Running Becca

Icebreaker Indoor Marathon Milwaukee

2012-01-24T19:48:00.000-08:00

Taken before the race, why not!

30th Marathon or longer race for me! 1/22/12 4:04+

This was a repeat of Wisconsin for the 50 states but it was an indoor winter marathon so I was curious and signed up before it sold out. It is 95.5 laps around the speed skating ice arena where olympic athletes train. The track is a 2 lane rubber track where 1 mile is more than 3 laps but less than the typical 4 laps that equal a mile on outdoor tracks.

There were 2 port a pottys on both ends of the track with 1 aid station. Because it was inside runners were required to bring 2 of their own bottles, have them labeled and volunteers would keep them filled with either water or powerade, whichever they were labeled to hold. As you circled around, when you needed a drink you would yell out to the volunteers your race number and the type of drink you wanted, and then on the next lap they have it ready and would hand it to you. Most people had handheld water bottles and would carry and drink for a lap and then hand them back to the volunteer. Rinse, repeat.

Marathon Maniac Pre race group photo

Start line-up

Aid station during the race

I had not realized they would have this system and just ended up putting my bottle on the "don't help me" table just beyond the main aid station and would just stop and drink as needed. I had HH help me get my bottle refilled and ended up drinking almost 3 liters of powerade. I was worried about dehydration in light of the decongestants I was taking for a cold and focused a lot on hydration. They also handed out vanilla and chocolate gu's at the far end of the aid station continuously after the first hour had elapsed.

Timing and lap counting was via chip timing with several large screens so you could track your progress. Although your name didn't always necessarily appear when you were going by but could ask for a lap count the next time you came by. I had HH help with this task a ways into the race. As I counted down the last 20 laps it ended up that I was one off. For most people the race announcer would say the runners name, race number and laps remaining. However, they must have not been doing it for everyone as I was counting on it for a confirmation. Well, I crossed my finish line and the race announcer said my name and that I was done. I was thinking I had 1 lap to go! The race official at the "finish" did not know if I was finished or not and so I headed out to do 1 more lap, just to make sure! I would hate to stop and have a minute elapse only to be told I really needed another lap. Ooops! Good training for the ultra in 2 weeks, right?

Not sure if I will do this one again but an interesting, well organized race!

1 down, 95 to go!

Tecumseh Trail Marathon 12/3/11 State #21

2011-12-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

Tecumseh Trail Marathon is a point to point trail marathon just outside of Bloomington, Indiana where the University of Indiana is located. It goes from one state forest to another. We drove down the night before the race, picked up my race packet and HH registered for the 5 mile fun run. Even though the race started at 10:30am, there was still a 1 hour bus ride from where you park at the finish line to the start line. The race was started about 10 minutes late and we were off. Luckily the first 2-ish miles were on road or logging road so the 700 runners could shuffle and spread out. It was a bluebird sky morning, cool but not freezing, and there had been very little precipitation in the week leading up to the race. It was well run in general, however I felt that 700 runners were too much for the trail, especially one that many people are running trails for the very first time and have yet to develop any sense of trail etiquette (the main one being step aside when you are on single track and holding up people that are running faster than you and bunching up behind you). We were warned to wear blaze orange as we would be running through active hunting areas but only about 20-25% of people actually did this. A few times at aid stations I was told by bystanders "man, you want to be visible today" as I was wearing a blaze orange vest.

Love the area but until the race cap is decreased will not be doing this as a repeat and will stick to smaller trail ultras. No pictures, but I found this link of a video that some folks filmed while running the race this year.

4:50:10 ("chip timed" but there was no timing mat at the beginning, making this a gun timed only event)
Approx 3,100 feet of elevation gain with 3,400 feet of loss (per my Garmin)

Up Next: Jan 22 Indoor Icebreaker Marathon Milwaukee, WI (repeat state, #30 marathon (or longer))

State #20 Route 66 Marathon Tulsa, OK 11/20/11

2011-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:00

Headed out on the road at 8:30pm Friday night with 3 other marathoners (2 Marathon Maniacs and

1 that we hopefully corrupted) to make the 12 hour drive to Tulsa, OK. We were in a 1-2 year old

hybrid car with already over 100,000 miles on it, with most of the miles from the owner driving

to marathons (he is on state #40). The only strange thing we saw on the drive down was in Kansas

City (not sure if it was KS or MO) within a few miles of each other was a car randomly stopped in the

middle of the 3 lane interstate with a cop behind it with flashing lights and the cop out of his car!!!

And, a car that had plowed into a concrete support of an overpass with 6 firetrucks and a few police

cars parked around it working on extrication, with no ambulance on scene.

We got to Tulsa around 8am (expo started at 10am) and stopped by the hotel to see if they would

let us check in early, and they did! They even still had their continental breakfast out and offered it

to us, in which 2 out of the 4 people in the group broke down to eat it after trying to fast for the last

8 hours for the free health screening and cholesterol testing at the expo (they both still had pretty

descent cholesterol panels). After a 3 hour nap we headed to the expo at noon at the convention

center. There was a Marathon Maniac booth right next to the 50 States Marathon booth where we

stopped to get our wrist bands to get entry to the Marathon Maniacs tent after the race.

This race included a 0.3 mile detour at about mile 17 to the "Center of the Universe" and we stopped
by this spot after we finished at the expo to take pictures and to try out the echo chamber. This was
a large circular area where if you stood exactly in the middle you could hear an echo, but someone
standing 1/2 a foot away from you could not hear the echo (also does not work if you can only hear
out of one ear). This is a very similar echo thing that is in Portland, Oregon at Council Crest Park. Back
to the hotel for a quick nap before the pasta dinner at Cain's Ballroom, a historic Tulsa landmark.

Up early the next morning to a 30 degree drop in temperature from the day before (almost 70
degrees when we went to the expo) and low clouds. Got to the start line in plenty of time before the
Maniac picture. The start was in waves, I was in corral B, but did not know how much time had
elapsed between waves as I had forgot my Garmin watch.

The race started and I noticed that I was feeling pretty good and decided to push the pace as much
as I could by feel. Chatted with some people along the way but it was either too cold, windy or
people running at the 4 hour marathon pace are less talkative, but it was generally a quiet crowd.
Probably another reason why I held a brisk for me pace. Aid stations were well organized, people
announcing what drink type was first, and they even had people with signs marking speed bumps
when we ran through campus.

On the out/back section along the river (photo by the famous Dave Mari)

Center of the Universe is in Tulsa, OK. Between mile 17 and 18 of the marathon.

I briefly pondered skipping the detour to the center of the universe but decided to go for it, thinking
when would I be back to Tulsa? They gave you a commemorative detour coin and had an aid station
with Michelob Ultra, but I declined the beverage after going for it but being told what it was. More
hills in the second half than the first half but it is always motivating to know that you are close to the
finish. Passed by Eric and Rich, two people I carpooled with in the last mile of the race and they
cheered me in. Once finishing, a volunteer placed a "first marathon" finisher's medal around my neck,
but I did notice until I was in the line to get my finish time and a lady asked me how I got a gold medal.
I was able to swap this in the Marathon Maniac tent. This tent was awesome though! It has tables and
chairs, catered and potluck food, along with the presidents of the club hanging out and talking with
everyone. But, we cooled down fast and made our way to the car to sit with the heat on and wait for
the last person in our carpool.

Once on the road we stopped at truck stop for showers, but they were taking too long to clean the
showers (as in they weren't cleaning the 2 open stalls during the 20 minutes we were waiting, then
once we mentioned something, magically they started calling people for showers). So we all got
refunds and hit the road again. Stopping at a Microtel to talk our way into renting the room for $40,
the same price for all 4 of us to take a shower at the truck stop, and we were successful. An hour later
we were on our way. Home by 5am Monday morning, but exhausted and sore.

Checked the results the next day and saw I broke 4 hours when you delete the detour.
3:59:11 with a 9:13 minute/mile average pace.

Next up: Tecumseh Trail Marathon near Bloomington, IN and State #21 (if completed).

Race Medal Holder and Surprise!!

2011-11-14T10:05:00.000-08:00

Got my finisher's medal holder (2 wood coat hanger racks from Amazon) re-installed this weekend after moving 3 months ago. Also registered for Vermont 100 miler! It was time to register for my first (attempt) at 100 miles and this will help me get through my first REAL winter. Excited and scared at the same time. Now I have to concentrate on working on a few end-of-term papers for grad school for the rest of the day.

Let the countdown to July (and VT 100) begin!!!!!!

State #19 11/6/11 City of Oaks, Raleigh, NC

2011-11-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

19th State! Gorgeous fall day in Raleigh, NC, part of the Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Ran with Steve Hughes the first 18 miles and alone the rest of the way. He was running his 100th marathon that he had completed between age 60 and 63, his birthday was the next day, the RD gave him the race #100. Well organized race, plenty of aid stations, hilly, nice finisher's medal, non-crowded after race food area, plenty of parking. (Photos credit Steve Hughes)

Next up - Route 66 Marathon Tulsa, OK November 20, 2011, state #20!

Chicago Lakefront 50/50 10/29/11

2011-10-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Lakefront 50/50 is a combination 50 miler and 50k race on the lakefront bike path south of downtown Chicago. The 50 milers start at 6:30am and do 4 out and back segments (about 6 miles each out) of the path. The 50k runners start 2 hours later at 8:30am and do 3 out and backs of a slightly shorter segment of about 5 miles each out (and thus back). I ran the 50k. It was a bit chilly until the sun rose over the lake but it was gorgeous when it did.

There is a similar race that is held in the spring. I started out as usual at the back of the pack and started out at a "coasting" pace and see what the day held. As I warmed up I gradually sped up through the first out/back segment. Runners costumes I saw were superwomen with yellow hair, raggedy ann, and a guy with a racing singlet that was muscles like out of a anatomy book. It warmed up quick and as I completed the first section I ran to my car to drop off my gloves and long sleeve shirt. I was able to continue to maintain my speed, chatted with runners along the way although tons of people had their headphones in which messes up the whole talking thing. My true goal for this race was to meet local ultra runners. At the halfway point I realized that I would be able to break 5 hours if I maintained the pace, and luckily I was able to stay mentally strong and push myself to accomplish the goal I set mid-race. I had also promised myself that I could take the day off from school work and I could get a large frappachino from the Starbucks at the Oasis (rest area with several restaurants along the tollway for those that do not live near a tollway) on the drive back to Milwaukee.

With less than a mile to go I very slowly had caught up to a lady running and I tell her when I get to her that "if we keep our pace we can break 5 hours." We start running side by side and keep our pace, and I immediately in my mind concede that I will let her pull ahead at the end (I was at the edge of puking at this point). Well, on the last tiny uphill before the finish I pull ahead and that was that. Just after the race guy pulled of my bib tag and the lady put the finish medal around my neck I turned and took a few steps away quickly and threw up the liquids (half water half gatorade at that point) from the last 6-8 miles. I went to sit down on the side walk for a few minutes, then headed to my car to head home. Once in the car I always get to be reminded that I drive a stick, which is always very apparent after a long run.

Slow traffic in downtown Chicago (this is about 2pm on a Sunday) but once I cleared downtown it was smooth sailing. I ended up stopping at a Culvers (burger and frozen custard place that is all over the upper mid-west) instead for a pumpkin spice milkshake. Got home, showered, put the legs up in the lazyboy chair, dinner at Beans and Barley.

Great run, great weather, great people, great run!

Time (not chip timed) per Garmin 4:57:40 (official race results not yet posted)

Next up, City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, NC on Nov 6! If I complete the race it will be State #19!

Fox Cities Marathon Appleton, WI 9/17/11

2011-10-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

*This race was about 6 weeks ago and I am just now getting motivated to write a brief race report after a good few weeks of running.*

Fox Cities Marathon was a Marathon Maniacs' reunion run. Despite that this was a repeat state I figured this would be a good race to pull me out of my typical low-mileage-due-to-very-hot-summer routine. I did not know how this race was going to play out but I knew I would be able to finish. Not to be confused with the Fox Valley Marathon held on the same day nearby in Illinois. Nice course, well organized, small confusing expo, good frequent bus shuttles from the finish area to the start of the race. The two best things were the Cottonelle TP (as Kimberly Clark is a main sponsor of the race) in ALL of the port-a-potties (!) and the Marathon Maniac race medal in addition to the marathon completion medal. I also loved that there were several people that had run the North Face 50 miler and 50k in Wisconsin the previous day and were up early for another long run.

I drove up to the expo the night before and back in time for dinner, then drove up that morning for the race.

Chip Time 4:36:50, Pace 10:34

I completed the Chicago Lakefront 50k 2 days ago, race report to follow. Next up is City of Oaks Marathon next weekend in Raleigh, NC.

