My training is beginning in earnest now. I do not officially start ultra training until the end of June but am already trying to get in good habits like the back to back weekend runs, hill repeats and sticking to a running schedule (doing it even when I don't feel like it). So far my runs have been fairly shortish (maybe 6 miles or so) but I am at least starting to develop habits of discipline that every training athlete must adopt in order to achieve their goal. A quote I like is "The future is purchased with the present" Now I must do stuff other people won't so that later I can do stuff that other people can't.
My schedule is roughly thus: running days are tuesday, wednesday, thursday, saturday and sunday. Wednesday including hill repeats at the cross country course if I can find the time to do so. It's good for me to do my intense work on the soft grass. Plus i LOVE running up that long, grassy hill. Mondays and Fridays are rest/cross-training days. I also have been adopting a habit in the last 6 months or so of weight training. That usually includes a bench press day, squat rack day and deadlift day with supportive lifts of dumbbells, barbells as well as cable, kettlebell, weight machines and bodyweight exercises such as TRX planks/pikes, pushups, squats, lunges/walking lunges, planks on the mat, tricep dips and other as I see fit that week's schedule.
I try at least once a week to get in an alternative workout: rowing, HIIT workout, tabata, core only, medicine ball, pretty much whatever comes into my head that will add alternative movements to my muscles. There is an important element to training which is specificity. That means if you want to run you have to run. That's it. However if you only run you use the same muscles all the time which means other muscle groups get or stay weak therefore increasing the chance of muscular imbalances and injury.
So MIX IT UP!
I have also started a really strict diet a couple of weeks ago which I am loving! It is the Whole30 plan and leads to some amazing benefits. I can already feel that I am lighter, faster, more energy and in general feeling amazing! I feel so much better and my body is taking to my training better. Last week I did hill repeats and I felt so much faster and running up the hill seemed easier.Still hard but better!
I signed up for my full marathon which according to what I have read of ultra training it is good to get a full under your belt about a month before your ultra. This one is about a month and half before but the schedule that weekend is for 20/10 so I can adjust to get pretty much the right mileage just adding on a bit on Saturday and cutting Sunday a bit short.
So there you have it: Training is good stuff. Even if you don't want to really do that workout or say no to those cookies and ice cream when you are on that course for the distance you can look back and say
"if it weren't for those sacrifices I wouldn't be here or able to do this."
So have gratitude for discipline. It will get you where you want to go.
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