Category: Goals

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100 Mile Planning, Execution

This week marks 11 weeks until race day.

This week I am planning to run 65 miles. I didn’t run Tuesday and Thursday so I’m a bit behind. However, today, I will run 12. Saturday 28. Sunday 15. It’s not ideal but it’s what happened.

As the miles start to add up I know that I have to work harder on the mental aspect of training. I also know that I need to do more cross training. I know that biking helped me feel strong finishing the Leadville Marathon last year and not biking prior to the Leadville 100 was a factor in the DNF. I will not make that mistake again.

I’m adding two cycling sessions and at least one swim each week; starting next week.

Everything is falling into place for increasing training volume and being injury free. I’m spending three days a week in the weight room, doing core work, foam rolling and massage. I just need to stay consistent, do the work and recover.

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Sunday Long Run, Procrastination

I love this quote from Beatrix Potter because I feel that way about most of my writing and especially writing this blog. Sometimes I write a few sentences in a doc and then paste it to WordPress and just see where it goes. 

Today I read a blog post from Heather, Relentless Forward Commotion. The first line of her post, Look Up, is this:

“Once, I gave up drinking alcohol for forty days.“

Talk about first words of a story and wondering where they will take you. I love reading her truth and so much of her post I can relate to. 

And this hits home too: 

“We often hear the term “step out of your comfort zone’. But what happens when the uncomfortable becomes your comfort zone? When suddenly the mundane, “normal’ stuff is what makes you uncomfortable?“

It’s 9:04 a.m. and I’m procrastinating. I have to run 28 miles today. I’m doing laundry, cleaning the house, writing this blog post and charging my watch – all while knowing I have to put on the running shoes and head out soon, very soon. I think it will take me about 5-6 hours. My adductor injury is acting up and I know this run is going to be painful and not fun. 

But the interesting thing is I’m still excited to run. I’m not exactly sure what route I will take although I know I will do an out and back, come back to the house, get more supplies and head out again in a different direction, all to get in 28 miles.

I’m excited to run because I can’t wait to see Marathon #2 on my Strava in my attempt to run 52 marathons this year. Meaning that I just need to run, all at one time, 26.2 miles, 52 times in 2020. 

I’m excited to run because I have some new songs on my playlist that I like to listen to. Some favorites include: Obstacle 1, Fix You, My Body, some Alanis Morissette and, don’t laugh, Dido. 

I’m excited to run because Heather’s blog post is giving me something to think about for a few hours and she reminds me that change is good.

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Trying all things

I love this quote from Charlotte Bronte. I had this quote on my refrigerator in almost all the houses I’ve lived in the last ten years. It reminds me that I need to keep trying, keep searching to find the best people, the best places, and to not give up or settle for second best in anything I do.

Last year was good but this year it going to be epic. 100 miles. 3-Day Stage Race. Ironman. 4,000 Footers.

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Houston Marathon 2020 Race Report

I got to escape the arctic tundra for four days this past weekend while racing (and I use that word loosely) the Houston Marathon.

Over the long weekend I talked to so many amazing endurance athletes. I was inspired and in awe of these people:

Shelly who finished her first 100 (Brazos) under her time goal.

Mark who ran his 25th Houston Marathon

Brian who ran his 21st Houston Marathon. 

Paul who ran his first marathon at 60. 

Brandon who is running marathons in every state.

The guy at the finish line who told me about his 100s and what was next.

The woman who said she usually does ultras but just loves the Houston Marathon. 

The marathon was so fun because Mark, Brian and I ran the first 20 miles together. We talked and laughed as the miles just flew by. The start was cold, colder than I dressed for but I rather be cold that hot. The course was as flat as a pancake and it was great to just run without any hills. We walked very little. 

Race morning

We saw our support team with the pink hair (Thanks Amy) and Shelly was there although I didn’t get to see her. 

We talked to a few people while running. I love being asked where I’m from. New Hampshire. HA. Some people look at me funny, I’m guessing they don’t really know where it is. (LOL)

Around mile 22 Brian started cramping and Mark walked/ran with him; I kept running. It hurt too much to walk and I felt pretty good so I kept running. I had it in my mind to finish at 4:30 but ended up at 4:43. 

Considering that most of November and December I couldn’t run three miles without hurting, I think it was an okay day. I still have some adductor pain but it’s so much less. 

There 74 days until my 100 mile race and I know exactly what I have to do to be successful. Today, Tuesday as I think back on the last few days I feel so lucky for the people in my life. The ones who inspire and listen to my rants; the ones who offer advice (that I may take, ha) and the ones who love me despite my craziness. 2020 is going to be a great year. First race of the year – done!

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Final 2020 Race Plan

I made the plunge – in 2020 I’m an ultra runner and triathlete. I never would’ve guessed that I’d go back to triathlon, but I do love the bike. I do love swimming and being in water. I guess I like to run (LOL), but mainly on trail, maybe.

Well, I guess I love it all. I love the planning, the training and execution.

Cheers to 2020 and mixing it up.