Running BATty

Starting again

2011-11-27T15:43:00.000-06:00

So it's time to start over... again... Yep! I had to restart this year. I had just gotten back to running when I fell. No not running. I slipped on the ice in a parking lot in late January/early February. I didn't think much about it at the time. However, as I got to higher mileage it started to show. Then in April I had some long runs close together that wound up on very hilly courses. On a Sunday it was 16 miles at Tan-Tar-A. Tuesday was hill repeats on Ogg Rd. Saturday was 20 miles downtown with some long steep hills. Tuesday was Ogg Rd again. On the 20 miler I had some discomfort in my foot and had to walk most of the last 3 miles. The hill repeats weren't too bad until the last one. I could barely get up the hill.

So I went to the doc on Wednesday. He said it was a stress fracture of the second metatarsal. Great! Oh but even better - he said "that ankles not right - you should go see your surgeon again." Fabulous! I couldn't get in to see the surgeon until the second week of June. This time the surgery had to wait until July 20. My schedule - his schedule and the holiday just wouldn't let it work out any sooner. Same thing as last time only not as bad. Just torn and "stretched" tendons, the ligaments were not severed as on my left ankle last year. That should make this go even faster for healing, right?

Wrong... Last time I had only been off of running for the 6 weeks. This time I had been off since May 1 (I attempted the Lincoln Marathon with a stress fracture - not good. Cut it off at the half!) It would be September before I was allowed to run. In the meantime, I had started walking the hills again. The Ogg Rd hill... it's a bear. It's the hill that the local runners use to train for mountain trail races. If you can run Ogg, you can run most anything. I started meeting the group on Tuesday's around August 9. Yes... I'm stubborn but I was just walking. Well as much walking as can be done on the steep downhill! Definitely walking uphill.

When I went in for my checkup on September 6 - my leg was infected. The upper incision had not healed. Bummer. No running for another month. I was prescribed an antibiotic - Bactrum (something like that) By Thursday I was having a complete and total allergic reaction to it. Apparently it happens in body heat and sunlight... Definitely ingredients for Ogg Rd in the fall! I had to go to the ER to get a shot to stop the reaction. It took about 7 hours for the itching and hives to go away! I can't recall ever being that miserable!

Back to the surgeon in October and I'm released! YIPPEE! Good thing since I had started running downhill in September! SHHH don't tell! It's much more painful to walk down hill. So now Koach can officially put running on my schedule and start to slowly build me back up. Most runs are more of a run/walk. Trying to keep the distance building while increasing my endurance. This is like starting from the beginning. The hardest part is that my head knows I should be able to run it all - including the hills. AND at the same time my head knows that I'm starting over and will eventually get there. But it's a struggle. Some days are really hard. Some days I can run mostly like before either surgery.

There will be good days and bad days. Right now the good days are starting to take over. It's exciting and can't wait to get back to the trails! That will be in December... if I can wait!

Believe,
Bobbi

Better Nutrition Equals Better Performance

2011-01-17T06:46:00.001-06:00

I am learning sooo much about nutrition. Ok.. I was ahead of the game in many ways by being a veghead for the last 15 years. And I had already gone to using extra virgin olive oil for most of my cooking even before that. I’m allergic to dairy. NO… not lactose intolerant but allergic.. you know.. hives! My dairy allergy would also manifest like a bad sinus infection. Problem is/was I LOVE cheesecake and lattes! I have also been allergic to many chemicals throughout my life some we still don’t know. Being around overly perfumed women is really tough for me. They just have to walk by and for many years there was one phone at school that I couldn’t use. Yeah… it’s that bad!

So needless to say, I already knew the health benefits of things like organic food, the variety of herbs for healing, etc. I simply didn’t always put things into practice. Mostly I did this because of what others would think. I am ashamed to admit that. People who follow the natural path for food/clothing/cleaning etc. are typically very liberal. I am not… I wanted to be healthy but did not want to be placed in the liberal category. In a conversation once, a new friend said to me “you’re tree hugger too???” No, I’m more of a conservationist but we were in a bar and that was not a good time to try to explain the semantics of the two.

As you may have read in the early post on my Plan for 2011, I am moving to a raw vegan lifestyle. Not because of animals (although I do love them) but for health reasons. Oh and the conservationist in me! I think by taking care of yourself with organic whole foods you can have an impact on the environment. Research is showing that medium sized organic farms are more sustainable that large factory farms. I try to eat locally whenever possible. The best resource I have for that is Door to Door Organics. They are a great company that delivers organic fruits and veggies to my door step. I get the bitty box delivered bi-weekly. I usually add a couple items. They allow you to sub up to 3 items per shipment and you can set your profile to say never send certain items (for me that’s regular potatoes!) Once when there was a problem with an item that was supposed to be in the weeks shipment they sent out an email saying if you have already received the item (leaf lettuce) they would credit your account or if your shipment was to come still you could sub an additional item or take the credit. How cool is that?!?! But what has been great is that it forces me to eat some things I might not ever pick up in the store. And since I don’t want them to go to waste, I certainly eat them. It has made me plan some meals better and to add more variety to what I eat.

Sooo what’s all this have to do with running? The old cliché “you are what you eat” comes into play here. My first event was put on by the Lawrence Trail Hawks (Coleen’s Frozen Fat Ass) and I did great! I was not sore and felt as if I could have done another loop. I had spent the previous two weeks eating a basically raw vegan diet. I did eat some warm winter soups and we did have one night out for Mexican. And as usual I had my Isagenix. But overall I was raw and if not raw it was vegan. I have found Pure bars and LOVE them. Over time I will be researching ways to include raw natural products into my training. I will keep you posted!

Believe!
bat

PS - check out the app at the bottom on what fruits and veggies are in season!

A Great Start!

2011-01-10T08:10:00.001-06:00

FYI this is NOT a race report…

After spending an entire year not doing any events, starting the year at Coleen’s Fat Ass on January 07 was the way to do it! I did not make the decision until about 6:00 AM Friday and the start time was 7:00 PM. On her Facebook invitation I had originally responded “Maybe” – I wanted to but wasn’t sure.

I have been running trails with my friend Cheri in Liberty but we had not run more than 2.25 miles on a trail. My longest run since surgery had been 5.8 miles and it was on a pretty easy road. Sooo… when Koach sent out his email about our Saturday training run on Thursday, I responded to see if he needed waterstop help. It was a 10 mile route that I was leery of. I know that he would find a different way for me or pick me up somewhere if needed but I really hate to do that. If I can’t run the route I don’t like being dependent on him to pick me. That’s not fair to someone who might really need his help. In my email I said I’d just run my scheduled 6 miles on Sunday after Mass if he needed help. But as I sent the email, I made plans to call him and ask about doing two 3.2 mile loops at the Fat Ass. I had all my points lined up… I was already scheduled for 6… I would walk the hills… it’s not a technical course – cross country teams run them. So when I talked to Koach Friday morning on my way to school I explained what I wanted to do. He said “Yes” he could use the help and was ok with doing the event. I was excited ALL day! The kids in my classes even asked what was up!

I changed my Facebook invitation to say I would be there and shortly thereafter got a message from Coleen saying to expect I big hug! I have not run with Coleen since before she ran Leadville 100 in August 2009. She and a small group of girls (eventually some guys) would run the hill on Ogg Road in Shawnee Mission Park. It’s a great hill for training! Anyway, she did Leadville then went to Australia for a number of weeks (6ish maybe?) to visit family. By the time Coleen returned I was done running for 2009 (I was in a boot) and 2010 was all about PT, surgery, recovery and a slow buildup.

As a matter of fact, I hadn’t run any trails since September 2009. I hadn’t seen many of my trail friends throughout that time. Cheri runs with RIT on Saturday’s and we do other things together every now and again… we were running trails once a week at the end of 2010. But all the others… my only contact was Facebook. That’s just how life works…

Anyway… I was very excited to see so many people. Since this is a Fat Ass event there really is no support. There is no timer which is what I needed. I just wanted to run without concern for speed. I could walk when I needed to. This helped make it a perfect re-entry into doing events.

They did have Heed and water but there is no swag, no awards, etc. I told Coleen I’d bring Roasted Pumpkin Soup (it’s a vegan soup). I dashed home from school and began the soup. I added some roasted butternut squash also. It was perfect! As the soup simmered, I got all my running gear together… WOW when you don’t run often it’s amazing how things sometimes get scattered! I found all that I needed, put the soup in a crockpot and headed to Olathe Prairie Center.

When I arrived at the Prairie Center, I was greeted by cheers and hugs. I met several people who I had only known by name. It was great to see many others… Debbie, Julie, Gary…

The best part about the trail/ultra runner community is that no matter what our other differences and no matter how long it’s been everyone is glad to see you. They are also they best support system a person could ask for. No one cared that I was hoping to complete just 2 loops. Nor did they care that I intended to walk part of it. Those that “lapped” me were encouraging as they went by. When I finished people congratulated me for what I had done. I wanted to do more but knew better than to push it. (I actually think I would have been fine since I was walking the hills and whenever else I needed.) I stayed to see some of my friends finish their mileage and to chat for a little while.

It was a great start to a new year... as another runner friend said once "a success story waiting to happen."

My plan for 2011

2010-12-27T10:30:00.000-06:00

If you are receiving this it is because I trust your ability to help support me on a new path for my health. Some of you will be there to help me make wise choices and some I hope to be resources on this new adventure.

Most of you know that I have been a vegetarian for a number of years. For a time I have been eating more fish and eggs (blegch!) than I would normally like but believed I needed it to have the copious amounts of protein required to support my running endeavors. I recently read (and recommend that you read) a book titled The China Study by T Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. I won’t go into details but suffice it to say that I will be making the switch to vegan. This is a health decision.

