Week 4 - Returning to Unfamiliar Territory

On Sunday, September 27th, I ran the Quad City Marathon - it was only the 2nd official marathon I've ever participated in. I've probably run 30 or 40 "unofficial" marathons in training for Leadville but there is something different about running a timed race - I push myself harder to post a better time. I thought I might run around 3:45 and I actually finished at 3:44:40 - not a bad prediction! The last 4 miles were quite a struggle - my legs felt like they had lead weights wrapped around them.

I know 3:45 is a respectable marathon time but I was feeling bummed the marathon didn't seem easier for me. Compared to a 100 mile run, I thought it should have been a piece of cake. What I failed to remember is that all races are hard because we are trying to do our best. I also failed to remember that even though I ran 100 miles 3 years ago, I had not run for more than 17 miles since 2012. So Sunday I pushed my body 9 miles beyond recent training and it SHOULD have felt worked. I've regained perspective and am grounded in knowing Sunday was a great day and I've sent my body the message it is gradually building for the big test next August!

Monday, Sept 21st - 3 miles along the Mississippi River. Played basketball for 1 1/2 hours - fun!

Tuesday, Sept 22nd - BHS track - 3 sets consisting of stairs, running, squats and lunges, and running

1st set - 30,  1/2 mile, 25 and 20, 1/2 mile
2nd set - 30,  1/2 mile, 25 and 20, 1/2 mile
3rd set - 30,  1/2 mile, 25 and 20, 1/2 mile   - Rick, Curt, Billie, John

Wednesday Sept 23rd - 6 miles - Curt, Jay, Rick, Billie, John

Thursday Sept 24th - stairs at BHS 4 sets of 5; 1 set of 10 = 30 - Mike, Jeremy, Rick, Billie, Curt, John. Played basketball for 1 1/2 hours at night.

Friday, September 25th - 3 mile run

Sunday, September 27th - 26.2 mile run - Quad City Marathon. Ran first 8.5 miles with Billie before she split off to finish 3rd in her age group for the 1/2 marathon - stud runner! Billie runs strong and steady all the time - I knew she would do great!

Training continues to go well - doing well on getting up early. Need to continue to stretch, avoid injury and stay healthy. Dig Deep!

Week 3 - Still going strong...

Monday Sept 14th - 5 miles - Billie, Emily, John

Tuesday Sept 15th - BHS track - 3 sets consisting of stairs, running, squats and lunges, and running
1st set - 30,  1/2 mile, 25 and 20, 1/2 mile
2nd set - 30,  1/2 mile, 25 and 20, 1/2 mile
3rd set - 30,  1/4 mile, 25 and 20   - Curt, Billie, John

Wednesday Sept 16th - 6 miles - Aaron, Jay, Rick, Billie, John

Thursday Sept 17th - stairs at BHS 5 sets of 8 = 40 - Mike, Jeremy, Rick, Billie, Lindsay, Cheech, John

Saturday Sept 19th - 2 1/2 hr run in the am - 15 miles - Rick, Curt, Billie, John O, Jay, Emily, John
                                  2 1/2 hr run in the evening - 17 miles - solo run

Haven't had time to lift weights and I'm not happy about it but running is the priority. Still manage to play basketball a couple times each week - which I love!

Feeling much more comfortable getting up in the early morning and believe my body is adapting to the long mileage - I'm remembering how I was feeling 4 years ago when last training for Leadville and it is feeling very similar and very good. Muscles fatigue seems to disappear rather quickly after long runs.

Slightly irritated with a bruised knee from a basketball game but I know that will pass. A little more concerned about a sore/bruised bone directly above my right outside ankle. I can't figure out what happened. A logical conclusion would be that I was kicked during a basketball game but I don't recall it happening. It is slowly getting better but I'm probably not doing it any favors with continuous training. We'll see how it progresses.

Optimism is at an all time high and enjoying the beautiful temperatures we have been having - perfect running weather!

As Ken Chlouber, the founder of the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run says, "Make friends with 'pain' and you will never be lonely at Leadville."

