tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34930437931193897822024-02-20T10:06:56.083-08:00Meg Runs!PLEASE just let me run!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-79752513337497040422015-02-21T15:41:00.002-08:002015-02-21T15:41:25.386-08:00Two Months Away from the Second Half of My Life!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It occurred to me that this WRITING thing has been missed. When I look at the little guy in the green shirt at the front of my line, I realize that I once wrote a letter to him via my blog...over 5 years ago, that implored him to come to life outside of his mommy's womb. I couldn't wait for him. That Sparkle Pants, as I used to call him. And...here he is at five and half years old. In my kindergarten class. At the front of the line on JOG A THON day. Magic happens People. Of course, the other cuties in line are close to my heart as well. A friend's sweet son, a grimy-faced dynamo girl, a chatty-catty with MUCH spunk. Delight. Again, magic.<br />
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This year has been filled with the three F's...fun running, fun family, fun living. I've had just one hiccup so far(and when I use this term, I don't use it lightly). <br />
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Hiccup=an injury that keeps me from running and training and basically takes my breath away, makes me hold my breath and then, gasp for strength and air in order to move forward.<br />
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Thankfully, the hiccup had me out of running for only 8 days BUT BOSTON training is BOSTON training and getting out there on the road is what I needed to be doing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being a runner who wants to CHASE personal bests at the age of ALMOST 50 isn't easy!</span> It takes a team; HUSBAND, chiropractor, guru ART/illegal laser/massage/and stim user, best friend, surrounding running friends...and plenty of hope. AND RECOVERY time. I've also had to stop working with my fabulous running coach, Nicole, and dial it down a few hundred notches. I was pushing SO HARD, SO MUCH and really losing sight of what my body could do, needs to do and wants to do....reasonably. So, I've come back to running and racing since September with a site called Runner's Connect. Basically, I follow an injured runners program which gives me ALL the strength training I need for my weak parts and also a schedule that is smart and 50's friendly. So far, it's been great. The one week that I decided to follow another plan, I had the<br />
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HICCUP...learned my lesson and then continued back with Runner's Connect. I'm in for the long run now.<br />
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So, with Boston in April, I'm off to do a long run for 18 miles up lots and lots of hills. Our running club does this one every year...SUPER excited to be back with them and attack some steep ones. I'll have Heartbreak on my mind.<br />
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Happy Running!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-32272303247672759442014-07-18T09:00:00.001-07:002014-07-18T09:00:16.436-07:00LEADVILLE SILVER RUSH 50 MILER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This so happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two days of driving one way, Circle J's, Love's Rest Stops, Rented Cottage, Churches with crooked crosses, dogs that looked like wolves that looked like lions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As we drove over 16 hours to get to the choosen land, I couldn't help but remind Rock Star that THIS was his dream. One that he had shared with me years ago. An Ultra. In Colorado. In Leadville. <span style="font-size: x-large;"> Dreams happen. </span> Lives change. Strength grows. Muscles perform and the elevation creates a <span style="font-size: x-large;">drug fog </span>that leaves a normal man weak and tired but deliriously happy. Thrilled even.</span><br />
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Finished!</div>
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Coming in to the finish!</div>
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YOU did it!</div>
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Back on the trail!</div>
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The story:</div>
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We arrived in Leadville in the late afternoon. It was pouring rain and as we drove through the highest mountains to get there, I realized the "steam" coming from the rocks was really a group of clouds. Yes, we were driving through clouds. That's. how. high. we. here. High as in way up in the Rockies. I was car sick, tired, fed up with driving(oops, this is suddenly all about me-uh...)and couldn't wait to find our rental "cottage" and cozy up for the night. It was a cottage...across from a church...with a crooked cross. A scary little town on one hand because every single decrepid outhouse, barn and building was actually just left there to melt and desinigrate into the tall grass(or snow, depending on the time of year). In this town, time has stood still. The downtown has WONDERFUL shops, restaurants and coffee houses. We had a blast wandering through USED outdoor clothing and equipment shops and I scored a bike helmet that was originally $150! However, the quiet neighborhoods of Leadville want to keep themselves quiet. Slumbering. Aging in a normal way, naturally. What IS...is in Leadville and that's the way THEY want it. Once accepted, the town became a little cozier. <br />
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The Race:<br />
The reason we'd come. RS was nervous for weeks leading up to this race. Ailments abounded and sleeping in an altitude tent seemed to alleviate more nerves than boost his resilience. Still, RS was excited and probably the most confident I've ever seen him. <br />
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Race morning started around 4 a.m. Coffee was made, rain gear(well, a jacket)was tucked into the crew basket and we headed to the starting line about a mile away. Parking was easy and as is NORMAL for the ultra crowd, people chatted, fretted about the weather and acted like they were already tired...and as ready as they'd ever be. <br />
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If you didn't already know, the Leadville start is a screaming, steep hill going straight up to Heaven. It's rocky and at the top, two people hold two large coins. The first to sprint the hill, win an entry to LEADVILLE 100 miler in August. Cruel but also funny. One coin for a man and the other for a woman. This was amusing because once the coins were scored, the sprinters all slowed down to a walk and there was a huge turtle traffic jam at the starting pad, just steps beyond the hill. Most smart 50 mile runners chose to walk at this point not to be seen for 8-15 hours later. The fast ones took off with an innocent confidence. <br />
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We moved from crew spot to crew spot...our screaming, exuberant selves. My BFF since elementary school and her husband hoofed it with me and our biggest job was keeping RS moving through the aide stations, focused and positive. With four passes through 12,000 feet elevation, this wasn't easy but he came in with a smile and left with a smile so I think we did our job. The details I won't forget are when RS would come in and shout out his needs which by the next aid station, proved to be the complete opposite of what he really needed. We followed his "orders," his <a href="http://joghard.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">COACH</a> included, and then we'd be chewed out at the next station. We chalked it up to MOUNTAIN CONFUSION which in other terms could be expressed as, LACK OF OXYGEN. And...it was really true. RS's personality was not his usual personality...so we just pictured a shrinking brain in his skull as he traversed the mountain side and all was forgiven by the FINISH. He wasn't the only shrinking brain...SO many runners seemed to be overcome with EMOTION at the finish line. Whether it was the lack of OXYGEN or the flood of the feelings of accomplishment, I must say that after sitting for four hours at the finish, I'd never seen anything like it. IT seems like we were all overcome with the Rocky Mountain High. I shed tears watching women and men who had overcome the obstacles and reached their dreams. It wasn't a performance but a process. That. is. ultra. running. period.<br />
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RS finished the 50 miles and proceeded to do more funny things that were totally out of character which made me see another side of him and appreciate his "self" even more. After 27 years of being married it's a TREAT to see your *LOVE* in a different light. <br />
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Finishing his 50 miles in 13 something hours, was an accomplishment in itself but HIS RECOVERY has rocked even more. He is already jogging and feeling fit but a little tired. I know there is a storm of plans, new goals, new races and adventures brewing in that now-oxygen-filled brain and I'm FORTUNATE to be a part of it...sometimes these adventures unfold as surprises so for now, we recover and wait!<br />
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Happy Running Friends and THANK YOU Colorado and the COLORADO running/biking community for filling us with such awe and happiness for the beauty and splendor that IS Colorado. Everyone MUST visit at sometime in their life! <br />
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*Special thanks to <a href="http://runwithjill.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">JILL PARKER</a> for letting me stalk her all around Leadville and on the course. IT was FUN to see you, Colorado Girl!<br />
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xoxo<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-85988911367461649482014-06-28T09:15:00.002-07:002014-06-28T09:15:31.736-07:00WANTED: Abandoned Blog Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sparkle Pants Turns Five!</div>
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How does one catch up with oneself after not blogging for 7 months? </div>
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Why start up again at all?</div>
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Who cares?</div>
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Suddenly, with NO warning, no prodding from BS, husband-runner-rock star MAN, I decided I missed writing. I missed amusing myself with the silly things that I do, say and notice around me. Of course, I'm the one only one who things these things are amusing. And. That's. Ok with me. </div>
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Then, BS-RS Husband asked me WHY I hadn't blogged and how much he missed my posts. Which is strange since we have been married for 27 years, sleep right next to each other, run most days together, eat together, hug, kiss and snuggle and text all day. You'd think he'd know EVERYTHING that's going on. BUT NO, we wants to know more. Hmm...</div>
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I also realized that no one else really needs to know about my silly life anyway, the reader is intriguing to me but I don't write to impress any reader(except my ROCK STAR)but it's FUN to put my silly thoughts to print and send them out into the universe. THIS IS HOW blogging differs from the beloved FACEBOOK experience. On FB, I want to tell you all the spicy stuff that's going on...BE IMPRESSED READER...think I'm all that and then LIKE me 102,000 times so I know how great I am. THEN, I'll take a selfie and you can comment on how YOUNG I LOOK and how hot I am! Baby, FB is the place to make me feel AWESOME...</div>
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However, blogging is words. Blogging is expression. Something I've missed for a while. Blogging is not always perfect, nor the 100% authenticity that we need but it is expression of some form...and I like it.</div>
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OK, enough of the rationalization. I'd like to say I'M BACK and truly mean it but life happens. So for now, I'll enjoy the sweet ride.</div>
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WHAT'S THE SAME:</div>
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Most things.</div>
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Sparkle Pants is still the light of my life.</div>
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Still teaching kindergarten and loving the wisdom of a five year old, the transparency of our interactions and the honesty of a clean and happy heart.</div>
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Still running and also not running(depending on how hard I go out and then how many days I need to spend recovering from said run).</div>
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Still cheering on ROCK STAR and watching him push himself to the limit.</div>
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WHAT'S DIFFERENT:</div>
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Not much.</div>
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Rock Star is running an Ultra in Colorado(Silver Rush)in mid July! He has been sleeping in an altitude tent which is hilarious and HOT but he is filled with more confidence than he has red blood cells(which are not rapidly multiplying as I write this)SO that's all that matters. I look forward to him doing his thing...what ever that may mean. He does his thing in style. That's just him.</div>
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I'm training for a marathon in Nov. and will officially go for a PB: 3:15-16. THERE. Said it. I have found HOKA'S(angels trumpets sounding out)and they have pretty much saved my running career. I sing the PRAISES of Hoka's every chance I get...MOST cover their ears but the chosen few are coming over to the dark side. Or should I say, light side...can't wait for the lightest HOKA ever...the Clifton to be released next week. BLISS.</div>
