Fall Trail Series: Aravaipa. October-December.

I have gotten behind in my blogging. I want to mention a little about my October, November, and December trail races.

October: Cave Creek, 19.4 miles, 10:33 pace, 3rd Girl. 
The race was 2 weeks after St George Marathon. I did it 2 weeks after St George last year also, so I didn't think that it would be a problem. I think that I just forgot how hard it would be. It was more technical and rocky than I remembered. I might have gone out too fast. I didn't have a negative split. My first half was faster than my second half. My final time was slower than last year. My legs still felt a little heavy from the marathon. It was still a good day. I still enjoyed it. I guess that I always am hoping to be a little faster than the last time. So when I already have run a certain distance at a certain race, it's hard not to compare myself and be disappointed or elated by how I compare to myself the last time. But St George was an "A" race for me this year. I tried to prioritize St George and at Cave Creek I just wanted to run the way I felt. I didn't push for a PR at Cave Creek. And I tried to tell myself that not getting a PR was fine. It's not always about being faster. Not every time. I also try to think of MOST of the Aravaipa races as trail adventure days. Not as races. Sometimes I pick one to be an "A" race for me. It was definitely a good training day.

November: Pass Mountain, 31.65 miles, 10:13 pace, 2nd Girl. 
This was a 50K PR for me! It felt great! It was just one of those days when everything went well. My average was never slower than 10:17 during the race. I was excited to be out there for 2 loops of the mountain. I love Pass, and love the view from the top. At the beginning I noticed that Paulette was toeing the line so it kind of took the pressure off me...I mean no chance of winning so I could just relax and do whatever pace felt best. But after getting over the mountain once, I passed Paulette. She was having stomach issues and decided to drop out. So now I started wondering if I could be in the lead. I wasn't sure. I decided to try to finish strong in case maybe I was. When I finished I found out that there was another girl in front of me. But I was rewarded with a decent PR, maybe 4 minutes faster than I've done before.

December: McDowell Mountain Frenzy, 50+ miles, sub 12 min pace. 2nd Girl. 
This was my second 50 miler, and on the same course as my first 50 miler. I shaved my time from 10:36, to 9:45!!! A 51 minute PR! I attribute the better time to the weather. The weather was 35-55. Perfect racing weather. It felt very chilly in the beginning. Mary was kind to drive me to the start of the race, arriving way earlier than she needed to for her own race. Her and I shivered under a heat lamp in the dark until the race started. I started out with my favorite blue jacket on and my old Nike warm-up pants. I knew that I'd be able to take them off and put them in one of my drop bags later at Gate Aid or Pemberton. I didn't end up shedding them until, I think 11ish miles in. The rest of the race I wore shorts and a short sleeve shirt. I was comfortable but every time I walked a little I'd realize that it was chilly for walking. The brisk weather kept me moving!

I tried to remember to eat something real at every aid station. I took a gel every 5 miles. I ate things like bananas, potatoes, m&m's with peanuts, pb&j quarters, and lots of dates. Dates were my favorite real food item of the day.

Sometimes people ask me what I think about when I'm alone running. I didn't really think about much that day. I really just looked around and enjoyed the outdoors. Sometimes if I needed a distraction then I would think through the lyrics and verses of 3 songs that I prepped for the day. On Friday, the day before the race, I chose 3 songs and looked up the lyrics to them. If I don't look up lyrics then I can usually just remember like the main chorus to a song. So I sing the chorus over and over and get sick of it real quick. Here are my 3 songs for this race:
Sure be cool if you did, by Blake Shelton
Just give me a reason, by Pink
The only way I know, by Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church.

When I got to Dixie Mine (19 miles) I was at an exact 10 minute mile. But then it was time to climb Thompson Peak. I made a potty stop in the bushes and then hit the climb. This is a 5 mile section, up a mountain and then back down. It is very steep. Hands on your knees steep. Not runnable. I like that they have this section though. I wouldn't want them to take it out. It makes things more interesting. And the view is worth it. I felt allot faster on it than last year. My stomach did better on the downhill. Last year I had to take the down hill really slow because the pounding was hurtful to my stomach.

When I got back to Dixie Mine then I grabbed my old watch out of my drop bag. I figured that my newer watch would run out of battery soon. I set out for a 5+ mile loop. I really like this loop. Last year I remember it being hot though, and I remember walking a little. This year I still felt really good and kept running. I was alone for this whole loop. I noticed that my watch battery died, but then I couldnt get my old watch to find the satellite. So I didn't have a garmin record for a couple of miles there. I admit that I like having stats later to look at. At least I only lost a couple of miles.

