As I sit here basking in a solid case of DOMS (delayed-onset-muscle-soreness) by the fire, I am contemplating yesterday's event. I have uploaded my race stats from my garmin, unpacked and started washing my gear, and wondering what to do next... oh wait, I think it's time for a beer... :)
We drove to Sheboygan WI on Saturday for Sunday's race in nearby Greenbush. I picked a Super 8 hotel that allowed dogs and was the bargain of the century... Let's just say for $50/night, we got exactly what we paid for!! The only redeeming quality was the fact that they had recently re-done the rooms and I found the beds extremely comfy. We weren't there to spend much time in the hotel anyway, and we wanted to have our pups with us, so in the end it was a win-win.
Saturday it rained. Saturday night it rained. Woke up at 3:45 am to more rain, and an 80% chance of rain for the day. It was not looking good. Driving there we could barely see out the windshield. Gratefully, the start/finish area was at the Greenbush Fire Dept/Community Center. A warm/dry place with plenty of room and real bathrooms!! I would come to look forward to this near the end of the race!
The race started directly outside and headed out for about a 1/2 mile on blacktop and then a short connector trail to the main Ice Age Trail. From there is was this trail to the 25 mile turnaround. So if you were paying attention, you wouldn't get lost. My trail buddy, Steph, and I ran together, and had no trouble finding our way. The 6am start was in the dark, so headlamps were necessary until the 7 mile aid station. The connector trail was mostly flat, and not technical and offered a good place for people to find their spot. Once on the main trail, it got pretty rocky/rooty pretty fast. It took a lot of concentration in the dark to not catch a toe and face plant early on. I was focused on the the shoes in front of me and my little circle of light past my feet. Pretty soon though, we were spread out and it felt like we were the only ones out there.
The course was gently rolling, and not too technical - lots of rocks to be aware of - little toe catchers that could make for a tough day. But the rain - that was the biggest issue of the day. Temps at the start were probably in the 50's - warm enough for shorts, but needed long sleeves. I opted for a base layer, a smartwool long sleeve zip top, and a North Face windbreaker shirt - that was promptly soaked. Being in the trees allowed some protection from the wind, and as long as we were moving, I was staying comfortable.
The first 25 miles we were really strong - 5:13 - to the turn around. A stretch goal was to break 11 hours. We were feeling confident.
It was 4 or so miles to the next aid station - and it started to pour. It was really getting to me here - we had turned around, and were now directly into the wind. My hands were cold, and the wind was biting. You could feel the temp start to drop. The conversations between Steph and I dropped off here - I was inside my own head, concentrating on moving forward, and staying warm. That was about all I could manage. The trail was getting really slippery, so not falling was becoming a priority.
When we arrived at the aid station about 13 or so miles from the finish, we were really cold. I added a pair of gloves, and sipped on some hot soup. That certainly helped. The trail was really getting mucky now that we were on the section where all the 50k runners and passed through. Concentrating on moving forward, and not allowing a bad attitude creep in - I called it "Weenie Mode" - when I was feeling tired, feeling the miles, but had no real reason to be cranky - not painful, not hungry, just feeling whimpy. Eventually that passed - along with more miles, at 7 miles to go, Matt had more hot broth for us, ahh, that tasted so good!
And it was the final push to the finish. Our pace had dropped off more than I wanted to admit... But we were still moving forward. When we hit the blacktop, ouch, that was quite the shock to my legs, after all the soft mud - it felt so hard! But luckily, it didn't take long to get back to the community center.
After finishing and hosing down my legs and shoes, it was time to change. Thank goodness for warm water and a warm dry place to change! Even with a change of clothes, and some hot soup, it was like the entire day's worth of cold had seeped into my bones, and I could barely get the soup in while shaking! It was time to hop in the Subaru with heated seats and make a bee-line to a hot shower!
Matt and the dogs were great company - although I rarely saw the dogs, since Matt said they wouldn't leave the car in the rain!! They may be smarter than I! :) Matt was at every aid station with anything we might need. My #1 fan!
Some final thoughts -
*need to do strength training - my arms should not hurt as much as my legs after 50 miles!!!
* incorporate some 30+ mile training runs to stay strong the last 1/2.
*always have broth ready for cold runs - it's amazing!
Happy trails!!!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Voyager 50 mile trail race
Wow, I'm not sure even where to begin. Yesterday was such an amazing day. I think I may need to backtrack a little to share how this race morphed into something unexpected.
