Whiskey Basin Race Day Strategy

The weeks leading up to a race and even the day before, I have a focused excitement about what’s to come. However, the moment the gun goes off and I start down the trail, my zen flies away and I start spinning out of control.  My over-achieving critical minion opens up its mouth and I spend the first 5-10 miles reviewing all that I should be and how I need to push hard to meet my goal.  Suddenly the switch flips and I fall apart.  Stories flow through my brain of how I am never good enough, how I always fail, how I am not strong enough to get this done.  I might as well give up and essentially I do.

My husband has asked me if I set unrealistic goals for myself.  If I am honest with myself, I believe that I do have hopes of being more than I am.  Yet I believe I am also realistic about what I am truly capable of, even when I wish I could do more.  Going into this race, I am spending more time than ever before to plan ahead so that I can stay true to my capabilities.

Accomplishing my A goal of running under 9 hours has me at a 15:15 min/mile pace.  My training runs on the trails have averaged between 11:45 min/mile to 16:30 min/mile depending on the elevation and length of the run.  I believe that 9 hours is a reasonable goal, but one that I will have to stay strong and push to achieve.  I want to set a goal that challenges me but is within reach.  I think this goal is just that.

In the past, my strategy is to make it to the start line and figure it out on the fly.   This time I have put some more thought into the strategies I will employ on April 8th:

1. I plan to drink well all week long to go into the race as hydrated as possible.
2. I will wake up a couple hours before the race so I am not rushed eating breakfast or getting ready.
3. I will start our slow and then go slower.  I want to take about 4.5 hours for the first 16 miles with 3400+ feet of gain and then 4.5 hours for the last 19 with only 883 feet of gain.
4. I will keep my watch in my pack so I can review the data later, but not get caught up in the numbers.  
5. I will use Hammer Anti-Fatigue pills.  I have used these on my last several long runs and found them to be helpful.  Normally I get bad headaches and I didn't using these.  I also felt like they gave me a refreshing boost.
6. I will Eat and Drink Early and Often.  Tailwind has been my go to nutrition during my long runs.  I find it to be fairly gentle on my stomach and keeps me fueled and hydrated.  Other foods are hit or miss if they taste good or not.  I am pretty attuned to my body and will be able to eat some aid station foods as long as I listen to what sounds good.  
7. I will stay present mentally - Avoid the mental chatter.  Sometimes the mental chatter is positive such as “just make it one mile at a time”.   Or it can become negative “you can’t do this, it is too far to go, you will never make it”.  Seemingly the positive chatter would be good for us right?  Unfortunately, “Just one more mile” is stepping into the future and takes us out of the present.  To find flow, it is important to just staying present.  
8. I will strive to not worry about the outcome - good or bad.
9. I will absorb my surroundings.  One benefit of staying mindful and present is being able to take in my surroundings and enjoy the experience.   What is the point of being on the trails for 9 hours if I never look at the miraculous environment I am?

Being more prepared for my race day plan, I believe will increase the possibility of my success.  I will let you know how it goes.