When I got to Dixie Mine for the third and final time, I sat in a chair and changed my shoes from my Adidas to my Brooks, and changed my hydration method from bottle to back pack. While I sat there my old watch was able to find the satellite and become useful. This is about 30 miles into the race. I started my old watch at 12:34 PM.

Now for the last 20 miles. I was alone for a long time, so when I got back to Coach Whip Aid Station then I asked them how far ahead others were. I was hoping to catch up and have some company. The guy said "well the next girl is quite a ways in front of you, but you never know, you might be able to catch up, don't give up". I could tell that he thought I was being competitive. I told him that I just wanted company. He said oh ya, I think there is a guy 10 minutes ahead of you. When I got to Gate Aid station there was another guy runner there. He ran by me for a little while but then he dropped back to walk. I kept going and started looking forward to seeing Karen.

One of my dear running besties, Karen, offered to pace me for final miles. The last section of the race goes back to the Start/finish area and then you go back out for your final 5 miles. It is a great place to pick up a pacer. In the final sections I kept texting Karen at every Aid station to let her know how close I was getting. I was ahead of predicted schedule so Karen had to come meet me an hour early than we had planned. I'm glad she was flexible, and I'm glad that we had cell service! I was feeling ready to be done, but knew that having a friend would be enough of a boost to keep me going. I was so excited when I came over a ridge and saw the Start/Finish area in the visible distance. When I got there I saw Karen's vehicle with her family in it. Karen jumped out of the Pilot and I felt an immediate increase in strength and determination. I honestly don't know how I would've finished without her. I got something out of my drop bag, I think gloves and a fresh bondiband. It was early enough that we didn't bother grabbing our head lamps. Karen ran right behind me and chatted. I talked a little but I mostly listened. I was really grateful for her conversation. If I started to get discouraged at all then she would quickly bring up a new topic to distract me. I was walking now on the up hills, but still running quite a bit. I kept a 12:33 pace average for the last 5.5 miles with Karen. I actually forgot that there were several significant little climbs at the end. I was getting a little angry...."REALLY??? At 50 miles they are going to throw me this hill????" But I was still in good spirits.

At the finish I was cheered home by my family and Karen's family. It was pretty quiet at the finish line. Just a few volunteers left. Not many spectators. I was glad to have my family there. I got hugs and then Noah walked me over the the bathroom to change. Last year I remember quickly turning into a shivering, hyperventilating mess at the end. So this time I changed into warm dry clothes as soon as possible. This helped allot. And then I got some quesadillas and warm broth soup. My girls talked to the tire girl. This girl runs long races while dragging a tire behind her. She does it to raise awareness for recycling. www.tyregirl.com. The girls got to sign her tire and even go for a little ride on the tire.

After we got home then Noah went out to get us some Rubio's chicken nachos. We enjoyed the nachos in the comfort of our bed. I didn't end up sleeping well. My legs were achy and I kept waking up soooo hungry. I kept getting up and finding things to eat and more Diet Coke to drink. Even though I didn't feel like I slept much, I did feel good to be home warm and cozy in my bed. Part of me wants to be awesome enough to do a 100 mile race, but part me thinks that getting home in a warm bed is really pretty great.

I love, love this race. My racing schedule has been pretty much the same for two years in a row. I think that next year I should mix it up and choose different races or different distances. To keep things new and fresh. But I really adore MMF 50 miler. I love the layout. I love the flower pattern, where you visit certain aid stations more than once, but you don't just continue doing only one loop over and over. I love the time of year. I love the feeling in the McDowell Mountains. I love the friendly helpful volunteers. I love that its mostly a kind course. I love that there is a super challenging climb in the middle. I love the convenience to pick up a pacer at the end. I love that its pretty close to home for me. So many good things about this race. Well done Aravaipa.

St George Marathon 2013

My 3rd St George Marathon!

Last Saturday I ran the SG marathon once again. I love this marathon more each time I do it. Marcie told me that she is going to run the SG marathon until she dies. It is pretty addictive. I may not be there every year, but I know I will return, again and again. Maybe someday I will even be in the 10 year club. Once you get in the 10 year club, you don't even have to go through the lottery any more. Automatic entry. 

I have lucked out the years I have done SG. It can sometimes be too hot, but I've always had really good weather. In the past I've gotten hot for the last couple of miles. This time it was perfect. It was pretty cold at the beginning, but one cold mile to warm up was worth never getting hot. This year I still appreciated the bags of ice and the cold wet wash clothes that volunteers were handing out. But I didn't need them. They were just a nice extra. I still accepted them greatfully. Who turns down ice during a marathon???

