My goal for 2008 is to run at least one ultra (something over marathon distance), at least one marathon, break 1:22:00 for 1/2 marathon, 37:30 for 10K, and 17:30 for 5K.
2008 Race Schedule
| Date | Event | Location | Distance | Note |
| 2/3/2008 | Kaiser Permanente San Francisco 1/2 Marathon | San Francisco, CA | half marathon | break 1:22 |
| 3/16/2008 | Emerald Across the Bay 12K | San Francisco, CA | 12K | to qualify for the sub-seeded at Bay to Breakers |
| 5/3/2008 | Pat's Run | Almaden, CA | 4.2 Mile | run with Chad |
| 5/10/2008 | Quicksilver Challenge 25K or 50K | New Almaden, CA | 25K or 50K trail | first ultra? |
| 5/18/2008 | Bay to Breakers | San Francisco, CA | 12K | if I make the sub-seeded |
| 7/12/2008 | Run for the Stinkin' Roses | Gilroy, CA | 10K | defend my title and possibly win a new pair of shoes |
| 8/23/2008 | Mt. Madonna Challenge | Gilroy, CA | 12K trail run | I love the course |
| 9/21/08? | Almaden Times Classic | San Jose, CA | 10K | where I train |
| 9/28/08? | Quicksilver Challenge 10K | Almaden, CA | 10K trail | Be on time this time. May try 1/2 marathon |
| 10/11/08? | Volkslauf | Bakersfield, CA | 10K obstacle | swim the last leg of the race |
| 10/26/2008 | Metro Silicon Valley Marathon | San Jose, CA | marathon | break 3hrs. |
Looking back 2007
The number of race per year has doubled from 2006 to 2007. This reflects the change in the attitude and effort I put into running from early 06 when I had my first running related injury (IT Band Syndrome). I started to look into training methods that will keep me away from injuries. I decided to go with Matt Fitzgerald's 24-week cross-training marathon plan.
As a result of utilizing training plan, not only did it prevent me from another injury, my 10K time dramatically improved from 05 to 06. However, my time has not improved in 2007. This may be due to the following reasons:
1. I ran all these races on different courses which may have been a little longer or had more difficult terrain than the course I ran in 2006.
2. I was putting more mileages per week and my body may not have been ready for such a drastic change.
3. Motivation and commitment: In 2006, my goal was to finish a marathon in 3 hours, which I missed by 3min 47sec. In 2007, I still had the same goal, which I missed again in 3 min 57sec, and a bunch of smaller goals which I didn't accomplish (e.g. 10K in 37:30, 5K in 17:30). I am still reaching for the same goals I set 2 years ago. May be time to switch to more attainable ones?
Fortunately, the 1/2 marathon time chart shows that my time has been improving, even though the courses in which these times were taken are not all the same. This shows my stamina has been improving gradually, if not drastically. The 1/2 marathon I have been consistently running is the SF Kaiser Permanente 1/2 marathon in February. This was the race I had first suffered from the ITB Syndrome in 2006, and in 2007, I went too fast in the beginning which was mostly downhill and blew up in the last 2 miles. It is a beautiful course in the golden gate park with lots of downhill and temperature in 50F, perfect for running condition. Yet, I suffered through this race the last two times I ran this race. This year I will make sure to stretch my IT Band like a forger pounding a hot sword, take it easy in the beginning so I don't blow up at the end, and try to finish under 1:22.
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