After about a month of rest and recovery I am working my way back up to fighting form. My recovery consisted of 2 weeks of zero running, followed by another 2 weeks of easy running. Lots of stretching out my calves and consistent icing of the heels, feet, and calves. I also switched out from my beloved 5mm Xero running shoes to Carson’s. The Carson’s are still zero drop, but consist of a 10 mm sole with a 5 mm cushion insert for a total of 15 mm. A significant difference from the Xero’s and I really feel it. I am still all for natural movements, but I am definitely enjoying the extra cushion on tough terrain. Overall, my recovery went smooth and I feel good with where I am currently at. I have been in the mountains a couple times for easier paced distance hikes and have built back to running ultra distances. Last week I was able to run 55 miles in the week with accomplishing a 27 Mile technical trail run at the end of the week.
This 27 mile run was all of the Trail Monster Dirt Series trail races (6, 9, & 12 Miles) all done back to back and is referred to the Ultra Extreme Bad-Ass (UXBA). I have referenced this challenge before in April with an S on the end for “supreme”, by adding an additional 16 miles on. I am happy to report that my UXBA this week was right around the same time I had run this section before. Since this was a solo adventure as none of my running friends were able to join, I decided my run report would be a series of selfies.
With the UXBA behind me and feeling good, I am committed to moving onto bigger things. At the end of the month I will be tackling the Pemigewasset Loop (pemi) in New Hampshire that is a 50K which summits eight 4,000 foot peaks. I did this loop at part of my BFC training last year, and feel confident going into it again this year.
In September instead of traveling to Tennessee of another run at the BFC the big guns are coming out and I will be doing what was put on hold due to Covid in May, my first 100 miler in one go. I am planning on tackling the 100 mile wilderness in northern Maine which is at the end of the Appalachian trail. When I finish it in under 48 hours then I will earn my first belt buckle from TMR and be on a short list of those who have earned them. I feel mentally ready for the momentous task and will continue to do all that I know to do in order to best prepare my body for the unknown. Namaste.
Running with Love 