If you would go back in time and tell me that I would go into the year 2014 training for a 50K trail race in arguably the toughest trails in Texas, I would say you're crazy. But, as fate would have it, here we are…a few hours away from 2014…and just a few days away from that 50K. Why even do such a thing? I do it because I am inspired by my running friends…all of you. You inspire me to keep going, to keep improving, to keep "fighting to live," to keep pushing weakness out of my body. The big goal for 2014 is that darn Cactus Rose 50 miler.
In order to accomplish that massive goal, I can only dare to resolve that this new year I must take a serious stance on eating better. I can't promise you anything. I know I will make good and bad decisions along the way…bear with me. I do know that in order for me to do that crazy race, I need to be around 20-25 pounds lighter. I am determined, though, and with my family's help I can do it.
2014 promises to be a great year if we will face our personal challenges head on and reach for bigger and better goals in our running, cycling, and swimming.
Finally, a huge thanks goes to Kathy, my soulmate. Without you, none of this running and racing would even take place. You keep Montalvo Manor going strong while I'm out there on the road or on the trail doing long miles and crazy David workouts. Thank you Kathy for your support…I owe you BIG time.
2014 is just around the corner…what are YOU going to do? I say go for it and make it your best year yet. Happy new year!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Marathon #2…PR's and Such
From last time…
Today is December 1…and a start of another month of serious training. Interesting to say that I am using a marathon as a training run for an ultra. That's insane. but I guess that's just the way it is for a runner. See you out on the road or trail!
Now…today is December 16, a day after my second marathon at the McAllen Inaugural Marathon. Glad to announce I got my inaugural PR, too. (Did I use the word inaugural correctly, Donna?)
My first marathon time was 5:05…this time I finished in 4:24, and nowhere near as beat up as the first one. I DID lose around 5 minutes having to walk in to a convenience store to pee@mile 18 or so. Note to McAllen: more portapotties on the marathon route, please. Nevertheless, the weather was perfect yesterday, so I think that played the biggest role in my PR.
Interestingly, on my first marathon I relied heavily on Powerade, but none at the correct saturation was offered at the race, so bonk city, baby.
This training cycle, I did NOT use much Powerade at all in training and really only for post-run recovery. I fared much better with this technique, knowing that aid stations would either have diluted gatorade or none at all.
I also tried something new for nutrition: bananas. They actually worked well for me in training (even though my buddies made fun of me) and worked well at staving off the cramping in the race.
I managed to stick pretty much to German's plan for me and averaged the 10:00 pace per mile.
I still fell off pace at the last 3-4 miles, though. I attribute it to not really training much this time: I ran a 30K trail race just a few weeks ago.
The main training run that I found critical? The 18 mile long run with built-in tempo miles, 10K pace, MP, etc. that I did that one time with David, Cyndi, Ben and Jesse. I find that this technique on a couple of 20+milers will be my key to…gulp…a 4:00 marathon.
SO…Bandera in 4 weeks…no time to do those recommended marathon recovery weeks…gotta get back on the training! See you at Bandera!! 50K time!
Today is December 1…and a start of another month of serious training. Interesting to say that I am using a marathon as a training run for an ultra. That's insane. but I guess that's just the way it is for a runner. See you out on the road or trail!
Now…today is December 16, a day after my second marathon at the McAllen Inaugural Marathon. Glad to announce I got my inaugural PR, too. (Did I use the word inaugural correctly, Donna?)
My first marathon time was 5:05…this time I finished in 4:24, and nowhere near as beat up as the first one. I DID lose around 5 minutes having to walk in to a convenience store to pee@mile 18 or so. Note to McAllen: more portapotties on the marathon route, please. Nevertheless, the weather was perfect yesterday, so I think that played the biggest role in my PR.
Interestingly, on my first marathon I relied heavily on Powerade, but none at the correct saturation was offered at the race, so bonk city, baby.
This training cycle, I did NOT use much Powerade at all in training and really only for post-run recovery. I fared much better with this technique, knowing that aid stations would either have diluted gatorade or none at all.
I also tried something new for nutrition: bananas. They actually worked well for me in training (even though my buddies made fun of me) and worked well at staving off the cramping in the race.
I managed to stick pretty much to German's plan for me and averaged the 10:00 pace per mile.
I still fell off pace at the last 3-4 miles, though. I attribute it to not really training much this time: I ran a 30K trail race just a few weeks ago.
The main training run that I found critical? The 18 mile long run with built-in tempo miles, 10K pace, MP, etc. that I did that one time with David, Cyndi, Ben and Jesse. I find that this technique on a couple of 20+milers will be my key to…gulp…a 4:00 marathon.
SO…Bandera in 4 weeks…no time to do those recommended marathon recovery weeks…gotta get back on the training! See you at Bandera!! 50K time!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Marathons and Ultramarathons…Am I Ready?
Within the next couple of months I will attempt something I NEVER thought I would ever do…or WANT to do…run another marathon and run a 50K ultra marathon. The 26.2 mile marathon is a road race on December 15 and the 50K (31 mile) ultra marathon will be a trail race in one of the toughest trails in Texas in Bandera, Texas. Actually, now that I think of it, these races are within a month of each other.
The big question is…will I be able to do this? I am really hoping that the weather for this marathon will be much better than the Fiesta back in October. The Valley is notorious for having a few of those weird 90+ degree days in December. I just pray it's not on December 15. Then I need to recover quickly and continue to train for the ultra on January 11.
It will be kinda strange to get a new group of students on January 8th for the new semester and on the third day of class need to be absent to travel to Bandera. Imagine their bewilderment when I tell them that I will be running a 50K trail race that Saturday. They'll probably think I'm weird…or crazy (probably both).
I gotta tell you that after this ultra, assuming that I finish, that I will probably tone down all this racing..at least until a few weeks before March for Nueces trail run. I want revenge on that tough little 25K course from last year's painful attempt at my first trail race. Then I may rest from it all for a month or so.
I am glad that I finally was able to break the cycle of weight gain during a Thanksgiving break. Due to the closeness of the marathon, I paid attention to portion control and kept training. I ran around 65 miles this week and lost just under 6 pounds.
Today is December 1…and a start of another month of serious training. Interesting to say that I am using a marathon as a training run for an ultra. That's insane. but I guess that's just the way it is for a runner. See you out on the road or trail!
The big question is…will I be able to do this? I am really hoping that the weather for this marathon will be much better than the Fiesta back in October. The Valley is notorious for having a few of those weird 90+ degree days in December. I just pray it's not on December 15. Then I need to recover quickly and continue to train for the ultra on January 11.
It will be kinda strange to get a new group of students on January 8th for the new semester and on the third day of class need to be absent to travel to Bandera. Imagine their bewilderment when I tell them that I will be running a 50K trail race that Saturday. They'll probably think I'm weird…or crazy (probably both).
I gotta tell you that after this ultra, assuming that I finish, that I will probably tone down all this racing..at least until a few weeks before March for Nueces trail run. I want revenge on that tough little 25K course from last year's painful attempt at my first trail race. Then I may rest from it all for a month or so.
I am glad that I finally was able to break the cycle of weight gain during a Thanksgiving break. Due to the closeness of the marathon, I paid attention to portion control and kept training. I ran around 65 miles this week and lost just under 6 pounds.
Today is December 1…and a start of another month of serious training. Interesting to say that I am using a marathon as a training run for an ultra. That's insane. but I guess that's just the way it is for a runner. See you out on the road or trail!
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