A Couple of Things to Keep in Mind....

Last week I ran my highest mileage week ever. I'm exhausted and terrified. And ready to taper....

Like most runners, tapers drive me crazy. I get TO the taper and can't wait to get started. Then the first week of tapering barely feels like I'm tapering at all because the mileage is still kind of high. Then the mileage really starts to drop and I lose my mind. I can't WAIT!

But, after Saturday's long run I kept thinking... you have to remember those two things that you learned during all those 20+ mile runs come race day. You have to remember those two things. Then I would say them, then I would forget them. So, now I'm gonna write em down. Maybe on race day I'll have to write them on my hand so that I can remember.

#1 - IT'S JUST STUPID RUNNING!
I had a really miserable run during my training. I had a few that were real doozies to be honest. But this one run was so crappy that at multiple points I just wanted to sit down and cry. The run sucked, I couldn't find a rythm and it just felt AWFUL! My body hurt, my Ipod was dead, there was snow everywhere that made me feel like I was running in place, and every stupid step was a stupid struggle.

And then I stopped.

 

I turned my Garmin off and just stood there and I said it out loud. It's just stupid running. I'm not saving lives, I'm not designing space stations, it's just stupid running. And that made me smile. Sometimes I get so into my head about how "important" my training schedule and a race might be and in the big picture.... it's just stupid running. When I took the importance away from it, it seemed better. I feel like that will be good to keep in mind come race day. It's just one race and it's just stupid running. It doesn't make or break me.

 

#2 - It sucks now, but it will get better... probably
One of the things I love about running longer distances is that there's plenty of time for things to change. I remeber being at mile 18 of a race thinking that I was having the best time of my life and I was so sad that I was already at mile 18! No more than three miles later I hated running and wanted the race to be over more than anything in the whole wide world. So, come race day I hope I can remember that when it really sucks, it will get better... probably. Oh, and then it may start to suck again, but then could get better. And then.... oh well you get the idea... it's gonna be a long race, a lot could happen.

Funny Long Run

Last weekend I ran thirty miles. As a training run. I tried to write a post about it, but the post seemed really boring, I may go back to it, but for now let me tell you about yesterday's run.

I've been running with a gal that's training for her first 50k a bunch. And when you seem to be running 20+ mile runs every weekend, your great college town gets very small, and you feel like you've run the same stupid roads a trillion times! So this Saturday we decided to try an area of town that we don't normally run on and some roads we have NEVER run on! I tried to make a route ahead of time, but immediately got bored so we decided to wing it, which added to the adventure.We also had company! Someone we don't typically get to run with was going to join us for the first 10+ miles! 

I woke up not "into" the run, so I was extra happy I was meeting people to run with. We took off and started the run.... Which ended up being full of laughing, running, and fun. Not the fasted run, but a run that reminds you that even a run you don't want to do can have some really awesome stuff along the way...

- we stumbled onto some giant houses that had their lights on, and in the predawn sun, we could see inside (don't judge, everyone does it, right?). Wait, did they still have their Christmas tree up?! They've got a zillion dollar house and they don't have their Christmas tree down?

- In the same really nice neighborhood I got irrationally excited to find.... A port a potty! You see, one of the problems with unmapped routes are lack of bathroom planning. Thankfully this is a very new nice neighborhood, so there was a construction potty that I could take advantage of. I got finished and darted out of the bathroom saying "there's hand sanitizer!" You know, it's the little things. 

- I got out as salt pill and immediately dropped it onto the ground, picked it right back up and was ready to take it when my friend says, "it's fine to eat things off the ground, it's a really nice neighborhood". For some reason this was hilarious.

We wandered all over these neighborhoods, looking at houses, having conversations that share a random intimacy that's only shared after a few hours of physical exhaustion. We ended up on roads that left us slightly clueless as to where we were heading. I almost stepped on a fairly freshly dead opossum and screamed like a child.

We also ended up at a Tibetan Cultural Center where we took a much needed walk break to check things out. Because if you run all the way out to a Tibetan Cultural Center you should take a look around.

On the way back to the cars I also had a tremendous ankle roll, down a hill, which led to a fall, which led to a ful body tuck and roll which my friend declared "professional".

