Coming to Terms With Reality

I live in Sacramento at 37′ above sea level.

The nearest “mountain” is a thirty minute drive away from my house.

I’m at home with the kids during the day. They’re 2 and 4 years old.

My wife isn’t a “supportive” ultra wife. Eight hours runs on the weekend do not make for a happy home life.

So what in the world makes me think I can train and compete in mountainous ultras?

I’ve had some time to think about my DNF at Headlands Hundred a few weeks ago. As cliche as it is, I’ve turned that negative into a positive by dealing with my reality and adjusting my expectations from this sport I love so much and after the initial realization, I couldn’t be more excited about this new chapter.

It’s first imperative that I address my issues and needs a runner. I’ve been running since I was a kid. Youth track, HS cross country and track, post-collegiately, road, trail, ultra-distance, track, etc.

It’s also in my blood. My folks are both competitive masters runners and my younger sister can and will kick your ass in a road race. When we’re together we talk about running. Roads. Times. Workouts. Trails. Shoes. Races. Family PRs. Beer. You get the idea.

I love to compete. 5k on the road, 12 hour on the track, hundred miler, Strava segments online, 50 miler, half marathon, whatever. Hell, I was racing in the corn maze last weekend (much to my wife’s disgust…”Eric, they’re kids! This is supposed to be FUN!!!”) because the map we were given had a “finish” banner indicating the end. If they don’t want it to be a race, don’t put a finish line!

I never win, but I like to push myself against the clock, others, and myself. As I wrote in my DNF report, dragging myself across a finish line is no fun. I’ve done it and I don’t like it.

Which has led me to the realization that at this point in my life, training and competing in hilly trail ultras just ain’t happening.

I know, I know, there’s more to running than competing, and there’s no one who appreciates a verdant and desolate trail more than I do. Disconnecting from all technology and people and just running like a damn animal in our most primal way is something I love to do and wish I had more opportunity to do.

Instead, I’m focusing on what I can do. I can put in solid bike path miles pushing a stroller. I can do hill workouts in the parking garage. I can do stroller-less runs early in the morning before my wife and kids wake up. I can run local races that don’t have me out all day. I can use my natural running talent to my advantage. I can race and be home by lunch!

So for the next few months I’m dialed in on marathon training. It’s taken me quite awhile to be able to write that, but it feels good to get it out there. Consider this my coming out party.

You know you're an ultrarunner when...you run with an UD bottle at a marathon. That's me! — You know you’re an ultrarunner when…you run with an UD bottle at a marathon. That’s me!

The thought process goes like this: If I can get in solid marathon shape, I’ll be able to run halfs, marathons, 50ks, occasional 50 milers, and any trail race (while depending on some freakish natural hill ability I got from my German ancestors), be happy as a competitor, a member of my family, and be ready to tweak my training towards longer or shorter events as I see fit.

Yeah, yeah, roads suck. My legs will get hurt. I’ll get injured. Trails are the awesome-est and road runners are wimps. I get it. But I also get the reality that I don’t live in a truck at a trailhead without kids or a wife. I also know what Candice so deftly pointed out in this post that marathons are really freakin’ hard and I don’t feel for a second like I’m whimping out.

I’ve been running for 25 years and have run two road marathons. Both were California International Marathons and though I can’t find the results, I believe my times were 3:29 and 3:07. Or something like that. I’d done a 50k before my first marathon and was in trail shape. My target race right now is Surf City Marathon, 2:55-ish is my goal, and am pretty confident I can get that done. 6:40mpm pace will set me up for great leg speed in trail races and when I find flat ultras (hello? little help here? Where’d they all go?!?), I’ll be able to use that to my advantage.

So will I miss the trails? Of course, but I’ll still be out there. I’m running TNF 50 in December and will be training hard for it. I’m most likely running New Years One Day a few weeks later, but will be focusing most of my effort on shorter events.

My kids have been on some killer rides/runs on training runs over the past few years as I take them offroading in the stroller on the trails near my house and that won’t stop. There’s very little in life that makes me happier than that actually…hitting the trails with my kids while they’re yelling “faster! faster! yay bumps!!!” as I focus on keeping the buggy in control.

