What's Your Limit?

Limits.

We all have them, but as runners, we sure do like to push them, don't we? It's what makes us stronger, right?

Please tell me I'm right. :-) Otherwise, what you're about to read isn't just crazy, but crazy stupid.

I have a hard time defining my limits. I tend to have a pretty laissez-faire approach to running and fitness. But that's all about to change. At least for the next couple months.

I mentioned on Sunday that today I'd share with you what was next for me.

{deep breath}

Here goes...

I've decided to train for a 55k trail race.

What the what?!

I know. It's completely crazy.

But an optional goal for 2017 is to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim to rim, and running an ultra in the beginning of April seems like a great benchmark to see if I'll be able to do the Grand Canyon in early June.

So, I'm giving it a try. I wasn't going to say anything on the blog, but I thought I might get questions as my weekly mileage starts jumping, so I'm throwing it out there.

The race is April 8th and it's out on the trails I ran Sunday (and the weekend before). I'll be spending most weekends out there now for the next couple months.

I've designed my own training program, since I don't have the time / number of weeks necessary to train as professional ultra runners suggest. I'll be increasing my running, of course. I'll also be including strength training 2-3 times a week and will be focusing a lot on foam rolling on my rest days. Probably throw in a little yoga here and there as well.

I won't be training to win (obviously); I'll be training to take the full time limit - 10 hours.

And since I don't really have the recommended base to tackle an ultra, I'll be listening hard to my body. If training doesn't go as well with my body as it does in my mind, I'll cut back and do a shorter distance.

But, sometimes, it's nice to shoot for the moon and push our limits, right?!

I haven't actually registered for this race yet. I need just a smidge more volunteer credit to cover the cost. 😉

Do you push your limits? How?
Have you ever run an ultra?
What's the biggest, scariest goal you've ever set? Did you accomplish it?
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I'm linking up with Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesday's on the Run. This week's topic is "What’s your limit on what you’ll spend on a race?" I obviously played around with the topic a bit. 😏