Wednesday, January 5, 2011

2010 year in review


Year in Review
2010 ended up being a decent year of running for me and my most successful running season ever. At the end of 2009 I posted my 5 goals for 2010 (see the post here). Well unlike 2009 where I met all my running goals this didn't end up happening last year. I am disappointed in that? Hell No!

Like many things in life some of these goals were not met as my focus and yearly goals changed at some point along the way. Could I have made all of my goals if I had stayed the course and kept my focus on them. Maybe ( more then likely) but at some point on the way to the road racing finish line I took an abrupt left turn and found myself in middle of the woods, literally. So here are the last years goals, results and excuses. I mean reasons. Hey I could have always gone back edited my 2010 posted goals to match up with what I actually did but what fun would that be. It was tempting, very tempting.

Last Years Goals

1. Break 20 minutes in a 5k
Fail, kind of. It didn't happen and I really didn't even get close. I ran my last 5k in March taking 12 seconds off of my PB (21:03) but after that my focus changed and my short distance speed suffered.

2. Run my first 100 miler
Success. I ran my first 100, Sulphur Springs in May and then hit another 100 at Haliburton in the fall. I also ran 2 different 24 hour events, Dirty Girls and 24hrs on the Track.

3. Stay injury free
Success, kind of. I didn't suffer any major injuries but was plagued by smaller ones in the second half of the season. In each race that I ran longer then 100k I ended up with some kind of small injury that cost me a week or two of training each time. By my account I lost about 5 - 6 weeks of training due to injury.

4. Hit my Boston Qualifier
Fail. I didn't end up running a Marathon for time (race it) last year. My plan to attempt to run my qualifier in the fall got shelved as I was busy racing other distances.

5. Up my bas
e mileage, shoot for 5000km year.
Semi Success. I upped my base mileage from just under 4000k in 2009 to 4500k in 2010. Not the 5000k I had hoped but as one of my running friends pointed out 5000k would be a 20% increase in one year. I will settle for the 10% increase for the year. I am happy with that considering the training time I lost due to injury.

So what changed from the start of last year to the start of this year to change my focus. In a word ULTRAS. What I discovered this year is that I like running long, really really long and if its on trails thats even better. After running two 50ks last spring and then a 100 miler in May it became clear that I was having way too much fun on the trails to focus on road running. I thought in June that I might be able to dance along the line somewhere in between the two worlds but by July I found myself in the running for the Ontario Ultra Cup and an age group award so I decided to go all in. I am slowish comparably to the top guys (and girls) so what I lack in speed I had to make up for in mileage. I got my Gump on and ended up placing second in my age group in the OUSER series.

Significant Mileage Totals for 2010

longest training run (not including races)- 32 miles
longest run (race) - 100 miles
most mileage run in a week - 135 miles
lowest mileage run in a week - 0 miles
most mileage in a month - 322 miles
lowest mileage in a month - 152 miles
Number of races in 2010 - 22
Number of Marathons + Ultra races -12 (2 Marathons, 6 50ks)

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR 2010
2808.5 Miles
or
4519.9 km

Significant Race Results for 2010
Set PBs in 5k, 8k, 10 miles, Half Marathon, 30k, 50k trail, 50k road, and 100 miler.

Second in Age group Slainte 5k
Second in Age group 24hr on the Track
Second in Age group Ontario Ultra Series (top 6 ultra race finishes)
Third Overall Men in Ontario Ultra Series (total for all races)

Coming up ..... 2011 goal and racing plan

25 comments:

  1. You had some pretty amazing accomplishments in 2010. Great job!! I look forward to seeing your upcoming goals!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Incredible how your focus and goals changes over the course of the year. Just goes to show us that you never know what will happen next! Congrats on a great year and I look forward to following along in 2011. Maybe we'll even meet in person at once of these races!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you had an great 2010 running year Chris! I can't wait to see what's on your 2011 list.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing! Let's hope we both make it out to "the Nog" next year!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great accomplishments....I understand completely about the loss of road focus....once you hit the trails, it's hard to enjoy road running.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That adds up to an AWESOME running year for you! Here's to 2011 and new achievements. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. 4000K to 5000K is a 25% increase.

    ReplyDelete
  8. 4500k in 2010, it means 10% increase in one year, compared with the previous year. It's a great goal, Chris!

    I'm so glad that you reached your goals. First of all, you had beautiful injury-free adventures. Congrats on your fantastic running year!

    It's always a pleasure to read your running blog, because you write everything about the race: running shoes, countryside, path, lanscape, environment, running clothes, winter cold, feelings while you were running and other things.

    I look forward to reading about your next adventures!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so impressed with your focus and dedication. Who needs Boston when you can run 100 miles in a single pop. Can't wait to see what 2011 brings for you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. You had an amazing year, Chris. Congrats! Here's to an even better (and healthy) 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are living proof that anything is possible with running! Looking forward to seeing what you accomplish in 2011!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Chris,
    I am still in awe of your accomplishments this past year! I know that 2011 is going to be just as memorable for you. Good things are on the horizon:) I agree with Giorgio...you have some of the best enjoyable race reports...I can feel your passion for the sport through your words:)

    Wishing you nothing but the best for the new year!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did an awesome job in 2010! Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW, what a year. That's a lot of mileage and a lot of long races. I am amazed that your longest training run was 32 miles and your race was 100. How does that work out? Really, it's so far from what I can even imagine, only dream. Great year!

    ReplyDelete
  15. There seemed to be a lot of fails in that list - but there's no failure in changing direction. You had a huge year - a successful year! Just not the way you'd initially planned.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Incredible year! I didn't even know Toronto had that much trail!

    ReplyDelete
  17. great going chris
    i guess your new found ultras can only take you further (so to speak)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What you did is mind-blowing to me & clearly a success!

    ReplyDelete
  19. wow, good for you discovering your love of trails and ultras. that seriously blows my mind. i can't imagine running for those distances and times. sounds awful. but you totally rock at it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good luck in 2011! Just drop the "k" stuff and go for 5000....miles!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great year Chris. I am sure 2011 will be a blast. Peace EricG

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great perspective. You had a good year.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You had a great year! That is some insanely high mileage that you did in 2010! It's interesting to follow your blog because you are such a different runner than I am. Good luck in 2011!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts with Thumbnails