2009 stats, 2010 goals
I think it’s safe to say I will not have any additional miles to log before the end of the year. The toe feels fine, but still has a lot of mending to do.
So how did my first running season since 2005 end up? Here are the numbers:
Total miles: 1273.3 (started mid-March)
Barefoot miles: 490 (started mid-July)
Starting weight: 156
Lowest weight: 126 (end of November)
Current weight: 136
Races
Marathon: 1
1/2 Marathon: 2
10K: 1
5k: 8
As I look at these numbers, I realize I cannot in good faith blame previous running injuries entirely on shoes. I overdo things. I threw myself back into the running world, training harder than I ever did before. I was not patient with my transition to running barefoot. Heck, I was not patient with building up mileage; I went from couch to a marathon up a mountain in 3.5 months. In retrospect, that’s a lot of bullets to dodge.
With that in mind, I’m going to focus on running and racing smarter for 2010. Not only do I want my feet to look good, I want them to feel good after a race. When I race a 5k my feet feel sensitive afterwards; more sensitive than after a 10 mile tempo run. Obviously I’m pushing off to generate speed in racing conditions, and that needs to stop.
Here are my goals for 2010:
Negative split at Blue Ridge Mountain Marathon, April 24. This should be very doable, as the first half is in the mountains with the elevation climb totaling 3000 ft. The second half is relatively flat. I just need to run the mountains intelligently. This will also be my first barefoot marathon.
Race more half-marathons. At least four. I think all the 5ks I did this year might have given me a false sense of foot durability. I need to know how to maintain form for longer distances.
No injuries. I have to get better at paying attention to how I feel and give myself permission to wimp out more.
No time goals. This one is going to be hard, but I have to focus on preparation and let the performance be. Of course, I’m not-so-secretly hoping this will result in faster times…
Run with others more. This one should be easy, since I started my cult.
That’s all I can think of; I’ve got a few days before the end of the year if I think of anything else.
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Nice to see these goals. I too am new to barefoot running having attempted 2 marathons sans shoes. By definition in the barefoot dictionary (great post) I’ve yet to complete an entire marathon barefoot. Check out my site if you have time. Read my Huntsville race report for my latest barefoot attempt. Good luck in 2010. My next marathon will be Grandmas in June.
Cheers,
Rob