Grandmas Marathon Duluth, MN 6/18/11

2011-07-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

State #18
5:08:36 Chip Time

Part One - Road Trip
This marathon started out as a road trip from Milwaukee to the Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin to celebrate my birthday with some car camping and a kayak trip to the caves, leaving 2 days before the marathon to tackle the 6 hour drive. We camped overnight at the state campground on Madeline Island, took the ferry back to the mainland the next morning for a guided sea kayak tour. When the guide started out by explaining this was his first group to lead, I was thinking he was going to say for the season. But he continued to share that this was his first ever trip to guide, ever. He did fine but I think he needed to check with each boat individually before we launched to make sure everyone was set-up. Neat area to explore.

Garmin Track (activity was kayaking, not running)

Lessons learned
1) Thruhikers have a hard time converting to being quality car campers. We (mainly me) brought way too much stuff.
2) Double kayaks are usually not a good idea when more than 1 captain gets into the boat.
3) Kayak rudders are Good, with a capital G.
4) Solitude is unrealistic when kayaking the same weekend as the kayak symposium is in town.
5) Lake Superior is cold.

Madeline Island Ferry (held about 10 cars)

Local coffeeshop in Bayfield, WI

Part Two - Grandmas Marathon
This was my first experience exclusively pacing a first time marathoner. Typically when I am running a marathon I chat with the runners going the same pace and if they are first timers then offer them encouragement and check in with them to make sure they are fueling and hydrating properly, at least in a way that will help them not bonk and get them to the finish. In this case, my boyfriend was attempting his first marathon with a rapid decrease in running mileage the 5 weeks leading up to the race due to a sprained ankle from a long run on the treadmill. I was very nervous to say the least and gave him several bail out opportunities beforehand and one as we passed our cabin at the halfway point.
The course is a point to point race along the shores of Lake Superior on roads from northeast of Duluth with the finish in downtown Duluth. You are not allowed to park at the start so we got up really really early to park at the finish line and take the train to the start. It was raining and overcast as we walked from the parking lot to the train, I was worried that the rain would persist for the entire marathon because that usually makes things pretty miserable. The train ride was an hour, we brought scones and coffee to fuel us up for the challenge. The race started a few minutes late, with the rain dissipating about 20 minutes before the start time. Luckily the rain held off for the race with clouds sticking around to keep temperatures cool. For most of the race, they had the "change of hypothermia" weather banners at the aid stations. My favorite aid station was a rogue one in the first few miles that a local coffee shop set up and they had mocha frappachino type drinks in small cups they were handing out.

Pre race sleepy photo in our rental cabin

Water and/or gatorade at every aid station, Gu Shot blocks with 1 package about every 8 miles, fueling was going pretty well. Hedgehog brought his nano to listen to music for late in the race and put it on around mile 18 as he said it was getting to him thinking about never running that far ever. He took it off 3-4 miles later when I started chatting with another runner, and when we were starting to approach town and the scenery changed with more houses and people cheering. The last mile in town was a convoluted series of twists and turns where you couldn't actually see the finish line until the last 0.2 miles, very challenging to the mind of a first time marathoner. Finish area was very crowded, they ran out of finishers shirts in my size, and the area was confusing and largely by pure luck we made it back to the car without any extra walking. We avoided the recovery area and grabbed chocolate milk, mountain dew and potato chips at a gas station heading back to the cabin. Showers, naps, then dinner at the mall with frozen custard for desert (custard shops are EVERYWHERE in Wisconsin/Minnesota).

Marathoners!

Ice Age Trail 50K May 14, 2011

2011-05-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

3rd and 4th place females, I slowed down after this first section finishing 13th female

Kept each other company once the field spread out

Finishing together

State #17 -Wisconsin
~ 2,000 ft of gain/loss
Lots of little ups and downs
5:58:14 Pace 11:32
Female 13/49
Overall 55/142

Rain held off until the last 2 hours of the race, temperature in the upper 40's but muggy so all the runners were warm and sweaty and the volunteers and crew all looked freezing cold. Well organized race, great long sleeve tech shirt, the 50k finishers got key chains that looked like the finisher's belt buckle that the 50 milers received.

Maybe next year I can be in better shape and place higher! One of the classic American Ultras!

American Oddyssey Relay Gettysburg to DC

2011-05-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

4/29-30/11

I had the pleasure of being asked to join my running friends from Chambersberg, PA to run in this relay under the sponsorship of the local running store, The Runner's Sole. We were a team of 9 ladies and recruited a running friend and his wife to be our drivers.

We ran the most indirect route between Gettysburg and DC, saw some amazing parts of the area that we would not have otherwise seen. We ended up being started too late for our actual overall team speed and quickly found ourselves running alone, and once night fell we were running into transitions stations that had long packed up and gone home.

We wondered why the RD had not called us yet, as we had to turn in all our cell phone numbers of every van member at the team leader meeting the night before the race. We figured that nothing was wrong and to keep on trekking. Once we arrived at roughly the halfway point where I am supposed to start my second leg, the transition guy stops us and tells us since we are so far behind that we are going to need to skip the next several sections to catch up. We ask if we are disqualified and he tells us that we are not. He also tells us that in no uncertain terms can we allow the runner to go ahead alone without the van closely behind since we "keep getting lost," when in fact we had only 1 runner get lost 1 time, sheesh. We are tired, we are upset, and we need a bathroom break, rest break and to gas up the van. We call the RD back to ask if we can skip a few more sections to allow for time to complete these tasks, we get the green light and assurance that we get medals at the finish line despite the skip ahead.

We restart, running through an old battlefield in the dark that is normally open only during daylight hours, it is eerie and neat at the same time. Before long, daylight comes about the same time that the long C&O towpath section begins, we get a second wind and for the first time in several hours we are running with other people now, joking that this wasn't just a Candid Camera sort of thing and that in fact we were actually running a relay with OTHER people.

Next year while I will not be joining the team or probably joining in another similar type relay, I can be fairly certain that the team will be sandbagging next year and predicting very slow times to secure an early start time and more relaxing adventure, with other runners.

Thanks to my Appalachian Trail friend Keegan for joining me on the towpath section heading into DC along on his bike after not seeing him for almost a year.

Promise Land 50k DNF

2011-05-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

April 23, 2011 - First DNF

As I have been self rehabbing a right IT band overuse injury from January, I have been more cautious about paying attention to twinges in my body. My right knee on the consistent downhills were getting twingy and I decided to bail at the aid station at mile 13ish, then ran 6 miles back to the start down the end of the race trail.

Gorgeous area, gorgeous course with lots of up, and down. Probably won't try to run this to completion next year as I won't live in the area, but maybe in a few years....

Charlottesville Area Trail Runners

2011-04-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Great Central Virginia Trail Running group. Join us for a group run if you are in the area!

Charlottesville Area Trail Runners

Up Next: Promise Land 50k, another David Horton classic ultra!

National HALF Marathon 3/26/11

2011-03-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

This was originally going to be a full marathon run, but lingering IT band irritation from the last few months of racing was on the mend but still looming. My weekly mileage for the last 2 months hovered in the 3-20 range (except for the week of Holiday Lake 50k). So I did the "mature" thing and decided it would be smart to run the shorter race. My running friend from Cville graciously waded through the crowds at the expo (1 day only) and got me officially changed from the full to the half marathon. As I had no desire to fight DC Friday night rush hour(s) traffic, I opted to hit the road at 3am and meet my friend at her hotel in DC. I had a pleasant traffic free drive up, found the hotel, and found the RFK Stadium and free parking with plenty of time to line up.

Meet up with the Marathon Maniacs in the Armory for the pre-race photo shoot and got caught up with a few Maniac friends, I had to repeat several times that I was "only" running the half, a few seem disappointed which I found mildly entertaining and I could certainly understand their perspective (it is "only" a marathon, you can do it!). I wandered outside and found it eerie how few people were lined up only 15 minutes from the start, especially after hearing there were 16,000 runners in the 2 distances combined. Not sure where to go I just headed for the first open corral, which ended up being #4 (no-one was checking bibs), this ended up being perfect for my pace. Race started a few minutes late and it took me another 7 minutes to cross the start line. Temps were at freezing at the start and warmed up 10 degrees in the next 2 hours, sun shining the entire time. For the first 10 min after crossing the start line there were dozens of people with race bibs on heading in the opposite direction, late for the race start. Sunshine was gorgeous, and it was interesting to see a normally very bustling DC, in a very quiet and empty state. Early morning is my favorite time of day. Very few spectators other than the few underpasses we went through, with people lined up on the streets above cheering.

I had no idea where the course went other than it was in DC and it was a loop, however I did not realize that the entire first half would be shared by the full and half marathoners. After the finish for the half, the full marathoners continued on, although I am not sure where, or if they had to repeat the loop we just did. This is a similar strategy to the Charlottesville Marathon and Half Marathon and for the marathoners it is very disheartening to run past the finish line with several miles still to complete. There were 2-3 mile markers total, 2 were chalk painted on the ground and 1 was on the back of a bathroom sign zip tied to a pole (really!!! no mileage markers?!really?). The finish line was chaos, with the half finishers trying to first get medals but we were told that they were for the relay folks. About 5 feet past them were for the half marathoners but you had to push your way up to them to get them. Several people ended up missing the medals all together. Then it was busy and chaotic trying to get water and the after race goodies, not very well organized for a large race.

I finished 1:56:14 with an average pace of about 8:50 min/mile.
Nice technical finisher shirt (although they handed them out at the expo and they said finisher on them) and neat finisher's medal. I would not recommend this run for next year, but I am glad I still went to have a nice run and to mark a turning point back into running longer distances, because I sure do love running.

Sugar Hollow Cville Area Trailrunners (CAT) training run

2011-03-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

3/13/11 8am (Meet at Greenberry's to carpool to the TH at Sugar Hollow)

Parked at the lower lot and headed up the North Fork Moormans River Trail, then turning North on the Appalachian Trail to BlackRock Summit. Climbing 7 miles and about 1,900ft to reach this view from the summit.

David and Drew

Becca and Drew

Christian had joined us for the first few miles on his mountain bike due to recovering from a stress fracture (he even wore his brace! awesome), he turned around to attend other commitments he had that sunny Sunday.
While David and Drew continued South on the AT looping back to the TH on the Turk Branch Trail for a longer run, I headed back down the trail that we came up to keep the mileage down to rest a healing IT band. On the way down I stopped to take a few pictures. The river was still running high 3 days after the last rainstorm, so there were several wet crossings and thus kept the day hikers away. I had the trail to myself until the last few miles from the car.

Gorgeous section of SNP, crazy that it took over a year of living here to finally explore this section! Another Charlottesville gem and another great day on the trails.

Holiday Lake 50k++ Race Report (2011 Edition)

2011-03-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

02/12/11
6:01:14 (Last year 7:05)
182/305, 36th Female (seeded as 47th).

Weather was amazing, perfect cool temps for running.
Good company, Cville and Chambersburg, PA running friends.
Accomplished goals of beating last year's time (my first ultra) and running faster than David Horton had seeded me.

Pictures courtesy of Chuck Stone from PA

First creek crossing

3rd and 5th aid station

Kristal and Brenda just before the turnaround

Finishing

LtoR Brenda, Me, Kristal (first ultra!), Chuck

Up Next (um, tomorrow): National Half Marathon in DC. Was supposed to be the full but I am trying to be conservative on mileage while I nurse an IT band injury back to health.

2010 Year in Review

2011-03-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

*yes, I know it is currently March*

Firsts

-First time being 30
-First Ultra
-First 50 miler
-First time in Alaska
-First time ice climbing
-First time in a hot air balloon
-First time in South America
-First tooth pulled
-First stitches (placed after the tooth was pulled)
-First time buying an engine for my car, along with a clutch
-First time running in yak tracks
-First time seeing someone dressed as the Eiffel tower run a marathon
-First time in NYC
-First time going to Physical Therapy

Carlsbad Marathon 1/23/11

2011-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

Carlsbad, CA Marathon 1/23/11 State #16

I did not head into this race with any intention of a PR. I had heard it was a little hilly and with the weather being forecasted for 55 deg F at the start and up to 70 degrees by the finish I knew the temperature was not going to help. I flew into San Diego the afternoon before the race from a 1 night overnight in Milwaukee and had just enough time to get the rental car, drive to Encinatas up I-5 to get checked into the Howard Johnson, and then drive 15 more minutes to Carlsbad and the race expo, under a tent in the parking lot of the mall. The first thing that struck me was the space heaters they had going, especially with the 60 degree weather outside, nice. I had forgot my sunglasses in my car in Virginia and while I did not need them for the race I needed them for the week long visit in town, and especially for driving, but they had nothing I liked in the expo. I did buy 3 of those no-slip girly headbands at the expo for me and one of my running partners and her daughter.

Expo Tents

Early Dinner at a cafeteria style restaurant in the mall, had penne pasta with marinara sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, very good. A quick stop at CVS for Gatorade and back to the hotel for the night and to try to go to bed early and catch up on sleep, early wake up call at 4am for a 6am race.

