Blog Post

It's been six days since finishing my first trail marathon and I'm starting to come out of the fog of recovery.

I ran the Free State Trail marathon in Lawrence, Kansas. It rained from the moment the RD shouted "Go!". The trail was slop by halfway through.

But that's not the point of this little post. I'll have a race write up sometime soon and post the link to it.

What I wanted to share is that I finally completed Eric's marathon plan. I purchased it about 2 years ago and started it twice, shelving it both times until this year. One of the times I stopped was because race timing didn't work out. The other was because I was taking on something new- expanding my trail running and couldn't piece together enough information from this website, which was before the book came out, to make sense of everything. 

After spending a year with a coach who took me through my first longest distances races (17 mile, 25k and 50k), I opened up the marathon plan with more knowledge of how to approach the heart rate zones, and the long runs, and everything in between. And what I found is that I LOVED the variety of the plan. I spent a year, and rightly so, running fairly monotonous training plans- everything low, unless specific hill training. I learned a lot. But I knew I couldn't go into another training season with the same long and slow. Eric's plan gave me the variety and forced me to keep my edge mentally and of course, physically. I got the the end of my last long run of 20 miles and sort of shrugged my shoulders and said "Well, I guess I'm ready." Yes, I had lots of trying, dark, fatiguing moments and one particular bad morning, with the dog peeing on a brand new rug, left me threatening to quit the training because I just couldn't anymore, but I got through (and we still have the dog and the rug washed out). I toed the starting line feeling equipped and prepared.

I would say the marathon plan is a heck of a plan and you need to be prepared to put in the effort but it will make a better runner. 

-->Drop 5 minutes on my next 5K in September 2015.

After running my first SM this month, I realize that running long distances (for me 20K+ are long distances!) is way less scary than trying to become a faster runner. I know I have the will-power to handle long trecks in the mountains (12 hour+ days over a week, for example), but I've never attempted to develop power, focusing only on endurance.

My shame-gremlins are grumbling really loud at the moment : "What can you do with a 39 year-old, overweight, unathletic body ???" 

Grumble on...

First of all, let me say that I only got the nerve to sign up to this race because Eric wrote on page 130 of TCI that after going through the foundation program, I would be ready! I don't think I would have dared to attempt this on my own.

But ever since I first heard about this race, it had me mesmerized. This 22 km "half" marathon leaves downtown Grenoble and heads South for the first 5 km. Then there is a 5 km, 280 meters vertical ascent up one of the hills (pre-Alps actually) that surrounds the city. The next 11 km consist in a gentle and regular descent through the countryside until we reach the walls of the Renaissance chateau de Vizille. The last km is run on the castle property in a beautiful park. The castle itself was the place where the French revolution started in 1788. And this particular year was the 200 year celebration of Napoleon's return from captivity in 1815, and whose mythical meeting with the King Louis XVIII's army took place just a few kilometers from there. For those not too familiar with French history, the King's army had been sent to arrest him, but the soldiers, who up til 1814 where all Napoleon's soldiers, all decided to turn against the King and proclamed Napolean Emperor once again, before marching on Paris. Etc, etc.

So this was the race I fantasized about, dreaming about it every night before falling asleep, first thing in my thoughts in the morning. A bit of background, I started running seriously (more than once a week) last August and started the program in October, hoping to finish just in time for the race. Life got a bit in the way but I managed to finish week 18 and tapered off the week before the race. I'm the extremely slow, previously unathletic but enthusiastic type of newbie. Running has also become so important to me in great part because it helps me deal with my anguish concerning my mother's health.

