RR's 100MileJournal

Tough Run Yesterday (7/4)

// July 5th, 2012 // Comments Off on Tough Run Yesterday (7/4) // endurance, exercise, Physical Training, running, Ultra-marathon

I had a really tough time yesterday running 16 and of course the thoughts raced through my mind, “If I’m struggling like this on 16…100?!”  I think I was dehydrated.

Why?  Because I was sweating profusely (normal as I was running in 85 degree, very humid weather-as well as stopping every 2 miles to do pushups), had the chills and felt completely beat after the run.  Honestly it’s about 20 hours later and I’m still thirsty.

Note to self: Drink A LOT before the race and don’t stop drinking throughout the race!!  It’s weird, I just didn’t feel that thirsty and I was drinking but…

Anyway, another lesson learned and one more 16 mile run (long run) next week and then I will spend the last week before the race doing 2 mile runs and good stretches.  Rested, stretched and ready-whatever that means!

There are so many factors in an endurance event like this, like life.  I’m controlling what I can and then just starting the race and running one mile at a time.

RR

Not Quitting

// February 16th, 2012 // Comments Off on Not Quitting // Being the Best You, exercise, Mental Training, Physical Training, Progress, Ultra-marathon

I ran 11.5 on Monday.  That was a boost to my spirits after I’ve not been able to put in much of any distance since my left knee revolted.

Today I was 6 miles into a 19 mile (wishful thinking) run and had to call my father to come get me.  That “hurt”.  I intended in testing my fitness that was so strong just a few weeks ago.

I could hear the scams swirling in my mind telling me to stop this nonsense, that I should be satisfied with playing baseball this year, that there’s no way I’ll be ready for the race in July.

What I do know is:

I resolved that I’d run 100 miles in less than 24 hours and I will be faithful to the training I can do.

My body is not cooperating–or better, my mind isn’t fully cooperating with my body.

After I called Dad to get me, I radically changed the way I’d been running and…no pain.

I have 5 months left to train.

Tell me, what goal is so important in your life that it’s worth striving for–even if you don’t achieve it?

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!

Knee Isn’t Having It

// February 2nd, 2012 // Comments Off on Knee Isn’t Having It // endurance, exercise, Mental Training, Progress, stretching, success, Ultra-marathon, Uncategorized

My knee felt fine yesterday (resting after 22 miles and a messed up knee) so I was feeling good about doing my 6.5 mile sprint.  I stretched at home, jogged out front to warm up and I didn’t get 20 yards when my knee made its point clear, “There will be no running today.”

I’m going to have to hit the running store and get “The Stick” which I’ve heard helps stretch muscles and a stuck facia really well.  I may be on “forced leave” for a few days.

Enter mental training.  I’ll do some visualizing of the race and my strong, healed body for some of the time that I would have run.

Not part of my plan and I knew that something might go “off”.  I’m not too worried.  Not my preference, particularly as next week will be tough to get out and run a long while but…I’m not worried.  Even the training is an endurance process not an event.

Thinking this way is progress for me.

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.

A Good Week

// January 28th, 2012 // Comments Off on A Good Week // Doing What I know, endurance, exercise, Just an Update, Physical Training, Progress, running, Ultra-marathon

56 miles this week.

Two 19 mile runs and an 18.

Rest tomorrow.

Hit my speed workout on Monday.

I’m feeling excited.  Essentially, January is over!  I’ve got five more months of training–yes it’ll get more difficult and time consuming but I’ve already got my goal so it’s just a matter of time and endurance.  Five months until I slow my workouts (for the last three weeks pre-race) and so I don’t really have much to negotiate with when my scammer comes-a-callin’ to tell me not to run or that I don’t have to go so far or fast.

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.

#*%&$#!

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.

It’s an Interesting Thing

// January 19th, 2012 // Comments Off on It’s an Interesting Thing // Doing What I know, endurance, exercise, Mental Training, Physical Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

I was just thinking about how long my long run will be next week–it should be 16.  I’m thinking of doing 17.5 instead.  (17.5 because I measured out a course that seems like it would be an adventure to run.)

I’m feeling something interesting that I remember feeling when I was training for the 50 mile run I did 2 1/2 years ago.  It’s the feeling I get when I’m so far beyond my comfort zone in my work(out) that I just shake my head and all I can do is what’s on my calendar–regardless of the distance or pain involved.

You see (where I am now), I can fuss about 14 or even 16 miles but when I have to go 20 or 26 or…(I’ll probably max out at 40) it is just so ridiculous that complaining won’t help and “fitting it in” isn’t an option–It’s the main event.  When it’s the main event, it pushes all else aside and makes conquering this mountain (literally in some cases!) my sole focus and moves all other options to the side.  Success, completion, enduring is what will be.  When someone drops you off 30 miles from home, there is (for the most part) one option: run/keep going until…

I think I need more focused effort on a couple compelling goals and entire days devoted exclusively to take the extraordinary actions that need to be confronted (a la being dropped off 30 miles from home) to achieve my big dreams. From experience in training for the Ironman and my 50 mile run (and scores of shorter distance events) I know that it’s my willingness to do the courageous thing–that must be done, and to do it over the necessary period of time (to grow in endurance) that prepares me (and anyone else) for the endurance-event that life is.

My next job as I’m confronted by my own words here is to clarify a couple things that get all of my attention and then kick them in the ass.

I’ve got a relationship I want more from (big one).

Some other things on my list:

My live show in NYC needs to be great.

I want to be more potent and compelling and helpful via Social media.

Develop into a simply lethal motivational Speaker.

Oh to have more time.  (YOU KNOW—SCAM!!!!) I need to be bold enough to choose and consistent enough to produce the results I want.

More tomorrow.