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.