Me and Topaz post run 

TGIF

I haven't had to have the thought 'thank god it's Friday' for many weeks. Today I thought that thought over and over again. Back at work for the first week, after having eight weeks off, getting the classes and offices ready for school to open, eek.

Trying to get up before the crack of dawn, run, lift, bike, shower, work, meetings, kids sports, run, bike, shower, lift..whatever and to bed to do it all over again.

This takes some getting used to!

Tonight was a 7.5 mile run with Topaz on the trail. Hot, humid and I was just plain tired. I don't think my body is used to running in the late afternoon. The food that I've been eating all day is jumbling around in my stomach, I pee over and over again because by 330 I've already had 80 ounces of water and coffee and whatever else I may have consumed.

I love my fasted morning runs. No food in the tummy, don't have to worry about what to eat and what not to eat, etc.

I looked at my eating logs for the past 7 days. I consumed an average of 1734 calories which consisted of 38% carbs, 42% protein and 20% fat. I lost .10 of a pound. A great week of maintenance. I'm going to live here for a while, then try to lose another 5 or so...

Run Club

Wednesday means Run Club night.

I always thought the runners at Run Club were a pretty awesome group of guys. I was way too timidated to ever even think of running with them. Or even speaking with them.

After I began running I entered my first race..the Big Lake 8K put on my the Big Lake Run Club. They seemed very nice, so I attended one of their Wednesday night runs.

Oh my gosh. I was ill prepared for them. Two men felt sorry for me and ran with me, at my pace, the whole 5 mile route. I think we ran 11 minute miles and it was pretty much walking for them.

I didn't go back for three years.

Now this group of men have become my very very good friends. They are still faster than I (most of them) but I am no longer intimidated by them. We even get a few women once in a while to join us.

We all begin in the front of the Big Lake High School at 6 PM. We run together for approximately 5 minutes and whooooshhhh off they go! I see their backs for the rest of the route, up the hills, around the lakes, through the town. At the end of the run they all stand in a line and clap and cheer for me.

They are a pretty awesome group.

Tonights run : 5 miles 39:30. A long way from my first Run Club night.

Topaz chillin' 

Just chillin' 

Scary Run

I was going to run a 20 mile route on the asphalt today but Topaz looked so sad that I was going to go without him, I changed my mind, grabbed Topaz and headed for the Prairie Drive Trail. This is the 7.5 gravel road loop that goes through the Wildlife Refuge; it is for automobile. They drive through the refuge.

I park my car at the visitor center, fill my water bottles with water and Hammergel Heed, grab my cell phone, Topazs' leash, keys..I'm off.

One mile into my run a guy in a brand new white Mustang goes by..no biggie. There are autos out here now and again. 15 minutes later and he drives by again. This is a 7.5 mile LOOP. Why is he driving by again? Another 15 minutes later, he drives by again and is leering out of the window. SHIT.

I can feel the hair on my arms and neck prickle. I'm listening to my intuition: this isn't good. Am I over-reacting? I call my friend Ann. Are you going to be out here to run? No, her legs are tired and she's still in bed. OK. As I'm running and talking to her I notice a pair of mens' shorts and underware in the middle of the gravel road. What the hell? Oh, maybe Mr. Mustang got out of his car to look at the Eagles and accidently kicked out a change of clothing. Maybe that is why he is driving around and around..looking for his clothes. OK, all is well now. I was over-reacting.

15 minutes later and he drives by again. I always position myself on the side of the road near the passenger side. I don't want to be near the driver. He leans over to the passenger window, rolls it down and stares..and slows down to an impossible pace. I'm at the side of the road and scared shitless. He continues on and I'm a mess.

I call home and the line is busy. I call Ann and the line is busy. Should I call the Sheriff? Am I over-reacting? No one else is driving by..maybe he's casing the place, figuring out where others are so he can get me...oh sheesh.

He drives by again. That's it. What kind of lunatic drives 40 miles in a circle like this. He's purposely scaring me. He's leering. He's awful. I call 911. I explain where I'm running, describe the car, the guy. Deputy tells me he'll send someone out to drive through and see what's going on. I tell him I was going to run 21 miles but will get to my car and get out of there.

My phone rings a few minutes later. It is the deputy. His deputy is a ways away and can't get right out there. He asks me to call him as soon as I get to my car and asks if I've seen Mr. Mustang again. No, I haven't.

OK.

I get to my car and call the deputy. I'm here safe and sound and heading out to another trail. OK. I figure that's it. The end. Who knows if I was over-reacting or not.

I get to the Blue Hill Trail for another 5 mile run to make my 20. As I'm running the phone rings. It's another deputy. He asks where I am, I tell him. He tells me that he spoke with Mr. Mustang. WHAT? You saw him? Yes, he was BACK at the Prairie Drive Trail. Oh my gosh. I would have totally lost it if I had seen him go around again. Mr. Deputy told me that Mr. Mustang has been arrested prior for indecent exposure and trespassing, that he is a 'slime ball'. He told me that he is not a sexual predator. Mr. Deputy asked Mr. Mustang why he was going around and around the Prairie Trail. He told him "I liked to look at her dogs' eyes..and her arms" Oh. My. Gawd. Mr. Deputy told Mr. Mustang to get out of there, and Mr. Deputy followed him to the County Line.

What the hell? So, was I over-reacting? I don't know.

It makes me want to run with a gun holstered around my leg.

I finished my additional 5 miles and was almost expecting to see the Mustang at the trail head.

I didn't. Thank Goodness! Ugh.

So, women runners out there: what do you carry with you while running to make you feel safe? Does anyone carry a knife, gun or weapon of some sort? How sad that we have to worry about ourselves while running by ourselves.

Last day of my Summer Vacation

Today is the last day of my summer vacation. I've had 8 weeks, yup, 8 weeks off. I've enjoyed it very, very much. I enjoyed sleeping in, getting up early, going to the lake, biking with the boys, hitting the beach and getting in excellent workouts.

Over the weekend I'll come up with a scheduled training plan. I've been able to wing it these past two months. I've climbed out of bed, ground up my Caribou French Roast, prepared my french press and relaxed before heading out for my run, biking whenever I feel the urge and hitting the gym whenever I want to.

That will all change for the next 10 months. Back to waking up at the crack of dawn (or before), jumping on the treadmill or running in the dark, running after work in the afternoon and squeezing in weight training during the busy periods at the gym.

I'm ready to go back to work. It's been a nice, lazy, enjoyable summer but I'm ready to go back to a schedule.

I would like to go back to school when the boys do (2 weeks out) but apparantly I need to be there two weeks prior. I'm really not sure why...I would prefer student contact days like some of the other office staff keep.

Today I slept in until 745, drank my coffe and hit the trail for 7.5 miles. Rode my bike for 10 miles and mowed the lawn...the same way I have spent most of the summer.

Back to reality...

Sugar Fed Kids

I and the boys went to Valleyfair today. What a blast! I don't care much for the rides but I love the water park. After a few hours on the rides we hit the water park for a few more hours of fun in the sun. The body slides, the body boats, the tubing, the rapids; it's all so much fun!

Ty and Troy had their fill of cotton candy, dunking dots, cheese curds, pretzel and cheese, turtle sundae and french fries. I had a bite of each; that's all one needs!

Once in a while a day of sugar and fat for the boys isn't going to hurt much. As long as it isn't each week; and it isn't.

I was able to sneak out at 530 AM for a 5 mile run on the trail with Topaz and a session of weight training at the gym (chest, bi, tri) before I woke them at 800 so we could be on the road by 9.

