So much is still unknown about what 2021 will bring. It looks like races will happen, especially in the second half of the year. Fingers crossed that I get to try a 50 miler (or two) this year. That was the goal for 2020, but I couldn't mentally wrap my head around running 50 miles in town. I opted for a runnable self-curated 50K and I did it, but it wasn't a great experience because I was running injured, in the heat and humidity of NJ in the summertime.
I put in for the Mt Hood 50 miler lottery last Sunday, but chances are I won't get into the race. Since they had to cancel last year's race, all of the folks that got in last year automatically got in this year. So, it looks like I will be waitlisted again. Last year I was #34 on the list. I'll be anxiously awaiting the lottery and waitlist results this coming Sunday, the 10th at 10AM PST. Race day would be July 11th. The 6 month training block would start the week of Jan 25th. I would love to run this race because it's almost all of the Pacific Crest Trail with amazing views and it does have some climbing, but it seems doable.
If I don't get into Mt. Hood, there are a few other options. One is to try to get into a 100K race that's also at Mt. Hood on July 31st. I'm pretty sure I'm not ready for a 100K. Not even sure I can finish a 50 miler. Aravaipa Running also has some interesting looking races in Arizona, but they would be at the end of the year. Pass Mountain 50M in November and McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50M in December. Both look really cool with a lot of single-track in the desert. Not a lot of shade, but probably manageable in the winter. There's a 50 miler in October that goes around Canandaigua Lake, but it's entirely on roads. That would be a lot of pounding. Then of course, there's the JFK50 in November. The first 15 miles are on the AT, which sounds cool. However, the last 26 miles are on a tow path, which would probably drive me crazy. I don't even like running more than a couple of miles on the tow path in Princeton.
Beyond trying the 50 mile distance, a running goal for 2021 is to be more intentional about my workouts and to incorporate a consistent strength, stability and core routine into my training. I know that upper body and core strength can make me a stronger runner. I've never been able to commit to a routine that sticks. Part of that was due to a shoulder injury. The good news is that the rotator cuff injury that I had for about 3 years has completely healed up. Since I had no access to climbing (thank you, COVID?), I was forced to rest the shoulder and I think it healed up in about 6 months. I don't even want to get started on the amount of time and $ that was spent on PT for the shoulder. I'm pretty psyched that with the shoulder healed, I'm able to lift weights and do planks again.
The Mt. Hood 50 miler is all on trails, so that means that most of my training will be on trails (if I get in). Running on trails requires strengthening the ankles, so I will make sure that I get slant board training in at least 3 days a week. So far this week, I've done a strength, core workout and/or slant board workout every day, so that's a good start. I'll also need to generally start training on hills. I'm a much stronger and much more confident downhill runner than an uphill runner. I need to work on the uphill running, but also power-hiking. While I was researching races, I noticed that many ultras are at altitude with a ton of elevation gain and I have no idea how I would react to trying to run at high altitudes, but I'd like to generally be stronger so that I have the option to try one of these more challenging races sometime in the future.
Stretch goal of course, would be to get 2 x 50 milers in the bag this year. My top 2 races (Mt. Hood and McDowell Mountain Frenzy) would award 3 and 4 UTMB points. This would allow me to apply for one of the UTMB series races in 2022. The UTMB OCC requires 4 points. It's still a lottery, but you can't apply unless you have points from other qualifying trail races. I would so love to be part of the excitement and beauty of UTMB. Mountain running is revered in that part of the world. It would be so cool to feel the energy of the spectators and the sheer number of runners. Chances are slim that I would ever get in. In 2019, there was only a 1 in 5 chance of being drawn from the lottery with over 6,000 applicants. If I don't get in for the next few years, I might just have to go as a spectator.
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