An incredible view from Mt Tamalpais, looking towards San Francisco
This is a difficult post to write. Nonetheless, it must be written. This has been a very significant year - I discovered a passion that benefits me in all areas of my life. A passion that encourages me to be the most that I can be, while enjoying the journey. However, I have to say the year has ended with a big bad anticlimactic void. That's because I will not be racing in my first ever 50K on December 28th as planned.
It takes a great deal of mental strength and discipline to maintain quality and consistency for 4 months. The Woodland Trail Run 50K was the race around which I structured all of my training, during which time I ran some 1,196.9 miles. That is quite a few miles to have run without being able to cap it off with the satisfaction of a goal race.
I have been unable to race since October. In November I was the victim of a date change for a trail half marathon. Icy conditions forced the race to be moved to a day where I had already planned an indoor rock climbing event for my students. In December, I was looking forward to compete in Eugene on a 15 mile trail run against what I presumed would have been some top quality talent from trail town USA. Actually, even though my 50K was the goal race, I think the Eugene race could have been more competitive. A week before that race I ran a 26 mile route through the incredible Applegate Valley, towards Appelgate Lake and back. At that time I thought I could just "shake off" what I perceived was merely minor ankle discomfort that I had acquired a few days earlier. Well, my body had other ideas. Since then I've used a hodgepodge of aggressive icing, cross training and a significant amount of rest. As recently as 7 days before the goal race I anticipated that I would be able to salvage the season, only to have my hopes dashed today with what should have been a rudimentary and enjoyable medium long run. Instead it was a wake up call. This season is over.
It takes a great deal of mental strength and discipline to maintain quality and consistency for 4 months. The Woodland Trail Run 50K was the race around which I structured all of my training, during which time I ran some 1,196.9 miles. That is quite a few miles to have run without being able to cap it off with the satisfaction of a goal race.
I have been unable to race since October. In November I was the victim of a date change for a trail half marathon. Icy conditions forced the race to be moved to a day where I had already planned an indoor rock climbing event for my students. In December, I was looking forward to compete in Eugene on a 15 mile trail run against what I presumed would have been some top quality talent from trail town USA. Actually, even though my 50K was the goal race, I think the Eugene race could have been more competitive. A week before that race I ran a 26 mile route through the incredible Applegate Valley, towards Appelgate Lake and back. At that time I thought I could just "shake off" what I perceived was merely minor ankle discomfort that I had acquired a few days earlier. Well, my body had other ideas. Since then I've used a hodgepodge of aggressive icing, cross training and a significant amount of rest. As recently as 7 days before the goal race I anticipated that I would be able to salvage the season, only to have my hopes dashed today with what should have been a rudimentary and enjoyable medium long run. Instead it was a wake up call. This season is over.
Just a couple notes about the above chart. The mean (average) number of miles that I ran every week was 78.9 with a high of 100 and a low of 55. The week before setting a PB in the half marathon is the week in which I ran 100 miles. The half marathon is an incredible distance, as your body can recover so completely, so quickly (In my experience at least). The day following the half marathon I ran my long run, as normal. 19 miles in this case.
Although I did not keep accurate data for my first training block leading up to The Crater Lake Marathon, I estimate that my weekly range (when not injured) was 55-80 miles a week. To keep that in perspective, before training for that marathon, I probably ran 10-25 miles a week for general health and fitness.
Considering that I have changed the demands on my body so significantly, it is not a surprise that my body has pushed back from time to time. Nonetheless, I know it is capable of what I have asked of it, and far more in the future. For now however, a mental and physical break are in order.
Although I did not keep accurate data for my first training block leading up to The Crater Lake Marathon, I estimate that my weekly range (when not injured) was 55-80 miles a week. To keep that in perspective, before training for that marathon, I probably ran 10-25 miles a week for general health and fitness.
Considering that I have changed the demands on my body so significantly, it is not a surprise that my body has pushed back from time to time. Nonetheless, I know it is capable of what I have asked of it, and far more in the future. For now however, a mental and physical break are in order.
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Looking forward to the first half of 2015, I am going to focus on improving my speed while maintaining my endurance in order to target the Portland Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon in May. I am going to be gunning to set PRs in the 5K through half marathon. If you were to ask me for specific numbers, I might suggest a 5K of 15:30 and a 1/2 marathon of 1:12:30. I know those are optimistic goals, but I'm also pretty damn sure that they are achievable. Furthermore, I think that if I am going to be able to achieve what I want to in marathons and ultras in the future I will need to develop the ability and feel to run at breakneck speeds at shorter distances first. I need to develop that VO2 Max of mine! Equally as important, after being starved of races for months I will be able to come back with a vengeance and compete regularly at shorter distances.
I did not have the pleasure to be able to compete in this clash of titans, it was the season's last race for many in the ultra community. You should also consider checking out this incredible post from ultrarunnergirl as she literally hits a wall.Thanks for being a part of The Running Mafia in 2014, and I hope to see you around next year!
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