MMT -- Status

Under normal circumstances, this would be my last week of hard training for a 100 miler -- last long run is usually done 3 weeks before the race. These are not normal circumstances, so I'm still not clear on how my training is going to wrap up for MMT. One thing is for certain though, the bulk of the heavy lifting is behind me. I reckon this is a good time to evaluate how things went.

Training volume: This was probably not what I was hoping for, hours/week-wise. Certainly, things were a bit light, through no fault of my own. A very drawn-out, muddy winter and spring occasionally made hitting the trails either impossible, or at the very least, not fun. In addition, training for "the most difficult 100 on the east coast" (or however this race bills itself) with a newborn at home presents some scheduling challenges. Having said that, I think I did quite well. With the exception of this past week when I got sick, I religiously got in a weekly long run, hill repeats, some hilly mid-week road runs, a good amount of cycling, and hit the gym twice a week. There was probably a bit more road running than I would have liked, which over time resulted in some little bumps and bruises. Hopefully these will fizzle out over the taper period. For Wasatch last year, I think it is safe to say I overtrained, so I went into this with a bit more focus on alternating between hard/easy workouts. I really made the long runs count as well. Plus, I put in a very solid base all winter long between trail running and showshoeing. Overall, I am confident in the fitness level.

Gear: This race is going to be spartan for me. I almost wish I was fast enough to only run with two handheld bottles. Nothing fancy, no extra shoes, no change of shirt. Some basic stuff in the drop bags, but other than that, the Nathan, Brooks shoes, sunglasses, and an iron will.

Course Knowledge: Nonexistent. Other than prudent planning so I know which drop bag to leave my night time stuff in, I am not going to try to memorize every rock on the trail. I know it is very rocky and there are some long climbs. I will probably have a piece of paper with me so I know what the aid station cutoffs are, but other than that, I'm going to just put my head down and charge. In my experience having run 100 miles twice before, it is always the sections of the course that look easy on paper that end up taking me by surprise (at Wasatch, the climb to the top of Sessions Pass almost killed me -- on paper it looks like nothing).

Other: One of the things I thought I did well at for Wasatch last year was blitzing in and out of the aid stations. I think I was able to do this because I did not rely on aid station fare as my main source of calories. The strategy was to top off the Nathan if I needed it, and eat some solids if I felt like it. Other than that, get out of there. I tried to keep it under 3 minutes and with a couple exceptions I stuck with that, especially late in the race.

In order to be successful at this, my strategy will be an emphasis on taking care of myself early in the race, since the race doesn't even really start until mile 60. I will focus on eating, drinking, and going slow early.

sick!

Well the MMT training has been put on hiatus. I have been sick for the last 3 (or 4) days. Couldn't have come at a worse time, either. Wednesday, my usual hill repeat day, I felt beyond sluggish. I clearly needed a break so I decided to just go for a walk rather than do the hill repeats, no big deal since everything would just be pushed back a day. Thursday, I woke up full on sick and have remained so ever since. Rather than try to power through it (which I typically would have done in the past) I decided to cut my losses, and try to recover as quickly as possible. Not ideal, but in this case, nothing to do except play the hand you've been dealt. I am definitely feeling better though, and should be back in the swing of things by Monday.

"One more mile!!!"

Yesterday I ran the Glacier Ridge 50k. The conditions were......a bit muddy. Overall, I was very happy with the effort. My stomach turned south at mile 21 and I had to spend some time getting myself back together, but I finished quite strong so I will count it as a good day.

I wanted to spend some time addressing those spectators who insist on clapping loudly and yelling in my face, "one more mile!" Regardless of where these people are situated on the course, according to them, there's only one mile left. This assessment is almost never, ever accurate.

Dear. Mr or Mrs. Spectator, PLEASE don't clap loudly in my face and try to cheer me up by screaming at me, "ONE MORE MILE!!" I may be tired and hurting, but trust me, I know how much further I have to go, and it is longer than just a mile. As a matter of fact, I have been trying hard for the last 3 or 4 hours to forget how much further I have to go, and when you do this, it forces me to stop and think about it.

I know you are only trying to be encouraging, but please understand that my feet hurt, my back hurts, my legs are killing me, even my hair hurts. Not only have I been running this whole time, but I have probably been awake since about 4 A.M (or perhaps earlier). I may or may not have vomited somewhere earlier during the race. At the very least, I DEFINITELY had a spell somewhere where I thought I was going to -- my stomach was killing me on a climb somewhere back there, and I truly believed I was about to lose my cookies. I have had my ups and downs during this race, and this close to the end, I should be elated, but really, I'm just exhausted. I'm ready to be done, but there is a big difference between the hour I have left, and the "ONE MORE MILE" you insist on screaming in my face. I truly hope you appreciate the restraint I am showing by not punching your damn lights out, or at the very least, clotheslining you.

Love,
Eric