So there’s my reality. I’ve faced it. I’m doing what I can to stay happy and competitive and savor my time on the trails and this seems like the best realistic option for me.

——–

Has anyone else tried something like this? Taking moderate ultra fitness and road speed and tried to transfer it to marathon speed…while also keeping up endurance fitness that’ll get me through some planned events. Am I asking for too much?

See you on the trails…err…roads.

31 Responses to "Coming to Terms With Reality"

Bev says:

October 4, 2013 at 3:10 pm

yep, been there, I’ll be doing a couple 1/2’s and marathons coming up to get some speed back then focus on Jed Smith in February. Alan and have done that for years.

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Jon O. says:

October 4, 2013 at 3:16 pm

As a dad to four under 10yrs old, I hear your thoughts and commend you for being a big boy and focusing. I have not reached the 50miler mark, but as I look ahead to 2014, I don’t know if I can get the training in required to hit that goal. The family is just busy every week. I’m mentally ready, but can I get over the 45 miles a week (good week) in training to help me reach that 50mile mark? Do think so. So, hats off to you for your honesty and good luck. Road sucks but I have a road marathon in 3 weeks and will slog through. Motivation is required and maybe a bunch of shorter trail races would be a good thing to strive for also.

But then you post all these great links DAILY for us to review and my mind wanders to the hundo goal. Well back to my review of the Lake Sonoma Course and buying tix to see Tony K’s movie in Campbell, Ca this evening.

Reply
1. Jon O. says:
  
  October 4, 2013 at 3:16 pm
  
  PS: I’m not THAT Jon Olsen –
  🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Rosie S says:
    
    October 4, 2013 at 6:43 pm
    
    We were all wondering… 😉
    
    Reply
Jesse Barragan says:

October 4, 2013 at 6:21 pm

That’s exactly my situation. I’m just too busy with work, kids, coaching, family, etc. to spend 12 hours a weekend in the mountains. So, I’m training like a half/full marathoner right now (you’ve seen my Strava). I’ve been focusing on Urban Cow this weekend, but afterwards I’ll modify my training.

Right now everything I do is at a fairly fast pace. After Sunday, I’ll start mixing it up. My goal is to keep the structure that I’ve been doing, except every other weekend will be a free run. Instead of hammering a 15 mile run, I’ll run what ever trail I want, for as long as I want, at what ever pace I want.

This should keep me competitive at anything from the 50K and below. I’ll run an occasional 50 miler for the fun of it. No racing them, enjoying them. I learned my lesson at Lake Sonoma 50.

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm
  
  Jesse, I’m with you 99%. I just haven’t learned my lesson at racing competitive 50milers while under trained. There’s something about pissing mud for 20 miles that apparently appeals to my subconscious.
  Have fun at Urban Cow.
  
  Reply
Lucus says:

October 4, 2013 at 6:33 pm

There are some options for flat ultras locally. Try the Jed Smith Ultras (http://www.buffalochips.com/jed-smith-ultras/) here in Sacramento and Chicago Lakefront 50k/50M (www.chicagoultra.org). My old hometown Chicago is a great place to run but the ultras are in March and November, so it could be very cold.

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1. MJ says:
  
  October 5, 2013 at 6:59 am
  
  My hometown too! I’m kind of thinking my first ultra will be one of their two 50ks, though not sure which year. (I want to move from road marathons to road ultras and then start working on trails I haven’t run trails at all yet) Was thinking of March next year but may be doing a marathon then since I think I’m not going to do my November marathon this year, coming back from injury. I think I like the March course better than the November course.
  
  I’d also be interested in Mad City, just because I like Madison so much.
  
  Travel for me now tho, live on east coast.
  
  Reply
Rosie S says:

October 4, 2013 at 6:48 pm

Eric,
I think we all dream bigger than the possibilities, and that’s part of what makes this community great. I WISH I could travel to all of these a amazing races, heck, even afford to run all of the local races that I’m interested in. But, elite sponsored runner I’m not, so I run what I can and enjoy them. Have fun!

