tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56857450725400736512024-03-05T09:09:20.698-08:00Sunshine Makes Me Happy!This is the on-going tale of all my adventures and what makes me happy: my life, my husband, my family, my friends,my dog, a run on a warm sunny day, and everything inbetween!meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-39775367068114291532013-09-18T08:59:00.002-07:002013-09-18T08:59:46.734-07:00Doing the WorkIt has been quite sometime since I have written a blog post. The reasons are long: Grand Kona Slam and it's blog...a two person task; work; training; and life in general. Writing my blog posts always seem to fall to the bottom of the list, so they got lost. I wasn't trail racing often, and not in my finest form, and who really wants to read about someone swimming for hours on end?? But, truly all this time has added up to become where I am today and what the future months hold for me. Without these past two years, I wouldn't be filled with the people and experiences that will drive me to tomorrow. So, whether documented or not they are in my head and heart.<br />
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Over the past months I have been witness to what focus and determination can create. I have the great fortune of being around amazing people who are not afraid to share their stories of what has given them success, and what they know it takes. At the end of the day there is no secret...it is about hard work, crossing every <b>t</b>, and dotting every <b>i</b>. I know how to do the workouts, but since my singular focus of getting my a$% to the finish line at Western States in 2010 have I done the work? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bloody, dirty, and determined</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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In my prep to swim around Key West<br />
, I completed every swim on the schedule, but didn't do the extras: weight and core workouts. When I had the current in my favor I didn't have the strength to totally take advantage, and when I hit the last two miles I didn't have the strength to fight the waves. I had the endurance, but that piece of the puzzle I hadn't completed showed up on game day.<br />
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I got more out of being at Run Rabbit Run 100 than I could have hoped for. The moments of crewing were amazing as I am the most fortunate person to have wonderful ladies, and guys, to share time with; it was awesome to see Paul do his thing for so many hours and run so very well; it was great to get to run down the road with him...even if my downhill pace (what I perceived he should be running) was a bit quicker than he wanted to run; it is special to get to see so many friends succeed and help in any way possible; it is inspiring to watch Bryon Powell work his butt off and stay positive and in great spirits throughout his work; and in the end it was the perfect example of what the spirit and soul of ultra-running is all about.<br />
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Amongst the most competitive runners there were smiles, thank yous to volunteers, funny outburts that are not mean spirited but real expressions of exhausted brains manning the simplest of tasks; and just good old competition...real, honest, hard freaking work!<br />
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I learned the lesson to never pretend to think that I am going to race on the same weekend that Paul is racing. I am just not programmed that way. I am not going to turn off Paul's race and do what I need to do to get ready for mine. Never going to happen. I ended up with 26 miles on 20 minutes of sleep, but it wasn't necessary to push my body to that. I needed to be all in to crewing for Paul, and not 90% with 10% on me. That does not serve his race well, and I was never going to have a successful run. It was wonderful to see him "get motivated" for a sub-24 hour finish after having long hours of trashed legs. It was awesome to get to cheer on friends as they were coming in for their finish! And, another highlight of a Friday race is having the day to lounge, visit, and share time with special people post-race. It is in those moments that you gather the special stories; you experience the moments; and you learn if you are willing to listen.<br />
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The best way for me to show my thanks for the words and information shared is to go DO THE WORK. Again, it will not be about doing the most, but doing what I know needs to be done to accomplish my goals. There is no turning back, but making each day forward exactly what it needs to be. I guess I will call it a bit of a welcome back :)<br />
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<br />meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-69327194309884448782011-09-05T11:18:00.000-07:002012-07-29T14:43:56.713-07:00Best Day Ever!This summer has flown by. I have been to the desert, the cool rain of Washington, on my bike, AND in the WATER.<br />
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I have missed the water. I have missed swimming, and decided in May that I would endeavor on a swim event to get back into it. This 4 mile swim event, well it is not just an "event" it was a journey, an adventure, and such a gift. The best way to share is with a video of one of our training days (I am the one in the blue swim cap) and a video of the swim (my first attempt at making a video). <br />
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On Friday, what would have been Colin Holst's 8th birthday, I swam 4 miles in Lake Austin from the Pennebaker (360) bridge to Hula Hut. It was incredible! We were painted with our generous donor logos on Thursday evening (thank you: Drymax and NOW Foods), and painted with the Got2Swim logo (I got a bonus Dory on my back)...such a cool way to represent. I am honored to be part of representing water safety and drowning prevention programs and will take all I learned and share with as many as will listen!<br />
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So much more to share on the summer, which I will with pics, but these two videos are the best way to summarize the "Best Day Ever."<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzzkYduJpPOwI80yLodEmWa6GuIAq2fTxhFMyd29VKVCQd301wKofdjrxElXRIw-swA4KLIf-57c9yTUoDazw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pk4HWkRRbZ4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-62890700465401747482011-06-30T09:35:00.000-07:002011-06-30T09:35:33.421-07:00Thank You<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dear Western States 2011,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have spent the past few days reflecting on the gifts, memories, lessons, and experiences of this past weekend and what crosses my mind the most is just how thankful I am.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpF6ZFfQbZKU87sx2Z35EcYf6gF11JizbaHLr6C6qyenzM2UYD8PKs_MsYkNIEB5Eo7sKZSyHzvY1xZjD76HAcHuPha_tlfs9eIuHHACLnr9T6N6RDcGKibRWQWU_HFC-MBTj_7MQpotH/s1600/IMG00068-20100527-1323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpF6ZFfQbZKU87sx2Z35EcYf6gF11JizbaHLr6C6qyenzM2UYD8PKs_MsYkNIEB5Eo7sKZSyHzvY1xZjD76HAcHuPha_tlfs9eIuHHACLnr9T6N6RDcGKibRWQWU_HFC-MBTj_7MQpotH/s320/IMG00068-20100527-1323.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It all starts with an incredible trail. I feel so fortunate to know and love all the miles of beauty. While I didn't get to enjoy every step of the trail, I got to see the miles through someone else's eyes and see the trail at different times of the day. I am forever grateful for my runs on the trail with Dana Gard, and learning every special detail that comes to mean so much when you are out there counting down the minutes to the next aid station. As he said to me on Friday, while we were remembering my first runs on the trail, it just takes a few runs with someone who knows the trail and open eyes and ears to fully absorb. I was a sponge on those runs, and will forever remember every detail. It is in those details I fully appreciate just how special this trail is. But, on Saturday it was even better! I caught myself looking around as we were running, just in awe of the incredible sights. I would look down at the river, and have to stop myself from telling Aliza to look, as I didn't want her to fall. No Hands Bridge is everything I love it to be, even when you are rushing across it. Thank you WS trail for never disappointing in all of your glory!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA6joNoANUxedj8GaTGZsUL6wQqQxbDowUa_yorl25FwTerav_YSH5fmju6k5zlN213LMx1d6l8uLygfwJ0_0ttvJRsH3ukt7ipGXTYRWQd3fNgPk5itJf5wXGQ7SlZWU-a5lCs2FoFVt/s1600/ws100+2011d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOA6joNoANUxedj8GaTGZsUL6wQqQxbDowUa_yorl25FwTerav_YSH5fmju6k5zlN213LMx1d6l8uLygfwJ0_0ttvJRsH3ukt7ipGXTYRWQd3fNgPk5itJf5wXGQ7SlZWU-a5lCs2FoFVt/s320/ws100+2011d.jpg" width="229" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeeMY8dRSCDWlvKeiOdrLjwXMJsrtGaYFDnaJYXZfil4JO9GVqZsKwrpBpvOVBNWqL-Yfse3lRfO7Jbj3iWJifMo82MA3V5evngi-fb2QA6MN8wvrFHyV7QCXwor6C_iMw2LdT39i_XkJ/s1600/ws100+2011c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeeMY8dRSCDWlvKeiOdrLjwXMJsrtGaYFDnaJYXZfil4JO9GVqZsKwrpBpvOVBNWqL-Yfse3lRfO7Jbj3iWJifMo82MA3V5evngi-fb2QA6MN8wvrFHyV7QCXwor6C_iMw2LdT39i_XkJ/s320/ws100+2011c.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It happens because of an amazing husband. I love that Paul embraced the idea of being out on the Western States trail, and that we could coordinate to be there for both of our runners. We got the best of all worlds: some time to ourselves to run and enjoy time together, and time to be with and help friends! What an awesome way to spend the weekend and I am so thrilled that he is such a part of this world with me. So lucky!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The appreciation is rounded out with a day with friends. Getting to catch up with old friends, making new friends, and sharing a singular passion and focus to be there for people you care about in the most incredible place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And, in the end, it is all possible because of the strength, fortitude, and desire of a runner! Our stories and memories on the trail will not soon be forgotten, but it wouldn't be a true thank you without detailing some of the time we shared:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- for letting me push her to drink and eat to get back on track. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- for knowing how to manage her ability and pushing through pain, even when an easier option sounded more appealing</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTu5EqH21R5DS9MBMiZo_fyWW5eabIoGwpSZSHBhkEXiJ8e252QQeYvgyKzlFnz8_31jhmOymkTFA45WfKfzg_7K9EB1rautLJBeIim-TmP5A1Ixq5MfdenGgLVsV_6ogMMhjCbautiQ_/s1600/ws100+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTu5EqH21R5DS9MBMiZo_fyWW5eabIoGwpSZSHBhkEXiJ8e252QQeYvgyKzlFnz8_31jhmOymkTFA45WfKfzg_7K9EB1rautLJBeIim-TmP5A1Ixq5MfdenGgLVsV_6ogMMhjCbautiQ_/s320/ws100+2011.jpg" width="217" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- for going against her personality to "make everyone happy" and remember that Saturday was HER day! I know this was a tough one for her, but in the end doing what was best for her race was the reason we were all there to support her!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- And, for trusting me...even with things she hadn't touched in over 10 years!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- And, mostly, because she is just so damn tough! Two of my favorite stories to ilustrate this point:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">M: "time to take an electrolyte"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A: "ok"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">a few sec later</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">M: "did you just spit out your pill?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A:"I can't swallow them anymore so I have been chewing on them and spitting out the empty capsule." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This continues for every 20-30 min from approx. mile 65-98 (I had her take more electrolytes for the final push up from No Hands).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For the final approx 2-3 miles of the race she was incredibly light headed and her heart rate was up. Unfortunately, for fear of how close someone might be gaining from behind it was time to put her head down and run up the climb no matter what. She gave everything she didn't have left in those miles, but didn't get passed! After finishing, it was time to put the pieces back together. As we thought she was in the med tent getting an IV, Paul and I walk over to see that they have turned her into a pin cushion. It was a scene. The final straw for me was when "med" folk #3 was digging a needle around in her hand saying, "her vein keeps moving on me." Seriously?!?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Aliza with her new friend</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As we had been running earlier I had told her the story of our friend, Stephan, and his adventures of drinking IV fluid so he wouldn't get pulled during an Ironman (kids don't try this at home). I kind of politely asked the woman digging around in Aliza's hand to take the needle out, and looked over at Aliza and asked if she could do it. She knew what I meant, and I asked the med folk if they would pour IV solution into a cup for her. Before she even questioned it, she started drinking it down. From there, we started breaking electrolyte pills into water (warm water thanks to Paul in effort to get her warm), and she drank that down, too. In a matter of 10 minutes her color was coming back and she was up and headed to the hotel for a shower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I got to be witness to what is so deep in the heart of a true champion. She holds such grit and determination, but this is in addition to such a genuine heart of gold and a great great soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Western States - maybe 48 hours in complete duration, although I know for many it is an everyday to make it what it is, but always a memory that you can store for an entire year. Thank you so much for filling my memory bank for another year! Can't wait to see you again!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> mer</span>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-65056330306327148162011-04-18T04:57:00.000-07:002011-04-18T04:57:32.314-07:00Trailrunning Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jBRWx57L0qt6f0qP2jAopYfjfLBn4AJsG5cmj9eI8SKPor5hAjc-CEHYeVhg-OEavrltipoUCXPn9cwkOBVeFMHIL7gMPYEePv8ApYK-1_nThAyX8xaXj-8zhTkDucmX5tf0VGkb8ZcG/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jBRWx57L0qt6f0qP2jAopYfjfLBn4AJsG5cmj9eI8SKPor5hAjc-CEHYeVhg-OEavrltipoUCXPn9cwkOBVeFMHIL7gMPYEePv8ApYK-1_nThAyX8xaXj-8zhTkDucmX5tf0VGkb8ZcG/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Let me start by saying that Paul is a much better runner than he is a race report writer. I can't capture exactly what his race was to him, but I can paint a picture of just how tough he is.<br />
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Rewind a few weeks...unless you are living under a rock in the Ultrarunning world, you know that Lake Sonoma was unfortunately cancelled due to weather. John and Lisa made the call early enough so that we could cancel all of our reservations. As Paul laughed about later, this cancellation opened the flood gates to me adding in a few extra races. Take one out, add three more :) But, for Paul, he was wanted to run his first 50-miler. He didn't want to wait until the end of the month, and after all of his marathon pacing he didn't want to run another "marathon" as part of the 50, thus eliminating AR50. So, we decided to stay local and he got excited to race Hells Hills 50-miler.<br />
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Hells Hills is a great race in Smithville. It has kept the low-key feel of early ultras, while growing and still having all of Joe's first class pieces. I love the race more than anything because it is one of my favorites to volunteer at. The trails are on a closed ranch, so it is safe and night running by yourself is not daunting. Two years ago Jason and I started running at 2AM and then hooked in with the racers at 5. Last year I used it as a good night run for WS, and spent the night in the woods hanging glowsticks. This year since I didn't need to be out until the middle of the night, I waited for the sun to set and Flyer and I set off to hang glowsticks. It was a beautiful night, and just so enjoyable.<br />
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After we finished, before midnight, we tucked into the car for sherpa duty the next day. I woke up with Paul around 4ish and sent him on his way. Spirits were good, and he had folks to run with. Our friend, Steven Moore, was running and would hopefully set the pace of experience for Paul. <br />
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Loop 1 - The guys came in about 6 strong, all within a minute. They looked good and sweaty. It was not hot outside, but the humidity might take a toll later. Paul and I had a quick transition and he was off...smiling and with ease.<br />
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Loop 2 - Paul comes in from loop 2 and asks how far back he is. Oops...I never saw another guy, hmmm. complete failure on the sherpa duty. I yell some encouragements to Paul, and folks laugh about how strong he looks and that he probably could follow my encouragement to "pick it up." Steven comes in about 10 minutes later with cramps in his legs. I hand him a handful of electrolytes that he tries to pick through, but I insist that he take them all. He gets enough in to rally the third loop and finish strong. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGtcUEm5o4AoAWzkkbbECuqjIXfiSqX63M9hq53uRisMexmvPVl_-mcNkmaPCwBc7Le9FbCbieWZE87WmHV0SSIgR3v5TESfYXMkKoI4GfMwjdssbHEbmUcqavuhIMaYQTH6BAI6k8HAW/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGtcUEm5o4AoAWzkkbbECuqjIXfiSqX63M9hq53uRisMexmvPVl_-mcNkmaPCwBc7Le9FbCbieWZE87WmHV0SSIgR3v5TESfYXMkKoI4GfMwjdssbHEbmUcqavuhIMaYQTH6BAI6k8HAW/s200/IMG_0258.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
When Sandi, his wife, comes in from the 25K she tells me that Paul was about 9 min down on the 1st place guy. I tell her about my not seeing the guy, and not being able to give Paul any info. We chat and watch racers come in.<br />
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The first guy comes in 6:59 and change. He says that he has been running scared thinking Paul would catch him. Paul comes in 7:02 and change like he had taken a jog through the park...wow, did he make it look easy! The only downfall of the day was that he set his feet on FIRE, and Asa (Liza's son) had to extinguish the fire. See her blog for the fireman reference :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKb_H_49eRzUsXu0z3_XX8DbLA4sg5UGmWqyhkwudafNylnBa7sc2cf_hWSQSnpv9dsCTFBQfnGRd_JZdEVsvg6_p5LpFRFapu3TOH7Ve2PLc04EZjTWzCfVrRHDkhoFm4SJ1zBVwju0H/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKb_H_49eRzUsXu0z3_XX8DbLA4sg5UGmWqyhkwudafNylnBa7sc2cf_hWSQSnpv9dsCTFBQfnGRd_JZdEVsvg6_p5LpFRFapu3TOH7Ve2PLc04EZjTWzCfVrRHDkhoFm4SJ1zBVwju0H/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It was an awesome day with friends, catching up, and watching Paul make it look easy. Oh, I guess I should rewind just a little bit more to the 130+ bike ride he did the Saturday before...nice taper, huh?<br />
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Last weekend...as if the 50-miler wasn't enough to warrant rest Paul rode 90 mi on Saturday and was going to "run" the Loop 30K trail race. I am thinking that he will be tired and take it a little easy...I thought I was the race/mileage junkie of the family? Not so much. He follows his 50-miler with a win at the 30K. There was a funny incident of odors and claims of Paul in the woods, but I will leave that story to be told in person. It would lose it's effect on paper :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uyJgmteDTokBBaXhiDkLZXozUACrPihq6g9uaT-mxEREQWmxrC1PnDQDfNIR4yDw1lQ7vk6IttkumrosBWBf_D6iUlozwBRncj6wFYheq8_ECP66BNYnLlvf0L85AgucaGCIy8g3EZHV/s1600/RogLOOP+_-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uyJgmteDTokBBaXhiDkLZXozUACrPihq6g9uaT-mxEREQWmxrC1PnDQDfNIR4yDw1lQ7vk6IttkumrosBWBf_D6iUlozwBRncj6wFYheq8_ECP66BNYnLlvf0L85AgucaGCIy8g3EZHV/s320/RogLOOP+_-70.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgOjgXLf8LnSqHi5VhSh_NeMNc9HKKA2DAfXQ7d_zQFzxqsuttY0zUkj_cm0fnxqn4vClZ3ZgCEohmKT97DDNpIsKqeVmEfHbx7PLSMCRlMYatXktPXOBFmMXVga9O3kfkkgPPosjXYk/s1600/RogLOOP+_-1002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OgOjgXLf8LnSqHi5VhSh_NeMNc9HKKA2DAfXQ7d_zQFzxqsuttY0zUkj_cm0fnxqn4vClZ3ZgCEohmKT97DDNpIsKqeVmEfHbx7PLSMCRlMYatXktPXOBFmMXVga9O3kfkkgPPosjXYk/s320/RogLOOP+_-1002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>With all of Paul's trail racing, I was thinking of retiring to solely road running...just to be different in the family. Just kidding. Although, I have been enjoying my running crew and they have been dishing out a good beating to me regularly! It keeps my schedule on target, and keeps me very honest with running hard, vs. slower than I am capable of. I am so appreciative of them for the early morning company!!<br />
