7 Minute Decision guide to choosing and preparing for your 1st 100 mile trail ultra

My 7 Minute Decision guide to choosing and preparing for your 1^st 100 mile trail ultra - How I chose to run the Bighorn Trail 100 Mile!

Deciding to complete or compete in a race of any distance can be a very taxing process, and much like life the more outlandish the race the more complicated the decision process becomes.  I am writing this as a mini-guide to how I chose my 1^st 100 mile trail race (Bighorn Trail 100 Mile) in hopes that it simplifies things for you.  I figure you need about 1 minute per step, there are 7 of them. As always this is my warped thought process so utilize the steps that make sense and disregard the rest.

Step 1: Decide to run 100 miles.
For me this process was easy, I wanted to run 100 miles.  Why you ask, why not!  Word of advice disregard all commentary that ends in (xxxx’nt), such as “I wouldn’t do that, you shouldn’t do that, and you can’t do that.”  The preceding statements are all crap and designed to deter you from achieving something meaningful!

Step 2: Choose a race.

For this I say choose something that scares you, A LOT, so it motivates you to train and finish the race. One example of how a race could scare you would be, “I chose this race in Europe and it cost a ton of money to get here, if I come home with a DNF (Did Not Finish) my significant other will kill me in my sleep” ie… you will finish the race. Or in my case choose a race that is at altitude and has an elevation gain profile so big, I couldn’t specifically prepare for it, that’s scary! (ie.. Bighorn Trail 100 Mile)

This is the elevation profile of the Bighorn 100 from JoeyLuther

Step 3: Start running.

This means you need to be healthy enough to consistently train (run).  No weird aches or pains or anything broken.  I don’t care what Karl says, a hundred miles is that far!  To ensure I not only started running but kept running injury free I decided to get some assistance from a coach, which leads to #4.

My Coach Ian Torrence

Step 4: Get a coach!!!

If this is your first hundred or the first one you want to race, I would highly suggest getting a coach.  My advice in choosing a coach is, “Get one who is not afraid to argue with you!”  What I mean by this is your coach first needs to be able to understand what your goals are and if they are realistic.  Second, they need to be able to argue with you when you are acting crazy.  You know you have found “your coach”, when you can have a heated argument/discussion 1 second, then be laughing with them the next.  Really, it’s no different than a significant other.  Also if your coach scares you a bit that is good as well.  Here is an example of the 14 days prior to my 9 day taper for Bighorn.  I was more frightened for these than the race!

 


Step 5: Figure out your stomach.

This boils down to practice your race day nutrition/hydration during your long hard runs.  Rule number one, if it makes you soil your shorts or vomit uncontrollably DO NOT utilize this strategy or product during your race.  Rule number two if you feel like a rock star and are killing your training run, determine how to replicate this nutrition/hydration strategy during your race.

Step 6: Choose appropriate gear. (But not too much!)
This step can be as complicated or simple as you choose.  My vote is to keep it as simple as possible.  Look at the weather forecast, aid station distances, race time splits if available, course map, and elevation profile.  All of these will help you determine what you may need for the race.  Much like your nutrition, whatever you plan on using should be practiced beforehand.  A good example is, if it makes you bleed or pass out, probably not the best choice.  If you barely notice it’s there, use it again.

My Basic 100 Mile Gear

Step 7: Determine if you need an entourage. (ie.. Crew & Pacer)

This is a personal choice.  For me I feel a pacer would be a distraction, I would be more worried about them and not focusing on me.  As far as a crew, although I’ve never had one, I feel it would be awesome! (Any future volunteers.)

Step 8: Show up and race smart!

Congrats you’ve made it now have fun!

All in the above steps took me about 5 minutes to work though mentally and looked something like this:

1.       I am going to run 100 miles,
2.       Bighorn Trail 100 Mile scares me and I can drive there for free!
3.       I feel good to start running, even if it is -50 degrees out! (Wisconsin winter)
4.       Ian Torrence, with McMillan Coaching only made me cry a little ;)
5.       Try and Try again, eventually I will have something convenient and stomach friendly!
6.       Keep it simple! (Not quite Anton simple though)
7.       I am driving to the race for free and dirtbagging it, not really sure who would like to do that as well ;)
8.       I am at the start line for the Bighorn 100 and I feel both scared and ready!
 
Actually getting them done took a bit longer and was all part of the wonderful journey to The Bighorn 100!
Stay tuned for the Race Report!! 

AUGUST 2012 Training Recap

AUGUST Training Recap

This month I focused on building speed into my training as well as consistently running back to back long runs, for the upcoming North Face 50K in Sep.  I began the month by shifting my first two runs of the week to be a sub race pace tempo run and an interval workout.  I was running my tempo runs near a 7:00 pace, and the 800 intervals were being run near a 2:40 pace.  These runs were completed Monday and Wednesday.  On Tuesday I was swimming an interval set in the AM and biking hills in the pm.  On Thursday I would do a tempo swim for 1.5 miles.  Then on Friday I was doing a 3 hour long run a little above 50K pace, and then on Saturday AM I would run for 1-2 hours easy.  This training schedule seemed to allow me to get in quality work and some distance as well. 

At the end of the month one of the members of my trail running group, Lapham Peak Trail Runners, celebrated his 50^th birthday by running a 50K fat ass, at Lapham Peak State park.  He consistently podiums in ultras so, as a test, I decided to run with him.  I was planning on running 3 of the 5 loops about 17.5 miles.  I did this, but near the end of the run my right knee really started to hurt.  The pain did not go away with ice or rest in the following few days, so I made an appointment for some chiropractic and ART (Active release Therapy) work.  The ART was good, but as usual the chiropractor worked his magic and within a few days the pain was receding. 

