The Year Ahead

2012 has not been far from my mind much of the past year.  As the previous year ebbed and flowed lessons were learned, expectations adjusted, and plans made and revisited.  If all goes well this year will be full of 50k and marathon distances and a ½ Ironman.  Rolling the calendar is a mere formality as I have been incrementally taking steps to realize these ambitions for some time.  The major events I would like to do that will shape my training are listed.  A full list of events can be found on the races page.


4 Feb 2012 Badgerland Striders John Dick Memorial 50k

The first time I saw this event the very notion it existed offended my senses.  Who would undertake a primitive winter trail run of this magnitude?  I quickly dismissed the race as foolish but it gnawed on my mind in the coming weeks.  This is the challenge I need to grow, stand up, and take back winter.  Denial progressed to acceptance and today even if the event falls through it has been a success in shaping my training since November.

The John Dick Memorial 50k features winter trail running.  Lefty will be staying home.

 12 May 2012 Badgerland Striders Ice Age Trail 50k

Like the John Dick memorial this event also takes place in beautiful southern Kettle Moraine.  Also offered are 50 mile and half marathon distances.  I will train specifically for this event and run for time, doing the entire taper / peak business.   

8 Jun 2012 Chicago Ragnar Relay

This should prove to be a great experience.  Running will be the easy part in comparison to all the behind the scenes organization and planning required.  I will be running with my wife as part of a coed ultra team provided we can convince two more women to join us.

30 Jun 2012  XTERRA Dairyland

This off-road triathlon consists of a 1500 yd swim, 15 mile bike, and 5.4 mile run.  I have wanted to do this since I learned of its existence.  Triathlon is awesome but this one has mountain biking and trail running to make it even more so.  This is a must do event for the year.

My cross country mountain bike sits idly waiting out the winter 

15 Jul 2012 Racine 1/2 Ironman

Pulling off this event will take a lot careful planning and execution.  It should serve to keep me focused and honest in getting training time in on the bike and swim.  Should I come up short in my training there are plenty of sprint and Olympic distance events to fall back on around this time.

15 Sep 2012 North Face Endurance Challenge 50k

Another event in southern Kettle Moraine.  I plan to make a big weekend of it with camping, biking and seeing friends.  The weekend is about having a good time and the race will sort itself out.

Last years Endurance Challenge 1/2 marathon

7 Oct 2012 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

This will serve as my second big race for time of the year.   My training will be shaped around the event and I will do the entire taper / peak business.

14 Oct 2012  Badgerland Striders Glacial Trail 50k

Hopefully I can hold my peak and turn out a great performance here bringing a close to the running season earlier than 2011.

Thanks for reading.