What a great way to spend the day.

Fun in the Sun 

Candy bigger than their head! 

Running over the river... 

The view of the Voyaguer 50. 

Jo and Julie ready to run! 

After the race 

Race Report..V

It was awesome, simply awesome.

Here is the race report I posted to my ultra running group:

After running the Afton 50K a few weeks ago in 6:20 I realized that I was
feeling way to good at the finish and probably should have tried to push it a
bit harder .

I have never been one to set time goals, I've only tried to finish, while
digging deep to reach the cutoffs. Some of which I couldn't reach.

I was talking with Don Clark at Afton and he suggested I try running out of
my comfort zone, try setting a time goal and see what I can do. I agreed. I
would try and run Voyaguer in 11 hours. Pretty scary to me.

Voyaguer 1 (2002) took me 14:03 (13 hour cut off), V 2 (2003) I dropped at
50K and V 3 (2004) was an 11:52 so an 11 hour finish was going to be tough.

I decided to share this goal with my friends; I felt that by sharing this
time goal with them, they would hold me accountable if I should end up crashing
on the trail. Knowing that I told friends of my 11 hour goal, that would
push me even harder to reach the goal.

Race day morning and the weather was beautiful. High of 75, sun, the stuff I
love to run in. I brought Jeffrey up to the front of the line to introduce
him to Doug Hansel and at that time the start was yelled; there we were up
with the front guys. This turned out to be a very good thing. Jeffrey and I were
following after Tom Bunk and others that we had no business running with. We
were out of our league but we kept on pushing. We were at the second aid
station within an hour! We felt good, strong, getting fatigued but figured we'd
just push on and see what would happen.

Of course I had to make a pit stop before the powerlines and I figured that
was the end of running with Jeffrey. I've never caught him after a potty
break. Well, this time was different. After aid station 7 or so we were running
together again. First time I've ever caught him!

We ran into the turn around at 5 hours; I headed back out while Jeffrey took
care of business with his drop bags.

I came up out of the aid station and fell into line with Lisa from WI. She's
finished 89 ultras, has completed the Slam and completes Ironman. It was
awesome to run with her. We ran together for 15 miles.

Lisa was slowing down and told me to head out. I did. I was feeling great. I
was eating a ton of food, drinking a lot, everything was going well. I had
visions of a 10:30 until I was running the last section through the rocks and
it took me 39 minutes! Sheesh, I never thought the bike path was going to
come. I got on the bike path and ran as fast as I could to the finish.

10:45. Wow.

This race is so much fun. After an awesome trail run there are showers,
great food and a fun awards ceremony! Big thanks to Gene and Barb and all of the
volunteers.

Thanks to so many of you for your congratulations and kind words. I sure
found myself a terrific group of friends!

Julie Berg
Big Lake

Voyaguer 50 Mile Trail Ultra

The race will be held this Saturday. I'm trying to lay off the running a bit this week, I've been biking and even tried a few swims.

Yesterday I biked 20 miles at an easy pace-it took me 1:20-then pulled into the driveway, hopped off the bike and ran a 5 mile run with Topaz in the neighborhood. Got some looks from the neighbors when they saw me biking; then running. Kind of like 'oh oh, here she goes again'. When I first began to run marathons I would get comments like 'you ran by this morning when I was drinking my coffee, not I'm eating my lunch and you are still running' well, yeah, 30 miles takes me a while!

I'm not very good at the swimming, but have contacted a few people who are so that will be helpful.

Today I shouldn't run. I should just pack, get groceries for the family while I'm gone and relax. But I really want to run. Only a few miles? We'll see. I shouldn't.

OK, so after running the Afton 50K on July 2, and doing much better than I anticipated, I decided I'd set a time goal for V. I set a time goal of 11 hours. I'm still going to try to get an 11 hour finish. That's 50 minutes off my fastest V. I have 24 pounds less of fat now, that should help somewhat!

The weight is still 126.8 today. I've been increasing my carbs to 150-200 grams Wednesday and Thursday, Friday will be a bit higher. Carbo Load.

I contacted a friend of mine that I met while we were training for our first Marathon in 1999. While we were training for the marathon, Amy was also training for an Ironman. Wow. I talked to her yesterday. She told me the WI Ironman usually fills immediately; and they open registration 13 months in advance. So, if I'm thinking of doing IM 2007 I'll have to register in August of 06. Wow. That would give me all next summer doing spring and Olympic distance tri's, getting a feel for what I'm doing. In 2007 I'd be training for IM. Woohoo.

As far as running goals, my friend, Larry Pederson is taking over the Superior marathon and 50 mile this September; next September he'll have the 100 mile as well. I'm running the 50 again this year, next year I'll try the 100. I'm going to run that baby. It's the toughest, rockiest and most brutal trail I've ever run. 100 would be way hard. I'd need to ask for a pacer for sure. I'd like to do McNaughton too! Defend my title for first women in the 100.

Back to reality, time to focus on V!

+++++

OK, so I ran 4 miles on the trail with Topaz. Four very easy miles!

Triathlon?

Yes, triathlon.

This past week or two I've realized that I really enjoy riding my bike! I bought a Fuji road racing bike a few years ago and only rode here and there. Running came into my life and I really didn't get into the bike very much.

Well, I've gone out on 4 15-20 mile bike rides during the past week and am loving it. I went to Eriks' Bike Shop and got a lesson on using my bike. I couldn't figure out why I was having trouble shifting (I was doing it incorrectly!) and couldn't figure out why I was losing air in my tires (again, filling incorrectly!). I bought a helmet and have been riding since.

I entered a triathlon for August 28. The link is www.pickleevents.com/events/lctri it is a .5 mile swim, 17 mile bike and 4 mile run. The swim is the biggest mystery for me. I know I can bike the distance and run the distance. I've completed a few brick workouts where I bike 10 miles, get off and immediately go for a 4-8 mile run without a problem.

I've been going to the local beach for my swim. I don't do the crawl stroke very well. I need a teacher. In HS I was on the swim team and did the breast stroke. No crawl. I went to the gym this morning and lifted legs. Asked the front desk person about a swim coach or masters swim class, she didn't have a clue. Man, we only live 40 miles from Mpls., St. Paul and you'd think we were on another planet. I can't belive there isn't a Northwest or Life Time Fitness around here. Our gyms simply suck.

I've been reading a few triathlon titles: The Triathlon Bible, Triathlon Training for Women and Going Long: Ironman Training. If I'm going to do a tri I'll eventually do an Ironman of course.

I don't know the practice of MODERATION.

From the dock this morning! East. 

Riding the water bike at the lake. My sister is in the blue.  

At The Lake

I'm back in Northern Minnesota at Lake Vermilion. The weather has been storybook perfect, the water is awesome and it is oh so peaceful! I and Topaz are up here alone. Steve had to work, the boys are at camp so I high tailed it up to 'God's Country'.

I've been running each day. Yesterday I boated to the landing and ran 12 miles, then later in the day boated back to ride bike for 7. The hills are killer here. I took my Mom's water bike out for a bit, what a fun way to see the lake.

Today was 4 mile run; 12 mile bike.

Eats are right on. I packed loads of tuna, chicken, veggies, fruit and eggs. That's about all I require.

I'm really enjoying biking. I'm enjoying it a lot. I'm having visions of a triathlon and see that there is one in Baxter MN the end of August. I could try for that. Why not? Um...because I've never done a brick workout and the only swimming I've done lately is for leisure, up here, or back home in my pool! I don't think those are good enough reasons though. Maybe because I don't have any padded biking shorts..man do I need those..or an athletic swimming suit..goggles..plenty of reasons..but none good enough.

