2000's

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?

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!

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!!

Next up, after work...another run in the heat, yippee, and then the Farmer's Market with Erin!

(By the way, this pic was taken of my Ladera training partners, hehe...they cheer from the bluebonnets)

Love it!

mer

One Step Closer

(More pics to come tomorrow!)

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.

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 

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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!

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!!

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?

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!!

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!

California, once again, didn’t disappoint, and my gratitude towards all of my blessings continues to bring rewards I never thought truly possible!

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!
mer

Late Nights and Bluebonnets

Who knew training/volunteering/weekends could be so much fun??

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 for 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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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).

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!!

Mer

Grateful Spirit

If you are making a list of things to do before you die, I have one to put toward the top: drive the 101 South from Healdsburg to San Francisco at sunrise in the springtime. In case my first trip to California for the spring wasn’t wonderful enough, I now have a picture in my head I won’t soon forget.

Lake Sonoma 50 was to be my first real training run for WS. We don’t have 10K ft. of climbing in Texas, so there is no better way to train than just get after it and suffer on the first visit. I am always braced for this first race to be a hard painful one, but relish in the start of what is to come. By my 2nd trip on, I have my mountain legs and each event gets better and stronger.

John, the RD, promised no excuse weather, lovely trails, and a “hard to get lost” course. At the end of the race I thanked his wife, Lisa, for making sure the wildflowers were abundant and breathtaking.

I arrived on Friday, and went on a brief gift purchasing journey: downtown bakery for donut muffins for Paul, and an organic vineyard. The owner of the bakery, whom I had talked to over the phone, had wrapped up the muffins for freshness…they looked divine (I can’t wait for his feedback). At the vineyard, I was encouraged to taste, taste, taste. I did just enough to make wonderful selections. I had a blast in their gardens and the winemaker was so kind as to wrap up all my purchases for travel.

Saturday morning brought all of John’s promises. After hugs and hellos, it was time to start. Kelly and I ran a bit together and then I got into a nice conversation with Jody. She is from Ashland, but actually had lived in the Austin area years ago and knew me from some old triathlons. It was fun to catch up and get lost on the miles ahead. We stayed together for about the first 4 miles and then I pulled away a bit.

A few good training things happened early. First, I thought I had travelled without my MP3 charger meaning that I had limited use of music. My plan was to save it for the last miles in case I hit a low and was on my own. It was very good for me to run without music for most of the race, and I was really lifted when I turned it on later. With my heavy hill training/cramming leading into the race I knew my legs would be fatigued for the first hour or so. They always seem to bounce out of it, but it is such a game of patience until they do. Saturday was absolutely no exception. From about mile 5-10 my legs felt like crap. It definitely didn’t help that all of a sudden I was running on my own in no man’s land, but my patience for my legs to settle was so low it was pissing me off. I just forged ahead and tried to get to the mile 12 aid station as quick as I could, so that I could reset and get my giddy-up.

I hit mile 12 aid station, refilled quickly, got my stuff out of my drop bag to last me until mile 38, and went in the direction the aid station guy pointed…or so I thought. Before I knew it I was heading down down down a road??? I remembered reading in the race instructions that there wasn’t any pavement, so this made no sense to me. Soon enough I came up on some guys getting in their car and I asked where the trail was. To which they said, “you were supposed to turn right out of the aid station.” Arghhhh, so up I went back to the aid station. I felt really badly when I saw that I had taken a girl on my journey off course with me. She smiled as I charged back up the hill. 10 minutes bonus. I will say that it was a funny sight to see the reaction of the aid station crew when I came back into the aid station.

I don’t know if it was the adrenaline, or I just finally warmed up, but I was all of a sudden moving with some great enthusiasm and purpose. I went by all of the people who had a chance to plug ahead while I was down the road. I got to chat with tons of folks that were super sweet and kept asking, “what are you doing back here?” The small talk explanation was a little annoying to repeat, but it was definitely distracting and before I knew it I had gotten through one aid station and was at mile 20. John was at the aid station, and I cracked a joke about my skill for adding mileage and making use of my time in California.