The entire week before the race, I had the "I'm sick to my stomach" and "I'm going to throw up" type of fear. My longest run til then had been 13 km in HRZ2. I couldn't wait for the race to start so that I could get the anticipation over with! So I got to the race early to have plenty of time to prepare, warmed up exactly like for a training run (15 minutes in HRZ2/3 + 4 pick ups). I took my place at the back of the pack because I didn't want everybody passing me like at my last race (5km in September). Even if my CI would be to run this race in 2 and a half hours, I knew that a more reasonable time for me was 3 hours. The first two km were difficult because of all the doubts concerning whether I would manage to get to the end. Then I concentrated on my pace and was really happy to see how easily I was maintaining a 7'10"/km pace over the first 5 km. This was practically the pace at which I ran that 5km in September, so I was very pleased. Then started the 5km climb, with the steepest part being at the beginning. Ouch, but lots of hill training had taught me that the pain eventually goes away after 15 minutes or so.
Thanks to this knowledge, I persevered and decided I would NOT walk any portion of the climb, like several people in front of me were doing. I settled into the climb and was very happy to see my pace get quicker over the less steep sections. I must have been really concentrated because, on arriving at the top of the hill, I missed a left turn and kept going
straight for about 300 meters before I started wondering if I was on the right road!!! This section was downhill unfortunately so I ran back up again quickly and a bit panicked hoping I wouldn't be disqualified. As I reached the turn itself, the half dozen policemen who were posted there in order to make sure people DIDN'T get lost apologized saying they thought I wasn't in the race since they couldn't see my number which was taped to my T-shirt but under my jacket (it was very cold that day). So off I go, starting the long downhill portion of the race. But then I see the "voiture balais"  ("broom car" in English ?) go by and I ask a policeman following me on his motorcycle "I'm last?" He answers Yes. He asks if I want him to take me up to the "broom car" in front and I answer "No!" So he replies "Well, we will follow you then" and I answer "whatever you want!" A bit later, I pass the "broom car" which had stopped on the side and then observe that I'm gaining on the next last runner, one that had walked during the climb. My pace is great, I'm feeling strong and fast. Vroooom, I pass him. Next I see a woman running in a pink bunny rabbit costume (I am not making this up. Do people dress up in costumes to run races in other countries ?) I pass her, vrooooom. So happy to have left my escort in the back and feeling relieved to be still in the race. Now I'm pretty much on my own with 7 km to go. The following thoughts cross my mind:
"This is going to be easy, I run 7 km every day on my lunch hour."
"Am I enjoying myself????? .............................. "
"I really should have started core strength training before January..."
"Imagine that Eric is running beside me. Well ok, walking beside me..."

Those last 7 km, I felt less strong and less fast, with my pace slowing. But the idea never entered my mind that I might not finish the race. I even managed to speed up on the last km. The finish left me a bit sad that my dream race was over. My total time is 3 hours and 11 minutes. My shame-Gremlins are already trying to convince me that running this race was not such a big deal. That it was actually pretty easy. Let them grumble.

Je t'aime, maman.

This is my second time through the TCI program. Last year, I focused mainly on transitioning to the forefoot strike and my form in general. I find that I am benefiting even more this season having already gone through the program once before.

I completed my 1-mile retest yesterday and was 55 seconds faster than I was when I tested at the beginning of this training period! That was in 20 mph winds also. When I started my training I wasn't sure how feasible my personal 5K goal was, but my 1-mile time confirmed that I am on track for reaching that time goal. My 20-minute retest later this week should give me a lot more info.

Thanks to Eric and all on here who have given their advice and support!

This morning, I went to a trail race in the Cleveland National Forest.

I had an epiphany. Physical fitness notwithstanding, my mind is always going to be my biggest obstacle.

During the last two miles, we had to take on steep hills. My mind kept fighting me "you're done, you're out of breath, start walking" and I kept pushing, Running. The more I pushed, the louder the voice in my head got. Until one point where the voice was gone. And I kept pushing.

Bottom line: practice recognizing these tricks your mind plays on you and practice moving them out the way. As we become more familiar with these situations, we grow more confident in our abilities. Confidence in ourselves is what make us athletes.

You may want to skip to the last paragraph to get the title, but as usual, I write about what led me to it....so here goes...

Welcome to Tuba City Arizona. Just settling in with fam and dogs and getting going with running again. It’s been a long 8 week or so break from running due to health issues and a huge family move from Northeast  Oklahoma (green country) to the high desert about 5,000ft or 1500m.

