Man, time flies! Despite promising to keep up with updates, apparently I've once again been lacking. I thought I should probably get an entry in before January is over. So...here it is.
So, what's new? Well, due to the rousing success of the Thanksgiving to New Year's 50-mile challenge, our group started a New Year's to Valentine's Day Challenge. The difference in this one is that people could choose from different levels - 50, 75, 100, 150 or 200 miles. Thus, we have representation at every level which is awesome. The more people we have out there the better - as far as I'm concerned!
So, what's new? Well, due to the rousing success of the Thanksgiving to New Year's 50-mile challenge, our group started a New Year's to Valentine's Day Challenge. The difference in this one is that people could choose from different levels - 50, 75, 100, 150 or 200 miles. Thus, we have representation at every level which is awesome. The more people we have out there the better - as far as I'm concerned!
In other news, regular viewers of this site may (or may not) have noticed that I've changed the title of it. It no longer says "A Trail Marathon, Huh?" but rather "A 50K, Huh?" That's because once again I have succumbed to the twisted influence of Jeff and Steve and decided that barely surviving a trail marathon last July wasn't enough and that I needed to sign up for the 50K (31 miles) distance of the Rock Steady Racing Spring Trail Races at Lutsen, MN.
Why would I do this? Several reasons. First, I know me all too well. Since I completed the Eugene Curnow trail marathon, the 17-mile Grand Traverse and tagged along with Jeff for 13 of his 100 miles last fall, I know I can complete the 25K distance. Since I know this, I also know that because of this I wouldn't feel the need to push myself while training for it - even though I would need to - which would lead to disaster. The remedy? Sign up for something so far out of my comfort zone that I would force myself to train for it lest I end up as Sawtooth Mountain roadkill never to be heard from again.
Why would I do this? Several reasons. First, I know me all too well. Since I completed the Eugene Curnow trail marathon, the 17-mile Grand Traverse and tagged along with Jeff for 13 of his 100 miles last fall, I know I can complete the 25K distance. Since I know this, I also know that because of this I wouldn't feel the need to push myself while training for it - even though I would need to - which would lead to disaster. The remedy? Sign up for something so far out of my comfort zone that I would force myself to train for it lest I end up as Sawtooth Mountain roadkill never to be heard from again.
Another reason is because I had such a blast with Jeff and Bob during the last part of Jeff's 100-miler and fell in love with the trail. Since then, I've regretted that I was too chicken to join them earlier - although the last thing I wanted to do was ruin Jeff's quest for the 100-miler - and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. 50k on that trail should bring that closure I've been missing (and hopefully not closure to my life!!!)
The final reason is because there's a substantial group of us heading up for the race. Wenday, Lindsey, and Jay are doing the 25K and Steve, Bob and I are doing the 50K. Due to the fact that the online race registration filled up in 29 hours, Jeff missed out on gaining entrance and therefore won't be joining us on the course.
The final reason is because there's a substantial group of us heading up for the race. Wenday, Lindsey, and Jay are doing the 25K and Steve, Bob and I are doing the 50K. Due to the fact that the online race registration filled up in 29 hours, Jeff missed out on gaining entrance and therefore won't be joining us on the course.
However, as Lindsey has pointed out before, most of Steve's and Jeff's past crew members are starting to run these things so all of us are going to need to find our own crews eventually! While Becky is and hopefully always will be my crew "foreman", I'm calling first dibs on Jeff right now if he can make it!
Anyways, while I'm confident I can finish the distance if I train, something I discovered last week cranked up the ol' anxiety meter just a tad. Apparently the race organizers stop recording official times after 8 hours and aid stations start closing on that schedule as well. This means that I'll have to average roughly 15-minute miles throughout the distance and that there will be no "walking it out" if I want to record an official time. For those who think 15-minute miles is no big deal, a.) you've probably never gone with me on a trail run and b.) you've probably never seen that section of the Superior Hiking Trail.
Anyways, while I'm confident I can finish the distance if I train, something I discovered last week cranked up the ol' anxiety meter just a tad. Apparently the race organizers stop recording official times after 8 hours and aid stations start closing on that schedule as well. This means that I'll have to average roughly 15-minute miles throughout the distance and that there will be no "walking it out" if I want to record an official time. For those who think 15-minute miles is no big deal, a.) you've probably never gone with me on a trail run and b.) you've probably never seen that section of the Superior Hiking Trail.
While I know just finishing that distance will be a feat in itself, it would be kind of nice to have an official time as no on likes to be one of the last ones out there. However, all I can control is hit my training, give it my best shot and let things work out the way they work out.
Speaking of training, I'm following a different plan this time around. If anyone is curious, here's the link: http://cdn.running.competitor.com/files/2012/11/46_nat_r1.pdf
The only tweaking I'm doing is pushing everything a day later so that my long runs will fall on Sundays instead of Saturdays due to having to be gone most Saturdays while coaching Jack's 5th grade basketball team.
I like this plan because it only focuses on miles for long runs. Everything else is a timed run at varying levels of intensity. In the past I've always worried about "getting my miles in". This reduces that stress and I just have to make sure I'm "getting my time in". Hopefully this won't come back to bite me in the proverbial butt come May.
That's about it for now! Hope all is well for all of you. Remember, if anyone wants to offer training tricks, tips or suggestions, I'm always willing to soak in new information!
--Stu
Speaking of training, I'm following a different plan this time around. If anyone is curious, here's the link: http://cdn.running.competitor.com/files/2012/11/46_nat_r1.pdf
The only tweaking I'm doing is pushing everything a day later so that my long runs will fall on Sundays instead of Saturdays due to having to be gone most Saturdays while coaching Jack's 5th grade basketball team.
I like this plan because it only focuses on miles for long runs. Everything else is a timed run at varying levels of intensity. In the past I've always worried about "getting my miles in". This reduces that stress and I just have to make sure I'm "getting my time in". Hopefully this won't come back to bite me in the proverbial butt come May.
That's about it for now! Hope all is well for all of you. Remember, if anyone wants to offer training tricks, tips or suggestions, I'm always willing to soak in new information!
--Stu