January Training

My training has been going very well so far in 2013.  I have been slowly building up my base mileage to 35-40 miles per week while continuing my uphill training from last year.  My base mileage goal is to reach 70 mpw, which I plan on reaching by the beginning of April.  I have a long season ahead of me.  I have experienced some new local(ish) training runs with Preston in Shenandoah NP.  If you want a great description about the run and some great pics stop by his blog.  Some of the runs we have done give the right mix of vertical, technical, and beautiful views.  I run PVSP and Rosaryville because they are close to me, but it's always nice to get and explore some new trails. We have hit up Old Rag, Stony Man, and Hawksbill so far this year, now the test is to hit all these in one outing.  Gonna be sick!!!  Here are some pics from our runs. 

Photo by Preston

Photo by Preston

Photo by Preston

Photo by Preston

In addition to getting some nice runs in at Shenandoah NP, I also made a trip down to Montebello VA during MLK weekend.  Emily and I rented a cabin with Tom and Nina at the Montebello Resort right off Rt 56.  I really wanted to get back down to VA and hit the Priest & 3 Ridges and get some miles in on the MMTR course.  Thursday before we drove down to VA, it snowed 8" in the Montebello area.  All that snow couldn't stop us from getting out and enjoying the Blue Ridge Mts.  Lots of people were out on the trails taking advantage of the three day weekend.  Overall I had the chance to run three consecutive days and get in 14+hrs of time on my feet and loads of vertical too.  I had so much fun that I am going to plan on another running camp in late Spring so if you are interested let me know, if we get enough people we could rent out the entire cabin (both parts of the duplex).

Our View outside our cabin at Montebello Resort

Lake at Montebello Resort

View on top of the Priest

Here are some extra pictures from the Montebello Running camp.

See ya on the trails,
JP

2012 My Year in Review

2012 was a great racing season for me because I had my most successful racing season and was able to complete the LUS (Lynchburg Ultra Series) and Vermont 100 (my first attempt at a 100 miler).  I was able to really dedicate myself consistently to train all season which allowed me to have a few break out races.  As I move forward 2013 will be focused on completing the Beast Series and going to Leadville to run while breathing through a straw (at least that is how it has been described to me).  But the biggest challenge I am looking forward to is my son, yes it's a boy, being born in mid May.  How will I be able to train for any of these races?  That is something that time will only tell.  My first priority is to be a good father, then a good husband, and only then can I begin to think about training/racing.  I am a person who will find a way, but I know my resolve will be tested when I am forced to do an early morning training run on a few hours sleep.  If it was easy, then everyone would be doing it!!  


Here is what my 2013 schedule is looking like so far:

2/9 Holiday Lake 50k
3/2 Seneca Creek 50k or VHTRC MMT training run
3/16 B&A Marathon (maybe)
3/23 Terrapin Mt 50k
4/27 Promise Land 50k
5/18 MMT 100 volunteer & crew(maybe)
6/1 NFC DC 50M (double only, maybe)
6/2 NFC DC Half Marathon (double only, maybe)
7/27 Catoctin 50k
9/17 Leadville 100
10/4 Grindstone 100
11/2 MMTR 50
12/14 Hellgate 100k

Starts off easy gets damn tough towards the end.  I look forward to sharing some training miles with some of the Ultra-holics and other new friends I have made along the way.  Here is to 2013, kickin butt and takin' names :)

See ya on the trails,
Justin