Single Digits

The "weeks til go time" countdown is now in single digits.  WOW!  Nine weeks left to train - three of those weeks in taper mode - which means I have six weeks of hard core, no wimps allowed, go hard or go home training ahead of me.  I've given up on being nervous and have thrown myself into terribly excited about this 100 mile adventure.

Until recently I had a coach mapping out my plan and monitoring my progress.  Though I love the idea of having this person to help me and hold me accountable, I learned that my lifestyle isn't conducive to following a rigid plan.  I require a fair amount of flexibility.  I didn't want to let the coach down week after week so we parted ways.  I would say that I successfully completed most of the workouts she planned for me, but it added an element of stress.  So, now I am going to spend some time pulling these last 9 weeks together and hope for the best.

I am thrilled that two of these weekend training runs will be pacing some great friends.  I feel honored that they are sharing their journeys with me.  I will pace Leah at Umstead 100 this weekend and ring in her birthday out on the trail.  I will pace Eric at Pottawatomie 150 and be out there running through the nights.  Yes, plural!  I don't know for sure, but I feel that using pacing as part of the overall training can be very beneficial for the big day.  While pacing I get to witness what happens physically and mentally in the later miles of the race, I get to brainstorm coping strategies, run through the night, practice walking, get lots of time on feet.  And the best part, I get to witness the sweet reward of the finish line through these amazing athletes.  So my new plan has two weekends covered, now to fill in the rest:-)


And my ADD will take this post in another direction now...

Last weekend I ran the Gorge Waterfalls 50k in Oregon.  I have never in my life seen something so amazingly beautiful.  I have shared Tara's pictures on FB - but here are just a couple of shots.  I would absolutely recommend this go on every runners bucket list.  Enjoy!

This is something out of a storybook...stunning beauty all around

Waterfalls everywhere - over 70 falls on the 50k course

And great friends to share the adventure with - priceless!

    Time to start planning!

      

Lucky 13

Thirteen weeks until the gun goes off and this 100 mile race gets underway.  The butterflies are starting to flutter around when I think about how this time is going to fly and how much work I have yet to do to prepare.  The nervousness hasn't brought me to tears yet but, I bet it will before the big day gets here.

During my training I am experiencing runs that build my confidence and others that knock me flat on my ass.

Knock me on my ass run:  A couple of weeks ago a group of us went out to Kettle to run 20 on a Saturday morning.  I was very excited to go out and experience a 10 mile stretch of the actual course...until I got there and started running.  The trails were covered in deep snow, my water was frozen, the climbs were tough, the pace was pitiful, my attitude couldn't have been worse.  I felt terrible for Brian because he had to listen to me em eff the course for 10 miles until we met up with the others.  Turning around at mile 10, knowing that we were more than half way done, picking up some friends who were extremely positive and happy to be out there, really helped my spirits.  When we finished the run it was such a great feeling...great to be done...great that I finished what I set out to do...again, great to be done.

The lesson learned from this run is that my mind can make or break the big race.  If I go into KM with the attitude I had during this training run, there's no doubt that I will fail.  Something to work on over the next 13 weeks.

Confidence builders:  The good news is I've had more in this category than the other.  I had a weekend where I ran long at VA and then ran long on the IPP the following day.  Felt great - not a stitch of soreness.  I paced the Snickers Marathon while feeling under the weather and finished on target.  I've been getting in some hill work and following the schedule the coach set out for me.  The mileage is increasing and I'm excited to work hard in order to make this happen.  I can only hope for many more of these confidence builders in the coming months.  I have a great group of running friends whose company during these runs helps keep me on track and make the miles just fly by.

I think that maybe we are supposed to experience these difficult runs during our training so we can learn something about ourselves and reflect back during tough times in a race.  Though I hope that my good runs outnumber the bad runs by A LOT - I will make sure to try and find the lessons from  the bad and learn from them.








 

                   

The race calendar

I was looking at my google calendar to make sure that all of the races I am aware I've signed up for have been entered.  Then cross referenced that with the events I am attending according to Facebook.  Then went through my email race registration confirmations to make sure nothing was left out.  Phew...I think all is in order now.  I hope it is all in order. 

Unfortunately I've discovered that there's not a lot of extra time to add more races to this schedule. There are so many fun / cool / beautiful races out there I'd like to run...but only so many weekends in a year and only so many of those that can be spent away from home racing.  So what does one do?  There are certain races that I just love and couldn't see not doing year after year.  But I will make some tough choices and eliminate a favorite for a bucket list item or two each year...starting next year.

