Jemez Bound

As a lot of you already know, I ran Jemez (or at least 17 miles of it) in 2008. The race report is here. Anyway, I've thrown myself, once again, into the fray. Training commences tomorrow on a whole new level simply because flatlanders are at such a disadvantage when it comes to mountain racing. The altitude doesn't seem to bug me but the inclines and declines just fry my quads, so I'll be hitting the gym at least 3-4 times a week, working on lunges and so forth and hopefully I will have the time to get out to Horseshoe Bend for some good hill repeats as well. I'm really looking forward to getting focused again. My racing season has been, so far, a big letdown due to time constraints and absolute lack of discipline in training. Gotta bring the heat now.

Ummmmm, The Grasslands, yeah, ok

Like the title suggests...................ummmmmm, yeah, what can ya say? I got to the race start with my windshield wipers on high, it was starting to sleet, there were wind gusts up to 30mph, and it was 30 degrees not substracting the wind chill. I didn't get out of the car! The people that actually ran this race are simply the bravest souls I know. I do NOT like cold weather!! I put the Xterra in reverse and pulled outta there.
There's a half marathon about 50 miles from Lubbock in the town of Lamesa and I'm gonna run that this Saturday. I'm on the lookout for something fun in April so we'll see what I can cook up.
Also, a major congrats is in order for Dave Elliott and Sonia Burdett for running the Bataan Memorial Death March last Sunday, both with 44 pound packs on their backs! Hoorah! Way to go, you two!

Got the Grasslands coming up!!

With the weather becoming warmer and warmer, the training is coming easier and easier. Thank goodness! The wind the last couple of days has been pretty obnoxious so I've done some intervals on the treadmill instead of getting blown to the Texas border. I will head out this weekend for a final LONG run before the marathon a week from this Saturday. The Grasslands is a great course, very runnable! Also you get to see a lot of people since you loop back to the race start/finish several times. Last year, I ran the 50 miler as part of the 50 Mile Grand Slam, and just didn't perform the way I wanted to. While I was running this race last year it was like my "Give-a-Shit-ometer" was busted. You can read the race report here.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to hitting this course again with a little more vim and vigor in my step! I'll let ya know how it goes!