I started the year off by running a hundred miles. It was a hell of a way to ring in 2017, but I'm not certain it set me up to feel great about the rest of the year. I mean, where do you go from running a 100? What's the next accomplishment?
When I look back on running during 2017, I can't help but feel disappointed. I didn't do much after January 1. My mileage was low, times were sluggish, and there was none of the usual spark I have for the sport. Part of this was by design, the other part was a consequence of the 100. We knew summer 2016 that summer 2017 would bring a move to Colorado. The time and planning required to make this happen in a way that wouldn't drive us completely batshit crazy was formidable... I felt okay committing to no spring races. Well, I didn't feel okay about it, but it was what needed to happen. Which was maybe a good thing, because Pistol really took a lot out of me. I decided (against Jen's better judgement!) that I would still pace for team FrontRunner, because marathon training isn't very time consuming. Yes, I really said that. But when compared to 100 training... well, it made sense in my head! I'd be home in plenty of time to help pack and organize. I was still in a strange place mentally, and there's something very comforting about having your running people around to, well, kick your butt into gear and drag you back into running! Since I was trained... I thought I'd just jump in to a random spring race and have a good time. And that's exactly what I did. Kind of. Tie Dye 50k is a race I've always wanted to run, and wouldn't you know it, but my BRF Mike was headed there. Unfortunately, so was a shit ton of rain and lightning. We ran through one loop (half the course) and had a really good time essentially swimming through parts of John Bryan. The thunder started about 4 miles from the end of the loop, and when we looked at the radar, I decided to call it a day due to lightning. I was disappointed, but it was the right decision. Shortly thereafter, I became a resident of "Colorful Colorado." I knew, from visiting, that running was about to become a very different sport. Throw in 6,000 feet of elevation, lots of hills, and a serious need for sunscreen... it was humbling and challenging. And it is STILL challenging! But it's getting better every time I go run. My buddy told me it took him 2 years after moving here to feel like he was back to running how he had in the midwest. That's too long for me, so I'm just going to need to adapt a little quicker! And seriously, have you looked around this place? It is amazingly gorgeous. The beautiful distractions certainly make the searing pain in my lungs seem a tiny bit dimmer. While I was essentially relearning how to run, I did spend time exploring. I let Jen show me that hiking isn't in fact the devil, and now I almost really like it. I've also met a ton of really great people through hiking, and for that I'm grateful. When you trail run, you have to pay attention to the ground... this is less so when hiking, and the opportunity to look up more often has been breathtaking. I've seen Boulder from every direction, visited a bat cave, climbed up Ajax in Aspen with my friend the bear, summited a 14er, watched the Aspens develop their buttery glow, and saw the clouds float by in the reflections of all the lakes at RMNP. Hiking might be okay ;) I also started climbing, which is so much fun! I can get through pieces of 5.10s, and it's helped me gain strength and focus (and callouses). I love bouldering, too. It's like math on rocks. And because Jen is Jen, we've also ended up at a few yoga classes. While yoga is not my favorite thing, doing yoga with thousands of people at Red Rocks was a pretty special experience that I'm looking forward to repeating. While I was learning to enjoy new things in my new home, I was still getting some running in. I was a Sherpa for Cancer to 5k, a training group for cancer survivors. This experience was one of the most memorable of my running life... I learned so much about so much, and I'm really honored to have been a part of the journey. I ran a 5k in Leadville, the highest incorporated town in the US. That was something, let me tell you! I completed the Imogene Pass Run (see: bad decisions made while drinking) without dying, and I'm calling that a win. It was maybe the hardest (and most stunning) run I've undertaken. I'll let you know after I try it again next year. I also had a blast crewing for some of my running tribe at Never Summer 100k, and perhaps the most gratifying, running to help my BRF reach his 50 mile goal on a cold, soggy course we know so well. I realize that I perform very well when there are goals in place, and not having that structure or end in front of me was really hard this year. The first half of the year felt like I was just running in a fog, no real direction or desire. The second half was extremely humbling, and I accepted it for what it was and just tried to get back to feeling like a "runner." I started thinking of 2018 a few months ago, and I'm ready to get back to work. I don't like the way running in 2017 has felt... so change is coming! I started running a little harder a few times a week, and ran a 5k. It felt good and strong, and I was satisfied with the result. I have two major goals (so far!) for 2018: run a BQ at Revel Rockies in June, and run a sub-24 at Burning River at the end of July. (3rd and 4th goals MIGHT involve improving my times at IPR and Huff 50k...) Both are ambitious, and a little scary. I have no idea if I will hit either goal, but I plan on doing everything I can to get there. I have a coach that's designed a program for me that's unlike anything else I've ever done (check her out, she's impressive!), and I have faith in her and her methods. I'm so looking forward to getting started next week, and kicking ass along the way. Run on, friends :)
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