Thursday, December 17, 2009
My Daniels
Last night we had a music rehearsal for a Christmas Eve service. My 3 children played in a back room with 2 older children. All 5 of these kids are well behaved and as trustworthy as 5-11 year olds are. Meaning leaving the ll year old in charge might have questionable results. What happened last night: My 6 year old stuck his head in a toilet and then loaded his hair with hand soap and tried to wash his head in the sink. Apparently he takes after his Dad and can't pass up a dare...Lord help us!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Guys are funny!
Since I injured my heel awhile back, I've been swimming instead of doing easy runs. I love swimming. Not as much as I love running, but it feels great to swim a couple of miles. My swimming routine is pretty easy. Just 65-70 non-stop freestyle laps at a comfy pace that still gets my heart rate up. Nothing hard, as it is an easy day and I've never been a competitive swimmer. BUT being I am a fit person, I am usually the fastest swimmer in the pool. I don't care about this. I am just there to get in a nice, enjoyable cardiovascular workout. Today there was a young guy in the lane next to me. When I got there, I noticed him swimming underwater laps. I didn't pay much attention. Just thought, "Oh how fun. I love swimming under water like that. Looking up through the water is so pretty..." and continued swimming. Around lap 20, I saw that this guy had switched to a freestyle swim and was swimming about half a body link behind me. After a couple laps, he was gone. Then at lap 26 he began swimming even with me. While I am use to guys racing me in the pool (on the treadmill, around the lake...) from time to time, I had never had one join me stroke for stroke. Being slightly intrigued (and competitive by nature) I sped up a bit. So did he. I sped up more. So did he. I gave it all I got and lost him on the wall flip. When I finished the next lap, I saw he was stopped on the pool edge. I was feeling a bit (just barely) guilty for having lost him like I had, so I stopped, pulled up my goggles, and asked, "You want to race?" Laughing and out of breath he said, "No. I was just trying to keep up."
"Are you sure?", I continued. "I like racing." The very fit young (20 something) man seemed to be thinking about it. "How long have you been swimming?" he asked.
"Well, I just swim for fun. Never competitively. So I guess all my life. Really I'm a runner. This is for cross-training. I'll swim around 70laps easy. But I'll race if you want."
"No," he assured me.
I put my goggles back on and continued swimming, doing my best to keep it comfortable. At the completion of lap 40, I saw the guy waving and bouncing around at me under water. When I stopped he said, "I want to race."
"Ok," I said. "One lap? There and back."
"Yah, now that I'm tiered, I want to race." He said with a laugh.
"Well, I'm sorta tired too." I told him. "I'm over half way done."
We both said Ready, set, go! And we were off. He was ahead right away. When I saw that, I just hoped he held on...I didn't want him to die at halfway. That would be embarrassing. But no fear! He held on and beat me by a good arms length. After the race, I congratulated him. He kept insisting that I had let him win. But I hadn't. I had given it my best. I normally just swim for a long time, I told him. I also offered to race him again anytime.
I am super glad this young guy took me up on the racing offer. It was fun. He now has bragging rights (being there where a few male witnesses to our race. Not sure where they came from, as none of those guys were in the pool area to swim...), and it gave me some insight into why guys will glance at the speed on my treadmill and feel the need to match it. They just want to keep up. :)
"Are you sure?", I continued. "I like racing." The very fit young (20 something) man seemed to be thinking about it. "How long have you been swimming?" he asked.
"Well, I just swim for fun. Never competitively. So I guess all my life. Really I'm a runner. This is for cross-training. I'll swim around 70laps easy. But I'll race if you want."
"No," he assured me.
I put my goggles back on and continued swimming, doing my best to keep it comfortable. At the completion of lap 40, I saw the guy waving and bouncing around at me under water. When I stopped he said, "I want to race."
"Ok," I said. "One lap? There and back."
"Yah, now that I'm tiered, I want to race." He said with a laugh.
"Well, I'm sorta tired too." I told him. "I'm over half way done."
We both said Ready, set, go! And we were off. He was ahead right away. When I saw that, I just hoped he held on...I didn't want him to die at halfway. That would be embarrassing. But no fear! He held on and beat me by a good arms length. After the race, I congratulated him. He kept insisting that I had let him win. But I hadn't. I had given it my best. I normally just swim for a long time, I told him. I also offered to race him again anytime.
I am super glad this young guy took me up on the racing offer. It was fun. He now has bragging rights (being there where a few male witnesses to our race. Not sure where they came from, as none of those guys were in the pool area to swim...), and it gave me some insight into why guys will glance at the speed on my treadmill and feel the need to match it. They just want to keep up. :)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
I had an appointment yesterday afternoon with a sports doctor. My official diagnosis is retrocalcaneal bursitis- meaning the bursa sac around the tendon that connects that tendon to the calcaneal (heel) bone is inflamed. This was indeed caused by the New Balance 100s squeezing the life out of my calcaneal. HOWEVER, I would never go so far as to say my experience will be another runner's experience. Every body is different. That is way there are so many different shoes available (Though I have yet to find a trail shoe I would call ideal for me).
I would like to invite anyone who happens to read this blog and has had a good experience with the NB 100s to leave a comment telling about why you like them. I have, in the past enjoyed NB running shoes. And if NB makes another shoe in the future that looks like it might work for me, I won't be hesitant to try it. But I will never ever ever run more then 8 miles at one time in a new shoe...duh to this "experienced" runner. Somethings you just gotta learn the hard way.
I would like to invite anyone who happens to read this blog and has had a good experience with the NB 100s to leave a comment telling about why you like them. I have, in the past enjoyed NB running shoes. And if NB makes another shoe in the future that looks like it might work for me, I won't be hesitant to try it. But I will never ever ever run more then 8 miles at one time in a new shoe...duh to this "experienced" runner. Somethings you just gotta learn the hard way.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Cactus Rose 2009
Once again waiting at the airport. Another booked flight that I am hoping to get on. I want to see my husband and little treasures!!
This trip has been great. I had a great time at Cactus Rose and loved getting to spend a lot of time with my parents and little sister. Even the weather was quite lovely this weekend.
Unfortunately, Cactus Rose didn't go too well for me. About one month ago, in my quest to find the perfect true trail shoe for Cactus Rose, I made a mistake. I order the New Balance 100's- a great looking, minimal and yet hard core trail shoe. Straight out of the box the shoes felt great. So I decided to wear them for the first time the next day on my long run. I was planing to run 50 or so miles on trails that had sections similar to the Cactus Rose course. After running out for about 10.5 miles, my Achilles was feeling tender. I stopped and tried to double over the cuff of my socks to relive some of the pressure on my heel. I also decided to head back to my car and change shoes. At the time I thought it was just a friction thing. I didn't want bad blisters on my heels. But by the time I ran another hilly (climbs) 6 miles, I knew it was more then just a blister issue. My Achilles was seriously hurting. Running dilemma: do I bag the run "just in case", or do I change shoes and run on. Mentally, I HAD to run on. I had cut too many long runs short in the last few weeks to cut this one down to 22 miles. So I changed shoes and decided to run at least 35 miles- hopefully 40 or even more if I was doing OK. I ended up running 40 miles, which my left heel didn't like but my right heel was fine with. Two days later, Tempo Run day, my Achilles was still hurting and tight. I decided to skip my run in favor of resting my heels (I like the word heel better the the word Achilles). I also stopped running hills at this point because I could feel my Achilles acting up after running hills. And I only work my T5's because they were the only running shoe that left my heel pain free and feeling great. I knew that I needed to have this Achilles in top form to race on the Cactus Rose course- this course is TOUGH stuff. Not a typical trail by any means. I also knew I was walking a line by training this way. If I stopped running, I would feel like crap racing a 100 miler. If I kept training my heel might not heal 100% by race morning. For me, the choice was easy. As long as I could run pain free and feel great after running, I was going to run. The catch was that any time I pushed on my left Achilles, it hurt a little. Not bad, mind you, but I knew it wasn't 100%. Also, even walking around in my trail shoes irritated it. Still, I knew I had to play it safe in staying off the hills and in the T5's while still taking a chance and training on....
When race morning came I felt ready to run, but I knew my heel was still iffy. I started off as planed at a comfortable pace that didn't feel overly slow. I finished the first 25 miles in about 4:35. My pre-race plan was to start comfy for loop 1 (25 mile loops), run the hills for loop 2, push the flats for loop 3, and give it what ever I had left for loop 4. I started loop 2 feeling pretty good- my left hamstring was tight, but I was hoping it was more of a loosening up issue then pain. When I started into the first set of hills on loop 2, my ham got tighter. Grrr...but I wasn't ready to give in yet. I changed my plan. Keep the ups easy and run the "flats". No problem, b/c it felt great to stretch my legs on the occasional non-hills. The problem came when I began getting nausea on the up hills. At first I thought it was something I ate. But after a few hills I realized I was only nauseous when my heel was hurting...not good. I began taking a close physical inventory of my body. By mile 35 I realized my left leg was getting worse in a bad way. By mile 40 I knew I wasn't going to finish 100. I struggled with what to do. Should drop at the 50 or run until the limp I was developing became pronounced? I didn't want to quit! I don't want to give anyone the idea that I back out when the going gets tough...I love racing because it is tough! I love pushing into my physical limits and doing more then my brain or body wants me to. But I also want to take care of my body. Push it hard, yes. Damage it badly, no. And Achilles tendons aren't good to mess with. If I am injured then running on would be stupid, and I am injured...but I could probably make 60 miles before I HAD to drop out.
By the time I reached mile 45, I had settled on dropping at the 50. I was 100% positive I was out of the 100. And if I stopped at 50, I would take 1st place in the 50mile race for my team. In all honesty, I felt a little guilt winning the 50 miler. I know logical I won it. I was the first female to finish the 50 mile race. But I hadn't raced it...I was planing on racing the 100 and things just went bad. But I still finished first...Oh the internal battles I was having.
