Lotteries continue.......

Just finished another three week cycle of building miles. Topped out between 57-60 miles for the past few weeks which is the most I've consistently run. Definitely feeling it though. Got a bit excited on week 2 and pushed the pace a bit too much, my right calf is feeling a bit off. I think I'll be alright though. Christmas week is a step back to lower weekly miles. I'm going to try my hardest to not let the holidays and travel divert my plans. As I've mentioned before my two run commutes definitely make hitting the higher miles much easier. I guess I'd be very happy with two 40 plus mile weeks all things considered.

The other day I entered the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc lottery. UTMB is the biggest ultra in Europe, it's right up there with Western States 100, and actually, likely more popular. It as well is difficult to get in to. I tried in 2014 but wasn't selected and up until now I've not met the requirements to get in. They require a certain amount of "points" that you get from specific races to get in. Then, it's up to luck!

The race is a doozy. It's 105 miles circumnavigate Mont Blanc starting and finishing in Chamonix with around 30,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Click on the map below and I believe you can zoom a bit. 

   

UTMB course, image from UTMB website

I've yet to search for a crew for West Highland Way. I think I'll throw it out there on the Facebook in January and see what I get. It still frustrates me that it's required to have a crew. And to top that off the wife has yet to confirm if she can get work off for when I'm gone. Supposedly she has some meeting. Anyway....

In other news I was awarded the Jeet Kune Do Black Belt of the Year at the academy. It was definitely unexpected! I try to help out as best I can and attend other people's gradings to provide encouragement and help out if needed. I love that place and wish I could be there more. I get frustrated when I have to miss classes for school functions or the wife is out of town for work. It was nice to be recognized though. I may not have perfect attendance or be the best but that doesn't matter, we're all there for different reasons and I think it's safe to say no one is there to learn how to hurt people. 

This was definitely a huge motivator to practice more at home. Running draws a lot from me and outside of that will power to do extra things wanes. This was a nice kick in the ass to set more habits and it’s working!  Besides when I train the kids usually do too. It’s good and bad, as the focus becomes on their curriculum vs mine but either way it’s still a win. Now if I could get my consistency back for strength training! 

  

Summer race plans are forming

Running has been going well. Steadily increasing my mileage each week. Currently up to 60 mpw and hoping to hold that into the new year. It will be tough though when I’m off work watching kids. I’ll lose my run commutes which is usually 8 miles a day. I won’t have Jeet Kune Do or Muay Thai though so sleep will hopefully be improved. It can be done though. 10 miles is possible 6 days at 4am! I need to accept the fact that I may end up cutting back though for a couple weeks. 

Canal graffiti in Worcester 

My previous post I showed a screenshot of my West Highland Way (WHW) lottery result. I’m in! This race had always been an afterthought due to it requiring two crew members and a car to provide support for the entire race. It looks like the crew is also your “aid stations,” I don’t believe the race organizers provide anything through the run other than time keeping. Usually every checkpoint or aid station provides food and water. I obviously need to start doing some more research and also find some people willing to follow me throughout the race. 

Also with this “big race” I’ll likely drop out of the Lakeland 50 in July. It could be done, but too much racing isn’t conducive with family. 

The WHW race begins at 1am on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice. Yes. 1 AM! This year that happens to be on June 20th, why don’t we just say Friday night June 19th! Anyway, I’ll dribble more information as I begin the planning process. 

This puddle was a perfect mirror until a truck drove through it. Annoyed!

I also mentioned the Western States lottery which was yesterday. I think I got damn lucky getting to run that race when I did. The number of entries to the lotto are exploding. I had less of a chance this year, with more names in the hat, than the first time I tried and got in. Seeing that, I almost feel like I’m ready to move on and chase a different race like Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), which carries the same if not more weight of importance than States. That’s not saying I won’t be in that lottery in the future though! 

Who said road running was clean

The next two lotteries I’m shooting for are UTMB (100 miles Chamonix, France), close to Christmas I believe, and Tor des Geants (200+ miles Italy) which is January or February. It is possible to do the West Highland Way and one of these two as they are both in late August or September. Ideally I’d do UTMB, the Tor is extremely intimidating especially not living in the mountains. 

Change of subject. Shoes. So I’ve recently been testing out a pair of Hoka Clifton 6 road shoes, they’re my new “commuter shoe.” Very different from the Altra Torin I’ve sworn by for the last few years (shown on my feet in the above photo). They’re maximally cushioned with much less sensitivity to them and are rockered. They kind of feel like you’ve got a ball under your foot that rolls your foot from heel to toe. The upper is snug but not uncomfortable. The rocker doesn’t effect me as I don’t heel strike but walking in them it’s really nice. So far I’m really enjoying them despite the big differences. I like the smooshy soft feel but am trying to get used to the snug fit, they come in widths so I’m curious how the wider 2E version feels. Altra has an enormous toe box which I really like. So far I’m impressed with the Clifton and understand why they’re so popular. 

Diglis footbridge over the River Severn. Part of my daily run commute. 

That’s the latest update. Back at it......

My “A” race is a go: 

Didn’t get chosen for Western States which was just fine. More later when I have time.