It's been a busy year--here's a quick recap
I've been meaning to post for a while, but haven't felt like I've had the mental space. In 2023, I had a few fairly big goals. As we are getting close to 2024, it's time to recap a few things.
February
Red Dirt 50k-I ran this race as a training race just one week before Mississippi Trail Run 100. I trying to keep it an easy run and got to run with the eventual first and second place winners in the 100 miler. Great race, will be going back in 2024.
March
Mississippi Trail 100. This is on the same course as the Mississippi 50, a race I've been doing since 2014. I haven't missed this race since the first year I ran it and this was the first year of having it as a 100. I signed up early and ended up as bib #3. I finished in my with a time just over 27 hours and had a great time with my buddy Joy running through the woods and got to meet some awesome folks.
April
Hattiesburg Half. It's my local hometown race. I ran a PR race (though my Garmin PR in the half was during the Medtronic Marathon--first half). It was warm, but it was a great way to enjoy my town.
May
Two big runs this month--on the weekend of May 6-7, I ran my birthday miles along the Long Leaf Trace. I started off running to Petal and then turned around and ran the length of the entire length of the Trace to Prentiss. I'd been wanting to run the length of the trace, and I finally got a chance to do so. After that, I took a drive to Minnesota for my younger son's college graduation. I was ill during this trip and my mileage dropped off. Upon getting back home, I ran the Boneyard 50k in Brookhaven MS--I fun but challenging course.
June
I went to hike the AT section ending Danville VA as training for Bighorn 100. I ended up mangling my feet by hiking in wet shoes and socks for 3 days. I ended up not running very much before Bighorn and completely bombed. I DNF'd at mile 13 and it was a terrible feeling of being so unprepared.
July
A local 50k in Jackson, Big Butts 50k has always seemed like too hot of a race to run. I decided to try to heat acclimate and lean into getting running all the local ultras. I ran it in just under 6 hours, which wasn't too bad. Sean came to Mississippi for this race, so it was a blast.
August
No races this month, but after getting sick towards the end of July, I decided to build volume this month and had a 30 day run streak.
September
Two races this month. I ran the Tupelo Marathon over labor day weekend as a practice race for Barkley Fall Cliassic. It was a slow race, but I used it as a gear and fueling practice. Barkley Fall Classic "50k" was in the middle of the month. It went really well, even though my stomach ended up going, I finished in less than 13 hours and redeemed myself from last year.
October
Chicago Marathon! I ran my 3rd Chicago marathon with my 3rd fastest marathon ever with a 3:24:42. While technically a BQ, since my BQ that was faster by 2:30 wasn't good enough to be accepted, I'm not even holding out hope.
November
Running the River 6 hour race. I ran this local race in Petal and had a great time. I came in 2nd male overall, Master's winner and got in my 50k.
December
Loup Garou 60 miler. I was supposed to run Brazos Bend, but that got rescheduled at the last minute, so I ran Loup Garou 60 instead. Always a great race, though my time wasn't great. Still had a ton of fun though.
In August of this year, I took a new job and having my teaching semester also being when I had a busy race schedule meant that it was overall a hectic last few months. I'm working on getting back into the gym more regularly and dealing with a couple nagging injuries, but I'm still looking forward to Brazos Bend 100, now January 6-7.
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