I SIGNED UP FOR A RACE (and it’s different than anything I’ve done before).

8 miles @ 8:26 pace and my hair got some serious air—>  this is why the power bun is necessary for me while racing.

When I got home I passed off the hand warmers to Andrew and he set out for his run.  I think one of them was not manufactured right because it got SO crazy hot I had to take it out for part of my run.

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Bed head.

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We eat a lot of eggs here.  I love them for the taste and also because they are a great way for me to get in a lot of vegetables (bacon, cheese and red peppers are also in there).

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We got in some serious hanging out.

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Later on my sister and her boys came over to give me a hair cut.  It had been way too long since my last trim and the ends look a lot better.  They love that they get fruit snacks whenever they come over.

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Right before I picked up Brooke, Andrew took a studying break and we went out on a walk.

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Brooke tells me often that she wants to be a teacher so she has started practicing with Skye!

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My sister invited us over for dinner.  She made pancakes loaded with pecans and they were heavenly.

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We finished off the night by catching up on This Is Us and Gushers (<— the best fruit snacks on the planet).

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I am so excited about this.  My heart starts beating a million miles an hour each time I think about it.  Andrew and I just signed up for a 50 miler on Antelope Island (it’s right by his parents’ house so we can just sleep there the night before too:).

10 reasons we are so thrilled about doing this together:

*It’s something that is going to be a challenge for both Andrew and me.  We wanted something that would be hard for both of us to do next.

*We get to train together once a week on the trails while Skye naps and the kids are at school.  I can’t wait.  Best dates ever.

*I thought about a spring marathon really hard but realized I feel very fulfilled right now with my 2:59 time so that doesn’t really excite me big time at the moment like an ultra does (but I do plan on doing a fall marathon next year—>  sub 2:55:).

*I like having goals that scare me and this scares me.  I love pushing myself to the limits.

*I want to learn more.  Trail ultras are a whole different world and I can’t wait to read, learn, watch, experience it all.

*I’m excited to eat real food during a race and the training rather than gels;)

*I love being on the trails.

*Andrew starts working in April so this is kind of my last chance to get in this much training before this next chapter (We want more kids so it will be harder to get out for a few hours to the mountains when he is working… while most of the hours will be while the kids are at school/Skye is napping… it’s going to be harder to do this once he is working… it will also be harder for him to train for a 50 miler once he is working so this is the perfect timing).

*This will make my fall marathon next year feel easy, right?

*I’m excited to focus on distance and climbing rather than pace for a while (although, I do have my eye on maybe a few shorter races leading up to it with a tiny bit of speed).

*I’m just really excited to do something like this with Andrew.  I think we are going to really compliment each other well and help each other to get through this… he KILLS me with the hills and I’ll help him with the endurance side.

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*Judging by the waiver that they have you sign… I like the way this is going.  We laughed a bunch of times just reading through this.  Hilarious.

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Three more things to share before I let you go…

*I love Steph Bruce’s blog and she just posted about her NYC Marathon experience here and a new episode:

*Caroline sent me both of these things and I NEED THEM SO BAD:

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*Delicious:

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THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE DONE TRAIL RACING OR ULTRAS—>  Give us all of the tips!  Best books/blogs/podcasts/articles to read about what we are going to be preparing for?!!

Have any goals right now (in life or running) that scare you a little bit?

Do you color your hair?  How often do you get yours cut?

Eggs… do you eat a lot of them?  How do you cook them or what do you add to them?

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131 comments

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EEEEK! I’m so excited for you! My husband and I did the swamp stop 50 miler in Charleston when we first moved there. He’s not a huge runner, so it was a big goal for him. We LOVED it. The whole ultra experience was way different than a regular race. So much more….CHILL. I read Scott Jurek’s book Eat and Run to get ideas for nutrition. I struggle with that in general anyway, and since you have some time to rest/eat/are running slower, having some real food with us was key. I really liked the hummus wraps and the cacao balls. It was also important to practice with a hydration pack–I got serious chaffing from mine haha. The days after the race were painful. Can’t wait to hear more about this!
I have a big spring goal…sub 1:30! I’m trying to find a fast half somewhere warm. I’m dreading this cold weather! :)

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Okay, that is AWESOME to hear Mollie. That’s huge that he did it even though he’s not a huge runner. So true about practicing with the hydration pack. Thank you! Sub 1:30 is ALL YOURS.

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Molly- peak running season in Florida is January through March and it’s basically never cold (at least what you all call cold). Everything here is a fast race because the only hills are bridges. I highly suggest a Florida half. Sarasota has a good one as does Miami.

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Oooh! I haven’t looked into Sarasota! I’ll check it out! Thank you!! It’s actually not a long flight from us either.

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Woot woot, go for your sub-1:30! I loved that book – are you plant-based? if so, I’d love to connect with you to swap some fueling strategies! It’s something I struggle with as well :) Good luck with your training!

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We are about….90% plant based for all of our food haha. It’s the cheese that gets me. :) But for running fuel I’m basically 100% plant based. I would LOVE to swap fueling strategies!! I got closer to getting it right (for me) during my last marathon, but it’s TOUGH!

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Sweet – my Instagram is @miranda_runsonjoy or my email is [email protected] :) and ha, cheese! I nailed it on my last half-marathon, but I LOST it at my last marathon :( I’m trying to BQ in April, so yes let’s connect!

