Some pre-taper nerves

The month of November has been a flash before my eyes. A flash of beautiful leaves, freezing weather, unusually balmy weather, the parents visiting, crazy europeans visiting, and school work doses that could kill a Rhino (that has taken up interest in academia). I haven’t been running a ton, but I’ve incorporated a few track workouts, hill workouts, swims, strength training, and a few 15 mile days (slow miles, but enjoyable!)

I’m getting nervous. My last 15 miler at Hale/Noanet wasn’t great and I didn’t feel good. My calves were tight and my lower back was sore for the next day.  I never moved fast, my mile splits were slow. The one thing that I keep thinking about is that I wasn’t running for training, I was stopping often and working with my dog (and of course taking some pictures of my majestic monster).

With the TARC Fells Winter Ultra 40 miler coming up, I would like to have felt better on the last long run but here I am, slowly dreaming of dropping out of the race or at least dropping down to the 32 miler. The race is going to be much tougher than my last 2 ultras in a couple of ways.

1. I care about it! That alone puts mental strain on me. I have some expectations about myself and my ability–namely to finish before the cutoff.
2. Elevation change is real. The race is 5 (or 4) Skyline loops in the Middlesex Fells. The good news is that I am very familiar with the Skyline loop, the bad news is that.. I am very familiar with the Skyline loop. I know what I am in for.. 1,000 ft elevation gain each loop.
3. Weather. This race is early December and the weather could do anything. My last couple of long races and runs were in relatively warm conditions, also very dry. Any snow could make this race a mess and I would really need to think about how to properly dress myself.

I am looking forward to it still, and that feeling is elevated by the fact that my friend & fellow Mountain Goat Matt will be racing as well (although he will probably win) and other Bangers will be coming to cheer me on and hopefully bring my soup (and beer). I am just experiencing some nerves about not being prepared. I should remember how ill prepared I was for my other two races, and find solace in that–but I don’t! This race is going to be so much harder!!!

I’m hoping to get 1 more long run in next weekend–which is a classic racing DON’T. I want to go 20+ miles 1 week before my race. But I did that at MDI before running 50 miles, right? So this should be fine?

Well, whatever happens in 2 weeks, I think I just have to enjoy the process. I really do love races and the atmosphere more than training for them, and I should try to remember to just enjoy it whether I crush it or not. It’ll be my last race of the year and should put me in the mindset for things to consider for next year. A few things on my radar(not in chronological order):

1. Pineland Farms Trail Festival (50 miler)– already signed up.
2. Frigus 60k snowshoe (or learn to xc ski and do the tri)
3. Finger Lakes 50 (50k or 50m)
4. Some fall 100k (maybe at the TARC 100)
5. Mt. Washington Road Race (thanks Mountain Goat Series)
6. Seven Sisters again?

This race is already too long. I’ll figure it out! Anyway, enjoy the photos from the time I spent NOT running in the woods with Sky!

50 miles one week, 10k the next

I know, I know, before anyone even has to say it—racing like this is stupid. I can’t focus on running long and also running short, I can’t improve in both at the same time, I shouldn’t test my body 1 week apart. I agree, and my body certainly agrees, but sometimes I don’t plan well and end up with 2 races (technically 3) 1 week apart.

Despite that stupidity, I still showed up for this year’s Jack London 10k Trail Race on Halloween morning. I had signed up for this a few weeks ago because a) I love Jack London b) I like small trail races and c) Jeremy was going so why the heck not, they give ya socks for signing up!

Jeremy is ready to run, sporting the Brighton Bangers singlet like a good teammate

The race started at 10am, which was a godsend since I was up late drinking Friday night and needed as much time to recover in the morning as I could muster. I was also not intending to race very hard—my legs were particularly sore from a swim and strength workout on Thursday. In fact, the whole drive up I just kept telling Jeremy I wouldn’t race, I’m happy to hang out and watch, but I wanted to collect my socks!

Almost makes me want to run!

New England in the fall is something else

Some of Jeremy’s running friends from WPI were also competing. These are the same fast dudes crushing sub-3 hour marathons at MDI. They are fun guys who were certainly here to win.

The park was really beautiful. The race is held annually at Mine Falls Park in Nashua, NH. The day was absolutely amazing, it was approaching 50 degrees, no wind, lots of sun—perfect race conditions. Naturally, I was chronically overdressed for success wearing long leggings (that I pulled to half length) and a long sleeve thick top. Even just running a light warm up I knew I was going to be too hot. But I reasoned myself out of changing with the thought “it’s a 10k, it’ll be over soon”.

Anyway, gun goes off after a brief trail description. I didn’t listen and expected to get lost based on reports of what happened last year. This year it was a new course and the markings were very visible and good, I was never unsure where to go.

I started fast, I didn’t even think twice, I just took off. #RaceEverything. I ran without my Garmin watch and I think that was really beneficial. I checked the time but could never see my pace/distance and that kept me out of my head. I pushed myself, despite all the pain in my legs and feeling my hamstring cramp up. Around probably mile 4, my right foot was aching with pain on the bottom. I’m not super shocked by this, given the miles I’ve run recently. I think overuse is catching up and this is a good excuse to take a week off.

Anyway, I finished somewhere just under 53 minutes, which was good enough for 3^rd in my age group. I got to take home a pint glass with a wolf on it, so that is pretty cool. Otherwise, it was just fun to be out and running on a beautiful day with people I don’t know very well but enjoy all the same.

Jeremy’s friends took 1^st and 2^nd, he took 3^rd, and his other friend took 4^th. And his other friend finished 3^rd female. Fast friends!

I wore my Topo Runventures, slowly working more miles on them. They were strong choices for the singletrack, but weren’t super necessary for this race, since much of it was on carriage road or even paved bike path. Still, glad to have a shoe with a wide toe box!

Take home points:

• Race everything.
• Garmin would’ve hurt me
• Rest your legs now, ya idiot.