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What is not different is my stubborn determination to keep running and living life to it's fullest. Running happy, love.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-59871571114135663532014-01-26T13:55:00.000-08:002014-01-26T13:56:44.001-08:00More Boston, More Boston!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I think I am twelve weeks out from Boston? The weeks are so busy, I lose track. I am not obsessing nor perseverating about my training. It is a part of my day, my week, my life but it is NOT MY LIFE. I have so many things…</div>
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Last weekend was spent with twins from my class a couple of years ago, their buddy, her mom and our friend Shad…he ran the Lake Hodges 50 miler. Tough guy. Stoic. Calm. Pulled off another 50 miler and he didn't even need the cow bell. </div>
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Last week also yielded some SNOW in Encinitas…ha, ha…out of a snow making machine. Some parents from our kindergarten brought ice and make snow for our Kinder Pretzels. They were SOOO funny! Some had never felt snow melt through their fingers. They were shocked it was so cold and many just sat and ate it until it was gone. Joy. I love shocking kids and watching them react to something so ordinary to some, yet, completely foreign to most Southern California babes. Loved that day.<br />
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Back to training!!!<br />
The dead leg syndrome has a name now. An origin. A source. Kind of sad. Kind of strange but definitely not something to stop me from being superhuman!<br />
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I guess the 45 X-rays show that I had a fracture on my spine when I was born. I was born breech and my mom says I was stuck with my legs and head inside of her. After forceps and lots of pulling, I was born. Possibly causing that fracture. Anyway, during adolescence, I started to feel the pain as I grew and stopped riding horses competitively. Only to have the fracture rear it's head once I started running longer distances!<br />
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The dead leg is actually referred pain from the nerves in my back, protecting the fractured spine. Hmmm. <br />
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Once again, I'm back to pain management and feeling better knowing what's up.<br />
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Boston training is incorporating HILLS, HILLS and more HILLS. Yesterday's workout was 14 miles, 7 up a hill with 6x5 min. spurts up the hill at goal marathon pace. <br />
7 down hill. <br />
I know the hills going up are great for my fitness and my back issue but going down took it's toll by mile 13. Baby steps…<br />
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I've yet to determine my goals for this marathon. At this moment, I'm obviously grateful to just be running. <br />
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Run happy,<br />
meg</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-71016340286883316932014-01-05T14:58:00.003-08:002014-01-05T14:58:37.125-08:00BOSTON TRAINING BEGINS, Dead Leg Syndrome and Living in San Diego<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, let's get the inevitable out of the way. I live in San Diego. Yes. It's gorgeous right now and yes I feel guilty about it. I cringe when I see a friend has posted another incredible sunset. I was there to enjoy it. I know how gorgeous it was and how the pink, purples, oranges and reds lit up the sky. I was the one who sat at Swamii's Beach and decided to abandon a run and just melt into the bench, watching the show before my eyes. Unable to separate myself from the moment. Ugh. Sorry…living in California isn't that great though. Well, despite the weather anyway. For instance…<br />
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despite the fact that my dear friend lives just steps from the beach, she can't get a new microwave oven. Hey, it's expensive to live here. We pay three times the amount for a home so we have ghetto microwave ovens and</div>
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we use lots of duct tape so our furniture lasts longer.</div>
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Hey…SNOW or using our imagination and duct tape. You decide. We already have.</div>
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Speaking of warm weather, Boston training officially began a few days ago. I have a sort of calm and didactic approach to Boston this year. I know I will be there. I have been off of steady training since my ultra in November. December was a mix of massages, acupuncture, random easy runs, SUNSETS, and just running by feel. Somewhere in there I realized that my hip and left leg were STILL sore from the race and not responding to much of anything…even rest. So, I have been doing a lot of stretching, yoga and am seeing a specialist again this week. It is possible to run through this and even train for a marathon. At 48 years old, we call it MANAGEMENT. I just manage pain through lots of RECOVERY and stretching. I've done this for the past three marathons and still improved my times but I DO NEED to seek some help from a specialist this week just to recover for good from my nasty left leg issues. Done.</div>
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So, yesterday was my first 12 miler and the end of my first week of Boston training. I'm excited and hopeful for the spring.</div>
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Wishing everyone WARMER weather, nice sunsets and healthy training in the New Year!</div>
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Run Happy,</div>
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meg</div>
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Sparkle Pants, my daughter and I during the holidays!! Can you believe he's already 4 1/2?? </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-16251114939854690382013-11-23T20:15:00.001-08:002013-11-23T20:27:02.986-08:00Ragnar Relay #1 … Vail Lake Ultra Trail Race<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ahhhhhh! Barely a month and a week after my last marathon, a crew of three fast runners(and me), took on a Ragnar Relay race in the hilliest terrain I've run, in the dark, for over 24 hours.<br />
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Let it be stated here and NOW…<br />
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1. I need 10 hours of sleep at night, at least.<br />
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2. Relays scare me. Am I going to let these peeps down? What if I want to quit and can't? What if I'm the slowest of the group and they all "play nice" and secretly sigh and click elbows when they see the results? What if I can't run around the clock, what if I'm cold, what if I get grumpy and start to cry…what if, what if, what if.<br />
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3. I like anything cozy once the sun goes down. Bed, pillows, yellow afghan, husband, Jack Russell Terrier. <br />
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4. My legs have been TIRED and lifeless since St. George.<br />
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Despite my above frailties, irrational fears and whining, I DID want to do this race. My three Andaleg Peeps are some of my favorites; honest, fun, uplifting and enthusiastic. PLUS, my passion and LOVE for running in the dark would be addressed at this race and I knew it would be a night filled with light from a full moon, TRAILS, hills and magic. Magic happens when you run at night, under the moonlight. Time stands still. The world closes in and life just seems a little smaller. You feel a little smaller, some how less significant. I think we could all use a little dose of feeling the humbleness of feeling smaller. It puts everything in perspective and leaves one grateful for the light of day and new beginnings. Ah, so philosophical…<br />
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Anyway, the race started at 4 p.m. We camped out on a HUGE grassy knoll that faced the gorgeous Vail Lake. I really don't think it was THAT gorgeous, I'ves seen some hot lakes, but the whole vibe was SO Ragnar that you couldn't help but take in beauty.<br />
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Spice Cake aka Chi Chi</div>
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Andalegs</div>
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JosA</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVB5Tfa569k2ZSLqFI6kf5r9Al_nLTcx8VOSkqw3H8M2lhTRhTfNsB5XxOERzxwjxq7XPXB7WxWzBNguiwgVIJmmhboe2cA0dCUnXI-nbjhkHhU2Vgtdk2DZ3aUh_tf5Wn_gWVBmpkrfC/s1600/IMG_2806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVB5Tfa569k2ZSLqFI6kf5r9Al_nLTcx8VOSkqw3H8M2lhTRhTfNsB5XxOERzxwjxq7XPXB7WxWzBNguiwgVIJmmhboe2cA0dCUnXI-nbjhkHhU2Vgtdk2DZ3aUh_tf5Wn_gWVBmpkrfC/s320/IMG_2806.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8oCMMmviKPaco26P2KHvu1lDwiry9L7JQBYx6CTZ5aTrnwiiID8w2PAfTCAPcw2vuSdyb8FrYL4HkqrwlcPTY6cr96SPb9OIhR_a4EWKxYQ3DT4MR-W-uNKTApg9B34fW93ahTbe30lO/s1600/IMG_2782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8oCMMmviKPaco26P2KHvu1lDwiry9L7JQBYx6CTZ5aTrnwiiID8w2PAfTCAPcw2vuSdyb8FrYL4HkqrwlcPTY6cr96SPb9OIhR_a4EWKxYQ3DT4MR-W-uNKTApg9B34fW93ahTbe30lO/s320/IMG_2782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Andalegs!<br />
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Solid Rock and Chi Chi<br />
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Go Chi Chi!<br />
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JosA and JosB<br />
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Go Dawg!<br />
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Masters of Disaster Team!</div>
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The plan was for the four members of our Andaleg Team to take on 3 loops, 2 times. The green loop was the first, the yellow the second and ending with the red. Green and red loops were HILLY both down and up. WALKING was a given in parts and grabbing onto bushes and plants as you climbed was often necessary. Down hill was rugged, rocky, slippery and often scary as you navigated trails and roads covered with three inches of powdery dust. You never really knew what was under that dust and with the headlamp light, I often imagined seeing small rocks, boulders and trees under the film. Scary at times but also thrilling. Close to 30 miles in 24 hours.<br />
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Each loop ended with my Solid Rock cheering me in, congratulating me on the time and whisking me off to change into dry clothes. I hit our camp totally HIGH on the night running and complementing the trail. I respected those trails and because I never FELL, TRIPPED or got lost, I wanted to marry them. I will definitely go back to reignite the flame next year…being that I formed a love affair with this race. Don't worry, Solid Rock is well aware, I haven't STOPPED talking about this race all week. Anyhoo, once changed into my next dry running outfit, I'd head to "the couch," snuggle in with my BRP(best running partner)or with one of the guys and rest up for the next loop. DID I MENTION THE HEAT LAMP??? A priority for any night relay runner…it ran on propane and heated us on that little couch all night. I wanted to marry the heat lamp too. We felt like we were in our living room gazing out at the stars, surrounded by 200 tents and even more crazy runners and support crew.<br />
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On into the night we ran, mostly running alone on desolate peaks and through valleys…where I experienced the MAGIC of the night. As I headed up a long winding hill, the valley was suddenly filled with moonlight and one by one, the runners up ahead turned off their headlamps. We all wanted to feel that isolation and smallness that only night running can bring. As I crested the top of the hill, the lights had been popped back on as we flew down the other side, eager to finish the yellow loop.<br />
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Goals were met. Dreams were realized. Friendships reinforced. A marriage filled with some more love, respect and fun.<br />
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Special thanks to Trasie, Team Andalegs Captain, BRP, and especially the Solid Rock who served, cheered, ran a loop with me and paced me to a better time with his fresh legs, fresh attitude and loving support. <br />
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Recovery you ask? Always a slippery thing when you're 48 years old and have just run two races over marathon distance within a month or two. <br />
1. Legs are tired<br />
2. Lack of sleep fatigue lasted 6 days<br />
3. Massage, acupuncture, foam rolling over the last week<br />
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Grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this fun…Happy Thanksgiving! Run towards your dreams.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-23313384539101780452013-10-29T15:10:00.001-07:002013-10-29T15:14:50.222-07:00Javelina Jundred; Scariest Race Ever<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever had one of those experiences that filled you with adrenaline all day? Kept you from sleeping, eating, and doing anything NORMAL like reading, playing scrabble on your iPhone or flossing?<br />
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Javalina Jundred HAPPENED on Saturday.</div>
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a true life event</div>
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I usually need about 10 hours of sleep a night, every night.</div>
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Somehow, I functioned off of three hours and managed to stay in some sort of Javelina Jigh without the use of any substance.</div>