Over the years I have also toyed with the idea of Raw food. (Coleen this is where I need you!) I had actually purchased a Raw food recipe book in 2004. The pictures were pretty and the meals sounded interesting. However, that was the year I began running and never followed that path. I was searching for a raw food dessert and with the help of some of you, I was introduced to a website (http://www.kristensraw.com/index.php) This reinforced my decision and provided a plan to make the switch. Being a huge lifestyle change (yes even from vegetarian) I was not sure I would be successful.

So here’s my plan

Monday’s will be cleanse days (for those of you familiar – I will continue to use Isagenix as a nutritional base)

Tuesday’s will be all raw food

Wednesday to Sunday will be a mix of raw food, regular veggie fare and Isagenix (Shakes for breakfast and when I get home from school) with raw food spread throughout the day.

The intent of this is to slowly change my eating habits. As time progresses I will incorporate more raw foods. I have already discussed this with Koach Karl. I am hoping that each of you will be supportive and help hold me accountable. It is not my wish to impose my diet on you. We all make our own decisions about what is best for us. I will write about my progress on my blog (http://runningbatty.blogspot.com/) and hope that some of you may accompany me on this journey to improved health!

Thanks!

bat 

We Run as One

2010-09-04T13:44:00.001-05:00

Running is the glue that binds….

I read that recently somewhere. I have 2 divergent thoughts on it. Let’s talk about them:

First:
The article itself was on how running is what holds us (as in the singular “me” but all individuals who run) together. It generally makes us physically fit i.e. muscles toned, increased endurance, benefits to the cardiovascular system. You get the idea. Of course, optimally we will be putting good nutrition “in” so we can get good results “out.” =)

The article also discussed the mental and spiritual aspects of running. We benefit from those too. When I run alone, I can solve all the world’s problems. Ok… maybe just my problems. But I have made some of my best decisions when out for a long run. My mind seems to clear of the constant chatter and I can focus on one thing or maybe nothing at all! But when focused, I can clearly see all the sides of my current dilemma and therefore, can see many more solutions.

Sometimes when running I have run until I cried… cried over lost relationships, lost opportunities, lost loved ones. I run until I cry then I simply turn around and come back. The weight of all that has been lost is now gone. My run back is light and airy… I can see clearly again. (Sometimes this takes more than one long run!)

Other times while running I have had “topics” come up out of the blue – hmmm… what should I do about? Or maybe more like… Ya’ know I’ve never thought about doing X wonder what that would be like? Mind you this is a conversation within myself. It’s just me… and the rain…or the snow… or the sunshine…

Quite a while back my running group was asked to the question “Why do you run?” My short answer was that it makes me a nicer person… and it still does. I’m a MUCH happier and positive person when I can run. Not running makes me grouchy! There is a definite mental benefit to running.

On the spiritual side...Once on a trail run, while heading up the side of a mountain in Arkansas, I made the comment to my fellow runner “Why do we do this?” It was steep and tough. We were doing more power walking than running. My friend said “because of this” while sweeping his hand wide to the left for my eyes to follow.

It was as if on cue, God had created an opening to the side of the trail. We were on the side of the mountain that had a fairly steep drop. The river was almost directly below and the valley gracefully climbed away on the opposite side. Although it was a misty day, the sun was just beginning to light up the area using the cloud cover the way a photographer uses a diffuser on his flash. It was beautiful… this had my mind going for a while. Running (especially trails) we get to see places so many never will.

Second:
When I think more about running being a glue that binds us I also think about how it binds us as a community. We run as one... I think about how when out running we are all one race. We are runners. We can be of different national origins, different religions, no religion, different occupations, different political beliefs, different family structures, different… different… different. But when we run together we are of one mind.

I think of a trail runner I know in our area. Coleen. She is an amazing runner! We are as opposite as can be on almost all those items in the list above. But when we run together (I use that loosely – she’s WAY faster than I) she is always so encouraging and complimentary of my efforts. For a period last year I was running a hill (not hills… the same one over and over) with a small group. She, as well as the others, would cheer me up the hill applauding my improvement and encourage me to continue with them. And this was not just for me. Those who made it to the top first would encourage each of the others as they were climbing too. It didn’t matter that I’m conservative and she’s liberal. None of those things mattered. We were all helping each other.

My point is that runner’s help each other to become better runners. It’s a selfish sport in many ways but a sport that gives so much, to so many. We run alone but we run as one…

Believe,
bat

I'm Released!

2010-08-02T14:13:00.000-05:00

Follow up appt with Doc Horton was July 28. I went in hoping he'd say I could run by the end of September (remember they said this was a 4 to 5 month recovery process). He looks things over and says it looks good. I talk about the sharp pain I get occasionally and ask if this is just related to the work he did on the nerve. He says yes. So I said - then it will eventually go away, right? Again the answer is the affirmative. Now understand this... the pain is a sharp almost electric stab. It is momentary but feels like you've been stuck with a live wire. It's just a pin point but WOW it makes you stop for a moment. Then it's completely gone! So it's really just an inconvenience or annoyance might be the better word. He said it's just the nerves learning to "refire" and all will be well soon enough. He does write out a prescription for a nerve cream if I want to fill it. (I haven't yet..)

Then we talk about swimming. He had said I could but it wouldn't like it. And that is true! It hurts and seems to be the cause of some of the swelling I get. It swells up considerably more after I swim than when I do the eliptical. But that will slowly subside as well. I asked if I had to do physical therapy. He said he didn't think I needed it. I am WAY ahead of most people even after they've done 8 to 12 weeks of PT. He writes a 'script for that too - it's also still unused. He tells me PT is often really just for people who won't do their exercises on their own. Sooo.... on that thought I ask.... When can I run then? Today... Really??? Today??? He has them fit me with a special compression ankle brace. It has silicone pads that wrap under the ankle on both sides. I'm to wear it for the next 4 to 6 weeks while running to help with the swelling.

Koach was off doing his event (details on another day) so I decided I'd wait until he was back to run. I wanted to talk to him first about what doc had said. I was positive that if I ran a mile he would have said to run a half mile. If I had run a half mile he would have said a mile... Besides I wasn't expecting to run yet and my mind was prepared for a longer wait...I could wait a few more days.

Today I ran! One mile per Koach's instructions. It hurt!!! OMG did it ever hurt! That was the first quarter of a mile. Then it just slowly stopped hurting while I was running. It was a real learning experience. I haven't been in the heat or humidity at all this year (that's the good side of no running!) So I had NO acclamation to either. Today it's going to be 97 and it's not exactly a dry heat! But a mile was ok. I struggled with it. Although I have been swimming and using the eliptical there is nothing like carrying your own butt down the road! It was much harder than I was prepared for. But it was ok... Now I know what I need to work on. I get to be a new runner but with all the knowledge that I've aquired over the last few years and the guidance of a great Koach! How many people get that sort of chance? I'm feeling lucky about it all! =)

The brace is "crew" length and as I've said before "nothing sexier than a runner's tan in girl shoes" (insert sarcasm here) But I don't care what sort of tan line it leaves... I get to run!

The Only Thing That Stays the Same Is Change

2010-07-23T19:57:00.004-05:00

So it's been a while... sorry. Lots has changed. Running is on hold. I will not be able to do the race in November. If you followed along you know I saw an orthopedic surgeon late last year. I was sent to physical therapy and my ankle was taped. That seemed to be working. It was great! I was up to 6 miles pain free!!! How much better could it get?

At one visit, I joked with the PT about how long I would need to wear the tape. Spring was on us and a "runner's tan" is bad enough let alone having a "crew length" tan on one leg only! In the same appt he was working with my foot and the cuboid bone moved - he told me that was what happened. Anyway... my next run was horrible! I had to have Koach pick me up around 2.5 miles. I was crushed. I had another appt with the PT when I told him about it while he was working with my ankle he immediately stopped, looked at me and said "you're going back to the surgeon." Then my journey began...

My appt with the surgeon left me in tears. This surgeon is more like a diagnostician. He refers patients to the specialists or to other therapies such as PT. He told me if I was refered to Dr. Horton I would be told I couldn't run. And if I keep running on it eventually I won't be able to walk. I cried all the way home. Koach called to see how the appt went and I couldn't even talk to him. I didn't even answer. By the end of the night, however, I was pissed!

I made the appt with Doc Horton but it wouldn't happen until June 1. (Keep in mind this is mid-April) I also talked to a friend who referred me to her surgeon's office for a 2nd opinion. Ironically the 2nd opinion appt was before Doc Horton's! So the 2nd opinion doc tells me my problems are not because my ligaments are too loose but rather that my calves are too tight. He wants me to take an anti-inflammatory and stretch my calves several times a day. Oh and he says I can run! So I really, really want to believe him... I fill the 'script and start running. Some days are good some not so much. But it seems ok. At least I can run until the appt with Doc Horton.

I meet Horton on June 1. EVERYTHING he says makes sense! He actually pulls my foot almost a half inch from the leg bone! And I have problems with nerves in my foot and ankle. So it's surgery on June 16. Surgery went well and I'm supposed to return in 2 weeks for follow-up. Oops! I will be in New Orleans for meetings on June 28. I have to come back next week. When I make the follow-up appt I explain this to the nurse and I go back on June 24. Eight days after surgery!

They unwrap the wounds and it is gross! However, the doc says it looks great... then he says "wait. we just did this last week" I answer Yes. "that looks better than most that come in after 2 weeks! You must be really healthy." My thought was "Well yeah... I'm a runner and THANK YOU Isagenix!"

Believe,
bat

Increasing Distance (not speed)

2010-03-18T10:10:00.002-05:00

So my distance is beginning to increase. I'm up to 6 miles. Went to the PT last week and he worked on my ankle quite a bit. I had run right before going intentionally so that I could remember what "happens" while I'm running. It had been a cold run along the river front from the River Market in Kansas City.

