2024 Run Rabbit Run 100 - Training

I'm not even sure where to start this account of Run Rabbit Run 2024. Maybe, like before, I'll give some lead up to the race. You can read about RRR2023 to see why I needed to return.

From 2023, I learned that I would have to work on my core in addition to my usual training. KB made a video for me of some good ab work. I did that about 4 times per week. Than I added something I never thought I would: yoga. I knew Bucky had done classes so got his recommendation for a place. I thought I would do a class a week until my running training plan kicked in on April 1st (I totally loved that I officially started training on April Fool's Day and the race start was Friday the 13th. Seemed right.). Then I said I'd keep doing yoga until my miles got longer. Well, turns out I really liked the classes and felt they were doing a lot for me, including my core, flexibility, and balance. I opted to keep going and to take out a day of running from my weekly schedule. Mostly I did my long runs on Sundays. By combining it with OSGR, I had company for a large amount of the miles. Squirrel would try to join for the last miles most weeks. Monday would be my back to back longish run. I usually did those miles at Pinelands to be able to run (most of the other places we run are so technical, I end up walking more stretches). Tues was a day off from running so a core day. Wednesdays I would head to Lost Valley for hill repeats. Thurday was yoga class and a core workout. Fridays it was back to Lost Valley for more repeats. Saturday was another day off from running so another core workout. I would pick one other day during the week that made the most sense to fit in my core work. And all the days I did my core, I included yoga than I had learned.

Even running just four days per week, my total mileage was staying very close to last year's. I hit nearly 70,000' of elevation gain at Lost Valley alone. One of the factors that made this training cycle harder was our brutal weather. The heat and humidity were relentless. Even with starting earlier than I would like, my hill repeats would be in the 90° temps with dew points in the 70s. I told myself that it mimicked elevation's lack of oxygen. Most of the long runs were in the same weather. Having Billy and Squirrel along helped on those last two longest runs. Misery does love company!

I took it as a really good sign that I was looking forward to taper. I think I'd done enough. With an uptick in COVID, I did stop my yoga classes a couple of weeks before I really wanted. I tried to do them myself, but that's no where near what you get out of a real class. Oh well. Like I said, I think I'd done enough.