This is part of a series of posts regarding how the InaseRunning group prepares, plans, and trains to complete the 100 miles Ultramarathon Umstead 100: Journey to a 100. For all the ultrarunning series, here is Journey to 100 last week’s post and additional ideas, follow the link. Training for a 100.

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If you have been following the weekly plan and updates by now, you probably just realize that there will be not only lots of miles but a lot of time on your feet. You perhaps have another runner or friend training for the same or similar event and are spending runs together, especially the long runs. In my case, this time, we have our team of 4 running and training for the event. Jamie, Kaleel, Venu, and I are following a close to similar plan for the upcoming 100-mile event. Also, some of the pacers are joining us during some early training runs to get an idea of what to expect during the event.

Perhaps, you are part of or have joined a running club or group that you can run a few during their scheduled group runs. Maybe you are used to running by yourself and do not need any company, just the passing of familiar faces during the runs is enough, or you might like the solitude or the mindfulness of the lone, long run.

Regardless of the preference, you might want to take this week to think about how you will tackle time during the training and the event.

Assessment:

With the event in mind, take an assessment of the different segments of the event and start planning to put together an approach.

• Looped event: With this type of event, you might have the luxury of assigning a specific theme to each loop. If there are four loops, you might want to select music from the different decades or have a few podcasts ready for each segment. Audiobooks (short ones) are also good options. Think about the possible options; the more options available to you, the better it will be to control what will happen in each loop. Plan for when you would like to do that.
• Point to point: Similar to the looped, divide the event mileage into different segments. Aid station to aid station or point of interest, the crest of a big hill or climb, the view toward the city or lake. The river/creek crossing or the iconic bridge could also be options to divide the route and mileage. Similar to the looped version, assign an intention and approach to each one of the segments.
• Be Flexible: Open up to other ideas and themes you could try on a limited basis during the long run. Now, you also want to be very careful of using the options too much during your training runs, especially when those are closer to the event. You do not want to lose the novelty effect and be tired of that topic/theme option of listening before your event. Not everything is going to work out as planned, and minor adjustments are going to be necessary.

The answers will help you prepare for the next step in the planning session, as you might want to start creating a list of the alternatives available to you.

Planning:

Get ready to write down the list or map that will serve as a guide, an initial guide at this time of what you could use, and the approach that will help you keep your mind sane during the event. You will be revisiting the plan as new ideas will come to mind during the training journey.

• Divide the music into the possible genres: Rock, Latino, Pop, 80’s, Romantic, Heavy Metal, Mariachi and Boleros, Early High School years, most recent hits, country, Salsa and Merenge, Oldies, and others. Right there are over ten options. Create playlists and try them during the training runs; prune, change, and add as you go; you want to have enough time in each playlist to cover the segments plus.
• Find interesting podcasts, stories, or audiobooks: Similar to the music, find those topics that are of interest, pre-download those into your device(s) have them ready and check the length. For me, I have used This American Life, Hidden Brain, Happiness Lab, Revisionist History, Freakonomics, Strength Training, Science of Ultra, Choiceology, How I built this, La Brega, and others.
• List your device’s battery life: This goes for your player and your wireless headset if you are not using a wired headset. If the device last 3-4 hours, you might need to consider using multiple or plan with your crew or station to have the availability to either recharge or change over to a new one. I do have multiple I-Pod shuffles (They are discontinued) with wired headphones that I could use during the looped events. They are old, so the battery life does not last multiple loops.
• Consider the other activities: Remember that during the 1st few files, you will most likely be talking to other fellow runners running the event. Also, if the event allows for pacers (Normally after certain covered mileage, in my case after 50 miles), the pacers will talk to you and keep your mind fresh. In my case, I plan to have enough playlists for three solid loops (38 miles) and partial playlist time coverage loops after I can have pacers running with me.
• Consider dedicating a segment: During the event, another option could be, dedicating a segment or loop to someone or a specific time in your life. The time you are setting specifically where you will spend thinking, reflecting, thanking/gratitude, and moving forward. Maybe miles 1-10 for friends, then miles 11-20 for family, miles 50-70 to the accomplishments that got you where you are now, and so on.
• Ask for help: Ask friends and family to provide a recording (video/audio/written) providing a few words of encouragement and shared memories that you could have handy during the event. Especially during the darkest moment when you will need that extra push, click, and motivation to continue to put one foot in front of the other.

Plan, prepare, and adjust; do not leave it until too close to the event, as you might need to procure, test, and adjust. No surprises.

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How is the plan going:

Summary: After a horrendous Marathon on Sunday in very warm and humid conditions. I was ready to welcome the cooler temperatures this week.

Monday: Some easy Yoga recovering from Sunday

Tuesday: 8 miles something to prove with great temperatures; I pushed the last few miles to my surprise, getting a new fastest mile with my Enduro. That was the fastest in the past two and a half years.

Wednesday: Another 8 miles in the morning and another surprised fastest mile. I took it easy running with the insane running group.

Thursday: Doing a long run since I got some travel this weekend. I completed 13 miles with yet another fastest mile accomplished.

Friday: Ten miles to complete the total week’s mileage. But definitely felt tired. First time I have seen the strained message in Garmin connect.

Saturday: Couple miles walk to enjoy the Tennesse game.

Sunday: Long drive, no running today

This week’s actual numbers:

Week 6	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Stretches & Rolling	5	3	6	Stretches & Rolling	15	15	42
Actual	Stretches	8	13	13	10	0	0	44

Next Week Plan: Back solid week mileage.

Week 7	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Stretches & Rolling	3	3	3	Stretches & Rolling	15	18	42