01.04.08
A new phase and old goals
I have been struggling with running since the Olympic Trials. Not with the act of running, which I always find thoroughly enjoyable, but with the act of setting running goals. I had expected a much better outcome in the marathon in New York, and still think I should have been much better. And so I wonder what I should aim for next. My current penchant is for a run in Boston in April, even though that course is tough.
It’s probably good, therefore, that I will be going to Houston in a week to run in the USA half marathon championships, on a flat and forgiving course. I feel much less pressure about this race, and have no idea where my fitness really is, but I hope it has suffered much since the end of my fall training. In fact, in the last two weeks, after a tough early December, I have felt incredible while running. It was also great to be back with the CAC squad this past Wednesday, working off of the energy and talent of my teammates.
After Houston, I will go to Ethiopia for a month to work on my dissertation research and proposal. I hope to defend that later this spring, in late April or early May if my committee is willing. It will be interesting to train for a marathon while working in Addis Ababa. I have never run at altitude (Addis is at about 8000 feet), and I have often struggled to maintain a rigorous training program while working in Africa, due to health concerns, general busy-ness, and problems with finding good places to train. My goals will remain the same for now: to improve substantially on my 2:20 time from Chicago in 2006.
I will miss all of you again while I’m away…
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