Training Races and Appreciating Friends

I could go on and on about what a wonderful day I had at Headlands, but instead I am going to focus on what this gift is all about...appreciating my friends.

Over the past few months, I have been given the gift of the best training partners, friends, advisors, and support team. These are not new people in my life, but the gift of each of them is so incredible that it is what carries me as I run, and especially as I ran on Saturday.

My goal for Saturday was made very clear: this was a TRAINING RUN! This was not a race for me. What this meant in my head was that I was supposed to finish with legs as fresh as I started, right?

Even so I was heading out to run...not hike around the Marin Headlands. And, run, I did. I went a little too fast on the first loop. Not fast by effort, but fast by time. I knew if I tried to push that pace for the 2nd loop I would not finish with fresh legs. So I turned it off, and really took it easy on the 2nd loop. I chatted with folks, I cheered for others going the other direction, and I just had a great time appreciating my gifts and the day.

It was on the second loop that I realized as I was running just how much I was smiling. I wondered for a bit what people going the other way must think, and then it struck me...my smile, my utter happiness on the trail was contagious. Who the heck smiles after 30 miles of running? What I came to realize is that someone who is at complete peace and happiness in their life can smile with every step they take. And in that moment, when people can feel your inner and outer smile...it makes them smile too.

I have the great fortune of being in a place that brings me to constant happiness: work, life, family, friends...each and every piece lifts me and it comes out in each step I take and the smile on my face.

OK, now for my moments of gratitude because I ran this race filled with so much, as always.

I would name each and every one of you, but you all know who you are!! I was called a "secret weapon" on Saturday, which made me laugh. But, honestly, each of you that are such a huge part of my life...you are my secret weapon. You fuel me with moments; you lift me up; you bring me strength; you support me; you love me; each of you is exactly what I need to be filled with such inner happiness...it is just incredible what a gift you are.

The best way to honor this gratitude is with pictures of all of those who bring me this inner and outer smile :) Thank you for the gifts! Headlands was for you, and we had a great time!

mer

(as a side note to this, missing from the photos are Mike, Erin, and Bruce) Mike and Erin - I couldn't find the pics from my b-day...totally MIA. Bruce - after tomorrow AM I will have a pic of you (yes I am taking a pic after our run!!)

Other pics missing, but the people are not - my fantastic friends from all over who advise, support, and are just as important as everyone who has a photo up...need to get better at taking pics of out of town friends, too :)

My Inner Roadrunner

Today I was a true road runner! Dropped my car off at Barton Springs, and hooked a ride with the guys to the Arboretum. From there our fearless leader, Steve, gave the instruction: 8 miles EZ, 10 mile MGP, rest cooldown (we were going 24 total).

Let me back up. I do actually run roads quite frequently: hills, tempo, easy...it is just easier to find company and speed that way. But, the last time I endeavored on my long run on the road (over 10-15 miles) was Austin Marathon last Feb. where I paced. But it worked in my schedule, the other guys were in Bandera, and I wanted to be done early to go enjoy Swedish Waffles!

I will be the first to admit I have no idea what my current road pace is. I have been known recently, and apparently am getting quite the reputation, for taking an easy run to a 7:05 pace...thanks for all the grief! But I figured if I hung with the crowd for warm-up, stayed with Bruce (7:15 or a little faster) for MGP, and then home free I would be fine. This would give me a solid run without any fatigue going into Headlands.

Well, what a treat this run was! I spent most of the early part, and until she had to get to work, with Asia (sp?) one of the UT Cross-Country girls. We had a great time visiting! I spent some time just listening to the guys and their banter. And, I spent some time letting Bruce and Jason (yes, Mike, Jason was not pulling the crowd!!) keep me in check pre-MGP. The miles (even the bonus wrong turn +1mile) flew by. Then it was time to pick it up. It's so weird, and I was telling Nedra later, that I was a little nervous picking it up. I run too fast all the time, but I didn't know if I could hold the pace for 10 miles and on the hills.

Well, actually Bruce and I did pretty darn well, and Charles TOTALLY rallied after an early show stopper! Here's what Bruce had to say about our pace splits: "Actually I think those are pretty good considering the terrain, especially the last four miles. I know mile four was 7:14 so if I factor that in our overall pace was 7:12 on a course designed to slap us around a bit. It was expected that many people wouldn't be able to keep pace for ten miles."

