Almost Yeti Ready – Ultrarunning through a busy summer

Relaxing in a hammock under the maple tree in our new backyard earlier this week, Sarah and I were surprised to discover that it’s almost Labor Day. The past two months absolutely flew by, as we were living out of a suitcase thanks to a rentback agreement, preparing for the arrival of our baby girl, and spending time with family in North Carolina and Virginia.

I made the most of the summer by running the trails everywhere we traveled, but I still feel rather anxious about what’s to come at the end of September. Am I really going to run 100 miles? What was I thinking when I signed up for this?? Kidding (kinda), but I thought it would be beneficial to stop and share some things that have helped me remain focused on training for my first 100-mile race, the Yeti 100-mile endurance run, in the midst of so many life changes. With that said, here are 5 ways to stay motivated when life gets really busy:

1. Plan ahead - “Failing to plan is planning to fail” was one of my scoutmaster’s favorite sayings when I was a kid, and it certainly holds true today. When you know you will be traveling, plan ahead to get those workouts in! I did this by packing extra running shoes, resistance bands, a pullup bar, and also researching each of the different places we would be staying this summer to find local trails to run on. I also discovered a cool event called “Summer Streets” while we were in Brooklyn (pictured below), which is a multi-day, annual car-free event held in August that allowed me to run right through the heart of Manhattan. If you are not sure where to begin, Strava and AllTrails.com are great resources to help you find trail info, maps, detailed reviews, and more.

2. Find new things to listen to - Music and podcasts can be super inspiring and motivating for training runs. Whether you have been running for weeks, months, or years, it’s always good to mix it up and keep the content you listen to fresh. Otherwise, the same voices can get a little boring and repetitive, you know? Not only that, but new podcasts give you an opportunity to regularly fill your mind with new ideas that you can transform into knowledge. Knowledge that you can apply in your daily life to accomplish whatever goals you have. A few of my new favorites for long runs this summer have been the Everyday Ultra podcast with Joe Corcione and the Adventure Jogger with Ryan Ploeckelman. Trail Runner Nation and Marathon Training Academy with Angie and Trevor Spencer are two of my all-time favorites, so I listened to a lot of their new episodes as well.

3. Connect with others – joining a local running club and/or online fitness communities can really enhance your motivation and deepen your joy for running. I absolutely loved seeing my friends from the Shirlington Trail Running Club when I was in town, as they all inspire me to train harder and run further when we’re together. Knocking out 18 miles with a few of them on the trails at Seneca Creek State Park was a highlight of my summer. I also found the Yeti Trail Runners Facebook group, which is one of the most welcoming, supportive, and uplifting groups I have ever been a member of. Being a part of a fun online community like that filled with people striving for similar goals that you can share experiences with just makes the whole training experience much more enjoyable. Lastly, you might consider participating in an online fitness challenge. I joined one with some coworkers and it definitely increased my activity levels.

4. Listen to your body – and slow down when you need to. Not every workout or training run has to be maximum effort. It’s okay to ease off the gas on occassion, especially when you have been consistently training hard for a long time. It’s also important to take sufficient breaks for injuries or illness. I finally contracted COVID this summer (took it 2.5 years to get me!) and found that it was incredibly tough to resume training after recovering, as I still felt weak and had a diminished lung capacity along with a lingering “COVID cough.” This was a good time to slow things down, listen to my body, and just let it move in ways that allowed me to heal. Slow jogs, hikes, morning walks, and stretching all allowed me to stay active without demanding too much from my body, and I was able to resume normal training without issue after a few days.

5. Remember mindset matters - the way you speak to yourself is super important. 80% of our thoughts are repetitive. What are you saying to yourself several times a day? While out on the trails, working, driving, or showering? I have regular prayer time and numerous positive affirmations that I repeat to myself throughout each day to stay positive and motivated. How about you? Beliefs that you repeat are key to your success or failure both in running and in life.

So there you have it. Hope these tips help you to stay motivated as we enter the fall season. I am sure I will have more to share after the Yeti 100 miler on September 30th, but for now I am going to kick back and enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend. Happy trails!