I've always had to make a potty stop on SG marathon, and this time was no exception. I filled my water bottle and made a potty stop at mile 17. I had also filled my bottle at, maybe, mile 8. But I only went through 3 bottles of water this race. 

On race morning we were dropped off near the buses by Cynthia's husband. Me, Karen, and Cynthia. We met Virginia and Elyse. We were trying to find a bus where the 5 of us could all fit together. We started to think that maybe we lost our chance as all the buses were pretty full. I was about to say that if we didn't get a bus we could just start our Garmin and run our 26 miles. That is when it hit me that I left my watch on the charger back at the condo. No watch feedback for me. 

We did get a bus and when we got off the bus Virginia and Elyse took one of the first porto lines while Karen and I went to find Marcie. We found her with a great front row spot at one of the bonfires. We told her we'd be back, and went to take our trip through the porto line. The lines were long and slow. We were still in line when the gun went off. We decided that it would be best to wait and take our potty turn. The race was being chip timed so a late start would be just fine. We stripped off our long sweats to leave in our drop bags. We got our potty turn, wished Cynthia a good race, and Karen and I ran holding hands toward the bag drop off. We figured at this point that Marcie probably already took off. We hoped to see her out on the course. I kept looking through the crowd for Marcie the whole race, and never got to see her or run with her. I did feel sad about not getting to enjoy any bonfire time, and not getting to run with Marcie. 

Karen and I stuck together for about 10.5 miles. We tried to start conservatively and even chatted some during those miles. My feet were painful to run on because they had gotten so cold. But I warmed up and took my throw away sweatshirt off by mile 1.5 I think. I did keep my gloves on for a long time though. Maybe 15 or 16 miles. 

When we hit Veyo hill it got really quiet around us. The ex-aerobic instructor in me came out and I felt an uncontrollable need to do some loud hollering...but I apologized to those around me...I'm about to get really loud!!! The "woo-hooing" gave me an edge and the hill felt easier than in the past years. 

I was sad when Karen and I got separated but I was so proud of her that she was running such a great race, just 8 months after having a baby! She finished with her 2nd fastest marathon time ever! And she has run quite a bunch of marathons. Good Job Karen. The miles we were together really flew by. I'd see a mile marker and think it was gonna say 6 and it would say 8! After I was alone then I was more aware of the passing miles, but still felt that they were coming easily. 

I had decided to push harder after the half way point. If I had it in me. I still was holding back some though, even after half way. I figured that when I had 10 miles left I would really start to push. So at 16 miles I started gradually going faster. Every mile closer to the finish line I tried to push a little harder, a little faster. Sometimes this strategy works for me. Sometimes it doesn't. It feels great when it does. Nothing feels better than a strong finish. My mantra for the last 6 miles was this: "Its only (6) miles left, so whatever you can do now". I said that to myself at 5 miles, and then 4, etc etc...pushing harder with every mile. It was kind of nice to not have my watch, because everything was based on perceived exertion. I felt really in tune with my body. And then I could see the finish line. I figured that Noah and the girls would be there watching for me. So my eyes scanned the crowd for them. I heard them yell Lindy and saw them waving. I waved back and then flew through the finish line to get my 2nd best time ever! 3:33:20! 

I stayed in the finish area and watched to see Karen and then Marcie finish. Then I enjoyed one of my favorite perks of the SGM....huge slices of great harvest bread with a generous layer of butter. And ice cream bars. I'm telling you, I would run 26 miles for yummy bread and ice cream any day! My favorite reward treats. 

We were so happy as we found all our friends in the finisher area. Everyone had done so well. Virginia who was recently injured still got to run a strong race. Elyse finished her first SGM and did great. Cynthia got an amazing PR! Everyone was all smiles and happiness. No haters. 

I can't get enough of that course. The beautiful red rock scenery is just amazing. There is something magic about the course. And Veyo hill comes at just the right place. You get a nice 7 mile warm up first. Then you get to take on Veyo hill and you kind of climb for 3 miles. But you are still fresh enough for it. And then if you held something back, you can really cruise all the rollers to the end. It is not really ever flat. Always a little up or down. But that feels good. And it switches up often to relieve your cardio output on the downhill and then to switch muscle focus on the uphill. There is enough down hill that my legs start to feel thrashed and threaten cramps. But it was nothing that some salt pills and my gu's couldn't hold at bay. 