I packed up my P90X DVD's and resistance bands and did back/chest yesterday; arms/shoulders today. I'm tired. About ready for a nap.

TOPAZ! 

Me, Topaz and Troy enjoying the lake. 

Back from the 4th

I had an excellent week up at the lake during the 4th of July holiday. I was quite nervous as I had a goal of 127 pounds to reach on July 7 you know!

In my suitcase was my bathroom scale, my P90X DVD's, my resistance bands and a supply of Myoplex bars and powders. This is all in addition to my usual running supplies of shoes, water bottles, packs, etc. Of course I had to stop by the grocery store to stock up on a healthy supply of veggies, fruits, oats, eggs and lean meats.

Nobody gave me any grief for all of my stuff and food. My Mom and Dad were very complimentary of my new body; they hadn't seen me since the end of May. On Sunday evening Steve and I went to the Eveleth Street Dance where I saw many old friends. Wow, it sure felt good to look so lean. Of course, most of them think the running finally caught up with me and I lost weight because of it. They don't realize that I've only run 300 more miles so far this year than last and the weight loss is because of LL, not only running.

I, Steve and the boys, my sister Laurie, her son and hubby and my Mom and Dad were all at the cabin. We had glorious weather-sun all days, did water skiing, tubing, fishing, even spent a day on a houseboat. It was all fun.

I had anticipated on coming home last Thursday but was having such a good time I extended my trip until Saturday.

OK, and I reached my goal! The goal I set on February 9. My all time goal, to die for goal, of 127 pounds on July 7. I did it. And now I want more. Or less! I'm going to go down to 125 and then maintain there, maybe go down a bit more for some 'cushion' for a splurge here and there.

I really do need some new clothing. I tried on my size 6 Tommy H jeans but they were a touch large. Good grief. Give me a break. I can't believe I just typed that out. Plus they were $69 and I'll be damned if I'll pay $69 for a pair of jeans that I will . gulp. outgrow . in. a . few. weeks.

So I'm wearing running clothes for the most part each day!

While on vacation I did 3 days of resistance bands and P90X DVDs and ran a total of 49 miles. Today I went for a run of 15 miles and lifted legs at the gym. And mowed the lawn for 2 hours. Now I need to do laundry and grocery shop.

We have no food!

Me and Ann @ Afton 50K 

PR at Afton

The Afton Trail 25K/50K was a blast. I had so much fun and knew that I would! All of my friends were there. Many were volunteering; some were running.

The day was picture perfect. 85F, sunny with a nice breeze. There were NO bugs! Just perfect. I'm so tired of running in the rain.

I woke up at 330 AM so I could be at the race at 6, with a 630 start for the 50K. There is an 8 hour time limit.

I pulled into the Afton State Park right at 6:00. Our crazy government couldn't settle a budget so they closed the state parks and rest stops. Hello! Luckily, Scott's race was still able to take place.

OK, so I set a low goal. I decided since I ran 7:13 last year that 7:12 was good for this year. What kind of goal is that? Not a very far reaching one. Sheesh.

My friend Ann was working the aid station #1. It was great seeing her there, although I told her I wished she were running instead!

I finished 25K in three hours and realized I set low goals again. Damn me. I felt awesome, strong, ready to run another 3 hour loop.

When I arrived aid station #1 Ann told me she was going to run a bit with me. She stuck with me for 5-6 miles and then had to get back to manning the station.

I came in at 6:20. I felt awesome.

Get this. I took off my shirt during the race and ran in my race bra. I've never had the guts to do that before. Many people commented on the weight I have lost, they were all full of compliments.

After the race I hung around for 3 hours visiting with friends and just having a blast. I was talking with Don, a very seasoned ultra runner and good friend. He told me I'm not a 'goofy girl runner' any more and need to set some serious goals. OK, goal set:

11 hours at Voyaguer 50 mile the end of this month. Yup, 11 hours. History: 2002 14 hours, 2003 dropped at 50K and 2004 11:50.

Goal set.

I'm going to Lake Vermilion for the holiday. Talk next week!

Afton 50K

I'll be running the Afton 50K on Saturday. My friend, Scott Wagner, is the Race Director. He is all a flutter right now, making race packets, ordering food, making sure the tshirts and awards are ready. It is a huge undertaking, putting on a race. He is expection 100 to run the 50K and a few less than that to run the 25K. That's a big turn out for this race.

Check out www.aftontrailrace.com for more details.

I'm going to take it nice and easy and enjoy the day in a great state park. No time goals, just to finish within the allotted 8 hour time frame. Last year I ran it in 7:14 so of course, 7:13 would be just fine this year.

This morning Troy rode his bike with me while I ran. We did the Eagle trail and spotted two bald eagles. They were guarding their nest. I bet there are little eaglets in there now. We did 8 miles. Topaz was a crazy runner dog, running up to Troy, back to me, up to Troy. He was trying to herd us back together. It was a riot. He's actually sleeping at my feet now.

Today I'm at my lowest weight: 130.7. I love it! Tomorrow I'll carb up for the race so I'll enjoy my low for today; it will be gone soon.

Hills

Yesterday I went to the Blue Hill Trail to run hills. There is a .5 mile hill with a pretty good grade % on it. I ran up hard, rested a minute and ran down; repeat 12 times. Then ran 6 miles easy on the trail.

I figured I might as well work my legs real hard and went to the gym to lift. My lifts are getting better:

Extension: 140x8x2, 160x6x1, 140x6x2
Squats: 95x10x1, 110x10x1, 130x6x1
Slanted Leg Press: 120x8x1, 140x6x2
Hamstring Curl: 40x10x1, 60x10x2, 80x6x1
Calf raise: 180x15x1

I have the Afton 50K on Saturday so I wanted to work my legs early this week.

Today I ran 8 easy on trail and will go this afternoon to lift chest, tri.

M1: Oat pancake: 2/3 c oats, 1 egg, 5 whites, sf syrup
M2: 4 oz chicken, 2 c spinach (finally, from the garden!), grape tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil
M3: Myoplex Shake, blueberries
M4: 6 oz salmon, 2 c grilled squash, eggplant, peppers and onions
M5: EFL Tropical Tuna

Big Lake 8K 

Big Lake 8K

The Big Lake 8K is the first race that I had ever ever run. I ran it 8 years ago; I had been running for 2 months and decided this race would be the first.

I was scared to death! There were all of these 'real' runners, I was an imposter.

I conned my girlfriend, Sandy, to run the race with me. She had been running a bit on a treadmill, was about as experience as I, and said she would run it. I don't think she has run a race since.

I on the other hand, fell in love with the race at that time. I've gone to run every year since. It's in my town, my running club puts the race on, it's just a lot of fun.

When I first ran the race I didn't know anybody. That is the biggest change. I now know many many people (runners) at the race.

I've been putting in pretty big mileage so wasn't sure how it would go. I moved into Ann's age group this year (40-49) and would have LOVED to beat her..but really didn't think I had a shot. Ann's one of my very best friends. She's a fast friend! Then I decided I'd break my fastest 8K time: 41:36. That would be good enough for today.

I did it! I ran the race in 40:29; good enough for 4th in my age group. Ann finished in 38:45! Go Ann! She took 3rd in our age group.

It was a blast. A total blast.

Now I'm going shopping..something new for the Afton 50K i have next week:)

Oh. My. Gawd.

