Goals-Part 1

I've been eyeing this for about a year now. After doing a partial schedule last year, this year it's all in. I'm talking about the Texas State Marathon Series . I raced a couple of these last season, the Excruciation exam(3rd) and Fat Chucks(4th), but with going to Colorado for the Barnett's School and all, missed a couple.
The series starts Dec. 6th with the Holidaze Marathon at Camp Eagle in Rocksprings,TX. I raced a XC there my first month in Texas, so I'm somewhat aware of what's ahead of me.
Race #2 is the Excruciation Exam. One loop at Warda, race continues on dirt/paved roads over to Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville where we do one loop there, then back to Warda to finish off with a partial lap. In all, last year it was 87 miles.
Race #3 is Miles of Discomfort at Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort,TX. I won the 12hr back in the Spring here, so a 50+ marathon should be easy right.......wrong! This course is rough and throws some good climbing at you, so combine that with turning the screws up on the intensity, and you have a good ol' fashioned ball buster.
Race #4 is Mas O Menos out in the Big Bend area. This is going to be my "A" race for the series. The others will be important to get points, but because this race starts the National Ultra Endurance Series, it will be a who's who of fast riders from all over the country. Putting in a good effort and placing well is crucial if I want to continue at this level of racing.
The series wraps up at Fat Chucks in Smithville,TX in early March. Last year it was 29 degrees at the start, and putting in 60 miles at Rocky Hill Ranch is never easy, so it's a good way to finish off the series.
The goal for me for this series is easy. When the State Championship in the 30-39 open class. Last year I was 9th overall racing 2 of the 5 races. I'm another year wiser, stronger and mentally ready to tackle the best of Texas marathon series.
Notice this is just part 1? Part 2 is even tougher than the state series. With the addition of working with a coach(currently working on that) this too could work out well.
Until later........Farm