More in 2022 & my race calendar

More.

More kilometres. More mountains. More books. More self-care.

My theme for 2022 is (you guessed it) – more. And it is not just related to running. (More on this in a bit.)

We can all agree that we have had enough of the pandemic. 2021 marked another year filled with uncertainty, fear and frustration. Most of us have done our part – avoiding crowds, getting the first, second and third vaccines and listening to the lofty rules of the day from the provincial government.

I have to tell you it was not easy pushing the pandemic to the back of my mind while I trained for my sole race in 2021. Sometimes I paused and wondered – what is the point in the big scheme of things when the world is in chaos? Then I thought … that is just crazy talk.

We should all run more. Laugh more. Love more. Do more of what makes you happy while the world (one day) emerges from this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. It’s got to get better, right? That’s why we shouldn’t stay in a holding pattern until it returns to a new version of normal. The death toll only reinforces what we all know to be true – life is too short. We have to embrace its glorious possibilities before it is too late.

I used to be one of those people who didn’t do things because I was alone or I was afraid or whatever. Then one day I realized that I don’t need to wait for perfect conditions or depend on others to do what I want to do. Changing my mindset was one of the best gifts to myself. So if you’re looking to improve your outlook in 2022, change your mindset – anything is possible.

I digress .. sorry I have been in my had a lot lately … this year I have three races on tap.

Powderface Marathon on July 2

Powderface is part of the Five Peaks race series. I signed up two years ago. It’s early enough in my season that I will be able to see what kind of shape I am in. This race sells out pretty quickly so I was lucky to get in but they have also opened up new spots this year. The race is in Kananaskis and should be a challenging one. I heard the cut off times will be tough to meet but I am confident I won’t have any problems meeting them.

Sinister 7 (50-miler) on July 9

I am super excited about this race. This one should definitely test my strength, endurance and willpower. I ran Sinister 7 as part of a team a few years ago and that’s my only experience with this race. The course description alone is enough to put someone off from signing up. I accept and need the challenge. I’ve been running on autopilot for the last few years that I really, really need something new to excite and push me harder during training.

Lost Soul 100K on September 9

Another year, another September in the coulees. This year I am back to improve my time on the 100k. It can’t rain a second year in a row, can it? Turn up the heat, please. I was slightly hesitant about signing up again. The race is $$ and everything that goes with it. But I have a friend (who wants to keep her identity secret) who wants to run the 100k so I said I would run too. I am grumbling about it now but I know I will love it when I am in Lethbridge.

I am also signed up for the Blackfoot 100K in May but I am not feeling the race right now. We’re in the middle of a deep freeze now in Alberta. I get the feeling it is going to be a long and cold one. Anyway that race is up in the air right now.

What about you? Have you filled out your 2022 race calendar yet? What do you want to do more of in 2022? I would love you hear from you in the comments below.