Bull Run Run 2012 ~ Race Goals

As I began to think about what kind of goals I wanted to have in mind for my second visit to the Bull Run Run 50 miler, I went back and reread my 2011 Bull Run Run Report.  That had been my first 50 miler.  In ways, I feel as though I have learned so much since then and in other ways I feel like I am still making some of the same mistakes. 

Those mistakes are in large part due to my conflicting desires.  I want to run every.single.day and I want to run uber long distances and I want to still be running 5, 10, 50 years from now.  Being aware of these life goals isn't enough to make them a healthy reality.  These life goals are a lot like running an ultra.

When running an ultra it can be the little things you do in those early miles that either set your run up to be an amazing journey or destine your run to be a brutal challenge.  In my life, healthy habits early on have helped me get to a fitness level that I can fairly comfortably go out and run 50ks without any "real" training.  I have slowly built my mileage and frequency over the past 20 years and that habit has set the stage for the goals I now have.  But just as going out too fast in an ultra can cripple you in those final 10 miles, continuing to run long distances every single day/week will surely begin to take a toll on my distance and long term goals.

So with a much reduced week

and several single digit days I know that I have put myself into a better position to set some realistic goals for the

2012 Bull Run Run 50 miler

and here they are:

My I FINISHED goal:
To arrive on time. To start. To finish.

aka: Finish Feeling Fine having Fun

My I CAN goal:
Finish in under 13:00
Yeah, that's the course limit 

My I LOVE IT goal:
To beat my PR.
With a current PR of 11:09 my I LOVE IT time would be 11:08 or better 

My I DREAM IT goal:
Under 11 hours but because I'm dreaming anyway,
I'd really being dreaming if I can run smart and strong and go sub 10:30
A girl can dream.


With these goals in mind, I will be running a steady and smart 30+ miles.  My body will be setting the pace.  I will simply be enjoying the ride.  Once I get through the Do Loop I will be reevaluating.  If there is any race to run this Saturday it will happen in the last 20 miles.  I'll get to wait and see.  What I do know is that on any given day I just don't know what I am capable of until I amaze myself doing it.

To all my friends racing this weekend and to the many running Boston, Run Strong and Smart!

Doing Things Differently

Often before an ultra event it is the logistics that have me worked into a nervous frenzy.  Rarely is my biggest concern whether or not I will finish a race, I stress over the how to get there, where to park, whether to drop bags or not, when to arrange for support or whether to run solo...

So imagine, if you will, my mental state when I tell you that this Saturday while I am doing this:

Bull Run Run 50 Miler

My hubby with be else where doing this:

Mud Warrior

This will be my first time running a 50 miler solo and will add a new element to my mental state.  Thus far I have typically done really well running a 50k solo.  The fact that the finish line would not hold any family didn't effect my ability to push through those tough miles. 

At least I don't think it did. 

Given that I'll be solo I've decided to make a few changes in how I'll be handling the logistics of this event.  Here are a few:

1.  Roughing It.  I'll be staying in the bunk house.  As they said on the event website, think summer camp. 

2.  Over pack.  Normally I try to take a little as possible.  This time I will be packing for every possible scenario I've encountered.  Having run this event last year, I know that I will have access to my car once throughout the race if needed and can get or ditch anything that I might need to.

3.  Drop bags.  Thus far I rarely were drop bags and even less often do I ever use them.  But this time I will be staging drop bags and I plan to change my shoes at the 16 ish mile mark if I have any hot spots on my feet.

4.  Camera.  I did this during my first ultra and I plan on taking photos during this event.  Tomorrow I will post about my race goals and I do have some goals as to my finish time however my biggest goal is to spend solid time on my feet.  I need to practice a steadier pace and remember that I am at 33 on the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 wait list.  This 100 mile adventure is less than a month away! 

Feel free to pray that I get in soon!

5.  Make friends.  Yep.  This would be different.  I usually have a little group of ultra runners that I "hang" with but when the family is there I mostly stick with them.  This Saturday I will be an ultra running social butterfly.  With big life changes coming soon, I want to find other runners I can connect with who share my crazy obsession.  Having like-minded friends does give your family a break from listening to the constant trail chatter.

I hope that having a concrete plan will help ease my race morning nerves but either way my family will have loads of stories to share from an event filled April weekend.

Have you ever run an ultra solo?  What worked for you?  What didn't?

Are you and your partner both runners?  How do you make it all work?

Share your tips, experiences and advice.  I'm all ears!

Jogging Stroller Entertainment aka Distraction Techniques

 Life as a running mom offers many opportunities to be creative, especially since I have been doing that married-single-parenting thing for the past how many years.  Thanks to my situation I have spent more than my share of hours behind a jogging stroller and over the years I've developed what might be a few original distraction techniques aka how to get the run done.

