Thursday, May 4, 2017

Hello friends, it's been a while.

It's been quite some time since I put fingers to keyboard. But, I haven't had a single ultra race in that time. And now I have one looming in 8 days. 8 days!!!!! So, yeah. I'm freaking out just a teeny tiny bit.

8 days from now I will be running the PCT 50. My first true technical 50 miler. This will be my 4th year running this particular race, wow. I've been an Ultra runner for 4 years. I can't even believe that. I still don't feel like one. I sort of have the feeling that to truly feel like an ultra runner, I have to get the coveted 100 mile race done. And in 35 days I'm going to attempt that again at the San Diego 100 mile Endurance Race .  I mentioned I'm freaking out, right?


I've been keeping healthy this training season with a mixture of BioTropic Labs and recovering with what I think is the yummiest post run drink EVER from The Feed.  Skratch Labs Endurance Recovery Mix-Chocolate-Single Serving-The Feed

Some days I run long just so I can have some of this. I'm terrible at making sure I eat immediately after a run to replenish my body, so this drink is just perfect. I'm attempting to balance the running and my family/work life and I feel really guilty if I take time to do anything after a run because I'm running for 2-3 hours 2 times during the work week and from 4-6 hours on the weekends (not including driving times).  That adds up, and kids need some "mommy time" too. But this drink makes recovery easy. I just pour the powdered mix into a water bottle and drink it as I drive home. It tastes like a deliciously cool latte (because I like the coffee one. My husband likes the chocolate one.). Boom, done.

I also take a daily supplement from BioTropic Labs that I think really helps me recover and maintain endurance during a race, I started taking it late last summer, and feel like its helped my body fight off the normal aches and pains associated with running stupid distances. My usage of Advil the day after running has dramatically decreased and the back to back long runs are completely manageable. (I'm not going to say I'm pumping out FAST next day runs, but I'm getting them done and I've been injury free this whole year! [knock on wood.])  If you would like to try BioTropic, you can use code NartayaM10 to get 10% off! If you aren't sure, there are some pretty good testimonials on the site, you can see how other "athletes" have responded to BioTropic (ugh, I just referred to myself as an athlete, sooooo not true). If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I will get back to you!

I'm both super excited to run PCT 50 and a little nervous. My heart is pounding. And I can't wrap my head around SD100 yet. I'm just going to go into this with an open mind and a smile, keep going forward until I'm done. That's all I can do. The training has been (mostly) solid, and I trust my training plan. I can't say enough about a good training plan and super supportive friends and family getting you to the finishing line of a race. 

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