I’m a bit stressed at work today (I’m second-chairing my first trial starting a week from today), and taking a break to plan races always makes me feel better.
The first half of 2012 looks like it’s going to be a giant wash for me race-wise. For various reasons, it’s been a rough couple of months at work, both in terms of hours and stress-level, and I’ve been traveling a ton (some for work, some for fun). Usually training helps me de-stress from work, but what I’m finding right now is that because I am being pulled in so many different directions, my brain and body reach points where they just shut down and all I can do is lay on the couch and watch old Friends episodes on Nick at Nite. I had to give up the dream of a fall marathon because I just can’t handle that structured a schedule this year. I’m signed up for an Olympic triathlon in June (Rev3 Quassy), but right now I’m 50/50 on whether I’m actually going to do it.
But, my trial will be over by May 11 at the latest, and I’d like to do some various stress level improvements at that time, including re-focusing on training. Today’s Boston Marathon inspired me to plan my race schedule for the rest of the year.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
August 4-5 Pan-Massachusetts bike ride. 190 miles and a least 10 fluffernutters. I can’t wait.
August 26: I’m torn between the Queens half-marathon and the Cranberry Olympic triathlon. Queens has two advantages: I don’t have to travel, and it’s a scored race that counts toward my 9+1. But that doesn’t leave me much time to build up the running distance after PMC, and it could be a rather hot 13.1 that time of year. Cranberry is my favorite triathlon course, and some of my Boston tri friends would likely join me.
October 9: Staten Island half-marathon. Local and gets me credit toward the 9+1.
November: Debating between Newton Chilly half (Nov. 11) and Philly half (Nov. 18). Newton is one of my favorite courses despite the hills and represents Nos. 2 and 3 on my list of top times. And many of my friends race it. Philly is supposedly a beautiful and flat course, and it would be nice to try something new.
December 15: Toying with the idea of the Hoover Dam half. I go to Vegas all the time anyways, so it would be nice if one of my trips could enhance rather than detract from my racing. But desert air is not easy to run in, and the early race start time could hamper Vegas festivities. At least the race is on Saturday morning so I could still enjoy Saturday night in Vegas.
I can’t decide whether three halves in three months is a great way to work on speed or a great way to injure myself and have a bad last race. I learned this past fall that three weeks apart is too close for halves if I want to race them hard, but I would get a full month between all of these races.
Thoughts? And more importantly, who wants to join me?
