Ice Age fever has struck the Dehart household earlier than normal. I hate to admit, but I have already began to train in earnest, create my who to beat wish list, and scrubbed some time forecasts together. I don't get too excited about any hard workouts at this point. The plan is pretty straight forward. Pile up a bunch of bumming around miles and then by the end of February come swinging out of the trees. As much as I love this race, history shows that I have only targeted this race twice. The very first one I ran in 2000 and again in 2009 when I made my quazi comeback. Usually I have another race or two on the schedule in early spring, but not this year. That is the plan...for now anyway.
I'll run just for the sake of running. I have no problem getting out the door now-a-days just as long as the miles are at a pedestrian rate. I know people have a wide view on how you construct your weekly/monthly miles. I know all the formulas and what "junk" miles are. I am aware of the benefit of rest. Yet there is something magical that can happen when you get up above the tree line. If one can construct that massive aerobic engine (the big engine) the possibilities are then there. Look at Ed Whitlock for example. This guy is in his 80's and is still crushing it.
Now I am no Ed Whitlock, but it almost seems a shame one can get so motivated about a race such as Ice Age and not put together a plan to go crush one. The desire in part is connected to the realization that this does eventually end. I'm in the 55-59 age group. The next one is 60-64 and let's take a look at the total finishers by age 60 and over in 2016:
60 - 6
61 - 2
62 - 1
63 - 1
64 - 1
65 - 2
66 - 0
67 - 1
68 - 2
Total - 16
Due to economic concerns, the light at the end of the tunnel has been shut off.
