Preview - 2013 San Diego 100-Mile Race Report

I started this entry a couple weeks after running SD100 but now about a month has passed and I figured I owe it to the two people that have been following and reading this blog to let them know how it went for me. And although I'm almost feeling normal again, this entry will mostly be to remind myself how miserable I was and how finishing the race has changed me...or if it even has...I'll hopefully figure that last part out as I relive the experience....

I honestly have to say that I approached this race with a negative mindset. Not negative about whether or not I would or could finish, just negative about running. I was really burned out, and even jaded, over running and racing last year and I guess I just never got over it. There were several reasons why I signed up to do this race but the biggest one was because I got caught up in the 100-mile fever that everyone I knew seemed to have gotten. I wanted to be part of it. I wanted to join in the small group of runners that have completed a 100-miler. But there wasn't really a good reason for me to do this and I really shouldn't have. 

Even with proper coaching and a solid training plan with Tim Long from Footfeathers Coaching, I didn't put in the effort that I should have. Most of my training runs felt subpar. I kept having issues with my achilles and heel, especially after doing tempo runs, so I ended up taking those workouts out of my training. I had an acute case ITBS from pounding hills one week that took me out of running for a bit. Training started feeling more like a chore and I just wasn't into it anymore. The "fever" passed and I wasn't as excited about doing a 100-miler as I was back in December. 

The biggest thing that I needed to work on was my attitude. I still believe that if you put in some training, you could finish a 100-miler. Most of being able to finish has to do with your mental toughness and how much you want to or are willing to endure because everyone will eventually feel miserable during the race. I'm nothing special and I eventually made it to the finish. 

I haven't done much running since, actually other than pacing 22 miles at Western States, I haven't ran at all. And that's ok. I just need to get away from running for a bit. 

Unrestricted?

It's been just over a week now since I ran the San Diego 100-mile Endurance Run. (Race report to follow) I was looking forward to finishing the race so I could get back to living a "normal" life. I haven't really been in to the whole racing scene lately, but I still enjoyed being outdoors, on the trails and hanging out with like minded folk.

I wanted to get back to running trails with no structure. Just figure out an estimated distance or time, grab a pack, some food and maybe a water filter and go. There are several trails that I've backpacked that I want to go back out to and run them in a day or as an overnight trip. Other than running for "fun" again, I'd like to just spend some time camping and relaxing this summer. I was lucky and got started with that this past weekend at Zephyr Cove in South Lake Tahoe. Tyler and HK were up there for the weekend for the TRT training runs and reserved a campsite that I was able to set up a tent and hammock and crash at. I was able to convince Nellie, who was still exhausted from the prior weekend with San Diego 100, to come up at the last minute so we were able to take both Tahoe and Sophie up to enjoy some sun and fresh mountain air.  

But last night, I was looking at more places to go camping on my weekends when I'm actually off on the weekend and asked where Nellie wants to go, and she said, "Can't we just spend a weekend where we're not doing something?" Traveling to get away from the rough city life is completely exhausting and spending that time sleeping on the ground isn't exactly restful, so I understand where she's coming from. I don't mind spending some time at home, but I need to be outside. I feel like I'm a better person when I'm free to just be but I feel like I'm restricted from doing that when there's so much "structure" here. Luckily, my work schedule allows for the balance, but it's also nice to have someone to hang out with when I'm outdoors. 

Sophie enjoys running when she's not leashed

Another funny thing happened last night. I dreamt I was running another 100 miler. I don't know where or what race it was. It was just as hot as San Diego. But this time, I actually felt great and knew what I was doing. I exchanged smiles with Jeff Browning (SD100 winner 2012, 2013) as we crossed paths on an out and back section. I felt free…