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This past weekend I headed out to Hogs Hunt 50K. It was going to be a good training run for Quicksilver. I have had two big weeks leading up, so it was going to be easy to keep things at a training pace. I will start off by saying it was definitely not my finest, but nonetheless I held things together and ran decent. Here is the quick breakdown:<br />
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A couple of things (aka excuses):<br />
- I slept 30 min Friday night<br />
- with the above just felt sleepy and that weird "I haven't slept nausea feeling"<br />
- am NIGHTBLIND...running fast in the dark on trails is HARD!<br />
- don't take your glasses off mid-race. It takes your eyes too long to adjust...again not a great idea on trails.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XvtuKSTBXJxQvZCfcOb8zyxXjkrRm8Y_oJKAlD1wc0zRFiTnP4PSAeaWsOL0csPl8LTi7sfIekjp9c4ngNewFTXRZm8cD3BXtC9mjgFLNF9dDt20HfNF2dM3wajpn1qGMVXCei7sYAwk/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XvtuKSTBXJxQvZCfcOb8zyxXjkrRm8Y_oJKAlD1wc0zRFiTnP4PSAeaWsOL0csPl8LTi7sfIekjp9c4ngNewFTXRZm8cD3BXtC9mjgFLNF9dDt20HfNF2dM3wajpn1qGMVXCei7sYAwk/s320/IMG_0344.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>- don't chase a girl that passes you when she has never run a 50K. Experience is useful in this sport.<br />
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I did not run a smart race. I took off and was out of breath trying to focus in the dark, and find my pace. I was happy to hit the jeep road, but didn't settle down. After the first aid station, things didn't improve when I saw a girl not far behind. I just kept pushing the pace. (Larry - I don't know what the heck y'all were running on the jeep road, but my geek-o-meter review ranged from 7:20s-7:46...and y'all were minutes ahead :) )<br />
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Fortunately/ unfortunately, the girl caught me about 10 miles into the first loop. She was in from out of town for a wedding, and had never run a 50K. She picks up the pace, and takes off...literally out of sight. In my head I tell myself that she will blow-up, and I should just run my race but it bugs me that she took off and I proceed to pick up the pace and chase, chase, chase...to the end of the first loop. Yup, one loop left to go.<br />
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I get my lead back after the first loop, but I feel that she is close. Again, I run hard to the first aid station and see her on the turn-around. She is making me work!! I run strong on the jeep road, but am definitely getting tired. I have gone too hard too early, dumbass...I know better.<br />
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Now I just have to hang on. I am in good spirits, but definitely slowing. I just have to hope she is too, but won't know until the finish. And, then, I have to go to the restroom...ugg. I get back on the course and this guy I had passed was right in front of me. I ask if she passed and he says no. I plug away, and a few miles later...back in the woods. At this point, again, I don't know if she passed or not. So I push, and convince myself to push to the finish. I catch back up to the same guy, and, again, I am stll in the lead. I still continue to push. I am ready to be done. I had a solid 5 mile close after 6 miles or so of bathroom/tired legs/stupid early running.<br />
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My first loop was 2:08 (25K) and my 2nd was 2:18 (with 2 restroom stops)...not great, but I will take it.<br />
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The only plus is that since this was a training run/effort I am not sore at all. And, even though the above "excuses" are out there...they are not actual excuses as they didn't stop or hinder what my body was able to do on raceday. They are just thoughts I need to work through for the next race!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhyphenhyphengbuLElmcnAZXJkkgij7vBVzsK176TeK6ZG7NntoTqc7-gJBZ8RJbigz14MU8_pSw-jyhl07afINyT2II4ua4DD5vJNJ3uh8_MXwQjbeEkvGESK-P0nsRde9BQcnGglaXnCWMMjcZks/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhyphenhyphengbuLElmcnAZXJkkgij7vBVzsK176TeK6ZG7NntoTqc7-gJBZ8RJbigz14MU8_pSw-jyhl07afINyT2II4ua4DD5vJNJ3uh8_MXwQjbeEkvGESK-P0nsRde9BQcnGglaXnCWMMjcZks/s200/IMG_0349.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>It has been amazing to share training and racing with Paul (and Flyer). I feel so fortunate to be able to share so much with him, trade-off sherpa duties, and enjoy the rewards of work eithic and a healthy lifestyle. I love that we have 7 years of kisses during and after races, and look forward to many more!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtATTOQhUkNi7U0YIrcx24IYhYjSAVWiW54M9M6nrF8KRUyfeLvTN2yc_MrE7awnLOXn-WooqR_lJa0-LSLwrDPRzbL9j52QksalNsJiDq-vu8tArtyOcUjBr5D9mvm3N7YeilU2ZOwpgT/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtATTOQhUkNi7U0YIrcx24IYhYjSAVWiW54M9M6nrF8KRUyfeLvTN2yc_MrE7awnLOXn-WooqR_lJa0-LSLwrDPRzbL9j52QksalNsJiDq-vu8tArtyOcUjBr5D9mvm3N7YeilU2ZOwpgT/s320/IMG_0350.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Huge thanks to Olga for the race photos and wonderful chats at the races these past few weeks (I wish there was a pic of the two of us..). Thanks to Liza for letting us play with Asa - the fireman, and to all of our trail family (Joe, Joyce, etc) for making this journey so much more fun!!<br />
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Hugs!<br />
mermeredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-65304754427422254352011-03-16T07:42:00.000-07:002011-03-16T07:42:48.142-07:0088 StepsPaul and I headed to Waco this past weekend for a 50K race/training run. Springtime is in full swing, so I was looking forward to running in warmer weather.<br />
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It was a breezy morning, but I was excited to run this race again. Cameron Park is such a hidden gem in Waco, and RD Tim really goes out of his way to maximize the best of what the trails have to offer. Last year the trail was under construction, so a few miles of each loop were on the road. It was still a tough course, but nothing like this year. As a mountain bike trail, you are either running up or down the whole time. There are very few sections of running flat for more than about .5 mile. The highlight of each loop, this year, was a climb called Jacob's Ladder. Last year we didn't have the bonus treat at the end of the loop. The "ladder" consists of 88 concrete steps. They are not just stair steps, but mini climbs for someone with short legs. There were some other trail bonuses, but I will get there in a moment.<br />
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Right before the race started we got an awesome surprsie of Chris!! She is someone we met at Transrockies this past year from Flagstaff. She was originally from the Waco/Austin area, so she used the race as an excuse to visit folks. I was thrilled for her to be there because I knew that she would push me. I knew she was an incredible runner from her performance at TRR (she and her partner were 3rd or 4th in the open mixed and Aliza had told me how awesome of a runner she was as the week in CO went by), but I had not seen her climbing in action until Saturday. We take off, and Paul is out of sight in a moment. We hang together in a group of about 4. We have moments of not knowing where the course is, but we seem to be finding our way. We go through the first aid station and then spread out. We continue on, and at some point I pass mile 4 and 5, keep running and then pass mile 4 and 5 AGAIN!! UGG! What have I done?!? After about 10 minutes I get to the perimeter trail and take it thinking I would just go back to the aid station. Fortunately on the road I see the RD and he heads me in the right direction, and then proceeds to remark and fix the course. After I get the next two loops correct I realize I added about 1.5 miles...oh well, this is supposed to be a training run.<br />
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I have no idea where I am compared to the others, so I just push on. As I turn on the road to hook back to the last .5 of the loop I see Cris heading out on her 2nd loop. She is about a mile ahead of me. I head up the steps and then around the corner to finish loop one. <br />
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I head out for loop two. As I am about a mile into loop two I see the RD and he asks if I have any prob with the turn markings. I said, "all good." Then a little before mile 2 of the loop someone is standing on the trail and points for me to climb up a bamboo jungle. I look at him funny and he says that most folks missed this on loop one. We were one of those groups, hmm. Sure enough as I start scrambling up the bamboo I see a trail marker. WOW, crazy route and climb :) His fixes were great because this loop went much smoother. I had many less pauses to make sure I was going the right way. I appreciate him getting on the course and making those during race corrections. <br />
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With the trails the way they were set-up, it was nice to be able to see Chris and a guy in a green shirt ahead of me. I could tell I was catching up, but didn't know how close I was. It was when I hit the stairs I saw them both just ahead. On the way down to the start finish I caught the guy, switched out my bottles, and headed out. <br />
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Up the bamboo again, and I saw Chris right ahead of me. When we got to the top I saw her stop. I thought she was stretching a cramp, so I asked if she was ok. She asked me if we were headed correct, and I told her that I had done the bamboo on loop two. She said that loop 3 was her first time to be sent that way. We laughed at the fact that we had both messed up the course as one point or another. Off we went together. We hit one section that was a long, not steep, uphill. She slowly pulled away from me. I kept seeing her, but with the uphills I couldn't stay with her. UGGG! I am not a strong uphill runner :( I was able to stay not far behind, but just couldn't stay with her. I caught back up to her as she was refilling her camelbak at the last aid station. I was able to run through, and started one of the last long uphills...of course she caught back up again. I was able to stay right ahead of her on the flats and downhills, but she would pull away on the uphills. She was just so smooth on the ups. She got to the steps about 20 sec ahead of me, and I pushed the road down to the finish but finished behind her in about 5:24. <br />
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Major bonus to have her there because I ran stronger than I would have on my own. Even with the harder course, 3x88 steps, and bonus mileage I actually finished the same time I did last year so I was pleased and her to thank for it!<br />
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Paul, of course, won. He said that he didn't feel great, but he didn't have anyone to run with or push him and had a huge week of training leading up...this is also two hours longer than his last race :) <br />
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Sunday morning we headed to Bastrop for a soft run. I am so proud of him for the back to back run as I know he would have rather been on his bike. I know he will thank me at Sonoma! I don't know if all of this running is for him, so we might have to find an adventure together that offers a bit more variety. But, it is such a treat to do this together! <br />
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Pics to come soon! I know, for sure, there is one of Chris and I. <br />
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Happy Springtime!!<br />
mermeredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-88944387211350250312011-02-21T08:23:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:23:49.226-08:00A PictureThis picture is the example of: celebration, courage, trust, selflessness, and memories to last!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUAXGjslp2LniDk77TTNElZ5PAuo55mCwSZT66P-MznjPA6LAcvUu5r_1s6lGLTxYPpLniOIjZz0puONHGg_5VyqmDhXB0fV_2QHyZhzMTcgtzyD_0veZ2a89pJULff62Ee7gDFr7Np7q/s1600/winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUAXGjslp2LniDk77TTNElZ5PAuo55mCwSZT66P-MznjPA6LAcvUu5r_1s6lGLTxYPpLniOIjZz0puONHGg_5VyqmDhXB0fV_2QHyZhzMTcgtzyD_0veZ2a89pJULff62Ee7gDFr7Np7q/s400/winner.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Paul wanted Desiree to have her moment, but she pulled him into the moment to share. They had shared many miles together. Paul told her to dig in, do this because so many were cheering for her, do this for her mom, and do this for her. It was not her goal for the day, but the win was still hers. Paul backed off from the group he was pacing (2:46) as he knew they were in good hands with Scott, and stuck himself to Des. He blocked the wind, cheered her on, and kept her strong. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our friend, JP, sent this pic to my phone and said, "your boy is a stud." Dang right he is! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-31765077183913713482011-02-06T16:29:00.000-08:002011-02-06T16:31:40.309-08:00Running With Elvis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IcGLcG3MQFtcMBWvtijlQgLvqAtJiEt6vBLTO7NuzQ38fcGjl8B5z-Le6l0k3hX433Uo0Bs8DVG9jjRm6vYO3thKbLIyAqcXIS0V82rdQPuEccKG_Kp24iv9DhrrDTHH_S2VfjSBKZ_E/s1600/mile+80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IcGLcG3MQFtcMBWvtijlQgLvqAtJiEt6vBLTO7NuzQ38fcGjl8B5z-Le6l0k3hX433Uo0Bs8DVG9jjRm6vYO3thKbLIyAqcXIS0V82rdQPuEccKG_Kp24iv9DhrrDTHH_S2VfjSBKZ_E/s320/mile+80.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(as edited by Bryon Powell for <a href="http://irunfar.com/">IRUNFAR</a>) Paul and Ian ran the North Face 50K in December and finished 2/1. Afterward, Ian wrote a great report and was quite kind to Paul. From there, Paul saw the RR was on Ian’s race schedule and sent him a note and said that if we are out there he would love to pace him. The stage was set… in December.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">About 3 weeks ago I decided not to race the 50, but go out and do course set-up for the 2 days before the race. Again, we reached out to Ian, but this time offered him the service of pacers for the last two loops, which he graciously accepted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thought it would be fun to share a quote on his pre-race plan: “My race number is 6 and I’m planning on running somewhere between 13 and 14 hours, so should hit 60 miles very close to 8 hours into the race (should be easy to pace that bit, it’s just the last 2 laps that’ll be hard). Aim is to stick to 8 min/miles if I feel it’s possible later on, plus there’s now so much competition in the race that it’d be a shame to not try to give those guys a race.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We also told him we would crew for him at the aid stations. It would be a good way for us to pass the time and get to see the race play out. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After I arrived and ran the course on Thursday I sent Ian a note to tell him that the course was in the best condition I had ever seen it and that the weather for Saturday looked to be perfect. We made some final coordinating to meet at packet pick-up, as I hadn’t met him yet, and that was it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thursday night/Friday morning… snow in Texas. :) I ran the course again, and aside from very icy bridges the course was still in perfect condition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I met Ian at packet pick-up, and we talked about what he might need and then just small talk. What a laidback guy. I think we talked less about the race than about random stuff. I went to meet Paul to hang glowsticks on the course for the next morning and told him that Ian was going to have a special day with that calm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What we didn’t tell him is that Paul had a streak to hold up: He has paced the last 3 race winners at Rocky: Jorge Pacheco, Jamie Donaldson, Greg Crowther. He was also coming off pacing the Olympic Trial hopefuls at Houston last week. He was to pace the 2:39 group, but when all the women slowed he slowed with them to bring them in for the “B” standard. And the last time I paced at Rocky was when Jenn Shelton ran 14:57. No pressure, yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The first time we saw Ian was as he was running in from lap 1 (mile 20). The plan was for us to refill his Camelbak and give him goodies (nibbles as he calls it) from his little bag, which he had left. Oh, and take clothes as he took off layers. Simple enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Well, he comes through in second and his Camelbak has frozen. He hands it and a layer to me and says he will the pack later. At this point, he is without a hydration source, which (as someone who specializes in ultra nutrition) I didn’t like. His plan was to have nuun and water in that source. So we go into crew action. I have a tiny bottle (10 oz) that I am going to fill with a nuun and water and give to him at the next aid station: Nature Center (mile 23).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We meet him there, but he graciously doesn’t take the bottle. I figure I will just keep having the bottle and his Camelbak which we thawed. Hopefully, he would take one eventually. We see him next at Park Road (mile 36) and he takes the bottle. He is eating and drinking well, but I am happy that he is now carrying something. Now, I know he will hold strong!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">He comes through the 2nd loop (mile 40) in first and looking smooth and happy. We refill the bottle and get him out. Aid station stops are about 30 seconds, if that. The year I paced Jenn, I also crewed for Anton Krupicka, so we know how to NASCAR crew! Paul and I love this stuff, and Ian was super gracious and happy to have us move him quickly when we could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We have been waiting for the others to go through the aid stations, but we haven’t been sharing the splits. It just doesn’t seem important or something Ian needs for motivation. He is definitely doing his thing and we are happy to be part of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By loop 3 we have our job down, and Ian is just in what seems to be cruise mode. Although his cruise mode is a sight to see, WOW!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We are meeting him at all aid stations we can and just keep the machine on target. Again, he is so on top of his eating and drinking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As he approaches mile 56 aid station, I notice he still has some layers on. As he goes through, I asked if he wants to take off layers (hat, gloves, long sleeve) just to put the bug in his ear that they need to come off and he says he will in 5 miles start/finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As he comes into the start/finish of loop three (mile 60), he has removed the extra layers to toss to me. (We have been drying these layers just in case he needs them later.) He and Paul head out together and he says, “let’s go for 8 minutes per miles.” He doesn’t have a Garmin on, but is so in tune with where he is, how long stretches are between aid stations, and how long each stretch is taking. It is just such a testament to how on top of his nutrition and game he was. Incredible!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Paul said that the loop was awesome. Ian set the pace and they just chatted away. Paul noticed that he was breathing a little harder on the “hills,” but still so strong. I actually waited for the next guys to come through as we had missed them at the last couple of aid stations. I noted that they were 20 minutes behind him. His lead was building. My friend Mike pointed out that they would have to increase their pace 1 minute per mile on the last loop to catch him. WOW!