6am start in the dark in the parking lot of the mall, with the first hour in the dark running around town.
About 7am we approached the section with views of the Pacific Ocean, with the high wave alert producing loud waves as they broke on shore and sunrise (although it was rising in the opposite direction it produced some amazing color over the water). I saw these little things in the water that looked like they might be seals in little groups but upon asking a runner next to me I learned that they were surfers, OOOH, cool.

Running with fellow Marathon Maniac Noel
Photo Credit Marathon Mitch

We meandered along the coast seeing more waves and more surfers, some who were trying to cross the road with their boards in between the runners, we then turned East-ish and ran out/back on a road past the Outlet mall and a small airport. Aid stations were well stocked, all with water and most with Lemon Ultima, which I have found I really liked but they offer it very rarely at races, the last one was Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, AK last June. There were 4 gu stations which was great, and on 3-4 occasions we met up and then left the half marathoners on the course where our routes merged then diverged. Most of the time we were running faster than the half marathon runners which was a boost to the ego.

I ran with Noel most of the race until mile 18 or so when his IT Band started becoming bothersome. Up until that point we ran a string of 7 x 8:30 minute miles and were feeling pretty strong with a 4 hour marathon in sight. I slowed down a bit after we separated and hit a low spot when my right IT band started to hurt quit significantly. However, when I got 4-5 miles from the finish I started to do some math in my head and if I ran 9 min/mile for the rest of the time that I could break 4 hrs 5 min which would be a 13 minute PR for me. My knee was more painful on the uphills and at this point the course flattened out as we headed to the finish line at the same spot as the start line in the mall parking lot. The temperature was heating up a tad too and had the run lasted much longer it would have started to become a little more exciting for me.

Finish 4:04:35 State #16 and earned me my 5th Marathon Maniac Star for running 16 marathons (or longer) in 365 days.

The rest of the week was spent in San Diego playing tourist while my boyfriend attended a conference. I ran only once in the hotel gym due to my ongoing knee pain, but walked all over town. Ate at The Mission in East Village 3 times! Went to Balboa Park to the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Botanical Building, Air and Space Museum, San Diego Zoo, and Coronado Island.

Harbor Drive downtown San Diego

View from our hotel room.

In Balboa Park

Balboa Park Botanical Building

More Balboa Park

Pink Flamingos in the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Giraffe

Ghiradelli powered marathon runner

Ferry Boat to Coronado Island

Downtown San Diego from the Coronado Ferry

Beach on Coronado Island

Me heading back to the city on the ferry

Very expensive sail boat in the bay

View of USS Midway from the water

UP NEXT: Holiday Lake 50k++ in Appomattox, Virginia February 12, 2011.

Escape from Charlotte!

2011-01-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

So after 40 hours stuck in the Charlotte Airport, countless snacks from the US Airways Lounge, several trips to Starbucks, flying to a city that is a 2.5 hour drive from my original airport, and a car ride I am HOME.

Mississippi/Alabama Marathon Double Weekend

2011-01-11T11:08:00.000-08:00

State #14 - 1/8/11 Saturday Mississippi Blues Marathon Jackson, MS

#15 - 1/9/11 Sunday First Light Marathon Mobile, AL

PART ONE - Jackson, MS Fri/Sat

First off, I had not done much running in the 2 weeks leading up to the double due to hosting a visitor and in turn spending a few days in Milwaukee leading up to the race, brrr. That coupled with not having done a double marathon before, I was heading into the unknown. I teamed up with Murray to share hotel and car rental expenses, he is another Marathon Maniac whom I had met in Maine at the Mount Desert Island Marathon mid October of last year. I chose to fly into and out of New Orleans and rent a car to drive as all 3 locations were just about 3 hours driving time apart and I hoped to sneak in a visit with friends that I knew from when I lived there from 2002-2005. The flight leaving Milwaukee Friday morning was uneventful, but leaving Kansas City the plane’s computer gave an error message, so mid-taxi to the runway, the airline IT person told the pilot to turn off the entire plane to re-boot the computer (isn’t that what all of us try first?!). Well, it worked and we were on our way and even managed to land in New Orleans 15 min early due to a very strong tailwind.

The drive to Jackson, MS was scenic with the bayous, cypress trees and spanish moss. The drive went by quickly and generally uneventful save the wind batting around the itty bitty rental car on the elevated interstate system. The expo was at the convention center and was well organized (except for me, I didn’t think to bring my ID with me so I had to walk back to the hotel, then back again) and we were staying at the very nice Marriott about 5 blocks away. Dinner at Sal and Mookie’s, a local Italian restaurant that was crazy busy but the wait went quickly with good conversation, 4 of us total heading into the double marathon weekend. A grocery store run on the way back to the hotel and to bed at 9:30p.

Woke up to a cold morning with a large number of runners hanging out in the lobby until the last minute. The best part was the hotel set out pre-race bananas, granola bars and gatorade in fancy glass and brass dispensers in the lobby. Their coffee that was set out in the lobby was actually pretty good. All at once people started spilling out onto the street and we followed suit with the start a 4 block walk.

Fancy Gatorade at the Marriott

Pre-race lobby at the Marriott - Staying warm

One of several Elvis costumes
Some running and some directing traffic

Start line

The course winds quickly out of downtown and stays in the neighborhoods for most of the course. It is hilly, but small hills that resemble a roller coaster cause if you were not going up you were going down. Everything was well organized, well stocked aid stations with water and gatorade and 3 gel stations. As the miles went on I started chatting to a young man that went by the name "Dub," whom was running his first marathon. I leapfrogged with Murray the entire course and we both pulled Dub along. They both finished together about 10 min behind me, I last saw them at the 20 mile mark.

The last 6 miles I found a second wind (or perhaps a first) and began to steadily pick up the pace and slowly pick off runners, I had a sub 4:30 in mind and wanted to build a slight cushion should I begin to slow down or some bonus hills sneak into the course.

Finished 4:24:41

Quickly showered then hit the road for the 3 hour drive to Mobile with Murray as a passenger to keep me awake and entertained.

PART TWO - Mobile, AL Sat/Sun

We arrived in town at 4:30 and checked into the Candlewood Suites Downtown, Murray got bumped to the front of the check in line due to his frequent customer status, we got a few stare downs. We walked the few blocks over to the expo then across the street for the included pasta dinner, enjoyed the conversation with the runners at our table, then headed back to the hotel. I skipped the 50 States Marathon club gathering in exchange for some additional rest.

There were almost 100 names total!

Southern Belles at the Expo and me :)

The race start was a short walk from the hotel and we timed things well such that the start gun went off a few minutes after arriving to the start. This race, similar to the day before wandered through the streets with oaks, spanish moss, and ferns hanging off the bark. However this course was largely flat with course road surface at times. I was less chatty than the day before but got several good conversations in during the run.

Finished in 4:39:58 with a sprint to the finish to beat 4:40, no chip timing for this race.

Showered, then hit the road to New Orleans. Stopped an hour into the drive because I was STARVING. At Cracker Barrel I ate a chocolate shake, pancake breakfast with eggs and bacon, and a side of biscuits and gravy. I hit the road once the rain squall passed and my stomach was full. Stayed with friends from when I lived in New Orleans, had dinner at an Itailian place in the french quarter. And then breakfast the next morning in the Marigny. Stopping by Touro Infirmary, I was curious to see if any of my co-workers were still there that were in the hospital during Katrina. Turns out 2 nurses where there working and I sat in the nurses station chatting away for almost 40 minutes catching up. That felt really good to connect with them.

Then on to the airport where the rest of the adventure begins.

PART THREE - Charlotte, NC Mon-Tues++

Stuck!!!! I arrived in Charlotte, NC at 5pm Monday with my evening flight to Charlottesville being cancelled 3 hours after it was scheduled to depart due to ice. So, I was rebooked on a morning flight and had a largely sleepless night on the cold floor of the airport. I used the mylar wrap from the marathon in Mobile as a blanket, and it actually kept me quite toasty. After a few hours I decided to get up to use the restroom and to try to relocate to a quieter area as the terminal they had corralled us into had 2 bars open until 2am when I moved, and they did not look like they were closing down anytime soon.

I found an alcove of a wine bar and joined 2 gentlemen that were already lying on the floor and sleeping, both in their business casual and their small personal bag. Those who had checked luggage were unable to access their bags. I was able to get 2 hours of sleep there, and when I got up for the day about 4:30a, I gave and then wrapped one of the gentlemen with the mylar wrap as he had commented how cold he was. Starbucks was open, so I got an Americano to start my day and migrate to the gate. Once I got to the gate and got in line to get my boarding pass the gate agent said that there were seats available on a mid morning direct Charlottesville flight, so I got a ticket for that flight at 10a and headed to get breakfast. After I dumped the plate of biscuits and gravy on the floor, then got a new plate, I sat down to eat and saw Murray walk by. He was supposed to be home Sunday night!!!! Not in Charlotte on Tuesday Morning.

We walk to the US Airways lounge at 8 am, and that is where we continue to sit at the time of this posting 2pm EST. I have a flight scheduled at 4pm to Richmond.....not real hopeful but not much else to do. I will post an update when something happens.

And now I have done a double marathon!

Seashore Nature Trail 50k 12/18/10

2010-12-20T04:58:00.000-08:00

"How old are you?!!" A lady yelled at me as ran in the opposite direction on the last out/back section, she was nearly 1 mile ahead of me, I was at mile 21 and she was at about mile 22. I answered her question and just as quickly the interaction started it was over. That question meant she was worried about possibly one of two things 1) She thought I was in her age group and was going to pass her or 2) She was worried about her daughter or a friend that I might pass and I was in their age group. This brief interaction was very entertaining to me.

This race last year was the inaugural event, I had bailed on the race 1 week before it was scheduled due to achilles tendinitis, which I now know was from lack of proper stretching (i.e. none). Needless to say, this happened to also be the weekend of the first big crazy snow storm in Central Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic, which was heavy rain in the Virginia Beach area. The race was still held but with lots of standing water on the course. I just HAD to go back the next year to make things right and to complete the race.

I headed out for the 3 hour drive mid afternoon Friday so that I would be off the roads before nightfall and freezing temperatures, and a more exciting driving experience. I stopped halfway to have dinner at an Olive Garden and continued on, ended up a little lost in Virginia Beach as I had not read directions thoroughly and drove to the Convention Center not the the VA Beach Resort and Convention Center, each about 10 miles apart. I briefly pondered paying for the boardwalk Christmas light drive but did not have enough cash (it was cash only) and it was getting late (but the lights looked neat from what I could see from the road). Got checked into my hotel room, picked up my race stuff and got settled in for the night. I was tired and decided to wait until the morning to organize my gear. Up early as always, got dressed, headed out to a Starbucks to get coffee and breakfast, back to the hotel room to eat and keep warm, then the short drive to the starting area to check in (again) and get the timing chip.

Race morning view of the Atlantic from my hotel room

Starting area 15min until the Start

Overflow parking ended up being right at the start line, so I lucked out with that roll of the dice, especially since the ground was quite icy. 8am and we were off! Starting with about 1 mile on the road until we got onto the trails. First Landing State Park where the race was held is remniscint of Louisiana with the swamps, Cypress trees and Spanish Moss that I am amazed each time I am in the park, I feel like I was 1,000 miles away and not in Virginia. Weather was in the low 30's, overcast, with a dusting-1 inch of snow on the ground, perfect day for a long run. I had studied the map beforehand, but I got all turned around when the direction that we were taking on the trail did not match the map drawn out in my head, and I am pretty good in general with a strong sense of direction. Luckily the course was well marked with orange streamers, including wrong way side trails marked with yellow caution tape. Volunteers were stationed at any trail junction where there might be confusion, and the aid stations were well manned and stocked. I of course took no pictures the entire time, but the park was quite magical with the snow and ice.

My goal for this race was to finish in about 6 hours, that would be a previous 50k PR of 1 hour and a good strong pace. However, I started out at about 9:30 min/mile pace and held it without too much effort and as the morning went on, I realized that I could make 5.5 hours, then I realized if I could hold on I could flirt with breaking 5 hours, crazy!!! I felt good all day, spend minimal time at the aid stations, and cheered on almost every runner I saw in the out/back sections. Later in the race an older gentlemen responded to my cheers of encouragement with "hey cheerleader!" Nice.

I held on to my pace for a few minutes over 5 hours, picking up a guy walking towards the finish with a simple "come with me" comment. After the finish he thanked me for pulling him along. I finished 12th female overall and 51st (later results show me at the 52nd runner) overall out of 238 runners that finished.

I hope to run this again next year and bring a group from our trail running club. The wild card in all of this was how my body was going to deal with being on Amoxicillin four times per day to prevent a dental infection after having a tooth pulled 2 days before the race and if the removal site was going to throb and be painful (or not). This was unplanned but due to the snow and subsequent appointment cancellations at the Dental office, I was able to get the procedure done. You see, due to genetics, I have 2 baby teeth as a 30 year old with no adult teeth behind them to grow in. So, once they either get a cavity or the roots dissolve, you need to have them removed and have either a bridge or an implant in it's place.

