End Of Year, where I've been....

Well, I've obviously been really slack for the past 9 weeks. Posting wise, it's a big fat zero. Running wise was not much better. In the 67 days since I turned 44, I have run 43 days and missed 23 days. Heck, from April 8 to October 4, I went 180 days with only 11 days not run... So I had a bit of a post marathon burnout? Well sort of, but more accurately, from early November on, I had a terrible bout of ear, nose and throat discomfort. On the positive side, I actually have run more miles since October 1 this year than I did two years ago following my last marathon. of course, I had severe and dibilitating spasms that lasted for two weeks at the very end of the year... But I do feel better about my running, and am thinking about my 2007 results and where it leads me into 2008 goals.

My plans are more intrinsic than extrinsic. Translation: I have no idea what to shoot for...2007 was a pretty good year, with all time PR's for 1/2 marathon and total miles run for a calendar year. But I didn't race very many other times, so there was not much else to report on that front. The year focused on my TCM training. The marathon was a bit disappointing time-wise, but 80+ degree temps in Minnesota in October aren't usually the norm. I feel much more proud about running 3:15 in those conditions than my sub 3 from 2 years ago. C'est la vie. In all reality, I will be taking a far different approach this upcoming year. I will most likely log the same # or maybe a bit more miles (goal is 2400+), but I'll be running them at a slower overall pace. I am going to train by heart monitor in 2008, and wanting to maximize my potential abilities by putting my trust in a Hadd-type training system. If it works like I hope it will, then I will be shooting for Masters PR's later in the year on the order of:

5k - sub 18
8k - sub 29
10k- sub 37
15k- sub 57
10m- sub 61
13.1- sub 1:21

At age 44+, I realize I don't have a ton of time left to actually get faster, so I'm gonna try and do what it takes to be the best I can be... Then next year at this time, I can be focusing on what my training will be for Boston 2009... If I don't post anymore, have a great Christmas and Happy New Year!! I promise to post more consistently in 2008.

Peter