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

24 days 22 hours and 53 minutes until the race

// June 26th, 2012 // Comments Off on 24 days 22 hours and 53 minutes until the race // endurance, Physical Training, Progress, running

I had a really good run last week. I ran 26 miles-my furthest distance in my training.  For long runs…I’m going to do a 30 mile run this week another next and then 16.  The couple days before the race I’ll probably have a 6-miler be my long run/stretch before the big day.  I’m really looking forward to starting.  I confess, I’ll be glad to have this huge event past me as well.

My next “100 Mile Goal”?  Eat a Vermonster all by myself.  It won’t be pretty.  I’m going to wait until my heart and the rest of my body recovers but…in the next few months, lookout!  Ron is going back to Vermont to go to work!

I can’t wait to train for my latest challenge!

RR

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?

Hobbled/Home

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

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.

Mile 17 of 19 on 1/28/12

// January 28th, 2012 // Comments Off on Mile 17 of 19 on 1/28/12 // endurance, Just an Update, Physical Training, running, success, Ultra-marathon

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