GRT 50k Training Week 13

With just over a month until the Glacier Ridge 50k, I am at that critical point in training where I am tested physically and mentally. This was very evident this week which consisted of three long runs. Thankfully I survived and am all the more stronger for it.

 Here was what Week 13 looked like:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Hill repeats with fartlek
Wednesday: XT
Thursday: 75-90 min long run
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 3-4 hours long run
Sunday: 70-90 min long run, Jasyoga - Recovery Boost
Total: 40.10 miles

* McMillian 3hab, Strength, Core programs 2-3 times per week

The fartlek run was uneventful as I did it on the treadmill due to rain and cold. This was a two for one workout as it consisted of 6 75 second hill repeats followed by 6 75 second fartleks. It was a challenging workout to complete, but I was surprised at how well my legs felt even after doing the hill repeats.

Mentally I had been dreading the three long runs, especially coming off of last week's bad long run. Thursday was our Oiselle IL team flight night, and I was thankful to have company for the extra miles I ran to get in a long run. I was really wiped afterwards, but the run itself seemed to pass quickly. Long run #2 was the longest, and I had a hard time feeling motivated. I was worried I would feel the same as the previous week, but I found as time went on, that I felt good both physically and mentally. I never had any of the leg or foot pain, and mentally I was in a good mood. I was able to finish the run really strong despite the fatigue in my legs. I was also worried about long run #3, as it was another group run, and the last time I ran a group run the day after a long effort I was completely miserable. While my pace was less than stellar, I found this run to be much better than the last. It helped to have friends to pass the time with and take my mind off how tired I felt, and how heavy me legs were. I definitely don't think I could have gotten through this week without the help of my teammates.

Always better with friends

Runner Highs:

• Team!: One of the reasons my mental strength and grit were so high was because I was surrounded this week with positive people who understood how I feel at this point in training. While I won't always have friendly faces around me when I have to complete challenging efforts, it really helped this week in a way that I did not expect.
• Recovery: There is no way I would have been able to complete three long runs without speedy recovery. Thankfully with the help of the foam roller/R8 and healthy food and a focus on hydration, I have found my recovery to be relatively quick considering. I did feel very tired on Friday after the first long run, but after making an extra effort on Saturday to prepare for Sunday, I found that I was able to run better than expected.

Challenges:

• Core/Strength work: This was a drag this week. I felt like every exercise was exhausting, and I really had to talk myself into doing the work. I know it pays off and I feel better for it, but when I am already tired and pressed for time, there is nothing I would like to skip more.
• Comparison: Even after the things I have accomplished this week and all other weeks, I still find myself comparing myself to others. Mostly in pace, as mine seems to get slower each week as I am more and more fatigued, but some days it is hard to feel good about what I am doing when I fall into the comparison trap. I also still find myself comparing myself to previous training cycles and how I did and felt, and this doesn't do me much good either.

Well week 14 is the big week. The week of the longest run yet - 5 hours. It is looming over me and as scary as it is, I know that once it is done, I've completed the hardest part of my training. I plan to get in as much rest and recovery as I can this week in preparation, and to really focus on making it a good performance.