All told I had a great time. Joe (the race directer and my coach) is awesome. He puts on great races and this one is up on the top of the list of his races. A hard course that is totally honest and full of fun people to run with. And there were plenty of unofficial volunteers helping out the runners at the aid stations, too. Seeing so many runners in costume was a blast! I got to spend lots of time with my parents and sister. And I am hoping I had a great 50 miles training run for Bandera 100k in January.
Now I am home. I made it on the flights I needed to to get back last night. Time to do laundry, clean floors, and find a good sports doctor to visit so I can start training again!!
This trip has been great. I had a great time at Cactus Rose and loved getting to spend a lot of time with my parents and little sister. Even the weather was quite lovely this weekend.
Unfortunately, Cactus Rose didn't go too well for me. About one month ago, in my quest to find the perfect true trail shoe for Cactus Rose, I made a mistake. I order the New Balance 100's- a great looking, minimal and yet hard core trail shoe. Straight out of the box the shoes felt great. So I decided to wear them for the first time the next day on my long run. I was planing to run 50 or so miles on trails that had sections similar to the Cactus Rose course. After running out for about 10.5 miles, my Achilles was feeling tender. I stopped and tried to double over the cuff of my socks to relive some of the pressure on my heel. I also decided to head back to my car and change shoes. At the time I thought it was just a friction thing. I didn't want bad blisters on my heels. But by the time I ran another hilly (climbs) 6 miles, I knew it was more then just a blister issue. My Achilles was seriously hurting. Running dilemma: do I bag the run "just in case", or do I change shoes and run on. Mentally, I HAD to run on. I had cut too many long runs short in the last few weeks to cut this one down to 22 miles. So I changed shoes and decided to run at least 35 miles- hopefully 40 or even more if I was doing OK. I ended up running 40 miles, which my left heel didn't like but my right heel was fine with. Two days later, Tempo Run day, my Achilles was still hurting and tight. I decided to skip my run in favor of resting my heels (I like the word heel better the the word Achilles). I also stopped running hills at this point because I could feel my Achilles acting up after running hills. And I only work my T5's because they were the only running shoe that left my heel pain free and feeling great. I knew that I needed to have this Achilles in top form to race on the Cactus Rose course- this course is TOUGH stuff. Not a typical trail by any means. I also knew I was walking a line by training this way. If I stopped running, I would feel like crap racing a 100 miler. If I kept training my heel might not heal 100% by race morning. For me, the choice was easy. As long as I could run pain free and feel great after running, I was going to run. The catch was that any time I pushed on my left Achilles, it hurt a little. Not bad, mind you, but I knew it wasn't 100%. Also, even walking around in my trail shoes irritated it. Still, I knew I had to play it safe in staying off the hills and in the T5's while still taking a chance and training on....
When race morning came I felt ready to run, but I knew my heel was still iffy. I started off as planed at a comfortable pace that didn't feel overly slow. I finished the first 25 miles in about 4:35. My pre-race plan was to start comfy for loop 1 (25 mile loops), run the hills for loop 2, push the flats for loop 3, and give it what ever I had left for loop 4. I started loop 2 feeling pretty good- my left hamstring was tight, but I was hoping it was more of a loosening up issue then pain. When I started into the first set of hills on loop 2, my ham got tighter. Grrr...but I wasn't ready to give in yet. I changed my plan. Keep the ups easy and run the "flats". No problem, b/c it felt great to stretch my legs on the occasional non-hills. The problem came when I began getting nausea on the up hills. At first I thought it was something I ate. But after a few hills I realized I was only nauseous when my heel was hurting...not good. I began taking a close physical inventory of my body. By mile 35 I realized my left leg was getting worse in a bad way. By mile 40 I knew I wasn't going to finish 100. I struggled with what to do. Should drop at the 50 or run until the limp I was developing became pronounced? I didn't want to quit! I don't want to give anyone the idea that I back out when the going gets tough...I love racing because it is tough! I love pushing into my physical limits and doing more then my brain or body wants me to. But I also want to take care of my body. Push it hard, yes. Damage it badly, no. And Achilles tendons aren't good to mess with. If I am injured then running on would be stupid, and I am injured...but I could probably make 60 miles before I HAD to drop out.
By the time I reached mile 45, I had settled on dropping at the 50. I was 100% positive I was out of the 100. And if I stopped at 50, I would take 1st place in the 50mile race for my team. In all honesty, I felt a little guilt winning the 50 miler. I know logical I won it. I was the first female to finish the 50 mile race. But I hadn't raced it...I was planing on racing the 100 and things just went bad. But I still finished first...Oh the internal battles I was having.
All told I had a great time. Joe (the race directer and my coach) is awesome. He puts on great races and this one is up on the top of the list of his races. A hard course that is totally honest and full of fun people to run with. And there were plenty of unofficial volunteers helping out the runners at the aid stations, too. Seeing so many runners in costume was a blast! I got to spend lots of time with my parents and sister. And I am hoping I had a great 50 miles training run for Bandera 100k in January.
Now I am home. I made it on the flights I needed to to get back last night. Time to do laundry, clean floors, and find a good sports doctor to visit so I can start training again!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Will I make it??
What a day. The kids had a snow day today, October 29th. All schools in the district closed and about 2 feet of snow on the ground at home. Craziness, but fun. I was super excited to have them home with me b/c I am supposed to fly out to San Antonio today. I have 100 mile race in Bandera on Halloween that I am extra excited about. It will be hard, but I am feeling ready for this. That has only happened for me at 1 other ultra- Hells Hills in June.
I finished packing my drop-bags today. All four of them. And I packed what I'd need for tonight and tomorrow after, 'cause the not running part isn't too important. All I am missing are a few UD bottles (couldn't pick up because the store closed w/ all the snow) and boiled eggs which I will take care of in SA.
At about 1:30 this afternoon I picked up my giant suitcases, pried the snow sealed trunk up with my frozen hands, and load the kidos into the car. (One thing you should know: We live in a cul-de-sac and snowplows don't go down our street.) We were parked in the drive way b/c I couldn't get the car back into the garage after taking Dan to work this morning- too steep of a snow covered incline. I started the car, backed up, and could go no farther. So I tried turning forward. No luck.
Out of the car and into the garage for snow shovels we went. I instructed the kids to dig around the tires. When they struck ice, I broke it up and moved the ice over. Back in the car. Too bad for me, we didn't get much farther. The Taurus just isn't meant for this!! Time for dig out the car round two. Ugh to getting the same results!
This time, when we were out digging, Everett went and rang a neighbors door. Our neighbor Roger came out to help, thank you GOD and Roger!!!! Before much longer, we were on our way, driving a blazing 15miles an hour through the snowy hood. Once we hit the real streets, driving was much easier because of the snowplows.
All told, I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check in for my delayed flight. Only I'm on stand by and the flight is full!!! Currently waiting.....please, someone stay in Denver! :)
I finished packing my drop-bags today. All four of them. And I packed what I'd need for tonight and tomorrow after, 'cause the not running part isn't too important. All I am missing are a few UD bottles (couldn't pick up because the store closed w/ all the snow) and boiled eggs which I will take care of in SA.
At about 1:30 this afternoon I picked up my giant suitcases, pried the snow sealed trunk up with my frozen hands, and load the kidos into the car. (One thing you should know: We live in a cul-de-sac and snowplows don't go down our street.) We were parked in the drive way b/c I couldn't get the car back into the garage after taking Dan to work this morning- too steep of a snow covered incline. I started the car, backed up, and could go no farther. So I tried turning forward. No luck.
Out of the car and into the garage for snow shovels we went. I instructed the kids to dig around the tires. When they struck ice, I broke it up and moved the ice over. Back in the car. Too bad for me, we didn't get much farther. The Taurus just isn't meant for this!! Time for dig out the car round two. Ugh to getting the same results!
This time, when we were out digging, Everett went and rang a neighbors door. Our neighbor Roger came out to help, thank you GOD and Roger!!!! Before much longer, we were on our way, driving a blazing 15miles an hour through the snowy hood. Once we hit the real streets, driving was much easier because of the snowplows.
All told, I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check in for my delayed flight. Only I'm on stand by and the flight is full!!! Currently waiting.....please, someone stay in Denver! :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'm not tiered...I should be in bed, but no point yet. So why not blog??
Today was an OK day. Went for a nice easy 16mile run after dropping the kidos of at school, having a little nap and an early lunch. I am so in need of a massage right now. (But NO MONEY. What can I say? Moving up here drained our bank account below zero. Sooo worth it.) Being I live on a big hill surrounded by more giant hills, the only why to get in an "easy" run is to force myself to slow down or hop in a treadmill. I opted (as usual) to go slow. Not fun, but with the mountains to look at it was still quite a nice 16 miles. Only my legs are trashed!!! All the hills (mountains, actually!) I've been running have me in need of getting my legs torched by a sports therapist. I'm always a bit envious of the guys who can afford to get massages regularly, buy new running shes every 400miles, run in only non-stinky and hole free running gear, travel the world to races, drive nice cars, have an i-phone or Blackberry...but then I remind myself of why those things aren't in my life......I have 3 beautiful children who I know personally. I get to make homemade meals and bake cookies from scratch. When my house is "messy", I can still have it cleaned top to bottom in less then 3 hours. I get to run 90miles a week and still spend hours with my husband, who makes enough money to support this family of five at his 80 hours every 2 weeks, over-time free, job. Sure I drive a 2004 Torus with 3 torn up booster seats across the backseat. And ya, half my running socks have holes in them. And I promise you, you don't want sit next to me after a run. But all told, I'd pick the life I have. Who needs an i-phone when they have a man who cleans toilets and does dishes at 4 in the morning? No. I think I don't want that massage as bad as I thought I did. I'd rather have the life I have.
