Ultra Week #4 // Trail Running Anniversary

Posted in gear, marathons, races, trail by Nate

A relatively light week three comes to a close. This was a ‘down’ week to prep for next weekend’s 17 miler. I bumped up the weights and resistance training on account of the low mileage, and can feel things tightening up ever-so-slowly. The ‘chesticles’ I earned from a gluttonous holiday of overeating and under-running are now receding, and my legs feel alive again. Cross training has helped, and our Farmington Hills YMCA is a convenient 5 mile round trip run away. Throwing some weight training in the middle of a slow day helps me feel more productive.

Today’s run, the ‘long one’ of the week, was a 12.5 miler at a pretty slow pace, 10 minute miles more or less, all on very boring roads with traffic and polluted puddles. I’m trying to keep my 10+ mile runs at the pace I’d like to run the 50. Anything below and I’ll keep pushing for the 8 minute miles.

I’m finding that was probably my biggest mistake of last season, and likely why I never shed the weight I was aiming to. I ran often and I ran far, but I never really pushed myself the way I should have – averaging 12 minute miles on my 20 mile runs and 10 on my regular 10 milers. In retrospect, I was probably just getting used to becoming a ‘runner’ and still apprehensive about putting my body through all this. Plus, I just really liked the zen-like, mellowing out effect of a long, leisurely jog.

That all changes now.

After some thought and deliberation, I’ve decided to cave in and pick up a GPS watch. I heard this would be coming out soon, so I went online, did some research, and I liked what I saw; it’s not like wearing an iPhone on your wrist, like their earlier models. I’ll be pre-ordering mine on the next non-mortgage-payment paycheck.

Am anxiously awaiting next Sunday, which will mark the 1 year anniversary of my first trail run. A year ago this week, I was carbo-loading and tapering for (what was back then) a grueling 8 mile run through Bald Mountain. I still look back with fondness on that first run. I had no ‘running gear’ to speak of – just my New Balance 872s. On top was a pair of thermal underwear, crappy shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. The trail was semi-frozen and muddy and had that soggy-leaf smell I’ve come to associate with springtime in Michigan. In my excitement I ran hard and carelessly, plowing through puddles on purpose and dirtying myself up just for the fun of it.

I do the same still, however I’m better equipped (actual trail shoes, body glide, Injinis, etc.).

In celebration of the 1 year mark, I’m heading back up to Lake Orion for a lovely 17 mile/double-loop around the park. This will be my longest trail run in as long as I can remember. In theory, I should be heading out to the Poto in preparation for the Running Fit Trail Marathon, but the more I think about that the more I think I should just run its half and not push myself too far off my training schedule. 26.2 isn’t on the menu for a few more weeks yet, and recovering from it will throw me off course.

That’ll make the year’s first Marathon the Grand Island, which I’m looking forward to almost as much as the 50.