Earlier this year, I received an exciting email: I had been selected to run the Kai 70k after my name was drawn in the race lottery. Eagerly accepting my slot, I clicked the final buttons to confirm my entry. Japan was on the cards!!
The Kai 70k takes place in April each year as part of the Mount Fuji 100 weekend. It is a race I had always hoped to do one day, and thanks to my finish at the Cocodona 250, I was eligible for the lottery.
The 70-kilometer race takes runners on a loop with steep, technical climbs. The highest point of the race is 1,597m/ 5239ft, and the total elevation gain is close to 9,000ft.
To prepare for this race, I’ve been working with my coach, Damian Hall, and going on long runs that include rocky, hilly trails. Luckily, with the Santa Catalina mountains on our doorstep, it’s not too difficult to access suitable trails, but finding the time is always a balancing game, as everyone at LRC knows!
Several key differences to my preparations for an ultra-trail race this year include:
- Uphill treadmill walks/ slow jogs building up to 12% gradient wearing a 12lb weight vest (on average 1x per week, for about 30mins, usually on tired legs).
- 5g creatine every day.
- Extra protein thanks to Bob’s Red Mill protein oats, Greek yogurt, GU protein recovery drink mix, and nuts.
- Calcium-Magnesium Citrate every evening before bed.
- Trail shoes with a little more ‘spring’, thanks to La Sportiva and the Prodigio Pro.
- Extra carbs for long runs to fuel the miles – going for a minimum of 60g C per hour, and up to 90g C per hour thanks to the Precision Fuel & Hydration 90g C packs.
In addition to traveling to Japan to fulfill a long-held running dream, I’ve been fundraising for Rising Hearts (which I also did in 2024 for Cocodona). I’ve supported Rising Hearts since the Boston marathon in 2019. Jordan, the founder of Rising Hearts, ran in Boston that year to raise awareness about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. At that point, I didn’t know much about MMIP issues, but Jordan’s selfless dedication moved me. Soon after, I applied to join a Running with Purpose group organized by Jordan, and I have since become an advocate for Rising Hearts’ mission, and host group runs a few times each year.
There is still time to contribute to my fundraiser! Everyone who donates will receive:
- A handwritten postcard from Japan.
- A km of the Kai 70k that you can dedicate to a person, plant, or animal of your choice.
- And an entry to a giveaway for 1 of 3 prize packages.
Here’s how it works:
- Donate to the fundraising link here.
- Reach out to me with your dedication (email longruncollective@gmail.com), and which km/kms you’d like to choose (1km for every $10).
- And I’ll add your name to the prize draw.
What are the prizes?
- Rising Hearts merch and a handmade-by-me ceramic token.
- 1x RunDNA running form analysis from @fyzicaltucson (Tucson residents/ visitors only).
- Precision Fuel & Hydration goodies.
With only three weeks to go until Japan, I’m in the peak of training and looking forward to tapering before the travels begin. Check back here in May for a race recap and follow @longruncollective on Instagram for a few scenes from the Kai 70k race itself.
Thanks for reading, and happy trails,
Susie.