When a Marathon Isn’t Long Enough…

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As only a few of you know*, I’m currently training for an upcoming trail race, the Coldwater Rumble.  It’s on January 25th at Estrella Mountain Park (located behind Phoenix International Raceway), and it’s presented by a great local racing company, Aravaipa Running.  I ran Coldwater last year at the 30K distance, which is roughly 18.6 miles.  This year, I’m up-ing my distance to a new option for me, the 52 miler.**


Finishing the 2013 Coldwater 30K

I ran a 50K trail run (31.1 miles) with Aravaipa last year at the Elephant Mountain event and had a good time, overall.  For me, trail running long distances like this is filled with emotional and physical highs and lows (most often, the two go hand-in-hand - but not always), so although some moments made me want to cry,*** overall, it was a positive experience.  I figured since I was already trained up to strong marathon condition for Tucson (in early December) and Coldwater was only six weeks later, completing this race shouldn’t take too much more physical training.


Finishing the 50K at the 2013 Elephant Mountain Race.
There will be blood.

I know this probably sounds totally nuts (for more than one reason), but at a certain point, long trail runs become more mental than physical.  Since my pace will be relatively slow, and I have the conditioning to run for at least five hours at a good pace, I should be able to stretch it out over the roughly 13 hours it will take me to do this thing.  My plan (which I used at Coldwater and Elephant Mountain last year) is to hike the uphill sections, jog the downhills, and use a 5 minutes running/1 minute walking strategy for the flat stretches (or relative flats – there aren’t too many true flats on the trails in Arizona). 

Based on my past experiences, I think my largest obstacle will be keeping myself motivated, particularly when I come back through the Start/Finish Area (aka Rumble HQ).  My 50K last year looped back once through the Start/Finish and seeing everyone finishing and hugging their loved ones and sitting down (seriously, trail runs have taught me how important sitting down is to me) while Chris handed me a cold ham sandwich and gently steered me back onto the trail was one of my low emotional moments.  This year’s run loops through the Start/Finish twice, so I know I’ll need some extra emotional fortitude to make it through successfully.


This is my ham sandwich.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
Actually, it's from Google Images.
I don't really know whose it is.
Sorry for lying.

Another exciting challenge will be running on the trail in the darkness this year.  Aravaipa commonly organizes runs that last forever – 24, 48, 72 hours and 6 days (OMG, I KNOW) – so certain runners are used to trails at night, but this will be my first foray into this level of special.  I’m fine with night running on roads after completing a few Ragnars, but trail adds other elements that concern me.  Thankfully, pacers are allowed on the final lap of the course, so Chris will join me for my last 12 miles just as darkness really falls.****  If nothing else, he’ll be around to push me up a convenient mesquite tree when the javelinas attack.*****


"Oh my God, what are these people doing?
Can you believe this insanity?
I think I'm going to eat this one."

That’s it for now!  Future updates may include what new trails I’ve conquered, how many times I’ve fallen down (with accompanying gnarly pictorial evidence), and how many calories I’ve eaten within a few hours afterward.

Amy

* Because I haven’t told that many people.  Because everyone looks at me like I’m crazy when I mention it.  I wonder why…

** It was originally 50 miles but course changes and park improvements moved the distance up another 2 miles.  Why not.  “Pay for 50 miles, get the last two for free!”

*** And not just sniffling a little.  Like full blown, Schindler’s List/Green Mile-viewing style weeping.  Thankfully, this normally passes quickly.

**** Mom, I know this makes you feel better.  Look - you got your very own footnote!  Love you!

 ***** Because we all know THEY WILL.

Comments

  1. MAJanuary 4, 2014 at 7:24 PM

    OMG.. There's the Baker Act in FL. Surely there is something similar in Arizona.

    ReplyDelete

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