Okay, so I know that I haven't really kept up with the journey, but here's how it goes...I run, I run s'more, i eat, I sleep and then I run...a couple days of rest and then the cycle starts all over again.
I think the hardest thing about the training hasn't been the physical side of it...but more the time it takes. My energy level is next to nothing...I sleep all the time...and if I'm not careful I'll eat everything in sight. It's truly fascinating.
This past weekend I hit my longest distance ever...20.5 miles...should have been 21, but I walked the rest...i was done like dinner. It was the best feeling ever to run it with the people who got me on this journey...okay one of them I dragged along with me...but they're awesome people and I like to keep awesome around me these days.
As i look back on the run I realize that on Saturday, i was there. 20 miles. You never train past it. 6 more miles for the full, 10 more miles for the ultra. The 10 seems intimidating...the 6 not so much. Yes i was totally done after the 20...but...it was more that I no longer had the desire to be running. If I'm honest I also hadn't been fueling up properly...too busy chatting and all. However had that been a race day...I totally could have banged out 6 more miles...and that feels AWESOME!!
This past weekends run also was a lot closer to my Calgary race pace than any other run has been. I averaged around a 13:00m/m pace...and I have to maintain a 12:24 for Calgary. So basically my plan is to run the first 20km around a 12:00m/m pace...just to make sure I reach the cut off in time.
I can see that happening now. Before it was just a goal, now it seems like something I can actually do!!! I already know that I'm going to be facing an uphill battle due to things outside my control. If there's any justice in this world things will even themselves out and race day will be awesome.
2 months until the ultra, 6 weeks until the full, 5 weeks until the 1/2.
Real.
Monday, March 31, 2014
People still suck
Ever notice that if you step outside the box people put you in they don't like it very much? Yeah. Whispers and snickers abound at the thought of me running an Ultra.
Get over it. Just wait until I complete a trail 50km. Just wait until I complete my first 100 miler.
Suck it.
Get over it. Just wait until I complete a trail 50km. Just wait until I complete my first 100 miler.
Suck it.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
29km round two
Hoo boy...was this a tough one...not so much physically, but the weather totally kicked my ass. The wind at times was so strong and brutal that the air felt like it was being sucked out of my lungs.
Many tantrums were had, I wanted to quit running at 3 different occasions...and even decided I was going to sell my bibs. I must have been crazy for doing this.
To say it didn't go well was an understatement. I was slow, I was agonizingly frustrated.
So I've finally started telling people about my running the 50K...and true to form, the 'lowly' run peeps of mine have been super supportive. The 'elite' twats have said nothing...at all. Seriously. Not a word. They get told and they're silent. Awesome.
Never in my life have I had stronger motivation to finish this thing than I do now. I do believe the second thing that will pass through my head as I finish will be something along the lines of "suck it". The first being something along the lines of OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...I just ran 50k...I'm awebulous
Many tantrums were had, I wanted to quit running at 3 different occasions...and even decided I was going to sell my bibs. I must have been crazy for doing this.
To say it didn't go well was an understatement. I was slow, I was agonizingly frustrated.
So I've finally started telling people about my running the 50K...and true to form, the 'lowly' run peeps of mine have been super supportive. The 'elite' twats have said nothing...at all. Seriously. Not a word. They get told and they're silent. Awesome.
Never in my life have I had stronger motivation to finish this thing than I do now. I do believe the second thing that will pass through my head as I finish will be something along the lines of "suck it". The first being something along the lines of OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...I just ran 50k...I'm awebulous
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
29km
I thought I was going to die. Seriously. It was horrid. I hated every second of it and I wanted to know when I could quit...and that was only 1 hour into a 4.5 hour run.
It was one of the most demoralizing, slowest runs I've ever had the misfortune of running. I had sharp stabbing ITB pain through my right knee after the first hour. When I'd stop to walk or get nutrition it seized and was agony.
Still i pushed on. I ended up finishing my 29 km in about 4:15ish...which probably put my average pace to a 15 minute mile. Not what I'd hoped for but totally within reason. My fueling went great, it's just my legs that were dead.
I know that I should take away the good from this, but it's just too frustrating that all my hard work is coming down to what feels like burn out. I have no choice but to maintain a minimum of 12:24 for the ultra. I know i can do that...it'll be tough on the back half but I know that I can do it. This lates round of shitty runs is making me doubt that.
My fall back slow pace is 13:30...slower if I'm injured. Why can't my slow pace be 12:00?
Suddenly the doubt has begun to creep in. I need to train with someone faster, someone who will push me. Not on my own, not with someone slower, I can't afford to fail at this. When the 2 people were told of me running it their faces were blank...no congrats no nothing.
I need to squash it. i need to have faith in what I can do. I need to know that while my personal life is in a huge state of upheaval, something good will come from it.
I need this weekends 29km to not be a disaster. I need it to be a good run. please let it be a good run.
