RR's 100MileJournal

Wobbling, Hobbling and Pontificating at Mile 11 of 16

// July 5th, 2012 // Comments Off on Wobbling, Hobbling and Pontificating at Mile 11 of 16 // success, Ultra-marathon

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 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.

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.