Sunday, February 25, 2007
Let It Snow..Let It Snow..Let It Snow
Interesting that my last post was all about heat and sun and warm running. Not so today. The forecasters had been talking about a storm for our area all week long. I figured it was all hype and we'd be lucky to get a few inches.
I ran the Monticello hilly asphalt yesterday; luckily the snow was only starting and the roads were fine. The route didn't beat me up quite as much as it normally does. I finished in less than 4 hours and felt OK.
Spent the afternoon at the movies and relaxed the evening away, watching the snow accumulate.
Today as I stepped out the front door I couldn't see our front steps. We received 15" of snow. Yippee! No, I don't really care for winter, but it is near the end of the season and a good old fashioned snow storm is just fun.
I had to wait for Steve to plow the drive before I took off to the trail. I grabbed my snowshoes and headed out. It was a bumpy ride but well worth it. Topaz and I ran 10 miles in deep deep snow. No one had broke the trail, I was wading through the snow with my snowshoes. Topaz had to jump-run and consumed copious amounts of water as I offered it to him. Normally he doesn't want any water while winter running. Today was hard work! After arriving home I jumped on the treadmill for another 10..and promptly felt exhausted! I reached my weekly mileage though..snowstorm and all.
This afternoon I became one of my children. We went outside to play, following Topaz' tracks on our hands and knees, through the woods and brush. It was crazy fun! I held my tongue and didn't complain about my cold knees.
McNaughton 100 is only 7 weeks out. I need to get in a 50 mile training run-probably in two weeks.
I am not able to get June 1 off (the last day of school) for Kettle 100 so I will be running FANS again this summer. This year I am not afraid of the race though, that is a nice change!
Now I think I will take a cat-nap.
I ran the Monticello hilly asphalt yesterday; luckily the snow was only starting and the roads were fine. The route didn't beat me up quite as much as it normally does. I finished in less than 4 hours and felt OK.
Spent the afternoon at the movies and relaxed the evening away, watching the snow accumulate.
Today as I stepped out the front door I couldn't see our front steps. We received 15" of snow. Yippee! No, I don't really care for winter, but it is near the end of the season and a good old fashioned snow storm is just fun.
I had to wait for Steve to plow the drive before I took off to the trail. I grabbed my snowshoes and headed out. It was a bumpy ride but well worth it. Topaz and I ran 10 miles in deep deep snow. No one had broke the trail, I was wading through the snow with my snowshoes. Topaz had to jump-run and consumed copious amounts of water as I offered it to him. Normally he doesn't want any water while winter running. Today was hard work! After arriving home I jumped on the treadmill for another 10..and promptly felt exhausted! I reached my weekly mileage though..snowstorm and all.
This afternoon I became one of my children. We went outside to play, following Topaz' tracks on our hands and knees, through the woods and brush. It was crazy fun! I held my tongue and didn't complain about my cold knees.
McNaughton 100 is only 7 weeks out. I need to get in a 50 mile training run-probably in two weeks.
I am not able to get June 1 off (the last day of school) for Kettle 100 so I will be running FANS again this summer. This year I am not afraid of the race though, that is a nice change!
Now I think I will take a cat-nap.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
50K Minneapolis Lakes Run
When I registered for the Physco Wyco 50K in Kansas I thought 'yippee, I won't need to do a 50K AND a 50 Mile around the Minneapolis Lakes in preparation for McNaughton 100' Well, that didn't hold out, as I wasn't able to take part in the PW.
I'm ok running about 20 miles on the Blue Hill Trail this time of the year. It is snow covered and icy; very uneven. Over 20 miles and I am just wore out from trying to navigate the trail. It is slow going and takes forever. For my Bday I did 42 miles out there and it took forever. I can't get any leg turnover on the snow and ice.
So this morning I headed off to the Minneapolis Lakes for a 50K training run. Maria offered to join me for 10 miles, so we met up at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 8 AM. Luckily I left home in plenty of time, as I wasn't paying attention and ended up in Eden Prairie on a frontage road next to the Minnesota Vikings training center. Good grief.
The wind was whipping. On the way to Harriet I heard on the radio that it was 13F with a -4 wind chill. I was thankful I brought around my Turtle Fur neck gaiter that stretches to my hair line and wondering if one pair of pants was going to be enough. Thankfully, one pair was fine.