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Before you read on, let it be known that I DID NOT RUN THIS RACE. I was the wife. It was a strange and unusual role for me because I'm usually the one racing but I FINALLY got my chance to be Sherpa, Tony Robbins, Bad Grandma and medic to my 100 ultra attempt-er, Boy Scout.</div>
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He's the "giver" in this relationship and he likes to flaunt that over me... A LOT.</div>
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Finally, a chance for me to be THE GIVER. </div>
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I couldn't wait.</div>
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I'd rally.</div>
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I drink copious amounts of coffee to stay awake.</div>
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I'd make him leave the aid station after 5 minutes, max.</div>
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I was ready. I'd read blogs on how to be the best pacer imaginable. I had jokes, jingles and funny antidotes ready to share with him in the middle of the night.</div>
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Game on. I ,too, could be "t"he giver.</div>
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We headed to HEADQUARTERS on Thursday before the race. There was already a tent city erected on top of the very place where many scorpions, tarantulas and coyotes call home. Runners and support crew peeps rent out these tents and put up their own homesteads. Some were draped with Halloween decorations, so many in fact that I felt like I was back in elementary school at our annual Halloween Carnival.</div>
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As the weekend progressed, I was proven correct. This WAS a carnival. Runners in costumes were everywhere! Spooky running mummies, clowns, jesters, brides...they all attended the event. </div>
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*Junk in a Box*</div>
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I spent the whole weekend wondering how they kept their costumes on; sweating in the 95 degree heat. Wings melted, wigs wilted, make up ran...a horror show if I'd ever seen one.</div>
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And then the bodies.</div>
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A 100 miler can do a horrible thing to bodies...in 105 degree heat(which was recorded at one aid station).</div>
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I should know.</div>
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I spent over an hour in the med tent with Boy Scout as he recovered from a violent case of vomiting and dehydration.</div>
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Or was it heat exhaustion?</div>
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Moaning was the predominant sound coming from this <strike>haunted house</strike> med tent. Runners were cramping and screaming. Some writhing. Some white, waxen and WAY TOO SILENT.</div>
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When Boy Scout was ready to stagger, I scooted him out to the start/finish crossing and seated him where he could watch all the runners coming in, refueling and heading out once again.</div>
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What better motivation?</div>
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He cooled down.</div>
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He refueled.</div>
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He re energized.</div>
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And I played Bad Grandma.</div>
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*Ready to head out once again*</div>
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And, the day(and night)continued.</div>
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I had no way of knowing where he was during the next loop. I could only hope and pray that he hadn't been sick and wasn't throwing up under a cactus, curled up in a ball along the trail with scorpions and tarantulas and rattle snakes crawling all over him. I had actually heard(afterwards)that there were some runners in this condition(minus the reptiles). This vision became too much for me and at about 4:30 p.m. , despite the fact that BS's two SUPER PACERS were about to arrive(and my cell phone died), I took off running up to the next aid station to check on my Haunted Hubby. </div>
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After a few hours, a run back with an un-costumed, very nice man, I returned to Head Quarters with the news that, yes, BS had been sick and couldn't continue without a headlamp and a shirt. </div>
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It was now NIGHT TIME.</div>
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In the desert.</div>
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Still 80 degrees.</div>
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Super Pacer #1 was off. With his invisible cape and mask, he was driven by four wheeler up to BS with head lamp and shirt in hand and then continued on with the death march. BS was NOT eating, not drinking and felt like *&)(*). Never, ever a good sign in an ultra at mile 40. However, relentless-forward-motion happened.</div>
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**About this time, I headed back to our hotel to eat and *try* to sleep. Then returned to Head Quarters.**</div>
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Super Pacer #2 assumed duties and let BS take a nap in the tent for 20 mins. Then, filling him with a hot dog and chicken soup which was a total B-12-like experience for him , sent him on into the night ready to fight. Or not. The night got long, the trails were rocky, words and moans were spoken(well, maybe no one heard those words and they were just in his head)but somewhere along that long, long, hot trail, BS decided he'd settle for the 100k. So he did.</div>
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No regrets.</div>
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No tears(or at least Super Pacer #2 didn't tell me about them-it's a guy thing I guess).</div>
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No pouting.</div>
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Earned a 100k belt buckle.</div>
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We packed up at 3:30ish a.m., headed back to the hotel and SLEPT like zombies until mid-morning.</div>
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So now, the NEW plans and plotting have begun.</div>
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The next 100 miler is being pondered and planned.</div>
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The NEW training for the next HOT 100 Miler is being studied.</div>
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Moving Forward and not looking back is in play.</div>
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My husband appreciates punishment and wants to beat this 100 miler thing. </div>
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SOOOOO proud of my ghoulish man.</div>
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I must also express my admiration and gratefulness to ALL of the Javelina Jundred runners, those that finished and those that met their demise but will rise once again.</div>
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Although often eeri, I saw faces of joy, anguish, determination, fortitude and love out there in the Arizona desert and I will never forget some of the finest performances of athletes anywhere.</div>
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Truly a carnival of tough, BIG HEARTED runners, volunteers and t<b>he finest ultra event planners</b> ever.</div>
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Congratulations HONEY and everyone! I KNOW that Javelina will be an ultra that we'll want to attend every year.</div>
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Hauntingly Amazing!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-10741847515917114352013-10-19T08:58:00.000-07:002013-10-19T09:02:06.827-07:00100 Miler--Javelina Jundred Here We Come and a little race report on St. George!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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BS is tapering for his first 100 miler...another stepping stone for Western States? He is sound, ready, had his last massage and now we must wait...</div>
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If a marathon is both science and mind...what is a 100 miler? I can't fathom what would happen to mind after 50 miles but I will be there to witness, report, cheer, yell and possibly, play BAD WIFE...by not letting him quit.</div>
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The Javelina Jundred 100 miler is in Arizona and is basically an ultra in the desert that is a looping course. Every three hours I should see my BS come around and my plan is to hug and kiss, check in on the mental state, and let him decide WHEN and What to eat. </div>
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I look forward to being TOUGH WIFE...I should have done it during the last ultra but when I looked into his eyes and held his chin between my palms, I saw a candle that had been blown out-extinguished- and I folded.</div>
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Next Saturday, I WILL NOT FOLD.</div>
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We will light that candle again, together if necessary.</div>
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Here he is finishing ST. GEORGE with a 3:29, a PR!</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJYMIM2Otb5wDYNpoRLvkm2LM0MzJ12MVMhQDYBBUuHn2jP2Ht-h-_eJEjpiwFZrcbzBtbTYLnPQ9mTkmec7F2o1QuyL0bpmsl-31fG1dWhiKKiyn8xH5iFwzTs3CMQrM3ljmo4szooJ2/s1600/IMG_2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJYMIM2Otb5wDYNpoRLvkm2LM0MzJ12MVMhQDYBBUuHn2jP2Ht-h-_eJEjpiwFZrcbzBtbTYLnPQ9mTkmec7F2o1QuyL0bpmsl-31fG1dWhiKKiyn8xH5iFwzTs3CMQrM3ljmo4szooJ2/s320/IMG_2246.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>PR's For All!</b></div>
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<b>St. George was definitely the best marathon I've run. It was FUN, gorgeous scenery and we were all ready for the demanding down hills. I would never, EVER say that because this race was down hill that it was EASY. A few well-meaning peeps had some comments to share about it being an automatic PR race and I will admit, that's why I chose this race. However, a lot of down hill training went into this race...heck, a lot of HILL TRAINING period. There were a couple of tough up hills in the race but when I hit the down hills, I was mentally kissing and hugging my coach for the AWESOME training plan and for the 3 x weekly down hills we did during the last month of training. SMACK!!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BvC7FcHusgvvThsuZOqu0VkCdwZlMfLPFB-0r2obcdvrqwJECk25uOzIGbXyrBi9plRLedR9IMS5gmcc2Vx5rt2YkkCZQdyfFVX1q1bnvDlBKVtmnePWS115he4HRyXcfSUtuNRiX425/s1600/IMG_2250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BvC7FcHusgvvThsuZOqu0VkCdwZlMfLPFB-0r2obcdvrqwJECk25uOzIGbXyrBi9plRLedR9IMS5gmcc2Vx5rt2YkkCZQdyfFVX1q1bnvDlBKVtmnePWS115he4HRyXcfSUtuNRiX425/s320/IMG_2250.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My goal was to PR at 3:19 and I was some seconds over that. My second goal(because I'm like that)was to run my last 6 miles stronger than any other part of the race.</div>
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Science, consistency and confidence in the hills and a beautiful course were on my side and my final miles were</div>
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7:00 min. pace or faster.</div>
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Ahhhhhhh, second goal met.</div>
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Finish strong.</div>
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Goal 3: Take off two full weeks from running after the race.</div>
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Epic fail.</div>
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I succumb to peer pressure and OCD with running.</div>
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I returned to jogging at the track workout for 4 miles, 7 days after the race.</div>
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I know that the reason my training and racing for St. George was strong and injury-free is because I <b>focused MORE on recovery than on the workouts.</b></div>
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At 48, recovery is everything.</div>
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Guess I'm going to have to work at goal 3 a little more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKFUU1yMaGlBN-sP-bbfmXkf7ifZs1nHIMkM_IBSxKuUH5bZ7ZowG9LqyHxfnNX4Jb1kq3BURDHy2HvpKBt-SjykmxovCsEMsec_PskfnW86tq8g4a3DLJWwPBs_O9NVPxBt6Ztdo3b1u/s1600/IMG_2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKFUU1yMaGlBN-sP-bbfmXkf7ifZs1nHIMkM_IBSxKuUH5bZ7ZowG9LqyHxfnNX4Jb1kq3BURDHy2HvpKBt-SjykmxovCsEMsec_PskfnW86tq8g4a3DLJWwPBs_O9NVPxBt6Ztdo3b1u/s320/IMG_2245.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This is the starting line at St. George. Dark, chilly and eery! There were about 24 of these bonfires and about 40 runners around them, melting their shoes and snuggling in Mylar blankets.<br />
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So, we're off to Arizona soon! With two weeks off from school, I plan on reflecting on my first trimester of school that just came to an end; how to better herd my kittens who are extremely lively as well as BRIGHT. More rainbow skeleton building may be in order!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT_Ka-cgrCqdISuSw6ZXm30-yz3PpVyaPDyrGz5GtUejmuRANtAQXi4k_FOq8UECWHzxWAiWFnWC_4CIPPAkB0vOx3SGgr5jQdxdrOy-hZXiwi5jn2sTttBbK4GE-qXetAXNOW91BK7yH/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT_Ka-cgrCqdISuSw6ZXm30-yz3PpVyaPDyrGz5GtUejmuRANtAQXi4k_FOq8UECWHzxWAiWFnWC_4CIPPAkB0vOx3SGgr5jQdxdrOy-hZXiwi5jn2sTttBbK4GE-qXetAXNOW91BK7yH/s320/IMG_2215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I also plan on playing a lot with this little guy who made his own cat and people puppets...<br />