I can't believe I am typing this, but I think some of my inner roadrunner is back :) Probably most of it is because I don't do long runs on the road very often, and the company is fantastic, but I think I might do that again...and maybe soon!! Thanks for letting me play with the black short boys!!

Next stop, Trattoria Lisina and a wonderful anniversary evening! 5years!

Oh, and by the way, Swedish Waffles (crunchy) are the best!
m

Pacifica

I'll be the first to admit that I have a heavy racing schedule for the end of summer/early fall. I love to race, whether for a training run or for an A effort. There is so something to be said for pinning a race number on, going to incredible places, and testing your training.

I can't remember when I decided that Pacifica 50K was a good place to start, but I did and then convinced Beth that it was a great idea for her to join. Afterall, she needed a pick-me-up race after Boston and trying to motivate for the next goal...and what better place than the trails of California!

I have been training hard and strong lately, and so I was interested to see how it would play out. I had looked at times from past years and saw that I could do fairly well, if I ran a smart race. I had taken a peak at the course record, but more for reference of where I thought I might finish...5:15-5:30 was my goal. Beth and I hit on one VERY early challenge, I needed to run fast enough for us to make our 5pm Sunday flight. When we booked everything neither one of us had checked out the race start time: 8:30. It was going to be close if we wanted to be clean on the plane.

We headed to California on Saturday with the plan to check out the town of Half Moon Bay before settling into the hotel. We had a great time, and it was completely worth the trip to the old beach town to drive there. The drive was spectacular. One funny piece of this part of the trip to note was us passing the local vineyard, and Beth and I remembering our trip to Napa. I had never been wine tasting before in Napa, and it didn't take much for me to be drunk. We considered stopping in, but I drew the line.

By late afternoon, we were both fairly spent and went to the room to relax, eat, and get ready for the race. I kept telling Beth that I was a little nervous about the course. The 50K course read like this: Orange/Pink/Pink/Orange/Yellow/Pink. WTF. How was I supposed to remember this is the midst of a race. The was only one person who could help...Mike. I sent him an email asking for help, and he was a GENIUS! He said, quite simply: "Who's down with OPP, yeah you know me." And then he said something about OYP. Beth and I were laughing and laughing. We would, now, not easily forget the route!! And, I would have yet another Mike song stuck in my head.

Both Beth and I were up VERY early the next morning, still being on Central Time. It was kind of nice because we could be totally leisurely in our getting ready for the race. At first we might have felt bad for making too much noise getting ready, waking up our neighbors, but shortly before we departed we could clearly hear that our neighbors took advantage of the wake-up call. I will spare everyone any more details than that, unless you are on a long run with me and need some laughs.

We headed down 1 to Pacifica. WOW the views of the ocean as we drove in. And this is why I run in California! We got to the park, and were surrounded by incredible foliage and cool temps. Arm warmers...ready to go. The race consisted of a 9K, 21K, 30K, and 50K. Everyone but the 9K started together. We all lined up, and Wendell sent us on our way. I took off toward the front, chatting briefly with my friend, Lee, from Granite Bay. He told me that Saturday he had gone for a 5K swim in the American River for his birthday and needed to slow down on this first climb. I know he is historically faster than me, but I was really going conservative and pulled away pretty quickly. I had the plan to take the first round of Orange/Pink conservative to get a check of the course, and then pick it up on the back 1/2. I continued up the climb with Elizabeth. She was doing the 50K, and seemed to be a strong climber. After the first two miles, I had to let her go. I knew I would be at the edge if I stayed with her to the top. So here I was 2nd woman...long way to go. We climbed to the top of the peak about 3.5 miles up, turned around and went down. I LOVE downhill. My legs were starting to warm up and I was feeling spry. I hooked in with 2 30K guys and 2 or 3 21K guys. I got in front for the single track down. One of the guys, at one point, made some wise crack about me taking this first downhill too fast for planning to run the 50K. I was comfortable, so I ignored him. (downhill miles: 7:21, 7:14, 7:12) We came into the start/finish, I refilled my bottle, and headed out.

