Ultra Running: Trials of the Trail 

Nice trip, half on trail half on road.  Happy with the effort and run.  Feel good about hitting my goals so far in October.   Lots of rolling for a great challenge climbed almost 3000 feet, that’s a good workout.  Wish I was a little faster, something to work on.    I wore my Saucony heavier street shoes, by 9 miles I was getting tired of them on my feet, won’t take them out for longer than 90 minutes in the future or on trails,

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 10/26/2008
• Time: 10:30:00
• Total Time: 1:41:00.00
• Average Heart rate: 160
• Max Heart rate: 174
• Calories: 1119
• Distance: 11.1 miles
• Average Pace: 9:06.28/mile
• Ascent: 2,971 ft
• Descent: 2,971 ft

Wow what a great device.  I love the information this thing gives me…even maps how cool.  I used it for the first time to measure the middle school cross country course.  I can’t wait to take it out on a real run.   Although I am not sure if I needed to know my heartrate sky rocketed to 180 during my first mile.  This ultra runner is soft and out of shape, but the knee holds for another day!  I am beginning to allow myself to believe I can start training again.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 09/09/2008
• Time: 15:30:00
• Total Time: 00:19:00.00
• Max Heart rate: 183
• Distance: 2 miles
• Average Pace: 9:29.62/mile
• Ascent: 745 ft
• Descent: 745 ft

Well that was sure easy, turning 40 was perfectly uneventful.  I have postponed or hopefully permanently cancelled surgery.  I have not run a step since pulling out of the 50 mile trail championships almost 6 weeks ago.  I will test me my knee later this week, although I am scared to see what will happen. 

My wonderful husband bought the Garmin 405 for my birthday, I can’t wait to test ot out!

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

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

How long does it take to ready 9 drop bags for a 100 mile endurance race that may take up 30 hours in the Sierra Nevada Mountains?

Answer: 3-4 hours.

How much money can an out of her head ultra runner spend on her drop bag supplies?

Answer: $500-$600

What does a neurotic put in her drop bags?

Answer: You would be surprised……read on ….

I have been hyper-focused on the contents of my drops for the last week.  I finally gave in to my need to prepare early for the race this weekend and put together the finest supply bags in ultra running history.

There will be 9 places on the course to access my bags.  Here is a list of items in my bags: This list is by no means is all inclusive and depending on were the bag is on the course other specific items are added to help with the particular needs that will present themselves during the day or night.

Mini jars of Vaseline 6: $2 each, Band-Aids: $1, Blister repair kits 2: $8 each, Socks 7: $10, Energy gels 20: $2, Electrolyte capsules 1 bottle: $10, Bandannas 4: $1, Sunscreen: $ 10, Replacement Technical Shirts 3: $20-$30each, Replacement Shoes 2: $125 each, Hats 3: $14, Sunglasses 2 pair: $40, Flashlights 2: $100, Batteries: $16, Headlamps: $100, Rain gear: $60, Chapstick: $2

Two of my bags have complete clothing changes as I have one river crossing at night that will most likely soak me and since I do not tolerate the cold very well I will have to take the extra time to change all my clothing.  The second set of clothes is a just in case set.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 06/23/2008
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 00:25:00.00
• Distance: 2.5 miles
• Average Pace: 10:00/mile

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