[633][24.16] Midterm rewind

Looking back at my last pause, [Day600], about six months ago, I don’t have much to say today.  This one won’t do justice compares to the previous one. Maybe because there is not much time separation.  I know I had a great six months, but it is too much to dive in. The next six months will be even more critical how my plan will turn out. So, I don’t want to brag too much of the first half of the year, fearing the second half I won’t able to reach as high as I did already.

The year, or my training to be exact, started off slowly.  The main goal was to train for the Western States 100.  This race is in two weeks, depending when this post will be published.  The end is in sight. I have no idea how it will turn out but I was not as nervous as 6 months ago. At least I am confident I have a good chance of finishing it. (Race report will be posted soon)

As for my other goals (races), I had done well.  I ran many races. Almost in my opinion, since I haven’t counted up, I ran as many races as my entire 2023 in the first half of 2024.  I am happy and as well as tired. More excited overall.  I was not going to go for the grand slam six months ago but as things played out, I am going for it now.  First of the four grand slam races is done.  So, I am going for it. 3 more will take place over the summer.

My hardest race so far was the Massanutten 100 (MMT), not part of the slam.  Well it was my personal slam (or triple crown, C&O, MMT, and OD).  I trained for MMT last year and I did the same this year. The result was not as good as last year. It was unexpected.  I had the race locked in to finish with a good time but it slipped out of me at the final moment. I still finished but it was tough physically.  It took every ounce of me to reach the end. The race just wore me out.  We could blame the wet weather but to me I don’t think that affected me much during the race. My feet were fine.  I did not have blisters or anything, I was just out of energy. I even had a good crew helping me this year too. Anyway, I will leave the monday quarterbacking for another time. The full report of it already was written. I was grateful, I got it done and had a memorable time. And I was in good health.

Other major races were, OD100, C&O100, and the Taiwan WJS Marathon. I did very well in all of them.  I ran a bunch of smaller races and training runs too. Unfortunately, many were forgotten at this point. They are written down somewhere, so I can always go back to read them, like Seneca, Bull Run Run, Naked Bavarian, and Mid-Maryland.

My trip to Taiwan was memorable.  It was my second international marathon.  I was pleased how it turned out compares to my first international marathon.  I did not have a concrete plan six months ago (well I signed up the race in October), but glad everything fell into place.

Running has kept me busy through the spring. I have not had any time to pause for planning, like what I will be doing next year or even for the fall.  As readers know, I paused my regular marathon race schedule, to make this year focusing on running 100 milers. So, I need to see how to line up my marathon races once again.  It feels like a big task.

It is easy to pencil in races.  But my way of making decisions is I only run a race if I really have a strong emotional tie to it.  I need a strong draw from the race in order to sign up.  Getting this strong feeling is harder when I am distracted with many other races. Yes, it is a weird way of making decisions. The past six months, I had nothing but constant motion. And it is so little time left for soul searching decision, jk. Yes, making the decision of which races to run is a serious business for me each summer.

Anyway, I have no further things to say.  I hope to build up my savings again for future trips.  I made a big travel over the spring to Taiwan (and Sydney). It is easy to spend money but took me a long time to save up.  I still want to travel more, such as to do the trek in Napal when I am still physically fit.  Grand Canyon, while I have been there couple times, I will want to go back there again, at least, to attempt the Rim to Rim (to Rim) hike/run in one day.  Not sure if this is a near term of a long term plan.  At first, I did not have anyone to do this with, but now, likely things are falling in place.  Yes, I need to get my finance and time available to do this.  The globe trekkers buddies were itching for a trip too.  I went with them to most of my international trips. Not sure if I will join them, though likely not.  I am nowaday prefer solo traveling.

Those are some longer terms challenges.  My short term challenges are still the same: train and finish up the year races.  It is like an iceberg.  I did 3 big 100s but there were like 7 more.  I lost count.  My pacer at OD100, tried to help me count them, and came to about 7 races are left.

Heart.  Passion.  Motivation.  I struggle with this in the past. When I am doing too much, I lost sight of the vision why I am doing them. Along with, I am losing the passion of doing things.  I only do things because I like doing them. And if the passion is not there, I don’t want to do it. I think that is the biggest issue for the next six months and the next year is to keep my passion up.