Monday, September 24, 2007

What A Week

How do people do it? In that I mean running high mileage with the balance of being a wife, having kids, and working fulltime. By the time Thursday’s run was complete I was at 24 miles and still had 24 miles to run Saturday and 10 miles to run on Sunday. I was wiped out and could hardly keep my eyes open to even watch the season’s first episode of Survivor.

Saturday was a later start than normal but the four of us girls returned to Paris Mountain to tackle the very technical hills this trails has to offer. My goal was to run at least 95% of the course on the first 10 mile loop. It was a challenge but I did it!! This past week was all about mentally staying focused on moving. It felt good to reach a goal that we have all worked so hard towards. One the second loop we where down to 2 runners. The hills were even more challenging the second time around. Temps were raising and with that the need to drink more fluids. After crossing a stream and stopping for a quick splash we decided to loop around this lake to add the extra mileage we needed and all but soaked ourselves in the cool water the second time. It completely renewed the two of us and we began moving again at a much better pace.

Following the run we submersed our legs into the cool running stream for about 10 minutes. What a treat. Closest thing to an ice bath in the woods. Add an ice cold Mountain Dew and we were done.

Sunday’s run was ugly. I waited to late in the day and had no desire to run in the heat so I hit the treadmill. The first two miles were tuff and then it got better. Finally at mile 7 I opted to jump on the Elliptical for the last 3 miles. What a week.

Best news is that this week is a taper week. Only 38 miles for the week. I WILL TAKE IT!!

Robin

13 comments:

David said...

I'll tell you a secret: Most of us DON'T do it! Just you crazy nuts that decide to run ultras.
:-)

Good job on getting the miles in, and no wonder you are tired. I'm sure the trail running takes it out of you more than just normal road running.

Season premier week!! WOO HOOO!!!

streak said...

Great run in very hard conditions. I don't know how anyone juggles all of those things without making a sacrifice of one. Paris mtn is a nice run but I don't know about a hot day run there. Hope your bad run is over with and nothing but happy trails ahead!

Marcy said...

ROFLMAO David!

You rock, that's how you did it ;-) Awesome runs!

Unknown said...

I don't know about others, but I fit it in wherever I can fit in a run. A lot of the time it means running at lunch time from work or very early in the morning/late at night. Fortunately, I have a job that doesn't place a lot of demands on me to work late hours. That's a choice I made many years ago and have never been sorry about.

Nice job getting those long runs in. Sounds like you have earned your taper.

zanne said...

i fit it in before anyone in my house is even awake. when i come back - they are just getting up & don't even know i've been gone. that way - i can pretty much guarantee that nothing will get in the way. now, trips to trails in mountains for 24 mile training runs? i don't know how anyone does that. i mean, i just walk out my front door. and you are so scaring the bejeesus out of this girl who entertains thoughts of an ultra one day.

zanne said...

oooh. totally meant to include that your commitment to getting the miles in never ceases to amaze! someone would have to be holding a gun to my head to get me on a treadmill ... that's the question - how do people do that treadmill!? you rock blogfriend ... keep on running. you'll fit it all in!

Wes said...

38 miles is a recovery week for you :-) Love it :-)

Scott McMurtrey said...

i don't know how you do it. i have a dog and a plant and my life is swamped...

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...

I have a plant umm and not really swamped either...

but ya I don't know how you do it, that's pretty impressive ...Congrats on a great week!

Mendy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mendy said...

Sacrifices. That's how it gets done, and did I mention, being nuts... (like David said). I don't have either the commitment to do that, nor do I want to do that type of mileage.

You rock, Robin! Hope to see you soon!

Have a good taper week!!!

Lori said...

Um, yeah, I'm going with you crazy Ultra kids ;)

Those miles are crazy insane! Way to keep up the awesome work!

J~Mom said...

I have no idea how you do it. :>)

I am really struggling trying to fit in this tri training while being back in school. It seems to be working for the most part but there are baskets of laundry to fold and I think I will leave them a few more days. LOL