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had my friend do some quick calculations for me, just in case, to see what we needed to do to maintain the course record at this point. He needed at least a 3 hour loop, even with cushion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Right before 10 hours into the race we have a Team Terranova hand-off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ian and I start down the trail and he tells me that he just wants a 3 hour loop. I say ok, but let’s just kind of relax and see what happens. We don’t take lights so the real goal is to get to Park Road, 4 miles from the finish, during daylight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Conversation is almost as light as his feet. I tell him stories of folks who have sent well wishes his way on my phone, and talk is light. Let’s be honest, I am not running slow for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We see Anton and Hal and we guess that they are about 30 minutes behind. Take note here!! Ian says, “Yhey are about 28 minutes behind.” We are later told that they come in 27 minutes behind. Almost 83 miles in and he is THAT on is game and that clear in his mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We get to the aid station and reload him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I ended up needing to hit the woods and took an alternate route to me back up with Ian. The best part, as it turns out later, is that Ian says that this is actually a great thing for him. He was able to relax and cruise. He ended up about 40 minutes without me. We head back to the aid station and this time it is a bit of a frenzy. Everyone is taking tons of pictures as I fill his bottle and he “nibbles.” (I am getting such a kick out of his description of aid station eating.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We leave the aid station with about an hour of running left. He is just a few minutes behind his last split, and running so well! It is just awesome to be with him. Such a wonderful person. We get back on the single track and I see what I think is Karl. I ask, “was that Karl.” Ian says, “yes,” and we note that he is about 8 miles behind him. WOW! We start talking about the odds that Karl gave him (13-1) and how he wished that he could have taken that bet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I remind him that this is the last rooted section, then the jeep road, and last aid station. I tell him we will grab lights there and that my light is ridiculous. We have a great run of it. We run side-by-side on the jeep road and have a good push of it. He asks me how much further until we turn and I tell him, “two bumps.” I refuse to call the stuff out here hills, although I am sure he is thinking the opposite at this point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">He and I talk about the fact that it was hard for him to get going again after the last aid station, so I suggest we just run through the last one without a pause. It’s only 4 or so miles to the finish and he should be fine. I encourage him to take part of a gel as we head into the aid station, so he can dump the rest as we go through. He, again, is just so on it and ready to take the gel. AWESOME!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We cross the road, Paul hands me both of our lights, and off we go with maybe a 2 second pause. I hand him his headlamp and put mine on my head. I don’t realize that he is holding his, but at the point when he is about to put his on I hear a clammer and then the most awesome tuck and roll. CRAP! Before I can blink he is up and running, and I find him the best running ground on the right side of the trail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oh, side note, he is still running every tangent possible on every turn. Definitely the road runner in him, and when I applaud it he says, “why would I run any extra.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Back to the tuck and roll…he is up and we are back in action. There is little to no pause in our forward momentum. As we turn back onto the singletrack our lights go on. It takes me a moment, but at the perfect angle I can totally light the trail for him from behind. Yes, my light is that bright. (I am night blind, so I need it…and yeah, forgot to get my glasses.) The goal is to not fall and get past the two rooty inclines. They are short, but not worth the tripping. From there, it is about a mile of smooth sailing to the finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I keep telling him what an honor and pleasure it has been to help him and his days of running under the radar are officially over. He picks it up and we sprint it in. 12:44!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Could not have happened to a more talented (6:01 at Comrades!! and the world record for marathon in costume) guy. He has wheels and a fantastic attitude! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Paul and I loved being part of it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">mer</span>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-18190815217376571702011-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:002011-01-21T08:38:59.004-08:00Bad Weather and Being Uncomfortable"I'd like to see you challenge yourself from the beginning." I was further instructed to tap into my uncomfortable zone early, latch onto folks, but not run like a bat out of hell. What a loaded list to work with.<br />
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I was off to a trail marathon last Sunday to make up for missing Bandera the week before. It was a perfect setting: loop course, flat terrain, soft running, a chance for a quick visit with the folks, and an easy trip. The only piece I was missing from Bandera weekend was the fantastic weather, and the rocks...which I never miss anyway :) Last weekend called for 40s and rain ALL WEEKEND. That would have been fine if my only run of the weekend was the practice pacing run on Saturday, but I had locked myself into the marathon and asked coach if I could count the weather as my "uncomfortable running?"<br />
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Saturday morning Paul and I met up with the Rogue pace teams for a "practice" run. It seems so simple to run slower than your pace for a marathon, but it actually takes practice. You are constantl monitoring and making sure you are running slow enough. I pace the 3:50 group. I LOVE LOVE LOVE pacing. It is such a joy to share the time with folks working toward a goal like a marathon, and often a first marathon. It makes you remember what this feels like all over again. So here we are in 40s and rainy, trotting along, when our group tells us that their MGP segment ends with about 5 miles to go in the run. There was no convincing them to run an extra step at MGP. They had their instructions and they were determined to slow. It actually worked well for Danny and I because when they hit their spot, we sped up to a more comfortable easy run pace. We were chatting along, and at one point I looked down and our pace was 6:50...hmm probably not pre-race pace. So we slowed to a more comfortable 7:20 and continued on. I will admit that running so easily at this pace, in the nasty weather, gave me an extra boost to my fitness for the next day....I needed it.<br />
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Paul had already finished breakfast by time we returned, he is pacing the 2:47 group at Austin, and was ready to shuttle me to my car. I was happy to have run the 13 as my pre-race warm-up. Iknew exactly what gear I would need for the next day.<br />
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In a last minute decision Paul opted to head to Houston with me. He figured it would be more fun to hang out with me and the fam then be home in the nasty weather. I was thankful to have him join me. It always takes my pre-race edge off.<br />
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We arrived to Houston to no rain. For a brief moment I dreamed that I would be running in dry conditions. HAHA! We woke up early Sunday morning and headed out to Brazos Bend in rainy very windy conditions. The course was a figure 8 loop around 2 little lakes (4 miles) and then a long out-and-back and then repeat. The race was supposed to be 50K start, then marathon, then 1/2. Thankfully, due to a rain delay they started the 50K and marathon together. The 50K just had a bonus loop each loop. I started in my rain jacket and gloves, knowing that I would see Paul after the 4 mile loop. We took off and one guy flew off the front. I ran with the eventual 50K winner and quickly we separated ourselves from the rest of the race. He would get a couple of paces in front of me, but everytime there was a possible wrong turn he would take it and then catch back up. Nice guy, though. I gave my jacket and gloves to Paul and off we went for the out-and-back. At one point during the out and back, a guy in black passed me. I had settled into a good rhythmn so wasn't ready to hang onto him (I would be thankful for this later).<br />
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On the way back, we got to see the entire field of people. Yes, some were running 3 and 4 together and given the wet it slowed things down, but overall people were so friendly. It was raining constantly and I felt like a little kid splashing in the puddles. I got to cheer for Linda, Cheri, Jeff, and Greg which is always a highlight for me! Austin runners are the best!<br />
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As I started the 2nd loop, I felt great. I was behind black tank guy and was debating on whether he was slowing or steady. I think I actually backed off a little to let him stay in front of me...or maybe I wasn't thinking that hard about it. I came through the 4 mile loop ready to go hard for the out-and-back and see what was left in the tank. I haven't run a marathon in years, so my marathon PR of 3:20 almost feels like it's not real...is there an expiration date on a PR? <br />
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Sunday on the flat trail in the ran felt like my chance to see what I could do. As we started the out-and-back I passed the black tank guy, and then ran like hell. I looked back a few times but he was out of sight. The lead guy was about 10 minutes up on me, so I just focused on staying strong. I couldn't believe how much time I had made up on the guy on my way back. On the way out I saw Cheri and Jeff. They became my solid target for the finish...run hard enough to catch them before the finish line. I hadn't known how far they actually were down the trail, but I was going to push until I caught them. It ended up being a great goal. At this point, aside from a few folks heading out and passing folks on the way back I had the trail to myself which made weaving in and out of the puddles for the best line easy. I was filthy, but there wasn't any mud that was sticking so the course continued to be fast.<br />
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As I approached the road crossing with a little less than a mile to go, I caught Jeff and Cheri!! I also looked at my watch and realized that if I could continue to push I would break 3:15. My legs were gone, but I continued to push...3:13:39 2nd overall and 1st female!!<br />
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I have no idea what this translates to on tapered legs on the road, nor honestly do I care. I am proud that on a rotten day on a wet trail this is what my body was able to do. I am thankful that Paul was there to keep me moving and share a good result with me, and that is really all that matters.<br />
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But, at least for the next bit, when folks ask what my marathon PR is I can say under 3:13:39. Right now, it feels like where actually am and when convinced what I can push my body to do. Thank you to Paul, Ian, and all those who help me believe what I am capable of in a parts of my life!!<br />
mer<br />
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Next week of the Houston Marathon! Paul is pacing the 2:39 group. He is just so fit, happy, and healthy right now! It is very exciting to see him like this!!meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-73659222207919839882010-12-11T16:58:00.000-08:002010-12-11T17:22:09.314-08:00My Own Little WorldI need to download pics from last weekend, and will next week. I am FINALLY over the crud...almost 10 days later...and so I was thrilled to be able to get out and enjoy a long run in this incredible weather.<br /><br />Paul and I were talking the other day, and then as I ran today I kept listening to this great song, My Own Little World. The song talks about being absorbed in your own little world. We are all to blame for living like this, but what if you took a few precious moments in your busy day and extended a hand, call, or note to your family, friends, and loved ones? What kind of impact do we have when we reach out to those we love? It's kind of like the thought of getting out the door for a run. Everyone says that there are no regrets in getting a run done...same thing applies to getting out of your own little world, no regrets.<br /><br />The songs' lyrics are meaningful: "I don't want to miss what matters. I wanna be reaching out. Show me the greater purpose so I can be living right now." <br /><br />I get a consistant glimpse of this whenever I can be a good person to those around me. It's whenever I can take a moment, not for me, that I realize "my own little world is not just about me."<br /><br />As ill as I was last weekend, it was the filled moments that were more meaningful than any race. It was seeing Paul have a great run. It was spending wonderful time with friends. It was making the most of the time I had, and the time I got to share with others...it was realizing that there is a bigger picture.<br /><br />I challenge you to take a step out of your own little world and see what you find :)<br />mermeredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-52801622442581954032010-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:002010-11-30T18:27:32.815-08:00Friends, Family, and North FaceThings have been busy over the past few weeks, and never seem to slow down. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545532171259296386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6xpUJsAEbLriguG0Y2qQD9zii7rr7lAzYcUIgWm0-LUdb30xKtk9zMelogiWx3cN2QrhLBetkE77ExSICbCGeZSl9JY2UsRyrPpIqJ_WyyCDCnAUtrCaAg5XJSWTbtVl8TuS-0g6H_QY/s320/amy+and+flyer.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1KzzbvBPqdAnhLKoEPHz5YGFn21QxGE7dp1ewSkQLzBXOX2EDxfRtYETQh4nitdOxyXETvPGnd6AY6JzWfgVs_PewctbVqKAXec7u4dZfyKKuAZ_8B8rKtIxwoglGEaqdBM7MtFKuwnz/s1600/jamie+and+dave.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545534296084838914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1KzzbvBPqdAnhLKoEPHz5YGFn21QxGE7dp1ewSkQLzBXOX2EDxfRtYETQh4nitdOxyXETvPGnd6AY6JzWfgVs_PewctbVqKAXec7u4dZfyKKuAZ_8B8rKtIxwoglGEaqdBM7MtFKuwnz/s320/jamie+and+dave.jpg" /></a>Before Thanksgiving Paul, Flyer, and I went to Ultracentric 24-hour to support Jamie. We also got to support her friend, Debra, and enjoyed catching up, although only briefly <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yj6klgyjxE0JMIIfJTbtVTOQ4bZ-aqQgxhKJEtz3YOxNdP6R_NJJ8GvAwnobTjUXABYJydujw2zuOKOVXipwyEl-7wAb6rGW78-3HINfoGq-0vuM1tLm01hi7UsnUSClKq5lKmsbcVU/s1600/jamie+and+amy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545534148868663666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yj6klgyjxE0JMIIfJTbtVTOQ4bZ-aqQgxhKJEtz3YOxNdP6R_NJJ8GvAwnobTjUXABYJydujw2zuOKOVXipwyEl-7wAb6rGW78-3HINfoGq-0vuM1tLm01hi7UsnUSClKq5lKmsbcVU/s320/jamie+and+amy.jpg" /></a>per loop, with Amy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div></div><br /><br /><div>During the race, when the sun went down, I had the treat of hitting the trails with Luis Escobar. In my mind he is always of photography fame. He takes the most incredible Ultrarunning shots. But, now-a-days he is of Born to Run fame. We had great talks and sloppy feet running in the woods. It was during this run that we talked about how Jamie and I became friends. We met at Mountain Massochist years ago when she was a Montrail Athlete and then I became one. From there we kept in touch and seemed to link up at races or when Paul and I would come through Colorado. I will forever be thankful for being on the Montrail team for the gift of her friendship and other people who have touched my life as a result (hugs to Sophie here!!).</div><br /><div>After a short week Paul, Flyer, and I headed to H-town to visit my family for Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the time with my family, memories as we moved items out of my grandfather's house, hearing him tell stories of his family history, celebrating my dad's birthday with him, and wonderful moments with Paul. We went for a run on the trail I first ran on. It was 40 degrees and raining, but we had a blast slopping around the woods. I loved that when I needed a hug we sat on the couch upstairs at my parents and he just silently hugged me. I am so very thankful for every moment we get to share together! People ask if we have needed an "adjustment" period since he has moved home, and the answer is, "not at all!" We enjoy eachother so much that being together more is just such a huge bonus!</div><br /><div>On that note we are headed to North Face Endurance race in San Fran this weekend. We are doing the fun run 50K! The weekend is more about spending time with eachother and friends, so I didn't want to be out there running or focusing on the run. That being said...we are working up some kind of race wager for time predictions between us :) Any ideas are welcome! I give us a 30 min diff. He ran 1:14 at San Antonio half as a training run, so he is in stellar shape. I am just happy that Anna is running the 50-miler so that Paul doesn't use her for pacing like he did over Hope Pass...</div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-72381885550891819782010-11-18T18:45:00.001-08:002010-11-18T19:15:02.467-08:00Sharing AustinThe past few days have been such a treat! The Running Event comes to Austin each year, and this year brought in some of my friends from California and the West Coast. We planned a small get together last night, and with an added phone call or two it turned into a small party!<br /><br />John and Lisa of UltraRunning fame, Josh, who shared his birthday with us, Ian, my coach, and Devon were all planned attendees. Then Ian asked if Karl could come...of course. El Chile, one of my favorites, was kind enough to set up a big table in the back of the restaurant for us. Paul picked up John and Lisa and I loaded up the rest of the crowd.<br /><br />Once one round of drinks were down, the conversation got lively! For those of you who don't know, Karl has just come off of his run <a href="http://www.karlmeltzer.com/">www.karlmeltzer.com</a> 40 days and 2000 miles of the Pony Express route. Oh did he have tales to tell...runs, broken bones, crew fights, lots of support, golf games, and barley blood levels :) Well over three hours later, great food, conversation, laughs, and drinks we all got up with early departures or runs to come. <br /><br />Then, this morning after getting in some quick work I picked up Devon at her hotel and we headed out for a run. I took her straight to the Hill of Life, our local Greenbelt. My goal of the run was to not have her turn an ankle. We had a great run and Flyer was all kinds of happy! From there we headed to Rogue, and then to the Snack Bar for the European Salad (hello beets!!), and finally a trip to Whole Foods. <br /><br />More than just showing off all of the fun places of Austin on such a beautiful day, it was just incredible to spend a day with such a wonderful person. We shared so much great conversation, and I feel so fortunate that our paths have crossed a number of times, and will continue to cross in the coming months! <br /><br />I love being able to share our town and my family with all of the wonderful people I have met over the years!<br /><br />Next stop: Coldspring, TX to crew for Jamie! Paul, Flyer, and I will be manning the .6 mile loop for 24 hrs :)<br />mer<br /><br />What a group!meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-31801578923212106872010-11-10T07:49:00.000-08:002010-11-10T07:58:59.063-08:00Masochist...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUJDLDBq1Ghkh8bpAAClC2FLe6AMlMGpEiAY5ysVSFkgwqi5oynYahChynLT4S8pXva7n60t0V6BG7GLe1cBPwdCvAPnTgw1-RE8FBkW8oWq2S741G0Zo4IZ-UpM0v8BnR8I-LYktKXs9/s1600/mm2010finish.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537949015634860002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUJDLDBq1Ghkh8bpAAClC2FLe6AMlMGpEiAY5ysVSFkgwqi5oynYahChynLT4S8pXva7n60t0V6BG7GLe1cBPwdCvAPnTgw1-RE8FBkW8oWq2S741G0Zo4IZ-UpM0v8BnR8I-LYktKXs9/s320/mm2010finish.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">This past weekend brought me back to some of the final miles of Vermont 50 last year. It was Aliza and I on the trail. I had thrown in the towel. I had gone off course. I just wanted to finish. I didn’t fight to the end. I just got there. She was incredible in her patience, but I just wasn’t the person and runner I know I am. As I was talking to Paul Monday night I said, amongst other things, I am so proud that I fought all the way on Saturday.