Mental Toughness and Running Ultra Marathons

Paying attention to my inner thoughts during the run, I told myself  the following:  I calculated how many miles I had completed ; I calculated how many miles  to go  by  comparing it to  some of the training runs that Secretariat and I do.  For instance, I thought of one our 15 mile loops, then a 10 miler, followed by a 5 mile loop. In other words, I broke up the remaining distance into different, similar and familiar running segments.  I also paid attention to the discomfort in my Achilles tendon. Sometimes it felt okay, and other times it did not.  For me, it seemed better to acknowledge the discomfort than to pretend it was not there.  I also repeated this mantra “I can and I am going to do this.” Further, I told myself, that I was going to run from point to point and then walk from point to point at other junctures on this course.

At some place on the fifth loop, Secretariat said” I want you to beat that man in the green jersey and that is your goal.”  So I made sure to keep and stay in front of that green jersey. A few times, I asked Secretariat to look behind to see if the green jersey was in view. I was pleased when he said “I cannot see the green jersey.”

Mark Richtman passed a few times and I remarked to Secretariat that he did not look good as his head and body seemed more out of whack.  The last time he passed us, we looked at our watches, and it became clear that he was not to break the record today.

On the fifth loop, we were walking on the Wyatt Bridge, and youngster  Mark Falcone called out and referred to us as soft as he passed.  He was a ride and tie competitor, a Tevis Cup completer, as well as a Western States 100 buckle owner.  Shortly after that, Greg Soderlund, race director for the Western States 100, called out “It is still Saturday.”   Thanks guys for your humor.

 On to lap six the final lap and I was not unhappy about that.  Secretariat again ran ahead as he was on a mission for another beer.   Unfortunately, the cute volunteer had left and he was disappointed.  Not only did he not talk to the cute girl, he was without a second beer as well. Poor guy! From Secretariat: It's tough being a pacer, I need beer!!!

To be concluded tomorrow.

Coronary Bypass Surgery, Health Work Out or Performance Work Out ?

Tomorrow, I plan to run the Jed Smith, 50 km race advertised as the fastest in the West.  My friend Secretariat is going to run with me and keep me company.  He has done that before in this race and other races like the American River 50 and the Way Too Cool 50 km.  It is great being able to run these races with a good friend.

Today is a rest day, as I am not going out for a trail run.  Last Saturday, at the Stinson beach half marathon, I experimented with a Chia bar.  It seemed that my energy was good after consuming that bar.  However, I do not believe that I ran any faster.  Yesterday I purchased Chia seed powder and mixed it in today’s smoothie.  My smoothie consisted of a banana, an orange, an apple, frozen strawberries, ginger, almond milk, yogurt, cayenne pepper, pineapple, and broccoli.  I intend to use the Chia seed powder and Chia bars during tomorrow’s run.  If all goes well, I will hoot and holler.

An article titled “Rowing to the Heart’s Content” appeared in the December 20, 2011 edition of the Wall Street Journal.  In the article, there was a story of a commercial real estate attorney who, at the age of 48, had a nine hour sextuple coronary bypass surgery to install artery opening stents. At the time, James was 5’8” and 182 pounds.  He jogged, rode a stationary bike and lifted weights several times a week.  He was a light drinker, did not smoke, and avoided eating red meat.  Unfortunately, he was the one of the 10% of cardiac patients who is genetically predisposed to heart disease, regardless of lifestyle factors.

Currently, he is working out with an Indo-row machine that has water filled flywheels intended to replicate an on water experience.  This machine also measures miles per hour and calories burned.  He also practices Yin Yoga (a deep stretching, passive yoga) and takes spinning and strength training classes.  In addition, he has adopted a gluten-free diet that, according to him, boosts his energy.  He currently weighs 157 pounds.

According to Dr. Gordon Blackburn, the best activities for post-operative patients are aerobic exercises that utilize the large muscle groups and involve rhythmical repetitive activities.  He recommends cycling, walking, jogging, rowing, an elliptical trainer, or dancing.  The doctor also suggests resistance training with bands and weights to maintain muscle mass. He believes that there is exercise for health and exercise for performance and does not believe in high-end performance for these patients.  He believes that every post cardiac bypass surgery exercise program should be customized.

How would you classify your exercise program? 1.  None at all 2.  High-performance 3.  For health 4.  Somewhat between 1, 2 or 3.  I would currently place myself between 2 and 3.  Do as the Nike commercial “Just do it” or “keep moving.”