The close of the decade is hard to imagine. Seems like only a short blink of an eye ago everyone was preparing for the Y2K unknown. Today we are now 10 years into the unknown and although the world has changed it didn’t all happen with the unwinding of one large computer glitch. Is that a relief and kind of humorous all at the same time. In the past ten years many incredible events graced my life. Dispelling the myth that your running career peaks out by age 28 was one of the best discoveries. At the dawn of the decade, my post-college running career finally crossed the starting line. A couple friends invited me to run a half marathon which then slowly led to many miles of training, multiple marathons and most recently the run-commute project. While it seemed the end of my young running career was quickly approaching, it’s now quite clear that the dawn of the new decade in more like the beginning.

Run-commuting Update
In the end of June 2009, I started running to work and the run-commute project came to life. During the first couple weeks the mileage clicked off quickly and an injury arrived early on. While spending two weeks on the sideline healing, I realized it was time to truly get healthy. If I was going to survive the high mileage it was time to get serious. Hitting the roads again, each week logged a variety of mileage totals and some really fun experiences. Everything culminated to a marathon in mid-December. To my surprise, with training only through run-commuting and a long run on the weekend, this style of training powered me forward to a new marathon PR. Since completing the marathon the run-commuting miles slowed as I rested post race. Now with the new year at hand, the original goal still looms on the horizon. With 70 days officially in the books, the 100 day goal is within reach.

2010 Race Plans
Listening to other runners, I’ve found that we all define our race schedules in different ways. This past weekend, I was running with a couple guys and while talking one mentioned preparing for “light” race schedule. When I asked how many races that comprised a “light” schedule, he said, “about 10 for the year”. Hearing his definition of light, all I could think was “wow… my schedule must me ultra-light” as over the last couple years, I’ve raced less than ten times in the year. Then it occurred to me. There are two parts to a race schedule – frequency and volume. Hence there is a big difference between running a series of 5k races or a marathon a month plan. So, this year I’ve decided to race in a free form style. Mix up a handful of 5k events, half marathons, a mountain relay, hometown 15k, and my first ultra – 50 miler. We all define our running lives through different lens. Personally, 2010 is a dense year of fun and new frontiers.

Tip of the Week
Looking for a speedy recovery from nagging injuries? Trade in ibuprofen for a steep reduction in your refined sugar intake. Since refined sugars naturally increase inflamation in the muscles and joints, avoiding high levels of sugar intake may lead to the calming recovering your muscles desire.