St George Marathon 2014

St George Marathon 2014

Have you ever wondered how fast you could walk a marathon? Have you ever wondered if you had the patience to walk 26+ miles? I had the unique opportunity to find out last weekend. Granted I jogged a little of the race. But not very much of it. I mostly had to dig deep to just walk the race.

My Hamstring Injury:

On August 21^st I decided that I could manage some speed training. So I started with 2 intervals of half mile each, and added one more every week to top off with 6 on September 17^th. My running still felt strained from other problems I’ve had this year. But I really wanted to see what my goal should be for the upcoming marathon. The speed intervals have always been a very accurate indicator for me of what pace I could accomplish on Race day. The intervals were telling me that a marathon in the 3:40-50 range would be possible. But the last 2 interval sessions were hard on my hamstring. After the Sept 11^th session my hamstring bothered me, and then on Sept. 17^th my hamstring was screaming at me. On the track I kept thinking, just one more, and then after that…just one more…until I got to the 6 I wanted. Well this was a big mistake. Now my hamstring was shot. Really painful. I took days off. Then when I tried to do my final long run (20+ miles) that Saturday, my hamstring was in allot of pain. I only got 9 miles and then went home. I pretty much only ran 6 and then walked to freestone to get a ride home. So I took more days off. And more days off. And more days off. I took the final 2 weeks off. I would sometimes run across the living room to see what was going on. But it still hurt. And then 3 days before the marathon I did a little test on the treadmill. It didn’t seem good. All indications were that my injury was still very real. I kept thinking that maybe I’d skip the race. But Noah kept saying that maybe if I just tried to run the race, that maybe my leg would warm up and be fine after a few miles. I know that sometimes this happens…and it’s easy to give me hope.

The Race:

I decided to toe the line and hope for a miracle. And maybe after doing no exercise at all on Thursday and Friday, maybe I would be healed for Saturday. But there was no miracle for me this time.

So I started the marathon with the 4 hour pace group. Still hoping that my hamstring was better now. It wasn’t. I made it to .65 before I started to walk. It really hurt. I thought I’d walk a little and see if I could warm up the muscle and then be able to run. Any time I tried to run it was so painful that I figured if I had any chance to finish that I needed to stop running at all. So I walked for a really long time. Over half the marathon. In the middle of the marathon my pace was 15 minute mile average.

At some point in the second half I started to feel that I could jog a little bit sometimes. Mostly just a jog in place and then barely moving forward. One thing I learned in this marathon was that even a slow jog is faster than a walk. This isn’t true for everyone. One of my sisters can walk very very fast. But for me, if I could jog very very slowly, my pace would start to improve from walking pace. And when I was walking, the slowest joggers were passing me by.

It was interesting to walk because I could take pictures and I could observe people. People back here were working so hard to accomplish this marathon. It was a very determined and impressive group of people. I was also very impressed with the crowd support. People who cheered and clapped and encouraged me. I was walking. But they seemed very impressed with me and yelled wonderful words of encouragement. I was glad that they didn’t go home after the fasties had passed. And then there were the volunteers. They would rub icy hot on the back of my legs at every aid station. I needed it. I was so grateful. And the guy who sits in his back yard playing “Eye of the Tiger”…he was still there for me. I yelled “Thank you” to him, “I needed you today!” His back yard backs up to the race course, with a slope in between, but I’ve come to count on him being there every time. I anticipate it.

As I was walking along I almost stepped on a fist size spider. He was all brown and fuzzy and gigantic. I jumped back in alarm. I’ve never see a guy like him out of a cage. It seemed surreal. I wish I had taken a picture of him. It would have been worth an extra minute of time.

Noah was texting me that he’d come get me at Snow Valley, but I decided to see how far I could go. I tried to get my salt tabs and some Tylenol out of my pack and dropped them. I texted Noah that it would be really great if he could bring me some more before 12:00.

When I was about 15 miles in, I noticed by the time on my watch that my friends might be finishing. This was a little hard to think about, that I still had so far to go. But I was happy for them and hoping that they all made their goals. Noah texted me that he saw Karen come in. Then he took the girls back to the hotel and headed out on his bike to find me.

He got to mile 23 and then waited for me. I was so happy to see him. He rode alongside me and it gave me such a boost that I was able to find a steady jog that I could keep till the end. So I jogged the last 3 miles in. Noah stayed with me for 2 miles and then he parted ways to go get the girls again.

Before he left I refilled my back pack with water, for the first time during the race. I was feeling so much better the last few miles that I forgot to take my last gu. I take them on a 5 mile schedule.

I was glad that I got to experience the race in a different way. I was glad that Karen came back to see me finish. I was glad that my husband made the effort to help me finish. I was glad for good volunteers and crowd support. I was happy to share another training and marathon season with some of the Sweat Sisters. My friends ran so well and that brought me joy. 

I am now paying for this experience. Even walking this race led me to have a huge bruised, swollen hamstring the next day. And now 4 days later I still feel like I couldn’t even cross-train, not even swim. I can barely walk around. So I may not have done the right thing. These are hard decisions to make. I am committing to take some real time off running now. At least 4 weeks without even attempting to run. Not even across the living room. I have to try this. It’s time for a reset.

Thank you St George for another beautiful day in your Canyon. The Vitamin D was good for me and I have a very valuable experience to remember. 

My off season

So just a little recap of the past several months. I find comfort and closure in journaling my races or running adventures.

Back in middle February I got a pretty intense hip flexor injury. The Zane Grey race was my A race for 2014 and I couldn't bear to let it go. So I decided to do whatever I could to get through this race before I could take serious time off running. I saw my Physical Therapist NS and he helped nurse me through a preparation race for ZG (Mesquite Canyon 30 miles) and got me to Zane. Maybe you have read how Zane didn't go as I planned. Not at all. But in some ways I felt that dropping out with 17 miles was the perfect solution for me. I got a taste of this Zane Grey race but I also saved my injured legs from 33 more miles of stress.

So now, Zane Grey over, time to focus on some real recovery.

BUT, first. My running group, the Sweat Sisters, were all doing a half marathon in Laguna Hills Half in May. I wouldn't put allot of training in, and I wouldn't worry about it being one of my fastest races. But I had to go have my girls weekend. I couldn't pass up this time with my running gals. This was Memorial Weekend. May 26th. My legs were starting to improve. But now my Awesome PT was going on leave for a few years. Maybe I was improving enough to get by on my own now. The pace I was hoping would feel manageable at LHH ended up being 30 seconds faster than the pace that actually felt manageable. I still felt happy with the final average pace though. This race was very hilly. A difficult course. At first I was disappointed that it was one of my slowest half marathons. But then I made peace with it. After all, Id rather run a challenging and interesting course than to nail a number.

After LHH I had a hard time recovering and I could feel that the race had cost me much of the improvement that I had started to make with my injury. I had tried to run a very manageable pace, but lets face it...in a race setting the excitement will always make me go faster than on a normal running day. And now my PT wasn't around to help me.

So I figured that Id take some time off and get better. BUT, first. My birthday was June 8th. I was turning 40. You only turn 40 once. It seems like a big number. I really felt the need to commemorate this birthday with a 40 mile run. Aravaipa was offering a 40 mile distance in their Adrenaline race which would take place on June 14th. Just 6 days after birthday. Close enough. What a great way to get support for my 40 miles. I just needed 40 miles. I didn't need to be speedy. I had been going to do it on a Saturday morning, mostly on my own. That wouldn't have been fast. So I convinced myself to let go all need for speed on this night run and just get my miles. Run as slow as my body wanted. This wouldn't set me back too much with my injury. Hec, maybe Id even walk allot of it.

My friends VC and EC signed up for one of the shorter distances of the same race. I was sad that we couldn't do some of the miles together, because our distances started at different times. But I was happy to see them at the beginning and to feel some support and talk with them about the race later.
I really liked the race format. There were 2 loops, one of them around 6 miles and one around 10 miles. We started with the shorter loop and then alternated short, long, short, etc.

