Ultra Running: Trials of the Trail 

Easy does it in preparation for this weekend’s 50 miler

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/22/2008
• Time: 17:00:00
• Total Time: 00:38:18.00
• Average Heart rate: 156
• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:30.64/mile

90 minutes 26 poses 102 degrees, this is what the doctor ordered.

Workout:

• Type: Flexibility
• Date: 07/20/2008
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 1:30:00.00

Met up with the Down Sound Racing group last night for a full moon escapade.  7 of them were in the Serene Lake at 9:00 for a mile swim.  I don’t swim especially in open water especially at night, so I met them on the shore.  4 of them came on the run to complete there night time brick.  Matt, straight from the airport came for the running portion.  So 6 of us strapped on our headlamps and fired up the flashlights and headed out.

 I thought maybe since they had just come off a long swim, I might be able to keep up with the group.  They were chatting easily at this sub 8 minute pace, while I was gasping for air.  I had one of those runs were nothing felt smooth or right. It could be that my normal bedtime is 9:00.  However, it was way fun to run in the dark amongst the safety of 5 ironman types.

On a side note I tested out my  Fenix L2D high tech flashlight  totally spectacular flashlight!  We could see for days with this thing.  I highly recommend one not only for running but any night time activity, I think I will buy at least one more.

All in all I am glad to have run and happy to have this group of insane ultra athletes around to push my limits.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/18/2008
• Time: 22:00:00
• Total Time: 00:41:00.00
• Distance: 5.2 miles
• Average Pace: 7:53.06/mile

Early evening run before dinner.  The sun was still shining and the warmth on my skin felt truly nice.  I am stiff in the legs from the run this weekend and stiff in my back from the accident.  Will go see a doctor tomorrow just to make sure it will eventually relax.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/15/2008
• Time: 17:00:00
• Total Time: 00:40:38.00
• Distance: 5 miles
• Average Pace: 8:07.8/mile

Langley Half

Ran the Langley Half Marathon Sunday on Whidbey Island.  What an awesome event!  Everyone should put this race on their calendar for next year.  It is a beautiful out and back course on the island.  There were lovely views of
Puget Sound and the surrounding landscape.  It was a pretty hilly course with one particularly ugly ascent up a gravel road at the turn around.  It was hilarious to see signs on the course alerting us to “Gently Rolling Hills Ahead”  I was in a walk towards the top only commencing to a run again after I saw the turn-around and all the wonderful volunteers cheering us along. 

I ran well and my back held up!  Plenty sore today, isn’t that why I run yes it is……for better or worse.  I still have a nagging ache in my lumbar region that I am sure is just a pinched nerve or tied up muscle, but it was important for me to get out and run. I am determined to run the 50 miler in 2 weeks for a new qualifying time for Western States 100, as I am sure it will be a requirement.

The weather was very warm for the 8:30 start, I wore my new running skirt.  I have joined the skirt wearing women after resisting the fad at first.  I like the way the skirt makes me feel… more girly.  Most of the race was covered by trees so it was easy to stay in the shade and avoid the direct sun.  But I was glad for the numerous aid station serving water and nuun.

The Choochokam Arts festival was in full swing at the finish with a great local band playing and at least one wacky guy dancing to  his own rhythm.  The finish was an awesome downhill sprint which made everyone feel fast and alive.  I caught 2 runners on the way back and think I ran even splits. 

The award ceremony was also spectacular with the overall and age group winners getting local photographer’s artwork.  Very classy!  The race director Matt Simmons also chose to give socks instead of T-shirts, another excellent decision.  Next year I will bring the family and we will stay for the festival.  There were 91 finishers, I was 18th overall, 2nd Woman, 1st in age group.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/13/2008
• Time: 08:30:00
• Total Time: 1:40:09.00
• Distance: 13.1 miles
• Average Pace: 7:38.6/mile

Okay still not running after car accident.  Not happy about this in the least.  Did have a massage and it seemed to help.  I had to drive over to Prosser, WA yesterday 3 and half hours each way.  Then I was delayed 6 hours as the Operating Room schedule was played with all day.  I left my house at 4:00am and didn’t finish with the doctor until 3 pm.  Believe me there is NOTHING to do in Prosser WA!!  I was also working for “free” yesterday as this case was a revision of a poorly placed stent (I will not name the Doctor, he is new to this procedure andtechnique).  My income comes from selling the implant and  we were simply readjusting placement of the exsisting one.

My back was killing me last night after the drive home so no running, several people who love me have said I should see a doctor, but I have resisted.  I am at least thankful that the patient should enjoy a much better outcome now and that’s always a great feeling and a well spent day, even if it was 15 hours.

Was heading home from a busy work day and was stopped at a red light and a driver came down the street at 40 miles per hour and did not see me or the light. Getting hit is a scary thing.  My car is not drivable and my body is not runnable.  My 50 mile race is just a couple weeks away and I was hoping to run a half marathon this weekend.  We’ll have to wait and see, for now I get to play with the insurance companies fun fun!

Ran 12 out and back with Brad.  He lured me into the run promising me he was out of shape and slow.  He also road over 60 miles yesterday so I thought I was in the clear for an easy 12 mile in 9 plus pace.   He lied to me and was unapologetic on the opening pace of 8:27.  As we covered ground we covered several running topics including VoMax training, event goals, and general training.

We paused at mile 11 to prep for a fast 12th mile.  As I started running again my knee (that was tweaked last weekend on the trail) locked up.  I stopped and gave it a vigorous rub to warm it up, it worked.  Brad and I ran the last mile in 7:16.  He is not out of shape nor slow!  Thanks for the run friend!

I was to run long again tomorrow, but my knee is really sore right now.  I don’t want to put my 50 mile race in jeopardy so back to ice and IB and cross my fingers that I can run in the morning.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/05/2008
• Time: 10:00:00
• Total Time: 1:40:25.00
• Distance: 12 miles
• Average Pace: 8:22.09/mile

Met another Down Sound Racing member for a run this morning.  Lucky for me he was a WS100 veteran.  Matt relived his WS experience on the run with me as I gasp for air.  As he mentioned the throwing up, weight loss, ice cold river crossing etc…  my reaction was “how awesome you did it and finished.”  I have not looked up his official time but my guess is he was under 22 hours even with a 45 minute nap and a near medical “pull” from the course.

I was much slower today and Matt was gracious as runners are to each other and stayed with me.   It was pouring rain and my legs were trashed so I was so thankful that Matt carried the conversation and the pace.  To be honest I probably would not have even run today without his prompting email yesterday.

This is why everyone no matter the ability should have a running network, people to pull your bones out bed, keep you honest, do road therapy with, learn from and if your lucky have an opportunity to be there for someone else when they need you in running or in life.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 07/03/2008
• Time: 06:00:00
• Total Time: 1:02:28.00
• Distance: 7.2 miles
• Average Pace: 8:40.23/mile