This last Sunday I did it.
Proved to myself that I could slog it out for 30 miles. While it wasn’t exactly running the entire time, it was however forward progress in a consistent direction.
Training mileage has been at a record low. Honestly, maybe 10 to 12 miles a week, tops. Most of my training has been centered around concepts borrowed from CrossFitEndurance (CFE). I would call it CFE except for the fact that even with that I am not as consistent as I should be. I cherry pick what I feel are suitable endurance-friendly strength and metabolic conditioning workouts from CrossFit and RKC kettlebell training.
Strength is important to me, partly as a hobby and that I like setting PR’s, but also because I recognize the value strength plays in endurance events, particularly events like adventure racing. You never know when you need to portage a boat full of gear across what you thought was just one sand dune, which later turned into 20 sand dunes.
So this weekend my wife Darcy said, “You need to get ready for the American River 50, you at least need to do a marathon! ”
So I did. She and the kids went to church, and I put on my Merrels.
Couple lessons learned:
- Feet swell around mile 23. I will need a pair of shoes larger than my current size.
- Run-walk pattern will happen, either I embrace it, or succumb to the inevitable
- I can subsist on peanuts oranges and jerky for “event food”
- I love running
Seriously, I can see why people would get hooked on this. Already I am looking forward to the next time I can ‘Go Long’.
Happy Training!
-Brandon
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