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As well as a ghost mask. Lots of fun planned! And recovery.<br />
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Happy Fall!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-38848299036083849302013-09-27T16:14:00.002-07:002013-09-27T16:14:54.225-07:00St. George Here We Come!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Marathon Training!!!</div>
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It seems like my mind has been so consumed with LIFE and LIFE'S way of throwing vulnerable and real moments at me, I haven't been blogging about running. My passion and dedication has been completely IN but a friend's misfortune has brought a film of gray over much of what I've done over the past month and a half. Nothing like a dear, dear, dear friend's suffering to wake you up, cloud your perspective and at the same bring about that CLARITY that only comes from seeing those close to you so vulnerable and hurting . The details must remain private but it's always safe and responsible to say...</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DON'T TAKE ONE SOLID DAY FOR GRANTED!</span></div>
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You may feel gray some days, you may feel yellow or some other cheery color but don't let your "feelings" mask your gratefulness for all you have, feel . This is not a trite observation. It's real. </div>
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So back to <span style="font-size: large;">RUNNING!</span></div>
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My 12th marathon is next Saturday. I can't believe that after 7 more SLEEPS, we're taking a road trip to UTAH and I'm running St. George. So excited. The following is a brief synopsis of my training over the summer and up until now.</div>
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Hills</div>
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Hills</div>
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Down hills</div>
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Uphills</div>
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20 mile hill runs with 10 downhill at marathon pace.</div>
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22 mile down and up hills with 12 miles at marathon pace.</div>
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Tempo runs for ten miles at marathon pace.</div>
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10x800 at 10k pace</div>
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Hills</div>
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Down hills</div>
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Up hills</div>
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Get the point? A running pal remarked that St. George was one of the "easy" marathons because it's all down hill. Obviously, she had never done that marathon because one would definitely not make the remark after the amount of hill training one needs to do to make it to the starting line. The hills, cross training and recovery have all prepared me for another FUN day in the sun. AND...I'm ready.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7HD7epSmqoX8O0WcoT8ciSKXJqtGBxvNvNxSI0i21M_wI_qGQ9hp_fuVjLpLbaeG6YDSXvmp0btyExaeFiTSTqdYHsBTLoOIBX8tevOwV7_Nn26d7L_XevXXXbhF7viindNZxybX6JVF/s1600/IMG_2054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7HD7epSmqoX8O0WcoT8ciSKXJqtGBxvNvNxSI0i21M_wI_qGQ9hp_fuVjLpLbaeG6YDSXvmp0btyExaeFiTSTqdYHsBTLoOIBX8tevOwV7_Nn26d7L_XevXXXbhF7viindNZxybX6JVF/s320/IMG_2054.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At 48 years of age, I can finally say...I have not been injured during this marathon training period although it was one of the most challenging of my life! I have never felt defeat, disappointment nor discouragement nor have I felt like I wasn't going to be able to give it my all. I will race next Saturday, I will push my hardest yet, I will HURT and I will be HAPPY!!</div>
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To further add to the list of positives, my ultra hubby will be with me as well as my FAST ANDALEGS RUNNING BUDDY, Jillian. </div>
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Bring it on baby!!</div>
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GOALS: I qualified and got into Boston two weeks ago and with that out of the way, I can focus on having a SOLID, consistent and under control race. NO worries, no extreme pushing, no times that I must meet. This frees me up mentally to relax and trust my training and my body. THANK YOU, BODY. That hug I gave you the other night after my last tempo run as meant just for you. Grateful.</div>
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Who else is going to St. George???</div>
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Run grateful,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
meg</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-66809658965324725822013-07-17T21:13:00.002-07:002013-07-17T21:13:07.271-07:00Marshmallows, Dusty Trails, Peaks, Mountains and Stars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some races just come together.<br />
Some races start and you know you're done before the first mile.<br />
Some races are done before you start but you do them anyway...and that's okay.<br />
<br />
This last Saturday was one of my better ones:<br />
<br />
hot<br />
trails<br />
hills<br />
for 13 miles.<br />
<br />
BS had some battles...<br />
<br />
heat<br />
trails<br />
hills<br />
for 32 miles(50k)...<br />
<br />
but he persevered and finish his 50k in 7:xx, ending with a death march that included a smile and a few minutes of projectile vomiting once he reached the shade. So proud of my mentally and physically strong husband. Yes, projectile vomiting might not seem okay to some but in our household, it happens.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nkyMcwtIG3oNI2Vd_kj7ZuX-eiWfBaE-rJiTy98am7znxL-dH7Xs32AAL_w2pKMqfi2B-PxitkR2cXi8Zw4-JA8QcjB2ODOhf8P-vZ48MnYUwknRnvWoXdE8aATZtrjhbW9mnuHKCPNz/s1600/IMG_1617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nkyMcwtIG3oNI2Vd_kj7ZuX-eiWfBaE-rJiTy98am7znxL-dH7Xs32AAL_w2pKMqfi2B-PxitkR2cXi8Zw4-JA8QcjB2ODOhf8P-vZ48MnYUwknRnvWoXdE8aATZtrjhbW9mnuHKCPNz/s320/IMG_1617.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Dawn...we camped and drove a mile to the start.<br />
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Early start, 6:30 a.m.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRGuOjICeLkEvpAu32OQskpr_59NrbpBkVR3auFG5mjdWBn5K-jKrom0m9Qf4O_t6zNzv9fSuJXnZu9gpIG57ZnhzaVUZrgJI64jAVwo3SdLad8yZb4K8B4uk7ua2Z8BzDoohhIVMLsDV/s1600/IMG_1626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRGuOjICeLkEvpAu32OQskpr_59NrbpBkVR3auFG5mjdWBn5K-jKrom0m9Qf4O_t6zNzv9fSuJXnZu9gpIG57ZnhzaVUZrgJI64jAVwo3SdLad8yZb4K8B4uk7ua2Z8BzDoohhIVMLsDV/s320/IMG_1626.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Finish...sometime after 1 p.m. the last 1/2 mile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jmGNvuxZIwSYEwgS8kWAErAwIfngBkAaZC3_WGUJinHNpsFxb8mQAas06x05NxfZlplSpDGtamWQgHiXTiLqmGhaBFVplp-HDlOrBD3wlWjfl82jEZ6EgByNcMnhhyphenhyphenqcwtW0AH8QeoDH/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jmGNvuxZIwSYEwgS8kWAErAwIfngBkAaZC3_WGUJinHNpsFxb8mQAas06x05NxfZlplSpDGtamWQgHiXTiLqmGhaBFVplp-HDlOrBD3wlWjfl82jEZ6EgByNcMnhhyphenhyphenqcwtW0AH8QeoDH/s320/IMG_1630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Pre-vomit fest with Craig!<br />
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Race Eve festivities with Ping and Pong, their mom and her boyfriend.<br />
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My favorite part of camping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAetHL3hXcIoWEaGZZwZzIPxsa1t0l8jr9e5HhWCQVvijSZNH_0zE8HbPETxgcfvMH_lkbn1ls5-2q9CjoIz9M1-FEalK9Dm0fmtNaxvmNMmqr0oHPuQlmeZe_wSnIHiL-DJW1VFCzqlcI/s1600/IMG_1608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAetHL3hXcIoWEaGZZwZzIPxsa1t0l8jr9e5HhWCQVvijSZNH_0zE8HbPETxgcfvMH_lkbn1ls5-2q9CjoIz9M1-FEalK9Dm0fmtNaxvmNMmqr0oHPuQlmeZe_wSnIHiL-DJW1VFCzqlcI/s320/IMG_1608.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Finding the perfect marshmallow roasting stick is always a priority for me.<br />
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BS was satisfied with his time and effort, it was a hot day and he finished. <br />
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My half was a highlight for my year; I felt strong on the hills both up and down and the heat made me feel great...it is definitely a comfort for me which is weird, I know.<br />
<br />
My highlight of the weekend was NOT the lumpy, hard and crusty ground where we slept because I tossed and turned ALL night. No, the highlight was when I left the tent to pee in the tall grass at about 2:30 a.m., near our tent, and and looked up to see an ENTIRE sky filled with stars that were so close together they almost exploded before my eyes. I couldn't walk. I couldn't stop myself from scanning the sky. I felt so insignificant and yet, so embraced by the beauty.<br />
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Thank you Cuyamaca 3 Peaks for a great time...<br />
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Run happy,<br />
meg</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-42765201970500223332013-07-10T14:46:00.003-07:002013-07-10T14:49:30.506-07:00St. George Marathon Training and other SUMMer Things...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sunday's long run:<br />
14 miles on rolling <b>hills</b>(ha, mostly rolling straight upwards rather than down)<br />
4x60 sec. 3k <b>uphill</b><br />
40 min. LT <b>uphill</b>, 5 min. rest<br />
4x30 sec. 3k flat<br />
<br />
I did all this before the 7 mile mark and then headed home...you guessed it....<b>uphill</b> after three miles of screaming downhill. Actually, the screaming was coming from ME and was more like heavy sighing.<br />
Ice bath for 20 min.<br />
<br />
<br />
Work out #2 was TRACK at Discovery Lake:<br />
<br />
90 degrees at 5 p.m.<br />
20 min. at marathon goal pace: 7:30(hot, hot, hot)<br />
3x400 up hill 3k effort<br />
1200 around lake, 10k (less hot, finally)<br />
3x400 down hill 3k effort<br />
1 mile around lake<br />
O.K., I honestly couldn't do the mile around the lake,( nor could the rest of the crew)so the workout turned out to be 10 miles with warm up, so we cooled down around the lake.<br />
Ice bath for 20 min. when I got home.<br />
<br />
L O V E summer, here are some highlights from this last week:<br />
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First week off starts with a trip to the fair where I run into to past students and we go on rides together. </div>
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Perfect!</div>
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The first week off also ends with a bang when I get to go on Sparkle Pant's first fieldtrip with his pre school...which resulted in a zillion snookie-nosed kids taking their clothes off at the park, eating each other's lunches and just a few run aways, escaping the preschool madness(yes, I was one of them).<br />
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Sparkle's Mom packs his lunch with a note. So cute.<br />
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First meal at the New Grill we can visit on foot in Leucadia. I guess you could say I liked the macaroni and cheese...a little.<br />
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Sparkle Pants gets set to eat a gummy dinosaur on the 4th of July.<br />
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Sparkle and I cuddle while we wait for fire works!<br />
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Grandpa Boy Scout and Sparkle pants watch the explosions.<br />
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End of cold harvest carrots in July, rainbow carrots!!! We made a yummy soup with them.<br />
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So, I always wanted to enter my flowers in the Del Mar Fair but found a way to win blue ribbons anyway, right here at home! My favorite blossoms from last week.<br />
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On the tap for running this weekend:<br />
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Boy Scout has another 50k this weekend and I'll run the 3 Peaks 1/2 marathon while I wait for him! It's going to be HOT(over 100 degrees)and I'm terrified I'm going to see a lot of SNAKES. Don't ask me why this has all of a sudden been a worry of mine but it might have to do with the page-long warning the RD sent out a day or so ago. UGH!!!!<br />
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GO HONEY!!<br />
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Happy Training!<br />
meg<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-14601612143520985672013-06-23T21:13:00.001-07:002013-06-23T21:13:02.216-07:00Living Your Life Full of OS!M <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My new principal is a ROCKIN CHICK. She's quiet, kind, solid, strong, honest, loyal, has integrity and is KIND, COMPASSIONATE and above all, RESPECTED. She further proves my point as of late...you don't have to be a BAD ASS, tough, mean and aggressive woman to be well respected and LOOK STRONG. In fact, recently , the most quiet and steadfast women in my life have been my accidental mentors. I say ACCIDENTAL because I usually think of the brass, tough and often outspoken women I know as having those ILLUSIVE qualities that I wish I had.<br />
WISH NO MORE. WISH NO MORE. <br />
As each year brings me more wisdom and as I make more mistakes and feel, well, ultimately more humble and naive...I realize that what I once thought as truth is now, frankly, the opposite. Untrue.<br />
<br />
Where I once thought I could hold it all together in a nice, neat package, I've NOW realized that life is messy and all over the place and that's okay.<br />
<br />
Where I once thought that mistakes were a sign of weakness, I NOW realize that mistakes are human. I am human. I can be a mess and that' s okay.<br />
