Lately I’ve been researching running coaches on the island trying to get a sense of who is the ‘best’. (Put aside the fact that not every coach is best for every athlete)
So my question is, “Who is the best coach on the island for ultra-distance training?”
Is it;
a) Lance Watson
b) Bob Reid
c) Wynn Gmitroski - I know he’s a middle distance coach but…
I sat back this weekend to re-read some of my previous posts. I am miles away from writing well and sometimes lacking clarity in communicating ideas and thoughts.
Blogging is hard work.
One could argue that it is a ’safe’ environment for expressing ideas. (i.e. You don’t have to worry about someone in your face screaming if they don’t agree with you) I suppose that makes sense. I’ve had people mention that they have a better understanding of me through the blog. Certainly I’ve tried to be open with my posts and, yes, I do find it easier to write than speak.
That said, the ‘weblog’ is really built for the current times. Soundbites of writing.
Maybe I need to write a book.
If your kids don’t own more than 2 Webkins (Webkins are stuffed animals), you are either living off-shore or using your spidey powers for mind control. My oldest daughter has 3 and I consider myself lucky.
Really though it’s brilliant marketing. Buy a Webkin and they provide you with a username and password to the Webkin’s online (Second Life like) doppleganger. Kids can then enter Webkins world, play games and using Webkins dollars buy things for their pets. On so many levels it’s wrong - does that stop me from setting up my daughter for an hour on the webkins.com site? Nope. Is she happy with ‘just’ three Webkins? Nope.
Yesterday I wrote out a list of 7 priority areas - (career, family, running, travel, community, education and spiritual). These are the 7 areas that make me whole and I want to maximize them before I die.
Next step is to write out measureable goals for each of these.
First goal for running - Finishing a 100 miler under 24 hours. Consider this a solicitation for advice! Feel free to add advice for 100 miler newbies in the comments area.
I’m looking for speaking engagements. If you are looking for a presenter, please let me know via email robertmackay@shaw.ca, I’d be happy to come out and present on desert racing, balancing life and exercise. Thanks! Rob
I did a 10 mile timed run yesterday and blew apart at 13km. It hurt. I was averaging 4:10ish kms but ran out of fuel for the finish. Felt like I was dragging a tire (it was my ass I was dragging).
Two years ago I ran a 66 minute 10 miler.
Bruce Fordyce apparently knew he was ready to run Comrades by his 10km time. If he was running a 30-31 minute 10km, he was good to go.
Looks like I have some work to do.
I’ve mentioned her before but Jarhead sent me results on the North Face Endurance 50 miler held last week and she not only came in as the top female but she came 3rd overall beating the likes of Andy Nicol and Ryne Melcher (two well respected ultras).
Why?
1. She trains hard and smart.
2. She is one of toughest ultra runners out there (men and women) on the mental aspect of the game - a unique gift because ultras are all about the mind.
3. If you’ve met her you’ve experienced her quiet confidence. Unshakable.
I can’t believe she isn’t 100% sponsored.
I ran last night. Seems that the only time I have to run right now is late (8:30ish). I used to run in the late evening as it would calm me before sleep.
Running reorganizes my thoughts and last night I came to the realization that I’ve been moaning to much about life lately. How hard up I have it. Funny to even write it.
Enough of the ‘Woe is Rob…’ and time to get back on the horse.
Jarhead sent me an interesting fact yesterday - to run the WS100 under 24 hours you’d need to run 9min/kms.
To make the top 10 in most races over 50 miles (in BC) you need to be averaging 6min/kms.
You can see that speed isn’t a factor. Maintaining a consistent output is.
So, the question remains, how do you train to get into the top 10 of, let’s say, a 50 miler? Run more miles on similar terrain without overtraining, taper properly and on race day, set the pace and stick to it.
On Saturday, we were downtown walking past the Victoria Conference Centre as people left his speech, tiny tree in one hand, cell phone in the other. Off to Starbucks for a non-fat latte.
Today the headlines screamed Al Gore and the impending environmental doom. Off to Starbucks for a non-fat latte.
If I sound cynical it’s because I am.