Before running the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K last month, I decided I wanted 2015 to be the year of my first 50-mile race. Rationalizing that I’ll be well-trained, having ran the Berlin Marathon about two months before the race, I wanted to take the next step after the 50K and graduate to the 50M.

After finishing the 50K, I reconsidered and thought my 50-mile ambitions a little audacious considering how badly I was hurting at the end of the 50K (19 miles short of 50). Now that I’m farther removed from the pain, I’ve decided to register for the 50 miler; I know that if I train properly and stay healthy, I’ll be able to accomplish this goal. When registration opened yesterday, I didn’t hesitate – I’m running a 50-miler in December! This will be my fourth year in a row participating in North Face’s annual championship in the Marin Headlands. I paced Jesse for half of his 50 miler in 2012, ran the 50K in 2013 and 2014, and will have graduated to the 50-mile race in 2015.

Jesse won’t be racing North Face this year; he’ll be recovering from his first 100-mile race in November. I won’t be surprised if he’s there to pace me for part of the race, though. We’ll be doing some long trail runs once we return from Europe!

This weekend is Kaiser Half Marathon, and I’m a little apprehensive. I may break race rule #1 and buy new shoes for the race. I’ve been using Altras, and I think they’re the source of my IT band pain.