Sunday, January 28, 2018

I'm ULTRA Excited for This

Before we jump into running related stuff -

Do you watch This Is Us? I realize this is the trendy and emotionally manipulating show that makes people sob their eyes out and eat cartons of Ben and Jerry's cookie dough, or in my case, drink a bottle of wine but................it gets that attention for a reason. I happen to think it's kind of brilliant the way they weave story lines together. And, I love watching it with Emma because it's the only time we cry together when it's not about her missing curfew or doing other teenage bullshit.

So, if you watched this week's episode - am I the only one who frantically checked all appliances (especially the killer crock pot!), candles, etc before going to bed? Because now we know how/why Jack is going to die. And, while I adore Jack, now we know the DOG DIES too and that's enough to send me over the edge. I did have to laugh at this tweet though:



Moving on. I did something this week. Hint:



Yep, signed up for my first 50k. That seems to be the progression in the running world.

1. start runing
2. do marathon or a few
3. try to BQ
4. run Boston
5. get injured; get into triathlons
6. start trail running
7. do more marathons/triathlons/Ironman
8. decide you're sick of really big road marathons
9. sign up for an ultra

Or, at least that's kind of what happened with me. Not to say I won't be doing more road marathons and big races. I will. But just want to mix it up. Plus, here in these Colorado parts, we've got so many fantastic trails and races. One way to see parts of the state you can't otherwise, is to run them!

I like the training plan in this book (there is also a 50 mile plan and a 100 mile plan - goals). It is a six month plan, but I'm coming in around week 9. Looks like mileage will peak out at about 56/miles per week with a 22 mile Saturday long run and a 12 mile Sunday long run. Totally do-able!

So, you want to know about the race? It's called the Dirty 30 (definitely sounds like a race made for me - I'm dirty and I was 30 once) and starts near Golden, CO - June 2. I would add that this seems to be a VERY challenging race as a far as 50ks go, mostly due to the elevation change. 7,250 feet of climbing, mostly single track. To give you perspective, the winner in my age group did it in 7:30 last year. I'll be out there for a lifetime.


Piece of f&cking cake, right? My quads are burning off just looking at that profile.

In other news, as you know, I've been streaking since January 1st. Wednesday will close out the streak. I have to say, weather-wise I definitely would have skipped some days but, NO! Had to shut my eff'ing brain off and just RUN. Today was a nice break with running in the 50's!




When this is over and done with I'm going write a post about what I learned, noticed, liked, etc about this whole streak thing. Stay tuned.

Here's what yesterday's run looked like:



I spent some quality time in the shitter. Nice view though! (not me on the shitter, the mountains).

That's all I got for today. I'll see you on the other side of This Is Us. 


Have you done ultras before? Give me your best piece of advice? While I've never technically done an ultra, by definition, I did to the TransRockies Run, which is 6 days, 120 miles, 20,000 feet of vertical.

Are you a This Is Us fan? Favorite character? Got to go with Jack


SUAR

40 comments:

  1. Have that book sitting here with me in the car. I signed up for the My Si 50k in late April. Excited and scared at the same time as I struggle to get runs in. I need to become an early morning runner :/

    You will do awesome!

    As for This is Us, sadly I've never seen it but have heard it's a great show.

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  2. My husband does Ultras. He got 75miles into Umstead last year before getting hurt. He's a big guy so his injury would have been preventable had he been a little smaller in size.
    Eating, while running long distances, is always the hardest part for him. Since you did that with your tri's, I think you know what to expect.
    We paced a friend to complete his 100 and it is an amazing experience.
    Honestly, as a marathoner, you've got this. It's only 5 more miles so look it that way.
    Good luck!

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  3. I got up to #8 on your list and now I'm going back down the hill. No ultras for me, at least for now. At least you aren't promoting Michelob Ultra, which is at first what I thought the title of this post was about.

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  4. I am amazed that anyone would run anything beyond 42.2, and hope it goes well for you. That is some nice shitters you have there. I'd want to spend some quality time there too.

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  5. I'm training for my first 50k with the plan in that book too! You've got way more trail and marathon experience than I do, though. Looking forward to hearing about your training and race!

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  6. I've run one 50k; it was on a super hilly 2-loop course. Before the race, I told myself I could drop out after 1 lap if I wanted to, but I felt good, so I continued running. Advice: walk up hills; talk with other runners; be prepared to eat a variety of food (salty, sweet, etc.)--non-traditional race food may taste good; double fisting freezer pops (i.e. popsicles) (hopefully supplied by an aid station) is the best thing ever when it's hot out :) Good luck!

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  7. You are right - that course will be tough! My college XC team used to do once-a-semester long runs there...gorgeous but hard.

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  8. Love This Is Us! I want to adopt the actor playing the youngest Randall. He is so damn cute and endearing!

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  9. Good news, the dog does not die! They showed Kate with the dog after finding out about Jack's death. They were in a living room, Kate is with the dog and Randall is with his girlfriend. The dog figures into it somehow though, leading to Kate's guilt and not wanting a dog because it reminds her of Jack's death. I think Rebecca is my fav, because I have always adored Mandy Moore. Teenage Kevin is pretty cute though, and I like how he mimics adult Kevin's facial mannerisms.

