It Never Gets Easier You Just Get Stronger: The Wheel of Life

I woke up this morning feeling feeling very refreshed considering that my household has suffered at the hands of the the flu bug sweeping through the country this past week although officially it's not an epidemic the experts are saying.

I have been conscious of the fact that I haven't updated my blog this past month but to be honest I haven't had much time due to a very busy month both on the work and domestic front. However I have been reflecting on this years running achievements and compiling areas of focus for next year. See below:

Highlights

Finishing the Grimsthorpe 70 mile race.
Setting a new half marathon PB
Meeting some great new folks in the running world
Running never got in the way of family time.
5 races completed (Ultras 2: 30km 1: 1/2 marathon 1: 10k 1:)

2011 focus

Complete Bob Graham Round, sub 24 hours
Run more miles and run what I can when I can.
Don't let running conflict with family time.

Looking at what I have achieved this year I am fairly pleased with the results. I didn't set any specific goals as I hadn't really planned anything at the start of 2009 and pretty much took things one day at a time. For me the biggest lesson I learned this year were that I shouldn't rigidly stick to a training plan. I work 9-6, have 2 kids under 5 years old and therefore this will all come before running because at the end of the day as they are the priorities that dictate my life. So I have kind of adopted the philosophy of "running what I can when I can" and focus on quality workouts when time is limited. This of course does mean though there are plenty of hours in the day where I can get a run in.

In 2011 my approach to life and running will be no different from the last few months of this year. However I would like to race more and improve performance so being with other like minded individuals is a must and by joining a running club this would help but we shall see how I could fit it in. The BGR is my number one goal next year and I have been able to secure time for recces / long training runs from the family to support this effort over the next 6 months It's going to be amazing journey and no easy task especially if the weather is against us as the navigation will be challenging.

I wish you all a Happy New year and thanks for the support this past 12 months. It's been quite an adventure and there is more in store as the "wheel turns".

Happy Running

4 comments:

Wyatt3 January 2011 at 00:59
Richard: Congrats on a great year! Making running an important part of your life while keeping family first is a challenge. Sometimes running encroaches especially when training for an ultra. For me, I've kind of developed a 6th sense that allows me to recognize when running is taking over. It's easy to let happen! Good luck with 2011 and may you achieve all of your goals plus some!

Wyatt
UltraBobban16 January 2011 at 08:59
Ahhhh! the Bob Graham round. Was to be my focus of 2011. Now it will be 2012! Good luck. Only just over 1000 have completed it. It is the stuff legends are made of!!
Richard S17 January 2011 at 23:23
Wyatt, thanks for the support and advice in 2010. It has been invaluable and looking to put that to good use in 2011 and beyond. Looks like your recovery is well on track so I will be checking in on progress.

UB, BGR is pretty much my sole focus until June and I am getting pumped up about it. Plenty of adventure in the mountains leading up to that. Will be posting something shortly on this to kick things off officially and the mention of other potential plans this year subject to family approval :-)
oldrunningfox.29 January 2011 at 14:05
I see you've got Anton Krupicka among your favourite websites, now there's a REAL mountain man - and he write beautifully. Love his description of the Pikes Peak run.
Anyhow, congratulations Rich on all your 2010 achievements, you've come a long way in two years. I'm a bit envious of your Bob Graham plans. If only I was forty years younger! Good luck with it.

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