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You will love the ultra. Rest after the ultra, I only rested 2 weeks after Comrades and the dr said that is why I got a stress fracture in my ankle.
I can’t even remember my natural hair color, probably grey by now.

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Oh really!?!? That breaks my heart! My coach and I were talking about taking a full month off and going from there so we shall see how it goes. Have a wonderful day!

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Hi Janae!!
Kind of off topic..but I’m just curious, is that race between you & Andrew still happening?? =P
(& is he scared since you subbed 3 at the marathon?!)

So excited to see your journey to the 50 miler!

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HAHAHA sooooo we were just talking about this the other day and our families want us to do it on Thanksgiving but I think he is going to decline;) He said I could beat him in anything over the mile but I think that just means we really need to race the mile. Thank you Madeline!

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I am PUMPED for you guys!!!!! I think taking on new challenges in running is what keeps it fresh, interesting, and helps to keep you growing and getting faster (and NOT burnt out!). I’m like you. It was tempting to sign up for another spring marathon, but I think it would be for all of the wrong reasons, and I KNOW that my body only wants to do one full a year. I need to respect that! I might take a season to do short speed work, like a bunch of 5Ks!!!!!! EEEEEKKKKK! Scary, but exciting.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your oh so kind message yesterday in regard to my marathon this past weekend. Your words made me feel so proud/good :)

I totally need those hot cocoa cinnamon rolls! They would be awesome on Christmas morning!!!!!

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Aaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Yay, Janae! I’m so proud of you for being so BRAVE and so excited for you! Can’t wait to follow you on this new journey!!

I have a new goal right now (two, actually) with my writing. I’m currently working on a book but recently decided that I want to write a Bible study for women. I’ve been doing a lot more in leadership in the women’s ministry at my church recently and am going to pitch the idea to the woman in charge soon to see if I could have the women at our church do the study when I finish. I’m really excited!

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Woo, so excited for you both!!! This is my goal too (in 2-3 years)! It’s the only reason I started running, to do an ultra, LOL!

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REALLY!?!? Oh that is so cool Amy! Keep me updated on when you sign up for it!

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Atta girl ??

PB&J and Coke will be your new best friends!

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Yay Janae! I recently became an elite ultrarunner (and have spent SO much time racing out in Utah/New Mexico/Idaho) although I have yet to do Antelop Island – I’m super excited for your adventure and if you need any tips let me know. Tip #1 Start so much slower than you think you should…

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ELITE ULTRARUNNER… You are amazing. That is just the tip I needed. Thank you and I might have to email you along the way:)

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oh my goodness, I am so excited for you! What an awesome, terrifying, amazing experience you’re going to have! P.S. any time you feel like giving up during your training, just remember that Brody Leven ran a 100 mile race without training. Because he’s insane and super human, but you’re made of the same blood and guts and you can do this!

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Wow! So exciting, and reading this made me think I’d want to do one with my husband. Then I realized that’s a little crazy ?. I have a big, scary goal I’m working towards…PA school at the U. If all goes to plan I’ll apply next summer. Can’t wait to read about your adventures in training with Andrew!

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DORENE… this is so so exciting! PA school at the U! You’ve got this and please keep me updated on how the whole process is going:) Have a beautiful day!

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You will LOVE a trail 50 miler. This one is on my radar for next year. Salted potatoes, pringles, payday candy bars and coke are the best ultra foods. Read Running Your First Ultra by Krissy Moehl. She covers EVERYTHING, and has several training plans included. Enjoy the experience!

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Second Krissy Moehl’s book :)

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Thank you for the book recommendation… I’m going to get it! Have a great day!

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That was going to be my recommendation too! Her book is great and literally tells you everything you need to know! She coached me for my first ultra (we live in the same town) but all the info truly is in her book!

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I cannot wait to read about your journey to the 50 miler. I think you need a his/hers perspective on the blog once and a while.

Thing in my life that excitedly “scares” me is we are going to care-a-van around Iceland this coming summer.

Eggs. I think they look a lot like yours. Eggs, sweet potato, spinach, peppers.

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YOU ARE. How did I not know about this? You better document it all on IG so I can follow along. Thanks Erica and that is a fabulous idea… Andrew will definitely write up about his perspective along the way. Have a great day.

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OK so the running store I work at? It’s Roadrunner Sports (whose insta re: ‘ugly sweater Levitate 2’ you included in your post). And I am working at my store on Friday night to cover the launch party for the Ugly Sweater Levitate 2s. I want a pair so badly, even though I would only wear them a couple of weeks a year. It will be hard to hold back on Friday when we are selling them and turning our store into a party…

I am SO EXCITED for your trail ULTRA. What a big thing–you have been wanting to run a trail race AND you’re upping the ante on mileage big time here. That’s really amazing. And I love that you and Andrew get to do it together. What trail shoes does he run in? You gotta get him in some Brooks–Mazama or Cascadia or Caldera. Because duh!!!

As for goals–I need to get back to writing in a more hardcore way than I have been and get myself towards Book 2 of my poems. Every year I find myself stuck inside “this is my big goal” because every year I am on the academic job market looking for a permanent, tenure-track teaching job. Now my hunger for that is sort of more than ever. And there are smaller goals along the way that have nothing to do with writing and teaching. Last year (for me a ‘year’ is typically measured in the course of a school year rather than a calendar year because that’s how I roll…) I tackled a HUGE HUGE HUGE one by beocming certified to teach Les Mills RPM. I think in the next year and a half or so I want to take the ‘advanced training’ modules/continuing ed to become an even better and stronger and more connected instructor. I also want to do Part 2 of the advanced training modules for Les Mills Body Flow.

