#stump jump

[whitneyrunson]

So Rock/Creek recently posted the new video for Stump Jump (which features footage from the race I ran!), and now I want to sign up for the damn thing all over again.

Clearly, this is crazy runner talk.

A) I am currently injured and there is no telling how long it will be before I am 100% again.

B) More importantly, this race kicked my ass last year.  The elevation of this trail coupled with the heat (and least we forget the hornets) was probably the most humbling thing I have ever experienced.  I didn't exactly enjoy the race or commune with nature- I was strictly in survival mode.  I even had the benefit of a trusty sherpa/pacer and still thought this race was brutal.

The new video combined with the fact that I am currently re-reading Born to Run has made returning to the race very tempting.  I have a score to settle with that mountain.  I know I am capable of doing better than I did last year...or maybe I just didn't learn my lesson.

In any case, time is on my side.  Stump Jump is such a large race that it doesn't sell out as fast as other trail races do.  October is a long way off- plenty of time to heal and train.  In fact, I was injured when I signed up for this last year.  I think I will take some time and think about it, but it's definitely on my mind.  I will also have to see what happens with the NY marathon.  I seriously doubt I will get in, but you never know...

What about you?  Do you have any races that are "the one that got away" that you want to return to? 

[mikimurph]

Finally conquered the stump jump! <10 seconds to complete jump.

[mikimurph]

The stump jump. It only took me 5 minutes to build up the courage to jump. Goal - do within 10 seconds.

[whitneyrunson]

50K Training Week 16

This is it!  My last week of 50K training!  Let’s just temporarily ignore the fact that I still have 9 weeks marathon training coming, shall we?

Monday:  3 miles

Tuesday: Spin

Wednesday: 6 miles

Thursday: Rest day

Friday: Mostly a rest day…it’s kind of a long drive to Chattanooga, so I wouldn’t mind getting in a very short easy jog or a long walk when we get there, just something really easy to keep from getting antsy.

Saturday:  RACE DAY!  Race time = 8am

I put my 50K training plan together last December (yup, I’m a planner).  I researched a couple different options, but ultimately made up my own plan to incorporate races, cross training, and life.  My plan called for a little under 500 training miles, and I got in about 90% of those.  There were a few days runs just didn’t happen for logistical reasons, a few runs that got cut short in the heat, and some runs that were swapped out for extra spin classes.  I’m not too worried about the shortfall.  When I put this plan together, I knew it was aggressive, but I didn’t fully appreciate just how hard it would be to get in solid long runs in the deepest part of the Memphis summer. 

In general, I am really proud of this training cycle.  I finally learned the importance of balancing my workouts.  Speed work, cross training, trail running, and easy long runs let me successfully build my mileage.  When I trained last year, I did most of my runs at the same pace with no cross training which probably contributed to the injury that plagued me throughout last November. 

My biggest goals this week are to make smart eating choices, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep. 5 more days!

[whitneyrunson]

Arm-warmers ordered.  I am officially crossing into the "weird ugly stuff only runners wear" clothing category.  I went with the gray since I figured they would go with everything...as if it mattered.  I made this purchase begrudgingly.  It seems stupid to part with this much money for what is effectively overpriced socks for your arms, but I know there's a pretty good chance we will have a chilly start at Stump Jump.  Better safe than sorry.

Once these show up in the mail I need to get a trial run done in them to make sure they fit and don't chafe, but I'm not sure I'll get weather that's cool enough for that, in which case I will be the girl running around Memphis in 70 degree weather wearing arm-warmers.  It just keeps getting better, folks.

[sbswoman-blog]

We will have more crazy song and dance fun with the gang from Stump Jump same time next week when we return live to the outrageous San Cristóbal leper colony.

Later this evening, a deeper look at the bakelite industry of Soviet Armenia than anyone imagined possible in: This is the Soviet Armenian Bakelite Industry.

That one has me jumping out of my skin with excitement and 11:30 can’t come soon enough for me.

Following that, part three of Belgian documentary on a period which art historians have chosen to ignore; that period between two o’clock and three-thiry on March the 11th, 1543.

But now tonight’s movie, the multiple award winner from outstanding Ecuadorian actor/director Chico Tlapcoya. Undoubtedly a masterpiece, Dances with Wool tells the haunting tale of mountain villagers whose only joy comes at the time of the annual llama wool harvest.

Get your handkerchiefs out as we bring you the very moving Dances with Wool.