My long run of the week, 14 miles touring York.

I got up today at 7:00am, it was 20 degrees outside.  I spent time thinking about a route I may run, but I had no interest in getting my cold weather gear out from the back of my closet.  I threw it there last Friday when it was 80 degrees, I was sure I had seen the last of it until October.  I sat on the couch, had a cup of coffee and a bagel with Angela until the temperature warmed up to 30 degrees, much better...not really. I started to get ready, despite not feeling like running at all.  Angela went to her aunt's house and I headed out the door.  I wasn't sure how far I would go, but I started on the route I had layed out earlier in my mind.  I turned on Unbreakable on my iPod, the amazing story of a once Olympic runner turned WWII Japanese P.O.W.  I was wearing a new pair of shoes, Mizuno Elixir 6's and thinking about my form as I ran.  Shorter strides and landing more mid to forefoot like the Tarahurana indians of Mexico.  I wasn't trying to do it all the time, but it did work it's way into my form as I ran.  I felt really really good at mile ten and began to head home at mile eleven.  Got home and although tired, I think I could have done  few more...  I guess I will see next weekend.  Below is the link to the data on Garmin.com:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/75175382

A bit of background and information...

Check out this article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05256/570503.stm

My long run this week

     Okay, so I have been a bit lazy this week.  After doing a pretty tough ten miles on the trails of Lake Redman which involved 1400 ft. of elevation gain and another 1400 ft. of elevation loss, through streams with water-logger shoes, tunnels that were 500 ft. long and 4 ft. high filled with 4-6 inches of water and in a fairly warm day of 80 degrees.  It felt great and I enjoyed nearly every moment of it, but I took a couple days off, three to be exact.  Yesterday I got back out there with a short run of only four miles.

     I decided that on Sunday I am going to go long, longer than I have in over a year....fifteen miles to be exact.  I am going to have Angela drop me off in Glen Rock, PA at the Rail Trail and I will run to York.  Last week I did twelve on the Rail Trail, going down six and back six.  That is really rough on the return because you are looking at the same things you saw on the way down.  It makes the second half seem twice as long.  By starting in Glen Rock and running straight through to York, I hope to eliminate the monotony of the miles.  We'll see how it works.

     This run would will equal half of what my long run must be prior to my fifty mile race.  According to some things I have read, by running a thirty mile long run at some point before the full race, I will be able to gage my endurance and get a solid feel for what is in store for me come August 27th.  I hope to do a couple thirty mile runs before the race so I can be sure my body, mainly my knees and back, will be able to withstand the pounding of fifty miles.

     My feelings are still going back and forth, from excited to scared and from confidence to self-doubt.  I know that through preparation and metal fortitude the human body is capable of amazing feats.  As of now my position is train hard, prepare both mentally and physically and stay focused on the goal, finish.

Took a couple days off. Friday I did ten miles on the trails of Lake Redman with 1400 feet of elevation gain and 1400 feet of elevation loss. It was tough but I feel better for doing it!

The Race

Here is the link to the race for those of you who are interested:

http://www.rachelcarsontrails.org/bt/ultrachallenge

So I got seven miles in today even though my shoes felt like they were filled with sand, heavy! I wanted to turn around at .5 but I stuck it out telling myself I would just do a few. At mile four I said to myself, "Just one more." I just kept running until I got to 5.7 and headed back. That's how three turns into seven!

A message from Dean Karnazes to me:

Hello Matthew,

Thank you for writing. I’m glad that you enjoyed my book, and I appreciate
the warm sentiments you expressed in your message below.

Unfortunately I don't have internet access out here to write something on
your blog, but I wish you the very best in running and in life!

Sincere regards,
Dean Karnazes

I am tossing around doing an eight mile trail run today. My legs feel pretty good after yesterday's long run. Having a 20 mile weekend under my belt would feel good! Some people thinks that's insane (the non-runners), some people think it's not enough (the ultra runners). For me, where I am and where I am headed, it seems just right. Perspective is the key, and my perspective unlocks the door through which I will run!

Well....

I got in a twelve mile run today.  This is my longest distance since returning to running in January after an eight month hiatus.  I finished in 1:44:37 (8:39/mi.), which feels pretty good.  I wasn't looking at my watch, trying to run 8:00 miles or anything.  Today was all about distance, getting in my twelve.  I did it.  Now, it's only 1/4 of what I have in store in August, but there is a certain sense of accomplishment there.  I have minimal training and less than perfect run support as compared to what I will have during the 50.  I will continue to push on, working towards a thirty mile training run in mid August.  From there, the last twenty is pure mental perseverance.  Or so I am told....

Second thoughts...

     I decided yesterday that I needed to do a long run this weekend of about two hours, for both physical and mental training.  I woke up today wondering if I can really do this, the fifty mile run.  It seems overwhelming.  I find myself rationalizing the distance throughout the day   ....it's like running from York to Lancaster and back!  ....it's five ten mile runs.  ...it's essentially two marathons!  ...it will take eight hours at a 9:00 per mile pace!

    I had talked about setting a time goal, but today I think finishing is my goal.

Cross

the

Line.

Team Members

So I have talked to two people about being on my relay/pace team, and both have given me a thumbs up as of now. Thank you Kari and Sean!  The details and "official" agreement will not come for months, when the registration is submitted.  But with my wife, Kari, and Sean, I am only in need of two more people.  Sean is training for a marathon, so he will be ready to put in a good chunk or the 50 miles I hope.  Kari is returning from a foot injury, so her mileage is up in the air.  Angela will do what she can, but being a new runner it will all depend on her training between now and then.  Regardless of the milage she does, her spirit and companionship the last leg of the 50 miles will be invaluable!!

Weight

I weighed in today, thinking it might be interesting to see how my weight changes from now until August 28, the day after the ultra.  Today I weighed in at 178.2, just about where I like to be...

Ultra Marathon Man

Dean Karnazes, he is the man I have to blame....echem, I mean thank for this site.  I started reading his book yesterday and he has inspired me.  He is an amazing athlete, humble and strong.  Perhaps the greatest runner in the United States right now when speaking of long distance runners and maybe athletes in general.  His book is not for everyone, so I will spare you the "check it out" pitch.  But if you're interested the title is Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner.