Back To The Drawing Board

As I sit here in my computer chair, I'm also a little remiss about the year that was 2010. We survived a very busy year and made it through the summer. It's November now. There's no more races on the horizon, just chilly runs in the woods with friends as we run our typical One A Month 50K training runs. For the first time in my running career, I have nothing on the horizon that I am gunning for. Or maybe I should clarify by saying that I have nothing really pressing on the horizon. I have some dreams, some desires, but I think I have a long way to go to see them through to fruition. I'll throw my name into the Western States lottery next week, mostly just because if I ever want to try the Grand Slam again I need to start accumulating extra tickets in the lottery to have a shot at getting in again. I fear it's a long road back to trying the slam again but at least the next time I'll have experience on my side.

I guess I really can't say that I'm all that disappointed with how the year went. From Barkley to Western States, From a PR in Pittsfield to helping a runner at the VT50. From The Vermont 100 to struggling at Leadville. All the way down to an adventurous yet short Run Across NH. What I've lacked in finish lines I've gained in victories. While I certainly travelled a lot and saw a great many parts of our country, I also learned that I need to take a step back and re-evaluate how this ride is going. This is the time of year when I usually stop and rest. After all, I won't lie that I'm pretty tired. I'll rest a little for sure, but I also recognize that I have a LOT of work to do in moving forward. I think I've reached a time in my running career where I've taken my base-line level of fitness of granted and thought I go do more on just that then training as hard as I should have. I see this as an insult to my fellow runners so to them, I apologize.

Goals for Year 2011
1.) Train More
My miles for 2010 are the lowest they've been since my first full year of running. If I expect to continue running long distance races, uninjured and enjoyably, I need to get back into a regular running regime which has me running a minimum of 5 days a week to maintain weekly mileage goals.

2.) Figure Out Nutrition
This appeals to both during the race and during my every day life. My eating habits drastically changed once I moved out of my mom's house in 2005 but mostly with the types of food I was eating. My main problem is that I am a very picky eater and fear that I might actually have food allergies to the types of foods I eat on a regular basis. This in turn has prevented me from losing the weight I hoped to lose this year. Also, I'm finding that during races I've been having a hard time with food digestion and in turn, acid reflux. More often then not I feel the need to vomit while out on the course and finally did in September. I need to go back to the drawing board and experiment with foods to better determine what foods work best for me while on the run and foods that I can keep down and digest.

3.) Return to the Gym/Trainer
I've really trailed away from going to the gym on a regular basis and I've felt the neglect here the most. I need to get back to strengthening my core muscles and some of my upper body to handle the stresses of running ultras. Whether this is by going to a regular gym, cross fit or rehiring a personal trainer.. time will tell.

Race Goals
1.) Leadville - Seeking Redemption
2.) Hardrock - Time to start trying to get in
3.) Pittsfield Snowshoe 100 - Try to see how far I can go in the snow
4.) Find new 50s wherever I settle down

Life Goals
1.) UNH - I May I'll be graduating from UNH with a Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Education
2.) Move - I hope to leave New England an relocate some place with a change of pace, better atmosphere and greater career opportunities.
3.) Depression - I'd love to be in a place where I can get off of the medications

I have a lot ahead of me in 2011. A lot of life changes to come, attempting to settle down. While I'll continue to run and race I'm definitely going to have to be more choosy about when and where I race. I think this is a good thing because in the years where I've been most successful were the years where I didn't try to conquer the world. They were the years where my focus was on more training then racing.. and running for health and adventure as opposed to slaying a dragon. Hopefully going back to the drawing board will once again help me t realize my true Human Potential.