Sandra Vi going for record across America

Dave Krupski wrote:

Marcus,

We are basically following the blueprint laid out by Pete on his record-breaking run last year (i.e., longest run in the morning (30-35 for her), 60 or so minutes off for lunch, and then a shorter run in the afternoon (20-25). The goal is 10+ hours a night off her feet and a full night's sleep every night.

Of the hundreds of runners I've coached over the past 3 years, Sandy is at the very top as far as mental toughness, proper attitude, and the ability to just run consistent miles without really slowing down. It will be very interesting to watch this all unfold over the next month+ . . .

Sandra is doing pretty well so far. 439.4 miles in 8 days = 54.9 miles per day

The first 3 weeks are the toughest to adapt to this daily grind.

Dave Krupski wrote:

Marcus,

We are basically following the blueprint laid out by Pete on his record-breaking run last year (i.e., longest run in the morning (30-35 for her), 60 or so minutes off for lunch, and then a shorter run in the afternoon (20-25). The goal is 10+ hours a night off her feet and a full night's sleep every night.

Of the hundreds of runners I've coached over the past 3 years, Sandy is at the very top as far as mental toughness, proper attitude, and the ability to just run consistent miles without really slowing down. It will be very interesting to watch this all unfold over the next month+ . . .

Thanks for chiming in. 33 in the morning and 22 in the evening.

Did you do much bloodwork before getting started? Any bloodwork during the event? It would be very interesting indeed to see what's going on inside.

What does she eat and drink?

Yes, we want to read all the info you're willing to provide!

Was there not somebody that got some fanfare for doing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days? Yet aren't both of these ladies running over two marathons a day? Who else here does not think this is amazing?!

Markus, believe me, she wanted to start MUCH faster than 55 miles a day. But from everyone I know who's done these things (Pete, Marshall, Dean K, etc), they all say the same thing . . . the body gets STRONGER as the run goes along, not the other way around. (In other words, she will be able to handle 60+ miles a day much easier after 3-4 weeks of running than while she's still adjusting in the first few weeks.

The key -- I think -- is making sure she gets enough time off her feet every night (at least 9-10 hours).

No, we have not and are not doing any bloodwork on Sandy during the transcon.

As far as calories, she's eating 5000-7000 calories a day right now, but I'm sure that will increase throughout the run. She has a few high-calorie protein shakes a day, in addition to full/big meals (breakfast, lunch (break #1), and dinner (end of day). That is all real, calorie-dense foods. She also eats/drinks the traditional "ultra" fare while she's running (gatorade, coconut water, gels, bars, etc etc).

There are a few good podcasts on

www.sandyacrossamerica

on the subject, as well as a FB live video by Badwater RD Chris Kostman, where he gives a tour of Sandy's RV and support vehicle, and they discuss nutrition, calories, etc...

Dave Krupski wrote:

Markus, believe me, she wanted to start MUCH faster than 55 miles a day. But from everyone I know who's done these things (Pete, Marshall, Dean K, etc), they all say the same thing . . . the body gets STRONGER as the run goes along, not the other way around. (In other words, she will be able to handle 60+ miles a day much easier after 3-4 weeks of running than while she's still adjusting in the first few weeks.

The key -- I think -- is making sure she gets enough time off her feet every night (at least 9-10 hours).

Yes and no.

If you survive the first 3 weeks you get used to the grind and feel better, stronger if you will. That does not mean you can handle more miles per day.

At the end you have to keep a balance between pace, miles and rest. If you run to fast you injure yourself, if you run to far you don't recover. You have to find that sweet spot. And that is not exact science.

55 miles is a lot a day. If Sandra could keep that going it would be great. Some more is probably very dangerous. The biggest danger I see is that Sandra and her team compares herself with Mimi Anderson. I would not go there, she runs in a different league.

Just my 2 cents.

I tell all the runners I coach that changing your pace in a race to match another runner's pace is a sure-fire recipe for disaster. In a 100-mile race, you can only run your pace for the first 80-85 miles; if you find yourself in an actual "race" at that point, then you can start using tactics, etc. That sentiment gets multiplied exponentially in a transcon.

