As the last of the New Year’s celebration bottles goes into the trash, one of my favorite new traditions begins: drawing up the training schedule for the year ahead. There’s something about preparing for events beneath brighter skies in sunnier climes that gives me hope for a swift end to winter’s short, dark, chilly days. And being travel junkie as well as runner (with a bucket list that contains the wish to race in all 50 states and on 7 continents by age 65), the chance to plan destination races run during weekend trips is a joy unto itself.
Registrations thus far:
January
14th
Polar Dash 10k on Chicago’s Lakefront
Yes, truly a crazy notion as I have never run on that windy-ass lakefront in the dead of winter before. But my friend Christian is running, so I might as well too. This makes sense to a runner because to answer Mom’s old question: “If So-and-So jumped in the lake, would you do it too?” many of us would say “yes”.
February
4th
Iola Wisconsin Snowshoe 5k
This one really looks like fun because it’s a night race on a fully lighted course….another first for me. And I even talked my husband into joining me. His presence will make it a walk instead of a run for me but that’s okay—-there’s still another month of snowshoe season ahead.
March
11th
St. Paddy’s Day 8k in Washington DC
My first destination race of the year and a chance to use a free mileage ticket on Southwest before it expires.
25th
Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k in Chicago
I know, I know….I hate crowded races and I hate trying to park in Chicago. But I’ve never done this one so I thought I’d give it a try and see what all the fuss is about.
April
14th
Rockdale Ramblin Run 10k
Touted to be “the toughest 10k in the Midwest” I found it actually not all that tough—just hilly as a motherf*cker—and I enjoyed the challenge of it last year, even thought I came in third to last. Plus, it’s practically in my backyard since Rockdale is just a 10 minute drive from here.
May
26th
Soldier Field 10 Miler in Chicago
A redemption race for sure—I did this one in 2011 and want to try again to improve my time. Remembering last year’s lamentful post about being in the “short bus” of running, I laugh at myself. How I just radiate angst sometimes! Silly woman. I also want to look less fat on the jumbotron this year crossing the finish line at the 50 yard zone.
[In addition, I am very seriously mulling a weekend trip to do a pair of away races in neighboring states on consecutive days sometime in May but haven’t quite solidified the idea yet.]
June
23rd
Mayor’s Half Marathon, Anchorage AK
Final race of the spring running season and endpoint of the training schedule which begins this very day.
As for the rest of the year, I plan to switch over to biking throughout the hotter months and train to finish up the summer with a Century Ride sometime in September. The thought of biking 100 miles gives me the same scary-but-attractive adrenaline thrill that the idea of a half-marathon once did. I think this is the year to go for it. Then for the fall, a destination trail race sounds good—maybe a 15k—but nothing too ambitious. No marathon craziness this year.
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WORKOUTS OVER THE PAST WEEK:
Sunday – 4 mile walk outdoors admist 35 mph winds; “invigorating” would be an understatement
Saturday – rest
Friday – 30 minutes run/walk intervals
Thursday – short cardio/UB weights/half-hearted abs
Wednesday – Yoga
Tuesday – 30 minutes run/walk intervals
Monday – UB/LB weights/not-enough abs
Boldly running where I've never gone before 
Lianne, I applaud your ambitions for racing. Sounds like some great times ahead. I have always wanted to do a Century, so I look forward to reading about that. BTW, what race could you do on Antarctica? I guess snowshoeing, but I bet dog sledding would be fun! See you at FYY.