I never looked up my final stats but when my watch quit it said 21.75 at 12:28 pace. I know I slowed down after that though. I think my final time was 8:20. Some of the highlights of the night, good and bad:
*I didn't feel like getting sentimental over the last 40 years of my life. I just felt like running. I like my life and I;m happy with where I'm at.
*I love running trails at night. It is scary and exciting. Id be too scared to go on a trail run by myself alone at night. But if its a race setting, then I feel that animals or any kind of danger will be respectful of the race and let me live.
*I saw a snake crossing the trail in front of me at one point and he was really taking his time. I stopped and patiently waited for him to cross the trail. No snake hurdling for me.
*I was painfully bloated for the last loop. I think that I may have overdosed on Imodium. Lesson learned.
*I memorized a couple of country songs to play in my head during the race. Every time since the race that I'm driving and hear "Letting the night roll" in the car, I sing it loudly and cry a little. Because it brings me back to my trail night. I'm not sure why I'm emotional about it, or if it is happy or sad emotion. Maybe both. It might have to do with how much I liked the night run, but also something to do with the emotional struggles I've had this year with my compromised running.
*Noah dropped me off at the race and I told him to sleep in til 4 am. Asking him to get up before that seemed kind of like asking him to not sleep at all. And I figured that would give me plenty of time to finish. I finished before 3:30 so I hung out with Pati Coury (the race directors Mom) until Noah got up and drove out to the McDowells to get me. She was fun and interesting to listen to. She is the lady who is always cooking up made to order quesadillas and burritos at the finish line.

So now I was able to run my birthday 40 and it was definitely time to take some time off and rest. BUT, first. Just one more thing. My Utah trip. Every 4th of July. I love running the different mountains and trails in Utah. I love having hills right outside my parents door. I love a change of scenery and elevation. Last year, 2013 trip to Utah, I was not able to run. I had some health issues and spent some time in the Urgent Care. This year I was not gonna pass up the opportunity to run in the nice Utah weather. I ran every day except Sundays. I got 4 trail runs and 3 nice road runs. I took it slow and easy so my hip injury wouldn't suffer. I got a 40 mile week in. I enjoyed every mile, every moment.

I got home from Utah and felt kind of okay for about a week and a half. And then I really didn't feel okay. I really couldn't run in any kind of normal form. I felt really broken. I took a week off and then tried 3 miles. It didn't feel good. I took another week off and then tried to run. Still didn't feel great. I started running again, slowly but with walk breaks. I found a new Physical Therapist close to home. I have been trying to come back. Slowly. A little more mileage when ever it feels possible. A little more intensity whenever it seems possible. I am trying to mend. I have been building my weekend mileage for St George Marathon. The time for my summer "off-season" is over. I am feeling tiny bits of improvement all the time. But it is still frustrating and I am just waiting for running to feel like my comfort zone again. When running is bad its okay. But I remember that when running is good, its fabulous. There is nothing like it.

So there is the story of my 2014 off season. Next blog will be about SG marathon. Unless I decide to skip it. Getting better has to be first priority. I will see how I feel as it gets close.

Zane Grey: Attempt #1 in 2014.

The day before Zane Grey 50 I received an email that due to weather conditions this year, they would be rerouting the race from the Fish Hatchery (mile 33) to the end. They may even end the race at Mile 33. The forecast was for a cold front that would include rain and cold weather. Maybe even some snow...

I stressed out about whether to change my plans about what I was going to wear (shorts and a tank). My past experience has suggested to me that extra clothing, when wet, is really not helpful. So I was thinking that I should just stick with my shorts. After consulting with other runners and with a good friend, I decided to add arm warmers, change my shorts to tights, and to wear my rain jacket. I knew from past experience that if I kept moving that I can stay warm. I have run in rain before. I have run in cold before. I have run in wind before (also part of the forecast). I have even run in snow before. I could do this.