From here we made our way to mile 25 aid station to turn around and make our way home. It was at this point in the day that I got to reconsider my decision for the wine-tasting. It was worth it, but there was a moment or two in the woods I definitely questioned it. Just a training day…

Finally coming back from the turn around I started to feel really good. I would say about mile 27ish? I don’t know what it was, but I definitely felt things start to click. I got to the mile 30 aid station, grabbed some ice in my bottle and followed Lee down. I would say that one of the many treats of the day was getting to trade spots with Lee all day. I have known Lee and his wife Sara for a number of years now. They have been so kind to me, have fed Paul and I great post-race meals, taken care of me when WS has not been kind to my body, and have just opened their home and kindness to us again and again. It was actually funny to think that I have never actually run “with” Lee. We have been at races together, and Paul and Lee have run together in their neighborhood, but Saturday was a great treat!

The return trip was flying. It was great! It was finally warm outside and I was finally in my groove. This is what these distances are all about. If you run it out long enough, you are guaranteed to feel really really good! I came through mile 33 aid station, and Stan told me that Kelly was 22 min ahead of me. She was doing awesome! I hit mile 38, dropped my waste belt and refilled my bottle. I was a bit hungry, so I grabbed a quesadilla piece and ran out. At this point I saw Max, an old running buddy of ours from Houston, who had been quite a bit ahead of me. He said that the wheels were falling off. I told him to strap them back on, and I would see him at the finish. Noone said this was easy!

At that aid station the guy with my bag asked me if I wanted my other bottle. I figured I was moving well enough that I would be fine, BUT I should have taken it. I definitely spent the segment rationing my water, and I TOTALLY know better than that. It doesn’t matter how much you love the heat, having more fluid than less is always better!!

The aid station at the water, the last aid station, was the most welcome sight on the planet and I was thrilled that they had ice water!! From there it was just a grinder to the finish.

I was really pleased with my effort, especially with the course (not an easy one at all). I was even more pleased that once I finished I wasn’t sore or tired at all. Now that’s the way to end a training run…a bit painful during, but feel really strong when it’s over.

On my flight to California I read an article about remembering to be grateful, and in doing so everyday will be that much better. It was such a great reminder for me before the race, so that while I was out there and even during my low moments I could focus on what is bigger and more important than just putting one foot in front of the other:
- There are few words for how grateful I am for Paul and my everyday stronger feelings for him. It is such a miracle to be in this place with him, and know that everyday apart makes everyday together that much better. He is with me every step, and every moment…but I don’t actually have to write it here for him to already know it!!
- For my friends, training partners, and support team. What a dream to have such wonderful people in my life. You are with me every mile. You give me patience. You make me better, stronger, hungrier to be the very best I can be. This journey could not start and will not finish without you by my side!!
- For my friends in my “2nd” hometown, I don’t think you will ever understand just what it means to arrive in California knowing in so many ways…I am home. No, I won’t be moving to California but the genuine goodness everyone has given to me is so amazing!! Kelly, Suzanna, Leslie…I look forward to every chance I get to see y’all and visit! Thank you for making me feel so very at home! Devon – it has been amazing to see you all over the country, literally! You are such an amazing spirit, and I am so excited to see your journey unfold over the next few months and then some  I loved that you knew how much I would TOTALLY understand what you had been through with your bonus loop, and know the dividends that will come from what you made out of that. You will not soon forget what you can do when things don’t go perfect, but that you can still turn the day into just what you want and more.

In the end, I am truly grateful and blessed for the views the trails provide from the lush green to the incredible lake to the abundant wildflowers; my continued health despite the mean California poison oak (by the way, yeah it was out there…my legs and left arm are proof); and all the gifts I am continually given!

