Blues Cruise 50K Archives - Run The Long Road Coaching

Turns out I’m running a marathon on October 18th. Something I distinctly remember saying that I would not do this year.

Months ago I registered for the Blues Cruise 50K after much research. I scoured photos of the course and read every race recap I could find. The course was hilly but not technical (per the race website). And the terrain didn’t look technical in course photos (the leaves on the ground were hiding something). I’m a terrible technical runner. I have issues with uneven sidewalks. The Blues Cruise 50K appealed to my clumsy side…and the hills I could handle.

So for 10 weeks I logged lots of slow miles on trails (some technical), ran up and down hills, and got 2 20-mile runs under my belt. A few Sundays ago I headed out to do a test run on the course itself. I wanted to see if my hill work was adequate or if I needed to step it up a notch.

bad omen (and I was wearing blue)

Turns out my hill work was adequate and the course is technical (in my opinion)! I did email the RD to see which portion of the course was the hilliest. I didn’t really notice the hills too much since I was too busy dancing around tree roots and rocks.

So this picture does not show how technical the course was. To add some perspective – I could only manage about 11:00 minutes/mile due to all the “dancing”. Feel free to mock me and my clumsiness.

I drove home defeated and not one bit excited about the race. I couldn’t imagine running 31 miles of terrain like that. I do have access to some technical trails but not 20+ miles of them. I emailed the RD (who was awesome) and found out they did offer refunds. Score! Now I could sign up for something else…

I knew another 50K around the same time and location would be unlikely so I settled for the Monster Mash Marathon in Dover, DE. Local? Yes. Good timing? Yes. These were my top requirements. The race had decent reviews on marathonguide.com but it’s the complete opposite of what I have been training for – flat, fast, and on roads.

I am excited though. This will be my first marathon since December 2012, a few months before I got pregnant (which was oddly also a DE marathon). Might as well rip off the bandaid and get back at it! And it will be good prep for a PR/BQ in Spring 2015 (my goal).

I’ll write a whole post devoted to training soon, including the challenges I’m encountering with training post-baby.

Speaking of baby…an unrelated picture of Fiona!

In February I posted about my Big Plans for 2014 and then, 6 weeks later, posted about how running kinda sucks. I have updates on both fronts…as I’m sure you are on the edge of your seat in anticiptation!

First let’s talk about running. This is the good news. It’s getting better…dare I say running seems to be clicking again? Maybe it’s the weather and more outdoor running? Maybe I needed to get that first race under my belt? Maybe, structurally, I’m finally adapting to my new normal? Whatever it is, I hope it sticks around. My weekly mileage is still low – 25 to 30 mpw – and I intend to keep it there for at least another month. Lower mileage is giving me ample time for pre-hab (hips and glutes) and core work which is vital right now.

My big plan for this Fall was to run a 50 miler – specifically the JFK 50 miler – in November. Training for an ultra, as opposed to training for a marathon PR, just made sense postpartum. My body cannot handle the rigors of speed work and fast finish long runs this year. Instead I crave long, slow miles…the building blocks for a strong 2015. (Goals for 2015 include a marathon PR and Boston in 2016.)

Registration for JFK opened April 1st and I went back and forth about it. I so wanted to do it but my gut kept telling me to run a 50K instead. Since your gut is always right (always), I registered for the Blues Cruise 50K in October. My primary reason for dropping to the 50K distance? Motherhood is physically exhausting! And I don’t mean in a sleep deprived way…I’m talking about hauling around almost 15 lbs (Fiona’s a good eater!) all day while bending, twisting, and kneeling. By the end of the day, I’m beat up.

The back-to-back long runs needed for a 50 mile race would surely do me in on the weekends and it would require a lot of time away from Fiona (and family time). I just don’t want that right now. A 50K is much more manageable in terms of long runs and overall mileage and I already have experience with the distance and training for it. And the race is an hour from my house and is supposed to be pretty good – a 31 mile loop around a lake that isn’t too technical (but hilly).

I’m excited. And relieved. There are lots of new “firsts” right now and I just don’t want training to be one of them. I also have 3 half marathons scheduled for this year and my goal is to PR at the Philly Half in November.

First things first though – Broad Street on May 4th…

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RTLR Coaching is having a SALE on online coaching services now through April 21st! Now is the time to start planning for your Fall race. More details here.

50K out. Marathon in.

Big Plans {revised}