not doing

runner not running

blogger not blogging

cook not cooking

photographer not photographing

hurting and not praying

Its time to build a routine, just start doing.  Let autopilot run till my heart gets back into it.

Counting blessings:
Just visited with Kim and Daniel & Samantha, it was a grand time.  I love my children.  My heart hurts for Kevin.

My running family is solid, they are the greatest.  They give me a sense of family and belonging.

I can move, I can run, I can smile, I can enjoy the sunshine.

My husband comes home at night.

Time to focus on the blessings

Bartlett Park Ultras, my 1st and 20th ultra

2009 - 9:36.26
2010 - 9:36.44
2011 - 8:34.41
2012 - 8:39.50
2013 - Who the hell knows, haven't been training right.  A year long funk has kicked my butt.  Average mileage has never been less.  I know the distance can be traveled, its just doing it in anything resembling a decent time for me.  We will see.  This is a reverse taper for next week's marathon in Ohio.

2013 - 8:28.56 PR on this course! How did that happen?
The gingerbread man run with me for the first 23 miles (google it)
BAD! breathing day.
Super lack of training.
The weather was absolutely perfect and such a treat after the last month of brutal hell.


Undulations and roots are the fare of the day on this trail.  There aren't many rocks and the trail is very runnable.  There is one small loop, then 4 sevenish mile loops. 
If one wants to consider a trail 50K this is an amazing race to consider.  The RD Mike Samuelson is fabulous at putting together a perfect party. 
Even though this race falls in during a time of year that it can be HOT, this race won't run out of water nor ice!  The food is first rate.  The volunteers are the very best, and the atmosphere has that amazing, easy to love, friendly trail vibe.  One of the very best part of trail running is the camp chair and the giving folks who fill them during the race.  Many runners, when they are done, stay and cheer everyone in.  It was so grand to have my trail friends helping me and cheering me in.  WOW! 
Nicholas Norfolk was out there again with his camera.  I'm sure we will see some super photos and a great write up in Arkansas Outside. 

What a great day. 

Mt Nebo Trail Run - My non-experience

2:30 AM the alarm goes off

3:00 AM out the door

5:00 AM arrived in Russellville
Turn around and drive back home not even going to Mt Nebo.

7:00 AM Arrived back at home and went to bed

Spend the rest of the day in bed

Just not feeling it.  Don't know if it is mental or this damn headache.

Of Being Shattered By The Mountain and Hitch Hiking

El Vaquero Loco 50K
Aug 10, 2013

Total Ascent: 7,308
Total Decent: 7,931

The plan:
-Manage every step of the race.  Judsonia is at an elevation of 213 ft above sea level.  This race goes from 7,000 - 10,000 ft.  I knew this would be a problem, but thinking if the downhills and flats were perfectly managed maybe the climbs could be handled.
-Hydration:  double all amounts usually consumed at this altitude keeping the brand used on the course in my hydration pack.
-Fueling: mostly rely on the EFS in the hydration pack, supplement with Epic Bars, Jelly Belly Sports Beans, and Gu.

Reality:
When man (or woman) makes plans God laughs.

I was SCHOOLED by the mountain! 

 By the time I got to the top of the first big climb, knowing a 22 minute mile pace was needed to get to the turn around in time, I knew
this wasn't happening.  My big girl move was to keep going on to the turn around instead of just turn around and go back to the start. 

A painful realization at mile 3.63

The climbs were killer.  I would have to hike 10 steps rest, hike 20 steps, rest, hike 30 steps, rest, depending on the climb. 
Much mental struggle went into picking an attitude here.  During those breaks I would look for something beautiful (not hard out there) and take a picture.  This helped my mind keep from going to negative places.  I decided being shattered mentally by not finishing this wasn't worth the effort.  It would be like being upset that I will never qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon.  I gave it everything.  The mountain just schooled me, that is all.  It wasn't a lack of will or a lack of try, it was a lack of air!  
The race had a 6 hour cut off to get to the turn around.  It took me 8 hours! 
The hitch hiking....... a runner told the turn around people she was the last runner.  They waited 1/2 hour and then packed it up and went home.  I didn't have a way out of the turn around.  Fortunately it is a popular hiking spot and I, at 47, hitched my first ride.  Thank you to the kind family who loaned me the back of your pick up truck to get me out of there.
This problem hasn't happened in the past.  The RD has been addressed about this issue and it will be taken care of to prevent it from happening again.

This race had three aid stations.  The first and the last aid station had supplies brought in by pack horse.  The supplies for the second aid station were brought in by backpack.  This race is very demanding of its volunteers.  They have to love being "out there".

Aid station #3 on the outbound

the other volunteers

My brother was here to run the race.  Rich didn't have the race of his plans either, but still had a grand finish! 

Rich crossing the finish line

Ty, the RD, greeted every runner as they crossed the finish line. Rich, Diana & Ty

Pre-race, So loved seeing ARies in Wyoming, Brad & Dulcinea

Will I be back?  How does one train for 10,000 ft when they live at 213 feet?  I don't have the option of spending weeks out there.  So..... work my butt off, be in the best shape of my life and go back for the 25K, getting an official finish.

The course was very well marked.  Every aid station was perfect with plenty of aid and helpful volunteers.  No fear of running out of water on a hot day either.  I'm confident the one issue, though a big one, will be addressed, so I would highly recommend this race so the altitude can shatter you too!! 

Happy Running!

El Vaquero Loco 50K 2013

El Vaquero Loco 50K 2013
11 days away!  YIKES

Here is the profile:

Here is a great video from last year's event.

It will be what it will be.  I hope the wildflowers got plenty of water so they are in bloom.

Full mOOn 50K

I didn't run this race, with an infected toenail and with very tender skin on the bottom of my feet it was smarter just to volunteer. 

I can always find someone to skip with me at a trail run!

Skipping helps one be happy (with RD Susy Phillips)

This race is so amazing.  It is powerful watching the new runners, those who chose this as their first "trail" race, their first 50K, their first 25K, their first night time race.  One volunteer commented to me that she loved how happy everyone was.  Pre-race everyone was laughing and joking and smiling.  This was her first race as a volunteer! 

Many firsts, many sweaty hugs, many celebrations as people crossed the finish line. 

What a grand time!

Between Races

Its been a week since Midnight Madness 50 Miler.
I have an infected toe, no running happening.

Stan Ferguson is running Hardrock 100 in CO with a 48 hour time limit.  I'm feeling very humbled by my abilities, and in awe of those who can do that!

Podog, Paul & Stan, Paul & Stan finished Hardrock 100 2013

I'm not back to running as I have an infection in the blister on my left big toe.  Otherwise I'm anxiously able to run, run, run.

Eating has been perfect, I'm 2 lbs below my pre-Midnight Madness 50 Miler weight. 

Cycling is helping with stress when I would normally run.

Susy Phillips Full mOOn 50K is this next weekend, 20 July 2013.  I don't know if I will be able to run or if volunteering will be the game plan.  Will just have to wait and see how it goes with the toe between now and then.

Happy running to all.