The 2009 Ultra marathon season starts for me on Friday night in quaint little PIttsfield, VT. I wish I could offer some variety from last years schedule but, well.. its identical to last years schedule. Now that I've got my anemia under control and some other issues, I want to see how much better I can do at the races I enter. So below is a preview of the year and what my current goals are for each race.
March: Pittsfield Snowshoe Races
Distance: 50 miles
Goal: FINISH
Thoughts: I've never gone 50 miles on a pair of snowshoes and anyone who has done the Pittsfield Snowshoe Marathon know that it is equivalent to any 50 miler. I'm totaling expecting a snowshoe 50 miler to have the equivalent to any 75-100 miler. I'm not sure I'm ready for such a task but with my April race fast approaching, this is going to be the perfect test of my current level of fitness and great mental training.
April: McNaughton Park Trail Runs
Distance: 150 Miles
Goal: FINISH
Thoughts: I showed up last year... and I didn't show up last year. I was there physically and not mentally and I planned my travel arrangements a little too close to race finish times. With my eyes set on a quicker than logical finishing time, I was left running 100 miles in mud and walking away from a race not knowing if I could have done it. This years goal is to return to McNaughton Park and even though my training is a bit behind the curve... to struggle through 150 miles of dirt and get to the finish line of this race.
May: Massanutten Mountain Trails 100
Distance: 102.6 Miles
Goal: Sub 26 Hours
Thoughts: I have a bone to pick with this one. Last year diarrhea and chaff got the best of me as i walked in the last 50 miles begging for forgiveness. I'm looking forward to my return to Virginia to hopefully run on a dry/warm course giving it my all in getting to the sub 26 hour mark.
June: Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge
Distance: 50 Miles
Goal: Sub 10 Hours
Thoughts: This is quickly becoming my home course. After breaking 12 hours last year, my goal is to break 10 this year. Now to figure out how to deal with the stinging nettle, oppressive heat and lung squashing humidity.
July: Vermont 100
Distance: 100 Miles
Goal: Sub 22 Hours
Thoughts: One of my favorite races. 2 previous runs, 2 buckles.. now I'm going for a third. Hoping to dip below the 22 hour mark. Training has all ready started.
August: Journey Running
Stay Tuned
September (1): Pisgah
Distance: 50K
Goal: Sub 6 Hours
Thoughts: Mudfest last year, praying for warm temps and using my better knowledge of the course to bring my time down.
September (2): Vermont 50
Distance: 50 Miles
Goal: Sub 9 Hours
Thoughts: I need to proove that sub 9 wasn't a fluke!
October: Run Across New Hampshire
Distance: TBD
Goal: Finish
Thoughts: I still need to determine if I'm going West to East again or North to South this time. Stay Tuned.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
3 comments:
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Looks good, SJ. I am planning to do the Vermont 100 as my first 100 miler. I've done one 50 miler (9:04) and several 50K (5:46 PR but hope to lower that significantly this weekend). I will do at least one more 50 miler before Vermont and likely two.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to meeting you in Vermont and getting tips from you about that race beforehand.
See ya on the trails.
Jay aka "Fletch"
Can I camp at the race site for the Vermont 100? I noticed the race website listed campgrounds close by but wasn't sure if I could camp at the site itself.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance.
Jay aka Fletch
Jay,
ReplyDeleteWhen you sign up for the race there was an option to select a camping spot at the race start/finish. This is where we all camp.