Midnight Madness 50 Mile - Tulsa OK July 5 2013

In two days my second attempt at this 50 miler will be underway.

First attempt was in 2010.  I didn't know what I didn't know and my DNF is because of lack of knowledge.  I have learned so much since then.
Last year I entered this race, then was injured so didn't run in the event. 

I'm 3 days from owning this race instead of having it own me.
Lessons Learned:

hydration/electrolyte balance
never go faster than your goal pace
long sleeves cause when the sun comes up sunscreen isn't strong enough
heat training - practice running in the hottest part of the day

I will update after this race.

Happy Running!

Images of Soul Restoration

Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

16 - 18 June 2013

In the company of Gregg, Kim & Chris

Our 30 mile trip over 6 days became 12 miles over 3 days because of continuing rain and an Achilles Tendon issue.  Those who had been in the rain for a week all last year weren't game for rain soaked backpacking.  I don't blame them.

Kim received her AT trail name, more like earned it!  She would dry backpacker's shoes, insoles and socks as they came into the shelter soaking wet.  She was very much appreciated.  Kim minded the fire and the socks.  So she is now HotSocks

The views are too breathtaking to describe with words.  There are too many images to share here.  I could get lost there for eternity and be so happy.

Mountain Laurel and Flaming Azalea were plentiful and in full bloom.

I'm ready to go back!

After only three days out there I feel like a new woman.  I am getting yard/garden/housework done with purpose and enjoying the feeling of purpose.  I need to figure out how to get this renewal more consistently.  Life is too hard to try to muscle it out.  The renewal is needed and the rest.

Does Ultra Running Translate well to Backpacking? YES!

I'm thrilled with my first backpacking experience!

We planned 6 days backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, starting out at Cades Cove, near Gatlinburg, TN.

"When man makes plans, God laughs."

Day one 6 miles straight uphill.  Okay, at 1 mile per hour we rocked that.  No pain, no blisters, just some great scenes with great company.

Night one, it started to rain!

Day two it rained.  Gregg injured his Achilles Tendon so we didn't get the planned mileage on day two.

Night two, it rained!

Day three it rained.  I took a little hike up to a higher knob to get a signal, checked radar and the forecast and took the bad news back to the others.  We packed up and hiked back down the mountain.
The hotel changed our reservation from Friday to that night, we stayed an extra day and drove home on Wednesday.

What a bummer, but I got a taste and love the menu!!

I will include pictures and gear review when I get everything sorted out.  

Stumbling Trying to Find My Stride

Life is awful then you die!
I need to count my blessings more cause I'm wallowing in the mire of "poor pity me"! 

Time to just run, just ride, just do.  So what if the solo training crap sucks, so what.  Do it anyway.

Life goes on.

A Few More Miles Down the Trail

The last post was about the Sylamore Trail 50K adventure. 

Since then, Little Rock
Big Rock Mystery Run
Ouachita Trail 50K

Next:
Mount Magazine Trail Run

Between now and then:
Perfect mileage this week
1 day yoga
2 days of 100 push-ups each
cycling

Next week:
Same as this week but fewer miles

I'm tired of solo training.  There has to be a way to put the excitement back in my training considering my life style and location that makes training partners difficult to find.

Sylamore Trail 50K 2013 Edition

My goal was to just finish the damn thing.  The Sylamore Trail is never that "damn thing", but that was the goal.  I love this trail.  My heart felt like I was cheating on the Sylamore Trail when I had to admit to myself that Mount Magazine may be more beautiful.  This is the grand race of the year though.  It will always capture my heart!

My hope was to just finish around the time I finished last year (9:28.27).  Goal met with a time of 9:29.11  Wow, I don't know how I do that!  LOL 

Spirits were low as snow flurries begun before the start of the race.   The snow flurries were welcome, but concerns about my lack of training loomed large in my brain.  This is where the wonder of trail runners steps forward to give a girl hope.  I met Jerry Bailey from northwest AR.  He has such an easy manner, he helped put my nerves at ease.  Then Kevin King reminded me that I just had to get from one aid station to the next, just get to the next aid station.  That helped too.  Hugs from Chrissy and Nicholas always serve as heartwarming soul lifters!

The race was off, I met a few more people as we meandered up the road to the creek crossing.  Randy and Bobbie Davidson started this race many years ago.  It was a pleasure to meet them as we made our way to the trail.

The creek crossing was uneventful.  The miles ticked by as predicted.  The warm potatoes at the first aid station were welcome nourishment.  Bobbie and I played cat and mouse along the trail.  She would power up hill, I would run the downhills. 
Seeing beloved friends at Gunner Pool aid station sure helped lift my spirits and warm the cold day.  I got to the turn around, Barkshed, just seconds ahead of Bobbie.  I had to visit the ladies room, and she was gone.  I never saw her again.  WOW!  I'm impressed and honored to share the trail with this powerful woman! 
The crew at the turn around are always a welcome sight.  I enjoy hugs all around and then scampering back down the trail toward home.  Deb Baker was sweeping the trail.  She caught up to me shortly before Blanchard Springs.  It was so nice to have company.  Deb is a super fast runner recovering from injury.  She is easy to talk to and helped the miles fly by.
My knees were hurting and I didn't have the air power for the uphills so I walked much more during the last section than planned.  It was time to pull out the power tools to get this race over with, the music!  While listening to my butt kicking playlist I couldn't walk... so then the running started happening again :)  Before long it was time to cross the creek once again, one mile to the finish line.  It felt so good on the legs to be in that cold water.  I wanted to just stay there.
Deb took a picture that I just love!  I'm glad there is a smile left in me at mile 30 :)

When hitting the pavement we run the rest of the way in.  Whew, I was glad it was done!  finisher awards were different this year, a beer glass with the Sylamore Trail 50K logo.  Very cool, works well for root beer too!

While nervous about this race, while hurting during the run, I have to say I LOVE this race!  It is on my must do list every year.  That may get harder as this lil race becomes more popular.  It filled in 6 hours on opening day for the 2013 race.  So..... I will run it as long as I can get in:)

Great friends, great sights, snow flurries, creek crossings, lots of alone time with God with buffet tables every 5 miles.  What more could a girl want, maybe a hug or six.

In Training.... :-/

The last 30 days has been very eventful.  There has not been nearly enough running going on though.  I'm changing that, starting NOW!
Monday - 6 miles
Tuesday - 4 miles
                3.25 miles bike
Wednesday - 18 miles!
                In June my family is doing a backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail.  I can go all day, but what can I do with a 35lb backpack?  I do not know.  So training has begun.  Yesterday, 8 of those 18 miles were done with a 10 lb backpack, fast hiking.  I know I won't be fast hiking during that trip, but that was the only way to get my mileage in for yesterday.  A few different muscles hurt from 8 miles of fast walking than hurt after a run.  So things are good :)

Sylamore Trail 50K is in 9 days.  I'm not ready.  It is so tempting to drop down to the 25K.  I'm not going to though, even though I'm scared to death.  Training just hasn't been going well since May 2012.  I am 5 lbs heavier since Christmas.  Breathing is harder.

For those eventful 30 days:
            Trip to Maryland in January - by car
            Daniel's graduation in Great Lakes, IL on Jan 25th - travel by car
           Another trip to Maryland last week - by car. 
I'm so road weary!!  My husband is on the road for a living.  My heart goes out to him!!!

Off to work in the bike shop :)