First thoughts running?  “Wow, I am slow” followed by “wow, my heart rate is really high” followed by, “wow, I am really slow!”.  

It’s been a little surreal...my new surroundings...my new world really. I led this expedition for my family, so I feel a huge responsibility for their adjustments (which fortunately kids and hubby are settling in well). I did not expect my own need for adaptation though. I just thought I would walk right in and set up camp and on I go like nothing really happened. The first couple weeks I felt a little lost. As week 3 comes to a close I am starting to get my bearings, but still feel unsettled at times.  My running feels this way too.  The word “discovery” seems to be my mantra lately..as I am discovering new sights and views, new emotions, new house, new running, new everything... no familiarity which is a little unnerving. Familiarity feels safe. I feel almost as exposed as the landscape.

I am amazed at the views of the desert, canyons, and Navajo and Hopi villages and Mesas. Flagstaff has the mountain running I love as well. It is foreign though, and my running feels so slow, which is a little frustrating. Even though I know it is normal, I feel like I shouldn’t be THAT slow. So, a mixed bag of excitement, surreal, frustration, unknowns and discovery.  I feel much like a mixed bag!  So, right now I’m just staying mostly in the right now...which is against my grain. Learning to be fine with all of the unknowns and navigating without trying to control the future or outcomes. This is bringing at the same time peace and uneasiness, even though “control” is an illusion, it is difficult to let go of that desire to achieve it or chase after it.  I can tell I am learning, because of how I feel about my 2015 Cool Impossible.

This is the 5th year I will be chasing a “Cool Impossible”. I am delighted to say, this is the first year I have had no hesitation or anxiety in putting it out there. I am shooting high, waaaay over my head even. My CI is to get in to The North Face 50 mile endurance challenge championships in December 2015…. and place top 10 female. It excites me and is funny and awesome all in one. A year ago I would’ve thought, “I should really think of something that is more possible”, “What will people think if I put that out there?”, “They will laugh”, “There is no way I can achieve that”, “What will my coach think?”, “what if I don’t achieve it?”. Who cares!  Really...who cares? So what if I don’t get top 10 or 20 or 40?  What if I come in dead last?  It is the going for it that matters. It is the fun of chasing after the impossible. Learning what the human spirit can achieve in the process and the experience is the real cool impossible.

I get to feel like a track star for a bit. :)

I am really enjoying my second time though the TCI program thus far. Last time it was all about adjusting to the form changes and getting used to running a little slower during most of my easy runs. This time, I have really been able to focus on the bigger picture. Instead of just trying to make sure I land on the forefoot and get my cadence down, I can really tune in to the entire form (stability, consistency, and fluidity).

A huge thanks to Eric the book and this site! I can't say enough about his generosity in providing feedback and guidance to those of us who ask for it.

I found this online and thought many of you may be interested in this as was I, again it seems to me that this is another example of basic, good nutrition being the key to our fueling needs.

Steve Prefontaine's Diet

 

Steve Prefontaine weighed 145 lbs and tried to maintain that weight while training and during down time when his weight could creep to 150 lbs. Many of the big time runners of the 20th century were carefree about their eating habits and diets. New runners today seem to have to much information and they start to fall apart with anxiety when they try to prepare for races. Now there are gels, gu, electrolytes, compression gear, fancy shoes, sports socks all the things we try to explain simply on this blog to get to the roots of running. Many people are told to carb up and the reality is that you are just getting fatter before a race and possibly making it harder on yourself since your gut will be full of crap literally.

