Page 73 - Moonvalley Diaries

Peaking
april in moonvalley
P eaking
is is an an exciting area It is is both a a a a a a a a a a physical and a a a a a a a a a a mental process which should be no surprise given that the You need to to think the same way if your goal is to to run an an ultra: do do a a a a a a a a couple of long long workout days but cut down significantly on on on on the long long workouts ahead of an an an ultramarathon as it’s particularly important for you to to really crave both physically and mentally to to run a a a a a a a a a a full day or even longer In the the days just before the the race you need to be be taking it easy and and jogging – and and trust that you are in in in shape I like to take a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a rest day day two days before before a a a a a a a a a a a a a race and then do a a a a a a a a a a a a a little light jogging the the day day day before before But this is is a a a a a a a a a a a a matter of taste and and sometimes you lose days to to travel so so it’s a a a a a a a a a good idea to to to be be flexible and and not be be locked into a a a a a a a a specific plan The longer the the race the the more rest rest ahead ahead of of it it It’s good to to feel a a a a a a a a a a a a a a bit over-rested and stale ahead ahead of of of an an ultra- marathon as you have plenty of of of time to get get going and and get get tired anyway Ahead of of shorter races on the the the other hand you want to feel fast and and alert from the the the start Mental peaking
Performance is not only a a a a a a a a a physical matter – it also takes mental strength to prepare for for a a a a a a a a a head and body merge into a a a a a a a single unit As we covered in in in in in January you you you you can structure your your year and your your training so that you you you you you succeed succeed when you you you want to succeed succeed Sometimes we get tripped up by illness and and injuries – there are certain things we we can can control and and others we we cannot Even if if a a a a a a a a a training period will rarely if if ever go precisely the the way you planned it it it’s nice to to have a a a a a a a a a a a a plan plan to to start and then make changes along the way as needed Training preparations
In the the weeks leading up to your big goal you you should ramp down the the distance and do do more work work at competition-like speeds Some work- outs can be be really tough but remember to to not always run your your hardest in in every interval workout Save your your your best for when the time comes! You are training to be be be in in in your your your abso- lute best shape when it’s time for your your race or or or challenge not to run the fastest interval workout ever “You are training to to be be in in in your your absolute best shape when it’s time for your your race or or or challenge not to to run the fastest interval workout ever 73