Ah yes, the last day of the year when bloggers/facebookers/tweeters/number FREAKS start talking stats.
Well, mine are low compared to years past. I knew they would be but I was surprised by how much.
This year, I ran 1057 miles. That's almost 500 miles less that last year.
I rode 1010 miles and swam 27 miles in my half baked return to triathlons.
There are several reasons for the lower milage. I stopped marathon training and longer running after Boston as I knew I wasn't doing any big fall racing. I was still struggling with the naggin PF. Loren and I had a lot of hiking planned.
So let's review some high lights shall we?
Shamrock Half 1:41:18 PR while the sub 1:40 still eludes me, I'm really close and think 2011 might be the year.
Boston Marathon 3:41:07 PR BQ My first real shot at sub 3:40 and a BQ. I'm aging up so as things now with the BAA, I need a 3:50. We'll see how that changes going forward, though I don't plan on running Boston again for a while after 2011.
On the high pointing front, it was a hugely successful year, one which I don't think we'll be able to out do. We hit 17 high points brining my total to 28 and Loren's to 31. Oh and Ms Bea now has 7. In this quest, we ascended 40,220' (this number includes La Plata, which is not a state high point but is the 5th highest peak in CO at 14,336' and is a tougher hike than it's neighbor Mt Elbert which is CO high point). We did 2 winter climbs Mt Marcy in NY and Mt Mansfield in VT. Winter hiking is an amazing thing. These were my first 2 serious winter climbs and I loved every minute of it, even that brief time when I was bonking on Marcy.
We've seen amazing, beautiful, odd, parts of the US that most people never see and/or never think about. Some serious true America. This country is beautiful and amazing. Nature is one of the few places I know of where I can go out and meet someone I know has values and ideas that could not be more opposite than mine and yet that does not matter because we have (literally) this enormous common ground. When your 20 miles out from anything, your life may also depend on a stranger on the trail with you, political difference mean little in such situations.
So what does 2011 look like? Well here are my goals:
sub 1:40 in the half. I don't know which half yet
sub 3:40 in Boston (this is all starting to sound a bit familiar)
Sub 13 hour Ironman. I haven't done an Ironman since 2004. I think I am a much better athlete now so this should be interesting.
Summit Mauna Kea the high point of HI. I'm turning 40 in a few weeks so this will be my birthday present. While I won't be there for my actual birthday, Loren and I are planning for late Jan.
Summit Mt Rainer the high point of WA. Still working on when this will be as the climbing season is short but this is very exciting.
See what other high points we throw in there.
I think that about wraps it up. Thanks for following along this year and I wish all of you a Happy New Year.
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6 comments:
"Nature is one of the few places I know of where I can go out and meet someone I know has values and ideas that could not be more opposite than mine and yet that does not matter because we have (literally) this enormous common ground. When your 20 miles out from anything, your life may also depend on a stranger on the trail with you, political difference mean little in such situations."
What an awesome, and true, observation. So much of our differences result from our sheltered lives, I think. If our lives were harder, maybe we'd all get along better?
Great post, I also love the quote Cris points out. You had an intensely successful year in sport. Doesn't matter that it wasn't all running, it was athletic and it was important.
I'm so proud of you Loren's highpoint mania. I never even heard of such a thing till you started your huge adventure. So you taught me something, too. And wow to all the photos you've brought back from these crazy places. Doesn't even look like the same continent I'm used to.
So here's to more adventures in 2011, whatever you do, I know you'll do it with a bang. Can't wait to see you some more, too! :-)
Beautiful post! And I love love love following your high point adventures!
Wonderful blog! It was a very well-rounded year for you, and I'm excited to see you pursue your 2011 goals. And BTW, I didn't know that you had ever completed an Ironman. That's awesome!
I am really, really excited about your IM. I bet you are going to surprise yourself at how little running-shape you've lost. Keep posting high point photos. I think they are really neat and what an awesome hobby for you and Loren to share! Happy New Year, love ya!
I have no idea what half this stuff means but I can't imagine little Bea making her way up all those high points!
I think the common ground thing is both scary and very sweet.
One of my resolutions this year is to run a 5k.
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