She has the “runner stares off into the distance” look down!
I posted earlier on Twitter and Facebook that I was going to have a big announcement today. Most guesses were that there was going to be an addition to the household. Sorry. The First Lady still runs this house. And for that, you get the Firsy Lady stare!
Most of the other guesses involved me running many, many miles. You all know me too well. Some were that I would run another 50 and others were that I was kicking it up a notch to a 100 miler. Well, you were both kind of right.
I signed up for another 50 mile race!
I know my first 50 mile event was last weekend, but I waited a week to sign up… that’s long enough, right? I’m running the Lake Sonoma 50 in April 2013. It sold out in under 8 hours and I had to pull the trigger. I had my mind made up that I was going to give it a go again in 2013 and this race was suggested by Russian Bear — who I had the chance to officially meet at the NFEC.
Here is the kicker:
I’m doing this as an attempt to qualify for Western States 100.
In selecting the Lake Sonoma 50 as a qualifier, you might be thinking:
The course is hard. I know that.
I have to cross rivers. Did you see the NFEC photos? Me and water are friends.
It has 10,500″ climb and decent. Are these ever flat?
One of the ways to qualify for WS100 is to run 50 miles in under 11 hours. That means I’ll have to shave some pretty good time off in four months of training. I ran 47 miles in 12:05 — but the good thing is, I’m already trained for the distance. There will essentially be very little time off between the NFEC and the beginning of my training for this. I took it easy last week (20 total miles) and will also take it easy this week (30-40) then build from there. I should roll right into 2013 with some great momentum.
And here is a taste of the Lake Sonoma 50
from 2012 2nd place finisher (6:36:52) Timothy Allen Olsen — photo by Glenn Tachiyama.
There you have it. I’ll announce my 2013 race schedule next week.
Before you go, don’t forget to enter my “dress up your man” giveaway
I’m also taking suggestions for non-profit to send a case of children’s running books to.
Thoughts?
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Even though I truly don’t understand the appeal,I am still excited for you. It sounds like you’ll enjoy it.
yes Im laughing
I SO SO SO thought it was a baby :-)
Nice! I think you’ve found your love? Good luck on qualifying for Western States! Sounds like fun!
How exciting! Both Sonoma and Western States! I’m running my first 50 miler in 2013 (Have I already mentioned that?) so I may be back for advice :)
Finalizing my race calendar this week!
I love listening to UltraRunner Podcast and I feel like the next time I listen, you will be on it!! Congrats- you are awesome!!
You my friend, are a rockstar.
wow well good luck!! I would like to do an ultra…but umm not one with all the caveats you listed :)
yay!!!! you are going to rock it!!!! ps…totally thought you were having another kid based on the title
Oh the first lady would love a running mate…eventually! Congrats on taking the challenge!!! Crazy but kudos to you!!!
Wowowowoooowwww AWESOME!!!!! get after it: ) Good luck training!
I thought it was a baby too!
I know you will rock this race!
and p.s. Your little lady is so freaking beautiful!
Thanks. I need to teach her the FU face…
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG! You totally just made my morning!! YAY for the 50 miler and double YAY (YAY YAY) for WS100!! This is perfect. You run WS100 and then you can crew/pace me when I do it in a few years. Sound like a plan!??!
So excited for you!! =)
Look here lady. You don’t get to sit over there in beautiful NY as I run up and down mountains and through water. You have to come do this with me. You are on notice: 2014 Western States!
I totally thought you all were having another baby. I’m really excited for you and this upcoming race AND for WS100. You are going to do great.
can i come cheer this time? I’ll bring my crew. As long as we can go wine tasting after, k?
There actually is a wine tasting event at the finish line. See? But how about you run it with me. You have to earn your stripes at this party. Better let the Cotter man know that the screams start at 630 instead of 5. He can sleep in a bit.
YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Kill it, Brian!!!
Join the party Linz…. all the cool kids are doing it. We could be the dynamic ultra duo! Tackling mountains and eating lots of chocolate. Deal?
