So…my second ultra…hmm. For those of you who don’t know what an ultra is, it’s a race longer than marathon distance. I’m doing a ‘short’ ultra, a 50k, through the Chilterns on Saturday with XNRG.
My training has had its ups and downs – a brief lurgy or two, some twinges in my knee. But otherwise, it’s pretty much gone to plan. In addition to covering the miles, I’ve run and stomped up a lot of hills, covered marathon distance on a rather warm and sticky day, walked around every now and again up and down said hills with a weighted backpack, done core work etc, run in the hottest part of the day…all the stuff I should be doing.
As for how Saturday will go, who the hell knows. It’s going to be a little warm – 25 or so and sunny. This is not ideal running weather for me but I’m at that point I’ve done what I can and what will be will be.
My main hope is I don’t end up in the medics tent at the end of it, and that it takes less time. Albeit, the medic was great, putting my arm in a sling and giving me an ice pack. And there was cake! You can read all about how it went wrong here.
Yep, I’m nervous. I’m anxious. The reason I’m doing this race again is to improve on my time. It won’t be fast, chances are it won’t be pretty, but all going well, I will get to the end!
And as I’ve said before, there are times a picture paints a thousand words. So I’m feeling much as I was this time last year, with a few additions around expectations!
How I think my second ultra might go…
Fear of not waking up on time means setting multiple alarm clocks at 1 minute intervals and no sleep
The next morning
Breakfast
Coffee
Getting dressed
Leaving home
The arrival
First things first
At the start line
A few miles in
A few more miles in
Then a few more miles
At various points
At the aid stations
A few other thoughts
And hoping for none of this
Meeting others
Likely somewhere near the end
All leading to this…
Followed by this…
And this…
Happy running all!
You’ve got this! You’re such an inspiration, and you will be fine. I’ll think of you on the day.
I did prep for my 18-miler in August today – I bought a mug. It’s from the camping section (ooh!) because they said we must have a mug. So now I have one (I also thought it would be good to pop tea in from the urn when officiating at Cross country!). I have run in the sun and I am going to run with my rucksack. Doing all the things.
Anyway, you have this. Go go go!
Thanks so much Liz. i have a bendy flask now for Saturday! And sounds like your training is going brilliantly – keep up the good work!
Ooh a bendy flask, how exciting! I have ruled the Lidl running rucksack out after my 5.7 miles with it this morning,, the straps were rubbing my neck (now I’m worried I have a massive neck: I don’t THINK I do) but the mug stayed in the pocket and didn’t annoy me so that’s one thing! Hope you’re feeling nice and calm and confident!
There are lots of running packs specifically for women which would be worth looking into. And thank you….getting there slowly!