Looking Forward
Recently I submitted my PTO request for a good chunk of 2008. All the way through August, actually. It's nice because in 2008 I hit the 5 year mark with my agency...so not only do I get a small, humble bonus in August (seriously, it's small...), but I get bumped up to the next cluster of days off, which is super nice. :) No longer do I get 18 PTO days...I now get 23. Which seems a bit silly as I've never actually used ALL 18 days (we also get 4 summer days and 2 floating holidays which can be taken whenever we want...plus we have a half day before any federal holiday...and sometimes they like to close the office "just because they can"...like the week between Christmas and New Year's...we just shut down. Sweet, huh?). So yes...next year, I'm determined to try and take all 23 if possible.
And it's funny how I already know exactly which days I need off (and even with all this time off, I still have another 9 PTO days plus all the other crazy days off). Which can only mean one thing...
I've already got the framework of my 2008 race calendar pulled together.
So...here's what we're looking at, campers. I'm still waiting on a few dates to be announced, but it looks to be a great season, with minimal "small" races. I really want to focus on improving my half marathon time and crank out a few solid triathlons...
2.17.08 - Palm Springs Half Marathon...to be completed together with my sisters and mum.
3.XX.08 - Shamrock Shuffle 8k...it's tradition!
4.6.08 - St. Louis Half Marathon...my dad's first full marathon! I'll hopefully be able to keep him company for a few miles in the back half.
5.17.08 - Galena Triathlon...assuming I own a wetsuit by this point, I'll do the tri. Otherwise, I'll do the du. This course will be a trial run for the KSIM 70.3.
6.6-7.08 - MC 200...smelly, cranky, exhausted runners. A tragically awesome recipe for disaster. Fun times.
6.15.08 - Kansas Ironman 70.3...The first "A" race of the year. Bring it.
7.13.08 - Danskin Women's Triathlon. Still tinkering with this race as I looooooooved doing it last year, and it was my "tri virgin" race. So if any certain someones decide to join in for their first tri, I'll definitely be doing it...otherwise it's considered pending
8.XX.08 - Chicago Distance Classic...assuming the weather is ideal...this race will hopefully hold a half mary PR for me.
8.28.08 - Accenture Chicago Triathlon...Olympic Distance. The second "A" race of the year.
8.31.08 - Ironman Louisville. Better him than me. It'll be a grand ole time.
10.12.08 - Chicago Marathon...revenge on 2 consecutive years of extreme craptasmic weather. Things have to fall into place in 08...riiiiiiiiiight?
...unless I hit the jackpot...
11.2.08 - NYC Marathon...'nuff said.
And of course...I'll partake in the awesomeness that is the 2008 Turkey Trot next year on 11.20.08...Every year I manage to break my 8k PR on this course. Hopefully '08 will be no different. :)
And it's funny how I already know exactly which days I need off (and even with all this time off, I still have another 9 PTO days plus all the other crazy days off). Which can only mean one thing...
I've already got the framework of my 2008 race calendar pulled together.
So...here's what we're looking at, campers. I'm still waiting on a few dates to be announced, but it looks to be a great season, with minimal "small" races. I really want to focus on improving my half marathon time and crank out a few solid triathlons...
2.17.08 - Palm Springs Half Marathon...to be completed together with my sisters and mum.
3.XX.08 - Shamrock Shuffle 8k...it's tradition!
4.6.08 - St. Louis Half Marathon...my dad's first full marathon! I'll hopefully be able to keep him company for a few miles in the back half.
5.17.08 - Galena Triathlon...assuming I own a wetsuit by this point, I'll do the tri. Otherwise, I'll do the du. This course will be a trial run for the KSIM 70.3.
6.6-7.08 - MC 200...smelly, cranky, exhausted runners. A tragically awesome recipe for disaster. Fun times.
6.15.08 - Kansas Ironman 70.3...The first "A" race of the year. Bring it.
7.13.08 - Danskin Women's Triathlon. Still tinkering with this race as I looooooooved doing it last year, and it was my "tri virgin" race. So if any certain someones decide to join in for their first tri, I'll definitely be doing it...otherwise it's considered pending
8.XX.08 - Chicago Distance Classic...assuming the weather is ideal...this race will hopefully hold a half mary PR for me.
8.28.08 - Accenture Chicago Triathlon...Olympic Distance. The second "A" race of the year.
8.31.08 - Ironman Louisville. Better him than me. It'll be a grand ole time.
10.12.08 - Chicago Marathon...revenge on 2 consecutive years of extreme craptasmic weather. Things have to fall into place in 08...riiiiiiiiiight?
...unless I hit the jackpot...
11.2.08 - NYC Marathon...'nuff said.
And of course...I'll partake in the awesomeness that is the 2008 Turkey Trot next year on 11.20.08...Every year I manage to break my 8k PR on this course. Hopefully '08 will be no different. :)
Labels: Races
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 10:28 AM
7 Camper Comments:
Yeah!!! My 1/2 mari made the list of Jayhawk's runs! I've run the stl 1/2 once and the full twice and am planning on running the 1/2 again this year (no time in my schedule to train for a full with a baby in da house) See you then!
Make sure you do some hill work, as St. Louis is deceptive, it looks flat, but it so isn't.
I'm sure you know this, but Chicago usually fills up long before the NYC lottery results come in. What I did last year (because I didn't want to end up paying for two $100 races within weeks of each other) was pass on Chicago and then pick another fall marathon to run when I didn't get in to NYC. Both Grand Rapids and Milwaukee are great races, both Octoberish, and both semi-local. While I've never run either, I've heard enough about Grand Rapids to heartily recommend it to anyone. If you feel like taking a road trip, Detroit's also decent - you get to go over the Ambassador Bridge and through the Windsor Tunnel, which is cool. However, from mile 23 to 26 you're running down a straight stretch through a less scenic part of town where there are very few spectators. Just so's you know.
Wow what an incredible schedule! You will definetly be stronger by the end of 2008.
I am with you on the NYC deal, 4th year in a row, still yet to be picked.
You are ready! Whatever happened to the good old days of PTO consisting of rest and relaxation? Never more!
omg, this makes me want to make my own schedule IMMEDIATELY!!! but i have work to do tonight...but i realize i will probably just end up making my 08 race schedule...
your schedule looks freakin awesome.
Great schedule. 2008: sink or swim!
Good luck, Jayhawk. :)
Sounds like a great schedule for 08! Better you than me =)
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