Thank you Sweat Sisters for enduring the summer training and early mornings with me! Cynthia, Karen, Virginia, Elyse, and Marcie from afar!!! A big part of my love for SGM is the group effort. We DID it!!!

Love, love, love this race. <3 p="">

Tahoe Rim Trail 2013

Tahoe Rim Trail 50K

July 20, 2013

On the Plane. Travelling to my first out of state trail race. So exciting!!!

It all begins at Spooner Lake. 

Waiting for Race to Start

I had to wait for mile 5 and mile 10 to open my first two gels. Special gels because they included a laminated inspirational message from two of my Best Running Friends. Isn't that the greatest idea ever???

Running up hill after Hobart. 

When you run up hill you get rewarded with spectacular views from the top!

I had to stop and admire such views!

The scenery was everything that others had said...sometimes people work up your expectations too high and you are disappointed. I don't think that anyone could say too much good about the scenery at TRT. 

Trying to remember where I took this. I think I was climbing out of Red House Loop. The heat had started to set in. 

I think I saw this view on the way to Snow Valley Peak. 

On the way to Snow Valley. 

I did it! This is my shiny plaque. 

I think the pictures are the big deal about TRT. They show what kind of day I had! But if you want to go on, you can read my blah blah blah about how I got to TRT. All the gory details are more for me than anything. I have to do a brain dump to get closure.

I can’t believe this race has come and gone. It has been on my bucket list for a bunch of years. I first became aware of it through Scott Dunlap’s blog. His pictures and description made it sound like a must-do. Then Julie-Anne Cox told me a couple of years ago that someone she knew was doing the race. Mary Knott. This is how I met Mary. I had to approach her and ask her about her experience with this incredible race. At the time I was flirting with becoming a trail runner. As soon as I introduced myself to Mary, she gave me the jumpstart that I needed. She immediately invited me out to run with her on trail. She introduced me to local trail running options. Aravaipa. Now I’ve been running trail pretty regularly for 2 years. So I feel like this race had a pretty big impact on me before I ever ran it.

I will admit right off that my training did not go very well. I had a leg injury to deal with, and then just 2 weeks before the race I found myself in an Urgent Care, hardly able to even walk…with a different health issue. From early May until the race in late July, I had to cut out the bulk of my running. I tried to stay in some amount of shape with my cross training. Cycling and swimming. I still tried to get a long run in on the weekend. Sometimes I could. A few times I couldn’t. And if I did, it took a whole week before I could run again.

Doctors must hate runners. In the Urgent Care I told the doctor that I needed to run 32 miles in 2 weeks. For runners, our health issues take precedence. Because we have an upcoming race. Fix ME,….NOW, because my race is all important!

By race day I felt okay. Not all better, but okay. However I didn’t feel like pushing things. I decided to participate in the race. I couldn’t miss out on the scenery, or the event. But I knew that I shouldn’t race for time. My body and I have a deal. I very rarely “lay it all on the line”. I try to be mostly good to my body, and most of the time my body is good to me.

On race morning TRT provided a bus from the Carson City Plaza Hotel, where we were staying, to the race. As I got off the bus in the dark I saw Emily Harrison and congratulated her on her recent top 10 performance at Western States. She was here to pace Ian Torrence on the hundred mile distance. Then it was down the hill to the tents and two times through the porto potty line. Then it was time to start. I tried to get up closer to the front of the pack. Mary had warned me that it would be hard to pass people in the first 6 miles to Hobart. The crowd got thick and I couldn’t get up past the middle of the crowd. It was indeed hard to pass anyone on this single track with thick foliage to either side. The group went out very conservatively and immediately started walking all the up hill. I’m all for conservative start, but my phone told me it would be 63 to 102 degrees. I figured it would be better for me to go out a little harder than usual to get done before the sun was on me. But it was too late. I was caught there in a 12-13 minute mile pace.

I was loving the trail surface. We just kept climbing up switch backs. I passed a few people whenever the trail would open up the tiniest bit. I was at Hobart before I knew it. I wanted to keep going, to get a little farther ahead in the line up. But decided I better fill my water bottle. The volunteers filled me up quickly and I was on my way again.

A little climbing after Hobart and then we got to a beautiful view of the lakes below. I took my phone camera out and snapped a few pics. When I decided not to have a fast race, I committed to taking home some good pictures. I loved when it was time to take a gel- I do it every 5 miles – because I started with the special gels that Cynthia and Karen prepared for me. They wrapped these gels with an inspirational quote. So my first 2 gels had a message to give me some mental strength.

