A few weeks ago my friend Maria (whom I trained with and ran Superior 100) put out a post on the Minnesota Dead Runners Society list asking if anyone was interested in a New Years Eve/Day run at the Murphy Hanrehan Park, near her home. She received responses from a handful of people and an organized run was born.
The plan was to start the run at 8AM for 20.07 (or so) miles. As I posted yesterday, we were in the middle of a torrential downpour. It was still raining HARD at 5 AM this morning when I awoke, and kept pouring for most of our run.
At 745 I pulled into the lot. Shortly thereafter Maria pulled in with her roving aid station. Honest to God, her mini van has been the aid station more times than I can count on one hand. Today she had it stocked with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, orange slices, cookies, cookies and more cookies, salted nut rolls, candy bars, M&M's, potato chips, coke, water and many more items I am sure. Thank you Maria!!!
Scott, Alicia, Lynette and Kevin pulled in with Bob, Chris and Doug following. Shortly thereafter came Les, John and Doug. We had a great turnout!
The temperature stated 42F, the rain was coming down in sheets. The forecast told us that it was going to turn over to snow late morning and that we could receive 5" of snow. THE snowfall of the year, as we've only received like one inch so far.
We took off down the trail, sloshing through the puddles and exclaiming how it sure felt like April. The trail was very very muddy and wet, we were soaked within a few minutes.
The conversation was excellent, it was so wonderful to spend some time on the trail with my friends. I realized I haven't run with people since Ed Fitz. Well, maybe 1 or 2 run clubs since Ed Fitz, but that is it. I enjoyed running with my friends so much today.
We ran 8.5 and came back to the parking lot; refueled and hydrated. A few left for dryer climates and the rest of us took off for another loop. We were all quite chilled as we stood around talking, talking, chewing, chewing for long enough to get cold. Soon enough we were warmed up. I had to take off a shirt as I over-dressed.
I was following Maria closely from behind and slosh! Right into a huge puddle with ice hiding what was below-a few inches of icy water! That is what I get for following too closely :)
Back to the lot for MORE food and MORE drink and MORE conversation until the chills set in again..off we were for more fun and miles.
We ended up seeing one barn owl-that was it for the wildlife. We saw many deer tracks but we were talking so much, I am sure we scared them off before we could reach them.
It was a lot of fun to find out what races we are all going to run next season. A few of us will be running the snowshoe marathon in a few weeks, Les is going to run a 50K in Kansas that Maria and I are thinking we will participate it as well. February 10, I believe.
We were talking about FANS and I stated I finally have that monkey off my back. After a discussion I think I have decided to try Kettle Morraine 100 instead of FANS again this year.
An hour or two before we finished the rain finally turned over to snow. We could feel the temp drop and the winds escalate. I was getting tired.
The Murph is a gem of a park to run in; lots of different trails and routes with a ton of hills! We ended up running 23 miles.
After changing into dry warm clothes in my car I was ready to head for home. In a snowstorm! It was horrible. I saw many accidents and cars in the ditch. I was shaking while driving because I am such a chicken on ice. It was glare ice. With snow on top. It sucked big time. The snow was so heavy that I couldn't see the road, I drove super slow.
At last I arrived home, took a hot shower and decided I did NOT want to go to our friends home another hour away for their party. I would have to do the driving home and I was not up to it. The family agreed and we stayed home to watch another movies. We're liking this NetFlix thing!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
42 Miles for 42 Years
Happy Birthday to Me!
I planned a perfect way to spend the day: on the trail, running 42 miles.
I arranged for the boys to be picked up early by my sister to head to the water park for the day. Steve was going to pick up my car at the trail to have my remote starter installed. I was planning on finishing up by 1 PM, time to shower, grocery shop and get the boys hair cuts upon their return. I let my family know my wish for today was to run long and to spend the night watching movies. What a great birthday!
Cooler was packed with apples, bananas, grapes, cheese, Subway sandwich; I had lots of HEED and water; gels, dry gloves and socks.
