Just entering the 6th week on the year... and nothing really fancy to report with my YTD running. The dust has settled from CIM and I'm starting to get back into the swing of things. Fortunately, weather hasn't been too horrible (no polar vortex this year!), so I've been able to roll up some basing miles.
I've now got a couple weeks at 50-55 miles. I'll stay in that 50-65 range for this week and next before jumping up again. Aside from a few progressions, I haven't done any workouts yet... those will probably begin next week.
For the most part, this has been stress free running. I feel very healthy and have just been getting back to having some fun with the sport again. No schedules or plans. Just tie up the laces and get out the door when I feel like it. Garbage mileage at its best!
I'll say that I'm slowly starting to think about my racing calendar for the year. This past weekend was the 2015 CARA Awards Running Banquet. I walked away with the 2nd Place 35-39AG, 5th Place O'All, Participation Award, and Distance Award. All in all, 2015 was a great year and had some big PR's. I won't dare to think about PRing anything in 2016 yet, but it'll certainly be difficult to beat my 2015 placements as some younger, faster guys are entering the 35-39 AG this year. Competition will certainly be heating up.
Below is this year's Circuit. The one nice thing is that there are fewer races and requirements for 2016. Eight of 15 races will count instead of 10/18 last year. That's significantly less stressful and can complement my training much better. I've (*)'d a few of the races that make sense to run. Ultimately though, all roads will lead to Columbus Ave in October.
If things go as we're currently talking, Sasha and I will likely be setting our wedding date for sometime in November. That makes the Chicago Marathon my final hurrah!... My own personal masochistic bachelor party... And since I don't like to half ass anything, I intend to make it a proper event. A true culmination of miles of trials and trials of miles!
Date - Race
3/19 - Lakefront 10Mi*
4/3 - Shamrock Shuffle 8K*
4/10 - Oak Park 5K*
4/24 - Ravenswood 5K
5/7 - Quarryman 10Mi
5/28 - Soldier Field 10Mi*
6/4 - Cosley Zoo 10K
6/26 - Downers Grove 5Mi
7/4 - 4 on 4th
7/31 - Run for Walk 4.1Mi
8/21 - Windrunner 10K
9/11 - Lake Zurich Half*
9/24 - Park Ridge 5K*
10/9 - Chicago Marathon*
10/29 - Lake Bluff Pumpkin 5K
