Tuesday was the first real day that I sat back and realized what has been going on with my running. After running 23 miles Saturday and then 13 Sunday (and being slightly disappointed by that second day), I sat back and just reflected for a second.
Last year I ran 23 miles as a training run for Boston and that was my longest training run ever. Usually I don’t run that far in marathon training. I ran 23 miles last weekend without thinking twice, then did a half marathon the next day! I definitely have had a mental shift and appear to have entered the ultra-training mind zone where that doesn’t seem so crazy.
I eat as much as I possible can between long runs. I literally just shove my face all day. I have to make sure that I get enough calories in, both to refuel for that day’s run and fuel for tomorrow’s run. It might sound fun, but it’s really hard! I feel like I am constantly eating and it’s not enough. Cookies help though. Especially these ones. Thankfully I have friends who like to bake and share.
I do not miss speedwork or running “fast” at all. I have noticed that I have slowed down a lot, partially on purpose, but I can also just tell when I run faster. I am running most of my runs where my recovery pace used to be… which is good! It’s ultra training and I need to run “slow”.
I thought I might miss running fast sometimes, but I have not gotten to that point. I love just feeling like I could run forever. This week I even ran with my friend to the park and did laps along the beautiful bay while she did mile repeats. Not a single part of me wanted to join her. I guess that means I am training for where my heart is at right now.
The weekend norm. 
I pretty much live in running clothes on the weekends and any day I am not at work. If I have to put normal clothes on, I probably won’t go to wherever that place is.
I have been seen in some pretty atrocious outfits at the grocery store lately. I definitely walked through the store with mud covered legs and ugg slippers on Sunday. Sorry I didn’t take a picture of that one.
Last weekend I never brushed my hair. I took a shower after my long run Saturday and put my hair in a wet ponytail. Sunday, I put a hat on to run and washed it again that day and back into a ponytail. Monday I finally brushed it.
I daydream of running really, really far in the hills and on trails and running up mountains. I used to be scared of the big hills, but lately I have just wanted to run up them. My perception of what a hill is has most definitely changed because in trail running, you run up mountains!
My weekends revolve around running, I am hungry all the time, I am tired all the time, I do never-ending running clothes laundry… but I don’t think I have ever ran with a smile and looked forward to as many runs during a training cycle as I have over the last 7 weeks.
This is so fun, I have loved pretty much every second so far, and I can’t wait for more.
Unexpectedly inspiring. Gotta get out on the trails this weekend. Thanks -
Hmm this sounds very familiar. I am also definitely in a constant state of running-clothes laundry, cookie eating, and barely brushing my hair on weekends. I imagine it will only get worse since my race isn’t until June. Continued best wishes with your training! Sounds like you are really enjoying it, which is the most important part!
This is so cool! I’m so excited for you. Also, probably not the best post for me to read on an actual rest day – now I want to go for a run!! haha
I love this post! I’m not a distance runner (at all right now!!) so your experience is totally foreign to my own. I love reading about it though — I find it all so interesting!
sounds like you have found your perfect challenge right now! it’s probably refreshing to be able to immerse yourself in what you are training for (ultras), and not worry that you are missing out on (short races). mile repeats will always be there for you when you finish the ultra
It’s so exciting to read about your mental shift regarding speed and distance. I loved both of those realizations when I was on trails and would look forward to loosing myself on the trails for 3-5hrs at a time. There are so many beautiful places to run in the Bay Area … and you get to cover so much distance. The time it takes to get up a big hill is just as enjoyable, and then appreciating the breeze as you run down is just as great … if you ever need a great course on Diablo, this marathon course is AMAZING to run – so satisfying and a wicked workout with just under 8000′ climb. Sumitting twice, and then hitting North Peak and Mt. Olympia was incredible! I’d recommend taking Summit Trail the second time to the top for a change of scenery – love the golden single tracks back there! A great way to spend a very long morning/afternoon! http://www.pctrailruns.com/images/maps/mount_diablo.jpg
I was just thinking the other day, “I wonder if she is doing any speedwork.” But really, I see that there is no need for it. You must pace yourself so you can run, and run, and run and RUN!
Congrats on your dedication and the enjoyment that you are feeling.
