OUTLINE FOR 2015

Still not quite had a chance to get the "BIB REPORTS" caught up, but that will happen soon enough. What I would like to do is lay out my overall plan for 2015. As I mentioned in a previous post, Ive only been running now for a little over three years, but I have progressed each and every year, not only in speed, but in endurance as well.

With the overall increase in ability that occurred in 2014 two things happened. First of all, I wanted to make sure that it continued, and secondly, along the way I got to meet a lot of other great runners. I find myself measuring my overall finish by the crowd that finishes around me. I knew who the fast runners were by now, and I wanted to try and "keep up"(that competitive nature again). One of the great runners that I got a chance to know was P. Mark Taylor, a local running coach and Boston finisher. As luck would have it he also belongs to the same gym that I do. Lucky for him too, now he has a new client.

I started off 2015 with a new "Next Level Training" plan from P. Mark. Three weeks in and I had to run my first six minute test as part of the training. Run as hard as you can for six minutes. Simple. I never knew how long six minutes was until I tried to sprint it. I finished it with a 5:47 pace. Officially the fastest mile I have ever run, and I was 45 years old when I did it. Looks like the speed work that is the meat of this training is paying off so far.

The speed work is part of the training that I hope leads me to my biggest goal of 2015 and beyond, Ultra's. I toyed with the idea of running one in 2014 but chickened out. Probably for the best as I wasnt really physically or mentally ready. This year it happens though. Currently Im signed up for my first Ultra next month, The Fall Creek Falls 50K. For now, I continue with the program P. Mark has laid out for me leading up to March 15th when the FCF 50K is run. Im not expecting much from my first ultra finish wise, but am using it as a test. Try and learn as much as possible for the next one and build upon that until I become more competitive. I feel like nutrition may be the biggest variable. Ive been able to run 30K's and less fine with a little Tailwind and a Honey Stinger or two(easier on my stomach than Gu)

I'll give a full race report afterwards!