A Running Fool....Ron's Running Adventures

The Final Standings & The Off-season

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! That's how I felt when I found out of my recent "final standing" in this years WMAC Grand Tree Trail Race Series. Surprised because I wasn't even aware that I ran enough races to even qualify (turns out all you need to run is one). I thought one had to sign up for the series before the season and run all the races. Turns out all you need to do is complete 6 of the events to "complete" the series. With finishing Stone Cat last week, I happened to complete my 6th event and therefore the series. In all, 1858 people had run at least one race, 477 ran at least 2, and 67 officially completed the series by running the canonical six or more races. Complete Standings can be found here:
http://www.runwmac.com/gt2007/gt07-total.html

Make sure you check the full standings as there are a couple other runners you know listed (#429 & 430).

I have to admit, I had no idea my finishes were even being tallied by WMAC (Western Mass Athletic Club) but I also have to admit I find it somewhat rewarding to see my name amongst some of the areas best trail runners. As a self admitted mid-packer, it gives me strange sense of pride. I am normally a non-competitive runner whose main focus is on finishing and enjoying the experience of the event so this is all icing on the cake for me.

I won't go out on a limb and predict a higher finish for next year. But, I do plan on running the same events next year as I did this year. There were also a couple others I planned on doing but for some reason or another did not (Seven Sisters & Breakneck 20K). So, even though I will continue my non-competitive style of running, I hopefully will improve my standing in next year's series.

As I do annually in the "off-season", I'll be deciding on which races I am looking to run in 2008. As usual, there is always more than I'll be able to do due to work & family commitments. Plus there are also a few that require lottery entry where I have to hope I get picked. I've also got some unofficial type runs I'd like to do that will require some pre-planning. In any case, I'll post a preliminary schedule once I narrow it down and race dates become official.

In my long term planning, I am currently ahead of my planned pace towards running The Western States 100 within 5 years. With some good fortune, next year will be the first year I enter the lottery for the event. From there....you never know.

The off-season is always a time of looking back at the year as it is wrapping up and looking forward to next season. I have to say that as excited as I was this season, I am more so for next. Now that I know what I can do and what I have done, next year is wide open to new challenges and experiences.

For now, it's time to recharge the batteries so to speak and do some cross training to build up my weak areas. Winter training has always been a challenge but I expect this season to be one of my best winters (in training terms) that I've ever had. Maybe I'll see you out there...

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