ultra | Day With KT

The past couple of days I’ve been in a bit of a funk and a lot of the reason is because of all the negative garbage in my head.

I’m doubting my ability to finish an ultra and I’m trying to put an end to that doubt. I know I’ve trained. I’ve tried to rest – not easy and not my normal!

The fact that I’ve started a 50 mile race not once but twice and still haven’t completed it isn’t helping my mindset.

But, this race isn’t a 50. It is a timed race – since it is on 9/11 it is 9 hours 11 minutes (starting at noon and ending at 9:11 pm). The fact that I’m hoping to run 50 miles (or more) in that time is probably what has me all tied in knots!!!

There are lots of differences between this race and the 50 I’ve attempted in the past. For starters, it is not on a rock road full of hills –

I won’t be running by myself in the middle of nowhere either!!!

This race is a small loop (0.67 miles) around a park –

There will be other runners all day (there is a half and marathon besides the ultra) plus friends, family and volunteers all around the course!!!

The weather is looking awesome – high of 66 and partly cloudy!! So much better than the 90 degree temps that we have had recently!!

Now, I just need to stop doubting myself and get out there and do what I love –

What do you do to overcome self doubt?

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

30 years ago this week I made one of the best choices of my life – I decided to run track my sophomore year of high school. I signed up for the entire year of athletics and thought I would just hang out or something in the fall since I had plans to be a quarter miler.

My coach suggested that I try cross country. Even though I had no idea what that meant, I decided to go ahead and try it.

The first day we had to run to a nearby park, loop it and run back to the school – about 1 mile. I had to walk 3 times!!!

pretty much the male version of how I looked after that first mile

It was hard but I stuck with it and ended up loving everything about cross country!

And track was even more fun!!!

I went on to run in college on a scholarship.

I road raced my way through grad school and found another love!!! The atmosphere at road races was so much fun!

The past 10-15 years have been less about racing and more about running just because I love it!

The longest time I’ve gone without running in the past 30 years was almost 6 months. In November of 2001 I was near the end of training for a marathon and ended up with a stress fracture in my left hip. My orthopedic surgeon actually threatened me with a hip replacement. Thankfully I healed but it was almost 6 months of no running (actually only minimal walking) – it was brutal for everyone involved!!!

My current goal is to complete 50 miles (or more:) in a race!!!