What didn't really click in my mind is that I haven't ever run in rain, cold, sleet, hail, snow, wind, and on mud. All at the same time. And on a very technical trail. What a treat.

At the beginning of the race things seemed very calm and normal. Not even very cold.

We started in the dark at 5:00 am and I thought well maybe the forecast had been an over-exaggeration, as often it can be where I live...

A few miles in started up with some rain. Not too big of a deal. I was taking an easy pace. Still figuring that I was in for a 50 mile day. I was starting to get cold and my rain jacket isn't great. A $100 rain jacket from Nike a few years ago. It doesn't keep rain out. And my gloves were getting wet all the way through. And it was getting colder. I was glad for the tights I had changed into. Even if it wasn't for the cold, they were protecting me from all the brush crowding me on both sides of the trail.

There was a beautiful sunrise I tried to look at as much as I could while I maneuvered the rocks. The trail opened up to a beautiful sweeping view that I was glad to take in. I was enjoying the views and the woodsy atmosphere and the challenging trail. I like how the trail would wind down down down and take a sharp turn and wind up up up...It was fun and interesting. Sometimes you would run fast feeling like the side of the trail was dropping off the earth...

Before the first aid station (mile 8) I was already soaked through. I grabbed a bunch to eat and put my headlamp and flashlight into my drop bag so as to not carry the unnecessary weight. And then it was on toward mile 17 aid station.

Leaving the aid station I noticed that the trail was getting so muddy. I was dragging a ton of heavy mud on my shoes and stopped to scrape off the some of the mud. I noticed that other people were struggling with heavy muddy shoes also. I was making a strong effort to stay close to people. Speed up or slow down, but don't end up alone. Noah was worried about me doing this race and I promised him that I would put safety above speed or anything else. I followed a group of people up a hill. Then some people behind us yelled that we had blown through a blue ribbon. Blue ribbons were to mark the WRONG way. So a bunch of us yelled up to others who had went off the course "Come back! Wrong way!" And we turned around and took the correct turn. I got called back very quickly and wasn't off course long enough to even feel like I 'got lost' or got off course. I later learned that a couple of people had gotten way off course, and I wonder if that spot was where they took the wrong turn. Blue ribbons were bad, yellow were good. There were several places during the day where I couldn't see the trail and I had to look around until I found a pile of helpful rocks or a yellow ribbon. I have heard in years past that this trail can be tricky to stay on course. So I was doing my best to be alert. I really feel like the trail markings were good. I was comforted to see a yellow ribbon probably every mile....

So the weather took another interesting turn. The rain was getting thicker, slushy, snow and then hail. This happened at least by mile 12 for me. I was running along and sometimes chuckling. Because it seemed a little hilarious...and cool...to be running along in a wicked hail storm. On a Crazy trail. On a crazy day. It somehow all seemed ridiculous, in a fun way. If only my hands and feet weren't so darn cold!!! I kept telling myself to make the most of this coldness. I kept telling myself 'this is your year!' because I do better with cold then heat. All along I had been expecting heat to be what I struggled with at ZG. But here I had this wonderful cold weather. But....my hands and feet were not loving the degree of coldness that was being delivered here.

There was a beautiful misty fog everywhere. Everything about this race was starting to feel surreal. My thoughts went to Princess Bride...Was it just a dream??? So beautiful and fun but so painful.

