My next race

                Well since I started writing this a few days ago it seems to really be helping with my motivation.  I have started setting up a training plan to get ready for my next race. (Speaking of which, I will hit on shortly.)  When I sat down to figure out a training plan that would fit me I tried to look at areas where I could improve the most.   Personally I felt like walking was an area where I had a lot to gain.  Looking back on my past two races I think that I lost the most time in two places, walking and at the aid stations.  With that in mind I have started putting my paid gym time (1.5 hours every morning at work) to work by hopping onto my nemesis the tread mill.  Unfortunately there are no good hills close enough to get outside and work on so the treadmill will have to do for now.  Trying to improve my walking, most of which takes place on hills I have been spending 45-60 mins each morning going back and forth between running slow miles (10-12 min/mile) and walking (16 min/mile) on the steepest incline the treadmill will go to.  I plan on using this during my morning workouts along with lifting in addition to my other runs and long weekend runs.  I’ll give it a couple weeks and see how the progress is coming along and then make adjustments.

                As I mentioned in the start of this, I also found myself motivated to go ahead and register for my next race.  I was looking for something within a fairly short drive and a little more low key that I could enjoy.  What I found was the Rosaryville Veterans Day 50K.  http://annapolisstriders.org/2012/Rosaryville50K.html

The race is only on its third year I believe but it has good reviews and seems to be a 2 loop course.   I think starting with another 50k will help with my confidence after my DNF and give me a good idea where I’m at moving forward.  Also I have a bunch of time to get ready for the race as it doesn’t take place until the second week in November.

Hopefully is I feel good at this race I will be able to continue training and get in a good 50K race in February at the Holiday Lake 50K++ before my goal 50 Miler the Bel Monte Endurance Run in March.  We will see how it goes, but I’m optimistic.

    Completely unrelated to the races I have fallen in love with my new training area.  I recently  bought a house in the Northern Virginia area with my wife and have started running in the Area of Great Falls National Park.  For those of you who think the D.C. area is all urban, you would never imagine that your only 30 mins away from D.C. and  right on the Potomac River.  I have no idea how many trails there are in the park total, but I know its where the majority of the North Face Endurance Challenge D.C. takes place and every time I go I discover more great running.  Here are a few pictures I took on a recent run: