My Writings. My Thoughts.
Running in the dark 6/27/12 …about mile 17
// July 2nd, 2012 // Comments Off on Running in the dark 6/27/12 …about mile 17 // Uncategorized
[audio http://100milejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/In-the-dark.mp3]3.5 of 30
// July 2nd, 2012 // Comments Off on 3.5 of 30 // Uncategorized
30 mile run-recap 6/27/12
// June 28th, 2012 // Comments Off on 30 mile run-recap 6/27/12 // Uncategorized
OK, that was it! That was my last really long run before my really, really long run. Next week-a hard and fast 16 miles will be the long run.
Between last night (6/27) and early this morning (6/28) I ran 30 miles from 8:30 PM to 1:30 AM and am still exhausted! It was a wild run for a number of reasons, here are a few highlights…
- In the first audio at mile 3.5 you can hear people arguing (seriously) as I’m running through a not-so-pleasant part of Schenectady.
- Was almost hit by a car (I was wearing a reflective vest and running on the grass along side the road!! I have no idea what was going on in that car!).
- Running on a pitch-black back road, I could hear on a few occasions, something running along side me! Not cool.
- 25.5 miles in, my app that tracks mileage on my phone decided to pause. I picked up on it, I’m guessing, about ½ mile or so after it happened. After running that far, I didn’t find that funny, particularly because I decided to run until my app said (gloriously) 30.00 miles.
- I got home at 30.04. It took 5:03:21. I burned 3982 calories! Ha! Now that’s wild! Where’s my ice cream?
Anyway, I’m glad the run is over, I still have to do a better job of stretching throughout the week but the fact that I’m even able to show up to run in a few weeks after being really injured in February and having to stop my training…I’m really excited. I’m nervous too, I’m just not thinking about that too much!
It boggles my mind to think about how I felt after 30, to think that I’d have to do that 2 more times and then run 10 more! I’m smiling now. I can’t wait to be done with this whole thing!
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
I think I can. I think I can…
// June 15th, 2012 // Comments Off on I think I can. I think I can… // Uncategorized
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?
Not In the Cards!
// February 8th, 2012 // Comments Off on Not In the Cards! // Being the Best You, Doing What I know, Progress, success
Well you want to talk about mental training… In earnest I headed (nowhere!!!) “out” on my run on the treadmill. 3.5 miles in my knee wasn’t having it.
I stretched for 5 minutes thinking I’d be good for another 3 or so before I’d have to stretch but I only made it 8/10 of a mile and that was that. I was bummed but decided to give the stars a try (I’ve got a stair climb race up the Corning Tower in Albany, NY in a month).
Really odd but I ran 46 floors twice in succession, after my knee wouldn’t have the running, with no issue at all! Anyway, I had a good workout, not what I wanted but last Tuesday I couldn’t run 10 yards. I’m in rehab mode and doing some significant stretching. Lesson learned. Some people won’t learn any other way. Man, I’ve got to get out of that camp!
It’s Been A Week…
// February 8th, 2012 // Comments Off on It’s Been A Week… // Being the Best You, Just an Update, Progress, running, success, Ultra-marathon
It’s been a week since I hurt my knee and I’m feel good about things so I’m gonna go for a long run.
The plan? 19 miles—on a treadmill. O dread of dreads!
Man, I don’t like being on a treadmill for 10 minutes, let alone 2 ½ hours! Ridiculous.
I didn’t pack the right clothes (I thought it would be warmer and I could run with a few layers/no hat). I just bought a pair of shorts, so I could get going.
Is this post a delay tactic or penance for a long lag in my writing or just the desire to get an update in?
Just get running, Ron and think about it there.
Okay.
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!