As for running goals–on Thanksgiving I am running a 5K and then another one, with Tom in tow, on December 2, and I will have COMPLETED my “one 5K a month in 2018” goal. 2019’s running goal is “one 10k each quarter” and this starts with a 10K down on St. Pete Beach over MLK weekend (I am still searching for one for April, and the one in July is picked out already, and then I have to see about what I will do and where we will be living in October). Interesting that I am creating my goals for running around the calendar year when every other goal I make for myself tends to revolve around the academic year! Hmm…

I probably should get my hair colored. The greys and whites are coming through big time and are showing my age just a bit too much!!!! But somehow I don’t like the idea of that upkeep. I’m a major klutz and tend to do things wrong, so I worry that I would screw up a dye job and have to get it fixed. And that’s expensive. And then regular upkeep at a salon seems expensive. Sigh.

OK–back to paper grading!!

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Get the shoes:) Thank you so much! He loves the Cascadia! I need to get a new pair of the Cascadias also:) I love reading about your goals Stephanie. You have so much on your plate and yet you continue to grow and challenge yourself, it’s amazing!

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So exciting! Do you listen to The Ginger Runner Podcast? He has a ton of ultra trail runners on his show – I’m not sure I’ll ever do one (although I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted), but I love listening to his guests!

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Just subscribed to his podcast… THANK YOU!! Come do it with us;)

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Wow! Exciting! Love that this is something new for you – can’t wait to hear all about it!

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Thank you so much Carly! I hope you have a wonderful day:)

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OMG I am sooooooo excited for your 50 miler!!! My boyfriend did the 50k a couple years ago and said it was crazy hard. You are incredible!! I will be watching your training plans carefully…I kind of secretly want do one myself someday :) good luck, you’re going to kill it!!

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DO IT DO IT DO IT LAURA!! Come join us in March:) Thank you!

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Yay!!! I am so excited for you and Andrew!! Training and doing a race with your hubby is really the best! It will be so fun following along with you guys on this journey!
Goals right now for running…. To be back under 1:45 or even 1:40 in the half. I always finish between 1:47 and 1:50. I’ve been under 1:45 once before, so I know I can do it again. ? And then, for the marathon, I’d like to be in the 3:30’s. Last year I finished in 3:42, so I think I can do it!
We love eggs here too! Especially for the protein you get, but mixing in veggies (and salsa) just takes them to the next level.
Have a great Wednesday!

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I color my hair every 3 months to cover up the grey roots, lol. My husband of almost 20 years has no idea what my real hair color is, in fact, neither do I anymore, lol.

Love eggs – scrambled, hard boiled, or fried. Yolk must be cooked though, runny yolks make me gag!!! Always add cheese, sometimes leftover veggies from night before, no peppers or onions though, they don’t agree with me. A slice of toast is always good with scrambled or fried, sometimes add some deli turkey, chicken, ham, whatever is around and some guac.

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Welcome to the dark side!!! I’m so excited you signed up for your first ultra! There is something very special and unique about the ultra community….I’m not sure if you follow Fast Cory, he is an ultra runner out of St. George, but if not, follow him on FB…he is an amazing runner and has a couple of ultra books out.

I can’t wait to hear about your training, etc. I’ve never run Antelope, but I’ve ran dozens of others…you are going to love them. Warning…they are addicting:).

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The DARK SIDE… your comment made me and Andrew laugh so hard this morning. I KNOW FAST CORY in real life… he is the best. He is SO inspiring. I can’t wait to be addicted:) Have a wonderful day Kayce!

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I did the 25K on Antelope Island a couple years ago. I can honestly say it was one of the most difficult races I’ve done. Trail races are much harder than road races. Give yourself permission to take walk breaks on a regular basis. Especially those switch backs!

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Thank you so much Lisa… we will definitely be taking those walk breaks! Way to go on the 25k! Have a wonderful day!

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Kara Goucher said she wants to do a trail ultra! You should try to hook her up with this race, that would be cool!!

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Hmmmm now you have me really thinking:) That would be amazing! Have a great day Allison!

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WOW! you are totally bypassing a 50km and going straight for the 50 miler! so exciting! I did a 50km (that was cancelled so instead my brother and I did our own and ended with 36miles) and the training was SO MUCH FUN! it was time consuming and hard, but it was really fun. I was nervous about it but keep in mind-you’ll be going slower and taking breaks so the intensity is less. The ultra culture is so supportive! WOOOHOO!!!! I followed up by doing the Berlin marathon and yes, it feels like a piece of cake mileage wise but it was far more intensive/fast (but mentally easier?) You’ll do great!

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Eggs are my jam!! Love them everyday!

For an ultra–> is this something you train for with your coach? Or just increase mileage on trails with Andrew?

Goal that scares me -> sub 2 half marathon in 2019 :) my PR is 2:10 but I’ve never really trained before so am training with a coach now!

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Hey!! So far we are planning on working with my coach! AHHHH I am so so excited for your sub 2 half. You’ve got this… having a coach makes the biggest difference for me. Have a wonderful day Eleanor!