At 8:00 we headed into the wind. Brrr! There weren't many other runners out today, there were a good number of couples, walking hand in hand around the lake. Maria and I chatted around the first loop of Harriet-Calhoun-Isles, quite quickly, before I knew it we were back at Harriet. Luckily for me, Maria felt amazingly well, only a week after PW and decided to run Harriet with me again. Yeah! After the loop we parted way. Maria headed for home, I headed for my car for a refill of Heed and my iPod. I had only consumed 12 oz for the 2.5 hours we were out there, not nearly enough. I am just not thirsty in cold weather. I know that I should be drinking more, but I do not. I wasn't hungry at all either. I had ONE gel the whole damn 50K.
For the second loop of the three lakes I became bored. Mentally. I struggled. I knew part of it was because I wasn't fueling as I should be, I wasn't drinking as I should be. I was watching people in love holding hands and talking and smiling..and I was all alone. God, I felt lonely! How odd that I was thinking this way. Finally I switched on my iPod and quit grumbling to myself. You know, a big part of ultra running is mental. Really. My body wasn't tired, wasn't in pain, but my mind wanted negative thoughts. At one point, at Lake of the Isles, I was watching two Border Collies run as fast as they could in front of their human, who was skiing across the lake. I cried. I missed Topaz. See, crazy..and low fuel will bring on sadness. Finally I quit crying and laughed at myself.
I let Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath occupy my head. I sang along and cruised back to Harriet, ready to begin loop three. I ducked into the biffy for a few minutes, out of the wind, sucked back a gel and was thankful that I didn't head back to my car and drive away. I had actually entertained the thought, back on loop two. I told myself that I was here to run a 50K, that training for an ultra at this point is more mental than physical and how great I would feel when I was finished. Did I want to run well at McNaughton or did I want to pack it in now. The choice was mine.
I bucked up, smiled and laughed at myself and off I went, around Harriet, around Calhoun and up to Isle. I like Lake of the Isles best. There is a dog park, a skating rink and a ski path across the lake. The scenery is very pretty and the homes, my gosh, who lives in those mega million dollar homes? I can't imagine.
I was feeling good. Mentally I was back in, glad the bad patch was over. As I came back up to Calhoun I could smile again. In order to make it a 50K I ran two more Harriets and called it a day.
Only 60 oz of Heed today, my biceps are a bit tender to the touch, as they are whenever I am dehydrated. My jacket had a layer of ice in it and my face was numb. But I was happy! I did what I had planned to do. I'm a bit closer to my goal.
If the trail doesn't clear in a few weeks I'll be doing a 50 mile around the lakes. I hope the trail clears!
I was back at my sister's in Zimmerman by 4:00, in time to pick up Troy. Then he let me know he wanted to spend the night. Oh well. We had a nice visit.
Tomorrow Topaz will get in his run.
I'm ok running about 20 miles on the Blue Hill Trail this time of the year. It is snow covered and icy; very uneven. Over 20 miles and I am just wore out from trying to navigate the trail. It is slow going and takes forever. For my Bday I did 42 miles out there and it took forever. I can't get any leg turnover on the snow and ice.
So this morning I headed off to the Minneapolis Lakes for a 50K training run. Maria offered to join me for 10 miles, so we met up at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 8 AM. Luckily I left home in plenty of time, as I wasn't paying attention and ended up in Eden Prairie on a frontage road next to the Minnesota Vikings training center. Good grief.
The wind was whipping. On the way to Harriet I heard on the radio that it was 13F with a -4 wind chill. I was thankful I brought around my Turtle Fur neck gaiter that stretches to my hair line and wondering if one pair of pants was going to be enough. Thankfully, one pair was fine.
At 8:00 we headed into the wind. Brrr! There weren't many other runners out today, there were a good number of couples, walking hand in hand around the lake. Maria and I chatted around the first loop of Harriet-Calhoun-Isles, quite quickly, before I knew it we were back at Harriet. Luckily for me, Maria felt amazingly well, only a week after PW and decided to run Harriet with me again. Yeah! After the loop we parted way. Maria headed for home, I headed for my car for a refill of Heed and my iPod. I had only consumed 12 oz for the 2.5 hours we were out there, not nearly enough. I am just not thirsty in cold weather. I know that I should be drinking more, but I do not. I wasn't hungry at all either. I had ONE gel the whole damn 50K.