Pink loop had a smaller climb, a short stretch on a dirt road, a two mile climb, and then decent back to start/finish. This first loop of Pink seemed to take forever. I used the time to just collect myself and remember sections for repeating later. I got to the top of the second climb and then happily took it down (7:23, 7:16). My legs seemed to be warming up on this second decent and I was finally seeming to find some rhythm.

I refilled, again, and headed back on the Pink loop. I definitely felt better this loop. ..downhill and dirt road mile (7:42) It was here I caught back up to one of my initial 30K guys. I caught him right before the twoish miles down, and tried to drag him with me. He had some words that I was going to drop him and he was only running the 30K, sorry. Down I went (7:12, 7:08)

Back to Orange. I knew it was coming and this was going to be my test. My nutrition, my head, my legs...up I go. I actually felt great. I was almost 3/4 up before I even saw the 1st place male. I was getting a little giddy...where was Elizabeth? I kept saying to myself, if I can be 1-2 minutes behind her I can catch her on the downhill. Sure enough as I get to the top of the peak, she is 1 minute up...race on! I turn around and RUN. I thought for sure I would catch her on the downhill. I was flying for me (7:10, 7:04, 6:42...NO JOKE!!) I have so much momentum on the downhill that I am having to grab poles on the switchbacks to keep my balance. It was awesome. My legs were giving me all the gifts of all of my hard work, and I was grateful for every moment.

I came running hard into the start/finish for my final water refill only to find Elizabeth there. I was ready to push. My legs felt fantastic, and I knew I could run the whole last up and push the down. She takes off right infront of me, and I catch her. I tell her that she must have been flying down that last downhill because I couldn't believe I didn't catch her. She says she loves the downhills but she is tired. That was all I needed to hear. I pulled ahead, but knew she was back there...it was a good place to be. I like to run a little scared. I started up the final climb and about 1 mile up I get stung by a hornet...OUCH. It freaking hurt. I walk for just a second, but then reason to myself that if I have a bad reaction to the sting the best I could do was get to the finish quickly. So I start running. I get to the top of the final climb and know I have about 2 miles down to the finish. It is now for the first time that I look at the clock for real time. I knew the women's course record was 5:02 (Mike told me today that the men's was 4:58), and see that I have about 24 minutes to get down (I was looking at real time...not chrono, my GPS was being grumpy with me). So I take off at full speed down, once again. Somewhere in my head the math is telling me that I am going to be really, really close. This time I descend with everything I have. (7:04, 6:32) I am going down so fast at one point that I catch the switchback wrong and catch the side of the ledge of dirt and it gives way under my foot. I go sliding down. Before I can lose time, I am UP and moving again. My legs are loving every moment of this. I can't believe it. I hit the opening, and then the finish. 4:53:21. Elizabeth finishes 3 minutes after me, with a hornet sting in the exact same spot as mine...picture worthy :)

I finish muddy, joyful, and grateful. I am so grateful for all of the support I have going into the race. I feel lifted. I actually have moments of handing sections over to each of you and have you run with me. I am never alone on the trail because each of you is with me. It is an incredible feeling. I am so thankful to Paul for supporting me in my endeavors of running. It is not easy, but he let's me go. What I do is so different from a triathlon in that it is often more than one race a year, and I am so blessed that he understands what this means to me. There are very few words to describe what it is to have people in my life to lift me, to push me, to stand beside me. It is when it is time to go to the depth of what I have and what I am made of that I can feel you beside me...ALL of you :) God bless you all so richly for all of your love and support.

Priceless Adventures

It's been a little while, so time to catch up...

Hogs Hunt left me with a new openness to my running. Yes, there are many questions to where, what, and why, but maybe the more I ask the questions the less I need the answers.

The gift of this new change was taking advantage of some friends that I know and haven't run enough with. Over the past few weeks, I have had some of my finest runs with some of the best company. Yes, there is some mild beating of each other, which is kind of fun, but more than anything it is good time with really great people. This leads me to my latest adventure...

