RR's 100MileJournal

Back at it!

// June 12th, 2012 // Comments Off on Back at it! // endurance, Mental Training, Physical Training, Progress, running, success

Son of a gun! I’m gonna do this race after all.

I’m going to do it in less than 24 hours!

I know it.

I just have to stay strong, grow my milage, STRETCH, and be rested for race day.

I’ve been quietly (not telling anyone and not quite believing it myself) beginning to train for the 100 mile run in VT on 7/21-7/22. After I got hurt in February I stopped everything to include believing in me (in a number of areas of my life). But in late March, I started working out again to include short runs (3 and 4 miles). I’ve been focusing on total body strength and on growing my flexibility–not to mention my mental strength. As I understand it, people hallucinate and are “attacked” on the course by their scammer who tells them (as their all alone at mile 68, at 1:30 in the morning when it’s cold-and maybe raining…) that they should pack it in and just quit. That voice will tell them the pain is too much and the victory not worth the effort.

Knowing that this stuff will show up and being clear in this time of peace and sublimity, is vital to creating a plan and being able to stick to it when the times get dark-literally and metaphorically.

I will run the Vermont 100 in less than 24 hours and earn my silver belt buckle that says as much.

Onward!

RR

PS Success is getting back in the game.

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.

Hobbled/Home

// January 31st, 2012 // 1 Comment » // Just an Update, Mental Training, Physical Training, Ultra-marathon

[audio http://100milejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/Hobbling-Home.mp3]

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.

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.

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…