2012 - The Plan

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." 

~ George S. Patton

As 2011 wound down, I was working to try to reach a goal set after the Columbus Marathon in October.  With over 900 miles already run, I needed very few miles to break 1000 miles for the year.  However, after five marathons and numerous half marathons and other races between January 2010 and October 2011, I was beat up and burned out.  As November plodded on and a Thanksgiving week vacation approached, I had not laced up my shoes once and left it largely to December to reach the goal.  As I stepped up my miles - sometimes on snow and ice - I began to feel some discomfort in my right knee, and by my last attempt on December 28 I had to walk back home after only going a mile.  I'm hopeful some rest, followed by light duty, will let it get back to normal because I have things I want to do in 2012.

Looking back, though, it is clear that April and May were the bright spots of last year with marathon, half marathon, and 10k PR's in the Boston Marathon, Colfax Half Marathon, and BolderBoulder respectively.  I averaged about 30 miles a week and my peak week was 43 miles.  Leading up to that stretch, I was eating right, drinking very little other than water and sports drink, and doing all of my speedwork. That formula works.

Assuming my knee doesn't give me any problems - it better not! - I will be starting off 2012 getting my diet and nutrition back under control and working conservatively to improve my overall health and strength.  Rather than working to achieve all my fitness through running, I will get myself into the gym and use the first part of the year to focus on multidisciplinary cross training.  If my knee does give my problems, then it will mean more strength training and less running, but my nutrition has to improve, regardless.

With that in mind, my planned races (and maybe a few other short ones thrown in here and there) for the year are:

• March 11 - Runnin' of the Green 7k
• April 15 - Platte River Half Marathon
• May 28 - BolderBoulder 10k
• Summer - Cross train and speed work
• October 7 - Chicago Marathon

And as far as the Chicago Marathon in October is concerned, there is only one goal - finish in under 3:15:00 and qualify for another Boston Marathon.  I would love to run Boston again, and I'm sure I will someday.   No matter what, I want to know that I can get qualifying time, now that that the Boston Athletic Association has made it harder (by 5 minutes) to make it into the Big Dance.

The bottom line for 2012 is to get back to a healthy place.  I don't have to worry about two marathons this year and all the joint-pounding mileage that comes with the training. I only have to worry about a progression of nutrition and fitness that - barring any injuries or setbacks - will leave me in a position in October to be able to requalify for Boston.

No matter what, the goal for 2012 is to HAVE FUN!

Happy New Year!!