I have been running with Jason for some of his Leadville training. Each run we have done has been solid, and really great work both on the trail and the road. (Can you say midday 90+ degree hill workouts!) We knew the replay of the RHR race was coming up, and when he said he was running, I couldn't say no. But here was the catch: he needed to start at 2AM so that he could get back for his daughter's recital. In admiration for his ability to juggle family and training, I was in!!

Then I thought better of it. I didn't really need 50 miles, so I decided to join him and just run two of the 16.75 mile loops. It all sounded great, as I would be finished before 8AM. Of course, Friday rolled around and I kept thinking, "what did I agree to?" Our departure time was going to be 12:45AM, ouch. Of course, I would have loved to take a nice long nap on Friday, but it never happened, oh well.

At 12:45 Paul dropped me off to meet Jason and his friend, Kirk. Gotta love a husband who is willing to get up for the midnight train to Smithville! Off we went with a laugh of, "what the f are we thinking?"

We got to Smithville a little before 2AM, loaded up and were off for the start of our "race." We had some fantastic laughs: spider web girlie screams, superman falls, and just some "should be drunk" moments. I love how quickly the time can pass in the night when you are laughing so hard.

We returned to the start/finish, so that we could join Ken and Mus and the rest of the race for the real start. Off we went to an incredible sunrise and a great morning. I was having a grand time, and had wonderful chats with Ken and we were just scooting along. The bonuses of loop two were: light; great company; and Joyce's Coke in the cooler...what a treat!

Before long, we came in and my "race" was finished. Jason had one more and Ken and Mus two. Off they went. I relaxed and waited. Jason finished after a while, and had definitely taken a bit of a beating at the end of the last loop. But, I told him given our departure time, start time, and pace...it was a priceless training day! He cleaned up and rallied to go be with his family, just amazing.

Then, Ken and Mus came in before their last loop. I went into crew mode: refilling, cooling, whatever I could do to get them out. It was an interesting situation as with so many people finished and hanging out they were tempted by the conversation. I wanted them to get the heck out of the start/finish and on their way to their third loop. I made them take bottles to keep themselves as cooled and wet as possible, and packed enough fuel for a long loop. Just amazing!! I got the best message from Ken much later that they had finished and it was the hardest thing he had done.

I couldn't have asked for more out of a run: great laughs, conversation, friends, and beautiful trail running on a Texas summer day. I feel so blessed!
mer

Reasons

I have been wavering whether or not to line up for a race, 50K, on Saturday. After my sad day at Miwok, I felt this immediate urge to search for, "what's next," as I was not content with the obvious lack of outcome or exhaustion that would have followed me leaving everything on the trail.

At first I was just digging for reasons: I love running in the heat (it will be in the upper 80s/90s on Saturday; my legs feel fresh and ready; I want to release this energy. But, none of these seemed to be enough to have me pull the trigger and say, "I AM going to race." Thank you for those who gave non-advice, advice..."if you can't find a reason, don't go."

But, then I thought about it, and I decided my reason to race is simply because I can. If I truly appreciate this healthy life I have been given, and I truly appreciate my gift to be able to run...then I need to do it in the way I love it the most. I love to pin on a race number. I love to run in the woods. I love to push my body, and see just what it can do. Sure, there will be bad days and outcomes I wish wouldn't be. But no day running, even if not as long as planned, can compare to the hardest day these people or my sister endure.

So with these thoughts in my head, I headed to Huntsville. Once I settled in Huntsville, I watched the weather, and was pleased to see that it would be in the low 70s at the start and warm up to the mid-80s before my race would be done...with the highlight of a pre-rain 100% humidity. Now that's my kind of running weather!!

I got a decent night's sleep, although the 3:50 alarm always feels early. I got to the park and set up my "transition" area. Right before 6 we lined up at the start and I said hi to a guy we know from Houston, Joe Constantino. Also, before we started Catherine arrived in time to wish me luck. She was running the 25K. A little after 6, off we went.

The race starts with almost a mile on the road. I took off with Joe, catching up and chatting away. Before long I notice that we are in the lead pack with the rest of the race behind us. I also grab a look at my Garmin 7:05...oops. First mile beeps as we head into the trail, and the same number shows. I tell Joe, and he says, "no wonder I could barely talk." Fortunately, since I couldn't get hold of my pace, the trail Gods slow me down...I fall. I bounce right back up, but take it as my definite sign to slow the heck down and run my race. I settle in, 6th place behind the guys. I definitely am feeling great, but I am just 2 miles in. I am also now on my own.

