2013 Plans. Dreaming Big, Getting Real, Totally.
2012 was major. It was filled to the brim with running (a total of 9 race starts and 8 finishes, see Western States DNF), working hard at a corporate job (that I really do love) and being mommy. Â I was also honored to begin running for Hoka One One, an amazing company that is as close to the sport of ultraunning as it gets. Â I feel so blessed, every single day.
I sit here with my third cup of coffee, cause lets face it, sleep is a sore subject. Ever heard of those horror stories- “my kid didn’t sleep through the night until he was like 10.” Â I kinda think we are on that projectile. Â I can count on my hands the nights of sleep that were 7-8 hours the past 6 months. Â Most of this last year I logged 4-6 hours a night interrupted continually by an adorable blonde headed girl poking my side at 2am. Â But despite never feeling recovered and the new forehead wrinkles, I couldn’t be happier with our out of control, loving life till you puke or just pass out approach. I was overjoyed at watching my daughter turn into a full fledged little girl, complete with phrases, like “No Mommy, I will get dressed myself.” or ” Mommy, are you happy?” or “Mommy let’s have Gigi over for some wine. ” (Whoops- I must learn to conceal my beverage or at least tell her its grape juice). Â Eva is an old soul, and understands so much more than I think she does. Â We’ve fallen head over heels for her sense of humor, her witty responses and her toleration of our hectic schedules.
2013 plans are in the works. Â I must say I have a hard time not “wanting it all.” Â But here’s where I get a glimmer of myself maturing, ever so slightly. Picking races that 1) take me to unique places 2) satisfy my quest for competition 3) make sense for our family and 4) are spaced appropriately for optimal recovery and training if at all possible. Â Some of these requirements I missed by a long shot last year- especially the ‘ol Speedgoat, Waldo, Pine to Palm 100 combo in about 7 weeks time total. Â But thank god I surround myself with people much wiser than I, who can tell me I am nuts and to pull the reigns back a bit. Â Still, this is my struggle.
I couldn’t be more proud to run for Hoka One One, GU Energy Labs, Drymax Socks and Vespa Fuel. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Â These companies are solid, run by real people who understand what we do when we put it on the line. Â I believe whole-heartedly in each of them and without them this sport would be severely lacking. They are a huge help to me and to so many others.
The tentative race schedule for 2013 is
1/12/2013 Bandera 100k or 50k (TBD- yes only days away and not sure which distance I want to run. Â Although my “running advisors” aka hubby and life coach, Jimmy Dean Freeman, tell me the 50k is smarter choice, since I lucked out on a WS lottery ticket)
2/3/2013 Ray Miller 50K
3/22/2013 Antelope Island Buffalo Run 100 Miler ( so in love with the scenery I want to go back for two loops)
5/11/2013 Transvulcania 83K, Spain (Skyrunning Series is my main focus this year and Spain my most favorite country on the planet, so duh).
6/29/2013 Western States 100 Miler (I will quarantine myself and my daughter for 2 weeks prior)
7/29/2013 Speedgoat 50K ( I so want to be a better mountain goat)
9/28/2013 UROC (the 3rd Skyrunning Ultra and in Colorado, so yes, this is awesome)
Sounds like a lot and it is, but I am inspired thus far. Â The Skyrunning Ultra Series is so attractive to me and I hope to learn how to run really tough, tough courses. Â I also want to do well at Western States, but this year its all about peace and letting go of fear. Â Maybe we watch Lion King a bit much in this house, but if I can learn to “Hakuna Matata” then all will be okay.
Great schedule! I’ll see on “the island” and at Speedgoat! Two amazing venues. I hope you have a great 2013!
Thanks for the plug Jen! Wishing you all the success in the world for your 2013 race calendar and life in general.
Wow, I’m impressed at how you do all that. I’m just venturing into low-mileage ultras and my training caps at 30 mi/wk with FT job & 2 kids. I haven’t found many moms who run ultras with outside jobs as well. Have you shared your tips for “having it all” on a previous post?
Looking forward to more inspiration…!
You call that pulling the reigns back a bit? Wow. I call it totally freaking awesome! I do hear you on needing to “Hakuna Matata” a bit though.
Good luck with your racing and training! Looks like our race schedules are vastly different this year, but I will see you at Western States where I’ll be pacing. I just know you’re going to get some sweet redemption there! And maybe I can talk you into a few shorter, local races-as-training-runs as they come up.
Take care, Jen!
Best of luck next year though I don’t think you will need it. Your tenacity and running abilities make you unstoppable! As far as sleep….well we didn’t start getting any regular sleep until Alex was 11 and I’m not kidding. He really just wanted to be with us and sleep was not a high priority for him. I blame all my early grey hair on that. Go get it Jenna!