One hard month. That’s June. That’s all that’s left of training for the Leadville Silver Rush 50-Mile Trail Run.
It’s the toughest month, of course. The longest training runs; the most soreness. Aches last longer; pains are more magnified.
Sleep is crucial. Diet is critical.
One hard month. Then it’ll be time for two weeks of tapering before the race.
After five straight days of 10-milers in late May to build up my mileage base and prepare my legs to bounce back, the focus for June is time on feet. There are no mileage goals for Saturday long runs, just hours on my feet. Run, hike, whatever … as long as I’m on my feet and moving, the miles will add up.
Saturday was the first of five straight Saturdays of time-on-feet runs. The goal was six hours. I headed to Clinton Lake in Lawrence to join some of my Lawrence Trail Hawk friends who were playing host to a 40-mile, 40th-birthday run for Gen-no Cline. What better way to pass the time on my feet than with friends and veteran ultra-runners on some excellent trails? Gary Henry set a slow but steady pace. It was slower than I prefer, but that turned out to be a good thing since pace is one of my great weaknesses.
The time ticked by quickly, and the miles added up. In six hours, I logged 23 miles and my legs felt completely fine. At that pace I could’ve easily gone 30 before having fatigue set in. I definitely could’ve set a mileage PR — my best is 31 miles in 6:22 from the Winter Psycho 50K in February. The only negative was that my surgically repaired right big toe joint flared up pretty bad. Otherwise, everything felt good.
The next four Saturdays will include two five- to six-hour long runs, an eight-hour long run, and a four- to five-hour long run.
Then, it’ll be July. It’ll be time to taper. Race month will be here.
WEEKLY TOTALS:
39 miles running (second-biggest running week ever)
15 miles cycling
54 total miles
Chris Wristen 
Good job. Keep it up. Nice to see that kind of dedication.
Excellent Chris! Time on feet, that’s what matters most. Relentless forward progress. I’ve been thinking race strategy as well. It dawned on me that if I stop for 4 mins at each aid station (I think there are 4 on the course including the turn-around) it could add on another 1/2 hour to my time. I’m hoping to just “get in get out” at most of them. You’ve inspired me with your 8 hour long run goal. I’ve been ramping up the miles, but 6 hours is the longest so far. Might have to throw an 8 hour in myself!!