Part of my running plan for 2020 was to get back into racing shorter distances. The past several years have involved a lot of mileage and time training for long races (then actually racing them…which takes up the better chunk of a weekend).

This also meant time away from my family and sometimes allowing my priorities to get a bit mixed up because I “needed to get a run in.”

It was time for a change.

So this year will be spent putting in more manageable training (WAY fewer crazy long runs), including not stressing out over my training schedule, and racing shorter distances – think 5k to half marathon distances. Keeping my races to a half marathon or less, I will be able to simply dial in any race-specific workouts leading up to it without really needing to alter my overall time spent training during the week.

I have a great base of mileage to work off of now from the past several years and am really looking forward to doing some higher turnover events – maybe even trying to go after my 5k PR from the summer of 2013! I will be tackling both road and trail races, and might even get really crazy by hopping on a track again for some time trails 🙂

The only race I am currently registered for is the Superior Spring 12.5k in May. I absolutely love the Superior races (spring/fall) and was lucky enough to get selected as part of the lottery process this year. I have never done this specific distance up at Lutsen and couldn’t be more excited!

To any runners out there who did not have their name selected during the lottery process earlier this month – I know it’s not easy, especially when you have your sights set on something. But stay positive, find another race(s) to register for (send me a message and we can brainstorm which one(s) may be fun to try), and continue getting out the door for training runs!

Have a wonderful year of enjoying the great outdoors! What races are you looking forward to this year?