2011 Runner's Choice 20K

I ran to the race again this year from home so had a 5.4 mile warm-up in 50 min.   I wasn't feeling that energetic so I was trying to figure out my goal for the run.  Sometimes I am not feeling it and run well but I had my doubts since my legs felt so heavy.  We still had some snow and ice to deal with on the shoulder of the race course and the sidewalks were not clear so had to run mostly on the road.  We had 26 in the 20K and 16 in the 10K. For the 20K we run the course twice. I lined up near the front and was hoping the speedy runners would help me get off to a fast start.   I caught up to Hugh after about 1.5 miles.  One guy running the 10K passed me before the turnaround point.   I finished the first 10K in 46:25 which is very slow for me.  I wasn't breathing hard but legs just felt depleted and no energy. 

I headed out for the second 10K and Kurt K. wasn't far behind.  He passed me before the turn around point.  Dan H. was not far behind me.  I ran the second 10K in 47:31.  I couldn't believe that I actually slowed down.  Total time was 1:33:56, a personal worst by 6 minutes, and finished 6th of 26.  After finishing, I was really hungry.  I ate 3 donuts, a banana, and a hot chocolate.  I had originally planned to run back home but decided to quit for the day. Then went to breakfast and had a bagel eggwich and chocolate milk.  I am not sure if I am over trained or if I just didn't get enough food.  I don't usually expect to run race pace for this event, but pace was way slower than I should be running.  I really can't blame my sciatica either since I just felt a little tight and not too sore while running.

2010 Running and Racing Year in Review

I finished my last race of the year yesterday, the First Night 5K.  Ran with Dan E. most of the way until he gained on me near the last half mile.  Finished in 18:53, 13th overall, and 2nd in age group.   I managed to run pretty pain free since I took 2 Ibuprofen earlier in the day.

Goals accomplished for 2010 - enjoyed running, completed my first 100 miler, ran fewer road marathons and more trail racing.  My other goal was more cross training.  I did cross train, but failed since I didn't do enough.

I only ran 2 marathons this year.  I PR'ed in 7 events but 3 were new to me.  My first 100 miler turned out great and I felt like I did really well.  My second 100 miler was the toughest race of my life so far but I managed to finish and it left me with a medial tendon injury for a few weeks.  I'm still learning how to deal with the sciatica from the bulging disc and am considering surgery as an option at some point.  Hopefully, I can gut it out for a little while longer while I try some other things.  For the second year in a row, I did not feel burned out from running although I was forced to take a 2 week break in November.  I did feel burned out and anxious the few weeks before my first 100 miler in June.

Total Miles:
2010 - 2839
2009 - 2675
2008 – 3014
2007 – 2572
2006 – 1937
2005 – 2090
2004 - ~1000

Marathons (23 total):
2010 - (2) Go! St Louis Marathon (BQ), Heart of America Marathon (BQ)
2009 - (5) Disney Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr), 3 Days of Syllamo (Trail), Boston Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr), Heart of America Marathon (BQ and Course PR), Louis & Clark Marathon (BQ and Sub-3 hr)
2008 - (4) Boston Marathon (BQ and PR), Laughing Out Loud Marathon, Heart of America Marathon (BQ), Twin Cities Marathon (BQ)
2007 - (5) Laughing Out Load, Berryman (First Trail Marathon - placed
4th), Heart of America (BQ), Baltimore Marathon (BQ), Bass Pro
Marathon
2006 - (3) Flying Pig (BQ), Heart of America (BQ, Chicago (BQ)
2005 - (3) Mad City, Heart of America (BQ), Portland (BQ)
2004 - (1) Heart of America

Ultramarathons (15 total):
2010 - (6) Psycho Wyco 50K, Free State Trail 100K (PR), Kettle Moraine 100 mi (PR), Flatrock 50K, Rock Bridge Revenge 50K, Ozark Trail 100 mi
2009 - (4) 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Psycho Wyco 50K, Berryman 50 mi, Q50 Ultramarathon 50K (PR)
2008 – (4)3 Days of Syllamo 50K, 3 Days of Syllamo 50 mi, Berryman 50 mi, Rock Creek Trail 50K
2007 - (1) Hocking Hills Indian Run 60K

Number of each type of races for 2010:

100 mi - 2
100K - 1
50K - 3
3/4 Marathon - 1
Marathon – 2
Half Marathon - 1
20K - 1
10 mi - 1
10K - 2
4 mi - 1
5K - 9
1 mi - 1


Total running miles run in 25 races: 509 miles (last year 30 races – 389 mi)

States I ran marathons and ultras in 2010 (3): KS, MO, WI
All states I have run marathons and ultras (12): AR, FL, IL, LA, KS, MA,MD, MN, MO, OH, OR, WI


2010 PRs in 1 mi, 4 mi, 10 mi, half marathon, 3/4 marathon, 100K, 100 mi
2009 PRs in 5K, 25K, half marathon, and 50K
2008 PRs in 5K, 5 mi, 10K, 10 mi, marathon, 50K, 50 mi
2007 PRs in 5K, 4 mi, 8K, 5 mi, 10K, 10 mi
2006 PRs in 20K, half Marathon, and marathon

Goals for 2011:
1.  Get by bulging disc healed or fixed so I am pain free or at least close to pain free.
2.  More cross training (biking & swimming?).

3. Take 2 - 3 short breaks from running during the year with at least 4 - 7 consecutive days of no running.


Marathons and ultras planned for 2011 - This all depends on whether I can get the disc healed.
January - No plans
February - Pyscho Wyco 50K
March - 3 Days of Syllamo (50K, 50 mi, also 20K)
April - No plans
May - Berryman Trail Marathon
June - pace Jeff last 50 of 100 mile?
July - No plans
August - Burning River 100 mi
September - Heart of America Marathon
October – No plans
November - No plans
December - No plans