Oh my gawd. Quick Story: I did it. I more than passed my goal. I ran a 3:59:51. A sub four hour marathon. My dream. My goal. Yes, Jenna, it rocked my world!! You are so right. Thanks for your comments, I do appreciate them, so very much! I need your email address so I can talk back and forth more frequently!

I've never set high enough goals for myself, you know, I'm afraid of failing.

Grandmas Marathon holds so many, many wonderful memories for me,as I wrote earlier. It was the first, I ran one with my Dad, and now, I can add my PR, my first sub 4 hour marathon.

For many, a 4 hour isn't a big deal. They run it as their first marathon. That isn't the case with me. A 4 hour marathon was the big chimichanga. A sub 4 would prove me as a 'real' runner.

At the Expo on Friday evening I walked up to the "Cliff Pacing Team" booth. It is a booth where there is a designated person to run a designated marathon finish time. There is a 3:10 guy, a 3:20 guy, a 3:30 gal, up to 5 hours. They give out pacing charts that fit around your wrist, depicting the time you should be at each mile, to finish at your desired time. I asked a man for a 4:00 pacing band. He looked at me and said "JULIE"! I couldn't believe it. He was Danny Ripka, ultra runner extrodiannare. He wins FANS all of the time and just set the WORLD record last month for a 6 day race where he ran 490 miles. Yeah. He's very nice, but intimidating, hello...he's a professional! But a kind professional.

I told Danny I was looking to finish in 4 hours. We chatted, I told him what I'd been running, told him about McNaughton and FANS, etc. He told me no problem. I could run 4. Easily. Heh.

This was the first time I "voiced" my goal, that I wanted to run 4 hours. My friend Marie, who was with me was excited and told me yes, do it. OK, I'll do it. I'll try. That's all I can do . That's the commitment I can make.

At the Expo I ate 2 platefuls of spaghetti and meat sauce, 2 slices of bread and 4 cookies. Carbo load city. We went to the hotel well fed.

445 AM and time to eat again. 1 big bowl of raisin bran, 2 hard boiled egg whites and an english muffin. I'm full and ready to roll.

730 AM. I've found the 400 pacing time and am ready to go. iPod is on and loaded to rock. At this point I'm shy to introduce myself to the other members of the 4:00 group, I might not make it you know, (damn me and my low self esteem), and don't want to put myself out there to be ridiculed..like anyone would. Sheesh. So I run in back of the 4:00 pack, by 50 feet or so. I can see Danny up ahead with a stick that says 4:00 pacing team and attached to the stick is a bunch of pink balloons. I followed those balloons the whole race.

I had to make three pee breaks and one poop break. Each time I veered off I was afraid I'd never see the group again. Once I ran up ahead of them before I had to veer off so I wouldn't have to run so hard to catch up.

I was totally amazed. I felt strong. I felt good. I am woman hear me roar! It was a perfect day, a perfect race for me.

At the start there was a tail wind off of Lake Superior, it was 45 degrees and sunny. The high near the lake was 65 at the finish. Perfect. I'm so sick of running in the rain that the sun didn't bother me. It did get to a lot of people though.

OK, so about 23 miles into it and I have to poop. I know that there is a porta pottie at the top of Lemon Drop Hill, but you have to cross the road to the other side and it's a pain. But I really have to go. But the team will get away from me. The team has dwindled down from about 15 at the start to like 3 people and Danny. I go to the porta pottie. Then I run like hell. I can't catch them. I see the balloons but I can't catch them. At mile 24 I look at my pacing bracelet and I'm right on to the second! Go Julie Go! Run On baby.

I do. I run as hard and as fast as I can. People on the sidelines say "RUN PINK RUN" You look strong, pink, (I'm wearing a pink hat and top). It was awesome. Mile 25. I'm 4 seconds under the chart. Go Baby Go.

I come in at 3:59:51. OH. MY. GAWD.

I spoke with Danny at the finish line. Guess what? He's leading the 3:50 pacing group at TWIN CITIES MARATHON. Yup, I need a 3:50 to finish. And I'm broadcasting that goal.

BOSTON BABY!

So learn from me. Set high goals and you can reach them. You may suprise yourself!!

Grandmas Marathon

Grandmas Marathon is so much fun. It holds special memories for me, as it was my first marathon 7 years ago. I had been running for roughly 6 months when I did my longest run of 7 miles. Right then and there, as I ran into the driveway I had the great idea of running a marathon. I grew up only 60 miles north of Duluth, so I knew that Grandmas Marathon was a pretty big deal. Wow, is it ever!

I've run Grandmas Marathon every year since the first one. Saturday will mark my seventh.

I thought I'd be pretty beat up from running 24 hours at FANS 2 weeks ago, but, ahem, I only ran 50 miles so I'm pretty well recovered and think I can run the race pretty hard.

The Cliff Pace Team will be running-they have a 4 hour pace group I may run with. I've never run a 4 hour marathon. My best was last year at Twin Cities Marathon when I ran 4:06 or something.

I'd be super thrilled to run a 4-415, satisfied with a 415-430 considering I haven't done a ton of speed work. But for TCM, I'm definately training for a sub 4. Yup. I'ts time.

My Dad ran Grandmas with me in 2000. That was awesome! Sharing the race with him is something I'll always cherish. Mom, Dad, my sister and her family, my family, they all come along and cheer for me. Our hotel is at set at mile 23 on the race course so I give out hugs there and then they find me 3.5 miles down the road at the finish line. It's loads of fun!

FANS 12 Hour Run..Yup, 12!

Well, I didn't run for 24 hours. I ran for 12. EEK!

I don't know, well, yes I do. I just didn't want it badly enough. You can't just ask for determination and motivation. It has to be there at that moment that it is called upon. I didn't have it and didn't want 100 miles badly enough.

As I stated earlier, this race, FANS 12/24 hour run, is directed on a 2.24 mile asphalt path around Lake Nakomis in Minneapolis. You go around and around and around, each time passing the start/finish line the racer deposits a bar code into the basket. The mileage/lap count is computed immediately for your totals.

I began excited and thought that I wanted 100 miles badly enough. But things changed. By the time I had run 4 hours I knew that I did not want to be out there for 24 hours. I also knew that I shouldn't have been having those thoughts 4 hours and 20 miles into the race! I still had a long way to go.

I had, what I think, are electrolyte problems. I was taking an ecap (salt/potassium) ever hour as it was humid, about 70-75 degrees, thunderstorms, etc., I was drinking 20 oz of water/electrolyte drink every hour but I was peeing every lap. Sometimes 2x a lap. I wasn't sweating. I wasn't having fun. Something was just off.

A friend of mine, Kevin, from my Big Lake Run Club came and ran 15 miles with me early, that was fun. After he left I grabbed my iPod and began running alone. Around and around and around I went, thinking about how boring this was.

I was eating but not enough. I had no appetite but knew that I needed to eat. I was trying to eat PB&J, bananas, oranges, etc. but nothing tasted good. A few bites and I'd toss the food into the garbage. Not good when I needed so much nourishment to get 100 miles. Not eating enough led to me not having much fun. I needed to eat carbs o plenty and I just wasn't. Low blood sugar=crabbiness. I was crabby.

Well, 6 hours into the race, I knew I was bailing at 12 hours. I figured 50 miles was enough and I just didn't want 100 miles badly enough. How bad did I want it? Hardly at all. I didn't want to put in what it took to get the result I thought I had wanted.

