Running commentary

Ringing in the New Year tends to mean resolutions, so I asked some of my fellow runners to share some of their running goals for 2013. In addition, since I am the new owner of an iPhone and have become much more aware of the infinite number of applications available, including many related to endurance training, I asked for some "reviews" from some of these same folks.

Research indicates that people who actually write down their goals and track their progress are much more likely to accomplish their objectives.

Traditionally, I have kept a simple journal and only recently downloaded an app to try out, which is "Map My Run." So far its only function has been to ask me why I haven't been active for the past week. I don't mind the gentle reminder to get out for a run, and at least it doesn't have a way of knowing about, and chiding me for, that extra slice of lemon pound cake that I ate last night.

For the record, the deep snow has kept me from actually running, but I did have a satisfying foray with my daughter Erin, son Izaak, and wife Deirdre on snowshoes up to the Jefferson View shelter this week. I definitely got a workout, and in addition to a beautiful view of the Cascades, I enjoyed the bonus of meeting up with some 2010 graduates of Sisters High School at the shelter, including four former members of the Outlaws cross-country team: Drew Harrison, Emi Conrads, Cindy Steele, and Parker Bennett. It is heartening to me to see these 20-somethings keeping their friendships alive by enjoying the outdoors together.

I am putting up a single goal for 2013, which is to run enough in the first half of the year to be prepared for a half-marathon in May or June.

Gene Trahern, who just turned 50, hopes to get back into ultra-marathon condition and be competitive at the 50-mile distance.

"Yes, round is a shape," he joked, "but I need to get back to my usual mileage after a down year in 2012."

He also hopes to compete in the U.S. 24 Hour Orienteering Championships now that he and his teammate both qualify for the senior division.

"I think we'd have a good shot at winning our division," he said.

Trahern tracks his mileage the old fashioned way, using pencil and paper in a log book, which he has kept since his high school days. His total career mileage exceeds 52,000 miles!

Josh and Ashley Nordell are probably the most competitive couple in Sisters Country and both have ambitious plans for 2013.

Ashley, who is typically ranked nationally among female ultra-runners, plans a return to the Western States 100 in June and then just over five weeks later hopes to compete in the Angeles Crest 100 in Southern California on August 3.

Josh will compete in the Napa Valley Half-Iron Triathlon in April, along with Sisters High School athletic director Tim Roth. Nordell also hopes to qualify for the Xterra Off-Road Triathlon National Championships in Utah.

Josh uses Map My Run to record his routes and also uses it when he is measuring courses for Sisters Multi-Sport events.

"I don't really keep close track of mileage, but I like the mapping feature of this application," he said.

Sisters High School principal Joe Hosang plans to work up to the marathon distance by doing a half-marathon in April, and if that goes well, he will enter the Portland Marathon in September. He hopes that a previous knee injury won't thwart his effort.

"If it doesn't work out for me to do my first marathon, I will put my focus on biking," he said.

Taylor Steele, a sophomore at Whitworth College in Spokane, a state champion at 3,000 meters as a senior at Sisters High, will be working on some specific goals as a member of the Pirates' track and cross-country teams.

"I want to get stronger both mentally and physically and get back to being a successful runner as when I was in high school," he said. "I want to be more patient and to trust my training."

He hopes to compete at the national level in the 1,500 meters for NCAA Division 3 with a goal of lowering his time to 3:50. For cross-country his goal is to run at least 24:50 for 8 kilometers and qualify for the national meet.

Steele uses dailymile.com and a Nike+GPS watch to help track his training and mileage.

Two Sisters High School stars also have big goals for 2013. Zoe Falk, a junior, wants to lower her 800-meter time and contend for the state title again, which she claimed as a freshman. She also hopes to dip under 19 minutes for 5,000 meters next fall in cross-country.

Brandon Pollard has his sights set high as well. The junior dreams of a sub-four-minute 1,500 to go along with a sub-two-minute 800 meters for track. As one of the top returning runners in cross-country, he hopes to run 15:46 or better next fall.

Both high schoolers keep a journal to track their training.

So as we venture into the new year, I wish all local runners young and old the very best. Keep track of your progress however you choose, and keep your targets in focus. I will continue my reporting on and support of local runners once a month with this column. If you have things to report or other ideas for the column feel free to contact me at [email protected]