It was 5 more miles to Tunnel Creek. This was the main aid station. From here we went on the Red House loop and then the 50 milers would also make an out and back to Diamond Peak. TC was an amazing aid station. With big tents set up. A medical tent with stretchers, and camp chairs to relax in. The tables were full of all kinds of goodies. I went with icy coke and salty ruffles potatoe chips. This was my staple for the day. And it tasted good every time! I saw that they even had a box full of spirits toward the back of their tent. Who is drinking hard alcohol out on the trail??? It’s hard enough for me to judge my feet as I jump rocks and other obstacles. Doing it intoxicated sounds very challenging!

Then I took off to conquer red house loop. They call this loop “The taste of hell”. Someone later told me that this was a good year on Red House Loop…that it is more hellish down there on swampier years. There were a couple of water crossings, but I got through without my shoes getting soaked. Just a little wet. It feels a little jungly on RHL, and there is a mile and a half steep down hill. The kind of down hill that I know I will suffer for later in the race. The kind that messes with your insides. I tried a technique that I saw someone using at McDowell Mtn Frenzy- I ran a zig zag down the hill. It adds extra mileage, but it did feel more gentle than tearing straight down the hill. I did enjoy RHL. There is something about it…haven’t really figured out yet what the appeal is, but I did enjoy it. It just feels different I guess.

Then back to TC aid station. I filled up my race cup (recyclable to use the whole race) with icy coke and sat down for a few minutes to clean up my stuff. I threw out my first 3 gel wrappers and got the last 3 gels out of the back of my pack to put in the front of my pack. I felt like I was kind of half done with the race. My watch was telling me that I had 18.5 miles at 12:20 pace. Then my watch died right before I left TC. This is when it started to get hot out. I left TC walking. I needed a little time for my tummy to settle from the fruit and chips I had taken in. I decided that I’d rather walk than linger longer at the aid station. Hopefully I would feel better soon and get the second wind that I sometimes get late in a race.

But I didn’t really get that second wind. It just got harder and hotter. I did okay for the 5 miles back to Hobart. I made some friends. I chatted with some people around me. I mostly ran with some walking breaks.

From Hobart over to Snow Valley was only 3 miles, but it felt like it was all up hill. This is the point that you reach 9,000 feet elevation! But you are rewarded your efforts with a beautiful view up top. And at Snow Valley Aid they made me a tasty ensure smoothie. The cute boy scouts greeted me by name and gave me a citrus powerbar brand gel that went down really well. They had a bucket of icy cold water and a sponge. Squeezing that sponge on my neck felt amazing.

After this I only had 7 miles to go, but my second wind was nowhere to be found. I was still enjoying the scenery. And looking back it’s hard to remember why I was suffering. I wasn’t on the brink of puking or anything. I just didn’t feel like running. I think it was the heat….? I chose to run in the sunny sections and walk in the shady sections. I wanted to maximize my enjoyment of the shade. I knew that if my training had been better that I would be giving myself some major pep talks….”you trained for this, you can do this, you do this!” but I could not muster up any such self talk. My self talk was instead…”look at the trees! Enjoy the forest! Take your time!”

Of course when I saw race results later I was like “couldn’t I have just enjoyed the scenery while traveling a tiny bit faster???” but it’s hard to remember how you felt in the moment. All you can do is use it to prepare for your next race.

There was a mini aid station with water and some gel just a mile and a half from the end. A woman yelled out “Girls rule!!!” as I approached. Soon after this aid station I could hear the chearing from the finish line. This perked me up quite a bit and I started to move better. It became apparent though, that even though I just had to circle the side of Spooner Lake, even though I could hear the cheering, it was still farther away than it seemed. It’s a good trick. I was able to run it in under 8 hours.

At the finish they gave me a plaque and made me a big fat burrito with Chipotle Chicken, rice and beans. It looked so yummy but I was only able to eat a few bites.

Looking back on the race I think my lead up nutrition was good. I think I did pretty well at consuming calories during the race. I stayed on top of my electrolytes and when Id feel a twinge of leg cramping Id pop some salt tabs and be fine. I think I did okay. I just needed more confidance, which would’ve come from better training, and maybe some heat training. Does heat training work??? I suppose it probably does.

I already long to go back and experience the course again. What an amazing race. The location is just amazing. The trails and the layout are amazing. The volunteer crews are amazing. The scenery is amazing. It is incredible and magic. There are many races on my bucket list, but I must do this one again someday. 

