I haven't really talked about this because I have been slacking, but one of my goals this year was to sign up for a 50 mile race. So I did. I signed up for the Dick Collins Firetrails 50. So I already accomplished my goal, right? Just kidding; the goal is actually to RUN a 50 mile race.
I would like to say that I found an easy training plan, printed it out and have been sticking to it ever since, but I would be lying. I did find a training plan. It ranges from 20 - 60 miles a week and includes 5 days of running a week. But following it? Not so much. It's like everything caught up to me all at once and I am having trouble keeping up. It's totally my fault and it's fun things, not hard ones. For instance, I joined a softball team. One night a week until October, we play, and there are possible once a week practices as well. I have also been going hiking with a friend once a week. Then there are weekend trips and all of a sudden, 5 days of running gets harder and harder.
Last week I was supposed to run 48 miles. I barely ran 30. Actually I ran 31.5. And yes, I am totally counting the point five. In two weeks, I will have to run that many miles in one go. Am I ready? I don't know. I have a race in two weeks and a few other races on the schedule which hopefully I will be ready for, as I did do a lot of training over the last few months. However, lately I don't feel like it is enough. Why is it that we as runners always doubt our training when it comes down to race time?
Here is what is coming up over the next several months.
1. Squamish 50k: I am really excited about this because I will be meeting up with Amber on her home turf. It will be good to finally meet her and I am also really proud of her because this is her first 50k! She is going to do awesome and I am really looking forward to joining her and running in a really beautiful area!
2. Headlands 50k: This race is very close to me and is on another of my favorite local running trails in the Marin Headlands. Even though it's in August, the weather here is usually (knock on wood) not too hot, since there is the marine layer and the fog and all. This will be a great training run for the 50 mile!
3. Firetrails 50 Mile: This is literally in my backyard! Okay, it's a few miles away, but it really is on the trails I always run on and I can run to them right from my house! I am excited to run on familiar trails, as sometimes when you don't know the area, the course can seem longer than you would like.
4. Marine Corps Marathon: It seems like so long ago that I signed up for this! I am running it with a couple of guys who I ran The Relay with; one is from Texas and the other is from Philly and we are going to meet up and make a weekend of it. It should be a lot of fun, as I haven't seen them since the race and they were really fun to hang out with then so I am sure it will be a repeat of that (minus the stinky van and the baby wipes).
So I am trying not to slack, but it's been hard, and it's also been difficult figuring out a schedule with long runs and taper and races all together. I know I can do it but sometimes I just get nervous about things.
Do you write to do lists or make schedules? If so, do you always follow them to a T? What's your strategy for fitting it all in?
I would like to say that I found an easy training plan, printed it out and have been sticking to it ever since, but I would be lying. I did find a training plan. It ranges from 20 - 60 miles a week and includes 5 days of running a week. But following it? Not so much. It's like everything caught up to me all at once and I am having trouble keeping up. It's totally my fault and it's fun things, not hard ones. For instance, I joined a softball team. One night a week until October, we play, and there are possible once a week practices as well. I have also been going hiking with a friend once a week. Then there are weekend trips and all of a sudden, 5 days of running gets harder and harder.
Last week I was supposed to run 48 miles. I barely ran 30. Actually I ran 31.5. And yes, I am totally counting the point five. In two weeks, I will have to run that many miles in one go. Am I ready? I don't know. I have a race in two weeks and a few other races on the schedule which hopefully I will be ready for, as I did do a lot of training over the last few months. However, lately I don't feel like it is enough. Why is it that we as runners always doubt our training when it comes down to race time?
Here is what is coming up over the next several months.
1. Squamish 50k: I am really excited about this because I will be meeting up with Amber on her home turf. It will be good to finally meet her and I am also really proud of her because this is her first 50k! She is going to do awesome and I am really looking forward to joining her and running in a really beautiful area!
2. Headlands 50k: This race is very close to me and is on another of my favorite local running trails in the Marin Headlands. Even though it's in August, the weather here is usually (knock on wood) not too hot, since there is the marine layer and the fog and all. This will be a great training run for the 50 mile!
3. Firetrails 50 Mile: This is literally in my backyard! Okay, it's a few miles away, but it really is on the trails I always run on and I can run to them right from my house! I am excited to run on familiar trails, as sometimes when you don't know the area, the course can seem longer than you would like.