Matt and I wanted to continue to push our limits this year by exploring the world of ultra trail running. We started with the Trail Mix 50k, which was a good day for me, but not so much for Matt when he pulled out due to an injury after the 3rd loop. We then had our sights set on the Afton 50k trail run as a final tune up before the Voyager 50 mile trail race, our "A" race of the season.
Two days prior to Afton, Matt suffered a significant back injury and elected to not run Afton, but also took Voyager off his calendar. I ran Afton solo (see previous post), and met some new friends along the way. Steph, who I met during Afton, took a leap of faith and agreed to run Voyager with me - this was her 1st 50 miler as well, and only her 2nd trail run ever!
As many of you may have heard, Duluth suffered a terrible flood the end of June. This destroyed much of the original Voyager race course. The amazing race directors still managed to put the race on with some changes. From what I understand, these changes made the course even harder, and the R.D gave us an extra hour for the time allowed - 14 hrs this year. The only goal Steph & I had for the race was to finish within the time allowed.
Matt, along with our friends Jennifer & Jonathon would be our crew and meet us along the way.
Race morning came, and Steph and I were ready. The 6am start gave us until 8pm to finish with in the time allowed. The course was 2 big loops, but there were loops with in the big loop. We needed to finish the first loop in under 6.5 hours to not get pulled at the turn around.
The first mile was nice, some gentle climbing and lots of energy all around us. Soon enough we were climbing the face of Spirit Mountain, which felt like (and was!) straight up. The course was pretty well marked with pink ribbons. You had to be on the constant look out for the ribbons - at one point we nearly missed a turn. Luckily somebody behind us was paying attention, and called it out! Who knows where we would have ended up??!
The next major spot on the course was Jarrow's Beach - a nearly mile long section of boulders surrounded by rock walls on either side. This was mentally challenging. Having to go slow and pick your way through the rocks. We did see a snake in there, and screamed like little girls! But it slithered out of the way quickly. Whew.
After Jarrow's beach, we had an aid station before a 5 mile loop including the infamous power line section. 350 feet of climbing, over and over, and over, with no break from the sun. It was plenty hot out there, especially on the second time around. After the power lines, there were 3 creek crossings, and if you were talented, you could likely make it without getting your feet wet.... ha! I'm not that talented. But the cold water did feel good. And luckily I had dry socks waiting for me. :)
The final 10 miles of the main loop was relatively runnable. That was important on the 2nd loop. During the first loop, we picked up another runner named, Joli, and she hung with us most of the day. At the end of the first loop we picked up another woman, Dawn, who needed some friendly faces to help her along. So now we were 4. It was so fun to chat, and run, and enjoy each other's company.
The miles clicked along, and soon we were at 35 miles. Farther than I had ever run before! I was so excited to see my friends, Ann & Charles, there. What a great boost. Our crew was always spot on helping us get food and water and what ever we needed at the aid stations. We headed out to the power lines for the 2nd and last time. It was at this point that we started to get a little spread out. Steph and I pulled ahead, and returned to the aid station at 40 miles. We had 3 hours to go 10 miles. We knew we needed to boogie. 3 miles to the next aid station - 45 min. 3 miles to the final aid station - 50 min. This was the final aid station before the last 4 mile push to the finish. Our crew was there and I was feeling a little glassy-eyed for the first time - I guess I can feel a little off at 46 miles! Some potato chips a hug from Matt and we were off to the finish, with time to spare!! Our energy was waning, so I carried my phone with music playing for us both to hear - a little "Eye of the Tiger" and Nelly's "Heart of a Champion" helped carry us in.
I would have had a very different day if I had been facing this challenge alone. Having Steph with me every step of the way made for a great experience. Plus meeting Joli and Dawn on the course added to the enjoyment of 50 miles.
I am disappointed that Matt couldn't run with me, but he was there with me every step of the way, none the less. Next week is Matt's big event, as he unfortunately faces his 3rd back surgery :( I'm sure this is just a road bump in the highway of life's adventures. We'll get through it together and come back stronger than ever.
Until next time.
Jarrow's beach...
Top of the power lines...
FINISH LINE!!! :)
Matt and I wanted to continue to push our limits this year by exploring the world of ultra trail running. We started with the Trail Mix 50k, which was a good day for me, but not so much for Matt when he pulled out due to an injury after the 3rd loop. We then had our sights set on the Afton 50k trail run as a final tune up before the Voyager 50 mile trail race, our "A" race of the season.