Today was an OK day. Went for a nice easy 16mile run after dropping the kidos of at school, having a little nap and an early lunch. I am so in need of a massage right now. (But NO MONEY. What can I say? Moving up here drained our bank account below zero. Sooo worth it.) Being I live on a big hill surrounded by more giant hills, the only why to get in an "easy" run is to force myself to slow down or hop in a treadmill. I opted (as usual) to go slow. Not fun, but with the mountains to look at it was still quite a nice 16 miles. Only my legs are trashed!!! All the hills (mountains, actually!) I've been running have me in need of getting my legs torched by a sports therapist. I'm always a bit envious of the guys who can afford to get massages regularly, buy new running shes every 400miles, run in only non-stinky and hole free running gear, travel the world to races, drive nice cars, have an i-phone or Blackberry...but then I remind myself of why those things aren't in my life......I have 3 beautiful children who I know personally. I get to make homemade meals and bake cookies from scratch. When my house is "messy", I can still have it cleaned top to bottom in less then 3 hours. I get to run 90miles a week and still spend hours with my husband, who makes enough money to support this family of five at his 80 hours every 2 weeks, over-time free, job. Sure I drive a 2004 Torus with 3 torn up booster seats across the backseat. And ya, half my running socks have holes in them. And I promise you, you don't want sit next to me after a run. But all told, I'd pick the life I have. Who needs an i-phone when they have a man who cleans toilets and does dishes at 4 in the morning? No. I think I don't want that massage as bad as I thought I did. I'd rather have the life I have.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Caedmon and a couple memories
Yesterday afternoon I was cleaning the floors while Caedmon (my youngest at 5) was working on his "All About Me" poster for school. He was on a bubble that said "draw your family in here". As he drew, he talked to himself out loud. "First Daddy....I need the brown.....there....He has a penis, so I'll draw that..." At that point I walked over to the table to help Caed out. But He had moved on. "And he has shorts over..." Checking the picture, all I saw was brown Dad in shorts, so I patted Caed's head and went back to mopping. Next came Everett (6 year old brother). When he voiced that he was drawing Everett's privet part, I said, "Caed, you don't need to draw what is under the cloths. Just draw us all in cloths." But he assured me that wasn't right, and he insisted he would cover us all in cloths AFTER drawing us. (!!!!)
This reminded me of two other things Caedmon did years back along these lines. At the age of 2, he made a "boy" angel out of play dough in Bible class. Luckily his teacher was a good friend of mine and fellow mom who got a kick out of it.
Less then a year latter (he was already 3), the Bible story was Adam and Eve. For the craft, they had the 3 year olds glue dye-cut Adam and Eve on a piece of paper. Then the teacher let them draw on faces and handed the kids yarn saying, "Glue the hair on" Caedmon's Adam and Eve were unclothed and post pubescent. I about died!!!!!
This reminded me of two other things Caedmon did years back along these lines. At the age of 2, he made a "boy" angel out of play dough in Bible class. Luckily his teacher was a good friend of mine and fellow mom who got a kick out of it.
Less then a year latter (he was already 3), the Bible story was Adam and Eve. For the craft, they had the 3 year olds glue dye-cut Adam and Eve on a piece of paper. Then the teacher let them draw on faces and handed the kids yarn saying, "Glue the hair on" Caedmon's Adam and Eve were unclothed and post pubescent. I about died!!!!!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
8K Mountain Race
KILLED! But I tried....:)
Dan woke me up about 4:30am this morning for coffee and breakfast. I got dressed, headed down stairs, made an egg-cheese-english muffin sandwich, and ate. We loaded the 3 kids into the car and left for CO Springs a few minutes past 5am.
At about 6:35am I checked in at the start area and then ran my warm up. I was feeling completely hesitant about running this morning. It was raining and I was so not prepared for such a short race. As I stretched at the stating line, I was wishing I was volunteering instead of racing. But alas, we were off. I started out in the 2end row of runners, and started counting how many ladies were ahead of me when we formed a line for the first narrow up around .15 miles in. I was in 16th place. I figured that was a great place for me to be. I could try to hold this spot, and if I felt good after a mile or so, I could start passing. At about .5 miles in, we hit a water station and the hill. Well, I guess it was a "climb", being this was a mountain race, and we went up for about 1.25 miles. I tried to hold my 9ish minute a mile pace. My body wouldn't let me. After running up for almost 1 mile, feeling my legs tighten and my breathing pick up, I decided it was a great time for a walk break. One lady behind me passed at my offer, but the other said "No. This is a good time to walk." I told her I was ready for some down, and she assured me it was coming soon. We turned around at the top, and I let my legs turn over fast for the 1ish mile down before the 2end loop. My GPS had me at under 6's for that stretch both times I went down it. At the turn-around and go back up area, I smiled and cheered at one of the volunteers, who said I was looking too fresh. I told him the darn hill wouldn't let me run up it, so I still had a lot of energy. He laughed, but that is truly the feeling I had. I was trying to make my legs go, and I couldn't. After the race, I learned some of what was going on. But back to the race.
It wasn't too steep of a climb and not at all technical. I would describe it as a fast mountain running course. I wasn't fast, but the course was. My GPS had the total distance at 5.68miles- not the said 5. And the park maps have it at 5.5 or more. I finished in 47:21. 17th place out of like 35 ladies. My husband said he couldn't believe there were that many ladies at this race faster then me, but this race was nothing like what I am good at. It was my first time running in the mountains, my first race in elevation, shorter then my current tempo runs, and completely non-technical trails. All considering, I am feeling like I did well to run those 5.68 miles in under 48mins!!
After the race, I went for a run. I wanted to run to the top of the little mountain I was on, and I wanted to get in at least another 8 miles. (this weeks miles are LOW!!!!) I started up the mountain on the road, b/c I didn't know the trails around this place and I didn't like the idea of running with mountain lions by myself. After going up for about 2 miles, I debated going back down. But dang, that place was beautiful! I just kept my comfy slow pace going up and enjoyed the view. Around 3 miles, the road ended. But there was a wide trail that kept going up. Up I went. At 4.13miles, I was at the top! There were clouds below me and a beautiful valley showing through beneath the clouds. It was breath taking. Running down was crazy! I just ran comfortably, but it was steep...so I was flying! It had taken me about 44mins to get up, and less then 30 to go down. The bottoms of my feet were actually getting hot, which was a bit saddening. I may need to look for a "mountain" shoe to run in.
Speaking of shoes, my Brooks T5's did great for the 8K. In fact, they were just perfect today outside of heating up on the 11mile run after. They weren't slippery on the crushed granite and they held my foot well on the long ups/ downs which kept my toes happy. And being they don't have lugs, the rain didn't slow me down.
Earlier I mentioned that I started walking b/c my breathing was getting hard. After the race and my run, I went up to congratulate the Jr. Man's winner. While talking with him and his dad, I learned a few things about running in Mountains. They said I should let my breathing get hard. I need to force my lugs to take in more oxygen then I am use to. And being this was a short race with a large down, I wish I would have tried that. Too bad, b/c I don't plan on running another short race anytime soon!!!!
Dan woke me up about 4:30am this morning for coffee and breakfast. I got dressed, headed down stairs, made an egg-cheese-english muffin sandwich, and ate. We loaded the 3 kids into the car and left for CO Springs a few minutes past 5am.
At about 6:35am I checked in at the start area and then ran my warm up. I was feeling completely hesitant about running this morning. It was raining and I was so not prepared for such a short race. As I stretched at the stating line, I was wishing I was volunteering instead of racing. But alas, we were off. I started out in the 2end row of runners, and started counting how many ladies were ahead of me when we formed a line for the first narrow up around .15 miles in. I was in 16th place. I figured that was a great place for me to be. I could try to hold this spot, and if I felt good after a mile or so, I could start passing. At about .5 miles in, we hit a water station and the hill. Well, I guess it was a "climb", being this was a mountain race, and we went up for about 1.25 miles. I tried to hold my 9ish minute a mile pace. My body wouldn't let me. After running up for almost 1 mile, feeling my legs tighten and my breathing pick up, I decided it was a great time for a walk break. One lady behind me passed at my offer, but the other said "No. This is a good time to walk." I told her I was ready for some down, and she assured me it was coming soon. We turned around at the top, and I let my legs turn over fast for the 1ish mile down before the 2end loop. My GPS had me at under 6's for that stretch both times I went down it. At the turn-around and go back up area, I smiled and cheered at one of the volunteers, who said I was looking too fresh. I told him the darn hill wouldn't let me run up it, so I still had a lot of energy. He laughed, but that is truly the feeling I had. I was trying to make my legs go, and I couldn't. After the race, I learned some of what was going on. But back to the race.
It wasn't too steep of a climb and not at all technical. I would describe it as a fast mountain running course. I wasn't fast, but the course was. My GPS had the total distance at 5.68miles- not the said 5. And the park maps have it at 5.5 or more. I finished in 47:21. 17th place out of like 35 ladies. My husband said he couldn't believe there were that many ladies at this race faster then me, but this race was nothing like what I am good at. It was my first time running in the mountains, my first race in elevation, shorter then my current tempo runs, and completely non-technical trails. All considering, I am feeling like I did well to run those 5.68 miles in under 48mins!!
