Looking Back, Looking Forward

Some final 2007 year-end numbers, keeping me honest:

Swim: 135,200 yards (or 76.8 miles)
Bike: 1,504.7 miles
Run: 415.5 miles *
Lifting Weights: 118 times

* My running total is so low because of my left knee issue, which was a big problem early in 2007. I ran much more in the last 2 months of 2007 (which is AFTER Ironman training), than in did in the first 4.5 months of 2007 when I had nasty knee pain after running 1 mile. I’m trying to keep that knee strong. It’s already a million times better than it was last year at this time.

2007 Races:
• LTF Indoor Tri: Placed 13th out of 100.
• Apple Duathlon: 1:54:36 (5K: 22:22, 33K bike: 1:07:51, 5K: 21:52).
• WIBA (WI Ironman Brick Adventure): Not really an official event, but just a damn good time.
• Chisago Lakes Half Ironman (my first half IM): 5:47:13 (44:35 swim, 3:05:13 bike, 1:48:15 run).
• Ironman WI (my first IM): 13:53:32 (1:29:10 swim, 7:06:53 bike, 4:58:03 run).
• Monster Dash 5K: Placed 13th in 19:28.
• Tesfa 5K at Fort Snelling: Placed 1st in 19:11.
• Giving Thanks 5K at Como Park: Placed 2nd in 18:43.
• Reindeer Run 5K: Placed about 20th in 19:34. Placed 3rd in the costume contest.

I think 2007 was the “Year of the Penalty.” I was charged with 2 minutes at the Apple Duathlon for “equipment abandonment” when my number few off in the wind. And I zoned out on the bike leg of Ironman (who doesn’t), and was assessed a drafting penalty. Let’s try to avoid this crap in 2008, OK? It was also the “Year of the 13.” I placed 13th in 2 different small events, and finished Ironman in 13 hours (and 53 minutes).

So my goals for 2008? I dunno. Maybe summed up in 2 words, my new year resolution is: do stuff. I’m not much on new years resolutions. I try to make changes as they are needed day-by-day; I don’t say, “Well, I’ll start doing [whatever] on Jan 1st.”

Here’s my tentative race schedule for 2008. I know no one really cares about this, but take a look and see if we’re doing any of the same races. I LOVE to meet bloggers!

• Jan 12: Polar Plunge in White Bear Lake. My first open-water swim of the year!

• Jan 26: St. Paul Winter Carnival Half Marathon. My FIRST half marathon - Yay! In the dead of a Minnesota winter - Boo!

• Feb 2: Race Up The Place: 900 step stair-climb race in the tallest building in downtown St. Paul.

• March-ish: Lifetime Fitness Indoor Triathlon in Chanhassen. I’ve done this race twice. It’s a fun, low-key triathlon early in the season. Great for people wanting to try out tris!

• May 24: Apple Duathlon in Sartell.

• June 21: Grandmas Marathon, Duluth. Yep, after saying I’d never run a marathon, I’m planning to sign up for a marathon. Don’t believe a word I say.

• June 28-29: WIBA ride with IM WI 2008 hopefuls.

• July 12: Lifetime Fitness Olympic Distance Triathlon, Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis.

• July 27: Chisago Lake Sprint Distance Triathlon. I thought about doing the half-IM, but I don’t want to commit myself to that. So I’ll do the sprint instead.

• Nov 1: Tesfa 5K at Fort Snelling. I won this 5K this year. I feel inclined to defend my title.

• A smattering of 5Ks will work their way into 2008 as well. I rarely plan these. It’s more like “Hey! There’s a 5K this weekend! Let’s do it!” Happy New Year!!