Honestly, this won't be the post I usually do. With my two in person races canceled and all of the other fun races I do during the year canceled or turned virtual, I didn't do any racing. I barely did training as I was out for a bit this winter/spring for an angry hammy and then 10 weeks into training for my next 50, the race got canceled :( What i did do is run for fun, and while it was super hard for my type A brain to not have a plan and just run 3 days a week when I felt like it, I in the end super enjoyed it!
How Many Races?
Entered or run? I entered 3 races this year thanks to my angry hammy and Covid. I was signed up for the Flint Hill's 50 (deferred to 2021) and the 10th anniversary running of the Hawk (gave entry back as donation). I signed up for one virtual race, the Hive Hustle 10 miler solely based on the pretty swag (yes I am a sucker for beanies).
Total Miles:
As usual, Garmin and Strava don't agree. I think the difference is I do log treadmill miles directly into Strava since my watch usually is completely off from Satan's Sidewalk. Of course these numbers are super low but I am not into mileage goals as every time I set those, I get injured. I like to just be pleasantly surprised by what I get.
Garmin: 956.08
Strava: 1009
1. Stay Injury Free F - I started out the year with an angry hammy. While I ended the year much stronger and mostly injury free, I really did not think we were ever going to be able to get the hammy to stop hurting, as I think there was not only muscle pain but nerve issues as well. I am not entirely sure that I didn't tear it, but I know the strength training and rehab I did made me a stronger person overall. I am still going to my new chiro every 2 or 3 weeks on the regular and may switch to going once a week when my mileage ramps up.
2. Train smarter F- I started off the year being coached and then got ghosted once I got injured. I am not sure why, I really, really liked my new coach and I really was looking forward to having someone that studied this kind of stuff and had certifications in all things running tell me what to do including strength training. While it would have been kind of silly to pay someone to coach me when all the races canceled, I really wanted to work with this person so badly and was very hurt when she faded away and quit answering my emails and messages. I know she was going through her own tough spot and was very generous in not charging me one month when I was basically in the thick of my injury , but I did not ask for that charity and it still hurts to be let go. As a professional, part of your job is to be honest and tell your clients if it isn't a good fit and just be honest, not ghost a client. I was very up front that I am injury prone and that I do regular chiro/massage and will stay on top of any and all injuries and will follow any rehab plans to a T. Oh well, moving on.
3. Get Nutrition Dialed in F- Let's face it, i know lots of people who have gained weight, so I know I am not alone. I am a huge stress eater, wish I was the opposite for sure. This year was tough on our small business and I definitely ate my way through the stress of it all. When you own your own business it quits being just about you and all about your entire work family and their families. We all have kids we are supporting, we all have fears and concerns. Plus, add in a lot of unknowns at the beginning about the virus and then a complete shut down of the supply chain with commercial work ramping up and we had stress upon stress. Yes, it this is all a big excuse, but dang it, I am playing that card. I have gotten back on track some what with my herbalife shakes but am struggling again as we get though the holidays.
Flint Hill's 50
Possible: Prairie Spirit 50K spring edition
Possible: Hell creek 20 miler
Honestly, until we get into 2021 and we see how the virus behaves and how vaccinations play out, I won't be entering more races than the Flint Hill's 50. I would like to get a few more trail races in there and more trail time as always. I am not training for more than a 50K for the fall because I don't want to have to invest the time in training when my son is racing. We hope to be traveling more next year for races and I don't want the pressure of a serious training cycle or race on me if so. I am not going to miss any of his races next year because I love watching him and his friends race.