Last race of the year! Working on a review of 2010 and looking ahead to 2011 goals.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

No Hellgate For Me

2010-12-10T14:56:00.000-08:00

I came down with the start of a cold yesterday and took my name out of the race.

Seashore Nature Trail 50k in Virgina Beach next weekend.

Great book about Hellgate by Robert Sutton. Great running story and somewhat similar to Matt McCue's book except the ending had come to a different conclusion.

Seattle Marathon 11/28/10

2010-12-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Repeat of Washington State

Finish Time 4:29:02

Heading into this race I was not sure about how things would pan out 1 week after a 50 mile race, the JFK 50. I spent the first 2 days after JFK sleeping any minute of the day that I did not need to be at work, I was drained physically and certainly mentally. Either I would be really slow for this marathon or run about as I usually do, in the neighborhood of 4.5 hours. This was to be an experiment.

Now growing up in Seattle, a tradition of sorts was to run the Seattle Half Marathon, always the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it was a few weeks after cross country season had finished so I was still in shape but not having any upcoming races to train for, I had run the half 5-6 times previously, and it always rained on that day. One memorable half was in 2001, and like several other Americans took the call to donate blood after 9-11. I donated 1 week prior to the race at school, turns out you end up building lactic acid really quickly when you do this, lesson learned although I still donate blood but have not been able to in the last few years due to my trips to Haiti, and currently due to my sometimes excessive running.

Start of the Marathon

This is an interesting race as you get to run on the I-90 express lanes, go through the tunnel and an out and back on the floating bridge. Despite living in the area for a while, I had never previously been to Seward Park, a little peninsula jutting out into Lake Washington. During the race I would be setting foot for the first time in the park during the race at about the half marathon mark. Weather is usually a factor in this race, but we ended up lucking out with the one day of no rain this week. It was in the upper 30’s to low 40’s, overcast with sun breaks, perfect for running.

This weekend was also a Marathon Maniac reunion of sorts, as they had the Quadzilla organized, wherein there are 4 marathons in the Seattle area in a row, starting Thursday and culminating with the Seattle Marathon on Sunday. Some people did all 4, others did 3 “Turkey Triple” or 2 “Seattle Double” in a row. I pondered doing the double but the JFK had drained me and the time change usually zaps my energy as well when I travel to Seattle, so I opted out and took a mid morning nap instead. So there were several Marathon Maniacs out running the Seattle Marathon, I heard 26 people attempted this feat, fitting number I felt.

A few good spectator signs along the course, with my favorites being “Cause 26.3 would be crazy,” and “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon."

The expo garnered a few good samples in the goody bags, a nice race shirt as always provided by the Seattle Marathon, a run in with a high school cross country teammate that I had not seen for over 10 years running her first marathon, and a talk by ultrarunning god Scott Jurek. He spoke Saturday afternoon and spent about 25 minutes talking about his amazing races over the last 10 years, then he spent about 20 minutes talking about his Vegan diet and racing diet in general terms, basically he was there to ultimately promote his sponsor Udo’s Oil an Omega 3-6-9 supplement. He emphasized several times that he is very picky about who he chooses to endorse and that Udo’s oil meets his standard, they also gave out samples and technical beanie hats and I learned they are based out of Lynden, WA. I ran within a few inches of him twice at White River 50 this past July (and his girlfriend only beat me by 50 minutes). He was very well spoken and has some very educated insight into trail running and nutrition.

Around mile 14 as we were leaving Seward Park, I start to chat with the lady running next to me, with her having to take out her headphones to hear me. “How was your Thanksgiving?” I start. We end up running together and chatting for the next 3-4 miles until I stop to visit my parents cheering with bright pink signs on the course, I also handed them my gloves that I had taken off about 10 miles earlier and my long sleeve shirt I had taken off 5 miles earlier. About 6 miles and an hour later I catch back up to her and I am slowly picking up my pace. I had felt strong on the hills leaving the lake and leaving the Arboretum, I tell her I am trying to break 4:30. She responds with an exasperated “that would be great if I broke 4:30,” “OK, stay with me.” I share with her what to expect with the route before we approach each section and she keeps up with me, this is her second marathon, the first being last month on 10-10-10 in Portland, OR. We take the turn that brings us to cross I-5 the 3^rd and last time and head back to the Space Needle and the finish in the stadium, I lose her on the downhill and see her again after the finish line about 20-30 seconds back, I congratulate her and give her a hug, she thanks me. I never think to ask her name, oh well.

I wander into the fieldhouse after a short uphill, got some delicious soup, a banana and Gatorade. I almost crash the Quadzilla Marathon Maniac photo, but the president approached me a minute later to get a picture of me, there are maniacs everywhere, nice to see.

Vashon Island. Traffic is light and we make good time to the ferry and home. Straight to the shower, compression socks on, sit in a lazy boy chair and dive into a bag of salt and vinegar chips. To keep with my East Coast sleep schedule, I head to bed at 6pm local time and wake up at 3am local time without an alarm. At the airport the next morning I partake in an Ivar’s white clam chowder bread bowl for breakfast, yummy! Long delay in Atlanta, then eventually home to my own bed.

Recovery Meal in the Seattle Airport

Lesson Learned: While marathons are mentally tough, compared to 50 milers they require significantly less mental energy to stay present and get to the finish line with a decent time, one could say they are easy in comparison, but not as easy as sitting in the lazyboy at home. But, I would rather be out running.

Enjoying a cup of soup after the finish (Credit:Steven Yee's Facebook Page)

Up next: To Hellgate or Not to Hellgate. That is the question.

NYC Race Report 11/7/10 Part Two

2010-12-03T04:03:00.000-08:00

So after playing tourist in NYC, walking around Central Park and 5th AVE, Times Square and lunch at Junior's, Born on the Run talk with Christopher McDougall and other barefoot running characters.

Saturday; a run in Central Park with Skinny Runner and Matt McCue (reading his book now).

Lunch at Patsy's with desert at Magnolia Bakery (Black Velvet cupcake).

For dinner, Laura's Mom and another Marathon Maniac (who's name escapes me right now) went to dinner at a cafe that was serving an all you can eat pasta dinner. Laura went to Justin Gimelstob's hotel room to meet up with his team and talk pacing plans. To bed early as we all needed to be up about 5am for our 9:40a and 10:10a starting times.
Race day: Sunday
I took the subway to downtown to catch the Staten Island Ferry. It was entertaining for all those runners to be on the subway at 5am, wide awake, and striking up typical runner talk but can sound very strange from afar I would imagine.

Staten Island Ferry terminal with my throwaway clothes.

Lots of people camped out waiting for the next ferry or just because they got there early.

I rode the ferry over to Staten Island and had cold but great views from the boat.

Brooklyn Bridge

Downtown/Financial District/Ground Zero

Statue of Liberty

Start staging area with Verrazano Bridge looming

Ferry packed with runners

So I hung out in the ferry terminal for a while on both sides to kill time, stay warm and to use flushing toilets. I eventually left to catch one of the buses they had lined up from the start. They would have 7-8 buses open their doors, fill up, then the whole line of them move forward together. Pretty efficient stuff. On Staten Island there were cops at each intersection so we went through each light regardless of the light being red or green. Staten Island looked like your typical American Suburb, yet everyone that lived in the area sort of mocked Staten Island as if it weren't "really" New York or something along those lines. Arriving at the start area we go by several security checkpoints where we had to show our race numbers to get in, which is a little challenging when it is cold out and you are wearing several layers of clothing. Wandered towards the green village but stopped to get coffee from Dunkin Donuts, a bagel, and gatorade in a pouch to get fueled up for the race, now only 1.5 hours from my start time. Sitting on the curb, the elite men walk by just on the other side of the fence to their starting area on the bridge, the Verrazano Bridge looming in the background.

Due to my lollygagging, I ended up having no time to ready my throwaway newspaper and magazines. I headed over to my starting corral that was within my color starting group, they have a total of 3 colors, with 3 starts 30 min apart, I was starting in the second wave at 10:10am. The gun was sounded and we were off! up the bridge. I kept my throw away clothes on, discarding them once we were on land again on the other side. The UPS trucks were for dropping off bags of your stuff at the start and it would be trucked to the finish at central park. The entire 2 miles on the bridge I never saw the end of this line of trucks, crazy!

The spectators began on the other side of the bridge, and for the next 24.2 miles I felt like a rockstar and that all those people were out cheering for me. Pretty amazing. Aid stations were great, the renegade aid stations were great too, got me a banana from one of those stations. I went into this run planning to run slow and take a million pictures, play tourist and take in the whole experience. But a weird thing happened, as the entrants are 50% foreign, I tried and failed on 3 occasions to strike up a conversation with the runner next to me. Nothing in response each time, weird. So I kept quiet and at the 16 mile mark I was feeling good and figured out that if I kept under 10 min/mile from there to the finish that I would break 4:20 which I have never done, my previous best was 4:24.

Mile 19 I come up on a group of slow runners in the middle of the road and get a little annoyed for a minute, but then I see a camera trained in on a runner and I pass by this guy while snapping a photo.

The Chilean Miner, walking, handlers on both sides with a camera crew in front of him filming his every move. While I missed seeing all the other celebrities on race day, I did get to see (and beat, come on this is a race!) at least one of them! At the end of the race we start to get funneled into a tighter space heading into Central Park combined with runners that are very fatigued and tired and sometimes walking, I had to do a lot of weaving in and out of people but figured out that if I hugged the crowd on the far right side that I could get through.

Finished! 4:17:54 and new PR by 7 minutes!
Certainly a must do for all marathon runners at least once!!!!!
Monday - More Playing Tourist
Didn't do too much today with the rain and the freezing rain falling from the sky, but better for this weather on a non-race day!

Today Show

View of Central Park from top of Rockafeller Center

On top of Rockafeller Center looking towards Empire State Building

Story Corps display at the Ground Zero Museum

The end.

UPDATE:
Finished Matt McCue's book on the plane ride home from Seattle Turkey Day celebrations and it is a great running story! You can order direct from him or through Amazon.

JFK 50 Mile 11/20/10

2010-11-23T16:52:00.000-08:00

JFK 50 Mile 11/21/10

48^th Annual

7am Start Boonsboro, MD

State #13

The JFK 50 started out as a decreed from JFK 48 years ago that US Soldiers should be fit enough to be able to traverse on foot by running or walking 50 miles in one day, that would be the measure of who was fit enough to be a commissioned officer. For the next several years there were JFK 50 mile races all over the country, not just in Boonsboro, MD. But after a few years the races slowly started to disappear and left only 1 race standing, the JFK 50 from Boonsboro to Williamsport, MD. This was the original course that 3 soldiers took 48 years ago in just over 16 hours (current course time limit is 14 hours for early start and 12 for the regular start). With this being one of the oldest and largest ultramarathon, there is great emphasis on multiyear streaks with the race’s pasta dinner also being that of a recognition ceremony for repeat offenders (500-2,000 mile club members, 10-41 finishes).

Race Packet Pick-up location in Boonsboro, MD

4:20am Mandatory Meeting for 5am Starters

5am Start Downtown Boonsboro, MD (I did the 7am start)

OK, so enough about history here is my race report. We awoke at 2:30am to begin our day picking up all the crew and runners in town. I was an honorary member of the local running club, the “Y Rats.” There were 3 runners in the 5 am start and 2 of us in the 7am start. We sent off the 5am runners then drove up to the Washington Monument to cheer them on. It was dark, and several porta potties lined the race course at the parking lot. As the early starters ran by several runners though we were in line in which we redirected them letting them know that there were several open ones. One crazy looking guy running away from the porta potties asked us where they were, “um right there,” “oh ok thanks,” they were hard to miss, oh well. It was fun cheering the runners on, “Good Morning” got more responses than “looking good,” and several runners thanked us for being out there, that felt good to cheer them on, something I need to do more of. So we hang out at the gap since there are bathrooms there but none at the start and we get ready. We drive back into town minutes to the start.

Pumpkins lighting the entrance to the AT for the 5 am starters

About 6 am, 1 hour to start time near the Washington Monument

Section 1 – Start Downtown Boonsboro, MD to the Appalachian Trail (Mile 0-2.5)

At 7am the gun went off and we started. I wasn’t sure if there was a timing mat right at the start so I hesitated for a moment to hit start on my watch. This section is on road and mostly uphill, sometimes gradual and sometimes steep enough to switch to walking.

Section 2 - Appalachian Trail (Mile 2.5-16)

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a continuous hiking trail reaching 2,179 miles from Mt Katahdin Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, most people take 5-6 months to hike the entire path. It was originally created around the time of the railroad development to be an escape from the growing cities of that time. Luckily this path became protected as a National Scenic Trail where it exists as it began. I enjoy running on the AT in Central Virginia.

