….and My Story Runs On….
Yesterday I had the opportunity to run in the 24-hr Across The Years race. This is my 2nd year in a row and I get a free entry by filing up a 24 hour shift of volunteers from 12/31-1/1.
Before I started, I read the race report I did last year.
I was pretty excited as I knew what I was getting into. One of the days I will use the full 24 hours but my goal was to stick to my training plan and get my 40 miles in. This would be 2nd longest distance to date with the 50 miler being my first.
As a quick reminder, this is a 1-mile course and you go around it as many times as you can for the amount of time that you have. Basically it’s truly your race to do whatever you want. There are people our there setting aggressive mileage goals and trying to break records but bottom line, you do what you want. You can take as many breaks as you want, I know people that leave and come back….and the longest event here is 6 days! Not sure how people do that but there are plenty that do! Some people seek these types of races out specifically.
How I passed the time:
I’m always working on my ChiRunning technique so focused on that of course. 40 miles went by talking to old friends and new friends, listening to a few podcasts and some music. Was over before I knew it! There were times that it did get harder but overall I stayed focused on my goal.
What I like about this event:
- Such a fun social event if you are not on a mission with aggressive goals. I can’t tell you the amount of friends I saw that were either doing the event, volunteering or just hanging out to cheer their friends on.
- No pressure! (unless it’s self imposed!) I knew I had plenty of time to reach my goal of 40 miles and I was in no rush. I ran, I walked, I stopped and talked to friends and just kept moving. No need to prepare a ton because there is an aid station on the course (remember it’s a mile course…people have been know to gain weight because it’s too easy to stop every mile) and a water station at the other end. No need for hydration pack or anything because it’s all there. I think this a perfect event for anyone wanting to do a longer distance (marathon and above) and is worried about cutoffs or getting lost on a trail. You have plenty of time and pretty impossible to get lost on a mile course 😉
What I don’t like:
- The course is pretty but it’s a bit monotonous. I much rather be on a trail. They do change the direction every 4 hours so it’s look a bit different. I am actually considering Aravaipa’s Silverton event in 2018. The website is not updated yet but it’s the same concept: 1 mile course but you are on a trail in Silverton CO with 250ft of gain every mile. Dates are changing to 7/6-7/12 2018. So a bit more challenging but I am sure it’s gorgeous! This may even end up being a Group Training program I am considering to offer.
- People attend this event to get mileage but are not necessarily trained for that mileage. I’m all for pushing your body and mind to the limit but I’ve seen people take this to a level that can be dangerous as far as injuries go. As much as I wanted to do more miles because I had the time, I stuck to my training plan and didn’t want to push it.
Biggest takeaway:
It doesn’t matter if you run a 50K or 50 miler on trail or this event. Miles are miles! It’s so easy to “downplay” the mileage at this event. Maybe because trails are “harder” or because it’s a one mile course but it doesn’t matter!! This is a whole different kind of hard! I’m planning on getting more people to check this out (and/or Silverton!)
Some highlights from my run yesterday:
Thank you to everyone who has been donating to my Girls On The Run fundraiser for my first 100K! Means so much to me! I almost doubled where I was in the last few days!
I did 4 short Facebook Lives from the event and you can see them here:
Right before the start and already hanging with some friends!
More friends! Tommy is one of the most positive people I know in our running community!
More friends!
Minion on the course!
Minion and Pikachu on the course!
Cheryl Miller from Miller Coaching out on the course with this awesome shirt!
My friend Lori at this point had surpassed her longest run ever which was a marathon!
Motivation!
New friend! Frederick Davis III He will be 70 on January 2nd and does many of these timed events. He was telling me about 15 day events and he recently completed one in South Africa: 1,000 km (620 miles) in 15 days!
Friends know my Fireball history 😉 There was a Fireball station that I had been eyeing out before the race even started but waited until mile 38 to make sure I would complete my goal. Freddy joined me and told me he usually does a shot for breakfast on these events. Love this guy!
Every time you go through the start/finish line you can see where you are. Here is my last lap!
Just a few steps 😉
Lori completes her first 50K
From My Running Story to Yours….
(if you feel inspired to share your comments, do so below…I want to hear your story too!)