Saturday, April 28, 2007
I Feel Good !
This week has been wonderful. I feel recovered from the McNaughton 100 Trail Run and I feel strong. Last week I was feeling tired, I slept quite a bit, but this week, woohoo. Game is on!
Monday was eliptical running and weights, Tuesday was off, Wednesday was trail run , some stair stepping and weights, Thursday was trail run, Friday was supposed to be off but it was beautiful so I had to take a run for 8 miles with Topaz. Before I knew it I had 35 miles in by Friday night.
Today was an awesome Afton Fun day. A group was beginning to run at 7, Al went out at 6, a group was going to head out at 8. I arrived a bit earlier than my posted 8 time so ran a 40 minute out and back before meeting up with the 7 and 8 o'clock group. I was running up the hill and here came a GROUP of 15! It was incredible. Friends that I haven't run with all winter long. We had a fabulous time.
The Afton State Park is a wonderful place to run. Lots of hills, open meadows and single track along the St. Croix River. It's fabulous. The trees are leafing out, the flowers are blooming and spring is definitely in the air!
We sat in the lot for a while visiting and then it was time to get home. I have been cleaning windows, washing screens and enjoying the day.
Oh yeah, this is what Minnesota is all about :)
My training plan told me 2-3 hours today. Well, I was having such a great time that when I could have gone back to the lot for 2.5 hours I asked Maria how much longer for the finish of 25K? She told me another 45 minutes or so. I was in! I figured I'd just sit at the lot and wait for the finishing runners anyhow. I might as well be running. I felt good. I was happy, I was having fun!
By the time we came into the lot I had just under 4 hours in. Gee, how did that happen?
Monday was eliptical running and weights, Tuesday was off, Wednesday was trail run , some stair stepping and weights, Thursday was trail run, Friday was supposed to be off but it was beautiful so I had to take a run for 8 miles with Topaz. Before I knew it I had 35 miles in by Friday night.
Today was an awesome Afton Fun day. A group was beginning to run at 7, Al went out at 6, a group was going to head out at 8. I arrived a bit earlier than my posted 8 time so ran a 40 minute out and back before meeting up with the 7 and 8 o'clock group. I was running up the hill and here came a GROUP of 15! It was incredible. Friends that I haven't run with all winter long. We had a fabulous time.
The Afton State Park is a wonderful place to run. Lots of hills, open meadows and single track along the St. Croix River. It's fabulous. The trees are leafing out, the flowers are blooming and spring is definitely in the air!
We sat in the lot for a while visiting and then it was time to get home. I have been cleaning windows, washing screens and enjoying the day.
Oh yeah, this is what Minnesota is all about :)
My training plan told me 2-3 hours today. Well, I was having such a great time that when I could have gone back to the lot for 2.5 hours I asked Maria how much longer for the finish of 25K? She told me another 45 minutes or so. I was in! I figured I'd just sit at the lot and wait for the finishing runners anyhow. I might as well be running. I felt good. I was happy, I was having fun!
By the time we came into the lot I had just under 4 hours in. Gee, how did that happen?
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Trail Mix
Today I participated in a different aspect of trail racing; volunteering. It felt odd to wake up early, to shower and put on street clothing to head to a race. No pre-race jitters, no wishing I could poop prior to the race start, no fretting over the weather and what should I wear. Just low key, low stress fun.
I pulled into the park at 545 AM, popped out of my car and into Curt, from Big Lake, and his wife. Curt was running the 50K today. Last year was his first 50K at Trail Mix, then he went on to run the Superior 50K and today was back to the Trail Mix. He finished in fine form. I was able to watch him finish and did a cheer for him. Good work, Curt!
I found OC, Race Director, and was told to work the packet pick up area until 10 and then head to the finish line.
Trail Mix consists of a 50K beginning at 7, a 25K beginning at 730 and a 4 person relay team, each running 7.5 miles and 930. I was amazed that so many people came in to get their packets with only a minute or three before race start. Wow! I guess since I typically show up 45 minutes before the start that I assumed everyone else did it. One man who was entered in the 50K (7AM) came in at 9, said he overslept but wanted his shirt. I told him to "Start running Dude!" I think he just wanted the shirt, but didn't really want to run. Good lord.