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OMG that’s so exciting for you guys! I can’t wait to hear how it goes! There are some shorter trail races near me – 5ks, 10ks, I think even a 10 miler – and I’ve always been too intimidated to try those. Maybe you’ll inspire me! :)
Goals that scare me – staying within my budget for Christmas shopping. I love buying gifts for people and I tend to go overboard. So this year, I am challenging myself to stay within a reasonable budget. Which is why I have to start shopping now and find deals!
I do color my hair, but I typically only visit my salon about 3 times a year. I have hair that behaves very well so luckily, I don’t have to fight with it too much. I alternate between highlights in the spring/summer months, and then darker in the fall/winter. I think it’s fun to play around with that!

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Ah!! That’s awesome! I have given an ultra some serious thought too because, like you, I am totally satisfied with my marathon time (finally accomplished my goal!) and thought I know I can go further, but I am not sure I can get much faster. Can’t wait to hear about your training!!

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CONGRATS ON ACCOMPLISHING YOUR GOAL MEG!! Come join us with the ultra:) Have a wonderful day!

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I’m so excited for you! Way to challenge yourself. Also sounds dreamy. As a mom of 4 with a husband who works a lot I miss our early couple running days. You guys are so smart! While I love our kids they are small and it’s hard to do fun adventures together let alone train together. Enjoy this time of life you guys deserve it!?

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Oh thank you so much Liz! You are amazing… 4 littles and a husband that works a lot. I hope that you are still able to get in some time for you each day:) Have a beautiful day Liz!

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My husband runs a lot of ultras and he loves watching YouTube videos of the course that people post while running. Have fun!

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Oh that is a really good idea… I’m going to copy him:) Have a great day!

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So awesome and exciting about the ultra!!!! And even awesomer (<– made up word, lol) because it is something you and Andrew will enjoy together!!!

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How exciting for you! Sounds like a great timing for you guys. That waiver had me cracking up at work.

I don’t color my hair, and it’s stick straight, so I never straighten it, which means I can get away with cutting it about twice a year. I normally do it right before Christmas pictures and then before the heat of summer starts :)

I love eggs scrambled.. with american cheese, green pepper, onion, and salsa. I could eat them every single night.

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This is amazing!! I can’t wait to hear about your training for this! I pick my next running goals the same way- I’ll get something in my head and then wait a few days and if it’s something I can’t stop thinking about/ get really excited about, I know it’s the next thing I should go for!

The longest I’ve done is a trail 50K but I read the book “Relentless Forward Progress” when I was starting to train and it’s a super helpful guide for ultras (training, nutrition, etc.). I agree with you about the real food aspect being great during trail races! I typically trained with granola bars and honey stinger chews but during races my favorite foods were potatoes dipped in salt and mini PB&J sandwiches!

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Oh great idea on the granola bars and I’ll definitely eat plenty of potatoes dipped in salt:) Thank you so much for your comment and I just ordered the book wahoo! Have a great day:)

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Yay, how exciting!!! I ran my first 50k this September and LOVED it. My words of advice: don’t run all the uphills because you’ll burn out too soon (walking is completely acceptable and expected), eat way more than you think you should during the run (200 cal per hour) and eat more real foods, and enjoy the community aspect of the race- people are so nice! I think you’ll also find that you’re much less sore after big trail runs compared to road runs.Krissy Moehl has a great book called “Running Your First Ultra” that has a lot of great info and training plans. Can’t wait to follow along your journey!

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Way to go Annie! That is awesome. THANK YOU for the tips. I need these big time and that book sounds perfect. I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me all of this:) Have a wonderful day!

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Eek! Ultras are so exciting! Make sure you get a really good fitting pack and train with it. I really like the ultimate direction Jenny series packs. You can fit so much in it if you need to. Also flat coke is the bomb! Keeps you going without the burping side effects. For a funny take on ultras I recommend reading Relentless Forward Progess by Brian Powell. It’s filled with practical tips and suggestions about ultra running. Good luck can’t wait to hear all about your training!

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I just looked up that pack and it is awesome!! Good call on the flat coke and THANK YOU for the book recommendation! I’ll be getting that one. Have an awesome day Tisha!

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That sounds really cool Janae. Both the trail races I did this summer (25k) were the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life (harder than marathons) but I felt so accomplished after. I appreciate that you really can’t put a time goal because of the elements and the only thing is to accomplish it. I bet it will be so fun to run with Andrew.

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You rocked the trails this summer (I wonder if those hard races helped you for NYC which you killed)!! Thanks Hollie and I hope you have a great day!

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My husband swears that trail running changed his body and helped him get so much better for the marathon. Best part about ultra marathons are the aid stations and the scenery doesn’t hurt either. I know he follows the Ginger Runner and really enjoyed the Scott Jurek book.

I am getting my hair highlighted and cut today. I usually go every 6-8 weeks. Last time I did rose gold highlights…which were pretty much pink. Not sure I am feeling that adventurous today.

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REALLY. Okay, this is so great to hear! Thanks for telling me about that! Enjoy the hair cut and highlights… oh I bet the rose gold highlights were gorgeous!

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Ah I love it!!! I have done a trail full and my first 50 miler will be in September. Trails are THE best. And I love eating real food ;) The biggest thing I have heard is try to get in a couple of back to back long runs, like 25 each Sat and Sun or 30 and 20….just to get used to the distance. And it is way more of a perception of effort vs GPS paced running. Trail is so different.

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YESSSSS that is something that I’m a bit nervous about because we will need to do those back to back long runs in the middle of the week:) Hurray for real food! Have a wonderful day Leeann and keep me updated with how your training is going!

