Hale Reservation | 48 peaks

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.

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.
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.
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):