Two days prior to Afton, Matt suffered a significant back injury and elected to not run Afton, but also took Voyager off his calendar. I ran Afton solo (see previous post), and met some new friends along the way. Steph, who I met during Afton, took a leap of faith and agreed to run Voyager with me - this was her 1st 50 miler as well, and only her 2nd trail run ever!
As many of you may have heard, Duluth suffered a terrible flood the end of June. This destroyed much of the original Voyager race course. The amazing race directors still managed to put the race on with some changes. From what I understand, these changes made the course even harder, and the R.D gave us an extra hour for the time allowed - 14 hrs this year. The only goal Steph & I had for the race was to finish within the time allowed.
Matt, along with our friends Jennifer & Jonathon would be our crew and meet us along the way.
Race morning came, and Steph and I were ready. The 6am start gave us until 8pm to finish with in the time allowed. The course was 2 big loops, but there were loops with in the big loop. We needed to finish the first loop in under 6.5 hours to not get pulled at the turn around.
The first mile was nice, some gentle climbing and lots of energy all around us. Soon enough we were climbing the face of Spirit Mountain, which felt like (and was!) straight up. The course was pretty well marked with pink ribbons. You had to be on the constant look out for the ribbons - at one point we nearly missed a turn. Luckily somebody behind us was paying attention, and called it out! Who knows where we would have ended up??!
The next major spot on the course was Jarrow's Beach - a nearly mile long section of boulders surrounded by rock walls on either side. This was mentally challenging. Having to go slow and pick your way through the rocks. We did see a snake in there, and screamed like little girls! But it slithered out of the way quickly. Whew.
After Jarrow's beach, we had an aid station before a 5 mile loop including the infamous power line section. 350 feet of climbing, over and over, and over, with no break from the sun. It was plenty hot out there, especially on the second time around. After the power lines, there were 3 creek crossings, and if you were talented, you could likely make it without getting your feet wet.... ha! I'm not that talented. But the cold water did feel good. And luckily I had dry socks waiting for me. :)
The final 10 miles of the main loop was relatively runnable. That was important on the 2nd loop. During the first loop, we picked up another runner named, Joli, and she hung with us most of the day. At the end of the first loop we picked up another woman, Dawn, who needed some friendly faces to help her along. So now we were 4. It was so fun to chat, and run, and enjoy each other's company.
The miles clicked along, and soon we were at 35 miles. Farther than I had ever run before! I was so excited to see my friends, Ann & Charles, there. What a great boost. Our crew was always spot on helping us get food and water and what ever we needed at the aid stations. We headed out to the power lines for the 2nd and last time. It was at this point that we started to get a little spread out. Steph and I pulled ahead, and returned to the aid station at 40 miles. We had 3 hours to go 10 miles. We knew we needed to boogie. 3 miles to the next aid station - 45 min. 3 miles to the final aid station - 50 min. This was the final aid station before the last 4 mile push to the finish. Our crew was there and I was feeling a little glassy-eyed for the first time - I guess I can feel a little off at 46 miles! Some potato chips a hug from Matt and we were off to the finish, with time to spare!! Our energy was waning, so I carried my phone with music playing for us both to hear - a little "Eye of the Tiger" and Nelly's "Heart of a Champion" helped carry us in.
I would have had a very different day if I had been facing this challenge alone. Having Steph with me every step of the way made for a great experience. Plus meeting Joli and Dawn on the course added to the enjoyment of 50 miles.
I am disappointed that Matt couldn't run with me, but he was there with me every step of the way, none the less. Next week is Matt's big event, as he unfortunately faces his 3rd back surgery :( I'm sure this is just a road bump in the highway of life's adventures. We'll get through it together and come back stronger than ever.
Until next time.
Jarrow's beach...
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Afton Trail Race 50k
Summer is truly here, and Mother Nature hasn't taken any sympathy on us and jacked up the temps and humidity for the last couple weeks. I guess that is good news for those of us preparing for July races, in that we are able to test out hydrating and fueling on the run while sweating buckets!
Last weekend, Matt and I did back to back long runs at Hyland Park. 18 miles Saturday, 20 miles Sunday. It was unbelievably hot and humid, and running may be too strong of a word - there was lots of walking and power hiking, and short bursts of running (mostly in the shade when were being tormented by bugs!) It was the most milage I've put in on foot in one weekend in my entire running career. And I enjoyed every minute of it! We did a lot of hill repeats straight up the ski hills at Hyland. The thermometer at the top read 86 in the shade, and not a breeze to be found.
