Finally, Ben's first post: A look towards 2011

Its not for a shortage of things to say, but I always put blogging low on the priority list... so I end up never posting. Today is my (Ben) turn to do some catching up.

My 2011 'athletic' goals differ from years past. I used to be obsessed with trying to run faster (or recovering from injury) and proving to myself that I am capable of times that I have in my head. 2010 started out very modest, not really getting over nagging injuries to consistent running until May. But, I found myself in what I would consider a top 3 "best shape of my life" and with much less mileage than before (50ish compared to 70+ over the other top 3).

I was finally able to make it to a marathon starting line and put together a solid even split 2:46 marathon. Now there will be people that are blown away by this time and others that will congratulate me on a solid run... but personally I was just happy to have made it to the starting line and run what I felt I was capable of on the day (and in my training). Certainly I think I can go faster, but I also can sigh a relief to have an effort (and time) that makes me proud even if my running ended today.

Where does this leave me? With a chance to put my running demons aside for awhile so I can set out to achieve one of my 3 lifetime athletic goals; finish an iron distance triathlon (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, and 26.2mi run). So, this year will be about exploring the world of endurance cycling and running (with a little swimming in there, ughhh). I would be lying if I said I didn't have a time goal for the race, but I feel no pressure to hit it. It'll be more in the experience for me.

I have already committed to the September 11, 2011 Cedar Point Rev 3 Iron Distance Triathlon... so time to get ready?

This world of triathlon is responsible for four of my goals for the year:

1. Ride with Rick Hullinger's group from Muncie down to the Indy Mini (running the race of course)

2. The ultimate weekend: Ride-Run-Sleep-Run-Ride. We'll ride 50mi south to Delaney Park where we can run the Knobstone Trails, campout, run the trails again, then ride back!

3. Ride my first Century (100mi) -- my "place where all the burritos go" hurts just thinking about it.

4. Finish the Cedar Point Rev 3 Full (mentioned above)

My other set of goals for this "year of fun" sprouted from getting to know Scott Breeden over the last year. Before him, I never would have considered an ultra marathon... but between him, annual trips to Colorado, and Tony Kupricka, I know think it is possible. But, that's for another year.

Three of my 2011 goals do stem from this future ambition though:

1. Run a two-day, stage run (4 legs) of the full Tecumseh Trail (~55mi). I envision this a bit like the R-R-S-R-R from #2 in the triathlon goals, but here all of the Rs stand for Run.

2. Run 4-man teams of the Red Eye Relay (100mi in 21 legs), giving a runner about ~25mi through some nasty backwoods Bloomington hills over the course of 5-6 runs in about 11 hours.

3. Possibly pace (or at least crew) part of the Leadville 100mi with Scott in August.

Conveniently, the Leadville 100mi run is about the same time as Steph and I make our annual trip out to Colorado, so hopefully this can work out... but, I don't plan on coming away from Colorado with just a Leadville experience.

Two other Colorado goals exist in the ~2 weeks we'll spend there:

1. Ride up to the top of Mt. Evans (14mi from Echo Lake, 10,600ft, to the peak, 14,250ft). This delusion started last year when we drove to the top and saw people biking it... there's also a 27mi starting point, but I'll start off with a small goal ;)

2. Hike up at least one more 14er (14,000ft peak). Last year, Steph drove Mt. Evans and hiked Greys and Torreys Peaks for three 14ers. It is a wonderfully amazing view and a lot of fun, not to mention difficult.

Whew! That's about it... I should note that we (Steph and I) will be running the Boston and NYC Marathon as well, though not to try and run a PR... more for the experience.

Hopefully, the recounting of these adventures will be the more entertaining of posts in our blog (as compared to a rambling of goals), but at least it is known what to expect...

This was exhausting just to type!

Maybe I should call this the year of the experience (or experiments)...