You Can Catch The Running Bug

Check out how an NFE Teammate, who never ran before, turned her trail runs into an ultramarathon. NF Endurance. It’s in You. It’s Possible.

by: Emily Brown

Kabri Schmid used to have a set image of who a runner could be: tall, lean, lanky, natural. Kabri was not congruent with her image of a runner. She could think of other things to do for fun then train for 31.07 miles for a race .

However, when she moved across the country from Washington D.C. to the South Bay Area in California, she inherited a desk job. She needed movement. She thought about biking. Too expensive. She pondered swimming. She would need a pool. She started tinkering with the idea of running — it just required shoes. She pondered about how she could possibly enjoy pounding the pavement. Her answer, however, was all around her in the countless trails of Bay area parks and preserves. She decided to convert her weekend hikes into trail runs.

Her first training run consisted of two-kick-your-butt miles. She did not give up and instead focused on the goal of a half marathon. After working 10-12 hours each day, she had little energy to fit in a run. She started training in the morning, before work; no excuses for being tired after work. Squeezing in mileage before the workday required getting up anywhere between 4:00 – 5:00 a.m., and required an early-to-bed routine.

To assist in her training, Kabri started a spreadsheet to chart her mileage and progress. She maintained a few basic rules: at least three weekly runs, one long weekend run, and cross train to supplement running on sluggish days.

It’s true, she says,  that you can catch the ‘running bug.’ Kabri, who had never run more than six consecutive miles in her life, crossed the finish line of her first half marathon in San Jose. “I was the happiest person alive,” said Kabri. In the next two months she ran another road half marathon and her first trail 10K. That’s when the crazy idea popped in her head. “I thought, how amazing it would be to be in good enough shape to finish one of those long trail runs — an ultramarathon!”

She started training, giving herself six months to prepare for a 50K. To track and schedule her progress, she utilized the same training calendar spreadsheet. Mixing her routine up helped prevent energy and training lag. For example, she would work in stair climbing or high resistance elliptical work during her lunch hour, or she would sneak in ab work in front of the TV at home.

The biggest change in her training unfurled in her weekend runs. “Ultrarunning is not generally about running fast, it’s about finishing the distance and hills with a happy, uninjured body.” Changing her expectations and mind frame helps propel her on runs that require huge chunks of time from her day. “Patience and general happiness with what you are doing are the keys to your success. Maybe that’s why so many ultra runners are in their 30s, 40s and 50s.”

Kabri completed her first 50K trail race on April 17, 2010. She is back for more, and this summer she will run with NF Endurance in the Tahoe Rim Trail Run 50K on July 17, 2010.

Here are some of Kabri’s ultra running tips.
1. Set a long term goal.
2. Plan ahead.
3. Enjoy the journey.
4. Push yourself.
5. Be mindful.
6. Share joy.
7. Fuel your body.