"When I saw the sun rise for the second time on the same run..."
I read this statement in a race report three years ago, and it symbolized for me the magnitude of running 100 miles.
THE PLAN
The Lake Martin 100 Mile Endurance Run was my second 100 mile finish.
My first 100 mile run (2015 Tunnel Hill) began after sunrise.
It had 2,500 feet of elevation gain, a rails-to-trails surface, and I enjoyed the company of a pacer for the last 24 miles.
This one would be different.
Originally, I planned in my annual schedule to run the Pinhoti 100 the first weekend in November, but I forgot that is when my wife usually plays in a tennis tournament in Gulf Shores. While researching other potential races like Thunder Rock (May) and Arkansas Traveler (Oct.), it became clear that Lake Martin was the one I needed to run.
I signed up on January 11th; ten weeks before the race. I ran my previous 100 miler last November, rested a month, then ran the Rocket City Marathon, Recover From the Holidays 50K, and Mountain Mist 50K in December and January.
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| Garmin Training Runs |
The second part of my plan was to average 1,000 feet of gain per 10 miles of running. I averaged 910 feet.
The third part was to reach my peak in training at the Black Warrior 50K and Mount Cheaha 50K on back to back weekends one month out.
These two 50Ks have 3,000+ and 5,000+ feet of gain, respectively. When I completed them, I felt Que Sera, Sera.
My last long run was 18 miles on the northern "loop" of the Lake Martin course a week after the 50Ks and two weeks before the race.
I did not run during the two weeks leading up to the race.
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| LAKE MARTIN 100 Elevation Profile |
I could not be happier with my choice.
