2008 - Wow! What a year!

Well, it's been quite a year! First full year of the DogzBollux Blog and a year of some fantastic highs and a few painful lows.

Some great biking has been done in all weathers, majority at Patapsco but we also had our first foray into self-guided MTB tours (we certainly learned a lot from the Massanutten Mountain Madness experience!). Some great new trails appeared , and then unfortunately disappeared, at Patapsco - RIP Small Intestine, New Trail and Tunnel.

Competitively as well it's been a year of mixed fortunes. 7 races and some 233 competitive miles covered. Injuries looked likely to spoil the fun somewhat but in spite of this three podium places were achieved - probably best year in that regard.

Best Event of the year has to be 12 Hours Lodi Farms - just for the huge fun element in this race. Least fun was 6 Hours of Patapsco (but just because of the appalling weather conditions). But the thing I am most satisfied by was the JFK 50 finish, really was touch and go and given the issues during training the end result was the very best I could have wished for.

Looking back, 2008 was a pretty good year, hopefully 2009 can follow the same pattern. Plans are already fulminating! The year started with the HAT Run already entered and then on New Years Eve (after a few bevvies natch!) Running Sean raised the spectre of Boston (Marathon) qualification. MLW was very excited by the prospect of an opportunity of a trip to Boston so plans were quickly sketched out. GW Birthday Marathon (Feb 15) was selected and wadda you know on Jan 1 2009 I entered what will be my first marathon since 2002.

My poor old legs don't know whats hit them! After months of training at 9+ min/mile pace all of a sudden I am (trying at least) training at sub 7:30 min/mile pace. It's nice to have the base miles in so with 5 weeks to go the aim is mainly to get the speed work done. Hurting like hell but things are getting better - running two 10+ mile runs a week at approx 7:30 pace currently. In the next few weeks hopefully the mileage and pace will both increase. Course this means the anticipated increase in biking time is not going to happen any time soon, but at least (injuries avoided) I should be in good shape for HAT!

Cheers

DB