<br />
This year has been MY year. A year of fun, mistakes, challenges, risks and messiness. I've taken leaps off of mountains, stripped myself of things that I was holding on to for security and confronted people and issues in myself that have held me back.<br />
<br />
So, when my principal talked to us about being open to O Shi$ Moments(OS! M)and being open to their possibilities of providing us with HUGE leaps of growth and FUN, I jumped in with both feet.<br />
<br />
Fear?<br />
Trepidation?<br />
Unsure?<br />
<br />
Certainly, but totally confident.<br />
<br />
Now, how does this relate to running? To sport?<br />
It has everything to do with running...and life...and relationships...as well as teaching.<br />
<br />
It's up to us to create some Oh, Shi$ Moments in our lives. Let's stay fresh, make mistakes and be real, right out in the open. Be honest. Try new things, meet new friends. <br />
<br />
Run a new race. Push a little harder. Fail. DNF and live to tell about it. Get injured and come back from it with a smile. Talk about good things with running. Uplift others. <br />
<br />
I'm off to work on a PR on the 4th of July and possibly get lost again at a half marathon mountain race but the possibilities are totally exciting. Refreshing.<br />
<br />
How are you going to create some OS!M this summer?<br />
xo<br />
Run happy!<br />
meg<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-65558178250338950962013-04-08T14:40:00.001-07:002013-04-08T14:43:03.110-07:00MY HUGSBAND is SO Skinny and ANOTHER TRAIL RACE REPORT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, I did say hugs-band. The poor skinny guy. Ultra training is taking it's toll. He picked me up at the Carlsbad Airport this morning and I hardly recognized him. 5 days away and the cat <span style="font-size: large;">didn't</span> play, he just RAN and Ran and ran...some more. Twice yesterday. Thank goodness he fueled after his twenty miler with some nutritious, vitamin-laden treats from Whole Foods. Not. He hit up Oggies pizza and invited "friend" over to watch the basketball game and then they devoured the entire order:<br />
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Hugsband's Ultra is about a month away. I have visions of fattening him up before the big day but honestly, I'm not sure it's possible. Two a days have a way of burning up every single vitamin, mineral, fat cell and calorie within minutes of finishing. Ah, the trails of an ultra widow....with a husband both thinner and lighter than she. <br />
<br />
The joke is that I'm not really an ultra widow. I've been spinning my own web of fun and headed out to visit my BIF<b><span style="font-size: large;">(bad influence friend)</span></b> for fun, adventures and trail racing in Colorado Springs. BIF is also known as the founder of ...RAWHIDE. A mix of princess, diamonds, moxie and toughness. In elementary school, BIF was a playground enigma. She held her own, a princess always ready for a fight. Not a mean girl, no, just a gal that carried her head high. I worshipped her from afar. In junior high, we had some tough classes together; she never studied, I studied my brains out. In high school, she drove her mother to drink and we walked "the edge" more times than I can count. At the age of 18, she MADE me call my now-hugsband and ask him out! In college, we sealed the deal and became close friends. College, marriages, babies, deaths of family members, surgeries, family drama, another marriage...today at almost 48, she is still my BIF and we practice "RAWHIDE...the noun" as much as possible. On Sunday, that meant ME heading to Colorado Springs to do some mountain trail running at 6000 feet with NO, NO, NO elevation training and having taken a week of tapering(non-voluntary)before the trip. Mind you, I live AT SEA LEVEL, basically 3/4 mile from the beach. <br />
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Beautiful things unfold when <span style="font-size: large;">Rawhide</span> happens. BIF ran her first trail 5k, mostly cheering for every single person she saw and crossed the finished line pain free. Her plantar facitis was obsolete. I ran the trail 12k and pr'd by 3 minutes. The course was TOUGH, steep and in the MOUNTAINS, so I ran relaxed, happy and free. Sure, I had a pounding headache that finally ended once my plane landed back in San Diego, but RAWHIDE sees you through the tough times. My legs felt strong, my cardio was spot on and heck, we all know how affective a good six day taper can be to a 48 year old!<br />
<br />
So, life back here in San Diego goes on. I celebrate my win in Colorado within...I felt so happy to have finished a challenge and a goal that was out of the ordinary. The trail run the following day(pictures above)was my medal...my gift...my reward. <br />
<br />
I've found myself needing some new adventures this year and I've had a burning desire to set some new, higher goals for myself in running this year. I'm not sure what that means just yet but I have signed up for a fall marathon with my HUGSBAND and once he recovers from <span style="font-size: large;">sheer skinniness</span>, I'll have him out there training and "RAWHIDING" with me(the verb)once again.<br />
<br />
Just wondering, do any of you have a BIF? Isn't it fun?!? Do tell...<br />
<br />
Keep on 'movin, 'movin, 'movin forward and happy running,<br />
meg<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-19761251318480356462013-03-03T15:21:00.000-08:002013-03-03T15:21:07.327-08:00Elephant Mountain Cave Creek Arizona Race Report<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our Arizona Race Trip really began after we took off our shoes and toasted our toes at our hotel which was about 15 miles from our race.</div>
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Fric and Frac made the six hour trip with us and were nothing but COMEDY the whole time. What could be better for me than to ride in the car for six hours with three men who "sometimes" have the humor of <strike>12 year old boys</strike> someone half their age. I did laugh...a lot.</div>
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Race day started at 5:00 a.m. We headed off into the 32 degree chill and encountered over 20 Ragnar Relay racers with headlamps and safety vests. I don't know why but I felt their "pain" and their joy, namely their joy. Who else would CHOOSE to run in the early morning, dark chill for a charity but a beautiful runner? I had a "moment" in the car. My "moments" often signal a promise for a good race. Some how, just connecting with that "why I'm out here doing this..., "as in running...just gives me that EXTRA push to cherish and appreciate. </div>
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Live life to it's fullest. Such a cliche and, yet, true.</div>
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<strike>Dumb and Dumber </strike> Fric and Frac, started their 50k at 7:00 a.m. They were Ultra Virgins at that hour and within 5 hours for one and 7 for the other, were christened ULTRA RUNNERS. As always, their advanced <strike>twelve year old </strike>sense of humor fit right in with the ULTRA SCENE and I think they maybe hooked. I could be wrong but I did see the familiar **eerie ultra smile**that I've witnessed at a few ultras lately...on EVERYONE'S face. They had it.</div>
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Boy Scout and I set off at 8:30 and raced a mere 12k. It was one of the rockiest, most technical races I've done yet. SO, of course, I<span style="font-size: large;"> LOVED</span> it. I have so much confidence in my Brooks Cascadia trail shoes that it's almost scary. They have so much flexibility that I can almost run over the tops and tips of rocks and small boulders without even touching any dirt. There were lots of falls today so maybe I was just lucky...</div>
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Today I ran in respect to a family who lost their son to a tragic situation. He was mentally ill, addicted to drugs and had been through so much during his 23 years on this planet. Our trip to Arizona seemed frivolous in comparison to what my friend's family had been experiencing this last week.</div>
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My race today was up steep and unforgiving hills, the trails were lined with huge cactus and the trails were rocky. Evan's life had reflected the challenges of this desert habitat.<br />
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Yet, stepping away from "the race," we experienced the BEAUTY of the desert and all it has to offer. Challenges and, yet, Sweetness.<br />
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I decided to run this race by attacking the challenges in a way that I hadn't before, on behalf of Evan who didn't have the means nor opportunities to attack life in a healthy way.<br />
That meant taking the hills confidently, calmly and with confidence.<br />
That also meant flying down hill, over the quartz trails and rocky terrain, trusting that my next step would lead me to something even better than the last.<br />
Trusting.</div>
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<br /></div>
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My second inspiration for this race came from a wonderful article I read this week by Dax, a local ultra runner. His perspective on women and beauty is remarkable.<br />
<a href="http://www.dirtyrunning.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.dirtyrunning.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Women tend to fret about their looks, their weight, their clothing, their skin...<br />
as I get older, I tend to see the beauty in others that stands out the most...<br />
sincerity<br />
honesty<br />
integrity<br />
love<br />
warmth<br />
toughness<br />
being happy with oneself in everyday<br />
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I ran feeling just a little more beautiful today and I definitely had the appreciation for life and living...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-69010096111983551562013-02-12T21:28:00.002-08:002013-02-12T21:28:35.456-08:00...AND I KEPT THROWING UP!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dPyjfBdU6eB3I3cOBfH6te236bXFnUE3SuTsvYVJMciDZ6dBccIItl0-5aUpxNsLKHv8U0ETgXv92jhzeAGH_eLqV9CqsSLjTzHBe2rYDg5zaiLKOQFJc870VWHZHIz35_IFWS20V3q/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dPyjfBdU6eB3I3cOBfH6te236bXFnUE3SuTsvYVJMciDZ6dBccIItl0-5aUpxNsLKHv8U0ETgXv92jhzeAGH_eLqV9CqsSLjTzHBe2rYDg5zaiLKOQFJc870VWHZHIz35_IFWS20V3q/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well, let's just say that the throwing up didn't stop after the race. In fact, I was presenting to fifteen teachers in a neighboring school district the following Tuesday after the race. I had felt alright on Monday and by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, I was setting up a little "throw up" stand behind an easel next to the teacher's desk. That was PLAN B, just in case I didn't make it down the hall, out the door, across the playground, back into the office and down the hall to the teachers' restroom.<br />
<br />
Guess what happened? Plan A. I tore down the hall, made it through the office, heaving the whole way. I wound up in the restroom, just in time. IT WAS THE SINGLE MOST EMBARRASSING moment of my profession as teachers stared at me...we were dropping like flies! We all abandoned the day and I went home to sleep for three hours.<br />
<br />
Two days later, I was back to my usual FUN and GAMES and recovered from my race. One of my proudest moments was helping Sparkle Pants pick out his first "manufactured" Halloween costume in the middle of February. He is CRAZY about all super heroes and choose a Captain America costume from Party City. It wasn't until I got home and we attempted to watch a few Captain America videos off of You Tube that I realized that this "vintage" cartoon is really pretty racist, violent and riddled with tanks, weapons and everything else that Sparkle Pants' parents abhor. MAN, I'M ALWAYS IN THE DOG HOUSE AROUND here when it comes to Sparkle Pants. <br />
<br />
Too much sugar!<br />
Nasty Halloween costumes!<br />
Gluten products!<br />
Action Figures!<br />
Late bed times!<br />
Too much pretend and role playing...<br />
<br />
Geesh, being a grandma is NOT easy. I didn't realize I was going to have to play by everyone else rules..<br />
<br />
Time for me to grow up...or not.<br />
<br />
Happy Running, stay safe!<br />
meg</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-12587363575748280382013-02-04T16:35:00.002-08:002013-02-04T16:35:18.839-08:00I Threw Up On My Garmin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPna4ur5GVem-D5jBu18Y8_Law_nVXzweNVQVc2pTH_YFXvpkt_nElhlrC6vxsfsCuxZDMGI7vyLB5byqgYgX5VRGKCcmPLvC8ZXz5gOj8L42E2ESCwDHHTZj9WrpxKsN-IThBhUp5tQaK/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPna4ur5GVem-D5jBu18Y8_Law_nVXzweNVQVc2pTH_YFXvpkt_nElhlrC6vxsfsCuxZDMGI7vyLB5byqgYgX5VRGKCcmPLvC8ZXz5gOj8L42E2ESCwDHHTZj9WrpxKsN-IThBhUp5tQaK/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" /></a></div>
My WILD and WOOLY trail race was buckets of fun on Sunday! It started with me getting car sick(?)on my way to the race. Boy Scout/50 Miler Man pulled over on the free way and I promptly covered my mouth with my wrist(OK, who does THAT?)and threw up on my Garmin, out onto the freeway. I had some "reserve" toilet paper in my bag(because I roll like that at races, you just NEVER know)and wiped my watch but forgot to get the watchband. GAK! Throughout the race, like every tenth of a mile, I'd get a whiff of my stomach contents and want to heave all over again. BUT...I just ran.<br />
And ran...<br />
And ran...<br />
<br />
When I got to the MOUNTAIN of 1,000 Steps, I started to hike and the Boob behind me started talking about eating NACHOS at his upcoming SUPER BOWL party. BLECH and GAK once again! <br />