My 2012 race schedule:

14-Jan	Frosty 50	31
3-Mar	Pacing Snickers	26.2
25-Mar	Gorge Waterfalls	31
14-Apr	Potawatomi	50
2-Jun	KM100	100
15-Jun	Chatt Stage Race	60
14-Jul	Dances with Dirt	50
28-Jul	Sunburn 6/12 hour	50
16-Sep	Pace Fox Valley	26.2
7-Oct	Pace Lakefront	26.2
27-Oct	JJ100	100
1-Dec	Tecumseh	26.2
14-Dec	Lookout Mountain 50	50
Total Race Miles:		626.8

         
Looking forward to each and every one of these adventures.  I love the physical challenge, the race atmosphere, the amazing trails, the ultra aid stations with cookies and chips, the great friends, and ahhhhh - the finish.

Oh, and the training for KM100 is going great!

Balls in the air

Sixteen weeks and 4 days until the big day.  Time is flying so fast I feel like I'm riding in an X43.  When did we enter February?  I had an invitation from Jack's classmate hanging on my fridge...I looked at it yesterday and was going to RSVP...ooops, the party was on Sunday, February 5th. 

Juggling kids, home, career, running...with multiple to-do's under each of the categories has been quite challenging lately.  I can easily prioritize these 4 categories but struggle with the lists within the categories and mingling them all together to come up with a work/home/run/family balance that keeps everyone affected happy.  Though, the only one complaining is me so I should probably just spend this time and energy being productive ;)

Last weekend I made plans to meet Tifanie at the Arb for a morning run.  I woke up early, got all of my gear together, dressed, and ready to go.  Michael walks up to me and asks if I am going running and am I running outside or downstairs.  I told him outside.  He gave me the sad eyes and asked me if I could run downstairs instead.  Normally I would stick to the plan, give him a kiss, tell him mommy will be back soon.  This day I decided to drop the ball.  I kicked off my shoes, took off my coat, sent my apologies to Tif, and snuggled on the couch with that sweet little angel.  No regrets!  His excitement and smile was so worth it!  (I got my run in later...guilt free) 

My snuggle bug...how could I resist?

Dunkin Donuts...the greatest place on earth when you're 3 & 5

Mikey and his monkey...love his style!

  
Training is going well - I am getting in most of my miles - feeling good - injury free.  We have had perfect running weather so far this winter.  Last Tuesday at EPIC it was so nice we got to enjoy a parking lot post party- summer style.  Good times! 

Looking forward to kicking this week off right with an EPIC Tuesday run tonight.

    


          

Oh My Aching Abs

I do not know where the time goes.  I was going to write about my training on a weekly basis and as I sit here looking at the calendar I realize that last week came and went.  Where did it go?  Can you get time back if you've no recollection of it at all? 

In summary for last week - I had 37 miles on the calendar and ended up cutting my 20 down to 10.  Though, there was so much snow on the ground it felt like 20!

This week is all new for me.  I've started training with a coach.  Her approach is much different than mine and it is taking some getting used to.  What do you mean I can't do 20 milers yet?  My heart about stopped when I heard that.  But, she is the professional and trains some great ultra runners so probably knows a little more about this ultra stuff than me.  When I ask "why?" there's always a logical reason.  And I ask why a lot!

What's new?  Hmmmm...speed work, running more days, running less miles, paying attention to heart rate, tracking calories and nutrition, and CORE work!

Last night I did some speed work followed by a 20 minute time trial.  My last two 5k's were run at about a 7:30 pace.  It's been a while since I've paid any attention to speed and it's amazing how quickly that can be lost.  I am kind of embarrassed to even document this but I will because the next time it will be much better.  20 minutes - 2.31 miles = 8:39 pace.  WHAT?  I want a re-do!  That's over a minute per mile slower than I was expecting!  I am not out to win races and a nice easy pace is one of the things I love about ultra running.  But, I will work on building some speed for these shorter distances and PR a 5k and 10k this year.

Calorie tracking - what an eye opener!  I wondered how I could be an ultra runner and not lose any weight.  Let me tell you...it's called M&M Peanuts.  I think I could have easily been consuming 500 calories of the sweet goodness on a daily basis.  Every time I walked past the front desk at work I'd grab a handful.  I will not ruin it for those of you who love M&M's - but I will be limiting myself to 10 pieces per day instead of 10 hands full.  I am really excited about this part of the training.  If I can go into the 100 with 15 less pounds to carry I'll be a happy camper.          

