Wild September

I can’t believe how crazy September was for me. I started out on a high, then a high, then a big low, and ended it on a high. It was wild and fun and scary and exhausting and frustrating and amazing.

First, these are my stats for the month:

Running – 241.2 miles

Riding – 233 miles

Races – 4 (15K, half marathon, marathon, and 50K)

And here are some random thoughts about September:

• September was the first time I’ve ever run more during a month than I rode. Feels kind of weird. My poor bikes are feeling neglected, I’m sure.
• I ran the most races ever in a month.
• I ran the most race miles in a month (79.6).
• I ran at the highest elevation in a race (Endure The Bear 15K).
• I ran the most elevation in a race (Big Sur Trail Marathon).
• I ran my first 15K (Endure The Bear 15K).
• I set a PR for 50K (Summer Spectacular 50K).
• I was 2^nd in my age group! (Endure The Bear 15K).
• I did my first runDisney race!
• I wore my first costume in a race (Minnie Mouse)
• I ended my runstreak at 109 days.
• I ran every race in September with friends! (Disney Half with Teal & Beth, Summer Spectacular with Dani, and Endure The Bear & Big Sur Trail Marathon with Josh).

So, it was a pretty good month, right? The only problem I have with September is that I totally EFFed up my training for Javelina Jundred. :( I didn’t get my 50 miler in and this past weekend was supposed to be a 26/20 back-to-back but that didn’t happen either. I was way too sore after Big Sur.

Josh keeps telling me to be smart and take care of myself and that I train more than anyone but those missed runs make me nervous. I would have had a lot more confidence going in to JJ100 if I’d hit those. 2 things are going in my favor though and both are thanks to Josh:

I’m crewing him at Yellowstone-Teton 100 this Saturday so I’ll get to see up close how he preps for it and what a 100 miler looks like. I know I can learn a lot from him this weekend and from the other crew/runners on the course. I am really, really looking forward to it. Plus…hello? A long weekend in Yellowstone? Woo! I soooo need that right now. It will be so great to just get away for a while and relax and have fun (I'm off work until next Wednesday). :)

The other thing is that Josh decided to run JJ100 too. I know that we won’t see each other much but it will be nice to know he’s out there. Since it’s a washing machine course (you reverse direction each lap), I should see him (and Robert and Cliff – both doing their 1^st 100s too) quite a bit. The more mental boosts I can get, the better.

I know that the JJ100 will be mostly mental for me and I think I can do it despite the blips last month. It won’t be fast and it won’t be pretty but I am determined to do it. I think that’s the most important thing, right?

Anyway, that’s my recap of September and where I’m at right now. Running is going pretty well. Still not quite where I was but I'm almost there. I’m still a tiny bit achey from Big Sur but I’m hoping that race will give me killer quads and glutes and help me fill out my jeans better. Running has got to be good for something, don’t you think? ;) No, seriously...it was tough and I think I will be stronger for it.

I plan to do some running in Yellowstone. I’m praying I don’t trip while looking at all the beautiful surroundings. I CANNOT WAIT!

See you next week.