With the event coming up this weekend, this week, the focus is on recovery, mental, and prep items. The training work is already done, and we have learned a lot during this journey. Now, it is time to focus and get ready to have an outstanding time at the event.

This is part of a series of posts regarding how we prepare, plan, and train to complete the 100 miles Ultramarathon Umstead 100: In the Pursuit of 24. For all the ultrarunning series, here is In the Pursuit of 24, last week’s post, and for additional ideas, follow the link. Training for a 100.

Regardless of how many bad runs, soreness, doubts and questioning the reasons that are proppeling yuou to push yourself to complete the goals at hand. Go review our first installment of finding our why, our reasons our purpose. Reflect on the learnings, whther it was about effort, endurance, fueling, troubleshooting situations. Reflect on how you overcame any of those obstacles and situations.

Also, think about those days when things went perfectly, and you found yourself running on clouds. Those moments should serve as springboards to propel you from any low points into moving forward.

Assessment:

Take a list of how you are feeling. Review those rough training runs, and also focus on those that all went well. Find the courage to know that you have already done the work in the things you learned to handle the different situations you could encounter during the event.

But also find the joy in the journey and the process of getting ready. This is also the time to do the final check on things and verify the final details.

Planning:

Check your crew, and go over the plans one last time.

Go over the drop bag and the aid station material.

Re-adjust the plan with minimal changes, if necessary, based on weather, race, and last-minute changes to the route or rules.

Check with your pacers, cover the assignments, and review the plan once again. Answer any questions that they might have. Share information with them; they should have a high level of confidence that they will be able to help you achieve your goals while enjoying the event and having fun.

Rest and replenish your fuel storage as much as you can.

How is the plan going:

This week was a low mileage week for me. I am really resting my right knee and keeping an eye on my left knee. I am focusing on all the non-running prep work for the event. Here are some highlights,

Monday: Stretches

Tuesday: Easy 4 miles

Wednesday: Stretches followed by 5 InsaneRunning Miles in the afternoon

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Stretching

Saturday: Easy 15-mile run, final course preview for the InsaneRunners and their pacers

Sunday: Some stretching and rest. Happy Easter

This week’s actual numbers:

Week 18	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Stretches & Rolling	3	5	3	Rest	6	13	30
Actual	Stretching	4	Stretches 5	Rest	Stretches	15	Stretching	24

Next Week Plan:

Week 19	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
Plan	Rest	5	3	Rest	Rest	75	25	108