The Race Year in Review
I was looking over my running log for 2006. I finished off the running year with 3314 kilometers, or 2259 miles. This was around 800K/500M more than I had planned, but my original schedule fell apart, then evolved into a much more ambitious training year.
I began the year with high hopes of setting a new marathon PR in March, but ended up dropping out after 32K/20M due to a cold and too fast of a start. Devastated, I brooded for a couple days, than decided that this was not the end of the world and went back to training and finished a hilly marathon a month later in April. With my re-found confidence I decided to try my first 50K in May, then my first 80K/50-miler in June.
I ended up completing 23 races in 2006, as follows:
1 x 8.2K Road Race
1 x 8.8889 Road Race (new PR 42:57)
8 x 10K Road Race (new PR 46:37)
1 x 10K Trail Race
1 x 11.8K Mountain Run
1 x 15K Road Race
5 x Half-marathon (new PR 1:41:44)
2 x Marathon (hilly) (new PR 4:30:07)
2 x 50K (PR 6:23:11)
1 x 80K/50M (10:19:06)
All in all it was a good running year. My running didn’t improve in leaps and bounds like I hoped, but at 47 I think the leaping and bounding days are behind me, now it more of a matter of gradual improvements and maintaining.
So as I peer over the fence into 2007 I wonder what’s ahead…to be sure I’ll be running and racing. I’m already signed up for a marathon in March, a little unfinished business with the Bienwald Marathon that I DNF’ed in 2006. I am also looking forward to the Fidelitas 80K/50M in June. Anything else will depend on whether my wife finds a new job or not after her contract ends in April. There are other priorities in our life that have a higher priority than my racing, so I’m have to be patient and see how the year goes. In any case I’ll still be out there training…
Comments
You had a great year, Jack! Here is to new one!!
Posted by: olga | December 31, 2006 5:39 PM
Wow, what a year! I like how you run both the long and short races. I should try that.
Congrats too on your PRs. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Sarah | December 31, 2006 10:45 PM
Happy New Year Jack, you've had a very good 2006 for racing, here's to more success in 2007!
Posted by: Kim | December 31, 2006 11:03 PM
Wow, that's a year!! Great job on all the miles and having an injury free year (for the most part!)
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Rae | January 1, 2007 4:59 PM
Here's hoping for a 2007 with as many races as your 2006! 23 races is amazing. Happy New Year Jack!
Posted by: backofpack | January 1, 2007 7:30 PM
I'll look for another great year in 2007 and I am sure that you will have your revenge with that marathon.
Posted by: Rob | January 1, 2007 8:15 PM
happy new year! glad you will still be training, no matter what happens.
Posted by: angie's pink fuzzy | January 2, 2007 2:36 AM
You are an inspiration to me and I just had to let you know. When I think of ultra long distances, you and Angie are the first to come to mind. People like you keep me running mile after mile.
You had an incredible year. I can only imagine what you will accomplish in 07. Best of luck! Happy trails.
Posted by: carmen | January 3, 2007 5:54 AM
thousands of miles - way to go!
happy new year jack!
Posted by: steph | January 4, 2007 3:16 AM