And lastly, my aching abs!  I did my first ab/core workout this week and it hurts to sit up straight.  But I like the pain - I think it means I did it right and there are some muscles building up under my protective "winter layer".  Quite excited about that. 

Happy Friday!

 

   

Three of my favorite things this week...

Training week 2 was a huge success!  Forty-seven miles on the training plan - forty-seven miles run.  Not a moment of hesitation or procrastination.  I was extremely happy with the week and look forward to keeping this momentum going.

I feel the success this week was attributed to the following three things: 

1. Starting the week off right with the EPIC Tuesday run.  The temperatures were mild, the company was amazing as always, and the run just felt great.  It's extrememly encouraging to feel like..."I can do that again"...after a run. 
2. The snow!  I had a 6 mile run on Thursday that I didn't get to until the kids were tucked in bed.  I ran the first 4 on the treadmill and then headed outside with the pup for the final 2.  It had snowed all day and Henry and I had a great time creating two miles of footprints in the fresh powder.  The moon and lights reflecting off the snow made it so bright and magical!



Henry admiring our footprints in the snow

3. Frosty 50 & the Treter's.  What an amazing day at VA!  The trails were beautiful and snow covered, hilly, and tough!  The people - WOW!  I love ultra runners!  50+ people standing outside in the freezing cold...running some long tough miles...water bottles freezing...wet feet...climbing hills in the snow...telling stories which made the miles fly by (thank you Brandi :)...all as happy as could be encouraging one another along throughout the day.  Then there were the volunteers (saints!).  These extraordinary people marked the course...taxied the crazy running crowd to and from our cars...cooked us chili, soup, hot dogs, etc...kept the fire going for us...took our pictures...entered our times...lent a helping hand where ever one was needed.  THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!  And the Treter's.  I stuck with Matt and Tif throughout the 50k.  At first I had to leave by 2:00 but then was able to get a time extention.  When I hit 25 miles my legs were tired and I said I was just going to run the last 6 on the treadmill at home.  Tif encouraged me to go out for the LAST loop and I was so glad I did!  It really felt great to put the Woodal around my neck after completing the full 50k.  It was also nice to get home and not have 6 miles hanging over my head...if that were the case this blog post might be about a week two fail instead of this huge success story.  So, if you ever have  the opportunity to push someone along and help them accomplish their goal, do it!  Thank you Tif for the nudge:-)    

It is almost time for EPIC Tuesday once again...excited to kick off another successful week of training.

   

Beautiful trails...



Snow covered trees...perfect day....

My running buds for the day...Matt & Tif

Week 1 - Motivation Needed!

The first official week of my training plan started last Tueday.  I had 40 miles to do and completed 15.  What the heck went wrong and what I am going to do about it moving forward?

I really like kicking off my weeks with the EPIC Tuesday 10 miler.  It always feels good to get that done and sets the tone for the remainder of the week.  Last Tuesday I was sitting at work and my right arm and the right side of my face went numb.  "Hmmmmm, this doesn't seem right" I thought, so I called my doctor to make an appointment.  The doctors office tells me to go the ER and threw lots of scarry words at me that you just don't want to hear.  Words like - stroke, blood clot, seizure.  Crap - I am too young - I am somewhat fit - feel mostly healthy - and have kids to take care of.  Anyhow, I take their advice, head to the ER after work, and they poke me, hook me up to a bunch of machines, take almost all of my blood, test, test, test.  Diagnosis...no stroke, no blood clot, I was not going to die on Tuesday.  So, I will follow up with my doctor and continue to try and find out why this is happening.  But, I will not do it on a Tuesday!  On Tuesdays I will run.

I have also decided to get a coach to help hold me accountable to a training plan.  I can justify any excuse to myself...but what "acceptable" reason can I give to my coach?  I didn't run that 6 miles because there was a new episode of Jersey Shore on MTV.  Yeah right!  I spoke with her today and I'm very excited to have that resource at my fingertips.

The last thing I am going to do, as much as I hate it, is replace my Garmin.  Since I began this ultra life I have ridded myself of that nasty nagging piece of equipment.  But, I think it'll be motivating to see my progress, to track my miles, and helpful for my coach to see this information.  At least until I line up at the starting line of the KM100.  I will not obsess over pace.  I will just use it as a mileage log.

That's all for now...looking forward to a better week 2.