Goals for the Year

If you asked me about a month ago what my running goals would be for 2008, you'd hear me say something like "I want to set new PRs for all distances from 5K to 100 miles!" And I was serious. Running was going well and I felt optimistic about the new year. I was mixing up speed intervals, tempo runs, and long trail excursions with great results. I was following a training plan found in the book "Run Less, Run Faster" which emphasizes all quality workouts, but only 3 runs per week (speed, tempo, & long). Add 2 days of cross-training and 2 days off and that's the full plan. And it worked. Unfortunately, one of my speed days saw me on a treadmill without an adequate warm-up and...the next day my left calf was really sore. I was limping. Walking hurt...running was out of the question. It was strained, torn, or pulled...all I knew is it hurt. That was about 2 weeks ago, and things are starting to heal.

So I now enter the new year with a healing calf and refreshed optimism. Refreshed, but not arrogant. My goals are not new PRs, but rather "enjoyable running and no DNFs." Instead of "Run Less, Run Faster," I'm now re-reading Stu Mittleman's book "Slow Burn." It's full of great philosophy, psychology, and training advice. It boils down to eat right and exercise daily--at an easy, fat burning, pace. Reminds me a lot of Phil Maffetone's training advice. And Arthur Lydiard. And Ernst Van Aaken. So my 2008 training and goals have evolved. The first 6 months (Jan-June) I want to simply enjoy running, enter a few races, but not compete. It's time to build a nice aerobic base and socialize. If all goes well, then the second half of the year can be focused on a few new PRs. The first half of the year will still present 2 big challenges: McNaughton Park 100 and the 7-Day Buffalo Trace Trail Run. I have three DNFs at the McNaughton 100 miler. And I've never attempted a multi-day race. Good luck to me.