Grandma, Western and the Armstrongs

June 20th, 2009 Posted in Story

Comparing this little romp through the woods I have scheduled for next Saturday to man’s first step onto the moon courtesy of Neil Armstrong is like comparing a peck on the cheek from Grandma to your first real kiss.  But I’m thinking what Neil and I do have in common is that we both had a bowline knot in our respective stomachs before our deed.

I’m guessing Armstrong’s stomach was doing back flips before he stepped out into the lunar atmosphere, descended those few steps and placed his boot firmly upon the moon’s dusty surface.  My stomach has been telling me for days that the Big Event is looming.  I’m sleeping less soundly too, waking up in the middle of the night and visualizing myself trundling down the trails, passing those familiar landmarks, feeling the ache in my legs and seeing friends and family at aid stations.  It’s all so real; and in less than 7 days it will be.

I’m a liar if I don’t admit I’m apprehensive, anxious, even scared.   I’m all of those.  I’m at the same time excited, eager and calm.  This year, unlike my two prior attempts at finishing Western (1994 and 1996), I feel prepared physically and operationally and mentally.  I have worked hard since September to slowly build a strong base over three months, emphasising not just running but strength and flexibility.  And I added cross training to the regime.  During the second 3 months I increased intensity and, building upon my base I increased fitness, endurance and strength.  And in the final three months I’ve tried to maintain that high level of fitness and endurance and remain healthy.  With the exception of an Achilles’ heel issue in April/May, I was successful in attaining my physical training goals and stand ready, a week away from the run feeling more physically healthy than any other time in my life.

But the more important improvement in training has been my preparation - and alteration in my planning for the operations of the run (i.e. race plan, pace, running style crewing, eating, medications, etc.) and mental readiness.

Thanks to Dan Fowkes’ (the Johan Bruyneel of ultrarunning) generosity of time and dedication to getting me across the finish line, he and I have devised a thorough, details and customized race plan to optimize my odds.  I cannot tell you how much I now appreciate the positive impact having a well thought out plan has and in building my confidence and allowing me to relax.  I’ve got a plan for every step of the race.  All I have to do is follow it.  That frees me up to relax and focus on the task at hand - constantly monitoring my health and welfare like a pilot monitors his instruments in the cockpit.  And as adversity comes along, which it inevitably will - numerous times during the race - I can attend to it proactively and rely upon my plan to remain calm.

With proper physical and operational preparation, I have been able to focus on the mental aspect of the run.  Positive thinking, visualization, meditation, anticipating what will happen to me and how I will embrace the adversity, the pain - has strengthened my confidence and resolve.

And away we go…..7 days and counting….