    You haven't done a 50K yet? I though you would have by now. :-) You will do awesome, though you picked a doozy.

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  10. That exact book was the one I planned to buy when I finally finished a marathon and am ready to go the extra distance. Part of me wants to skip the marathon part and just move to ultras, because their pace and training just seem more my speed. I like some of the 6-12 hour races locally, where you go as far as you can in a time period, seems like a great way to accomplish an ultra.

    Good luck! I thought you were considered an Ultra Runner after the TransRockies run, I mean that is pretty much an ultra with all that running in such a short time. Go you! I have loved following your journey for years from short distances to now!

    Also, I'd love to have you on my podcast, the Lifelong Learning Podcast, to share your journey! Please let me know if you'd be interested kate at katenesi.com

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  11. I love Jack, too. I think it may be a rollover from when he was on Gilmore Girls! Just curious who is taking the pictures of you running and coming out of the shitter? LOL. congrats on setting such an awesome goal.

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    Replies
    1. My husband. The running one was planned, the shitter one he caught secretly.

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  12. Haha, I was going to ask who was taking the pictures also. I just started watching "This is Us" and have seen three episodes. I don't mind spoiliers, and the internet had already told me about the crock pot. The Golden Globes got me started on This is Us, and also Big Little Lies, which... ick. Nearly every character is unlikable. I pulled the plug on BLL. Oh yeah, running-- no ultras for me. You totally rock. My name is Beth too.

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  13. I've run over 100 ultra marathons. They are the best! You'll do great. Krissy Moehl's book is a good intro to ultras. I wish you the best.

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  14. Haven't done an ultra. REALLY would love to be able to do the Canyon de Chelly ultra. One day...

    Re: This is Us - definitely Toby. I love that guy. I was so excited when I saw he was in Stranger Things...then, well...

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  15. OMG, I’m running my first 50K this year too!!! Only mine is in Illinois so it will not look as “bumpy” as yours. :) I can’t wait!

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  16. I can’t ever see myself running and ultra (never say never, though!). My favorite This Is Us character is Beth. She’s beautiful and the perfect combination of loving, loyal and smart-assy.

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  17. At my age, I don't think I'd ever do one ( 65 in Aug)- ( I walk half marathons these days) but would love to be involved as part of your team ( hint, hint- I am a fellow Longmonter. From reading your posts, this is so you! And the next "logical" goal. look forward to reading your blog on this.
    Favorite This is us characters- Kate and Toby.

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  18. I like Beth, and I like Beth and Randall’s marriage even more.

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  19. I ran the Dirty 30 last year! It was beautiful, and fun, and HARD. The climbing is no joke. And there is a big climb at the end before the final descent. And it poured for about 20 minutes about 3/4 of the way through, so don't get rid of your gloves if you have somewhere to stash them. It got cold for a while. And then got hot again. You will do great. It's a generous cut-off and people are amazingly friendly and supportive.

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    Replies
    1. And it's just over 32 miles so don't think at mile 29 that you are almost done!

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    2. Good to know, thanks so much for the advice...what's your next race?

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    3. I don't know! I did the Never Summer 100k last summer and have been kind of enjoying just running for fun, with no plan. North Fork 50 mile and Bear Chase 100k (I did the 50 mile a couple years ago) are possibilities!

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  20. Ran my first ultra a little more than a year ago .Now it's time to talk my training partner (husband) into another one 😀 Best advice....walk the ups .And enjoy the day

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  21. I don't think a 50K is significantly different from a marathon. I've run one. It was a trail ultra so it took all freakin day, but was really enjoyable. Runners chat more. I spent quality time lounging at aid stations. Enjoy.

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    Replies
    1. Agreed. I have done two trail marathons, one was Leadville, and that took nearly 6 hours. Although, this one is actually more gain than Leadville was. I am looking forward to it.

      Read your blog and sorry to hear that running has been a bit challenging. You will get your mojo back. Also, sorry to hear you won't be joining us in Washington for the relay!!

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  23. Hi Bethie!! Long time since I've commented! We SO need to connect up....miss you!

    Dirty 30 was my first and only DNF. That f*cker was hard! Probably because I hadn't trained for it. We took a wrong turn at mile 6-ish where the course makes a Y and they swear left and right in the description you can't make a wrong turn. So lost 4 mile there, 2 of them up that insane Windy Peak (??), which took like an hour alone. Then my friend fell - another half hour lost. By the time we got to mile 17, we were chasing cutoffs and still had the hardest part left to climb and I was over it all. But they have a great smorgasbord of sugar at the aid stations, so it was all good.

    Good luck with all your training (you're gonna do great!) and if you ever want some super slow miles on the trails, give me a shout!

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  24. I'm training for my first ultra (50miles) using that very same book! The mileage may kill me so I might drop down to the 50k.

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