I've done some pretty tough training runs the past couple of months including Farmdale, McNotagain, Tecumseh, and Lookout Mountain. I didn't get in as many back-to-back long runs as I would have liked but I think I found some of the tougher terrains in the area to train on. My confidence level at this point goes up and down. I feel great about the recent races I've run. I feel I've got nutrition down. I felt physically strong and mentally focused throughout these races. I set time goals for myself going into each race and was able to achieve those goals. What makes me most nervous is the amount of elevation gain at HURT. This past weekend was Lookout which has a stated gain of 6,300 ft. (though I'm going with Matt Treter's garmin which said 7,700 ft). When I finished I asked myself if I could go out and do it again. The answer was definitely yes. If I was in the 100 mile mindset, there's no doubt in my mind I could have gone back for more. BUT...could I do that if the elevation gain was double? That shakes my confidence a
Lookout
Lookout 50 miler was my last big long run. I went into that race with a plan to 1.) beat last years time 2.) go sub-12 3.) push and leave it all out there 4.) practice game day nutrition. I will not try to kid myself, that was a tough course. I did curse the leaves and the uphills once or twice. For the most part though, I felt great. I accomplished goals 1 and 2 with a finish time of 11:31 - 1:47 faster than last years time. Goal 3 I found to be difficult. I always wanted to push harder but didn't want to empty my tank too soon. So, when is it the right time in a race to give it all you got? Goal 4 worked like a charm. I followed my plan using Vespa every 3'ish hours. As far as food consumption goes, I had a couple hands full of trail mix along the way, a few mike & ikes to rid my mouth of the stale taste, 1/4 banana, 1/4 pb&j, and a cup on ramen before the final stretch. I didn't feel the need to eat until my stomach started growling around lunchtime. That's when I went for the pb&j and banana. I drank nuun for hydration. Salt every couple of hours. Oh right...and a cup of beer that was offered by some spectators around mile 34 - that was delicious! Once again, no fatigue, no bonking, just a nice consistent flow of energy. I am really digging the Vespa! It has worked so well for me in these races. Lookout was a great race with awesome friends and I look forward to making this an annual road trip!
The HURT Plan
I need to keep in mind that I was looking for a race that would break me down...chew me up and spit out a better version of who I am. I'm betting it'll make me hurt, make me cry, yell at the sky, question life, challenge me physically and emotionally. Bring it! I wasn't looking for easy, I was looking for a life changing experience that will hopefully end with a new level of clarity.
I need to show up ready to go head-to-head with the toughest thing I've ever faced. I need to throw all fear and doubt out the window. There will be no quitting. I will give this thing all I've got and hope for the best. My goals going in are: 1.) show up at the start healthy and confident 2.) take it slow 3.) keep a nice cutoff cushion 4.) finish within the 36 hour limit. That is it. Simple.
Until then, I'm going to run two more 50k's and then start my taper. I'm going to be way more disciplined with diet until race day. I'm going to work on my mental game and try to visualize the race. I'm going to spend some time in the sauna and hope that helps with the acclimation to the climate change. That is it. Go time will be here before I know it. YIPPEE!!!!
Peace!
No comments:
Post a Comment