Relentless Courage
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Coaching Sales Page
  • Client Scheduling Page
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Coaching Sales Page
  • Client Scheduling Page

The Week After Superior 50k

5/25/2019

1 Comment

 

The Week After Superior 50k

It's Monday and I'm going to post this thing.  My training has shifted to BWCA training.  There is a bit more upper body strength training happening now as paddling and portaging requires more upper body strength than running does.
Picture
There are blurry moments on the trail. Lot's of blissful moments too. Credit: Tone Coughlin
Picture
This one was taken at the 25k mark. The race turns around at Carlton's Peak. Credit: Amy Broadmoore
I'm going to start this with what has happened so far Saturday, May 25, one week after Superior 50k.  It's 10:28am and I've already gotten a workout in and had a protein smoothie.  I don't report that because I'm embarrassed about what you're about to read.  I point it out because I feel good about at least the decisions I've made this morning toward my next event.  It's one choice at a time and I've made an overlying decision to prepare for what's next.  If I make choices that get me further from that sometimes, I'm okay with it.  I look forward to the next play, the next opportunity to choose and don't get too caught up in the past.  It was a great week!
Picture
Boardwalk, water and mud are just a few of Superior's many elements. Credit: Tone Coughlin
I’ve written quite a few race recaps/reviews over the years.  This one has me writing about the week after.  The trip we took to the north shore on May 17 and 18, 2019 was a quick one.  We were in Lutsen for under 19 hours so it kind of felt like Superior Spring 2019 was just another thing in the rhythm of an already busy season.  That’s okay though because there are few things in this world that can fill one’s soul like Superior.  It’s the course, the history, the energy and most of all, the people.

That’s not what this is about though.  This is about recovering from an event like Superior knowing that the whole season is one giant event and each event is really just a training run with a finish line and an official time and, most often, a medal and a t shirt.  So, there are a few more perks than just improvement and season training.  There are more people too I suppose.  I’m not sure of the exact numbers this year but it was probably 500+ in all three events together.

Let’s try this again… it’s not about the event, it’s about the days that follow the event.  We finished up on Saturday afternoon, headed back to the lodge for a shower and a Coke and we headed home.  My brother Jesse (12.5k finisher), Son Caden (12.5k finisher) and I loaded up and headed home.  I guess it’s not surprising that we were hungry.  Just getting to Lutsen was an adventure in itself with a smoking engine in Two Harbors on the way up.  Kip at the auto shop said it was nothing to worry about, so we headed up 61.

I’ve eaten really good after events and was probably better off for it.  I did have a protein smoothie after the Coke this time so that was good.  I’ve also let myself go for a few days and pretty much eaten whatever I wanted and didn’t eat much, if at all, when “in training”.  Sometimes it feels really good to eat really good and sometimes I just let it go.  We stopped at Hardee’s in Hinckley on the way back down 35 and I had a monster roast beef, large curly fries and large Diet Coke.  This is one of those times I’d let it go for a couple days.  Multiple donut feedings.  There was ice cream involved, lots of chips (many varieties) and more!  From Tuesday on there has been less sugar.  Now it’s turned to PB and J and still chips.

There’s also a physical recovery that takes place.  I’ve done this a few different ways too.  Sometimes I’ve gone out and run a dozen miles the next day.  In fact, in 2014 I did a half marathon the evening before the Voyageur 50 mile and finished under the cut.  In the ultra-community that’s not super unusual, at least not for some of us. 

During my training I try to visit the chiropractor a couple times per week, especially during high volume periods.  I’ve learned that taking a few days before going to the chiro after an event is a good idea.  I feel it gives my body a chance to regulate itself and it takes some time for any more chronic aches and pains to reveal themselves.  I didn’t go to the chiro until Thursday.  I did, however stretch and foam roll Tuesday.  Nothing real crazy, just a quick full lower roll and full light stretching routine.

It’s Thursday now, and a holiday weekend approaches.  I look forward to spending time with family and I’ll work a couple of hours tomorrow where I’ll be on my feet for a few hours.  Today I went on a short jog/walk and the feeling of the SHT is still with me.  Running Superior requires a different gait.  For me, it’s a little wider and more from the hips, especially when there's mud.  My feet need to be free to avoid roots, rocks and mud.  That gait was with me today and for that I am grateful.  The first couple runs after an event are always reflective for me.  I think about the trail, what I learned from the experience, what I overcame (physically and mentally) and how my body is feeling now beginning again training for next.
​
I felt great today.  Tomorrow is another day and I’m looking forward to it.  We’ll be traveling to the BWCA in a few weeks and that will require a little bit different type of training.  More strength.
Picture
Rocksteady. Credit: Tone Coughlin
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment
dissertation services link
6/22/2019 04:32:09 pm

Superior 50k seems to be a memorable one for you and you can't let go of emotions and memories you had there! You are such a strong person because you were able to conquer your weaknesses as you have mentioned. I really admire you because you pushed yourself to the limits and promised to be the best version, and you got it! If Superior 50k will be held once again, I am sure that you will have the willingness to join once again to gather medals, and great memories as well.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    RSS Feed

Relentless Courage  LLC