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

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

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!

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.

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

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.

Stalling…

// January 20th, 2012 // Comments Off on Stalling… // Doing What I know, Mental Training, running, success, Training, Ultra-marathon

I’m headed out to do 17+ today and…I’m stalling.  I hate even saying it.  I just blew 15 minutes and I could easily fill another 30 (with legit work for sure but…) convincing myself that I could start a the top of the next hour!

Beyond my public confession I’m left with me.  I’m choosing to dress for the 18°F, get my 1 Snickers cookie and water loaded up in my “fuel belt” and me out the door in less than 5 minutes.  Think less, do what you know, Ronnie-kid.

OK!

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.

I’m Not the Man So I Don’t Have to Train Like Him!

// January 6th, 2012 // Comments Off on I’m Not the Man So I Don’t Have to Train Like Him! // Uncategorized

Ok, I talked to Jim who is an elite runner whose schedule I was following. He had him/us down for 7 miles in the morning and 10 in the evening! I’m laughing even now! I homeschool, have work and don’t have time to stretch, workout, stretch, shower and repeat a second time in a day!

So a conversation with the master has him thinking that I’ll be great with:

– a long run (12 miles currently) that grows by 2 miles every other week culminating in 40 mile long runs in May/June
– a similar but slightly shorter distance run at marathon (swift) pace the following day
-a couple or few rest days (stretching)
-a day with hills and/or a day with a series of varying length sprints

Still a lot but with those rest/mercy days, I’ll be able to manage the training and be very ready for my 100 mile jaunt in July.

So…no run yesterday but I’m headed out for 6.5 now. This is the one that I really like to do. I have a personal record of 42:26 and love to hustle and see if I can beat it. Now that I’ve written this and will be posting later hopefully I’ll have that little extra motivation.

A little more work, abs workout, run, shower and back to work with me!