"Should I have guacamole or just beans?" "Sour cream?" "Which has more calories, beans or guacamole?" I was SO ready to snap at him but the thought of turning around on the steep incline and accidentally "seeing" what I had just climbed freaked me out so I kept working on the hill. The thought of food sent me up the hill faster, you can't really throw up while you are straddling a boulder and trying to climb step # 345. I'm not saying I conquered my GOAL of NOT WALKING the hills but I did strut my stuff trying to get away from Boob.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHMbJQMnKuqkzkRdEfP1EcC-YHbq6rh59nRdZN8LnC8Nt9b48NnOqy8FIy97iusSMBssV8JYqeqTFGN0eY7xJDtOT7OdE_cR7bGr3jlcdMYSxPb3R4hftqY0RanRrJQzDPvAr8pHWbFUi/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHMbJQMnKuqkzkRdEfP1EcC-YHbq6rh59nRdZN8LnC8Nt9b48NnOqy8FIy97iusSMBssV8JYqeqTFGN0eY7xJDtOT7OdE_cR7bGr3jlcdMYSxPb3R4hftqY0RanRrJQzDPvAr8pHWbFUi/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" /></a></div>
Once reaching the top, I realized that it was about 80 degrees and this was the SECOND time I had run a race in the heat--this winter--and it made me laugh. Rocks, heat, vomit, guacamole, slippery down hills...what could I do but laugh? This is just another reason I <strike>love</strike> adore trail running. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S AROUND THE NEXT CORNER. You can never predict what's going to happen once you get to the top of a mountain. This element of surprise keeps me on my toes and makes me embrace the unpredictable. <br />
<br />
I finished the race. Was I sick? Did I run with stomach flu? Food poisoning? Car sick? Who knows but I ran with all that was within and a little of what was on the freeway and ended up with a PR by seconds...one that I had set four years ago. It made me happy to know that getting OLDER, getting sick and getting over the guacamole has only made me stronger. <br />
<br />
Bring on the hills, bring on the trails, bring on the fun.<br />
<br />
By the way, my Garmin isn't holding a charge,<br />
<br />
Meg<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-69533899822051233532013-01-27T16:56:00.002-08:002013-01-27T16:56:58.396-08:00My Recent Obsession<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKah4QETNs-JyWyzuJji_NFBicdBfgkrRUc8pTXFRTh_3DIHWjpOlOZJStZ0dY1NlvjbuD5RzAvneHct5U3N5BH_D1b005vou6zMYyJF4Bd020ItSr4qvWfyscI3ZEVanDBRD3-g7N8kbh/s1600/IMG_2860_595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKah4QETNs-JyWyzuJji_NFBicdBfgkrRUc8pTXFRTh_3DIHWjpOlOZJStZ0dY1NlvjbuD5RzAvneHct5U3N5BH_D1b005vou6zMYyJF4Bd020ItSr4qvWfyscI3ZEVanDBRD3-g7N8kbh/s320/IMG_2860_595.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Boy Scout has almost recovered from the body trauma and mental tribulations from his 50 miler. He is now jogging a bit and plotting his next move for his <span style="font-size: large;">50 miler</span> on May 11th. Let the fun begin once again!<br />
<br />
My plotting involves more technical trail races for the rest of the spring and maybe a fun half-marathon. I have become obsessed with racing the <span style="font-size: large;">Xterra race series</span> and trying to stay at the top of my game with 15k races and some 21k races. The trails always prove to challenge my legs and stamina like no other type of running. I also LOVE the downhill technical trail running. Trails like the one in the photo above make me quiver...I feel like a horse/goat/rabbit...trying to find a "safe" way down the hill while maintaining a 7:30 pace. <u> I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT FALLING AT ALL in this post, so I won't. </u> The BIGGEST challenge has been <span style="font-size: large;">hill climbing</span> which I enjoy but find SO frustrating. I really don't want to walk but the steepness of some of the trails makes this impossible. Grrr...I have a lot of mental images that I access when I feel like walking; I picture my legs churning and churning like a well-oiled machine. Sometimes, I just stare at the top of the hill and imagine myself being pulled up by the runners in front of me. <i>This works and doesn't work. </i> I just want to make it more consistent.<br />
<br />
Next week, I race locally, an Xterra Mission Trails run. It has a mountain called 1000 Steps, and it is. I had *FUN* on the rocky trails the last time I did this race and two weeks ago we ran it as training. I was able to run every hill except the 1000 Steps trail itself. I have big plans for this weekend...NO WALKING. There, I said it out loud(really, my dog heard me).<br />
<br />
I might place in these races and sometimes I win(because I'm a "mature age grouper")but that's not what matters to me...tackling these CHALLENGES has consumed me and I love picking some mini/major goals like NOT WALKING, NOT TAKING A POTTY BREAK, STAYING STRONG and AGGRESSIVE the whole way. I have found these goals to be the best kind and although they don't revolve around a time or pace, they do keep me moving forward. <br />
<br />
Marathons and half marathons are still on the calendar but for now, my OBSESSION keep me growing and getting stronger. <br />
<br />
What are your OBSESSIONS with your running? What keeps you motivated to press on?<br />
<br />
Have a great last week of January,<br />
meg</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-592708501555093542013-01-20T15:34:00.000-08:002013-01-20T15:34:14.617-08:0050 Miler was a Smiler...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the risk of being called a Front'er...one who puts up the iron curtain and avoids telling you all of the bubbly, ugly, smelly, brewing trouble in my cauldron...I get out the gore right away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It wasn't an easy race.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There were dark and dreary moments despite the HOT 83-85 degree weather.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chunks and liquids were hurled right out in the open.</div>
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Walking too place, lots of walking.</div>
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Hills were exposed to the sun, switchbacks were present.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was ugly at times.</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, true to form, thanks to the way our BRAINS operate, good times were had by all.</div>
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Inspiration was everywhere!</div>
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70 years olds finished 50 milers with smiles on their faces.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, there wasn't one fifty miler that didn't have a smile on their face. Practically, the whole time. Maybe they were "front'n" but it was weird and eerie, they all seemed SO happy to be out there in the heat, water on hand or on back, tossing back salt tabs like candy and chatting it up with each other and the volunteers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My husband rose 50 notches in my book of notches...which actually takes quite a lot. My book is pretty full and running out of pages since we've been together almost(29 years...in a few months). Anyway, he was pretty calm the whole time. Here's a quick review of his fueling stops/miles in increments of 10 miles:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Start: He's happy of course! It's a chilly thirty-something degrees but most runners are in shorts since they've read the weather report for weeks.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
10 Mile Mark:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Smiles all around. He cruises through, stops for a clothing change, sheds his heart rate monitor and we exchange his fuel bottle. He eats a BONK BREAKER and washes it down with regular water. Kisses take place and he's off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFANro_HCaVUAbAdWqQUgr1MJ_kSwPXaxLf705sI-16Fe4_BDEGE8MEWDhvuAvflKUiVfOaewvmDCGp-28VrNZxQWpTKaWajgpupDW7F7h2jUL7wtWDaP0CKKBaW1R_-igBBpfPcBPyBA/s1600/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFANro_HCaVUAbAdWqQUgr1MJ_kSwPXaxLf705sI-16Fe4_BDEGE8MEWDhvuAvflKUiVfOaewvmDCGp-28VrNZxQWpTKaWajgpupDW7F7h2jUL7wtWDaP0CKKBaW1R_-igBBpfPcBPyBA/s320/photo%5B2%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-g29uiZDT3tmofJ8vvo5THEJz6x22UmqaudsgceeJLShlt3wbe2ntsKbY-STXQORPWykslpX-xjsMi8-mQge3rlRfsGIkSG-11s90dcSKlwoNEHkv2nTBpeOtbfkPUGXfzzkIOLhF917/s1600/photo%5B4%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-g29uiZDT3tmofJ8vvo5THEJz6x22UmqaudsgceeJLShlt3wbe2ntsKbY-STXQORPWykslpX-xjsMi8-mQge3rlRfsGIkSG-11s90dcSKlwoNEHkv2nTBpeOtbfkPUGXfzzkIOLhF917/s320/photo%5B4%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a> On his way!<br />
<br />
Mile 15 was a miss for us since I was watching a friend run the trail marathon!<br />
<br />
Mile 20 was the one on the hill, set under some oak trees for shade and lots of long grass. Steve ate another Bonk Breaker, drank water and we exchanged bottles. Pretty low key, he was still smiling.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gRY_8DIGFxk9vMUZ6sZ0wZfa_6xVUDLDtfBrBC2146TdiiKclL8IqrMMB0iJaEy48W55m-v9LHvwfsrp28Ox2kry_GIlFcppGuDrV66ikoNwz9HLk_8tfc-FulC0ab8zfA7LTy1Bq1jj/s1600/photo%5B3%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gRY_8DIGFxk9vMUZ6sZ0wZfa_6xVUDLDtfBrBC2146TdiiKclL8IqrMMB0iJaEy48W55m-v9LHvwfsrp28Ox2kry_GIlFcppGuDrV66ikoNwz9HLk_8tfc-FulC0ab8zfA7LTy1Bq1jj/s320/photo%5B3%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mile 30 was before this dam in Escondido. It's like a desert out there and this is where my car thermometer read 85 degrees. The runners running up this trail weren't talking, weren't running and were pretty ticked off. I heard a few choice mutters as I cheered them on:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Hmm, this is where this race gets interesting."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"OMG, do you have any water and can you pour it over my whole body?"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"How hot is it right now? If feels like someone is slapping my neck."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Steve started to have ISSUES here. He was cramping from the hills and switchbacks and he wasn't eating or drinking anything. He kept walking as I passed him some roll on BIOFREEZE which seemed to work until the next aide station. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No smiles here.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mile 35</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pure hell. No tears but plenty of barfing and drama. We surrounded him and tried to get him to eat solid foods. He drank coconut water and various sodas and then promptly threw them up. I played BAD COP and tried to keep him walking since that was our agreement and MY PART in this whole ting...the nasty who kept him walking. I would hold up his water bottles and food and sort of wave it around, catch his eye and then start walking backwards...sort of the proverbial carrot thing. IT worked. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We sent him off at mile with a prayer and some advice...hoping he'd listen or COULD listen.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mile 40</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More darkness. More cramping and more loss of liquids from more than one hole. No smiles but still, a determination in his step. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Mile 45</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This stop was hidden right before the last hill so we never got to it. I heard that this is where it all turned around for him. He ate some watermelon, drank and go his second wind. THIS is what I had been hoping for since mile 30. He's notorious for a second wind. This one just took 20 miles to come.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mile 50</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The finish. The waiting was excruciating. His body first appeared as he left the tree clumps past the dairy. HE WAS RUNNING. Actually running. I ran out and couldn't stop myself from jumping up and down and crying. 8 1/2 months following meniscus surgery, he pulls this off and FINISHES. What an ending.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Has the training been easy. No. Do I need to share the details? NO, let's dwell on the positives. Sometimes NOT FRONT'N is the best thing to do...it's often best to recognize the RESULT and celebrate the beauty of the present moment, not the past.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The HAPPY ENDING?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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35 finisher out of 70 finishers. First in age group 50-59!! 10:43 finish time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGOfcGI7DcNAK9M9knYP73bf2TKXms1CyXay6fmWnXXoAGg0KFb1FFl56AQDwfjphPmq_DlCWhdJdps3bGDBpcPRiBSIKPBnnpMPEX3SHYuq4MycjnHz2E3AMf5RZlDf2woqnbaKukF4a/s1600/photo%255B5%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGOfcGI7DcNAK9M9knYP73bf2TKXms1CyXay6fmWnXXoAGg0KFb1FFl56AQDwfjphPmq_DlCWhdJdps3bGDBpcPRiBSIKPBnnpMPEX3SHYuq4MycjnHz2E3AMf5RZlDf2woqnbaKukF4a/s320/photo%255B5%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Crew...</div>
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You were all a part of THIS. We cannon thank you enough for being our friends. We truly *love* you all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy Running, TODO ES POSIBLE.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
meg</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-81030073227859478732013-01-13T15:44:00.002-08:002013-01-13T15:56:39.199-08:0050 Miler, 50 Miler, 50 SMILER!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once upon a time, a small, slight boy started running. Perhaps away from his mother, brother or rough little neighborhood buddies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He ran fast. It kept him small and skinny.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He grew...slowly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He got tough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In jr. high he started running to beat others. He gained confidence.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In high school, he ran some marathons. He was fast. He was still skinny.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His mom said he ate loaves of bread, drank gallons of milk right from the refrigerator.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He says he as ALWAYS hungry. For more running.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In college, he grew his hair out. Bleached it in the sun. He started surfing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Running became a memory.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Towards the end of college, he started slam dancing. He loved the Sex Pistols. He cut his thick mop and opted for a mohawk.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