For the second loop of the three lakes I became bored. Mentally. I struggled. I knew part of it was because I wasn't fueling as I should be, I wasn't drinking as I should be. I was watching people in love holding hands and talking and smiling..and I was all alone. God, I felt lonely! How odd that I was thinking this way. Finally I switched on my iPod and quit grumbling to myself. You know, a big part of ultra running is mental. Really. My body wasn't tired, wasn't in pain, but my mind wanted negative thoughts. At one point, at Lake of the Isles, I was watching two Border Collies run as fast as they could in front of their human, who was skiing across the lake. I cried. I missed Topaz. See, crazy..and low fuel will bring on sadness. Finally I quit crying and laughed at myself.
I let Ozzie Osbourne and Black Sabbath occupy my head. I sang along and cruised back to Harriet, ready to begin loop three. I ducked into the biffy for a few minutes, out of the wind, sucked back a gel and was thankful that I didn't head back to my car and drive away. I had actually entertained the thought, back on loop two. I told myself that I was here to run a 50K, that training for an ultra at this point is more mental than physical and how great I would feel when I was finished. Did I want to run well at McNaughton or did I want to pack it in now. The choice was mine.
I bucked up, smiled and laughed at myself and off I went, around Harriet, around Calhoun and up to Isle. I like Lake of the Isles best. There is a dog park, a skating rink and a ski path across the lake. The scenery is very pretty and the homes, my gosh, who lives in those mega million dollar homes? I can't imagine.
I was feeling good. Mentally I was back in, glad the bad patch was over. As I came back up to Calhoun I could smile again. In order to make it a 50K I ran two more Harriets and called it a day.
Only 60 oz of Heed today, my biceps are a bit tender to the touch, as they are whenever I am dehydrated. My jacket had a layer of ice in it and my face was numb. But I was happy! I did what I had planned to do. I'm a bit closer to my goal.
If the trail doesn't clear in a few weeks I'll be doing a 50 mile around the lakes. I hope the trail clears!
I was back at my sister's in Zimmerman by 4:00, in time to pick up Troy. Then he let me know he wanted to spend the night. Oh well. We had a nice visit.
Tomorrow Topaz will get in his run.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I LOVE Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day!
I love red, I love chocolate, I love cake...all of it. It's not just receiving these items..it's about giving them, too.
The boys woke up to heart shaped pancakes .. yes, I'm silly .. with whipping creme and chocolate shavings. They only snickered, but I know they like it. I've created Valentine breakfasts for them since they could chew.
Then it was chocolate for breakfast dessert, and the cake will wait until after school.
Last night we created Valentine bags for all of Troy's classmates. It will be the last class Valentine party, as he moves onto Middle School next year.
Topaz received a heart shaped milk bone biscuit and Toffee received his smelly salmon breakfast shaped as a heart. I'm a geek, but a romantic one!
Steve left me a gift certificate for a full body massage at Aveda, I think I'll schedule that appointment soon!
Enjoy Valentine's Day today.
I love red, I love chocolate, I love cake...all of it. It's not just receiving these items..it's about giving them, too.
The boys woke up to heart shaped pancakes .. yes, I'm silly .. with whipping creme and chocolate shavings. They only snickered, but I know they like it. I've created Valentine breakfasts for them since they could chew.
Then it was chocolate for breakfast dessert, and the cake will wait until after school.
Last night we created Valentine bags for all of Troy's classmates. It will be the last class Valentine party, as he moves onto Middle School next year.
Topaz received a heart shaped milk bone biscuit and Toffee received his smelly salmon breakfast shaped as a heart. I'm a geek, but a romantic one!
Steve left me a gift certificate for a full body massage at Aveda, I think I'll schedule that appointment soon!
Enjoy Valentine's Day today.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
The Northwoods NO Snowshoe Race
I wasn't sure if I would be wearing snowshoes or not at the race yesterday. The forecast for Duluth had shown a 50% chance of snow for Thursday, but I didn't know if any or how much had fallen.
I placed my snowshoes into the truck just in case. I was thinking that if there wasn't any snow, I would probably drive home after the race, not spending the night, I probably wouldn't be too terribly tired since this would be more of a training run, and well, *only* a marathon.
That's crazy thinking, really. A marathon is still a very long distance and on hilly ski trails, covered with ice and a dusting of snow, very difficult. Still, I was in the *only* a marathon thinking mode.
Last year I arrived to the race location two minutes before the start. Barely enough time to strap on my snowshoes. This year I left my home at 530 AM. I was not going to be late for the 930 start.