<br /><br />I was so looking forward to Mountain Masochist. Fall colors and time with folks I hadn’t seen in years. My last trip to the race was actually on my birthday a few years ago, and Amy, who I had just met at the pre-race meeting, made signs wishing me happy birthday at the aid stations and folks all over the course wished me happy birthday. It was an awesome way to spend my birthday. That being said, I was a different runner then. I had no honest experience in the mountains and so each climb was so very hard. But, I knew this time would be different, even with a forecast of snow on raceday. Fortunately, I have a great friend who has already been running in the snow and had the best advice about layers. Spot on!!<br /><br />I am so spoiled in my travels. I typically can leave for California on Friday morning for a Saturday race with no issue. Well, heading to Lynchburg was quite the opposite experience. Paul took me to the airport at 5:30 on Friday. At about 6:45 we were informed that there were “mechanical” issues. I immediately got up and had them schedule me on the next flight. This was a smart move because 20 minutes later the flight was cancelled. My first flight was now going to leave at 11:50. I put my compression socks on, elevated my feet, and chatted with others having my fun day. I actually met a very nice person who works for Livestrong, and it made the time pass. Fast forward to 5:30 Friday evening and I finally arrive in Lynchburg. I had been talking to Henry who was driving from DC to the race, and we decided that when I landed I would call in and pick up dinner for us and meet him at the host hotel. I was mentally and physically wiped out from the day. In fact, when I landed the only thing I said to Paul was that I just wanted to turn around and go home. In his firm loving way, he told me that this is a good test to run when I am tired, and to appreciate that I get to be there. Basically, suck it up!!<br /><br />Pre-race dinner at 7pm, which is about 3 hours after my usual pre-race dinner time. My appetite was non-existent and I ate about ½ my food. Oh well, I wasn’t going to force it. I packed up my drop bag, and laid out my clothes for the 3:45 (2:45 Central) wake-up. After the race meeting, Sophie came to the room. It was so wonderful to see her and to catch up with her in person. We had met at my last trip to the race and had kept in touch since. This is the gift of the ultra-community and what I cherish about the people I have met through my travels. She entered the room with a heavy heart. Her friend, Mike, had passed away Friday morning. They had done a tribute to him at the pre-race meeting and it was just so tough. She was going to run to honor him and their friendship!<br /><br />Barely a moment after we put our heads down to sleep, it was time to rally and go. From the moment I woke up, the best word to describe the mood was sleepy. I am normally so excited to race, and so excited to see what a day will bring. All I could think Saturday morning was how much I wanted to crawl back into bed. Ugg, what was I going to do? Well, no choice…lace my shoes up and go for a 54 mile run.<br /><br />I slept on the bus ride to the start, sucked down a soda, and just prayed it would kick in before “Go” hit. The start was supposed to be in the mid 20’s. I stepped out to go to the restroom and realized that it just wasn’t that cold, so I stripped off a layer. It was the best call I could have made. I was in capris, a long tank, short sleeves, arm warmers, and gloves.<br /><br />5 min before the start we got off the buses, I wished good luck to Sophie (who was planning to start very conservative) and Henry and lined up for the start. At exactly 6:30 after a short prayer we were off.<br /><br />Right from the beginning on the road I felt nice and comfortable. We headed out for 1.5 miles and then turned around. I was so surprised to see so many folks behind me. I ran with two guys for a while, and was very entertained by their conversation. “I always have such a slow back end to this race.” “I suffer so much in the final miles of this race.” Blah, blah, blah. Basically, they were lamenting that they go out too fast every year. All I kept thinking was, “then, SLOW DOWN moron.” I slowed up a little to be smart, and let them go for a little while. As I continued down the road, I started thinking to myself, “just get to the finish line today and you can take the week off and sleep in.” I was angry with myself for having these thoughts but I just wanted the race to be over…and it had barely started. Fortunately, Jill and I started running together at this point. She said that she didn’t want to talk to me in case I was focused, and I explained to her that I welcomed the conversation because I was just hanging on to stay awake and get to the finish line, again at mile 5.<br /><br />Pretty quickly we hit the trail, 53 min, and because it was still a little dark I had to back off because I couldn’t see. After a few moments I latched onto a guy with a light and followed him up the trail. I was very thankful for his bright light. I thought maybe I would perk up when the sun started coming up. It was a crisp morning, lots of leaves on the ground, and I was surrounded by beautiful colors. I just kept waiting for it to soak in and revive me.<br /><br />I came into the mile 8ish aid station pretty quickly, and was thrilled to see Mountain Dew. I grabbed two cups and felt like that was going to be my life-line. LOTS of caffeine!! I took off from the aid station and hit the first solid downhill shortly after. I love running downhill, so I took off and got in my groove, even if a sleepy one. Then, bam! I flew in the air and hit the ground hard. Every place I made contact with the ground had to be on a rock. My knees, left quad, chest, and rib…my hardest fall ever. The funniest moment was as I was getting up I might as well have been road kill, the best description I could think of, because this dude came flying by me. Everything hurt, especially my left knee. Compounded with how I already was feeling I just wanted to quit. I say quit because that is the word that went through my mind. I walked for a moment, wallowed for a moment, and then started to run. I moved slowly down the hill. My left knee was killing, and my head totally left the game. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWgTfE8i3RgM_0-ni26vhMkhc5QEwjK5O93qGZglP61U7l7tWseYT8yyqsIDAD1wytTkKrDxYdM392PpRorzF3yeyWcfl8xg3Y_QOmzvOsoI8tKaaIh2cmcLylxIZlolhL94Ca2_h3JwM/s1600/IMG00170-20101106-2147.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537950147596365506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWgTfE8i3RgM_0-ni26vhMkhc5QEwjK5O93qGZglP61U7l7tWseYT8yyqsIDAD1wytTkKrDxYdM392PpRorzF3yeyWcfl8xg3Y_QOmzvOsoI8tKaaIh2cmcLylxIZlolhL94Ca2_h3JwM/s320/IMG00170-20101106-2147.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My immediate thought was that I was just going to make it to the mile 15 aid station because Sophie’s friends were there and I could quit. Folks were running past me, and I didn’t have the will to stay with them. But, as I approached the mile 15 aid station the perfect thing happened. As a guy ran by me, would later learn his name was Joseph, I said, “see ya later.” Not in a mean way, it’s just what came out of my mouth at the moment when he said hi. But, his response fired me up, “No you won’t.” All of a sudden, I thought, “oh yes I will.”<br /><br />I thought of a number of things as I headed out of the mile 15 aid station: #1: I didn’t come all this way to quit; #2: if I can’t run downhill strong I am just going to have to run uphill strong; #3: I will just take it just 3 hours at a time, and probably the silliest motivator was #4 there wasn’t any blood coming out from my capris so that fall couldn’t be that bad.. I also thought about the necklace Nicole had given me for my birthday. It was a replica of the card Paul gave me the morning of Western States, “Never, never, never give up.” How could I wear that necklace if I can’t finish this race?<br /><br />The pain continued, but I fought on. I ran with a guy from Wisconson for a while, but he backed off as we climbed toward the ½ way point. As I ran along I passed a young guy. And, in the true spirit of the race he came running up next to me. He was one of Horton’s students. David Horton, in my eyes, is the true heart of ultra-running to me. He inspires others. He loves this sport, and while I am sure it exists, in my 3 trips to this race I have never heard a negative word spoken in reference to him. On top of that, he encourages, I am sure there are other words used to describe this act, his students to run ultras. There is nothing quite like running along during a race and be running beside someone in their early 20’s enjoying the same race as a typical college activity. I so wish I had someone who could have given me the same light when I was in college. And, the coolest thing is that every one of these kids knows exactly what a gift Horton has given them…just talk to one for 5 minutes and you will see. Anyway, I digress.<br /><br />He and I ran into the ½ way point (almost 27 miles in this “Horton Miles” 50 miler). I came through in 4:41. If I even split the race I would finish in 9:22, but the biggest and bulk of the climbing was in the second half of the race….<br /><br />As I grabbed my new bottle out of my drop bag, Bob C came running over to see if I needed help. He is a former Austinite and a friend of Sophie’s..wonderful small world and a gift of positive spirit. I didn’t mention my fall, and just thanked him and started the climb up Buck Mountain.<br /><br />It was much easier than I had remembered in the past. I was able to run almost all the way up, not fast but I got in a good groove and just moved up toward the Rocky Music. They have The Rocky Soundtrack Booming from the top of the mountain. Also on the climb was snowfall everywhere. We were hitting the higher points of the course, and the snow from the night before had stuck. I had never seen a first snow of a season, so it was quite spectatular.<br /><br />Up and over the top and off I went to the loop section. Mentally this was really my marking point. For some reason I kept telling myself that I just needed to make it to the loop and then I could make my final decision about quitting. Looking back, today, it is hard to believe that I was still pondering quitting a race that I was quite successfully running. I had been able to run the climbs strong, and while I couldn’t run the downhills as fast as I normally do I was able to get in a decent rythmn and mostly block out the pain in my left leg.<br /><br />Off the trail, we hit a good jeep road section, which turned out to be my favorites of the race because I didn’t have pay attention to my footing at all and could run unafraid of falling. I headed back on the trail and toward the aid station of the “loop.” It was here I had one of my favorite moments of the race…I caught Joseph!! The guy who I wasn’t supposed to see later. As we headed into the loop together I told him the story of what he had said to me so many hours before. We had a good laugh and took off. Again, I was surprised that the loop section was much easier than I had thought from previous years. The only challenge was some of the ground being very slippery from the snow, leaves, and rocks. I was just too afraid to fall, again, so took my time when it was technical. Less than an hour later I was heading out of the loop with the same 3 guys I started with…we were working well together, not visiting, but just keeping eachother cruising along. They would push me on the ups, were really sweet so I would fall on the slippery sections, and let me get in front of them on the smoother downhills. It was very motivating. I came out of the loop, saw Bob, got a quick update on Sophie and headed out for my final 12ish miles.<br /><br />It was about 42 miles in (40 “Horton miles”) and my pain had FINALLY gone numb. I was free of the injury that had been haunting me and my head for so many miles. I was free of the thought of quitting as I ran past the loop. I felt like at that moment I had perservered the race that God had set before me…and I was going to win the battle. For one of the first times all day I smiled and ran with the joy I am used to running with. I couldn’t change what the previous 7+ hours had been like, nor would I want to, but I could give my all in these final miles.<br /><br />At the 3rd to last aid station, I loaded up my bottle with my final fuel powder, grabbed “water” and a mountain dew and headed on. I was feeling great! Then I took a sip from my bottle. Whatever they had filled my mix with was not water. I had a choice: don’t drink and suffer the last miles, or drink my mix + mystery liquid and be fuelled. I could deal with whatever it was for these final miles. I tell folks often and firmly believe that part of ultra success if being able to turn off that part of your brain that wants or doesn’t want the fuel that they have chosen for. It is not about what you “want” but knowing what your body needs and just doing it, and following through the entire race. So, now was my time to live up to my words…<br /><br />I ran through the 2nd to last aid station, and hit the final climb which happens to be on the Appalachian Trail. It is eery, magical, and a little mean…last climb and the steepest one. But once you crest the first steep section it was actually fairly runnable the rest of the way. But, the ground was covered in leaves and I was careful of the rocks underneath. My mantra at this point was, “you CANNOT fall again.” I didn’t even look at my watch when I hit the last aid station but I knew it was about “3” miles to the finsh. This guy and I take off at full speed down. About a mile later, a girl running up to meet someone says, “2.7 to go.” Gotta love a race when the final 3 miles is actually 4 miles Honestly, at that point I didn’t mind at all…I felt great! I followed this guy down the leaves and held his line so that I wouldn’t fall and when the trail opened up with less than 2 to go I got in front of him. I thought about all of my recent workouts and got into the same groove I do for those long repeats. I couldn’t believe how much speed and power I had in my legs to close. It was so uplifting to finish this way.<br /><br />This was for any race that I threw in the towel and just accepted a “finish” as good enough. This is for all of the hard work I put in my training. This was for all of the support I have. This was for Paul who said all of the right things as I struggled on Friday, and who is just so wonderful and tough for me…he doesn’t let me be mediocre. This was because no matter how much I hurt and wanted to quit, I didn’t and I pushed through the day and the pain. It was a celebration to the finish line, and I felt it!!<br /><br />When I finished Henry, who had to drop because of his achillis, and Bob were there. As Clark and David congratulated me I told them, “Not bad considering I have been trying to convince myself to quit since mile 10.” We all laughed. 6th female 9:25:30 a 35 minute PR from my last visit to Masochist!!<br /><br />Then I stopped, pulled up my capris and we started to assess the damage…very swollen and bruised knees and shin. I sat down and my angels, Bob and Henry, got me a baggie of ice and I started the damage control.<br /><br />I got to see Sophie finish 9:34 and a 20sec? PR…she was so happy! I got to see my motivation Joseph finish, and he said that he wanted to make my race report for motivating me…so he did a few times He comment was truly motivating even though neither one of us meant for it to be.<br /><br />As soon as I crossed the finishline, I was able to be thankful for what this race gave to me. It showed me how much I can fight, how deep I could dig in my well, how wonderful time and people are that I get to share the trails with.; and truly what my body is capable of…hopefully the next one will be filled with less life lessons and more fast running <br /><br />Special thanks to: Sophie for all of her coordinating, conversation, and wonderful spirit; Henry for his wonderful friendship and support…always a yearly adventure!; Bob for his incredible support; Jill for really positive attitude and great conversation…so good to catch-up. And, of course, Paul for everything, and my friends, running partners, and everyone who make this journey so much sweeter!!<br />mer </span></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-49863642375013905532010-09-28T11:57:00.000-07:002010-09-28T12:04:56.487-07:00So Cool!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB9aek-XT31Fu29FBsIBo3eZq_tHYJyi6Y3A3h2oXX6njaQHCn39T1PHHrBpRmmEFk9j9Id8fopHFznqRBgNivG35TC6j-ufh0h1ANPjNg5vO_ZBDFhXGNlom_djchyphenhyphentSMRDWz3FYlI0f/s1600/DSCF0069.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522041714715602034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB9aek-XT31Fu29FBsIBo3eZq_tHYJyi6Y3A3h2oXX6njaQHCn39T1PHHrBpRmmEFk9j9Id8fopHFznqRBgNivG35TC6j-ufh0h1ANPjNg5vO_ZBDFhXGNlom_djchyphenhyphentSMRDWz3FYlI0f/s320/DSCF0069.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Paul always does push-ups at the end of a race, "because he can." Theory being that you can always give a little more in the Army...yep, they are that inspiring. They did push-ups at the end of every stage of Transrockies!<br /><br /><strong>Army captain races to $100,000 for wounded warriors</strong><br /><br />By Allison Pattillo - Special to Military Times<br /><br /><br />Most runners compete in the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run for the challenge, but Army Capt. Matt Cavanaugh and retired Ranger Capt. Paul Terranova ran to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project, a program to help severely disabled veterans re-engage with life.<br /><br />Cavanaugh and Terranova, who make up Team Nathan Hydration/Wounded Warrior Project, finished fourth in the open men’s category with a time of 17 hours, 43 minutes, 3 seconds for the 6-day, 115-mile stage race through the Colorado Rocky Mountains.<br /><br />The 2010 GTTR marked Cavanaugh’s third time in the race and also saw him close in on his Wounded Warrior Project fundraising goal of $100,000. He has dipped into his savings to travel the country — mixing running with public speaking, telling groups about the plight of severely disabled veterans and the mission of Team Wounded Warrior.<br /><br />“As of tonight, we have raised $92,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project,” Cavanaugh said at the final GTTR banquet. “Our final goal is in sight.”<br /><br />Cavanaugh, the 2009 Association of the U.S. Army Male Athlete of the Year, is turning over the remaining fundraising efforts to Terranova, as he’s on his way to New Zealand for a new adventure — graduate school for strategic studies at Victoria University in Wellington.<br /><br /></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-4371073181636617052010-09-03T07:13:00.000-07:002010-09-03T09:02:55.917-07:00What I did on my Summer Vaca<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99ho1V8cW0KuxYipViy5yXbvFKTdiJbOWSTxQeKB_75zjz5vo544Hl2Bfv4uhwq7-Slhuzbl04og1-932S14j4k3-GsMXEtnpLVLXdDs0rRNgZzK3imqlEOHzoVd0rcHLU8QnIq3_BUwN/s1600/100_1323.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512701339824361698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99ho1V8cW0KuxYipViy5yXbvFKTdiJbOWSTxQeKB_75zjz5vo544Hl2Bfv4uhwq7-Slhuzbl04og1-932S14j4k3-GsMXEtnpLVLXdDs0rRNgZzK3imqlEOHzoVd0rcHLU8QnIq3_BUwN/s200/100_1323.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGUeeGNNmI0M9NxrQXKSMbcag96T2nraQyrFJwIBo56yXoGFNw2FbHNHwtxG7mCwdGVwUrayDmv9E9TN6XIVyjpLCzvuDM6K6yUgfM7FSXvnfO6TJIPhUsRJ6ZQCiUzgee2oWCn9yrUtv/s1600/100_1348.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512701748022872162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGUeeGNNmI0M9NxrQXKSMbcag96T2nraQyrFJwIBo56yXoGFNw2FbHNHwtxG7mCwdGVwUrayDmv9E9TN6XIVyjpLCzvuDM6K6yUgfM7FSXvnfO6TJIPhUsRJ6ZQCiUzgee2oWCn9yrUtv/s200/100_1348.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512701524957869154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHa5JET_6STiXrUEIAhoW2HGvkI8JE4V8p_oqkhzP_qQ9xCZwgGw6fYXe2KalnZg95-3GE-6Hs1AE3SQZPppKp0VWzOj0O_NGWTdx6chGZVyV5vkjfckPdMpjSjdRSluljrosL6fzYqt-X/s200/100_1328.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br />The past two months have FLOWN by! Instead of blabbing on and on, I thought I would give a photographic breakdown of what I have done, where I have been, and the fun I have had.<br /><br />Over the past two months: I have celebrated (still speechless on the incredible cake Paul had made); travelled (Houston, Long Island, Colorado, California); paced Leadville 100); climbed mountains (Mt. Elbert); run up and down mountains (Transrockies with Paul); enjoyed my favorite trails (Headlands); spent incredible time with friends (at Leadville, Transrockies, and California); made new friends; been in both oceans; and the ultimate was the quantity of time I got to spend with Paul! He and I shared time running, walking, wine-tasting, talking, and playing. We spent hours walking the beach, sitting together, and celebrating just how much we truly enjoy being together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ4bxZoWBX0dd8rST7_8_xhwHQamIkpfZOsNbb9zcveLjwXNv3RNZn5kTQByB1xli702zuaLp18RonxL4KGj4aBEHLecDe1NbzahWxhPqQfl3X-qg9pNGROA9_JzWBMDVT_PXIuAu8nc0/s1600/DSCF0041.