Pre's diet consisted of whole foods typically

• Grains
• Salads
• Meat sparingly
• Pancakes/Waffles
• Anything fresh vegetables/fruits
• Noodles
• Beer
• Pizza/Junk food(Hostess) 

Not everything on this list was a constant. Pre did die in a car wreck while intoxicated but he was not drinking out of control all the time. Pre was very social and would sip a beer while hugging and roaming the room around saying Hi to everyone he knew. That was a misfortunate accident with a lot of gray area about the details. My point is that his diet was pretty simple when you look at the list. No sports drinks no Protein shakes no supplements he just ate what was available and did great. Sometimes we give ourselves reasons why its okay to fail or tell ourselves why we won't succeed at a given moment because we don't have all the tools we have been using like if you don't have your energy gel for the race. The truth is we give all those things power when all the strength you need is within you. Yes supplements help, but so did holding a feather in a trunk so DUMBO could fly. Eat clean, light, food from nature and you will run as strong as possible.

As I sit here today thinking about 2014 and dreaming about 2015, I started to get frustrated. I realized I have not accomplished my 2013 nor my 2014 Cool Impossibles. At first I let negativity take over. I could choose to see myself as a loser, a pathetic excuse of a runner who's too weak to accomplish her goals. But then I flipped my thinking around. Sure, its still a bummer that I didn't achieve my CI's, but in the last 2 years, with the help of Eric's book and this wonderful community, I would consider myself vastly smarter, more patient, and more aware of my body. I'm amazed at some of the things I thought my 38-yr-old body wouldn't/couldn't do. I also like to think that I helped my dad begin to challenge himself. 

I continue to remain excited about my CI. I know I will do it . All the struggles I've been through will make the accomplishment so much sweeter.

Happy New Year everyone!! Make it a great 2015!!

When I run this

I feel like I am running tires like these guys

Have you experienced this? What I am doing wrong here?

I think the holiday season is as good as thanksgiving and give us an opportunity to be thankful.

When I started running years back, I was "doing my own thing" but was rather aimless.

Fast forward to 2013. Eric's book. I started reading voraciously, training, practicing (balance board, people!) and this past summer, I attended Coach Orton's camp  in WY. What an experience!

Slowly things have evolved. I started shaving time off my 50K PB, by one hour, and another hour. And another. My body feels stronger. Recovers faster. My mindset has changed. The adversity, the fear are all moved out of the way as they come up. 

My first 50 miles race was in November. Weather and ill health got me to miss the cut-off. But the following week-end marked my best time ever.

I have signed up for American River 50 miles in march of next year. I'll be running with elite runners.  And in may, I will be running the BTR (Born To Run) 100 miles.

I could not have done that without Eric's guidance.

Thank you. Happy holidays!

Right off the bat I have to say that I disagree with Eric and Rich's assessment of this book. They wrote here that they both found it "hard to get into and as a result did not like it very much". I on the other hand found it to be engrossing, engaging and a very enjoyable to read.

Its not a how to book though it does layout Bernd's preparations, experiments with diet, his training and his stunning description of the 100km race itself, run on October 4 1981 in Chicago Illinois. The race where he set a new world record over this distance. His journey is made all the more amazing as it's in an era before the "sports drink and supplement explosion" and Bernd takes you with him on his path of discovery and enlightenment.

His observations and explorations as a young man in africa with his parents collecting insect specimens for his father. His jouney through boarding school, his achievements, failures and lessons learned on the cross country team. The lessons being learned are not those of an elite runner but of a good one that can see something in the far distance that he is yet to fully recognize.

His passion to know why and to solve very complex biological and psychological problems, the eloquence he displays as he takes these very complex biological and psychological observations making them accessable to all of us, in my opinion, makes this book one of the very best Ive read.

The way in which Bernd explores and compares the enurance qualities and deficiencies found in the animal kingdom to our own qualities and deficiencies as endurance athelets is both thought provoking, enlightening and completely engaging. 

I was hooked from the very first word and I highly recommend it.

having now spent almost a month at level one I am impressed by the gains and changes to my strength and posture.
I haven't been able to spend as much time as I should on the fit-ball but have managed to dedicate time every day to the exercises and drills.
I am still not completely pain free in my gastroc/soleous and will attempt to run post a fitness test 24/12/14. 30 x pain free full extension calf raises and single leg hopping. Continuing with self massage/trigger point roller and stick.