Like a lot of you, I didn’t get my title pulled in a few race lotteries this previous weekend. And I’m high-quality with that!
The previous two months have represented my working offseason, and I’ve spent loads of time dreaming of all of the races and adventures that would turn into a part of my 2025 working plans. On this article, I’ll share a few of them. However principally, I need to hear what working plans you’re dreaming about for 2025!
Dreaming of extra alpine sunrises like this one witnessed whereas pacing on the 2024 San Juan Softie 100 Mile. All photographs iRunFar/Bryon Powell until famous.
Extra Lottery Races
I could also be zero for 2 up to now, however that received’t dissuade me from probably placing my title within the lottery for one more race or two.
I attempted to run the Excessive Lonesome 100 Mile in 2022 however examined constructive for COVID-19 the day earlier than the race. I had a good time coaching and fishing on and across the course in 2021 and will simply see myself doing that once more.
Then, only a bit additional north in Colorado’s Sawatch Mountains, there’s my outdated good friend, the Leadville 100 Mile. I ran the race in 2006 and 2009 and loved it each occasions. I might simply see going again. It’s been some time since I’ve been part of a extra runnable 100 miler.
Having fun with the views throughout my 2022 Excessive Lonesome 100 Mile coaching camp.
Adventures Forward
I’ve at all times beloved a superb working journey, however the scope of those adventures has grown prior to now half-decade. That’s opened up lots of house for dreaming over a map! A 100-mile unsupported outing in a single go? Certain, why not! Per week-long journey that covers 250 miles? Feels like enjoyable! So, it needs to be little shock that I’ve a reservoir of massive adventures and haven’t any downside developing with further concepts.
Not moving into the Western States 100 or Hardrock 100 opened up the mid-June timeframe for a 100-mile outing that’s been floating round for just a few years however crystalized on a location this previous yr. That may be a 100-mile, 10-species fish run (with no less than 10,000 toes of elevation achieve inside 48 hours) that my associates and I name FINSANITY. I count on this can make it onto my schedule because it fairly suspiciously matches in with all my different hypothesized outings.
Bonham Reservoir up on Grand Mesa in Colorado early on a July morning.
I’ve moreover thought of signing up for a 100 miler that I’d incorporate into a fair longer working challenge to attach a bunch of cutthroat trout subspecies. This model of the plan can be contingent upon the race director giving me the nod for fishing their race, though I might additionally full the complete route at a time that didn’t overlap with the occasion. Nonetheless, a mid-summer working can be appropriate with quite a few choices earlier and later within the season.
Nearer to house, I might see myself logging one other 200- to 250-mile week-long journey by the San Juan Mountains as I did on my 2024 summer time trip. I’ve considered heading east this time, as I’ve by no means visited the small city of Creede nor hit the La Garita Mountains to its north. Looks as if it might be some enjoyable exploring from my entrance door.
Vermilion Peak over Hope Lake throughout my 2024 summer time trip within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
Extra of the Identical?
As a lot as I instructed myself I wouldn’t run one other 250 miler and, particularly not the Extremely Gobi 250 Mile once more, as I had such a superb and memorable expertise this yr, I can’t assist however fascinated about strolling again my 2024 season. That may imply a enjoyable mid-summer Western States 100 qualifier on the By no means Summer time 100k and, then, one other go at Extremely Gobi.
Cruising an early ridge within the 2024 By no means Summer time 100k.
Future Goals
Whereas it’s too late to make it occur this yr, I dream of the slow-travel tour of early season European races. Protecting the Path World Championships in Austria in 2023 whet my urge for food for the Stubai Valley south of Innsbruck, and I’d like to kick begin a season with one of many Innsbruck Alpine Pageant races in early Might. Simply over the mountains two months later, the 115k Lavaredo Extremely Path is a race I’ve needed to attend for years, however work obligations have at all times precluded me. There’s at all times a “sometime!” on the market. Then, there’d be the European 100 miler that calls to me greater than some other, the Ehunmilak Extremely Path, if solely to spend just a few weeks within the Basque countryside.
Me working excessive within the Austrian Alps close to Stubai. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Off to Center Earth
And I write all this simply earlier than boarding a aircraft to spend a season in New Zealand. Meghan and I had a good time of it final “winter” and couldn’t assist ourselves from doing it once more. I’ve numerous single-day and even in a single day outings in my head for this return journey, however I see my time in New Zealand as extra of a kickstart to my season stuffed with brain-melting magnificence and the bribes represented by catching some monster trout!
The promise of catching fish like “Shoulders the Brown Trout” makes early season lengthy runs simpler endeavors.
Name for Feedback
Alright, it’s time so that you can encourage some others. What runs are you dreaming about for subsequent yr?!