Shiftysven

Ho Ho Ho! Seasons Greetings. The holidays are almost over and I've survived another hectic few weeks while only losing a few more grey hairs. While I'm sitting here watching it snow and wishing I could get out skiing I thought it would be a good time for an update.
Three weeks ago, on December 5th, I ran the Stevens Point YMCA Frostbite road race. I have wanted to do this race for a long time but my work schedule always got in the way. Damn, need to find a more flexible job/employer/schedule. Anyway, this was my first race as a Brooks I.D. team member. I didn't have any lofty goals. I just wanted to finish with a sub 8:00/mile pace. I had worked the 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. shift the day before so I wasn't in bed as early as I would have liked. The race didn't start until noon and it was only a thirty minute drive to the start so that wasn't much of a factor. Temps at the start were maybe in the upper 20's with a slight breeze that would come into play on the way back on the out and back course. I lined up towards the back with an old high school friend and fellow Birkie skier. He was doing the 5 mile race and wasn't aiming for as fast a pace as I was so I figured this would keep me from going out too fast. I bided my time pretty well the first few miles and settled into a steady pace. I felt good until about mile 7 and slowed a little bit but the gel I took about halfway kicked in and I picked it up again and finished strong. I finished under my goal with a 7:52 pace and a time of 1:18:41. Not spectacular but not too bad for a cold race in December. I know it sounds kind of goofy but I felt proud out there in my new Brooks pants and shirt and Defyance 2. It even gave me a little added impetus at the end with a runner in front of me all dressed up in Nike apparel. I can't wait for the new year and some more opportunities to lace up my Brooks and get out the word about what a great company and program this is. It gives regular runners a chance to feel like an elite and I can't get that anywhere else! Pretty neat program.
So, it looks like I'm done racing for 2009. I couldn't find any Santa scampers or New Year's runs close enough to fit in. It looks like it might be late January or early February before I can quench my competitive thirst. I would like to do the Badger State Winter Games cross country ski marathon but just may do the winter trail run for a change of pace. I'll have to see how my skiing goes.
I have a couple more days to think about goals for 2010. I am still trying to figure out what races will fit into my schedule and just what sport I want to focus on for the coming year. Or do I want to be a multi-sport threat? Hmmm... something to think about. I'll let you know about the goals in a few days. Until then.....gotta run