For the past month, I've been running about 50 miles a week. Confession: running 50 miles a week is exhausting. That's a lot of running! Sometimes when I feel tired I think "Holy crap, I'm going to have to run all of this in one day??" It's getting better as I go, or at least I'm getting used to the physical tiredness.
I have noticed that when I feel a twinge of anxiety about the race, I tend to want to add a little extra to my run, like an extra mile today will be some sort of insurance against failure in my race in November. I know it's silly because I'm following a 50 mile training plan that will adequately prepare me and over-training isn't going to do me any favors.
I have "friends" on Daily Mile who are also training for the JFK 50 and some of them run almost 80 miles a week! That is just nuts to me and I know they are training for 100 mile races too, but it still makes me feel like a slacker. It's stupid to compare myself to people like that, but it's hard when I'll be racing against them! Well, I use "race" in a loose sense since my goal for my first 50 mile race is just to finish before the time cut off.
The saying on my Road ID is "It's 98% Mental" and I really believe running is mostly mental and I just need to stop over-thinking my training and trust that if I follow the plan, I'll be ready to rock that race. :)
Yesterday was a great day because it was like the weekend since my husband was home sick from work. He was nice enough to get up early with the baby so I could go for my run. I only do speedwork once a week and my plan said to do 9 miles with 6 miles at a "ten mile pace". I'm not exactly sure what my 10 mile pace would be, so I just aimed for 8:30 miles. I ran 9.25 miles at a 8:42 average and I was pretty happy with that. My run route was a mess of downed trees and power lines, so that added an element of adventure.
We all went for a drive in the afternoon to return library books and ogle the damage.
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| I did this as part of my weight training plan. Yeah, I'm that strong. |
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| Power lines on the ground are super safe. |
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| This is the most boring drive EVER |
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| Daddy, you're driving like a MANIAC!! |
After our outing, we cleaned up the yard of all the fallen branches and then I made some beer bread for our neighbor who gave us ice when the power was out. Edited to add link to recipe!
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| I almost ate this all myself instead of giving it to my neighbors |
Do you ever fall victim to the mental aspect of running or working out?
Have you ever had beer bread before? Is it not the most amazing thing ever?
Mmm, beer bread! Someone gave us mix for our wedding. So good with Yuengling.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my friend who says anything above 5-10 miles is a mental game. At least for a new runner.
Beer bread. Hmm...I've never had it. Does it taste like beer? Is that the dumbest question you've ever been asked?
ReplyDeleteI fall victim to the mental aspect of running before practically every run! It's probably a good thing you're such an enabler or I'd probably bury my head in a pillow and hide instead of run.
i struggle with the mental aspect all the time. i have gotten much better but it's still tough.
ReplyDeleterunning 50 miles a week IS exhausting. last week i ran 44 (taper time) and didn't know what to do with myself.
beer bread is amazing.
awesome pace on the 9-miler!!!
I've never tried beer bread before but obviously it sounds amazing. I vote to answer Emily's question. Does it really taste like beer? Also...recipe?
ReplyDeleteI really agree with running being mental. Your outlook makes such a big difference on how you do in any race/run.
I was once told that I am stubborn enough to be a runner. It's that stubborn streak that helps get those longer runs done(although nothing like 50 miles!)
ReplyDeleteBeer bread is amazing! My husband loves the stuff. It's so easy too.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I am totally there with you. I am so intimidated by this race which is what keeps me going. I often try to "beat" my training plan which probably isn't the best idea. We put a lot of time into developing and researching a plan that will work for us and we have to trust it will take us to the finish line. You are doing awesome and thank you for inspiring me! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI dont know if you can ever adequately train for a 50mile race. The longest run is somewhere around 30-32 miles, right? You STILL have another 18-20 on top of that on race day so I don't know if you will ever really be prepared.
ReplyDeleterunning is 98% mental. The other 50% is physical, and the remaining 10% is equipment.
ReplyDeleteI always compare myself to other people when running, which I know is ridiculous, but it is hard not to.
ReplyDeleteLast nights 20 miler was a pretty mental run...not pretty 17 miles in when I was sure I was going to die if I ran one more step...
I have mental issues with tough speed workouts. But you just gotta trust your training and I'm sure you will rock your race.
ReplyDeleteI've never had beer bread...recipe?
Oh yes. I LOVE BEER BREAD. I usually make muffins, because otherwise I cut the bread slices so thick I could eat half the loaf in one sitting. Delish.
