Now that the Leadville race is over, what happens with the running now? As many posts have indicated, much effort was put into getting ready for this race and even though the performance was not quite as planned, the training efforts paid off. Needless to say, it is time for the mileage to reduce to a more comfortable level but yet hopefully the quality of the running can continue/return to a more intense level...after a couple of weeks to let the bones heal!
Monday; July 18th: Oh Paleeezzzeee.....running didn't even cross the mind! Ok..that's not true, but Traysen and I did not even go for a walk!
More thoughts: As mentioned in the Leadville report, a volunteer at the third aid station turned the race around for this ole girl. Not sure why her words made the difference, but this proves the importance/influence/effect a volunteer can have on a runner/competitor. We often give a cursory "thanks for volunteering" to those that dedicate their own time for another's benefit but often times many of us forget that if it were not for volunteers, these special events would not take place. Those in leading volunteer positions are often not paid but yet put in many hours of work and sometimes deal with frustrating issues. So, what drives these unpaid heroes to continue to give to others? For many, it is a belief in a cause...in the case of running, a belief in the benefits of promoting a healthy lifestyle and friendship through exercise/competition.....For others, it is a desire to give back to what has been given to them. Many of those that volunteer at our races are runners themselves and volunteering is one way to show appreciation to those who have volunteered at a race they have run. For some folks (and I have seen this many times at races), it is a parent volunteering with their children and thus instilling the gift of giving your time to others. Whatever the reasoning and whatever the amount of volunteering a person does, it is important to remember that giving your time for the benefit of others can be very rewarding and it could be your words, actions, or caring touch that can make the difference for a runner/competitor.
Tuesday; July 19th: Off to work. Except for that HUGE blister, running could have been possible this morning...
Wednesday; July 20th: In downtown LA this am, so it was a day in the gym. A decent weight lifting session of abs, shoulders, and back and THEN.....to the treadmill.....honestly, it did not go too bad...a basic 5 miler at 6.5 mph....that darn blister area was really the biggest issue, but the legs, back, etc were just tired but working just fine.
Thursday; July 21st: After a red eye into Indy, IN, it was a sleeping morning but finally down to the gym at 1pm. (100 degrees outside, so running outdoors was not an option). Nothing too fancy today; just a weight lifting session of legs and abs and then an easy 5 miler on the elliptical. Since the blister on the right foot is having ugly issues, I opted to just wear a thick bandage and a sock for the workout...does this count as a start into the barefoot running craze? (no, I am not going to take a picture of the foot and post it here.....that is gross! Some of you are really sick!)
Friday; July 22: Flying all day and then long commute home.
Saturday; July 23rd: A rough night of not much sleep so it was a gentle trot with Traysen for about 5 miles.
So, the question was posed: Why the blister in the Leadville race? I dunno! Well, ok...I can go with this: For the past couple years the training/racing has been done in New Balance 1223s ( a few pair); a big clunky shoe with a wide toe box and a straight last. When I was buying shoes this past early spring, I found some New Balance trail shoes, model NB 573, that fit like a soft glove. (After this many years of running, the ole foot knows if a shoe will work or not within the first minute of being on the foot; in fact, most times, I can eliminate shoes just by looking at the toe box and the last, without even trying a pair on.)
Anyhow, about two weeks prior to Leadville, the latest pair of 1223s had completely lost any form of support and had to be retired. The new NB 573s came off the shelf and had about 70 miles on them prior to the race. Even with my massive mileage, this would have considered them "broke in." However, there were two key aspects that had not been tested with these shoes. 1. the longest run on these puppies was about 15 miles; no problems at that distance. 2. these shoes had remained completely dry in the first 70 miles. Not sure if any other trail runners notice, but shoes change once they get wet; while still 100% usable, the structure changes to a more stiff shoe and often times they develop a curved feature along the bottom. With the 1223s (and many other models I have worn), there is not a problem with increasing the miles on a shoe or with getting it wet. As has been mentioned, the shoe works when trying it on for the first time or it does not work and back to the store shelf it goes. So, there would have been no reason for me to believe that this shoe would not work once wet or once the mileage increased.That is all I can come up with for the blister problem. Or it could be that the ole Murphy's Law kicked in...(remember my last?) and anything that can wrong, will go wrong...and will go wrong at the most inopportune time!
Sunday; July 24th: A third weight lifting session for the week with P90X abs, biceps and triceps. Then out the door at the house with Traysen. Just a basic 6 miler.
Summary: A decent recovery week from last week's effort and an improvement on the weight lifting.
Over the years, especially in more recent times, I have read numerous blogs, books, race reviews, etc and have noticed how many individuals come up with "mantras." Also known as a key phrase to keep the ole body moving when the mind wants it to stop....or maybe when the mind thinks it should stop! Here a few that I have "borrowed" during these times of forcing body over mind:
"You can always do more than you think you can." by race director for the Leadville 100.
"Relentless Forward Progress", a book by Byron Powell of iRunFar.com
"There will always be a rough spot in an ultra; it was the runner does with the rough spot that determines the outcome of the race." A video by Geoff Roes, ultra runner who has won 7 out of 8 100 milers.
"When you transition from a walk phase back to the running in an ultra, ease back into the running." article in Running Times Mag.
" Don't worry too much about a plan--keep it simple and minimize anything that distracts from the actual doing. " by Tony Krupicka on his Incline Club profile.
"Just relax and GO!" This is my favorite since I heard a few thousand times from my skating coach. He would be on my tail as we flew around the skating floor and would repeat this phrase in addition to this: "don't let those big boys kick your butt!"
"The Race is not always to the Swift but to those who keep on Running." a quote found on an inspiration plaque on my desk. This is perhaps the phrase I live by on a daily basis.
That last one is definitely what someone will put on your headstone some day. Thanks for the shout about the volunteering. So much goes into putting on races that runners don't even imagine (wonder why they don't order enough porta-pots??-they're EXPENSIVE!) and we take for granted until we are behind the scenes. I challenge everyone reading this to volunteer at one race in Sept.
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