Why I won’t be running 100K next weekend

This was a hard post to write. A few people have asked me about the race so I thought I would write about it instead of repeating my thoughts. 

All year I have been training for my first 100K – Iron Horse Ultra in St. Paul, Alberta.

I have run a handful of races for training – River Valley Winter Revenge 25K , Blackfoot 50K, Sinister 7 (team 30K), Elk Valley 50K, Iron Horse 60K and Lost Soul Ultra. I’ve got in some fantastic hikes and runs over the last few months. 

I feel strong – not terribly fast – but strong. I managed to stave off any recurring or new injuries. I was proud of myself and my chubby/over age 40 body’s ability to keep going. Gosh I was looking forward to running 100K then maybe 100 miles in 2019. 

Toss in major life change into the mix

I’ve known for a quite some time now it was time for a new challenge in my life. I’ve always been somewhat of a gypsy where I don’t spend too long in one place. Seven years in Red Deer was a long time by my standards. So I quit my job as a managing editor at the daily newspaper. Three weeks later I started a new position as a journalist/assistant editor at a publishing company in Calgary. 

It all happened very quickly.

Suddenly I was boxing up dishes and cleaning out my closet. I needed to find a place to live, say goodbye to friends, hire movers etc. I wondered if I was doing the right thing. Working in newspapers was the only thing I knew. I don’t have any friends in Calgary, and everyone knows how hard it is to make friends as a single female who is in her 40s. It’s been very stressful and mentally draining. 

Running has been the last thing on my mind. After Lost Soul, I think I was mentally done. I had rushed to Lethbridge after my first week at my new job. All my stuff finally arrived in Calgary last Friday. This weekend is the first time I have felt settled in about three weeks. 

Physically I would be able to finish the 100K. Mentally I am just not there. I should be excited and pumped up about the race. Instead I am feeling overwhelmed, stressed and mentally spent over everything including running. We all know how crucial the mental game is to a race. I want to go into my first 100 feeling scared but excited and not mentally drained. 

I am OK with my decision because I know there will always be another race. 

Thank you for reading.