I came across a runner who asked me to tuck her jacket into the strings in the back of her pack. I was trying to do what she asked but my fingers were so stiff and I couldn't make them be helpful at all. She said never mind and sent me on my way.  My gloves were so icy cold. I had my hands in balls inside of my wet gloves, without my fingers in the finger pockets. I wondered if I should take the wet gloves off. I didn't know if it was helpful to have them or not. I knew I was getting close to the 17 mile aid station. I tried to cross a little creek on the rocks but slipped and stepped fully into very cold water. Oh well...my feet were already wet and cold anyway. What did it matter? And then there was a big drop off in the trail and I stepped down cautiously but slipped on the rock and fell and hurt my tailbone. I got up and yelled a bad word and kept going.  I started to wonder what I should do at the 17 aid station. Washington Park. I couldn't feel half my fingers and the other half hurt. My feet hurt with the cold. I wasn't at my breaking point. But if I continued on after mile 17...the next aid station was remote and you couldn't even have people drive in to see you there. I didn't think I could conveniently drop there. I kind of figured that the next time you could conveniently get an exit from the race would not be until the Fish Hatchery, mile 33. I knew that my change of clothes was in the drop bag for mile 44. When I thought it would be getting cool for the evening...all my mile 17 drop bag had to offer me was sunscreen, and a cold towel! I definitely didn't need a cold towel. If my guardian angel could just show up with a pair of waterproof gloves...but perhaps my guardian angel was saving me from something in the next miles to come.

At the aid station I waited while a volunteer helped retrieve my drop bag. As soon as I stopped running I turned into a mess of convulsive shivering. I saw MP, who was with me at Aid 8 (Geronimo) also. "How can we possibly get warmed up at this point?" I asked her. She seemed shaken up and was trying to make the decision that we didn't want to make. Her boyfriend told her that she looked "pretty good, better than most..." so off she went! I admired and coveted her toughness. I coudn't make my hands work to get my new gu's out of my drop bag. I looked around for help but everyone seemed so busy and everything was so crazy...I asked one volunteer if there was anywhere we could go to get warm just for a minute...he said that I could go sit in his truck. It took a long time to get my shaking shivering body under control. He moved me to his front seat, which was heated. This helped. He brought me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I saw them start to clean up the aid station. They were about to shut this aid station down soon. Another guy from Pennsylvania was in the truck getting warmed up. He asked the volunteer to tell them that he was dropping. I asked him to tell them that I was dropping too. I knew that I would suffer mental trauma about this decision. And I did. I played it out so many times in my head...if I had just kept going and not stopped then I would've stayed warm enough...but then I wouldn't have any nutrition with me for then next bunch of miles ahead. I wasn't at my breaking point, but would I be in 3 more miles??? I have had a hip injury...if my injury took a bad turn, would I be stuck walking or crawling through the blizzard??? I knew this was the decision I had to make because I had promised Noah that safety would be my first priority.

I sent a bunch of texts through and just one made it to Noah: I'm getting a ride the the fish hatchery. I dropped.

The 2 guys who gave me and Pennsylvania a ride were very nice. They were out there supporting a friend, Dean, who I think finished. They bought me a soda and got me to the fish hatchery. I spent the rest of the day at our friends trailer close to Christopher Creek. I watched movies and snuggled with my kids to stay warm. I always enjoy my time hanging out with my husband and children. But I couldn't help being a little honery because the day had not played out as I had planned. For a few days I muddled over in my mind if I could've done things differently. But then I came across some blog reports from other runners. Runners who had finished the Zane Grey 50k. (They did indeed shorten the race and end it at the Fish Hatchery 33 miles). The blog reports validated my experience. As I read them, I did get the feeling that I had made the right decision. I already knew I had, but now I finally felt some peace about my decision.

I am very glad that I got to experience and be a part of the Epic 2014 Zane Grey. I did get the 25K option. This was a good taste of the brutality and the awesomeness that is Zane Grey. It was the adventure that I long for and crave...experiences beyond the ordinary! Those awesome misty foggy foresty trails I will not forget. I will return and next time I will get more than 17 miles. It might be too much to say that I've found my calling in life....but I do feel that I have a mission to complete this race! It calls to me! It haunts me! It tantalizes me! I see why some runners return to Zane over and over...it is magical and wonderful. The experience that I had was worth every penny I spent in registration and hotel. It was worth every trip to the Physical Therapist to work through my injury. It was worth all my planning and training. The experience I had was priceless and worth it all. I have other plans for 2015, but ZG I will face you again in 2016...all 50 miles of you!!!

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.