2014 is here and I’ve put together my running objectives and calendar for the year. I’m building on a strong year 2013 in which I was able to do quite a few races:
- the half-marathon at Savigny-sur-Orge,
- the Maratrail at St-Leu-La-Forêt,
- the half-marathon at Rueil-Malmaison,
- the Paris Marathon,
- the 54k Trail de Donjon at La Roche-Guyon,
- a valiant attempt at the Laurel Highlands Ultra in PA completing 46 miles of the 70 miler,
- the 25k Trail des Moulins at Mondeville,
- 2 sections of the 72k Infernal Trail relay at Remiremont,
- and the 37 k Imperial Trail at Fontainebleau.
So what’s up for 2014?
I put together an aggresive schedule in December. Looking at it now in mid-January, it will have to be adapted. More on that later. Here is the race calendar:
- half marathon at Rueil-Malmaison on 2 March
- the 30k trail at Auffargis on 16 March
- the 80k Ecotrail Paris on 29 March
- the 42k Maratrail at St-Leu-la-Forêt on 13 April
- the 35k trail at L’Yonne on 4 May
- the 54k trail de Donjons at La Roche-Guyon on 18 May
- the 70 mile Laurel Highlands Ultra in Pa on 14 June
- the Marathon de Mont Blanc on 29 June
- the 21k Cul d’Enfer at Mondeville on 31 August
- the 72k Infernal Trail at Remiremont on 14 Sept.
Like last year my main objective is the Laurel Highlands Ultra. Last year I felt like my training up to that event lacked a race in the 70-80k range so this year I programmed the 80k Ecotrail de Paris in late March. That will be a real challenge for so early in the season. I figured that I had enough time to get ready with Dec, Jan, Feb and most of March.
Well, I had a major setback starting the last week in Dec, that puts into jeopardy the first 6 months of the year. In Dec. on a couple runs on cross-country ski trails, I felt a sharp pain on the outside of my left foot. It lasted only for about 5 mins each time, then went away. I didn’t think much of it at the time. That week I logged 76km, running 10+km everyday. The last run of the year, on 31 Dec, was a 14k sortie on the snowy cross-country trails. Again, I felt some pain and decided to take some days off. With each passing day the pain became a bit worse and normal walking became difficult. On 6 Jan. I tested my foot with an easy 5km jog on the track at Marly. Again, no improvement.
As of 25 Jan, I’ve only done that one 5km run in 2014. I went to see the doc on 23 Jan and he referred me to a foot specialist. The earliest appointment I could get was on 18 Feb so I don’t know if that will happen. Maybe I’ve got a case of plantar faciitis combined with the on-going pain from the big toe joint that has been persistent for several years now.
For treatment, I’ve been rolling an ice-filled plastic bottle under the foot for 15min in the morning and again in the evenings.
The foot was better this week than last week and if that trend continues I think I should be able to do a short 5k test next weekend. That will be the beginning of Feb. If I have no problems, then it may be safe to re-start my training.
The half-marathon on 2 March still seems within reach as well as the 30k at Auffargis on 16 Mar. However, the 80k Ecotrail on 29 Mar may be too much, too soon. It may be wise to forgo that major effort and concentrate on the rest of the season.
If I skip the Ecotrail, the 50k trail at Jouy-en-Josas on 6 April is a possibility.
The maratrail at St-Leu-La-Forêt on 13 April is two 21k loops through the forest. It’s all trail, a few weeks later than last year, and could be another possibility for the first long race of the year.
In May, with my local running buddies Thomas and Emmanuel, I’m looking at doing the 35k on the 4th in L’Yonne and the 54k at the Roche-Guyon that I enjoyed last year. Those races should be a good preparation for the Laurel Highlands Ultra in mid June. There the objective is to finish under the time limit of 22 hours.
The second major objective for the year is the Marathon de Mont Blanc, a much sought after race on the 29th of June in a majestic mountain setting. I heard there were 20,000 registrations turned away before they could post that the race was closed out so I feel fortunate to be able to run it. Thomas and I will climb the mountains together.
After a rest in August a real challenge awaits in the Vosges mountains at Remiremont for the 72k Infernal Trail. This year Thomas and I both plan on attacking the whole thing. This is the type of race where the objective is to just finish.
There it is. A lot depends on how long it takes for my foot to get healthy. With patience and a sure and steady progression back to form, lots of challenging races are possible.