The prep work is largely complete.
Somehow, barring a stray sniper clipping me on my last short
run on Wednesday, I made it through my training plan with no significant
injuries.
Saturday morning at 7AM I’ll be taking the first step in my
first try at a 50-mile Ultra. According
to some who dismissed my 50K as “just a long marathon”, this will be my first
foray into ultramarathons. I’ve never
gone beyond 32 miles in a single run before, training or racing. The great unknown. Testing my mental and physical
boundaries. I’m really looking forward
to this.
I've survived 24 weeks of training specifically targeted for this
race. My underlying training plan was
specifically defined for running. I
tried to add in cross-training, including weight training, along the way. I was able to stick very closely to the
plan. You never know what you’re body is
going to feel like on race day, but mentally I feel good about my training:
- 1,055 miles of running
- 297 miles on the bike
- 33 trips to the gym for strength training (mostly upper body and core)
Despite the hurricane currently wreaking havoc on the
Eastern U.S., the forecast for Saturday looks good. Lows in the 30s, highs in the upper 50s, and
sunshine. I know better than put too
much stock in extended forecasts, but I’m hoping this forecast holds up. Mostly just hoping the rain stays away.
I’ve got my race day strategy figured out, and have a loose
plan for nutrition and hydration. Past
races have taught me that I have a tendency to overhydrate and over-carb (gels,
chomps, etc.) on race day, so I’m taking the less-is-more approach here that
worked well in my recent marathon.
My biggest focus this week, aside from packing properly, is
getting sleep. I can’t fix my poor job
of getting sleep over the last few months, but I can get myself to bed early and
sleep as late as the taper allows this week, so I’m feeling well-rested on race
day.
One key decision still remains open …. the official
post-race celebratory craft beer. These
races serve as an excuse to overspend on an unusual craft-brewed Stout, so I
have to choose wisely. If that’s the
biggest worry on my mind right now, then I know I’m feeling confident.
Bring on the Fiddy.
