Ultra Running: Trials of the Trail 

Day 3

This was definitely the best day of the Memorial weekend. The weather was perfect the sun shone as we covered the last 21 miles of the WS 100 course. I had no idea what my body would do today. Often I am not able to get 3 quality workouts in a week, much less three tough ones in a row. I had set a mental goal to finish the 21 miles between 4 and 5 hours. I have heard that there were a couple of nasty hills to conquer in the last 3 miles.again.

As we took the bus to the drop off point I looked in awe at the beautiful scenery and again felt honored that I would shortly be on a trail hidden behind the forest covering this landscape up close and personal. The chatter on the bus is always fun to listen to. It is surreal to hear other runners talk about running 100 milers and 50 milers as if this was normal. I over-heard way too much information about chaffing, blistering, nausea, and all kinds of nonsense that happens to the body after 24 hours. One guy was actually bragging about taking over 40 hours in his last 100 and what the 2^nd night was like.

So as I started running, I was genuinely surprised that the legs didn’t buckle underneath me. I had dressed the quarter sized blister on my right foot and reversed laced my shoes to change the pressure points on my feet: (this was a brilliant idea-good job Me). I found a really nice rhythm and of Pierre was right there! This guy is amazing, he ran whatever pace I prescribe and always seemed delighted to oblige. I teased him once that I was trying to lose him, but he always had my back and pulled me up the last hill with words of encouragement.

We hooked up with a few other runners on the trail, and we stayed within a turn of the trail of this group. What a mental boost when at the day’s end I found out they were pacing each other in hopes of achieving a 22 hour WS effort. I thought getting 24 hours was a long shot, but if I look at this 3 day training camp in it’s entirety I think it may just be doable. Hope that doesn’t jinx me.

We arrived at the track that will serve as the finish 32 days from now for us and I wanted to keep running, everything was just so right. It is not too smart to use words like easy when describing long mountain runs, so I will use comfortable instead.

The only downside of the day: there was no access to showers and I had checked out of my hotel room at 6:30am. So I borrowed a baby wipe and a bottle of water and “showered” in the parking lot. I put on my big fleece sweatshirt that covers me to mid thigh, and changed clothes underneath it. I lathered on deodorant, brushed my teeth and ran my fingers through my very gnarled hair and called it good. I apologize to the passengers who had the seat next me for the flight to Seattle; luckily it is a short flight.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/26/2008
• Time: 09:30:00
• Total Time: 3:49:39.00
• Distance: 21 miles
• Average Pace: 10:55.74/mile

Day 2

What a relief to see blue skies this morning as we checked in for our day’s run.  I had looked at the weather forecast online before going to the camp, and it was supposed to be similar to yesterday.  I decided to keep all my clothes on, under armor, shirt, heavy jacket and tights.  We started running and of course within the first hour it was warm.  Hot for me with all my layers.  I slowly started to disrobe and tie my tops around my waist.

I also had started the day with a slightly questionable stomach.  I was wary of having to live on gels for the next 4+ hours.  We were scheduled to run 19 today, the last 3 of which a grueling uphill grind out of the canyon.  After all the climbing yesterday I was not sure there would be much “climb” left in me.

As the run progressed my tummy tolerated the necessary calories.  The heat did not bother me much either, I was down to my running bra at this point and had pulled my tights up to my knees.  I also took a sodium replacement tablet each hour: for future reference I think this helped my stomach take in the GU.

The portion of the course we ran was much easier terrain than yesterday (still impressive by normal running standards) and I ended up running stronger than expected.  I hit the 16 mile aid station more than 20 minutes ahead of my projected time: 2 hours 48 minutes.  I knew the 3 mile hike out would take me 45 minutes so I set a new goal on the fly to do the climb in less than that anticipated time.  I took me 44 + minutes, don’t know if that was a victory or another sad realization how difficult the WS 100 really is. 

If the course itself does not break you I found out today that there is poison oak all over this course.  According to people in the know, getting poison oak is a truly miserable experience.  On this information I wondered about my potty stops yesterday.  Did I squat on a plant and in a few days the oils that may be deposited on my bum will start an itchy painful, nasty rash?  Poison oak has a 2-3 day incubation period, again new information for me.  I made no potty stops today, but know this is not realistic for the race.  Just another thing to consider 3 days from now as I am peeling off my toenails….what is that curious itch??

I will take a few ice baths tonight; I am wimpy so there will be very little ice in my cold tub.  Tomorrow we are set to run 21 miles.  I am hesitant to say I can accomplish this third day.  I will go in the morning with the most important piece of equipment: a good attitude and an intention to complete the task at hand.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/25/2008
• Time: 08:30:00
• Total Time: 3:32:00.00
• Distance: 19 miles
• Average Pace: 11:09.14/mile

Day 1

It rained….all day every step for 6 hours.  Well that is not completely true, it snowed for about 45 minutes early in the run.  Just for the record it was 100 degrees last week covering the same terrain.  I was ready to leave the winter gray and rain of Seattle and test my ability to run in the heat.   As I was packing for this 3 day training camp I laid out several running outfits, none that would have been enough cold weather protection for the 40 degree day.  At the last minute I packed my new tights and jacket, to be honest, only because I think I look totally cute in them and wanted strut around the post dinner gathering looking svelte.  Once again my huge ego comes through for me.  The outfit kept me toasty warm all day.

We completed 28 + miles today.  It took exactly 6 hours.  I ran the entire distance with
Pierre; he will be my pacer at WS for the last 38 miles.  I met him online through the WS pacer request site.  I swear it was like match.com or trying to e-date.  But Pierre and I chose each other and after today I know I made the right choice.  He is in excellent shape, better than I am.  Knows when to talk, knows when to encourage, knows when to go ahead and follow.  He is a very nice guy and wants to run WS next year hopefully this is good training for him as I know he would be a lot faster without me.  He is great! 