I was able to see all of my friends at packet pickup. The volunteers commented that I seemed to know everyone. I was having so much fun. I even recognized some people from blogs that I have been reading (Iron Jenny!) and many people came up to me, telling me that they had left me email and posts here. I remembered them all, it was great to put a face to an email.
After working packet pickup I was anxious to check out the finish line. I wanted to catch Eve cross the finish line and I was worried I was going to miss her. I went up to the finish at 940 and put together finisher bags. As the 25K runners finished we had a line going: take a bag, add Powerade, yell out a shirt size, add the shirt and give to the person up front to give the runner. It went pretty smoothly. It was great to meet and work with the group of volunteers. Many of them had been volunteering at this race for many years and they all had great stories to tell me! I worked the finish tent until 1045 and then had to get out and see what Eve was doing.
I found a spot at the bottom of the hill near the finish and hung tight. Sure enough, after 10 minutes I saw her! Here came Eve!! I yelled and danced and screamed. She was a focused machine. Pumping arms, looking straight ahead, she powered up that last hill and into the finish line. BREAKING THE WOMAN'S RECORD AND TAKING FIRST PLACE. 4:00:11. Rock on Eve! Isn't she something special? I ran in for a hug and congratulations and she is ready to run some more. Full of energy and smiles, she just rocks. It was great fun spending the rest of the afternoon with Eve. I just love her.
I didn't realize that Wynn Davis took FIRST overall in 3:25 until later when I saw him holding his trophy! How embarrassing for me. I had been speaking with him earlier, right after his finish, and he was congratulating me on McNaughton, I congratulated him on his run, but didn't realize it was first place! Finally I realized it and went up to tell him congrats! Good job, Wynn! Sorry I was such a ditz.
We hung out and watched our friends finish the race. Tom, Nancy, Kate and Chris had finished the 25k while I was in the tent. We watched Kevin finish in 445! His first 50K was at Afton last year and here he is running a 445! Sheesh. Good job, Kevin. And Scott! Man! Running a 5:00 PR. Scott, that is so great! Scott, you had an awesome race. Good work :) We watched Pierre come in, Alicia, Jeffrey, Karen, Greg and Jason. We were doing cheers and just having an absolute blast. I had a fantastic super day. I feel SO blessed to know all of these great friends of mine.
Something reminded me of where I've come from and how lucky I am to be where I am today. I saw a class mate that I graduated with at the race today. I haven't seen her since graduation, I suppose..ah, 1983, you know. We were standing at the finish line and I kept looking at her. I told Eve "I think I graduated with that girl. I think I'll ask her if she is Paula" Well, it was Paula! I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. I have never run into someone from High School at a running event. I'm a different person since then. Well, most of us are. Paula asked me about the best friends that I hung out with in High School. After I told her about them I realized how lucky I am now. My past best friend committed suicide, one is in prison, one is addicted to meth and who knows where she is. Maybe dead, maybe prison. Who knows. I told Paula "I got clean, got sober..and started running" Thank God.
I pulled into the park at 545 AM, popped out of my car and into Curt, from Big Lake, and his wife. Curt was running the 50K today. Last year was his first 50K at Trail Mix, then he went on to run the Superior 50K and today was back to the Trail Mix. He finished in fine form. I was able to watch him finish and did a cheer for him. Good work, Curt!
I found OC, Race Director, and was told to work the packet pick up area until 10 and then head to the finish line.
Trail Mix consists of a 50K beginning at 7, a 25K beginning at 730 and a 4 person relay team, each running 7.5 miles and 930. I was amazed that so many people came in to get their packets with only a minute or three before race start. Wow! I guess since I typically show up 45 minutes before the start that I assumed everyone else did it. One man who was entered in the 50K (7AM) came in at 9, said he overslept but wanted his shirt. I told him to "Start running Dude!" I think he just wanted the shirt, but didn't really want to run. Good lord.