My PT said I "was a lot of work" - like I haven't heard that before! He also worked on my fibula. It seems that it gets stuck and that also causes me some trouble. He used e-stem on the area slightly behind the leg just above and below the knee. As it pulsed it would make my foot curl to the inside. It was WEIRD but apparently worked. I ran 6 miles on Friday with no issues! Then 3 more on Saturday.

Tuesday was another 6 miles around Kansas City with Koach. I do love running with him. He keeps me at a decent pace (for me) and pushes me when I need it. I also love running in urban areas and get to do so with him. We ran out of the River Market into the West Bottoms. After learning the road out that ran along side Kemper Arena no longer exists, we cut through the parking lot and then into a neighborhood on a hill. To get there we had to go up a relatively steep flight of stairs! It's an adventure to run with him - something I don't get to do in my surburban neighborhood. As a girl I probably wouldn't run those areas by myself and besides, it way more fun to explore with someone!

So the taping seems to be working and my endurance for distance is increasing. Now I just need to get some speed back!

Believe,
bat

Still Running

2010-03-12T19:21:00.002-06:00

So far so good... It's been a long slow progression but it IS a progression! My farthest run so far has been 5 miles. It was GREAT! It wasn't easy. I'm sucking wind but it was so good to really be running. I felt like I could have gone on forever. However, the best decision was to stop. I know that I don't ever want to be where I was in October/November again.

I ran in Washington, DC in February. It was the first time I'd run outside since November. It hasn't been worth the time it would take to get dressed for the weather here to run such short distances. The weather in DC was perfect...oh except the 40 mph winds! I ran with my friend Tony. He's the one in the Mt. Hood report. We are on a committee - it's how we met. I ran alone Thursday after my plane landed and was able to check into the hotel. Tony ran with me Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday was perfect. The wind had died and the grey sky had openned up. We ran to the Lincoln Memorial then over to the Korean Memorial. Tony says he wants to show me something there. The marble wall has faces of soldiers etched into it. He points one out and says "we have every reason to believe this is my dad." How cool is that??? From there we retraced our steps back to the hotel.

While I was there I was supposed to run 2 miles on Thursday and 3 on Saturday. As you read, I ran 3 times... oops! And they were ALL for longer distances. Tuesday I had intended to only run the 2 miles. I took my normal route out then over to the Mall around the Washington Monument. However, the Health Summit was being held at the White House and I needed to get through the lawns. This caused a deter that eventually added almost a mile. Friday we ran just over 3 miles and Saturday it was close to 4 miles. I was sore - almost icebath worthy! But I was sooo excited to have been running that the soreness was almost a badge of honor! It was mostly my thighs. I was glad to just be running.

I've done a few runs since I've been home. I'm doing ok at 3 miles. I am working on changing my foot strike. It is more of a forefoot strike like when I'm running barefoot (which I had to stop in November since it wasn't helping the situation get better - it wasn't worse either - just trying to get better) It is so much easier to run that way that my lungs can't seem to keep up with my legs just yet! But it will get there. The 3 miles yesterday and 5 miles today show me that things are improving. The breathing was easier for a bit but as the distance increased the lungs got tired. I know they will be fine soon too.

Believe,
bat

Starting Again

2010-01-09T08:04:00.002-06:00

Just an update... I have been on injured reserve since approximately mid-November. Two years ago I broke my foot. I was having an increasing amount of pain in the same area (the long metatarsal at the arch on my left foot.) It managed to get to a point that everything hurt - running, walking, the eliptical - even swimming. Three different doctors (my MD and two Orthopedic Surgeons later) it's still up in the air. I definitely have some arthritis in the joint and some rigidity or lack of range of motion. My ever-too-high arch has started to fall. Dr. Noland (the 2nd Ortho - whom I liked much more than the 1st) also thinks I have some nerve damage from spraining my ankle a few times too many.

So to be safe, Koach has started me on a very conservative training schedule. My first run was .25 miles. Yep - you read that correctly a quarter of a mile. There was definitely pain but part of this process is to learn that this pain will always be there and to distinguish it from the "hey-there's-something-wrong-here" pain. As long as I know that it's not doing any further damage, I can live...errr run... with that.

So what have I decided to do about it??? Run of course! I am taking the positive road and have signed up for 2 races. One in April and one in November. I'm sure there will be others but I LOVE Rockin K put on by the Kansas Ultra Runners. Phil and Stacy Sheridan are the nicest people! The race is November... Mother Road 100 - its the final time they will put on this race.

For as much as I love trails, I also like roads. They fill different needs for me. On trails you must be "in the moment" or present. You are part of nature and all that is around. You see things the average person will never see. At an event in Arkansas (3 Days of Syllamo) I offhandedly said to Koach "Why do we do this?" as we were heading up a long climb. It was almost like it was planned, he said "because of this" and waved his arm toward an opening in the tree line on the cliff. The view beyond was stunning! The creek, the mountain on the other side, the sunning peaking through... I was humbled by it. Only God could create something so breath taking!

As for roads, it's where I zone (I have the scars to prove it!) I can let my mind wander. It's when I solve problems, make plans. My most difficult decisions are often made on a long run. The long run is where I find peace. It allows me to catch up with me and my mind settles. So the Mother Road 100 will be my first attempt at 100 miles. It will also be my major fundraising event for the Touched by Cancer Foundation here in KC. I'll give you more info on donations later in the year!

That's all for now! Gotta get my .50 mile run in!

Believe,
bat

WOW - it's been awhile

2010-01-02T12:32:00.002-06:00

Ok... so I haven't been not running - just not writing. Well... I did run until mid-November. I am starting on a new journey this year. I hope you will follow me.

I did couple great runs this past year and one not so good. The Patriot's Run on September 11 was great and I couldn't have done it without Bobbi Jo's help. Then I did the Portland Marathon 3 weeks later. Tony and his family were awesome. It was my 2nd fastest marathon and his absolute slowest!

Life is everchanging but like I said... a new journey come along for the fun!

Free State

2009-04-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

Where to start??? What makes for a “good” race? Uneventful and easy or if it can go wrong? Free State was the latter for me. It started with a late night Friday evening for a meeting and I didn’t get everything together for the next morning before going to bed. I set the alarm for 4:00 AM. I was awake at 3:00… I gave up and crawled out of bed, deciding to get my gear and fuel in order since I hadn’t the night before. I usually fix my Perpetuem and gel in the bladder, then place it in the fridge to be nice and cold. Yep… didn’t do that. So I was mixing it Saturday morning. Oh, and did I use the COLD water in the fridge… nope! Not thinking about it at all! Water straight from the tap… I never do that. Oh well… on with my day. It will take me an hour to get to Clinton Lake so I’m heading out the door just after 5:00 AM. One last trip to the bathroom… seriously… the handle breaks and there is water all over the bathroom floor. Fix the handle, clean up the water… out the door, finally… Oops, I forgot something… back in the house, oh yeah, I need that too… out the door again. On the highway headed to Lawrence. Damn! I didn’t get the cash that I went back in the house to get. On to Lawrence anyway.

When I get to the park I realize I might not have enough cash to pay for the day pass. I manage to scrounge enough change together to pay for my pass and head in to the race area. Once I park I try to call Courtney. The service is not good at this end I’m told so as soon as she answers – I lose signal. We do that 3 times before I give up. I’ll find her when she gets here. I have her race packet. We have to check in at registration so I head over to do that and start to see many Trail Nerds on the way. Hey and good luck… you’ll do great! Debbie and Laurie are venturing beyond a 50K for the first time. Jonette will do great too at her first 40 miler. They will be fine. They are strong runners. I’m sure there were others I just didn’t know who was doing what. Coleen is happy and all matching in her Moeben sleeves and skirt! I meet a few others whose name I recognize but have never met in person before. It was nice to put faces with names.

Courtney pulls into the parking lot and parks right next to her oriental friends that I met at 3 Days of Syllamo. She met them at Syllamo last year and then saw them at Brew to Brew. She asked if they did B2B this year and they said no – too much road. Here, here to that! Actually I like both for different reasons…. Trails are beautiful and challenging. You must be “present” to run them. Road allow my mind to wander. It’s what I do when I need to “run inside my head” sometimes.

We check Courtney in at registration and say Hi to the others around. Ben is busy being RD but stops to say Hi and that I’ll be fine – if I toughed out Mt. Hood I can do this. Thanks Ben. I’m concerned over the humidity. I haven’t really run in it yet this year. I managed to miss the heat each time I ran and those of you that know me…. Know that I sweat! The ring your skirt out, dripping wet kind of sweat…. No girly, girl “glistening” as my friend from the south would say!
So the race begins. It’s a nice easy pace. Courtney and I are joined by Beth Hilt. We run the first several miles together. I’m miserable. My stomach hurts, my head hurts, and I have NO “umph” – I am definitely not having fun. But I keep running. It’s nice conversations though and it helps take my mind off how bad I feel. Courtney does a nice ankle roll early (maybe 6 miles) so we walk it out. I’m not wearing a Garmin – sometimes I’m too much of a slave to it. So I had decided not to wear it. That and I didn’t think it would last the entire time I’m running. Speed is not my forte and the battery will die in 8 to 9 hours. I’m hoping for 10 to 11. I’m also hoping that not being a slave to Garmin will allow me to relax and enjoy the run. Relax… I’m trying. Courtney keeps reminding to just enjoy the day. It’s going ok but I feel like puking most of the time. And I’m really bloated – what’s up with that?? Taking my fuel regularly… Taking electrolytes and anti-fatigue caps on the hour. I’m nauseous anyway.

We get to the manned aid station at Land’s End. Kyle Amos is cutting up watermelon. He offers me a HUGE piece. I laugh – that’s good – at least I can laugh. Stacey gives me one that is more manageable! Courtney grabs a little something while we are there and we are off. Beth decides to hang for a little bit. She’s been running strong with us. I wasn’t prepared for as much mud as there was. I knew there would be some but I just knew it could not be like Psycho Wyco in February. It wasn’t. but it was close. And it was the super sticky mud in some places and the kind that you sink into past your ankles at other places. I am seriously about done with mud this year. We keep trying struggling along but making progress and our time is reasonable. Courtney’s ankle is holding up well and she is keeping me in the race.

