It’s been a while… hasn’t it! I hope everyone has been doing well during my absence. I’ve been reading blogs here and there, but I really haven’t had the urge to write, until now. I don’t know if I am back back, but I am relatively back. A lot has changed since the last time I wrote, so I’ll let you know what’s up.
Last you heard from me, I was fresh off a new half marathon PR and was about to run Chicago. I was prepping a 10K and was gearing up for a marathon PR attempt.
Well, I PRed that 10K! I got an age group win and even my picture in the newspaper!
I, unfortunately, didn’t run Chicago, though. I know that may come as a surprise. I was certainly ready for the race, and was not injured, but I was just not feeling it. I didn’t have a real passion for the race and I knew that the overall cost of going out there was going to be huge. I just didn’t see the point in heading out to a race that I wasn’t terribly passionate about.
So, what am I doing? A lot of trail running.
As most of you know, I am hoping to get into the ultra running scene with the intention of one day running the Western States 100. Crazy plans, I know. And up until recently, it’s just been this thing that I talk about (to everyone) and never actually make any moves towards doing it. I became frustrated with that model and started looking up Western States qualifying races. It turns out that you need to run a 50K to sign up for most 100K’s. So, that’s what I am doing. On Oct 23, I will be running the GOATZ 50K in Omaha. Frank will be there to help “crew” me, although I doubt I’ll need much crewing for a 50K. My only goal is to finish the race, which qualifies me for many of the WS qualifying 100K’s. I haven’t picked out a race yet, but I do have a few in mind. Finally, I feel like I can actually say that I have made a step towards running my dream race. I want to make Western States a reality, and I actually feel like I am actually doing it (or at least trying).
As crazy as that sounds, I have more planned. I have been putting a lot of work and training into running a road marathon. I also know that there is a PR in me somewhere, so I am going to go for it. I’ll be headed to Tulsa on Nov. 20 for the Route 66 Marathon. Because I will want to PR and run hard at that race, I will keep GOATZ easy (and try really really hard not to get competitive). To qualify for most 100K’s, you only need to finish a 50K. Needless to say, there will be a lot of walking in Omaha in order to not trash my legs. I already have a few 20-milers under my belt, and I have one more before I start the taper for Route 66. I feel pretty ready to hit the roads to race.
That’s what’s new for me! What’s new with you? Any big races coming up (or just over)?
She Runs the Wasatch 
What exciting plans!!! I really do hope you’re back back so I can follow you on your incredible journey!
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Thanks! I am hoping to revamp things a bit. There are some posts that I really like doing, but others that I don’t. I don’t know, we’ll see. But for now, I am going to try to get consistent again, especially through these next two races.
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Welcome back-ish! Glad you checked in!
That’s quite a busy fall! How exciting that you’re running your first ultra, and good for you actually taking actionable steps toward your dream. Do you need a certain finish time in the 100K to qualify for WS, or do you just need to finish?
Good luck on you PR attempt!
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Thanks! It is a busy fall, but I am excited about it. Each of the 100Ks has a specific time that you have to race (Cuyamaca, which is my most likely race, is 17 hours). You can usually get away with a run/walk. I have been trying to train myself not to care about splits (as hard as that is) and just to run without a watch. I’ve been focusing on walking uphills and running downhills and flats. If I keep that up, I should be able to run a 17 hour 100K late next year. I think having it be a WS qualifier will keep me from dropping out. Haha!
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I’ve missed you around blog-land!! Congrats on the awesome 10k performance! I think your plans sound exciting and exactly like what you’ve been wanting…more trails, more nature, more distance, more NEW stuff. I hope you keep us updated more often!
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I missed you too! Thanks for the support. Sometimes I feel like I am being a little crazy, but when I post here, I get so much positivity. I need to hop on to your blog and see what you’ve been up to. 🙂
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I’m considering a 50k in January. Still doing a bit of back and forth on it. Tell me more about your training and your taper please! Help me decide if it is really a possibility, lol. Good luck in both of your upcoming races, can’t wait to hear about them!
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It’s pretty much the same as marathon training. In reality, if you can finish a marathon, there is no reason you can’t finish a 50K. I followed a lot from Running Your First Ultra by Krissy Moehl. I added a lot more hiking, and a lot more trails. Splits don’t matter, so I started leaving the watch home (I also bit it once looking at a split on a trail). I don’t imagine this race will be pretty, but I feel confident that I can get it done with my prep. You should definitely do a 50K!
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I’m definitely not in marathon shape right now, but I think I could be by race day (just under 3 months). I’ve been reading Hal Koerner’s field guide to ultra running, but his 50k plan is pretty intense. I’ll take a look at the book you recommended too. Thanks!
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I am glad you are actively working toward your ultimate goal os the Western States 100! When were you in NY? You sure get around! 🙂
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I was there for a wedding. It was pretty awesome out there. I did a ton of hiking and running out on the trails. I passed by Harrisburg and thought of you. I would have texted, but I was driving. 🙂
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Welcome back! I’m so happy you’re hitting the trails, and Western States qualifying is an amazing goal to work towards. As one of my favourite sports psychologists says, you have to have a big, hairy, audacious goal- and you certainly have!
I just finished training for Budapest Marathon, but didn’t actually run it in the end due to injury. Womp womp. But I’m back on it with my yoga practice which is bringing me so much joy, and I’m just resting and recovering before deciding on my next goal. (Preferably big, hairy and audacious). 🙂
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Haha! I like that. Western States is a very big goal. I started to grow frustrated with talking about the race and not actually doing anything that I felt would bring me closer to doing it. I accept that I might never get picked in the lottery, and I might not run it, but I can do everything I possibly can to put myself in the running. 🙂
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I’m so glad you’re back with an update! I tried to find you on the Chicago tracker but your name didn’t come up. Then I went to text you but the other day my phone crapped out and I lost half of my numbers, yours included 😦
Your plan for WS is so exciting!!! It sounds like you’re really enjoying your training now and that’s what is most important!
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Ah! I’ll send you a text tomorrow so you can have it back. Sorry to hear that your phone crapped out. Mine is on it’s way.
It’s been fun doing more vert and more trails. I really love hills, so I’ve been trying to make it a priority to at least get a good amount hiking, and preferably running too. Trail running is just so much less stress than road, but I gotta say, I still love the roads.
You still up for being on my crew if I run Western? 🙂 You can be crew captain, if you’d like. I think Frank would be terrible at it. haha! It probably wont be for like a million more years, but I want to get my name in the lottery for the 2018 race.
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Yay for trails!!! Awesome plans.
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