September Running Goals

Random running photo of me

I run. A lot. Like I know there are people out there that run way more than I do, but for the average person, I put on quite a few miles. Strava always puts me in the top 1-2% for milage in my year end review. For reference, as of today, Sept. 8th, I have run 1,044 miles for the year (my goal is 1500).

You'd think I would be better at it. But no, I work really really hard, and put in A LOT of time and effort to be extremely mid. Especially these days. I used to a better runner than I am now. Surgeries, age, life, lots of things have contributed to my performance decline and I am coming to terms with that, but still, I have a few big goals left in me that I am hoping to button up this month. 

September 26-27 will be my 3rd 100K attempt. I will be running the Hinson Lake 24 Hour Ultra Classic... again. The first 2 attempts capped out around 55 mile. I need 62. 

If I do not hit my 100K goal, I do have a second chance to do it before the end of the year at a race in November, but I know deep in my soul that failing to meet my mileage goal at Hinson Lake will hurt A LOT. 

This coming weekend I am running the Dirt Dash, a trail marathon, to act as my final long training run for this training cycle, a training cycle that has not been that great if I am being honest. I am not mentally, or physically where I want to be right now, but I've run out of time to do much about it. How well I execute this coming weekend will help me determine if I think that the 100K will be possible. I've got my pacing and fueling plans worked out, I just have to execute. And if I am being 100% honest with myself, the mental aspect is going to be a big one for both of these races. The first time I failed, it was a combo of physical and mental. The last time, it was all mental. And right now, I am not in a good mental place. But if I fail, I know it'll be so much worse. 

Wish me luck. I am going to need it.

*I used to write a lot about my running back when I was better at it. If you are interested, please check out that blog here: www.runnerdgirl.blogspot.com