This is the Strolling Jim 40 miler course profile
As you can see, my 40 miler ultra-marthon in May is going to have a lot of hills. It is notorious for its hills actually. So on to my hardest workout ever. Last night I had on my running schedule a hill workout. These workouts are done a 5K pace on a hill that is a half mile long. The point is to run up hill for a half mile at 5K pace and then run back down the hill. Repeat this 5 times and do some slow running afterwards and my 6 mile hill workout is finish. Well…………………
To my surprise, this workout kicked my butt royally. My lungs were burning, my legs pretty much could not do anymore, and I almost puked. It took more mental gusto to finish the 5 reps than it took me to finish the 50 miler that I did. I got my first hill rep at pretty close to the right pace but the rest of them were one minute per mile slower. I just could not do it. I am not saying that I did not want to do it, I actually could not do it. I am strong in the mental game and can really push myself but this was just impossible. Even at one minute per mile slower I was having an extremely hard time about 3/4 up the hill.
I talked it over with my coach and he said that this was OK because I had never done this before and it was completely new to my body. We shortened up the rep from 800 meters to 600 meters but are keeping the pace at my 5k speed. That is going up a big hill at 6:33 miles. I have another hill workout next week on Tuesday and I am hoping that it will be a little easier. I am sure it will get easier as I get more experience in this type of training.
Also, last night my WW program went perfectly smooth. No bumps and no problems. I ate right on program.
My angle on weight loss 
That does seem like an intense workout so no wonder you were feeling like you did. The thing is though, that you did it and you will do better each time you continue to do it. Practice..Practice and more practice will lead you to were you need to be. It might be hard but I know you can do this. So what Personal Best do you want to achieve in the 40 miler ultra marathon in May? At least you shouldn’t be having the inclement weather that you had in this previous marathon.
By the way great job in having a good WW evening. It’s always a good feeling when you have moments like that, isn’t it? I’m proud of ya man! 🙂
rob, the last time I did the 40 miler, it thundered and lightninged and poured down rain or the first 20 miles. 🙂 My hope is to break the 7 hour mark in this year’s race. Last year my time was 7:51. If I break 7 hours that would be an unheard of improvement in a personal record. I think I will be able to do it to. My plan is to run around a 9:30 mile and walk fast up all of the huge hills. That should make me average around a 10 minute mile and get me home in under 7 hours
I think my biggest fear is puking during a workout. I’ve felt a little urpy during spin a few times… *sigh*
Tessler- I have never thrown up during workouts, but that was a close one. 🙂
I am in awe! That looks tough. I just found out that my cousin does ultra marathons. I don’t know how you guys do it, but WTG!
Thanks Athlete. You always say stuff that makes me feel so good.
Love your positive attitude man! It is contagious 🙂 I know you can do it and I look forward to seeing how your training goes and of course play by play of it all once you complete it in under 7 hours. Pictures would be nice as well. You know how we all enjoy your pictures of all your great accomplishments.
By the way..how’s the package coming along 🙂 You know I have to tease you about that. No worries of hurries man. You’re a busier man than I.
Rob, I plan to take a camera with me this time and take pics at different stages of the race and do a post on how I was feeling at that moment and what mile it was.
Wow. Awesome job sticking with it even though it was kickin your butt. 🙂 Incredible. I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures.
Thanks Jen. Those pics will be great won’t they. I just need to not forget the cam.
Yikes! I really hate hills!!! OK, honestly, we don’t have any hills here. So, we run over bridges instead. Every single training run I had last year had a bridge in it. I hate them too. But, when I hit a 3 mile bridge at mile 23 of the marathon, I had no problem with it.
And, again the overpases in the Disney half marathon did not bother me.
Training for it does pay off, even though it’s tough.
Oh yeah. In the Portland Marathon there is a steep as heck hill that takes you to a steep and long bridge. Almost everyone walks that hill. it is a toughy. Thanks for the comment.