100K

My goal was to run in the USATF 100K Championships in Madison, Wisconsin in 2012. I went to the Mad City 100K website last night to check when registration would open and was disappointed.

Tim Yanacheck, race director, announced on the website that the 100K race will not take place in 2012. Only the 50K solo race and the 50K 5-person relay will be run. The reason that the race won't take place in 2012 is because "The 2012 World Championship 100K race will be run in Italy on April 24. A US national championship 100K race in early 2012, but before April 24, is just not feasible. Considering the athletes' recovery time and travel expense, America's best ultramarathoners would have to skip the Mad City race in order to perform up to their potential at the Worlds. We can't stage a national championship that would exclude America's best," Yanacheck said.

I am disappointed. My plan was to train over the winter and run that race in April. I'm unsure if a 100K National Championship will even be held in 2012. I really wanted to run this race in Madison because it is a road race. I am a much better road racer then trail. I do like running trails, but it is nice to run for a long period of time without worrying about tripping or twisting my ankle(s).

Even though the Mad City 100K won't be happening in 2012, I still plan to train for a 100K over the winter. I hope I can find another 100K road race nearby. If I can't, I might possibly try a 100K trail race. Or maybe I'll just wait until 2013 when the 100K championship is back in Madison.