You know, that last two trail races I ran were just a blast. This asphalt torture was not. I could feel every step crunch my pelvis to my toes. Crunch, crunch, crunch. Asphalt is tough to run on. A marathon, OK, I can do that for 4 hours, but more than that it really becomes painful.

At 8 hours the medics weighed me and I was up 8 pounds. Yup, run 37 miles and gain 8 pounds of water/bloat. No one of the 115 runners was up more than 3 pounds. Except me. They told me to take more salt, eat chips and pretzels (made my stomach turn) and pee again, then weigh in. I was still up 8 pounds. I think they were relieved when I told them I was bailing at 50 miles so they didn't have to worry about me any more!

I found out that I really enjoy trail running! This road stuff isn't nearly as interesting to me. I will, of course, run Grandmas Marathon in two weeks, on asphalt..but 26.2 miles is a long way from 50.

I feel great today. No aches, pains or blisters. Even with the never worn before yesterday shoes..no blisters! I took Topaz out for a 6 mile run/walk on the nice wooded soft trail and said YIPPEE!

Results should be posted soon at www.fans24hour.org

I'm up 11 pounds today. Wowzie. I'm peeing it all out, quickly!

+++++++++++++++
Jen, Maggie and Nico: thanks for all the well wishes and support. I appreciate your comments!!

FANS 24 HOUR RUN

All that I am thinking about is my FANS race this Saturday. www.fans24hour.org It is completely consuming me.

The race is set up on an asphalt path around Lake Nakomis, near downtown Minneapolis. It is 2.24 or so miles around the lake one time. It sounds dreadful, going around and around like a hamster in a cage, but it isn't. There are 100 plus runners and walkers that are either going to run the 24 or the 12 hour. Near the start/finish line is a 'tent community' where the runners and crew set up home for the 24 hour stint. Our coolers, tent, foot supplies, changes of clothing, etc. is all located in the tent community. It's really quite fun. I'll post pictures after the ordeal is finished.

This race is really tough. I'm not sure why it is so tough. Well, duh, running for 24 hours is tough in itself, of course. I'm not trying to trivalize that fact. Running on asphalt is difficult. It does a number on my joints, tendons and whole foot. I blister, I'm sore to the bone, really, my bones ache after this race. It has to be the asphalt. It hurt more last year, after 21 hours of running, than it did at McNaughton where I ran for 29 hours. Hmph.

Of course, maybe I'm tougher now. Maybe my body is stronger, my mind stronger to get this done.

Last year I quit at 21 hours 19 minutes. It became apparant that I wasn't going to make 100 miles, I was at 83.99 miles and figured why bother. My feet were hamburger, my bones ached and I had enough. My last loop took 55 minutes! I could barely hobble to the finish. I sat on the side of the path at the start/finish and watched those more tough than me do their thing. People were reaching their 100 mile mark as I sat there in pain. I swore I'd never do FANS again..not the 24 hour option..and held to that feeling until McNaughton 100 mile race. When I was able to finish that I figured I'd give FANS another try..so here I am..two days to the race and figuring out a plan.

I will not stop until the 24 hours is expired. Unless I need to quit due to injury of course. So with three additional hours I can get some more mileage. Last year I slowed dreadfully after the 100K mark. This year I have a few friends that are going to come and run with me. Ann is working an aid station from 1 AM to 8 AM; I told her that was crazier than running the darn thing! She'll run with me before her shift-probably from 10 to midnight; as I'm slowing down. Kevin, from my run club, is going to run from 9AM to noon with me. That'll be fun. Bonnie will run some with me during the night too. Guess I have all my ducks in a row. Hey; I have 15 pounds less fat attached to my body too!!

I'm down to 134.5 but I suppose with the carbs from the race I'll pop back up. I'll get right back on track Sunday and then don't have a long race for a while. Well, this will be it for 50+ miles for the summer. I'll have 50K's, 50 miles and that 100K in the fall.

I lifted upper body 2x this week, am giving my legs a rest. Today I didn't wake up to run cardio and didn't know what to do with myself. I slept in a bit, but not much. I actually missed it. I'll do P90X Yoga and abs today instead. I still have to install my pull up bar so I can begin the program. Once I get finished up with work here I'll take care of that. I only have 9 days left to work..then I'm off for 8 lovely weeks. Yahoo.

Oh, while lifting at the gym yesterday a burly man said "boy, wish I had those arms"..I liked that! In celebration, I'm wearing a sleeveless shirt today. Weight training rocks.

M1: 1 egg, 6 whites, splenda, ns syrup, 1 banana
M2: McDonalds Ceaser Salad, nf balsamic dressing
M3: Tuna pouch, apple
M4: Salmon, cabbage
M5: Myoplex

Tyler at Lk Superior/Lutsen 

Troy at the Temperance River.  

Me and Ann at the 1/2 way mark..16 miles and still smiling! 

At the start line: Me, Ann and Bonnie 

Superior Trail 50K

The race was a complete blast. It is amazing to me how my body has adapted over the past three years. A 50K used to put me out for at least a week, and a 50K on the Superior Hiking Trail is the toughest of all. Well, not as tough as the 50 Mile in September, but tough as far as 50K's go.

We took our time heading up north. We stopped at Gooseberry Falls to hike for a few hours, the stopped at the Temperance River to hike another hour. I just love the Temperance River State Park. I took some pictures of the waterfalls and will post them tonight.

We arrived to Caribou Highlands around 4. Packet pick up was from 5-7 with a pasta dinner, etc. The boys and I swam for a few hours before tucking in for the night.

The weather forecast was rain, cool rain. Well, that didn't hold true. It was a beautiful day. Sunny, mid 50's, dry. The trail was very wet and muddy in spots-ankle deep mud-but most of it was dry. There were so many beautiful cow slips, bleeding hearts and violets. The fragrance from these flowers was amazing.

I and Ann hit the turnaround (16 miles) in 3:30. I had anticipated a 7:45 finish and was now thinking I might be able to make 7 hours. I need to set higher goals.

I came into the finish at 7:09. What a great day.

I went for a run Sunday and Monday..nothing hurts-I didn't even get a blister. Amazing.

Results should be posted soon at www.superiortrailrace.com

On the weight loss front: I've been maintaining. I added 1-2 carb meals in last week for this race and the losses stopped right there. Even though I kept the calories the same, but replaced some of the veggie carbs with whole grains..bam..stopped dead in its tracks. As I recover from this race I'll take away a carb meal and see if the scale begins to budge on downward.

All calories are NOT created equal, are they..

I made the Newspaper..

I guess the photo won't copy, here is the link:

http://www.westsherburnetribune.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=3322&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=&S=1

And, no, I didn't lose 70 pounds from walking and the race I'm doing on May 21 is a 50K not a 50 Mile and I am doing another 100 on June 4/5 at FANS..www.fans24hour.org

------------------------

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Saturday, April 30, 2005

Berg first in 100-mile race

By Jennifer Edwards
Staff Writer


JULIE BERG won the 100 mile McNaughton Trail Run in Pekin, IL. (Photo by Jennifer Edwards).

Julie Berg competed in her first 100-mile ultra-marathon race in Pekin, Il. and placed first among the women.

Berg completed the McNaughton 100-Mile Trail Run in 29 hours, seven minutes, running a 10-mile looped trail 10 times.

“In addition to the sheer magnitude of actually running 100 miles the race within which she competed is also known as a killer for its constant up and down terrain,” said fellow Big Lake Runners Club member George Wallin. “Hill after hill.”