At 4AM Topaz and I were ready to roll. The trail was wet, not even icy. At 4 AM it was already 37F outside. Crazy. Cloudy, so very dark. I had my headlamp and a hand held flashlight, spare batteries.
It was so quiet out there, quiet and extremely dark. Topaz is freaky over lights; he kept on trying to herd up my beam. Good grief! He is skittish and the dark shadows freaked him out more than once. I was quite amused while I watching him.
The hours ticked by..at 9 AM I headed out to my car and caught Steve as he was ready to leave for the shop with it. I talked him into walking a loop with me. How could he refuse? I am out there running 42, it is my birthday, all I want is for him to walk a loop with me..he did, and he enjoyed it too. Or, at least he wouldn't let on that he wasn't having a nice walk. He couldn't imagine how I could actually want to go any further, but that is one of the differences between he and I. The more I go, the more I want to go.
I piled all of my stuff from my car to his truck and then refueled and made sure Topaz took in some calories and water. We were all set for a few more hours of running.
I spent all day out there and never saw ONE other person! I am surprised that there aren't many others who use the trail, but I am sure grateful that it is quite private. Of course it began to rain quiet heavily..yeah..rain on December 30..so that probably was a deterrent for many.
We finished running right on schedule; no aches or pains, no Advil necessary. I consumed a whole Subway during the day, an apple, banana, a few gels and lots of HEED.
Home to shower and get groceries before the boys and Steve arrived home. After they arrived we fit in the hair cuts, had dinner and then it was movie time. We watched a few episodes of 24 (I bought Tyler the first 4 seasons for his Bday), Mission Impossible III and Super Size Me.
What a great day.
It's now 43 F at 10PM; it is raining cats and dogs out. Tomorrow I'm meeting some friends am the Murph for 20.07 miles of running trails. I better get to bed.
I planned a perfect way to spend the day: on the trail, running 42 miles.
I arranged for the boys to be picked up early by my sister to head to the water park for the day. Steve was going to pick up my car at the trail to have my remote starter installed. I was planning on finishing up by 1 PM, time to shower, grocery shop and get the boys hair cuts upon their return. I let my family know my wish for today was to run long and to spend the night watching movies. What a great birthday!
Cooler was packed with apples, bananas, grapes, cheese, Subway sandwich; I had lots of HEED and water; gels, dry gloves and socks.
At 4AM Topaz and I were ready to roll. The trail was wet, not even icy. At 4 AM it was already 37F outside. Crazy. Cloudy, so very dark. I had my headlamp and a hand held flashlight, spare batteries.
It was so quiet out there, quiet and extremely dark. Topaz is freaky over lights; he kept on trying to herd up my beam. Good grief! He is skittish and the dark shadows freaked him out more than once. I was quite amused while I watching him.
The hours ticked by..at 9 AM I headed out to my car and caught Steve as he was ready to leave for the shop with it. I talked him into walking a loop with me. How could he refuse? I am out there running 42, it is my birthday, all I want is for him to walk a loop with me..he did, and he enjoyed it too. Or, at least he wouldn't let on that he wasn't having a nice walk. He couldn't imagine how I could actually want to go any further, but that is one of the differences between he and I. The more I go, the more I want to go.
I piled all of my stuff from my car to his truck and then refueled and made sure Topaz took in some calories and water. We were all set for a few more hours of running.
I spent all day out there and never saw ONE other person! I am surprised that there aren't many others who use the trail, but I am sure grateful that it is quite private. Of course it began to rain quiet heavily..yeah..rain on December 30..so that probably was a deterrent for many.
We finished running right on schedule; no aches or pains, no Advil necessary. I consumed a whole Subway during the day, an apple, banana, a few gels and lots of HEED.
