The post I've been avoiding...

I've been meaning to write this post since I got back from Disney World, but I just haven't. It's no secret that my last couple of races were disappointing to say the least and now I'm battling an injury. I've talked to Ron, Mary, Isis and Lee about this, but I don't think I've mentioned it to anyone else. My 2011 goals have got to be adjusted. I need running to stay fun and failing race after race is anything but fun. I'm tired of being frustrated and I need to find the joy that running used to give me.

This means no El Scorcho 50k and no Chicago Marathon. 2011 will be the year of 13.1 or shorter race distances, with the exception of the El Schorcho 25k.

Right now I'm struggling to run 5 pain-free miles, so my focus is currently getting that under control, but once that's better I am going to be doing everything I can to run a better race. That means I am going to be committing myself to speed work, hill workouts, cross-training, and losing weight. I doubt it'll happen in 2011, but my ultimate goal is a sub-2 half marathon.

Yes, I'm still running a lot of races in 2011. No, I will NOT be racing all of them. I am currently planning on racing RnR Chicago, and probably 2 others but I need to look over course profiles before I decide which ones.

Right now I feel like the marathon has beaten me down. Chicago 2010 kind of broke my spirit and I'm not really sure how to get it back. That race made me question if I really have what it takes to be a marathoner. I'm hoping these changes will help me out, but only time will tell. If all goes well, I'll be running through the streets of Paris in April 2012!