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| At the start-completely over dressed (b/c I was clueless about proper clothing for weather) |
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| The end - I did celebrate but had no desire to go through that again - EVER! |
This is when you may be saying..."Um Jess you do know that a 50K is longer then a marathon right?" or "If you could not train for 26.2 how can you train for a 50K?"
1. Terrain: It is a trail race, and to be honest I love the trails. I feel at home on the trails. I also feel a bit like a bad a*s, Katniss type character as I weave through branches, leaves, and switchbacks. Plus, many trails here in MI are shaded, which for a girl who runs hot, is a blessing, it is much easier for me to handle 14 shaded miles in the trees then 14 miles in the sun on concrete.
2. Pace: I needed a break from the "Have to break 2/PR pressure" I was putting on myself with the half marathons. It has been a long road and I still am 4.6 seconds short of the goal I started chasing a year and a half ago. I am mentally exhausted, not defeated just needed to take a break and remember why I am running, to have fun, to challenge myself and be better then I was yesterday. I knew that a 50K would take me back to my "just finish" goal and I am ok with that. I have a pace goal in mind based on several training runs on the trail but I think it will be adjusted a few more times before race day. Not to mention, I do not run fast in the summer, it is just fact, the humidity and heat takes it's toll, so why not chase a challenge that allows me to adjust for these things like a 50K.
3. GP Runners: This group has not only brought so many supportive people into my life, but also I am able squeeze in the majority of my runs before the family is finished with breakfast. This helps with the guilt I felt every time I went out to run while attempting to train for the Detroit Full in 2012. It is nice to have a group that meets consistently in the wee hours of the morning and on the weekends for long runs, but also a group full of pretty awesome people.
4. It's not a marathon: It's socially acceptable to take walk breaks (in fact most recommend walking up hills), eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or pick up a frozen burrito that's been cooking in tin foil at an aid station, or stop and change outfits and shoes 1/2 way through. Honestly I do not feel any anxiety as I enter week 3, yes a bit nervous, but not the gut wrenching anxiety I felt last year when preparing for the full. This may have something to do with the laid back "atmosphere" of a trail 50k or the 15 hour cut off time which even if something unforeseeable happens I can still walk it in that time.
I'm not saying I will never run another road marathon, yes one day I would love to qualify for Boston, but right now, at this time in my life, this is where I am at and am happy.
Why I decided to run Woodstock 50K:
1. Terrain: It is a trail race, and to be honest I love the trails. I feel at home on the trails. I also feel a bit like a bad a*s, Katniss type character as I weave through branches, leaves, and switchbacks. Plus, many trails here in MI are shaded, which for a girl who runs hot, is a blessing, it is much easier for me to handle 14 shaded miles in the trees then 14 miles in the sun on concrete.
2. Pace: I needed a break from the "Have to break 2/PR pressure" I was putting on myself with the half marathons. It has been a long road and I still am 4.6 seconds short of the goal I started chasing a year and a half ago. I am mentally exhausted, not defeated just needed to take a break and remember why I am running, to have fun, to challenge myself and be better then I was yesterday. I knew that a 50K would take me back to my "just finish" goal and I am ok with that. I have a pace goal in mind based on several training runs on the trail but I think it will be adjusted a few more times before race day. Not to mention, I do not run fast in the summer, it is just fact, the humidity and heat takes it's toll, so why not chase a challenge that allows me to adjust for these things like a 50K.
3. GP Runners: This group has not only brought so many supportive people into my life, but also I am able squeeze in the majority of my runs before the family is finished with breakfast. This helps with the guilt I felt every time I went out to run while attempting to train for the Detroit Full in 2012. It is nice to have a group that meets consistently in the wee hours of the morning and on the weekends for long runs, but also a group full of pretty awesome people.
4. It's not a marathon: It's socially acceptable to take walk breaks (in fact most recommend walking up hills), eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or pick up a frozen burrito that's been cooking in tin foil at an aid station, or stop and change outfits and shoes 1/2 way through. Honestly I do not feel any anxiety as I enter week 3, yes a bit nervous, but not the gut wrenching anxiety I felt last year when preparing for the full. This may have something to do with the laid back "atmosphere" of a trail 50k or the 15 hour cut off time which even if something unforeseeable happens I can still walk it in that time.
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| Fun "selfies" I took during my 14 mile training run a few weeks ago (beginning, mile 7, mile 10 and done) |
What are you training for? What is your favorite distance to run/race?
Shade in the summer... smart girl. Enjoy!
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