There is a little road running in this section but it is mostly semi-technical rocky single track. A little frustrating at first to get around the people that got up the hill before I did but aren’t exactly good at dancing around the rocks, we all have our forte’s. Once I got into a group of runners at the same speed the running was absolutely delicious, I also got to pass a lot of runners, in which a few would pass me on the towpath, but not many. At one point I went off trail for a bio break and got this overwhelming urge to lay day and just rest. One minute I was feeling great and the next I just wanted to lay down and relax. Instant change, but I talked myself out of lying down and once I got moving again on the trail I returned to normal. A few aid stations in the section at the road crossings with the 2^nd and 3^rd aid stations at Gathland State Park and Weaverton Cliffs were a gauntlet of cheering people as there is overall limited access for spectators on the course. Down the steep switchbacks of Weaverton Cliffs without much fanfare, actually chatting with a Marathon Maniac from NYC the whole way down. The 4^th aid station at the railroad tracks was the first electrolyte tabs that I took as it was the first station to have them, I had forgotten mine at home. Before I knew it I was at the C&O towpath at mile 16.

Section 3 - C&O Towpath (Mile 16-42)

The towpath was created in the early to mid 1800’s to allow for transit of goods up river, adjacent to the river was a towpath that the mules would walk on towing boats up through the canal and a series of locks. This became obsolete in the 1920’s when the railroad came to the area, ironically enough they are right next to each other for several miles. Luckily again someone had the insight to preserve the area as a National Park, where it remains protected today.

The transition to this section was difficult for muscles going from dancing through rocks to flat dirt and gravel road, but a few miles in my muscles finally adapted to the change and got back into my steady pace. Aid stations were every 3-4 miles, although with the towpath being gorgeous but very similar mile after mile, 4 miles came to feel a little long at times. I chatted with various people, sometimes for just a minute and sometimes for a few miles, lots of leap frogging too with the same people over and over. Ran past Harper’s Ferry across the river, saw a few kayakers out, saw some chickens a person’s house, saw 2 groups of scouts doing some overnight bike riding too. This is the section where we hit the halfway point, where we hit a marathon and get into the 40’s for mileage, this section is where the fatigue sets in. We also passed several older folks that had started at 5 am as they had on the yellow race numbers standing them apart from the 7am starters with the white bibs. I congratulated most of them as I passed, they were all quite gracious and returned the encouragement.

Section 4 – Country Road into downtown Williamsport, MD (Mile 42-50)

As we approached the last aid station on the towpath you could see they were putting reflective vests on all the runners, it was still early in the day but they were anticipating dark before we would reach the finish line. Nausea had started to knock on the door but it was not a problem just yet. I grabbed some Gatorade and pretzels to munch on to the next aid station. Leading up to this aid station I had tried to eat a little bit of a flavored gu but the flavor was quite dull, this was a first time for me and luckily my sense of taste returned after the finish. The road was windy and a little hilly, a nice change for my muscles. I still continued to walk only when going though aid stations to allow for digestion but otherwise my legs felt strong, in fact it felt better to run than to walk as I stiffened up while walking. Once on the road there were mileage markers, the only ones that we had seen all day except at aid stations. Eventually we made our last turn into town with the finish line eventually showed itself, I passed a few people at the end to make a good show for the crowd.

Finish 10:18:01

Average pace per mile 12:22

Me about 20 minutes after I finished

They had food and massages inside the school gym, I partook in both.

The next morning most of the runners and our crew met at Cracker Barrel in Chambersberg, PA along with a blogger who I met for the first time, Abbi from Higher Miles. After a full belly and the first real solids that I consumed since the race, on to the 3 hour drive home with fairly empty roads for I-81 though, weird.

Finisher's Medal

Post Race: I am just today (Tuesday 11/23 - 3 days later) feeling back to normal energy levels again. I crashed after the drive home Sunday and after work Monday and just layed in bed, something I never do.

Up next: Turkey day in Seattle and the Seattle Marathon 11/28/10.

New York City Marathon 11/7/10 Part One

2010-11-11T03:45:00.000-08:00

Short Race Report

WOW, WOW, WOW.

One of the greatest sporting events ever.

(Granted, I have never been to the Olympics which could possibly be more amazing).

Self photo after the finish

Long Race Report PART ONE: Friday

With my gracious host Laura allowing me to stay several nights, I jumped at the chance to fly into NYC 2 days early to play tourist having never been to NYC. With Laura’s great instructions, I made my way from Laguardia on Friday morning via bus then subway to the Expo.

Subway Lines above ground

Just outside the Expo at the Javits Convention Center

Everything was pretty smooth at the expo, with the most entertaining being that you couldn’t try your shirt on as it was sealed in plastic, but there was a “girl” standing near packet pickup with a small shirt that you could hold up to your body, but not try on, to see if it was your size.

Once completing the rounds I head out, hop a hotel shuttle bringing me closer to Laura’s apartment, I then walked the rest of the way. I head back out to wander around as she lives not too far from Central Park. A bite to eat at Starbucks and wander the rest of the way into the park. Central Park is such a neat green space, good job for the planners of this amazing space.

Finish Line set-up 2 days prior to the marathon

I was told I had to try these

The Mall, in several movies

Central Park

Mile 25

Watched the set up of the finish line, banner hung for mile 25, ice rink, and then 5^th Avenue. Wait, 5^th Avenue, isn’t that where the famous stores are located?

Apple Store on 5th AVE

FAO Swartz on 5th AVE

Why yes, so I continue to walk and explore. Seeing that I was close to Rockefeller Center and home of the taping of the Today Show, I wander over to check out that area. The skating rink was small but there was a great Lego store nearby.

Today Show

Next up, famous NY Cheesecake, and from a Food Network show, I seek out Junior’s. Not realizing it is near time square I stumble upon that area, then eventually into Junior’s for dinner and cheesecake to go. The cheesecake was nothing that you couldn’t buy at the grocery store, but at least it was authentic right?

Times Square, probably more dramatic at night

Walked back to the apartment, I hear that Laura’s mom is stuck in traffic and will be running late for the Barefoot Running talk by Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run. At this point, Laura will fly back into NYC halfway into the presentation. So I walk a few blocks over to the NYC Ethical Cultural Center on Central Park West and settle in to my seat. They start with a lady and a little girl hula dancers, which turn out to be McDougall’s wife and daughter.

There are several other speakers during this presentation, including barefoot ted who rambled on for a bit (each speaker had 10-15 minutes); Dr Daniel Lieberman a professor in evolutionary Biologist from Harvard (excellent speaker);

Dr Lieberman in Suit/Tie and barefoot

John Durant and NYC resident working on a book about getting back to living like our ancestors but without moving back to nature to accomplish this task (not too far from the Paleo diet from Crossfit but the term crossfit was never mentioned); Eric Orton, McDougall’s coach before the race in the Copper Canyon; and Peter Sarsgaard, a well known Hollywood Actor (whom I do not recognize as I do not watch very many movies) spoke as well about running in his life and how he met McDougall and that Eric Horton is now his running coach.

Peter Sarsgaard

Christopher McDougall also spoke at the end and then he had a passage from his book sung by a Ironman athlete and professional opera singer.

Christopher McDougall, Born to Run Author

This was an amazing performance and show all around, however there was not any new information presented but nice to see the people behind the characters in the book.

Part TWO: Saturday to follow….

Marine Corps Marathon 10/31/10

2010-11-10T17:25:00.000-08:00

AND Restoring Sanity
AND 1,000 Running Miles for the Year

Let me start out by saying that ALL I have ever known about the MCM race was that it was in DC and it was super well organized. I repeat, everyone that I talked before I had ever done a marathon told me that this was the one marathon you had to do because it was so amazingly organized, no-one ever mentioned any other marathon. NYC Marathon was never mentioned and Chicago never mentioned either. This is all that I have been hearing for at least 10 years.

PART ONE

But let us start at the beginning of the weekend. We had originally planned to drive up Friday after work, but after Obama’s last minute announcement that he was coming to town Friday night to stump for a local politician then plans quickly got pushed back to Saturday morning. I couldn’t get close enough to see the speech but I saw and filmed the motorcade go by standing at the hospital. The security people said that they could not say for sure that it was the route, but it sure looked that way.

Saturday we head out before dawn, I want to go to the expo and then on to the rally on the mall, plus avoid the associated traffic. So we stop to use the restrooms 3 times on the 3 hour drive due to coffee and pre-race hyper hydration. Gorgeous sunrise en route.

The expo went off without complications and was nice to wander around before the crowds, however, 1 hour into day 2 of the expo and they were already out of several sizes of the jackets, so I therefore did not give them $80 like I wanted to, sorry Brooks, but I still love your shoes.

Entrance to Expo

Brook's "MASH" Mock up Gait Analysis Tent

Marine Band

Wandered down the street to the Mall for the rally next. I wasn’t totally sure which direction to go, but I didn’t need to, I just followed the masses. The energy was amazing, costumes amazing and creative (Chilean miners, Ira Glass, Tea Cups, etc.), and creative signs everywhere ranging from silly to mocking to seriously political (“I like Ice Cream,” “I am pro-Gnome and I vote,” etc.). Young and old people and everything in between were in attendance. Caught the parade heading to the rally and I fell in behind the dragon bus thing leading the way. I staked out a spot in the grass next to a middle aged couple doing the same, and used my mylar wrap from the Mount Desert Island Marathon a few weeks prior. From that location I could hear the pre-rally music so I figured I would be able to hear the rally, unfortunately this turned out not to be the case. After 20 minutes of hearing nothing but random applause and cheers I gave up and started to head out back to the expo to meet up with some friends, including Laura, with whom I would be staying with the following weekend in NYC for the marathon. Due to high volume of cell phone users on the mall, my cell phone did not work again until I was several blocks away at the expo.

Dragon/Bus Float leading the March

Crowds following the Dragon

Chilean Miner's Costumes

Back to the expo, meet up with Laura and a whole gaggle of other Marathon Maniacs. After a group photo I found a dark, empty hallway to lay down, chill out and recharge my phone. I was "peopled out" and needed a break to recharge my batteries.

Monika, my host for the weekend eventually makes it to the expo after fighting post rally traffic, we make another loop around the expo, but this time they are giving out whole bottles and bars as samples as the night is coming to a close. Earlier in the day they were giving out little cups of tea and cut up pieces of bars, gels, shot blocks etc. Dinner at Bus Boys and Poets in/near Arlington, fro-yo for desert at near by shop, then on to North Arlington to prep for the race and get some sleep. I had met Monika and her friend Liz at the Hatfield/McCoy Marathon in WV/KY mid-June near the half marathon point in the race, I ended up running the entire second half with Monika, with Liz and her speed demon legs running ahead.

PART TWO

5:30am wake up for Keurig brewed Green Mountain Roastarie Coffee (YUM!!!), oatmeal, and clothing decisions all a flurry.

Getting into an NYC mindset for next week.

Not realizing that we had a mile walk to the start from the nearest place you could get to by car due to road closures, we take our time calling for the cab. En route we realize our logistically challenge, and I realize that I will not make the Marathon Maniac pre-race photo. We make our way to the start, past the runner’s village with a bank of port o potties and gear check, and continue on to the NOT VERY ORGANIZED START. It was a split road with a small median, temp fencing placed in between, pace group signs for every 15-30 min increments. We made our way up to the 4 hour pace group on the left side and awaiting the canons to mark the start. Lots of costumed people surrounded us including several super heroes, Mario Bros, and TONS of Where’s Waldo (was there a movie recently released about him or something?).

The gun goes off, the right side is moving, we take a few steps forward and stop. The right side continues to move forward, so Monika and I decide to jump the fence to join the other side. Good decision on our part. While it was a chip timed race, it is really annoying to spend the first several miles of a marathon weaving around people who are a much slower pace than you or walking. In generally I am feeling pretty run down overall so I am quiet and introspective from the start, in other races I can be quite chatty to the runners around me, but not today.

We are running along, pretty nice scenery, I run into Dana dressed as pirate whom I have seen 2 weeks prior in Maine at MDI marathon, she is running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money for charity. She passes me by and I don’t see her again. We run past Georgetown University and it’s beautiful old brick buildings on the hillside, we also get to see the Washington Monument from every angle. The aid stations are pretty good except for the one on the dirt path alongside the mall in a really narrow area for runners and the first several tables were out of Gatorade. What was weird is that I saw the captain guy for the aid station and he was just standing there watching instead of shouting instructions at runners that there were plenty of cups of Gatorade and water a few tables in, runners around me, including myself, were getting a little panicky.

We get almost to the finish, it starts to go uphill for the last half mile or so, then the last 0.1m you really earn your medal on the steep uphill finish. Once done, we were given mylar wraps then walked a ways to get into lines for our medals (often this order is the other way around) and then it gets bad. We then get corralled into a tight fenced off space where they have allowed spectators to come into, and this continues to make us go uphill to the family meeting area, now still with no post-race water or Gatorade (very bad). There are times where we are not making any forward progress and a few people fall to the side in need of medical attention (very bad) due to the lack of water and forward progress. Eventually we go by the marines that are handing out bags of water, bananas, etc. a little further up the hill.