As I approached Duluth I could see very plainly that this was going to be a NO snowshoe race. Oh! Easy Peasy. I was looking forward to running in plain old trail shoes.
I had no time goals; I just wanted to spend hours on feet. I thought probably 6-6:30 I would finish, depending on conditions of the trail. Some of the half marathon entrants had moved up to the full marathon as they realized there were no snowshoes involved. There was a record 21 marathon entrants. I didn't ask about the entrants for the 1/2 marathon or the 10K.
After talking a bit to some friends and adding another layer of clothing I sat in my car and waited for the start. The Duluth radio told me it was 5F with high of 20F. Not too bad, hardy any wind, perfect!
As it neared 930 I made some last minute changes in clothing (three shirts, jacket, two pair of pants, hat, neck gator, gloves and mittens) and was ready to start.
The race begins in the Lester Park ski trail area. There are many many hills. After a small loop in the ski park we go through some private properties, some single track, some open meadow, around a big beaver pond, over a few river crossings, many high high hills with a magnificant view of Lake Superior. This truly is a beautiful area for a race. The volunteers are fantastic. I think they are the same volunteers every year. I was shocked when they recognized me. One man asked where my entourage was. I told him since there wasn't any snow here, some of my friends had stayed behing to pull their sleds at Afton. This is the first time I ran the race by myself. I normally hook up with Scott and we run together. He was sled pulling for the Arrowhead 135, as was John and Pierre.
The course was changed a bit this year. Man, we took this one hill that went straight up, up, up, up. My hamstrings were screaming. Luckily, this hill was grass covered and there wasn't a lot of ice on it. I was happy to make it to the top and look out over Lake Superior. What a view! I was glad Barb had added this hill into the race. I was looking forward to repeating the loop so I could scale it again.
I was surprised that I didn't seen hardly any other runners after the race began. I ran with Jo and Rick for a few miles and then didn't see another soul until the last 3 miles of the race. I did have my iPod with me, but was enjoying the peace and quiet and never did turn it on.
At 6 hours, I ran into the finish. Barb, (race director) and a few others were mingling around. Mike brought me a hot cup of hot chocolate! What a great way to end a winter race. Yum. I told Barb that I wouldn't be staying for the banquet, I was going to head home. I collected my very nice sweatshirt, blue this year, with a pair of snowshoes and a red x inside of a circle stating NO snowshoe races, and headed off for home. After stopping to change clothes at a Dunns Brothers and grabbing a Skim Latte, I was off. I arrived home by 7:00 and it sure was nice sleeping in my own bed last night!
I and Topaz are off to head out for 15 miles now. It'll work out some of the stiffness in my legs!
I placed my snowshoes into the truck just in case. I was thinking that if there wasn't any snow, I would probably drive home after the race, not spending the night, I probably wouldn't be too terribly tired since this would be more of a training run, and well, *only* a marathon.
That's crazy thinking, really. A marathon is still a very long distance and on hilly ski trails, covered with ice and a dusting of snow, very difficult. Still, I was in the *only* a marathon thinking mode.
Last year I arrived to the race location two minutes before the start. Barely enough time to strap on my snowshoes. This year I left my home at 530 AM. I was not going to be late for the 930 start.
As I approached Duluth I could see very plainly that this was going to be a NO snowshoe race. Oh! Easy Peasy. I was looking forward to running in plain old trail shoes.
I had no time goals; I just wanted to spend hours on feet. I thought probably 6-6:30 I would finish, depending on conditions of the trail. Some of the half marathon entrants had moved up to the full marathon as they realized there were no snowshoes involved. There was a record 21 marathon entrants. I didn't ask about the entrants for the 1/2 marathon or the 10K.
After talking a bit to some friends and adding another layer of clothing I sat in my car and waited for the start. The Duluth radio told me it was 5F with high of 20F. Not too bad, hardy any wind, perfect!
As it neared 930 I made some last minute changes in clothing (three shirts, jacket, two pair of pants, hat, neck gator, gloves and mittens) and was ready to start.
The race begins in the Lester Park ski trail area. There are many many hills. After a small loop in the ski park we go through some private properties, some single track, some open meadow, around a big beaver pond, over a few river crossings, many high high hills with a magnificant view of Lake Superior. This truly is a beautiful area for a race. The volunteers are fantastic. I think they are the same volunteers every year. I was shocked when they recognized me. One man asked where my entourage was. I told him since there wasn't any snow here, some of my friends had stayed behing to pull their sleds at Afton. This is the first time I ran the race by myself. I normally hook up with Scott and we run together. He was sled pulling for the Arrowhead 135, as was John and Pierre.