For the first time I am appreciative of the out-and-back on the jeep road. It becomes my chance to see other people. I am just a very few minutes behind Joe and the others around us. I cheer on the rest of the racers as I head back from the jeep road, but mostly I am following the path that Joe takes. Since it hasn't rained recently, the course was VERY sandy. It wasn't bad, but the sand kept coming.

I was wearing my new Garmin for the race, and was really enjoying seeing the miles pop up, even if they ended up not being perfect. I ranged between 8:23 and 8:50 with a few miles faster and slower when I would stop at aid stations for water. I felt really smooth and relaxed. Before I knew it the 15.5 mile loop was over: 2:11.

I headed out on the 2nd loop, and felt really good. I knew the temps were going up, so I knew hydration and electrolytes would be my key to success. Maybe that is why I love running in the heat so much. It is such a practice in solid nutrition. If you fall behind, your race is gone. If you stay on track, you are golden. So far, I was golden.

As I hit the jeep road I told myself that this was two miles of solid running...go for it. I knew I would be home free after the jeep road. I got ice water at the 1st aid station, put my head down and ran. At the end of the jeep road my Garmin peeped: 8:02. I had a 1/2 marathon left, Bolinas Ridge out and back.

I kept moving along. I thought of Jamie and her telling me how it was so much easier to run when it was for something bigger than herself; she had just represented the USA at the World 24-hour. I thought of a friend who is killing himself to train while fighting injury after injury. I thought of what a gift I have to be able to be running so pain-free. I thought of my client who was just diagnosed with breast cancer, and thought about how I was going to give her my medal from the finishline to share with her my strength. It was in these miles that I realized that so often in the past I would slow, or walk, because I had moments of "I can't." It so stemmed from my start as a runner. It was not so long ago, and there were always moments of me running farther or harder than I had before. It was always such a scary place to be, and there would always be a moment when I would throw in the towel and give into that fear. But the reality of Saturday was that there wasn't a moment of "I can't" that I couldn't fight back. My legs were hardly tired, my nutrition was beyond 100%, and nothing was going to stop me.

I went through the aid station with about 7.5 to go, and I was ready to head home. It was here that I started catching the backend 25K runners. I gave them each a cheer as I went by, as they were amazing to just be giving the distance a shot! As I made the left to wind through the last set of trails to the bridges, Love Story by Taylor Swift came on my MP3 player. The song means more to me now, as it is a concert that my sister so badly wanted to go to but just couldn't go to because of her chemo treatments. Every time it plays I think of her during my run. I thought of how hard it is for me to hear that cancer has not changed the person she is...so hard to explain, but I just wish this journey would have changed her core to make the most positive out of all the days she has. I still took the moment in the woods to reflect on her journey, and send prayers her way.

I hit the bridges and knew I had less than 40 minutes left to run. I kept telling myself, "this is your day, how do you want to end it?" I knew that I wanted to end it strong!! As I got to the last aid station, one of the guys that had been well in front of me was taking off. The aid station had just poured him a coke, but when he saw me he took off. I took advantage and grabbed his cold coke and went after him. I ran so hard, but didn't see him. It wasn't until I hit about 1/2 mile left on the open road headed to the finish that I saw him again. I tried, but ran out of property...

4:27:?? 1st female 6th overall 16 minute PR on the same course from November 86 degrees at the finish 100% humidty

Yes, I can and I loved every minute of it!!

Thank you so much for all of the support, guidance (making me have a reason to race), love and friendship!
mer

Pics to come when they post!

Memories...

Instead of spending this blog post whining about my race that wasn't...I thought I would highlight some of the laughs from the weekend.

- Who the heck travels to a race in the rain (forecast said ALL week) without 1 jacket for their drop bag??
- Didn't know it was possible to be running and shivering at the same time. It is and it sucks.
- Very interesting to be travelling in the midst of "swine flu outbreak"
I became fascinated trying to figure why some people chose to wear masks, and others didn't. Paul said that I should be happy for those wearing masks...less likely for me to get sick.
Don't you at some point become immune to hand sanitizer? The guy sitting next to me on the plane pulled his out no less than 10 times on the way to California. I was trying to figure out what provoked each cleansing...1) did I get too close; 2) did he touch his seatbelt; 3) did someone brush against him. No matter, his hands were CLEAN. It was funny to me.
- And the funniest tale of the weekend... (yes, Steve, I know you already told it. My turn now!)

