Friday, February 8, 2013

Yes I Can


Don’t you just love those long runs that suck the energy out of you bones, and when it’s all over, you never felt better because it hurt so much!  Been awhile since I’ve posted, but be assured, these feet have not been idle.  Week after week, I continue to get stronger.  It was not this way at first, but with determination, faith, and hard work, I feel like I’m starting to get back into form again.  I still have a long ways to go, weak on the hill repeats, speed is slow, HR high, and long runs feel like a really long run.  But I’m pleased with my progress, shoulder is almost completely healed, and foot is getting better – Just not great, yet.  Still don’t have the endurance back yet, but I feel it building.  One day I feel strong, the next I struggle.  Just going to take time and patience!  I will get this – Never give up.


Last minute, I put my name on the list for a few 50Ks coming up.  I don’t think I’m ready for the first one yet, lucky to survive, and it will be painful.  Nevertheless, my gut said to just go with it, run easy (if possible), enjoy the trails, training run, and see what the day gives you.  I’m not going to taper for the race, and should be a slow performance.  This will end the week with around 60+ miles when the race is over!  A good week, for now!

Wow – It’s been over a year since being out on the trails (NF50).  I’m actually kind of excited about pretending to race again, getting beat-up by the trail, and feeling like someone hit me with a truck.  This should be fun!!!  And to think this use to be a walk in the park!  Moral of the story, don’t get injured.

Back to work.  Got another long run in the morning, but it will be on trails this time with some elevation change.  Can’t wait for the sunrise to get some dirt (Mud – It rained)!

Peace Out

11 comments:

Johann said...

Great to see you are making progress! Sounds like an interesting 50k coming up. Keep it going and enjoy!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Great to hear that your getting back into the swing of things, it will come back quickly, it always does

Black Knight said...

A positive post, beautiful.
Glad to hear that you are doing well and that your name is on the list for the next 50 Ks.
Yes, never give up.

Char said...

Sounds like your running's going well and if you're anything like me, when you're running well you're happy.

Kenley said...

Patience, and then......more patience. But once a runner, always a runner, and will come back. never give up. your dang right on that. I wish you the best with your running and look forward to reading more soon.

Olga said...

Happy to see you coming back at it! Don't you find it fascinating how our blogs get behind once our running stalls somewhat? :)

Beth said...

Glad to see that you are back at it and doing well. If it was easy right of the bat, it wouldn't be any fun! :) Enjoy the trails and best of luck!

Raina said...

It seems so non-chalant to just train through a 50k! But I think I am starting to understand this trail- ultra thing (from the back seat). You gotta build the long run somehow, and how better than with other people on a trail..AKA a race.
Good for you for the consistent build up. Those hills will be easier in no time!

Jill said...

I think you and I are cut from the sane cloth right now in our training and fitness....but I concur that in time, it will get better and isn't it cool to watch the progress of getting strong and fit? Yeah, it's slower than molasses, but with a wee-bit of patience (not my strongest suit - ha) it will all be good. No, it will be great! Excited for your upcoming 50ks and if the first one is just a practice in suffering, then so be it...it'll make you that much stronger :).

Thomas Bussiere said...

Johann – It will be slow, painful, and a wake-up for the rest of my training. You are sounding so strong over in South Africa with all the races you have completed. I was there for 6 weeks and it was incredible. Love running through the villages.

BDD – Not quick enough, but it’s on the way.

BK – You know the term “Never give up” best based on what you have been through.

Char – Happy most of the time, except for the end of those long runs. Still waiting for my endurance to build-up! I would say please send me one of your awesome cupcakes, but don’t think it would survive the trip from Australia.

Kenley – Patience is the key to getting it back for the long haul.

Olga – You are so right. Glad to hear your training is so strong. You are going to have a great year, and look forward to you annihilating the field. You are crazy good.

Beth – Went to the trails the other day and it was so incredible. Your right, we would get bored with it if it was easy.

Raina – I don’t plan to race the 50Ks, just use them as training runs, spend time with like-minded runners, and get some time on the trails with a mix of elevation and heat. You are right.

Jill – I think all of us Ultra runners have common strands of thread that knows no limits. We don’t like the word impossible or can’t be done. This only motivates us. Suffering is a badge of honor, which I will be doing plenty of for this 50K. Soon the 50K will feel routine, which is a building block for longer more demanding races.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I am thinking about giving trail running a chance this fall, I was wondering if you can email me some tips on how to get started

Thanks

tri_diesel@yahoo.com