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Jack Finn says:

October 4, 2013 at 6:59 pm

I can’t exactly relate to your situation being a single 26 year old without kids, but I am also a grad student in engineering so I have to find a balance as well. I have the utmost respect for those runners who compete while balancing family, 9-5 jobs and friends. I respect the professional runners smashing course records left and right, don’t get me wrong, some of those times are unbelievable. However, there is a lot to be said for the average mid-packer giving it their all, taking advantage of what time they have whether it is a short 3 miles at 10pm or 20 miles at 4am. That’s when you know you truly love the sport for what it is and nothing more.

I really enjoyed your Headlands report and this post. It has given me insight to my own running goals and expectations. If you remember, we meet at the start of Headlands. I had the orange sunglasses and SF Running Co top. It was great to meet you!

Love the podcast and hope to see you at NF 50!!

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 4, 2013 at 7:24 pm
  
  Jack- Hey! I’ve been wondering how you did at HH. Hope it went better than my day
  Thanks for the kind words. I, too, have the utmost respect for the guys and gals who are able to pull off a full schedule and still do well on the weekends. Scott Dunlap and Pam Smith, I’m talking to you.
  My main issue is one of geography. I simply don’t live near the mountains…or ANY mountains and since the only “alone” time I have to run is 2-5am, I choose to get more flat miles in than making the RT drive.
  Regardless, I’m psyched to hit some road races hard and see how the leg speed transfers to ultras next year.
  
  Reply
Brian Latham says:

October 4, 2013 at 10:04 pm

Eric,

Work life balance is so important. For my wife and mine first road marathons 4 years ago, had me pushing a double jogging stroller up to even our long 20 to 22 mile runs while my oldest (at 7) rode her bike. We love the trails and I would also love to run longer distances; however, marathons, 50K’s are pretty much all I have time for, even with being 2 miles from Mount Diablo.

You will love Surf City Marathon. While pretty flat, there is a nice vibe. That was where I did my first half marathon and built my love for running. I will also be running the Surf City Marathon this year, this being my 7th but shooting for a more modest 4 hours. It is also near Disneyland, a great place to recover.

Hang in there. Make the training and smaller events a family affair and the kids will really enjoy it. That’s what we have done and our daughter completed her first trail half marathon at 11 earlier in September and our 9 year old completed a 10K (Brazen Racing’s Trail Hog).

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MJ says:

October 5, 2013 at 6:57 am

Eric – this is a great post, and I salute you for your clear analysis, prioritization and choices. Context, reality – those things are important. I think you’ll do awesome in the marathon.

What about having Lee McKinley &/or other ultrarunners & coaches do a podcast w/you on this very topic? (Sally McRae again? someone else?) Seems like there’s a fair amount of interest or folks in similar situations.

A thought – you could also submit your situation and Q to Endurance Planet for their AskTheCoaches/AskTheUltrarunner segments which have Tim Waggoner “Lucho” answering – I bet he could give you some great advice! You might also talk to/correspond w/ Coach Brett of Zen and the Art of Triathlon, think he does some ultras.

Hope you’ll share your training with us, look forward to hearing about it. Wishing you all the best.

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Sarah Lavender Smith says:

October 5, 2013 at 9:12 am

Great post. What you’re doing is smart and could be a lot of fun — but also really intense in terms of training to achieve a sub-3 marathon. The last time I aimed for a road marathon PR, in 2009, it was just as hard if not harder as ultra training, because of the discipline and intense pacing it took to lower my time. Several ultra running trail stars I admire, like Caitlin Smith and Devin Yanko, go between trail and road marathoning. I try to do a road marathon once/year to keep my “road legs” tuned up. If you don’t feel ready for the Surf City in Feb, you might consider Napa in early March as another great PR course. Or come join me at the Oakland Marathon in late March — it’s a blast.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 6, 2013 at 5:58 am
  
  It’s not the hard training I mind, but rather the necessary training that I don’t have access to that’s tough. I’ll gladly put in speed work and hard days, but when a race calls for a few days per week on the hills, I simply can’t do it.
  
  And Caitlin, Devon, Wardian, etc are all people I look up to for their seamless ability to switch between disciplines.
  
  I’m running Surf City because my sister’s running it too (albeit the half) and she convinced me it was a fast course with nice weather. Only after I paid the reg fee did I notice that Jed Smith 50k is that same weekend…it’s flat as a pancake and literally one mile from my house. D’oh!
  