The next aid station is manned by Phil & Stacey Sheridan from Rockin K. Stacy gives me a huge! It was good to see her. Very nice people and they put on a GREAT race! As we come all the way into the aid station another volunteer asks us what we need and what they can do for us. It’s some Coke for me and watermelon. Courtney grabs something too. Then we are off. We wave to Dick Ross on our way out of there. He’s always smiling out on the course! And volunteers countless hours taking pictures for us. Back to the Land’s End aid station we go. More mud, more streams… we stop sometimes in the streams. The cold water feels great! Clean the shoes off a bit and find more mud! J

When we get to Land’s End, Kyle puts ice in my Camelbak. I’m carrying Perpetuem and it’s starting to get warm. Not a good thing with the protein in there. Some more Coke (since Mt. Hood – this is my ultra drink of choice that isn’t fuel – Thanks Boss!) I’m still feeling icky but it’s manageable. Courtney is her happy self and keeping me motivated. Somewhere in this stretch (I think – could have been on the way to Land’s End…) we pass a woman who has signed up for 40. Courtney is talking to her. She is cramping some she says – just in the legs. Court asks “how far is your longest run” She answers “12 miles” WHAT??? Courtney is very nice and encouraging. Seriously?? Why do people do that? Reminds of us the girl we saw at the KC Marathon who had never run more than 5 and was doing the full – no fuel and not stopping at aid stations. At least this person was stopping at aid stations. We later learn she makes the right decision and stops at 20. DNF also stand for Did Nothing Fatal.

Back to the start/finish area… through the aid station there. Sophia is there with smiles and “mud hugs” – we are at 5 ½ hours for 20 miles. I’m not pleased but it’s ok. Courtney’s still doing ok on her ankle. Somewhere before we get to the first unmanned aid station, Courtney says that it sounds like my spirits are picking up. Maybe it’s the caffeine from the Coke. Maybe it’s the carbonation helping my stomach. The ice is also watering down my Perpetuem/gel mix. I’m thinking I might have had too much fuel to early. We have some GREAT conversations… I won’t tell you what they were about. But it was fun! I’m in a great mood except my feet are getting bad. Blisters in the usual spots but the raw that is happening on my ankles is starting to suck. I’ve never done that before. Maybe it’s the shoe-sucking mud. The run is uneventful. Oh I don’t like running on all the rocks on the shoreline. Didn’t like it the first time either. My biggest fear trail running is having muddy and/or wet shoes then slipping on a rock and cracking my head. That almost happened on the first loop. We get through it the second time… whoosh! Glad I’m not going for 3 loops!
Stacey Amos is queen of Land’s End aid station. She’s a bright spot in the day. Happy to see you and happy to help. Coke for us and some watermelon and a handful of Peanut M&M’s for me. Court snacks too. We are off and things are ok. Sometime in here Courtney’s ankle is beginning to bother her. We are slower but making steady progress. Overall it’s uneventful – just great conversation and beautiful views.

I said uneventful, right? That’s when the thunder rolls…Courtney is NOT used to Kansas weather. She asks about the thunder. We keep moving. Stacy Sheridan is at the aid station when we get there. She gets our numbers the volunteers fill our packs with ice again. We don’t stay long…. Just enough for Coke or Pepsi this time while the guys fix our packs. Coke for me. Pepsi for Courtney. Some melon and we out.

Somewhere in the next couple miles the lightening begins. Court wants to know if we should head up to the road. Nope… Stay on the trail. The road is in the open. Oh… then the sirens begin. Now if you grew up here you know what that means and you know what to listen for. I don’t know how to explain it. You just know. The sirens stop and the rain begins – a little more than a sprinkle but not really raining. We keep moving forward. At this point, Courtney says “when we get to the aid station we have a decision to make.” I don’t say it to her but I’m thinking “no – I’m going on. Boss will kill me if I stop due to marginal weather.” And I plan to pull her through with me. The sirens start again. I’m listening… the rain has stopped again but the critters are still making noise and the wind is blowing. Keep running. We pass the unmanned aid station and hear yelling. Is it someone calling for us to get off the course? We keep hearing it. Nope, it’s Rick Mayo pacing John King. Rick runs ahead then yells at John to get there. It works for John. He’s doing the 100k. Court & I keep going. We pass 2 guys who are on their 3rd loop. They tell us that everyone is supposed to get to a picnic area. We are about a quarter mile from the aid station maybe slightly farther. At this point with the sirens back on Courtney decides to head to the road. So I follow her. She does not know where to go when we get to the top. I’m pretty sure the road is not there but she’s already on her way. Into a small clearing amongst the evergreens. Yeah I do NOT like this. I’d rather be on the trail. I start to go in the direction of the aid station. She says “are you sure?” If there is one thing I’m good at it’s usually directions. I might not know exactly but I am one of the few women that know my North, South, East and West. I know which way I need to go. I also have a general idea of where I am. Land’s End is where I took pics for the Pod Trod. So I know which way to go – this is the way they sent me on that day. As we pass through a line of evergreens the lightening cracks! Holy Cow that was close! We both shriek… then sound is almost immediate. It couldn’t have been 50 feet away. The hair on my arm felt it. We are moving now – I can see Kyle & Stacey’s SUV. We have actually passed the aid station and need to go back.

At the aid station, we see several people who have to stop. Rick and John are already there, four more come in while we are there. Courtney calls into the news station and reports on what’s happening. Bonus points for her! We are at the aid station for about 20 minutes. Long enough to get cold and for my body to start feel the aches and pains of the run and the blister and chafing to make their presence known. The station tells Courtney that the storm is moving NE and then circular motion above has stopped. Then the rain comes down hard for a bit. When it stops we decide to head out. We have a little over 3 miles to go. The 3 miles takes forever. I have no “umph” left. The adrenaline rush of the last push to the aid station before leaving the trail and then the rush with the close lightening left me with nothing. I think Courtney was feeling the same way. She was doing better than I. My feet hurt and I have that pain that resurfaces after breaking my foot. It’s not broken but feels like it. Every step hurts. It takes us just shy of an hour to do the 3 ½ miles.

We finish though and at this point that’s what matters. We both have a recent DNF and are trying to clear the slate. It feels good to be done. Shortly after we cross the finish line and Sophia takes our picture the rain begins… this time it’s a downpour! I finished this event because Courtney kept me going.

So what makes a good race… the new experiences with great friends and the best volunteers…Free State has both.

Mt. Hood

2008-08-01T10:38:00.000-05:00

First let me say I have the BEST friends: Tony and his wife (Betty) from Canby, OR; Cheri (who gives unselfishly) and Karl (who knew what I needed from 1800 miles away.) A race is never really run on your own. It takes the support of many people whether or not you are going solo with no crew/pacers or not, many people helped you get to the start line. Much of this is about the trip – if you want just race stuff skip down to the side title “The Race.” J

Before the Race
Cheri & I decided to drive to Oregon. It’s about an 1800 mile drive. We left Wednesday morning just after 6:00 am. To fill our time we had books on tape to listen to in between chatting about an array of topics. The drive through Nebraska was uneventful…ok WHAT is that arch on I-80??? It’s a Monument to the West… bizarre! We drove through Wyoming (large quantities of vast nothingness) and into Utah. The mountains in Utah are beautiful and very secluded. I completely understand why the Mormon’s went there to hide. There so little out there that many of the exits only say “Ranch Exit” – it’s just a place to get off the highway to a ranch – no streets, roads or other highways – just the ranch. Very desolate. We spent the night in Brigham City, Utah after driving approximately 17 hours straight. Cheri did ALL the driving. The next morning we were on our way by 7:00 am local time. We had the advantage of the time zone changes driving out. It allowed for longer driving in daylight.

We headed into Idaho – pretty but not much stands out. I dozed somewhere before getting to Boise. We grabbed something to eat there and headed back out. Oregon is next on the highway. We made into Oregon and had a blast making fun of the signs. A sign will simply say “Wind” – uhh… that means “Strong winds possible” or “Dust” – lots of blowing dust. And then, there are “Rocks” – you know “Falling Rocks Ahead” J It was great! At our first stop to fill up the car, we both got out. (We took turns paying for gas and it was my turn.) To our surprise there was a gas attendant. He took my card while we were all standing there and filled Cheri’s car. She commented about having someone pump her gas and the man said “this is Oregon.” We later learned that it is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon. It has been on the ballot to remove the law and it fails on the rationale that it provides jobs (although very low paying ones.) The guy cleaned the windshield and then we were off. The eastern half of Oregon is “hilly” but its almost desert like. The land has been stripped of most vegetation and it’s very dry. Hence, the “Dust” signs!

We eventually made it to the Columbia River. It meanders along providing a division between Washington and Oregon. As it ducked in and out the terrain began to change to the lush coniferous trees. It was quite pretty. As we got closer to our turnoff we rounded a corner. The only thing I could say was “Holy cow” – standing in the distance in a stately presence was Mt. Hood. She dominates the landscape. It was stunning. We drove through some small towns once we took our turnoff. We had a blast with those signs too! One said “Congestion” …ummm… we are in No Man’s Land, Oregon! Congestion meant 5 driveways in a row! Hysterical!!! We made it to Clackamas Lake that afternoon and set up camp. Ok – Cheri set up camp and I did what she told me to! We went into Government Camp and had dinner. I called my friend Tony and we made arrangements to meet Friday. He would show us around Mt. Hood. The weather is beautiful during the day but the temps drop into the low 50’s at night.

