Javelina Trail Run at Night

Javelina 100 (25k for me)
Oct 15, 2011, 6:00-8:30 pm.

I have been vicariously running trails for years, so when I struck up a conversation with Mary Knott at the gym, and she invited me to go out on the trail with her, I jumped at the chance!

After trying out several different trails with her, I decided that it really was as fun as it sounded in other people’s blog reports!

Noah took me out on his mountain-biking trail a couple of times too. He would ride ahead of me but wait up for me every once in awhile.

Although Ive wanted to do this for a long time, I didn’t quite have the determination to do it on my own. So its been nice to have some company!

Trail running isn’t highly social- it seems you need your space to pick the best footing. But it often involves allot of driving TO the trail, and then knowing there are friends close by- I prefer not to go it alone.

I was very excited to try my first official “trail race” last Saturday night. I wondered if it was such a good idea to do my first trail race at night, in the dark. But I was anxious and it sounded like a fun adventure.

Now that I think about it, I did do the night trail portion of Ragnar last year- so maybe this isn’t as novel as Ive been feeling. But in my head it was my first trail race and my first night race.

When I got there I was alone for a little while. I was so happy to see Mary and her husband, Dan show up. Dan showed up to support Mary- they have an awesome team- last week she was supporting him at Kona Ironman!

There was no “seeded corral”, so I worried that elbows would be flying in the beginning as we tried to find the right order. But it seemed to fall into place in a very orderly fashion. I didn’t feel like I passed or got passed very often.

I tried to wait as long as I could to turn my flashlight on. I had a headlamp, but it didn’t feel like enough. Noah told me that our flashlight, even with a new battery, would probably only last an hour and a half.

I only got a couple miles in though before I felt like I needed it. When I saw someone up ahead of me turn their light on, I felt justified in using my own as well. Luckily it lasted me to the end!

The field spaced out quite a bit, and there would be lengthy periods where I couldn’t see anyone ahead or behind me! Not even their flashlight! So I often felt like the only one in the dark on a mountain. A little scary, and I think it drove me to keep a fast pace.

I worked into a pace that felt comfortably challenging. I couldn’t look at my watch to see what that pace was- I had to watch the trail and stay focused! Three times I caught my toe and lurched forward. Three times I felt like I was going to face plant. But luckily I was able to run out of it all three times.

Even though running alone was a little nerve racking, I found that when Id get close to someone else, that their light would give me a headache and make me feel dizzy. So it was better to control my own space.

The aide station was about 8.5 miles into the race. I looked forward to the aide station, just knowing that I could refill water and would be close to finish after the station. The aide station was stocked with all kinds of fruit, candy, salty snacks, even pumpkin pie! I ate half a banana while they refilled my water bottle for me. Aide station volunteers rock!!!

The more technical part of the trail was the first half, and in the last several miles the trail smoothed out allot and I was able to pick up my pace. Especially since I knew that I was nearing the finish.

When I crossed the finish line there was a nice group of supporters there to clap and cheer. They sent me to the table for food- again a very nice spread of food- even pizza!

They asked if I was going to go out for a 2nd loop or if I was done. When I said that I was done, they gave me a finisher’s glass. I was confused about receiving the glass- did this mean I won??? But no, everyone gets the glass!

Dan tried to convince Mary and I that one of us needed to get back out there and do a 2nd loop. There was a prize for first place girl in every distance. And the first place girl in the 25k distance was done. So 50k prize was up for grabs! But we politely declined.

I wanted to finish my first trail race feeling GREAT! And, I was anxious to text Noah and let him know that I successfully completed the loop. And to text my Sweat Sisters who were anticipating a finishing text!

I can’t wait for my next trail experience. Noah says that he likes mountain biking because he feels like he is flying. I think this is why I like trail. I like the scenery, but what about when it’s dark? The ups are fun and challenging and then I am rewarded with downs where I feel like I am flying. I really love the rolling hills. The variety keeps things fresh. I like the focus that I have to dedicate to finding the best footing. And whether I can fully appreciate the scenery as I run by it, I still like the feeling that I am out there in nature. It feels right.

