"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.
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?"
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.
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.
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.
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).
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!
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?
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.
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!!
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.
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!!
mer
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!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
My Own Little World
I 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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
I challenge you to take a step out of your own little world and see what you find :)
mer
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.
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."
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."
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.
I challenge you to take a step out of your own little world and see what you find :)
mer
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Friends, Family, and North Face
Things have been busy over the past few weeks, and never seem to slow down. 
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 
per loop, with Amy.
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 
per loop, with Amy.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!!).
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!
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...
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sharing Austin
The 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!
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.
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 www.karlmeltzer.com 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.
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.
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!
I love being able to share our town and my family with all of the wonderful people I have met over the years!
Next stop: Coldspring, TX to crew for Jamie! Paul, Flyer, and I will be manning the .6 mile loop for 24 hrs :)
mer
What a group!
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.
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 www.karlmeltzer.com 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.
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.
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!
I love being able to share our town and my family with all of the wonderful people I have met over the years!
Next stop: Coldspring, TX to crew for Jamie! Paul, Flyer, and I will be manning the .6 mile loop for 24 hrs :)
mer
What a group!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Masochist...
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.
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!!
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!!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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?
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.
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….
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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!!
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!!
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.
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.
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
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!!
mer
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!!
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!!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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?
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.
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….
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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!!
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!!
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.
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.
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
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!!
mer
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
So Cool!
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!
Army captain races to $100,000 for wounded warriors
By Allison Pattillo - Special to Military Times
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Army captain races to $100,000 for wounded warriors
By Allison Pattillo - Special to Military Times
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Friday, September 3, 2010
What I did on my Summer Vaca
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.
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.
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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.
I can't wait to see what is to come this fall!
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