Friday we drove something called The Loop. Tony, Betty and their 6 yr old grandson, Darion, met us in Government Camp. Being a “local” and a Geography teacher in a middle school, Tony knows a ton of information about the area. We had a personal tour guide. We went first to Timberline Lodge. The lodge is pretty cool; a WPA project from 1937. It’s where they filmed “The Shining.” After seeing the lodge we went out back. Tony explained the Glacier and how it changes over the years. Some years it’s very close to the lodge. It’s kind of surreal to stand on snow in July with shorts on and watch skiers! We left Timberline and Tony showed us Trillium Lake. That’s the lake you see on many of the pictures of Mt. Hood. The water is a toasty 35°!! We took some pictures and then started The Loop. The intent was to take us through the entire loop – we ran out of time. But we did go to Hood River where we had lunch and then traveled along the Columbia River. We stopped at Bonneville Dam. We watched fish swim up the fish ladder. At this point Tony and Betty decided we would get stuck in Portland traffic and so we returned to camp. This gave us time to go to packet pickup. Tony wanted information on where the aid stations were so that they could meet us along the race. After getting the information they were on their way back home. We would see them Saturday sometime.

The Race
I won’t lie to you here. I do not remember details of races like many people do. They happen and then they are over. I will give you what I remember!

I woke up about 4:15 on Saturday morning – too early to get up so I decided to lie in bed for awhile. It was colder Friday night! I got my stuff together and ready to leave. We had filled the bladders for my Camelbak before bed Friday night and put them in the cooler. We got to the start about 5:20 and I checked in. Runners were instructed to bring a flashlight if we were taking the early start. We started at 5:30 after receiving instructions from the race directors. We left the grounds of the ranger station and started on pavement. This allowed us to stretch out and not be bunched up as we made a quick U-turn before heading into the woods. It turned out that I didn’t need my flashlight so I zipped it into my pocket and forgot about it.

As we went into the woods I was running with another lady. She said this was her 2nd 50 miler. She had done Mt. Hood last year. “I’ve learned from last years race” was all she ever said. She moved ahead about a mile in. Somewhere in the next couple miles I started running with the fellow who had been in front of me. He had stopped for awhile and then caught back up. We talked a bit about the places we run at home. He was from Tennessee and trained on trails in the Smokey Mtns. This was his first 50 miler. As we neared the first aid station (Little Crater Lake) we ran over bridges and wooden walking paths. This area was pretty “marshy” and the wooden paths were only wide enough for one person. As you passed a runner leaving the aid station one of us had to get off the path onto the soft ground. The water was beautiful! So clear… Cheri was waiting for me at the aid station and at 6 miles into the race I was fine. All I could think was at least it’s not 90° with 93% humidity. This was an AWESOME way to run a race. The weather was perfect. The next aid station was 3 miles away. This was pretty uneventful. I got to the station, had a banana piece, talked to Cheri and left. Her job was to not let me hang out too long. She was doing great!

Somewhere in here I really forget the order of things. I was running along by myself when the regular start people began to pass me. Slightly demoralizing but I know I’m slower – that’s why I took the early start. Most of the trail is single track but can be up to about 4 feet wide. It’s not very technical but the few rocks that are there come altogether. I’m starting to feel the weight of my Camelbak (it has 2 liters of water and 2 liters of Perpetuem mixed with gel in it.) Because I’m now in mostly single track, as a runner passes me I have to step off the trail and wait for them to go by. This is the courteous thing to do but can be frustrating when you are already slow. After awhile I hear a voice in the woods. I know that voice and I know it will pass me soon! It’s Bad Ben Holmes! He’s running with Danny Miller. (Danny is going to run across Kansas in the spring of 2009.) Ben stops and gives me a hug along with a forecast of the next few miles. Damn! It’s mostly uphill! When I get to the 3rd aid station I’m greeted with Thongs! Yep – that’s what I said. It was hysterical! There were thongs hanging from the trees, on signs, volunteers’ heads! One of the girls commented about my running skirt and then showed me the thong under her skirt – don’t get excited boys it was over the compression shorts underneath! Before coming into this aid station we had to cross a highway. There were volunteers with flags to act as crossing guards each had a thong for a “hat.” I didn’t see Cheri right away but I saw her car so I knew she was there somewhere. As I was getting ready to describe her to the thong-wearing volunteer, Cheri came down the path. She checked on me and at this point I was still basically ok. I was slow but always making “forward progress.”

I ran out of the aid station to more thongs decorating the woodlands. It was a gradual uphill. Not bad but still uphill. Shortly I was passed by another runner. This time, however, the runner was coming towards me. Holy cheese fries! Is he coming back already??? A woman was not much farther behind him. Very demoralizing. “Am I really that slow???” But I trod on… constant forward motion. I later learn that they only went to the 4th aid station at the base of the mountain.

When I’m not running it’s power-walking. I’m doing a lot of power-walking at this point. And the gradual uphill becomes much steeper. The good news - as I consume what’s in the Camelbak, it becomes lighter. It’s still heavy though. I also start to get to more sun. It’s hot when it’s beating on you. It is in this section that I learned what the term “bonk” means. I was miserable. The scenery was beautiful but I was hurting and had zero energy. I would later learn exactly why. It’s a steep uphill followed by a relatively steep downhill. When I was at the top I passed a volunteer with a sack of flour. He was remarking the course and said to me “only about a mile to aid station 4” – that helped. But I had slowed considerably – oh and my Garmin couldn’t even tell me how long I had been out. It was busy “locating satellites.” I had gone through a variety of emotions at this point. I knew I could not sit even though I wanted to – it would serve no purpose. More runners are beginning to pass me heading back. As they go by, they all say things like “good job,” “keep it up,” “looking good,” you know the language. In my head I’m thinking “easy for you to say – you will make the cutoffs.” I start to cry. I’m stubborn enough to not let anyone see it as they pass. I must have looked pretty bad though. I was all but beaten.

I make to the Barlow Pass aid station (#4) and see Cheri. She looks concerned but is very supportive. The volunteer says “Number 6 (that’s me) I was looking for you.” I’m concerned now. “Am I taking too long?” I say to myself. I asked how long I have been out. “5 hours 10 min”…ummm… it’s only 20 miles in… not so good. I tell Cheri that I have never felt this bad after a marathon. Again, she looks concerned but says something nice and sends on my way. I turn around… “Will you call Dane?” She says yes and I’m gone. I have to cross another highway and head up.

This time it’s really up! I’m beat. I’m miserable. I don’t care. I want quit. The full gamut of emotions. I had started very determined. I have an hour and 20 minutes to go 5.9 miles. I can do that. I can’t run it at this point but I can walk strong. Oops then there’s snow. And it’s slick. Enough runners have gone through that the pile covering the trail is squishy on top mixed with mud. Great. Ok – I can still do this. Again runners passing me going down. Same words of encouragement but my negative feelings are starting to become strong. All I wanted to do was get to the top and be done. Like really done. I had no intention of coming back down. I have to traverse the step uphill (I’m heading up Mt. Hood at this point), climb over downed trees (scrapping knees and inner thighs) and there is still snow. The path is not covered in snow but the patches when they occur are large enough to slow down a person with no energy. Did I mention that was me? I continue up the mountain thinking I can’t stop because Karl will kill me. I can’t stop because Cheri would not get to run back down. I can’t stop because I didn’t ride in a car for 2 days over 1800 miles to DNF. I can’t stop because Tony and Betty have come out to support me. I just want to stop.

Eventually I get closer to the top and as I am nearing the last pile of snow in the woods, I see Ben Holmes again. He says “Take a left after the snow and you’re there.” Phew! I’m close and I will make the halfway cutoff for 13 hours. Oh yeah… “almost there” means a mile in sand. Yuck. The tears begin again. It’s bad this time. I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. I’m done at the top. And I can barely get there. It takes me almost 2 full hours to do these 5.9 miles. I spend at least 45 minutes in the sand. It SUCKS. However, I start to pass a few people in the sand. This means if I stay in I won’t be “DAL” – Dead Ass Last. Hmmm… nope I’m done… Then a gentleman (Bill) runs with me in the sand for a bit. He offers to take my Camelbak to the top to lighten the load. Very nice. I decline however, it was my choice to use it and I accept the consequences of carrying it.

As I go over one really bad section of – you guessed it – snow, I pass Dave. Dave stays close and we talk as we go along. I slowly pull ahead. I get to the parking lot of Timberline Lodge finally. This has sucked. Cheri is there and hands me a wet washcloth. Man that feels good! I’m miserable. The first thing she says is “Karl says you will regroup and be fine.” “Did you tell him I cried most of the last 6 miles?” “No, because I didn’t know that and I talked to Dane. He said he loves you.” The volunteer (in Ironman plaid short) was phenomenal. I don’t remember exactly the order but things went something like this. “Do you need your water filled?” “No” “Do you need some food?” “I don’t know.” “What do you need?” “I don’t know.” “Let’s just take that pack off and I’ll put cold water in it anyway. Give you a break from it while you drink some coke.” Cheri had handed me coke. She had been told to do a number of things for me at the aid station. Caffeine was something I needed. I just didn’t know. Karl knew from half way across the country. I was in bad shape. The gal & Cheri take my Camelbak. As the volunteer opens the back to get to the bladders she exclaims, “Honey, you are not getting your electrolytes!” “Yes I am” I say obstinately. “NO – you aren’t” and she shows me the bladder. At this point, if anyone would have asked, I would have bet all my worldly possessions that I was more than halfway into the Perpetuem. I was drinking often. I looked down to see that I had not consumed even a quarter of it! WOW – no wonder I feel bad and have no energy. I have bonked. And now... I know that it means.

The feed me peanut butter and jelly sandwich, banana and more coke. Cheri joins me. I’m feeling much better as we head back to the trail. I’m going to make it and maybe I can get down faster than I went up. Seems logical, right? We stop after getting out of the sand and clean out our shoes, socks and dust off our feet. There was a downed tree nicely laying across the path for us to sit on! Life is getting better and my mood has improved. Cheri set her watch to beep every 10 minutes. I don’t know why she did that but I chose to make sure that when I heard the alarm I would consume fuel. This helped tremendously. She questions me about fueling and I tell her what I’m doing. It’s working.