I was able to see all of my friends at packet pickup. The volunteers commented that I seemed to know everyone. I was having so much fun. I even recognized some people from blogs that I have been reading (Iron Jenny!) and many people came up to me, telling me that they had left me email and posts here. I remembered them all, it was great to put a face to an email.
After working packet pickup I was anxious to check out the finish line. I wanted to catch Eve cross the finish line and I was worried I was going to miss her. I went up to the finish at 940 and put together finisher bags. As the 25K runners finished we had a line going: take a bag, add Powerade, yell out a shirt size, add the shirt and give to the person up front to give the runner. It went pretty smoothly. It was great to meet and work with the group of volunteers. Many of them had been volunteering at this race for many years and they all had great stories to tell me! I worked the finish tent until 1045 and then had to get out and see what Eve was doing.
I found a spot at the bottom of the hill near the finish and hung tight. Sure enough, after 10 minutes I saw her! Here came Eve!! I yelled and danced and screamed. She was a focused machine. Pumping arms, looking straight ahead, she powered up that last hill and into the finish line. BREAKING THE WOMAN'S RECORD AND TAKING FIRST PLACE. 4:00:11. Rock on Eve! Isn't she something special? I ran in for a hug and congratulations and she is ready to run some more. Full of energy and smiles, she just rocks. It was great fun spending the rest of the afternoon with Eve. I just love her.
I didn't realize that Wynn Davis took FIRST overall in 3:25 until later when I saw him holding his trophy! How embarrassing for me. I had been speaking with him earlier, right after his finish, and he was congratulating me on McNaughton, I congratulated him on his run, but didn't realize it was first place! Finally I realized it and went up to tell him congrats! Good job, Wynn! Sorry I was such a ditz.
We hung out and watched our friends finish the race. Tom, Nancy, Kate and Chris had finished the 25k while I was in the tent. We watched Kevin finish in 445! His first 50K was at Afton last year and here he is running a 445! Sheesh. Good job, Kevin. And Scott! Man! Running a 5:00 PR. Scott, that is so great! Scott, you had an awesome race. Good work :) We watched Pierre come in, Alicia, Jeffrey, Karen, Greg and Jason. We were doing cheers and just having an absolute blast. I had a fantastic super day. I feel SO blessed to know all of these great friends of mine.
Something reminded me of where I've come from and how lucky I am to be where I am today. I saw a class mate that I graduated with at the race today. I haven't seen her since graduation, I suppose..ah, 1983, you know. We were standing at the finish line and I kept looking at her. I told Eve "I think I graduated with that girl. I think I'll ask her if she is Paula" Well, it was Paula! I couldn't believe it. I was shocked. I have never run into someone from High School at a running event. I'm a different person since then. Well, most of us are. Paula asked me about the best friends that I hung out with in High School. After I told her about them I realized how lucky I am now. My past best friend committed suicide, one is in prison, one is addicted to meth and who knows where she is. Maybe dead, maybe prison. Who knows. I told Paula "I got clean, got sober..and started running" Thank God.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Recovering Well
Not a bad toe for 5 days post race. It's better than I've ever had! Usually I'm still limping around on oozing blisters. Woohoo. Gotta love that foot potion.
Today I went to the gym for an upper body workout. Felt good, good strength, didn't lose anything. Topaz and I hit the trail for 5 miles of power walking. It felt very good to move, increase my heart rate and inhale the woods deeply.
Earlier this week I went to the gym and used the elliptical for 40 minutes; I felt some twitches of tightness but all of that seems to have vanished. Other than the blister pain, I am good to go.
As a requirement for Vermont 100, I will be volunteering at Trail Mix 50K for 8 hours tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out there. I'm not looking forward to waking up at 4 AM again! Ah well, the weather looks absolutely beautiful and many of my friends will be out running their first race of the season. It will be an awesome day.
Eve, go get 'em girl! I'll be doing cheers for you!! I think you have the win. Eve won the 25K last year at Trail Mix, then won the 50K at Afton. Remember? Duke, Eve and John. 1-2-3. Good memories!
