Many people
ask, “Why?” or exclaim, “You’re crazy!” when they hear of the distances Scott
and I have run. We might be a little bit
crazy, but it’s a craziness that is filled with fitness, adventure, and
fun. So, if that’s crazy, I’m embracing
my inner crazy!
But getting
to the ultra-distance doesn’t happen overnight.
Like
everyone, Scott and I both started with very short runs that were interrupted
by more stopping than actual running at times.
We gasped and cramped our way through those early days just like
everyone. But then something magical
happened and it stopped hurting so much.
The cramps in the side or the legs appeared less frequently. The runner’s high we all hear about was
happening. To us!
After lots of
slow races, paces started to improve and so did our confidence. We each started to feel stronger and with
that, started to flirt with longer distances.
10K’s and half marathons became the new google search. I’ll never forget my first half marathon
(Covered Bridges – Queeche, VT). I
trained so hard for that; so hard in fact that I aggravated my Achilles just a
few weeks prior to race day. I was
horrified! Doctor visit, shoe inserts,
backing off on running…..I got to the start line. No world record, but that distance had me hankering
for more. That year, I ran my first
marathon (Disney) with Scott by my side!
After many
marathons and a couple of years of supporting Scott at StoneCat, I knew I would
run this ultra trail race someday. I
remember thinking, “I could do this” as I cheered on runners throughout their
26.2 or 50 mile journey. Last November,
I did it. I ran the 50 miler with Scott
by my side but am hungry once again to challenge myself in a way that only
ultras challenge.
A couple
weeks ago, we ran Ghost Train trail race (15 mile option). There was an ultra option as well, but given
the craziness that comes with a new job, I opted not to overflow my plate this
Fall. I did have a plan though; run the
15 miler, check out the course (for how easy to follow, etc), and most importantly,
scope out how I think I might like running the 7.5 mile out-and-back a zillion
times to complete another ultra distance.
Maybe even longer than 50 miles…..
And this is how the journey goes. Take a little nibble of a 5K…..chug it down with a heap of half marathon…..take second helpings in the form of a marathon….then for dessert, indulge in the ultra distance! And within the ultra distance, the sky is the limit!
So I may appear crazy with my marathons and my 50 miler under my belt, but I felt honored and in awe to share the Ghost Train trails with runners who were accomplishing 100 miles within a 30 hour timeframe…Crazy? Committed? Should be committed? Or just doing what they love and celebrating it with each additional mile? I’ll take the latter.
We’ll just have to see how many of those miles I’ll choose to celebrate next year at Ghost Train…
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| The smiles on us humans AND pumpkins don't lie.....FUN!!! |
What a great story! I was actually just wondering what kind of running base is recommended before attempting 50 miles and beyond after reading a post by a blogger who is training for her first 100 miler in 6 months with only a year of running under her belt. Is that safe? I've recently started allowing the thought of running an ultra enter my running brain, but want to make sure I've built an adequate base in my body since I've only been running for 2 years. What do you think? How long had you been running before you took on your 50? And ow long did you train for it?
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry I've taken so long to respond!
DeleteThere are various training calendars out there (some more aggressive than others), but the goal is to focus on the back-to-back long runs. And, you do them slowly, with walk breaks and fuel practicing (as in real food, not just GU).
I'm not actually a high mileage runner and found myself very ready by the time the 50 miler race day. Here's the calendar I've used. Just punch in the date of the race and whether it's a 50K or 50M:
http://www.scrunners.org/ultrasch.php
I don't know if there's a magic # of years you should be running before attempting 50's or 100's, but I've been running for about 12 years and had 12 marathons under my belt.
I hope this helps!!
Love your journey to ultra running.
ReplyDeleteI tried my first 50 about 4 weeks ago - it didn't go super great but I still think that I can do it. I would prefer a daytime one (this one started at 6pm) - maybe another time!
I bet you can too Kim!
DeleteThis is similar to what I'm thinking of - running a short trail race where longer runs are options and going back next year for the longer trail races. It's fun to hear about your 50 miler and maybe even something longer for you, too.
ReplyDeleteSome may not like seeing a course ahead of time, but for me, it really helped me to visualize the course.
DeleteI am pretty sure I could do a 50 miler and love it, but I'm not sure I have the energy to put into training for it right now. Just training for a marathon has wiped me out, I cannot even imagine 50 miles, but I would love a race where I could make myself walk and be happy with it!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a different world Amy! It's not easy to shift gears from "PR" and "BQ" thoughts to "slower" and "eating food instead of all GU", etc. but it's just another type of challenge.
DeleteI was talking w/ a friend about the 100 miler races and she indicated that's not something she's interested in right now, so I said "come run some of it with me!". See, fun for everyone!!
I love how you keep on going for more. How exciting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy! I could say the same about you - going after that BQ with tenacity!!
Delete