Read through Coach Andrew Taylor’s training and running race reports. Andrew has trained for and completed over 30 ultramarathons, and countless other long-distance races. His experiences can help you to prepare for and complete your next running adventure. Be sure to subscribe to our email newsletter to receive the latest news, articles, and special savings.
My first ultramarathon of 2017. Lacking in endurance, relying on strength and experience, I took on the challenge that is FOURmidable 50K in Auburn, CA.
This past weekend, I participated in the 2017 Turner’s Tuff 10 at Red Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern near Jamestown, CA. The race is organized by the Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners group out of Modesto, CA.
Just getting into the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run is not taken for granted by any ultramarathon runner. To reach this point was the culmination of sacrifice and passion for a sport that has been part of my life for 25 years.
My adventure towards the training camp started four days before the weekend began. I drove my car cross-country from Charleston, SC to Modesto, CA. packed with everything I needed for running, boxes of clothes, and my bike on the roof.
The month of May was probably the most critical month for the Western States training. I ended my run streak of consecutive days at 113 to take on a more focused approach to my training. With the writing of this post, there is still a week to go in the month.
The 2016 Wambaw Swamp Stomp 50-Mile Trail Run took place on May 7th and represented the last trail running race I would participate in South Carolina for some time to come.
After a bit of an easy week with Flowertown Festival and my mom visiting us, the mileage went back up. My training plan now would start to call for a few more focused workouts to try to simulate some of the features of Western States 100 missing by living in Summerville, SC.
The month of March resulted in a very consistent Western States training schedule that left me feeling confident in my abilities leading into the final three months. I have found that 50 miles per week truly is my sweet spot in training; balancing both family/work and physical/mental strength.
Overall, I have to say the month of February was a good first full month of training. The month started a little difficultly, but it ended with a solid string of long runs that have left me feeling very confident in the training plan that I have laid out for Western States 100.
Just as my training for Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run was getting started, I put myself into a position that quickly reminded me what not do when training for an ultramarathon…