Next Up?
Wednesday morning Eric took a mid morning break, showing up at my office with a soy chai and time to visit. We sat there sipping our drinks and discussing the next year of running...then last night I read Sarah's post about planning the next year - I guess it's a common thought right now! I only have one race on the schedule at the moment - The Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. I've been looking around, thinking about what is next. Eric and I are in the negotiation phase - he's looking at what he wants to do, I'm looking at what I want to do, and then we'll negotiate something that works for both of us. We'll try to find the best fit for our schedules, training and finances. That means trying to work it out together about which races we'll do that require travel and lodging. Right now this is what I'm thinking:
10/07 either Bellingham or Portland
10/22 Nike Woman's
11/03 Autumn Leaves 50K (I know I said no more 50ks. Can we discuss this later?)
12/31 Last Chance in Bellingham
01/?? 17 miles on Capital Peak
02/?? 25k on Orcas
04/05 Yakima River Canyon Marathon
04/27 Big Sur Marathon
04 ?? Mt Si 50K (I know! I KNOW!)
05/10 Tacoma City
06/08 North Discovery
10/?? Marine Corp Marathon
This is my list, pre-negotiation. There's a pretty good chance that it won't look anything like this when were through. I'm not sure if there will be a Last Chance in December, and I thought Yakima would be in March. Now I need to find something for March and not overload April. I said I was going to stick to one a month, but this is really hard! So many races I want to do...
I also said I wasn't going to do another 50K. I like the idea of Autumn Leaves because it's loops and if I run into trouble I can stop. I feel a strong urge to do Mt. Si again, heaven knows why. So, apparently, you should ignore me when I make proclamations on this blog, because, apparently, I'm apt to change my mind!
Training is progressing nicely. I ran five last Sunday after we got home, then ran the six mile hill run with Emily, Jenny and Rick on Tuesday. Wednesday brought a rambling, rolling eight mile run with Emily and Rick. Thursday gave me four in the morning with Barb, and three at the park next to the track with Wendy that night. Tomorrow Emily, Rick, me and maybe a few others are going for ten, which will bring me to 37 miles for the week.
Sounds good doesn't it? It is good and I am happy. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I live with a crazy man, and that putting 37 or more miles in as a single training run is unusual. I have to remind myself not to compare mileage with him, much less speed. Eric reminds me "there's always going to be somebody faster than you, and there's always going to be somebody slower than you. Don't do that comparison thing." You can also take out the words "faster/slower" and substitute "running longer/shorter". The point is, to be happy with my own set of triumphs. The good news is that I'm getting better at this - the not comparing, that is. My recent little blurp of speed increases, my increasing mileage, my come-back from minor injury all has me feeling happy and satisfied. It's a nice place to be.
22 comments:
I didn't realize you had been injured working as a miner. Oh, sorry... minor injury, I get it now.
Can we compare the two? Well they both involve pain, they both involve healing, but then so does childbirth so what does this have to do with anything? Perhaps it's our ability push these painful episodes out of our memory with the pleasurable feelings we get from the friendships, relationships, and accomplishments we achieve through running, living, and our "algoreian" efforts to make our carbon footprint smaller. OK now this all comes together, it all makes sense. I am at peace, I am real, how about you? ;-)
I propose Belingham in October - closer, cheaper, less gas and no hotel and so on. I know, Rob is going for Portland, and so are a bunch of your Y-gang. Just a thought.
I love planning. Lately, like this year, I am changing a lot, though before it used to be rock solid. Like I thought I knew my plans 5 years ahead - those races on my side bar at the end. Now it's all adapting, but the wish is there, I'll get to them:)
I think you've got another 50k or two in you.
what a lovely visit for your wednesday morning!
Wow - it's amazing what a year brings about. At this time last year, you were training for your first marathon! Now you're laying plans for a year full of them! It's been quite the adventure for you and the whole Barnes family.
You sound very at peace with your training and running schedule, and you're doing such a great job with your mileage!
Have a wonderful long run tomorrow, and remember to stay far away from Ft. Lewis in the afternoon! ;-)
You do sound happy! That's awesome! :)
I'm thinking I'll probably do the Autumn Leaves 10K, so maybe I'll see you there. :)
Bellingham is just as far as Portland and I know you would save money on hotel fare since you can stay with your parents, but it won't be as much fun. If you must, we'll understand.
You're doing great building your mileage back up and you really need to ignore some of us who may give you a hard time on occasion. That person thinks you're doing great and you are a true dedicated runner.
Big Sur is a must next year.
Hey, a 50K is just a wrong turn (or two) longer than a marathon, right?? :)
If you're starting a tally for Oct 7th, and even if you're not, then I vote for Portland.
It's great to see your training going so well.
Wow!!! This Friday was certainly a day of reflection, about what it is we do, why we do it, and how we perceive our results against those others that always are around us. Great post Michelle, and again you and Eric so easily show how two people with such active lives can create a combination of those lives that works to the mutual benefit of both....thanks for sharing....
The Autumn Leaves 50K isn't really a 50K. It's a five-miler. It just so happens you can run as many 5-milers as you wish on that day. Convenient.
Now that Olga has created the 50M monster, I have to start negotiating too. : )
I think the 50K at Autumn Leaves is a great idea. The temps will be favorable, there's lots of aid, and you could easily cut it short if you had to (but you won't!). I think I'm locked in for Portland...just have to go register. Nice job on the mileage. I have to get it back up there now too.
You sound happy. I can tell you're excited planning next season.
Are you sure about those 50ks?
Don't you love the planning and anticipating??? I got excited just reading your plans!!
Here in the Frigid Midwest, my "year" is the calendar year, so will do my '08 planning later in the fall. I envy you being able to run so much of the winter!!
Happy negotiations...oh, and thank Eric for teaching me a new word "algorian" !! Took me a sec to get it...I'll use it!!
Sounds like there must have been a lot of pep in that soy chai...that's an impressive race schedule if you get your way. And, yes, I had to raise my brows at Mt. Si...I do remember your description of the conditions.
I like the planning almost as much as the actual doing. I'm not talking of running, of course, just "darkside" vacations.
You are awesome. See you Thursday.
Lorri
Planning is so much fun, and Eric is absolutely right! Can he call me before my next race to remind me of those exact words ;-)
I love race planning, have fun with it. Cool that you and your hubby have the same hobby (obsession?)
Wow, I'm impressed!! I am just hoping to finish out this year healthy... can't yet wrap my mind around the idea of another marathon yet.
I'd say you should definately do another 50K if you're itching to do so. :)
I really need to plan the next season as well...
I personally like these kinds of negotiations! I'm thinking about doing Autumn Leaves too, thanks for the suggestion.
Oh, you're on the roll again.
Oh my, let the planning begin! I cannot believe you are formulating as far off as October. I'm so impressed!
Meghan
www.running-blogs.com/meghan
I'm toying with the idea of doing Big Sur next year. I used to say, "No. Never!" but Donald's post about it last year made it sound so appealing. And I'll be living less than two hours away, so it's nice and close. If you do it, and I don't, I'll come support you. We'll talk about it at Nike. :-)
Post a Comment