Mesquite Canyon: Final race of the winter series

Mesquite Canyon 50K

March 23^rd, 2013

I was excited for the last race of the Aravaipa series. Excited because it would be kind of like the grand finale to the season. And because it had warning notes on the website. This trail race is not for beginners. Very challenging. The map to the trail said that in sections it was closed to mountain bikers and equestrians. And for hikers to use caution.

So I was curious! How bad could it be? I like the idea of a gnarly challenging trail!

I signed up for the 30K course, but as it got closer I really had a hope in my head to upgrade to the 50K. I typically have a spring marathon on my calendar. Usually in April or May. This year I had not committed to a spring marathon. But I left the decision to the very end. I thought that if I got a long training run in then I would do it. At Elephant Mountain I got 22 miles, and 2 weeks after that I got a 24 mile Saturday run. So I felt prepared enough to jump up to the 50K.

It was tempting to stay with the 35K so I could ride to the White Tank Mountains with Michelle. It was the furthest trail of the series. An hour and 15 minute drive. But I knew that 18 miles would leave me wanting more.

So I set out on my own Saturday morning, leaving early so that I’d have time to upgrade my entry. Trail races are so accommodating and they let me pay the $15 dollar difference right there. I asked them to switch my bib color too. From yellow to red. It’s a good thing I did. I’m prone to getting lost and I need all the help I can get. At one point after an aid station I started off going one way and the aid workers yelled at me “hey you, the red bibs go that way” pointing a different direction…oh ya…

The whole race felt very technical. Very rocky. Jumping and using my whole body. And climbing up hill while maneuvering the tricky surface. I could feel very quickly that I would be plenty sore from this race! I started to worry because I knew that the very brutal technical section came toward the end of the race! If I didn’t know that, I’d have thought that I was already on the brutal technical section!

I was leap frogging with a girl for awhile. I’d pass her on the up hill, and she would pass me on the down hill. I felt some confidence that if there was enough up hill in the race that I would fare well. Up hill is hard for me, but is my strength more than down hill I think. But then we came to a long super technical down hill stretch. Everyone started passing me. On the scary down hill I feel like my knees are gonna buckle. I have to slow more than others. I felt like everyone I had been around got way ahead of me. I talked myself into just enjoying a day of beautiful outdoors and just found my all day pace.

By the time I hit half way, 15 miles, my legs felt shot and I didn’t see a fast finish in store for me. Several miles before the 2^nd to last aid station, I started fantasizing about Coke and Ice. I wanted ice in my water bottle and I wanted to put down some coke for the calories. Food didn’t sound any good. Just cola.  I knew there’d be a station at 22/23 miles. I just had to make it there. There is always cola. I made it there. No cola. No soda at all. No ice. I ate a slice of orange and a fig. The kind volunteers filled my bottle with water. And I was off. But I was kind of broken. I felt distracted and not ready for the next 5 mile stretch. I was running by Amy. I talked with her and we lamented on the coke. She had wanted it to. I caught up with Michelle who was out there for the 50 miler. We talked and then I started to get ahead of her but I was still distracted and low on calories. I missed a ribbon and got off course. I came to a dead end by a murky frog pond.  I turned around and back tracked but got back on course going the wrong direction. Back toward the aid station I had recently left. Lucky for me I ran into Amy and she turned me around. I gradually started getting ahead of her and then I came up on Michelle again. This is when I wondered if I had been off track longer than I thought!

I was glad to be with Michelle and Amy and another guy as we headed into the boulder stretch. These were big boulders and we had to climb over some, using our hands and looking for footing. While I was climbing a big boulder I got a major charly horse cramp in my leg that made me scream. Michelle came up behind me and put her hand on me for support, worrying that I would fall. I assured the others that I was okay and just had to work through this cramp. I convinced them to go on. But Amy left me with a salt pill. I used my last tiny bit of water in my bottle to swallow the salt tab. I was hoping to stay with them for company. This section had no visible trail. The Coury’s marked it well with orange ribbons to follow, but it made me nervous to be alone without a clear trail to follow. As soon as I could work out the cramp I tried to catch up. It was really hard to make any mileage on my watch because it was so slow climbing over these rocks.

After the charly horse incident I still had several miles to go and continued to experience painful leg cramping. Not in just one spot either.

At the next aid station I had to go up a hill to get there. I was dry heaving and feeling really awful. But they had coke! I sat in a chair and drank many cups full of coke. It was so wonderful. They assured me that I only had 2 miles to go. I finally left at a walk, hoping that the coke would give me some energy to run it home. I alternated walking and running those last couple of miles. Michelle caught back up to me and said she was feeling really awful and would probably drop after 50k. She didn’t feel like going out for another 30K. I didn’t blame her. I sure didn’t feel like it either!

