Liza Howard

Liza Howard

Liza Howard is a long-time is a longtime ultrarunner who lives in San Antonio, Texas. She teaches for NOLS Wilderness Medicine, coaches, directs the non-profit Band of Runners, and drives her kids around in a minivan.

January 2014
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Year in Review and 2014 Goals and Plans

LizaLiza

So 2013 in review:  I did this.

cuteruby

And I didn’t do as much running — and only one race.  So as far as this blog goes, I worked on the mom part and not on the ultrarunning part.  I did do some good blogging here and there about running while pregnant, but I’ve definitely fallen off the blog wagon at year’s end.  So, all in all, 2013 was a blessed year with lots of good hard bits thrown in for good measure.  If I try for more introspection than that I’ll never get this posted.

So 2014:

Goal:  Be useful to others.  To bring happiness to people’s days.  I’ll look to do this primarily in the Team Red, White & Blue community this year.  I’m going to work hard to make the Team RWB Endurance Running FB page a useful resource for RWB folks who are getting into distance running.  I’ll try to create a sense of community and camaraderie there.  I also want to have a list of RWB running blogs and a searchable RWB race report site.  I’ll help put on the Trail Running Camp again in November.  And I’m going to do my best to run well for Team RWB.

I’m going to do my best to be useful and bring happiness to Eliot’s days this year too.

Resolutions:

(I read some great advice about resolution writing last night.  Always ask yourself, “Am I starting small enough?”  I love that.)

1.  Blog daily.  I really love writing this blog and I’ve met so many fine people because of it.  I’m hopping back on the blog wagon today — for the next 365 days.

2. Run and workout first thing in the morning or not at all.  (Working from home and in the home means I have a lot of leeway with my daily schedule.  But the reality is I rarely get a training run in after Eliot gets home in the evening.  I’m just spent with kid management and errands and Texas living.  And if I do manage to slog a run out, it’s just that — a slog.  Not good training. So in 2014 I’ll run in the morning, or I’ll make my peace with not running for the day.  No more stressing about when I’ll fit a run in later in the day, or needing more 7 o’clock will power than I have.

Racing Schedule and Goals:

January: Bandera 100k.  First ultra post-baby.  I’m looking to feel strong and end up with a belt buckle —  and not vomit or have to spend time behind any sotol emptying my bowels.  Goal: No vomiting or repeated bowel emptying!   I’m not ready to race anybody but myself.  (And I will have to stop to nurse.)  It’ll be a good measure of where I am fitness-wise.  Did I mention the belt buckle?

Screen shot 2014-01-01 at 8.58.06 AM

February:  Rocky Raccoon 100.  Goal:  Hmmmm.  I want to have another strong run without vomiting and the irritable bowel bit.  I haven’t had enough fast miles under my belt since the baby to PR this year — and there’s that stopping to nurse thing.  That said, I think if I can nail my nutrition at Rocky, I’ll be set up to PR at Umstead in April.

April: Umstead 100.  Goal: PR.  (sub 15:33)

May:  Mountains2Beach marathon.  Yes, you read that right.  Marathon.  I haven’t run a marathon in 20ish years.  I thought it’d be a good way to prepare for Badwater (Doh!)  Goal 1: PR.  It would be pretty sweet to PR at a marathon being 20 years older.  Goal 2: Run sub 3 hour.

July:  http://whatisultra.tumblr.com/post/70768694033/what-happened-to-my-face-when-i-heard-about-death

Screen shot 2014-01-01 at 9.13.42 AMSo, yeah, now I’m not sure what I’m going to do in July — or June.

August: Leadville 100 (They rolled my entry over from last year.)  Goal: PR.

September: Mogollon Monster 100 and Plain 1o0 with friends.

November:   Team Red, White & Blue Trail Running Camp

December: Depends on how January – November goes.

I’d write more, but Ruby is crying and Asa keeps talking in my ear and bouncing a ball around me, and we’ve got to get him outside and try to tire him out.

Happy 2014.

Superfluous pic of Ruby wearing her hat like George Washington’s wig.

gwpic

 

 

Comments 7
  • Gene Taylor
    Posted on

    Gene Taylor Gene Taylor

    Reply Author

    Happy 2014 Liza!
    Gotta get in my annual pitch for you coming to the Kettle 100 this year. You would have free lodging, lots of support on and off the trail and plenty of ultra-types to blab endlessly with.
    The female course record needs to be broken,
    Gene


    • Liza Howard
      Posted on

      Liza Howard Liza Howard

      Reply Author

      I’m in — as soon as I do the budget this week. Hide the silver and get ready to blab. 😉


      • olga
        Posted on

        olga olga

        Reply Author

        Yes for KM! Go for it!


        • Liza Howard
          Posted on

          Liza Howard Liza Howard

          Reply Author

          Almost there Olga. Have to send off a hat payment first. 😉


  • Sarah
    Posted on

    Sarah Sarah

    Reply Author

    I want to do the Mountains2Beach in May, but then I saw the sub-3:00 and am feeling completely inadequate. Dammit!


    • Liza Howard
      Posted on

      Liza Howard Liza Howard

      Reply Author

      Come and run it Sarah!!! We can complain about marathon training together. 🙂


      • Sarah
        Posted on

        Sarah Sarah

        Reply Author

        I’ll be at Last Chance at Bandera shouting words of encouragement and judging the cranky elites. Good luck!