Well here we are, September. Another month is in the books and I’m another month closer to the end of the year! But you know what I’m looking forward to even more than 2011? October.
Real quick, just in case you’ve never been before, click here to see why I’m running 61 marathons this year for Train 4 Autism!
Anyways, I had a tough schedule in April with seven races, but September takes the cake — seven races, all of them probably very painful. Here’s a rundown of how my month is going to be a long 30 days.
Race 1: Pocatello Marathon, September 4
My first marathon of the month, this Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho. It’s a fast, downhill course, but those types of courses are crazy tough. They do a number on your quads, especially if you’re a heavier runner. At 200 pounds, I certainly qualify. I paced the 3:40 group at the Utah Valley Marathon in June on a downhill course. That speed was easy for me, but my legs hurt worse after that race than they did for any other race this year. I was still in pain at the start line the next weekend, and that doesn’t normally happen for me. So, this race figures to be fast, but it’s going to hurt and it’s going to hurt pretty bad while I’m still running.
Race 2: Operation Jack 7-Hour Challenge, September 5
This race was a late add to the schedule. A group of Operation Jack supporters, about 20, are participating in a seven-hour timed race in Portland on Sunday. So, a day after I run that quad-crushing downhill marathon, I’ll be running for seven hours. I have to run this one as well as possible, because I have pledges impacted by how many miles I run. So, I have to run as many miles as possible, no slacking! I’m estimating about 45. We’ll see how it goes.
Race 3: Patriots Run, September 11
This is in Olathe, Kan. on September 11. It’s a marathon and a 9:11 timed race. So, I’m going to complete the marathon, then continue to run for about another six hours. I suspect I’ll push well past 50 miles, hopefully closer to 60. I fly home the next morning, just in time for Jack’s birthday party. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to sleep on the plane.
Race 4: Boulder Marathon, September 19
This is my easiest weekend of the year, no question. One race, 26.2 miles, that’s it. The Boulder Marathon is up in Boulder, Colo. I have no idea at this point what the footing is — dirt trail, single track, road, etc. All I know is that there’s a lot of hills and the entire race is above mile-high. So that’s all. Easy stuff. And I’ll have eight days between the Patriots Run and this one, about as long as I’ve gone in between races this year. Nothing to it, right?
Race 5: Tahoe Triple, Race #1, September 24
I only get four days off after the Boulder Marathon. From an eating perspective, that’s one day to recover, then three days to carb load. I don’t think I’ll be all that solid for this one. It’s up in Tahoe on Friday, the first of three consecutive days running marathons. And of course, it’s at elevation. I’m not exactly sure how high, but I know it’s somewhere in the 6,000 — 7,000 feet above sea level range. Should be challenging.
Race 6: Tahoe Triple, Race #2, September 25
This is the day after that race at elevation in Tahoe. This one is up at elevation (6,000-7,000 feet above sea level) in Tahoe. I’m not expecting this one to be particularly easy. Or fun. But it’ll be scenic.
Race 7: Tahoe Triple, Race #3, September 26
This is the day after that second race at elevation in Tahoe. This one is up at elevation in Tahoe. I’m not expecting this one to be particularly easy. Or fun. But it’ll be scenic.
So, that’s my September. In the middle, Jack is turning 7! And at the end (or maybe at the beginning of October), the November issue of Runner’s World featuring me and Jack is coming out.
It’s a big month coming up, but I sure can’t wait until October!
I just died a little inside. CRAZY! But, I know you can do it. And, you’ll do it all amazingly well. And the times races? Holy moly. Insanity. If anyone can do all this, it’s you!
That’s insane. WAH well good luck with all that! I’m stoked to cheer you on at the Boulder backroads trail marathon in a few weeks! As for the footing, it’s mainly dirt packed roads. The first few miles just climb and it tires you out early. But nothing like, switchback trails or anything. There’s 0 shade coverage and last year when I ran it, it was hella hot (mid 90s). Boulder reservoir is gorgeous though and you’ll have a blast!
Wow, ask for a dollar per hour spent running this month and OJ would clean up. Sheesh, you’re officially a maniac.
I’m getting tired just reading about your month!