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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Here comes 2012

Finally a post.


2011 is over and 2012 has begun. 2011 started out pretty disappointing, got better, then more disappointment, then BAM- Wasatch 100 then shut it down for family time.

From January to late March I struggled with a hip and abdominal injury that wouldn’t go away. In early April we got that fixed before I went down the Grand Canyon for a R2R2R crossing. It ate me for lunch but I did it (I will be heading back this year to try and find some of the dignity I left near the bottom).

After my GC adventure the year went stale. No real racing other than the Pocatello 50 (I did the 20 miler) in May and the RD duties the remainder of the summer. For my 40th b-day I was nursing a separated shoulder I suffered while glissading down from Ben Lomond Peak. I sat out July and hit the trails HARD in August to get ready for the Wasatch 100. That race made the entire year worth it! I hit my goal of a sub 30 hour finish in a painful fashion. Little did I know that race would be what set me up for 2012.

After Wasatch I paced 40 miles at the Bear and then hit California for 2 weeks with the family. Not only did I spend some quality time with my family but it helped me step back from reality (life, work, running, etc) and re- charge and re-focus. That trip was a game changer- except for the 10+ pounds I put back on with all the eating and no exercise.

When I got back in November I started my own resolutions a few months early. I put together more of a structured running plan (a first) and really worked on consistency. Through the holidays I stayed to task and was discipline enough to keep putting in the work. As the New Year approached I got excited of what could be in 2012.

As I began throwing my race schedule together I put some things first- family and my own trail series I direct here in Northern Utah. After the dust settled and I lost out on the Hardrock and Western States draw my schedule started coming together (to the right you will see my current schedule for 2012). I really have my fingers crossed for Wasatch and I am still trying to figure out June (Big Horn 100, Black Hills 100 or San Juan Solstice 50) and August (Waldo 100k?).

 This year there will be weekly posts of training and since I am not a huge mileage runner I hope to do no less than 40 per week and vary between 40-70. The miles will be quality miles and I will focus on the things I hate- hills, climbing and speed. With all this comes the need to drop that damn weight but if I do it right I will hopefully be where I want to be come late April. Being a middle of the pack runner, there are times I wonder what I could do if I really pushed the training. Juggling it with family and work are tough for everyone so the need to improve comes with consistency and focus. I don't want to lose the reason I do this so I am going to keep it all in perspective. I run for fun, for friendships, for health and for me. I have started a running club for 2012 and with the help of all these great people I know 2012 will be special in so many ways. I hope to use this blog not only for my friends to make fun of me but a way to hold myself to task and add some accountability so I can't hide or make excuses (yuck!).

So here is to 2012! I hope to see many new faces on the trails and be more committed than ever to those things are most important to me

3 comments:

Curtis said...

Nice blog Manners. Good luck in pursuit of your 2012 goals!

Brandi said...

Aric it's always a pleasure to see your drive coupled with humility. :-) keep it going

BobbyKnight said...

Way to keep it real Aric. Nothing but the best for you and your family in 2012. I hope to see you in Lake City, CO. in June!