I won’t wish you luck, I will wish you great success because you are going to do GREAT. Once you set your mind to something, you do it. Enjoy the training and the run :-)
You’ve got this homie! You’ve done the first 50 and came out of it with lessons learned and an even harder race due to the weather so maybe that’s the worst that can happen? ;) You’ll kick butt in these and now you know what to expect!
I love it! Would love to see you make the Western States cut. How cool would that be? (you can be in Unbreakable 2).
I think you should star in Unbreakbale 2 with me as well…. I’m gonna get you out there with me, music or not.
You are a rockstar! Can’t wait to cheer you on, what an epic journey. (my attempt at cool words – did it work?)
I like it. This journey will definitely be epic. I guess I just can’t stay away from having to run in or through water.
I was totally counting on this being a baby announcement :). Good for you! You’re a rockstar! Can’t wait to read about your training.
How exciting! I still haven’t read any recaps (damn moving) but will once we are up and running! Just had to see what the announcement was. :)
Wow, you’re diving head first into the ultra scene, awesome!! I will watch in awe. :)
oh my gosh you are insane! I think I would die, literally, but good for you!
You sneaky, sneaky, blogger, you! The title of this post, with the picture you used had me fooled hahaha. Yeah I laughed at loud. Congrats on signing up for another, you are hardcore, pops!
I’m going to leave the double stroller action to you. Thanks moms.
Woohooo!!! I love it! GREAT goals for 2013.
Umm..you didn’t like my reply on Facebook?! :)
Fine! Well then, my only thought is that you’re a beast! Go get it! Can’t wait to read all about it!
Did I not like it? Swear I did. You get a special LIKE here. How is that?
WOW! I am in awe. Good for you!
After I read the first couple sentences of this post I was thinking a new puppy? So WRONG.I think this is awesome! Way to go for setting the bar for 2013 way the heck up there! I’m gonna bet that you have fantastic weather this go round and you kill your goal easy peasy.
If you thought the FirsT lady gave a stare at the mention of another baby, then you haven’t seen the Mika stare at the mention of a new puppy. I do have TWO birds tho… hmmmm.
first thought? You be cray cray!!! ;-) Seriously, the first thought was WOW – I bow down…we are not worthy! Good luck and best wishes!!!
oh youuuuuuuuuu you never cease to amaze me my friend! Proud and inspired as always ;)
While I might think you’re crazy, I think you’re awesome!
Woohoo!! What an awesome goal. Have fun with training, run smart and strong!
You are both insane and inspiring. :)
Awesome! I hope to run an ultra someday so I love reading about your journey. Good luck and have fun with your training!
Ha! This IS a big announcement, but I also thought it involved another kid… ;) Funny when you think you’ll read one thing and read another!
SO neat to have this goal. And after your first race being such a tough one with the conditions, I think you’re ready to shave time off and qualify for the Western States (a dream of mine!) – can’t wait to watch your progress on this journey.
Are you sure that a new baby would be easier??
Congrats & I can’t wait to follow your training.
You’ll kill it! And I am glad the First Lady is still running your house. Emmalyne isn’t ready for another sibling and if you were already expecting you would be ruining our virtual family. ;) JK. Your First Lady is too cute not to have more of ;)
I had a feeling it would be another race! And I had in my head a 100 miler! I know you will be able to make that qualifying time! You’re awesome! Congrats!
That’s awesome man, good work! Reading stuff like this motivates me to increase my distance(s) and register for more trail races… The furthest I’ve run in a race is a half-marathon in November. But I have two trail races this month and a 21k on January 6th. I’m getting myself out there every week (almost every day) and increasing my mileage.
Thanks for the motivation and keep pushing!
Your daughter is so beautiful! I love the picture of you two! Congrats on signing up for another 50 miler! You are seriously inspiring!
You’re crazy. But I’m SO excited for you and believe in you completely. YAY!!!!
You are officially crazy, but in the awesome kind of crazy way :) Congrats and good luck with training. Looking forward to reading about this next journey.