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512703858573584530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ4bxZoWBX0dd8rST7_8_xhwHQamIkpfZOsNbb9zcveLjwXNv3RNZn5kTQByB1xli702zuaLp18RonxL4KGj4aBEHLecDe1NbzahWxhPqQfl3X-qg9pNGROA9_JzWBMDVT_PXIuAu8nc0/s200/DSCF0041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512703578852920146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiW3aYc6q52L-Qwc7AOOh7Pc3nBMobQd241LDhYxaJRH2sZbYQ3ll066x5XJF-MKIczAoIl7LCp_SzbToyRVfcDXqmgRzrqN_9lRh_-Z0w-Mbxb6LYbF3fTA9DHmva7kaT1IlcOzxqlXi/s200/DSCF0038.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512704941949506978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpXKBB6fihqjxbKR6WYZ5ikQpHudy2GtZQgqbv_rnDCUzgDSOGtwKt07vjd-hKH7HhCBg88N0H-nUXRfovWQHlhtHkTUJ9M8hDBIt8C1R48wsXTHYWrbZCnoFwrarWH4PXfAZ9p8VpANj/s200/DSCF0089.JPG" /></a><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512704735256201554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRjHvU0q-h4uQMYJHvPEPlSn2WoviAZjNQdRlAquFlPywK_VzBqSxGUOsqNvebcqalsxKyYv-zc-3JrsseQB952NOYvVkfl0nTl8_a3uIqwLIk8j6HR1vLgdkN_0wzx2lkqTjiwId_bjN/s200/DSCF0072.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxGVBGnR6LIzzWpgEhQCfI1NtuyrEINB_4RYPNQiRYLtTDTE0pMSCuRPUG1EEKp24lvPJqADoqZ9le91VWzmLXxORFcen2m9G-tZvyCERQf9DHqBDCUYZKMcEc4nSYHld7UU-_c7oj-kx/s1600/DSCF0069+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512704506439395714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxGVBGnR6LIzzWpgEhQCfI1NtuyrEINB_4RYPNQiRYLtTDTE0pMSCuRPUG1EEKp24lvPJqADoqZ9le91VWzmLXxORFcen2m9G-tZvyCERQf9DHqBDCUYZKMcEc4nSYHld7UU-_c7oj-kx/s200/DSCF0069+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkILU08-E7iyqkqWvihEkgA2QPTRN0xxHNiG00K5Ahh0dq_XgWy77c6H-diz6Fn6hb6CmiOFPcINvVgBU-SZRe_YSiW2HCboRdMYcAYGtTMUxfz1dGLFYV6SvRX56vM0ZhgfhHZVvBgHp/s1600/DSCF0066+(2).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512704283381412738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkILU08-E7iyqkqWvihEkgA2QPTRN0xxHNiG00K5Ahh0dq_XgWy77c6H-diz6Fn6hb6CmiOFPcINvVgBU-SZRe_YSiW2HCboRdMYcAYGtTMUxfz1dGLFYV6SvRX56vM0ZhgfhHZVvBgHp/s200/DSCF0066+(2).JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br />I can honestly say that this summer was one of the best ever. Paul and I had more fun together than we have ever before. We got to enjoy the fullness of what life has to offer, and lived EVERY moment of it. I am so very thankful for the generosity of our friends, their time, conversation, fun, and all we got to share with them, too. I am so very proud of what both my friends accomplished at Leadville and what Paul and my friends accomplished at Transrockies. I am also so very proud of what Paul accomplished at Alcatraz, 48 hours after the end of Transrockies. He is THAT incredible.<br /><br />I can't wait to see what is to come this fall!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707517605314178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCgQpXza7NUuOx1M05l5tf390GbgZih6QU1yBMO8xc1C-D4P1n1tq0cS_LERfODb81vRM_jlWkmv-sCH0DVYtmrBmsLh-feqEwvHankFIns3IkBdP1-g59gCXacIvSd8QQ0-KKiNz1LFp/s200/DSCF0174.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kxQWR9lcMJ9FmBCXX085b3TK-nekUg9HMjP6fSL9Ygxr1XadzquMQDgCQmRRsIvlwA5KJxxvbiRgi2pbqJmUkGObYp3jOcZPKss_5OragyCW5u8EDoRQE04RGlTYUFi4l1WKYQJPRDa_/s1600/DSCF0185.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707712020254482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kxQWR9lcMJ9FmBCXX085b3TK-nekUg9HMjP6fSL9Ygxr1XadzquMQDgCQmRRsIvlwA5KJxxvbiRgi2pbqJmUkGObYp3jOcZPKss_5OragyCW5u8EDoRQE04RGlTYUFi4l1WKYQJPRDa_/s200/DSCF0185.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCaWlG1GicCl-Pwyi7OmDR4EnUJMoocZC58vWiIu_TG0ugPNWyHVu7oB9fTWOpBdYoXBhnp-emJiLEQojYrGqdHGkyd3rBzQKAgl3hawZAPKpzR7EYfsKg7-gvr_NDwe6dC-0VhURVSTl/s1600/headlands1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707924247825506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCaWlG1GicCl-Pwyi7OmDR4EnUJMoocZC58vWiIu_TG0ugPNWyHVu7oB9fTWOpBdYoXBhnp-emJiLEQojYrGqdHGkyd3rBzQKAgl3hawZAPKpzR7EYfsKg7-gvr_NDwe6dC-0VhURVSTl/s200/headlands1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSiachWMdwE1prNVdd_5QfIEuTVSn8nB0XFUaW8zZNC3xw828828UWhAaeT7khP60_xw8weBMVzILnZ9gqEA6G6sie8pLSUSGK60L7mXRNoKzafQ8HbP2HHKj_ylSImqrks1bNgNl2Jgl/s1600/headlands.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512707816716001794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSiachWMdwE1prNVdd_5QfIEuTVSn8nB0XFUaW8zZNC3xw828828UWhAaeT7khP60_xw8weBMVzILnZ9gqEA6G6sie8pLSUSGK60L7mXRNoKzafQ8HbP2HHKj_ylSImqrks1bNgNl2Jgl/s200/headlands.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-56120549290170038332010-07-30T11:12:00.000-07:002010-07-30T11:56:17.668-07:00My Hero<span style="font-size:85%;">I have so much to catch up on: incredible parties, cakes, time with friends, anniversaries, and so much more...<br /><br />BUT, I this is more important and comes first.<br /><br />I am so lucky to have a mother who has become one of my heroes. She doesn't do incredible athletic feats, but what she does is so much more. She taught me that if you work hard enough you can achieve anything! She went back to school sacrificing time with me and the rest of our family. This forever changed who I was and her relationship with her mother. Fortunately for me it created a bond with my grandmother and father that forever shaped me. Since the death of my grandmother in August of 1993, my mother and I have spent many years reshaping our bond and I have grown to truly appreciate what she does and what she sacrificed to do it.<br /><br />My mother is a pain psychologist who helps cancer patients manage their pain, and so much more, in the final stages of their battle. She is amazing at what she does.<br /><br />Yesterday I was talking to her and she told me of an interaction with a patient's daughter, and said, "today I gave guidance to the child of a patient. It was everything I wish I had been told and could have said to my mother before she died." My grandmother died suddenly, and the only person in our family speaking to her was me, and her usual on and off with my dad. My grandmother was a strong willed lady, and when she thought someone was wrong she went silent to that person (A trait I work VERY hard to overcome...but am constantly challenged by) With that will, she was not speaking to my mother or sister when she died. Both my sister and mother have had to struggle with closure and regret.<br /><br />Please read the below. I wrote my mom back after reading this, and just pray that she can find such peace in the work she does to lift her from all she carries in the death of my grandmother. I know my grandmother would be so very proud of my mother, and I know that she loved her.<br /><br />How lucky I am to have been so deeply loved by my grandmother, I get that reminder ever moment I look down at her/my wedding band, and have such an inspirational mother!<br /><br />May you read the below, and remember to find peace with those you love; create closure with no regrets; and say all the things you need to everyday! I hope to be able to do this as much as possible and not wait until the end to do it!<br /><br /><br />From my mother:<br /><strong><em>I gave her what I needed so many years ago, almost to the date.</em><br /></strong><br />From: XX<br />Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 9:14 AM<br />To: XX<br />Subject: thank you for yesterday...<br /></span><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Dear..,<br /><br />I believe very strongly that things always happen for a reason. Sometimes we are fortunate to be privy to that reason; Other times not.<br /><br />Meeting you yesterday in my fathers room, at the particular time that we met, was clearly meant to be. Within minutes of leaving you our reason for meeting became so clearly evident. I am not sure I could have handled what happened in my father's room had it not been for you. You were able to give me the guidance, tools and support to do what I knew needed to be done but didn't know how to do. Neither my father nor I have ever been in this situation so we were both traveling on a very emotionally raw and painfully difficult road.<br /><br />When I returned to father's room he sat up and basically said that he was done fighting, the cancer was taking over and he was tired and just wanted it all to end. He made me laugh when he asked to be put to sleep as if he was a beloved pet. I knew what he was telling me.<br /><br />I was able to tell him all the reassuring things that you helped me verbalize. I told him that I would respect his desires and would make sure that he was moved to a facility where we could work with the team to make his transition comfortable, pain free as well as comforting to the family. I told him that he didn't have to worry about anything anymore and that we would take care of my mother and all of her needs while caring for him. We both cried and as you suspected he didn't respond much after that. The only thing that he told me was that he owed some money to a friend and he asked me to go get the money from his house and deliver it to his friend. I left the hospice last night for one hour to carry out his wishes.<br /><br />Now he is at Hospice and I stayed here all night making sure that he was as comfortable as he could be. The staff here is excellent and it feels so good knowing that he is at the right place for his end of life care. I really can't thank you enough for the integral roll that you played. I truly wanted to have that difficult conversation with my dad and before meeting you I simply did not know how to go about it. My heart is heavy and my soul is in pain, but because of you, when my father passes on I will have no regrets. I can't imagine how many people you have helped in such a profound way. You certainly are so in tune to patients' and family member's needs. I hope that you continue using your amazing talent to comfort and change the lives of others.<br /><br />I learned an invaluable lesson that is very comforting to me. It appears that God gives us all that we need at the appropriate time. I have come to accept that I can't always plan one or two steps ahead (much as I want to) and I have to wait for things to play out. I use to worry that I might not know how to react in a new and difficult situation; I like to be prepared and have answers or at least the tools, but now I feel that I will know what to do in any situation when the time is right.<br /><br />Thank you again.<br /><br />With much appreciation,<br />(the daughter)</strong></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">mer</span>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-74559400290677486042010-07-03T17:22:00.000-07:002010-07-04T08:51:30.294-07:00Magic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf96DJ7OAeJcVPdKOjepJ7HMKOv-KN5xk8rCdO9uyg5C-lq4OL4cvvFj1groGx5Ta707HXP74eOZFOhgFefdYpjj_okSolb3XIbbdrH7zEWjC4r1J-U52uddAqbTfQvybpTxNiDA-ii4e/s1600/WS2010B.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490077521761147890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf96DJ7OAeJcVPdKOjepJ7HMKOv-KN5xk8rCdO9uyg5C-lq4OL4cvvFj1groGx5Ta707HXP74eOZFOhgFefdYpjj_okSolb3XIbbdrH7zEWjC4r1J-U52uddAqbTfQvybpTxNiDA-ii4e/s320/WS2010B.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">My friend, Lorena, sent me an email before I departed for Western States telling me that when you run with all your heart magic happens.<br /><br />Every piece of this past week can best be defined as Magic!<br /><br />As I was heading out and all final prep was done, I sent the following goals to my coach:<br /><br />my goals for the day: 1) Enjoy EVERY Moment; 2) be appreciative of my crew, the volunteers, and kind to all around NO matter how I feel; 3) Not worry about anything/anyone I can't change or control; AND 4) trust my hard work, healthy body, incredible support and let all this and all the prayers and support behind me guide me to Auburn... I have been told many times that I smile more than anyone during a race. I plan to keep the trend of that alive on Saturday!!<br /><br />Seeing the above brings such a warmth to my heart. How often can you say that you accomplished every one of your goals! Reading the above reminds me that I nailed it <br /><br />The amazing journey began in Squaw Valley in the days leading up to the race. Instead of being nervous, Paul and I had a wonderful time together. Lots of time to talk and just enjoy each other. It was such a treat for us.<br /><br />One of my highlights of raceweek was getting to spend time with my friend Suzanna and getting to know Amy. There are few words to express how incredible the time with her was. We went for a very humorous pre-race run Friday morning, and had one of us not said something we would have been in a dead sprint for the run. But we talked and laughed and expressed how strong we KNEW we would get to the finish line. Her words let me finally take in my last breath and truly know that the day was going to be everything I hoped for.<br /><br />After weigh in on Friday Amy and Paul came up with some fantastic engineering to get her leg across the water crossings. I love how prepped Paul is for everything. He had a caribener and Amy did some crazy stuff with our duct tape. There you have it…she and I were set to go!<br /><br />Paul went and picked up Jamie and Pete arrived. My team was ready for the party to start! They were much more ready for the party after they went for a group run up the mountain. It was so awesome to me that they all genuinely were going to enjoy eachother’s company for the next days. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiWKrUgJCy5tV1fZ-ygULfj5i4qDwNRgKQSKLqkbyDmQ1aSTHPZqqtFI_IP293Hdp-jg30w57ggOY3uRmuBZwEg8rFQpt2Mn6ho8Bsa5P5NaZrX6EKwZ4JXtASKvyKQlZDA3b4nnN11FP/s1600/WS2010.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489840113547446738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiWKrUgJCy5tV1fZ-ygULfj5i4qDwNRgKQSKLqkbyDmQ1aSTHPZqqtFI_IP293Hdp-jg30w57ggOY3uRmuBZwEg8rFQpt2Mn6ho8Bsa5P5NaZrX6EKwZ4JXtASKvyKQlZDA3b4nnN11FP/s200/WS2010.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy_TKb9CSx05Le9SoQjj8-cgFw7Xo0ve0scIlM1u1SBBxKpbhOEkIfRWqiNcpTNBXPfg5Rwtv1bugqdzZgmDb0AG7BtUO8suZs8iGj9om-AmpwOPcZ5KFSjlVsJ-2NUx59QjAx1jNFo1C/s1600/mer4.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489845438796145730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy_TKb9CSx05Le9SoQjj8-cgFw7Xo0ve0scIlM1u1SBBxKpbhOEkIfRWqiNcpTNBXPfg5Rwtv1bugqdzZgmDb0AG7BtUO8suZs8iGj9om-AmpwOPcZ5KFSjlVsJ-2NUx59QjAx1jNFo1C/s200/mer4.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Now onto the race <br />The start came so quick. Before I could blink we were heading up from Squaw Valley. The climb is a great chance to settle in. I settled into good conversation with Jenny and then Lee. Once at the top we hit the snow, and the friendly faces and hugs of Olga and Larry. Lee said to me, “at the top in an hour. Right where we want to be!”<br /><br />And then came the snow. It was such a comedy show for me…slipping, sliding, skiing. The Texan just needed to smile and get through it alive. We laughed and laughed as I made my way through the snow. I was happier having this perspective rather than the grump that some others were having. When the snow would clear we would run through streams and mud. Fall #1: belly flop right into a mud pit; awesome! The good thing was the smooth landing. The bad thing was the level of filthiness I was now going to run with for the next 91+ miles.<br /><br />Before long we made the turn onto the “new” route. We headed down to the Poppy and French Meadow aid stations. On the way down I showed Lee my filth. He laughed. We would come back to this look post race!<br /><br />These next two sections were where I would need to remind myself that I was in a 100…and in foreign territory. I ran with the brakes on vs. racing as I would in shorter distances. I needed to run smart, which meant holding back. This was VERY hard to do because I felt really good and the terrain was REALLY good running. Patience, patience.<br /><br />Once, through the mile 19 aid station we got onto a lovely single track around the reservoir, and then climbed a newly cleared (very newly cleared) climb into the Duncan Aid station. It was here that I hooked up with Layna. She was just wonderful to run with!<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489840273064282962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s200/WS2010G.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15z84R3M1jRVrHNVjqXwcVusipChc8E3P3HxobLbsPptD_sPhnJRL19C8aDyx7m3YZEhSO6mXxB6gz_30cYZB6DFzT2A9_WBcOjywf06O7-puCpYV2nFP5tjKXXDd20FxxWQ3oTRbJ7_6/s1600/100_1309.JPG"></div></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Coming into Duncan AS was great because I got to see my crew for the first time. We had a great laugh at my pigpen look, Paul cleaned my face off quickly, and off I went. I cruised down to Duncan Creek, crossed the water, and started the climb to Robinson. The climb up was fantastic because I had three others join: Layna and two guys. They were all happy to let me set the pace and pull the train up. It was great for me because I was able to get lost in short spurts of conversation as we went up…the climb flew by. We came into the roar of Robinson. I didn’t have my crew come here because I knew I could move through faster and would rather see them at Duncan and Dusty</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLN6VkWv1MmX2TLWe_SjmU6eVJ4YgO5-68AfXwMpPNYJ0KwkD6451Sm9u_9gS83F7O0PE4uZGfL1F2vORoTCBbwlobN3MvctfzMnCQ2y14BgAnUX5VQGVHN8MxFIFBzUa7kI-HmibRUuk/s1600/ws2010S.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489841334405660226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLN6VkWv1MmX2TLWe_SjmU6eVJ4YgO5-68AfXwMpPNYJ0KwkD6451Sm9u_9gS83F7O0PE4uZGfL1F2vORoTCBbwlobN3MvctfzMnCQ2y14BgAnUX5VQGVHN8MxFIFBzUa7kI-HmibRUuk/s200/ws2010S.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> vs. just Robinson. I ran in with a huge smile on my face, got weighed, bottles filled, and hea<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15z84R3M1jRVrHNVjqXwcVusipChc8E3P3HxobLbsPptD_sPhnJRL19C8aDyx7m3YZEhSO6mXxB6gz_30cYZB6DFzT2A9_WBcOjywf06O7-puCpYV2nFP5tjKXXDd20FxxWQ3oTRbJ7_6/s1600/100_1309.JPG"></div></a><span style="font-size:85%;">ded out. It seemed the happier I was the more the crowd went crazy. It was an awesome high!<br /><br />I was so thrilled for the high because out of Robinson we hit the snow for the last time. This section was a grinder. It was about 2 miles of climbing slugging through the snow. I knew the fun of the canyons was coming, so I decid<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15z84R3M1jRVrHNVjqXwcVusipChc8E3P3HxobLbsPptD_sPhnJRL19C8aDyx7m3YZEhSO6mXxB6gz_30cYZB6DFzT2A9_WBcOjywf06O7-puCpYV2nFP5tjKXXDd20FxxWQ3oTRbJ7_6/s1600/100_1309.JPG"></div></a><span style="font-size:85%;">ed to take it very easy through this and save my legs vs. getting fatigued fighting the snow…a battle I would not win.<br /><br />Once we got to the top of Little Bald and started to descend, we finally for sure had clear trail. Let the real fun begin!! I headed down with great happiness to Miller’s Defeat. The sun was shining and I was feeling great. This day was flying by!<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15z84R3M1jRVrHNVjqXwcVusipChc8E3P3HxobLbsPptD_sPhnJRL19C8aDyx7m3YZEhSO6mXxB6gz_30cYZB6DFzT2A9_WBcOjywf06O7-puCpYV2nFP5tjKXXDd20FxxWQ3oTRbJ7_6/s1600/100_1309.JPG"></div></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After Miller’s Defeat, it was a great quick downhill to Dusty Corner’s and my crew! I hooked up with Suzie here and we chatted about an email string we were on together. It was awesome to meet her in person (we would come to spend many post-race hours together). I came bouncing into Dusty Corners and thrilled to see my crew. I traded bottles, and Paul walked me out soaking me with cold towels on the way. I was having a blast and he could tell!!<br /><br />From Dusty Corners it is this beautiful and soft trail to Last Chance. I had run it during training weekend and really loved it. I was enjoying it all the same today! I was looking forward to getting to Last Chance because I knew Dennis was volunteering there. It is always great to see friendly faces all over the course. Dennis had taken care of me at the aid stations at Quicksilver. I came in and Dennis was more than just a friendly face. He helped get my bottles ready, grab fuel, and walked out with me. I now had a chance to get some great refueling while continuing forward with the race. What a gift! Again, I was just lifted out of the aid station.