Post Race Blues

Is it just me or does everyone else get the blues after a 100 miler? Even with a race on the horizon, and knowing I need to get it in gear or not toe the line, my motivation and desire to pound some miles has been lacking. I know recovery is apart of it, and not physically feeling strong during a 10 miler, but the mental side is found wanting for excuses not to push it. It also does not help with a very demanding work schedule (70 hour work week including travel) during Feb and March with a refueling outage in progress (another excuse). I also noticed I don’t sleep as well, my mood is not upbeat, and I’m eating all the wrong stuff like there is no tomorrow. Like a low point in a race, I know it’s just a matter of time before this too is behind me. I was almost to the point of caving in to taking it easy, rest, and putting off my summer race for another time. This would have been so easy to do! But I told myself easy was not the way I lived! With nobody else around willing to do it, I reached back, grabbed my foot, and kicked myself in the ass.

This week I went from running only a couple of time during the week to everyday, and it never felt better. I can tell I’m physically stronger, and recovered, because my heart rate for an 8 min mile for 10 miles is back to normal. I even think my pace has for some reason improved when I did a 7 miler at a 7:20 pace when it felt like an 8 mpm. I still have a nagging ache in my right hip flexor, and just need to work it out hopefully with some ice and stretching. I need to ramp my weekly mileage and long run up quickly to be ready for June. I will be doing this knowing I’m at risk for an injury, but it’s better then doing nothing. Hopefully I didn’t lose too much of my running base from RR, and get through this short buildup with only minor aches. Before I make a final decision to enter the Mohican Trail 100 in OH, I will train hard and see where I’m at by the end of April. This will be a more demanding race then RR considering the elevation, heat, and humidity which has not been favorable for me in the past. I have a lot of work to get where I want to be come June – I love a good challenge, and a challenge this will be.

I also have the annual Buncombe 34M trail race in SC come May as one of five races with Terri Hayes’ race series. I like to use this as a training run (no taper), and run some beautiful trails in the Sumter National Forest with other runners from the SE. Terri always puts on a first class race in an old school format, and it gives my family a chance to participate by managing some of the aid stations. Time will tell!