Category: Ultrarunning

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I am an Ultrarunner with a Biking Problem

I really needed this run today. 20 miles in the book: mainly trail, some vert and ending on flat for a few miles. I needed it to get my legs used to running when I don’t want to. It really was more mental – and I got it done. 

I opted to run today instead of bike because it was so windy and cold.

I started the run around the quarry with some beautiful views. I headed toward the West End Trails knowing that I would get some serious miles and vert.

I have been falling at least once on every trail run this season due to the little stumps that miss my eye. As I laid on the ground I looked back at this little bugger and snarled. “I hate you,” I said to it. And then took a picture of it.

My fall was not too hard this time but come. on.

Tomorrow is going to be less windy so I’ll get my 50+ mile bike ride in. My plan is to ride to Sunapee State Park and back. I’m sure my legs will be dead tomorrow morning but I need to see 50 on my watch. Ironman is on the horizon.

I also have race calendar changes:

I added Blood Root in Vermont 50K and a Pemi Loop. I did the Blood Root in 2019 so I know what I’m getting myself into: mud, black flies and running up mountains. It’s going to hurt. But knowing I’m doing this race in 15 days motivated me to complete the 20 miles today. I needed to see 20 miles on my Garmin. I’m going to do a Pemi Loop midweek; most likely solo. It’s going to be interesting but this race calendar is keeping me motivated.

Last week: 10.5 training hours

This week: 10 training hours (so far, but the goal is 15)

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A few changes to the 2021 Race Calendar

I added the Mid State Massive knowing that I’m never going to get into the Vermont 100 since I’m 108 on the waiting list. A few nights ago after a great training day, I registered for the Midstate Massive. I’ve been reading blogs and watching YouTube videos about the race. My plan is to volunteer at the Vermont 100 and see what the 100 mile race is all about and learn everything I can. My plan prior to Leadville included volunteering at an ultra and it just didn’t happen. This time – IT MUST.

Here is my list of all the things I need to do to finish a 100 miler that I didn’t do while training for Leadville:

  1. Run at night
  2. Hill repeats
  3. Speed work
  4. Strength training
  5. Walk a lot
  6. Volunteer at a 100 mile race

Why do I need to finish a 100 mile race? 

I want to know what it’s like to cross a 100 mile finish line. I want to understand what my body has to do in order to run 100 miles. I need to finish what I started. I want the buckle.

Back to the present: today is a long bike ride and run. However before that a short mountain bike ride on the Concord trails.

78 days to Ironman Coeur d’Alene.

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Endurance Training Update – It’s Springtime in New England

It is 5:30am and it light outside. I love spring. I’m so excited to take the dogs on the trail and go for a run this morning; even after a few hard days of training I’m excited to run!

The last two days were amazing and hard – it’s back to endurance training. I guess I need to call it that because I’m simultaneously training for Ironman and a 50 Miler. I’ve never successfully done this so it’s going to be interesting. 

Swim: I still can’t get a “convenient” lane at the pool. I sign up, I’m waitlisted. When a session opens it’s usually 45 minutes before and I miss the email. Or I sign up and get a lane and I have a meeting or something that prevents me from getting there. Then I deregister. Come On! 

Bike: The weather is perfect for  biking now. I biked on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s hard not being in bike shape. As I rode I thought about how much I truly love biking. I love it more than any other sport. I refuse to bike indoors during the cold months because I truly believe it will make me hate biking. Like all the years before, I suck at biking for the first week or so then get stronger and stronger. This spring I will be equally tri-biking and mountain biking. We will see if it makes a difference. 

Run: I didn’t run much these last two days because the bike kicked my arse. My legs were. fatigued and my back sore. I ran after the first  bike ride because I really needed to run. But alas, three miles doesn’t really cut it. It’s okay: I’m back on track and will run this morning. 

Weights/Core: Back to the gym for Week 2. I really like the circuit workout I do. All of a sudden I look up and an hour has gone by. I love sweating and just feeling strong. And wearing a mask while working out isn’t that big of a deal. 

Everything is Good. Hard. Fun. Difficult. Complicated. This outdoor life is good. The training life is good.

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Training Update, 50 Miler and Ironman

Training has been lackluster these last two weeks. My last blog post about training was so hopeful and promising, Clean Slate. However, since that post everything got a bit crazy. I’m now two weeks behind and have lost quite a bit of fitness. 

Nevertheless, I will persist. 

This week is looking up:

And, I got into a swim lane for tonight. Things are looking up.

My race schedule up until June, as it stands right now looks like this:

Also on a positive note: out of the blue, my friend Vickie from the Leadville training group texted me. She is running the Vermont 100 this year (if it happens) and her training isn’t going as planned either. She gave me hope. We have been in this place before and have still accomplished our goals. 

I think we just know that regardless, we are lifers. Lifers in the sense that if we don’t finish a 100 miler, or 50 miler, we will next year. But we are going to try our damndest to fit everything into our lives. We do it because it just makes sense to us. We cannot not do it. So thanks for the text Vickie.