Sunmart 50km and Other Ramblings

Well I can't keep it contained any longer. In just one short week I'll be heading south to run in one of the biggest runs since I've started running ultras back in 2001. I'm not really nervous considering this years event is being labeled as an I.A.U. World Trail Challenge. Expecting runners from all over the globe to show. I know what I'm capable of and if I just run within my limits instead of running someone else's race I should be fine. Physically I'm in great shape. I know I've said that before only to have things go drastically wrong. This time though the challenge for me will be staying mentally focused from start to finish. Normally around this time of year I'm shutting it down and going into semi hibernation. So extending my season out a couple of more months has taken its toll on my mental reserves. I keep telling myself its only 31 more miles until my vacation and if things go the way I plan them to go. It will be a short four hour or less trip to get there.
I think four hours is a very doable time for me there. I've never really run a flat fast course before. So I don't really have a previous or similar experience to base my hopes for this race on. I have run a 4:06:44 at A-O.K. back in 2005 which is mostly flat with the exception of about four really good climbs thrown in. I also ran that race with a slightly sprained ankle having rolled it really good 8 days prior to the run. Then in 2006 I ran a 4:07 down in Arkansas at the low key Midnight 50km which is run on a section of the AT100 course down in the Ouachita mountains. Taking those two races into account I think I definitely have the ability to go sub four at Sunmart. As with any race though everything has to fall into place for that to happen.
This season has been hit and miss for me and hasn't been the same consistency that I've been accustomed to in the past. It has been a learning experience however and none of the bad races have been forgotten.
This time around I'm more concerned with being honest with myself and really trying to run the race I know I have inside of me somewhere. My game plan is solid but I want to try and keep it loose. Things can change during a race at a moments notice. I don't want to be so rigid as to not take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself. I'm not making any predictions for world domination or even promising a great race. If I stay true to the style of running I've had success with in the past and a lot of luck. Then maybe just maybe I can bring home one of those snazzy little trophies like the one pictured above.

New Mexico Dreaming

Well winter has finally hit here in Kansas and I haven't had much motivation to go outside. I find no pleasure in being cold. Running long distances such as the distances we do has a certain misery to it in the first place. It doesn't need to be added to by having the thermostat dip below the freezing mark. Days like the ones we've recently had finds me running to the drawer and pulling out the photo album. Thumbing through the pictures of some of my old stomping grounds out in the Four Corners region. Though I may have been born in Kansas. Spent my formidable years as an adolescent in the mountains of Colorado. New Mexico will always be my home.
Jessica hated it. But I absolutely loved it. For all the problems that this state has with drugs and drunk driving and poverty. It makes up for tenfold with large quantities of unspoiled beauty. There is a lot to be said about being able to run for hours and never cross the same path twice or hop a fence to get where your going. I was free to explore as little or as much as I wanted to. Kansas has its beautiful places but its the continuous loops and fences that makes me feel caged in. No room for the imagination to grow. Yup, New Mexico is my Eden. And forever will be. Clean air, Whispering winds, crisp mild winters, bearable hot dry summers. The trails were free of spiders and underbrush. No flies or mosquito's to chase you down. No poison ivy or oak to speak of. Truly a runners paradise.
This is where my son was born and if I have any say in the matter this is where I'll die.
This week the running has been more of the same from last week. Around 60 miles mostly all tempo stuff. Wednesday was the last day I was on the trail. Since the weather turned to crap I've stayed inside on the dread mill. I didn't see much sense in running outside in the 10 degree mornings when in just two weeks I'll be racing in 60 degree weather. Anything I can do to hold on to that last bit of warm weather. Then its back home to dig in for another wet and miserable winter of training before the sun comes back out in mid March down in Arkansas.

Weekly Recap:

Sunday - 5 x 1km in sub 3:15 pace on trail with 1/4 mile rest between. A.M. 2 miles easy P.M.

Monday - 8 miles easy on hilly trail in 1:01:56.

Tuesday - 4 miles easy on hilly trail in :31 minutes.

Wednesday - 15 miles tempo on hilly trail in 1:44:58.

Thursday - Rest Day.

Friday - 8 miles tempo on treadmill in 54:25.

Saturday - 18.5 miles tempo on treadmill in 2:15:00 ish.

Total mileage - 60.50.

Total time - 7:51:19.

Average Pace Per Mile - 7:47.

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and are resting up. I'm ready for a long break.