Last year was one of false starts and injuries. As I write these resolutions, I am rolling and icing a left foot that is messed up with plantar fasciitis and a bit miffed I won't be able to run 50K on New Years Day. Ah, but the glass is half-full...
2009 is going to be a year of getting back on the program, lots of fun runs with old pals and new, and because I didn't do it in 2008, the year I complete my 100th ultramarathon run (currently at 96). Here are the specifics:
Running events:
- Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50K
- Squamish Scrambler Snowshoe Run
- Capilano Canyon MardiGras Night Run
- one of Chuckanut 50K (win bet with Melcher!) Dirty Duo 50K or Diez Vista 50K
- Mountain Highway Madness (3 laps, so I can count it as an ultra)
- North Shore Enduro (at least 50K)
- Squamish Brick
- XTC 50K
- Knee Knacker (assuming I get in)
- Bill's Great Peak Ascent
- STORMY
- Capilano Canyon Midsummer Night Run
- Forbidden Forest Run
- Stein Valley (the whole meal deal)
- Walk in the Park 54K (my 5th, so they retire my race number!)
- Mountain Highway Madness (let's just see after WITP)
- Go Deep or Go Home
- 2 hash house harriers runs (dates TBD)
Notes and Upside (resolution contest judges take note!)
- 19 running events specified for my personal training and racing program. I figure volunteering is as good as running when it comes to measuring success for a wounded warrior, and so is substituting one event for another in case of injury.
- I'd like to be in the top 3 of the CFA Club points competition. Can do that injured or not by helping and picking up trash (Des take note. I've got your number!!!)
- if I can overcome the injuries, I'll give myself double points for completing a road marathon and/or a 1/2 Ironman triathlon in 2009
Apart from the running events, I aim to:
- put the remnants of past injuries behind me and start a 20-year streak of injury-free running
- go to at least 50% of the Capilano Eagles Tuesday workouts (yes, rain or shine, so that makes 21+ times)
- stretch more... to the point where I can touch my toes with my palm
- get in the pool once every other week (21+ times) and win the Duel at the Pool 5K
- get on the bike once every other week (21+ times, stationery bike included)
- get into the gym twice a week (100+ times)
- get on the snowshoes once a week (while there is snow - 20+ times)
- get in at least 15 days of downhill skiing (including at least 1 at Whistler)
- share some of my experience with a few up-and-coming runners and race directors
- volunteer (help with Club Fat Ass and the Capilano Eagles as a board member)
- drink more water
By the way, if you get ambitious, you can also post your New Years resolutions on this page.
Comments
Assessment as of 10 Dec 09
Before I assess how well I've done so far, I need to clarify that I was injured with a torn soleus (calf) for the first 6 months of 2009. My own stupid fault 'cause I didn't give it time to heal. Lesson learned? Listen to my body. When it rebels, give it a chance to heal.
Overall, I figure I achieved 90% of my goals for the year. Better yet, I finished the year with no injuries and I did a lot of things I wasn't planning to do.
Running Events
The wonderful thing about CFA is that it allows wounded warriors, such as I was, to participate at the distance and intensity they feel comfortable with. To that end, I was able to do very well relative to my running goals.
Of the 19 events I listed, I completed 14. (Couldn't do Chuckanut/DD/DiezVista, the Squamish Brick, Bill's and only did one Vancouver HHH event to date. Forbidden Forest and Stein Valley didn't happen.) But I did participate in 8 other running events (Run to the Clouds, Lord of the Loops, Fluffy Bunny, House to Grouse, Mary's, Go Home via Haines, Mutha Nature's, Go Home) to date.
The Bagger Challenge didn't exist (nor did some of the events I noted above) at the start of the year, so all of the fun-and-games that I enjoyed while bagging 41 peaks was a bonus. IMHO, I exceeded my running goals by a lot. Woo hoo! 100%+
Other Goals
...and here is the judges
...and here is the judges calculation/interpretation ;-)
783.6/10 = 78.36%
How's that ...
... "in the pool once every other week" resolution coming ?
Your buddy,
The WHALE SHARK !