2011 is shaping up nicely.

Looking beat at Lamb's Canyon (only halfway)

Well, the lottery Gods were on my side...or were they? Saturday morning after a solid 18 mile run with Les, I got a text saying- "you're in". WOW, 2 for 2 in the Wasatch lottery. I got selected in 2008 and that was my first 100 miler and a true eye opener. This year I will be returning with some lofty goals for me.
In 2008, despite have the best pacer you could ask for I stumbled across the finish line in a time of 34:51. Not exactly pretty and not what I was hoping for but I did finish. I was under prepared and maybe bit off a bit more than I could chew. You can read about that race HERE.

Here I am crossing the line in 2008.

So for 2011 the goal is to go sub 30. That means cutting off 5 hours!! Can I do it? Why not?
So with 2011 shaping up it is time for me to shape up. Big goals means big commitment. 2008 was a great learning experience and now it is time to apply what I learned to 2011.
Also a congrats to everyone else who will be lining up this year for the Wasatch 100!

January 2011

So I made it through the first month of the year with some decent running. Limited at the first of the year with a minor injury but feeling pretty solid now. The race plans are taking shape and in less than 1 week I get to learn my fate for the Wasatch 100. January 2011 was my most productive January ever far as running goes. I feel good and even though I am not where I would like to be for Moab in a couple weeks I keep trying to remind myself that it is not the focus for the year. Moab has always been a way for me and my family to get away and help shake our "cabin fever". It is a fun race and generally run without a lot of the white stuff. February is now officially under way and the goal is to get to March with a lot more miles and at least 5 less pounds. Baby steps I say!
So here's to February.
P.S. Tomorrow my beautiful daughter Samantha turns 14! Oh crap. The boys may be able to run faster away from me but they sure as hell would out run me.

Ultra Runner vs. Ironman

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8279147/

Island Training Run

On top of Elephant Head

I was able to get out onto the Island today for a training run. The plan was the 25k course but due to some post holing we cut it short and just did 12 miles. We did run up the Elephant Head which was pretty cool. I got to see owls, coyotes, antelope an buffalo. There was a good 15 people out for the run- some familiar faces and some new ones. The best news of the day was that my abs only had minor discomfort. I was expecting worse but they held out pretty well which is good news seeing it is about a month until Moab. I really tried to push the last 4-5 miles and felt pretty good maintaining a solid pace.
This year I am really going to try and document my running with pictures and video. Here are just a few below.

A few of the runners on top of Elephant head

My ugly mug at Elephant Head

2011 is here- ready or not.

This will be the first post for 2011. It will also serve as the  post I will come back to read at the end of 2011. Why? Well, let's call it a post that will hold me to my goals. Every year I jot down some things I want to do for the year- not resolutions just a nice 12 month "To Do List".
2010 was definitely not what I hoped but that all falls on my shoulders. So the 2011 "To Do List" here will consist of running goals. I like to keep these to myself so everyone doesn't know if I succeeded of failed. After careful thinking I am going to announce to the world- or to the 2 or 3 people that read this my plans and goals.
2010 never lived up to my expectations for so many reasons but at the end of the day I could have done more. 2011 will be aggressive and to be honest makes me a little nervous. I truly believe I can get things done but it will not be easy. Maybe that's why I want to do it. Who likes easy? Let's use 2011 as a year to test limits. We are all so much more capable of what we do but many of us are afraid to come up short or fail. Count me as part of that group. Failure is the real "F" word to me. 2010 gave me the "F" word in the way of the SwanCrest 100. These 2 days in July have truly haunted me with my running. It was an amazing experience and a real must do event. The people are fantastic and the scenery is something I cannot give justice in words. Never the less I "F"ailed at what I set out to do.
2011 is going to be EPIC  or insert a word less used over the past year.
I am looking forward to the challenge and must admit I am actually pretty exited. I have been training very minimal over the past month and have been going to PT to ensure I get off on the right feet.
So 2011 is here and here are my goals. Maybe lofty but what the hell.......

• Moab Red Hot 50k- run in less than 6:30 (this may be the toughest for me being a month away)
• Buffalo Run 50 mile- run a sub 10:30
• Complete the Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim
• Squaw Peak 50- sub 11:30
• Get into Wasatch and go sub 28- I control only the time- getting in is another story (if I don't get in I will change it but do a different 100 miler)
• Finish the year with over 2000 miles
• Be down 20 pounds

Alright- these are not maybe lofty goals for most people but they sure are for me.

Motivation Monday

Well back again for another Monday pep talk. I could really use one right now. I have been sick for a week and can't see it getting much better. I have been unable to do anything workout related and besides being sick, I am frustrated and feeling fat.
So here's to a recovery of sorts and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!
Now on with some Motivation.....

It requires more courage to suffer than to die.  - Napolean Bonaparte

What worries you, masters you.   - Haddon W. Robinson

What great thing would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?  - Robert Schuller

Motivation Monday

I know everyone is looking forward to my Motivation Mondays so here is another installment- if you haven't noticed, December's motivation is about "COURAGE".

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."- Billy Graham

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."- Ambrose Redmoon

"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow that talent to the dark place where it leads."- Erica Jong

And lastly-
"If you're careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you." -Ashleigh Brilliant