Next weekend I'll toe the line at my third trail half marathon since July. This last test serves as both a logical conclusion to the racing season and a springboard for my ambitions for 2019!
The trio of trail half marathons started in July with a spur of the moment race day decision to go for 21km on a hilly course with almost no preparation. While I wouldn't recommend rash decisions like this to others, it worked out well and the joy I felt late in the race outweighed the burning in my quads and calves. After that race, I had hoped to take running more seriously again but my training schedule never really materialized. Work, cycling and other factors combined to thwart my best intentions.
The Definition of Sub-Optimal Training
Round Two
I dug deep and caught a glimpse of my legs of yore at the Road of Castles race in October — full race report here. After that performance, I knew I had no more excuses. It was time to be a runner again, and I am stoked about that. Fall hit with a very beautiful stretch of sunny weather in October and I started getting the kilometers in my legs more often as well as continuing to ride to work nearly every day.
Ready for Round Three
I'm now in week three of what I consider legitimately training as a runner again and my legs are responding very well. Brief back-story: I danced with the Ultra-Trail racing scene a few years back but developed nagging IT-band injuries that took a long time to go away. This pushed me more towards cycling, which I love as well but running continues to be my true passion, especially on trails through mountainous terrain.
Next weekend will be a very challenging course with over 1000 meters of elevation gain and descent in 21km. I can't wait. I've previewed the course three times and plan to go out with the lead group and see what happens. There are some fast guys running this trail series, but the constant ascents and descents will be a significant x-factor for the victory.
Tomorrow will be one more hilly long run done on trails, and then it will be taper week with more cycling to keep the legs loose!
Up Next on the VivaUltra Blog:
- Race Recap
- Base Training Overview
- 2019 Goals, Plans and Ambitions
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