Running Goal Check-In (9/12 months)

It's the end of September so not a bad time to check-in on my running goals for the year. Nine months done. Only three months to go. Am I on track? I should be 75% done with them. Here is the blog post with those original targets "Running Goals for 2026." 

• 25 all-time completed Parkruns. ✅Done already! Have finished 29 so far. Hope to complete a few more this year. 
• Run one ultramarathon. ❌Nope. I have DNS and DNF. None completed. Have one this weekend, but doubt I'll finish the full 28 miles. Still have the Winter Solstice ultra. Maybe?
• Run 1,200 miles. ❌To be on track, I should have 840 miles as of now. Only have 649 miles. Yikes. Not great. I'll have to really ramp things up in the next 3 months. Probably not going to happen. 
• Break 22:00 for a 5K. ✅Yes, I ran 21:53 at the Kirby Derby 5k race! Would still like to break 22:00 at a Parkrun 5K. With cooler weather, it might be possible!
• Join local running club and run one of their races. ✅Yep, joined Second Wind and Kennekuk and did the Howl at the moon ultra. Signed up for Allerton trail race too. Two clubs and 2 club races. Overachiever! 
• Go to the gym 50 times. ✅I have 40 visits to the gym right now and this is the 40th week of the year. On track! Think I can easily exceed 50 trips to the gym. 

I have completed 3 of my 6 goals already, and on track for a fourth goal. The other two look unlikely. If I can crush 4/6 goals, I'd be happy for this year. Can I get 5? Or all 6? 

My Ultramarathon Plans for 2026: Progress So Far

I had high hopes for my ultra running this year. I hadn't run an ultramarathon in 2 years so it seemed like a good time to commit to SOME ultra this year! I had a few opportunities:

• January: Riddle Run 28 miler = DNF at 14 miles
• July: Backyard Ultra ("Last Man Standing") = DNS
• August: Howl at the Moon 8-hour = DNF at 20 miles (4.5 hours)
• September: Limestone Rocks 8-hour = ??? (probably skip)
• October: Allerton Trail Ultra (29 miler) = hopeful to finish
• November: no ultra, but registered for a half-marathon = can do 13.1 miles!
• December: Clinton Lake Winter Solstice 30 miler = will do if weather cooperates

Not a good record so far. Two DNFs (did not finish) and one DNS (did not start). I am not going to be ready for Limestone Rocks 8-hour so that is likely a pass (not registered yet, so not a DNS or DNF). October will bring cooler weather and more time to train--think Allerton Ultra is possible. And the Clinton Lake Winter Solstice ultra in December sounds great if the weather is not nasty snow and ice. 

I have currently completed 113 lifetime ultra/marathons. I'd like to tick that up to 114 or 115 by the end of the year. If not in 2026, then 2027 will be my year of the ultra! Hope springs eternal. 

2026 Howl at the Moon: My 19th and Last

The red barn at Howl

Yesterday I "ran" the Howl at the Moon 8-Hour ultra in Danville, IL. It was my 19th time. And it ended poorly after just 6 loops (19.5 miles). I was not injured. Was not ill. Just tired, bored, and unmotivated. Also untrained. My longest run of the year had been 14 miles...in January! With the heat and humidity, my lack of miles really showed. I was unhappy and realized this was not for me. I walked the entire 6th loop. In addition to being unprepared, I really missed the vibe that came with previous Howl races. I used to know most of the volunteers and scorers. And I knew 20-30 runners. We'd pass each other and offer encouragement. It was fun. It was motivating. No more. I knew maybe 6 runners this year and no volunteers. This race is not the same as it was. I've changed too. If I'm not motivated, or at least enjoying the run, I will stop. I call that wisdom. I don't have anything to prove.

This was my 19th Howl at the Moon. And probably my last. I have 707 miles over the years at Howl, averaging over 37 miles each year. Twice I hit 47 miles! Yesterday was 19.5 miles. I have fallen. And I don't think I'll get up for another Howl. 

I'm currently stuck at 113 ultra/marathons. Haven't completed an ultra in 2 years and I would like to add to that total. Think I'll try for Allerton free ultra in October...and Winter Solstice 30 miler in December. Free ultra runs with lots of friends. Sounds good!