CoreFit by Megan

Killington weekend is here!!

This weekend is hands down, the BEST weekend of the Spartan calendar.

While I’m sadly not making the pilgrimage to Spartan Summer Camp in Vermont, I’m still overwhelmed with the pride of having conquered this mountain over my years of running the sprint, the beast, and finally last year, the elusive ULTRA!!

If you are taking on Killington this weekend, go crush it!! This mountain is not to be taken lightly.

You know the saying “slow and steady wins the race?” Well, that’s not the case here. Don’t go slow, but go steady!

To the Ultras particularly:
- Focus on your time cutoffs and check them off one by one. You can’t make it to the fire jump if you don’t make transition in time.
- Don’t stop moving, even in transition. Grab what you need to grab and get back on course. Leave transition with food in hand and eat on the move. One or two minutes might not be that big in the moment, but it can be the difference between a DNF and a buckle.
- Embraced the pain cave. It’s going to hurt. Let it fuel you. As long as your body is active and moving, you can make it (but also recognize that if fatigue turns into real pain, make the decision that your body needs. There will be other races.)
- Most importantly, though, HAVE FUN!! Take in the mountain, enjoy the views, and support your fellow racers. The death march is wayyyy less daunting when you’re distracting yourself with conversation.

They call Killington the Beast of the East for a reason. This is the home of Spartan. It’s the hardest course in America and it’s the most AUTHENTIC course in America. Relish in it.

Safe travels. Stock up on your maple syrup ahead of time. GO CRUSH IT!! 💪🏼💪🏼

I’m rooting for you, Spartans! 🫶🏼✨⛰️🏃🏻‍♀️

Annnnnd here we are… officially a month out from the Midstate Massive and kinda paranoid…

I’d be lying if I said that I’ve been committed to my training this year. I’m exhausted. The miles are long and grueling, and I MISS obstacles! Ultra running is slightly less fun when you’re not swinging across playgrounds mid-race.

But no excuses. I’m doing this!

I’m reaffirming my training and racing. I have 30 days to stay on track. My body can handle the volume, I just need to keep my head in the game.

From now until October 10, Im holding myself extra accountable. I’m going to optimize my nutrition, I’m going to be intentional in listening to my body, and I’m prioritizing all aspects of my final training.

As much as I say I’m fine with only 40 miles last weekend, a piece of me is disappointed. I’m not saying that I’ll hit 100 next month, but I’m determined to go into it as prepared as physically possible.

DNFs happen. It’s not about being a failure, but about using that fail to better yourself moving forward.

I’m focused.

✨ Ultra ✨

If you accomplish your goal of testing out gear strategies for your upcoming 100 miler, is hitting 40 miles at your 50 miler really a DNF??

Yes.

I’m not looking at this as a fail, though. I went into it with some big question marks about my race plan for the Midstate Massive so I put it to the test.

1. Stop trying to make the Superiors an Ultra shoe!! You can only get 15 miles max out of them and they cannot be stretched to 20. Stick to your King MTs. You know that you can run up to 30 comfortably in those. Those are the shoes you sprain your ankle in cuz they’re your FAVORITE shoe!

2. Kodiak French Toast is not the breakfast just cuz you want maple syrup. Don’t be lazy. Make your own French toast. Your body likes it better.

3. Force food down your throat! You cannot survive on a few pieces of fruit. If you don’t have a taste for candy, cookies, and gross sugars, have a salty and savory alternative EARLY!

4. It’s time to live on allergy medicine again. Don’t think they won’t hit you race week or race day just cuz they haven’t impacted you all month. Managing sinus medicine during an ultra is not the move.

So that’s the report.

I did what I came to do. I fell into a struggle of needing new shoes and needing nasal decongestants before mile 20. Couldn’t force myself to eat most of the day. My head was just in a severe fog and although I managed to move great for the first 50k or so, the wheels fell off on my 4th lap and I just barely missed cutoff to get out for 5. But tbh, I wasn’t going to go. Going out to get 50 just to hit 50 would have put my body in a worse place heading into my final build. Live and learn.

Now it’s time to refine my 100 miler plan and grind!

5 weeks out.

She wanted so much more for her life. She had asked for help; she was getting treatment. It wasn’t supposed to be her time.

She had a bad night. She made a mistake. She was sold a lie. She didn’t know what she was taking. It was not supposed to be a death sentence.

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. Today, we remember not just the names of those we lost, but the lives that were abruptly cut short.

After 12 years of avoiding the reality of Kristi’s death, I walked into The Phoenix in 2022 and truly started coming to terms with her passing. I am sober today because of Kristi, for Kristi.

When Kristi passed, the cops ruled her death a su***de and wrote it off as just another overdose. She wasn’t just another overdose. Her name was Kristi Ann Magnant, and she was so much more than the disease that plagued her.

Kristi was my best friend. She was the sister I never had (and I have three…). She was a daughter and the BEST new mom. She had an exceptional ear for music and she was a true talent. Kristi was fiercely loyal and protective. If you were one of her people, she would fight for you to the end. She had the biggest heart. She was the best person I’ve ever known.

Today, especially, we remember the people behind the epidemic. They are not just names on a poster board or statistics in a headline. They are our family, our friends, our colleagues, and our neighbors.

Their memories live on in us.

💜 Sisters Always, Friends Forever 💜🕯️🕊️