Steve graciously loaded my shivering self into a car to head back to Pan Toll. In the car with us were two other guys who were dropping, as well. In the back seat was Steve to my right and this guy to my left. Steve and I started chatting. He asks, "do you know who was leading?" I say, "Geoff," with some level of knowledge as I saw him run by. Without much more than a pause, the guy to my left says, "No he's not. I am Geoff." GULP...After a moment of silence, I pulled my foot out of my mouth long enough to explain to Geoff that I had been running with his buddy David and that David was raving that Geoff was going to win. I was just hoping that this explanation would leave him flattered that we thought he was awesome enough to talk about him. Fortunately, he was a VERY nice guy and spent the rest of the ride talking about his miserable day...he had gotten quite sick.

Once we got to Pan Toll, I don't know how many times Steve and I had a great laugh about my comment....oops. At least it gave us a good laugh in the midst my misery.

Of course, the DNF stings but there was really no other choice, at least not a smart one at the time. BUT, to have some goods laughs...I'll take those memories.

Thanks for all the support...on to the next adventure.
mer

Oh, and one final piece to add...WTF with the cruel joke of poison oak. Wasn't the DNF enough? I sure do love the trails in Cali, but could really do without another round of poison oak.

Weekends with the T's

This past weekend was a great one, and reminded me just how much I love the weekends.

Friday afternoon has become one of my favorite times of the week. Every week at about 4pm Paul arrives home. It is a most festive time in the house. Flyer goes crazy, and life is good as the family is whole once again. I'll admit that having him gone all week is not easy: I don't sleep as well without him, my desire to make anything more than steamed vegetables or salad isn't high, and the house just seems to get a little too quiet at times. But, I know people have it much worse so I try not be to grumbly about it all.

Once the dust settles, and Paul unloads, we go about the tasks of prepping for Saturday. Paul gets his bike ready and I get my bottles ready for a run. Saturday morning always comes early, but with a good buzz in the air. This weekend I headed downtown to get my group started on their road run, and then had the treat of meeting Melissa for my taper run. I dropped my car, and we headed out, so that I could get two hours point-to-point, and she could make a 4 hour loop. Time flew by and we had a blast. I, then, went home and worked the rest of the day. Paul came home after his 75 or 80 mile ride and run, and was happy to have an early dinner.

We then prepped for a Sunday "family" trail run. The past few weekends Paul, Flyer, and I have enjoyed a trail run together on Sunday. Yes, we have the treat of having friends join us, but it is just nice to have this run that we do together. It was a great crowd on Sunday morning: Mel and Mike, Jeremy, and Beth. Flyer, of course, led the way...although Melissa gave him a run for his money down HOL. We ran a great mix of my trails and Melissa's trails, and Jeremy got a solid taste of trailrunning. It was also great to see Mike and meet John on the trail as they were taking a post-Boston tour. Thanks Mike for helping Beth!! Here was Jeremy's take on the Sunday trail run:

"Let's just say family Sundays with the T's is no walk in the park. They are a family of frick'n mountain goats. It took everything I had to bump around that trail without wiping out and they barely broke a sweat. I was honored that I got to hang with the elite trail runners of Austin and even more happy they slowed down and didn't drop me."

After the run, Paul, Melissa, Mike, and I went to breakfast. We have some great laughs together, and I am so thrilled that Mike joined in for the Sunday fun.

As with all of our weekends for the past months, the fun ends with much scrambling as I cook Paul's meals for the week, he packs, and we prep for his departure. Well, slight deviation to packing was Paul's building of a new training contraption for me(more on this to come once I recover from Miwok).

While our time is too short every week, this weekend really was a wonderful highlight of how great our life is. Paul and I get the most of all of our time together with both eachother and our friends. I am very thankful for their support, and all the happiness they bring to us/me.

Have a great week!

mer