Race Week and the Rest of Life
I was watching golf this weekend and they were discussing the focus and routine that the professionals enact around the season and each tournament. It was a stark reminder that I am a ‘professional amateur’. My running goals are firm, but the added complexity of life is definitely a big challenge, and a part of the training itself. I am in the midst of my ‘race week’ as I eye the double marathon beginning this upcoming Saturday night, the 26th and going into the morning of the 27th. There are a lot of firsts in this race, the first time running past my age, my first time surpassing 50 miles, and my first time running through the night.
My 9-week training camp went as well as I could have hoped for. I ran through two injuries, runner’s knee (left) and a slight psoas tear (right). Both have gotten better, with the knee pain completely gone, and the psoas down about 80% of the pain. I began to see a physical therapist, an old friend that I used to play soccer with, and going through his diagnoses and program has me healed up. I am stronger than I was prior to my 40 mile ultra, on point for my target race day weight of 178 pounds and I have completed training runs on both of the marathon courses, one of them at night to simulate the night SF conditions (think foggy, cold, windy, and of course, dark). My weight goal is based upon carrying as little ‘extra’ weight as possible. I’m looking at nearly 100,000 steps on race day, so if I can put a little less pressure per step, it should help me toward the finish line. At the same time, I need to maintain my intake as I continue to train hard. When my body is depleted, I get exhausted, especially in the evenings. Part of the fun has been learning more and more to listen to my body’s signals, and learning how good a bottle of coconut water can be when I feel spent. On Thursday (publish day for this), I will increase my carb intake for the carb load. I expect to burn around 9000 calories during the race, so I need plenty of easily accessible fuel, think low fiber easily digestible carbohydrates before and during.
The amateur part of my training has been more complicated. I’ve traveled a lot for work, with flights all over the country (runs in Miami, Orlando, Denver, and Oakland just last week). My family has been in Brazil for nearly 3 weeks, leaving an easy meal prep since I don’t mind eating the same damn thing each meal, but a very lonely and quiet house. Flavia and I are celebrating our 20-year anniversary next week, which is exciting! The tariff uncertainty has created a lot of workplace and industrywide anxiety. Moreover, is a bit of unexpected drama I’m having to weather without my partner by my side.
The mental aspect of a double marathon cannot be overlooked. Physically, we are capable of so much more than we normally put out. David Goggins, who is a bit crazy, says that at our point of exhaustion we are usually at an exertion rate of 40%, meaning we still have 60% left in the tank. Pulling that 60% out requires desire, dedication, focus and fortitude. I have a few days to get locked in. In life, we are constantly suppressing what’s going on in order to make it through the day.
What is the benefit of focus? Our minds are like a supermarket, different ideas in each aisle. Flashy marketing makes everything look special and important. Different components making up each idea. We want to have a list, a plan of action, a limiter to slow what we focus on, but in the moment, something unique or unexpected always pops up. Over the past few weeks my meditation practice has suffered. That practice enables me to have a precise list when I enter my mind. As my practice lapses, it’s comparable to going to the grocery store hungry, in a rush, and without a list!
Focus isn’t the elimination of distraction. Ignoring anything will not make it go away. Instead, it will just fester. Right now, I’m struggling with some difficult news that I’m having trouble accepting. It’s also very personal so I’m also unable to review it without judgement. It’s been an interesting challenge, not allowing this negativity to seep into the other parts of my life. I will say again that my goal is not to be perfect, and I welcome every obstacle.
I come back to the metaphor of my running. The goal of running further and further is not based just the physical demands. Eventually, in any run, if you run long enough, you will no doubt experience a multitude of issues. Pain, cramping, gastrointestinal problems, hunger, thirst, boredom, frustration, exhaustion, and much (much) more are in store. The pain will not go away if you ignore it, deny it, or tell it to stop. The race won’t end any quicker because you want it to or because you’re too tired. Just keep moving forward. Yes, it’s tough, but I don’t think it’s crazy. Being content with simplicity seems less in touch with reality to me. I’m running 52.4 miles this weekend to recognize where I started, where I am, and where I’m going. I refuse to cut corners, take short cuts, or ignore the difficulties. I know that the three small toes in my right foot are going to hurt for about 6 hours this weekend. I know I’m going to develop sores in my mouth from my salt tablets. I’m expecting some stomach issues from so much eating on the run (literally). The rest is uncertain. I don’t know what the next step or the 100,000 steps after have in store.
One of my big goals for running is not to let my running affect my lifestyle. This means that even as I increase my mileage, I have to continue to maintain my work, even with travel nearly every week through October, including one international trip as well. I also really want to golf more with Zahra. On the flipside, I have been more and more on social media. Let’s face it, it’s hard to ignore what’s going on in the country and world and not want to know more! I’m ready for my family to come home, to run this double marathon, and keep moving forward! What can you do to highlight a path forward? Can you find the strength to challenge yourself each day? What activity do you do that can translate to your life, or vice versa.