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How exciting! I’ve toyed with the idea of the JFK 50-miler (close to me), but I’ve never seriously devoted the training time, and it’s usually not my favorite weather conditions being in mid-November in western Maryland. Probably NBD for the hard-core Utah mountain runners :)

I cover my grays, but I don’t change my hair color. I also trim it myself because I never like paying so much for haircuts. Maybe someday I’ll do a major change, or at least have a professional do something fun with highlights or color?

I really love Steph Bruce’s GRIT mantra!

And oh, MAN, we are definitely going to look for those hot cocoa Grands!

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I have heard about the JFK 50-miler… maybe we will come do that one year and we can do it together:) I haven’t done a change since like 7th grade ha. Have a wonderful day and I hope you get the hot cocoa grands soon!

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Janae, how exciting that you and Andrew will be running a 50-miler–the prep and the race will be so much fun! I’ve run two 50-milers in California and they were the coolest experiences!

Two ultrarunning websites I love and have been reading/listening to for many years are irunfar and ultrarunnerpodcast (this one has a daily write-up and podcasts). You can’t imagine how much information is packed into these two great sites.

Best wishes to you as you kick off your training!

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You are the best! THANK YOU Tam… I’m going to listen to that podcast today now:) 2 50 milers… incredible! You’ll have to pass along any tips for me as we go through training:) Have a wonderful day!

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Good luck with the ultra! That’s awesome.
I eat an egg every morning for breakfast. This morning I put it in a small tortilla with some cheese and avocado.
Since I moved, I only get my hair cut every 3 months – when I’m back visiting I see my old hair stylist. When I had shorter hair (and worked in an office instead of at home) I got it done every 6 weeks. It was my luxury/girlie treat to myself. I used to color my hair all the time but it got too expensive at the salon (and I hate doing it at home). Guess I’ll start again when the gray hair takes over!

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That sounds like the perfect breakfast! It seriously does get so expensive… I’m right there with you! Have a wonderful day Samantha.

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Yay! So excited for you guys!!!! That race will be so beautiful.
[Forgive me if this has all been said, there are tooo many comments to read the all beforehand]
I’ve done a number of ultras. I’d suggest trying out the Salomon running vests or the Nathan vapor Howe if you don’t need to carry as much. And also cushier trail shoes for longer distances! I like the Calderas. But also changing into a pair of Hokas mid/end of ultras make you feel like you’re running on clouds after any other shoe.

Carry ginger chews so if you get sick of eating you have ginger candy to make you feel better! I usually eat gels as much as possible but potato chips and French fries are a nice change from sweet foods.

There are so many ultrarunning podcasts you can listen to to get pumped. Some of my favourites are The Ginger Runner, Trail Runner Nation, and Billy Yang Podcast. For one of my last city 50 milers I listened to Scott Jureks book ‘North’ and it was very motivating.
Jason Koops book ‘Training essentials for ultrarunning’ has a lot of good info on how to build your own training schedule. And just a lot of good info in general.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH for the tips… I really appreciate you! I didn’t even think about changing shoes towards the end! Ginger chews… brilliant. THANK YOU for all of the podcast recommendations too. Have a wonderful day and come join us in March:)

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Yay a 50 mile trail race, what an awesome goal! It’s so great you get to train for it together. I would love to run a trail race once, but I would like to train for and run with someone I know. So for now I’m keeping to the road, and trying to get faster at 10k. I have a 15k coming up in December, and a 10 k (I haven’t registered for yet) just before Christmas. I like plain eggs the best, boiled, fried or scrambled doesn’t matter.

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Thank you so much Eva! I am SO excited for your goal and let me know how your December races go… you are going to do amazing!

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Oh I forgot, I don’t dye my hair, It’s got a lot of gray in it, but when the light is right it looks like blonde streaks. The expense and the hassle is what made me decide not to start when the first gray hairs came, and now I’m at a point of no return.

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WOW WOW WOW!!! 50 Miles! That’s amazing!!!! I don’t have any solid tips since I’ve only ran one 50k but what really helped me was to slow my paces down and run back to back long runs. I would do 15 one day and 10 the next (for example) with some shorter runs thrown in the week also of course. Those back to backs really got me comfortable running on tired legs and comfortable running slower. Also, practice eating all the food on your long runs; PB and jelly were my fav :) along with dates stuffed with PB. Oh, and also get a hydration vest that you’ll be able to stand to wear for the day. I’m so excited for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hair. Ugh. I have to dye my hair all the time because the gray just won’t hold the color and I hate it! I just watched a You tube vid on how to put layers in your hair so I’ve been cutting my own lately.
My one goal at the moment is to recover from a torn tendon so i can run again! I’ve been in the gym keeping up the endurance and strength training but I miss running so much!!!
Have a great day!!!

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Way to go on your 50k!!! Thank you for that tip about back to back long runs… I think that is going to save us! I will try pb and jelly first thing! Time to find a great hydration vest. Okay, that is awesome that you cut your own hair! I hope that you are able to get back to running asap! Keep me updated.

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After doing 15 marathons I entered the ultra world. I have done three 50 milers. My favorite run is the long run. So I loved it. It’s a beautiful thing to run comfortably for a long time, eat while running and walk hills if you want to. Enjoy the journey!

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15 marathons and 3 50 milers… you are on fire! Is 100 miler on your radar ever?! THANK YOU for the tips and keep any more that you have coming along the way:)

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Congrats! Can’t wait to follow along on your journey! I’ve ran one 50k and want to do another….but 50 miles scares me for some reason lol! Maybe seeing your posts about it will inspire me to give it a shot.

