There's something exhilarating about throwing on tights, cold-weather running socks, a couple long-sleeve shirts, gloves, hat, and a buff (or a balaclava) and hitting the roads and trails during sub-zero temperatures...at least I think it is exhilarating. Our bodies are amazing machines and it is incredible how much heat our bodies can produce running, and even in such extreme cold temperatures, survive 3, 6, 10+ miles...as long as no skin is exposed to frostbite!
I'm excited for the 2017 race season to start! The race calendar is slowly filling up, and while I initially had a goal of training up for a 100 miler this year, due to my last 50 miler being in 2014, I will train up for a 50 miler this year, and plan for next year for my first 100 miler. A significant goal this year is to both include more cross-training and to stick to more regimented training schedules for running 50k and 50 mile trail races. As a starting point and inspired by folks with the Upper Midwest Training Running Group (UMTR), I'm participating in the Leadville Treadmill challenge. By the end of February, the goal is to complete 3 miles at 15% grade on a treadmill (and my best speed). Working up to this point over the next month and a half, I will continue to improve on three benchmarks of the total distance ran in 15 minutes at 15%. My base starting from 1/4/2017 is 1.11 miles in 15 minutes at 15% grade. I admit I hiked some, and then fluctuated between 10 min/mile and 15 min/mile, simply because I had not clue where my baseline could be and wasn't ready to injure myself 4 days in to the year. This, along with improved nutrition, regular hydration with water, plenty of Nuun, and a more moderate amount of whiskey and beer, I see this year starting off strong and am committed to a stronger year than 2016.
2016 I fell off the horse for some time. Became distracted with life transitions, graduate school, and international travel, but am excited for 2017.
While I would love to jump out to an early season race here in January, having a 5k and half marathon in February (and another half marathon in March) are far enough away to work my conditioning and strength back up to feel comfortable running those stretches before working on being more competitive as the year progresses. Lastly...you'll read it here, I'm committed to making this blog, whether anyone reads it or not, a place to share, be inspired, be curious, and for anyone willing to take a leap, ask questions (about anything really...why not bring strangers together for the joy of spontaneity). I'm ready 2017..bring it!
Put yourself in my shoes for a minute: Daniel Koza's collection of thoughts and stories from adventures both domestic and abroad
