August – summer holidays in full swing, the time of vacations and rest. On the other hand, for many runners is the time of hard training for the autumn marathons peak. The time when training sessions should gain volume and intensity.
Since the beginning of the year I’ve been preparing just for August. I trained for trail mountain ultramarathon „Chudy Wawrzyniec” and now it was time for the ultimate test. There were doubts. Heavily worked winter gave high hopes, but the change in training methods (from gathering street kilometers to more trail running and a lot more ascent running) had side effects and for nearly three months I struggled with various injuries. It undermined my enthusiasm and there were concerns whether I would manage over 50 km in the mountains od Żywiec Beskids. Fortunately, diverse training period for the July triathlons (I started swimming and cycling) allowed the strained calfs some rest and everything went back to normal. Additionaly, my shape soared even more.
MONTH IN NUMBERS
The beginning of the month lncluded two races, thus smaller training volume closer to 02.08.2015 (Triathlon Strawczyn) and 08.08.2015 (Chudy Wawrzyniec). In the second part of the month regular workouts and Sunday long runs – 21, 24 and 26 km – returned to calendar. Additionally, I introduced some CrossFit workouts for strengthening the upper body and improvement of stability.
In August, I did 247 km, of which 206 km I ran (the rest comes from a triathlon at the beginning of the month). The result is satisfactory, taking into account the first half of the month, where I needed more regeneration.
Distance: 247,28 km / Time: 24:28:11 / Calories: 12 883 kcal
Summary – August 2015
AUGUST CHALLENGES
Chudy Wawrzyniec was supposed to be my first trail mountain ultramarathon this year. It was the biggest challenge and goal for 2015. I was afraid of it for two more reasons: first, from March to June I struggled with injuries that it made my workouts less regular and I fought hard to stay in shape, not to mention any improvement. Secondly, a week before the „Chudy”, a triathlon in Strawczyn was held and I long wondered whether to participate in it or not.
During the preparation for Chudy Wawrzyniec I had only one chance to start in a trail race. On 04.25.2015 in Szczawnica I took part in a Chyża Durbaszka, on 21 km distance. Running the ultramarathon distance in the mountainous terrain was a huge challenge.
Finally I took part in the triathlon – if it was only a running race, I would probably give it up, but a mix of activities doesn’t burden as much one group of muscles. I thought that maybe I would benefit from the supercompensation effect.
The effects of both races described in the commentaries to both races (triathlon here , ultramarathon here). Feel free to read :)
WHAT NEXT
In September, I have planned one gear mountain – Noraftrail – 26 km in the Island Beskids. This is only a stop in training for the second trail mountain ultramarathonu in October, i.e. Bieszczady Ultramarathon. I plan to maintain a simillar training volume, slightly extending the Sunday long runs, but mainly to work on short workouts quality. I will include one additional interval workout as well. I still keep one low intensity workout and one ascent run training. In addition, during „rest” days – CrossFit.