And now the real training starts...

 

Today is the day that my 20 week training schedule for Cowboy starts!  Over 750 miles in base building done and countless workouts to get ready for the mileage build that is about to happen and I am ready!

I have been seeing a PT for the last couple of months for a recurring injury - glute / piriformis / sciatic something or other - something I have dealt with on and off for as long as I remember, and I think he has it figured out!  It actually came down to a lower back issue and I am doing lots of band exercises and stretches to fix it.  (If you are in the Acadiana area, I highly recommend Beau Sonnier with Move Rx - he isn't cheap, but he gets results!)

I had to slow down my training for a bit since Beau said to keep the pain level under 4 - so in the place of running for a couple of weeks I was speed walking with a weighted vest.  This surprisingly helped keep my cardio mostly in tact, and helped me to keep my routine of getting up and getting something done every day.

So now we build ... 

Happy Running!  

Edie

"focus more on strength training" - Words of Wisdom for training for a 200 miler

 Luckily, I have been a part of ultra running long enough - either through participating in races or hosting them - that I have built up a strong circle of ultra runner friends.  Regardless of the race I may be interested in, chances are someone I know has done it and can give me tips.  This is so valuable to me.  I love getting tips and insider information about the course and support at the event, but more than that, if I know someone who has done it and I know they lead a pretty normal life otherwise, it shows me that I can do it as well.  

Cowboy 200 is no exception.  I knew a few people who had completed the race, so after signing up, I reached out to a friend, Troy Eid, who did Cowboy the very first year it was held. The year he did it, it was held in November and the temps rarely got above freezing.  Luckily after that year, they moved the race to September, so some of the temperature related challenges he faced I won't have to worry about, but he has been a great source of information about everything else.  

The one thing Troy said that really resonated with me, was to focus on strength training even more than high mileage.  This makes so much sense to me. He's not saying don't do long run training, I know that, but what he is saying is be sure not to neglect strength training.  The main difference between the 100 and 200 milers (despite the extra 100 miles to cover), is the overall body fatigue late in the race.  Overall strength will make a huge difference in your ability to complete the distance. 

Since starting this training cycle, I have added upper and lower body workouts, I have continued my once a week speed work, and I added a day of speed walking with a weighted vest. I have also taken a much more holistic view on training.  I am working with a physical therapist who has helped me work out a shoulder issue, but I am keeping regular visits with him to address any issues that pop up immediately.  I am also meeting with a Registered Dietician this week to talk through nutrition specifically focused on recovery between workouts and runs, and nutrition during runs and eventually during my race. And, I am really focusing on the right supplements and the timing of those supplements to get the most out of them.  

Currently I am getting a little over 100g of protein daily, working on increasing that a bit as my miles begin to climb in the next couple of months, collagen every day for joints, beetroot powder (vasodilator) before runs and mid day for blood flow, and a sleep aid with extra magnesium for muscle recovery during sleep.

So far so good.  I am feeling pretty solid right now as I prepare to enter the actual training next month. (I've run about 600 miles so far in preparation for "training").  

All in all, if I can continue to be smart and keep smarter people around me for guidance, I am hoping to stronger and more well rounded fitness- wise at the start of this race than I have for any other.  But I am 53 and going through menopause, so that tends to balance things out nicely, lol. 

More later, as I dive into the 20 week training plan in April. 

Happy Running! 

Edie

Smack dab in the middle? Feb 5, 2024 (220 days til race day, but who's counting?)

 

There is nothing better than these early morning runs.  

This has ended up being an interesting training journey.  I began "training" in September - right after I signed up for the race.  By "training", I mean that I made the mental commitment to do this race, and began the process of preparing my body for it.  You would think training for your first 200 would bring with it a high level of stress and worry, but it has actually been the opposite.  

This whole race experience will be an exercise in patience and planning.  It's not going to be like a 100 miler where if you are somewhat trained, you can gut it out and finish. You can even get away with not adding strength training to your routine (I did it regularly).  AND you can finish the entire race knowing that you can sleep after. 

This is so different, and I am approaching the training totally differently.  I am not worrying about pace as much as I used to, although I do have one speed workout a week - it just feels good to change it up and use different muscle groups.  On regular runs, if I feel like I need to walk for a bit, I do - I won't actually be running the whole 200 miles, and one day a week is a speed walk session with a weighted vest.  I know from coaching years ago that walking uses totally different muscles, and those need to be trained as well. 

A big part of this training is going to be the mental aspect.  Some of my longer runs will be purposefully monotonous to train my brain to just shut off and keep moving.  My favorite new mantra being "robot, robot, robot" (thanks Courtney D!).

Anyway, that's the latest.  Slight hamstring niggle right now from squats, but not too concerned about it.  Other than that, I think the consistency I have had over the last few months and the varied training load is working to help keep me healthy. Fingers crossed it continues!  

Happy Running! 

Edie