"There's only one hard and fast rule in running: sometimes you have to run one hard and fast."








Wednesday, November 25, 2009

First thoughts on next year's races

Here's what I'm thinking of doing next year:

Chippewa Moraine 50K
Med City Marathon
Afton 50K
Paavo Nurmi Marathon
Moose Mountain Marathon
Wild Duluth 50K

I'd probably add Voyageur 50 as a non-raced race and maybe switch Moose Mtn. to Superior 50 or Sawtooth 100, if the year goes well. I'm also thinking of adding the snowshoe race that goes up Timm's Hill in Wisconsin, as it gives me a reason for doing another state high point.

That's about 600 miles fewer of races planned than last year! No racing 5 ultras in 6 weeks! Six races, evenly spaced, all about the same length. Have I finally become sane?

I'm hoping to get in shape and really nail one of those races, but I'm not saying which one. The insanity is the time goal I've set.

13 comments:

Bill S said...

Let's hear it!

Colin Gardner-Springer said...

Any interest in doing the Green Bay marathon rather than Med City? I'm thinking of running Green Bay (and then Grandma's) in an attempt at sub-3. It's probably not going to happen, but I want to give it one more shot (I ran a 38:37 10K this fall on 6 weeks of training which gives me some slim hope).

Your racing plans look good (and remarkably sane!); I'm sure you'll have some great results ...

Karen G said...

Way too sane sounding...I don't believe it!!

SteveQ said...

Colin, I just saw that Med City is two weeks later than I thought; Green bay might be a better fit!

SteveQ said...

Lake Geneva Marathon looks like an even better fit than Green Bay.

Colin Gardner-Springer said...

Steve -- yeah, timewise Lake Geneva would be great. But their description includes terms like "challenging", "unbelievable hills", and "demanding", which tells me it isn't a place to chase a PR (although it does sound like fun). What about the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon?

KurtN said...

I didn't like med-city at all in 2008. I'd run any other marathon again before med-city. Unless you've been there and enjoyed it before, I'd take up Colin on Green Bay.

nwgdc said...

STEVE! I was planning on Lake Geneva or Journeys (loved that event last year), or maybe Green Bay, but probably not. If you go to Lake Geneva or Journeys, I'll be there! Keep me posted!

wildknits said...

Reasonable race schedule.... Steve Quick... same breath?? ;->

This should be a fun year!

SteveQ said...

Wynn's moved Chippewa to April 24, so Madison Marathon on Sunday May 30 or Minneapolis Marathon on June 5 are looking better, but Mpls is expensive and I'd probably push way too hard.

Scheduling this early is hard!

Beth said...

Only in your community of crazy trail runners does that schedule look sane. Maybe that it is saner than last year is enough. Glad you are feeling better and making plans. It's too short to make your list, but are you going to do the Ron Daws 25K? I enjoyed it and will try to do it again.

phillip gary said...

Timm's Hill Trudge Snowshoe Race is one of the best for competition, fun, tradition, and the all important feast afterwards.

Besides, it is one of the events in the new Braveheart Snowshoe Race Series:

http://www.uppermidwesttrailrunners.com/braveheart.html

Here is one story on the race:
http://www.snowshoemagazine.com/viewContent.cfm?content_id=390

Note one of my favorite photos, of chocolate brownies . . . .

Jean said...

Steve, good luck to you in the upcoming season. I hope you get to nail whichever one of these races you are hoping to nail!

All the best to you!