A fresh start

I decided to delete all of my old blog posts.  I hadn't updated in quite a while, and I want this blog to be more reflective of my current state of running.

I had intended to post over the past week while participating in the Ultimate competition at the ENDURrun, but I did not have the time, between running, recovering, and socializing.  I had a great week of running, considering my lack of training leading up to the event.  I didn't start running consistently until July (thank you Mr. Parke for your running challenge).  I know I'm capable of better, but I'm proud of what I accomplished, and I'm using last week as a springboard into my training for my next big event.

The Bearded One and I signed up for Beast of Burden winter and summer 100 milers on Friday night.  That had always been the plan for next year, and since we signed up early we saved $30 on each registration, and also get a jacket in addition to the awesome swag you regularly get at that race.  I'm taking it easy with running for the next few days, but I plan on building the momentum from last week's mileage, and jumping into my training plan head on.

In order to participate in Beast I need a 50 mile finish this year. I was DNS at Sulphur due to my injuries (suspected stress fracture which turned out to not be, and whiplash), so I've signed up for Haliburton.  This was my first 50 miler in 2010, which I completed after taking a month off of running due to a shin stress fracture.  It took me over 19 hours, and was mentally and physically gruelling.  I've since completed two more 50 milers at Sulphur, but I've DNFed at Hali a number of times since that original finish.  There have been legit reasons (forgetting my orthotics for example, and the usual lack of training), but part of it has been due to fear as well.  Hali can be a scary place in the dark.  But this is something I need to face, because my ultimate goal is to finish 100 miles at Haliburton next September.  I'm confident that I am in a better place both physically and mentally this year to finish the 50 miles there. 

The plan is to post more regularly here.  I've said that in the past, but I plan on making it a priority this time.  I want a journal of my training, so I can look back on it later.