This is part of a series of posts regarding how I prepare, plan, and train to complete another 100 miles Ultramarathon Umstead 100: Journey to 100. For all the ultrarunning series, here is Journey to 100, last week’s post, and for additional ideas, follow the link. Training for a 100.

If you are following the progress and have looked at the overall plan, this and next week are the low mileage and solid low back-to-back long run weeks. The 1st of two weeks before we start increasing the mileage until peak week before start tapering. Next week is another needed recovery week. By now, you should have pretty much an idea of what is to come. You have already battled a few demons and could start questioning the reasoning behind why you signed up for a 100-mile race.

Assessment:

What are those things that are not working out 100%? The mileage is going to start increasing soon, we are better to be addressing those items and preparing now. Have you considered backup plans? Planning ahead if you need to adjust the time, day, and location of your runs. Have a few alternatives and possible ways to address any challenges to the plan.

Are you missing anything? Think about what could go wrong or what will be nice to have. Equipment you will need to get for the event, and the training runs. Start your mental rehearsal of what might happen and the actions you need to take. For me, eight loops mean preparing 7-8 kits for an easy, quick, but most importantly, brain-ease transition at the finish of each loop.

Planning:

There are many resources with tips and tricks that you should start thinking about it; With less than 100 days until the event: Here are a few links that might be helpful.

• Here you can find a few ideas and recommendations for the training runs and the main event. Training for 100 miles: It is all about the details.
• Jeff Pelletier shares excellent Trail Running Gear Tips & Hacks that you can use for your long-distance, especially trail events. Some of those which I have used successfully in the past.
• What items do you need to get ready and organized? Zip-Locks, Tape, Glide, Head-Lamp(s), charger, batteries, mat, other?
• Read, listen or watch other Ultrarunner’s stories for inspiration and ways to address the low points and when things are going well, Ben Parkes at UTMB, Jeff Pelletier also at UTMB, Kimberley Teshima running a 50k, Ethan Newberry going after 100 miler, or Brian Morrison‘s attempt to complete Western States 100, and many others.

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How is the plan going:

Summary: This week was just ok. The workweek mileage was light, and due to an endocrinologist appointment, a storm coming in, the low weather temperatures, and the holiday, I shifted too many miles around. So not necessary for a very productive week. Here are some highlights.

Monday: 1 mile and Gym workout

Tuesday: Early Endo visit in the morning, no run but some stretching and rolling run. The visit was fine A1c stayed the same as the previous visit six months ago.

Wednesday: Eight easy miles

Thursday: Eight easy miles.

Friday: After shifting a few things around and planning the back-to-back to be on Friday and Saturday due to the holidays, we also had to shift the start time to 3:00 AM in the morning due to a storm that was arriving in the early part of the day.

Saturday: The temperature was in the mid-10 in the morning. I was a bit tired in the morning and decided to switch to a stretching and rolling routine. Given that there was no Gym on Friday.

Sunday: Merry Christmas!! – Another nice and easy rest day

This week’s actual numbers:

Week 11	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Stretches & Rolling	6	3	6	16	16	Rest	47
Actual	1 Gym	Yoga	8	8	16	0	Rest	32

Next Week Plan: Christmas week, which means we will adjust for the upcoming Holidays.

Week 12	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Stretches & Rolling	3	3	6	16	16	Rest	44