Berg, who lives in Orrock Township and once served as township supervisor, works as an office specialist at Big Lake High School.

“The race was set in a state park and there were three river crossings,” said Berg. “The course was spectacular. The foliage was green and the wild flowers were incredible.”

The course passed through the start and finish area where there was food and drink available. As it began to get dark, Berg pulled out a headlamp and flashlight and kept running through the woods.

“Bats were attracted to the light and kept flying at me,” she said. “It was freaky. I could hear wolves howling in the distance. I pretended they were dogs and kept going.”

She walked from midnight until around 4 a.m., she said, following the course with her flashlight and reflector ribbons marking the trail. During that time, she seemed to be the only one out there.

“At the river crossings there were grab ropes stretched across to hang on to so you didn’t get swept away,” she said. “One was knee deep and another was waist deep. It was pretty scary in the dark, but I loved it. I’d do it again in a second.”

Berg describes her passion for running as an addiction.

“It replaced alcohol,” she said.

She started by walking and lost 30 pounds.

“Then I would walk for seven minutes and run for two,” she said. “Then I walked for six minutes and ran for three and kept building up like that. I’ve lost about 70 pounds running. I joined the runners club. I competed in the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth and in the Twin Cities Marathon in 1999. Then I found these ultra-runners online three years ago. I thought they were crazy.”

Berg competed in her first ultra race, the Ice Age, in Whitewater, WI. She had to complete the 50- mile course in 12 hours to qualify. She barely made it, finishing in 11:59.58.

“I was hooked,” she said. “But training was tough, especially this last winter.”

With the blessing and support of her family, Berg began running 80 miles a week and 10 hours a day on the weekend, training with her border collie, Topaz, who ran with her.

Berg, who turned 40 this year, plans to run another 50-mile ultra race May 21.

“I’m down to only running 30 or 40 miles a week,” she laughs. ‘I know it sounds crazy but now I’m hanging out with these ultra runners it just seems normal.”

For winning the race, Julie was presented with a plaque and a silver belt buckle. She also won free admission to next year’s race.

“I’m definitely going back to defend my title,” she said.






Big Lake, MN



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OH MY GOSH! I DID IT!! Finish; McNaughton 100 Mile Trail race..this is Doug Hansel who finished up with me. Yahoo!! 

Sunset; McNaughton 100 Mile Trail Race, 70 miles in... 

ME! McNaughton 100 Mile Trail Race 

"Rope Rock" McNaughton 100 Mile Trail Race 

Recovery

It's hard to believe that one week ago I was travelling to Pekin, IL; not knowing what the future would bring. I was so worried, so anxious, so scared. I'm sure glad everything turned out OK; more than OK.

This week I've been riding bike with the boys in order to get my LL cardio minutes in. We've been riding 1-1.2 hours an evening. It's been nice too, Topaz has come along on most jaunts with us. He's missing his runs, as am I, I am sure.

Get this: I'm down to 138 pounds. WOW. My lowest in over 10 years. That is so awesome. 14 pounds of ugly fat gone. It is finally leaving my butt and thighs now too. The first 10 pounds was all upper body, now the lower is burning off.

My feet are healing, still ugly, bruised and blistered but not as painful as earlier this week. I'm able to walk well and am hoping to go out for a jog on the trail with Topaz tomorrow!

Thank you for all of the kind words; I appreciate it!

McNaughton 100 Mile Trail Run..Report

I was running with some friends at the Zumbro River Bottoms this past
December, when Larry Pederson told me he thought I was ready for the 100
mile distance. He had been telling me this for the past year, that I
should move up to the 100, I kept telling him no, never, not me, no way.

This day was a bit different than the prior times that I said no, not me.
I told him I was contemplating trying the Kettle Moraine 100 Mile race in
June, but they were able to persuade me to run the McNaughton 100 Mile Trail run in
April, instead. Part of the reason was because my friend, Bonnie Riley,
who had won the Woman’s Champion the previous year, was going back in
2005. She jumped right in and helped Larry persuade me to try McNaughton.
I have run many miles with Bonnie; we ran our first 50K and our first 50
Mile race together. I knew that just having her out on the course during
my first 100 miler was one very good reason to choose McNaughton as my
race. I was very worried about getting in the long runs, as the trails
were covered in deep snow and there were no 50K/50 mile races in MN
before the April 16 McNaughton date. But once I said 'yes, I’ll run
McNaughton', everything else fell into place.

As race day drew near we began to make our travel plans. I would ride
along with Bonnie, who was running the 100, Larry Pederson, who was running
the 30 mile and Don Clark who would be pacing Bonnie during the race.

We had a long car ride to Pekin, IL. I left my home at 5:45 AM and
arrived in Pekin, IL at 7:00 PM. We attended the packet pick-up where I
met many others who would be taking part in the race the next day. I
walked over to the start of the course, it was a steep downhill and then a
sharp uphill. Others at the packet pick-up told me the course was tough.
One person told me the elevation change during the 100 mile distance was a
total of 16,000 feet. I don’t know if that is true or not. Two women told
me they were running the 30 mile distance because that was all that was
necessary on this course. They told me the downhill and uphills were
constant and a killer. Great.

As we left the packet pick-up, my doubts were beginning to subside; I
began to focus on the race and what I needed to do tonight: get my pack
ready, my drop bag, clothes out, etc.

The McNaughton race is run on a 10 mile loop so we were able to leave drop
bags at the start/finish area. This was a great help in planning what to
bring. I wouldn’t need multiple drop bags placed strategically along the
course. I could dump everything into one bag at one location.

4 AM Saturday morning arrived. We dressed, ate breakfast and packed up the
car. This was it. This was the day that I had been looking forward to and
training for, for four months. We arrived at the race start in plenty of
time to chat with other race participants. I sat at the fire, trying to
warm up. It felt chilly since I was just sitting around. I began to chat
with someone named John, who sat next to me. I ended up seeing him quite a
bit on the trail, and he finished in 2nd place! Only 3 minutes after
1st place in 18 hours and some change. Can you imagine?

Race Director, Andy, gave us the word and we were off. Tears were flowing
from my eyes. I was running my first 100 mile race. This was it, what was
going to happen? I said a prayer and was on my way.

The course was just spectacular. The foliage was green, the wildflowers
were incredible. There were fields of Virginia Blue-Bells and many other
wild flowers. The sky became clear and it warmed into the 70’s. What an
awesome day.

I was surprised, and worried, by the multiple hills. The hills were one
after another, up and down, up and down. There are also 3 stream
crossings. I didn’t bother trying to keep my feet dry; I figured they were
going to become wet eventually and the cold water felt quite good on them
.

My first ten mile loop was 2:06; my goal pace was to run the first 4 loops
at 2:20 each. I changed my pace after the first loop and the second 10
mile stretch was finished in 2:16, right where I wanted to be. I held this
pace during most of the race, except for the dark hours of midnight to 4
AM where one loop took me 4 hours!

During the second loop I began to run with ‘Steve from Missouri”, we ended
up running 50 miles together. He was a fan of Rocky movies, I haven’t seen
any Rocky movies, so he narrated Rocky 1 to 5 for me. I just listened and
enjoyed the conversation. It took my mind off of all the hills and the
pain of my blistering feet.

Each loop that I finished brought me closer to my goal. I began to get a
bit nervous (well, more than nervous) about running during the night. I
had lights, but not very much experience with them. Bonnie had purchased a
head lamp for me and I had a hand held, with extra batteries, so I was
prepared; but mentally, I was afraid of the night. It was inexperience
and just not knowing how I would deal with running (or walking) through
the night-time hours. Would I become scared, lost, I didn’t know.

