My December 100 Miler Next Week - Across The Years

In February I set a goal to run a 100 miler per month for 12 months in a row. I've now got 10 months down and am all set for December's race called Across The Years in Arizona.

I'm really excited about this one. This is the first timed race I've ever done. Most races are based on distance. You're done after you've run 26.2 miles. Or 50 miles. Or 100 miles.

But Across The Years is different. It is the nation's premier timed race. There is a 24 hour race, a 48 hour race, a 72 hour race, and a 6 day race. It's on a one-mile dirt track and you just run as far as you can in your allotted time. You can take breaks when you want. (Or not.) You can sleep when you want to. (Or not.) You're done when you want to be done.

I signed up for the 72 hour race. I haven't really trained for this style of running and of course it requires a completely different mentality from grueling, mountainous trail races. But I think it will be fun. (It reminds me of the 100 miler I ran around the high school track in July.)

My plan is to get to 100 miles and then see where things go after that. Hopefully I'll tack on a bunch of extra miles after 100. The farthest I've ever run is 101 miles so I'm shooting for a distance PR. I'll try to get away with short naps in those 72 hours if my body cooperates and just hang on for the ride.

Get this: in the 6 day race last year, race winner Joe Fejes ran an incomprehensible 555 MILES!!! (Click HERE for a great article about his win.) I am really looking forward to having a front row seat to what these amazing runners can accomplish.

My race starts Monday, December 29th and ends January 1st (hence the name Across The Years). Can't wait!