Chasing Barefoot Ultra

We all hit them, the dreaded running slump. But, how do we get past them?

It can be frustrating when we just want to go out for a nice long run but the ground is soft, slush, ice, etc. There is always something we are strengthening on a run, sometimes it just isn't our speed.

It can be easy to assume that the brave that run in all these adventurous places never feared them... but that just might not be true.

I questioned if I needed to add in strength training when I started. At the time it felt like I needed to find my footing running first, before diving into adding in strength and cross training.

A look back on running in 2021, and goals, beyond running times and distances, in 2022.

A winter running update and some thoughts as we run into the holidays (it is okay to miss a run or two).

It is that time of year, race sign up! It can be tough to watch everyone sign up for races, especially those on our dream list, and not feel a little like maybe we should skip our current goals and jump ahead, but it is important to remember that your goals are enough. You should never compare yourself to what someone else is doing, or feel like your goals just are not enough. They are.

We have all probably been asked this before, but what do you think about on a run? When you're out there for hours on end? Are you diving deep looking for some inspiration, or tuning everything out?

Our dream races change and evolve as we discover new ones. This is my current list races, where I would like to start and where I want to get to. Including some I am not so sure I would try... unless of course I had the opportunity, then I don't think I could turn down the chance to set foot on those trails. What are some of your dream races?

Knowing why we run can push us through the slumps, or the cold mornings, or just add a boost to an already awesome run. Our reason why we run can change and evolve over time. It is important to define our why and to revisit it, redefine it as we change.

How do you stay motivated to keep running and training? Spoiler alert: You don't, you can't rely on motivation alone to keep getting out. So how do you keep going, keep pushing?

At some point in our training we are likely going to face a setback from an injury, maybe overuse, maybe just an accident that happened, but how do we manage this when we are working towards a big goal? How do we keep it from setting us back?

Adaptability. A lesson that I learned in a fine arts classroom has stuck with me, it is all about not being precious with a single aspect of the painting and lose sight of the bigger picture. This applies to a lot of things, including running and training plans. How do you decide if it is time to adjust your plan and try something new?

The temperatures are starting to drop, are you going into your off-season or pressing on through the cold? I personally love winter, running in the cold and snow presents challenges but nothing the right gear can't solve! There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.

What are my goals for 2022? I share both my lofty goals and my more realistic goals. After running a 50k in both VFFs and Xero shoes I thought now would be a great time to give a comparison for anyone else considering these shoes, or considering barefoot running. What worked? What didn't? And what will I be running in next year?

We all do it. Check out pace against another runner, or our overall time... how far we are running. We shouldn't, though. Here are some tips to stop comparing yourself to someone else, and what you might be unintentionally doing when you call your pace "slow".

I love to run with dogs, but it can be challenging and sometimes I just want to go on my own. In this episode I talk about how to get your dog to be a good running partner, gear tips, and the reminder that it is okay to leave them at home sometimes!

What goals are you setting for your running? Are they suited to you? Are they ones you really want to chase down, or are they ones you see other people hitting and think you should too? This episode is all about identifying your goals, and getting them down on paper.

Why I decided to start running in barefoot shoes, and no it was not because I read Born to Run; and how I feel about all these virtual marathon and ultra marathon options. Some concepts that you can take with you into your training as you work towards your big goal, whether it is running related, or not.

What training looked like for my first half marathon, that led to an ultra, and what I learned about myself and running along the way.