A piece of running advice has always stuck with me. Someone suggested I run “tune up” races before the goal race. She said it will keep your training honest and give you an idea of where your fitness is before the big race.
It’s great advice. I always do so much better in a goal race after having a few fun races under my belt. I get to practice my nutrition for the big event and other race day things. Also it’s been a weird two years without any races thanks to the pandemic. So remembering how to “race” is more important than ever.
Depending on the race or timing, I usually set a goal for the race. I have several so-called “tune up” races or fun runs with different goals before Lost Soul 100K in September.
Here’s the run down:
- Coulee Cactus Crawl 30K in Lethbridge (June)
- Powderface Marathon 42K in Kananaskis (July)
- Sinister 7 50-miler in Crowsnest Past (July)
- Elk Valley 50K in Fernie (July)
So if you look closely you will see, I have a busy July. What am I thinking? The Powderface race is a holdover from two years ago. I may drop down to a shorter distance as it is a week before my first 50 miler.
My goal for the run in Lethbridge is not to succumb to the heat and really gauge where my fitness is. I have been working really hard on my endurance since the new year and I am happy where I am. Now it’s time to push my pace and see what I can do.
As for Powderface – I just want to finish. I heard it’s a tough race but I am up for the challenge. This race is so popular that it sells out almost immediately. I am little sad that it is on Saturday, July 2. I usually summit a mountain on Canada Day so I am not sure it is wise to do it the day before a high elevation, technical race.
Finishing is my goal for the 50-miler at Sinister 7. I am not really familiar with the race. If you remember, I did a leg a few years ago on a team and I loved it. I am looking forward to the race weekend. It’s going to be a big party.
Elk Valley is one tough 50K. That first leg is soul crushing. I have done the race twice now. I improved the second year and I hope to do so this year too. If anything, I would love to be faster on that first big climb. All of this depends, of course, at how well I recover from Sinister 7.
Essentially I am considering the two races before Sinister 7 as long runs with friends. I am also doing a fat ass style 45k run in West Bragg Creek, which will be great time on feet training. The full distance is 100k but runners have the option to run a shorter distance. Last summer I ran two of the three legs so this year I decided to do the one I missed – which happens to be the longest one.
I know it seems like A LOT but I am so looking forward to being out in the running community again and sharing kilometres with other runners.
Do you run tune up races? Do they help you get in the racing mindset? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.