Year in Review 2017
Summary:
Most notably had the opportunity to focus more time on training as I reduced my work hours this year. This was highlighted by declaring this as YETI, the Year of Extraordinary Training Initiative. Starting in May, I increased training time as much as I could tolerate, ending the year at 52 hours in December, up from around 32 hours for the first months of the year.
Lots more core strength training, 159 sessions over the year. Stretching almost daily once or twice. In the Fall I connected with a group of local runners for group runs and some track time. All this is yielding progress past the quad injury a couple years ago and a glute strain this summer, but still have a lot of improvement needed on running speed. Goal is to drop the 5K time back under 25 minutes.
Had some faster orienteering races this Fall, particularly at the Boulder Dash and Quantico even though both meets saw some errors.
Lost my long time rogaining partner, Glen Brake, and am still considering how and whether to replace him for World Champ competition in my +65 class.
Skiing was mostly a disappointment with the Birkie washed out and not enough training distance to do well in the few races I did enter. This year looks better with half of last year's distance already covered in November and December. Goal is to race shorter distances early and often and be ready for the marathons later in the season.