I know you are you thinking. What are these guys talking about? Fall? Yep we are talking about fall racing already and it is still 90 degrees out. Yeah but these races are only 4 months away or more. Why such the long planning ? The host lodge's book up fast, the course are grueling and well, it just takes a lot more effort. Chances are your pace on some of these hilly off-road courses is going to be 2 to 3 minutes per mile slower than a marathon. So you are a 4 hour marathoner on the road. That could be 5 to 5 1/2 off road. 50k? You may be looking at 6 plus hours of being out in the woods.
If this is on your agenda in the fall it is time to start getting in the miles, the core and cross training and also figure out your nutrition.
Here are 3 races for this fall. The Salt Fork 10 Mile Trail Challenge, The Bobcat Trail Marathon and the Big Foot 50k. What ever your distance is we have a race for you. Think you can skimp on these ? I learned first hand that may not be the best idea :)
Salt Fork 10 Mile Trail Challenge
Bobcat Trail Marathon | View Training Plan in Google Documents
Big Foot 50k | View Training Plan in Google Documents
All training plans coming July 15, 2011.