<br /><br />Off I headed to the nice descent and then the climb up Devil’s Thumb. I passed a few folks on the way down, crossed the swinging bridge, dipped my hat the in stream, and then up I went. I settled into a nice tempo and climbed. I passed two guys, but not for pushing just because I was moving steady. Before I knew it I was at the top. I weighed in, reloaded my fuel, grabbed a popsicle, and headed out. I knew I would want to take a moment and regroup, but I figured best to do it moving forward eating my popsicle! I shoved the stick from the popsicle in my bottle and headed down to Eldorado Canyon. It had gotten hot, so instead of pushing hard down I decided to ease off and just cruise down. I drank down my bottle and just took it easy. As I approached the bottom I passed Whit. It was great to see him, but I was sad to see him having a bad day. He is such a steady fixture in a 100, so it was just hard to see.<br /><br />At the bottom I refilled my bottle and started the climb to Michigan Bluff. I knew this is the longest climb left of the day, and it was also the heat of the day. Again, instead of pushing I opted to just stay behind Eric and hold his smooth pace. We had a great time and really just kept things steady. I would come to later fully appreciate the lack of effort I put forth on this climb.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLBKRSEvLHxQLXXmH-VTwjXz8LXkjYRkvIquz-q2bKPe7Bv1hkAyer9_e52dHD50K5gUB8FAy6-oHTyvV_lRwk9US-evxYwS3CZG_mlC2WKReVcPPuNs9_MLppyFqBq7ON2hj6fGdyapN/s1600/mer14.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490077091323309538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLBKRSEvLHxQLXXmH-VTwjXz8LXkjYRkvIquz-q2bKPe7Bv1hkAyer9_e52dHD50K5gUB8FAy6-oHTyvV_lRwk9US-evxYwS3CZG_mlC2WKReVcPPuNs9_MLppyFqBq7ON2hj6fGdyapN/s320/mer14.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />I came into Michigan Bluff, thrilled, but definitely feeling the efforts from the day. Fortunately, my crew was ON IT! They had cool towels ice cold drinks and food ready to go. They cooled me down and got me out. I had the team of all teams!! I was lifted and raring to get through the point I had NEVER crossed.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztzsfls-MWbpuvsI8AbxAuZgQP5cImuFEcz9PaBFvMgXUdinmZjnZfR7uXoBlnPI4d_-qjHRNYUPkkFMHT93D70jtEbYGnXVwDF6_sOHZXKbSfx_zBUg9DKfSvc2ohY9WOGWApgWpFnm4/s1600/Meredith-WS3.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489842390919022082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztzsfls-MWbpuvsI8AbxAuZgQP5cImuFEcz9PaBFvMgXUdinmZjnZfR7uXoBlnPI4d_-qjHRNYUPkkFMHT93D70jtEbYGnXVwDF6_sOHZXKbSfx_zBUg9DKfSvc2ohY9WOGWApgWpFnm4/s200/Meredith-WS3.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPbrN_-viyUWY8Tyk25UsiabIdW-SxqQLdz-Sznl31JYlOLf5QNdwAlqmIpt2uzt8poeYye6aJt3AzXsCHWlXvjvW4g7A6I0pxsrsir_nnbQzLTs2irPjWiWRSlQo9MjntgqD8SMEo5za/s1600/Meredith-WS6.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 138px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489842619069785250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPbrN_-viyUWY8Tyk25UsiabIdW-SxqQLdz-Sznl31JYlOLf5QNdwAlqmIpt2uzt8poeYye6aJt3AzXsCHWlXvjvW4g7A6I0pxsrsir_nnbQzLTs2irPjWiWRSlQo9MjntgqD8SMEo5za/s200/Meredith-WS6.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 172px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489842824403311858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwej0vw_gmBfKe5FFfR-avx0Ukfq2kTIqzUdtLQJydOOqBXEGaWtDeAVU7vz3iYCmHIXFlc-xWxQZb0oXiVhfaF_YK3qhVrKzbMTCTbet4eRbPFyw8T5LLIQiyTRJHjRZbiPj_r_d6qqf/s200/Paul-Meredith-1.jpg" /><br /><br />I headed down to Volcano Canyon and remembered running this in training and how great it felt. I got to the bottom and spent an extra second in the water before the climb up. It felt great. I climbed up knowing that Paul would be at Bath Rd to climb up with me. I was so excited. I hit the road and am greeted by a very pregnant Jennifer, huge hug, and a quick top off of my bottle. I start to climb and Paul comes smiling toward me! We chat about nothing important, hit the top of Bath Rd, and run it in to Foresthill. I am on top of the world. I can’t believe I have done it!<br /><br />For me, this was the moment I waited for, get past 62 and the rest is icing! Now it was time to enjoy time with my pacers and go on the victory lap. Pete and I head off.<br />We head toward the river. I have very few memories of this section, so I am just guessing as far as effort. If there was a regret to have, it was not knowing exactly what this section would be like. I just didn’t know where or when to give effort and I kept fearing the bottom falling out. If I pushed would I be done after the river? Truly this whole section all I could think about was getting to the river.<br /><br />We get to the river aid station, and I breathe a sigh of relief as we hit perfect timing for the boat crossing. We get to the other side to the greetings of Jamie, Paul, and Rick! He is video taping us, but I am single focused on climbing to Green Gate. I have a plan!! As we climb up I tell Jamie that I want to take a minute to refuel at the top before we head out. Paul is happy to hear this. We hussle up, and get me quickly through the aid station. On the other side I take a seat, eat, and drink, and prepare to keep it together to the finish. Everything seems so surreal. It feels so weird to really be so on top and clear-headed. Maybe it’s easier to be in a fog?<br /><br />After a quick few minutes, I was checking my watch, Jamie and I are off. We head down the trail talking much about how much time I have to make 24. All of a sudden this is going to be our focus…or so I think. I try to run, but am having a problem. It’s not my legs, no unfortunately I am really badly chafed. What the heck?? I have never had this happen, so it is kind of a foreign pain, and boy is it painful. Jamie and I talk about it and decide the best I can do is get to the next aid station, get some vasoline, and then move on. It becomes a much slow move to the aid station than desired. I want to be running, but we just have to go with what is given. Finally we get to the aid station, I grab a bunch of vasoline and run behind a truck to take care of things. Quickly, we head out of the aid station and start to run. CRAP the vasoline didn’t work!<br /><br />This is the first time all day that I feel the time slip away from me. I feel the look on my face showing this. We walk for a second, and I refuse to give up. I tell Jamie that I am going to rip the liner under my skirt. She looks puzzled, even offers me her shorts, but I come up with the power of hulk and literally rip the seem of the fabric. I still don’t know how I did it. Unfortunately, it didn’t fix the problem, but Jamie plainly said, “you know what, it isn’t going to get any worse.” I completely bought it, and started running. My form is so pathetic that I start giggling at the thought of what I must look like. Jamie gets a huge kick out of me giggling, and are finally moving.<br /><br />We both get giddy as we start to pass people and start running like a normal person. We talk about how anyone who has seen my splits will be in for a good surprise when I hit the next aid station and am moving. We plan how quickly we need to get through the next aid stations and how to approach the course as it is coming.<br /><br />To the disappoint of the folks having a party at Brown’s Bar, we don’t stay. They tried to entice us, but I had a finish line to get to. We watched the clock and knew that we had just enough time to donate to the climb up to 49 and the climb up to Robie Point. I kept telling her that I needed 20 minutes from Robie Point. I knew there was a climb before shooting down to the finish.<br /><br />The plan was to run everything except for the steepest parts of the climbs. I had only done this section of the course as a pacer, and it had been 5 years earlier, so I kept telling Jamie that the climb up to 49 was steep. I guess my memory failed me, but we kept running waiting for the climb to get steep, and then we saw the 49 crossing…hmmm, I swear it was harder?<br /><br />I quickly run in a weigh and the aid station crew tell Jamie, thinking I can’t hear, “she can break 24 if she moves.” We can do that! Two funny things happen on the way to No Hands. First, in the meadow we pass this guy and his pacer. There is a guy standing about 50 ft up the trail from the other guy. He comments on how much we are enjoying ourselves. We say, of course we are, and ask if he is ok. With a loud disappointed sigh he says that he is waiting for his runner to go to the bathroom. As we continue on Jamie and I laugh about badly we feel for this guy having such a sad time with his runner. We, in the meantime, are having a party!! As we get almost to No Hands, again, I think we are about to face a long steep climb. I know we don’t have a moment to waste. It has been my long awaiting dream to cross No Hands Bridge, and while I want so badly to savior the moment, I tell Jamie we have to hussle across and have “no emotion.” I was worried that if she got emotional about it that I would crumble. So with this laser focus we cross no hands. Reflecting back, the moment to savior is the fact that it was mile 97 and I was able to run across it feeling strong!!<br /><br />With just enough time to make it happen, we start to run up to Robie. About a mile into the climb, moving with determination, we come up on Ed (I would later learn his name) and his pacer…his 15 year old daughter. I ask to pace as we come up, and for whatever reason we collide and I go down HARD. For anyone who has fallen late in a race, you know that every muscle feels this impact. My right quad KILLED. I look up at Jamie, get up, and with all the adrenaline left in my body start to run…if that what you can call what my now broken body is doing. This also lights a fire under Ed’s ass. He and I are going to fight it to the finish. I had this moment of worry as his daughter led the charge that she was going to slow us down, but not one bit. She was incredible. She was running and pushing us up to Robie. It was awesome. With determined force we come out onto the road with what Paul said was 19 minutes to spare. Paul and Pete are there, and ready to go. I ask Pete to go to the top of the climb so that I have a focal point, and the minute we crest I push my way to the track. I can’t believe it is happening. I can’t believe I have done it. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbkABNWwoyZobKvVS2k6rrz1RaBgWPJrEhjfmu1mt_IarPFsTvDNIc6BMaZjcOPDiyMR6aBuJJ3Vyc93QORpiWeOX1RFqj0yqLHbPpSuiPXggp6B3DSeiPeaorOtfvYSk__HXSZoJ8kWH/s1600/100_1307.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489841550780860482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbkABNWwoyZobKvVS2k6rrz1RaBgWPJrEhjfmu1mt_IarPFsTvDNIc6BMaZjcOPDiyMR6aBuJJ3Vyc93QORpiWeOX1RFqj0yqLHbPpSuiPXggp6B3DSeiPeaorOtfvYSk__HXSZoJ8kWH/s200/100_1307.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489841792761108578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15z84R3M1jRVrHNVjqXwcVusipChc8E3P3HxobLbsPptD_sPhnJRL19C8aDyx7m3YZEhSO6mXxB6gz_30cYZB6DFzT2A9_WBcOjywf06O7-puCpYV2nFP5tjKXXDd20FxxWQ3oTRbJ7_6/s200/100_1309.JPG" /><br /><br />We run down and enter the track. It is a total blur, except I remember the smile that was still on my face and the couple of fist pumps I have as John calls my name.<br /><br />I cross the finishline in 23:56 to a big welcome hug from our longtime friend, and WS Board member Dana Gard. He had gone on my first training run on the WS course with me so many years ago. He knew what this meant to me. He was proud and I could feel it.<br /><br />Next came Paul. This was for him as much for me, and we both relished in the shared moment. This was OUR moment. I could not be standing at the finish without him. This is his journey, too.<br /><br />Then came celebration with Pete and Jamie, Olga and Larry, Dennis, and so many others. But, it was more than that. Everyone…all of my friends and loved ones who had loved and supported me through this journey, I could feel the warmth of their love all day and in the end this finish was for them as much as it was for me. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHrSRzmgFPWdONnTfPNla37eCMWJVc7wQIYFY_fSpb_7K1yEj-DnQcYHvWStopnMRxinz8X7IetTKjG4o4VfEk0qhO2KWm1dJDjqhitsaJc9BBvBo_es7v4D-_0FL1KjITVpyeLlzOpyg/s1600/100_1315.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489842000079119218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHrSRzmgFPWdONnTfPNla37eCMWJVc7wQIYFY_fSpb_7K1yEj-DnQcYHvWStopnMRxinz8X7IetTKjG4o4VfEk0qhO2KWm1dJDjqhitsaJc9BBvBo_es7v4D-_0FL1KjITVpyeLlzOpyg/s200/100_1315.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />The smile on my face ALL day, the gift of this run, the joy I felt…this was the result of all of the love and support that had been unending. I am so very blessed and share this day with all of you!! Thank you!<br /><br />Love,<br />mer</span><br /><br /><br />Photos courtesy of: Paul, Olga, Jamie, and more :)<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"></a></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"></a></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEMrE6DixyCL4BMR_cXYYcQK9ent7_lQVekLFf-2KopFxhtQ32vOHKAMEsh9OU_Jjct34T_dsVu6PAL_PwGzxe8zupKy-MdBAmguvujcGnlMFnRIFORk8F0iuCglaBtz9pyzU0_G9r1b/s1600/WS2010G.jpg"></a></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-67622597535338264612010-06-29T11:51:00.001-07:002010-06-29T17:49:42.003-07:00All Smiles!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7FcOv7wahXFUs9cm4r-1t8YcVd6mCsdf2Ba10GGwcx5RPja8MIP5y4e49zJJ8_sb87WfbITwavbnEyI7-Sfwmu9dzx4FjAL1jtuISHeV9upRKmI5lLIEiBQF82SUw6_aR7yj1s1JPEvL/s1600/ws2010Q.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488362157549887378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7FcOv7wahXFUs9cm4r-1t8YcVd6mCsdf2Ba10GGwcx5RPja8MIP5y4e49zJJ8_sb87WfbITwavbnEyI7-Sfwmu9dzx4FjAL1jtuISHeV9upRKmI5lLIEiBQF82SUw6_aR7yj1s1JPEvL/s200/ws2010Q.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiBep-PjkopfurpgIBptMBXGFHQaxixMTb6EetW4LNysVUzfggMzbNCrqaeAk1DqztnK_wVmFNzt47cXiwVcTijOknhH2q82Usf32mszxJBmKix1RscrIx62hm_x6cg9WbD79kw_Z-grZ/s1600/WS2010N.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488362049994406450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiBep-PjkopfurpgIBptMBXGFHQaxixMTb6EetW4LNysVUzfggMzbNCrqaeAk1DqztnK_wVmFNzt47cXiwVcTijOknhH2q82Usf32mszxJBmKix1RscrIx62hm_x6cg9WbD79kw_Z-grZ/s200/WS2010N.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi985KAQrq6oivGeZ9rDA8kXbdqBS4awO5aeCl_eyyfEpcpnSwYhitwbqaWnm50mAzka7dzX2_J4LNMuGzmv47XhKq2WbdQQa6iDyduQS5Zx0KMx2eFI1WLsywjJT6eGWNK0QU1lDlm9uh7/s1600/Meredith-WS4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 139px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488361777314126722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi985KAQrq6oivGeZ9rDA8kXbdqBS4awO5aeCl_eyyfEpcpnSwYhitwbqaWnm50mAzka7dzX2_J4LNMuGzmv47XhKq2WbdQQa6iDyduQS5Zx0KMx2eFI1WLsywjJT6eGWNK0QU1lDlm9uh7/s200/Meredith-WS4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl2mxzt7MVUCnv41Lbsijat8MvOqTH4J2YiAl2xqv8-mizmw2kPiOYdACU93D2U9x0TuEA23bzZKxGiG22TG2dOtcJS6OKCh6Q3iBUqJpZvraLp_ZSZHV3gtfbgCIXR653NG8jhf4DKiH/s1600/Paul-Meredith-1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 172px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488361596882994706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl2mxzt7MVUCnv41Lbsijat8MvOqTH4J2YiAl2xqv8-mizmw2kPiOYdACU93D2U9x0TuEA23bzZKxGiG22TG2dOtcJS6OKCh6Q3iBUqJpZvraLp_ZSZHV3gtfbgCIXR653NG8jhf4DKiH/s200/Paul-Meredith-1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1uiRiuxjKZZZu1VWONnklFDGEFUNmC_jKNJwaLvLOYWz21_D1zB66D-7VOd1Opzw0KAUpgkyQ3Pyf2aHW0H5VoBofhyphenhyphenMJOjc9i0dvqCb3KK-Lo5J5K7y836OrKDXPXtTwr9ZHiRT0LMj/s1600/WS2010B.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488361158215113794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1uiRiuxjKZZZu1VWONnklFDGEFUNmC_jKNJwaLvLOYWz21_D1zB66D-7VOd1Opzw0KAUpgkyQ3Pyf2aHW0H5VoBofhyphenhyphenMJOjc9i0dvqCb3KK-Lo5J5K7y836OrKDXPXtTwr9ZHiRT0LMj/s200/WS2010B.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpiFK8jlVWq7R91wDbHthMi9hX841I8oEFzEbZblmHNyz3l4SFMZ6uEiCx3oqv1PHRVoMRuopZOP4efAQP5oZSKVTj5ksK-OG_iMyFqD-q6YElzf1rsPRQoizRYX3sK54YLwbtowdqiwH/s1600/WS2010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488273776417923250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpiFK8jlVWq7R91wDbHthMi9hX841I8oEFzEbZblmHNyz3l4SFMZ6uEiCx3oqv1PHRVoMRuopZOP4efAQP5oZSKVTj5ksK-OG_iMyFqD-q6YElzf1rsPRQoizRYX3sK54YLwbtowdqiwH/s320/WS2010.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A report to come soon, but I wanted to post a few pics and send a HUGE thank you for all the love and support I have received.</div><br /><div>The smile that was on my face from the day we arrived in Squaw until I left the track on Sunday afternoon was the result of the most incredible journey that got me to the start line and me truly appreciating every moment that the day had to give! (what a long run-on sentence).</div><br /><div>The course was everything I wanted it to be. I ran the smart run I had hoped for. I nailed my nutrition. AND, there was not a moment that I took for granted the gifts I am given: great health (although I don't feel it now); the most loving, positive, supportive husband; the incredible support of family and friends. I could literally FEEL the love and positive support the entire race. </div><br /><div>I am just completely overwhelmed with how blessed I am. I am so fortunate to have the most wonderful people in my life.</div><br /><div>mer</div></div></div></div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-31206622175826774492010-06-22T09:59:00.000-07:002010-06-22T10:03:15.242-07:00Follw the Yellow Brick Road...or the trail to Auburn!<div align="left">I would like to start by sharing part of a note I wrote during my last journey to WS in 2006:<br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Lessons in TIME<br /><br />so much of this journey is really a lesson in Time. It is that magic word that not only will determine what metal my buckle will be made out of, but it has also measured much more:<br /><br />- how long I have spent training<br />- how many days I have been thankful to recover from a long week<br />- how many hours I have spent listening to the same "happy" music<br />- how often that training and recovery came before family and friends, and work<br />- how the effort to catch up with a distant friend seemed too much, and so I just have let them go and what I will need to give to get them back<br />- what I have spent with new friends and how these new friends with such a deep understanding in my journey will remain with me for many years to come<br />- what those who know and love me best have consistantly given to me throughout this journey, continually reminding me that the magic in the sacrifice of time for others is a gift to the recipient...<br />- what so many have given to me: people I have just met, people who I have yet to meet in person, and those I will meet on the trail at Western States<br />-and in the end: the 1 hour up to the cemetary, the 45 minutes from the base, the 15 minutes from the creek, the 7 minutes from the manzanitas, and when you see the "Y" tree you are almost to the top<br /><br />...and more than anything how each of these pieces of this magic word carry me day after day!<br /><br />In this oh so wonderful, yet selfish endeavor, this word, Time, with so few letters has come to signify so much!<br /></span><br />While so much of this journey that brings me to the starting line in Squaw healthy and the happiest I could ask for rings true in the above, so much has changed...I am a different person/wife/friend, and in the end runner, than I was in 2006.<br /><br />Instead of letting life take a back seat this time around, I have embraced all of my moments whether in person, on the phone, or via email with all of my friends. I have not let work or life slip away so that I could get to the starting line. I have been appreciative of every piece of company and flexibility that has been given to me, and not had expectations of anyone but myself.<br /><br />Yes, there have been many sacrifices. I do not meet friends for a "lunch" or spend extra time being social. I often run and train on my own, so that I have all the free moments possible with Paul. Paul has made more life sacrifices than I could possible start to list for me/us. Oh, and let's not forget the sugar sacrifice :)<br /><br />But, in the end, I am more ready than I have ever been and more equipped to dig from the well than ever before. I am armed with more love and support than I have ever known or thought possible. Paul and my dearest friends have empowered me to soar!<br /><br />I will take you each with me on Saturday. I will think of all you have given to me as I run. I will be lifted by the gifts of your love and support. I will give to you for all that you have given to me!<br /><blockquote><p><br /><strong>I will soar on wings like eagles. I will RUN and not grow weary. </strong></p><p><strong>I will walk and not be faint!! Isaiah 40:31</strong> </p></blockquote><br />I will save my blubbering individual thank you's for when I write my novel of a race report :) This way I can also take the time to share where I was on the course when I had you with me!!<br /><br />Thank you more than you will ever know!!<br />mer </div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-26263667045206070742010-06-08T06:35:00.000-07:002010-06-08T06:59:08.194-07:00More Than Running<div><div>It's good to remember that life is more than just about training!