**In Mexico, he meets a running girl.**<br />
Yes, Mexico.<br />
No, they don't stay there...it was a "weekend" get away that involved Hussong's and Corona's(college days, remember?).<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He remembers the old days. The hungry days. He keeps surfing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They marry, they have kids. The running girl stops running. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mom, wife, teacher...and running doesn't have a space in her life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He keeps surfing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Running girl decides one day to take it up again, restore the LOVE of freedom, liberty and sweaty clothes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Girl gets more serious and does some marathons; Rock and Roll's, Bostons. She has fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boy stops surfing and never looks back. Not once.<br />
They run together. They compete. They become competitive with each other<span style="font-size: large;"> in only the BEST</span> of ways.<br />
The have fun. They become empty nesters...kind of.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FAST FORWARD to January 13th.<br />
Hey, that's today!<br />
<br />
Man tapers for his first 50 miler!!!!<br />
He doesn't look back at his knee surgery 8 months ago.<br />
Keeps his eyes on the finish.<br />
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Obviously, this story is NOT over. In fact, it seems like it has just begun.<br />
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Life in the forties and fifties is looking pretty AWESOME.<br />
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ULTRA icky toe issue...</div>
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Race report next week!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6Vw_LWghfSOKI6pb5GBb7Yll6l2EZpYq1LhuXZSxyNhyphenhyphenYWz2jYFJ0ETApCr4gvMNJKQEFxfDwlKHh2-81d9kljBnpZ1S8qwmAVZ4QFvIDqcLaISGmV76UozetoI76sRr4UUyxV6RMwT2/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6Vw_LWghfSOKI6pb5GBb7Yll6l2EZpYq1LhuXZSxyNhyphenhyphenYWz2jYFJ0ETApCr4gvMNJKQEFxfDwlKHh2-81d9kljBnpZ1S8qwmAVZ4QFvIDqcLaISGmV76UozetoI76sRr4UUyxV6RMwT2/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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New Ultimate Direction vest...pretty light weight, room for cell phone and other treasures and treats.</div>
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He tested it out and it's pretty cool...</div>
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Happy Running...</div>
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meg</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-21474049720020949402012-12-31T17:31:00.001-08:002012-12-31T17:31:26.793-08:00GOOD COACHING = HEALTHY RUNNING<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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HAPPY 2012!</div>
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You were full of highlights...</div>
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Thank you for bringing THE BOY WITH THE BOW TIE home for Christmas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KgH26n_o92XQT3pwjQaNREV5y89_giwTwRS_OIFMKCO6uWdSVrvbJEKxD7p2QprHDegrd3WjC2B5eNOXfxBJkGduw4ll_dOClmMf2cXHFf25ic-c24Fpx1ip99drlROa3NCopwdfPMMt/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KgH26n_o92XQT3pwjQaNREV5y89_giwTwRS_OIFMKCO6uWdSVrvbJEKxD7p2QprHDegrd3WjC2B5eNOXfxBJkGduw4ll_dOClmMf2cXHFf25ic-c24Fpx1ip99drlROa3NCopwdfPMMt/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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He turned the Casita de Ling into PEE WEE's PLAYHOUSE as usual. Please don't steal my iPhone and take bizarre pictures again! Out numbered again.</div>
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Sparkle Pants turned 3. Can you believe that?</div>
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3 years of paper swords, wrestling, surfing and making paper cookies...</div>
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what would our World have been without you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbbJblQZxAp2Z0f1OrzTOVFb7lKM4e6X6GwCHW7wKilaLBAl3adGdlUYzcUzxJNYPqIITsTLh-0ukfeNnCBMsMe2szeNpdprVPxuQ0clngv3j7MO9alR5F_CEj8CqYrUxc-q3gCUxccG9/s1600/DSC06652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbbJblQZxAp2Z0f1OrzTOVFb7lKM4e6X6GwCHW7wKilaLBAl3adGdlUYzcUzxJNYPqIITsTLh-0ukfeNnCBMsMe2szeNpdprVPxuQ0clngv3j7MO9alR5F_CEj8CqYrUxc-q3gCUxccG9/s320/DSC06652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Boy Scout opted to shave off his MO-VEMBER Stache. Thank goodness. I like a good beard but his fuzzy face never seemed to move past this phase...the kisses were still good though.</div>
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Sparkle Pants practiced safety-first while handling heavy machinery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3Y2FAHWJkdvlL6dRpMbx8OKuZRM6DuD6xxYGrkWizf1cEsTwYdGrjU5grLZJujxjgR1WFTuK1uNKBPXBDJ8kRJnprD9bEs5Bi5ZcqDP9qbbSIb1fmm3Wd0zT8JH7O0V8D94_iDMmSgSz/s1600/DSC06507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3Y2FAHWJkdvlL6dRpMbx8OKuZRM6DuD6xxYGrkWizf1cEsTwYdGrjU5grLZJujxjgR1WFTuK1uNKBPXBDJ8kRJnprD9bEs5Bi5ZcqDP9qbbSIb1fmm3Wd0zT8JH7O0V8D94_iDMmSgSz/s320/DSC06507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chicago became my new favorite marathon.</div>
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Working Mama celebrates her 23rd birthday...and continues to go to school, work two jobs and love her young pup to bits.</div>
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We're truly grateful...</div>
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RUNNING!!</div>
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I am especially grateful for a year of injury free running, the first one since I started running 7 years ago. In the beginning of my running career, I ran marathon after marathon, ran track with a training group and basically ran every run as hard as I could, because I could and because it made me happy. Until my 40ish body put on the brakes. I just didn't get it. Why couldn't I run, train, run, train and race, race, race without getting hurt?</div>
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2010 brought some clarity and I decided that my hips were hurting way too much. This running thing was just getting way too painful. I sought a coach. He was tough, he was SMART and he helped me get fit. MAF and heart rate were key to this phase and I saw my race times improve. I learned some key things that I will <span style="font-size: large;">NEVER FORGET</span>:</div>
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1. If you're training for a marathon, don't waste your precious training and energy on racing a lot of other races in between, especially the small ones. Stay focused. Stay confident.</div>
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2. Run by feel; don't DEPEND and obsess with your time/pace/watch/friends. Run how you feel. Love how you feel. Love running. This key lesson will never leave me. It is now WHO I am as a runner.</div>
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3. Trails, mountains, hills are *key* to training and strength. Love them. Embrace them.</div>
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4. Age is just a number.</div>
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After about 6 months with this coach, however, I had pushed too hard once again. Bam! Foot problems, it band issue...I had listened to him but NOT my body. He changed me for the better, I owe him so much. After New York, 2010, a PR race for me, I backed off from racing...then did Boston(which was a disaster)and decided to start over.</div>
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<u><a href="http://www.speedendurance.net/" target="_blank">ENTER Coach Number Two, Nicole!</a></u></div>
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I have been working with Nicole for almost a year and a half. I found her through another masters runner's blog and liked her immediately. It was a slow start for me. TRUST. I had to believe that starting slow once again would pay off in the end. Nicole is a trail mountain running champion and her workouts intrigued me. The periodization in her workouts and my training schedule were similar to what Coach One had me doing but I wound up doing more hill workouts. SUDDENLY, I found myself looking at my workouts and the calendar as MINE rather than just following them blindly and expecting a specific result. I began to integrate WHAT I KNEW ABOUT MY BODY(HEL-LOW!)into my recovery days and finally, my body began to respond. </div>
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Specifically...if I started to feel a niggle, I'd STOP, rehab for a day(foam roller, ice, acupuncture, massage, chiropractor-depending on the niggle)and then re evaluate my plans. Sure enough, giving myself an extra recovery day or reducing my mileage GAVE MY BODY A CHANCE to heal. Once Nicole and I fell into groove, I've started to learn that following her workouts for me, have kept me HEALTHY, HAPPY, INJURY FREE and RUNNING!</div>
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Could I have done this without a coach? Maybe YOU could have. Not me. I love to run hard, I love to leave it out on the trail too much. </div>
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I needed a wise woman to tell me to keep my long runs between 8:45-9:30 no matter what!</div>
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I needed a wise woman to tell me to run my tempos by a prescribed "effort" not the EXACT pace!</div>
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I needed a wise woman to tell me to take care of my body when I had a cold...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I needed a wise woman to recognize that my goal is not to PR at every race, it's really to stay healthy so I can run into my 80's! Truly.</span></div>
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Happy New Year! I hope your goals for the new year are accomplished quickly, with enthusiasm and that 2013 is filled with love of friends and family and lots of HAPPY MILES.</div>
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meg</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-79441601365140821262012-12-07T17:53:00.001-08:002012-12-07T17:53:25.751-08:00FIT and I LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG, BABY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way.<br />
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It's been a LONG time since I've blogged. Believe it or not, I still READ blogs but I haven't commented in ages. I just like to know what ALL OF YOU are up to and keep up with your lives and running but I'm sorry, I don't have the time that I used to, back when I was first and EMPTY NESTER. Hee, hee.<br />
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Any-hoo! The good news is that I recovered from Chicago like a TIGER and am back gearing up for my first 15k trail race on Sunday. I also ran a great 5k on Thanksgiving and although I STILL haven't gone sub-20, I was pretty close! 20:20. UGH. I WILL DO THIS though, I see the 5k sub 20 happening in 2013, early in the year. I didn't wear a watch for the 5k and I ran to have fun and ended up feeling great at the end of the race but it was too late to make up for the slower first mile. A **FUNNY** story though: I tell everyone I'm<b><span style="font-size: large;"> not</span></b> competitive every day. Liar. During the last mile of the race, I could feel my two SPRY friends creeping up on me but they weren't exactly "with" me. With a quarter of a mile to go, I heard my track coach yell, "GO Meg! GO MAYA's MOM AND DAD!" and with that, I took off like a crazy old lady as fast as I could. Geesh...I was afraid those young peeps were going to beat me. Go figure. Maya's dad ran Western States in June...Maya's mom is a super fit chick...SO CAPABLE OF CATCHING ME ANY DAY! They "LET" me have it though. Thanks for helping me out PEEPS!!<br />
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FITNESS though is a funny thing...and a powerful thing. You can be recovering from a marathon and working on hills and suddenly be back to normal, recovered and perhaps even stronger than when you started your marathon training. That happened to me. My heart rate has now dropped down into the low 130's for my easy runs and my moderate and LT paces have actually increased. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU that age slows you down. <span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> The KEY is fitness. </span>Do all you can to keep yourself injury free, manage your pain and training and respect this: RECOVERY. I'll say it LOUDER...<span style="font-size: x-large;">RECOVER!</span> For me that means icing my calves after a tough workout, taking an extra day off if I'm fatigued or sore and allowing my body to rest a little longer after races. I've managed to stay injury free since last spring which is actually a miracle for me since I've battled a lot of stuff in the past. <br />
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Run happy :) .<br />
