2011, Part I: Races/Training.

Yeah... it is cold out there.

After the recap post from 12/26, I've been thinking a lot about changes. Goals.  Things I can hold up as motivation on mornings like today, when I sat in my car outside the Athletic Club, hunched over a mug of green tea while the wind whipped around my car and I wondered why I hadn't stayed in bed.



It's all about the motivation.  


That, and I wanted to test out my shiny new New Balance jacket.  I was kind of toasty once we hit mile 3.


That having been said, I've picked three major goals to carry me through the year:



I.  PR on a half marathon, shooting for sub-1:45:00.

• Why:  I really think I can do this.  I ran just-barely-sub-eights at the Army 10-miler, and that was with tired legs.  All I have to do is the same for three more miles.  Plus, my first attempt will be at National, which is also fairly flat.
• How: Mostly, I'm just going to try and keep up with team Duzy, and anyone else who usually dusts me on the long runs.  If that doesn't work, I will add some speed/track workouts before my second try.
• When: National Half/Marathon is March 26, 2011.

II.  Complete the 4- or 5-mile distance at Swim For Life. 

• Why: I did 4.4 in the Bay last June, and it was a perfect day.  I'd like to try a similar distance in a river, where the current and chop will be different.  This is a small and very laid-back event, and the proceeds go to a great cause.  My focus will be on completion, not speed.
• How: Attend masters' consistently 2-3x/week through March, and then gradually add long swims on Monday mornings (working up from 2 miles)
• When: The 2011 date has not been released, but probably sometime in July.

III.  Run my second marathon.

• Why: Baltimore Marathon was a great race, partly because of the time but mostly because it was just fun.  I'm trying to adjust my expectations because I know there will never be another First Marathon... but I'd like to try another, working more consistently on my training plan to see if I can get the same result.
• How: Maintain a 20-25 miles/week base through May, and then begin building up for three to four long runs (18-21 miles each).  PS: come keep me company. Plz?
• When: The Marine Corps Marathon on Oct 30, 2011.  If I can get in.  Don't worry, I have a backup.

Of course, there will be other events.  Here's my current race calendar:

• March - National Half 
• April - Clyde's 10K
• May - Swim Leg for Team Go @ Lake Anna Kinetic Half-IronMan
• June - Swim for Life, Northface Half (date not yet released)
• August - Annapolis 10 (tentative)
• September - Ragnar Relay (tentative)
• October - Tough Mudder
• October/November - Full Marathon

Shoe Donation after Warrior Dash 2010.
Tough Mudder will be messier.

What will you be training for in 2011? Any suggestions? Tell me in the comments below!