4. Marine Corps Marathon: It seems like so long ago that I signed up for this! I am running it with a couple of guys who I ran The Relay with; one is from Texas and the other is from Philly and we are going to meet up and make a weekend of it. It should be a lot of fun, as I haven't seen them since the race and they were really fun to hang out with then so I am sure it will be a repeat of that (minus the stinky van and the baby wipes).
So I am trying not to slack, but it's been hard, and it's also been difficult figuring out a schedule with long runs and taper and races all together. I know I can do it but sometimes I just get nervous about things.
Do you write to do lists or make schedules? If so, do you always follow them to a T? What's your strategy for fitting it all in?
You ARE busy these days! Good luck fitting it all in, lady! I know you can do it, but I can also see why you are feeling overwhelmed and maybe a little bit burned out.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge list maker. I am a huge scheduler. Pick a weekend between now and Christmas as i can tell you where I will be, and there is a 50/50 chance it won't be in Charlotte. I have scheduled out my year to the max, but it's my safety blanket to do that. I struggle to fit it all in when studying for the CFA as I worked 10+ hours, studied 2.5, and tried to fit in a run or workout (well, before the stress fracture). It left me feeling run down and worn out and really impacted my mood and thoughts on life so I am glad that phase is behind me!!
I know what you mean! The b2b weekend runs are tough to fit in. I'm only running 4 days/week. How are you managing 5? I need to look at my calendar. I'm not even sure what I have coming up. Somehow in the end we will manage to do it all!
ReplyDeleteI too am thinking about a 50 miler next year. I'm just not sure my body can handle the high mileage of training.
ReplyDeleteVery cool that you will get to meet Amber and I'm sure you'll be more than prepared for all of these races. I've definitely struggled with fitting it all in but have gotten a lot better about not feeling guilty about it. No use in stressing out about it since this is what we do for fun anyway! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's some serious races you have in your future! I think there are lots of ways one can train for a race. Sometimes, not overdoing it on the miles leaves your legs and body fresher come race day. So, maybe just keeping up with mileage, but not going over the top will work in your favor.
ReplyDeleteHope you really like the Marine Corps Marathon. It's a big race with lots of participants and spectators, but it's fun to run by lots of the DC/Georgetown/Northern VA sites along the way!
Here's what I say....OY VEY! But you rock:)
ReplyDeleteSerious list maker here! You are so ambitious. Gotta admire that.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you think of the Squamish race and area and how fun it was to meet Amber.
Your Summer is gonna end with a bang, for sure! Good luck!
You've got some big races on tap this fall. I'm sure you will do great with all of them!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have seriously embraced this whole trail ultra thing! that's how I got about triathlons. You get in and do some, then you want to do more. you'll be knocking down 100's before you know what happened. Nice planning. Now go execute!
ReplyDeletehey, shouldn't you be running right now? jealous.
Dang, you have some awesome (and challenging) races ahead! The first two sound great (for meeting Amber and locations). It looks like one race training cycle will carry you to the next one. I like to do big races within a few months of each other so I don't have to do an entire half year's training just for one race. Feels like you get better bang for your mileage. :)
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Best Regards
I am a fairly big planner as well but kind of more of a "big picture" planner because I know where I'll be or what I'll be doing but maybe won't know all the details.
ReplyDeleteI think with all those 50 K's on your calendar you will do GREAT at your 50-miler. You are a natural runner and it's really more about your mental game anyways.
I am so so so excited to see you at Squamish and hopefully run with you for a little bit! I am doing the early start time because I'm nervous about fighting the cut off and one thing I'm really looking forward to is when you (and a few other friends I know who are doing it) catch up to me on the route (because I KNOW you all will). I think that will really help pass the time!
Wow- you have some big races planned! You're inspiring me to think about a 50k someday, maybe... not so sure about the 50 miles, but I'll be cheering for you!
ReplyDeleteYou have some really cool races coming up - I am jealous! :)
ReplyDeleteI love to use races for 'the big one' down the road, if I can find something like a race where I'm forced to propel forward, then I won't find reasons to stop my 'long run' :).
I think mileage for a 50miler is over-rated. I think key is long runs and back-to-back long runs. And vertical is mandatory if your race has any hills (which I think Marin County is full of??). So don't stress too much about the mileage, just get in some great longer, vertical runs.
It's crazy how fast fall is coming up...excited to follow your journey! :)