Basically going down is much better. Not really much to say. We see Tony at the Thong aid station. They are out of coke and I want caffeine. He has some Lipton tea in the car and runs to get it while Cheri grabs my drop bag. I’m still eating bananas at each aid station. My drop bag has a bottle with HEED powder in it. I switch to that after filling the bottle with cold water. We continue on with me drinking every 10 minutes. At the next aid station they have Coke. GREAT!!! It is now my new favorite ultra beverage! It might have been psychological at this point but I’m happy with my progress. We miss Tony here because he has taken Cheri’s car key and gone to get her car. Betty drove it to the camp. As we leave the aid station I asked Cheri to change her timer to 5 minutes. I’m going to do a run 5/walk 5 as the terrain allows. I’m tired. Oh and did I pass off my Camelbak since I’m not using it any longer??? Uh… NO that would have made sense!

Tony meets us at last aid station. When I get there to retrieve my drop bag – it’s gone! They’ve taken them all back to the start. I’m not happy but I understand that runners are waiting for their bags. They are serving HEED on the course so the volunteer fills my bottle. Tony asks how we are doing. Fine…No problems other than I’m tired. That last for maybe 2 miles. I say to Cheri “my foot feels like it did before the run at SMP” – for those that don’t know, I actually sprained my foot back in October on a Monday morning. We ran Tuesday evening at SMP and that’s when I broke it. This does not look good. It hurts with every step and is getting worse. I’m starting to cry again. I only had 6 miles from the aid station to go. It takes forever. I can barely walk. I firmly believe at this point that it’s broken again. How am I going to explain that to Karl? The sweep catches up to us with less than a mile to go. He stays with us until we are on pavement again. He goes on “to announce our arrival.” I cross the line and Olga is there to hand out a hug. I cry one more time. I’m done.

It was incredibly hard when it shouldn’t have been. I made mistakes and have learned from them. I will do it again and next time it will be under 12 hours!

After the Race
Tony helps us get to the creek so that we can get into it. The water – a toasty 35°! It was my intention to go in to my waist, or rather, sit down in it. I can barely walk my foot hurts so much. Cheri and Tony are helping me. I stand in the cold water for only about 3 minutes. It already burns – it’s really cold! We get back in the car and drive to camp.

Betty has made us dinner. I’m here to tell you it was the best! We had salmon cooked on the grill, a squash/zucchini vegetable cooked on the grill and a sun-dried tomato, parmesan pasta salad! WOW – you couldn’t get something this good in a restaurant! For dessert there was a raspberry, chocolate pie with whipped cream. I told you at the beginning – I have the BEST friends! After waiting 2 hours past when I would have thought I should be done. This is what was in store for Cheri and I.

Again, races are run by runners but they can’t be run without the support of so many people. It’s not just the race directors and volunteers. It’s the people who are closest to you. Without their support a race isn’t possible – be it the time to train along the way or the support they give on race day. As we thank volunteers we need to remember to thank our primary support system. So …

Thank you Tony and Betty for staying all day and providing a wonderful meal.
Thank you Cheri for driving, being at every aid station and bringing me back down.
Thank you Karl for your knowledge while training and for knowing how to help me when I needed it.
And mostly, Thank you Dane. Training takes much of my time and you are always gracious in allowing me that time.
bat

Running DC and more

2008-07-10T17:37:00.000-05:00

So I just returned from DC. OK - I got back Monday. It was fun but not my best trip. I LOVE running there but this time was different. I couldn't get to many of my favorite places because they were getting ready for the July 4th celebrations. They had the sidewalks down both sides of the Reflecting pool blocked. A couple days later they blocked it AT the WWII Memorial so I couldn't even go down the outside path. I fell running one morning. THAT was hysterical. I was somewhere between Georgetown and Adam's Morgan. The sidewalks are in need of some attention in many of the "non-tourist" sections. The curb was fine but the bricks that made up the sidewalk had sunk some. I was looking off to the side trying to decide which direction to go now and didn't see the curb sticking up. Into the street I went! I bounced even! Skinned both knees, my chin and took a huge chunk off my shoulder. You can't believe how many people touch your shoulder when talking to you until there's no skin there!

Anyway, I had one GREAT moring running down Constitution Avenue. Every light was good for me. I ran at least a mile with no stops. I Rocked! I ran 6 of the 8 mornings I was in DC. I could run there for miles even though it's only about 3 miles wide! I love the architecture and the history that goes into everything.

Since I have been back I have done back-to-back 20 milers. (Wednesday & Thursday) Very humid. They were not so much fun. Koach ran the 2nd half of Thursday with me. I would have made it without him but it was sure easier when I had someone with me!

The Bike

2008-06-13T17:23:00.000-05:00

So let’s talk about biking… most people I have a lot of brass and will do just about anything. They also know that I’m sort of a control freak. Not in a bad way but like on the bike, if I don’t feel like I have complete control of what I’m doing then I struggle. I don’t care about situations or people or whatever most control freaks want control of. Mine is about what I’m doing. I was the kid who if I couldn’t do something well the first time I did it I would not do it. Or if I thought I wasn’t as good as other people I wouldn’t do it. So as a kid I didn’t “do” a lot of things. My loss…

So now I’m an adult and I don’t care what other people think so I’m doing things. However, I didn’t learn to really ride a bike as a kid. We didn’t really have any and the roads in my neighborhood were more like dot-to-dot patterns of pavement. Oh and the hills to get out of the lake area were horrendous! The roads had no shoulders and often the edge of the road was even eroded away. It just was not a good place to ride. The last time I rode a bike I was 15 (1981). Keep in mind that I lived at an “undeveloped” lake. So we decided to go over to a friend’s house real quick to do or get something. I got on the green 3 speed. Yeah 3! Anyway, it didn’t matter how many speeds it had because you never used them! As we were going past a T-junction a block from the house a car came around the corner way into my lane. I swerved, went into the gravel that has runoff from the edge of the park and lost control of the bike. I was in a string bikini (remember I was 15 and could wear one!) I “supermanned” about 20 ft across the top of the gravel. Nothing major but it looked awful. No skin on my chin, the inside of my arms, my upper chest, belly, thighs and the tops of my feet. All surfaces scratches but it looked bad! School was about to start and by the time I the bike was fixed we were in school. The next summer I was 16 and driving so who needs a bike!

I got back on a bike for the first time (other than trying to teach my kid how to ride one) on April 16. Oops! I crashed it. It was a bad crash. I thought I was ok but the next day I had trouble and they took me to the ER. The doc there said I had a concussion – he used some word to describe it but basically it meant pretty bad. They sent me home and told me not to go back to work for a few days. I have vision trouble still and my speech is mostly normal. I was having trouble will alliteration and sometimes I could think something but could not get the words out of my mouth. It was very frustrating – especially since I teach! I went my doc and he said if I hadn’t had on a helmet I’d be dead. How’s that for a first ride in 27 years!

So here I am, learning to ride a bike. I am even more cautious than before the crash. I was doing ok with the speed and getting into aero. I just needed to learn to work the gears. (Remember, I have never done that!) It was on a hill in aero that I crashed. So now I hyperventilate when I start going fast. I know that I will be ok eventually just not sure how long it’s going to take. I don’t feel like I have control of the bike. Or rather where the front tire goes. So far I’ve been riding upright not in aero. Once in a while I will get in aero but not often. When I have ridden with Koach he will make me do it but I don’t stay there long. Last time I had one hand on the aero bar and one on the brake! The speed scares the bejeezes out of me!

The more I ride the better but the weather hasn’t been very cooperative either. It’s been 30 mph winds or storms since May. Unless it’s a day where I have NO time to ride and then it’s perfect riding weather! Today was the best day we’ve had in a long time. I rode about 45 minutes with traffic but still not in aero. Not being in aero also means I’m working harder than I should because I’m not using the gears they way they are meant. I did shift once today (I think – maybe twice) but that doesn’t really help.

Keep your fingers crossed for me. I want to be doing “Ok” by the time I leave for DC at the end of the month. I’ll be gone for 9 days without the bike.

What a difference a pair of shoes makes! (And a day makes too…)

2008-06-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

I did the 2nd Rock Creek trail race on Saturday. I was miserable for the first one so I didn’t write about it. I hated every step. I could not even enjoy being in the woods I was so miserable. But this weekend was a different story! When we left Topeka in May we went right to Garry Gribble’s Running Sports. (ok – we were parked there but we went in.) I bought new trail shoes. I had been wearing the Vasque Blurr’s – I did not like them. When I tried them on in the store, they were fine but running was different. So I bought a pair of Brooks Cascadia’s – LOVE them!!! My old ones were Cascadia’s also. This was the Cascadia 3. Garry had not been carrying the women’s version in his stores and I had been reluctant to have him order a pair without trying them on. Trish, Cheri & I went in to the Independence store and they had them in stock! I tried them on a WOW – it was like the first time I put on my Nike Vomero’s! It was perfect.

So we did the race – this one was 10 miles. The series progress in length over 4 races. It was HUMID. Holy Cow! I was dripping – you could ring out my running skirt! The race is tough but not bad. There are lots of rocks and relentless ups and downs. It took 2 hours 38 min to do 10 miles. Last year at the same time, I did Hospital Hill in 2hrs 23 min and it’s 13.1 miles! Let’s just say the elements were trying very hard to win!

