On Running: February 2012 Update
I've been training my ass off lately, and things are going better. Here are the results of my two winter runs.
The Hot Chocolate Hustle: A local 5K tune up race I wanted to do. Easy flat course. Training was going a little slow, so my only goal was to break 25:00 min, but I ended up running it in 22:33, just four seconds off from my PR, so that was good. It also gives me hope of setting a new PR when it gets nicer out and if I up my speed training. I did not win any awards in my age group, but I drank lots of hot chocolate! Omnomnom...
The Frosty Five: 5 mile trail run. I had been looking forward to this race for a long time and it certainly lived up to my expectations. Very rough course with a lot of hills AND we got several inches of snow the night before, so I got the full experience. I went to five training camps leading up to this race so I would be at my best, and I think it really paid off, not just with my trail conditioning, but by knowing how the course was laid out. My goal was to break 50:00 min, and I did it in 47:59, so I was happy. I got second place in my age group and won a cool Frosty Five drinking glass.
Now, it's time for me to kick up my training and distance even more. I found a local team here in town doing Tough Mudder, and I joined them and officially signed up to compete in the Amherst Quarry Tough Mudder on April 14th. I am training like crazy and very excited. I may also do a half-marathon in late March as well. My right knee is still giving me fits, but other than that I feel poised to kick it up to the next level!