After nearly five months of ultra training I can do stuff that was very hard before and now it seems not so daunting. There are 80km weeks where you need to run 16km Saturday and 32km Sunday and each week only has Monday and Friday free but then you do other bits to keep the body ready. You literary need to structure your days around your training, not the other way round. I learned that you can train the body and run some distances wihout much hassle. I also learned that by combining hard training and appropriate diet you will drop all that stubborn stuff around your waste and elsewhere, I lost the whole 9kg as an already slim guy but my thighs and lower legs got more muscular. I also learned that the hardest part to manage is your own mind. The harder the training the bigger the mind games.
I can't run the same routes for 5 months. I cannot run 32km runs on the same route. I would go insane if l did. Hence I have created so many different scenarios through different routes, sometimes changing them mid-run just to surprise and entertain my brain. The brain can ruin your run. It can stop your run and send you home. BUT, the brain can easily be tricked. It has two main compartments - the one that tells you what to do, and another that tells the first guy 'nope, we are doing it this way.'
The key is to keep the body healthy and ready and brain complacent and entertained. That way you can reach your target. Of course, one may ask why putting yourself through such an ordeal in the first place? That's the topic for another time.
Written by
mrrun
Ultramarathon
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Haha, I'm glad l can inspire anyone with my stuff. I will take a few weeks off once this is done, you cannot go forever at such tempo. Oh, and some time ago you asked about my blog which is now live - check me out on runmrrun.com, uncensored and free (subject to my editor's t&c's, of course 😉).
It’s quite an undertaking isn’t it, and takes up a lot of time You’re doing really well 😃💪👍. Sounds like you’re enjoying it too 🙂
I’ll check out your blog 👍
My November marathon is entered so I have some training to start once my current plan is done However, my running is temporarily stopped as from today as my husband tested positive for covid 😟
Oh no! l hope he manages ok. Is he asymptomatic? My friend’s Mum tested positive with no symptoms and she just tested negative after isolation. I guess you need to go into full lockdown for a couple of weeks?
and playing with the Wi-fit my nephew has turned up with 🤷♀️😁💪
Yes, five days a week of Joe, some yoga and Jillian. If it’s nice I’ve got tons to do in the garden Those courgettes won’t plant themselves 😁 I’d got so many jobs on my plot too, including replacing the shed roof felt which had blown clean off 🤨
My husband is well so far 🤞. Me too Hopefully our son who was hospitalised with food poisoning yesterday hasn’t caught it from OH who had to cart him off to hospital 🙄
It sounds like you are making great progress! Yes I am constantly amazed how the body adapts to all the stresses of long distance running. Yes I’ve also resorted to changing up to more interesting trail routes to keep things interesting and remain relatively solo.
Today was hard, harder than I thought it could be. Higher tempo 16k yesterday, late night and a few more minor glitches, and I had to grind it out. Live & learn!
Half the fun for me right now is discovering new routes to run. Having a reliable standby is good too. Especially along the beautiful coast where you are
A few years ago a friend joined me for a quick pre dawn run from the pier to Hove and back. The waves and seagulls made it truly memorable. The look on the hotel receptionist's face at 6am when she saw a disheveled guy in Boston Celtics gear will stay with me forever.
I like running routes I know well. I guess because I tend to "think" more than "look" when running. It's almost like I get into meditation after a couple of miles, which is a good thing as the pains from my physical drawbacks recede and I can run longer than if I were too aware of them However, it sure would be nice to be able to interact more with some of the truly nice places I have run while on trips etc
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Post covid recovery - is it mainly in the mind??
