Year in Review: Overall, I would call this a very good year for my running, though I only met a few of my goals from the start of the year. I didn't run much Nov or Dec 2008, so my year started off slow and I didn't do as well in the Striders Winter Racing circuit as I would have liked, not even running the last race. I really enjoyed the Wahsatch Steeplechase, but my sub-2:25 and top 3 place goal was very overly ambitious- maybe another year, but not when running it for the first time. Logan Peak was definitely one of the highlights of the year, with a win and course record during a fun run with some great guys. It was also the only trail race I placed top 3 all year, which was one of my goals. I then set my 5k PR (set back in HS) on the 4th of July despite minimal speedwork. However, the Des News 10k was rather disappointing at the end of a hard month. But I followed that up with a great Jupiter Steeplechase, taking 6 minutes off my time from 2008. Unfortunately, it was my last trail race of the year. I ran my first 100 mile week ever, and ended up with 4 of them this year. TOU 1/2 marathon was a good race, only 7 seconds slower than my PR on that course last year. I'm very happy with my 1/2 marathon PR. The TOU marathon was another great race for me, finally breaking through the long-standing 2:35 goal and resulting in my retiring from serious road marathoning. I really enjoyed pacing Davy in the Bear 100 the next week for 30 miles.
My next race was Ogden Valley 50 miler, my first ultra over 30 miles. It went well, and I enjoyed Cody pacing the last 15 miles. Then I ended the year with a bang, running the Grand Canyon R2R2R with Davy and company. Awesome, awesome run. I finished the year with 3357.5 miles (top 10 on FRB), and would have been 3500+ plus if it wasn't for my injury last week. Despite the highest annual mileage of my life, I was the most injury free in many years... right up until my unfortunate hip injury last week. I'm still working out what it is and if it will greatly affect me in 2010, including my Rocky Raccoon 100 race in Feb. I only met my "top 3" goal at 1 of the 4 focus races, but that's ok. My trail races, marathon PR, and long-planned transition to trail races were the highlights of the year. Hopefully I can recover from my current injury and smash my way into the world of 100's. Goals for next year: Again, stay injury free and run 3000+ miles (no need to go higher than this year). Planned races are Rocky Raccoon 100 (hopefully), Buffalo Run 50k or 50m, Pocatello 50, and Bear 100. Probably throw a few shorter races in there, and maybe a few more 50's or 100's. I'd like to place top 3 or 5 in some 50's and 100's. But right now I just need to get healthy. Happy New Years, everyone!
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