Year so far, 33% of year done.

Started out the year with one goal, have a really good race at Quicksilver 100k. Last year I was carwling the last 20 miles, I don't want to go through that. I have good some pretty good long runs and hill runs so far.

Jan:
This was a low mileage month, more like a recovery month and towards the end did a 5 day mountaineering in the Sierra's, that left my injured with small forst bite injury so was off from running for next 3 weeks.

Feb:
Started serious training from 2nd week of Feb, 1st long run really hurt, but bounced back really well during Run for Amma 50k, pleasantly surprised to run a sub 6:30 and strong finish. With another week of training block before running a really touch MUC 50M with runs of climbing and spectacular views. Run for Amma is going to be included for next year as well.  Mike Kreaden and Striders did a great job and for a great cause as well.

Mar:
Month of Marin Ultra Challenge 50M, it rained for most of race and was very well protected by OR Vector jacket.  Duke had  a good run as well, Ramiro had to drop at mile 40 due to hypothermia.. Overall a very rewarding race and its going to be a included for 2017 as well. It was a good confidence booster going ahead training for Quicksilver 100k.

April:
Last month of training and was pleased with 200+ miles of training with some 10K ft climbs during weekend. One of the weeks was no running week due to RD'ing Ruth Anderson Memorial Ultra, it was small this but went v well.

Quicksilver 100k training looks v good, 1 more week of training and ready to roll on May 14th. Apart from runs I was able to complete my 8hr of trail work for Cascades Crest 100M. I am all set with all formalities and flight bookings for Cascades, once Quicksilver 100k is done, I will turn my focus to Cascades Crest 100M.

So far I seem to balance with other important things in life, life seems much better this year so far.


Going forward I have following plans

May: Quicksilver 100k
Jul: Adventure run in Yosemite (60m)
Aug: Cascade Crest 100M

2016 race plans

As the year winds down, running plans starts creeping and season of signing up for races opens up on ultrasignup.com . A mad rush to get into popular races ensues during December first 2 weeks.  One needs to be on top of their game to make sure some of the popular races in US are available. After doing all my planning and signing, my race calendar for 2016 seems to be finalizing.

I would like to do 2 mountain 100m races. Most likely 2 which has been on my list for a long time. What better year than 2016.

I have signed up for following 2 races (Bighorn 100 and Cascade Crest 100), Lottery results should be out in Feb for Cascades. As of now odd's seem about 50%. I am already IN Bighorn, that should be spectacular race to train for.

Other races in prep 100M runs:
Feb: Run for Amma 50k
Mar:  Marin 50M
Apr 2nd: Night Sweat run (Preceded by a 20m run maybe flat or 3hr run)

May : Quicksilver 100k (5/14)

Jun 2nd: Calero 50M

June:  BigHorn 100m (6/19) (DNS again!!  )

July: Take Fri/Sat Combo and do a 60M
July 11: 12hr run

     http://brazenracing.com/r/dirtydozendirections.html
     A night 6-8 hrs run

Aug: 
Skyline 50k(8/7th) and 20M run combo(10M on Friday).
Cascade Crest 100 (8/27)

Dec:  CIM 2016

Apart from above races We are contemplating on India trip as well,  would be fun to travel to india and maybe plan a local excursion around. Apart from this We plan to take 1 week off and do some hiking around Yellowstone National park, this will be in sync with Bighorn 100m.

Apart from running, As in 2015, I would like to be more involved in A's development, its a great age to be around such a sweet age. every day seems so exciting seeing her discover small things.

CIM 2015 and quest for BQ continues

Another year, another race and the effort to qualify for Boston marathon continues... Its been 4yrs and 5 races since 2011, since I started chasing BQ for 35-39 AG and now 40-44. when I look back on my sub 3:15 in 2011 it seems it was even more magically, I didn't realize it would be hard to get back to that training and race day again. my magical run of PRs at CIM came to a halt in 2011 (from 3:58 in 2007 to 3:14 in 2011).

Since 2011 I have attempted 5 other marathons and all in 3:20 range, every year something or the other doesn't line up and I fall short of my goal to run sub 3:15.

Year  Race Time
2011: CIM  3:14:47
2012: CIM  3:25 (Thunderstorm year)
2013: Off
2014: M2B 3:26
          CIM  3:21
2015: CIM  3:22:30

Every race has its own story, this year in Sep I decided to commit to Hanson's training plan. my goal was to run 3:12 in CIM, but in Sep we travelled and when we got back I caught Flu and one of the worst illness bouts, combined with pneumonia I had a rough time recovering.

Sep 27th I had signed up myself, dad and family for Trailblazer 10k to check my training and conditioning, but I was still sick and at that time I could barely walk and finish 5k. my dad finished his first 10k and my mom her first 5k, that was a memorable one.

Following my recovery I had about 8 weeks of training, I was optimistic to slough and get back in sub 3:15 shape, but every now and then I would slip off my routine and eat junk and couldn't stay off beer/wine either and I ended up 10 lbs heavier than I needed to be for CIM. I just didn't have the resolve this year.

November last week was time for Turkey Trot 10k and that was a good gauge for what to expect at CIM and my time of 43:10 was a good indication(this was after a 14miler the previous day), I thought I was more in line with running 3:20.  Sat afternoon I started off to CIM with my folks, R and A stayed back home. had lovely time before race was feeling very relaxed. Goutham couldn't join due to his injuries.

Race morning was typical cold day with showers here and there but nothing like 2012, I was planning to stay with Jon Olsen (3:25 pacer) for most of the race and run negative splits for 2nd half. Race started off very well, it took a while to settle into a rythm with 3:25 group, there was a big gang of runners. pace seemed just fine , chatted with Jon on and off, we had a  big group of BQ seekers, we hit the HM in 1:141:45 and 2 pacers splits, Jon was planning to help us with 3:22:30 and other pacer Charles W would lead sub 3:25.

CIM Finish 20155(Sacramento City Hall)

With Jon Olsen, sub 12hr 100M runner.

Post 16 miles course gets much easier, its the moment to to hang in there, focus and hit the splits, I was feeling strong and stuck with pace group. after mile 22 I was lagging behind a tad bit but pacer was in sight, and as we entered L street about 20 blocks to run and it seems quite possible to stay under 3:23.. I was hoping to see my folks at junctions if L and 10th but they changed plans and met me at finish. I hung on to pace for last .2 and finished strong for 3:22:30, this was my 2nd best day racing, given all the things that has gone this year, I was contended with this time and performance for the season. #7th CIM in the books. This is such a fantastic race organization, would like to run atleast 10 times in the near future.

After some post race goodies, headed for good lunch with my parents. Going by my lack of resolve this year I was not planning to run CIM 2016, but after a great race I have already signed up and will commit myself to loose some weight and train hard again.

Thanks Satpal, who collected my race packet and let me skip the expo this year, he did great leading the 4:55 pace group. many Asha runners did very well as well, Coach Raman (4:19), Reshu, Ekta etc got strong finishes. Thanks to R for her support.