After my disappointing 2010 racing season - cut short by the fact that I'm getting old and medical maladies are becoming more and more common - I'm looking ahead to the upcoming year and I'm targeting races and setting goals. Actually, I've been thinking about my 2011 races and goals for months now. Is it OCD to start planning your races more than 12 months in advance?
First things first, however. My first goal of 2011 is to do more weight and strength training. I'm confident that my knee issues would not have been as much of an issue had I done more leg work at the gym. It's difficult to get to the gym during heavy training weeks, but if I want to avoid another injury plagued season I'm going to have to suck it up and hit the weights more often.
So, with that out of the way, here's what's on my racing schedule for 2011:
Weekend of May 08: North Face Endurance Challenge 1/2 Marathon
As I stated in my 2010 year in review, I had a lackluster performance at this race last year. I'm certainly going to need to kick things up a notch at this event this spring. According to the North Face web site, they've confirmed all their races for 2011 and registration will be opening shortly.
In case you're interested in getting in on this (and I highly recommend it) there are races at Bear Mountain, NY; Washington, DC; Madison, WI; Atlanta, GA; and San Francisco, CA. There are race distances ranging from 10K to 50 miles, so there's something for everyone. Check out their site for dates.
June 12: Sleepy Hollow Triathlon
Also mentioned in my year in review I need to, as my wife so awesomely says, "defend your AG title". I had a great race there last year and will be hoping for a repeat performance.
June 26: Stamford KIC IT Triathlon
All I'll say is that I need finish this race without a time penalty. Absolutely targeting the AG podium at this race. (Yes, I'll say it again, I should have been there last year).
It's an interesting race as it's a 2 transition area event. Having done it last year it's not that big a deal, but it does add an additional logistical wrinkle to your race morning plan. Post-race food and entertainment is good, and it's a quick drive from my house! No need to get up at 330a for this race.
July 10: Mossman Sprint Triathlon
After coming off some of my adventures in modern medicine last summer, I did the bike leg of a relay at this race in 2010. I'm thinking this will be a good race to use as another tune-up event - the bike course has a nice climb to deal with, but the run is pretty flat along the ocean. Should be a fast race.
August 21: Park City Mossman Triathlon
This was a race that I missed last year and really regretted it. It's an interesting change from most races around the tri-state area: Both the bike and run courses are pancake flat, with the bike leg taking place on a 5 loop, 8K course. No rest for the weary here.....you're pedaling constantly save for the turn-arounds at either end of the course. Really a great test of ones fitness. Once off the bike it's on to two flat 5K run loops along the Long Island Sound.
The Mossman group puts on a great race. I highly recommend any of their events.
September 2011: Toughman Half Iron Triathlon
A great race. My good friend Rich is the race organizer, and puts on one hell of an event. The volunteers are amazing, and it's one of the most well supported events I've raced. And they don't call it the Toughman for nothing. The bike and run courses are challenging to say the least. Sneaky hills, and a couple big climbs (on both the ride and the run) make this race one you'll need to do your hill repeats for.
Early October 2011: Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon
Are you noticing that all my running races are pretty much trail races? Love em'. My friend Eric has worked really hard at getting this race off the ground. 13 miles through lower Westchester County trails. Nothing crazy technical, but enough rocks, twists, and turns to ensure you keep your focus. The last time I raced this was in 2009 after the Toughman 1/2 Iron. My legs weren't quite back to 100%, but it was still a load of fun. And as the race organizer so often says: "...mud is a feature"
December 2011: Gail's Trail Race
Yep, another trail race. This is a race that I run every winter. I did a race report not too long ago, so you can read all about the race there. But really, what's not to like? Winter, trails, water crossings, cold mud. Need I say more?
I hope everyone is gearing up for a great 2011 racing season.
First things first, however. My first goal of 2011 is to do more weight and strength training. I'm confident that my knee issues would not have been as much of an issue had I done more leg work at the gym. It's difficult to get to the gym during heavy training weeks, but if I want to avoid another injury plagued season I'm going to have to suck it up and hit the weights more often.
So, with that out of the way, here's what's on my racing schedule for 2011:
Weekend of May 08: North Face Endurance Challenge 1/2 Marathon
As I stated in my 2010 year in review, I had a lackluster performance at this race last year. I'm certainly going to need to kick things up a notch at this event this spring. According to the North Face web site, they've confirmed all their races for 2011 and registration will be opening shortly.
In case you're interested in getting in on this (and I highly recommend it) there are races at Bear Mountain, NY; Washington, DC; Madison, WI; Atlanta, GA; and San Francisco, CA. There are race distances ranging from 10K to 50 miles, so there's something for everyone. Check out their site for dates.
June 12: Sleepy Hollow Triathlon
Also mentioned in my year in review I need to, as my wife so awesomely says, "defend your AG title". I had a great race there last year and will be hoping for a repeat performance.
June 26: Stamford KIC IT Triathlon
All I'll say is that I need finish this race without a time penalty. Absolutely targeting the AG podium at this race. (Yes, I'll say it again, I should have been there last year).
It's an interesting race as it's a 2 transition area event. Having done it last year it's not that big a deal, but it does add an additional logistical wrinkle to your race morning plan. Post-race food and entertainment is good, and it's a quick drive from my house! No need to get up at 330a for this race.
July 10: Mossman Sprint Triathlon
After coming off some of my adventures in modern medicine last summer, I did the bike leg of a relay at this race in 2010. I'm thinking this will be a good race to use as another tune-up event - the bike course has a nice climb to deal with, but the run is pretty flat along the ocean. Should be a fast race.
August 21: Park City Mossman Triathlon
This was a race that I missed last year and really regretted it. It's an interesting change from most races around the tri-state area: Both the bike and run courses are pancake flat, with the bike leg taking place on a 5 loop, 8K course. No rest for the weary here.....you're pedaling constantly save for the turn-arounds at either end of the course. Really a great test of ones fitness. Once off the bike it's on to two flat 5K run loops along the Long Island Sound.
The Mossman group puts on a great race. I highly recommend any of their events.
September 2011: Toughman Half Iron Triathlon
A great race. My good friend Rich is the race organizer, and puts on one hell of an event. The volunteers are amazing, and it's one of the most well supported events I've raced. And they don't call it the Toughman for nothing. The bike and run courses are challenging to say the least. Sneaky hills, and a couple big climbs (on both the ride and the run) make this race one you'll need to do your hill repeats for.
Early October 2011: Paine to Pain Trail 1/2 Marathon
Are you noticing that all my running races are pretty much trail races? Love em'. My friend Eric has worked really hard at getting this race off the ground. 13 miles through lower Westchester County trails. Nothing crazy technical, but enough rocks, twists, and turns to ensure you keep your focus. The last time I raced this was in 2009 after the Toughman 1/2 Iron. My legs weren't quite back to 100%, but it was still a load of fun. And as the race organizer so often says: "...mud is a feature"
December 2011: Gail's Trail Race
Yep, another trail race. This is a race that I run every winter. I did a race report not too long ago, so you can read all about the race there. But really, what's not to like? Winter, trails, water crossings, cold mud. Need I say more?
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| I mean, really - what's not to love here? |
I hope everyone is gearing up for a great 2011 racing season.