One of the things I really appreciate about Ken is that he understands the value in challenging yourself to do something that seems incredibly hard and not apologizing for its difficulty. He knows the size of the reward positively correlates to the size of the struggle. That sums up Leadville pretty well - find out what you are made of. If you don't finish the race, you actually learn that you are still quite incredible for even attempting it and completing whatever portion you can. If you do finish the race you feel almost invincible.

Dig Deep!

Week 2 of Training - According to Hoyle....Plan Executed

Last week was a great test.  It has been easier to work out in town when my accountability buddies are either awaiting my arrival early in the morning or in my driveway waiting for me to come out of the house. On Labor Day I traveled to the Twin Cities for a business trip early Tuesday morning. The hotel was equipped with a fitness room so as long as I was willing to rise early, getting the Tuesday morning workout in would be no problem.  I'm proud to say that I didn't flinch and completed my make shift workout regimen. Upon returning Tuesday evening, the rest of the week played out as I wanted it to. I managed to get in some weightlifting and basketball but am finding that my weightlifting is falling off a bit.  A little disappointed but understand that running is #1 on my workout priority list. I've been tinkering with my altitude mask during some workouts and wearing it around the house.  It is set at 18,000 feet and I can't keep it on for too long without needing a break - I'll keep you posted on my progress with this device.  Still feeling strong and excited for August 20, 2016. It has been fun talking with various friends who are planning or contemplating accompanying us on this fantastic, wonderful trip!

Workout Summary

Tuesday, Sept 8th - 4 sets of ...
                                               incline hike - incline 13.5-15.0 speed 3.5-3.6
                                               25 squats
                                               1/2 mile treadmill runs - incline 1.0-1.5 speed 6.0-7.5
Wed, Sept 9th - 6.2 mile run - Rick, Curt, Billie, Jay, John
Thurs, Sept 10th - 56 sets of stairs at BHS football stadium - Mike, Jeremy, Billie, Larry, John
Sat, Sept 12th - 16 miles - two 1 hr 15 minute loops of 8 miles each - Rick, Curt, Billie, Emily, John

Have an awesome week!

3rd Time is a Charm

Rick and John - 13.3 mile run 9/5/15

I feel like I'm a man on a mission and I like my current position. The posts from 2012 will remain on this blog in case you want to review any of my experiences the last time I attempted this beast of a race. My first attempt at the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run took place in 2005 where I managed to eke out a finish less than 3 minutes ahead of the mandatory cutoff time. The second attempt in 2012 was much better, posting an improvement of more than 2 1/2 hours. There was much to be proud of; however, I still came up short of my original goal of running this race in under 24 hours. The 3rd attempt will occur on August 20, 2016 and I fully expect to finally conquer the original goal I set over 10 years ago. It won't be easy and I will try to take nothing for granted. I am preparing with a confidence and an attitude that is higher than ever before. On September 1, 2015, training officially commenced. I look forward to sharing this experience with you over the next 12 months and thank you in advance for any ideas, comments, and support you are willing to provide. One thing that I've learned in my life is that my motivation is fed by engagement with others - I guess that makes me an extrovert. So welcome to the journey! I thank you in advance for the benefits I will reap from you and I pray that my story and reflections will have a positive impact on your life. As they say in Leadville.... Train Hard, Train Long, and Train Up!

Workout Summary

Tuesday, Sept 1st - 10 stadium stairs, 1/2 mile jog, 25 squats, 1/2 mile jog, 10 stadium stairs, 1/2 mile jog, 25 squats, 1/2 mile jog, 10 stadium stairs, 1/2 mile jog, 25 squats - Billie, Curt, John

Wednesday, Sept 2nd - 6 mile run - Billie, Curt, John

Thursday, Sept 3rd - Stairs at Bettendorf, High School Football Stadium - 5 sets of 8, 2 sets of 5 - Mike, Jeremy, Billie, John

Saturday, Sept 5th - 13.3 mile run - Rick, John

Sunday, Sept 6th - 11 mile run - Rick, Andy, John

"You Are Better Than You Think You Are And You Can Do More Than You Think You Can!"'
- Ken Chlouber - founder of the Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run