After the race, I went for a run. I wanted to run to the top of the little mountain I was on, and I wanted to get in at least another 8 miles. (this weeks miles are LOW!!!!) I started up the mountain on the road, b/c I didn't know the trails around this place and I didn't like the idea of running with mountain lions by myself. After going up for about 2 miles, I debated going back down. But dang, that place was beautiful! I just kept my comfy slow pace going up and enjoyed the view. Around 3 miles, the road ended. But there was a wide trail that kept going up. Up I went. At 4.13miles, I was at the top! There were clouds below me and a beautiful valley showing through beneath the clouds. It was breath taking. Running down was crazy! I just ran comfortably, but it was steep...so I was flying! It had taken me about 44mins to get up, and less then 30 to go down. The bottoms of my feet were actually getting hot, which was a bit saddening. I may need to look for a "mountain" shoe to run in.
Speaking of shoes, my Brooks T5's did great for the 8K. In fact, they were just perfect today outside of heating up on the 11mile run after. They weren't slippery on the crushed granite and they held my foot well on the long ups/ downs which kept my toes happy. And being they don't have lugs, the rain didn't slow me down.
Earlier I mentioned that I started walking b/c my breathing was getting hard. After the race and my run, I went up to congratulate the Jr. Man's winner. While talking with him and his dad, I learned a few things about running in Mountains. They said I should let my breathing get hard. I need to force my lugs to take in more oxygen then I am use to. And being this was a short race with a large down, I wish I would have tried that. Too bad, b/c I don't plan on running another short race anytime soon!!!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
I haven't posted in awhile. Mostly b/c I lost my Mac in the move. But now I have it back!!!! Long story, but Woo-hoo for a happy ending!!!
We have been in CO for over 6 weeks now. I truly love getting to live here. The mountains are breath taking and I am just in shock over how lovely this summer is. I am actually liking summer...something new to me. Running has been wonderful, too. It is cool in the mornings and evenings and warm for most of the day, so I can run any time I get the chance and enjoy it. This weekend I'm running a race. It is an 8k mountain race. Daniel signed me up for it. I have no clue how I will do. I have never run any sort of race like this. I could see doing awesome, but I haven't been training with this race in mind, and it is sorta a top notch race. Money prizes for the top5 finishers and the top 2 earn a spot on a racing team. While I realize I could place in the top 5, I truly don't expect to. I've been focusing on a 100miler in October. Lots of long runs- some easy, some tempo stuff, hills, and fartleks. Nothing under 7 miles. BUT I have put in some awesome fast 27mile trail run... Still, this hard 8k will be just a killer. VERY different from what I am use to. No loss, though. I have enjoyed the down time and mileage drop the last 2 weeks. And I will get to meet some of Colorado's top runners.
(WARNING: Personal info to follow)
Unfortunately this is a bad time for me to race. I always run like crap the week leading up to the start of my cycle. I know this is likely too much info for some, but monthly cycles are a large part of racing, being I have a 1 in 4 chance of a race landing on a "bad" week for me. I hate that I can't run close to the same speeds the week before my cycle. I have tried changing my diet, drinking more, sleeping more, but nothing seems to help. I just can't run as fast this week. But starting on day 1 and some times a day or two before, I am back to 100%. I am hoping Sunday is close enough to day 1 for me to do well. Too bad. Luck of the draw, I guess.
On another personal note, I was happy to see that I can take Effexor XR and train and race legally under USATF rules. I wish I didn't need that med., but it makes all the deference for me. It is funny to me how people so often assume that endurance athletes have it all together. But the truth is, forcing myself to find the strength and focus to train and race ultra events has helped me deal sanely with the rest of my life. Maybe getting to be extrema in one area tames the others. Or maybe getting to prove to myself through training and racing that I am capable of doing and handling so much more then I thought I could gives me the drive to live my everyday life. I don't know exactly why, but I do know that running helps me. My running has changed me and my life in ways I never would have imagined. Unfortunately, running isn't enough. This part is hard for me. I want to be strong enough. I want to be able to pull resources and tap into unseen strength from my Father and other beings, and that be more then enough. There is a song "All of You, is more then enough for, all of me..." That song makes me cry. Oh how I wish that were true. I long for that. But I am made weak...without Effexor, I am far from the athlete, mother, person I believe I was created to be. That is the simple truth. Getting out of bed can be hard, playing with my children imposable. It is something I just don't understand. But I am grateful that God made people smart enough to create this drug and gave my doctor the wisdom to get me to try it. I wish I didn't need it, but I am grateful that I have it.
It's time to go to the park. "What?," you say. "Go to the park at 12:20pm in July?"
Yeppers. I'll get my Diet Mountain Dew, drive my kids to a park, and read while they play. It will be awesome, because the humidity is low and it is likely under 90. :)
We have been in CO for over 6 weeks now. I truly love getting to live here. The mountains are breath taking and I am just in shock over how lovely this summer is. I am actually liking summer...something new to me. Running has been wonderful, too. It is cool in the mornings and evenings and warm for most of the day, so I can run any time I get the chance and enjoy it. This weekend I'm running a race. It is an 8k mountain race. Daniel signed me up for it. I have no clue how I will do. I have never run any sort of race like this. I could see doing awesome, but I haven't been training with this race in mind, and it is sorta a top notch race. Money prizes for the top5 finishers and the top 2 earn a spot on a racing team. While I realize I could place in the top 5, I truly don't expect to. I've been focusing on a 100miler in October. Lots of long runs- some easy, some tempo stuff, hills, and fartleks. Nothing under 7 miles. BUT I have put in some awesome fast 27mile trail run... Still, this hard 8k will be just a killer. VERY different from what I am use to. No loss, though. I have enjoyed the down time and mileage drop the last 2 weeks. And I will get to meet some of Colorado's top runners.
(WARNING: Personal info to follow)
Unfortunately this is a bad time for me to race. I always run like crap the week leading up to the start of my cycle. I know this is likely too much info for some, but monthly cycles are a large part of racing, being I have a 1 in 4 chance of a race landing on a "bad" week for me. I hate that I can't run close to the same speeds the week before my cycle. I have tried changing my diet, drinking more, sleeping more, but nothing seems to help. I just can't run as fast this week. But starting on day 1 and some times a day or two before, I am back to 100%. I am hoping Sunday is close enough to day 1 for me to do well. Too bad. Luck of the draw, I guess.
On another personal note, I was happy to see that I can take Effexor XR and train and race legally under USATF rules. I wish I didn't need that med., but it makes all the deference for me. It is funny to me how people so often assume that endurance athletes have it all together. But the truth is, forcing myself to find the strength and focus to train and race ultra events has helped me deal sanely with the rest of my life. Maybe getting to be extrema in one area tames the others. Or maybe getting to prove to myself through training and racing that I am capable of doing and handling so much more then I thought I could gives me the drive to live my everyday life. I don't know exactly why, but I do know that running helps me. My running has changed me and my life in ways I never would have imagined. Unfortunately, running isn't enough. This part is hard for me. I want to be strong enough. I want to be able to pull resources and tap into unseen strength from my Father and other beings, and that be more then enough. There is a song "All of You, is more then enough for, all of me..." That song makes me cry. Oh how I wish that were true. I long for that. But I am made weak...without Effexor, I am far from the athlete, mother, person I believe I was created to be. That is the simple truth. Getting out of bed can be hard, playing with my children imposable. It is something I just don't understand. But I am grateful that God made people smart enough to create this drug and gave my doctor the wisdom to get me to try it. I wish I didn't need it, but I am grateful that I have it.
It's time to go to the park. "What?," you say. "Go to the park at 12:20pm in July?"
Yeppers. I'll get my Diet Mountain Dew, drive my kids to a park, and read while they play. It will be awesome, because the humidity is low and it is likely under 90. :)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
EVERYONE: send hate mail toThe Green Movers..J/K...sorta
AH! I am a bit fed up with the Green Moving company. They are, I am afraid, the WORST moving company around! First they said they would show up Wednesday June 3erd b/w 10 and Noon to pack us. They showed up at 3:15pm. The foremen then did a walk through of our house and said the total price to move us would be about $6,000, maybe $6,400...not the same number they gave us on the phone, but we decided to leave stuff behind to try and stay under $6,000. The foreman spent about 90% of his time at my house on the phone, talking to someone in another language. The other 3 guys did most of the packing...only 2 of them had never packed a house before and were getting instructions as they went (read:slow and they broke stuff. Yes, they did. They broke pictures.). Also, at least 2 of the 4 guys took a smoke break every hour(Um...GREEN movers?). When Dan asked them not to smoke in the house (DUH!) they moved to the front yard, where they LEFT THEIR BUTTS IN MY YARD!!!! Finally, at 1am, they finished packing us. That is when we were told to sign a paper agreeing to a price of 8,600 dollars. What? No thanks. I asked them to please start taking boxes off the truck, but the foreman refused. Instead he said he was sure this situation would be handled to our satisfaction in the next day. He told us our things would likely arrive in Colorado on Tuesday the 9th, but he couldn't promise anything in less then 10 days. The movers left, with most of our stuff, but not everything in the walk through by a long shot, in their truck, for Dallas.
The next day, after lots of time on the phone, they had dropped the price to 8,450 dollars and expected us to be happy. Yah, right. When all was said and done we agreed to pay 7,900 dollars for their services...which weren't worth it, but what choice did we have? They had our things in Dallas!
Now here we are on Saturday, June 13th. Unless our stuff left this morning, it is still in Dallas, waiting for "the next truck" to leave for Colorado. This is not cool of them. I feel like they are a bunch of lier's and cheaters. Which totally sucks, b/c I normally like people. I WANT to like people. Maybe individually these people are great, but when they call themselves the "Green Movers", who plant trees to move you, they suck hard!
Oh. And they won't tell us the weight of the truck. I am soo sure they packed us poorly..but that is more of some of the same from above.
The next day, after lots of time on the phone, they had dropped the price to 8,450 dollars and expected us to be happy. Yah, right. When all was said and done we agreed to pay 7,900 dollars for their services...which weren't worth it, but what choice did we have? They had our things in Dallas!
Now here we are on Saturday, June 13th. Unless our stuff left this morning, it is still in Dallas, waiting for "the next truck" to leave for Colorado. This is not cool of them. I feel like they are a bunch of lier's and cheaters. Which totally sucks, b/c I normally like people. I WANT to like people. Maybe individually these people are great, but when they call themselves the "Green Movers", who plant trees to move you, they suck hard!
Oh. And they won't tell us the weight of the truck. I am soo sure they packed us poorly..but that is more of some of the same from above.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Colorado!!
We are here! And so far, I am loving it. I lost my computer, the moving guys haven't called giving us an ETA on the arrival of or stuff, but I don't think anything could steel the happiness I feel over getting to live here. When we got here last night, I was wishing for a thicker sweatshirt and jeans. I am just in awe over this. It is June and beautiful out! Thank you God for Colorado!
The kids are loving our house here. It is 2 story and has a walkout basement. they just ran circle through the house for a full thirty minutes last night. I couldn't believe how excited they were and are. I will try to post some pictures soon...but being I don't have a computer at home right now, it may be awhile. Thank you to all of you for the prayers and emails. And THANK YOU to Mike and Raena for helping us clean out the house Monday!!!! You two are such great friends. we will be missing you a lot.
The kids are loving our house here. It is 2 story and has a walkout basement. they just ran circle through the house for a full thirty minutes last night. I couldn't believe how excited they were and are. I will try to post some pictures soon...but being I don't have a computer at home right now, it may be awhile. Thank you to all of you for the prayers and emails. And THANK YOU to Mike and Raena for helping us clean out the house Monday!!!! You two are such great friends. we will be missing you a lot.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Rocky Hill Ranch/ Hells Hills- July 6,2009
WOO-HOO!!! I ran a race and did well. :) Going into this race, I did A LOT of personal research and preparation to try and improve how I felt during a race. I have felt "off" for about a year with my running in races, so this just feels GREAT! OK, here is the report... more detailed then most of my reports, b/c I want to put in my race day prep.
Daniel and I are in the process of moving to CO. On Wednesday, the moving guys came and packed up our house (mostly..but that and the stress of this move is another story for another time). We woke up at a little before 3am, rolled of the not too comfy comforter on the floor, and began getting ready to race. I made 3 English muffin, egg and cheese sandwiches (low fat cheese in 3 different flavors), ate 1.4 of them, and left the rest for Dan. Then I took a lukewarm shower to let my skin soak up water to capacity. I know this sounds funny. But Dan has been doing research and experimenting with hydration. This trick he read about worked for him, so I wanted to give it a try. Then I drunk some water and took 1 S Cap.
We left our house a little after 3:30 and headed to Smithvillie. About 4:45am, we pulled through a McDonalds drive through for coffee. I had a large nonfat mocha, 3 (not 6) pumps of chocolate and yes to the wiped cream.
We got to Rocky Hill Ranch at 5:50, and I took another S Cap. Being the race started at 6am, we hurried through check-in and a potty stop. I grabbed 2 Hammer Gels and the race began. Aid stations were at 5.5miles, 10.5, and then the start/finish area at 15.5 miles. My nutrition plan was to carry my S Caps and gels, but drink the water only at the aid stations. At the 1st station, I ate a Hammer Gel and drunk 2 cups of water. My running plan was to start at a comfortable pace that didn't feel slow. I knew from my current long runs this would be under 7mph, but over 6.5. I figured I would pick the pace up to hit 14 in about 2 hrs and then take it from there based on how I was feeling. At the end of the first hour, my Garmin 405 said I had run 6.9 miles. :) I was feeling great, and ready to pick it up. Just before the next aid station, I ate another gel and took another S Cap. At the station I drunk 3 cups of water. I finished the first 15.5 mile loop in about 2:08, and I was feeling great!! It was getting hot, but I was feeling ready to take on the heat. I ditched my soaking shirt, grabbed 3 more Hammer Gels, drank lots of water and started loop 2. Shortly after starting this loop, my legs started feeling heavy, so I followed my instinct and downed a gel. I reached the 1st aid station in just under 3hrs, took 1 cap, another gel, and 3 more cups of water. At this point I was supper excited. I was over 21 miles into this 50k, running in the heat, and still feeling great! For the next 10 miles I just run as hard as I could get myself to run with out getting out of breath. I walked the 2 mondo hills in the last 3miles, but really pushed the end other then that. I finished in 4:20:41. First female, second finisher. But the more exciting part for me was getting to set a new course record. :) I've never done that before. :) :)
Also extreamly exciting: Daniel finished his 1st ultra!!!!! GO DANIEL!!!!!!!!!! I love my hubby.:)
Daniel and I are in the process of moving to CO. On Wednesday, the moving guys came and packed up our house (mostly..but that and the stress of this move is another story for another time). We woke up at a little before 3am, rolled of the not too comfy comforter on the floor, and began getting ready to race. I made 3 English muffin, egg and cheese sandwiches (low fat cheese in 3 different flavors), ate 1.4 of them, and left the rest for Dan. Then I took a lukewarm shower to let my skin soak up water to capacity. I know this sounds funny. But Dan has been doing research and experimenting with hydration. This trick he read about worked for him, so I wanted to give it a try. Then I drunk some water and took 1 S Cap.
We left our house a little after 3:30 and headed to Smithvillie. About 4:45am, we pulled through a McDonalds drive through for coffee. I had a large nonfat mocha, 3 (not 6) pumps of chocolate and yes to the wiped cream.
We got to Rocky Hill Ranch at 5:50, and I took another S Cap. Being the race started at 6am, we hurried through check-in and a potty stop. I grabbed 2 Hammer Gels and the race began. Aid stations were at 5.5miles, 10.5, and then the start/finish area at 15.5 miles. My nutrition plan was to carry my S Caps and gels, but drink the water only at the aid stations. At the 1st station, I ate a Hammer Gel and drunk 2 cups of water. My running plan was to start at a comfortable pace that didn't feel slow. I knew from my current long runs this would be under 7mph, but over 6.5. I figured I would pick the pace up to hit 14 in about 2 hrs and then take it from there based on how I was feeling. At the end of the first hour, my Garmin 405 said I had run 6.9 miles. :) I was feeling great, and ready to pick it up. Just before the next aid station, I ate another gel and took another S Cap. At the station I drunk 3 cups of water. I finished the first 15.5 mile loop in about 2:08, and I was feeling great!! It was getting hot, but I was feeling ready to take on the heat. I ditched my soaking shirt, grabbed 3 more Hammer Gels, drank lots of water and started loop 2. Shortly after starting this loop, my legs started feeling heavy, so I followed my instinct and downed a gel. I reached the 1st aid station in just under 3hrs, took 1 cap, another gel, and 3 more cups of water. At this point I was supper excited. I was over 21 miles into this 50k, running in the heat, and still feeling great! For the next 10 miles I just run as hard as I could get myself to run with out getting out of breath. I walked the 2 mondo hills in the last 3miles, but really pushed the end other then that. I finished in 4:20:41. First female, second finisher. But the more exciting part for me was getting to set a new course record. :) I've never done that before. :) :)
Also extreamly exciting: Daniel finished his 1st ultra!!!!! GO DANIEL!!!!!!!!!! I love my hubby.:)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He has risen. He has risen indeed.
What a day. Bible readings, prayers, Easter egg hunts, family and fun.
My Father in Law is still in the hospital. He isn't doing as well these last few days as he had been, and we don't know when he will be getting out. We took the kids to see him this morning. It was a nice visit. I am praying for his recovery and patience in enduring this.
We are trying to get our house ready to list. Oh the kill joy in this move. But I am thinking it won't be too bad. Hope, hope. Maybe it will sell or rent fast.
Nothing to report running wise. Had an easy week and took the day off today. That makes 3 days off this week and only 47 miles. But I have a 50k this coming Saturday so what the hay. Might as well enjoy some big down time and fun with the family. And hospital visits. And major weird house work. Like painting and planting rose bushes and looking at houses in CO...not on my normal house work list but needs to be done.
What a day. Bible readings, prayers, Easter egg hunts, family and fun.
My Father in Law is still in the hospital. He isn't doing as well these last few days as he had been, and we don't know when he will be getting out. We took the kids to see him this morning. It was a nice visit. I am praying for his recovery and patience in enduring this.
We are trying to get our house ready to list. Oh the kill joy in this move. But I am thinking it won't be too bad. Hope, hope. Maybe it will sell or rent fast.
Nothing to report running wise. Had an easy week and took the day off today. That makes 3 days off this week and only 47 miles. But I have a 50k this coming Saturday so what the hay. Might as well enjoy some big down time and fun with the family. And hospital visits. And major weird house work. Like painting and planting rose bushes and looking at houses in CO...not on my normal house work list but needs to be done.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The past 2 weeks
I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post much about what is going on. So here is a recap of the big events of the last two weeks.
My little brother, Brent, had heart surgery last week. The surgery took longer then expected, but went well. It was supposed to be an out patient surgery (crazy to me!). He needed to lay flat on his back and stay very still for 4hrs after the surgery to allow the arteries where the catheters were put in to close. But someone made a mistake. I'm not sure why, but before his 4hrs had passed, his nurse wanted him to sit up and eat. When he sat up, he started losing blood. For the next 8 or so hours, he was loosing blood. His heart rate kept dropping, and they were having a hard time getting it back up with saline. When all was said and done, Brent was doing well. He was able to go home after about 24hrs in the hospital and was feeling ok. Weak and tired from the blood lose, but doing well.
Hopefully the surgery fixed Brent's arrhythmia. But we won't know for sure for a few more weeks.
Currently my Father in Law is in the hospital. This past Sunday evening he went into the emergency room with what was first thought to be heart failure. He has a bad heart, and has been in the hospital for his heart before. It is funny to me to write "bad heart". My Father in Law has a wonderful heart, nothing "bad" about it. "Weak" is likely a better choice of word. But 5 days and many tests later, they aren't sure what exactly is wrong. The cat scan showed TB or maybe fluid on the lungs. Both of those have now been ruled out and he is feeling better, though not good. Last night we were allowed to take our kids to see him. He looked and sounded pretty good, but they still had him on oxygen. A little scary for me, given my past experience with loosing my Grandma.
It is as official as it will get before it actually happens. We are moving to CO! I am super excited!!! I just can't believe it...
My little brother, Brent, had heart surgery last week. The surgery took longer then expected, but went well. It was supposed to be an out patient surgery (crazy to me!). He needed to lay flat on his back and stay very still for 4hrs after the surgery to allow the arteries where the catheters were put in to close. But someone made a mistake. I'm not sure why, but before his 4hrs had passed, his nurse wanted him to sit up and eat. When he sat up, he started losing blood. For the next 8 or so hours, he was loosing blood. His heart rate kept dropping, and they were having a hard time getting it back up with saline. When all was said and done, Brent was doing well. He was able to go home after about 24hrs in the hospital and was feeling ok. Weak and tired from the blood lose, but doing well.
Hopefully the surgery fixed Brent's arrhythmia. But we won't know for sure for a few more weeks.
Currently my Father in Law is in the hospital. This past Sunday evening he went into the emergency room with what was first thought to be heart failure. He has a bad heart, and has been in the hospital for his heart before. It is funny to me to write "bad heart". My Father in Law has a wonderful heart, nothing "bad" about it. "Weak" is likely a better choice of word. But 5 days and many tests later, they aren't sure what exactly is wrong. The cat scan showed TB or maybe fluid on the lungs. Both of those have now been ruled out and he is feeling better, though not good. Last night we were allowed to take our kids to see him. He looked and sounded pretty good, but they still had him on oxygen. A little scary for me, given my past experience with loosing my Grandma.
It is as official as it will get before it actually happens. We are moving to CO! I am super excited!!! I just can't believe it...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Colorado
It looks like it is going to happen. We won't decide officially until this Friday, but we are strongly leaning towards moving to CO. Wow! I so badly want to go, but I am scared, too. This will be a big change for our family. Are we ready????
It is sorta a strange happening that I will miss so much about Texas and I want to go. The mountains are calling to me. I want to breath the cold air and get numb from running in the snow. I LOVE the cold. San Antonio is just not the place for me...what more can I say?
I will miss my family tons. They do so much for us, and I know they want us to stay. It won't be the same with us in CO. But it won't be a bad change. We will still see you, Mom. Not weekly, but often. I promise. And we will call you on the web cam at least once a week.
I will greatly miss getting to be a part of Team Traverse. I am grateful to our sponsors for their support of our team and will feel lonely running on my own up there. And what will I do without a coach? My goodness...I might run myself into the ground.
Changes are coming. I am hoping for them to be good. If anyone who reads this is willing, please add us to your prayers as we make our decisions final.
It is sorta a strange happening that I will miss so much about Texas and I want to go. The mountains are calling to me. I want to breath the cold air and get numb from running in the snow. I LOVE the cold. San Antonio is just not the place for me...what more can I say?
I will miss my family tons. They do so much for us, and I know they want us to stay. It won't be the same with us in CO. But it won't be a bad change. We will still see you, Mom. Not weekly, but often. I promise. And we will call you on the web cam at least once a week.
I will greatly miss getting to be a part of Team Traverse. I am grateful to our sponsors for their support of our team and will feel lonely running on my own up there. And what will I do without a coach? My goodness...I might run myself into the ground.
Changes are coming. I am hoping for them to be good. If anyone who reads this is willing, please add us to your prayers as we make our decisions final.
Monday, March 16, 2009
I got 68 miles last week. :) Hoping for 70-75 this week. My knee is feeling just awesome. I finally feel like I am training again. Yeah.
This week I go to CO with Dan. He has interviews and I will look at houses. And RUN IN THE MOUNTAINS!!!!!! WOO-OHO!!!!!!!! I still think we won't be moving. But we need to be ready if we are.
Back to folding the laundry. Oh joy.
This week I go to CO with Dan. He has interviews and I will look at houses. And RUN IN THE MOUNTAINS!!!!!! WOO-OHO!!!!!!!! I still think we won't be moving. But we need to be ready if we are.
Back to folding the laundry. Oh joy.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Yeah! I think my knee is almost back to 100%. So far this week I have run over 32miles, over half of which was hard, and my knee still feels great. :) And I still have 3 days left to run. And no long run yet. :) But I will still be careful with it. No pounding out the downs for awhile. And no speed work on the trails yet. Maybe soon...I hope...but I will be patient with myself.
Goal this week: 63-68miles with my long run back on the trails. :)
Goal this week: 63-68miles with my long run back on the trails. :)
Monday, March 9, 2009
I've been waiting to say much until I know more. But time is going by and so much is still up in the air. Next week Dan has several interviews in Colorado. They all look promising. We might actually be moving to Colorado soon...like the end of May. Crazy. But unless Daniel finds a job he likes here, we will move. I thought Austin might be an option, and I guess it still is. But Dan hasn't pursued any jobs there. Honestly, I would LOVE to live in CO. But I will miss so much down here if we move. Like my running team. If any of you Traverse guys read this, I promise I will let all of you know what is happening as soon as I know. And I WILL be at the Rouge and Captain Carl's races this summer either way. That much is certain.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Melanie needs...
OK. I couldn't help it. A friend of mine posted a note listing her top 10 needs. She googled her first name followed by needs and posted the first 10 things. Here is mine.
1. Melanie needs to accept that no one is self-sufficient all the time, and to be gentler with her "childish" emotional needs and wants.
HUMM.....
2. Melanie needs to find a happy medium between being a strong female and being overzealous.
Do I, now?
3. Melanie needs to become more tolerant, especially of emotions.
I'm starting to think google dosen't really know me.
4.Melanie needs to add some sparkle and color back to her wardrobe.
Sure. Why not?
5. Melanie needs help in the morning.
With making lunches?
6. Melanie needs to hire someone to fix this mess.
What mess? Google is crazy off.
7. Melanie needs help.
Can't argue that one.
8. Melanie Needs to Study.
Nope.
9. Melanie needs to travel a long way in a short time.
I wish I could.
10. Melanie needs a diamond necklace.
Ah. The truth, at last. I need a diamond necklace. :)
1. Melanie needs to accept that no one is self-sufficient all the time, and to be gentler with her "childish" emotional needs and wants.
HUMM.....
2. Melanie needs to find a happy medium between being a strong female and being overzealous.
Do I, now?
3. Melanie needs to become more tolerant, especially of emotions.
I'm starting to think google dosen't really know me.
4.Melanie needs to add some sparkle and color back to her wardrobe.
Sure. Why not?
5. Melanie needs help in the morning.
With making lunches?
6. Melanie needs to hire someone to fix this mess.
What mess? Google is crazy off.
7. Melanie needs help.
Can't argue that one.
8. Melanie Needs to Study.
Nope.
9. Melanie needs to travel a long way in a short time.
I wish I could.
10. Melanie needs a diamond necklace.
Ah. The truth, at last. I need a diamond necklace. :)
Now what
Frustration. It is a perfect cool-almost-cold day for running. But no running for me. Not today. Not tomorrow (if I'm smart). Maybe not Monday either. Such a bummer. My left knee is having issues. I just don't get it. I've been running for 15 years and had about 4 injuries...all in the last year! My mileage has been down and intensity way down. So why am I still fighting off injuries? Blah. Maybe this knee thing is tied to the flu...which I am trying not to have. My success has been intermittent in this. But currently I have no fever. My temperature hasn't reached 101 at all and it hasn't stayed over 100 for even a whole day. But still, maybe my knee and this flu thing are connected. Rest sucks. I think I need to go workout.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
My first 100 mile run
I am happy to say I have now run 100 miles. Before I get into details from Rocky Raccoon, here is what I wanted going into this. I didn't want to race. I didn't want to push my body into an uncomfortable place unless it was purely in order to finish. I love running and I even love racing. But I have been recovering form injuries and haven't been able to race since August. I have, in the past, felt a lot of pressure to live up to other people's expectations for my running/racing. I needed a change. A "race" that would be a do able challenge on its own. Something I could go into with absolutely no expectations and no thoughts of racing- only finishing. My goals where to 1. finish, 2. Learn about 100 mile runs, how my body handles it, and how others race them, and 3. HAVE FUN!!! I am happy to say I accomplished all three goals. Goal number 2 only partly, but at least I got some good work on that one. And lots of notes to learn from.
I woke up on race morning about 4:15am. After showering and putting on my running things, Daniel and I headed down to the lobby for breakfast. The hotel we stayed at was great. They had a good breakfast ready for all the runners at 4:45am. I had 2 hard boiled eggs and an English muffin. Before leaving for the race, I grabbed some coffee. Dan had called the Starbucks across the street the night before and they said they would be open at 4:45. But I grabbed coffee just in case. It is a good thing I did!! That Starbucks was still closed at 5:10. We could see the barrista's in there getting things ready, but they weren't taking orders. Glad I had my back up coffee!!
At 6am it was time to go. I started the race with a friend of mine from SA named Liza. We talked and ran together through the first two aid stations (about 6miles). Then we parted ways a bit at Dam Road. My aid station plan was to use a hand held bottle through all the close aid stations (3-4.6 miles apart) and my waist pack through the Dam road part. The course was designed with a 6ish mile loop starting and ending at Dam Road. I also took off my head light and left my hand held flash light in this drop bag because I wouldn't need them again until night. After downing a carton of chocolate milk and putting on my waist pack, I was off.
