2011 Review and Plans for 2012

My first race of 2012 is tomorrow so it made since to spend a few minutes reviewing my running in 2011. Overall it was a really amazing year for me in terms of running, with more race wins and good performances this year than almost all other years put together. In particular though, lets take a look at the goals I had set myself for 2011 last January:

• Qualify for the 2011 World Mountain Running Championships in Albania. This requires that I run exceptionally well at the Canadian Mountain Running Championships in Canmore Alberta so I have a chance to be selected for the Canadian Team. Completed - placed 5th at Canmore to grab the last automatic spot on the team.
  
• To achieve my primary goal, I will need to do as much hill work as my legs will take and race as many hilly trail races as I can fit in. Some of the trail races that I already have plans to do are the Dirty Duo 25K, 4 or 5 Gutbusters (the schedule has not been posted yet), and Kusam Klimb. Prepared well with lots of hill workouts and racing at Dirty Duo and Mt Tzouhalem Gutbusters. Kusam was unfortunately cancelled.
  
• If I could also set a few more personal bests in road races (I'm planning on doing 5 or 6 island race series races) that would be icing on the cake Set PB's for every road distance raced this year except the half marathon. Ran better than expected.
  
• Throw in an adventure race or two to keep things interesting. I'm also keen to try a 24-36 hour adventure race and/or a 24 rogane if I can fit them in. Did two MOMARs, but unfortunately did not manage any other new races.
  
• Start coaching a few more runners and help them achieve their goals. Currently have 4 people I produce a full program four and another group who regularly drops in to Thursday sessions. I've been quite happy coaching and plan to continue.
  
• Stay (mostly) injury free. Was generally healthy although I have been battling a mild groin injury for a number of months.
  

I'd say that I did well in reaching my goals. Some other Positives for 2011 include.

• Set personal bests at the Mile, 5K, 8K, 10K, 12K, and Marathon
  
• Ran sub 33 min for 10K for the first time (32:43)
  
• Picked up wins in 8 races including my first Island Race Series win (Sooke 10k), my first Gunner Shaw win, and my first road half marathon win (Shawnigan)
  
• Managed to get a handle on my plantar fasciitis which is now fully cured
  
• Got to watch some of those I coach set PB's
• Got to experience my first international event at the World Mountain Running Championships
• Was able to run a respectable marathon with no specific training with only moderate suffering
  

Of course is wasn't quite all rosy as there were still a couple of negatives for the year.

• Had a terrible race at the World Mountain Running Championships in Albania due mostly to the heat. It was unfortunate to race so poorly at the highest profile event I have even attended.
• Made a huge navigational blunder at the Cumberland MOMAR which gave our team the lowest placing in several years
  

Goals for 2012

• This year, I'm shifting gears a bit and will be concentrating on longer distances so I plan to add volume to my training schedule and longer workouts overall
  
• Race well at Chuckanut 50 in March
• Race well at Boston Marathon in April
• Not crumble at Squamish 50 (a 50 Miler) in August
  
• If I could also set a few more personal bests in road races (I'm planning on doing 5 island race series races) that would fantastic
  
• Do at least 1 adventure race. I'm also keen to try a 24-36 hour adventure race and/or a 24 rogane if I can fit them in.
• Continue coaching runners to help them achieve their goals. Perhaps add a couple more athletes.
  
• And as usual stay mostly injury free

Lets hope 2012 turns out to be as successful at 2011 was.