<br /><br />I rearranged my last long weekend of training so that I could fit in extra time with Paul, and prep to celebrate Erin's b-day/housewarming!<br /><br />How I was able to rearrange:<br />- did all but 9.5 miles of my long run on my own on Friday instead of Saturday. It was actually an awesome run and great hours on my own.<br />- ran from the house to downtown to meet Paul midday on Saturday for a run in the almost 100 degree temps.<br />- ran hills Sunday afternoon once the sun came out and it was 95+ outside.<br /><br />What the rearranging allowed for my weekend:<br />- Date night with Paul Friday night<br />- lunch on the deck post-workout with Paul<br />- easy morning trail run with Paul and Flyer</div><div>- time to cut and grill: protein, veggies, and pineapple for the week</div><div>- dinner and quality time outside with Paul on Sunday</div><br /><div>AND,</div><div>- making the vision of Erin's cake come to life (red velvet cake robots and all!)</div><div>- showing I can still manage fondant a little bit (I am REALLY out of practice)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480400066708399650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeWXG-iWAmoUIxj-V4h6oGWXDHa9wsGHcT3V42-aWvm-Lg5mkF7nNtK9MxCUSdDivn0bvQE5XXSeOsovDgFY-47tngKQX7UgqQ04PXtrNpPKF8NlflJLosNuPFEdRQnfQfubQUPz5qo5k/s320/the+cake.jpg" /></div><div>- enjoying Erin's party and seeing all of Jess' creations come to life (her bread is top notch!!)</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480400219089047026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfrQw1heKWQCqOXjo6Ak9QAvCKI4Fu7GkDPJW0akLmF_PCkFIqCDcNE0uIPfbiEYp2lWUV7UhqCtykjwW5N_9rMV8TkZs16Ykk9XsxjmtQbbdeKCIoTWs9hpfptFLV9YXHEJBobf-i1Qo/s320/the+girls.jpg" />There are so many days I feel like all I have been doing is working, training, eating, managing, juggling. It was just nice to see that it was possible to put the life stuff first this weekend, and enjoy Paul and my friends in the right way...<br /><br /><div></div><div>Such a balancing act. Sometimes I must fail misereably, but every once in a while I get a glimpse that it is all possible :)</div><br /><div>mer</div><div> </div><div>(Side note is that I seriously need a haircut...maybe during taper :) )</div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-18041348714765488202010-05-30T08:29:00.000-07:002010-05-31T11:12:30.259-07:00Humbled<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgnMj0YBDWGi17aiapJeqiQCNboHeUD7huma2yqYibMVjl2iR3msi5qKjQJCWEGqL5ao9YCIf5497-6Wu_Dt3ohSqN-KJwfyEBNTqwQNA1Yz8-kIEL2mkw_073mcnFvlGScT4u-YOLGmq/s1600/IMG00068-20100527-1323.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477497738172393922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgnMj0YBDWGi17aiapJeqiQCNboHeUD7huma2yqYibMVjl2iR3msi5qKjQJCWEGqL5ao9YCIf5497-6Wu_Dt3ohSqN-KJwfyEBNTqwQNA1Yz8-kIEL2mkw_073mcnFvlGScT4u-YOLGmq/s320/IMG00068-20100527-1323.jpg" /></a> Three Days...LOTS of running; breath-taking trails; incredible company; snow; rain; sunshine; appreciation. Those are just a few of the words to describe my runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD5-HVd4jcCLzUgjAJBHwpniQ7K8ZyHqoJlIuAGOlbIhCj7rfnamtpAP8jH0gKi6cUnuSQLuEfsght6nyUXgWR3hbCOEv_-EpQY2vO01NEF2zc3V92rbwYoJyAb7AD0MCdmu6vK3eqprj/s1600/IMG00069-20100528-1429.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477498084412517714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD5-HVd4jcCLzUgjAJBHwpniQ7K8ZyHqoJlIuAGOlbIhCj7rfnamtpAP8jH0gKi6cUnuSQLuEfsght6nyUXgWR3hbCOEv_-EpQY2vO01NEF2zc3V92rbwYoJyAb7AD0MCdmu6vK3eqprj/s320/IMG00069-20100528-1429.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>I ran my first triple canyon run, and woke up with legs happier to run the next day (after some espresso :) ) A full report to come, but I am just so thankful to have felt strong and healthy all three days and am so appreciative of all of the moments I had over the weekend. I am so very blessed by all the gifts in my life: Paul's support; Suzanna and Kelly for coordinating and including me; such wonderful time to talk; time on my own to run and absorb the beauty that makes the Western States trail what it is; awesome dinner conversation; finishing my run yesterday with Tom and sharing all of our years of history on the trail and the people who have made it special to us. I am so very humbled by the trails I will run again in less than a month, and how far my body has come.<br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7jYd6aks4S1dAqGVkvah236m1ETX9m3kN7Bh9kNlXQiRaGWP1pHfNiSal6bNYt67n4aP_DZ7H78eyhImJhaNY0yjBWtiewxRfT0d6nA6_9VyzdNAzYBBS6sLR7kOUVgL_LVDRrH7djCn/s1600/IMG00071-20100528-1651.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477498219788017522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7jYd6aks4S1dAqGVkvah236m1ETX9m3kN7Bh9kNlXQiRaGWP1pHfNiSal6bNYt67n4aP_DZ7H78eyhImJhaNY0yjBWtiewxRfT0d6nA6_9VyzdNAzYBBS6sLR7kOUVgL_LVDRrH7djCn/s320/IMG00071-20100528-1651.jpg" /></a>Can't wait to get home and reflect and share with Paul! For now, here are a few pics :)<br /><br /><br />mer<br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-32491996109275888392010-05-15T19:12:00.000-07:002010-05-15T19:34:32.394-07:00Perspective<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eQQingJR9QPZEDuAj6sU2165bXJt4OgDqeTZ8_z5DvbHk_Ap3CIhWON1nXO2I0RQKVeU_xVrWRIb_crFalvI_WUicNVpv49DHcuyUngEPgBeKLyo-onnvN1yo1Q6-Myi6-XKyAvQlHnh/s1600/ryanhome.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471689763777732258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eQQingJR9QPZEDuAj6sU2165bXJt4OgDqeTZ8_z5DvbHk_Ap3CIhWON1nXO2I0RQKVeU_xVrWRIb_crFalvI_WUicNVpv49DHcuyUngEPgBeKLyo-onnvN1yo1Q6-Myi6-XKyAvQlHnh/s320/ryanhome.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1KPek5gAojjc49-W-B5kRnfIooPRfpPobNA86O1sMDMQ3B7KO8RnM0j0YiyPlhFO1OE22S2sWCfUzhqVVaZbIQmCSHlomReeme3fXkJP8iF0JGEMv0aYN2Rm8XuKvAk42jakCzRdtwxo/s1600/ryanandcj.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471689631225440882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1KPek5gAojjc49-W-B5kRnfIooPRfpPobNA86O1sMDMQ3B7KO8RnM0j0YiyPlhFO1OE22S2sWCfUzhqVVaZbIQmCSHlomReeme3fXkJP8iF0JGEMv0aYN2Rm8XuKvAk42jakCzRdtwxo/s320/ryanandcj.jpg" /></a> Next time you want to take your life or family for granted, think of these moments:<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>- when I landed last Sunday (30 minutes early mind you), I was bummed to be sitting on the smoking corner awaiting Paul to pick me up. But then I turned my head to my left and saw a kid in an Army uniform. He and I both joked about waiting for our rides. Here was the difference: he had been travelling for 5 days to get home for a visit from Afganistan. He hadn't been home in 8 months. He hadn't changed clothes or taken his boots off. He hadn't seen his family. He was only going to be home for 2 weeks to turn around and head back for the remainder of his 18 month tour. Seeing his family reunion while I waited was worth the wait and a good lesson in patience.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>- Today I was talking to my sister-in-law...she has been: working; training; and raising her 3 children while Ryan has been in Iraq. Ryan is home for two weeks for his mid-tour leave. I had a moment of creativity and found a fantastic restaurant for them to enjoy last night. I was so thrilled to hear how much they did and what they ate...what a treat!! But it is so much more than that. As much as she might want to race and do tons of things, she just matter-of-factly talks about how it just isn't going to happen. She so calmy talks about it being, "just 4 more months" after Ryan heads back to Iraq next week. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>These are just a supreme reminder for me of how thankful I am for all the freedoms and gifts these guys and their familys' sacrifices afford me. I am so appreciative of the example that Nicole continues to give me in just making life work. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Thank you!</div><div>mer</div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-62331748901655289062010-05-10T20:54:00.000-07:002010-05-11T07:43:09.773-07:00With a Little Help...<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2LHEzDyCOA51cad9zLfFHONcvLyAC34duTuXwlVd9Soe5P51bXErk51_d49cPSsFNQF9gCIvNT87bskcTQ0MRiYHJRuzfROzy0Vjnd27M2QhOaAwOn2IsoqQ3q8z2lyYiTzWK0wkhNly/s1600/quicksilver+50a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470018812184842642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2LHEzDyCOA51cad9zLfFHONcvLyAC34duTuXwlVd9Soe5P51bXErk51_d49cPSsFNQF9gCIvNT87bskcTQ0MRiYHJRuzfROzy0Vjnd27M2QhOaAwOn2IsoqQ3q8z2lyYiTzWK0wkhNly/s320/quicksilver+50a.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh the things you can accomplish with a little (or a lot) of help! Two Sundays ago while Paul was joining me on my 2nd run of a long weekend I took the moment in the woods to say, "thank you!" I thanked him for his love, support, strength, shared dreams, and just everything I could ever need. He is awesome, and I just like to keep letting him know that I am appreciative for him.</span><br /><br /><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">It's in all of this training/running/juggling life that I have come to realize that I am not taking this journey alone. I am constantly and continually lifted and enriched by the power of love, support, and friendship.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Let's back up a bit since I have some catching up to do over the past two weeks....After Leona it was time to knock out the mileage. Managing over 100 (well over 100) miles a week plus work plus cross-training is a beast. But, around every corner I received so much support. My legs felt light from this and seemed to soar.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">- Luisa and Jeremy: both are pretty much game for a piece of whatever I have to run. Thank God for their positive attitudes and enduring friendship! Amen for the G's!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">- John P, Carrie, and gang: for a badly needed early Friday run. Thank you for the early early morning laughter. I truly needed that!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">- Liza: Amen for meeting me for the Lost Creek Loop. I have loved sharing this journey with you, and can't wait for what's in store. What a treat that morning was.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">- Mike: Thank you for coordinating the trail segment of my run so that I didn't have to think. I am very grateful for all of the support you share, and your interest in my boring stories...I appreciate you not totally letting on how boring they really are :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">- Pete: I know I have said it a ton, but there are few words to express what you showing up for my Sunday run meant. I really really wanted to have you back out, but you showed and then I was forced to show up :) Thank you for giving me the confidence that I do have speed in my legs at the end of a very long weekend! I would have NEVER had that quality without you, and know that I can put my head down and do the job when running with you (good knowledge to have for June)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">And to think that those are just my support for runs, how blessed I am. Then there is an entire support team that I don't even have to run with to feel their strength:</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Clea: I am so grateful that you so generous with your time, even though you have none. I love watching you do such a great job in your journey, and am so appreciative that you have interest in mine, even though it must feel like another galaxy!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Erin: It's almost funny that you are making my running list, hahaha! Dinners, markets, and lots of life. Thank you for sharing. What a gift!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Jamie: I am adding you in even though you are in France. To have such a wonderful friend to share so many journeys...I am so lucky! Thank you for being such a gift in my life!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">But even more are my friends near and far who have reached out whether by phone, dinner, the occasional email. I have noticed, embraced, and am touched by IT ALL!! I am humbled by the power of what you each bring to my life. You keep the smile on my face and you are with me every single step I take!! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">It is with this very full heart that I headed to Quicksilver 50-miler this past weekend. This was going to be a tough one, more than anything because it was coming at the end of two very big weeks. By time I even considered backing off, it was Thursday, so this was going to be a test of what I could muster. My legs have been responding really well to the high quality mileage, so I wasn't afraid...well mostly not afraid.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I arrived in San Jose on Friday, just sleepy. I drove to Palo Alto, and decided to check out the Stanford Campus. It was incredible. There was a fantastic trail around campus, so I decided to put on my running clothes and take an easy spin to check it out. It was so beautiful I figured that if I lost a few minutes on Saturday because of this run, it would have been worth it. Clea would have been mad at me for not taking advantage of my surroundings!! (Although, I did a terrible job and didn't take pics). Finally, it was time to head to my room and relax for the race.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I woke up on Saturday morning ready to go. I was plenty early and headed out with directions in tow. Then 15 minutes later I am LOST (Clea sound familiar). I was thinking back to Clea missing her race the week before and I started freaking out a little. I called Paul panicking and driving in circles. Finally I came up on an intersection and a 7-11. I pulled in and sure enough there was another runner, Jason, who was just as lost, and he was from the Bay Area!! After a few minutes we figured it out and were racing on our way. Just in time to pick up packets, set bags out, and breathe. Nothing like a panic before a long day of running. The only thing that I didn't have time for...last pre-race potty. I was in such a scramble there just wasn't time.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy enough...I would just go to the restroom in the woods once the race thinned out a little. Famous last thought :) The course is great. The first 6 miles are mostly up. I have really enjoyed this way of starting a race because I can settle in a do my own thing. I am not a climber, so it forces me into a smart race immediately. The race has a 50K and the 50-miler. I am in a mix of both and find a good groove with the group. After about an hour I start looking toward the woods. The first time I start to head off the trail, Gary who I end up running quite a bit with says no because of all the poison oak. Sure enough when I start looking off the trail I see poison oak EVERYWHERE! Crap!! No bathroom for me. By time I have a chance to finally go, I can't and my stomach just hurts....not good. In this adventure I get a little behind the group I was running with - no friends, no bathroom - good times! Then, I actually get passed by this guy who starts chatting and I realize it's Jason, the guy I was lost with earlier. I guess I would call this my low point.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">About this time I make a decision, dammit I didn't come this far to have a bad day; my legs are feeling really good; and my stomach could very well feel terrible at WS. Suck it up and get moving. That's exactly what I did! My stomach never felt better, but I was running much stronger. I came cruising into the mile 18/19 aid station, and was kindly reminded that I needed to be drinking more. I actually followed the order and sucked down my fluid which also has my fuel. In the next loop section I catch and pass all of the guys who I had been with early. Now I am in a groove. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Gary and I continue to exchange spots and cruise into the start/finish area (50K) in about 4:56. I am content that my stomach is just going to be rotten and I plug ahead. I didn't think I would like heading back out, but actually really enjoyed getting to cheer on all the other runners coming in. It really kept me lifted. I pass Gary for the last time, and know I will see him at the turn-around. After the mile 35 aid station I try one more time in the woods, but to no avail. I am not going to waste any more time...it just is. I hit the mile 37 aid station, and think that it's no biggie to get to 41. HA! First, we cross this road and the course that had only been marked with flour now has ribbons?? I get nervous. I slow down, ask a few people and continue forward slowly. Soon enough Zach comes heading the other way, and I am thankful to see him. I realize as I head to the turnaround that I am in this no-man's land. The lead guys are quite a bit in front of me, and the rest of the race is quite a bit behind me. This definitely doesn't help on this section. We joked after the race that it felt like those 4 miles were 30...forever until the aid station. FINALLY, when I got there I was thrilled to turn around and head home. My watch had died, so I asked what time it was 1PM (7 hours in). I had about 9 miles to go. I cheered all the runners heading out, and just enjoyed the final miles. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIKLO3Tm9ifWdfzHRS6SbJyrNBSdJXOqGKaxVLY3Sor-uhfIXS1qbkRjrHp7zP4YgMBmcRpI0882Bjszd20UnA4kWSHJJzCYhvZZ8gQtblY6_eynAiKo-ZJZ8ExhiKXmF1zYzy9VOhWZr/s1600/quicksilver+50.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470018618777371746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIKLO3Tm9ifWdfzHRS6SbJyrNBSdJXOqGKaxVLY3Sor-uhfIXS1qbkRjrHp7zP4YgMBmcRpI0882Bjszd20UnA4kWSHJJzCYhvZZ8gQtblY6_eynAiKo-ZJZ8ExhiKXmF1zYzy9VOhWZr/s320/quicksilver+50.jpg" /></a></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">There was an amazing moment when I realized that my legs really felt fresh. This training is working. All the gifts from friends and family are feeding my legs and they are getting stronger. All the blessings of health and love are feeding my spirit. I am doing this...I CAN do this. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">After all the downhill, that came after the uphill, (my favorite statement made by a volunteer at mile 45, "downhill all the way home. Except, of course, for the uphill." Thank you smartass) I reach the finishline in 8:15!! </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKW81EI9yS3aztvSCxfqdVU_evAQFvvoFTWlv6o3y7s1mCeM_LokXwb8hDouwaEPwb3ZenBmHNeWEY8f2iJVupeKYv4ONn4AmSSb3WVAo-D527bmKr7WPYqtHRspoQuWd9I8K8WunzUlY/s1600/quicksilver+50b.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470020099743672738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKW81EI9yS3aztvSCxfqdVU_evAQFvvoFTWlv6o3y7s1mCeM_LokXwb8hDouwaEPwb3ZenBmHNeWEY8f2iJVupeKYv4ONn4AmSSb3WVAo-D527bmKr7WPYqtHRspoQuWd9I8K8WunzUlY/s320/quicksilver+50b.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW26YY_fp4J-AV0Q3i3H9rk__S4Z986ci4YFvolvtzLm0SfX2Sx01ytQsx9ujjLE3ynH4EksiAMTUNeQPNz_x8vZV6W226oRuMwXWUYRQGiE5fRaNlxy8AM6IEj8EDPUKpjVNT8FppA1wE/s1600/quicksilver+50b.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470020243896713698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW26YY_fp4J-AV0Q3i3H9rk__S4Z986ci4YFvolvtzLm0SfX2Sx01ytQsx9ujjLE3ynH4EksiAMTUNeQPNz_x8vZV6W226oRuMwXWUYRQGiE5fRaNlxy8AM6IEj8EDPUKpjVNT8FppA1wE/s320/quicksilver+50b.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">And this is probably my favorite part of the day; this is why I love running ultras....the after party. It's a wonderful chance to catch up, chat, and cheer on all the other runners coming in. As always, I was made to feel right at home. I had been cheering on Larissa (2nd place woman) all day, and was excited for her great day! Once she finished we all sat around and chatted. Such a great group of folks: Zach (1st male) and his girlfriend Geri (whose family is from Austin!); Larissa and Bret (who had just had an incredible Miwok run); Rick (incredible support/crew/pacer...he was so awesome to be all over the course and then pace. I was VERY jealous of Larissa having company on the out and back); and others. I feel so fortunate to get to share time and adventures with such great people! I am so excited to see them all again in June. I can't wait for Paul to meet this crew; so fun!!</span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I know I have written WAY TOO much! I know it gets old that I often say the same thing, but my head and heart swirl with gratitude every single day. What a wonderful life! What an amazing husband I have! What incredible friends and support I have! Truly, truly blessed!!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">To this journey, health, and continued happiness, WOW!