2010 - Organize and Simplify

2010? We are already well into this new year and I am already amazed at how quickly it is flying by. Many people approach a new year with a "clean slate" mentality, trying to make new year's resolutions and leave their previous year's mistake's behind them. In a way, I'm approaching this new year in a similar way. But instead of starting from scratch or trying to forget the mess from the previous year, my goal is to continue sifting through that chaotic clutter and focus on the pieces of 2009 that were good, while also learning from the pieces that weren't as good. As some coaches might phrase it, 2009 was a "rebuilding" year for Jeff Caron. Not as much rebuilding as a runner, but more as an individual. I created a bit of a mess for myself and I had to work really hard over the last year to get to a point where I could support myself and feel good about what I was doing. After a long year with seeing very little light at the end of the tunnel, I feel like I've finally created a stable ground to start building up from again.

There were points early on in 2009 during which I probably could have made large steps forward as a runner, but without the stable foundation in my life, it would have only been a matter of time before it all came crashing down on me. I know it was frustrating for me and my support group around me as I worked so hard toward a result that wasn't clear and often seemed like I was just spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere. However, it was a necessary process to create more opportunities for success in my future. Going back to my engineering background, I'll make another analogy to building structures. Most of the work that goes into this kind of construction happens below the surface. While it may seem to be going nowhere at times, or sometimes even digging itself deeper, the efforts made on that ground work will in most cases make the later construction above the surface much easier and much more functional. Do a lot of work early so the seemingly difficult tasks at the end will come easier. I've realized that I probably won't be supporting myself with my running ability, but I have discovered ways to support myself with the many things I have learned from the sport of running. And that is what I have been trying to accomplish over the last year, all while not not getting too far away from my own running pursuits.

At the beginning of 2009, I really had no idea where things would end up for me by the end of the year. I tried to create opportunities whenever and wherever possible. This often meant that I had to say yes to professional tasks and put my personal tasks on hold. In that year, I've tried to link my professional and personal goals together as much as possible with the idea that eventually working hard at one would create success for the other. A year later, I certainly don't have everything figured out, but I believe I've made great steps forward. I've created a more permanent, more valued role with the company that I work for and have made that position much more official for the upcoming year. I feel like I've been a big part of this growing company and take pride in the success that we've had. Having that alone should enable me to accomplish a lot more going forward. Because I have many interests and have continued creating/entertaining these possibilities for the future, I have let myself get pulled in many directions. My main goal going forward is to better organize those directions and simplify the tasks at hand. Once I can do that, it's just a matter of how much I can commit to those tasks and how badly I want success within them. Of course, this doesn't guarantee results. Much like Jay Johnson always says in his strength building videos, "Simple ain't easy!". Just because something becomes simplified doesn't mean it will become easier. I still have to work really hard. The good thing is I have plenty of experience at working hard, so I'm looking forward to focusing those efforts on more specific areas.

Much like the inconsistency within my life, or the inconsistency of these blog postings over the last 12 months or so, my training has also been inconsistent at best during that time. We are now a few weeks into this new year and I am also a few weeks into more consistent training. Still not near the volume or level that I'd like to be at, but it's been enough to already feel a difference. I've had a couple workouts where I've felt stronger and more like a runner again. With very little expectations, I entered my first indoor race in two years this past Saturday. I ran the 5000 Meters at BU's Terrier Invitational. Despite feeling a little ragged in the last 2k, I ran a 14:46 and felt pretty good about the race in general. I haven't made any concrete performance goals for 2010 yet, but I have started discussing ideas with my coach about where we'd like to go with my pursuits this year, assuming my training continues to go forward.

First I'll briefly recap how the last few weeks have gone.

Jan 4-10: 51 Miles
WO: 3 x 400, 400, 800 w/ 1.5 minR, 2.5 minR
70, 71, 2:22 / 69, 70, 2:20 / 68, 71, 2:20

Jan 11-17: 54 Miles
WO 1: 1200/4800/800 - no rest
3:40/5:11/5:12/5:15/2:31
WO 2: 6 x 800 w/ 2.5 minR
2:24, 2:22, 2:20, 2:21, 2:19, 2:18

Jan 18-24: 64 Miles
WO 1: 4 x 600 w/ 2 minR, 4 x 400 w/ 1.5 minR
1:43, 1:42, 1:42, 1:42 / 67, 66, 65, 66
WO 2: 6 x 1000 w/ 1.5 minR
2:59, 2:59, 2:58, 2:56, 2:57, 2:57

Jan 25-31: 55 Miles
WO: 1600, 2 x 800, 4 x 400 w/ 4.5 minR, 2.5 minR, 1.5 minR
4:33 / 2:14, 2:15 / 65, 65, 66, 64
RACE: 5000 - 14:46
2:57, 2:55, 2:57, 3:00, 2:57
4:42, 4:43, 4:48, 33

Since there were no drastic catastrophes in my first race at Terrier, we've decided to try another 5K at the BU Valentine Invitational in two weeks. Again, I plan on approaching it with an open mind and just try to compete well. Even if I run the same as I did this week, I'll consider it a solid step forward. But I certainly wouldn't mind seeing that time get a little faster with a couple more weeks of solid workouts ...which should be doable. As for big picture stuff, these two races will be relatively insignificant and just used as tools to get toward a bigger and better spring season.

After a lot of ideas had been thrown around, Kevin and I decided on the New Bedford Half Marathon as our focus over the next couple months. We both agreed it would be best to stay local and this one looked like a good fit as I work on strength going into the spring. This will be my first "competitive" Half Marathon, so it will be interesting to see what kind of an effort I can put forth at that distance. I plan to keep most of my racing on the track this spring and therefore, I may not race again until May. You may even see a track 10K in there at some point, so I will definitely need some strength for those 25 long laps.

Lastly, despite the frigid conditions January threw our way, there has been ample amount of motivation in the last few weeks. On January 17, I was able to watch the US Half Marathon Championships Live on Flotrack and see my friend Jess Minty qualify for her first Olympic Trials. It was a long time coming for her and we were all extremely proud of that accomplishment.

Later that week, I watched as one of the biggest names in American distance running signed with New Balance. Jenny Barringer is now on board with the NB team and even though she won't be part of our roster, I still felt some pride and excitement during that press conference. It shows that big things are happening within the brand and I am thankful to be a part of it.

I hope to get back into a better routine of posting here, but please continue to follow our team website and our team blog as well. Our team continues to grow and we have plenty of studs that will surely have some big accomplishments in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!