Life cut in on my summer training plans in a BIG way.
If you missed the first article in this series, click here for details on my race.
Late July was supposed to be my running vacation - with a week off of work I had big plans to run my favourite sections of the Bruce Trail, including my favourite stretch in Tobermory. Alas, it was not to be: I slipped in the mud and took a tumble on my first outing - landing HARD right on top of a pile of logs along the side of the trail. I turned several shades of purple and was out of commission for most of a week. Thankfully the buckle of my running vest took the brunt of my fall - I suspect a cracked rib would have taken me out of commission for the rest of the race season.
After that little deviation from the plan came another - the news that we were going to be moving across the country! While I am delighted that this move will be taking us into an excellent area for mountain running shenanigans, I can most definitely tell you that packing, cleaning, and a getting a house ready to sell are not conducive to training for an ultra. Runs were missed, delayed, and cut short … but standing on a ladder must at least be good for mobility and core strength, right?
But despite injury, packing, and selling a house, I still managed to get in a 83.2km of running in the last two week of July, and 119.6km in the first three weeks of August.
One good outcome amidst this upheaval — I had an opportunity to trade my slot in the 80km race for a slot in the 65km race!
The 65km was the distance I was originally hoping to run, and is one of UTHC’s more high profile events. Not only is the distance a tad more manageable for a rookie ultra runner, but it starts earlier in the day, which means I should cross the finish line before the sun goes down.
Now lets hope I’ve managed to build enough a base to take me through race day!