A Love Note

Dear Trails,

I love you.

Love,
Lindy

St. George Marathon 2011

When my husband and I got to St. George, we went straight to the marathon expo and I picked up my bib, drop bag and bought some gu's.  We decided to try the $8 all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner the marathon was offering and it was a good decision.  Because of the stomach problems I had during the Top of Utah Marathon, I was being careful of what I ate but the spaghetti and breadsticks hit the spot.  Yummy carbs. 

On Saturday morning, I got on a bus and the only seat left was the front seat.  I sat down and another lady sat by me and we started to talk.  She was from Utah and had run several marathons but not the St. George.  We got talking about Veyo hill - the dreaded hill at mile 7- and she said she had conflicting advice about the hill.  Someone had told her to walk it and save her legs for later in the course and another runner told her to shorten her stride and run it.  She could run it faster than she could walk it.  I asked her what she was going to do and she said she'll cross that bridge {or hill} when she gets to it.

We got off the bus and I headed to the porta potties.  Then I had about an hour to kill so I sat down and relaxed.  They had bonfires and a huge sound system where they played music and made some announcements.  I learned there were 7200 runners registered for the race, this was the 35th year of the St. George marathon and one lady had run it every single year and was running it again for the 35th year, that all 50 states were represented except two and later I learned that it was the warmest start in the marathon's history.

Finally, it was time for me to take my warm clothes off and head to the start.  The start was packed like sardines.  I could hardly move.  The gun went off and we started to shuffle to the start line mat where your time officially begins.  I was about four minutes behind the gun time.

It was dark, the sun wasn't up yet and I felt good.  I started running and noticed I was at about an 8 min/mile pace and it felt easy.  I probably should have slowed a little but I felt good and just went with it.  The first few miles flew by.  Then came Veyo hill.  The huge hill of the marathon.  I was feeling good.  I shortened my stride and ran up the hill.  I made it.  Then there's another hill and another hill and another hill.  St. George is sold as a downhill marathon but there are plenty of uphills - especially during the first 14 miles.  After mile 14, we entered Snow Canyon and it was beautiful.  The sun was up but the mountains were providing a little shade down the canyon.  I was still feeling good.  At mile 16, I was running down a hill and picked up my pace to a 7:50 min/mile.  I thought to myself, I just might do it today.  Maybe 3:45 is a real possibility {even though my BQ time is now 3:40}.  But a lot can change in a couple of miles.  At mile 20, my legs were feeling heavy and I was hot, tired and feeling the effects of the heat and the effects of running a marathon two weeks ago.  I would walk through the aid stations and it would take me a few seconds, okay minutes, to start running again.  Those last few miles of a marathon sometimes seem like they are 50 miles long.  But I was thankful because I didn't have any leg cramps and no porta pottie stops the whole way.  I told myself to just keep running.  Finally, I was nearing the corner that turns toward the finish line and I heard my name. Wayne was there to snap a picture as I ran to the finish.  {I'm in the red and black.}

Finish time: 3:57:53
{In 2009, I finished the St. George marathon in 4:15:21 so it was an improvement from the last time I ran it.}

I got a medal for finishing the marathon and also for finishing the Utah Grand Slam.

Utah Valley Marathon 3:58:40

Park City Marathon 4:10:13

Top of Utah Marathon 4:17:14

St. George Marathon 3:57:53

I love the St. George marathon, the course, the volunteers, the running vibe that fills the city.  Love it all.  I want to be in the ten-year-club so hopefully the lottery will be good to me for the next seven years!  Thanks St. George! 

Top of Utah Marathon: Rain, Hail and Porta-Potties

There's one thing I know for sure about the marathon, it's unpredictable!