See you at Trail Mix!
Today I went to the gym for an upper body workout. Felt good, good strength, didn't lose anything. Topaz and I hit the trail for 5 miles of power walking. It felt very good to move, increase my heart rate and inhale the woods deeply.
Earlier this week I went to the gym and used the elliptical for 40 minutes; I felt some twitches of tightness but all of that seems to have vanished. Other than the blister pain, I am good to go.
As a requirement for Vermont 100, I will be volunteering at Trail Mix 50K for 8 hours tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out there. I'm not looking forward to waking up at 4 AM again! Ah well, the weather looks absolutely beautiful and many of my friends will be out running their first race of the season. It will be an awesome day.
Eve, go get 'em girl! I'll be doing cheers for you!! I think you have the win. Eve won the 25K last year at Trail Mix, then won the 50K at Afton. Remember? Duke, Eve and John. 1-2-3. Good memories!
See you at Trail Mix!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Recovery is nicer than Taper
Thank you so very much for the wonderful comments that were left relating to McNaughton 100. I feel very fortunate to have this online community of runners. Blogging has made the world a bit smaller and it is a wonderful way to communicate with other ultra runners as well. There aren't a whole lot of us, the ones that I have found online are incredible. I wrote a thank you to each and every one of you in the comments. Thank you again.
Here are the results for the 150 Mile which I still can't quite grasp, and the 100 Mile Finishers. Thank you , Sherpa John!
150 Mile: 40 Starters / 10 Finishers*
1 Paul Stofko 31 M 35:22:25
2 David Goggins 32 M 40:26:52
3 Ryan Dexter 30 M 40:40:45
4 Dan Brenden 56 M 43:08:18
5 Hans Bern Bauer 38 M 43:50:52
6 David Corfman 44 M 44:24:34
7 Doug Hansel 47 M 46:30:25
8 Phil Rosenstein 36 M 46:55:09
*9 Diane Van Deren* 47 F 46:59:01
10 Ken Fancett 57 M 47:02:58
*****100 Mile: 61 Starters / 27 Finishers
*1 Karl Meltzer 39 M Utah 17:40:13
2 Akos Konya 32 M CA 19:55:27
3 Jamshid Khajavi 53 M 22:25:28
4 Jason Bour 38 M Ohio 26:19:10
5 Mike Samuelson 41 M TN 26:29:26
6 Gilles Barbeau 51 M BC 27:23:11
7 Paul Braun 35 M Wi 27:57:18
*8 Julie Berg* 42 F MN 28:22:49
9 Steve Hoger 49 M NE 28:42:32
10 Darren Fortney 39 M WI 29:21:03
11 Bill Andrews 55 M Nevada 29:32:45
12 Bob Murphy 48 M NE 31:06:45
13 Christopher Midden 42 M IL 31:27:11
14 Mike Alopfenstein 34 M IL 31:28:51
15 Ed Cook 51 M IL 32:02:53
16 Dick Canterbury 59 M Indiana 32:36:04
17 Adrian Belitu 33 M IL 33:09:20
***18 Cindy Heisdorffer* 49 F IA 33:24:20
*19 Bonnie Busch* 49 F IA 33:24:20
20 Garret Cawthon 45 M Ky 33:32:09
21 Mike Matteson 48 OH 33:34:18
22 Shan Riggs 28 M IL 33:54:07
*23 Nancy Burrows* 40 F IL 34:01:53
24 Sherpa John Lacroix 25 M NH 34:15:29
25 Jeffrey Genova 39 M AR 34:15:29
26 Shiran Kochavi 38 M NJ 34:55:09
27 Joseph Galloway 49 M IA 45:40:
I didn't take any Advil during the run but have taken a few each day since. My toe is what is painful. I am anxious for the damn toenail to fall off. This big toenail has never fallen off but has been badly blistered underneath each and every ultra. I'm ready to follow in Lisa Bliss' shoes and have it surgically removed if it doesn't fall off this time around.
