Now that I've wrapped the spring season, taken 2 weeks off and started back up again, I can look back and evaluate how the last few months of running and racing played out. The most important thing for me to remember is the context of this season. The roots go all the way back to June 2015, when I decided to go for an OTQ at Philly RNR on 10/31. That plan failed, but carried over into a successful race at Jacksonville, which carried over to the Trials in February, which set the tone for the entire spring. To summarize, everything after the trials was gravy. If I had gotten into a car accident and broken my legs I would have still called 2016 a success after February.
After the OT, I did not have a clear path to take. I had basically gotten partway towards being in good marathon shape, and was in very good overall distance shape. The problem I had was that, in my estimation, I didn't have enough time or motivation to refocus and get in good track shape. I also didn't really want to force the mental and physical recovery after the Trials by rushing together a serious spring plan. So, I decided to compromise and race some spring races, but not trying to put together a 100% top-notch performance at any of them. Spring was to be a period of active racing, but not shooting for a lifetime PR in anything.
Because I was in good long-distance shape, I decided to target Cherry Blossom and Broad Street as my two major races. These had the advantage of being relatively local and being a month apart, which gave me flexibility on the remaining weekend. I also like to race that distance. Besides those two races, along the way I put other lower-key races on the schedule that would be good places to win some money.
In the end, the spring season was a successful one by my analysis. I won more money at races than I ever have, ran some new races, met some other runners at my level, even PR'd at 10 miles. I never felt like I was not enjoying myself, but I was glad when it was over and I had the novelty of time off (which I hated). I still haven't come up with a satisfying goal for Fall 2016 yet but I have the luxury of not having to sign up for races 8 months ahead of time. This gives me plenty of time to plan something. Maybe even another marathon? I do know that I want to get back on the track next spring. Sub 14 in the 5k would be a great lifetime PR, and after last spring I promised myself that if I ever got into as good or better shape again, I would go out west to chase a big PR.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, one day at a time.
