El Fin

The end of 2007 is upon us. First off, let me say a thank you to all my friends for being, well, my friends! May we all have many more new years together! I feel I should recap the running year that was 2007.

I should start by saying that 2007 has been a banner year, though I didn't really plan it that way. I signed up for Chicago, and tried to get into New York, so I suppose I was off to a roaring start. The decision to sign up for Chicago was reminiscent of my decision to run my first marathon; I simply said "I think I'll run the marathon", and here we are today. With a Chicago entry in hand, I ran the Austin Half Marathon for the second time, and then decided I needed to train more over the Spring, so I ran with the Knuckleheads. Despite various injuries, I began the HoustonFIT Fall program for the first time. I always remember thinking the Fall group was kind of strange what with their early start times and excessive mileage in the Summer heat, but there I was, running almost double digit mileage come early June.

With the start of Fall training began the most "medal intense" period of my running life. Anchorage Half in June, Chicago in October, Houston Half Marathon a few weeks later, and the Sunmart Ultra-Marathon come early December. For 2007, I earned a total of six running medals; almost half of my 14 total medals.

Though it will stretch into the early part of 2008, the most surprising part of 2007 is the fact that from Chicago to Houston, I will have ran three marathon in three months and one week. Previously, I ran three marathon .... in two years! Though this torrid pace is perhaps why I have been injured for much of this time frame, I think it has enabled me to participate in more runs, and thus, enjoy the sport even more. I also hope that this one year of struggle will enable me to train, in some fashion, year round if I choose.

So 2008 is upon us; what's next? Frankly, I don't know. Perhaps I need to finally focus on the Half Ironman I've always wanted to do, or maybe I just need to run with no concern for races; just do it for the sake of doing it. I am at the very least committed to the Indy Mini Marathon and Hood to Coast. I think my best plan would be get some medical advice on my ailing feet, get those healed up, and continue on from there. Perhaps January 21, one week and day after the marathon, I'll go see Dr. Sokolow and get advice on just how much running I should plan for the remainder of the year.

I'll be in New Orleans for new years ... wish me luck! Take care; Happy 2008!