Good luck at Never Summer! I ran the 60k this past season as part of the mini slam and this year will attempt the 100k as part of the full slam (and my longest run to date). I'm looking forward to seeing the Ruby Jewel side of the course that I didn't get to see in the shorter offering. Don't know if you've run that race before but it's a special one :)
Thanks and see you there! What is the full slam -- all the races put on by Gnar Runners? It's a bit difficult time-wise for me to travel to that part of the state so this will be the only event I do that they put on, and I'm really looking forward to it.
The Slam is their four original races in a single season. Those are Quadrock 50, Never Summer 100k, Black Squirrel half marathon, and Blue Sky Marathon. Last year they recognized the Mini Slam which is the same four races but shorter versions as available.
Hoping to put that series to bed in 2024 and start exploring other parts of the state in 25.
With over 20 years of doing it, I am far removed from any kind of resemblance of "cycle". In fact, with quite an addiction to over-sign up, since the beginning of racing (even short road races), I guess my "cycles" of training were mostly an outline. I always had a weekly rotation of something speed/something hills (intervals) and a double long run, then threw the rest of runs into it as it fit. Even when I had a very full time job, and a part time job, and kids, it was often "twice a day", like run to/from work, and the effort depends on how I felt and the urgency:) The races went under: this one builds to that one, and then towards the other one...all definitely trying to be managed around family joint things planned. While when I coached, I prescribed mesa and mini and the coherent things, being somewhat a "I want it all, and I want it always" allowed me to be flexible for my clients - and for myself. I think that's why, after originally having a traditional marathon coach, and the a (very original) Scott Jurek for 6 months, everything for the following 20 years just latching based on that. I could never imagine someone telling me "You can't do that much" or "You must do this tempo of that many minutes", more of "I feel good, I'll run longer and/or faster" vs some days "Screw 4 by 10, I got out, that's enough". For me, what works, is an outline and a general progression (and an occasional taking mileage down due to family or other commitements). Could I have been better if I was more precise? Probably (back in a day, not now). But, my love for the act of running, pure and simple, didn't get burdened by the pressure of "getting better". After all, it's just running. When I pin the number, it's "Leave it out there". But even with underperforming, it's "Well, shucks, that was bad" and back to running.
I do love me some race browsing though:) and then the week before arrives, and I'm "Who did that stupid thing of signing up?!?"
I like your approach, Olga, and we're more similar than you may think! To me, the benefit of some long-range planning is mainly that I make sure I have a long-enough onramp to train for a race I care about. That doesn't stop me from jumping into other races and adventures mid-cycle however! Keep on doing what works for you! Merry Christmas & happy new year.
When I see great posts like this, I start thinking how I can work up to long distances and exciting runs like you share about.
But over the years I've tried so many plans, and always find myself settling back into 5K twice a week, which seems to really work for me. So I think I'm gonna let it go for now.
Hi, thanks for reading Shmuel and I applaud your consistency. I'm a believer in "some is better than none" so doing 5K twice/week is great. Maybe a good goal is trying for three runs/week? Best wishes to you for health and peace in the new year.
I've tried upping it that way too, but always found myself back at twice a week. I'm also in general quite active, and twice seems to work for me. If ain't broken, why fix it?
May you too have a healthy and happy 2024, with lots of great runs and newsletters.
Awesome post and info.... I’m still a little behind on my reading. Next long run that podcast will keep me company.
Good luck at Never Summer! I ran the 60k this past season as part of the mini slam and this year will attempt the 100k as part of the full slam (and my longest run to date). I'm looking forward to seeing the Ruby Jewel side of the course that I didn't get to see in the shorter offering. Don't know if you've run that race before but it's a special one :)
Thanks and see you there! What is the full slam -- all the races put on by Gnar Runners? It's a bit difficult time-wise for me to travel to that part of the state so this will be the only event I do that they put on, and I'm really looking forward to it.
The Slam is their four original races in a single season. Those are Quadrock 50, Never Summer 100k, Black Squirrel half marathon, and Blue Sky Marathon. Last year they recognized the Mini Slam which is the same four races but shorter versions as available.
Hoping to put that series to bed in 2024 and start exploring other parts of the state in 25.
With over 20 years of doing it, I am far removed from any kind of resemblance of "cycle". In fact, with quite an addiction to over-sign up, since the beginning of racing (even short road races), I guess my "cycles" of training were mostly an outline. I always had a weekly rotation of something speed/something hills (intervals) and a double long run, then threw the rest of runs into it as it fit. Even when I had a very full time job, and a part time job, and kids, it was often "twice a day", like run to/from work, and the effort depends on how I felt and the urgency:) The races went under: this one builds to that one, and then towards the other one...all definitely trying to be managed around family joint things planned. While when I coached, I prescribed mesa and mini and the coherent things, being somewhat a "I want it all, and I want it always" allowed me to be flexible for my clients - and for myself. I think that's why, after originally having a traditional marathon coach, and the a (very original) Scott Jurek for 6 months, everything for the following 20 years just latching based on that. I could never imagine someone telling me "You can't do that much" or "You must do this tempo of that many minutes", more of "I feel good, I'll run longer and/or faster" vs some days "Screw 4 by 10, I got out, that's enough". For me, what works, is an outline and a general progression (and an occasional taking mileage down due to family or other commitements). Could I have been better if I was more precise? Probably (back in a day, not now). But, my love for the act of running, pure and simple, didn't get burdened by the pressure of "getting better". After all, it's just running. When I pin the number, it's "Leave it out there". But even with underperforming, it's "Well, shucks, that was bad" and back to running.
I do love me some race browsing though:) and then the week before arrives, and I'm "Who did that stupid thing of signing up?!?"
I like your approach, Olga, and we're more similar than you may think! To me, the benefit of some long-range planning is mainly that I make sure I have a long-enough onramp to train for a race I care about. That doesn't stop me from jumping into other races and adventures mid-cycle however! Keep on doing what works for you! Merry Christmas & happy new year.
Great ideas, thanks!
When I see great posts like this, I start thinking how I can work up to long distances and exciting runs like you share about.
But over the years I've tried so many plans, and always find myself settling back into 5K twice a week, which seems to really work for me. So I think I'm gonna let it go for now.
Hi, thanks for reading Shmuel and I applaud your consistency. I'm a believer in "some is better than none" so doing 5K twice/week is great. Maybe a good goal is trying for three runs/week? Best wishes to you for health and peace in the new year.
Thanks!
I've tried upping it that way too, but always found myself back at twice a week. I'm also in general quite active, and twice seems to work for me. If ain't broken, why fix it?
May you too have a healthy and happy 2024, with lots of great runs and newsletters.