So I am still looking for 1 or 2 ultra-marathons to run this year. I had several on my list that I wanted to do but unfortunately, they all fell on dates that I am already busy. I still have a few that I am pondering but have yet to pull the trigger on.
24 Hour Run at Sunset Hill Park - Valparaiso, IN - June 21st -22nd
This Run looks interesting because there is no minimum required distance. It's a 5k loop that you run as many times as you can in 24 hours. This is a no pressure run that is great for training and race prep.
Potowatomi Trail Run 50 Miler - Pekin, IL - April 5-6
This is supposed to be a somewhat easy course and great for beginner Ultra-Marathoners(which I am). I need to make a decision soon though because the race is in a few weeks.
Chicago Ultra - Chicago, IL - April 5th
A very Flat course along the Lakefront in Chicago. With a 7 hour time limit, I would have to push myself for this 50k, but should be able to finish without a problem. Again, need to make a decision soon as its the same weekend as the Potowatomi.
So I need to figure out if I am going to run any of these three for the Spring. I am hoping to get in a 100 miler in the fall but I have to find one that doesn't conflict with other races I have already signed up for and within a reasonable distance of Chicago. Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Fall 2013 recap
So I have been slacking on my blog posts since October. After a disappointing finish to the Chicago Marathon, I wasn't in much of an inspirational mood. I have been dealing with a Knee/Leg injury since last September. I somehow injured my leg while moving into my new home a month before the Marathon. Because of this injury I was worried that I wouldn't be able to compete in the race. I ran anyway, against my doctors advise, and finished in 5:04:34. Very disappointing for me. Before the injury I was hoping for a sub-4 hour time.
After the Marathon, I took some time off to rehab my knee and allow it to heal, which it never really did. I ran the Spartan Race Texas Beast with 2 friends and had no pain. It took us over 6 hours to complete the race due to one of my friends having cramping issues almost the whole way. Wer had a great time and I have a full Trifecta planned for 2014 again.
Two weeks after the Texas Beast, I ran the Huff 50k in Indiana. This was my first Ultra-Marathon and I loved it. I dealt with calf cramping early on but soon fell into pace with a few friends that I found along the way. We stuck together for the entire race and finished in a little over 8 hours. I could have finished faster but decided to enjoy the experience with friends instead of pushing the limit. Unfortunately, because we took so long to finish, they ran out of Medals and promised to mail them out. Well, the race was on Dec 28th and it's now March 19th and I have yet to get mine, nor have the other roughly 25 runners that didn't get any. Lesson learned.
As far as 2014 goes, I ran my first race in early February. My friend Chris and I took a trip down to St. Louis and ran the Sand Mine Challenge. It was definitely an experience. The entire race was underground in an abandoned Sand Mine. We thoroughly enjoyed the race and will be returning next year to complete the Quad, running the race 4 times. I will be posting my race schedule for 2014 as it stands now. There may be some more added but it is pretty set as of right now.
After the Marathon, I took some time off to rehab my knee and allow it to heal, which it never really did. I ran the Spartan Race Texas Beast with 2 friends and had no pain. It took us over 6 hours to complete the race due to one of my friends having cramping issues almost the whole way. Wer had a great time and I have a full Trifecta planned for 2014 again.
Two weeks after the Texas Beast, I ran the Huff 50k in Indiana. This was my first Ultra-Marathon and I loved it. I dealt with calf cramping early on but soon fell into pace with a few friends that I found along the way. We stuck together for the entire race and finished in a little over 8 hours. I could have finished faster but decided to enjoy the experience with friends instead of pushing the limit. Unfortunately, because we took so long to finish, they ran out of Medals and promised to mail them out. Well, the race was on Dec 28th and it's now March 19th and I have yet to get mine, nor have the other roughly 25 runners that didn't get any. Lesson learned.
As far as 2014 goes, I ran my first race in early February. My friend Chris and I took a trip down to St. Louis and ran the Sand Mine Challenge. It was definitely an experience. The entire race was underground in an abandoned Sand Mine. We thoroughly enjoyed the race and will be returning next year to complete the Quad, running the race 4 times. I will be posting my race schedule for 2014 as it stands now. There may be some more added but it is pretty set as of right now.
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