I'm sure thousands of people are on the edge of their seats just waiting to find out what I'm doing in 2012. You are excited, right? I'm making your dreams come true by posting about this, huh?
Ok, so here goes. My number 1 goal is to fix my hip issues and not get hurt again. Everything else depends on that. Assuming that happens, here is what I want to do:
1. Run 1000 miles. A little over 80 miles per month. Definitely doable if I don't totally wimp out on summertime again.
2. Do the Run the Ville 10K again. This has been my favorite race of all time. I'm a little scared to run it again because I loved it so much and what if I'm disappointed? Why do I overthink things so much?
3. Snake Run!! Unless something miraculous happens I will be doing 3 hours, not 6. Now, who is shocked that I want to do this race? You all know about my little aversion to snakes. In fact, I have a code name for them I hate them so much. What do you think are the chances of getting the name changed to the Waffle Run? Someone from TATUR, are you reading this? I know why it's called the Snake Run. I just don't know if I can actually run in a race with the name Snake. We shall see. I do think a race called Waffle run would probably draw more participants. Call me if you would like more fabulous suggestions!
4. Lake McMurtry Trail Run Again, unless we see a miracle, I will be doing the 25K. If I do it, perhaps I can improve my previous 25K time. Is there anyone who can tell me more about the course? Compare it to Turkey and Taturs or Flatrock? Or both?
Numbers 3 and 4 are sort of dependent on timing. There is a chance that 2, 3 and 4 are 3 weekends in a row. If that is the case I will have to drop one of them.
5. Flatrock Ok. I will admit it. I'd like to do the 50K here. There is probably no way I could do it under the time limit, or even at all, but I'm thinking about it. Why go through only half the pain and misery of this great race? Also, one of my goals is to run 33 miles, sometime around my birthday. In theory, I could run 2 miles early in the morning of this race, then do it and accomplish two goals at once. Crazy? Absolutely. We will see. Any volunteers who want to run this with me??
6. Run 33 miles. All at once. I've talked about that before and probably will again, so I won't say any more now.
7. Run on trails more. I love running on trails, but I'm scared to do it alone. I'm scared of falling and getting hurt, or just getting hurt in general. I'm scared some psycho is waiting on the trail to kill me. I'm just scared. I wish I could talk someone into running with me. I also want to go down and run with the TATURs a couple of times.
So, that's all I have for now. Well, that's a lot. I'm thinking I MIGHT run a marathon this year. Why is it a marathon scares me more than a 50K? It's not as far. The road is easier than the trail. But trail races are just better. And I don't have any expectations on the trail except to finish.
I'm excited to see what the year brings. So far, so good. In fact, I broke my 5K record on New Years Day! I finally ran a sub-30 5K! I then sat down in the middle of the road and didn't move. Rick had to pretty much drag me to the truck.
Happy Running!
~Mel
Oh I am glad I read this!!! I am in a good position to answer questions #s 3, 4, 5, and 7. I am race director of the 6 Hour/3 Hour Snake Run and Lake McMurtry.
ReplyDeleteThe Snake Run has it's name since it is ran on the Snake Trail--and the trail is called this not because it is infested with snakes, but because is winds and twists around and is sort of shaped like a snake. It is possible if March is a warm month you might see a snake, but I have seen as many at Flat Rock as I have on Turkey Mountain. These trailz are the easiest trailz on the mountain--no hills, a very gradual incline here and there, but real flat overall.
Lake McMurtry is much easier than Flat Rock and Turkey & TATURs. Yes, there are hills at LMTR, but there are no long rocky technical sections. Everyone runs aa faster time at LMTR than they do at T&T or Flat Rock. However, if you are doing the 50K, you pass through the start/finish after 7.5 miles, and again 8 miles later, then again after 7.5 more miles--and then you're finished. It is very very tempting to bag it whuile coming through the S/F. In years past, we have given credit for those dropping down mid-race from the 50K to the 25K. This year, we will give runners who do that a finishers award, but their time will be listed separately in the results. This is because the 50K and the 25K do not start at the same time, and someone in the 25K hustling for their finishing place is surprised by a drop down runner edging them out. I think this is the fair way to do this.
Flat Rock is the hardest 50K I do. I have been last place 3 of the last 4 years I have ran it. The last 5 miles of it are a real mental battle. That being said, put in the training, and you can do it. Running an EASY 2 mile warmup sounds doable to me.
Please come run with us!! We are gonna start doing Sunday am field trips, and will do Osage Hills State Park trailz soon, and we might even make a Flat Rock trip. I'll keep you in the loop. Are we facebook friends?
We aren't fb friends. I will go rectify that. And yeah, I know why it's called the snake run. I'm still not going to like it :) You don't know just how deep my fear runs. Seriously, you should rename it the Waffle Run just for me. Get me a special shirt and medal so I can stand to look at them. :p (waffle being code for the s word btw)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info. I definitely want to run with you guys, so keep me updated.
Are you running flatrock this year? I bet I could beat you out of that last place spot!
You're on. Next to last place buys last place a hotdog (or leftover spaghetti!) I will say, we take great pride in making the Snake Run shirts as skeery looking as possible. :-D
ReplyDeleteSo, it looks like the Snake Run is the same day as the 10K in Bartlesville. Also? Lake McMurtry is the same day as the Aquarium run, which I wanted to do. It was my first half marathon and I wanted to see if I could beat my time. Now I have to make some decisions.
ReplyDelete