Over the last two months I've spent a fair amount of time thinking about running; why I run, how I want to run, how I feel about racing; and I've run two 50 mile races, attempted a 148 km race and attempted a 120 mile race and done some fun running at home.
I think I've come up with some answers, at least ones that are good enough to amp up my motivation. Come to some understandings of why I run, what types of running I like to do, and what types of races I want to do, and what I need from a race to be able to enjoy it.
For now until the rest of the year I have two more races that I've signed up for. A 54 km race in Kamloops that I've done the last two years. I feel like I should be good to go do that race, but definitely won't push hard, it will just be a fun day out. I should be ready to do it, I'm feeling loose in my legs and a week of camping between here and there should keep me relaxed. Two weeks after that is a 100 km road race that I'm going to do. I intend on racing this, I have a crew and it should be interesting. After that, no more ultras for the rest of the year.
So. A few major thoughts.
- I like to run, preferring epic mountains, with beautiful scenery, and amazing single track trails.
- I would prefer this first statement, and be going for harder races with only finishing as the goal as opposed to other runners I know who seem to thrive on competition and chasing after times.
- Flat courses are boring, and I never intend on running one again. Other than road races which I may do on short races. Because there are certin aspects of road racing I find fun.
- I need to research races better; sinister was boring and unstimulating to me because of its constant fire road / atv trail / quad trails and very little trees.
- I really don't feel like being a guinea pig in a races formative years as they work out the kinks.
- I am very spontaneous in my running, and enjoy random challenges.
- I want to finish a 100 mile race (i've got it, I've found the place inside to be to drive myself)
- I want to run hard 100 mile races
So how to combine all these things? I know I"m very spontaneous and don't want structure, but I do know that I will always struggle with motivation to race, but desperately want to finish super hard 100 mile races. I think if I only plan to run two maybe three ultras per year I can do all this. By racing less ultras in a year I will be better prepared, as this year I felt like too many races close to each without proper lead preperation cost me in some races. And by racing less I will be able to afford myself chunks of time during the year where I can just explore and run in my hometown; perhaps lots of little runs, perhaps epic local adventures. Also, I need to spend more time giving back to the running community and so racing less should give me this opportunity as well. Tempering my racing enthusiasm should yield rewards in many facets of running.
So where to go from all that? Long term goal, I want to finish a super hard 100 mile race, perhaps hardrock or the 120 mile fat dog. lots of little things to do to get there, and I shouldn't be trying to hit that goal in a year or two. Steps should be taken along the way. For example; other 100 mile races should be done to get ready for the hard ones, and hardrock requires certain qualifiers. One of the hardrock qualifiers is Western states, so I might as well apply every year for that, meaning another step must be taken, running qualifiers for western states. Also, I want to get faster, if I can maintain a faster speed at a comfortable pace I can finish longer races easier. So, speedowrk. Also, I want to put on muscle mass, I feel like the more muscle I have the better they last during endurance races, so, let's put on some muscle. I also need to do a better job running trails/ascents/descents to match the types of conditions in my goal races.
Main goal:
- Kick ass and finish Hardrock 100 mile and/or Fat Dog 120 mile ultra
Small goals to get there
- run qualifying races: Western states
Goals to get there
- run qualifying races for that
Little details to get there
- pick my races better: don't run races in the summer. Perhaps 50 mile WS qualifiers before June, and 100 mile ultras after August (other than if I get into certain key races).
- do more speedwork
- do more climbing
- more quality running
- with no races booked in summer there is some room for epic adventures of my own
- also, winter/spring can be used for epic/random adventures on my own
Right now: after I finish the 100 km road race September 15: I shall make sure I'm rested for a week or two, then go into a reduced volume maintenance program. With major speedwork and muscle building thrown in.
And go! :)
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