Cheri & I did a race the next day (Sunday) for Heartland. They have been primarily mountain bike people but have started some trail races. I was 1st and Cheri was 2nd in the women’s race. Oh yeah! We were the only women! And she let me run ahead of her. I'll take a first place - it might be the only time it ever happens! She is practicing pacing me at Mt. Hood. She did an excellent job. I would have taken longer on the 2nd loop if she hadn’t bee with me. I just need someone to keep my mind busy so I can’t think too much about the task at hand. And she made decisions about when to run and when to walk. I think I started Sunday’s race dehydrated. Or at least low on electrolytes. I was beat very early. It was like I couldn’t catch my breath…

I was feeling pretty beat up about it over the weekend. I kept saying “How am I going to do 50 miles, when I can barely do 10?” I think compounded with the struggles I’m having on the bike I just wasn’t feeling like “me” – I said something to Cheri about that while we were running and she said “How can you not feel successful? A month ago you couldn’t even run and look how well you are doing!” Sunday – I didn’t care but today I feel better about it all. I know I can finish Mt. Hood. Don’t what my time will be but I know I can finish.

Now I just have to get over the bike… hypnosis maybe! :D

Biking

2008-05-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

Hmm... biking... is going to be the death of me! Ok maybe not but who knew it was so hard! I mean c'mon everyone says "just like riding a bike" as a reference to being easy...I'm not doing so well. Of course, I a riding on tires that are thinner than my fingers and I haven't ridden a bike at all in 27 years (shhh don't say that out loud!)

I knew the swim would be a struggle but I had no idea biking would be this hard for me. How come I can run down the side of a rocky, rooty steep hill without hesitation but I can't ride down my street without putting the brake on??? I know that momentum is my friend on a bike but I am seriously struggling with it. I know the crash didn't help my situation and is making me overly cautious but wow somehow I have to get over it. Just not sure how.

I also know that once I finally do I'll be just fine. As I was with swimming. I fought against it and fought against it. Then I was told by far better swimmers that I was doing just fine and the next time I swam - I was! Biking is not going that way... I still know I will be fine. Just not sure what it's going to take to get me over that hump. Any ideas?

Try again!

2008-05-13T19:10:00.000-05:00

Ok - school has to get out soon! Training at 2:40 in the morning is about to do me in! Today was supposed to be a 4 mile run - Oops - I did just 3 b/c I read the wrong day off the schedule. But I also did 45 minutes on the bike since I didn't go to the gym yesterday.

There is a guy at the gym...What a Hoot! He carries a GALLON jug with him. I said something to Koach once. He said it was probably distilled water but sometimes it's orange. Anyway, the dude seriously cracks me up to watch him. He's in very good shape but he does the thing where he does one exercise and then paces around for a bit before the next set. He's usually doing the blowing hard breathing thing too. Hmmm. Maybe that's where the term "blow hard" comes from! He's very serious about what he's doing. It's just hysterical to watch. I'm the only girl in the gym at that time. So it's not like it's peacocking behavior! And at best there are like 2 or 3 other guys. You just have to see it!

What's your reason to run?

2008-01-17T11:31:00.001-06:00

Running for a reason… Running for a cause… these keep spinning around in my head. I would like to do something that helps others and wrap it around those thoughts. Technically the group I run with raises money for the Touched by Cancer Foundation but we are not required to do so to be a part of this group.

When I started running it was for me… to get away… or to run away. But through the efforts of others while training with my first charity group I learned that helping others is a much greater benefit to one’s life. It makes it mean so much more. Running that is… It makes you connected with the greater good of others. Since I’m not required to raise funds to participate I haven’t been as driven to do so. But I have felt something was missing in what I’m doing. Sure it’s great to know you can run 50 miles or the 3 marathons in a row, but it only helps me. If it’s a running community, shouldn’t we have a positive affect on our community? I have been taught that by example.

My problem is I’m great with ideas but don’t always know how to make them come to fruition. I can see something out there but don’t know what to do with it. So here I am with this idea… Run for a Reason – What’s your reason to run? And I don’t know what to do with it.

From a Recent Conversation...

2007-11-12T17:33:00.000-06:00

Running has made me a nicer person. I’m not as stressed as I used to be. It allows me time to think and time to feel. I’ve learned to deal with problems and to let others go. One long run has taught me more about who I am than all the meditation I’ve ever done combined. I have learned to dig in and find out what I can do when I don’t think I can do any more. Most of this comes from the long runs…20, 30 or more miles. I would love to be at the point where I could do that every weekend – 30 or more miles. I learned a lot about myself on Sunday between Miles 35 and 40 – especially the ones Koach wasn’t there for. And somewhere in the last four miles I found even more. The 50 was a long way on a boring course. I almost think it was harder because of the repetition. There were too many times it would have been easy to stop. We were at the start/finish line seven times. A few people did – they just called it a day with two 8 mile loops to go. I’m sure there will be a time when I DNF. I’m not sure how I will deal with it. So far I’ve been very, very lucky. Part of that is good training/coaching and part of it is me. Somewhere in me is the will to survive (be it a race or a disease) and it has to be the strongest part of me.

First 50 Miler!

2007-11-06T09:56:00.000-06:00

A flat, chat course…Hmmm…sounds good after doing the mountains. That’s how I went into the Blue Springs 50/50. This is a Lou Joline special. It’s very low key with enough support to get you through it. You have the option of starting at 6:00 or 7:00 am and you can run a relay, marathon, 50K or 50 Miler. Everyone runs the same route – north 4.5 miles and back then south 4 miles. You do a combination of those to meet the distance of your race.

I chose to start at 6:00 am. That way I’d have plenty of time to do 50 miles. Cheri is there to help and Brent has come to see me off – isn’t that nice! My instructions were to run a 12 minute pace for the first 40 miles then I could do whatever I felt up to after that.

I began running with a woman named Tina who was trying to get a qualifying time for Western States. She had no watch or GPS and so she decided to hang with me for a while. I was also without my GPS. It wouldn’t come on! Cheri called her husband to bring me hers. It was dark and cold. We were told there were mile markers every mile and so I checked the time as we left. When we reached 12 minutes we walked for a minute. There was no mile marker. Hmmm…Did we not see it in the dark? Oh well on we went.

We almost got lost the second time we stopped to walk. This time we saw the mile 2 marker just after we stopped. We were at a bridge. Apparently someone had taken the directional arrows that were put out. Thankfully there was a guy just behind us that knew the course. He pointed us in the right direction and off we went. At this point another woman was with Tina and me. She was there because I was the only one with a headlamp as well. Don’t these people every run trails? Why would you come out to run in the dark with no light? The guy at the aid station had a cowbell or something like that. He started ringing it loudly as we came in. I checked my watch and I was pretty much on schedule for time! Woohoo for me!

Back we went to the start. Pretty uneventful. Tina talked about moving from Berkley to Columbia. She works for the university. And she talked about there not being any hills there! She is used to the long, sustained uphills of the Bay area. I simply listened. Well, kind of, it’s more like zoning out. I’m starting to approach the distance where my mind settles into itself and I just cruise along!

I stopped at a bathroom on the way back and Tina continued on. She really wanted to make her qualifying time. I just wanted to finish! When we got back to the start Cheri had her Garmin for me to wear. Yippee!

The next section is 4 miles to the south. It’s really flat except for a couple places where it dips for water to flow. Those spots are also concrete and not gravel. After crossing them a few times you can feel it. I get to the turnaround (Mile 13) and cruising along in my own little world that I almost didn’t hear my name. Karl is at the aid station. He checks on me. I’m fine.

Back to the start – 17 miles done. I take my jacket off to run this round; Cheri helps me take me it off. It gets stuck trying to go over the Garmin! Cheri is also helping me out with fuel. She exchanges my bottles each time I get to the start. Out for another round on the north route. Again, uneventful until I hit a soft spot in the gravel. It was like the ground gave way under my foot. This is about mile 21 – shortly after the turnaround. By mile 23 I can feel it. My knee is starting to hurt. I get to the start and keep going. I’m just past half way!

Cheri runs up to tell me how Amanda is doing at Marine Corps. I said something about me knee and she offers to get my strap from my car. I’m not sure how far I got when a voice says “how long has your knee been hurting” as Karl hands my strap to me from his bike. “Since mile 23” I say. Then explain what happened. He rides with me for a while and then goes off to check on Trish and Karna who are doing the 50K and started at 7:00.

When I see him again I’m on my way back. This is lap 4. I’m just over 30 miles with two laps to go. The three out and backs on to the south are all running together in my head. Karl stays with me for most of this leg. My knee is starting to hurt…bad. He asks me if I want something for it. If you know much about me you know I know NOTHING about pain killers! He rides off and meets me at the start with ibuprofen and acetaminophen. (I think??)Hopefully one of them will work. As I start back out my hip flexor is getting bad. It’s taking the beating from my knee. Karl rides up and offers to help stretch it out. What a sight that must have been if you were on the road. I’m standing on a bridge on Hwy 78 with my hands on the bridge and Karl has one leg bent at the knee while pulling my leg up behind me! He sends me on my way and meets Trish and Karna again. They should be on their last lap.

After I walk it out for a little bit (and the meds start working) I’m running great again. I’m even maintaining a pace about 30 seconds faster! Woohoo! The next time I see Karl I have 12 miles to go. From this point on, he pretty much stays with pushing when I need, letting me cruise along when I’m fine and pulling me when I don’t think I can take another step. Whichever it was, it was always the right mix of humor and encouragement to get me through.

The 50 mile course is set up so that you so that you go north then south, then north then south, then south, south. On one of the last three trips to the south I said “I’m about bored with this course.” It’s an easy course and it’s flat but 4 of the 6 trips from the start are to the south with the last 3 in a row. For me it was very boring. I needed something to take my mind off of how far I’d gone and how far I needed to go. I needed something to “look at.”

When you have finished the race you get a Lou Joline special medal – this one is even round! Overall though, it was a great day with good weather. Would I do it again? Probably!

I have learned that even though you are running when you do something like this you do not accomplish it alone. Thanks to Karl & Cheri for all their help and to Brent for coming out to cheer me along.
bat

Why Run??

