So, racing this year has been scarce and I'm really missing it. The only races I did were the Half I-Challenge, Ragnar Relay Chicago, and The North Face Challenge 50 Mile Trail Run. Hmm, just after typing those three races I realized that's still about 88 miles of racing, not bad! Anyhow, I miss the intense training, the process and atmosphere of racing, doing races with big groups of friends, and, of course, the feeling of hitting PR's. Before this year started I knew I wasn't going to do much training or racing because of school. But, after going through my nursing program and with only a few more weeks to go, I look back and feel I could have done better things with at least running (as opposed to training for triathlon). I sure won't make that mistake again next year!
Even though I'll be continuing my schooling later on in 2014, I decided to refocus my running and make some pretty big goals. Sure, I could keep it to myself but I need to be held accountable and I think I should leave it out in the open. So....next year I'm going to attempt to qualify for Boston! I think it's about time I give it a try. I remember years ago looking at the qualifying times and thinking I'd never make it, but after having an amazing 2012 while training for Ironman, I think I might just have a shot at it. It should make for an exciting year since I'll have to throw in a handful of races just to see where I'm at every now and then. In the process I'd also like to beat my 17-year-old self at the 5k. And why not? I've beaten him at every other distance!
I've already got the two marathons planned out that I'll make my attempts at. The first one will be I-Challenge in Champaign, IL at the end of April. I'm not sure if I'll qualify it there, but if not it's a good race to see where I stand. Plus it's at the perfect time to take a little break afterward in preparation to go into an even crazier training program. The second one will be in the middle of October in Grand Rapids, MI which I'm actually already signed up for since I deferred this year's race until 2014. I'm going to publicly call out my good friend, Katie, to do these races with me (haha, sorry Katie). She'll be going for a Boston spot, too.
I'm glad to know I'll have some activity next year to keep up this blog. I really enjoyed writing about races we've done and will look forward to writing a whole lot more. Now, although this blog is titled "My Journey to Ironman," I don't think, at the moment, I'll have any triathlon posts since I have no plans for them next year. But who knows? I may just throw one in for fun!
Alright, so when do I start? Well, I'm coming off an injury right now and I'm just slowly building up running a few miles a week to strengthen it up. I've taken a lot of rest so hopefully it's gone so I can start up some specific training by the end of December. But, increasing running fitness isn't the only thing I'll be needing to get to Boston...I've gained a crapload of weight over the past year! So...starting tomorrow (11/2/2013) I've got to start watching what I eat. This is just me trying to hold myself accountable but if anyone wants to call me out and keep me in check, then by all means do it!
I'm looking forward to a great year and hopefully I'll be running with some of you. For those of you that train for races, keep up that fitness in the winter! You'll find that it'll be a nice boost for you next year when you start increasing those miles again. Until the next race everyone!
