|
|
Events:Stone Cat 50 Mile Trail Race November 6, 2010 Middlesex Fells Trail Race December 4, 2010 AMC Mountaineering Committee Ice Program Winter 2011 AMC Mountaineering Committee Rock Program Spring 2011 Pictures:AlbumRunning Data:20102009 2008 |
Wed, 05 May 2010It's looking more and more like I will, in fact, be able to make the starting line, if not the finish line, of the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run on July 17. I'm diving back into a last-minute training program having essentially taken months off. Hopefully under-training will work as well for Vermont as it did for Stone Cat. As I consider training options, I keep returning to a dread of running all the way through the night. Many who have gone before refer to a pre-dawn period of despair that seems to accompany most 100 mile attempts. I figure I should train for despair. So here is the proposal: anyone stupid enough to join me some weekend night in the near future can meet me at the Fells at dusk with the intention of running and walking until dawn. Really, I just want to finish Vermont, but since a stretch goal is to finish in under 24 hours, I'd like this midnight march to move at an average pace of about 14:24 minutes/mile. Under good conditions I can almost walk that fast. Conditions will not be ideal, so we should probably run flats, walk uphill sections and descend in any manner that will not result in injury. I anticipate an extremely low intensity, but quite long, workout. I suggest the Reservoir Trail. As much as I love the Skyline Trail, it's hazardous enough in the light. Think of this as an opportunity to work out your strategies for nighttime eating on the run, lights, treacherous and invisible footing, wildlife, drunk teenagers, and (since the Fells closes at dusk) possibly police. |