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Finally...</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">my fine, hot husband...Happy Birthday!! I'm taking this time to wish you the BEST day ever and I apologize for scheduling a race on your BIG day(even though you gave me your blessings). I was hoping I could fly you to Hawaii, renew our vows under a coconut tree and celebrate your day with plenty of red meat, wine, chocolate cake and cuddling but maybe next year. You know I love you...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">xoxo </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-86128896987537463382012-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:002012-10-29T14:41:38.216-07:00The Secure Runner-The Secure Woman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A tough woman I know...</div>
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a strong runner,</div>
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a resilient mom,</div>
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an intelligent scientist,</div>
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a loyal running team mate and a forever friend ran another 50k yesterday and</div>
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she ran it VERY fast.</div>
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It was one of those weeks when you start texting your runner friend just to make sure she's got some solidly positive thoughts in her head. Just a little front- loading with some sparkly, heart-felt words of encouragement and lots of "go get 'ems." As the week progressed, a few days of silence spoke volumes so BS(husband runner)and I held back and just waited...sending positive vibes out into the 90 degree atmosphere. Seriously? Would 400 ultra runners be tackling RAPTOR RIDGE at the end of October in ninety degree weather? It wouldn't be <span style="font-size: large;">that out of the ordinary</span> around here but I was PRAYING that wouldn't be the case. Perhaps THAT was the fear and the reason for the silence during the week.</div>
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But what about that silence? Confidence or fear? </div>
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It occured to me POST spectating, POST run, that my friend reminds me of another friend of ours, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tough as Nails</span> . She has NEVER has been the type to chit chat aimlessly about her running. Nor has she ever been the type to elicit virtual hugs nor too many flower-filled recitations on her abilities as a runner. The whole time I've known TAN(tough as nails-duh), she's never needed those types of pats on the back. She's a survivor. Not a stone pillar, yet, someone who has lived. She has succeeded at what she has done in her life and <span style="font-size: large;">s.t.e.a.d.y</span> enough to claim it without having to check herself in the mirror; be it a rearview mirror or the one she uses to brush her teeth. You could say that she has lived her life running without a Garmin. Without a measure of her pace, her successes. She runs by feel and has found her own pleasure and GOLD BELT BUCKLE(because TAN really did run Western States and won!) in her accepting her own abilities on ANY GIVEN DAY. </div>
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That's what Little Tough Friend did as well. She told us she'd either run close to 5 hours or up to 7 hours, depending on the hills and the weather. She STUCK TO HER GUNS and accepted herself and her running that day and wound up with a SUPER FAST TIME!</div>
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I love that self-acceptance in women. So inspiring. </div>
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Stay strong my friends,</div>
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meg</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-56691490764131920262012-10-08T20:27:00.001-07:002012-10-08T20:27:06.668-07:00Chicago and the Pain Monster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Chicago was just gorgeous!</b></span><br />
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Cali Friends, the leaves really do change colors at this time of the year in other parts of the United States. It's true!!!</div>
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I'm calling it a Mini-New York Marathon. It had all the sights, smells and feelings of running in the city...minus the wild and crazy traffic problems/issues in getting to the start. There were still the crowds that lined every inch of the course, sometimes seven people thick. There were the smells of coffee--and then blocks later--chocolate---and on and off, a sewer smell---topped off with a whiff of tacos and then again, the chocolate. This was a SMELLY race. Chilly and smelly but spectacular.<br />
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My reviews on my performance, my execution? My big event? Three thumbs up, one thumb down. Okay, maybe all thumbs up. I didn't exactly make my goal time of 3:20 but I was able to pull myself through some tough moments during the race. I think back to my earlier race/marathon days and remember some "very dark" moments when I would feel a faint moment of panic over my pace, my poop issues, my stomach stuff and immediately let my peanut brain go MANIC. Shut down. Negative. BUT THAT WAS ME IN THE PAST...I've really kind of done my own<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marathon Mental Makeover </b></span>and it has been pretty successful during all of my last races, both marathons and shorter stuff.<br />
<br />
It essentially involves me putting <span style="font-size: large;">my all</span> into training so I have the confidence in my abilities. Next, I spend some time before my race visualizing PAIN and FATIGUE hitting and actually rehearsing what I'll say to myself and how I'll react. HOW I'll react is everything. I practice embracing the PAIN of the race, recognizing it and then visualizing myself moving through it and getting on with the race. Lest you think this is MUMBO JUMBO, just know that I actually emailed a sports psychologist who works with runners and he actually made me a very COOL cd that addresses some of the freaky things that crop up when I race. Like fear of pain. Like the potty issues. Things that might impede me doing my very best when I go out to have<span style="font-size: large;"> fun</span> at a marathon. <br />
<br />
So to make a long story short, very short...I went out too fast at this marathon, didn't drink enough of my liquid nutrition(Carbo-pro) and ended up dropping off my pace after mile 20 or so. The happy ending of the Chicago Story is that I kept my *happy*head in the game the whole time. I never thought about stopping, about anything that was holding me back nor did I worry about my pace. At the time, I focused on each step I took as it hit the ground. I thought about the many things that I could do to make the race better:<br />
<br />
smiling<br />
shaking out my arms<br />
giving high five to kids<br />
looking around<br />
giving a high five to an inflatable monkey<br />
counting frog umbrellas<br />
reading a sign or two<br />
drinking water<br />
drinking gatorade<br />
<br />
And during the last few miles, I didn't think about anything! I let myself absorb the pain in my foot, the burn in my quads and I just focused on pain. I hugged it. I was proud of myself for staring right into it's face and growling back. Then, BOOM, the race was over.<br />
<br />
Sometimes overcoming is even better than victory. I was reaching for a goal that was definitely within my reach but for whatever reason, it wasn't handed to me. I had to fight for this one and the satisfaction and accomplishment was well worth the pain. <br />
<br />
Chicago gave me some mental strength that I didn't know I possessed. At the finish line, hundreds of teenagers from the city came out as volunteers to pass out water, the medals, and bananas. One young girl grabbed my wrist as I took a water bottle and in my post-pain stupor, she looked into my eyes...a little too deeply for the moment(if you ask me)and said, "You are incredible. Be so proud of what you just accomplished." When a 16 year old girl says that to grandma like me, you listen. Thanks amazing volunteers<span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-10140909704735437812012-10-01T17:20:00.005-07:002012-10-01T17:24:56.630-07:00CHICAGO Bound...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I finished my last tempo/long run on Sunday, I was overcome with emotion. This would be the FIRST TIME...ever...to have finished my marathon training INJURY FREE. I walked in circles in the Roberto's parking lot and more than a few road bikers glanced my way. Why is she crying? Stomach trouble? It was just ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS of gratitude and I wanted to FEEL it and let it seep into my core. Pure appreciate of my body, mind and spirit. We had done it!<br />
<br />
Everyone always tells me that AGE IS JUST A NUMBER. The younger people tell me this and I nod my head but I KNOW what it's like to feel my body change. It's NOT ALL bad, in fact, aging is what I've done well. Especially when it comes to running. <br />
<br />
Some sage and sane advice to the 45 year old PLUS runner:<br />
<br />
*Drink a lot of water. All day.<br />
*Eat right after a run.<br />
*Ice baths are cold but necessary.<br />
*Take a LONG time to build up your mileage, your strength, your speed(for some this might be years).<br />
*Even if something is just starting up as a little, tiny niggle, listen to it. Be conservative.<br />
*Be tough. The best is yet to come.<br />
<br />
SwamiiBoy(formerly known as BS)and I are headed to Chicago this week! Swamii has had many roles in my marathon training. Due to his knee surgery last spring, he continues to run low mileage(talk about patience)and bike. We spent many an early morning and sunset running/biking in Carlsbad and down to La Jolla as he called out crazy split times and minutes to me. I would zone out in a groove and let my body respond to his calls. It was heavenly-despite the 80 and 90 degree heat. It would have been better to have him by my side but this was the next best thing...thanks Swamii. When I cross the finish line, I'll be looking for YOU!<br />
<br />
Also grateful for GOOD FRIENDS who send funny texts, awesomely deep and touching emails and just keep me SANE. I love my GIVING TREE Team/BSK mates, you ROCK the RED nail polish and jersey and always inspire!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I'm heading into CHICAGO having already accomplished my goal...health.</b> The rest is icing on the cake!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493043793119389782.post-61585345487699111822012-07-07T13:40:00.002-07:002012-07-07T13:42:02.075-07:00I Have No Manners= Potential 10k Disaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My mom and dad really did try. My mom was old-school in the manners department but back in her day, 47 something women didn't <strike> spank</strike> flirt with young men. Especially women who were married AND a grandmother. Geesh. My mom is still alive and often reads this blog so SORRY mom, for what you are about to read. By the way mom, it has to do with RUNNING and I know you would probably be SO bored by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><strike>another</strike></span> a running post; so redundant. Wait, don't poke your eyes with needles! We'll catch you next week with another post...no running, I promise. <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">10k News/Potential Misbehavior...</span><br />
<br />
A few of the gals and I from the BSK Team ran a 4th of July 10k on Wednesday. It was one of those races when we shook pinkies and promised one another that we WOULD NOT RUN FASTER than a prescribed shuffle. It was DOWN time for us. Just fun. What? No racing? Is this what they call a <u>FUN RUN</u>?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNJfXdxtd0p5FKr_N6i-C9ZIh1FPFluJxqSShtezGmpyP-pk0F-jtlEmWWJ8bPlDMHQTjawbZGY9fSzXN2iDSVjMzJFmOxgAyjxRW8Ad3pmRIwRTIuRgb-V5kjirjGYnv5OMqUaGDC7zj/s1600/10k-start-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNJfXdxtd0p5FKr_N6i-C9ZIh1FPFluJxqSShtezGmpyP-pk0F-jtlEmWWJ8bPlDMHQTjawbZGY9fSzXN2iDSVjMzJFmOxgAyjxRW8Ad3pmRIwRTIuRgb-V5kjirjGYnv5OMqUaGDC7zj/s400/10k-start-line.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out SPEEDO boys on the left! There were actually about five of them by mile 3.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The race was it's usual PATRIOTIC self. Full of kids, high school runners, girls in stars and stripes bikinis(heck, it is California for gosh sakes)and the usual band of 12 high school boys(wait, didn't I catch them in the beer garden post race?)dressed in blue Speedos and nothing else. Their usual style is to start out at a 5:30 pace for about 100 yards, drop it down to 6:30, finally to 9:45 and hold it there for the remainder of the race. Hence, my misbehavior. The gals and I found ourselves "trapped"wink-wink behind these boys for over a mile. Yes, I HAD to stare at multiple, 21 year old buns for over ten minutes(remember, we were on the super shuffle pace). At one point, I 'd had it. I went all <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">50 Shades of Gray</span> and had the *desire* to reach out and smack one of those fannies. So crude. So unbecoming of a grandma, right? After all, my OWN SON is almost 21. Blech.<br />
<br />
Well, mom, I didn't do it. I resisted. Would these team mates report me? Egg me on? Would Boy Scout approve? Cheer me on? All sorts of shame fell down upon me in the early morning mist and I decided to behave myself. I know, I'm NO FUN. <br />
<br />
This race was tons of fun, a great group run and a chance to add a few more miles to my Chicago training calendar. Perfect. I especially loved running with Sorority Girl and Snake Charmer, they helped the time pass so quickly...and the buns didn't hurt either!<br />
<br />
Workouts this week:<br />
<br />
60 mins. biking<br />
6 miles<br />
8 miles/track workout<br />
60 mins. biking<br />
4 miles<br />
8 miles/speed work<br />
Tomorrow 12 miles/slow :) <br />
<br />
Happy Running Everyone...keep your living <b>light and simple</b> :),<br />
<br />
meg<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.com11