Just like that, it’s time for a new training cycle! My big fall race is the Indiana Trail 50 Mile (which I’ve run before). I’m also planning to run Sioux Falls Marathon as part of the build up. It has been a lovely break, but I’m feeling ready to get back at it. Signs I am ready for training again:
- All of the aches and pains that popped up last cycle and during Carmel have subsided.
- I’m looking at calendars and getting pumped for tune-up races leading up to my ultra race. I’m considering running my very first road mile and 5K races as part of this build, as well as a hilly, trail 15K, an 8-hour relay, and of course the marathon in Sioux Falls.
- My unstructured, run-what-I want interlude is starting to mimic my typical training patterns.
- Recently, I’ve felt the best while running strides and letting myself find some speed again.
Those all feel like small victories, little fires getting lit. And, I am really excited for:
- A potentially muddy, definitely very hilly run with my friend Robyn this Friday.
- My coach Anna offering to pace me for Wednesday workouts. We have run together every Wednesday since before I hired her as my coach, but we usually do easy pace miles.
- Continuing the process for 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, which means more regular yoga practice for cross training. I’ve been especially enjoying restorative, gentle yoga and doing self-led sessions.
- Double run days, where the second run is usually casual and easy, often with friends or my dogs.
- Lots of trail time to prepare for IT50.
- More miles, less worry about pace.
Some new things I’m trying for this cycle:
- Adding some more intense leg strength work to better prepare my legs for the terrain at Chain O’ Lakes State Park for the 50-miler. I may hire a strength coach for a weekly session.
- Driving to parks more often for training runs to get in more elevation gain. For my first go at IT50, I didn’t realize how important this would be until my 31-mile training run at COL, already pretty late into that build.
- Including more frequent races during the build up. Because I know I am better at training than racing, so I may as well get some practice at it!
- Running in the dark. On trails even. Sometimes. (Admittedly, I’m still trying to convince myself of this one, but I know it’s needed.)
As of Friday, the two-week window post Covid vaccine shot will have passed, meaning I’m fully vaccinated. I’m realizing that I had a bit of pandemic mental fog that is slowly lifting. And I am starting training feeling totally healthy. That feels like a major victory, especially since I was plagued with foot issues for all of my last Indiana Trail build up and race. I’m ready to goooooooo. Adventure awaits!
#WriteAsRun Prompt No. 14: Celebrate the wins.
What victories have you observed in your running and well being recently? Even the tiniest spark or step forward deserves a moment of YES!
April 9, 2021