The race I’m looking at is the Ozark Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run. It is the only 100 mile race in Missouri and this will only be its 2nd year. It is a point-to-point 100 mile ultramarathon on the Ozark Trail through the Mark Twain National Forest in south central Missouri.
The reason I say “looking at,” is because there is one thing that would stop me from participating and that is if it turns out that Jakob has a gymnastics meet that weekend. Unfortunately, that schedule is never decided until later in the year. The one thing that trumps my involvement in crazy activities is being there for Jakob and Sara. So if there happens to be a meet, I will sign up for another in the same time frame (there is one in Arkansas or Kansas) or just run a solo 100 somewhere.
I’ve never been good at keeping logs of any activity. I think I place more emphasis on the doing part and less on the thinking about it part. With this latest adventure I am seeing a need for some sort of log to keep me honest. I have managed my way through a few escapades without proper preparation but I think this one demands a little more than normal. So with that in mind, my goal with this blog is to keep track of my mileage and training as I prepare.
My current level of fitness is pretty good. I get a little over 80 miles a week on the bike and have been running 15 to 20 miles a week for the last month. Before the race, the running needs to increase to more than 60 miles per week at a very bare minimum.
I’m sure I will use this platform to ramble about other things worth mentioning as well. It may turn out more as Nate described it: Jim’s Libertarian Fixed-Gear Distance Runner Gymnast Dad Blog. I have Nate to thank for this running phase of life. It was him that convinced me to put down a cigarette long enough to try a 5K with him after 10 years without exercising. I think I walked a few times and may have even choked back a little vomit before finishing just behind an old lady who I think walked the whole thing.
I can’t promise perfect grammar or even interesting content. Hopefully for those who choose to check in from time to time it won’t feel like a waste of your time.
