95 Days to Ultraman Mexico: The Big Picture
With today’s run, I’ve committed to entering Ironman Lake Placid without a taper. Wish me luck…
My goal for the week is 50 miles running, 200 miles on the bike, and six miles swimming. The race is on Sunday, and most of these miles will come then. Tomorrow I aim for another 10 mile run, followed the next day by 5 miles as part of a brick workout, adjusting as needed if my body signals to back off.
This is where the real exploration happens: learning what my body can tolerate, how it performs under different levels of rest, and how diet, life stress, and recovery affect outcomes. There are so many variables in endurance racing. I love it. I’m going into this race far more prepared and less stressed than last time, but I’m also carrying a higher training load. Whatever happens on race day I will gain valuable knowledge.
For the run, my goal is to finish in five hours. I’m using this as an early benchmark for day three of Ultraman. I will be carrying significant fatigue into day three of Ultraman and it will be twice the running I will do in Lake Placid. My hope is that the first two legs will be a decent simulation of the fatigue I will feel going into the second marathon. Without prior Ultraman experience, pacing is a guessing game.
My current plan: 50 miles in ten hours on day three, leaving two hours for the final 2.4 miles. Will it hold up? Is it a good plan? I don’t know. All I can do at this point is reframe fear as excitement. This race is about exploring limits.
My long-term goals extend far beyond any one race. Ultraman Mexico is a qualifier for my current long term goal: the Ultraman World Championship. Beyond that goal I have two broad goals for my life.
Live a life of honest, consistent self exploration.
Trust that pursuing and expressing my potential will benefit and inspire other people to do the same.
I’ve been profoundly shaped by the stories of others who gave themselves fully to their authentic expression. Their bravery and vulnerability inspired me to invest in myself. It’s easy to live compromised versions of ourselves to gain acceptance, and expressing your true self is one of life’s greatest challenges. It is also one of the most important tasks.
Each of us has unique potential we are responsible for realizing. By doing so, the outcomes and byproducts of this life will be of use to others.