No, I am not talking about life after turning 40 (although I’m not that far from it!). I am referring to life after Free State 40miler and how things went the past 10 days. The race had some GI related issues, but I got it DONE!
Coach had me taking a easy 3miler recovery walk with the hubby the very next day. Sunday after race day was a nice cool, cloudy day so we hit the paved trails and finished up a very nice and very easy 3.5mi walk. I was even able to do a good 30mins of yoga in the morning. I definitely had some tightness in my hips, left hammy, ITB/Knee area and feet were feeling pretty beat up, but considering this was the longest I have ever run, I was thrilled that I was able to walk up and down stairs and well…simply walk without too many issues. I was not able to eat post race except for a little soup, so the hunger monster returned with full force Sunday and boy did it have some catching up to do!!! I had taken a few days off to use up some vacation time and recover post race, so it was a couple of days of chilling out with the hubby and it was wonderful. I even managed to end the week with almost 15miles out of which 6 were all solid blacktop paved trails! Yeah..I won’t say that was easy, but it was for a friend and good cause…so there it was! I go into another easy week this week to really give my body a chance to recover.
SO WHAT NEXT? Thankfully I don’t feel too burned out and feel fairly ready to take another challenge. I like adding miles gradually, so next option was of course the 50miler! I went back and forth with Coach as I was really itching to get a 50mi race done sooner than later. For about 24hrs last weekend, I was so incredibly close to pulling the trigger on THIS RACE! It was so incredibly tempting to see how much I could push myself…BUT after a lot and I mean a LOT of research, internalizing, pondering, sweating, talking to my hubby and to Colorado snow bunny and running buddy Lisa, I opted to push this one out to 2013. I’ve never been to Colorado and taking this race on without even having stepped foot in that kind of elevation seemed like a recipe for disaster. That’s ok…I then had my 50miler set and lots of goals for in between and thereafter!!
September 8 I will break into the 50mi Ultra distance at HAWK 50.
Hawk 50 will be on the same trails as the 40miler I just did and I have about 19 weeks of training to go. It will be two large 25mi loops with no pacers this time around. Coach is Co-Race Director for this race so I will be able to really get some solid training miles on the actual course itself! There is a Marathon and a 100mi distance as well, so if you happen to be looking for an awesomely fun time running in the woods with some fabulously fun people..check it out!
I’m sure I have a week or two of easy and then will begin building back up. I’ve got to get my nutrition issues and my annoying tight shin issues sorted over the summer and get ready to Rock this Hawk! I’ve got more exciting plans brewing for some other goals, but guess you will just have to check back in for those 
I leave with you the most awesome personalized shirts ever! Coach made these, one for Talula Does the Hula and me who hit our big goals over Free State weekend!
“Tramps Like Us Running” which is Coleen’s Coaching company in front
Check it out HERE
'Trees, Birds, Drizzle’, ‘Coach’ and ‘40mile Ultra Tramp’ loving it all 
You ARE awesome!!! I'm so excited that we will be doing our first 50 milers at the same event! Take it easy for a couple weeks, then it'll be time to kick it into gear over the summer to get ready!!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff! Rest well and then build up slowly. You will become really strong now.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to lots of sweaty miles with you this summer! I wonder what our next shirts will be!
ReplyDeleteI see a 100 miler in your future, even if you don't yet. I was going to do an ultra before getting injured, maybe I can be like you one day :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep on striving.
Your coach will be able to give you good guidance on training for the Silver Rush - she knows Leadville!!! :-) If it is any comfort - we are well familiar with the course and it is a good 50 miler - challenging but not overly so - very do-able. The biggest challenge will be the altitude. If you can't get there a week or so ahead of time to aclimate then get in as close to race start as you can so your body doesn't have time to "revolt" to the altitude. But Coach will help you stategize this aspect! It will be fun watching your training - even though you've post-poned until next year.
ReplyDeletelove the shirts, love your running perspective and love you. i hope i get to see you BEFORE i crew your 50 miler ;)
ReplyDelete