This Saturday at 6 AM, I'll toe the line at Sulphur Springs Mile- a race made up 8 loops of 20k through the trails. The past six months have been a journey of grit, gratitude, and a whole lot of miles.
HERE'S A QUICK LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THAT TELL THE STORY.
TRAINING BY THE NUMBERS
- 6 months of training
- 1,570 total miles logged
- 8 week peak block averaging over 80 miles per week
- Highest peak: 90.5
- 72.600 feet of elevation gain (that's an average of ~2,800 ft per week
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men." Col. 3:23
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RACE TUNE-UPS
These races were woven into the training-Each one with a purpose:
- January: Resolution 5K, Utopia Marathon: 26.2 miles around the cruise ship track
- February: Frosty 5K
- March: Pot-O-Gold 4 miler
- April Big House 5K, 26th Trail Weekend 50K
- May 10: Traverse City Trail Fest 100K
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but in such a way as to get the prize." 1Cor. 9:24
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MONUMENTAL LONG RUNS FOR ELEVATION TRAINING
These are key long runs both on backroads and trails to stimulate the climbing effort I will need for Sulphur Springs.
- Jossman Hills: 20 Miles, 2,762 ft
- Fox Lake: 20 Miles, 2,802 ft
- Independence Oaks: 17 Miles, 2,385 ft
- Highland Rec: 17 miles, 2,450 ft
"He makes my feet like the feet of a deer: He causes me to stand on the heights." Psalm 18:33
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THE SETBACK
- 10 days of fighting a cold/allergy
- Started antibiotics on Monday
- But at this point--I am PRAYING more for healing than relying on medicine.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29
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THE MINDSET
The Grind has been real . Early Mornings. Long miles, solo miles, friendship miles.
Body aches, late night muscle spasms and mental fatigue. On the cusp of burn out more than once.
This hasn't been just physical-It's been emotional, spiritual, all-consuming at times.
BUT every hard day has prepared me for this one.
I have poured myself into this race. And now I have to trust the process...and let it go.
ONE LOOP AT A TIME.
ONE PRAYER AT A TIME
LET'S GO!
"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
IN Peace, Not Pieces,
Anita
