I’ve never finished tax season in shape before, let alone in the incredible shape I found myself in on April 15 this year. Since the first 105 days of the year were so great for my fitness, I didn’t have to do that build-up to longer distances like I usually have to do. I ran 15 – 18 miles a week throughout tax season, and could easily do six miles at a time, so right away I could start thinking about Ragnar. Three separate legs in about 24 hours is something your body can get used to; and it’s extremely painful if you don’t prepare for it. I know, because I’ve done that

The first hurdle I’ve had since tax season ended has been the weather. We’ve had snow just about every week, a lot of cold rain, and a lot of, well, cold. I started running in cold and snow in October last year, and by the time April hit, I was done. I’d put in my ‘I’m a hardened runner, I can deal with cold and snow and wind and rain’ time, and turned into a wuss. I admit, I’ve run inside more than I’d like to have. I’ve run inside when it’s just ‘too cold’ (a phrase applying to -5 or below November through March, but which becomes +25 or below as of April 1). But, I have run.

The second hurdle is knowing what to do. Our Ragnar team captain is…busy. We didn’t have a meeting until two weeks ago. So, as prepared as I was to start preparing for Ragnar, I didn’t know what to prepare for. I kind of just went mid-range, and started planning for 6/6/6 as my distances. But as of the meeting, I’m doing the longest of the legs. This is a good thing – I’m in the shape to do it this year, and it’s a leg I really want to do. So now I’m preparing for 8/7/5. I keep getting it into my head that the first two legs are 10 miles, but they’re not. So I keep having to hold myself back and not train to go longer than I have to.

The third hurdle is holding myself back. Both on distance and on how often I’m running. My legs have felt very taxed in the last couple of weeks, and are just starting to feel normal. Since they’ve been tired, I’ve been cutting out about one short run per week, or even two. The long runs and doing 2 – 3 in 24 hours are what is important. But there’s a constant internal battle between ‘I know I can do this’ and ‘I know I shouldn’t do this’. While I usually run three times during the week and then do a long run on the weekends, for the next three weeks, I’m planning on cutting down to two runs during the week so my legs will feel refreshed for one or two long runs and a short run on the weekend.  It’s hard when I get go faster on short runs, and I like going faster.

Starting last weekend, I also began my newest battle with the downhill. My second leg is 7+ miles, one mile uphill and six miles downhill, basically. I don’t know what you believe, but as far as I’m concerned, uphill is easy. You push yourself, you go! Downhill, on the other hand, is a battle. You CAN go faster, but you have to hold back because it’s so hard on your body. But you want to take advantage at least somewhat of the gravity. I fought the downhill battle during my half-marathon in December, which is net 2000 feet downhill over 13 miles (2.9% decline average). This six miles will be very different, though. It’s something like a 4.5% decline average. So I’m hitting the newest treadmill at the gym, which will do a 3% decline, at least once a week. And I’m hoping some of the mountain passes open so I can do some other downhills for longer runs.

I’m also hoping our current spring weather holds, and I can get outside and practice on real hills, because the 4th of July 3 mile run comes up pretty fast after Ragnar. That 4th of July course is nothing to take for granted, especially when you’re hoping for a speedy run, as I am.