RR's 100MileJournal

The Two Jims or Mentors Aren’t A Dime A Dozen

// February 3rd, 2012 // Comments Off on The Two Jims or Mentors Aren’t A Dime A Dozen // Being the Best You, exercise, Mental Training, stretching, Training, Ultra-marathon

I went to my local running store yesterday to pick up a couple of things, to include The Stick, to help me stretch my thighs and hamstrings.  I’m looking forward to healing from the injuries and “almost injuries”, and hope this stuff will help.

I was psyched that at least one of Jims (both informal mentors) who work at the store was there.  Jim 1 (a helluva guy, and a great runner) told me about Jim 2 (a freak of an ultra runner and “the man” as I call him) who had just run 50 miles in 6:28.  What the…?!  There’s inspiration.  Man I need that.  I need to hear what others are doing so I can be inspired to do my best or to beat them!  Now I aint beating Jimbo anytime soon but I can see what’s possible if I apply myself.  And that’s cool.  Crazy…Jim 2 is going to be running the Vermont 100 with me though for only about 2/3 of the time.  The rest of the time, he’ll be eating, sleeping or whatever he wants; I’ll be still hustling!

After ordering some sneakers and gawking at all the cool stuff, I got some sage advice from Jim 1 that I knew but needed to hear.  All jacked up about getting going and putting in more milage (and after telling him about what my injury was) he told me to chill.  “It’s ok, Ron.  You’ve got a long way to go and you WANT to heal.  Don’t run, it’s okay.”  I’m sighing as I write.  Permission!  I need to cut myself some slack.

Man we all need mentors who will tell us when we need to stop loafing and when it’s ok to “be still”.  Isn’t that wisdom though, to know the season you’re in (by choice or foist) and to respond thoughtfully from there?

Thanks Jim 1 for the permission slip!

Broke

// January 31st, 2012 // Comments Off on Broke // Being the Best You, Doing What I know, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

Well I got excited, did more mileage sooner than I’d planned.  I got over zealous and broken–not too bad, I hope but…

In the matter of less than two weeks I bumped my mileage 6 miles.  I ran about 18 and walked/hobbled 4–glamourous!

—–

Ron, the plan was 2 miles every two weeks.  Last week you did 19 twice–and prematurely!  Today 22???  Dude.  You can hurt yourself by trying to do too much before its season, you know.

Now your knee kills.

Okay boy, stretch, ice, rest. And hope your “renegotiation” doesn’t cost you the progress you were overly ambitious to experience.

What you plan in “sobriety” don’t renegotiate in “intoxication”.

How to Run 100 Miles

// January 29th, 2012 // Comments Off on How to Run 100 Miles // Doing What I know, endurance, exercise, Mental Training, Physical Training, Progress, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

Decide.

Talk to people who know more than you.

Create a pretty inflexible schedule.

Do what you  are told to do by people who know more than you.

Get good sneakers.  Don’t be cheap.

Run.

Run.

Heal/Rest.

Stretch.

Push yourself.

Heal/Rest.

Check-in with said or other experts.

Do your mental training.  Visualize the run, your body is strong, your stomach is settled, your mind is…well all there–throughout the race!

It will be quite a process (I’m finding) so just as in all of life, choose to enjoy it!

Repeat.

If you’ll repeat enough times and show up on time race day–and run your race, you too can run 100 miles.

If completing a 100 mile race isn’t your thing…what is your thing that will push you to be more than you ever thought you could be?  Follow the example above and from your efforts you’ll enjoy results beyond what you ever thought you could experience.

Mile .7 En Route to 19 on 1/28/12

// January 28th, 2012 // Comments Off on Mile .7 En Route to 19 on 1/28/12 // Doing What I know, Just an Update, success, Training

Not Happy

// January 23rd, 2012 // Comments Off on Not Happy // endurance, exercise, Mental Training, running, stretching, success, Training

I just ran 19.  I was planning 18 but intentionally turned off of my planned route as I couldn’t bear the predictability that would have been my run otherwise.

Oh, I stretched out good after the run. That’s a good thing.

