progress.
Some of my WWMS teammates didn't know me when I was fast. And I was fast in my late twenties and thirties. Even a little into my early forties. There have been comments and that hurts my ego a bit. But I am still here racing. I will be 47 soon and I am still doing long distance triathlon. And I am running longer than I ever have. And that is the important thing. Today I made a decision look forward. If I get back to running consistent sub 9 min/ miles then great. But if I don't that's OK. I am going to do the best that this body will allow me to do. Today I ran a 5k in 29:49. The fast I've ran in at least a year. And I felt like I could have gone faster.
My big races are in September and October this year. I am being very smart right now. The year is very young. The focus is strength with kettlebells/suspension trainers/pull-ups, increasing volume in swim, bike, and run; and working on speed just a little. The big work will start in June. I have a new coach this year that I am very excited about. I won't start working with her until June. More about that later. I am feeling stronger than I have in a very long time. Years in fact. I am excited about what is to come this year.
This years race schedule
- 5k race series Jan-early March
- Hale and Back 6 hour trail race -goal is 9-12 miles
- 7 Sisters Trail Race 12 miles
- White Mountain 70.3-- B+ Race
- TARC Summer Classic (this is a probably, done as a training run)
- Ironman Maryland-- A RACE
- Ghost Train Ultra Trail -- goal is 60 miles