So glad you liked the cookies! And I’m also glad you helped get them out of my kitchen since I’m not running anywhere near your mileage! It’s so cool to read about this journey and your mental shift. I have no trail running experience except for back in the high school cross country days, but you make me want to find a trail to run on
i LOVE this post! my favorite runs are long, slow, unrushed jaunts in beautiful scenery in blazing sunlight. my mind is always at peace on runs and its where i feel most “at home” and myself. at the end of a run, it never feels like enough– i’m always hungry for more miles. it’s like the itch is never being scratched! maybe i need to consider ultras?! thanks for the inspiration!!
This is a great post! ‘I guess that means I am training for where my heart is at right now’…that is so important! Think of how far you’ve comein your running. I’m sure there are many more wonderful running accomplishments in store for you.
This is a great post! I find it really inspiring, actually, even though I’m not an ultra runner at all. A good reminder that as our goals change, our running changes as well.
I think the most important thing is to be doing something that you love and everything else will fall into place. I love seeing you back in this happy state with running and taking on a new challenge!
What a great post, so inspiring! It’s wonderful you found something you truly love! I hope I can train (and complete!) an ultra someday too! Have a great running weekend!
EXACTLY why i can’t wait to train for ultras! great post!
If it makes you happy then you’re doing it right.
I love this post! I also love that there is a community of people in which it is totally ok to never wear jeans, or heels, or anything other than workout clothes for 2 days straight. I ran the Disneyland half marathon three weeks ago and it is so heartwarming to be walking around a theme park in tempo track shorts and zensah compression sleeves and see 20 other people wearing the exact same thing!
I could have written that. Not now, but last summer
And I definitely am going to do this again when it gets a little warmer outside. Running long distances when it is freezing outside isn’t worth it.
You make it sound very appealing! So happy for you that you have really come to love trail/ultra training.
It’s kind of where I am with tri training right now, and I find myself lacking the marathon focus I am so used to. Just trying to keep telling myself that it’s okay!
Ahhh the amount of love you have for this is contagious!! Love it!
Trail running really is a different ball game and makes you love running SO much more. I remember when I was training for my 25K in the trails last spring I was in a totally different place than I am right now with marathon training and I LOVED it. You may be inspiring me to go for that 50K goal I’ve been tossing around in my head… Maybe…
Wow! It really does sound exhausting, but for the right type of person, awesome. I’m so impressed you’re following through with such an intense plan for the 50. Well done, Aron. I’m hoping to do a 50 in the next 2 or 3 years, so I guess this is kinda like looking into my future!
Doesn’t it feel nice to enjoy putting yourself through all this! Not that I would do an ultra, but I’m glad you’re enjoying the process! Makes the end result so much more exciting!
Ah once you give up trying to get the dirt out from you toenails, that’s when you are truly bitten!
I love reading about how much fun and how much joy you’re running with when it comes to your ultra training. Enjoy your cookies!
so awesome to hear! you’re doing great
i love this!
This is such a great post! Your blog overall makes me want to move back to the Bay Area even though I only just left it for Boston. Trail running opportunities are few and far between when you don’t have a car in this city, but if I make it back home, I hope to try out some of the spots you’ve mentioned. Also, I don’t know if you’ve ever run at Russian Ridge, but it is gorgeous and there are lots of other great trails nearby too.
That is so inspiring and I’m so happy for you!! It seems you really found your happy place
I love this mental shift Aron – it’s interesting and encouraging and wonderful to see how you’ve moved on in so many ways. Yay to 30 and ultras!
This sounds like you’ve really found as aspect of running that you enjoy…I love it! I would imagine training for an ultra would time consuming and tiring with all those miles, but if it makes you happy then it’s totally worth it!
SInce I am training for my first marathon and I don’t really have a clue as to how fast I want to run it, I do the same for my training runs. Keep on cruising.
This was great!! I am so happy for you! It sounds like you are right where you want to be running-wise!
Oh, <3! I'm glad you're loving the ultra training. All of this endurance is going to pay off big time later if you ever want to get back into faster running. Or if you want to run up and over a mountain or two
I love reading about your training so much. Also, I too am married to my Ugg (I have the exact same ones as you do, actually) and wearing gnarly outfits on weekends, despite the fact that I am only a lowly marathoner.
i can relate…i haven’t done my hair since i started 70.3 training. i don’t think it will get done until christmas next year.
you were meant for ultra training. now get into work and email me back. this blogging is for the birds!
So I have to ask: How do you and Chris manage? He must be the most patient man — you’re lucky! I have a tough time with my husband, who is not a runner, and I’m dreading when training for Vineman really starts to pick up.