Land Between the Lakes 50 miler

I'm taking off on Thursday and heading to Ohio.  I'll spend the night at my parents and then reach Grand Rivers, KY on Friday for the Land Between the Lakes 50.  This is the only formal race I'm planning this year (Relay for Life isn't technically a race and the Macomb Orchard 50 is run Fat Ass style.)  This means that Saturday will be my last long run before Relay for Life, the finale of my spring break, my qualifying run for the 2012 Western States, and the start and finish of my 2011 racing season.

The primary reason, of course, is that we are expecting another little boy to join our family sometime towards the end of July.  I'll probably take a break from running during the second half of the year.  I still remember the chaotic and sleepless lifestyle of having a newborn around so it seems unwise to set any meaningful training goals.  I also like the idea of giving the running thing a bit of a rest.  Maybe I'll focus on strength training.  Maybe I'll find something new.  Of course, I only anticipate a rest from running.  Not accidentally, Saturday's race does keep me qualified to enter the Western States lottery.  I've also noticed that the jogging stroller in the garage has been looking a bit lonely.  My initial journey into ultrarunning was certainly assisted by an infant who would only easily nap for me in the jogging stroller.  I think that Elliott's record was a 20 mile run in the jogging stroller...

P.S.  If you haven't yet donated to my Relay for Life run, click on the link to the right!