I’ve been hearing questions and comments about the 50K trail race from this past weekend, and I’ve decided to start a blog series for the next 5 months so you can follow my training – the ups and the downs – of what it takes to train for a 100 mile trail run using strength training and CrossFit. Yes, there will be some running included from time to time, but running is boring! (sarcasm..)
First off, I’ve been with Old City CrossFit from before the beginning. Sean had weekly blog posts introducing new members to keep every one entertained while the current location was being built (sound familiar??). Here’s a link to my introduction for a very brief overview of my endurance background.
Going back a little more on how I got into ultra running, I originally started running 5ks after graduating college in 1999 to stay in shape after playing D2 softball for 4 years. That evolved into marathons and then triathlons by 2001 when I moved from Michigan to Washington, DC. I was getting tired of the same hum-drum races and in 2003, my boss put the entry form to a 50K trail run on my chair. Yes, back then you mailed in your entry form and fee. I really enjoyed the race and the atmosphere and signed up for more ultras – 50 miler in 2006, 100 miler in 2007 – all while continuing with triathlons over the years.
As noted in the blog post, very little time was spent in the gym. I was fit to run, but I didn’t feel in shape.
These days I prefer doing strength training and then run from time to time. It’s not the ideal training programming, but it works for me.
So over the next few months I’ll be contributing blog posts about my training program – running and how CF and lifting is included, my race schedule, nutrition (racing and every day), the mental side of going that long, dealing with injuries and setbacks, and more! If there’s anything you’d like to know about my training, please send me an email and I’ll be sure to address it.
This is all leading up to the weekend of May 6-7 when I will be toeing the line at MMT in hopes of my 6th finish of that course.
I hope you will follow me on this journey.
