Mammoth 50K training and things i'm into right now
time for redemption
Last week, I got the coveted “you’re in!” email from UltraSignUp. I’m officially off the waitlist for this September’s Mammoth Trailfest 50K.
A few months back, my sister told me she was going to head up from San Diego with some friends to race the 26K, so I thought, why not try to get a spot in the 50K? Since the race was already full, I joined the waitlist and crossed my fingers. Mammoth is one of my favorite places, and after injuring myself at last year’s Trailfest, I thought it would be the perfect shot at redemption. Now that I’m in, I thought sharing my training journey here would be a great motivator—I always do better with accountability and excitement, and what better way to get both than by writing about it every week.
Today is day one of my training (it’s a rest day). Throughout the next 17 weeks, I’ll be sharing all of the nitty-gritty details, from how training runs are going, the gear I’m using, and any side adventures I can conjure up to make those weekend back-to-backs a bit more fun. I’m thinking there will be a lot of hiking, some fast-packing overnighters, and a steady dose of zone 2 bike rides. And a lot of running.
For my first few ultras (all 50K), I followed a training plan that was a combination of David Roche’s SWAP plans and vibes, which, in retrospect, is probably the reason for the injury last year. This time around, I’m leaning all the way in. No excuses.
Starting today, I’ll be following Roche’s 16-week beginner 50K plan, with one extra week built in as a buffer. And also because it’s 17 weeks from race day. This is the plan I followed for my first ultra two summers ago, and given my relatively low mileage this year, I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. I will be incorporating two gym sessions a week, which I’ve never done before, and also trying to get a little extra vert on the weekends.
I’m also going to try to take at least a couple of trips to elevation throughout training to acclimate, and I have a really exciting trip planned for August that I will update you all on later (Hint: 🇫🇷).
This block is all about commitment. To myself, my body, my mind.
Next week, I’ll give a recap and a look ahead to the following week.
What I’m into lately
This is a section I’m really excited to keep returning to, and hopefully it’ll be one that you’re into, as well. It’ll be a range of gear I’m testing for work, things I’ve bought for myself, and favorites I keep returning to for all of my outdoor pursuits.
First up, The North Face Altamesa 500. These are some of the most comfortable trail shoes I’ve worn in a while and I can’t wait to keep putting more miles on them this summer. Once I get out of NYC and back west (this weekend!), these will be my go-to for light trails.
Next, we have the Coros Pace 4. I’ve never worn a Coros watch, and normally I’m Garmin Gang Forever, but I’ve really loved testing this one. It’s light, barely feels like I’m wearing a watch, has an easy-to-read face, and I love the companion app. Info is laid out in detail after each run, and, more importantly, in a way that is easily digestible. I’ll be keeping this one on my wrist for runs around town or short trail runs. Like any GPS watch, you can go suuuuper deep on this, which I won’t do today, but there’s an entire world of info and features built into this watch that I’m excited to keep digging into.
I’ve been keeping a close eye on wire-framed sunglasses lately. As such, when I saw the Oakley Wire Frames on sale, I had to give ‘em a go. I bought them for non-running purposes, but once I got them in hand, I knew they’d be a jack of all trades. They are sturdy and heavier than I expected, but not too heavy for a run around the neighborhood. The lenses are excellent, as you’d expect from the big O (do people call it that?), and they are super comfortable, which actually surprised me.
Finally, the Raide Research TrailTech shorts. I got Raide’s belts to test about a year ago, and I’ve been loving them. I’m also testing the new vest for a story, so keep an eye out for that. The shorts, though, have been a surprising favorite from the brand’s lineup. They have a bunch of pockets, two of which are designed to hold a hip flask (water only, guys), and a handful of others for gels and peach rings. I’m going to be wearing these a lot this summer.
Trail Tunes
This week, you get my race day playlist (which I actually listen to all the time).
If you made it this far, let me know in the comments what your favorite training food is. Man cannot live on candy alone (though I can sure try).
Peace!
⛰️