On Saturday, Lindy and I both ran our 8th marathon together - Top of Utah.  She came into town on Friday night and we carbo loaded at The Old Spaghetti Factory with pasta and marinara sauce.

 Then we went to Logan and headed to the expo to get our bib numbers and then to our hotel.

When I registered for the marathon, I booked one of the cheapest theme rooms at the Anniversary Inn - Lost In Space.  It was pretty cheesy.  I thought I would be sharing this room with my husband but since Lindy was willing to fly in and run the marathon, she got to experience the cheesiness.  Lucky her.

Here we are on marathon morning ready to run 26.2

 We were worried about rain and we should have been. It rained.  Not lightly.  Heavy, downpour rain and heavy, downpour hail.  We got soaked.  Also, I had stomach problems and had to stop at the porta-potties four times.  Four times.  That eats a lot from your time.  I wish I knew what caused the stomach problems because I would never eat that food again.  What did I say about the marathon?  Unpredictable.  On the other hand, my legs didn't cramp at all - probably thanks to my electrolyte pills - and I felt like I ran more the last six miles than in any other marathon I've ran.  Official time: 4:17:14.

The first portion of the marathon is downhill and that did not agree with Lindy's quads.  She's not sure downhill marathons are for her.  But I like the marathon for that reason.  Gotta love starting out the first half downhill - if your body can take it.  I'll be back to run it again.  Next time, it better be without the stomach issues.  Bring on St. George in a couple of weeks!

Funny story.  I was running by a girl and we were getting pounded with hail.  Her friend was cheering her on from the side and then started running with her.  As we're getting soaked and pounded with hail he said to her, "Remember, only thirty percent chance of rain today.  Should be dry."  That made me laugh.

Top Of Utah Marathon

Top of Utah Marathon

My watch says 26.44 miles, 3:47:48, 8:37 pace, 7.0 mph, 2283 calories, ascent of 1263 feet.

Things I did right:
Carb-loading- Thursday night I had rice, Chicken rigatoni, sourdough bread, pita bread. Friday night I had spaghetti with a marinara and mushroom sauce, and French bread. Saturday morning I had a plain bagel and a banana. During the race I took one of my own gels, and the two that the race handed out. I also took orange slices and banana quarters that race volunteers handed out at several points along the course. I had two gels leftover on my body at the end, that I never took, and a packet of pomegranate gummy chews that I never took. My nutrition was good. I never felt empty or light headed. I never felt hungry or lacking.

Electrolytes and fluids:
I had my hand-held. I refilled it several times along the way. I started with water and put a nuun tab in my water. I used 2 more nuun tabs along the way. In water. Never took Gatorade. I didn’t cramp along the course. I didn’t cramp until I bent down to put my warm-up pants back on at the end of the race.

Injinji socks:
They served me well. My feet don’t look any different today (Sunday) than they did Friday. Even though my feet were wet for the entire race. Even though I ran through pouring rain. Even though many others around me were complaining of blisters and feet squishing in wet shoes. My feet were fine.

Body Glide:
I did a good job. I only chafed one little spot in my left arm pit. Not bad at all.

Choice of clothing:
Mary said extra clothes in the rain would just be extra wet clothing. She was right. I chose a gray sport-bra, knowing that my white tank would be wet with rain. Wore my favorite long-distance shorts and my most comfortable white tank. I added my white aasics cap that Ive never practiced with. Im glad I did. This was advice from Mary and Uncle Lee- to wear a hat since there was 20% chance of rain. The hat was perfect in the downpour I could see clearly and never had rain getting me in the face. We stopped at Sport Authority the night before the race and got Marcie a visor. We were very happy to have these.

Things I did wrong:
Didn’t practice enough on downhill.

Chose a course with 18 miles of straight downhill.

Stopped doing my leg strength workout. Stopped doing squats and lunges and such when my mileage was high during training.

Let my pain in my quads get the best of me. I need better mental strategies for pain.

