I used to not be very goal-oriented. Or, at least I didn't require big goals in order for me to have progress in my running. It was fairly easy to increase mileage periodically or hit new PR’s in time or length because, well, I had basically just started. So damn near everything was an accomplishment. Not to say I didn't need them, they were just things I knew I would accomplish if I basically just kept doing what I was doing regardless of my diet, recovery, schedule, and other facets of running that I had wanton disregard for. Because I could. And even though I wasn't performing at a peak level I could or fueling my body with the best fuels I could, I was still “getting things done” so it was easy to justify.
This year I've had a humbling realization that I do need goals in order to progress in a proper fashion and to truly push myself. The furthest I've run thus far is a 50 miler and this year I have signed up for my first 100 mile race, the Lighthouse 100. It’ll take place in the North West part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, some of it old stomping grounds for me. And I figured no problem, I’ll easily be able to ramp up mileage without really having to think about it. Well, with winter and a bit of misplaced naivety I wasn't necessarily gaining the weekly mileage I had hoped to. But after I did the math and was able to see in black and white the mileage I NEEDED per week to increase in time for the Lighthouse and realizing how little time, relatively, to ramp up the mileage in a smart and managed way in order to avoid any more injuries. No more silly running or biking stunts on a weekend because I “felt good that day.” Everything needed to be calculated.
Since then I have noticed a serious change in mentality towards the mileage I need, the runs I absolutely cannot skip (even if that means starting a 2-hour run at midnight), and the fuel I put into my body (and the toxins I need to avoid). Knowing what will happen if I don't ramp up my training come race day, is a serious motivation. Because at this point I'm doing it, come hell or high water, I'm going to be on that start line, and I would like to be in the best place I can, physically and mentally. I don't know if I could stomach a DNF on the grounds of just being careless with my training and diet. Sure, unknown things will pop up to test me, but if I failed because of something I could have avoided, I'd no doubt feel like shit. A feeling I like to avoid when possible.
Because of the ever-changing nature of Covid, lockdowns, cancellations and my own changing goals I have not signed up for any additional ultras yet this year, I'm just telling myself, lets see how this first 100 go’s. I could accomplish the biggest feat so far of my life, or I could fall flat on my face. We’ll just have to wait and see. But, I'm never satisfied, so assuming this goes even halfway well, there are a handful of races I do have in mind for this year and early next year. So fingers crossed.
Always want more, Stay hungry my friends.
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