There is no one on this planet than I admired more than my Grandpa Eads. My grandpa always told me to set my goals high. Even if I didn't reach them, he argued, I'd get further along than if I had set the bar lower. Well, it stuck and this mentality is evident in my 2010 running plans. A couple of these races are tentative due to travel/logistical challenges I need to work out. Of course it ALL hinges on me staying healthy & injury free.
My ‘original plan’ was a little lame by some standards, and grossly outrageous by others. But hey, if I’ve learned anything about ultra running standards then I’ve learned that it’s all relative for each individual. Here’s a glance at my original plan:
1. Complete a 100 mile race in 2010
2. Run in at least one 100-mile race with Gilles Barbeau in 2010 (possibly could be combined with #1)
3. Participate in at least 2 CFA events in Vancouver in 2010
4. Host a legitimate "satellite" CFA event in Missouri, complete with REAL LIVE CANADIANS participating in 2010
5. Prove, ONCE AND FOR ALL, to Ean "Action" Jackson that I'm no sandbagger!
Here’s the new & improved, ‘Grandpa would be proud’ plan. This will, undoubtedly, evolve as things change throughout the year, but I’m going for it:
-March 20th – Howard L. Aslinger 24hr race (Cape Girardeau, MO) – REGISTERED
-April 11th – Go! St. Louis 1/2 Marathon pacer (Tentative) - NOT REGISTERED
-April 17th – Double Chubb 50k (Eureka, MO) - REGISTERED
-May 15th – Berryman 50m (Berryman Trail, Mark Twain National Forest, MO) - REGISTERED
-May 16th – GOTR 5k – I volunteer on the race committee (Forest Park, St. Louis, MO)
-June 5th – Vancouver 100k Tentative (North Vancouver, Canada) - NOT REGISTERED
-August 7th – STORMY 100m Tentative (Squamish, BC, Canada) - NOT REGISTERED
-August 27th - Hood to Coast Relay (Oregon) - REGISTERED
-September 5th – Flatlanders 12hr (City Park, Fenton, MO) - REGISTERED
-Spirit of the Osage 50k – Oct 17th (Frankenstein, MO) – REGISTERED
-Host a legitimate “satellite” CFA event in Missouri with participation from Canada (wink, wink - Craig & Gilles)
-Not be a burden on my very gracious friends in Vancouver & North Vancouver as I try to spend as much time as possible up there this year.
-Finally, be sure to give back more than my fair share to Club Fat Ass & St. Louis Ultrarunner’s Group by way of volunteering & contributing where possible.
I’m all ears on suggestions you all may have on how I can possibly get all of this done. I know there’s a WEALTH of experience & generosity within Club Fat Ass. That’s why I’m so in love with it – the fantastic people!
Best of luck to you on your 2010 goals, what ever they may be!
Jason
Comments
I smell a road trip ...
give us lots of warning Jason ... and please, be sure to have a Foolish option for the foolishly inclined. By the way, you're welcome to come up the first weekend in June for the Vancouver 100, heh heh. It may not be 100 miles but it sure feels like it I'm told ;)
Consider yourselves WARNED!
Thanks for the note, Craig. I would LOVE to try out Vancouver 100, although such feats are probably out of my league.
In all seriousness, I would like to open this up to any CFA'er for consideration of coming to Missouri to run the satellite CFA event "down south".
Any suggestions on a date that might work for some of you all?
Custom distances are no problem!
May I propose STORMY
Jason, a hell of a plan you got there. I would strongly recommend STORMY as your 100 mile event. While it may not be the absolute easiest 100 miler, it is one hundred miles after all, it's exempt from some extreme challenges that other races have. Here are some benefits:
- No extreme heat or other weather challenges.
- Elevation gain is reasonable.
- No altitude to deal with.
- No snow, stream or river crossing. Feet stay dry.
- Close to civilization. Always a nice feature for the support team.
- Mostly surrounded by Crown Land so you can crap in the woods all you want as long as you exit backward facing the Queen.
- A strong presence of the CFA family which you seem to enjoy.
- The double loop makes it easier to organize yourself. You'll have some familiarity with the course while running at night.
- Overall a well supported, low key, friendly race with a super nice RD.
Thanks Gilles!
I like your suggestion & supporting facts, Gilles. I am seriously considering Stormy. The thing I have to figure out is whether I can make it work due to timing.
This may actually work in my favor, but I have an annual sales meeting the same week where all sales people in my company come to St. Louis for the annual planning of our business. However, Thursday/Friday of that week are likely to be down days or travel days for those traveling in, which means I could go to BC for a 100 miler!
Let's keep in touch about this as you finalize your plans for 2010. You may be able to help me knock out #1 and #2!
Keep in mind, just because #2 reads "Run in at least one 100-mile race with Gilles Barbeau in 2010", that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be running as fast as your pace! It simply means: be on the course at the same time that you are also running the 100 miler!
Or you could be faster
The idea is start together and drink together afterward.
I like this...