Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Cascade Crest 100

I've always said that I had no desire to do a 100-miler. Who wants to run all night? Who wants to be out there for 24-30 hours, usually running loops around a 6-10 mile course? Why do that to yourself?

Friends said, "wait until after your first 50-miler... you will change your mind." I thought they were wrong; but if running has taught me anything, it's "never say never."

Finishing my first 50 and having an amazing experience brought the idea of 100 into the realm of "possible", but I still did not have any real desire to run one, and thought, "maybe in a couple of years."

But the fates decreed that while in this malleable mindset--still wearing the post-ultra glow, looking for a new goal, open to new possibilities--I should discover a race that could finally make me want to run 100 miles. No short, repetitive loops for me. How about a full-on adventure, one single, challenging, beautiful 100 mile loop in Washington's Cascade mountains?

Take White River and multiply it by two... then add a bit more elevation change, and you have Cascade Crest. There is a 25% dnf rate, but there is also a generous cut-off time (32 hours). I have a year to train.

I also have no freaking clue how to train for 100, so I've been looking at training plans online. The first-timer plans all seem to peak at around 70-75 miles per week. My White River training peaked at 69 miles, so that is very similar. The difference is that the 100 plans distribute the miles differently, putting more emphasis on back-to-back long runs and less emphasis on the shorter weekly runs.

Registration is in February, so I have some time to figure it all out and see what kind of shape I will be in for spring. But the reward would be worth the effort:

8 comments:

  1. Good stuff! Definitely a single or double loop is the way to go.

    As for the training...more than one way to skin a cat. Run lots! Depends a lot what approach to take on available time. If you can free up lots of time on the weekends for b2b's or even B2B2B's, then you don't need to do as much weekday volume. However if you can't do the really long rns or weekend volume, then the day to day volume becomes that much more important.

    Good luck. Lys of time to have fun in the planning.

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  2. b2b is hard because I have an oppressive work schedule. but I am going to try to get one big b2b in per month, and aside from that just keep my mileage consistent through the winter so that I don't have to do a huge increase in the spring. we'll see how it goes... I know better than to get too excited this far in advance! if all is looking good by the time registration opens, I'll go for it! :)

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  3. I think good chocolate will help with your training. ;)

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  4. good chocolate helps with EVERYTHING!

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  5. Make sure that you mark the Cascade 100 registration date in your datebook. I believe that it filled up on the first day this past year (snail mail registration)
    If you have any strength in your legs these days (and if your work schedule allows), I'd suggest coming to the race this weekend and pacing someone through the night. We'll be down crewing a friend to his finish.

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  6. I would love to, but my work schedule doesn't allow last-minute weekends away; I have to plan at least 4-6 weeks in advance. :( Have a great time this weekend though!

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  7. Wow 100 miles...can't even imagine, but I can't imagine 50 either!! Can't wait to hear what you decide.

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