Running 100.... final preparations

Preparing for most things takes planning, drive, and follow-through. This is true with races of any distance. This is VERY true with races of longer distances. I have been preparing for a goal race for months now and in less than a week it will be time to toe the line (At Indiana Trail 100. Get more info @ http://www.indianatrail100.com/)  and give it my best go.

For months I have been following a set training plan including interval workouts, hill repeats, tempo runs, trail runs, strength training, and recovery techniques. ( Thanks, Michele!) It has meant a lot more solo runs and early weekend mornings but it will be worth it.

I've been working on pushing past my limits.... past that place where I know I won't fail. It's tough.... a constant challenge. And each time I run long, it's another chance to conquer my fears.

To give you a little insight into my world of ultras I would like to share with you the prep side leading up to the big day. No longer talking about the training aspect, but the actual coordination of getting through 100 miles. It takes a team effort.

Some of the dedicated crew from last IT100

Enter.... my crew! I have some amazing family and friends that are willing to put up with being with me (and when I say with I mean that they are in the same park as I am somewhere a distance off in the woods to see me for 3 minutes every few hours or so) for 30 hours or so to help me complete a race. Now I've spectated/volunteered at a lot of races and I've heard people grumble about waiting around for runners at a 5K! And ultra crew members are out in the elements for hours.... waiting.... and you'd never be able to tell it was someone else's goal they were working towards at all. They are the lifeblood at these things. They are set with the hard task of helping runners be successful. They think, when the runners can't (Ultra Brain at 3 am: how much fuel do I need? Where are my extra batteries for the headlamp? etc.).

My awesome Mom is my crew captain. This is her second year at the job and I wouldn't have it any other way. She is just amazing.... positive..... and knows exactly how to track/monitor my needs. She tracks everything on a spreadsheet and could tell you exactly how much I've had to eat, drink, and if I'm going to the bathroom (yes, you should be on top of that stat too! ). She has met with me leading up to the race to talk strategy and go over spreadsheets. She ROCKS!

Running happy with my pacer

Then come the pacers. Not only are they part of the crew that stands around waiting.... they also get the fun job of running the course with me in the dark and when I'm probably contemplating why I started this thing in the first place! No seriously, pacers are so much fun because they come in when your brain is done being alone. I've asked them to come prepared with tunes, stories, and my time goals. They can push and encourage and help keep me moving. IT100 allows pacers after 50 miles, which is awesome! I will especially need someone with me during the night. It can get spooky in the woods at night so it's nice to have another person out there with you. It's also just nice having someone to share the experience with. Now don't get me wrong, I love my alone time in the woods, but after 12+ hours.... company is refreshing!

The final aspect I'll chat about today is how I actually prep my gear. I love lists and being organized so this part of the prep is fun for me. This particular race is a looped course. So this helps in prepping. There are 2 places for drop bags that I can pack and have waiting for me at aid stations. Now even though I have a crew, I still prepare drop bags to be as self-sufficient as possible. I prep out bags per loop with the fuel I will need each loop. This helps when I come into the aid station, grab the fuel bag and pass my garbage to my crew as my mom is checking in and marking down the needed info on her spreadsheets. I won't go into all that I pack in my fuel bags..... if you want to know, just ask!

Organized gear is a must!

Along with fuel bags, I also prep extra clothes, gear, first aid kit, etc. What I have learned from last year is that along with my gear.... it's nice to pack extra things for your crew. They are giving the gift of time away from their own responsibilities to help. This year I'm fully packed with gear and snacks that can be at their disposal as well.

Planning calms my nerves. Planning helps me to be more flexible.

Planning helps me set my team up to be successful. I'm sure something will go amiss come race day.... but that's how life works. And when that happens.... I'll smile, adjust my plans and keep moving.


**** Do you have other tips on how you prep for a big event or race? I'd love to hear your thoughts, too!****

Paleozoic Silurian Spring 50k

I have to be honest that this race is by far my FAVORITE! I've been involved with the Paleozoic Trail Runs since their Fall 2013 event and never thought twice about another event of theirs. The answer was always.... OF COURSE!

Since the beginning I've volunteered at the fall Paleozoic event and run the Spring. It's a perfect combo of ultra experiences and I highly recommend getting involved in volunteering at races. But.... this was the Silurian Spring and I had a plan.... to run to my fullest potential and push past being comfortable in a long run.

To be honest, I could probably say I've never really "raced" a 50k. Oh I've ran them, but either as a training run for a longer event, a companion for a friend's event, or just for fun. However in those races I know I left some much of my potential out on the trail. I had a blast at all of them, but always wondered, what could I do if I really pushed.

Leading up to this race, I've been working with a running coach who has been helping me to push outside of my running comfort zone. We're talking speed intervals, tempos, and hills! It's been hard and wonderful all at the same time.

A little background on this run: an out & back course that you run twice for the full 50k distance (there is a 25k distance as well!) which runs on the Palos Trail System. It's a mixture of crushed gravel, grassy sections, more narrow trail, and a tiny section of road. The weather the day of was perfect, but the rainy days leading up to the event left several sections a bit muddy/soggy.