Much of the course was muddy…..so many colors of mud in the Northern California Mountains.  Today I ran through gold colored mud, some might call the color newborn diaper yellow, but I prefer to see it as gold.  Each runner was covered in mud and my shoes were saturated by 3 miles.  Pierre who boasted briefly about his Gortex shoes was soaked through shortly thereafter.  I brought another pair of trail shoes as well as a pair of street shoes so tomorrow I will switch into my Asics. 
 

Pierre only brought one pair of trail shoes, so in true running partner form I brought his shoes to my hotel and I showered with them to de-mudify them.  They are currently sitting on my hotel room heater drying (I hope), as Pierre and many other camp participants are tenting it in the rain with no chance to dry out today’s gear.

All in all today both boosted my confidence for the WS 100 and scared me.  I felt pretty good and the pace is well within the 30 hour time limit, more importantly it is also within the 24 hour Silver Buckle pace but…..can I keep running another 18- 22 hours? 

Tomorrow is supposed to be similar weather so my tights and jacket are next to Pierre’s shoes.  I ate some chicken, mashed potatoes and mac & cheese.  I will take some Advil and try to sleep.  What a perfect day.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/24/2008
• Time: 09:30:00
• Total Time: 6:00:00.00
• Distance: 28.5 miles
• Average Pace: 12:37.89/mile
• Ascent: 9,000 ft
• Descent: 9,000 ft

I am trying to limit my running this week in anticipation for this weekend Western States training camp.  I leave on Friday for N. Cal.  Feeling the need to get something physical accomplished I thought I might go and do some laps at the gym pool.

I have a little problem…whenever a friend or training partner gets the idea to TRI, I catch bug.  It makes no sense because I cannot swim or really ride a bike.  That’s why I run..run …& run some more.  I do want to do one baby triathlon in my life, but wow one night in the pool can really put a damper on that dream.

I went on to lift a little upper body getting ready to carry water bottles for 100 miles makes one motivated to do some curls!  But I was pretty spent from the my flailing in the pool and could not make much of my time with the weights.  Still it was better than working the night away or sitting on the couch.

Workout:

• Type: Swim
• Date: 05/20/2008
• Time: 19:00:00
• Total Time: 00:20:00.00

Went out to Cougar Mountain with Andrea andrea@sweat365.com  and Sarah.  It was so nice to have their company on the trail.  It was Andrea’s longest run since finishing and re-qualifying for Boston at Boston. 

As per my usual while running on the trails the intended run of 90 minutes turned into more than 2 hours.  Luckily we all brought fluid and gels this time.  I had a tri-berry GU and some sport beans (orange).    I learned that I can handle GU again after a short time where it made my sort of  icky feeling.  I still am struggling with the texture, so I will stay away from GU until the 100.

I was also was attacked by a squirrel, very embarrassing to scream hysterics on a tranquil trail, however entertaining is may be to your running partners.  I love to run on the trails…..even better with the best running partners a girl can have.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/18/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 2:12:52.00
• Distance: 11.2 miles
• Average Pace: 11:51.46/mile

The first run after a major event is always a little scary.  The questions that go through my mind are many:  Did I recover long enough, did I take too many days off, will my feet hurt, etc….

This first run was wonderful.  The muscles felt awesome, the toes and feet did not give me any trouble and the hour run was the right time/distance.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/16/2008
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00
• Distance: 7 miles
• Average Pace: 8:34.29/mile

Feeling remarkably fine 48 hours post run.  My body no doubt completed a 50 mile adventure, yet I have no worrisome aches and pains.  I will lose 2 toenails which is probably fine to lose them before the 100.  I have one nasty blister that has been drained 3 times from a rock that I ignored for 20 miles, won’t ignore the next rock in my shoe for more than 5 miles. 

I managed my fluids and nutrition very well and have not had any nausea or fatigue post or during the event.  My feet are not swollen like they were after my first 50 (too much sodium intake), only took two sodium tablets over the nearly 12 hours and only drank Accelerade.

Headlamp worked perfectly for the predawn start, so I have my lighting figured out.  Not so scary running in the woods in the dark.

Things I need to do differently for the 100?  1. A different pair of shorts…..How do I explain…..not enough buttock support?  I have a little butt with a lot of bounce :)    2. Cannot eat peanut butter and jelly crackers while running…..the crumbs get aspirated into the lungs who knew?   3. I love the Jelly bean electrolyte product, very fun to eat and kill boredom, but does not fuel the muscles like a GU.  I will keep them in my repertoire but only for entertainment value    4. Be more aware of the beauty, I had forgotten for a least a moment that I was running in a beautiful national forest and was reminded at mile 46 when I saw a huge bald eagle perched in a dead tree near the edge of the lake, he was awe inspiring and I gave me such an emotional lift.  I will remember to take some time to honor the surroundings. 

Health:

• Date: 05/12/2008
• Mood: Normal
• Sleep Pattern: Normal

Completed my second ever 50 mile run yesterday. The course was grueling at 43 miles we had to crawl/scramble straight up an incline that would take me almost 40 minutes to cover less than a mile.

There was a lot of pressure for this event to serve as a training and preparation for the Western States 100. There was a long list of items that needed to be reviewed. Many questions were answered with this event. I am so thankful that I signed up and completed this endurance hike, can’t really call it a run.

I am better off today than I was before the start.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/10/2008
• Time: 05:00:00
• Total Time: 11:50:32.00
• Distance: 50 miles
• Average Pace: 14:13.08/mile

Warmed up for 30 min and did some lifting.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/03/2008
• Time: 20:00:00
• Total Time: 00:30:00.00
• Distance: 3 miles
• Average Pace: 10:00/mile