  Probably see you in Oakland though. That looks like a fun race.
  
  Reply
Neil says:

October 5, 2013 at 9:37 am

If you cannot get to the mountain – then it must come to you.

Use a treadmill at 15% it will give you a good uphill workout – you will have to figure out the downhill part.
Works for Ellie Greenwood when the Banff winters get too crazy for outdoor running.

Ellies reply to a blog post

Ed – my training is very much trial and error but the treadmill I use can go to max 15% incline, so I was doing sessions of maybe 25mins at a slow running pace that I would sustain for that long, 5 min break and then repeat. I would also do lesser inclines at faster speed but also for 25mins or so at a time to practice more runnable hills. I occasionally do traditional hill workouts i.e. shorter (few mins) at pace I can only sustain for 2 to 5 mins, then rest, then repeat a few times. Only thing lacking really with a treadmill is you cannot mimic downhill running and the pounding that gives on the quads. Hope that is of help 🙂

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 5, 2013 at 10:57 am
  
  Neil. That’s not a horrible idea. I don’t have one, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to find one for $100 on Craigslist. Ellie’s workouts sound good too and would take the monotony out of a typical treadmill run. Thx for sharing.
  
  Reply
European says:

October 5, 2013 at 10:27 am

As for flat ultras: Short loop 6H ultras are gaining popularity over here. It’s easier to bring the family and more of a social event for those supporting on the side. Also they seem to be instep ultras for women comparatively more whereas more men head straight to the hills. Probably also because women have their own reasons for not training alone out in the forests and mountains.

Yeah, you’re gonna get passed by the leaders every twenty minutes and chicked again and again during those 6H, but if you take that the right way it’s actually kinda inspiring, after all “you’ll be running with the elites” (and behind them you might also find some surprisingly nice and chatty midpackers that afterwards would make good podcast objects if you ask them).

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Phil Shaw says:

October 6, 2013 at 4:54 pm

A few years ago, I realized I was a trail and distance snob. On a whim, I raced my first half marathon after 8 years of running ultras. It was like discovering a new sport. The sense of speed, power,and propulsiveness from aggressively racing for a shorter distance was entirely new. Since then, more of my training has been on flat roads, at a faster pace. Not only has my shorter distance speed improved to the point of competing well at local half/full marathons, but my 50k and 50 mile speed has improved too, on all types of terrain.

Though there is no perfect substitute for big climbs and descents when preparing to compete in a mountainous ultra, a strong marathon training plan seems adequate to prepare you for nearly anything with a little adjustment near race time. Add in hill workouts on a treadmill for 2-3 weeks, or find just a few weekends to get to the local mountain, and you’ll be tuned-up for even a hilly or mountainous race.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 6, 2013 at 5:22 pm
  
  Phil, I’m hiring you as my hype man. You’re telling me exactly what I want to hear! Keep sending messages like that and I’ll be a happy guy!
  
  Reply
Chris Melvin says:

October 6, 2013 at 6:55 pm

Eric, congrats on your coming out! So ironic, I just came to the same conclusion a few weeks ago. Running Mountain Masochist before switching up to shorter stuff for a while. As long as the challenge is there I don’t know that it matter what you’re running.

Reply
Stephen Sherwood says:

October 7, 2013 at 5:58 am

When I first started ultras I would give up a lot of sleep to get my training in! I would leave to run around midnight and return when my wife called me! I’m not sure if that would work or your wife would let you but I always liked my time at night! Now my training runs never go more than 25 miles but back then I believed in long 30-40 mile training runs! I have worked the night shift for 15 years so staying up at night wouldn’t bother me but if I did get tired I just ran by gas station and grabbed a coffee (or pack some choc covered expresso beans)! Plus nothing cooler than running at night with headlamp!

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Ryan says:

October 7, 2013 at 7:14 am

As a father to 3 1/2 kids (5, 4 and 2 with one on the way) I totally get what you’re saying. I have access to trailheads all around me here in Virginia, but I just don’t have the time to get out for 5-6 hour runs. While my wife is supportive of my running, she doesn’t like me out for that long. I usually take one Friday off a month, and do a super long run in the mountains. Which works out well.

