Changes? What Changes?: Race to the Stones – Weeks 4-6

If you read my previous training update (here’s a refresher), you already know that one of the main reasons for me signing up for the 100km race this summer was to try something new and different.

But I didn’t really think too much about the specifics.

As the days and weeks of training go by, I’m noticing more and more things that I am not used to. So far, I think that I’m adapting pretty well to them, but there is definitely some work still to be done!

More Distance

Of course, the longer distances – both in training and in the races – were to be expected. I’ve run longer distances in training for marathons in the past, but I have never done it in preparation for a distance of more than a marathon at one time.

That’s the whole point of training though, isn’t it? To build up your body and mind to get used to running at those distances.

With the 100km (Race to the Stones) in July as the main target, part of the build up to it includes at least one 50km race, which I will be doing in Philadelphia on this coming Saturday (May 10). If I’m being completely honest, this 50k seems like it’s coming a little bit early in my training plan, but it will provide a good chance to see exactly where I am and what I potentially need to work on. And it could also provide a confidence boost!

Being that 50km is further than I’ve ever gone at once, I have been thinking (and talking to some experienced ultra runners) about the best way to approach the distance. The plan for Saturday is to work with the idea of getting to the next aid station feeling good. For this race, the aid stations are anywhere from 3 to 4.5 miles apart, so I’m hoping to keep my focus on the next one for as long as possible.

Trail Running

Even though I ran in Trailfest in 2021 (and one other trail race close to 20 years ago), I have run about 99.9% of my miles on roads.

Obviously, there are a few differences between trail running and road running. And one or two of those differences have probably kept me from trying trails earlier.

First, the ‘inconvenience’ of it. I would have to drive to the trail rather than just stepping out my door and running on the road. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but it’s the only thing I have been used to for all of my running life!

Second, running on a different surface(s) would take some adjusting to. Tree roots, rocks, sticks (or snakes) and branches are all things that you don’t really have to think too much about while running on the roads.

Third, the greater potential for wildlife – especially snakes. Running on the road, this isn’t really too much of a thought aside from the neighborhood dogs and cats and the odd fox. On the trail, there could be a few other things around!

As the training for this summer started though, I knew I would need to get at least some miles on trails. So, with my new trail shoes laced up, I made my way to a local trail that I have lived about 5 minutes from for years. The first time, I just wanted to get familiar with navigating the different trails. I kept it short – about 5 miles – and then promptly got a little lost trying to find where I entered the woods. But I really liked (maybe even loved) it!

So I went back the next day. This time, I was much more familiar with most of the different paths and made it 10 miles, feeling like I could go further. And yes, I enjoyed it again.

Last week, I went back to the trails with the intention of getting a longer run done and testing out my running pack (another adjustment!) with two flasks and a couple of snacks also. I made it 14 miles this time, but I was pretty exhausted by the end of it – mainly due to starting out too fast and the slightly warmer day. Even though it was a tougher run all around, I still really enjoyed it, but one of my first thoughts was ‘how in the world am I going to complete more than two times this distance?’ for the 50km.

By the next morning, after talking with a couple of friends, I had a much better perspective and had resolved to not focus on the time/pace I was running and just try to enjoy it more.

Speaking of TIme…Slow It Down

A common theme when talking to others (and reading) about ultra running is “you need to slow it down.” Easier running is part of almost all training plans, no matter what distance you’re training for or what surface you will be racing on.

I’m not saying that I’m the fastest runner in the world, but this is an area I have struggled with in the past and have continued to struggle with in the early weeks of this plan. It’s definitely something that I need to continue to work on in the 50km as well as the upcoming weeks of training.

My first chance to put it to the test was at the end of April at the Garden Spot 1/2 Marathon in Pennsylvania. I wasn’t planning to slow it all the way down to my easy training paces (it was a road race after all!), but my plan was to slow it down enough to make it a comfortable run and treat it as another long run in the training plan. I still started too fast and had to slow it down a couple of times during the race. The last few miles were a struggle, even though I didn’t have to slow down too much, but it still wasn’t quite as comfortable as I was hoping it would be. Hopefully, that’s another lesson learned!

Fueling and hydration

Fueling and hydration is always important for running, but in training for longer distances, it’s nice to have different options than the ones that I am used to. I’ve mostly always stuck to gels (SIS) and chews (Clif Bloks) as well as water (and maybe an electrolyte drink during a race).

With the 50km and 100km races taking much longer than I’m used to running, I know that I need to figure what other options will work best for me. I’ve been using Precision Fuel (carb drink mix) for my longer runs and that seems to be working in addition to gels and chews. I’ve tried some ‘real foods’ also, like pretzels and crackers. These have been ok, but I will keep trying different foods to see if anything works/feels better.

For the race this weekend, I don’t plan on straying too far (if at all) from the foods and drinks that have worked well in the past. But I will wait to see how I’m feeling and what’s on offer!

Even though the 50km race this weekend is just a part of the overall process of getting ready for the 100km this summer, I am still planning to take it seriously, while enjoying it as much as possible.

In the next update, I’ll provide a recap of the 50km race. All the good, bad and (hopefully not too) ugly!

If you made it this far and you enjoyed it, please share it with anyone else that might also!

As always, I welcome any and all comments or suggestions! Thanks for reading!

Here’s a little detail of what my training looked like during the last three weeks:

Week 4 – De-Load (31.8 MIles/51.2KM)

• M: 5km Progression (4.1 Miles Total)
• T: 20 Minutes Easy
• W: Half Easy/Half Tempo (5.6 Miles Total)
• T: 5.3 Miles (Trail)
• F: 10 Mile Long Run (Trail)
• S: 20 Minutes Easy
• S: 20 Minutes Easy

Week 5 (40.3 Miles/65km)

• M: 2 x 1 Mile Intervals (5 Miles Total)
• T: 6.25 Miles Easy
• W: 7.5 Mile Progression
• T: 20 Minutes Easy
• F: 20 Minutes Easy
• S: Garden Spot 1/2 Marathon (14.25 miles total)
• S: 20 Minutes Easy

Week 6 (40.5 Miles/65km)

• M: 5 x 200m Hill Repeats (6.85 Miles Total)
• T: 4.5 Miles Easy
• W: 20 Minutes Easy
• T: 14 Mile Long Run (Trail)
• F: 20 Minutes Easy
• S: 30 Minutes Easy
• S: 7.5 Miles Easy