If you take out a couple DNFs, and include one virtual marathon (offered due to covid), today was my 50th race in just under 14 years.  Its funny that we had the storm to contend with because coincidentally, it was 7 years ago today that I ran the Northface 50 miler during a white out blizzard (yes, in Sept) 

Here’s a pic:

https://www.facebook.com/TNFECS/photos/a.205473456155435/1148236898545748/

Anywho – Today was my first real race in 4 years, minus a virtual marathon in 2021.  *Though my son and I did a 50k ruck on the W&OD one random weekend.

I recently lost my old recordings log of all my races and have been manually looking up registrations and results.  Not done but found most of it.

Tracking:

1 – 100k

3 – 50 milers

10 – 50ks (need to triple check, seems low)

9 Full marathons

15 half marathons

A handful of smaller races (1 Olympic tri, a few 10 milers, a 40-mile bike race etc)

That’s not everything but its over 1,000 racing miles. 

Not positive how to estimate the training miles most accurately, but I’m sure I could figure it out. Back in my PR days (2012-2015) I did 5k every weekday and not less than 10 once per weekend.

Even though I’ve lost over 30 pounds in the last 5 months, I really didn’t ‘foot-time-train’ as hard as I used to in the past – and am NOT where I want to be *yet*

Let’s face it, I’m also older and my body has been through a LOT.  I have a tricky knee and tricky ankle and sciatica now.  I also have a different work life and energy level.  I used to push through *everything*, and now I just don’t.  And that’s ok.

Since the beginning of April I have drank on avg, a gallon of water most days, worked out 1-2 hours daily (resistance/lifting and a lot of walking/elliptical), tracked macros and calories (lean & clean w lots of protein); reduced/cut: dairy, sugar, coffee and alcohol.  Still gluten free and no red meat.

OK – Back to the race!!

All said, I was a long way away from those PR days and was just in survival mode the whole time – but no stress – just me and what was left of Ophelia, the Tropical storm, out on the old OSS trail adjacent to Quantico.  For safety reasons, the race was moved from Sat to Sun and the trail conditions and weather were surprisingly not bad at all.  I actually enjoyed what rain made it through the trees and only lost my footing a few times.

Unlike the traditional one 10k loop as many times as you can in 12 – it was, 3 loops: long (11.1) med (6.5) and short (3.4) and you do whatever you want. I love this format and hope they keep it.

Sparing the details, I started getting sick around 2am and was sick until the race started at 6.  Whenever I went from walk to run, I wasn’t sure my stomach could handle it.

I love this race series and love this trail. Best director, best crew, best aid-station, best format – hands down. My absolute favorite. Its my happy place and it was just me running against myself,  hoping to not fall in the mud and break a bone or cut myself open requiring stitches; or get bit or stung or trampled by a deer to crack a few ribs [[ALL of which has happened in the past]].

Actually guess what, 5 mins into it, a deer bolted right in front of me.  What are the chances?  It missed me but I wish I had a go-pro on, it was crazy. That may not sound scary but a 150+ pound animal running 30+ miles an hour can be pretty scary, especially when its pitch dark – and yes, it does hurt if you get hit, so that fucked with my head a little (I screamed like a baby).

I ended up calling it a day at the half marathon mark, even though Steve said he’d do a loop with me and I do wish I had done that.  I am only going to be slightly obsessed though, because I’m not hurt and now I’m resting.  I do plan to stay in hard-core training-mode and get in far more race-shape for the next AE run in April, since I promised the RD I’d be back for it and I keep my word!!

A half marathon on a trail is nothing to be ashamed of. Not what I dreamed of but there will be more races! I’m not using trail conditions or weather as an excuse, because like I said, none of that bothered me.

All said, Salt bath done – And I ate (gluten free) pizza.

Know your why.  Pick your battles.  Find your thing and Do It!