So ... What's Next?
I've learned that training consists of a cycle of push-and-recover, push-and-recover. This cycle occurs at all different levels, weekly, monthly, yearly. In the course of a week, you stagger your workouts between long and short, easy and hard, aerobic and anaerobic. Week over week, you build strength, endurance, log more miles until you reach a target event or pinnacle of some sort. Then, take some time off to recover, regroup, recoup. Repeat. Over years, that base builds, experience is gained. If you're smart about it, and with a little luck, you Level Up instead of Break Down!In the build-up to the Frenzy, I reached a peak of 40+ miles per week (with one 50 mile week!), and had a string of 100+-mile-months (and one 150 mile month!), all a first for me. Now, it's time to come full circle, back off and run about 20 miles a week for a while. Then, start the build again... 30, 40, 50 miles a week to prepare for the next challenge.
A big component of training that I have not bothered with is speed training. I have worked on making running a consistent habit in my life, part of my routine. Then I worked on endurance and stamina. Now I am ready to try to speed things up a bit.
Towards that end, at the moment, I am eyeballing the Pickled Feet TIMED Challenge (http://24hour.pickledfeetultras.com/) in which you run for a set time, not a set distance. The person who runs the most miles in the set time is the winner. This event has options to sign-up for the following times: 6 hour, 12, 24, and even a 48 hour! Yeah, I think I'll stick to the 6-hour, thank you.
The course, while unpaved, is a flat and smooth 2.5 mile loop. Based on my experience at Weiser River Trail last April, in which I hit the 26 mile mark at 5:45, I think it is possible to come along a year later and complete 50K (31 miles) in 6 hours. According to my calculations (thanks Excel!), this would require an overall average pace of 11 minute miles including stopping at the aid station. It's ambitious for me, but I don't think it's unrealistic.
I have the stamina. I've been "out there" for 6+ hours quite a few times now and I know I can handle it. The challenge is going to be maintaining the speed for that long. I maintain that pace or faster all the time in my mid-week training runs of 10 miles or less. Other than the three half-marathon events I have done, for distances beyond that, I've slowed way down. I'm pretty sure it's mostly mental. I psych myself out -- "You're going soooooo far today! You have to slow down if you're going to make it!" The physical training -- preparing -- for a target is the easy part. That self-talk is killer!
So far, the best way I've found to quiet those voices is to prepare. Worried about running 20 miles? Go do it. When you're successful, it shuts up the voice that says you can't! Worried about running fast(er)? I'm just going to have to go do it!
