First-time 50k-er Tip 1: Walk & Finish

Having grown just a little nervous about my upcoming (November 10) attempt at completing an Ultra-marathon (32.5 miles) trail run, I threw out a wide net onto my local running community's message board, the Rochester Running Page, looking for suggestions. Just as I suspected such a supporting group would, a number of folks actually offered some help. One key suggestion, or tip I should take to heart is:

Take regular walk breaks. Walk up the hills. Focus on finishing, not on time.

Apparently there are many hills on the course (it is a trail course after all!) including the one pictured to the right.

I have heard this sentiment about "walking hills" before and for the first time I am really building this psychological idea into my physical training by attempting to will myself to a slower pace which is more likely to be sustained over the long(er) haul. As I've often written, it takes a great deal more discipline to pace myself than to just run like hell for as fast and as long as I can!

The whole "walking hills" thing is an approach I need to become more refined in simulating. I have been trying to find occasion to train on the surface on which I will be "racing," that is to say I've sought out steep inclines and trails... but to this point I have not fully "power walked" the inclines choosing instead to see these as opportunities to raise my level of exercise. This weekend I am hoping to run a good portion of my 20 mile run on trails. As part of this my plan is to build in power walks on hills... primarily to begin to reinforce to my mind and body that I'm still running a race even if I am "walking."

Thanks again to Shy Flirt for taking the time to post the great suggestion on the Rochester Running Page.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!