The Ranch 30K Race Report

When I last updated my race milestones I had planned to run a 30K race in May, 2011 (The Ranch 30K). However, due to an ankle injury, I decided to cancel the race so that I would not have any pressure during my recovery. My ankle ended up healing quickly. So this last weekend I completed a fat ass (self supported) trail run of 24 miles. I consider the milestone completed... although not as successfully as I would have liked. Keep reading.

Before I get into the run details I wanted to post a quick shout out to Justin and Jonathan, a couple of runners I met on the trail yesterday. I enjoyed our conversation. Hope to see you back out there again!

Now, about that long run...

My 50K training scheduled called for a 24 mile run yesterday. I really felt like I was ready for it. And in short, my legs were certainly ready. I felt I had lots of gas in my legs through the entire run. Even after I woke this morning my legs were feeling good (minor soreness, but still lots of energy) and I am ready to hit the trails again. But the overall run experience didn't turn out as I had hoped.

Ready

My mid-week trail runs went well. No issues with my legs or feet. I am feeling good. Not tired or sore or anything else. Today is a rest day and then tomorrow I run my first 24 mile trail run since I started my Three In Three Challenge. This week will also be the highest mileage week so far in my 50K training schedule. I am excited about it. I definitely feel like I am ready.

My plan is to run three laps of an eight mile loop (made up of two four mile loops, one to the east of my bike and one to the west). This way I am able to run past my bike every four miles and my bike will serve as the aid station. In other words, I will keep my supplies at my bike so I can restock on each pass. In this way I will be able to do 24 self-supported miles on the trail.

Feeling Better

I continue to follow my 50K training schedule. My legs and feet were a little sore after I completed my recovery run on Sunday, but no injuries and nothing serious. They were still a little sore yesterday. But this morning my legs are feeling better. I still had a little soreness in the arch of my right foot, but otherwise, I felt good.

I did my scheduled 4 mile maintenance run on the trail this morning. I started out really slow and gradually picked up the pace. After about the first mile my legs felt great, no problems. As I write this an hour or so after completing my run, no problems.

I plan to keep my runs very slow and easy tomorrow and Thursday so as to conserve energy for my long run on Saturday. Assuming I complete it as planned, my Saturday run will be my longest trail run since I started my Three In Three Challenge, a total of 24 miles. I will also have my highest weekly mileage this week at 50 miles.

Bring it on!

50K Training Update

I continue to work through my 50K training plan. Last week was a recovery (or step back) week, reduced mileage to help my body build stronger from the previous week. The previous week was my highest mileage week since I started my Three In Three Challenge topping out at 42 miles for the week. It was also my longest trail run at 22 miles.

Looking back, I felt good going into last week's miles. My Tuesday and Wednesday runs were fine. Lots of energy, no real soreness, just did the miles with no problem. However, Thursday's run was different. I felt very sluggish. Maybe it was the weather--overcast and generally icky. Maybe I was feeling the effects of the prior week's training. But I just wasn't feeling it on Thursday.

View from the Concrete Bridge on the Northshore Trail.

It's Hard

I seem to continue to take two steps forward and one step back with my weight loss. But as long as the net is a loss, I am good with that!

Last week I lost almost a pound, 0.9 lbs to be exact. I continue to try to track my consumption daily and to keep it within the range, and when I do so, I loose weight. It seems so simple when you think about it, but actually doing it is hard. Really hard.

Happy with my result this week. Will keep on keeping on.

Garmin Forerunner 610

Yea, need me one of these...

Week 42: Lack Of Mental Resolve?

OK, so I might not have paid much attention this week to tracking my food. And I might have gained a little weight as a result. But I enjoyed every minute of it!

No seriously, I'm a little bummed about it. I feel like I am constantly taking two steps forward and then one big step backwards. This week I gained 1.3 lbs. AHHHHHHHH!

Of my three goals (quit smoking, lose 50 lbs, and run an ultramarathon), the losing weight goal has been by far the hardest. Yes, quitting smoking was difficult while going through it, but it is over now and I don't even think about smoking. And as for training for the ultramarathon, I love every minute of it.

But losing 50 lbs is a different story. It's hard. It is something that I struggle with every day, throughout the day. I love the taste of food. I like to drink a few beers. I like dessert. I like hamburgers and hot dogs and all the awesome stuff you can cook on a barbecue. I think the challenge with my weight is more of a mental issue than a physical one. I lack the mental resolve to do what I know I need to do. I can't seem to get control of it.

I just need to keep at it.

I can do this.

Reset... again.

Building Glute Strength

I came across this video on Runner's World. Strong glutes (butt muscles) help power your runs.



Thoughts?

Training Update

I have now entered the third week of my 50K training plan (which is actually the ninth week of the plan). This week I am scheduled to run 46 miles, my highest weekly training volume since I started my Three in Three Challenge. I feel really confident about it.

My last two runs over the weekend felt almost effortless and my pace continues to improve. I know last week was a recovery week, so I should expect to feel pretty good with the lower mileage. Now I am ready to resume building. I like how the plan alternates between the larger volume weeks and the recovery weeks. I think this is a good approach for me at this point in my development.

Following are some pictures from my runs last week. Enjoy.

Week 41: Still A Loser

I weighted in this morning and I am happy to report that I am still a loser! I lost 1.7 lbs since my weight in last week. Ya baby!

As I wrote previously, I started using the online tool at myfitnesspal.com to track my calories and exercise. The tool is simple and works well. As was the case when I used WeightWatchers.com, the tool gives me the accountability I need to make sure I keep my consumption within the limits needed to lose weight. But myfitnesspal.com has one big benefit over WeightWatchers.com... it's FREE!!!

So far so good. The challenge will be to discipline myself to continue doing that I know works.

What do you use to help you lose weight?