Home to shower and get groceries before the boys and Steve arrived home. After they arrived we fit in the hair cuts, had dinner and then it was movie time. We watched a few episodes of 24 (I bought Tyler the first 4 seasons for his Bday), Mission Impossible III and Super Size Me.
What a great day.
It's now 43 F at 10PM; it is raining cats and dogs out. Tomorrow I'm meeting some friends am the Murph for 20.07 miles of running trails. I better get to bed.
Friday, December 29, 2006
2006 Recap and Pondering 2007
It's already been two years since I began this blog. It has become more than I ever intended. This blog began as a place to write my thoughts, to log my miles and race reports.
I have 'met' so many wonderful cyber people through this blog, and through your own blogs. I have been inspired by so many of you, and I thank you for your cheers and well wishes as I try to reach new highs.
I began this blog on my 40th birthday. I wasn't looking forward to turning 40, I was quite depressed by the thought. Thank goodness the days leading up to turning 40 were worse than turning 40 itself. As I look toward turning 42 tomorrow, it is no big deal! I'm happy where I am and wouldn't change a thing.
2006 was quite a year for me. I excelled at running, surpassing my wildest dreams and goals. My goals were to PR at all ultra distances 50K-100 mile to 24 hour. I was able to check off that goal. I PR'd at 50K, 50 mile, 100 mile and 24 hour. Running McNaughton 2 hours faster than the previous year gave me the confidence I needed to try 100 miles at FANS. FANS scared me. I had dropped out the previous year at 12 hours and hadn't been able to reach 100 miles during my 2 prior attempts. Lo and behold, I was able to run 116.8 miles and capture 2nd woman. CRAZY. Voyaguer 50 mile came along and I wanted to break 1030. I did, 1026. Incredible when you take into account my first V was 1406, then 1234 and 1045. September brought Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile Trail Race. I was confident that I had a good solid training program to get me to the finish. I logged plenty of miles on the SHT and had Maria to run the race with. Damn. I couldn't finish it. I DNF'd at 77 miles.
My 2006 goals of finishing 3-100 miles races was going to bring me to my 2007 goals: Running The Grand Slam. Because I DNF'd at Superior, I may not have had the confidence to try the GS. I may have decided to finish Superior instead of trying Wasatch. Because I didn't get into Western States, I don't have to worry about it.
That brings me to my main goal for 2007: Finishing the Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile Trail Race. To get to the finish line I will add longer back to back runs on the SHT. My legs gave out at 77 miles. I'll run the 50K up there in May on a Saturday, followed by another 20 mile on the SHT on Sunday. I'll go up for weekends, training back to back long runs mid summer to late summer. I'll finish that race..or damn near die trying!
I'm also going to dip my toes into the sport of triathlon. Those that have been reading my blog since inception will know that my friend Ann and I were training for triathlon in the months before she was diagnosed with Lymphoma, Stage 4. We were biking 20-30 miles and swimming. Her swimming was getting pretty strong, mine still sucked. It still sucks. When Ann was diagnosed at the end of October we still had plans of completing the Chain of Lakes triathlon in May. After Ann passed away in February, I just couldn't bring myself to complete the triathlon without her.
It's been a tough (almost) year that Ann has been gone. Running all of the races this past summer without Ann has been especially tough.
For 2007 I will complete the Chain of Lakes triathlon, in May. I'm going to train with Team in Training for the 2007 Lifetime Fitness Olympic Triathlon and will be collecting funds for Lymphoma Cancer Research in Ann's memory. I'll then try my hand at a 1/2 Ironman..looking like either Pigman or Steelhead. Collecting funds in Ann's name and helping to further the research for Lymphoma Cancers will get me into the pool. I know that Ann will be with me. 2008 will bring another 1/2 Iron and Ironman WI.
I'll also run the McNaughton 100 mile in April; I love that race! This year they are adding a 150 mile option..I just don't know that I want to go around the course an additional 5 times. June will bring me to FANS, and you know, now that the fear is gone I might as well try cracking that 100 again. I'll run my usual favorites: Superior 50K, Afton 50K, Voyaguer 50 mile; yes, I'm a creature of habit. I don't have the money or the time to travel long distances to run my races. I enjoy the Minnesota races very much and am very happy right here.