So, for the record I am not attacking the Marines and what they have sacrificed for our freedom and our country. However, from a person that has done more than 1 marathon, logistically this one needs some work, specifically the start, finish, and better placement of the aid stations in wide open sections. Also, go back to the classic finisher’s medal with the globe and eagle. I believe I would have been less disappointed had this race not be explicitly known for organization, when Chicago had several more runners and went much more smoothly.

However, I will be back in the Spring for the National Marathon, I still need DC added to the tally for 50 states (MCM technically does not count as it starts and ends in Virginia) and I hear this one is well organized.

PART THREE

I hit 1,000 running miles for the year about 10 miles into the MCM race. Sweet! Now, I have never kept track of my yearly running miles since I started running 15 years ago, so no idea if this is a record year, my guess is that it is....

Heading to NYC

2010-11-05T01:52:00.000-07:00

...to run the Marathon. First time ever there, the previous closest I have gotten to NYC is 30 miles away on the Appalachian Trail. Heading to the Expo this AM when it opens.

MCM Race Report to follow soon.

Let me know if you are in town or would like to meet-up.

Mount Desert Island Marathon, Bar Harbor, Maine 10/17/10

2010-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

State #11

Short Report

Peak fall colors, endless amazing views, cool sunny weather.

Full Report

I flew out of Charlottesville early Saturday morning to Portland Maine, connected in Charlotte. The flight left late out of Charlotte due to “cleaning” and thus my tight 3.25 hour window to get to the expo before it closed dwindled to 2.5 hours, the drive is 3 hrs 20 min. I figured I will get there and figure it out, maybe they would bring the race numbers to the pasta dinner, there was no race day pickup (although the morning of the race they were set up on the village green handing out numbers).

In the Portland airport I spotted a couple, with one of them wearing a Boston Marathon jacket on, I figured they were going to the race. Sure enough, 3 hours later we both pull into the expo 30 minutes after they close at the same exact time. The volunteers were kind enough to go and dig in their car for our numbers and race jackets. They were blaze orange wind jacket pullovers but mine was too big. Derek doesn’t know that he just acquired a new fall hiking jacket. 10/16 also marked my 2 year anniversary of dating Derek, so he called me with the power of Skype from Chile as I headed out of town, I almost never ever talk and drive, but I put it on speaker phone and made this slight exception.

Fall colors were EXPLODING this time of year. Amazing, gorgeous, continuous eye candy. Vibrant Yellow, Red, and Orange. Slight overcast and very, very windy on the drive up. Once I got my race number, I drove a short ways up highway 3 to my hotel, checked in, then drove to the local high school who was hosting the pasta dinner. Good and plentiful food, and I met a few more Marathon Maniacs, Maine Maine-iac and Dana, whose blog I read www.52beginnings.com and is running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise money for South African AIDS orphans. To bed shortly after dinner.

Morning of the race the hotel set out breakfast earlier than they normally do, and thankfully their coffee was not too bad. It was cold outside, but the wind had died down and the sky was clear. I had time to kill, and the hotel wifi was pretty much not working, so I hopped in the car to check out the start in downtown Bar Harbor and turn in my drop bag so I could get a shower at the finish line. A local café was handing out free coffee and tea to runners, so I got a cup from them, it was very good. Headed back to the hotel to finish getting ready. Parked the car, milled about the start and chatted with other Marathon Maniacs. Also got to meet a 22 year old gal who was finishing her 50 states with the MDI marathon and she would now be the record holder for the youngest female 50 stater, friendly and humble girl. As I turned on my garmin, it flashed low battery, I didn’t even try to charge it last night, I guess I should have checked on that. So I turned it off, and got to run the whole race with extra weight on my right wrist.

I was very chatty the first half and was on cloud 9 from all the amazing scenary. I told the runner next to me that there is no reason to be in a hurry today, it is just too nice out. I took several pictures and enjoyed the moment. I had no idea what my pace was until the finish line, I felt as if I was running slow. My finish time was 4:37 and I thought I was running in the 5 hour range. Much hillier course than in Chicago last week but the cooler temperatures made all the difference.

Towards the end, I sought out runners with green bib numbers, indicating they were first time marathoners and I tried to give them tips. I had also picked up several unopened Gu packets that had been dropped on the ground after the Gu handout spot just before mile 16. I gave them out to the new marathoners to take again before the finish. I ran and chatted with a new marathoner that had spend the summer working trail crew in Baxter State Park. Another guy ran up to me and told me that he wished that he could get trained up so that he would have springy legs like I did this late in the race, he told me that he was hurting. I lost him as I walked throught the next aid station to drink, and he briefly looked back to try to find me then turned around and kept running. About 2 miles out, I came up to a girl and started chatting with her, she had a green race number on and lived near Portland, Maine. As often happens, she got pulled along with me and my pace and in the last half mile she confessed that I had saved her and her race, that felt good to hear and ultimately made my race.

They had plentiful and tasty after race food available, I saw the RD taking out a full trash bag and told him what a great race with great scenary it was. Got a quick light massage in the school gym, then headed for the showers but did not have the patience to wait so I headed out to catch the shuttle back to the start. Ran into the Mainiacs that I had been chatting with at the end and we had an energetic conversation on the shuttle ride about marathons that we all liked and our upcoming races. Very neat people.

Bar Harbor downtown was inundated with European tourists from the 2 huge cruise ships moored just offshore and I decided to forgo playing tourist and headed straight to the car. I wished my stomach was ready for a big meal as there were several nice restaurants with lobster, and all manner of seafood on their menus. Next time, Bar Harbor, next time.

The less speedy 3.5 hour drive back to Portland was uneventful, steak dinner at Applebees near my hotel, and straight to bed. A massage Monday evening awaits me, courtesy of my 2 year anniversary gift. Thank you Derek and Maine for a great weekend.

Marine Corps Marathon in DC/VA in 2 weeks on Halloween!!!! Can’t wait.

P.S. When I got home I installed two coat racks for my race medals.

Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

2010-10-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

OR At least the Eiffel Tower Runner Guy did not beat me

It took me several miles to figure out that I was in fact running a marathon in my 10^th state on 10-10-10, however, I did not plan this out. I saw a runner with a shirt that said 10^th marathon on 10-10-10, I started to chat with him and he said that he explicitly ran a few extra marathons to make sure he was running his 10^th marathon (not 10^th state) for Chicago. So that got me thinking that this was my 10^th state on the above mentioned date. Neat.

I was supposed to complete my 10^th state last month in PA, but due to the mental anguish (maybe slightly over exaggerating) over my dead car, I had a DNS (Did Not Start) for that run. See my previous post for the full story.

So, let’s backtrack to the start of the weekend. Saturday morning I flew to Milwaukee to meet up with a member of my trail family from the Appalachian Trail in 2007, “Hedgehog,” and we were then going to drive down to Chicago. Turns out a member of the AT Southbound Class of 2008 lived in Chicago, so we connected with her and were blessed with a sleep spot in her apartment. After Hedgehog picked me up at the airport, we planned to drive to his place to pick up a few things then head out of town. When we get to his exit the road is closed due to a local charity run, great, we will circle around and get off on another exit. We loop around and can’t even get to the alternative exit, so we head to loop around again. By this time 90 minutes have elapsed since leaving the airport. We decide to forgo his stuff and just head on out of town and he could make due with what he was wearing for the weekend.

Fast forward through the exciting drive from Milwaukee to Chicago and we make it to the expo without incident. Huge set-up but luckily NOT a forced maze like just about every other marathon expo (Detroit, Richmond, Flying Pig) where you cannot get to your goody bag and t-shirt without walking past every-single-booth. Got the race number, shirt and goody bag then proceeded to make the rounds. Samples – 2 yogurt ones, several energy bar handouts, there were also several charity group booths, other marathons, and a few gear shops. Probably the single most cool thing there was the Nike Store had a wall with the names of all the registered runners, it took us almost 10 min to find my name, but a nice touch Nike, well done.

We left the expo with an hour to kill before our friend “Flambo” was home. Headed to her place to park and walked all 6 blocks to Grant Park to check out the Start/Finish. Nice park and fountain and it was helpful to scope out the area the day before to keep the morning of the race as simple as possible. Great views from her 22^nd floor apartment in downtown Chicago, homemade pasta dinner and on to bed by 9pm.

The morning of the race started at 70 degrees. Had some delicious vacuum pot brewed coffee and walked to Grant Park. Missed the Marathon Maniac group photo at the fountain by a few minutes but a few were lingering around and Dave Mari took a photo of me and said he would photoshop me into the group picture, he is one enthusiastic person. For the start, it took me almost 22 minutes from the gun to actually cross the start line. Within the first mile we all had a little perspiration from the warm start and I figured it was going to get quite toasty as the day progressed, so I proceeded to drink 2-3 cups of Gatorade and water at every aid station. Now I have never ever done this at any marathon or long training run, usually there is not the need for that much intake. I ended up stopping 4 times to get rid of that fluid, but it also allowed me to stay strong for the whole run, whereas there was a TON of people walking and cramping up for the last 8-10 miles. There was a lot of weaving in and out of people at the start and then again at the end with people walking in all parts of the road (etiquette is to move to the side of the road if you are going to walk). The weather color coded warning started at green and progressed to yellow then quickly to red, meaning good weather, then moderate, then severe as the temperature climbed. One more color change to black and they cancel the race at that moment, which is something they had to do in 2007, crazy!

The course in general is all in the city, lots of buildings, with all the turns I had a hard time getting a sense of where I was. I liked running through the “gay” section as they had some fabulous entertainment (rifle guard, Ace and Gary, men dressed as Wonder Women, and a few others I can’t recall with my post marathon brain. They need to put this section at the end to give runners a boost. The other section I enjoyed was the tree-lined residential streets. Spectators were great along the entire course and the aid station volunteers always were cheering on the runners and looked like they really wanted to be there. I hit all but 2 sprinklers along the route to help cool off. The sponges were a nice touch too, helped to cool off and wash off some of the salt that was on our skin.

I crossed the finish line at 4:54:50 chip time, roughly 1pm, feeling great. Made my way through the runner chute to the family meetup area, then walked back to the condo for a shower then headed out for some Chicago deep dish pizza and vital salt replenishment. Drive back to Milwaukee, stayed at Hedgehog’s apartment, then flew home the next morning. Only delay was leaving Atlanta, not too surprising though for that airport.

Next up, Mount Desert Island Marathon in Maine next weekend 10-17-10.

P.S. I showed my medal around work and 1 person did ask what place earned me my medal. I did explain that everyone got one, I thought that was cute.

Lehigh Valley Marathon - DNS

2010-10-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Lehigh Valley Marathon, PA Sept 12, 2010

The day before the race, I got up at 3 am for a 3 hour drive to Maryland. I was meeting a running gal that I had met at the Holiday Lake 50k++ run in February, along with a few of her running peeps, to run the Appalachian Trail section of the JFK 50 Miler on November 20th. The meetup was smooth, and we were off, had a great but rocky 13 mile run.

Afterwards, we had lunch at IHOP then I hit the road for the 2nd half of my drive to Allentown/Bethlehem, PA for the marathon the next day. Dun, dun, dun.

As I was exiting to go to the expo to pick up my race packet, my car made some funny noises and as I was pulling onto the shoulder it died, no restarting, dead. So I called AAA, got the car towed to the nearest Subaru dealer (only 4 miles) and then got a ride from the tow truck guy to the race expo, 5 min after they closed. Luckily they were still there and I got my stuff. I then ask if anyone knows of a good way to get to the hotel I was staying at (bus, taxi, what have you), and one of the volunteers offered me a ride (sweet!).

However, the next day I did not head to the marathon. You see, I didn't want to be wiped out come Monday to do some hard decision making about the car and opted to sleep in instead and not run. I was also wildly undertrained with my excuse being the overly hot summer and working too much.

So what did I do? I called in to work for Monday, rented a car, told the dealer to replace the engine, and headed back to Virginia.

Now on to Chicago this weekend to redeem myself, and to pick up state #10 so I can then apply to the 50 states club and get one of those neat shirts where you cross off each state that you finish on the back.

Gorgeous weather today, which is slowing down my packing for this weekend. There are worse things I guess....

First Big Girl Race

2010-08-10T03:24:00.000-07:00

White River 50 Miler on July 21, 2010
Enumclaw, WA near Crystal Mountain.

My first attempt at 50 miles.

Short report.
Delicious single track, gorgeous views, great volunteers, world class ultrarunners mingling with mortals, long downs and soul wrenching climbs.

Long report.