For some reason this section of the course was very slow for me. But it was beautiful. On the way out of Dam Road, I dropped my pack, picked up my hand held bottle, had some more choc-o milk and left. We had about 8 more miles to go before hitting the start/turnaround/after-5-loops-a-finish area. I finished loop one in about 3:10. And I was feeling like a turtle. At that time, Jamie and Liza had already left for loop two. I think a lady named Julie was eating when I left for loop 2. I was disappointed, because Daniel wasn't there and he had my electrolytes. It was getting hot...but what could I do? I had electrolytes at Dam road. But I had expected to get them from Dan here. After asking around for some with no success, I left.
Shortly after my legs started cramping. I knew Dan would show up at the next aid station with my Succeed, so I tried to just ignore it. After all, this was a short little 3 mile section. When I got to that aid, Daniel was there. Along with our 3 treasures and my parents. Dan filled my bottle, said sorry for thinking I had started at 6:30 and not 6, gave me succeed and a few extra for my bottle bag, gave me food, and I was off once again.
The next 40ish miles passed in much the same pattern. Lots of eating, drinking, electrolyte tablets, and a few bathroom breaks. (Bodies. I tell ya'!) But I couldn't get the cramping in my legs to let up. I really was tinkling a lot, so I upped my electrolytes to 2 succeeds an hour and an occasional Enduralyte on top of that. But nothing was helping. I have a huge problem with cramping up in the heat (it got up to 81). Someday, somehow, I want to solve this problem. The cramping was slowing me down, but this was a 100 mile event. Being I could still run, I did my best to stay comfortable and just have fun. After all, the cramping could have stopped.
At about mile 63 I no longer felt like running on my cramping legs. I knew I COULD, but it would have sucked. I had decided going into this that I wanted to have fun. And having run 40 or so miles with leg cramps was starting to cause some major leg discomfort. I struggled with my competitive self for a little while. If I just pushed on, I could likely hold 3erd place. But that would mean the rest of this race would suck. Finishing and placing well would be great, but the running to do so wouldn't. I let it go. I wanted to have fun. There would be other 100 milers in the future that I could train better for and push the lines on. I wanted to enjoy this first one to its fullest.
It got dark about the time I finished 70 miles. Luckily, I had my favorite lights in the right drop bag. Dan had back up lights, but I was happy to have the ones I like most on hand when I needed them.
I had asked Daniel to be ready to pace me after dark. When I got mile 75.6, Dan was ready to go with me for last 24.4miles. As we left the aid station, I told him I was just wanting to walk, talk a little, and enjoy sharing this experience with my husband. He was happy to oblige.
We really were just walking. An occasional granny jog, but the jog was arguably slower then the walk. I think we covered the next 12 miles in about 4hrs. But we were having a great time! We started off with Daniel singing to me as we went. Then we sang some together. We talked about all sorts of things and did some wooping to keep our spirits up. During the Dam road loop we said our favorite long passage to try and eat up time. I think it worked. But man, walking is way slow. I must have thought 20 glow sticks were the turn spot where they take our numbers down. Finally, we hit that turn! I was pumped! We had a little more then 10 miles to go! I was going to be a 100 mile fisher!! I picked our walk up to a power hike. We hit the 90 mile area, did an attitude check (hu!), and I started to run. That was when I got a nice face full on sand for the first time. Blah. My heart was ready to get into running again. My legs said, "Wow Anie. Whats up with running down a hill after having covered 90 miles today? Not happening..."
When we left Dam Road, I was super excited. 8 miles to go! Just a little 8 miles. After 92, what ta-hay is 8 more? WOO HOO! This time when I tried to run, my legs cooperated. It was a slow run, but I could feel my legs loosing up as we went. I think the coolness of the night was helping the cramping fad away. The coolness and the excitement. When we got to the last aid station, I looked at my watch. All day long I had been doing my best to ignore that thing. But now I was ready to guess my finishing time. My watch said I had been running for 19:20. We were 4.4 miles from the finish, so......maybe I would be done in 20:20. Good. I could run/walk/jog this last 4.4 miles to the finish in an hour. I was sure.( I thought it was 4.6...)
I started out with a comfy jog that turned to a fast walk on the first hill. But when we started down that hill, I let myself go. And yeah!! This time my legs really went!!!!!!! I looked at my watch again when we hit a turn that was over a mile but less then two miles from the finish. 19:56! Wow! I might finish in 20:15! Dan and I did some more wooping and I started running for real. It felt great to run again. Truly, this was the fastest I had run alllllllll day loooooooong. I was so excited!! 11 minutes later, I finished. Taking off my head light as I stepped on the mat, I turned a summer salt and landed on my back, arms open to the sky, in 20:07.
As I sat and chatted at the finish line, several people asked me what place I had come in. I was thrilled with the fact that I didn't know. Maybe 5th...but I had tried to ignore that. Of course I couldn't completely ignore it, but I had done my best to let all that go. I finished my first 100 miler! And I had a blast doing it. The best part was getting to share so much of it with my favorite person in the world while enjoying being together. I likely won't get that out of another 100 miler. Certainly not if I am racing!
Daniel and I hung out a while longer. My friend Liza was still out there, and I wanted to see her finish. She finished in 21:33, sealing her win of the Texas Trilogy. Liza took 2end at the Bandera 100k on January 7th (8th 9th? Not sure.) and I think 4th at the Sunmart 50 mile run in December. Those 3 races made up the trilogy. Next year Cactus Rose 50 will replace Sunmart 50 for the trilogy. This was Liza's first 100 miler too. Go LIZA!!
The next morning at the awards ceremony, I was happy to find out I had placed 4th. It was fun to get a little extra treat with this run. And Liza had finished 5th. I am super excited to train and race a 100 miler in the future. This was such a great experience all the way around. I had so much fun that I am reserving the right to run and not race any "race" I want to in the future!!! But I do plan on racing a 100 someday, too. :) Racing is fun in such a different, masochistic way.
Things I left out thatmight be of interest:
For 3.5 miles I had to carry my bottle funny because the valve started leaking. Water was just splashing out the top like the lid was open, only it was surely closed. Just broken.
Twinkies are sooo good after 60miles. I was drooling at the thought of getting another Twinkie from my bag after having eaten my first one.
I ate at least 5 whole PB and J's over the course of this run. Along with 2 cartons of chocolate milk, 3 Twinkies, a couple hands full of Gummie Bears, maybe 8 Oreos, a Chex bar, some potatoes (Very good), a few slices of quesadia, a few veggie meat balls, 4 Red Bull's, ????water????, ?????heed????, some Jellie Bellies, a little Coke, and 1 hard candie. I think thats it. But I might have missed stuff.
When my legs were cramping at their worst, I switched to Gatoraid in my bottles. It didn't help the cramps. :(
I wish I could post the funny things I saw and did. Only this is a family blog. And most of you guys truly don't want to know. I get that. Just let me say ultra runers are a diffrent breed of person. I am glad to be an ultra runner girl!
I woke up on race morning about 4:15am. After showering and putting on my running things, Daniel and I headed down to the lobby for breakfast. The hotel we stayed at was great. They had a good breakfast ready for all the runners at 4:45am. I had 2 hard boiled eggs and an English muffin. Before leaving for the race, I grabbed some coffee. Dan had called the Starbucks across the street the night before and they said they would be open at 4:45. But I grabbed coffee just in case. It is a good thing I did!! That Starbucks was still closed at 5:10. We could see the barrista's in there getting things ready, but they weren't taking orders. Glad I had my back up coffee!!
At 6am it was time to go. I started the race with a friend of mine from SA named Liza. We talked and ran together through the first two aid stations (about 6miles). Then we parted ways a bit at Dam Road. My aid station plan was to use a hand held bottle through all the close aid stations (3-4.6 miles apart) and my waist pack through the Dam road part. The course was designed with a 6ish mile loop starting and ending at Dam Road. I also took off my head light and left my hand held flash light in this drop bag because I wouldn't need them again until night. After downing a carton of chocolate milk and putting on my waist pack, I was off.
For some reason this section of the course was very slow for me. But it was beautiful. On the way out of Dam Road, I dropped my pack, picked up my hand held bottle, had some more choc-o milk and left. We had about 8 more miles to go before hitting the start/turnaround/after-5-loops-a-finish area. I finished loop one in about 3:10. And I was feeling like a turtle. At that time, Jamie and Liza had already left for loop two. I think a lady named Julie was eating when I left for loop 2. I was disappointed, because Daniel wasn't there and he had my electrolytes. It was getting hot...but what could I do? I had electrolytes at Dam road. But I had expected to get them from Dan here. After asking around for some with no success, I left.
Shortly after my legs started cramping. I knew Dan would show up at the next aid station with my Succeed, so I tried to just ignore it. After all, this was a short little 3 mile section. When I got to that aid, Daniel was there. Along with our 3 treasures and my parents. Dan filled my bottle, said sorry for thinking I had started at 6:30 and not 6, gave me succeed and a few extra for my bottle bag, gave me food, and I was off once again.
The next 40ish miles passed in much the same pattern. Lots of eating, drinking, electrolyte tablets, and a few bathroom breaks. (Bodies. I tell ya'!) But I couldn't get the cramping in my legs to let up. I really was tinkling a lot, so I upped my electrolytes to 2 succeeds an hour and an occasional Enduralyte on top of that. But nothing was helping. I have a huge problem with cramping up in the heat (it got up to 81). Someday, somehow, I want to solve this problem. The cramping was slowing me down, but this was a 100 mile event. Being I could still run, I did my best to stay comfortable and just have fun. After all, the cramping could have stopped.
