I Am an Ultra Runner, This is my Year!

Bad Marsh is over and I have earned my first Ultra finisher medal. This was indeed a tough run, it had it's share of good and bad. I wasn't able to finish the 31.5 mi run, instead thanks to an uneasy stomach and nausea I could only throw down 22.5 miles.  I still feel like I ran an ultra and that's what matters to me most. I have 2 more 50k ultras before the year is up and one of those being the same course, just during the day instead of night. The event brought together a lot of good people and good vibes, I have fallen in love with the Ultra scene and the people who are a part of it. It's almost a new "breed", Everyone brings something special or unique to the field of ultra running in their own standards. I remember standing at the start with about 100 people and I felt so comfortable. Unlike the feeling at a local 5k or even the local marathon, I felt like this was a group of people I already knew and we were all running for fun.

In November they will be hosting another 50k event, "Mad Marsh" and this will be during the day and a lot cooler weather. The Bad Marsh last weekend was a night ultra and the race started with 90 degree weather and 84% humidity. I can't wait to set foot on the trail once more and this time go the extra 2 laps to make it 31.5 miles. 

I have a busy schedule coming up and I feel like it's about time. July 8th I'll be in SC for the XTERRA Harbison Trail 13.1, October 13th I am running the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K, November 3rd will be the Rock N Roll Savannah Marathon, November 17th Mad Marsh 50K, December 3rd 15K Savannah Bridge run (piece of cake compared to the other races) and then January I will be running the Delrium 6hr Ultra. By that time there may be more added to the list. Between most of these races especially in September-December I will be running several local 5K races.
I have a lot on my plate, and I"M HUNGRY.... This will be my year and start of something great, I will become an Ultra Runner and continue pushing the mileage until I reach 100 mile distance Ultras (probably 3-4 years from now).

now to go train and work in this crazy HOT Savannah weather (102 degrees today)

Stay Strong...Never Stop Moving Forward~

Hitting A "Stress" Wall with Bad Marsh Around The Corner!

The past 3 weeks have been very tough, especially in terms of training for the Bad Marsh 50k in 10 days. I haven't had many good runs for a about 3-4 weeks, my weekly mileage dropped to about 25-35 miles and my pace slowed a lot. I was talking with my girlfriend on Sunday about how I've been feeling and I feel like I've lost my "inner runner". I've been so stressed lately with what I need to eat and how much?, Am I drinking enough water?, I need to slow my pace!, I need to pick up my pace!. all these things rush through my mind all throughout the day and on my runs. Just 5 weeks ago I was running 45-50 miles a week for the hell of it, just because I wanted to. I felt it and it felt great, I wanted more of that high from the run. My girlfriend suggested that I've been overdoing it "mentally" and I agreed, I have had so many things going through my head about how i need to train or do my runs that I wasn't just letting my body do it naturally on its own like before. I haven't blogged in awhile, because I wasn't able to think of ideas to blog about while running. I always have "me" time when I run, I talk to myself in my head and go over ideas and topics about what to blog about or talk with friends about. I've hit a mental wall!

I went running Sundayday after talking with Linda (girlfriend) about my problems I've been facing. It hyped me up and made me tell myself I am runner! I started running 2 years ago to better my life and it has been more than an amazing journey. I used to go run 6 days a week and would get excited at nights because I was ready to run the next day. I never worried if ate enough or drank enough, I always had, it was instinct to eat and drink! I never worried about my pace being slow so I could last longer, I just ran by feel and did what I could. On my run I started thinking about all the things I discussed with Linda and I was back at my "inner runner" once again. I came up with topics on what to write and talk about, I never looked at watch to see my pace, I just ran to one spot I normally run to and turned back and headed home. I felt great, my legs didn't feel heavy, my mind was clear, my lungs were open. I was running with "me" again. I feel the stresses of life take a big toll on us mentally and physically a lot of times throughout life, One achievement we can gain from this is the strength we receive when we stand back up and claim what is ours. I let the stress of running, What I love so much, get the best of me. I am a Runner and I run, running doesn't run my life, I run with it! I won't let the stress of what I need to be eating and if it's enough get to me, I'm continuing to do what I know and stick with the basics. Bad Marsh is around the corner and I'm ready to get this ultra moving and go with a clear mind and stick with my motto. "Stay Strong..Never Stop Moving Forward!"