September 2016 IRL
| October 3, 2016 | Posted by Melinda under Uncategorized |
It’s CRAZY to me that September is over. It was a blink of an eye (almost said “literally a blink of an eye” because that’s how it FELT but then realized that the use of “literal” in un-literal situations is a capital offense).
I don’t know about you, but October came here on Saturday (snicker snicker) and with it a dramatic change in weather that pushed aside the whisper of fall and instead owned fall like a bad ass. It’s no longer summer folks, and while I could be sitting huddled in a corner whimpering in despair I’m too busy despretely clawing out my last training for that 100 mile run in November.
It’s almost here and I’m NOT READY.
Oh my God am I so not ready.
(I am ready. I’ve trained for this. I’m trainING for this. It will be fine. It’s all mental anyways).
Let’s look what happened last month.
Me
76 running miles in a month used to be respectable for me, but now it represents the lowest mileage I’ve logged since June.
- 9 runs
- 1 race (50k) that was also part of a back to back long run weekend
What happened?
My achilles. Both of them. Pissed them both off royally at the 50k and they have been borderline every since. They aren’t truly injured yet and not affecting my running, but they are definitely warning signs. The right one is a chronic injury and doesn’t worry me – it’s going to fine if I don’t do anything stupid between now and race day. It’s the left one that is giving me conniption fits. It started because of a too loose shoe during a climbing portion of the 50k and alternates between feeling like there is a huge blister on the back of my heel if any shoe touches the back of my heel, a weird bruising feeling, and feeling like a true tendonitis. It’s getting better, but slowly.
I’ve always been a low mileage runner. I’ve been running higher mileage than I ever have before, which is appropriate since I’ll be running 100 miles in 4 weeks…..but the achilles are a reminder of moderation and caution.
I’M LISTENING.
I read an article once (and thus it can be instantly regarded as trustworthy right?) that somewhere around 15 miles a week is needed to maintain 100 mile fitness. Even if it’s not true, I need to believe it for my mental prep going into rio100.
Looking forward….I hopefully have at least 3 more long runs between now and the end of the month, as well as another 50k prep race mid month. The second big back to back run weekend (50k+20 miles) is likely not going to happen due to Fig’s birthday party having to occur on that weekend (Booo….) but I’ve talked to some other experienced 100 mile runners and they’ve all advised me that I don’t NEED that extra 20 miles after the 50k to be ready and I really DO need to be there at that party and be present mentally for my family’s sake. So. I’m going to be an adult about this and MAKE A CAKE instead of figuring out nefarious ways to get in 20 miles before noon while not abandon my husband for hours and hours and hours the day after being gone ALL DAY at the 50k.
Farley
I don’t have my equine training record with me but I know we did the Camp Far West 50 :). No other riding (I think) but a couple of lunging sessions. Focus has really been on trying to get the training in for the 100 mile race while maintaining the DTI (domestic tranquility index).
MerryLegs
Absolutely nothing. Was tempted to put a saddle on her but thoughts and actions didn’t actually come together. So. She continues to be my endurance pony in the wings. Sorry girl.
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I’m hoping October is a better month for both ponies, but in all honesty, there isn’t enough time in the day to train for 100 miles, be home enough for a decent DTI, work, AND fulfill other commitments (Cowboy action shooting comes to mind) so likely the equines will be in a holding pattern for another month until post 100 miler the first weekend of November.