During my long runs I was really able to dial in my use of VESPA and race nutrition, to the point where I would take 1 VESPA JR 45 min before the run and another at the 2 hour mark, and only take 1 or 2 gels for the entire run.  I feel as ready for this 50K as I can with the fact that I could not descend stairs a few days before.  Stay tuned for a post related to my diet, VESPA, and some of the things I changed to include more fat and eliminate carbs, to increase my fat burning efficiency, to enhance race day performance and recovery!  Also for the race report from The North Face Endurance Challenge 50K.

TOTALS

Run     182.9 miles      27:14:01 hours

Swim   11 miles

Bike     77 miles

2012 Dances With Dirt Trail 1/2 Marathon Race Report

This was a race I had been looking forward to for the last 12 months.  I ran the ½ marathon last year as a fun run coming back from two injuries.  With a time of 2:30ish last year I knew had a serious ax to grind with this race.  The Dances with Dirt Devils Lake course is described as being tough with some crazy stupid sections thrown in.  It resembles a Q with a 3 mile single track, followed by a 7 mile loop, and finishing with the same 3 miles.  What makes the course so awesome is that the first 3 miles are all climbing.  Odd for Wisconsin you say, well not when you consider the western half of WI is filled with bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River or other large lakes, such as Devil’s Lake.  Once you complete the first 3 miles of climbing you enter the looped 7 miles of the course, there is a little more climbing in the first mile, then some actual scrambling up the side of a bluff, to get to the top for the amazing views.  This is followed by a gradual descent back to the original 3 miles.  This final 3 miles is now a screaming fast plunge filled with rocks and roots, buckle up because it’s a fun ride down.

I rode to this race with another Zach, this time Zach Otto, not Zach Bitter.  We got there a bit early to meet his brother in law Mark, who had flown in from Oregon to check out what Wisconsinites call crazy trails.  While he was regaling us with stories of running with Hal Koerner and Jenn Shelton (she chicked him in his last marathon), I saw my friend Dave.  Now Dave was supposed to be running the 50K, but he had separated his shoulder 4 days before, so following his doctor’s advice that he rest and not run the 50K he was running the ½, sounds acceptable to me.  I decided I was going to try and perfect racing with VESPA during this race.  After eating a breakfast of moderate protein, high fat, and a little carbs (fruit), I drank nothing but water for 3 hours prior to the start of the race.  45 minutes before the gun I took a VESPA JR and 1 S Cap.  I stuck a gel in my shorts and 1 in my handheld as backup. 

Pretty soon it was go time, we lined up, and I took a spot a little off the front. Mark however took a spot right on the line guess that’s what running with Jenn will do for your confidence.  Off I went with the front 30-40 people, there were over 300 in the race, so I could get onto the single track climb with out a ton of walkers in front of me.  Well that was the plan, but that pace at which the group was running was way faster than this ultra runner is used to 1 mile into a race.  But we hit the single track and I started to climb.  Still going at a ridiculous pace, because I was leading my little train, I actually began to pass people a little over 1 mile into the climb.  This went on for the rest of the way to the loop.  Once we hit the loop I fell in behind two College CC runners and realized, to their horror as well as mine, the loop was reversed this year so instead of a 2 mile climb and 5 mile gradual decent we would be climbing for the next 5 miles.  Holy cow time to pack a lunch this just got fun!  Well I pushed through the climb, managing to only body surf the trail once.  Once we hit the bluff and its grand vista, I slowed my pace so I could enjoy the view without falling off the edge.  To my surprise there was the individual I thought was leading the race performing yoga poses out on a rock, guess the view was too much for him!  On with racing, a quick scramble on all fours down the bluff and I was back at the 3 mile monster decent.  Yee haw time to let my HOKA’s fly, and fly they did.  I managed to pass no less than 8 people in the first mile.  I came screaming down the hill to the finish with a sub 2 hour time.  Shortly after crossing the finish line I was told I placed in my age group, guess getting older has its benefits.  For my award I got a sweet mini, indestructible, flashlight, and as much craft beer from the tappers as I could drink.  I settled in and eagerly awaited the finish of all of my friends and fellow Lapham Peak Trail Runners who were attempting all of the distances. 

My testing of VESPA was awesome I took only 1 VESPA, water, 1 S cap and 2 gels over the 1:50 it took me to finish.  My energy never waivered, even though I was way above threshold for most of the race.  My energy levels combined with my HOKA’s ability to absorb the punishing descents allowed me to fly past my competition in the final miles. The RD’s promised that the course would be tougher and it was.  I would highly recommend this race series to anyone!  The course is tough, they have multiple distance options, the views are awe inspiring, competition fierce, you can camp at the start finish, and the after party is conducted in true UTLRA fashion.



Tom Schiessl, Me, and Melinda Pedersen at the finish, up next where's the beer!

 Thanks as always to my sponsors Performance Running Outfitters and VESPA you make exceeding racing potential a pure joy!

Gear Used
Shirt - Sugoi PRO Race Team Jersey - Performance Running Ooutfitters PRO
Shorts - The North Face Better than Naked Split - PRO
Shoes - Hoka One One Stinson Evo B Trail - iRunFar.com
Calf Sleeves - CEP - PRO
Handheld Nathan bottle - PRO
VESPA - VESPA
Suceed Caps - PRO
Gels - PRO

March Training Recap

March Training

Following is a brief synopsis of my training and racing for the month of March. 

Look out with a mild winter the snow has melted and the trails are starting to dry out.  I continued building my base mileage during the month while decreasing my time spent cross training.  I also added in hill workouts at Lapham Peak State Park, as the trails have opened back up for running.  I also began completing longer runs on the trails, oh boy does the trail find muscles you haven’t used in awhile.

TOTALS

RUN   186.3 Miles  26:28:31

BIKE   45 Miles

SWIM 7.75 Miles