I guess I better get into the pool...
I have 'met' so many wonderful cyber people through this blog, and through your own blogs. I have been inspired by so many of you, and I thank you for your cheers and well wishes as I try to reach new highs.
I began this blog on my 40th birthday. I wasn't looking forward to turning 40, I was quite depressed by the thought. Thank goodness the days leading up to turning 40 were worse than turning 40 itself. As I look toward turning 42 tomorrow, it is no big deal! I'm happy where I am and wouldn't change a thing.
2006 was quite a year for me. I excelled at running, surpassing my wildest dreams and goals. My goals were to PR at all ultra distances 50K-100 mile to 24 hour. I was able to check off that goal. I PR'd at 50K, 50 mile, 100 mile and 24 hour. Running McNaughton 2 hours faster than the previous year gave me the confidence I needed to try 100 miles at FANS. FANS scared me. I had dropped out the previous year at 12 hours and hadn't been able to reach 100 miles during my 2 prior attempts. Lo and behold, I was able to run 116.8 miles and capture 2nd woman. CRAZY. Voyaguer 50 mile came along and I wanted to break 1030. I did, 1026. Incredible when you take into account my first V was 1406, then 1234 and 1045. September brought Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile Trail Race. I was confident that I had a good solid training program to get me to the finish. I logged plenty of miles on the SHT and had Maria to run the race with. Damn. I couldn't finish it. I DNF'd at 77 miles.
My 2006 goals of finishing 3-100 miles races was going to bring me to my 2007 goals: Running The Grand Slam. Because I DNF'd at Superior, I may not have had the confidence to try the GS. I may have decided to finish Superior instead of trying Wasatch. Because I didn't get into Western States, I don't have to worry about it.
That brings me to my main goal for 2007: Finishing the Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile Trail Race. To get to the finish line I will add longer back to back runs on the SHT. My legs gave out at 77 miles. I'll run the 50K up there in May on a Saturday, followed by another 20 mile on the SHT on Sunday. I'll go up for weekends, training back to back long runs mid summer to late summer. I'll finish that race..or damn near die trying!
I'm also going to dip my toes into the sport of triathlon. Those that have been reading my blog since inception will know that my friend Ann and I were training for triathlon in the months before she was diagnosed with Lymphoma, Stage 4. We were biking 20-30 miles and swimming. Her swimming was getting pretty strong, mine still sucked. It still sucks. When Ann was diagnosed at the end of October we still had plans of completing the Chain of Lakes triathlon in May. After Ann passed away in February, I just couldn't bring myself to complete the triathlon without her.
It's been a tough (almost) year that Ann has been gone. Running all of the races this past summer without Ann has been especially tough.
For 2007 I will complete the Chain of Lakes triathlon, in May. I'm going to train with Team in Training for the 2007 Lifetime Fitness Olympic Triathlon and will be collecting funds for Lymphoma Cancer Research in Ann's memory. I'll then try my hand at a 1/2 Ironman..looking like either Pigman or Steelhead. Collecting funds in Ann's name and helping to further the research for Lymphoma Cancers will get me into the pool. I know that Ann will be with me. 2008 will bring another 1/2 Iron and Ironman WI.
I'll also run the McNaughton 100 mile in April; I love that race! This year they are adding a 150 mile option..I just don't know that I want to go around the course an additional 5 times. June will bring me to FANS, and you know, now that the fear is gone I might as well try cracking that 100 again. I'll run my usual favorites: Superior 50K, Afton 50K, Voyaguer 50 mile; yes, I'm a creature of habit. I don't have the money or the time to travel long distances to run my races. I enjoy the Minnesota races very much and am very happy right here.
I guess I better get into the pool...
Monday, December 25, 2006
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