I was so happy to see the finish line.

So what do I say about the race? I did love it. Yes, it hurt. Yes, I felt pretty bad for maybe the last 9 or 10 miles. But it was really beautiful scenery. And I felt good about tackling the challenge. And on these trail races I don’t feel like success is measured by finishing time. I don’t feel like success is because you “ran” the whole way. For me, I’m out there looking for an adventure. A day in the outdoors. If I’m able to continue moving toward the finish line, and enjoying the ride…that is success. And I did enjoy being out there. Sure, it’s always nice when I have speed and strength in my legs. But some days that isn’t gonna happen. And then I have to look for what else I can enjoy. There is plenty.

The rest of the night my body kept going into cramps. I’ve been working on my potassium! What do I need? I do like trying to figure these things out.

Food didn’t taste right at the end. I put a salty chip in my mouth and it just tasted like cardboard. I didn’t feel like eating much more than coke until about 8:00 that night. And then I enjoyed a burger and fries, maybe more than I ever have. Oh man….every fry and every bite of burger was heaven. I’m telling you, I enjoyed plenty about the race, but I would do it all again just to make my burger taste THAT good. There is something about running a whole bunch that makes food so good. And I already love food anyway. But man.

I was pretty sad about the no coke thing at that station, but I heard Nick saying that they had to carry stuff on their backs out to some of the remote aid stations. So I am greatful that we had support out there…I had water out there, and friendly volunteers and helpful co-racers. They (the Coury’s) give us the opportunity to get out there in remote areas and see things that I wouldn’t venture out to on my own. I always look forward to the adventure that they have in store for us. I am glad for all the work they go to so that we can have these experiences.

Yesterday is already a magical day in my memory. 

***So I journaled this the day after my race, but forgot to post it. Just this week I got a package in the mail. I won third place in the Ultra Series!!! I will include a picture of my trophy vase! There are 7 races in the winter series, and you need to have a score for 3 of them to get a chance at placing. Your score is out of a 1000 points for every race, and it is the percentage of what you got as compared to the first finisher. They add up the points of your 3 best races in the series to get your final score. 

Lindy's Winter Running Temperature Chart

In the winter I get sick of getting up and pondering what to wear every morning...It seems like every 5 degrees can make a difference. In the summer it is so easy. You get up and put a sleeveless shirt and shorts on. Every morning. That's it. 

So this winter I decided to document and record my clothing discoveries. So in the future I may not have to waste brain power at the wee hours of 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. My husband worked on this project with me. He is the artist. 

I will share my discoveries with you, although I know that your chart might differ quite a bit from mine. I know that we all have different temperature gauges. And sorry, Utah, I didn't get to find out about the negative temps. But for what it's worth....

Noah's Blog

Elephant Mountain 35K

February 23, 2013

I had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural running of the Elephant Mountain Trail Runs. I LOVED this race. It was super fun. I chose the 35K. I thought this would be a fun distance. About 22 miles…so just about the point in a marathon distance where you’d maybe “hit the wall”, I’d be done!

It started out up hill from the get go. This was kind of rough but I just found a manageable pace. My racing strategy is to start out conservative and enjoy a long warm-up and then when I’m half way done, I look for a faster gear. Sometimes I’ve got it, sometimes there is no faster gear. But today was one of those magical days when there was plenty in the tank at the half way.

I really loved the course. It was all very runnable. It had a “WOW” moment. Where I turned a corner around the side of a mountain and a stunning view opened up. I said “WOW” out loud. I love when a race makes me say wow out loud.

I was running behind a girl from Vegas area for quite awhile. We chatted a little bit. It was an out-and-back course. She lingered longer at the turn-around station. This is where I found my faster gear for the way back. I passed several people after the turn around.

Even though the course was very runnable, it was still plenty technical. I kept thinking I was going to fall. On the way back I was running behind a woman who took a nasty fall. Right in front of my eyes. You feel so helpless. I stopped to make sure she was okay. It looked like a full body fall- like every bit of her hit the ground. She fell to the side of the trail onto a rock. I could tell that she didn’t tuck her chin, and her neck hit the rock. When she stood up she was covering her neck with her hand and I was worried that when she moved her hand, blood would be spewing out. But when she moved her hand there was just a bruise forming. I made her talk. She seemed pretty shaken up, but I decided she was okay and I left. I told them at the next aid station to watch for her. Falling is the part of this sport that we just accept. Eventually it is gonna happen. It happens to everyone. One of the funnest things about trail running is to fly along the trail, jumping and weaving and soaring. But this does involve the risk of falling!