I train mostly on hilly roads during the week, and the leg turnover from roads, really translates well to the trail. It’s helped my uphill running as well, because I’ve found that I can get the same aerobic and anaerobic conditioning running roads.

I’m sure you can name quite a few road runners that have really good success at trail running.

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Kashi @ Cape Island Runners says:

October 7, 2013 at 9:13 am

Great post! I am childless so I don’t have the family obligations but I do live in a crazy flat area (just looked at GE and it reports the elevation at my house is 4′) so I hear ya on that! It would take hours for me to get to hills and we don’t even have much in the way of trails that are less than an hr drive, so most ultras are out for me (and while I do appreciate the advice to use a treadmill, I just hate those things and only use them on days when it is absolutely necessary, which for me is 1-2x/yr).

I would love to see a post where you gather all the flat ultras or even road ultras (and maybe it is bc I don’t have ready access to trails, but I don’t mind roads one bit. I live in a fairly rural area, so it is easy to find pretty roads, and I am not injury prone. Been running 22 yrs on roads w very few issues!) into one resource. Would be great for flatlanders like us!

I like all distances in running – they all have their own flavor and are fun in their own ways. Can’t wait to hear more about your return to marathoning after such a long break! Good luck!

Reply
blair says:

October 7, 2013 at 9:23 am

Most of my best running friends have come from the road. I enjoy staying in contact and running both even though I always prefer trails. Also as a 45 year old father of 6, there seems to be seasons (some repetitive, some not) for all sorts of things….so, enjoy the one your in. That and mama said never wish your life away.

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Timm says:

October 7, 2013 at 10:41 am

Nothing wrong with staying in marathon shape. It’s a good level of running fitness that isn’t hard to keep year round. Then when you’re ready to ramp up, you’re already mostly there.

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LEM617 says:

October 7, 2013 at 7:13 pm

Eric, with a wife who is “not supportive” how have you managed to get so many miles in? It’s my opinion that you are making excuses, “my wife” and “my kids”, that sounds wimpy to me. You have a show about running, you have run and rubbed elbows with the best, all of us here wish we could hang out with you to hear your stories. So… you are adjusting your goals, GREAT! We wish you the best. Just don’t throw your wife and kids under the bus. Say: I don’t want to be an absentee dad or husband, my kids and wife need me home so I have to reduce my miles and stay local for a while. Isn’t that what you mean? I appreciate everything you do at this site, I thank you immensely. Everything comes at a sacrifice, and some things are just not on the table, ie. Fatherhood. Love ya Man. Lou in Rhode Island.

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Will C says:

October 8, 2013 at 11:24 pm

This was awful for me to read and great at the same time. As a father of a 2.5 and 1 yr old, I can’t spend the time I need to on the trails to train for a 50K or 50 miler. I’ve been avoiding the reality–I need to cut back to be there for my family. I appreciate the words of the fine folks above me about cherishing this season and I wish you the best on your (shorter and faster) journey!

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Craig C. says:

October 9, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Have fun with the marathon training! While it lacks some of the freedom and joy of the trails there is certainly something fun about finding a good flat tempo loop and just running FAST. After a couple years of running ultras going back down to the marathon brought back some of the nostalgia of going to a flat, fast track season after running cross country in the fall. I have found that the endurance training from ultras sharpens into marathon speed well with some tempo work at below marathon pace to teach the body to move quickly. I do my long runs on the trails and my speed work on the roads and have had pretty good luck avoiding injury so far.

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Russ says:

October 10, 2013 at 11:15 pm

Cheat :). Try a tire pull to simulate hills. Google Marshall Ullrich and tire pull for tips. I use a rowing machine or bike trainer while watching movies with my wife. Less can be more with really effective use of time during the week and that quality weekly long run.

Reply
1. eric schranz says:
  
  October 11, 2013 at 3:45 am
  
  Did you see my comment in Thursday’s Daily News? I’m building a tire pull based on Marshall’s set up. WIsh me luck. Have you built one? No room for a row machine and only possible room (in the messy garage) for a treadmill.
  
  Reply

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