I want to tell someone... (ultra running)

[blndsnbrdr]

I've told people IRL but I haven't officially talked about this online yet. I'm keeping it under wraps for another month or more. I am not ready for the naysayers, so I'm choosing to only tell people who will enable my crazy. Don't disappoint me ladies!

I have big plans for 2014. It started out with plans to run my first 50M race after loving life for my 50K. A friend and I decided to do the North Fork 50M in Pine, CO. We made plans to train together. Told a few people about it. Had people volunteer to crew/pace. Life was good.

But then 50M wasn't enough. I have no idea why.

We decided we'd run the 50M and if we survived/didn't hate life we'd consider longer. Specifically the Run, Rabbit, Run 100M (RRR) race in Steamboat Springs in September. We were not going to sign up for the race until after we'd finished the 50M and had a better idea of what we were getting into.

Then some crazy drama went down with ultras and qualifying races re: Leadville and RRR. Ultimately the chances of RRR selling out fast are really high. This year they still had spots the month before the race. For 2014 it will probably sell out in January.

This means if we want to run RRR we need to register in January. BEFORE we run 50M, or even start legit training for the 50M.

We're doing it.

On January 1st I'm signing up for my first 100M race.

Its the same race I crewed for this year - my first ever ultra experience. Its not a good newbie race, but I really want to do it and I have the support system in place, so I'm going for it!

TL;DR -- I'm signing up for a 100M race. I've lost my mind. I'm really excited about it. I hope its not my last.

I am 100% open to any constructive input, opinions, ideas, thoughts, links, what have you...

[hannahb]

I have no advice for you as I have no knowledge in this area but I think its awesome!

[gt7301b]

You are crazy!!!

But I think you are also AWESOME!! Good luck!

[clseale]

Clearly I don't need to tell you that you are insane. I certainly have no advice other than be smart, be careful, & have fun! It will be fun to watch your journey for this. Kick ass!

[chw57]

That is so exciting!!!

[sadlebred]

You are crazy. Go for it!!!

[joenali]

Awesome!!

[reginaphalange72]

Hey! I haven't posted in a while, but I had to this time - I think I'm doing the RRR 50M! You are awesome for doing the 100M! I want to, but I haven't done an ultra yet, so this will be my first.

We need to get out for a run sometime!

[runaways]

That's both crazy and awesome! I'll definitely be interested in hearing about your training.

[kams]

Eeeeeeeeek amazing! I have a girlfriend who just ran the javelina jundred in October. Let me try to find a link to her race report!

[kams]

Ok. PMing the link to you

[al320]

I think youre nuts and awesome!! I think youre amazing for even thinking about doing this, and a million times as awesome for actually going for it! Kick ass!!.,

[blndsnbrdr]

Nov 29, 2013 14:54:45 GMT -5 reginaphalange72 said:

Hey! I haven't posted in a while, but I had to this time - I think I'm doing the RRR 50M! You are awesome for doing the 100M! I want to, but I haven't done an ultra yet, so this will be my first.

We need to get out for a run sometime!

This is awesome! Do it!
I had a few friends run RRR50 last year - its a hilly course but they had a blast. Or so they said later the night over multiple beers!

Have you done other ultras or 50s? Its all new to me...but the people, I love them. They are do darn enabling...

[blndsnbrdr]

clseale -- putting a ton of focus into cross/strength training. DH's biggest concern is an injury - he is afraid to put up with me if I'm banned from running for an extended period of time. Poor guy...

al320 -- it all started with a simple "100 doesn't seem *that* far" comment...little did I know.

gt7301b & runaways & sadlebred -- definitely crazy. you should have seen my poor mother's reaction. she refuses to come out for the race, stresses her out too much!


THANK YOU everyone for the awesome support. Once the cat is officially out of the bag I'll be blogging about it but I'll probably be here with more updates if thats cool with all of you! Its going to be a LONG summer!

[Stingyshark]

Lol at "100 doesn't seem that far." You are bananas, but in a great way! You're way tough, but you can totally do it!

[blndsnbrdr]

Nov 29, 2013 17:08:16 GMT -5 Stingyshark said:

Lol at "100 doesn't seem that far." You are bananas, but in a great way! You're way tough, but you can totally do it!

Yea...I have no idea how this happened!

But the distance really does become relative. Then I think about it as "I'm going to be awake, on my feet and moving for upwards of 30 hours...holy shit!". It was easier to wrap my mind around the distance than it was about the time. Hello caffeine...

[brittmk0922]

I have no advice or experience to share, just wanted to say that's awesome! Can't wait to hear all about it

[Deleted]

Holy cow!! You are insane. In a good way. I have no advice, but I will be interested to follow your journey.

[skwcm80]

Yeah it's a bit crazy, but it sounds like an exciting experience.

[patches31709]

The daughter of a coworker ran that race last year. I just remember having to pick my jaw up off the floor listening to her dad talk about it. Good luck to you!!

[wanderlustmom]

I only know two people who run 100 milers and I know a lot of people. Good for you! So awesome and empowering. Keep us posted on your training

[blndsnbrdr]

Nov 29, 2013 19:59:37 GMT -5 patches31709 said:

The daughter of a coworker ran that race last year. I just remember having to pick my jaw up off the floor listening to her dad talk about it. Good luck to you!!

Thanks! I was there this year crewing. My runner didn't suffer nearly enough to talk me out of it. 

Although I'm really nervous about the first 4 miles straight uphill...because people can see me hiking in the first 4 miles of a 100 mile race! Such a weird fear.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Whoo! I'd never do one myself, but the people who ultra are seriously some of the nicest people I know.

If you ever decide to try for WS, let me know ... I'd be happy to crew or host you. Or just throw you a heck of an after party.

[shelbyann]

Insane and awesome at the same time. Can't wait to hear about your training and experience!

[joenali]

Nov 29, 2013 23:33:17 GMT -5 blndsnbrdr said:

Nov 29, 2013 19:59:37 GMT -5 patches31709 said:

The daughter of a coworker ran that race last year. I just remember having to pick my jaw up off the floor listening to her dad talk about it. Good luck to you!!

Thanks! I was there this year crewing. My runner didn't suffer nearly enough to talk me out of it. 

Although I'm really nervous about the first 4 miles straight uphill...because people can see me hiking in the first 4 miles of a 100 mile race! Such a weird fear.

If running an ultra is anything like an ironman, not a single person will care if you walk in the first 4 miles. I'm sure you'll hear lots of encouragement from everyone!

[blndsnbrdr]

Nov 30, 2013 13:11:38 GMT -5 joenali said:

Nov 29, 2013 23:33:17 GMT -5 blndsnbrdr said:

Thanks! I was there this year crewing. My runner didn't suffer nearly enough to talk me out of it. 

Although I'm really nervous about the first 4 miles straight uphill...because people can see me hiking in the first 4 miles of a 100 mile race! Such a weird fear.

If running an ultra is anything like an ironman, not a single person will care if you walk in the first 4 miles. I'm sure you'll hear lots of encouragement from everyone!

Oh, there will be lots of walking, its a given...for everyone. Even many elites walk hills. And I love the encouraging, supportive ways of the ultra people!

And you pretty much have to walk the first 4 miles, you gain more than 4,000 feet in that stretch - its straight up a ski hill in the CO mountains!

Its just a matter of mentally reigning it in from the get go.

[katinthehat]

I think that's pretty awesome. The only advice I'd have and it's not much is to experiment with everything and take in all the advice you can.

[jamalynn]

That is so awesome. Very exciting!