Along the course there was one section that was kind of foresty. We don’t get allot of forest in Arizona. At least not this part of Arizona. It wasn’t thick forest. It was almost cartoony forest. But it was fun. I had in my head the song from a Care Bear movie…”Forest of feelings and care-allot are the things that we all share…” This is what I get since the bulk of my television/movie viewing is with children. And mostly animated.

Everything was really green thanks to the recent rain and even SNOW storms in Phoenix. Yes snow. Not a common event for us.

At the half way turn around my average was 9:38. By the end my watch said my average was 9:22. I was happy with this negative split. True the course lended itself to a negative split by starting out up hill and ending down hill. But there was plenty of up and down for both ways.

A downhill finish is fun because it feels good to be able to cruise it in at the end.

I ended up 4th girl. 16th over all.

Such a beautiful course. Loved it.

I would seriously block out my calendar for this one.  I’m a sucker for the Elephant theme too. The shirts had an elephant on them and I had to buy one, even though I hadn’t prepaid for one. Our family has kind of a thing for elephants…Noah specifically…but it’s rubbed off on all of us!

Nick and Jamil always do a great job and this race was a keeper!!!

Ragnar Del Sol 2012 Video

My husband made this video after Ragnar last year, but I never ended up posting it.  Soooo, here's a little re-cap on the anniversary of Team Bling! 2012...

San Tan Scramble 27K

San Tan Scramble 27K
February 2nd, 2013

San Tan Scramble Trail Run yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my entrance into the Ultra Running World. I mean, I've only been dabbling my feet in ultrarunning, but it has been allot of fun. San Tan will always have a special place in my heart, because this is where I first tested the waters beyond 26.2. It feels beautiful and magical on this trail. Something I cant describe...its definitely one of my favorite trails. I don't make it there allot because its quite a drive for me. But when I do, it sure is worth it.

I enjoyed the race very much yesterday. I admit that I really wanted to slow down and just be out there for the longer haul. I would've loved to do the 50K distance yesterday. But Noah had a busy day and I didn't want to leave our girls to fend for themselves all day.

The intermediate distance is fun though because I get to push my speed and fly over the rollers. The 27K distance ended up being 16.4 miles for me. For this distance I can really go fast in the second half, if I discipline myself to start out conservatively.

Julie-Anne was out there doing her first official trail run yesterday. We ran together for a big chunk of the middle of the race. She was cruising the downhills.

This year was an easier course because Aravaipa incorporated the new Dynamite Trail. Last year you'd make the big, BIG climb over Goldmine and then turn around and go back up and over it again. Three times for the 50K, so 6 big climbs. For the 27K, it was 2 big climbs. But this year, just one BIG climb for the 27K, and 3 for the 50K.

And Dynamite is a great trail. Really fun.

I rode down with Mary yesterday, and as soon as we got back to the car the lactic acid was setting in. We stopped at the shop to check out her new running store. Cadence Running Company. Her and Dan Beaver have started up their own running store! Living the dream. And then home to suffer 10 minutes standing in my swim pool for recovery. Ooooowwwwweeeeee!!!!

Great Day!!! Finished the day out later sharing my reward food with my little girls. Crepes with nutella and vanilla bean icecream. Mmmmmmmm!!!! Worth playin' for. Definitely.

This year they had a dragon run! The dragon was made of 2 or 3 people!

January 20, 2013
PF Chang's Rock n Roll Half Marathon

Ran the Half Marathon Distance this year. It was my 5th consecutive Phoenix Rock n Roll. Sometimes the half, sometimes the whole. I really like this race and look forward to it. Cynthia and Karen ran too. We drove and hung out together. I don't know that I would've had much fun this year if they hadn't done it. It was fun to have an activity with girlfriends though.

At the end of the day I was questioning myself why I didn't have the same satisfaction this year as usual...am I tired of this race? What I decided though was that it was lack of a worthy goal.

I was not disappointed with my time this year. I felt proud of the 1:44 time I got. Not as fast as my last couple of half marathons, but not much slower considering the lack of speed training I've had for awhile now.  

Past worthy goals I have accomplished at Chang's were: Qualifying for Boston, Breaking 1:40 in the Half, Supporting Karen as she qualified for Boston, Running a controlled training run to prepare me for my first 50K.

All of these accomplishments left me feeling really good. This year...it wasn't the same.

Still glad I did it with my friends. The expo and race morning are always fun. But next year I will go back with a noble goal. I don't know yet what that will be, but it will be good.