What a difference a day makes

Last night I set the alarm for 5:45am so I could go meet H at the track for our 1000's and 200's session but had a strong feeling I wouldn't be running when morning came. I have had a bit of a problem, nothing major in my left foot/ankle area but last night it just got very stiff and very sore - totally out of nowhere! I was actually lying on the coach watching a film about Western States when it happened. I iced it and went to bed deflated but also completely hooked on the idea of running an ultra - something i NEVER thought would happen!

I met H at 6:30 as planned, ran the w/u then bailed on her. There was no way I was going to manage and I didn't want to make it worse. So on H's advice I iced and took ibuprofen, and iced and iced and iced and it is so much better already. I think it's tendonitis and am hoping it will be very short lived, I won't run tomorrow no matter how good it feels. I am not the kind of gal who wants to go turning a little problem into a big one. That and I have promised myself I can make up my lost mileage by doubling up later int he week, when I'm hopefully feeling 100%. 

Ok, back to Western States. M and N who I run with mostly at the weekend are part of a group that contains some serious ultra guys. M has himself run a 50 and I think a 100, too. I  have honestly never paid too much attention to their tales of vomit inducing 100 mile races, it held NO appeal to me whatsoever. I mean why on earth would you want to do that to yourself - you'd have to be completely nuts, and I, ladies and gentlemen am not completely nuts. 

But oh my word. That race is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I cannot get over the effect watching these guys race - RACE 100 miles has had on me. Am I going to run the Western States before I die, of course I am! It would be stupid not too! 

I grew up running through fields, climbing fences, trying to avoid the bull in the field of cows, etc etc etc. I love to be present in the moment when I'm running and to feel free. I can't imagine feeling more free than being let loose on 100 miles! Ok, so I definitely have a romantic notion about all of this, I know the reality will be anything but romantic but I am so excited that I have now added this realm into my running goals. 

I have pencilled in 2017 for my Western States debut, if I pull it off (you have to qualify right, by running a 50?) it will be my 40th birthday present to myself. 

Then what.........an Iron Man of course! 

I very rarely surprise myself but my complete flip on ultra running has shocked me! It's a good lesson for me to be more open to opportunities rather than ruling them out because I 'know' they're not for me. 

(Sooooooo excited!)

I'm still giving myself 5 years to get that marathon time as fast as I can ;)