I came into the start/finish just before 6PM, finishing my 50 miles. I
told Don and Larry I felt great, I hadn’t hit my bad patch yet, that I was
waiting for it. I kept thinking “I feel so good, when is this going to
change? When is the bad patch going to hit? It has to come soon.” They
told me to keep eating, that maybe the bad patch just wouldn’t come, that
I didn’t have to go through a rough spot. Well, this was news to me. It
was so strange, just because they told me that I didn’t HAVE to have a
rough spot, I was able to put that out of mind, to put that doubt to rest
and to focus instead, on finishing this race. I don’t know why I needed
them to say those words to me.

I grabbed my lights and told Steve from Missouri that I would head out, as
was our practice. He liked to spend more time at the aid station, I wanted
to get out of there and start ahead, then he’d catch me and we’d run the
rest of the loop together. I only needed my light for a bit of this loop
as the sun was just setting as we finished up 60 miles. I still felt
really good. Steve was slowing down so I headed out again without him. I
didn’t see anyone else on the trail at all for a very long time. He didn’t
catch up to me that loop so I was out on my own. The darkness freaked me
out. I could hear wolves in the distance, I pretended that they were dogs
but I knew they were wolves. I could hear all kinds of things in the
woods. I saw bats and one almost hit my head! I was afraid they were
darting toward my head-lamp.

The course was very well marked. There was really no way that I could
become lost, thank goodness! I continued to eat a good amount of food. I
had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, baked potato, chicken noodle soup,
grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. I felt like I was at a buffet, I was
eating and drinking and all was well. But I was by myself and I didn’t
like that.

As I was reaching the 70 mile mark I came up to the Heaven’s Gate aid
station and a runner that I recognized as Doug Hansel was filling his
bottle. I had met Doug at the Superior races in 2003; he was the winner
of the 100 mile race. I had run the 50 mile, and after waking up, walked
down to the finish line. Doug just happened to win the race as I was
sitting there watching. Nobody was around when Doug finished so I stoop up
and yelled “You just won the Superior 100 Mile Trail Run and all you get
is Julie Berg clapping for you” I re-introduced myself to him as the only
spectator as he finished Superior. He remembered me and we began to chat.
He told me he was going to drop, that he was sick and not having a good
run. I told him this was my first 100, that I was feeling great but afraid
of running in the dark by myself. He told me he’d run with me to the 70
mile mark; but once there, he might drop out.

It was so nice to have Doug to run with! I told him that I had been
running with Steve from Missouri but hadn’t seen him for quite some time.
Doug told me that there was a Steve at the previous aid station that had
dropped. As it turned out, it was a different Steve.

Doug and I came into the 70 mile point. We ate and filled our bottles and
Doug went to the fire. I didn’t think I’d get him going again. I thought
he was finished. Andy came up to me and asked if I’d like to know where I
was placing in the race. I told him it didn’t really matter, that I wasn’t
very competitive, that I just wanted to finish this thing in under 36
hours and that 30 hours would be awesome. I had been telling Doug that I
wasn’t competitive and that I couldn’t imagine what it must be like for
him, to have won races, to be in the hunt for a win. Well, Andy told me
that I was in 2nd place and that the 1st place woman wasn’t feel very
well, but was out on the course, about 30 minutes ahead of me. Well,
something happened to me when I heard that. I wanted to catch her! All of
a sudden I began to imagine what it would feel like to take 2nd place in
my first 100 miler..and I began to think about what it would feel like to
take 1st place. Wow, what a feeling that would be. I told Andy that I had
been running with Doug, Andy told me that Doug was done. He wasn’t going
to run anymore. Bummer for me. I finished my sandwich and asked Andy to
let Doug know I was heading out and would see him later. As I was trotting
down the hill, Doug showed up! He told me Andy told him I was in 2nd place
and that he would help me through the night. I was so grateful.

Doug just chatted up a storm. He would talk talk talk and I only had to
listen and throw in a word here and there. He talked about previous races,
about movies and he did a great Spongebob impersonation. I had a truly
good time running with Doug. I eventually talked him into finishing the
race with me. What did he have to lose? It could be his PR for his slowest
100, why not? He told me he’d try. He was having real bad stomach problems
and wasn’t able to eat anything. Here I was, eating so much, not having
any problems. I felt badly for him, but was so very grateful that I had
found him.

As we were coming near to the 80th mile, we came upon the 1st place woman.
She was feeling badly and was going to take a rest for a while at the
start/finish. I couldn’t believe that I was in 1st place. As we ran into
the 80th mile Andy confirmed to me that I was in first. I told him that
this was asinine. I couldn’t be. He said I was. This changed my
perspective of the race. I was no longer going to slog through the next 20 miles to finish; I was going to work myhardest wo win. WIN. Me? Win a race..and a hundred miler? Good lord. Crazy. I yelled out "Doug, I'm in FIRST place! We have to go! Hurry!" I borke into a run and flew down the hill.Well, it felt like I was flying, I probably wasn't though. He caught me a few minutes later and we ran that next 10 miles as fast as I could go.

Every time I came into the start/finish area Andy was right there, congratulating me on each lap I finished. He would ask what I needed, would tell me what food was available (potato, pizza, soup, sandwich) would then get a vollunteer to put together the meal and fill my bottle. It was amazing. I flet like a queen each time I came into an aid station. A dirty, smelly, tired queen!

90 miles in, Larry Pederson was back at the race to finish with me. ANdy told me I was still in first but htat there were 4 other women back there, he wasn't sure where. Oh my gosh, I had to get moving. Doug was getting some cookies, Larry was going to get his pack, I said “I’m going. I’m out of here, you guys will catch me!” I flew on down the hill for my last lap.
I wasn’t flying of course, but I was doing all I could do to get this
done. Larry and Doug caught up, Doug joked that I was a sand-bagger,
that after walking the 12 AM-4AM loop, he couldn’t believe I could move.
Larry and Doug were giving me a very hard time about ‘not being
competitive'. We ran most of that last loop, even some of the uphills; I
gave it my best. I was still leery of the bad patch coming through to
claim me, but boy oh boy, I was going to finish this thing, and under 30
hours, too. Unbelievable.

As we were running to the finish, I gave Larry my camera to run ahead to
get a picture of me finishing this race. I couldn’t believe it. I finished
my first 100 miler race in 29:07..and took 1st woman to boot. What a
day…or two.

I and Larry sat at the finish line, watching the runners finish the race.
It was such an awesome sight, to watch these runners finish their 100 mile
races. Everyone was so grateful to be finished. To have met the challenge
of a 100 mile race. I had tears in my eyes every time a runner came in.

As Bonnie and Don reached the finish line I felt such gratitude toward
both of them. Bonnie has been such a wonderful friend, Don has given me such guidance. To see them cross the finish line was spectacular.

All four of us climbed into the car; dirty and sweaty and tired and
smelly. I arrived home at 3:30 AM; having not slept since Friday evening!
Well worth a 100 mile finish.

I'll post some pictures soon!

I DID IT!

For real, I did it! I haven't had time to write my full race report, I will within the next day or so. Short story is that I finished my first 100 mile race in 29 hours and 7 minutes. Yahoo!! Guess what? I won FIRST WOMAN! Unreal..unreal..I can't believe it. Yup, I'm sore and my feet are at their worst..but I finished that buggar and that shows me that we can all do whatever we set our mind to.

