If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you are lucky enough.

When something bad happens, you have three choices: let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

No taper in sight yet

Not official anyway. Back in Lisa's S-B coaching she'd devide all my races into 3 categories: A (goal), B (strong effort to do well) and C (training run). Hagg and Chcuk were C, Rumble closer to B, and ZG is definitely B, but still not A. That said, and considering almost 100M last week, I still reduced the load this week - but more because it happened so: I do have a family and a job after all.

I ran Monday once (plus weights) and Tuesday once (plus Bikram yoga class). While I planned to go to the Red Lizard track workout, I got email from high school that they had college rep's talking that night, so I grabbed Alex and went to learn the difference between community, public and private colleges, deadlines for applications, requirements for admitions and financial aid hints. It was very good to do so for both of us: I can start planning, and ALex got excited from one point and scared how far away he is from it from another point. Lots of work after he screwed up for 3 years, really...
I ran twice on Wed, and did want to go to the track in the morning, but something didn't click, and I ran tempo (or progression) run instead. It felt good to push the pace on trail part in the Tryon park. I did a very easy run at night while waiting for Stephen at the boxing class. Speaking of Stephen, he is going regional - he has a fight in Warm Springs, OR this Saturday, and I have to miss it:(
I dissed this morning's run because I was a good wife yesterday and instead slept in and then got a breakfast in bed. Hmm, may be I'll quit all this ultrarunning nonsense and have it more often! I did run home from work today, making it another progression run - it wouldn't be wise to go to the track now, with one day left before the race, really, even if I don't taper. I'll have another Bikram class tonight after I take Alex to guitar class - need heat training, Arizona will hit 86F!
On Wed my chiro worked the kinks on my right SI joint - very tight back and glutes, and forget piriformis, it is a masochistic pain I learned to love when he digs his tumbs into my butt for trigger point massage. I also scheduled a sport massage for next Wed (good timing, wouldn't you say?) - saw an add on the bus for $39 for an hour intro and couldn't resist. I had massage like 6 times in my life (really can't afford it), so hope this dude is worth the money.
This Monday after Angie (my ever-best crew for Zane Grey) emailed me, I finally realized I have no pace chart and predictions, so frantically worked on it. The race goes opposite direction this year, loosing 1500 feet of elevation climb (from what used to be 1100 feet of gain down to 9500 feet gain overall, all at above 5,000 feet up to 7,000 at the start). Rocks are not going anywhere though, neither does open terrain. I was trying to build in my new "fitness" (or lack thereof) and couldn't come up with anything. My brain doesn't work this way:) I usually look at the elevation chart, aid station placement and just jot down the time I'll be there - and then get there on time, not because I try hard, but rather because I know my body ability so well. I don't calculate average pace or miles of ups versus miles of down, I just "feel" that I can make 6M of this terrain in 1:10 at the beginning of the race and in 6:25 at the end (approximate numebrs for example). I wasn't going to predict anything on the blog, but since I already left a comment at one place and it was seen, what the hell - I am looking for 11:30 (last year's time was 12:15) and will be thrilled with 11 hrs up to the moon. Whatever else happens - happens. Of course, I am in the middle of my period again, as last year, and this run isn't famous for dense bushes and stuff...but I got around it somehow last year. Angie is an awesome crew, supe-efficient with exchanging my bottles, just as Jason was at Miwok both years, as well as Jason and Rick at AR50. Not that I care for a minute, it's just I don't liked to be faced with questions: what do you want? I have no idea! My brain is zombi, and if you disturb it with question of any kind, it starts whirling and looking for answers, when in fact I don't want anything, and I loose focus on eating at all. I need to be shovved my bottles and sent off with no variety. It's just calories, I need to get them in to continue to move forward, I can't chew or swallow, so choices are deadly. No choices, gel and a mix in a bottle. Simple.

I'd like to wish best to all my friends running Capitol Peak 50M/50k this weekend, Eugene marathon, Big Sir, Mt. Diablo 50 and anything else around the country. My NYC friend from Latvia Rimas is on his path of 10 day race - that is WOW! I remember he tried to convince me to get into multi-day - heck, crazy! Everything is relative...

18 comments:

Jamie Anderson said...

That is one insane elevation profile! Nice! Kick some butt!

Anonymous said...

woo hoo!!!!

crew pinky is so ready - this is gonna be so much fun!

Wes said...

I think you should have your cake and eat it too! Breakfast in bed more often AND an ultra runner (nice balance!)

LK said...

Great post Olga! I'm glad I read your race report from last year. It had some detail in it that I was needing. Hope to get to meet you this weekend. See you at the race! -Larry

meredith said...

Best of luck this weekend! I look forward to reading all about it. Have fun playing on the rocks.
meredith

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

OOPS my EDITED post--must be getting tired :-(
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a great race Olga this weekend and yes another good post of Olga's crazy busy world....

About ALex & school ...deep breath & focus Kid, you will get in, AND if it takes a 2 yr one to make the transition to a 4 year so be it...FOCUS

PLENTY of successful people have gone down that road. The key ALex is FOCUS like ur Mom does with her races & you will be Alright, Better the ALright :-)

and WOOOOO - HOOOO Stephen on Regionals that is Awesome , now when I say KNOCK it OUT... I really mean KNOCK "the peep" OUT!!

Backofpack said...

Olga,
Run well, have a wonderful-fun time and enjoy every moment (even those hit-the-wall-I'm-so-tired-I-can't-think moments).

Especially enjoy the time with Angie!

Lisa B said...

Have a great race, Olga. I'll be thinking of you!!

Sarah said...

Best wishes for a great race! You're gonna rock it! : )

kelly said...

Have fun out there!! I want to do Zane Grey next year. I hear it is tough, but so are you! Go get em!!!

Julie B said...

Hi Olga, Zane Grey is on my list. One of these years, if I ever give up McNaughton. Have a great run!

Jessica DeLine said...

Good luck and have fun at Zane Gray!!!

Journey to a Centum said...

Olga,

Have a great time a ZG! You will probably be pampered by Pink Fuzzy!

Eric

christine said...

Good Luck Olga!

Donald said...

Have a great race Olga! Can't wait to hear about it.

Love2Run said...

I'm slow off the mark here and you're already miles into your race. Have a great race, hope the weather co-operates and your crew keeps you upright and moving forward. Good luck!

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