I agree with others…back to back long runs (with at least one being on trails). And slowing down the pace. It’s hard to go from fast road miles to slower trail miles. Also embrace the fact that everyone walks at some points. You will do great!

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CONGRATS on your 50k Laura that is awesome! Come join us in March:) Thank you for the tips… JUST what I needed. Have a wonderful day!

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Love your new goal! And all your reasons make sense. Not that they have to make sense but the logic is spot on (in my opinion! ha).

I eat so many eggs I am truly embarrassed to say. Hee. And I don’t get embarrassed easily. So I am with you! Your egg bowl looked delicious.

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Hahaha thank you Amanda! Eggs for life!! Have a wonderful day:)

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I have experimented with coloring my hair in the past but not for the last seven years at least – maintenance isn’t my strong point and I’ve earned all my white hairs honestly. I cut my bangs every 4-5 weeks and the rest of my hair roughly every 3 months.

We do not eat tons of eggs – partly because it would literally be tons with two teenage boys. We usually scramble them but sometimes fried or hard-boiled. I love soft boiled eggs chopped on top of rice and broccoli with a sprinkle of cheese.

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I bet it is so expensive to keep those two teenage boys full! That egg/rice/cheese/broccoli combo sounds so so good right now. Have a wonderful day!!

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Pancakes with pecans sound so good! I’ll have to try that the next time I make pancakes.

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Do it… they were incredible! Have a wonderful day Fiona!

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50 miles!!! I read that sentence about three times to make sure I was reading the number right! I’m looking forward to watching you work towards (and achieve!) this awesome goal! :)

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Hahaha!! You are the best. Thank you so much Lauren. Have a fabulous day!

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Can’t wait to hear all about this new journey! You should definitely check out one of my friends, Rob Steger, he just completed the Moab 240. His instagram is @trainingforultra and from there you will find a link to his podcast too! He has lots of good info!

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THANK YOU for telling me about him… just started following him and can’t wait to learn from him!

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This is so cool (and amazing!) that your are doing this together! Getting out of your comfort zone is always better with a partner ;-) Just don’t forget to plan for a babysitter for the day (or days) after lol And to answer your question: I eat so many eggs! They are the perfect post-workout breakfast for me. Full of protein and so nourishing. And they go with anything. I love eggs with roasted sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts, with avocado toast, but I also love to cook a breakfast casserole in advance when I know I’ll have a busy week… I try not to compromise on feeding my body good food, even when I am busy, and eggs are excellent for that ;-)

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Bahaha soooo true… I’ll just let Skye crawl all over me as I am on the ground and count that for a deep tissue massage?! Good idea on the breakfast casserole for busy week… I’m going to try that. Have a wonderful day Mel!

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Oh wow, that’s so exciting!!! I would love to do an ultra someday but I want to do a few more marathons first and improve my time. Funny how the running addiction just keeps escalating haha…

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Brooke does end up going into teaching, many of the girls I meet in my education program say they always wanted to be a teacher since they were little.

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Hahah it’s true… the addiction gets stronger and stronger. Oh I love hearing that… I was the same way! I said as a little girl that I wanted to be a teacher too:) Have a wonderful day!

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EEEEEE your excitement for this makes me so excited for you! I love following along on your marathon journey so this will be fun too!

As for the big goals that scare us, I just signed up for a half ironman race next summer, which is something that I’ve been thinking about for YEARS. Finally biting the bullet and going for it next year!

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HALF IRONMAN… JADE, this is HUGE I am so so thrilled for you! Keep me updated on all of the training please!

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Yay!!! Welcome to the world of ultras. I have done 50ks, 50milers, and one 100 miler, and I LOVE THEM. I love marathons and shorter stuff, too, but ultras are my favorite. You will feel such a weird sense of relief switching from focus on speed to focus on endurance. I love running, and I love eating, and an ultra is basically an entire day focused solely on running and eating. It’s awesome. Plus, the ultra community is so great.
My #1 tip is learn how to eat on the run. For me, that was the biggest learning curve. I could set my metronome legs and run forever, but if my stomach acts up (which it does often), forget it. I had to practice eating real food while running. If you’re in fantastic shape, you can get away in even a marathon with not so great fueling, but that won’t work for a 50 miler.
I wish Andrew luck as he finishes up school and moves through the NCLEX, and then “real life” nursing. He’s going to do great!
I was a teen in the 90s and used to color my hair all sorts of funky colors, but have never “really” dyed my hair. I actually just got it cut for the first time in over a year (awful, I know, but I have anxiety issues with hairdressers). I got over 12 inches off, and it’s still midway down my back. I actually had a great experience, though, so as long as this hairdresser continues to stick around my area, I plan on getting it trimmed more often.
Yay, ultras!!

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… also people swear by the “back to back” long runs, but honestly, I never had time to do those and still made out just fine. I did long walk/runs up to 30 miles for the 50milers and 100, and even used a marathon as a slow training run every now and then.
Oh, and one more thing! Don’t be afraid to incorporate walking (especially up hills), and walk early in the race. Don’t wait until you’re so exhausted that you HAVE to walk. Plan on it from the start. Everybody does it in ultras, and it really extends your endurance, especially for your first time. I bet even Dean Karnazes walks every now and then ;)

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100 miler… I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with me Stacey and I’ll probably have questions for you along the way. I’m thinking we will be able to get in a few back to back long runs but not sure how often we will with the kids etc so this is so good to hear! I am going to plan on it from the start.. THANK YOU!