ReplyDeleteBeer bread is seriously epic. The willpower to share it impresses me. Why are the fellow JFK trainees "friends" in quotation marks? Do you secretly hate them? I constantly have moments of panic where I'm like "WTF am I doing? 50 miles? HELL NO". Glad it's not just me. At least you have one daily mile "friend" who is also training for a 50 mile race and doing less mileage than you. Spoiler alert - it's me.
ReplyDeleteI got a nice chuckle over your weigh training photo.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Running is mental and overtraining won't make your race better. I recently added a running shirt that says "Running is a mental sport and we're all insane."
And - not a fan of beer bread. *ducks incoming tomatoes* But, then again, beer makes me sick, so maybe that explains it?
I always eat WAY too much beer bread when I make it so I tend to only make it when other people come over.
ReplyDeleteI am in complete awe of your 50 mile weeks! That is so much more than I have ever done!
If there is anyone I believe can do a race like that...it's you!
ReplyDeleteOnce you "let go" of the typical meaning of the word RACING, a whole world of possiblities opens up. As far as I am concerned I RACED my 50 miler and won! Those other people (the ones in front of me) were just clearing the trails a bit so I wouldn't break an ankle.
ReplyDeleteAlthough if I had I would have sucked it up and finished anyway. ;-)
You are going to be very prepared and I predict you will finish faster than my first 50! Your training is so solid! Much better than mine was prior to the race.
Can you believe how fast the race is approaching?! I try and remind myself to get excited and not nervious!
Beer bread? Never had it. Thanks for the link.
DEFINITELY fall to the mental aspect of running way TOO often. it is so difficult to not compare to others or even how i was running mere months ago. usually i can bring myself back to a focus on the moment but it is definitely tough at times. i really really like what you said about the training plan. i am always pushing mine for some reason...not sure why I cannot just trust it!?!
ReplyDeletei know little about ultras right now but hope to run one some day. you seem so dedicated and motivated. i am so excited for you to go after that 50! i know you WILL be plenty prepared :)
I learned the hard way not to follow other people's training, stick to your plan and what you know works for you! I remember having that always tired exhausted feeling when I first trained for my 1st marathon and I didn't experience that for the 2nd so at least by the time you do another ultra your body will say I got this. You are awesome for training for such a hard event keep it up!
ReplyDeleteRunning is always harder mentally for me. I know that I conquer the distances, I just get too much in my own head sometimes.*
ReplyDeleteWell, to tell you the truth, even though I am a new runner I always feel like a "loser" when I see other people's "daily mile" or read how fast they are...I know I set goals that are way too high for my abilities, but I just feel like I need to be "faster" in order to be a "real" runner. I don't know where that thinking comes from, but I totally get sucked in. And like Jessica wrote above...I always try to "beat" my training plan.
ReplyDeleteI also read your training in awe. I feel like a rock star training for a half...and wonder if I am not a real runner if I don't want to run a marathon.
I think I need a beer (bread).
What's to worry about? Remember, "No matter how you train, your first 50 mile race will wreck your body
ReplyDeleteand mind".
And re: Jenwa's comment
ReplyDeleteSupposedly Grete Waitz only agreed to run in a marathon when she was retiring from real running. At the time, pre-marathon, she was an awesome mid-distance runner - as real it gets, I'd say.
I doubt El G ever bothered to run a marathon. I think his Rome mile is one of the most beautiful track runs to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvCsj7eJKKA
Most of my non-running friends think I'm 98% mental for getting up at 4:30 to run. :-P
ReplyDeleteTruth-I totally fall victim to the mental game. I've know my pattern so to work on stopping it I've started focusing on how strong my body feels when I start to have that "I want to stop" mentality. Usually my body is fine to keep going but my spirit is saying, "it's so hot, you're so tired, etc..." I fight it with a mantra about how strong I am. My mantra sounds a bit like an inspirational quote mixed with a sailor's vocabulary. It's working though! I like the 98% mental saying on your roadID, I'll add that to my mental repertoire!
you my friend, are going to do great!
ReplyDeleteI had those feelings when I was training for my marathon and had to stop comparing myself to all the other marathoners that just train in a different way than I do. It's hard, but we're all individuals! You're going to do great! I have absolute faith in your ability to run and how you've been going about it! I wish I had that energy and dedication!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about thinking you aren't running enough. That's how I feel every time you bang out a 20+ mile run! :)
ReplyDeleteI ran 30 miles in August and I'm dang proud of that, but it's hard sometimes. We just have to focus on what our own body can do.