Event Week Schedule

Vasaloppet Week Schedule

Well, it's the week of my first ski event.  I'll be doing the 58k Vasaloppet in Mora, MN, USA.  I'm excited because this is something new for me.  I only learned to skate ski 6 weeks ago so it has been a pretty fast learning curve.  Skiing is proving to be a good way to keep myself fit through the winter months so I'll give it a go on February 9th.

The reason I'm writing this today is for you.  I want to share with you from Tuesday's perspective what my plan is for the week leading up to the event.  This schedule is pretty consistent with all nine ultra finishes as well so hopefully I've learned something from my experiences.  I hope I can help speed up your learning curve as well.

Let me start by saying my goal in ultra endurance events is not to win a trophy or finish first, it is to finish the event in the time that is given.  I compete to challenge myself and give me something to train for.  It helps me to stay active if why I train is to complete something, an event, a verb.

So here's my schedule:

Monday - 30 minute ski, speed, core finish light
Tuesday - Heavy deadlifts with rope superset - 50 sit ups, eat a lot.  Eggs, meat, fruit, veggies, drink lots of water (That'll be a theme all week), no misses, eat clean
Wednesday - light cardio, maybe a short ski, foam roll for 45-60 minutes, hydrate and eat good, Chiro
Thursday - ski specific workout: balance, shoulders, core, stretch, hydrate and eat good
Friday - 60 minute ski, stretch, hydrate and eat good, Chiro
Saturday - 30 minute ski, rest, hydrate, eat some whole pasta for dinner
Sunday morning - Eggs and salsa for breakfast at 7:30-8:00, light foam roll <60 seconds total 15-30 minutes prior to event start, 10am - Toe the line and figure it out.

Drive back Sunday night and back at it on Monday.  

I hope this helps if you are looking to get into doing any events or wondering what to do in the week leading up to your big event.  I've been doing this for a few years now and have had the opportunity to start a dozen ultra events so I have learned a few things along the way.  I hope this helps speed up the curve for you in your pre race week preparation.

Facebook is a great place to reach out.  Please feel free to respond to any post with questions or comments.  Keep moving people and I'll see you on the trail!

Jon Howard - Husband and Father of 3 | Ultra Endurance Athlete | Owner - Training Edge Sports