Training Log Archive: PGIn the 1 days ending Apr 13, 2015: |
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Monday Apr 13, 2015 #
Note
Day off. It feels odd to "taper" from such a low base, but more training isn't going to do a whole lot more for my prospects.
Main thing is to get my mind in the right place. One often hears the word "experience" tossed around, not often sure what it means. In my case, I try to find experiences in the past that have some resemblance to the challenge at hand, and then draw either positive or negative guidance -- either do this, or don't do that, depending on how the past event went.
I look back at the past and have quite a bit to choose from -- 33 ultras completed (plus 4 DNF's); 25 rogaines (15 of them 24-hour); 21 marathons finished (plus 3 DNF's). I remember many of them fondly, adventures in the best sense of the word, but I don't remember a single one that wasn't a struggle.
Some lessons...
-- Leadville in 1984. Third year of the event, in the first two years only folks lining at high altitude had finished, and not many of them. I was scared of getting lost at night, so I busted my butt to get through a long trail section at 70 miles just as it got dark. No problem, just 30 to go, but the legs were done. And 30 miles takes a long long time if all you can do is walk. 14 hours for the first 70, 11 for the last 30. Ouch.
Remember -- Pacing, pacing, pacing. Time saved early is lost in spades later.
-- Western States in 1993. Tough year, deep snowpack for the first 25 miles, then wicked hot in the canyons (it was 110 in Sacramento). I croak in the heat, and this time I croaked big time. Sort of OK to the river crossing at 70, but my stomach was already rebelling. Couldn't get anything to stay down, not even any caffeine to help stay awake, but wouldn't quit. Walked (staggered?) all night. At an aid station around dawn I was offered a cup of chicken soup, managed a few sips. It turned the tide. At the next aid station, 93 miles, a can of Coke went down easily. Ten minutes later I was just ripping along the trail down to No Hands bridge and back up to Auburn.
Remember -- The body is capable of great misery, but also great rebounds. Keep plugging. Keep up the intake of fluids, of electrolytes, of sugar. But if it is hot....
-- Cayuga Trails 50 Mile two years ago. It was a fine day to run, cool and damp. The distance manageable. The course hilly but not outrageous. The footing muddy at times but not bad. No big deal, done many 50s much harder, but this one just took forever, 11:26. How could it take so long?
Remember -- You are old. That is the reality. Two years older than at Cayuga, a year older than at Burlington. And each year seems to knock you back even more. So adapt. Adapt your pace, adapt your tactics, adapt your attitude.
Seven days to get the mind ready.... :-)
Main thing is to get my mind in the right place. One often hears the word "experience" tossed around, not often sure what it means. In my case, I try to find experiences in the past that have some resemblance to the challenge at hand, and then draw either positive or negative guidance -- either do this, or don't do that, depending on how the past event went.
I look back at the past and have quite a bit to choose from -- 33 ultras completed (plus 4 DNF's); 25 rogaines (15 of them 24-hour); 21 marathons finished (plus 3 DNF's). I remember many of them fondly, adventures in the best sense of the word, but I don't remember a single one that wasn't a struggle.
Some lessons...
-- Leadville in 1984. Third year of the event, in the first two years only folks lining at high altitude had finished, and not many of them. I was scared of getting lost at night, so I busted my butt to get through a long trail section at 70 miles just as it got dark. No problem, just 30 to go, but the legs were done. And 30 miles takes a long long time if all you can do is walk. 14 hours for the first 70, 11 for the last 30. Ouch.
Remember -- Pacing, pacing, pacing. Time saved early is lost in spades later.
-- Western States in 1993. Tough year, deep snowpack for the first 25 miles, then wicked hot in the canyons (it was 110 in Sacramento). I croak in the heat, and this time I croaked big time. Sort of OK to the river crossing at 70, but my stomach was already rebelling. Couldn't get anything to stay down, not even any caffeine to help stay awake, but wouldn't quit. Walked (staggered?) all night. At an aid station around dawn I was offered a cup of chicken soup, managed a few sips. It turned the tide. At the next aid station, 93 miles, a can of Coke went down easily. Ten minutes later I was just ripping along the trail down to No Hands bridge and back up to Auburn.
Remember -- The body is capable of great misery, but also great rebounds. Keep plugging. Keep up the intake of fluids, of electrolytes, of sugar. But if it is hot....
-- Cayuga Trails 50 Mile two years ago. It was a fine day to run, cool and damp. The distance manageable. The course hilly but not outrageous. The footing muddy at times but not bad. No big deal, done many 50s much harder, but this one just took forever, 11:26. How could it take so long?
Remember -- You are old. That is the reality. Two years older than at Cayuga, a year older than at Burlington. And each year seems to knock you back even more. So adapt. Adapt your pace, adapt your tactics, adapt your attitude.
Seven days to get the mind ready.... :-)