It was one of the most demoralizing, slowest runs I've ever had the misfortune of running. I had sharp stabbing ITB pain through my right knee after the first hour. When I'd stop to walk or get nutrition it seized and was agony.
Still i pushed on. I ended up finishing my 29 km in about 4:15ish...which probably put my average pace to a 15 minute mile. Not what I'd hoped for but totally within reason. My fueling went great, it's just my legs that were dead.
I know that I should take away the good from this, but it's just too frustrating that all my hard work is coming down to what feels like burn out. I have no choice but to maintain a minimum of 12:24 for the ultra. I know i can do that...it'll be tough on the back half but I know that I can do it. This lates round of shitty runs is making me doubt that.
My fall back slow pace is 13:30...slower if I'm injured. Why can't my slow pace be 12:00?
Suddenly the doubt has begun to creep in. I need to train with someone faster, someone who will push me. Not on my own, not with someone slower, I can't afford to fail at this. When the 2 people were told of me running it their faces were blank...no congrats no nothing.
I need to squash it. i need to have faith in what I can do. I need to know that while my personal life is in a huge state of upheaval, something good will come from it.
I need this weekends 29km to not be a disaster. I need it to be a good run. please let it be a good run.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Life makes training hard
I know it's simple. I've heard it a million times before. Life gets in the way of training more times than we care to count.
This time though I think I'm about ready to implode. FIL dying, being asked to instruct my own clinic, ultra training...i feel like I'm about to explode. I find myself crying for no reason. I find myself feeling resentful over the unexpected house guest we've had all week.
Little things like not being able to use my own bathroom whenever I want has pushed me over the edge. and it's silly. but it's true. I want to be able to use MY bathtub. I want to be able to set up my schedule around my training...it's important. Eating out? Not an option. Funny how people who don't run, don't get it.
If i hear one more person tell me I'm stupid because I run...well lets just say it won't be pretty.
I need my support people around me and it's not happening...this is already hard enough now I have 3 times as much stress on my plate...and I don't like it one bit.
Funny thing? So far I haven't missed any of my training.
Dedicated until I drop from exhaustion. That's me. Never in my life, have I hated the fact that my husband's car is only driveable 3 months of the year, than I do right now.
Yeah...I guess this is just a post about complaining. Well...at least it's reflective of real life.
This time though I think I'm about ready to implode. FIL dying, being asked to instruct my own clinic, ultra training...i feel like I'm about to explode. I find myself crying for no reason. I find myself feeling resentful over the unexpected house guest we've had all week.
Little things like not being able to use my own bathroom whenever I want has pushed me over the edge. and it's silly. but it's true. I want to be able to use MY bathtub. I want to be able to set up my schedule around my training...it's important. Eating out? Not an option. Funny how people who don't run, don't get it.
If i hear one more person tell me I'm stupid because I run...well lets just say it won't be pretty.
I need my support people around me and it's not happening...this is already hard enough now I have 3 times as much stress on my plate...and I don't like it one bit.
Funny thing? So far I haven't missed any of my training.
Dedicated until I drop from exhaustion. That's me. Never in my life, have I hated the fact that my husband's car is only driveable 3 months of the year, than I do right now.
Yeah...I guess this is just a post about complaining. Well...at least it's reflective of real life.
Monday, March 3, 2014
26km
Well it finally happened...I ran my longest distance ever yesterday! 26km round and round on an indoor track. It was awesome, it was horrid, it was painful, it was glorious.
about 3 hours in I suddenly realized that when it comes to the Ultra, I was only 1/2 way done my run...and I was running WAY slower than I need to for my race...like 14:00m/m instead of 12:15. I suddenly had the feeling that maybe, just maybe I'd signed up for more than I'm capable of.
Ridiculous. I'm awebulous.
But was it? I mean I know that the training will help me get there and I'll end up running farther and farther each week and eventually with the hill training and the speed work I will get everything done that needs to be done...but...I was so TIRED! 3:45 into my run all i wanted to do was quit. I was over this idea of being a running superstar.
Until the final lap...when I sprinted all the way around at a 7:30 m/m pace.
So they weren't dead. It was all in my head. Interesting. Maybe I can do this after all.
about 3 hours in I suddenly realized that when it comes to the Ultra, I was only 1/2 way done my run...and I was running WAY slower than I need to for my race...like 14:00m/m instead of 12:15. I suddenly had the feeling that maybe, just maybe I'd signed up for more than I'm capable of.
Ridiculous. I'm awebulous.
But was it? I mean I know that the training will help me get there and I'll end up running farther and farther each week and eventually with the hill training and the speed work I will get everything done that needs to be done...but...I was so TIRED! 3:45 into my run all i wanted to do was quit. I was over this idea of being a running superstar.
Until the final lap...when I sprinted all the way around at a 7:30 m/m pace.
So they weren't dead. It was all in my head. Interesting. Maybe I can do this after all.
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