It started out as another stupid twenty miler when I headed out, but it ended up feeling more like an adventure. I'll call that a win.

50 miles? This is the best/worst idea ever...

A few years ago I started to learn about these things called Ultramarathons. Ultramarathon? Technically an ultramarathon is any race longer than a marathon distance. I was fascinated by the idea of people wanting to go farther than the marathon distance. I mean really, isn’t 26.2 enough? 26.2 miles of running is ridiculous. Why would you want to go farther than that? Why?

No.

Really.

Why?

One of the great things about the running community is the diversity of speeds and capabilities. I have friends that are super talented and win races. And I also have friends that run a few 5ks every year. All of those friends have something to bring to the table. And they all want to run, which is awesome.

I’m not a naturally talented runner and not what most people would consider “fast”, but I have friends who are! On a good day they let me pick their brain and I sometimes get a glimpse into what it’s like to be fast runner. In turn, I get to tell them what it’s like to be a back of the pack type. It’s a totally different race experience. Before one of the first few half marathons I ever ran, my husband and I had this conversation:

Husband: How will you know where you’re going?

Me: Well I’m sure it’s marked. And I’ll just follow the person in front of me.

Husband: But what if YOU’RE in the very front?

Me: Then hell has frozen over and we have bigger problems to deal with.

 I’ll never know what it’s like to lead a race. But thanks to some very talented friends, I do get to hear what it’s like. So in a way I get to live vicariously through my talented running friends! All the awesome without all the work! Genius.

So, back to ultrarunning…. My friend Ben did his first 50 miler and his wife Steph did her first 50k at a race I was at to do my first “real” trail half marathon. My race was SUPER fun and I got to see Ben and Steph finish and was thrilled at how great they did! Steph finished her 50k and made it look so stupid easy that I immediately decided that I would do my first 50k at that race the next year (and I did). I also took it upon myself to say hey, Ben running this 50 miler is the closest I’m ever going to get to running a 50 miler, so I’m gonna live vicariously through him! Look at me! I’m “running” my first 50 miler! It was great to see some people I know get out there, try something new, and absolutely KILL it!

Unfortunately, it went SO well for them, that they both started talking to me about how doable it is.

“Oh you could do that, Erin”

“You just need to find the right race, Erin”

“Anyone can do this”

“It’s not as bad as I thought it would be”

On and on and on and on… and I kept telling them that I’ll try a 50k, but anything else is ridiculous. It’s silly nonsense. Then I ran my first 50k. It hurt. Then I ran my second 50k. It hurt a little less. Then I watched Steph blow her first 100 miler outta the freaking water. And of course, she made it look easy. And of course…. She and Ben started back in on “Erin’s first 50 Miler”. What race could it be? What kind of cutoff?

HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY! WHAT? NO.  That’s crazy.

But they had done their job. They had planted the seed.  So when I found a race that was flat and had a VERY generous cutoff time…. Welp. That’s when it went from, I’LL NEVER DO THAT to…. what does a 50 mile training program look like? Then I started training for my first (and last? Maybe first) 50 miler.

http://prairiespirit100.com/

Oh crap.

Laziest Runner EVER!!!!!

I love lists. They calm me and bring order to my life. I'm not exaggerating. Sometimes I'll write a list and throw in a few things that I've already done just so that I can cross things off right away. It's satisfying. A few days ago I wrote out this list

It's a good list, right? Just some chores around the house that need to get done. Honestly, the entire list would take like 20 minutes to get through. So, if it's 20 minutes worth of chores why write a list?

Because I'm the laziest runner EVER! That's why.

I've been running a lot lately. Because I love running. I love challenging myself with more miles! Blah blah blah same old same old, right? So what's wrong with that? Nothing really. Except that I am kind of a useless bag of flesh when I'm not running. Oh yeah, that.

People assume that if you are a person that runs 20 miles on a Saturday for fun you are also a person that has a spotless house and you have boundless energy. THEY ARE DEAD WRONG! At least when it comes to me they are. I love crashing out on the couch like a sloth for hours on end. No lie. Especially during the winter. I literally start to get giddy as the work day finishes because on non running days I'm fantasizing about changing into my jammies, melding with the couch, and cuddling with my pups. If I didn't run 30 miles per week, I think I would be near immobile.

