"BadWater"
On Sunday, to my amazement they televised parts of the Badwater Ultramarathon. I think probably one of the hardest races in the planet. A 135 mile run through "Death valley". If the location of the race doesn't scare you , I'm not sure what will. The reason I was fascinated by this race is because I have been contemplating how to train for my debut as a UltraMarathon runner at the McNaughton Park Trail Run 50 miler. A race I have been conjuring up in my head ever since completing my 50k ultramarthon in 2005. A race I did pretty well in, for me anyway, I finished in the top 20% and realized I found a race that had slower people than me, OMG, it really does exist. But the best part is I had a great time doing it. The people were great and racers super friendly.
But in the UltraMarathon world, they say a 50k is just a marathon with a warm-up and cool down, so my quest for UltraRunner status was on. Not sure why I want to do this really, but why do we do a IronMan, Yes because of the race, but the status of calling ourselves an IronMan if we are lucky enough to finish.
So I have been looking though the internet for training plans, yada, yada, yada. I thought to myself do I really want to be on a schedule again. Not really, I don't want to hear the buzzer go off at 5:00 am right now. So I found a 24 week and 16 week UltraMarathon training plan. So guess which one I'm choosing? Looking through the plan, the runs during the weekend they call "sandwich" days. Which means running 3 hours on Saturday and then running 4 hours on Sunday. Close to a marathon run every weekend, do I really want to do this right now?
But the gauntlet has been thrown and the dye has been cast, and approval had been given (aka the wife). But for now, I started to run again, I'm in sort of a 5 week plan for the Chicago Marathon. I was going to be a total slacker during the race, but since I know a bunch of people racing it, and quite honestly I was a little disappointed at my IronMan marathon run, I have something to prove to myself and get a little confidence back in my step.
So for now. Little road biking, some swimming, back to the masters swim class in a week or 2. Lots of small runs and contemplating if I really want run for 13 hours plus in a hilly, stream crossing trail run they call McNaughton. And of course wear my IronMan gear whenever I can.
Oh, it finally was the start of when you had to pay your IMWI Wisconsin fee, Oh yeah, I'm totally in now. Goal is to drop an 1 hour off this years time. It will be a great year next year, I can feel it.
On Sunday, to my amazement they televised parts of the Badwater Ultramarathon. I think probably one of the hardest races in the planet. A 135 mile run through "Death valley". If the location of the race doesn't scare you , I'm not sure what will. The reason I was fascinated by this race is because I have been contemplating how to train for my debut as a UltraMarathon runner at the McNaughton Park Trail Run 50 miler. A race I have been conjuring up in my head ever since completing my 50k ultramarthon in 2005. A race I did pretty well in, for me anyway, I finished in the top 20% and realized I found a race that had slower people than me, OMG, it really does exist. But the best part is I had a great time doing it. The people were great and racers super friendly.
But in the UltraMarathon world, they say a 50k is just a marathon with a warm-up and cool down, so my quest for UltraRunner status was on. Not sure why I want to do this really, but why do we do a IronMan, Yes because of the race, but the status of calling ourselves an IronMan if we are lucky enough to finish.
So I have been looking though the internet for training plans, yada, yada, yada. I thought to myself do I really want to be on a schedule again. Not really, I don't want to hear the buzzer go off at 5:00 am right now. So I found a 24 week and 16 week UltraMarathon training plan. So guess which one I'm choosing? Looking through the plan, the runs during the weekend they call "sandwich" days. Which means running 3 hours on Saturday and then running 4 hours on Sunday. Close to a marathon run every weekend, do I really want to do this right now?
But the gauntlet has been thrown and the dye has been cast, and approval had been given (aka the wife). But for now, I started to run again, I'm in sort of a 5 week plan for the Chicago Marathon. I was going to be a total slacker during the race, but since I know a bunch of people racing it, and quite honestly I was a little disappointed at my IronMan marathon run, I have something to prove to myself and get a little confidence back in my step.
So for now. Little road biking, some swimming, back to the masters swim class in a week or 2. Lots of small runs and contemplating if I really want run for 13 hours plus in a hilly, stream crossing trail run they call McNaughton. And of course wear my IronMan gear whenever I can.
Oh, it finally was the start of when you had to pay your IMWI Wisconsin fee, Oh yeah, I'm totally in now. Goal is to drop an 1 hour off this years time. It will be a great year next year, I can feel it.
posted by RunBubbaRun at 4:28 AM
7 Comments:
Great plan...good luck at the marathon!
I am on my own little 50 miler plan, incorporating a few longer runs into my Chicago plan. I think I want to do one 3 day weekend where I get in 50 miles. Maybe 10 on Friday 22 on Sat 18 on Sunday or something like that. Problem with that is the best weekend to do that would be Chicago. And I, like you, want to race it. Choices choices!
Best of luck on your next endeavors!!!
Great plan.........As long as you remember
"there's no smiling during an ultramarathon".
Good Luck with your Fall races!
Woah - "Ultramarathoner" has a nice ring to it, however 5AM wake-up time does not. How's your IM recovery coming?
I watched that on TV, too! Kinda made me feel like a sissy.
I'll be in Chi-Town to cheer ya on!
Hi, me again. Just want to ask, what's your opinion on the martial arts training you did? I'm thinking of starting some MA training myself. Can I do both that and tri training (short distances next year)? Why did you switch from MA to tris?
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