Corral Pass photo

Suntop photo

Video by Paul Ward (I am in the blue tshirt in a few of the early sections)

Course Profile

As this was also an USATF 50 Mile Championship, we were gawking at the other runners showing up for checkin. We starting chatting with a couple from WI next to us, they were there with their young son who was running, although the real reason they were in the area was for a wedding in Portland in which they convinced their son to come along with the lure of being able to run a 50 miler on the trip. I believe he placed in the top 15 or so, after running across America this spring to raise money for clean water somewhere (can't quite recall this). This would be my first attempt at 50 miles. And while my training was stellar up until, say the June 19 Mayor's Marathon, it quickly fell apart upon returning to Virginia and the Summer weather awaiting me. I briefly pondering not even starting after one particularly taxing long run of only 16 miles, but changed my mind later that week.

We drove down from Seattle the night before with 3 runners and 2 crew, myself, Seungyoo (whom I met through craigslist for a Ragnar relay 2 years ago) and Jennie (who said on Facebook she needed a ride and I offered a spot in our ride's car). The crew were 2 of Seungyoo's housemates. Checkin is right at Crystal Mountain, which oddly enough I have never been there even in the Winter to ski. We get checked into the race, checked into the hotel and wander around, still not seeing any superstars that we recognize but we continue to scan faces. Spaghetti dinner, and a presentation at the end with a video, and good description of the course by the RD. We saw David Horton and said hello at the end of the meeting (I was wearing my Holiday Lake 50k+++ shirt, a race in which he is the RD).

OK, on to the race. Having never run 50 miles before, Seungyoo and I opted for the early start at 5:30a, 1 hour earlier than the normal start, giving us 14 hours to complete the course rather than the 13 hours for the normal start time.

START to AS 1 (Mile 3.9)
Flat near the small rural airstrip, back on the trails near along White River. Cross HWY 410, 2 miles of single track in standard NW forrest. Spent most of this section half asleep and gradually waking up. Saw Mary and Sukamor at the AS, cup of sports drink and handful of fish crackers.

AS1 to AS2 (Mile 11.7)
The climb begins. A Mix of slow runnable ups, to walkable ups. Waterfalls, starting to chat with the other runners. Met the AMR EMT-B, and the guy from Bremerton (that had a continuous slow/steady uphill run), both of whom I would leapfrog all day. First views of Mt Rainier and Suntop, you could also see the start line at the airstrip waaaay below us. Fingers were chilled by the time I reached the AS, had the S&R guy help tie on my bandana, filled Nathan HPL with water here (2L). This was a water/gu only AS. With the help of the paceband I made, I was able to tell the volunteers how far from the start they were, how far to the next 2 AS. They offered me an extra gel for my help, I declined.

AS2-3 Corral Pass (Mile 16.9)
More climbing, some in the forrest and some out in the open, this is an out and back section from AS2 to 3 then back to 2. Views about halfway up, last 1.5 miles or so were relatively flat on a logging road. Just leaving AS2 the leading men passed by from the normal start time, Anton Kruptika (aka Jesus, very tan BTW) and Scott Jurek (I said "good job Scott" and he replied back "good job." Scott Jurek talked to me!!!! ahhh. JK, not really. I repeated this when they were coming back towards me on the return). Saw the course photo guy taking the quintissential picture with Rainier in the back. Mary and Sukamor were at this AS as well, they were trying to help but I did not feel like I needed anything. Mary, an amazing human being but not an ultrarunner commented, "Jesus just came through a few minutes ago!" Made me laugh. More sports drink, snacks, watched the lead women come into the AS, then back onto the trail.

AS3-4 (Mile 22.1)
Repeat of the last section but in reverse, despite the etiquite that the return runners had the right of way, I still got out of the way for about 1/2 the runners as I knew they were really faster than me in the grand scheme of things. Gave encouragement to several runners and gave them beta on the trail, it seemed to give a few people hope. I saw Seunyoo and Jenni going towards the previous AS about 1 mile out from the AS. Got a gel from the AS and Scap and headed down the trail pretty quickly.

AS4-5 (Mile 27.2)
Downhill singletrack. Loved this down, felt great and was glad to not be climbing for a while, passed a few people and got passed myself. Ran into a few mountain bikers trying to go up the trail, unfortunatly they piked the wrong day to go riding. At the bottom crossed over HWY 410 with the help of the crossing guards and back towards the start area, but in the woods. You come into the aid station with a million eyes on you (OK more like 40 pairs). There were so many people cause it was an easy access point. Sukamor was there to say hi and help me out, Mary was trying to find another part of the trail. I had them fill up my Nathan pack for the 2nd time with water. Scaps, boiled potatoes dipped in salt, potato chips, not sure what else I ate there. Starting to worry about the next climb.

AS5-6 (Mile 31.7)
My dad was at his first ever ultra run/race and was volunteering at AS 6, mile 31.7, or about halfway up the second climb, towards Suntop. As the trail left the campground/airstrip and began to climb again, I began culling exit strategies in my brain. My legs felt dead and I was moderatly concerned that I would not get to the top, certainly a low point for me. A few people passed me, and I did not pass anyone. I was quite thrilled to finally reach the aid station. But a weird thing happened there, no-one that I had been around on the trail was quitting there, and a few people even looked worse than I did. I was about 2 hours ahead of the cutoff, so I figured I would continue on and just see what happens, and so I did. Dad (the guy with the Virginia t-shirt on) said he was learning a lot about ultras and he got to learn about some of the great runners that had passed by earlier from some of the other volunteers (yes, he saw Jesus too). They were the party AS, so as to help inflated spirits perk up and continue our climb to suntop.

AS6-7 SUNTOP (Mile 37)
This section was longer in mileage than the previous section but felt shorter in time and distance. Suntop marks the top of the "2nd hill" and last of the uphill climbing. Leaving the party AS, I continued at a tad faster than the pace before since I was not spending all my mental energy on thinking about quitting. I hit a weird sort of bonk in that section where all I wanted to do is lay down and take a nap. Now I have bonked in marathons before and know how that feels, but this was just an immediate urge to take a nap, guess I should've ingested some caffeine at the last AS, I didn't cause I was avoiding it due to previous triggers it caused in the increase motility in my GI system. This section has 2 evil false summits. I has only heard about the last 1 from blogs, but there is a first one with some runnable plateau trail afterwards, then more up, then a lot of down, then about 0.6m up the last climb to suntop. My Garmin watch earned it's weight in gold in that section letting other runners know just how far to go to the AS (hmm, I thought everyone had one of these, guess not). Just before the AS got our pics taken again by the race photo guy, and sat down at the AS, my first and only time sitting during the race. Filled up my Nathan here (technically a volunteer did) and ate and drank caffeinated beverages. As I was eating I look up and see a very fit gal in a crossfit shirt. Crossfit, now wait a minute, didn't Jason say that his friend would be up there as a volunteer? So I ask her, and yes she is Jason's friend, she even knew my race number to look for, nice! I want to linger but get up so I can get this thing done, plus I am looking forward to the downhill that was hard earned by all that crazy climbing, and away I go.

AS7-8(last one!) (Mile 43.4)
Glorious downhill. Several runners did not like the downhill, but I tolerated it quite well and enjoyed it. This section is all on a gravel/dirt FS road, all down all the time. Leapfrogged all of the same people that I had seen all day long, namely the AMR guy and the guy from Bremerton. Rolled into the AS and Jennie was there, wait Jennie was there. What happened? She had passed me about 2 miles shy of Suntop but apparently her legs did not like the downhill, and slowed considerably. We get an icewater spongebath and as I am chatting with a volunteer, he recognizes me from Vashon, it is Dr Carlson a Chiropractor. I quickly catch up on his family, including one of my classmates. Jennie and I head out together in too short of time.

AS8-Finish (Mile 50)
Since we were getting close here, I had neglected hydration and fueling on the big downhill and did not consume much at the last AS. This is what I believe made me nauseous and pushing me to walk quite a bit in the last section, legs were tired but functioning and I had a goal in sight, 12 hours. I kept thinking, I should eat some ginger, I should eat a gu, I should get out the peptobismal tabs, and of course I acted on none of these thoughts. Oh well, finally get to the road, I had planned to run the last straightaway, but a gal came by and said run with me, and so I did to the finish. I could have sprinted by her but held back as I was pretty sure she started at the normal time and I didn't want anyone to think that I beat her when in reality she was an hour faster than me. Glad to be done, all I wanted to do is lay down, something that I had been fantasizing about for the last several hours (which I know is a no-no after a race, but oh well). Finish time 12:09:51 (12 hours you are mine next year! Just sayin)

I was pretty toasted and just wanted to get home, so I changed with the aid of baby wipes (tons of dust crusted to my legs) while dad got the post run BBQ dinner and we headed towards the ferry, Vashon, and a bed. On the way out saw Mary's car and she let us know that Seungoo was STILL RUNNING and had just left the last AS (she ended up finishing with 4 min to spare). Stopped at McDs on the way home and only ate a few bites. Walking was pretty stiff, I was too tired for a shower so I headed to bed.

Lessons Learned
-Keep up fuel and hydration even when you are "getting close" to the finish line.
-Train more thoroughly (ahem, include some big climbs)
-SCaps (electrolyte tabs) are great.
-Keep up on fuel when you bonk or feel low mood in general.
-I can do the normal start next year.
-Mileage/cutoff time paceband was super helpful as was the Garmin.

Turning 30 Years Young

2010-07-24T19:19:00.001-07:00

P6160173
Originally uploaded by Rebecca Sudduth

First;
I turned 30 over a month ago on June 16.
One (of many) thing I have learned thus far is that life is a series of decisions based on rules and emotions, with the pendulum constantly swaying back and forth between the predominant influence. I had a fabulous time during my trip to Alaska, I could totally see myself living there at some point.

In 7 days I will be attempting my first go at 50 miles at the White River 50 miler in Washington State near Mt Rainier. I am looking forward to that journey.

Secondly, some wildly belated race reports;

Hatfield and McCoy Marathon
June 12, 2010
Williamson, WV
State Counted towards 50 states; #7 WV
4:38:+

Country course, small marathon, everyone was super friendly, frequent water stops.
Limited lodging options so I opted for the "Bed and Breakfast" option, which isn't really a bed and breakfast as we know it, this instead was locals opening their home for the night of the race for $25-45 for the night. I was a little worried and had my camping stuff at the ready to sleep in my car if it turned out badly. I arrived and checked in, they gave me the phone number of my host lady, I look down and have no cell signal. "Oh well I will figure something out," I thought and headed to get my spaghetti dinner. They had a re-inactment of part of the Hatfield McCoy feuds (it was a real thing) and at the end I start chatting with the person sitting next to me. They were announcing some things that I could not hear due to the sound system acting up from the thick humidity and heat. At some point I randomly decide to check if I had safety pins for my race bib, nope, so I walk up to the front. At that exact moment the host lady and the other guest were standing up front, they had been announcing my name to find me and I was completely not paying attention. The host lady then drove us over just across the state border to the start in Goody, KY to show us where it was (5 min from her house, nice!).

OK, aside from that there was a good showing of Marathon Maniacs and we got a big group shot under the start banner as it was a small race and you can do that at small races. It was also a chip timed race, however there was no timing mat at the start, weird but I guess it saves some money. Everyone was super friendly, the runners were mostly from out of town so very chatty as well. Aid stations just about every mile, and the drenching thunderstorms at regular intervals kept down the temps that would have otherwise made it a more interesting run, if you know what I am talking about.

To top everything off, at the finish line they had great food (drinks, fresh fruit, and BBQ) and they gave every single finisher a mason jar (representing moonshine) with a hunk of wood inside with a metal ingraving of the race logo and your overall place number (mine was 91st overall). Nice touch, and it was raining steadily at the end, luckily it was a warm rain. Walked back to my car that was parked behind the coal house (literally a building made out of coal), drove back to the host lady's house, showered up then hit the road, returning a different route home that was an hour longer but involved less windy roads that required pushing in a clutch.

Mayors Marathon
June 19, 2010
Anchorage, AK
State Counted towards 50 states; #8 AK
4:28:+ (10 min faster than the previous week)

Small expo. Should've done the pasta dinner, it was hosted in the Anchorage Museum, darn!
Temps in the 50's, most of the trail on jeep (technically tank roads) roads on the AFB or on the paved bike trails that wind through town. Runners not very talkative, although I did meet a former Vashon Islander running that currently lived in Fairbanks (random!), he had gone to school on the Island when Burton and Vashon Elementary schools were for kids on the respective ends of the Island. Aid stations with water, Ultima, and often pretzels and orange slices (nice touch!). The after party had great food too.

This race originally was run at midnight but has not for many many years, but that would be cool if they still ran it that way. My first marathon in my 30's, hopefully I won't slow down much.

Flying Pig Marathon Duffel bag giveaway winner!

2010-05-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

And the winner is.....

#6 Psyche from Run Like Ya Stole Something

I couldn't figure out how to do the screen shot so I just copy and pasted the result below. Please email me your snail mail addy to rebecca.sudduth at gmail dot com. I will get the bag in the mail this week.

