Bluegrass Endurance: Change of Plans & The Big Picture

While it is good to be focused on your plan there are times that you need to change them. This is not to be done on a whim but when circumstances say the best way to continue on your journey is to make some adjustments. This can be hard as one has to make sure the change is not out of fear or some other reason not grounded in what you see as the big picture. That is key and if you don’t have a big picture view of what you do there is a good chance you will err by just pushing forward or if you see the need for change make the wrong adjustment.

One other thing to think about, and I have written on this before - It’s OK to Want to Only Run 5k’s: Or any other Distance for that Matter - , is that often we have a faulty view of challenges. For example many see a marathon or even a 100 Mile running race as a goal and anything less is, well less. But one needs to realize for some a 1/2 marathon or even a 50K run are adequate and in truth more what needs to be aimed for based on the time one has to train or maybe also based on ones physical condition. This also happens in many gravel races where one sees, say the Unbound 200 as all there is and never even consider the 100. Sure the 200 is the marque event and for sure a challenge but for some the 100 will be just as challenging but also within the realm of one’s life situation and training. This is not to talk anyone into looking at other distances but saying none of them should be minimized as less because they are not. I can tell you that shorter races have their own challenges - one being they are often faster - so don’t overlook that.

So, after the Dust Bowl 100 on July 26th and having issues after 50 miles it made me have to take a hard look at the Gravel Worlds Double ( 50K Run Friday / 150 Mile Ride Saturday). I had to ask myself with the shape I am in and with my sleep issues, a subject for a later post, was the Double a wise move. Could I do it - likely so even if very slow. But how would I come away from it as still have the Ragnar Bourbon Chase Relay the first part of October and just did not want to be so beat up I could not enjoy training - I have said it before I may be weird but I enjoy training and would do so even if I did not have any big races. In thinking about this and taking to a few people I decided make a change and do the 1/2 Double (25K / 75 Mile) instead as the 25K run and the 75 Mile ride were going to be more doable and I could even race then and not just finish. Based on the Dust Bowl it was still going to be tough as I think my racing limit is in the 100K range right now but at least then I only would have to slog out another 13 miles and not 90 miles. The other thing to consider was the heat as I do not seem to be as heat adapted as usual, not sure if training, age or a combination of both, as really felt it at the Dust Bowl and Gravel Worlds in Nebraska is likely to be just as hot and 150 Miles I am not ready for and in the heat my not go well. Yea, I probably could slog it out but how would it leave me. Shout out to the people at Gravel Worlds as messaged them and they changed by entry right away - Thanks.

The interesting part is I made the change and focus early this week - a day or so after the Dust Bowl - and this Saturday (8/2/25) I did a trial run and ride. I ran 16 miles and after changing and fueling some, about an hour, I went out and rode 41 miles. While the efforts at Gravel Worlds are a day apart and today’s were an hour apart it did tell me I made the right decision. My pace for the 16 mile run was 9:07/mile but the issue was my right foot - the one that usually gives me issues and did so at The Pistol 50K - got sore as well as the ankle and could not push the downhills so did not make up time. The good side though was that although I had not done a long run in some time I was able to do it but pretty sure 25K more would not go well with my foot. The ride was not a blazer but was solid and other than it being hard to get my leg over the bike an hour after the run I felt fine and settled in as the ride went on. So with the right rest after the run in 3 weeks I should be even better. All this to say this just confirmed my decision and now to get some work in just to better harden up my legs to the pounding but not over do it before the race - and oh yea get some sleep hopefully.

Bottom line is that while we need to take on hard things we need to make sure the hard things are defined by us and not by outside opinions, biases or incorrect assumptions. You should talk to others - I did before my decision to change to the 1/2 - to make sure we are not coping out due to fear but making a wise decision based on a number of criteria. When you have a good big picture view of why you do what you do this all becomes much easier - well a little easier anyway as often we still will get an initial feeling of “wimping out” but if done wisely you are not.

Now for the Grave Worlds 1/2 Double in 3 weeks (Aug 22 & 23).