The course was changed a bit this year. Man, we took this one hill that went straight up, up, up, up. My hamstrings were screaming. Luckily, this hill was grass covered and there wasn't a lot of ice on it. I was happy to make it to the top and look out over Lake Superior. What a view! I was glad Barb had added this hill into the race. I was looking forward to repeating the loop so I could scale it again.
I was surprised that I didn't seen hardly any other runners after the race began. I ran with Jo and Rick for a few miles and then didn't see another soul until the last 3 miles of the race. I did have my iPod with me, but was enjoying the peace and quiet and never did turn it on.
At 6 hours, I ran into the finish. Barb, (race director) and a few others were mingling around. Mike brought me a hot cup of hot chocolate! What a great way to end a winter race. Yum. I told Barb that I wouldn't be staying for the banquet, I was going to head home. I collected my very nice sweatshirt, blue this year, with a pair of snowshoes and a red x inside of a circle stating NO snowshoe races, and headed off for home. After stopping to change clothes at a Dunns Brothers and grabbing a Skim Latte, I was off. I arrived home by 7:00 and it sure was nice sleeping in my own bed last night!
I and Topaz are off to head out for 15 miles now. It'll work out some of the stiffness in my legs!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
For our Happy New Year treat we received 5" of snow! Yippee! I didn't really mind that we didn't have any, but now that it is here, it's pretty darn nice.
Once I worked out the aches and tiredness in my legs this morning I dressed into running clothes and donned my snow gaiters for the first time, put the snowshoes into the car and headed off to the trail.
Topaz loves the snow! He doesn't need ponds to cool off, he can just roll around in the snow. I still bring water for him though, the snow that he munches isn't enough.
We snowshoed for 5 miles and I was exhausted. Each year I am amazed at the workout snowshoeing gives. My heart rate was extremely high. Of course, I had a 90 mile week last week so that was part of it as well.
Tomorrow I begin another fat burning block. Since October 15 I've cut back on running, well, from my summer 80+ mile weeks to 40 mile weeks (except last week), increased lifting to 5 x a week and increased calories. I had my body fat tested last Friday and found that I gained 2.8 pounds of muscle (can a person really gain almost 3 pounds of muscle in less than 3 months? I'm skeptical..) and 4 pounds of fat. Yeah, I knew that would happen. I don't like it, but am not suprised. I knew to gain good muscle that fat would come along with it. I had basal metabolic testing, maximum oxygen consumption testing and underwater body fat analysis. I'll go back in April to see how the numbers change.
I'll begin 3 sessions of 30 minute intervals each week, then increase to 4 and 5 on top of my 50-60 mpw running. 3x a week lifting, sometimes 4 on back off running weeks. 40/40/20 on the macros with a zig zag of 1400(low) and 2000 (high). I'm hoping that since I've increased my calories the past few months that I can burn some fat without lowering to a constant low of 1400. I just don't want my metabolism to crash and burn again. As I increase my big weeks of running mileage I'll increase my calories as well. No more of this 1200 calories a day and running 80 miles a week habit.
Happy New Year!!
Once I worked out the aches and tiredness in my legs this morning I dressed into running clothes and donned my snow gaiters for the first time, put the snowshoes into the car and headed off to the trail.
Topaz loves the snow! He doesn't need ponds to cool off, he can just roll around in the snow. I still bring water for him though, the snow that he munches isn't enough.
We snowshoed for 5 miles and I was exhausted. Each year I am amazed at the workout snowshoeing gives. My heart rate was extremely high. Of course, I had a 90 mile week last week so that was part of it as well.
Tomorrow I begin another fat burning block. Since October 15 I've cut back on running, well, from my summer 80+ mile weeks to 40 mile weeks (except last week), increased lifting to 5 x a week and increased calories. I had my body fat tested last Friday and found that I gained 2.8 pounds of muscle (can a person really gain almost 3 pounds of muscle in less than 3 months? I'm skeptical..) and 4 pounds of fat. Yeah, I knew that would happen. I don't like it, but am not suprised. I knew to gain good muscle that fat would come along with it. I had basal metabolic testing, maximum oxygen consumption testing and underwater body fat analysis. I'll go back in April to see how the numbers change.
