The Ultra Countdown Woodstock T-minus 8

My house is screaming over the Michigan game. I am easily distracted. So I am going to be brief.

"Unless your not pushing yourself, you're not living to the fullest. You can't be afraid to fail, but unless you fail you haven't pushed yourself hard enough." Dean Karnezes

I am getting very nervous. Just  a little over a week until Woodstock ultra. I have really enjoyed training this summer. I have been blessed with great weather and amazing training partners.

I have gotten more experience on the trails.
The trails have beat me up pretty good but I  have been a willing participant. Woodstock is going to be more difficult than my last 50 miler, Hungerford.  Hungerford was 2 years ago but I remember it to be mostly flat. I think. I can barely remember where I set my keys but I think I remember it flat with more sand than the Sahara Desert.

I think it is going to hurt really bad. I am nervous. Walk, crawl but hopefully mostly run, I will finish.

Augusts miles. 287

RUNDOWN:
I SLEPT IN. Andy brought me coffee in bed at 7am. It was like liquid gold.
Mom text me "Are you running?"  "Its getting hot and humid." I new I better suck down my coffee and get out there.

I looked like a spokesman for Pepto Bismo. I was Pink from head to toe. I am not even a pink girl.
By the time I was done running, I was more of a STINK girl, My pretty pink couldn't even cover up the smell.
I went out for 10 miles. Erin brought her suburban to a halt to Cheer me on. That girl had me smiling for over a mile. Then I heard a BEEP BEEP. It was mom. I was smiling behind the sweat again. One of the great things about living in a small town is you know a lot of people.
I chose to run on the main road full sun. I needed to feel the fatigue, sweat, and humidity as part of my training. I also chose to try to keep my shirt on no matter how bad I perspired. I was so glad I did. At 6 miles, I saw our youth pastor Ryan. That would have been awkward. My shirt was soaked, my shorts were even sweating but I was still clothed, hot as hell but dressed!

"Man needs difficulties, they are necessary for health." Carl Jung

 



I was bent on maintaining even splits. I had a goal pace and knew I could hit it without totally slitting my wrists. It was going to be moderate.
My route was 5 miles of rolling hills. Because it was an out and back I had 5 miles of hills back home. With sweat dripping down my chin I would wipe it down with the energy I had but hardly enough energy to even drink. I didn't want to drink a lot. I wanted to hit this run depleted. I wanted to be hot, tired, thirsty and sore. I needed to run through misery.
Because Woodstock is going to be all kinds of pain. I have to be mentally strong to get through 50 miles of every element I can train for.
6 out of 10 toes are suffering from blisters. That last mile home I could feel one burning.  I looked down at my watch and whispered, "Maintain, Anita, hold it here." My legs were on autopilot as I hit that last hill. "Take it in."
One last deep breath. Finishing close to home I hit the stop button on my Garmin. I was nervous to check my splits and see if I ran my goal pace.
Nailed it! With sweat burning my eyes I still found myself smiling.

I have a question Ultra Runners..DO YOU TAPER???

Anita