Chasing My Joy

My journey to becoming an Ultra Runner and Ironman

26 Weeks – North Fork 50 Miler

Here we go again! This post could also be titled third times the charm. I have now *tried* to complete a 50 miler in 2017 and 2019. Failed both times, but I am just going to keep failing at this goal until I get it done.

I completed the North Fork 50k in 2017 and LOVED it! Race report HERE. The course is gorgeous and not too far from home. I also love that it’s in June so I can decide to go for another big goal in the second half of 2020 or just take time to enjoy summer with my family before jumping into something in the fall.

I can’t wait to go run on these trails again!

So I have 26 weeks to basically go from 0 to 50 miles. I feel like I am starting from scratch and just hoping my past training will help me build up my milage and mental grit will get me the rest of the way.

I plan to document the journey here, share what I learn, the ups and the downs……follow along!

Western States Week

Is anyone else feeling very excited that it is Western States week?

Emmy and I are pretty dang excited. It’s pretty much Christmas week for ultra runners.

Source

If you haven’t heard of Western States Endurance Run, it’s the worlds oldest 100 mile trail. The history of the race is super interesting, you can read about it here .

Billy Yang made a beautiful film about four pro women, it’s sooooooo good!

If you want to follow along:

All the fun starts on Saturday at 5 am PDT. While I won’t be able to follow it all live because who’s got time for that?!? I will be sure to check in throughout the day.

Will you follow along?

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 3

As I have started week 4 of my 16 week ultra-marathon training plan I thought I would share my plan and how it’s going so far.

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 3

This was a bit of a step back week. After my race on Sunday I was feeling a twinge in my hamstring so I took it fairly easy during the week. My weekend miles were also a little short because of race spectating, all worth it. Here is how week 3 went down:

Monday: Easy 1 mile walk/jog with my puppies

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Tuesday:  Short 3.6 mile run around the neighborhood
Wednesday: 4 mile run with repeats
Thursday: 5.25 mile Hilly run
Friday: 2.18 easy shake out run
Saturday: 16.6 mile trail run Devil’s thumb – King’s loop

IMG_1694
Sunday: Easy two miles // 0.5 mile swim race

2014-07-20 07.30.14
Total miles ran or hiked: 35.24 miles
Total hours training: 13:19

Sunday was supposed to have 8 mile medium run to back up to Saturdays 16 miles. Instead I raced the swim portion of a triathlon for my dad then cheered while he completed the bike and run portion and my mom did the full tri. They both did great on a tough course at over 11,000 ft elevation. After driving back from Steam Boat and picking up the pups there was no time for a longer run.

Overall it’s an adjustment to running every day, now the challenge is to build in strength training (week 4 I swear!) and then bring back cross training. I do miss my bike and the pool.

Quick recap of the first two weeks:

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 1

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday:  4.76 miles with mile repeats
Wednesday: 2 mile run with the pug
Thursday: 6 mile neighborhood loop
Friday: 1 mile run/walk with Bailey
Saturday: 6 mile trail run at Dowdy Draw
Sunday: 10 mile trail run at Sourdough Trail + one twisted ankleIMG_1682

Total miles ran or hiked: 30.1 miles
Total hours training: 7:40

50k Ultramarathon Training – Week 2

Monday: Easy 1 mile walk/jog with my puppies
Tuesday:  4.1 mile run with mile repeats
Wednesday: 6.24 mile neighborhood loop
Thursday: 4.14 easy jog
Friday: 1.43 walk with the pups
Saturday: 1 mile shake out jog
Sunday: 13(ish) mile Copper Mountain Trail Half Marathon

Total miles ran or hiked: 31.02 miles
Total hours training: 7:15

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