Week preview 9/20-9/25

Photo by Glenn Tachiyama

Over the last few weeks I have been battling with a series of weird headaches, high stress as I was trying to close out summer quarter with acceptable grades, and a lack of worthy goals. So this week is going to be about CONSISTENCY. Soon I will be back to hundred mile weeks and "2 a days" (training twice in one day) but for now, it is back to the basics. I recently ran in the White River 50 mile endurance run. I started the race well trained and very ambitious. I took off with the front runners feeling very strong. Going through the first 3 aid stations I was running at course record pace (although still behind some very fast dudes). I reached the top of the first climb (around 15 miles) and saw a glorious view of Mt. Rainier. At that moment I felt terrible. All that I was running for was a time or a podium spot or whatever but I was missing the point: the reason I run. A long story short, I slowed significantly, worked my way down the hill to my wife and two girls at mile 27 (who I was already missing after only a few hours of running), and pulled out of the race. I decided there that it was back to the basics. What does that mean though? For now, for this week, it is consistency. I will go out every morning (at least) and love each step. I will not miss a day. Not for the next 7 days. I love ultra running and am excited at my new approach and believe that it will be much more fulfilling.