At about mile 63 I no longer felt like running on my cramping legs. I knew I COULD, but it would have sucked. I had decided going into this that I wanted to have fun. And having run 40 or so miles with leg cramps was starting to cause some major leg discomfort. I struggled with my competitive self for a little while. If I just pushed on, I could likely hold 3erd place. But that would mean the rest of this race would suck. Finishing and placing well would be great, but the running to do so wouldn't. I let it go. I wanted to have fun. There would be other 100 milers in the future that I could train better for and push the lines on. I wanted to enjoy this first one to its fullest.
It got dark about the time I finished 70 miles. Luckily, I had my favorite lights in the right drop bag. Dan had back up lights, but I was happy to have the ones I like most on hand when I needed them.
I had asked Daniel to be ready to pace me after dark. When I got mile 75.6, Dan was ready to go with me for last 24.4miles. As we left the aid station, I told him I was just wanting to walk, talk a little, and enjoy sharing this experience with my husband. He was happy to oblige.
We really were just walking. An occasional granny jog, but the jog was arguably slower then the walk. I think we covered the next 12 miles in about 4hrs. But we were having a great time! We started off with Daniel singing to me as we went. Then we sang some together. We talked about all sorts of things and did some wooping to keep our spirits up. During the Dam road loop we said our favorite long passage to try and eat up time. I think it worked. But man, walking is way slow. I must have thought 20 glow sticks were the turn spot where they take our numbers down. Finally, we hit that turn! I was pumped! We had a little more then 10 miles to go! I was going to be a 100 mile fisher!! I picked our walk up to a power hike. We hit the 90 mile area, did an attitude check (hu!), and I started to run. That was when I got a nice face full on sand for the first time. Blah. My heart was ready to get into running again. My legs said, "Wow Anie. Whats up with running down a hill after having covered 90 miles today? Not happening..."
When we left Dam Road, I was super excited. 8 miles to go! Just a little 8 miles. After 92, what ta-hay is 8 more? WOO HOO! This time when I tried to run, my legs cooperated. It was a slow run, but I could feel my legs loosing up as we went. I think the coolness of the night was helping the cramping fad away. The coolness and the excitement. When we got to the last aid station, I looked at my watch. All day long I had been doing my best to ignore that thing. But now I was ready to guess my finishing time. My watch said I had been running for 19:20. We were 4.4 miles from the finish, so......maybe I would be done in 20:20. Good. I could run/walk/jog this last 4.4 miles to the finish in an hour. I was sure.( I thought it was 4.6...)
I started out with a comfy jog that turned to a fast walk on the first hill. But when we started down that hill, I let myself go. And yeah!! This time my legs really went!!!!!!! I looked at my watch again when we hit a turn that was over a mile but less then two miles from the finish. 19:56! Wow! I might finish in 20:15! Dan and I did some more wooping and I started running for real. It felt great to run again. Truly, this was the fastest I had run alllllllll day loooooooong. I was so excited!! 11 minutes later, I finished. Taking off my head light as I stepped on the mat, I turned a summer salt and landed on my back, arms open to the sky, in 20:07.
As I sat and chatted at the finish line, several people asked me what place I had come in. I was thrilled with the fact that I didn't know. Maybe 5th...but I had tried to ignore that. Of course I couldn't completely ignore it, but I had done my best to let all that go. I finished my first 100 miler! And I had a blast doing it. The best part was getting to share so much of it with my favorite person in the world while enjoying being together. I likely won't get that out of another 100 miler. Certainly not if I am racing!
Daniel and I hung out a while longer. My friend Liza was still out there, and I wanted to see her finish. She finished in 21:33, sealing her win of the Texas Trilogy. Liza took 2end at the Bandera 100k on January 7th (8th 9th? Not sure.) and I think 4th at the Sunmart 50 mile run in December. Those 3 races made up the trilogy. Next year Cactus Rose 50 will replace Sunmart 50 for the trilogy. This was Liza's first 100 miler too. Go LIZA!!
The next morning at the awards ceremony, I was happy to find out I had placed 4th. It was fun to get a little extra treat with this run. And Liza had finished 5th. I am super excited to train and race a 100 miler in the future. This was such a great experience all the way around. I had so much fun that I am reserving the right to run and not race any "race" I want to in the future!!! But I do plan on racing a 100 someday, too. :) Racing is fun in such a different, masochistic way.
Things I left out that
For 3.5 miles I had to carry my bottle funny because the valve started leaking. Water was just splashing out the top like the lid was open, only it was surely closed. Just broken.
Twinkies are sooo good after 60miles. I was drooling at the thought of getting another Twinkie from my bag after having eaten my first one.
I ate at least 5 whole PB and J's over the course of this run. Along with 2 cartons of chocolate milk, 3 Twinkies, a couple hands full of Gummie Bears, maybe 8 Oreos, a Chex bar, some potatoes (Very good), a few slices of quesadia, a few veggie meat balls, 4 Red Bull's, ????water????, ?????heed????, some Jellie Bellies, a little Coke, and 1 hard candie. I think thats it. But I might have missed stuff.
When my legs were cramping at their worst, I switched to Gatoraid in my bottles. It didn't help the cramps. :(
I wish I could post the funny things I saw and did. Only this is a family blog. And most of you guys truly don't want to know. I get that. Just let me say ultra runers are a diffrent breed of person. I am glad to be an ultra runner girl!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Febuary
This is shaping up to be an eventful month....and it is only the 3erd.
1.My car is gone. :( A lady hit me and that is the end.
2.We might move...but only if Dan can't find a job in SA. But we don't know how long he has to look...his project is going down...soon(???). Maybe this month. Or in May. Or August.
3.I have my first 100 mile run on Saturday. At least this one is my choice! And fun. :)
Life.
1.My car is gone. :( A lady hit me and that is the end.
2.We might move...but only if Dan can't find a job in SA. But we don't know how long he has to look...his project is going down...soon(???). Maybe this month. Or in May. Or August.
3.I have my first 100 mile run on Saturday. At least this one is my choice! And fun. :)
Life.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I just ran for about 7 hours and did 46 miles. The break up is 46 miles of moving in 6:59:33, plus about 10mins of changing shoes, opening and drinking soup, etc. I am super excited, because this run was really easy physically. The strain was convincing my brain to start another trip out my garage after having run 33 miles and 5hrs. I was thinking that was enough...but... yeah for sticking with it... I needed to go for 7hrs. I am thinking I will do a 100miler in 3 weeks. Just for fun and with the only goal being to finish. So today was key. Amazingly I ran a pretty even pace the whole time. I felt like I could have kept that same pace going...not sure tell when. But at least another 10ish miles.
What I learned:
1. I like the Pearls better for super long stuff. They keep my legs and back feeling less strained.
2. DRINK, DRINK, electrolytes, DRINK. Maybe 2 cups an hour and one pill for every 2-3 cups.
3. I like to eat plain bread and soup.
4. Eating so a must! I could feel the difference when I went over 10miles w/o food. I should be eating more often. Like every hour.
So I got in a fun run and learned a lot about running long today. What a good day. And I still have Jenna's wedding to go to! Yeah for weddings!!!!
What I learned:
1. I like the Pearls better for super long stuff. They keep my legs and back feeling less strained.
2. DRINK, DRINK, electrolytes, DRINK. Maybe 2 cups an hour and one pill for every 2-3 cups.
3. I like to eat plain bread and soup.
4. Eating so a must! I could feel the difference when I went over 10miles w/o food. I should be eating more often. Like every hour.
So I got in a fun run and learned a lot about running long today. What a good day. And I still have Jenna's wedding to go to! Yeah for weddings!!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Bandera 2009
What a race!! What an awesome, butt kicking race. I registered for the 100k wanting to run better then I did last year. This was a very realistic goal, because I ran last year underprepared for that mileage and without electrolytes on a hot day. But I all told, my mental game got me through with a good finish of 11:25. This year, things had potential to go awesome for me. But I pushed my body too hard in training, didn't allow myself adequate recovery time from injures, and ended up toeing the line of this 100k VERY untrained. But I had to try. All year long my biggest running goal has been to run under 11hrs on this course. I know I am very capable of doing it. But the training needs to be there. After running an easy 50k in 5:15, I was ready to quit. My ankles and knees were hurting on the down hills in a way that I could tell was warning of injury. My body just wasn't ready to take the pounding that course gives it. Too bad. Yesterday was just a great day for that course in so many ways. The ground was dry, there was a little cloud cover, and the high was only in the upper 50's. The only draw back was the wind gusts on the flats. But I had to give it a go. I am glad I did. Knowing I wasn't ready beats wondering if I could have done it.
A giant congrats to the female winners. Marcy Beard (1st) just ran awesome. She gutted out that second 50k, passing the 2end (Liza Howard-11:48) and 4th (Bridget DeLaRosa, also under 12hrs) place females. Melissa Heggen just rocked all day, scoring a PR in the 11s and placing 3erd female. GO LADIES!!!!! That course kicks butt, and you gals kicked its right back!!
A giant congrats to the female winners. Marcy Beard (1st) just ran awesome. She gutted out that second 50k, passing the 2end (Liza Howard-11:48) and 4th (Bridget DeLaRosa, also under 12hrs) place females. Melissa Heggen just rocked all day, scoring a PR in the 11s and placing 3erd female. GO LADIES!!!!! That course kicks butt, and you gals kicked its right back!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bandera is Coming
I am planing on racing the 100k this Saturday at Bandera. Give all or crash trying. Truthfully, I think I can do this. I feel unprepared, but I have never run this race prepared. I might even be more prepared to cover the distance this year then in the last 2 years. But that course is tough. My legs might not handle the pounding well with the layoff I had. In any case, I am going to try! I am excited to try. If I have to drop, then I will see about training for Rocky Raccoon 100. But I think I can do it!!!!
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