The Dreaded Taper! Count Down to the Hallucination 100

It’s hard to believe that a week from today I will embark on a challenge I NEVER thought possible. My first 100 Miler (attempt). Not to sound negative but I have learned though years of running to respect the distance. Especially a distance that is so unknown and nothing to shake your head out. Heck, I don’t even drive 100 miles in most weeks, so the thought of running it is terrifying to say the least! The last few weeks have been the Taper. Ironically though this training process, when I was struggling in 95 degree heat during a 30 mile training run, I couldn’t WAIT for the taper. NOW??? I feel like a caged animal (pun intended). I am still amazed by how much your body will adjust and accept longer distances as  normal. This past week, my schedule calls for only 3 days of running. Yes you read that right 3 days!! I have had so much extra time on my hands and all I want to do it run!! BUT, in addition to respecting the distance, I have learned to respect and trust the training. It worked for me in the past with my first 50 miler and I have to trust it will work for my first 100. So with all this extra time, I have made sure that everything is in order for next week. First and foremost, THE OUTFIT! If you saw in my previous post, you will note that I have a very unique style when I run. My running fashion philosophy is such that if I am going to push myself to a point of mental and physical pain, then I sure as heck want to look cute while doing it! I wear runningskirts.com skirts to achieve this goal. They are comfy, fashionable and functional! These skirts survived my treck through the Amazon jungle (to be covered in another blog) and will be taking though my first 100 miler. Check them out at www.runningskirts.com! My crew (yes even my 6 foot tall male pacer) will be wearing the skirts as well, so we will be easily spotted on the course.  Here is sneak peak of our pyschedelic  pixels we will be wearing!

What’s so fun about this race is that it is a Woodstock, hippy themed running weekend. This has made the outfit planning extra funI will also be donning a custom made Firedaugher “pretty” in order to represent my Foundation. I am not going to ruin the surprise, but pics will be included in my race recap with a full fashion section. And of course I don’t leave home without my Newtons, Zensah’s, Injinji’s and MOST important my ICEDOT emergency band!  ANYTHING can happen during a race, especially a 100 miles, so I feel so much better knowing that I have my ICE band to keep me safe if anything should happen.

My gels, wafers, salt caps and hydration vest packed;  and the final nurtirional  needs  will be gathered on shopping trip upon arrival to Michigan. The race starts at 4 pm on Friday September 7, 2012 and will be comprised up 6 16.5 mile loops around a park in Pickney, Michigan.  Check out the course on www. runwoodstock.com.  The course limit it 30 hours and I plan to take most of that.. although hopefully I won’t need it.  The goal is to finish, enjoy the experience, and learn about myself along the way. Finishing this race will allow me to put in for the Western. States Lottery, which is my next goal  in my running  journey.

In my over 15 years of running I never thought I would be attempting to run this far. It’s exciting, scary and almost here! Just one more week!

Until next time!! Always wear your ICE!

Peace, Love and Wag Strong!

My late Stryder- The love of my Life and My Inspiration for the Stryder Cancer Foudnation and All the Crazy challenges I set out to accomplish.

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