I'll begin 3 sessions of 30 minute intervals each week, then increase to 4 and 5 on top of my 50-60 mpw running. 3x a week lifting, sometimes 4 on back off running weeks. 40/40/20 on the macros with a zig zag of 1400(low) and 2000 (high). I'm hoping that since I've increased my calories the past few months that I can burn some fat without lowering to a constant low of 1400. I just don't want my metabolism to crash and burn again. As I increase my big weeks of running mileage I'll increase my calories as well. No more of this 1200 calories a day and running 80 miles a week habit.
Happy New Year!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Running at the Murph
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!
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!
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
Monday, November 27, 2006
Inov-8
I still can't quite believe that Inov-8 offered a sponsorship to me. Every once in a while I'll receive a box of goodies. Today I received a box of goodies for the winter running season. How cool is that? I've ever so grateful.
Unbelievable..
Today after my run with Topaz I saw a box on the front step. Ooohhh...it was from Inov-8, what will it contain?
Well, Merry Christmas to me! 4 more shirts, 3 pair of shoes-Gortex, of course, thick socks, 2 more running bras and uh..two.. pouches????
See the black and blue pouch. Hmmm..what is zippered up in there?
Well, Merry Christmas to me! 4 more shirts, 3 pair of shoes-Gortex, of course, thick socks, 2 more running bras and uh..two.. pouches????
See the black and blue pouch. Hmmm..what is zippered up in there?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Topazs' First Road Run
I had been thinking about how I was going to fit in a run today, preferably with Topaz. During the week he is stuck inside of the house for 6 hours, anxiously awaiting his family's return. I didn't want to run without him.
I decided I'd try him on-leash, in town, while Tyler was at his 5:00 guitar lesson. Troy had a basketball practice from 630-830, I was planning on attending the gym during that time slot.
Topaz has run in our neighborhood before, off leash. We live out in the country, there isn't much traffic, I live on a dead end with .5 mile of driveway so he isn't used to moving vehicle traffic. He lives a sheltered life!
After some digging around I found a waist belt webbed leash I purchased for him online but had never put to use before. I found his collar. Tyler packed up his guitar, we were ready to roll.
I don't know why I haven't taken Topaz with me during the guitar lesson run. I guess much of the time it is too warm, the pavement is too hot for him, and I don't mind running without him once in a while. I knew he'd love it, hell, he'd love running over a molten lava field as long as he was running and he was with me. He loves me.
I brought Tyler to his lesson, parked the car and Topaz and I began our run. Oh my gosh, he pulled and pulled and pulled. I couldn't believe how he pulled me forward. He was making that gasping choking sound and I was going as fast as I could go! Thank goodness he was fastened by the waist band because I needed my arms to pump as fast and hard as they could!
We had a few miles in before we came upon the lake, I took out my flashlight so we could see where the rocks were and he went in for a swim and drink. Back out to the sidewalk and another mile before we came upon the real heavy traffic along Highway 10. The asphalt path is inbetween the lake and the highway for a while. Topaz is not used to traffic; this was heavy heavy traffic. Semi trucks, people honking at us that recognized me, trains, etc. He ran even faster! I realized what a country dog Topaz is. He was confused as we waited for a red light. I had him sit and stay and he's like 'why? I have my leash on and we are going for a run. what's up?'
Eventually we came upon a heavily wooded area where I was able to take the leash off and he could romp around as he loves to do. I realized he hadn't fully extended his legs during the whole time he was on leash. There was no way that he could while I was attached to him! He had stopped gasping early on, but there was never any slack in the 10 feet of leash between us.
He ran all out, tearing up the field, legs fully extended. I sat in a ball on the grass and panted.
He kicked my ass. I'm proud of him! He did very well on his first run in town. We now have a new Tuesday run around the lake.
We finished our run in time to pick up Tyler, get back home; pick up Troy and get on back to town for basketball practice, as I went to the gym..for workout #2: shoulders and back.
Is it wrong to have a dog for a best friend?
I decided I'd try him on-leash, in town, while Tyler was at his 5:00 guitar lesson. Troy had a basketball practice from 630-830, I was planning on attending the gym during that time slot.
Topaz has run in our neighborhood before, off leash. We live out in the country, there isn't much traffic, I live on a dead end with .5 mile of driveway so he isn't used to moving vehicle traffic. He lives a sheltered life!
After some digging around I found a waist belt webbed leash I purchased for him online but had never put to use before. I found his collar. Tyler packed up his guitar, we were ready to roll.