Biking Sherpa wearing LBM hat mid-run

As your kids get older it helps to be creative.  Like bringing along someone else to help amuse your jogging stroller passengers.  Biking Sherpa often has more energy during our runs to amuse LBM.  She chatters with him even I might not be able to keep up with his nonstop conversations, points out interesting things to occupy his attention and helps retrieve thrown toys.

She is willing to do whatever it takes to help keep our little passenger happy.  Even if it is slightly embarrassing.

Mommy I think I can squeeze some juice out of this one

Another handy amusement is chucking produce.  When you buy the mega-quantity of clementines at Sam's Club and half of them go bad, you can feed the local wildlife and entertain your running companion by allowing them to chuck them into the woods along the road.  

Word of Caution:  make sure your little understands and will obey when you tell them not to chuck them at cars, bikes or other passers by. 

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Watch out squirrel!

Of course THE best way to ensure a happy running trip for everyone is to do it regularly and end with a reward to your well behaved running companion.  Extra time outside playing, getting to ride bikes or blowing bubbles after the run are all things that my kids enjoyed as simple rewards for being great passengers. 

Everyone happy = successful jogging stroller run

Teaching your children at a young age that being active is a part of your daily life will go a long way in how they integrate health and fitness into their own lives. 

What techniques have you found helpful in keeping your little one happy while on the run?

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

My LBM ws getting a bit long on the top.  So we did what any family does...

...gave him a haircut after Easter dinner.

It was a full service salon.

S'ghetti Girl got in on the action but had to wait a few hours before she would admit that...

...she loves her new shorter hair.

And what better way to celebrate my streak-aversary than to lighten the load give to others?!

Anything to make running 50 miles a little easier.

Day 700

2012-0408 Day #700

5936.5 miles

There was a bit more nip in the air than I might have wanted.  My legs were a bit more tired from the speed work the day before.  There was way more wind than I wanted to push the jogger through.

But

Having day #700 fall on Easter was clearly destiny.

What better way to celebrate the gifts I have been given of a determined mind, a healthy body and a supportive family than to run through my favorite place on earth with LBM and the Biking Sherpa.

Three Things Thursday ~ Stealing the limelight edition

Although I haven't been taking my usual after run photos, I've been running a lot this year.  I've already hit 1000 miles for the year.  This might be why I'm not posting as many self photos...

photo bomb by S'ghetti Girl!

LBM is also ready to steal the limelight.

It's nice how he matched his swim goggles with his underwear. 

Yeah, he goes that extra mile to get attention. 

But this week's attention stealer would have to be

this little sweetie.

My younger sis and her hubby welcomed their second blessing.

Samantha Grace

Congratulations to my amazing sister, her hubby and the new big brother.

....even getting into Massanutten may not be enough to get any attention around here for quite a while!

How'd March Go?

March 2012

Monthly Miles Ran: 344.7 (Year total: 982.9)

11.1 miles/day ~ 77.8 miles/week

Highest Mileage Week: 3/19- 3/25 (DM Weeks) 91miles

Rest Days Taken: 0

The Streak: March 31st was Day # 692 of the streak ~ 5,855 miles
That means only 39 days until my 2nd year runnerversary!

Runs ~ ave. 8.5 miles per day/ 59.5 miles per week 

Races:

Seneca Creek Greenway Trail 50k ~ March 3rd

 The HAT Run 50k ~ March 24th

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: 
Chocolate covered sunflower seeds

Yum!

Non-food Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:

Pinterest

still addicted

Which Outfit did I Wear the Most:

Two months in a row I have been living in my YMX tops.

They get great comments for other runners!

What We Are Watching:

With the Kiddos:

Puss in Boots

getting tired of this one already

My Viewing:

I am addicted to Vampire Dairies.

I just finished the first two seasons

and I will die if I don't get to see season 3 very very soon.

just sayin'

Funniest/Best Kid Quote:

S'ghetti Girl just saw the "Maturity Movie" at school

Does your school do this?

Although we had talked about puberty and such issues but I was still a bit anxious to talk with her after school.

Her only comment:

"Boys.have.it.easy!"

Current Triumph:

Two successful 50ks this month

Current Goals

Personal:

To stay on top of my family's increasingly busy schedule

Running/Fitness:

To cut back on my miles without losing my sanity

Current Blessing:

Every single day in my life. A gift.

40 on the Massanutten wait list isn't too bad either.

Current Excitement:

Family:
S'ghetti Girl is being recognized at a Curve baseball game for leadership and her academic achievements

AND the Christmas tree is finally down.

Running/Fitness:

40 on the wait list for the 100

Current Concern:

Personal:
Finding time to get my PA house organized

Family:
Will LBM ever sleep in his own bed?

Running:
Not over training

How did your March days add up?