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Does a friend take your action-running pics, or how do you do that? That one above is awesome!
cONGRATS on signing up for an awesome looking trail race! So cool – I am hoping to get out on the trails more often at our new house. I’ve read and listened to a lot of great books/podcasts (sometimes I just search for a name of a top ultrarunner on my iphone podcast app to find interviews they have done).
I have not decided on a spring race quite yet. It’ll either be Grandma’s marathon (MN), or there’s a couple spring trail 25k/50ks I’ve had sitting open in a browser window too – decisions, decisions.
I self-dye my hair about every few months & my mom tends to cut my hair because it’s easier (*and cheaper) than getting to a salon.

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Oh thanks Katie… I usually just use my self-timer on my phone:) Oh that is a great idea to just search for a top ultrarunner on podcasts. THANK YOU! Keep me updated with what you end up choosing! Have a wonderful day:)

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I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to follow your journey!! I really want to do a 50K someday, and right now have my eye on a possible spring 2020 race :)

Also I kind of LOVE those ugly sweater shoes…I have zero need for another pair of running, shoes but those are so awesome!

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You amaze me with all of your goals and accomplishments! With that, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for my first marathon! I’m super nervous, especially training over freezing WI winters! It’ll hopefully keep me accountable not eating too much over the holidays! My goal is get more fit, and of course finish in a respectable time! If I really train hard I wonder about the remote possibility of a BQ of 3:45!! Seems lofty being my first marathon, but a girl can dream right? Not sure if I can do that with my best half only being 1:47, but I’ll do my best and see what the Lord has in store for me! Best wishes on your ultra! Wish I could get my hubby to even walk more!!?

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JACKIE!!! AHHH I am so so thrilled for you! You are going to do amazing:) Keep dreaming (and I KNOW you can do hard things) because that makes life fun! Keep me updated on all of your training… I want to hear it all! Have a beautiful day Jackie!

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I can not wait to hear everything about this new trip! I found Tips that help with my fitness check this article http://bit.ly/2QHmXqO

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haha! Awesome! After the Richmond Marathon last Saturday, my significant other, Stephen asked what’s next…literally held up a 5 and a zero with my hands. We’re picking a 50 miler for this upcoming year, and i’m so excited! I’ve done two 50ks in the past and let me tell you, coke and donuts are amazing fuel. Eating is the MOST fun while running ultras. I love following @Crystalseaver on instagram, she’s done a few ultras and is amazing with strength work to help!

oh and eggs all day. Yes. All the veggies!
Have fun training!
Cori

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ps-I know you have a coach but I highly, highly recommend Krissy Moehl’s book “Running your First Ultra.” I used the training plan in it (for a 50k) and felt very prepared. There are a lot of tips, ideas, and training plans for 50k,, 50 mile, and 100 mile and in between.

Those cinnamon rolls look delicious. I’m jealous of those and the hot chocolate mm’s. But, we make your hot chocolate cookies every year (thanks for that recipe!!!)

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I ran the Jemez Mountain Trail Ultra last year. It was amazing. The trail community runners are so kind and friendly. I have a deep love for trails and will be running a short trail ultra next Saturday after I eat all the turkey!
my recommendations:
Wear shoe gaiters. I wore lightweight ones and they were perfect for keeping little rocks and dirt from getting into my shoes. Also add blister prevention to shoes;like moleskin inside on spots you tend to get a blister. This is because trails cause you to wear hard on spots you lean into while climbing/descending.
Wear lightweight arm warmers to regulate temperature and for protection in falls!
Be mentally prepared to fall at some point during training or during the race. I had my first spill during the race while leaping over a large rock and landing in loose rock. I literally slid into it like I was sliding into home plate! I got minimally scrapped and bruised(thankful for those arm warmers) but was able to jump up quickly and keep going!
Excited to see how this goes for you!

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Thank you thank you thank you Rachelle for the tips. These are things I didn’t even think about… thank you! I’ll probably be falling often:) Have a great day and join us in March:)

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Hi Janae, so excited that you signed up for your first 50 miler! Haha, I have some experience (I learned the hard way) – feel free to take it our leave it:). When I did my first ultra – my friends told me that it was basically an eating contest – which is true – you will need real food – and he or she who can keep the most calories down wins.

Also, I adjusted my goals for my first ultra because I realized that being reasonably speedy on the roads doesn’t always = fast time depending on the terrain of the ultra. Not to say you shouldn’t have goals at all – but for my first it was to finish (cutoffs are usually quite generous) and then have fun. And the later on, once I knew the terrain and got a little more experienced then I started to adjust my goals.

Also, you can never start too slow during the 50 miler – you can always make up time later, but if you start too fast for you, you will pay. Says the one who has been there done that!

And also time on feet was the single most important thing for me – so if I knew roughly the ultra would say take me 10 hours – then I would try to be on my feet (running/hiking shuffling for just as long) – split up over a couple of runs. (ie. 4hours/2 hours over 2 runs). It’s not that I didn’t do speedwork, but I found volume to be more important during an ultra.

And if you thought you were hungry during marathon training – wait till you get into your mileage for ultra:)

Hope that helps! Happy training and it is so cool that you get to do this with Andrew. Will be cheering from afar!

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This helps a ton! Thank you so much Kristine! Our goal for this one is to make it in before the time cut off! Haha our food bill is going to go WAY up! Thank you Kristine and I hope it’s okay if I ask you questions along the way!