I have to tell you, that’s my longest run since I did my 50 mile run 3 1/2 years ago–and I hurt.  My legs feel like they weigh 100 lbs. each, they are tight and even my toes are sore.

Many runners kill time and even content themselves on long runs by calculating their estimated times, pace and time of completion.  Thoughts of  being 1/2 done or 2/5 of the way “there” both help us pace ourselves and offer a bit of comfort on the long road we put ourselves on.  I ran 19 today (19.03!).  That’s not even 1/5 of the total distance I have to run.  Sorry, but I’m  not proud, glad to be done or whatever.

The most prominent feeling I have is the one you get when you’re on a ride you knew better than to get on–and it’s just started. I want off and I can’t.

#*%&$#!

Ak! I’m Going…I’m Going.

// January 23rd, 2012 // Comments Off on Ak! I’m Going…I’m Going. // Being the Best You, Mental Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

It’s funny how motivated I am to sit in my office and do things I’ve not wanted to handle recently as I’m faced with my 18 mile run.

I won’t extend my delay by writing more but by getting my jacket on and getting out the door.

What’s good is I’m about to piss my scammer/ego off by running despite numerous arguments.  Mental toughness is what I’ll need if I’m to keep busting through the mental and physical stuff that I’ll be up against.

Stop being profound, Ron.  Get out of the house.

Ok!!  I’m going.

FAILED!

// January 23rd, 2012 // Comments Off on FAILED! // Doing What I know, endurance, Mental Training, Physical Training, stretching, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

What’s the deal with not stretching????

I had two days to stretch.  I should have done a good stretch at least one day but I didn’t do anything either day!!  What a mess.  My left hamstring is so tight it’s hurting today.

Son of a gun.  I think it’s the way that I look at stretching.  “It’s not a big deal” (meaning it’s not hard to do) translates into, “It’s not important.” So I put it off!  I don’t think I have to put a 15 minute stretch in my schedule but I think I do have to decide each day when I am going to stretch regardless.

Heck I can do it while I read at night!

Can you imagine, I’m willing to run 18 miles today but I’ll get home and procrastinate stretching??  What the…???

OK, for my own good I’m committing to running the 18 and then doing a full stretch upon my return.

Grrrrr…

Thoughts at Mile 3 of 18 on 1/20/12

// January 20th, 2012 // Comments Off on Thoughts at Mile 3 of 18 on 1/20/12 // Being the Best You, Doing What I know, endurance, exercise, Mental Training, Physical Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

Turning My Week Around

// January 20th, 2012 // Comments Off on Turning My Week Around // endurance, exercise, Mental Training, Physical Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

The week started off with me, medicating Green Bay’s crushing defeat to the Giants, eating fists-full of Nutter Butters.  That was Sunday.

Monday, Ron no run.

Uh-oh.

Tuesday – 13.5 *Good*

Wednesday – personal record time for 6.5 “sprint” *really good*

Thursday – Rest and I need to stretch more betterer.

Friday – 18 miles.  *Nice*

I twisted my ankle recently so I may rest the next two days or just tomorrow.  It started bothering me at about mile 13.

I’ve got to tell you my ego/scammer/saboteur/it, whatever you want to call it, was hassling me all week to NOT run or turn down the milage or…but I kicked butt instead.  Back at you, scammer!  You know, we’re in control of a lot more than we accept the responsibility for.

Tomorrow marks 6 months ’til race-day.  Actually, I have a countdown going.  It’s 182 days, 7 hours, 21 minutes and 53 seconds until we start.

Sleep Good.

I will.

Stalling…

// January 20th, 2012 // Comments Off on Stalling… // Doing What I know, Mental Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

I’m headed out to do 17+ today and…I’m stalling.  I hate even saying it.  I just blew 15 minutes and I could easily fill another 30 (with legit work for sure but…) convincing myself that I could start a the top of the next hour!

Beyond my public confession I’m left with me.  I’m choosing to dress for the 18°F, get my 1 Snickers cookie and water loaded up in my “fuel belt” and me out the door in less than 5 minutes.  Think less, do what you know, Ronnie-kid.

OK!