..on my way...

Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving for Pekin, IL to run the first 100 mile trail run of my life. Hopefully the first of a number of them. Hopefully this is a great experience. Hopefully this is a finish. Hopefully I don't injure myself. Hopefully I come back on Sunday and write up a successful race report.

The doubts are getting to me. This is just how I felt before my first marathon, my first 50K, my first 50 mile and my first 100K. A person just doesn't know what they are capable of the first time. Once I finish this baby, some of those fears will disapate as I prepare for the next 100.

I can do this. I am prepared. I have trained my a$$ off. I have logged the miles. I will be successful. Yes, my feet will be sore, they will blister, I will be tired and depleated..but I am strong. I am woman, hear me roar! Ha.

Yesteday a recovering meth addict came into the HS to speak with the students. Meth is taking over our community in a scary way. This addict has been clean for 2 years. After the presentation - which was very well done - and hopefully will give the students the courage to say NO to meth - he had a question/answer discussion. I had so many questions. I asked him if he had replaced the meth addiction with something else. He looked at me and smiled, asked if he was speaking with another addict, I told him yes, I'm a recovering alcoholic. He said 'well, this speaking engagement has become a part of my passion, my obsession, going into schools and communties telling of the horrors of meth use and the way it will kill every user..that and I play an awful lot of online cards" I was like ,WTF? Online 'cards?' I guess there is another addiction out there for everyone. He then asked me what mine was. In front of the whole damn school I told him that I'm an ultra runner and have a 100 mile race coming up on Saturday. Sh+t. Nobody knew. Only a few teachers who are in my run club knew I was doing this race. Now they all know, and think I'm nuts.

I believe that all recoving addicts will replace that addictive behavior with another. Be it food, running, gambling; some obsession will come along the way to replace the addictive behavior.

I asked this addict who has seven children "how will you get it through to your children, not to use meth" he said that by being honest, showing his children what meth abuse will do to you, showing them warning signs, keeping a communicative realtionship with them, telling them of the horror he went through, that this will have to be enough to keep them from trying. That's my question. How do you get your children to NEVER use. Not once. They can't try meth, they will be forever addicted. Plus, my children have the 'compulsive/addictive' genes.

He gave a presentation to the Middle School, so Tyler saw it. I asked Tyler what he thought. He said he would have said no to meth before, now he will really say no to meth. Good.

I know a few families whose lives are being torn apart because of meth addiction. It's damn scary. Let your children know all about meth, if you don't know, find out.

Hey-on the weight loss front: down 13 pounds yahoo! I finally reached the 130's today. 139.7 to be exact! I'll be adding carbs back in now for the race and will be doing pb&j, cliff bars, etc. during the run as well as salt tablets. I'm expecting an increase in weight for Monday's weigh in, but it will leave too.

For LL BCI-2, our team is down 29.9 pounds, we are in first place..get this..I've lost the most on the team so far. Unbelievable!

Over and Out-

I'm finishing Superior Trail 50 mile race! Oh my god, McNaughton 100 Mile is only 8 days away...I'm looking and all the fun I've had at these races..it will inspire me to go into McNaughton with a positive, strong attitude! 

Grandmas Marathon 04. I and Ann, her first marathon! 

Personal Bests

Spring in Minnesota is such a treat. We have suffered through 4 months of bitter cold, wind and snow. I hate winter..but I live here and love the other 3 seasons so I suffer out winter. A few years ago I decided to try snow boarding with my boys. I enjoyed it very much, still do. We cross country ski, snow tube and of course, I snow shoe run. I try to like winter, I participate in winter sports, but I still don't like it. Spring now, this is special. It's been in the 50's, sunny, the snow is melting, the ice is gone. It is awesome. Last night I went for my first 'shorts' run. Ahhh..freedom! I've been running in tights and wind pants, two shirts and a jacket, gloves and ear warmers, neck gaitor for so long I can't stand it. Shorts and a short sleeved shirt was just awesome. So, Topaz and I ran 10 miles.

After my run I brought both boys to their baseball practices and headed to the gym to lift traps, triceps and back, before having to pick them up. I reached a few personal bests: dumbell row: 35lbsx12x4; close grip lat pull down: 105x12x4; barbell deadlifts: 110x12x4. I'm lifting more! I'm getting progressively stronger!

The fat is melting too. As I posted earlier I had an aggressive loss of over 2 pounds last week. This week I've set up a moderate loss of 1 pound. I'm eating 1400-1500 cals a day this week.

Today:
M1: 5 egg whites, 2 c. frozen veggies
M2: 1 hard boiled egg, 5 hard boiled whites; 1 T ff, ns mayo, 1 c. celery, 1 c. carrots
M3: 4 oz chicken, 1 chopped apple, 1 c. celery, 1 c. carrots, 1 T ff, ns mayo
M4: 4 oz tuna, 1 banana
M5: 8 oz Talapia, 2 c sauteed cabbage

I never dreamed I'd eat 8 cups of veggies in a day!

Will run Topaz on trail for 6 miles tonight. I have a 50K run tomorrow at the Zumbro River Bottoms in beautiful Southern Minnesota tomorrow. Then it's taper time. My mileage will cut down to 30 miles next week and 20 miles after that. Only 2 weeks to the biggest, longest race of my life. The McNaughton 100 mile race. Here's the website:
www.geocities.com/running_50/homepage.html

My iPod case arrived yesterday...the iPod is scheduled to arrive today!

Have an awesome Friday!!

50 mile training run..done

Happy Easter!!

My 50 mile training run went off without a hitch. I can't believe how far I have come. It used to be that a marathon caused me to limp for a week. Now I can pull off a 50 and go for a 10 the following day; as I did today.

I increased my carbs to 160 g on Friday; up from my LL normal of 125. I had Cream of Wheat before bed and a big sandwich at lunch. Saturday pre run I had 3/4 c of oats and ate 2 Myoplex bars (1/3 each hour) and 1 1/2 roast beef sandwiches and 1 apple during the run. Post run was a large bowl of cream of wheat. I felt awesome during the whole run. No pain, fatigue at 8 hours, run lasted 10 hours.

What is very interesting to me, is that for the past 3 years that I've been running ultra's I am ALWAYS up 6-10 pounds post run. Now, I emailed Coach Dave Greenwalt and expressed my concerns regarding being up again today. I have always always always attributed this to the fact that I carbo load for a few days prior (50-100K distance races)and take salt/potassium caps during the run, and of course pretty much do a free day extravaganza of 4000 calories post run. Well, this post run..drumroll..I maintained my 9.5 pound loss. I'm stunned. How could I have had my head in the sand, in denial for so long? No, Julie, it wasn't only the carbs during the run and the salt caps. It's that you feel you can consume ANYTHING and deserve ANYTHING because you just ran 32-75 miles. Yes, the day following a long run I'm thinking to myself all day long 'I can have this, I just ran so long, I had to have burned 5000 calories' but don't realize how much I'm stuffing into my face. What a wake up call LL is.

I'm anxious to begin Leanness Lifestyle Bootcamp Intensive II; I can't wait!! I have struggled for so long, thinking my metabolism is just a dud, just broke, that I must have ruined it from starving myself years ago and this long distance running. It's not that. It's that I just can't eat many many carbs; as many other runners can and that I need to make other choices. I am finally choosing to make better choices for me.

That's an empowering feeling. I'm FINALLY being honest with myself. Peeling away the layers and feeling my emotions, getting to know who I am. Wouldn't one think you would know yourself after 40 years?