First let me say, the that I don't consider the couple taper weeks as training, which is why I named the blog what it is. I realize the taper weeks are just as important, but they are so much easier and when you get to them, the running is so much less and so insignificant to the months that you've been through.
I have just completed Erics 24 week 100 mile training plan. To end the training, I had a 20 miler on Friday, then a 30 miler on Saturday. The next two weeks are my taper and I have no runs longer than 2 hours, so I'm a happy man.
The past 5 weeks have been really tough and I questioned on if I could complete the training as outlined. I was getting physically tired and emotionally drained. It took days worth of talking to myself to get me out to do my long runs and even some of my weekly runs. I'm very happy and proud to report, that with running 6 days a week for the past 24 months of this plan, I only missed maybe 3 or 4 days and they were light days during the week. I hit all long runs and everything else, even though there were a few days where I didn't want to run for 1 minute, let alone for 40, 1 hour, or more. I also know how important it is to stay with the training plan and the success of the race depends on this. Most importantly, I could not have completed this without the great support from my wife and daughter, plus our own little group of runners, www.runners4jesus.org, that is also huge support for me and they keep me accountable with what I'm supposed to do. They are your everday people doing incredible things. They love running, and they run with a purpose. I've watched them set goals, work toward them, then push past them and go beyond what they ever thought they could ever do. When you can witness this type of greatness, it can only be inspirational and motivating.
Eric, I've been waiting to come to the completion of the training before I asked you this question, and now the time is finally here to ask it. Can you give me a race strategy? How should I start and what do you recommend for me to hopefully have a good race? Should I try and stay with the 40 run/20 walk plan? Or should I do more walking during the first 50, then do something else during the last 50? My 50 mile training run was completed at an 11:20 average pace. I will say that after my 50 mile training run, the thought of doing another 50 miles was frightening to think about. You once said mile 80 was the half way point. Should I stay easy on things to mile 80? Any advice and words of wisdom you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Eric, I can't think you enough for all you have done, and all that you continue to do for us.
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