It’s Monday April 15, 2024
12 days out from C and O Canal 100.
I wasn’t planning on running this race
Turns out, I got my schedule 2 weeks out and noticed my manager gave me off friday/ saturday/ sunday
Unusual because I didn’t request off, but I remember that C and O was that weekend.
Instead of saying something, I just rolled with it and signed up for the race – two weeks notice.
So how do I feel physically? It’s been one and a half months since swammie shuffle 220 miler. Recovery has been great, the body bounced back quick. It seems to remember the pain and doesn’t get as much of a shock to the system as it would have if it was the first time going the distance. It’s now the day before the race and the body feels good. Used, but ready to run long.
I haven’t run as much as I usually would when leading up to a race, maybe that’s a good thing? Let’s find out. Embracing the “doing things differently to get different results”
I’ve also been doing some speed work these past few weeks, and feeling strong from that. Changed my form up to be a tad more flat footed (vs the top ball of my foot) and working on using my WHOLE foot, not just the big toe side.
My weights have been increasing each week in the gym and I hit recent PR’s in the squat, deadlift, bench, and overhead press. I stopped lifting heavy about 1.5 weeks from the race, cutting the weights down to half. Race week has been mainly calisthenics type exercises and yoga.
Sitting heavier at 170 pounds but should be able to drop to around 165 pounds for the race. (Note: I just weighed myself exactly at 165)
Feeling solid and strong, we’ll see how that plays out for this year’s C&O 100 race.
Joe DiAndrea 