Apples to Apples

You most likely have heard the expression, apples to apples.

The expression not the card game.

It's an expression used to describe comparing like things.

As I prepare for tomorrow's race, the Seneca Greenway Trail 50k, I have to remind myself that I need to compare apples to apples.  But in ultra trail running a sport filled with far more lemons, mangoes and star fruits than apples, accurate comparisons are hard to come by. 

While I am not interested in comparing the actual events against one another I am interested in being able to compare my preformance from one event to another.  That will not be easy after last Saturday's amazing running at the Hashawha Hills Trail Run 50k.

oh you missed it, read about it HERE

So how can I possibly set any type of goals to help stay focused as I wait out the final hours?

Let's look at some facts.

This course previously held my 50k PR - 2011 6:06

I just ran a new 50k PR last weekend.

I have already ran 45 miles this week.

This is to be a training run.

The forecast is for rain, rain and maybe a few thunderstorms.

I am training for a 100 mile race.  This is not the A race.

All of those facts lead me to think I should simply run this for "time on my feet."

But let's look at some other facts.

This course held my 50k PR last year Shouldn't I be faster this year?

I just ran a new 50k PR last weekend.  So is it all downhill for the rest of the year?

I have already ran 45 miles this week.  Last week I ran that much too.

This is to be a training run.  Does training have to mean slow?

The forecast is for rain, rain and maybe a few thunderstorms.  One of my favorite 50ks was held in the rain.

I am training for a 100 mile race.  This is not the A race.  But what if I don't get in to that A race?

It is the day before the run and as you can see it will be anyone's guess as to how the day plays out.  I'd love to say that I will be shooting to better my 6:06 course PR from last year.  I'd love to say I've learned a few things and I'll be running strong and steady for a solid training run that doesn't involve any bloody knees.  I'd love to say I know what my "plan" is but I don't.  I do know that after Ed Schultze our race director says, "Ready.  Set. Go"  I'll start putting one foot in front of the other and I won't stop until I cross that finish line.  I am certain that by the time I get there, I will have figured it all out.

Fire on the Mountain Marathon 2010 - Race Report - Part 1

The day before.

Saturday dawned with a long list of things to do including all my race prep because I seem to love to wait until the last minute to get things organized.  However, it wasn't going to be a problem since Hubbs was not going to be home until Saturday afternoon so I had all day with the kids to get it all ready.

After an early morning run - yeah, of course I ran the day before my race, don't you? - I made the kids breakfast, did laundry, cleaned the bathroom, and washed dishes so that we could hit the road and run recon on my route for the early morning hours before the race.

Armed with my Yahoo directions, we headed south.  Forty-five minutes later we found our way to the beautiful Green Ridge State Forest and the parking area that would babysit my car while I ran and play host to the finish line.  After a quick call to my ultra running friends Rande and Kari, I found out that I could get my race packet at the Forest Headquarters just down the road. 

Score!

This would save me valuable time in the morning just incase I was running late.

After a few turns we got the the headquarters about 45 minutes early for packet pickup.  Oh well, the kids and I enjoyed a bit of the State Forest while we waited. 

Preview of my race day shirt.  (I'll actually had changed before snapping the photo for yesterday's "I'm done" post)

Yes, S'ghetti girl wears pearls to a State Forest.

Great view.

LBM does not like bright sunlight in his eyes either.

 In no time I had my packet, my kids had enjoyed the woods and I was able to get my race tee which I had been too cheap neglected to purchased at registration time.  I love it!

We headed home.  Attempting to backtrack my route I ended up taking a parallel road.  I took note that I returned to my orginal road after a different state forest sign.  I made it home in less than 30 minutes. 

The remainer of my afternoon was spent playing with the kids while hubbs and his brother worked on the tree stand.  I filled my camelbak, tried on and laid out my clothes, pinned bib and baggies, filled drop bag, loaded car, and generally got as prepared as you can when you are freaking out nervous really anixous for a race.

Our evening was filled with sugary fun!  Our little gang of kiddos piled in the car and off we went for trick-or-treating.  Talk about not staying off my feet.

All the fun did help take my mind of my nervousness a little bit.

And if that hasn't been enough of a distraction there is always John B.'s adult trick-or-treat stand!

Don't worry trail running make me happy enough I didn't indulge.

After all that fun we headed home and

then we went to bed.

Sorta.

to be continued....