Perhaps went out too fast? I think it’s hard to fight the downward pull of gravity, so I just let it carry me. Perhaps I should’ve held back? Perhaps I need to study up on proper downhill stride.

What I learned about myself:
I can run in rain. I can run for a long time in rain.

Downhill is my kryptonite. Courses with variety or flat serve me better.

Positive people (around me) help me feel strong. Negative people make me feel weak. I need to remember to be positive for others. For a long while I was running by 3 young guys who were talking very optimistically and positively. After awhile I couldn’t keep up, but I appreciated their optimism while it was there. Sometimes I ran by people who were audibly moaning and complaining. This did nothing good for me!

I get a big boost from having a friendly and familiar pacer at the end- About 2 miles from the end the guy running by me asked me how I’m doing. I came out of my zone and saw that it was my Uncle Lee! How long had he been there? He was running by me, at a slightly faster pace so I picked up my pace just a bit. He gave me words of encouragement “your legs are still working good”. And after seeing him I had a little more pep in my step and felt like I could actually finish this thing. Then my brother-in-law, Scott, showed up running alongside me on the sidewalk. This was a boost as well. He disappeared and then showed up again. And ran alongside me a little more. I threw him my empty water bottle, and ‘doh’ it landed in a mud puddle:( He fished it out for me.

I really like a double scoop of Aggie Icecream in a waffle cone at the end of a race! Even if I’ve been wet and chilly the whole race, Icecream is still pretty rewarding!!!

In summary:
I had a great time hanging out with Marcie. I had a great weekend. The marathon was hard- maybe my hardest out of the 8 I’ve done. But at the end of the day I learned allot and I don’t regret it. I survived. Sometimes just making it to the finish line is a huge triumph.

*Sorry no pictures. Anticipating rain I decided to leave my phone/camera at the hotel.

Ultra blood in my genes!

http://www.bear100.com/

I know many of you have heard me brag about my Uncle Lee, the guy who runs 100 milers. I have always be in such awe over his accomplishments. It is hard to get information out of him, as he does not brag. I have to beg for information.

Sometimes it seems like Ultra Runners come in 2 varieties- the kind who go on and on about their accomplishments...or the kind you cant get anything out of!

Anyhow I was so excited to come across this race website, that I had to show you guys! Scroll to the bottom of the page and it says Leland Barker is the Race Director, and that drop bags should be dropped at his house...SOOO cool...

So if he is my Dad's brother, I must have some of the genetic endurance in my genes, right??? Or in my tempo shorts???

This Just In...

This just in from Ragnar:

"Guardsman Pass is open and will be driveable for the race as long as the weather holds and no freak June snow storms hit, Avon Pass will also be driveable. In the unlikely event that Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, we have a contingency play for Avon Pass. If necessary, we will notify you of this change at the start line with new maps.

Some people have asked about the road conditions and the need for 4-wheel drive at these points. While 4-wheel drive is recommended, it is not completely necessary for these locations. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, we encourage you to use it on Avon. Our staff will have tow ropes in case vans get stuck. We also encourage you to bring tow ropes as a precaution if you have them."

Well, I can't really say that is comforting, but we are definitely looking forward to an adventure and will be making sure to be safe in all ways possible! 8 of us from AZ will embark on a 12 hour drive to Layton tomorrow starting at 5:30am to meet our other 4 teammates from UT. Van 1 will head to Logan for our 10:30am start time Friday morning. We are scheduled to be done around 6:00pm on Saturday ending in Park City.

Our team pace is about 9:50. I have a 5.6, a 4.9 and then a 7.9 (18.4 miles total). I really wish that my longest leg was first, but it is what it is. :) I'll let you all know how the "ski trip" goes! haha Looks like highs in the mid 60s and lows in the high 30s and 40s (yes, I said 30s). Scattered thunderstorms in the forecast too. Yowza! We will be staying in Park City Saturday night and driving back to Phoenix on Sunday. Talk to you all again when we return!