Many years ago, before I was a runner, I read Dune by Frank Herbert. I've always been a huge fan of science fiction novels, and Dune had been recommended to me countless times as a classic of the genre. At the beginning of the novel, the main character recites something called "the Litany Against Fear" …
The Javelina Jundred: Desert Magic
...Which is how I found myself running sub-9 minute/mile pace at mile 58 of a 100 mile race. Hi, my name is Clare, and I'm a dumbass...
Javelina Jundred Training Block Three and Four: Steady State + Race Specific
So, I went into these training blocks feeling a little discouraged. My workouts had been going well, but my long runs were terrible. I kept having trouble after around the 2 hour mark, and kept cutting my planned long runs short by a few miles every week. I hadn't done a long run over 18 …
Continue reading Javelina Jundred Training Block Three and Four: Steady State + Race Specific
Bear Chase 50 Miler: An Ultra Redemption
...In previous races, this sort of situation might have shoved me instantly into Negative Nancy mode. I would have gotten upset and essentially given up on the rest of the race, probably slowing to a shuffling walk and just beating myself up for the next 20 miles until the finish. This time, I just went straight into problem-solving mode...
Race Report: Breck Crest Mountain Marathon
Pre-Race So.... this race was not planned. Originally, I was just going to Breckenridge to support Gunnar as he ran the marathon (and do my own long run of 12-15ish miles). However, on Saturday, I set out to do a 20 miler on the trails nearby. It went terribly. I called it quits at 15 …
Javelina Jundred Training Block Two: Tempo
So I've made it through the first block (VO2 Max) fairly intact. My original plan was to do a recovery week of around 40-45 miles, then straight into 3 weeks of tempo workouts at around 60 miles per week, followed by another recovery week. And of course, none of this went according to plan. I …
Javelina Jundred Training Block One: VO2 Max
I'm following an adapted Ultrarunning Magazine 100 mile training plan for my Javelina buildup. There are four "blocks": VO2 Max, Tempo, Steady State, and Race Specific, in that order. The idea is to start with the least specific (VO2 Max... you're not likely going to be hitting VO2 Max paces during a 100 miler!) and …
Continue reading Javelina Jundred Training Block One: VO2 Max
The Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim
Training: I will be the first to admit that I did not train nearly enough for this run, and I would not recommend following my approach. While I had done some decent mountain training during December and January to prep for Running Up For Air, I had been focusing mainly on flat road running during March …
24 Hours of Palmer Lake Death Race: “Start Fast, Die Early”
...Every time I saw someone going to hand in their bib, I felt a pang of jealousy. I was not looking forward to running all night in the freezing cold in the dark, but my one non-negotiable goal was to make it all 24 hours and not quit...
Palmer Lake Training: April 1st – 7th
Monday was a rest day. I felt very antsy after my second "bad" running weekend, but I knew forcing myself to take it easy would let my body heal. Tuesday and Wednesday were both spent on the bike at Planet Fitness. I cycled 15 miles each day and focused on getting my HR up into …
Clare Runs Sometimes 