Training for the Mohican Trail 100-Mile Run

My wife, Shelia Allen is in training to run the Mohican Trail 100-mile race June 16-17 near Loudonville, Ohio. Yes, I said 100 miles. On foot. With a 32-hour time limit. The terrain is hilly, with treacherous footing chock full of roots and rocks. I am planning to pace her through the last 40 miles. How does one get ready to cover 100 miles on foot in a little over a day?

By spending a lot of time on the trails. Luckily, we have some great, hilly trails nearby to train on. Living in Davison, we can get to the Hogbacks trails in a little over an hour on foot. www.geneseecountyparks.org

We also spend a lot of time on the roads and trails in the Metamora/Hadley Recreation area. www.michigan.gov/ortonville

Our good friend, Jeff Lewis from Otisville is also training for the Mohican 100. It's always good to know you're not the only crazy one to attempt what most think is impossible.

The trick to covering 100 miles on foot is to be more like the tortoise and less like the hare from the old fable. Being able to keep moving at a steady pace for a really long time is the key to success. Training for something like that is simple. You have to log enough miles to be fit, but not so many that you become injured. Finding the proper balance comes through trial and error.

Most weekends, they spend several hours each day on the trail. Sometimes, the training is at night. During the race, they will be required to keep going once the sun goes down. Navigating a trail by headlamp when you are exhausted takes some practice.

Both of these athletes made it through 60 miles at Mohican last year before the trail got the best of them. Jeff has since completed a 100 miler in Pinckney, Michigan. My wife has paced me through the last 40 miles of the Western States 100 and through the tough parts of two other 100's. This year, I believe that both will earn the coveted belt buckle for finishing.

It won't be easy. http://www.mohican100.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70&Itemid=96

I can't wait to see them succeed.