Refocused for the next mark

Getting motivated to run with purpose has been challenging following missing the Pinhoti 100. Nevertheless, I have adjusted my attitude and now refocused with my sights on the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler in the big state of Texas this February. With only 5,000 ft of elevation change, this should be a fairly flat course on trails and jeep roads with some alligator infested swamps (snack time). Based on some past reports I read, the real challenge will be all the large tree roots scattered everywhere, and the night time sections in the swamps making this an eerie time. The roots will be a mild challenge to navigate around during the day, but at night when the body is tired and mental focus and response is slow, a taste of Texas clay with a risk of bad falls will be the test. If it rains a lot, the trail will be a mud feast based on some of the pics I saw. The 20 mile loop course around Lake Raven, repeated 5X, is the mark. My new training plan incorporates speed work every week (something I did very little of in the past) to improve my turnover and overall pace. I’m changing my nutritional plan and will test it during my long training runs. Based on past races, this can only get better.
Today I went for a nice run out at Fort Gordon on a very familiar 3 mile dirt running track around a very large field (military parade field) in cooler then normal temps (42 deg) for this time of the year in the South. The great part of the run was after my 4th lap around, I ran into about 50 Navy personnel doing some PT around ½ the track. I had a chance to run with a few who where struggling to keep their pace, and I provided some encouragement by enforcing they can do more then they realize. Their demeanor was very relaxed until they asked if I had been in the military and I responded for 24 years and retired as a CPO. I said time to get moving so I wouldn’t be late picking up my son from wrestling practice. They said respectfully “thanks Chief” as I picked my pace up. It felt good to run with them, and it reminded me of pushing young sailors so they would get top scores on their PT test.
Tonight is transition night for me – Up all night and attempt to sleep during the day for my upcoming six days of 12 hour nightshift work stretch. This makes for good time management in order to get family time in and hold true to my training schedule.
Wishing everybody a joyful Thanksgiving. Don’t forget about our troops away from home, in harms way, so we can enjoy the freedoms we have without worry.
God bless,
Chief

No Pinhoti This Year :-(

I’m so so so bummed out – Sick: dehydrated, fever, chills, could not keep anything down yesterday. First time at work I had to leave early. I haven’t been sick for over 3 years and now the big weekend is here and I'm stuck at home with the flu. When I woke up yesterday morning, it went downhill from there. I’ve been preparing since the VT-100 last summer and now the weekend is going to be spent thinking about what I wish I was doing. I even put off Arkansas in October for this race (and other reasons) only to be stopped in my tracks because of the flu. The weather looks great for this weekend, plans made (time off from work, hotel reservations, food, gear packed...) and I have the flu. I feel a little better today, but not recovered yet. My mind wants to race anyway but my heart says don't because my body has been dehydrated, low in fuel, and still trying to recover. This is so frustrating to be this close to race weekend, ready to go, trained and tapered, and to be stopped at the last minute by the flu. I'm having a hard time accepting my situation and want to race anyway. Laura was my voice of reason and told me running 100 miles is hard enough when I'm at full capacity, and being sick would only put me in danger of hurting myself. I know she is right, but difficult to accept. Not a happy situation.
I’m trying to find the silver lining, but the thought of not running in the inaugural Pinhoti trail 100 is disturbing. Not a good way to finish the year.

Countdown to Pinhoti 100

5 days and counting to the Pinhoti 100 in Alabama: Weather prediction looks good (clear and Hi 60s / Lo 30s) - Crew ready - Pace chart prepared - Music loaded - Strategy formed (Go slow and eat lots of food). Now I need to get myself mentally prepared! Due to my training, no PR will be expected, and finishing will be my objective. I know after 70 miles will be a real struggle, but I need to embrace the challenge and push my limit. Something tells me this will be more demanding then VT. I will also be without a pacer, so digging deeper to motivate myself to keep moving will be required. As my friend Terri Hayes says "Just believe, and you will". Stay tuned.