I’ve been meaning to write this blog for a few months now. Ever since American River really but I needed some time to mull over my race and how it ended up for me. This isn’t so much a recap of American River but more of a what’s next and how do I get there kind of story. And I’ll come out with it now and up front for those of you who want to know the truth, Ultra running is HARD, it’s harder than I ever could have imagined, it hurts. From a shorter distance time based approach of track and road racing it definitely doesn’t get the respect it deserves, even from me, at least until I’d run a few. Yeah, I know that’s pretty cocky, but trust me, I’ve been humbled by every ultra I’ve done, usually staggering in barely able to get one foot in front of the other. I still get harassed by the Skaggs boys and Shelton for having to walk “a hill” in the last mile of my first ultra. Sure, it may have barely been an uphill grade but at mile 30 of a fast 50k that can feel like a rock wall.
Anyway, I haven’t figured out this distance over a marathon (or the marathon for that matter) yet, but I’m working on it. After American River I figured that I needed to take a step back and reassess how I was going to do that. Up until that point my plan was to just run more miles and run them in big chunks on the weekends sometimes. I’d let the speed take care of itself because it was more endurance that I was after. I’d had a decent buildup to AR, five 50ks as either Fat Asses or competitive races from January to April with one 40miler in there. Yeah, I know, that’s not enough but I figured it would at least be enough to make it better than the year before but whether it was or not is debatable. I ran 3min faster, and at 50 miles that’s barely a PR, but it’s still faster. And I was able to run within a few days of the race and had quite a bit less soreness than last year. So maybe that increase was enough to help but not enough to get me to where I want to be. I may be answering my own questions as I write this too.
After feeling fairly frustrated after AR and also like I never wanted to run that far ever again for a few weeks (I’ve also figured out that’s more of a rule than an exception in Ultra running), I came up with a new plan. This new plan didn’t involve me winning Western States this year because clearly my goals (and ego) were way ahead of my legs. My new plan involves a mild progression of pain and suffering and getting back to what I’m good at while still progressing toward where I want to be. How’s that for a plan? Sounds more clear in my mind I think. In short, I’m working on the endurance I need for ultras while trying not to put as much pressure on myself and waiting for the strength to come. I’m adding in some shorter races into the plan that get me excited and keep me running fast. I’m using ultra races as a tool to get me stronger.
Part of the challenge for me is the necessity to “race” when I’m in a race. In an Ultra, I’m not there yet. I’m out for a run, to hang on, to survive. I envy guys like Tony, Geoff, Hal, Uli and many others who can get in an ultra and really enjoy it as a spiritual like experience and really be able to race it. They’re tough. I’ve always had this desire to run these really great races in beautiful locations on great single track (like WS) and for it to be this great experience, but truthfully, once I start that race, I could care less where I’m running. For me it’s always been about the competition, head to head is my favorite. I do enjoy the long runs during training and those are very spiritual for me but when a gun is fired or “race” is attached my brain no longer has the ability to enjoy “where” I’m running, only who I’m running against. I don’t take it in, I block it out. Everything, but the guy in front of me.
So that’s where I’m at. Working on strength and endurance while having some fun with my speed. (It’s weird to say that as I have about the least speed of anyone I race on the track) Tomorrow is the USA Trail Half Marathon Champs in my backyard. I’m going to start that race, going hard from the gun, and racing until there’s no one left to race. I’ll enjoy the post-race festivities at the finish line. Wish me luck.

Good luck to the Montrailians going for glory at WS. Have fun “racing” and try to at least enjoy the sunrise at mile 3 and that chair at the finish line.

Tagged as: american river, dirty half, footzone, geoff roes, half marathon, max king, Montrail Athletes, team montrail, ultrarunning, usatf