2007-10-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

For those that don't know, I belong to a group called Runner's In Touch. We raise money for charities, currently it is the Touched by Cancer Foundation based here in Kansas City. Through that group our coach (Koach Karl) will sometimes ask a question. He might have us read or listen to something first and then we "discuss" it via email. This week he asked "Why do we do endurance events?" So I'm going to share part of my answer with you.

I grew up at a county lake and running to me was (and still is) watching the heron glide over the water, the morning sun as it peeks through the trees and glistens on the lake. It’s the deer at dawn and dusk as they emerge to feed on the farmer’s corn. The changing of the seasons in the park. Running for me was never the punishment in school that kids perceive it to be. I never hated it.

For me the benefits begin to happen when I get to the higher mileage. Not the benefits of being “healthier” but the peace. Healthier is just a side effect. I don’t get comfortable running until somewhere around 4 or 5 miles and then find the calm when I start to get upwards of 15 or more. The longer my run the longer the calm that comes from it lasts. Also, I have about the worst case of ADD that a person can have! Running keeps my body busy so my mind has time to be still!

Somewhere in all of this becomes the challenge to see how far one can go – to test the limits of our humanness. I listen to friends, family and the kids in my classes as they say “I could never do that” or “I can’t do that” and I wonder what makes them believe it. If you know me, you know that I am full of quotes. One that I attribute much to is Arthur C Clarke’s “The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” I wonder what has limited so many to their view of possible. I know that my view of possible had been limited to a marathon until life’s path introduced me to Koach who has used endurance runs (multi-day and ultra distance) as a means of raising money for and awareness to a charity.

I once had a conversation with Koach that went along the lines of “What makes one want to run farther – as running has done more for me than any amount of prayer or meditation.” The answer for me is what Koach said it was…Running gives each of us what we need when we need it. It allows me to find out what I’m made of and how I will react to the stress it provides. It has allowed me to find my demons and begin to face them.

A final thought:
“What you see and hear depends a great deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what sort of person you are.” C. S. Lewis

Tahoe Triple - WOW

2007-10-04T12:21:00.000-05:00

Tahoe – What a beautiful place! Brent, Michele (our crew) and I left for Tahoe Tuesday afternoon. We flew to Denver then on to Reno. We had to drive from the Reno Airport to Tahoe. After a few trials and tribulations we made it into our rooms at the Ridge Pointe Resort. (Thank you, Cheri!)

Brent started this event with ankle trouble. He had some trouble with it along the way but got up each day and completed the task he had set out to do. I am very proud of what he did. He accomplished his goal of the Tahoe Triple because he did not quit. If hardship is the tuition for a character degree, then Brent has earned his Master’s!

There are many events taking place during marathon week in Tahoe – bike, swim, multi-day triathlon, marathon, ultra marathon, triple marathon, super triple, a 5k and a golfing event. Day 1 and Day 2 are “unsupported” marathons that are run on the roads into traffic. The roads are not closed for the runners. There are a few volunteers on the course with water, more on the first day than the second. The bike event is the second day and some of the volunteers are helping them. We pass the bikers as they travel the entire distance of the lake on Friday. We are halfway into the 2nd marathon at that point.

It was absolutely breath taking some days. The views made you forget that you had run so far or up and down so much! After each day I got in the lake! It was like having your ice bath right there!

Day 1 we began at Inspiration Point on Emerald Bay we traveled downhill for about 6 miles and the “rolling hills” until the final uphill at the end. As you leap frog the crew for other runners they become friendly sights as much as your own crew. They cheer for you and offer help to all the runners. For an “unsupported” event I felt more supported than in an “official” race. At mile 23, a three mile climb – what a way to end Day 1! J

Day 2 the temperature dropped and the wind picked up. It was approximately 25 mph coming off the cold lake. The wind was creating white caps on the surface and flags were blowing straight in the wind. It was COLD! Even for me – I never took my jacket off. Day 2 also takes you through a nice little neighborhood whose least expensive home is $1.5M – yep! Very nice!

It snowed on Saturday (Day 3) so we ran the first 10 miles or so on snow/ice but it didn't matter because the views were incredible. The trees were so tall that as the snow melted from the tops of them it turned back into snow by the time it got down to me! It was AWESOME!! Day 3 has a 2 mile mountain climb at 18 to 20 that is approx a 12% grade - if not more. Then there is another one about a mile after that! But when you get to the top of the first one you are looking at Emerald Bay. It's like Heaven! J The 2nd hill is where we began on the first day and it's all downhill from there!

The recurring theme was “OMG – isn’t it beautiful!” I can’t tell you how many times each of us said that.

As runner’s we tend to think with our feet rather than our head, I repeatedly found myself swerving into the road as I looked at the majesty around me. My feet had a mind of their own as I ran through the course. They carried me up and down hills, through towns and around bays. Each day they carried me into the lake. It was an incredible experience!

If you want to try an endurance event this is a fantastic way to do it! Three marathons, three days and all the “hills” you will ever need!

As soon as I figure the photo thing out I will post some pics!

It's been a while!

2007-09-19T18:01:00.000-05:00

So it’s been a while since I’ve talked to you all. Sorry. Lots going on. I left for Philadelphia in late June to attend a meeting. I returned on July 6. I went to another meeting for the last week of July. So here’s the deal: I am no longer with Team In Training, as our coach left and I went with him. There was some trouble at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society office here in town and they were not supporting him. He has done much to promote their cause. I felt they should have done a better job in dealing with the situation.

However, Koach and his wife have begun a new group called Runner’s In Touch – Endurance Teams. We have had RIT for charities for a couple years. The charity group has been volunteering at a local home for boys where we develop activities to get them active. It has been a great program. For the endurance teams we have hooked up with the Touched by Cancer Foundation and will begin raising money for them. Doing this allows the members to run for any cause they choose and receive the training and support they need. It’s great!

I completed a marathon on 9-11. It serves to honor those who lost their lives and those who are serving our country. My cousin left for Iraq last week and I ran in honor of him. There was a simultaneous run in Ramadi, Iraq as one of the race directors was deployed and is currently serving there. The actual run is for 9 hours 11 minutes but this year they added the marathon. You can come out anytime to join the long run and run as many or few laps as you can. The entire thing is done on a ¾ mile loop! Originally I thought that would be daunting but it wasn’t so bad. I had my best marathon time doing it! Of course, a friend came out at 3:00 to run 15 miles and she really saved me! I’m not sure I would have done so well without her help. It was like having a pacer for a marathon!

I will be running in Tahoe next week. Brent and I leave on Tuesday along with his girlfriend. Michelle will crew for us the first two days of the marathons. I’m looking very forward to this. I was having some issues with eating for a while but they seem to have passed. I apparently uncovered some old demons and will now begin to face them. But through it all I have believed that I am very well trained for the three marathons. I’m very excited about going and believe it will be a great experience.

Gotta go! I promise to be back sooner this time!
bat

Some days are better than others

2007-06-21T12:35:00.000-05:00

Why are some days so hard and other so easy? Distance makes no difference. Monday was a 3 mile run and it was easy. Tuesday was a trail – I’ll tell you about the excitement later – but it was easy. This morning it felt like I didn’t know how to run at all. My legs didn’t work right. Every step felt “jerky.” My breathing was erratic. It was like I had never run before. I don’t understand. Especially at the beginning of the run but somewhere after the first mile it began to change. Thankfully!

I have run complete distances and never found a rhythm, that’s very uncomfortable and no FUN! I run because I enjoy it. Period! I love the way it feels to run and the way it feels to be done. I get lost somewhere when I’m out there, especially at 4:00 am when I have the road to myself. But if things hadn’t smoothed out this morning and stopped heading into the “NO FUN” zone, well, I guess I would have just finished and come home as planned…

Tuesday we were running at Shawnee Mission Park. I am totally sold on the trails. You don’t get to zone out like on pavement but I love being in the woods. We had just started running and I was leading. As I was cruising along, looking at the path before me and then scanning 8 to 10 feet ahead to see what is coming, I looked down and on the trail was a snake! I couldn’t say anything fast enough to let my running friend know what it was – so all that came out was a loud squeaky noise as I passed over the slithery critter. He apparently had time to “move” as she passed over him! It was great! We had to stop to regain composure (after we got a distance from him). I’m not really afraid of snakes. I just wasn’t expecting to see one stretched across the trail. His head was on one side of the trail with his tail off the other. That makes him about 18 to 21 inches long. I learned later that he was a Red Milk Snake – not poisonous in any way. Again, I just didn’t expect him. I hadn’t seen any snakes on any of my runs – the deer, squirrels, possum, skunks – they’ve all been there but no snakes yet! Now I can say I’ve seen one on the trails. Mark that box and go on…

In the beginning...

2007-06-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

Where do I begin?? I started out wanting to run one marathon - something I had always wanted to do. Somewhere along the way I fell in love with ultra running! I've completed two marathons and one ultra. I am planning on a 50K in July, the Tahoe Triple in September, The Nike Marathon in October and a 50 miler in December. There will be something in August and November – just not completely sure yet… How does that happen???

I can explain part of it - I started running with Team in Training in 2004. We have a fantastic coach - Koach Karl. His dedication to us and the integrity with which he does it is amazing. The rest…Well…It lets me find that “quiet” place inside. The one you hear about from people who meditate or pray a lot. Running is my form of meditation I guess.

I have also learned that I LOVE running on trails. Although you can’t “zone out” quite so much out there as on pavement, there is definitely something about running in the woods!

Back to Team in Training...this program allows you to train for a marathon while raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. When I began the program, it was about me... I wanted to run a marathon and figured this would be a great way to do it. Somewhere along the way though that changed. You learn that it (the program) isn't about you. It's about what you are doing to help patients and their families. It touches you somewhere inside and you come back season after season to raise money. Your family sees the change it makes in you and doesn't mind as much when you keep hitting them up for donations. It truly makes a difference in a person as well as the in the community in which one lives.

Soooo If you feel like donating sometime please visit my link at the right. It will be money well spent!