Tuesday, March 15th 2011: A positively life-changing moment: I changed from the 50 mile race next week to the 100 MILE RACE next week. I have had perma-butterflies-in-my-stomach ever since.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011: 10 miles @ 10:30 minutes per mile pace. My 10 milers on the Arizona Strip dirt road have become a steady routine over the last 4 months. I had half the run done before the sun came up and the temperature was great. Just barely cold enough to wear arm warmers. (Please - try not to become jealous of my insanely enormous biceps. If you lift weights exactly zero hours per week you can have big python arms like me too.)
Thursday, March 17th 2011: Rest.
Friday, March 18th 2011: Rest. I'm loving this taper week.
Saturday, March 19th 2011: 8 miles @ 10:00 minutes per mile pace. I bought a new hydration pack for the Buffalo Run and used it on this run. I ended up dumping out the water after 4 miles. (Well, the remainder of the water that hadn't already leaked all the way down my back.)
I ended up spending a few extra bucks to get a good pack that is much more comfortable and doesn't leak: a Camelbak Rogue:
I haven't been able to sleep very good since switching to the 100 miler. I feel so excited and nervous. The race starts in less than 5 (FIVE!!!!!!!) days. If you're a praying person, I'd appreciate a quick prayer that I don't die. BRING ON THE BUFFALO RUN!
"At the start of races 50 miles or longer, most people have the spirit of We’re about to embark on an adventure. At the finish, regardless of how we place, we’re all equals because we have finished a grand adventure." ~ Kami Semick
I'm so excited for you! You are going to do awesome. I can't wait to read all about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm here to sign up for tickets to the gun show.
ReplyDeleteHoly moly, 100 miles. I can't even imagine. You will be awesome - especially with those guns :)
ReplyDeleteI bought a sweeeeet Nathan hydration pack for the 50... used it on my trail run this past Sat. Love it. I'm not sleeping to weel either, and I'm only doing the 50..... did I really jsut say ONLY... geesh.
ReplyDeleteAs a neutral, anonymous, fellow runner who enjoys your sense of humor and appreciates your blog, I would recommend switching back to the 50. This is beyond crazy. And would rather see you alive to continue the blog :) My personal opinion is you have nowhere near the training or fitness to even attempt this based on what you post here.
ReplyDeleteHard core ultra training is a completely different animal, physically and especially mentally. I think a 50 miler is a stretch based on where you are and would be an unbelievable accomplishment.
The weather on Friday night is going to include a mixture of rain and snow. Being brutally honest here but in my view changing to 100 a couple weeks out is not smart and will most likely guarantee a very painful DNF.
BTW, not trying to be a jerk. I actually keep coming back to your blog because it's inspiring and love how you keep at it with an awesome attitude. But at some point you have to ask yourself what you're trying to accomplish and why.
Good luck whatever you decide. Can't wait for your report. I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines.
Rgds,
Jeff
I enjoy your blog but I can't stay quiet on this one. I have nothing but respect for you and your accomplishments, but you're talking about taking on something that's bigger than you might realize.
ReplyDeleteAs a guy who has run a bunch of ultras, I have to agree with Jeff. Given your training, you're asking to really hurt yourself, perhaps even seriously.
The Buffalo Run begins in the afternoon and puts you out on the island in the dark and the blowing snow relatively early in the race. That's something that's giving even a number of experienced hundred milers some pause.
I'm really not trying to insult you or make light of your accomplishments. Running marathons is an incredible achievement and something that demands respect.
Have others run 100s on minimal training and succeeded? Yes. It's *exceedingly* rare, however.
Running 100 mile races successfully requires ultra-specific training built up over many months at a minimum.
What Jeff is saying is right. You're running a very real risk of an horrific experience and EXTREMELY likely, a serious injury that will torpedo the rest of your running season.
Think this one over. At the very least, please consider finding a pacer with 100M experience to help you. There are a number of great hundred milers in Utah in the fall, most of which still have plenty of open spots. You'd have plenty of time to prepare.
Nobody would consider the 50K or 50M to be anything less than a tremendous accomplishment, no matter what your experience.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.
-Mike