Since I have been back on the running path and my mojo has returned (it was MIA for a minute) running has resumed the priority position in my life putting it back into the rotation of my daily schedule. Most runners that have a race to train for, they get a plan and basically run. Now some of us have to “pre-pare” for the prepare or what I call pre-training, which is what I am doing. When I lost my mojo, the funk rolled in and I lost my base therefore, I am in the process of building that back. I have been consistently running since December 1 about three days a week. I have now moved up to four days a week as well as strength training two days a week. It amazes me what the body will adapt to when the mind comes along for the ride, for it has to be in unison so the body will not quit. As stated in my previous month’s blog, I am training for my long-term goal, my first 50K, which will take place 10/29. In the meantime, I needed some races to put on the calendar in order to get back into the race scene, so I have a half marathon 4/2. After the half marathon I plan to move out of the “pre-training” phase and move into the actual training phase for my 50K. It is a must that one has to prepare “mentally” as well as physically for ANY type of significant distance that is out of one’s comfort zone. The mind will pull you out of the simplest race let alone something that you are not sure of. Training is no different for the runs will not always be “ideal”. Those of you who see my running posts know that I run all year round, cold, snow, heat, rain (just no major blizzard or thunderstorms) but that comes with the territory/location (Chicagoland), and the races can be in any of those situations again, the body will adapt provided you train it. When you train in those conditions the mind knows and it’s not a shock and the body knows what to do, and of course proper gear! So, this pre-preparing stage does not come without it’s ups and downs but I manage my schedule the best to my ability and sometimes life takes over but not to the point that I cannot do anything. This is where organization comes in at least for me, fail to plan/plan to fail. I am a planner for what I can plan and if something happens off schedule, and then I adjust accordingly. It is very important that I get my miles in and time on my feet. As runners know you MUST respect the distance if not, shame on you and you’ll pay! It’s no fun getting up at 4:45am, dark, ass-kicking cold, and go run, but I need to get the miles in. Getting up and out when the heavens decide to open up and rain comes out like someone turned the faucet on full blast, but I need to get the miles in. As I stated earlier, mental training is a must. When the body gets tired, feet begin to hurt; the Jedi Mind Tricks will kick in real fast. One needs to have a “mental” plan whether it is a mantra, song, pulling up good memories, listening to music, or a run buddy for company. I personally do not listen to music for I find it a distraction and it something goes “OOPS” then that can derail the run, so I do not run with it any more. I’ve learned to look at my surroundings, enjoy the outside beauty of my run, even when I feel I cannot go another step, I still find the “beauty” of the run. So, just wanted to give a few updates of my current journey of “The Road to Ultra”, on the things that I have encountered thus far. There will be more updates of my ups, downs, moans and groans, and everything in between but that is what running is about, at least for me. Running is part of my DNA; it’s what I love to do regardless of how I may fall-out with it I still come back to it! TTFN!! #RJSponsoredAthlete #PathRunner #UltraTraining
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AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2016
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