I don't know why I haven't taken Topaz with me during the guitar lesson run. I guess much of the time it is too warm, the pavement is too hot for him, and I don't mind running without him once in a while. I knew he'd love it, hell, he'd love running over a molten lava field as long as he was running and he was with me. He loves me.
I brought Tyler to his lesson, parked the car and Topaz and I began our run. Oh my gosh, he pulled and pulled and pulled. I couldn't believe how he pulled me forward. He was making that gasping choking sound and I was going as fast as I could go! Thank goodness he was fastened by the waist band because I needed my arms to pump as fast and hard as they could!
We had a few miles in before we came upon the lake, I took out my flashlight so we could see where the rocks were and he went in for a swim and drink. Back out to the sidewalk and another mile before we came upon the real heavy traffic along Highway 10. The asphalt path is inbetween the lake and the highway for a while. Topaz is not used to traffic; this was heavy heavy traffic. Semi trucks, people honking at us that recognized me, trains, etc. He ran even faster! I realized what a country dog Topaz is. He was confused as we waited for a red light. I had him sit and stay and he's like 'why? I have my leash on and we are going for a run. what's up?'
Eventually we came upon a heavily wooded area where I was able to take the leash off and he could romp around as he loves to do. I realized he hadn't fully extended his legs during the whole time he was on leash. There was no way that he could while I was attached to him! He had stopped gasping early on, but there was never any slack in the 10 feet of leash between us.
He ran all out, tearing up the field, legs fully extended. I sat in a ball on the grass and panted.
He kicked my ass. I'm proud of him! He did very well on his first run in town. We now have a new Tuesday run around the lake.
We finished our run in time to pick up Tyler, get back home; pick up Troy and get on back to town for basketball practice, as I went to the gym..for workout #2: shoulders and back.
Is it wrong to have a dog for a best friend?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Racing Topaz
What a fun run today! After work I came home, changed clothes and told Topaz 'let's go for a run!' We headed off to the trail before the sun was going to set. The sky was beautiful: pinks, oranges and yellows. I didn't have my camera. I'll bring it next time!
I felt pure happiness again while running. It's been a while. I've felt burnt out, in a rut, whatever you want to call it. I'm not sure what is was. Probably still a sting from Superior 100. That won't go away until I finish her.
Anyhow, as I and Topaz were running I began to laugh, to talk to Topaz, and realized I hadn't done that in quite some time either.
I felt awesome, happy, strong and fit. I was trying to race Topaz. As he would meander off of the trail to chase a deer, or smell a turkey, I'd run up ahead as fast as I could. Inevitably, he'd notice I was ahead of him and tear up the trail as fast as he could, passing me, and getting in another 200 feet for good measure. I can not beat that dog. Ever. I kept trying, it was hilarious. For my last effort, he took off for a pheasant, of course the trail happened to go up hill, I ran as fast I could, trying to be quiet so he wouldn't notice that I was ahead of him. I didn't get half way up the hill when he came tearing by me as fast as he could go. I couldn't stop laughing. What a speed demon I have created in him! He truly loves running as much as I, plus he has that little Border Collie herding instinct working for him.
As we walked to the trail head I realized I was laughing, beaming, just having a grand time. I'm so glad I'm back!
I felt pure happiness again while running. It's been a while. I've felt burnt out, in a rut, whatever you want to call it. I'm not sure what is was. Probably still a sting from Superior 100. That won't go away until I finish her.
Anyhow, as I and Topaz were running I began to laugh, to talk to Topaz, and realized I hadn't done that in quite some time either.
I felt awesome, happy, strong and fit. I was trying to race Topaz. As he would meander off of the trail to chase a deer, or smell a turkey, I'd run up ahead as fast as I could. Inevitably, he'd notice I was ahead of him and tear up the trail as fast as he could, passing me, and getting in another 200 feet for good measure. I can not beat that dog. Ever. I kept trying, it was hilarious. For my last effort, he took off for a pheasant, of course the trail happened to go up hill, I ran as fast I could, trying to be quiet so he wouldn't notice that I was ahead of him. I didn't get half way up the hill when he came tearing by me as fast as he could go. I couldn't stop laughing. What a speed demon I have created in him! He truly loves running as much as I, plus he has that little Border Collie herding instinct working for him.
As we walked to the trail head I realized I was laughing, beaming, just having a grand time. I'm so glad I'm back!
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