I was looking at my old training diaries and it’s amazing how little I ran and successfully completed 100 milers. I look at past training to reassure myself I’ll be alright with less. For the majority, at least up until the past couple races, I’ve only ran a few 20 plus mile training runs! Unreal! UTMB and the Arc I ran 14-16! So in looking forward to North Downs Way 100, of which I have yet to register, I should be alright if I get five weeks of consistent training in. Finish, yes. Race, not sure.
I still would love to be race fit for it but I think that time is gone. I need to accept my age, and time available, one of these days and realize I’m doing these for the experience. Honestly I think I already have but always think if I had the time to train properly to be fast I probably still could be competitive in a localish race. It’s hard to really find drive without something crazy live UTMB in the pipeline. With drive like that the available time appears no matter how tired you are. Seeing friends race is motivating though. A Belgian guy I met during UTMB ran the Mozart 100 in Austria yesterday and it was fun to track him.
The trails are now inundated with nettle so I’ve been finding clear paths as I can. At some point someone thankfully clears it all making trail running fun again! I’m looking forward to it! It’s been in the low 80’s and humid, unlike here, but I love it! Shirt off hot and sweaty. Feels like home!
The issue I’ve had in the past with my right quad muscle has returned. Not exactly sure what it is. Feels like a big knot, and it can get painful enough to halt running. I’ve had dry needling done on it twice a few years back, aggressive massage worked well, so I’m trying to do that. Think of having a big bruise and ramming your knuckles into it slowly, working on it sucks! I just need to be persistent with it and it will hopefully subside.
Not much of one for race merchandise as I rarely wear it but I ordered a UTMB hoody. Not cheap but it’s made up of all the participant’s names. I thought it was pretty cool. Rather have a t shirt but oh, well:
I’m really jealous of people who are able to afford and have time race often. These events are so much fun despite the discomfort you put yourself through. I guess we do what we can and keep ticking boxes as they present themselves.