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 2
Result: 6
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Time for bed, getting up early for another long run. Trying to ramp up my mileage for the White River 50 Miler at the end of July. Lots of chaffing from today's run with the high humidity, ouch!

Flying Pig Marathon Part 2 and 3

2010-05-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

Flying Pig Marathon
Part 2 - Expo and Pump N Run, Saturday May 1, 2010

After breakfast at Superman's house (his trail name from hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2008) I met the rest of the group from Seattle at the expo around 2pm, went through the expo for a 3rd time. After wandering around, I went to get weighed in for the pump-n-run for the lifting portion of it. I had to bench press 60% of my weight and arm curl 40%, I ended up with 14 reps for bench and 10 for the curl, ending up with a silver medal for a combined 20-29 reps. Interesting diversion and a way to encourage runners to work on upper body strength as well.

Dinner was delicious Italian food at Pompilios in Newport, KY, just across the river from downtown Cincy. It took us an hour to get seated and got our table just as the delayed Kentucky Derby was starting, we were watching at a nearby pub while we waited. We were also staying nearby in Bellevue, KY so this was a quick drive.

Part 3 - The Marathon Sunday, May 2, 2010

Awake at 5am for the 6:30am start. The hotel had put out the continental breakfast an hour early to accommodate the runners which was very nice. A thunder storm with heavy ran rolled through around 3am or so and it was still raining when we got up. It was warmer outside than inside the hotel lobby, we would be wet but warm. We had some difficulty finding our way to the start and several of us in the car were getting nervous, we got there with 15 minutes to spare. The rain decided to downpour 5 minutes before the start, soaking any last dry parts on our bodies, half of the crowd had garbage bags on.

I felt OK for most of the race, stopped at several port a potties anticipating needing to use them, not wanting to get caught in between them. However, I did not need one until mid race, so I lost about 15 minutes with the frequent stops. After actually using the port a potty I started to feel a little peppier, and actually ended up feeling better for the second half and ran a negative split. I had some weird spasms in my right calf during the loooong hill from mile 5.5 to 8 which made me start to plan to bail on the race at the half marathon turn around, but once the climb finished it started feeling better so I continued on. The rain was off and on all race long. Tons of great spectators along the route and VERY frequent aid stations. Nice course, but I feel like I zoned out for most of the race. But I got my pig medal and learned a bit more about the US of A along the way.

Marathon #7, State #6.

To celebrate, I am going to do a giveaway of one black Flying Pig Marathon Asics duffel bag, I somehow ended up with two of them. To win, post a comment with 1 random fact about the town/city/area that you live in. I will randomly choose the winner and post the winner on Saturday May 15. Entries limited to those living in the US of A due to shipping costs.

Flying Pig Marathon Part 1/3 April 30, 2010

2010-04-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

The drive from Cville to Cincy
1. Random 2 mile run on the Allegheny Trail near MP 1 on 64 just inside VA at the VA/WV state line
2. "Deactivated" car alarm goes off while driving 75mph down the interstate, turns out my foot was pressing on some wires near the clutch pedal. I discovered this as I moved my foot placement to down shift at an exit, instantly the alarm went off, weird.
3. Race expo, got faked out that you could avoid the booths by completing packet pickup, turned out you still needed to walk through the entire place to get your tshirt, and apparently also got a duffel bag and race poster. Random but nice.
4. Dinner at Skyline Chili with 2 Appalachian Trail SouthBound thruhikers from 2008 that Derek hiked with, apparently Cincy is somewhat known for it's chili, not to be confused with Chile.

Charlottesville Marathon Race Report April 17, 2010

2010-04-30T15:50:00.001-07:00

Charlottesville, VA Marathon
Saturday April 17, 2010
Marathon #6 (Already ran VA)

Race Report
Time 4:50:and change
Overall Place 411/501
Female Place

So my goal heading into this race/run was to just finish. With completing this marathon I would become eligible to apply for Marathon Maniac status, something I had been eyeing the last 2 years or so. The first half went great, running on Old Garth road through the countryside. Loved that you were in the country so quick after leaving town, even on foot. I was running a steady 9:30 to 10 min miles for this section, and leap frogged with Laura until mile 10 then did not see her again as I slowed. I try to drink gatorade at every aid station until it bothers my stomach then switch to water, however this time it made me need to rush to the restroom (with none around) about 5 minutes later after drinking it, starting around 15 miles. So I tried this one more time to test my hypothesis a few miles later, only to have the same result. So I walked through that and then would run until it upset me again, I tried using the porta potty at Riverside Park with no results. So for the rest of the race I ran when I could and then walked when my stomach got angry. What also probably contributed to this was the lack of GU at the advertised stations, not sure if they ran out or they just weren't in place to hand out. So the electrolytes were likely a factor, I had pondered wearing my Nathan HPL water pack but decided that there would be enough aid stations and Gu, oh well.

Not too many spectators but I loved the pink lady whoever you are, who was cheering for the runners while running herself. Also, the rescue squad ladies who were manning the right hand turn off of Locust by Martha Jefferson Hospital were great cheerleaders, thanks!

Laura's blog
http://absolutlyfit.blogspot.com/

2.5lb Little Rock Marathon finisher's medal

2010-03-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

Great marathon on Sunday 3/7/10 in Little Rock, Arkansas. I ended up staying in a hotel that was right by the start, I had not realized this when I booked it. It was nice to have less stress the morning of the race. I felt off all weekend with a persistent headache, I even pondered not starting. But I took a nap, went to the pasta dinner and got excited all over again. Woke up at my normal East Coast time but laid in bed for a while. Got some coffee in the lobby, checked on the race start, then again as it seemed too late to really be starting at 8am, then finally headed out to line up.

The start was a combo of the relay, half and full marathoners which can sometimes spell trouble, but spreading people out in the corrals helped a ton. Good aid stations, sometimes they seemed really frequent and some sections later in the race they felt really spread out. I did some bad math again at mile 17 and figured out in error that I had ONLY 8.2 miles left (I really had 9.2 left at that point), so if you can imagine my disappointment at mile 18 (sigh, I had done this previously at the Richmond Marathon as well). Oh well. I ran with one handheld water bottle to practice running with it and to make sure I stayed up on my hydration with the warmer temps (60's) predicted. I was coated in salt at the end but I never got too warm so as to upset the GI tract. I felt really, really bad for the first hour after I finished, but once I ate some pretzels I felt better. The main hiccup was all the Delta flights that were canceled or delayed after the race, leading to some sprinting through Atlanta's airport to catch our connecting flight (me and 5 others). One guy even ran up the escalator which I could not still do, I could run the flats but had to walk the ups. We made the connection but it still left almost 30 minutes late.

The course was relatively scenic and ran past 4 major landmarks in Little Rock that I recognized (maybe some more that I didn't know about). In order we ran past the Clinton Presidential Library, Capital Building, Governor's Mansion (he was out cheering the runners in jeans and a sweatshirt, very classy for him to make a showing), then the Little Rock Central High School and nearby historic gas station.

A great run but I won't be back, trying do the 50 states, maybe on my second go around with the 50 states...back to work on Tuesday.

My First Ultramarathon

2010-02-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

Holiday Lake 50k++ February 13, 2010 near Appomattox, VA - Per the website it was 33.26 miles long, my Garmin clocked it at 32.5 miles, 7 hours 5 min 32 seconds.

Highlights

The trail was snow covered, it was also snowing at the start of the race
Some snow was hard (dirt road section), some snow was powdery (ahem, near the powerlines) and like running through sand (but consolidated and harder mid day with the sun out)
I was worried about making the cutoff at 4hrs15min, I went through at 3hr33min
I was worried about bonking as I wasn't eating much and had done a long run of 6 miles (stupid but allowed me time off to heal from achilles tendonitis).
I ran with yaktrak I had won from iRunFar for the first half and they worked great!
I was 1 of 2 people that raced in a Portland Marathon finisher Tshirt (mine 2008, his 2000)
I didn't take any pictures, but the trails were postcard perfect covered in snow
One guy was running in a plaid kilt complete with matching sash (I didn't see him after the turnaround but I am sure he finished)
Loved running with my Garmin Forerunner, still learning how to use it
I got matching blisters on my middle toes, lateral aspect at the tip (and nowhere else, weird)
Coffee in the morning is my friend, but not mid-race
Pretzels and pringles are good race foods (I had cravings for ramen at times)
Got a little snow sunburn on my face, but was wearing a hat (forgot sunglasses in the car)
I met several great folks, all with the same crazy addiction to running
Always a hoot to see David Horton talk, how does he have energy to run after talking so enthusiastically!?

A Favorite Picture

2010-02-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

This picture was from Freshman year in High School at a home cross country meet, I am on the left, Erin is on the right. We were the only 2 girls on the team that year. I had pondered playing football that season but decided against it once I saw how big the high school boys were (true story). Each year thereafter we had a few more girls join, enough to compete as a team.

Check out a few giveaway contests going on in the running blogosphere.

More snow on the way today, makes for slow days at work but I am not complaining!

Snow

2010-02-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

A few workers clearing snow from the Pavillion in Charlottesville, VA.

Winter and Summer

2010-02-06T11:31:00.001-08:00

As we are enjoying a record snow fall (for the second time this winter), my boyfriend moved to Santiago, Chile for his job. Check out his blog. It is summer there, sunny and 90 degrees every single day.

P.S. I ran a 5 miler this morning in the snow before the idiots drivers were out and about. I wore the YakTrax Pro I won from iRunFar a few months back and they worked flawlessly on the plowed but still snow covered roads here in central Virginia.

Random

2010-01-29T16:12:00.000-08:00

When running this evening in the dark I forget for a moment if it was early morning or evening. Has that ever happened to you on a run?
My boyfriend just moved to Chile where it is Summer, while we are expecting 1-2 inches of snow in Central Virginia tonight.
Do toilets in the Southern Hemisphere really swirl the other way than here in the USA?
The hosted training run this weekend for Holiday Lake 50k was cancelled in anticipation of snow discussed above.
I am PATIENTLY awaiting a Garmin 310XT watch I finally broke down and bought.

Haiti and Hope

2010-01-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

I am so excited! The USNS Comfort Ship arrived in Haiti yesterday, it is basically a huge floating hospital where they fly patients via helicopter from land to the deck of the ship to bring them to a higher level of lifesaving care. Here is a story about some of the first patients that were brought aboard here.

This is a similar concept to one aspect of Hurricane Katrina medical relief in New Orleans, when the USS Iwo Jima was sent to be a floating hospital, docked near downtown. What was interesting was that they pulled up anchor earlier than planned as the need was not a large in the Big Easy as they had anticipated. That is OK as we never sent any patients there, the flow tended to be from the MASH unit stationed on land nearby the ship to our hospital in the next Parish (a.k.a. County) over. Can't help but make comparisons between the two. Let's see if we are going to carry over any of our 'lessons learned.' I hope so.

Achilles Tendinitis

2009-12-30T14:59:00.000-08:00

Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.

The original plan was to run my first ultra at the first annual Seashore Nature Trail 50k in Virginia Beach, VA Dec 19. Two weeks before the race, some slightly annoying twinges in my left lower leg turned into real pain (but only like 3/10 on the pain scale). So I recruited my boyfriend to slap on some KT Tape after watching their instructional YouTube video, and proceeding to make a hard decision. You see, I was on track to be able to join the Marathon Maniacs at the 1 star level for doing 3 marathons in 3 months and the Seashore 50k would have been #3. But since I would like to be running strong in 2010 with several planned races ranging from marathon length up to the White River 50 miler in July, I decided to bail on the race. I called the hotel to cancel, also cancelled the rental car and felt really bummed for the next several days. Towards the end of the 2 week self imposed rest time, I gave myself the permission to run for the first time after the break on Christmas day. A sort of xmas gift to myself. The run went fine, 3 miles, and consisted of 10 loops around the nearest block, the only snow and ice free route I could find.

After the run I looked at the calendar again. Rocky Raccoon 50 miler in early Feb was fast approaching and I would need to ramp up my weekly mileage pretty quick to get me to the start line in ok shape. So I decided to bail on that too, and proceeded to cancel my travel plans to Texas. The saving grace is that I now have my eye on the Holiday Lake 50k++ on Feb 13 in Virginia, one of Horton's races.

I have also learned that my boyfriend will be starting a new job next year in Chile. Hmm, know of any good ultra races there?

Running and blogging

2009-11-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

OK, I am going to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I have a TrailJournal for my long backpack trips/thruhikes, a Flickr site for photos and Twitter for occasionally sharing of things. My Appalachian Trail thruhike in 2007 was even covered by the Seattle Times. After an unsuccessful summer at hiking half the Pacific Crest Trail, I am looking to segue into ultra running after a few marathons that seemed not easy, but not exactly hard either. I like the trails and I like to run, my hill climbing isn't bad either. This is a blog for my running adventures, race reports. Looking forward to the adventure!