Well I did it! I finished in 23 hours 55 minute and a few seconds! I'm attempting to recall what happened not only during the race but over the whole week. It was like an entire week of jet lag and I'm still trying to catch back up on sleep. I've been outlining the happenings which will hopefully jog my memory. I hope to have a race report up with a week. 

Hadn't posted obviously but I'm here. I'm in Tahoe. I'm doing well. I had been super down but once I got here as expected the tremendous amount of friends and support has crushed any nervousness or negative thoughts. So it all will go down tomorrow at 5am! 

Week 3

Week 3 was fairly insignificant. Very little running. I figured I'm within a time frame that any running will only ease my mind and not really effect my fitness, and could bother my foot so I may as well focus on things that will help. Sunday I did run ten miles along the canal. I pushed the pace a little considering my foot. It was nice to go faster and more consistent. My foot was fine just that nagging achilles which was runnable.

Heat. I mentioned heat training on the bike in my previous post. I continued with that another day and also sat in my car one night with the heater on full bore watching a movie on my iPad. Not as hot as I would expect but better than nothing. Every run I've done also has been in full winter clothes. These must be working because not only is it very uncomfortable but in the mornings I've felt the "chill" a bit more than normal. My canal run was fun as mentioned at a more consistent pace but not fun in full winter clothing!

Downhill Running. Well I attempted a downhill session on the Wyre Forest one night. I ran a one mile descent 3 times at sub 5 minute per mile pace until my foot become mildly bothered. I stopped. Better safe than sorry. My good friend who will be pacing me chimed in with saying downhill training is too tough on the body and not worth the risk which I totally agree with. I also agree with him to continue strength work and I'll be fine.

I had my final night of Jeet Kune Do last night until after WS100. Probably a good thing since kicking and jumping around barefoot can't help my foot. Today it is sore and of course worries me. I have yet to cancel my physio appointment on Thursday but plan to today. I really don't think anything else she can do will help other than rest.

I'm obviously in a mental state with such odd inconsistent training and also having a mild injury. I've done a solid amount of long runs and felt comfortable doing them, I've ran more hills than in the past, I've done speed work too; all this gives me confidence. However I've not had the total weekly consistent volume I'd like within the past 6 weeks. I'm going into this with uncertainty which is bad. I've been told I "suffer well." this is a good quality as long as I can get my mind in order I WILL finish. I think the final days leading up to the race I need to focus on positivity and give myself some mental training convincing myself I'm ready. My pacer friend gave some good words of encouragement the other day.

"Just make it to Forrest Hills and then I'll take over and get you to Auburn. 

Nathan"

It's good to have someone like that on your side. 

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A couple days of heat training this week so far. Full winter clothing, sat on my trainer in the stagnant garage. Yeah, it was hot. And most importantly I once again confirmed that waterproof breathable jackets will never be breathable enough! I'd prefer a sauna but that won't happen with kids. 

As much as I dream of being a "competer" and not just a "completer" in these races it's videos like this that really keep one coming back for more, it's about 12 minutes long. 
  Thirty Hours from alex on Vimeo.

Week 4

Well three weeks left. I initially intended on having a three week taper starting today, Monday. A much needed break from the past months of consistent running. I feel physically too good right now. Obviously, injuries occurred, plans changed. I've pretty much been tapering for five weeks I think!  

Last week went as the past few have. My foot injury fluctuated. My positivity diminished. Enough that I booked in with the physio one last emergency visit, just in case.

always curious how farmers create these footpaths through their fields

Tuesday I got on my bike in the garage, fully clothed, including a winter hat for a hour long heat training session. It was miserable but a step in the right direction and at least something I can do specific to the race. Wednesday I couldn't run my foot hurt so bad. I was essentially pain free all day Saturday at work except for a tiny bit of pain after mobilizing my foot over my lunch break. No pain was a positive however with no consistency with this I was skeptical.

countryside

Then came Sunday. My one hopeful solid day of training the past few weeks. I awoke pain free. Did the family thing all day until about 2pm when I suited up and stepped out the door. I started off for the first time in a long time totally pain free. The sun was out and I headed out my usual hilly loop.

overgrown crops on Worcestershire Way

All was well. I was a bit tired and sluggish feeling but no big deal. I opted to get off my normal loop and get on the Worcestershire Way in hopes of getting more hills in. The trail has become over grown already with nettle and some portions the crops hid the trail. It's a nice run through countryside although a bit slow going with the terrain.

rain coming

Soon a storm rolled in and rain had started. I got wet but nothing too bad. About 30 minutes later the blue sky had returned. Any injury complaints I had were gone. I texted the wife telling her I'd be a bit later as I wanted to run up and down Abberley Hills for one last bit of vert. It was wet and on the descent, I slid on my ass a few times. I retraced the Worcestershire Way and then looked at my map to see my options for more miles and hills.

muddy trails

I took to the road and found some country lanes that added on a 1/4 mile long 12% grade climb and I was able to do my normal hilly road route backwards. Perfect. It was nice to have a consistent pace on the road versus the trails.

Heightington Road

I put my headphones in and started cruising. I was feeling the effects of dehydration. The music motivated and took some pain away. My foot was still fine other than my right big toe had a painful burning sensation. Probably an old JKD injury. It came and went. I motored the final miles and returned home elated that it appears I'm healed!? The 24 mile run was comfortable and reassured me that I can do this despite running limited training.

Malvern Hills in distance

Today, Monday, my foot is still fine. I'm overall tired as expected but my injury seems to be better. So the plan now? At least one more 20 plus miler next weekend and hopefully a few downhill repeat sessions over the next two weeks.

WS100 won't be easy but at least I have some self confidence again.

All the photos are from my Sunday run. As much as I miss home and the mountains there really is some damn good running here. The road running on country lanes really is phenomenal of which I've only scratched the surface.

panorama over Abberley

   

Mentally extremely down about being injured and not running as I'd like. Sure I'm getting in a long run each week which is probably the most important thing and my foot is seemingly getting better but the reality is after the next ten days there's little I can do that will make the race go better. I'm already looking to future races, mentally assuming WS100 is over. "Over" as in finished? Did Not Finish? Did Not Start? I don't know. I really just want the opportunity to run. Being pulled for an injury or not even starting is probably the worst scenario.