Valley Fever gets the better of me

Well, my streak got up to 120 or so and then I had to call it quits. I think I acquired Valley Fever right after I register for the Bataan Death March and I trained with it because I didn’t want to back out of another race. After the race I continue my streak, but my cough got to the point where I just had to do something about it. Five doctors visit and an official Valley Fever diagnosis later and I’m just now starting to feel about 75%. I’ve only been running once or twice a week for the past month or so. I’m gonna continue this until August, then ramp it up for a 4:30 rim-to-rim attempt at the Grand Canyon in early October and Javelina Jundred in late October. 

Looking forward to following Western States on Saturday. 

Decisions, decisions

The stats: 10 miles in 76 minutes

The story: I was a little worried when I left for this one, the desktop widget said 100 degrees. But it quickly cooled down and the run turned into a comfortable one. The canals were pretty busy for a night run. I took it easy on the way out, then picked up the pace on the way back. Left the watch at the door and simple started it when I left and stopped it when I got back. No headphones, just shorts, shoes, socks and a half-full bottle.

I have not decided what I will do for my next race. The Javelina Jundred is filling up quick and I must decide in the next week or so if I will do it. Part of me wants to go out and struggle through it, just to get the 100-mile thing over with. Just do my 30 minutes running, 5 minutes walking plan. Another part of me wants to enjoy some fast 50Ks and  a 50-miler, then save my first 100-miler for the end of the year 24-hour race. I would like a 50K PR and take about an hour off my 50-mile PR.

Weekly mileage: 30

More stomach issues

The stats: 15 miles in 2:09

The  story: After yesterday’s run, I really just wanted to take it easy tonight. That’s what I did, but that didn’t stop my stomach from doing flips the entire way. I felt bloated and heavy and couldn’t eat any gels. A couple of times I was on the verge of making an emergency “pit stop,” but luckily that never happened.  I have no choice but to alter my eating plans for the Javelina Jundred. I can’t trust that my stomach will cooperate. My new plan is to get most of my calories from sports drinks and to try to eat a gel every hour. Although at this point I think one an hour is pretty optimistic. 15 miles tomorrow.

Weekly mileage: 45 Days until 100k: 9 Days until 100 miler: 35

I hate Ultra Signup

I don't think so.

This is pretty ridiculous. I have run a grand total of 3 ultras. All of which were pretty small events, yet Ultra Signup has me in the 96th percentile. Dave James, a stud, who has a 3:30 50K and won last year’s Javelina Jundred in an unbelievable 14:20 is in the 86th percentile. He will clearly smoke me by 5 or 6 hours. Yet, when I sign up for Javelina, I will shoot up to the top of the list. I think Ultra Signup needs to tweak their formula a little.