Steve came with me and decided he would alternate between the start/finish line aid station and the turnout aid station. This meant I would see him 3 times while running and then again at the finish. This was great, because he would be able to swap out my gels/protein bars instead of carrying it all in my pack the whole time.

So my goal was under 6 hours. Which meant I needed to stay right under 3 hours for each out-n-back. The morning started out well although early on, I thought "wow.... ok ..... it's a bit hilly" Ha! Nothing out of the ordinary the first 1/4 of the trail. I like just taking in the trail when I know I'll be seeing it multiple times during the course of the day. I got to the turn around aid station and saw Steve. We swapped garbage for a new gel/bar. A little bit before the aid station, fellow friend of the Paleozoic, Dale, found me on course and we chatted for a bit. He was running so well and kept pulling away. It was still early in the day so I was cool with doing my own thing as long as I wasn't playing it too safe. The way back into the start/finish line for the 1st loop was pretty uneventful as well. Got to the start/finish and new I needed to change shoes. I needed my shoes with slightly more cushion. Steve had them ready with a couple gels/bars. I knew I was sweating a lot and was craving salt! So I grabbed some chips and started back out for the 2nd "loop."



Heading out for the 2nd half

Heading back out for the second loop I was about 10-15 minutes ahead of schedule but I was worried I was sweating too much as my energy levels felt pretty low. I saw Dale again and he really was a huge motivator in that if I knew I could still see him I was doing pretty good :) Thanks, Dale!

I was walking hills (sorry Michele) but running everything else and just kept thinking, you've got this Jeni..... just keep moving. I realized I was drinking the right amount of water, but I was sweating a lot so I probably could have been using salt tabs. I filled up my water bottles at the unmanned aid station but kept plugging on.

When I got to Steve at the turn-around for the second loop I was hurting. Somewhere between the unmanned aid station and the turn around my right hamstring/hip/glute started to scream. My body was mad at me and definitely letting me know through cramping! I was seriously regretting not using my salt tabs. I was feeling defeated knowing sub six hours was slipping away. Steve and I swapped fuel for garbage and he gave some encouraging words. I knew I had to make it back to the finish but I wasn't sure how long that would take, especially if the cramping continued. When I headed back on the trail I could see a few more ladies heading into the turn around aid station (I love that about out-n-backs.... you can see who is infront/behind you) And I was motivated to not get passed by anyone on the way back in. Only 7.75 miles left to go.... DO NOT GET PASSED!

The way back is always great because you know it's the last time you'll see a section of the course. Last time for the hill that goes on FOREVER, last road section (which had some very interesting art drawn on it at some point in the day), last soggy prairie grass with ankle deep mud/water, last time by bullfrog lake, etc. When I got to the unmanned aid station I came across another runner and we chatted for a bit. The whole time I was pressing forward just wanted to get to the finish. I knew 6 hours wasn't in the books for me but I knew I could still PR if I kept moving.

The last 3/4 of a mile is all grass ( which is my least favorite)... but it's also a parade lap around the finish. To say it's torture might sound a bit dramatic but that's exactly how it feels to be so close yet so far! Ha! When I was walking it was more like a limp and when I was running it was more like a shuffle but I was almost done.



The finish

Dale came back out to run me in and his wife Mary (who had ran the 25k) was right there too.... cheering me in to the finish! So much support, it was amazing.

So I didn't go sub 6. I came in 6:06:03 but I pushed when I wasn't comfortable. I pushed when I was hurting and I pushed when I thought I couldn't. I pushed even when I knew I was going to fail at the sub 6 goal. To say I wasn't bummed about failing to run sub 6 would be a lie. I still want that and will work to get it, but when I think back on the day I have much to be thrilled about:

• It was a huge PR.... my previous best trail 50K was 6:48 and change. That's a 42 MINUTE personal best.
• I ran for my running buddy, Lucy. Another medal coming your way, my sweet, tough, silly/sassy friend!
• I ran UNCOMFORTABLE! It's not supposed to be easy all the time :)
• It was a learning experience and will be able to run stronger next time.
• I ran at a race that I LOVE with people who are AWESOME. Bill and Michele Thom are wonderful RDs and work so hard to put on a wonderful event. I'm blessed to be a part of it. Plus all of the volunteers are top notch!
• I got 2nd place female in my age group and 4th female overall. Wahooo

All in all, it was a great experience. I love the 50k distance and I can't wait until the next one.

**** This was written after fully recovering from the event. My right hip was pretty sore for a few days. I walked, stretched, rolled and ice bathed for recovery. I was running again by Thursday. Thinking back, I'm sure I missed things about the run and I didn't take a single picture because I was focused on racing instead of running. But I'm happy with the outcome and am now focused on the Indiana Trail 100 at the end of April.

****I highly recommend the Paleozoic Trail Runs and if you run the fall event you'll see me there volunteering. I have met so many friends because of this event. The ultra community is second to none in my book.

****Do you have a story about how you pushed through when things got uncomfortable? It doesn't have to be running related. Life gets uncomfortable, and I'd love to hear your stories too. Let me know in the comment section below!


Thanks Dale.... you really helped me out there



All gear ready to go. Planning is key