2016 Plans (Races, Events, Do it Yourself)

rickwhitelaw

Barefooters
Apr 27, 2011
1,870
2,525
113
Beryl Utah
After a long recovery from Javelina I have decided to take a break from 100 mile races. I've scheduled a 52 mile relay race which I will do solo in March (hopefully in sandals). Zane Grey 50 in April. I will also be at all of the events of the Ultra company that I work for. As for other adventures, I plan to spend a lot of time in Southern Utah exploring the trails close to home.

Anyone else thinking of their schedule?
 
Well, just a few months ago I discovered your Ultra company's Monument Valley race, and I have been blown away - like, I've had dreams about running it after spending time poring over people's race reports! (Not to mention the company seems incredibly awesome, too). I've never run an ultra but my goal this year is to train for Monument Valley in 2017 - hoping it will continue to be offered! I wish I could be ready for 2016 but I'm just getting back into running after a year+ break and have only done one full marathon in the past. I may be back asking more and more questions of you as I progress in my training...

Anyway, I'm running the Surf City half marathon in Huntington Beach on Feb. 7, the Canyonlands half in Moab on March 11, and the Long Beach full marathon on October 9.

Aside from the races I've already registered for, my goal in 2016 is to do more trail running, and some trail races eventually - as I plan to train for my first ultra in 2017 (I just realized this is the Ultra forum - oops - I'm just a training wannabe at this point). I live by the beach and have to drive an hour to most of the trails with elevation, which limits me to weekends, but I've joined some running groups that do trails so I won't be trying to find them on my own. Though perhaps some dry sand beach running would also be in order to help me prepare for MV one day?!
 
Well, just a few months ago I discovered your Ultra company's Monument Valley race, and I have been blown away - like, I've had dreams about running it after spending time poring over people's race reports! (Not to mention the company seems incredibly awesome, too). I've never run an ultra but my goal this year is to train for Monument Valley in 2017 - hoping it will continue to be offered! I wish I could be ready for 2016 but I'm just getting back into running after a year+ break and have only done one full marathon in the past. I may be back asking more and more questions of you as I progress in my training...

Anyway, I'm running the Surf City half marathon in Huntington Beach on Feb. 7, the Canyonlands half in Moab on March 11, and the Long Beach full marathon on October 9.

Aside from the races I've already registered for, my goal in 2016 is to do more trail running, and some trail races eventually - as I plan to train for my first ultra in 2017 (I just realized this is the Ultra forum - oops - I'm just a training wannabe at this point). I live by the beach and have to drive an hour to most of the trails with elevation, which limits me to weekends, but I've joined some running groups that do trails so I won't be trying to find them on my own. Though perhaps some dry sand beach running would also be in order to help me prepare for MV one day?!

Sorry for not checking back in. Great you are considering the Monument Valley race. It is probably my favorite location in the race series. Good luck with your races and running.
 
Kind of spur of the moment, but I am running the Black Canyon 100k with a friend this weekend. Plan is to take it easy and enjoy the warm Arizona sun.

Have fun!!
As for my racing plans for me for this year? well, I never make plans all my races are on the spur of the moment so nothing planned as I type.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DNEchris
Black Canyon went well. Finished with my friend in 16:48 so we got the Western States qualifier if we want it. I took it nice and easy, took care of myself at aid stations and enjoyed every minute of it. No major problems, not even that sore after. Beautiful course and a well run event.

Nice! what's next?
 
I've got my first race of the year coming up this weekend, I ran this one last year and its a great tough course. 55k in the ardennes. Mostly the same plan as Rick, take it easy and enjoy the cold Belgian mud!

Go and have fun Abide and let us know all about it.
 
Nice! what's next?

Ran the Lake to Lake Relay (52 miles) in the solo division. Ran the first 15 miles with my brothers, but knew I was pushing the pace and pulled ahead and decided to race. Went well until I started to get fatigued at mile forty (22 miles of trail marking two days before was a factor), but pressed on with a walk/run to finish 2nd (only 7 ran the ultra) with a time of 8:48. One brother finished an hour behind and the other completed his first ultra in 10:45. Did run a 12 mile section in sandals, but did not like the feel on pavement so I switched back to shoes.

I've got Zane Grey in April, but after I think I am going to back off the distances and try to get going on some barefoot miles again.
 
Ran the Lake to Lake Relay (52 miles) in the solo division. Ran the first 15 miles with my brothers, but knew I was pushing the pace and pulled ahead and decided to race. Went well until I started to get fatigued at mile forty (22 miles of trail marking two days before was a factor), but pressed on with a walk/run to finish 2nd (only 7 ran the ultra) with a time of 8:48. One brother finished an hour behind and the other completed his first ultra in 10:45. Did run a 12 mile section in sandals, but did not like the feel on pavement so I switched back to shoes.

I've got Zane Grey in April, but after I think I am going to back off the distances and try to get going on some barefoot miles again.

Wow! no kidding about pushing the pace, super fast finish for a trail race. Congrats on your second place finish!
Did you get price?
What's the distance for the Zen Grey race? It's coming up soon too.
Now you're going to let me know your fueling secrets(promise not to tell anyone).