If this is just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what is down the trail!!
mer

Nighttime Bonding and Weather Avoidance

So much for sunshine and springtime...at least for the next two days.

But, I am more resourceful and determined than any weather system. AND, I have a wonderfully supportive husband!!

As Paul was driving home from Dallas yesterday afternoon, I had a lightbulb shine in my head: Saturday forecast 40s and rain; Friday night forecast...clear and 68. I called with my clever idea, "Honey, what are you doing tonight? Wanna go for a trail run?? :)" Without question, he was game. 10PM start for a couple of hours on the trail!!

What an incredible way to spend a Friday night! Paul and I on the trail, chatting away, catching up, and running together. What a gift to get to share that time together!!! I know that running my pace is a total throw away for him, but he never complained or made me feel like my 8:20-9 min pace was too slow.

A few lessons on my impromptu decision for a night run. Make sure you have fresh batteries in your lights!! My lights were next to useless, and we basically relied on one handheld between us. Headlamps can be irritating. Obviously, I have some work to do with my lighting system. Always be flexible with plans because last minute changes and scheduling can make for the best memory!

This morning it was gym time to stay warm and dry. 10 miles of uphill climbing (forever grateful to Shan for this workout), weights, and squats!! Going to the gym is definitely not the first place I want to be for a workout, but I do enjoying seeing people I otherwise wouldn't (I chatted with one of my clients for 20 min of my climb workout and I got to scare the heck out of John P)....great start to a rainy morning, and I was excited to be neither tired nor sore from the night run.

I am just hoping that this is our LAST spell of cold...so over it. But, if the rain falls and if the weather is not ideal this weekend has taught me that I can still get in wonderful workouts, quality time with the husband, and make the most of what's around and available...

No Excuses, Do the Work!
mer

80 degrees!!!

Not much else to say, except AMEN spring is here! It was 80 degrees today, and I celebrated with with a 10 mile hill workout!

I enjoyed seeing all my hill "friends." The mail man, the UPS delivery guy, the workers that have been building the house on the corner for over a year, and my very favorite...the old man that lives two houses down from the corner of the top of my climb. He came out and greeted me and then came to "see if I wanted cold water" about 1 hour in.

In Austin we don't have hills long enough on the trails, so road repeats it is. The hotter the better :) I have been doing this workout for a few years now, and have come to know the workers who get their jobs done while I run up and down, and up and down, and up and down. I have come to appreciate seeing them and am very grateful for their waves, smiles, and friendly words. (For those of you who have beautiful trail repeats to run...be grateful!!)

I did this workout over the winter, but TODAY was just the way I like it....bright sunshine, friendly faces, and great running.

Welcome Springtime!! Afterall, sunshine does make me oh so happy!
mer

Gotta love days that start at 5AM, so that you can get a workout in, a solid workday, and hill repeats...yippee.

Sunshine and Springtime!

It's finally approaching...today was in the upper 60's with the sun shining!!

Flyer joined me for my workout and he has been sleeping ever since. Apparently my 10 miles with speed on the Powerline was more than enough for him. I can't wait for a social 12 tomorrow, 26 hills and trail on Saturday, and then hills with Liza on Sunday. What a great start to the warmth of springtime! I must still be on winter time, though, because I did my workout in long sleeves. Layers to officially shed when the temp reads 70+!

Now the soil just needs a few more days for me to be able to plant my veggies and herbs. One true test of patience is the waiting for gardens to bloom. Timing and effort has to be just right. Hopefully I can nail it this year. I so enjoyed my long lasting crop of tomatoes last year (thanks Mike).

And, to top off this great weather, Paul is coming home early...yippee!! Now, of course, I will never know if he is actually coming home early to see me or to Bomb Run and have Cowboy Breakfast??? I guess he can go play on a Friday if I can spend the morning with the G's and lunch with Pinky's :)

Happy Early Spring!!

mer