🏅 GOING LONG!

You may be feeling the itch to get into long course - or to revisit it if you’ve been working on shorter distances for a while. Maybe it’s a bucket list goal, or a desire for a bigger physical challenge, or maybe a friend is trying to convince you to make the move! There are a few things to consider when you go for a big race- whether that’s a full 140.6, or an ultramarathon, or a multi day stage race.

🤔 First- what’s your why? What about this distance is exciting to you? Do you feel like you “have” to do it? (Psst- pressure doesn’t always help us make the best choices! Peer pressure can be good, but feeling like you have to do it for ANY reason will turn it from a hobby to a chore.)

😳 Is this something you truly feel both scared and thrilled over? If so, it’s probably the right move!

🏃🏻 Remember that you’ll train a lot more hours than you’ll race. Does the idea of putting in big miles and a few big weekends excite you? What will keep you training day in and day out?

⏰ Consider your time- can you make time for both the training, working in weeks to recover along the way? Are you looking for the minimum effective dose to finish, or do you need more time to devote in order to hit a big goal?

🤝 Is your family & support network on board? Long course races & ultras become a true team effort with the people you care about the most! Without a doubt, you will have to consider some sacrifices along the way. Talk this over and make sure you can have your support systems to lean on when you have some big weeks. Whoever it is for you, they will be key not just to race day, but more than that, the build into your big day.

💻 If your work and/or life is demanding seasonally, consider your race timing. Choose one that will give you the best chance of devoting time to your big blocks, with less obstacles.

Committing to these big races can be really exciting, but the process is made much easier when you’ve considered all that will go into making your training- and race day- something to enjoy!