2019 Race Schedule Preview and Off Season Updates

I'm 4.5 weeks into my off season and so far, I have been surviving. It isn't easy for me to feel comfortable living without a training schedule, but I have taken advantage of the flexibility to spend time deer hunting and more time playing with my girls. I'm also happy to say that I have managed to NOT gain weight during the past month. This may not sound like much, but typically my off season involves packing on the pounds. As of this morning, I weighed in at 231.8, a couple pounds less than the morning of my last race.

As for workouts, I have spent the past month including a variety of things but have spent a lot of time walking and strength training. I've even started walking with coworkers over lunch most days. I've only been running a couple of times each week but my fitness level hasn't seemed to decrease much in that time. I've also spent a lot more time at the YMCA but can't seem to get myself out of bed in time to make it to the 5:00 am classes like I was hoping. About a month from now I am planning to start increasing my running, biking, and swimming load leading up to Christmas Day, when my training schedule resumes.

That brings me to my race schedule for next year which has me very excited! I know that I say this every year, but 2019 is shaping up to be my most epic season yet! My 2019 season will include 3 "A" races spread throughout my longest racing season to date. I had 2 big take-aways from my 2018 season:

1. I really missed training for longer distance races
2. I really enjoyed racing often throughout the season

With these 2 things in mind, my 3 "A" races for the year will be spread out evenly from early spring through fall and will challenge me with longer distances. However, in addition I will include several "B" and warm up races throughout my season as well. 

2019 "A" Races

• March 16 - Des Moines St. Paddy's Half Marathon
• https://iowaruns.com/desmoinesstpaddys5k
• Getting my season started off early will help me to stay focused and motivated through the winter months
• Preparation for this race will be a great build up for beginning the 16 week training program for my 2nd "A" race
• July 14 - Door County Triathlon - Half Ironman Distance
• http://www.doorcountytriathlon.com/
• You read that right, I'm planning to take on my 2nd half Ironman distance triathlon this year!
• I learned a lot from my first half Ironman triathlon last year and am ready to put those lessons to good use. In addition, I will be using an entirely new training style with the Ironfit training program
• October 20 - IMT Des Moines Marathon
• https://www.desmoinesmarathon.com/
• I'm FINALLY getting a full marathon back on my race calendar and I couldn't have picked a better race. I absolutely love the IMT races and really missed not participating this year. 
• I'm extremely familiar with the full marathon course and should be starting off my marathon training in late July in the best shape of my life and, fingers crossed, at my goal racing weight which should help keep the injury bug away this time around

My goal for all 3 races is to set a new PR. For the marathon, that will mean just finishing the race since I've never run a marathon before. My current PR for a half marathon was set at the Drake Relays Road Races in April 2017 with a time of 2:16:39 while my current PR for a half Ironman triathlon is 7:47:06 set at the Legend Ad Adstra in September 2017. I don't just want to beat these current PRs, I am planning to absolutely crush them. 

2019 "B" Races

•  January 20 - InCydeman Indoor Triathlon
• My first attempt at an indoor triathlon, hoping to knock off some rust from the off season
• January 27 - Walnut Creek YMCA Ice Breaker Triathlon
• Another local indoor triathlon to fight the winter blues
• February 9 - Welmark YMCA Red Flannel Run (5k)
• https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/DesMoines/RedFlannelRun
• This actually has an option of an indoor triathlon with a pool swim and spin bike prior to the start of the 5K, but I'm opting for just the road race
• April 20 - Drake Road Races 10k
• https://godrakebulldogs.com/sports/2015/11/30/DR_1130155307.aspx
• I love these races enough that I just can't pass them up. This will also be a good way to use some of the fitness that I built up from the half marathon a few weeks prior
• June ??? - Quad Cities Triathlon (sprint)
• http://www.qctriathlon.com/
• Although the date has not yet been announced, this will be my warm up race for Door County. This will also give me a 2nd chance at a course that I didn't race well on last year
• August 18 - Bluff Creek Triathlon (Olympic)
• http://www.bluffcreektri.com/
• I have raced extremely well at this race the past 2 years. This year I'm hoping to conquer the big Des Moines river valley hill that is part of the Olympic bike course. A chance to capitalize on the fitness that I built up for Door County

Other Potential Races

• Sprint Triathlon Relay TBD
• We haven't selected a race yet, but I'm planning on doing a triathlon relay with my friends Matt Russell and Michele Anderson 
• Sprint Triathlon TBD
• My friend Justin wants to break into the triathlon world and I just wouldn't be a good friend if I wasn't willing to race with him.
• May - Waukee YMCA Piathlon (sprint triathlon)
• Since this is my new place to train, it would make sense that I compete here but I will decide based on how my training is going. Also, I think Erin is going to do this race and it would be fun to tri alongside her
• July - Des Moines corporate games triathlon/road race/cross country race
• Assuming my company participates again next year, my participation will be based on when the races fall compared to my other scheduled races
• September - Cyman Sprint Triathlon
• I like this race, and although I won't be training for triathlon at this point, my September is pretty bare. Again, I will see how things are going with my marathon training
• November - Des Moines/Scott County Turkey Trot
• Can't see all of that hard work from the marathon go to waste!

Speaking of other races, if anyone reading this has an interest in racing with me in a triathlon or a road race next year (either in a relay or along side) please let me know. I would be willing to fit some other small races into my schedule or coordinate with you on races that are currently on my schedule. I will also put a plug in here for my unofficial coaching services, if you want a completely biased review of me, you can reach out to my wife, Erin. If you want to start racing and don't know where to begin, have questions, or need help putting together a training schedule, know that I am here and willing to help. 

2019 is going to be another special year and I can't even wait to get started! But for the next 9 weeks I'm going to enjoy deer season and a little more relaxation before all of the fun begins on Christmas Day.