October 2016 IRL
| November 1, 2016 | Posted by Melinda under Uncategorized |
This will be short and sweet since all I did was….run. Sorry Ponies. Next week I swear. Because this month’s IRL is all about running, I’ve decided to do a little pre-race interview…with myself.
Running
Tell me about your training…
I ran just over 106 miles last month, which is consistent with the mileage I ran in August and September. It’s less than I ran in July when I was ramping up for Pioneer 50.
I’m also down to running 2-3x per week, but MOST of my runs are double digit. Which I think is huge.
Do you feel prepared for your first 100?
I don’t really know how I feel about my training. I think no matter what I would feel under trained for the 100 because at least at the “completion only” level I’m at, I feel like it’s impossible train adequately physically without over-training and thus getting injuried or burnt out. (Wow. How many times can I use the word “feel” in 2 sentences?). Avoiding injury and preparing my mental toughness is what is going to get me through the race.
I guess the best thing that can be said about my training is that I’m healthy, not injured, still in love with running, and as ready as I can be for the suffering I’m going to have to do in order to keep moving forward.
Would you do anything different?
Not getting injured this spring (non-running injury) and having those months back to train, or having another 6 months to train, squeezing in a 100k before this 100 tops my wish list.
Looking back I’m not sure if I could have done anything differently. Realistically I pushed my post-partum body as hard as I could. It’s just short of a miracle that I’m toeing the line of my first 100 just 1 year and 2 weeks after giving birth.
As far as the time I took off this spring…injuries take time to heal – whether you take that time when it happens, or you take it later when you’ve made it a lot worse. And my body probably wasn’t ready to get pushed back into heavy training at that point anyways.
In general I think I did this the “right” way. I still love running, still look forward to my long runs, and am no where near burnt out – which is a first for a big running event that I pre-registered for several months in advance.
I don’t know whether there is any way to train for a first 100 miler where it doesn’t feel like you are jumping off a cliff on race day?
Why don’t you wait to do your first 100?
Should I have waited? Maybe. But sometimes in life you get one chance at something and so since there’s a really good chance I *will* finish a 100 now, I need to at least try.
Try really really REALLY hard.
Yes I have an eye towards WS100 with this as my first entry into the lottery, but that’s the uncertain future. Who knows what the future looks like???? I’m not just running this 100 miler to get into WS100. I’m running this 100 miler because IT’S A 100 MILER and I *CAN*. (I think).
I’m running it because it’s a worthwhile thing to do and I’m going to learn something about myself and what kind of person I am. I’m pretty sure there is something magical at the end of this 100 mile rainbow and I want to get there and see what it’s all about.
And…. if I get into a car wreck, or I really do have MS or some other awful disease that is making me blind, I want to look back and be able to honestly say I took every opportunity to do the things in life that made me excited about living life.
What did you learn during the training?
That there really isn’t enough time to do everything. Every time there was an opportunity to hit the trails for long hours I did – despite working, a toddler, a family, getting enough sleep and other life commitments that I couldn’t put on hold. So, things that could go on hold did – my horses, endurance, projects for cowboy action shooting, house projects, etc.
It was doable because there was a defined end point. After November 5th running goes back to being a part of my life and not the sole focus of my free time.
Anything in my life that isn’t balanced by other activities ends up being a source of stress and anxiety – running is no exception. Everything in moderation is the key to long term happiness for me. I think that 1-100 mile a year is probably a doable goal for me. One for me and one for the horse?
What are you most worried about in the race Saturday?
That I’m going to feel nauseous and puke in the wee am hours of the morning, and into Sunday morning. On horse 100’s I historically do NOT do well after midnight and I have no illusions about the misery and despair that hit when it’s cold, dark, I’m nauseous, and my eating/drinking/elytes go to complete and utter shit. I don’t want to trudge through that on my own without the benefit of being on my horse’s back. I just don’t. I’m a much better eater/drinker when not on a horse and have a good track record at run so hoping I just skip all that night nastiness?
I’m worried about how well I can handle the pain for the length of time it will take me to finish. EVERYTHING hurts after a 50. I completely believe that the majority of the pain I feel at the end of a 50 is physiological and how I choose to approach the pain and manage it will play a huge role in how I finish. I hope I’m brave enough to embrace it and not let it play with my mind. I hope I’m not a wimp enough to quit.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m hoping I hallucinate overnight on the trail. That was the BEST when I was on horseback doing 100’s.
All the yummy foods I get to eat. My favorites!
How good the sleep is going to be afterwards.
Seeing the sun rise on the second morning.
Writing up an insane story to share with you on my blog.
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Waiting until after the event to write and share what is going on in my head beforehand, once I know the outcome is impossible (for me). It’s easy to edit the thoughts and fears in light of what comes after. So, there they are – my thoughts and feelings written down NOW for all to see about what I really think prior to this 100 – including myself in about 1 week. LOL!
go out there and have yourself some fun!
“…I want to look back and be able to honestly say I took every opportunity to do the things in life that made me excited about living life.”
I love this so much. Have a great run!
You’ve GOT THIS. I’ll be checking Facebook throughout the weekend to check on your progress. So excited for you to finally go out there and fulfill this dream.