Wahine at the finish
At this time of year we are inundated with countless “Best of” articles, TV programs and top-ten lists. So what the heck? Here is my 2009 Year in Review and 2010 Wish List!
I am a goal-oriented person, so looking back on 2009 will allow me to better plan my upcoming racing schedule. I’m the type of person who needs to always have a goal in sight, otherwise my training seems to slip and I end up eating too many Quizno’s subs!
- Highest point of TRT – Glimpse of Heaven
I usually register for races a few months in advance as more and more events seem to fill up quickly. This has backfired on me a bit in 2009. After failing to finish the Tahoe Rim Trail 100, I desperately searched for another 100-miler to complete before the end of the year. I finally settled on the Iroquois 100, but this threw a wrench in my other plans.
Also, other family commitments and a relentless cold in the fall forced me to cancel other races. In total, I forfeited my paid entry to three races: The Green Lakes Endurance Run 50K, The Oasis Montreal Marathon and Mountain Masochist 50-miler. Race fees are sometimes transferrable to the following year, but unfortunately only one of these three races offered this option.
So here’s what races I ran in 2009:
| Date | Race | Time | Notes |
| Jan. 10th | Disney ½ Marathon | 1:48:54 | Goofy Challenge Day 1 |
| Jan. 11th | Disney Marathon | 4:20:12 | Goofy Challenge Day 2 |
| Feb. 22nd | Grimsby ½ | 1:52:36 | Snowy route |
| March 29th | Around The Bay 30K | 2:37:06 | Will be faster |
| April 10 | Good Friday 10-Miler | 1:13:48 | Felt comfortable |
| May 2nd | Miwok 100K | 15:50:08 | Foggy, wet & miserable |
| May 23rd | Sulphur Springs 50K | 5:29:47 | Could be faster here too |
| June 1st | Beat Recession 5K | 14:19 | Short course; 2nd OA |
| June 9th | Old Mill 10K | 42:02 | Good race; 28th/328 |
| June 22nd | Beat Recession 5K | 20:22 | First Place!! Woo-hoo! |
| July 1st | Canada Day 5K | 19:20 | 17th/250 |
| July 18th | Tahoe Rim Trail 100 | DNF @50M | Heat + altitude=wimp |
| Aug. 16th | Minnow Lake 10K | 42:01 | 3rd OA |
| Sept. 19th | Iroquois Trail 100 | 30:43:00 | Got’er done! |
| Oct. 3rd | Run for the Toad 50K | DNF @25K | Didn’t want to run |
| Oct. 18th | Grand Rapids | 3:37:11 | PR! |
| Dec. 13th | Honolulu Marathon | 4:11:32 | 23,000 runners – nice! |
Grand Rapids Marathon 2009
At the Punxsutawney 50K several years ago, David Horton was speaking and claimed that the best way to ensure that you stick to your goals was to share them with others. So what have I got planned for 2010? One big goal is the Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim double-crossing of the Grand Canyon. I would also like to complete two (perhaps even three) 100-milers this upcoming year. Furthermore, I strongly believe I could improve my PR time for 50-miles which currently stands at 9:30. Another event I was planning was the TransRockies Run. I just learned that the partner with whom I was to run this event has been forced to withdraw as he has suffered a series of injuries and doesn’t feel he will be healed in time. So I’m looking for something to replace this race…perhaps the ENDURrun?
Below is a tentative racing schedule for 2010. Keep in mind that this list is flexible and will undoubtedly change as the year progresses. For instance, my step-daughter is currently living in India. If she is still there this summer, there’s a darn good chance my wife and I will be visiting her. This trip will most certainly alter my summer racing schedule. I also tend to impulsively enter shorter races throughout the year to gauge where my speed is at or just for something to do. Finally, I have been considering doing a 24-hour treadmill fundraiser. I have talked this over with the owner of the gym where I’m a member (The Fitness Firm in Burlington). The plan did not come to fruition 1n 2009, but I will give it a go later this year.
| Date | Race | Notes |
| Jan. 24th | Robbie Burns 8K | Burlington Runners Club race |
| Feb. 28th | Grimsby ½ marathon | Redemption for 2009 time |
| March 28th | Around the Bay 30K | Will be my 11th in a row |
| April 2nd | Good Friday 10-Miler | Another BRC race |
| April 10th | Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim | Still lots of snow, but we’ll try |
| April 24th | Jerseyville 100 (50-Mile?) | Monica’s new event |
| May 29th | Sulphur Springs 100-Miler | Must run this once and for all |
| June 8th | Ancaster Old Mill 10K | I really like this race |
| June 12th | Healing for Breast Cancer 10K | Why not? It’s a good cause! |
| July 1st | Canada Day 5K | Oh Canada! |
| July 10 | Rattlesnake Trail 50K | A new State! |
| August 8-15 | ENDURrun? | Pending trip to India |
| Aug. 29th | Green Lakes Endurance 50K | Transferable entry from 2009 |
| Sept. 5th | Montreal Oasis Marathon | Potential BRC trip |
| Oct. 2nd | Arkansas Traveler 100-Miler | Been wanting to do this one |
| Nov. 7th | Road-to-Hope Marathon | Gotta support local races |
| Nov. 14th | Peachtree City 50K | Another new State |
| Dec. 18th | 24-Hour Treadmill Run | Fundraiser |
As mentioned, this schedule is not written in stone. As you know, many factors can and will come into play as the year plays itself out. But at least this Wish List gives me some events to look forward to every month and it will help me stay focussed on my training.
Gotta run,
Vince
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Boooo, no Run-for-the-Toad! Ah well, I suppose the Arkansas Traveller is an adequate replacement race
Definitely shoot for the ENDURrun though!
The Toad is a fantastic event, but now that my streak of consecutive 50K finishes has come to an end, I think it’s time to try something new!
We don’t have that tigth a schedule but one date you mention means we will have to rely on Ross for another move.
Moving day weekend of May 29. We’ll manage.