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">mer</span></div></div></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-48820341059187872662010-04-28T10:26:00.000-07:002010-04-28T10:45:18.377-07:002000's<span style="font-size:85%;"> I normally don't write a post about a single workout but this one was fantastic! I did a bunch of 2000's this morning and I LOVED them!! Who knew that 5 laps around the track could be so fun?? Was it because each one got faster, and I felt stronger as the miles added up? Could it have been the beautiful full moon, and then the sunrise?<br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Luisa and I and the pups have loved getting back on the track. She has been doing portions of my workouts with me, and I am so very grateful. We have been running on the track together since 2000. It all started in late October 2000. How fortunate I am to have such a wonderful friend who, for years, has been willing to meet me even if for only part of my workouts and long runs. We have been through so many cycles in our lives, and these runs have been just sacred. We have laughed, cried, smelled like a bar, come off of completely sleepless night's, but we have never regretted a day of showing up!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Maybe that is what I loved about it. When you look at a run or workout on a piece of paper sometimes you think "can I do this" or "how can I do this?" The weekly mileage is big and I love it, but faster workouts long workouts can be scary when you think you might be tired from the load (work, life, and running) the day before. But, then, the full moon is shining, the weather is perfect, the company is the best...and before you know it: you nail the workout, you enjoy the company, and there is not a regret in the world! Oh, and it's barely 7AM!!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ReZUT475bR2k9cImvYVDxiLww1f3C-VBWQ36OzVfhqNHtMMm5pIow3nf1lPBuCWnQvCYC2fri9kcMXH_wjqfuhGF0tNqn5qOYR-fsm_3DU6UVAOSkfsQ_1yNW10mxO7eHbB-VWK2SY6/s1600/IMG00041-20100412-1642.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465245266091414834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ReZUT475bR2k9cImvYVDxiLww1f3C-VBWQ36OzVfhqNHtMMm5pIow3nf1lPBuCWnQvCYC2fri9kcMXH_wjqfuhGF0tNqn5qOYR-fsm_3DU6UVAOSkfsQ_1yNW10mxO7eHbB-VWK2SY6/s320/IMG00041-20100412-1642.jpg" /></span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Next up, after work...another run in the heat, yippee, and then the Farmer's Market with Erin!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">(By the way, this pic was taken of my Ladera training partners, hehe...they cheer from the bluebonnets)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Love it!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">mer</span></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-70346061630927513682010-04-19T20:45:00.000-07:002010-04-19T20:53:30.735-07:00One Step Closer<span style="font-size:85%;">(More pics to come tomorrow!)</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyutqAQ6vANDGgqEPvTHqRK51XkjdcK9DxQTEbv_Zbwm2ojpwtiPUWKSR7rdfD5d6efReiLMLA4Cwv1iwU2-KhRRwJDZFpdG6c3JU0iEeHgYsFGpWiNQuwm3p5lw4j5W3LDrr6sP8j_zIh/s1600/PIC-0245.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462062296883262770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyutqAQ6vANDGgqEPvTHqRK51XkjdcK9DxQTEbv_Zbwm2ojpwtiPUWKSR7rdfD5d6efReiLMLA4Cwv1iwU2-KhRRwJDZFpdG6c3JU0iEeHgYsFGpWiNQuwm3p5lw4j5W3LDrr6sP8j_zIh/s320/PIC-0245.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">This weekend Paul and I headed to Southern California for the Leone Divide 50. It was a treat to have him with me because it was going to be a real chance for him to get to spend time with some of my California friends. Kelly and Leslie were meeting us in Palmdale before the race.<br /><br />We arrived early on Friday, after a most memorable plane flight…more to come on that in a few days, and decided to head to the race start for a little run. On the drive there we saw the incredible fields of California Poppies. What a sight. Once we got to the race start we ran the first 15 minutes of the course up and then cruised back down. I was already getting excited for a downhill finish…I love me some downhill running <br /><br />We headed back to the hotel, ate, and then spent some time catching up (and Paul meeting) Kelly and Leslie. The plan was for Paul to drive us to the start and then crew for us at the two spots he could see us. For me the plan was for me to grab my Camelback at aid station #3 and wear it until #9 when I gave it back to him. (Post race John and Lisa laughed saying that the only problem with the race was that the aid stations needed names) I wanted to practice having extra water for Western States.<br /><br />Saturday morning was crisp, but with promise of getting nice and warm. Paul took my jackets at the last moment, and at 6AM off we went! My instructions were to take it easy and smooth thru about mile 30, remember that this was a training run, and, most importantly, look up and around and NOT get off course! So, straight up the first climb I cruised. It was not about “racing,” but about patience. I had to let everyone around me that I “thought” I should be running with go, and do my thing…patience.<br /><br />The rewards of this tactic would pay dividends throughout the day. #1: the view!! From the first climb we got to see the sky explode and the sun come up. It was spectacular. I soaked it all in, and hoped that Paul was witnessing a similar view. At Lake Sonoma I loved it all, but never quite felt in my rhythm. I knew it was my first trip to California and in the mountains, but I just never felt smooth. From the get go it was a different story on Saturday. I was smooth going up, and had great turnover on the downhill. My downhill legs are back and happy happy. On the first descent I found the pattern that would continue for the remainder of the day…there were about 6 of us that would trade places: they would get me on the uphill and I would catch them on the downhill. Run your strengths, right?<br /><br />The trail was fantastic. Keira, the race director, made changes to the course, which I heard were more difficult, but the course was incredible. Not only that, but the course was marked like crazy AND the people working the aid stations were unbelievable. Absolutely first class all the way! The uphills were long and the descents felt longer. I was in heaven. Before I could blink I was coming up on aid station #3, about mile 16ish, and knew Paul would be there ready to go.<br /><br />Paul and I completely agree that no one can touch the crewing ability of David, Jamie’s husband, but on Saturday Paul definitely showed off that he had been taking notes from the pro He had my bottle filled with ice and fuel and my pack ready. I was in and out in about 10 seconds.<br /><br />There was only one problem…the minute I took off up the climb my zip was gone; WTF?? As I climbed everyone I was running near was all of a sudden running away and I couldn’t keep up. It was as though the pack had 500 pounds in it. I was miserable. Crap! I was planning on carrying this thing until mile 42. This was going to be my extra water for the longer stretches to the turn around. All I could think about was dropping, leaving it in a tree, throwing it off the ledge. Uggg!!<br /><br />I went through the next aid station, and continued to gut it out. I never caught any of the people that had gotten away, but I plugged away. During this time I decided that I would leave my pack at the next aid station and then pick it up on the way back. Fortunately, my savior was waiting just outside the next aid station! I saw Brian, and when he asked what I needed I said, “take this freaking pack!!” He grabbed it and then took my bottle and my powder and refilled it. He asked if I needed anything from it, and I told him that I needed my extra fuel. Of course, now I didn’t have any place to put it. Without thinking, I grabbed it and shoved it down my chest…perfect fit!! He told me that I had 6.5 miles of great single track and then a downhill to the turn around.<br /><br />I was FREE!! He saved me, and I was sooo ever thankful! It took me about two minutes to get back in my groove and feel great! By time I got to the downhill I had made time back up, and was catching everyone who had gotten away. There are few words to the difference I felt. I got to the turn around, and turned to go up. New race; legs fresh; time to move!<br /><br />Reward #2: I got to climb up from the turn around with Kelly!! It’s not like we chatted the whole way up, but we worked together keeping pace and moving up. The climb was so much quicker with her company. I am just so very grateful for knowing her, getting to race with her, and being continually inspired by her. After the race someone commented on the fact that she had been ill a week or two ago, and I said, “the worse Kelly feels leading up to a race, the stronger she races.” She is truly that tough! Reward #3: her telling me to look off the ledge to see the fields of California Poppies. What a sight!!<br /><br />I told Kelly of my plan “to go” at the top of the climb. We turned onto the single track, and off I went! I felt fantastic. I was so very pleased. It seemed that the further into the race I got, the stronger I felt. So, I pushed…why not? A big treat on this section was seeing the people heading out as we headed back. They were so very kind. They would move off the trail, so unnecessary, and we would cheer for each other. My only real slowdown came when I saw Chris in his Hawaiian shirt! How fun to see him racing!! Before I knew it I was back at the aid station Brian had been, and I was in party mode this time around! I love coming into aid stations happy, appreciative, and full of life…the least I can do for what they are doing! As I was getting reloaded Sue came over to me and told me that 2nd place was 2 or 3 minutes away and if I felt good to go get her. Well, I felt GREAT, so to chase I went. I ran the next section as fast as I could, went through the aid station, and then charged downhill toward aid station #9, Paul, and mile 42. I thought for sure I would see her. I caught all the guys that had passed me earlier when I had my camelback moments, but she was nowhere in sight…what the heck?<br /><br />I came thru mile 42, all smiles, and to a funny moment during Paul’s quick pit stop for me, “Mer – where is your camelback?” My response: “yeah, me and the camelback…not friends. But, I feel great!” Paul ran through the aid station with me, and charged forward to the final climb. It was such a lift to have him there!! Happily, the climb was not that bad. It was a little steep in beginning, but then was gradual enough that I was able to push it up. I realized that unless the girl in front of me was slowing, I wasn’t going to catch her. But, I also had to remind myself that my goal of the day was not get 2nd but to have another successful training run, and that I was accomplishing with each step. I got to the final aid station, and asked what the time was. My Garmin had died and I had forgotten to get my other watch from Paul. They said it was 1:50. I don’t know what that meant to me, but my goal had been to run about 8:30, so I had 40 minutes to cover the last 4 miles…about 1 mile climb and then 3 miles down to the finish. I crossed the finish line in 8:23; not a bad close for 50 miles. I finished and felt like I could have kept running forever; what a great feeling!!<br /><br />Paul was at the finish and greeted me with a huge hug and kiss. Keira was at the finish to congratulate each finisher with hug and cooold water; I loved the dry ice! At the finish, as well, was Renee who finished in 2nd. I told her that I was trying my darndest to catch her, and she said that she heard I was running strong and ran as hard as she could. Her friends paid me the most wonderful compliment at the finish telling me that I was the happiest runner with the biggest smile on the course the whole race! I LOVE receiving that compliment. There are no words to share my appreciation for my life; the gifts of a great day; this incredible journey I am taking to Western States; all the people that I have that love and support me everyday; just every part of my life/health/everything… the best way to show it is with happiness and a huge smile on my face!<br /><br />California, once again, didn’t disappoint, and my gratitude towards all of my blessings continues to bring rewards I never thought truly possible!<br /><br />Side bar: I can’t end this without sending every piece of my happiness to my friends and their incredible successes in Boston! How we get to lift and push each other to be and do more than we ever thought possible!! Ahh, to dream and to accomplish!<br />mer </span></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5685745072540073651.post-69913923666497373452010-04-05T18:48:00.000-07:002010-04-05T19:38:57.107-07:00Late Nights and Bluebonnets<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3j5IFoKMfZNq8_kCNwTSe0Q3SEBefDMPPUUJqw6juCnLFSSvImBvW-vk-4VqC35kuhFafkQ9HjrpI6g7BYSdtWYWllvlkutB_YwEbJQGE1vQYrWxFCNJtsZS_ENkKUbCfMFY5bsNFfod/s1600/hellshills1.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456847600791249426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3j5IFoKMfZNq8_kCNwTSe0Q3SEBefDMPPUUJqw6juCnLFSSvImBvW-vk-4VqC35kuhFafkQ9HjrpI6g7BYSdtWYWllvlkutB_YwEbJQGE1vQYrWxFCNJtsZS_ENkKUbCfMFY5bsNFfod/s320/hellshills1.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Who knew training/volunteering/weekends could be so much fun??<br /><br /></span><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">It was yet another beautiful weekend in Austin! We have just been blessed with the most wonderful spring which means that the wildflowers are exploding!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The timing was just perfect for me to get to volunteer at Hells Hills. Some people enjoy being at an aid station, but my favorite is to help with course set-up. Last year, Henry and I spent about 9 hours setting up in the worst storm I have ever been out in...unfortunately to have the race cancelled the next day. This year we laughed that there might be "storms" on Friday during set-up. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Knowing that set-up means lots of hiking, I decided to get my run in before. Bruce, Tausha, and I met for 9 miles at 6AM, and then Pete and I headed to Smithville. We kind of laughed at the fact that Pete was helping with course set up since he is fmously known for getting lost in the woods. So, it was only right that about 1/2 mile into our set-up that we hit a gate and realized that we were on the wrong trail; awesome. We decided to hop in my truck and drive to the far end of the course and set up from there. I am all for the off-road fun, but before we knew it we were headed down a "trail" that was in NO way a road. I am just thankful that my truck didn't get stuck and came through in one piece. In the end the back end of the course got marked with arrows and wrong way signs, and I put glowsticks at the aid stations for my later use.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">My plan was to head back to Austin for a few hours, have dinner with Paul, and then head back out to start putting up glowsticks at 10ish pm. I figured there was no better way for a night run: private property and Joe and Henry were asleep at the base knowing where I was headed. If I didn't return they could easily come find me.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">So, I load up my pack with 50 glowsticks and tell Henry that if my truck isn't back when he gets up at 3:15, to worry... Right away I get into a great rhythm listening to the night: owls, frogs, cows. The sky was clear and it was nice and warm. I am easily able to run between each hanging, so I am thinking, "no biggie...3hours max for the 13 miles I am going to work." Well, not so much. I quickly hit the first aid station, and all of a sudden I have 50 more glowsticks to "run" with. I crack the glowsticks and load more than enough in my bra for easy access. I found a hidden talent, running with 30 glowsticks in the bra, good times! I get to Off the Lip trail, and I realize that either there are no flags or I am on the wrong trail. I start a bit of a back and forth until I realize that I am on the right trail, but there aren't many flags. My plan becomes to drop or hang a glowstick every 1/4 mile for assurance fo</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfOvphRyC5XUq3EWm6T0c2vXjMdlhvOyp6tVrnMZFz_A8HsQ1JV8e83l4NhekMuVALnZ56puYNv8NtcgUyrmuhkSweXsR5FIEVsWOBNMT1x6cUKpN9n3K4g9SpSQUQFDBhhyBomI9n61Q/s1600/hellshills2.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456847770687950114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfOvphRyC5XUq3EWm6T0c2vXjMdlhvOyp6tVrnMZFz_A8HsQ1JV8e83l4NhekMuVALnZ56puYNv8NtcgUyrmuhkSweXsR5FIEVsWOBNMT1x6cUKpN9n3K4g9SpSQUQFDBhhyBomI9n61Q/s320/hellshills2.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">r the runners. I good with the plan and continue forward. Then I hit Longhorn Loop, and the problem persists. I run back and forth to confirm my location, and then continue on with my dropping of glowsticks for confidence. All of a sudden I realize that I am covering tons of extra mileage and this is going to take longer than planned...oh well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Then the comedy happens; I get to the field and realize that all of the signs have been removed. The challenge with the field is that unless you know it well there is no way of knowing where the heck the trail continues. It is 2 in the morning, and I am completely at a loss as to where to go. With no other choice, I run every corner of the field for the next 20 minutes until I am SURE of where the trail leads, and then I set up a line of glowsticks so that the runners know exactly where to go. Obviously, 3 hours and 13 miles is completely a lost hope.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I continue on the outer portion of the loop, typically my favorite section to run, and am just ready to be done. I find myself running harder and harder between stops. I am very pleased with my lights and my energy give the night...at about 3:15 - 4:38 and 20 miles later - I finish. I send Henry a text and head back down to the start/finish. When I arrive back it is just Henry, Joe and I awake and runners about to arrive. Joe shows me where to have people park and before I know it I am standing by the park entrance with my light and chatting it up with arriving friends. The 50-miler started at 5AM, 50K at 6AM and it is right around 6 that I realize just how long I have been awake: over 24 hours, 36 miles, and 2 hours of driving...small talk was getting a little low on my list. I head to my truck and sleep for about 30 minutes of gold!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I wake up in time to change clothes and help at the start/finish aid station. I didn't do much beyond helping friends as they came through but I had a blast being out there. It was so fun to see so many friends race and help them in and out of the aid station!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">What a fun, fun time! It is so much fun to give back to the local trail community, and even more fun to support my friends. After Pete got 2nd in the 25K, we headed back home!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">When I finally reached the house, I took about an hour nap but didn't want to sleep too long because I didn't want to throw my sleep off too much. Paul and I spent the rest of the afternoon together and then prepped for Easter Vigil. I will totally admit to having to rally for Easter Vigil at 8pm. And, let's be honest, when we walked into the dark church I knew I was doomed...candlelight was not going to help me stay awake. Paul and I had a big laugh when the priest announced that "Easter Vigil is typically an all night prayer service." Thankfully the music was lively and quite passionate. We still called mercy early. Paul is normally a MAJOR trooper at church and can endure it all. I am thrilled that he was ok to leave when the Phantom of the Opera music (not quite but that's what it felt like) started and we still had two more readings to get through. We got home and I slept so hard.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I then woke up early Sunday morning to run from the house to meet Paul downtown. It was so much fun to venture 14.5 miles toward him. I loved doing that for my last run of the weekend. We had a wonderful Easter Sunday, topped by an incredible feast (see my other blog for pics and details).</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">I am LOVING the adventures of training! It seems that each run; each encounter with friends; and the balance of work and life is just getting more and more enjoyable! I can't wait to see what's next!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Mer</span></div></div>meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16808810903880105653noreply@blogger.com1