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.
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