Getting Ready for the Big Race

I've been training for my upcoming ultra by running quite a bit, but also by working on my core strength. The morning boot camp class demonstrates the need to improve and provides markers that I am improving. My basic hypothesis is that by having a strong core, it will less taxing on my upper body while I am running. Hopefully, this translates into an overall increase in running efficiency.

Gearing up

Yesterday, I went and bought a couple of pairs of new shoes for the upcoming race and training. Since the race is a 50-milers, I wanted to make sure my shoes were still in good shape. I bought them early enough to allow me to slowly break them in. I'd like to have 50 miles on both pairs prior to the race. My current pair of shoe pairs, one pair of road and one pair of trail shoes have been really good to me. I have not had any significant pains (other than the typical soreness) since I bought them back in October. They are both approaching the 300 mile mark. I'm going to try and squeeze another hundred or so miles from them both I completely retire them.

FWIW, I bought the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9 and the ASR 5 trail shoe. The trail shoe is pretty light; pretty much the same as the road shoe with a bit of stiffness added here and there.

Eating a live toad first thing in the morning...

Well, I ate my live toad first thing this morning. Fourteen miles of cold, lonely running at 7:00 am means the toughest task of the day is done first. The good news is that My Tracks is working well these days and I got a good track out of the run.

I am generally feeling pretty good though a bit fatigued. Running around 50 miles per week has taken its toll, but I feel my training is paying off. I know that when I am rested, even my strenuous runs are getting easier. If I can survive the next couple of months, I think I should be able to do fairly well at trail festival. Sweet!

Another great running quote.

"Keep running. If you feel like crap, run faster. You won't feel any better but at least you'll be done sooner." as seen here.