And running 30+ miles a week sometimes helps me rationalize my laziness. You know, I ran 10 miles on a Tuesday, I'm not doing any extra movement until I have to run again! I deserve a break, huh? That's great logic for someone that has a maid and a chef and a dog wrangler.... I do not. It's just me and my husband who also runs a lot.

I'm realizing that while some people might think that the hardest thing I do is finding the energy to run all these miles.... the truth is that the hardest thing I do is finding the energy to do everything else. Running is easy. Cleaning the toilet is lame. And no one gives you a medal when you're done.

So, my new solution is to make lists. A short list of things to do before I give in to my lazy good for nothing couch . I've only made the one list so far. And I did all the things on it......so I might have rewarded myself with a few days of nothing.....A "recovery week" or two.....

Baby steps

Decisions decisions....

This dumb trail race I was supposed to run in December! You see, it was scheduled to happen in December and then Indiana got hit with our first snowpocalypse of the year. Lots of snow and travel restrictions. I have to admit, when the race was canceled I was KIIINNNDDD of relieved. I didn't want to run it in a ton of snow, but I didn't want to admit that I wouldn't make the cutoff in a bunch of snow.

I few weeks later the race director sends out an email announcing the RESCHEDULE! Gulp. I can't imagine how hard it would be to be a race director that has to cancel a race. What do you do? I mean, we did all sign a waiver saying NO REFUNDS! I was secretly hoping they would just offer us all a discount on the 2014 race. And that was ONE of the options offered. They actually gave a few options;

-Run the race on the new date
- Get a little cash back
- Discount on the 2014 race
- Don't run the race, no money back, and hey, we'll even mail you your shirt!

This is where my internal torture started.....

I was ready for the race on the first weekend of December, when it didn't happen, my brain COMPLETELY checked out and I moved on. Then all of the sudden the race is back in the picture. Crap crap crap crap. Could I run the race? Sure. But I just wasn't sure that I wanted to anymore.

But then I did want to

But then I didn't

But then I wanted to more than anything

But then it was the dumbest idea ever.

Then I had that great 18 miler on perfect trail conditions in perfect weather and I was READY TO RACE! Then there was a giant snow storm the Sunday before. GAH!!!! This is why winter races in the Midwest are ridiculous. It could be 60 degrees in January or it could be a POLAR VORTEX!!!! Yeah, that happened next. Then it got a little warmer.

I kept thinking... those trails are going to be awful. They'll be snowy, icy, muddy, and slippy. But I just WOULD NOT let it go. Why was that? It's not like I was ever going to win the race. It's not like this was the BIG race I had planned. It's just a cool race. So why was I torturing myself over it? I mean, I wasn't losing sleep, but I lost hours of my life caring way too much about a stupid race. Because it's just a race? Right? There are zillions of races every year. If I don't run one race it doesn't mean I'm a failed runner. What to do what to do...

A few days before the reschedule, we finally got word about the updated plan. The course was going to change from a point to point (super cool!) to an out and back with loops (not cool). And that's all it took for me. I wanted to do a point to point race. And I had no interest in a muddy, loopy, out and back race. So I opted out. Just like that. And all of the sudden it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off me.

Why was it so hard for me to decide? Why did a course change make the decision so easy? I have no freaking clue. But I am so happy to move on. Will I register to run it in December?

Yeah, probably.... cause it could be 60 degrees! You never know?

A Decent RUN! A Decent Decision Run...

Remember how that race I was gonna do was canceled by a snow storm? It got rescheduled! Well there’s more to that story now too…. BUT as of New Year’s eve I was still determined to knock out that trail marathon in a week and a half. The only problem was ever since the reschedule… my long runs had been the pits.

 

You know how it is? I LOVE long runs. Love EM! But all my long runs since the marathon that wasn’t weren’t really playing out like they were supposed to. I cut miles, I felt crappy, I lost interest halfway through the run. It just wasn’t working. I got through the runs, so that’s good, but I kept thinking to myself… am I even trained to run this race anymore?