Pete is part of our team as an advisor, and his crew chief from last year (Cinder) is Sandy's crew chief as well. Sandy's in good hands here.

For a transcon, Sandy is doing her own thing; she's unconcerned with how many miles Mimi is running each day (she doesn't even know, and hasn't asked). But as far as "being in a different league," we can agree to disagree on that assertion. Most of you have NO idea what Sandy is capable of (but you will in the coming weeks)!

Of course my judgement is only based on the results I have seen.

Mimi Anderson has done a couple of long multiday run.

Sandy just one over a week.

So far she is doing great but this run is still in the beginning. So many miles to go.

Markus wrote:

Of course my judgement is only based on the results I have seen.

Mimi Anderson has done a couple of long multiday run.

Sandy just one over a week.

So far she is doing great but this run is still in the beginning. So many miles to go.

Ten days in is hardly the beginning. Sandy is holding steady at her target of 55 miles per day. Mimi seems set on running 100k per day --she's a Brit. Both are holding up extremely well. In my opinion, your judgement has no value because you are judging people without ever having meet them, nor trained with them. Mentality is much more important than physicality in endurance events; this has been proven over, and over, again.

10 days in wrote:

Mentality is much more important than physicality in endurance events; this has been proven over, and over, again.

Ummm, no. Mimi and Sandra aren't doing calculus in university here. It's a run.

Professor Armstrong wrote:

10 days in wrote:

Mentality is much more important than physicality in endurance events; this has been proven over, and over, again.

Ummm, no. Mimi and Sandra aren't doing calculus in university here. It's a run.

Always fun to see the letsrun crowd going wild. No clue, but we all can have an opinion. LOL

Professor Armstrong wrote:

10 days in wrote:

Mentality is much more important than physicality in endurance events; this has been proven over, and over, again.

Ummm, no. Mimi and Sandra aren't doing calculus in university here. It's a run.

Wow, who knew that the concept of mental toughness requires a university calculus course.

The closest thing I've done to what these gals are doing is a short stint of training at 100 miles per week. But that is just a taste when compared to covering more than 370 miles/week for several weeks in a row.

We should keep this amazing event on the front page of the forum threads, yes?

Dean Lance wrote:

Professor Armstrong wrote:

Ummm, no. Mimi and Sandra aren't doing calculus in university here. It's a run.

Wow, who knew that the concept of mental toughness requires a university calculus course.

Mental toughness is a different thing to different people.

It always helps to understand average daily mileage, if you have some math knowledge. And don't forget the running part. It's all about the running.

it is amazing, no? wrote:

The closest thing I've done to what these gals are doing is a short stint of training at 100 miles per week. But that is just a taste when compared to covering more than 370 miles/week for several weeks in a row.

We should keep this amazing event on the front page of the forum threads, yes?

You would think so. But sadly, Pete K's record effort only had a few real followers--some 600 posts as compared to tens of thousands on the Rossi thread, and thousands on the Robert Young thread. Even in the Pete K thread a lot of the posts were trashing the prior record holder as being incapable if having set such a record because he didn't look right for the task. And this thread the same goes on, Sandy doesn't look right, but Mimi might be okay. So, rather than continuing to claim one of the two ladies "will fail" let her run and see how it goes.

PS. Marcus is Marcus Muller. He has done some super long ultras--across Australia--but failed to complete an across the USA run--managed to make it about 95% of the way but stopped (health reasons).

Dean Lance wrote:

Professor Armstrong wrote:

Ummm, no. Mimi and Sandra aren't doing calculus in university here. It's a run.

Wow, who knew that the concept of mental toughness requires a university calculus course.

A big rock can be pulverized by repeatedly freezing and thawing with water.

No amazing wrote:

PS. Marcus is Marcus Muller. He has done some super long ultras--across Australia--but failed to complete an across the USA run--managed to make it about 95% of the way but stopped (health reasons).

Thanks for the info; his informed viewpoints from personal experience contribute to the thread greatly.

What happened to Tracie Phan Sports Marketing?

It seems Sandy does well without a "produced" $90,000 run.