While it feels fantastic to put in some good work, I paid the price. After running many marathons and peaking at 91 miles, I shut down for 3 weeks for a trip to Kenya. My running was weak and motivation low. It took some doing but I got back, ramping up the runs. On Saturday at the end of the first week we did the Mini Tough One, a hilly 15.7 mile course. We kept it smart knowing there was a marathon the next day. I jumped into a marathon on Sunday. It was the hardest course in Joburg; when it wasn’t going up it was bombing down. I hit 77 miles for the week with a day off.
The stomach issues returned after the marathon. It was my worst yet. While spending most of the night sitting on the toilet dispensing disgustingness into the porcelain bowl, I also frequently reached for a garbage can to spew whatever was left into a bucket. It wasn’t a pretty site.
A week of recovering from the spell put me in Cape Town for the Two Oceans Marathon. 35 miles of gorgeous beaches, cliff sides, and forests. The wind was howling all of the way, often standing up straight when into the wind or being pushed along from behind. Despite my best efforts to go slow and hit a 5min/K pace (Comrades silver), I couldn’t slow that much. However, I kept it very easy and in total control. I tucked in a pack until halfway, broke away up Chapman’s Peak, eased off on the downhill, and rolled through town. I crossed the marathon in 3:21 and felt flawless. I moved up Constantia with authority but again conserved on the steep downhills until it leveled out. Then I saw the watch and smoked it in the last few K. 4hr 29min and felt like I barely ran 20 miles. I was ecstatic.
The problem I have when going big is a letdown in motivation, pace, and energy. This week was no exception. With a lingering calf pull that I have had since Ironman, I hacked through a week of running, just getting in what I could. And while there was no physical reason to back off, the mental one was large. You see, my training partners had devised the RAC Ultra Medley – a 35 mile tour of the most massive and amazing hills in Joburg strung together in a multi-hour torture-fest. Still, we rocked and rolled over the whole thing in about 4:51 (not including stops) which considering the harder course was a great time for a week after Oceans.
Again, the letdown came, and my week after was less than impressive. I tried sports massage, something I have never been a fan of, and my legs got worked. I was sorer after than before, but the nagging calf pull since summer has me trying new things. It was a little better. With the weather dropping I headed to Slo-Mag Marathon, my 50th open marathon.
After starting and running too fast for the first half, I settled in and cruised to a 3:05. No sense in blowing the doors off. Massage left me in pain again but the 4 weeks put up 2 marathons and 2 ultras and I will be back in a couple of weeks with another ultra effort. Still struggling with this stomach issue.
The stomach issues returned after the marathon. It was my worst yet. While spending most of the night sitting on the toilet dispensing disgustingness into the porcelain bowl, I also frequently reached for a garbage can to spew whatever was left into a bucket. It wasn’t a pretty site.
A week of recovering from the spell put me in Cape Town for the Two Oceans Marathon. 35 miles of gorgeous beaches, cliff sides, and forests. The wind was howling all of the way, often standing up straight when into the wind or being pushed along from behind. Despite my best efforts to go slow and hit a 5min/K pace (Comrades silver), I couldn’t slow that much. However, I kept it very easy and in total control. I tucked in a pack until halfway, broke away up Chapman’s Peak, eased off on the downhill, and rolled through town. I crossed the marathon in 3:21 and felt flawless. I moved up Constantia with authority but again conserved on the steep downhills until it leveled out. Then I saw the watch and smoked it in the last few K. 4hr 29min and felt like I barely ran 20 miles. I was ecstatic.
The problem I have when going big is a letdown in motivation, pace, and energy. This week was no exception. With a lingering calf pull that I have had since Ironman, I hacked through a week of running, just getting in what I could. And while there was no physical reason to back off, the mental one was large. You see, my training partners had devised the RAC Ultra Medley – a 35 mile tour of the most massive and amazing hills in Joburg strung together in a multi-hour torture-fest. Still, we rocked and rolled over the whole thing in about 4:51 (not including stops) which considering the harder course was a great time for a week after Oceans.
Again, the letdown came, and my week after was less than impressive. I tried sports massage, something I have never been a fan of, and my legs got worked. I was sorer after than before, but the nagging calf pull since summer has me trying new things. It was a little better. With the weather dropping I headed to Slo-Mag Marathon, my 50th open marathon.
After starting and running too fast for the first half, I settled in and cruised to a 3:05. No sense in blowing the doors off. Massage left me in pain again but the 4 weeks put up 2 marathons and 2 ultras and I will be back in a couple of weeks with another ultra effort. Still struggling with this stomach issue.
