I signed up for AR50 back in Sept 2011, and since then I have been logging all other activities I’ve done as my training for AR50. I log my training via dailymile.com, it is easy with Garmin (although I recently lost my Garmin ANT thumb drive, so I’ve been manually uploading my training runs and other workouts).
I reviewed my training log from Sept to date and found the following, which is interesting:
Total mileage runs:
Sept = 101.17 (I was excited, I just signed up, so I was running a lot)
Oct = 59.46 (It was my birthday month, I was taking a break, going out)
Nov = 74.77 (I forgot I had a marathon in Dec., had to ramp up mileage)
Dec = 73.56 (1 Marathon + 2 halfs then training runs)
thru Jan 26 = 125 (I have to ramp up my training since AR50 is coming up)
Total mileage to date = 433.96 (in approx 5 months)
When I look back, compared to other ultra training schedule, I’m pretty low with my mileage at this point. I have a little over 2 months to pick it up, without getting injured. I think I will end up with at least 150 miles this January, and I’m expecting to be up to 200-230 miles in each month of Feb and March. Yikes!
There are approx 14 weeks till AR50. I have done endurance and base training the past 3 months, without tracking those training days. Beginning this week, I am tracking my mileage, nutrition, and all other training/workouts. I have finally put together my 50 mile training schedule for the next 14 weeks, and will record actual workouts I do, to compare it to the scheduled training. I have read several different ultra training programs, and combined those that would fit my training. This training schedule is a guide; I will still listen to my body, and will adjust accordingly if circumstances change or injuries happen. I will do my best to stick to the schedule or at least get the most mileage I can do. No FunMinel, no more happy hour, drinking, too much eating till after April 7th! Let’s do this!
Yesterday, I ran a marathon in Sacramento, with Claudia. On race morning, I was kind of nervous that I wouldn’t find Claudia, but we easily found each other (thank goodness for cell phones). On the bus to the start line, I met a 60 yr old man, who is now an inspiration to me. Basically, for his 60th birthday, his goal was to run a marathon. He only had 7 months to train, and went from a 13 min pace to a 9 min pace – what he did, I did in 8 years! In addition, he is a diabetic. What an amazing man!
Race morning: The weather was sunny but cool. Garmin froze right before the race, so I just didn’t wear it at all I had no watch to keep track of my time/pace. In addition, on the course, there were no time splits at the mile markers. The only time I got was at the half marathon and the finish. The first half was fun, Claudia and I ran it nice and easy (at least it felt that way). I was really having fun on that first half! Then after mile 18, I think I hit my wall, and literally, there was a giant inflatable brick wall right by mile 18. I think there were two young ladies dressed in a Death costume by that brick wall. Mentally, I was out, but I could have probably ran. I lost Claudia after mile 18, I felt like I was slowing her down so I told her to go ahead. I did feel a little tummy ache, I’m not sure if it was the nutrition I have (I need to practice nutrition during the race). I walked quite a bit after mile 18. The course was advertised as fast and net downhill, but it was really rolling hills and net downhill. I still feel good about the race, my half marathon split is a sub-2 hour!
Chip time:
5.9 mile –00: 53:51
13.1 mile – 1:59:50
20 mile – 3:18:49
Finish – 4:37:02
Gear malfunctions:
- Garmin froze, didnt wear a watch during the race
- Mizuno Ronin shoes’ tread was really bald, almost with holes – this is the last run with it after 276 miles
- forgot to bring sports bra, good thing I had my swim suit so wore the bikini top underneath my running top
