Pushing Limits on Long...and Longer Events

Moving forward during Bigfoot 200

The only way to know if you can run 100 miles is to run 100 miles. But that’s really far and super intimidating! Though the only way to know if you can run 50 miles is to run 50 miles…same with 50k, marathon, half marathon or any distance. You won’t know what you’re capable of until you give it a try. If you’re interested in longer distance races, where do you begin? Where do you gain confidence to sign up and toe the line? 

I started small—really small. A Google search for a “Couch to 5k” program when I felt like my daily walk was turning into more of a stroll. I never ran in school (#homeschool) so had zero experience running. As a rule follower though, I could look at the training calendar and follow the instructions for a certain number of minutes walked, seconds run, minutes jogged, until at the end I could run 3.1 miles. From there, it didn’t feel that much further to try for 3.5 miles, then 4 miles. This slowly turned into 6, 8, 10, 13, 15. I was running solo, no coach, no run club, no plan, except to see how far I could actually go. 

I brazenly signed up for a 50k as my first race, deciding a marathon was not challenging enough. I wanted to push my limits. My boss at the time, a big runner, made me a training plan and I followed it to a T. Having a plan or a coach to guide you as you increase mileage and take on a big goal is a huge benefit. You can trust someone else’s knowledge as you learn to trust yourself. A coach will also rein in the tendency to overtrain or push through little aches and pains that can turn bigger if you keep ignoring them (trust me). 

Each time you run further than you have before, you will learn something. At the very least, that you are stronger and more capable than you thought! But you’ll also see how far you can go before you need snacks, where you like to store items in a running vest, and how much water weighs. Early on I learned that chafing is awful, headlamps are useful, dried cranberries are delicious, and new running shoes make you feel like you’re flying. You learn to listen to your body too. When a sore muscle is hinting towards something worse, how long until you need to find a bathroom, the satisfying ache of a good long run. 

As you expand your comfort zone of miles, ask for help and suggestions. Some of my favorite words are, “I don’t know.” The only way to learn is by asking. There are lots of Facebook groups, Reddit forums and local running stores to check out for tips on shoes, packs, coaches, routes, and cool races. There are so many options to explore. Lots of running stores have group runs where you can meet other runners and build a good support network. (Awesome community running groups are around too, like Bozeman Run Club!) 

Navigating a sinkhole on the Out and Back Backbone Trail FKT

So you’ve got all the gear, logged all the miles, and are eyeing an event that is longer than anything you’ve attempted. Do you go for it? Oh yeah! You don’t have to know if you can finish before you start. You simply have to trust yourself, body and heart, that you will give it your best effort. That is all. You don’t have to run every step. Learn to hike uphill and move efficiently on flats and downs. That is all. Crossing the finish line will set a new limit on how far you can go.

Testing limits can be scary, but if we don’t test them, they won’t move. See you out there!