 

So after a not rainbows and unicorns run on Christmas Day, my husband and I planned to do ANOTHER long run on New Year’s Day. My plan for this run was:

 

18 miles.
Try to have fun.

On trails.
Try not to hate it.

On hilly trails.
Smile sometimes.

No mileage cutting.

 

If I could do that, I could do the race. No pressure, right?

 

Well, my job is very calendar year oriented. So, I’m one of those people that works an EXTRA long day on New Year’s Eve. This year, I worked 13.5 hours. Not exactly the day you want before a decision long run, but that’s what I got!

 

Even though my day before long run was not ideal, I tried to mimic race day morning. I ate a real breakfast, had some coffee, did some stretching and foam rolling, and took a Vespa. But I was still a nervous wreck when we got to the trail…

 

What if this run is a giant fail?

What if I’m ready to give up after the first 6 mile loop?

What if my ankle rolls?

What if my water line freezes?

 

Or WHAT IF IT GOES REALLY WELL AND I HAVE TO RUN THE RACE????

 

For the first loop I was joined by two friends. One, took of quickly because on a good day she’s much faster than me. And thanks to my lack of sleep and giant stress day the day before…. My heart rate was not letting me have a good day. My other friend decided my not good day pace was ok by her and we moseyed through a lovely 6 mile loop. I started the second loop quickly so that I couldn’t change my mind. For the second loop I took the trail in the opposite direction and regretted it for the two loooonnnnngggg slow uphill miles. I got loop three underway and ran into my husband who had already finished 3 loops and was done for the day…. For ONE second I wanted to be done too. But I felt ok, so I said, “sorry, I have to finish this loop, so it’s gonna be a while”.

 

The sun was out at this point it actually felt WARM out! SUN! I took the last loop easy and happily trotted back to the car. My husbands run was not his favorite, but I felt GREAT! This was the first long run I have had in so long that wasn’t some kind of disappointment! AND I got to start of the new year with a great 18 mile run! How cool is that?!?!?!!?

 

So…. According to my dumb “decision run” rules, I was ready to run the race.

Did I?

Well like I said at the beginning… there’s more to the story.


Does anyone else do decision runs? Or is it just me?

Christmas Running!

 

My husband and I don’t get time off during the holidays for family visiting. So we make our own rules. Sometimes I get sad about not getting together with family. But a lot of times I’m grateful to not be stressed out with planning and organizing.

Christmas and New Year’s Day both fell on a Wednesday this year. And typically my husband has Wednesdays off to do his long run. He immediately (and correctly) assumed that I would not be keen on him disappearing for hours on end on Christmas day. BUT, the more I thought about it, the more I thought, why not? In my head it was going to be the two of us out in the woods frolicking and laughing and getting back home to eat delicious food that was waiting in the crockpot. So did it turn out that way? Well…..

We did get to see a beautiful sunrise!

We had the woods all to ourselves. And my dear husband even ran at my standard snail pace. I had such high hopes! Those hopes were very quickly trashed when about 1.5 miles in I have a massive ankle roll that lands me on the ground. BUT I didn’t drive all the way out to this park to do a 1.5 mile out and back. WHERE’S MY FREAKING CHRISTMAS MAGIC? The first 6 mile out and back was harder and lamer than I wanted it to be. And if it was just me I would have contemplated throwing in the towel there. But I thought, well this is Husband’s long run day. This guy needs a freaking long run. So we headed out for an 8 mile loop (that I shortened to a 7 mile loop).

This loop was even worse due to stumbling around on my weakened ankle, walking because my ankle hurt so badly and having that stupid Feed the World song stuck in my head!

CHRISTMAS NIGHTMARE!!

When we finally got done and were eating snacks and drinking warm coffee, I said, “man I’m so glad you didn’t say let’s stop at 6, cause I totally would have stopped at 6”. Husband answered with, “ OH MY GOD! I totally wanted to stop at 6”. Teamwork! Even though the run was not my best work, it was still a cool way to spend Christmas morning with my favorite person.

I ran on New Year's Day too. It went much better. Give me a day or two and I'll write about that one too.