I'm still carrying 6 pounds of water - is it water? I guess I don't know. My ankles, calves and feet are still swollen. I can't fit on any shoes yet so am wearing my Montrail Molaki's to work. My feet are under my desk anyway so nobody cares. But my toes are cold!
I have an appointment with my regular Dr. tomorrow to go over the whole breathing issue and see what she thinks it was all about. I have had a few coughing spasms since Sunday, but the breathing is nice and easy. I did have the prescription for the inhaler filled but am not filling the antibiotic. It was unnecessary.
The results were posted by Andy and I was so happy to see that a few other women finished the 100 too! I never saw them on the course and thought that nobody was left. Hurray for the runners!
Here are the results for the 150 Mile which I still can't quite grasp, and the 100 Mile Finishers. Thank you , Sherpa John!
150 Mile: 40 Starters / 10 Finishers*
1 Paul Stofko 31 M 35:22:25
2 David Goggins 32 M 40:26:52
3 Ryan Dexter 30 M 40:40:45
4 Dan Brenden 56 M 43:08:18
5 Hans Bern Bauer 38 M 43:50:52
6 David Corfman 44 M 44:24:34
7 Doug Hansel 47 M 46:30:25
8 Phil Rosenstein 36 M 46:55:09
*9 Diane Van Deren* 47 F 46:59:01
10 Ken Fancett 57 M 47:02:58
*****100 Mile: 61 Starters / 27 Finishers
*1 Karl Meltzer 39 M Utah 17:40:13
2 Akos Konya 32 M CA 19:55:27
3 Jamshid Khajavi 53 M 22:25:28
4 Jason Bour 38 M Ohio 26:19:10
5 Mike Samuelson 41 M TN 26:29:26
6 Gilles Barbeau 51 M BC 27:23:11
7 Paul Braun 35 M Wi 27:57:18
*8 Julie Berg* 42 F MN 28:22:49
9 Steve Hoger 49 M NE 28:42:32
10 Darren Fortney 39 M WI 29:21:03
11 Bill Andrews 55 M Nevada 29:32:45
12 Bob Murphy 48 M NE 31:06:45
13 Christopher Midden 42 M IL 31:27:11
14 Mike Alopfenstein 34 M IL 31:28:51
15 Ed Cook 51 M IL 32:02:53
16 Dick Canterbury 59 M Indiana 32:36:04
17 Adrian Belitu 33 M IL 33:09:20
***18 Cindy Heisdorffer* 49 F IA 33:24:20
*19 Bonnie Busch* 49 F IA 33:24:20
20 Garret Cawthon 45 M Ky 33:32:09
21 Mike Matteson 48 OH 33:34:18
22 Shan Riggs 28 M IL 33:54:07
*23 Nancy Burrows* 40 F IL 34:01:53
24 Sherpa John Lacroix 25 M NH 34:15:29
25 Jeffrey Genova 39 M AR 34:15:29
26 Shiran Kochavi 38 M NJ 34:55:09
27 Joseph Galloway 49 M IA 45:40:
I didn't take any Advil during the run but have taken a few each day since. My toe is what is painful. I am anxious for the damn toenail to fall off. This big toenail has never fallen off but has been badly blistered underneath each and every ultra. I'm ready to follow in Lisa Bliss' shoes and have it surgically removed if it doesn't fall off this time around.
I'm still carrying 6 pounds of water - is it water? I guess I don't know. My ankles, calves and feet are still swollen. I can't fit on any shoes yet so am wearing my Montrail Molaki's to work. My feet are under my desk anyway so nobody cares. But my toes are cold!
I have an appointment with my regular Dr. tomorrow to go over the whole breathing issue and see what she thinks it was all about. I have had a few coughing spasms since Sunday, but the breathing is nice and easy. I did have the prescription for the inhaler filled but am not filling the antibiotic. It was unnecessary.
The results were posted by Andy and I was so happy to see that a few other women finished the 100 too! I never saw them on the course and thought that nobody was left. Hurray for the runners!
Monday, April 16, 2007
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