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Congrats on the new running goal. Go follow Lucy Bartholomew on insta and her website. She’s an amazing ultra runner and has great recipes and advice on what to eat and pack during ultras. She’s an absolute star!

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Thank you for telling me about her. Just followed her.. thanks Kim!

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THIS IS SO EXCITING! I can’t wait to read all about your training and I know you will both rock it! You are both up for the challenge and I love that you will be able to support each other throughout training and during the race (I use the word race lightly).

I haven’t done any trail races or ultras…but a friend of mine signed up for a half a few years ago….and found out AT THE STARTING LINE that it was a trail race! She said it was the most challenging thing she’s ever done!

Enjoy those rolls!

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Doing the 50 miler now is so smart – it’s a way to let you challenge yourself on something new, and then go back to chasing the fastest marathon you can. So excited to watch this!

Hot Cocoa Cinnamon Rolls sound A+

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Sounds like so much fun! Good quality time together. I love the Eleanor Roosevelt quote that says “do one thing everyday that scares you” so I guess Eleanor would be proud of you signing up for a 50!!! Can’t wait to follow your training. Janae and Andrew are rock stars!!!

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Way to go on signing up for the 50!
I love getting out away from the concrete onto some trails (though I’ve never done anything that long!!!), and you can count your mountain hiking as training :)
I have a Salomon vest pack which I’m quite happy with, but have friends who have Nathan, Ultraspire, Camelback or UD. I’d really recommend trying on in person to see what you find comfortable before you buy (and think about how much you need to carry, how easy it is to reach the pockets, refill your water, etc). Even better if you can find a friend who has one that you can borrow and actually run with as a test.
And also Ginger Runner and Lucy Bartholomew.

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Eggs once every week or two, usually with buttered toast and tomatoes; sometimes with bacon too! Goal is to get a job to pair with my part-time gig.
I love that waiver!
Here is a race description doozy:

The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is a marathon that is about running. Running hard. Running over big and memorable and painful rolling hills through dense woods. Running with other like-minded athletes. The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is about the joy and pain of running a unique, and uniquely challenging–some would say beastly–26.2 mile course in the beautiful and historic Percy Warner Park, nestled among the Middle Tennessee Harpeth Hills.

We will time and measure the distance, but the course will not be certified and it will not be a Boston qualifying event. If you get to the end and you (or your gadget) believe the route to be long, we won’t charge you extra; if you believe it to be short, just keep running. There will be no bands, cheerleaders, wave starts or crowds. We promise no marathon Personal Records, but we guarantee every runner a PR – a Permanent Remembrance of a well-earned marathon finish. We promise to give you approximately 26.2 tough and memorable miles, with a total of over 3600 feet each of elevation gain and loss, or over 7200 feet of overall elevation change.

Sure, there are other road marathons out there claiming to be America’s toughest. But they are no Monkey. Come out and join us in Nashville. We look forward to seeing you.

There will be beer, pie, and other assorted homemade goodies at the finish. If you make it that far.

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I am so excited to follow you through this new journey. I love that you’re looking foraforward to reading everything! This year I Did my first triathlon and my training buddy thought I was nuts with my research ?. Enjoy!!!

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You guys will love it!!! Ultras were my life for a year–I did 5 50Ks and 2 50 milers. I started my blog because of them (and then stopped doing both post–kids, but I’m getting the itch again). They are addicting, that’s for sure!! I don’t know that I can give you any advice that you haven’t already heard, except that all bets are off during an ultra and just trust your body to tell you what it needs :) Enjoy your training!

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I signed up for my 1st 50 miler next year too! I’m also equally as excited and scared! :) Good luck Janae!

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Endurance Planet podcast, for sure. I just started listening and I’ve already decided I’m going to make it a regular one on my playlist – the hosts are funny and don’t seem to take themselves too seriously yet are really serious at the same time (if that makes sense). Also highly recommend watching the Barkley Marathons documentary on Netflix, if you haven’t already – it’s called The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young. Should help you get in the mood for some trail running. ;) Did my first trail race earlier this year, it was only 25km. I tried to get my husband to sign up with me for the 50km category of the same event next year but he declined, so we’ll be (hopefully) flying somewhere to run a half together later in 2019. Have fun training! Looking forward to your posts and thoughts about it.

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Welcome to the trails :). Sorry for any repetitions of what others have said, but my recommendations as far as resources go are: 1. Ginger Runner Live (on youtube); 2. Science of Ultra podcast (if you enjoy in-depth talk about the science behind training); 3. Billy Yang’s podcast and all his films on youtube; 4. All of Kilian Jornet’s films in the Summits of My Life series; 5. All the Salomon trail running films on youtube (especially Trail Dog); 6. Sally McRae and Lucy Bartholomew on Instagram; 7. Sage Canaday on youtube for super helpful training advice and other vlogs. …… I enjoy and have learned loads from all of the above.

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Ahhhh this is so exciting!! I’ve done 7 marathons and have also been hesitant to pull the trigger on finally signing up for an ultra! I’m pregnant right now so probably not signing up for one in the super near future, but SO excited to follow along with yours!

http://www.areweadultsyet.com

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Wow!!! So cool! I am doing my 1st 50K in 3 weeks – eek!!

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I’m sooooooo excited for you!!!

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Yay!! AND Andrew is doing it too! This is going to be interesting.

I’m reading hydration and thinking Depends. They should be on the shopping list. Depends can free people to focus on the rest. I wonder if any of the books mention Depends….

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