On our way home from Saturday's run, we stopped at the hardware store and picked up a plastic kiddy pool - we filled it with water from the hose and, Wa-laa! The poor man's ice bath! It felt so good to sit in the cold water.
This week was still hot, and I didn't get much running in, but I think that set me up for a good run yesterday at Afton State Park. Luckily, we had a small storm blow through and broke the temps for Saturday morning. The biggest downer was that Matt was not going to be toeing the line with me. As he is nursing a back injury and not taking any chances.
So at 6:30am Saturday, we were off, to enjoy 2 - 15+ mile loops of Afton Park. It starts with a significant downhill, a short section of very runnable flat, and then a long uphill. I knew most of the course, and the plan was to run the sections that I could, and walk the uphills. A few miles in to the first loop, I joined up with some new friends, Steph & Joe, and we got to know each other over the next miles. Chatting about a million different things really made the miles click by quickly. Occasionally we would get spread out, and I was able to run some on my own, but by the time I got bored, I would have reeled them in again at a aid station or big hill, and the chatting would pick up where it left off.
Part way into the second loop Steph and Joe took off on flat section along the river. I wasn't able to reel them in after that. But it was ok, I was feeling good and had my own race to run. I wasn't fast, but I easily put one foot in front of the other, and soon enough I was beyond 26.2 miles and on my way to my second 50 kilometer finish.
My biggest goal for this race was to use it as a long training day for the Voyager 50 mile trail race coming up on July 28. I'm feeling much more confident that my training is preparing me to run 50 miles in the coming weeks. I know it's not going to be easy - because like I always say - "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it!" But I'm ready to take on the challenge and meet the demons along the way.
Until next time...
Last weekend, Matt and I did back to back long runs at Hyland Park. 18 miles Saturday, 20 miles Sunday. It was unbelievably hot and humid, and running may be too strong of a word - there was lots of walking and power hiking, and short bursts of running (mostly in the shade when were being tormented by bugs!) It was the most milage I've put in on foot in one weekend in my entire running career. And I enjoyed every minute of it! We did a lot of hill repeats straight up the ski hills at Hyland. The thermometer at the top read 86 in the shade, and not a breeze to be found.
On our way home from Saturday's run, we stopped at the hardware store and picked up a plastic kiddy pool - we filled it with water from the hose and, Wa-laa! The poor man's ice bath! It felt so good to sit in the cold water.
This week was still hot, and I didn't get much running in, but I think that set me up for a good run yesterday at Afton State Park. Luckily, we had a small storm blow through and broke the temps for Saturday morning. The biggest downer was that Matt was not going to be toeing the line with me. As he is nursing a back injury and not taking any chances.
So at 6:30am Saturday, we were off, to enjoy 2 - 15+ mile loops of Afton Park. It starts with a significant downhill, a short section of very runnable flat, and then a long uphill. I knew most of the course, and the plan was to run the sections that I could, and walk the uphills. A few miles in to the first loop, I joined up with some new friends, Steph & Joe, and we got to know each other over the next miles. Chatting about a million different things really made the miles click by quickly. Occasionally we would get spread out, and I was able to run some on my own, but by the time I got bored, I would have reeled them in again at a aid station or big hill, and the chatting would pick up where it left off.
Part way into the second loop Steph and Joe took off on flat section along the river. I wasn't able to reel them in after that. But it was ok, I was feeling good and had my own race to run. I wasn't fast, but I easily put one foot in front of the other, and soon enough I was beyond 26.2 miles and on my way to my second 50 kilometer finish.
My biggest goal for this race was to use it as a long training day for the Voyager 50 mile trail race coming up on July 28. I'm feeling much more confident that my training is preparing me to run 50 miles in the coming weeks. I know it's not going to be easy - because like I always say - "If it was easy, everybody would be doing it!" But I'm ready to take on the challenge and meet the demons along the way.
Until next time...
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Hello Summer
Yes! The temperature is continuing to rise and it is really starting to feel like summer. My legs are feeling like they are completely recovered from Trail Mix, I've been enjoying some time on my road bike, and I even took a dip in the the lake this last Friday. I am well on my way to my distinctive multi-sport tan - red neck, racer back tan lines, and clear cut short lines on my legs. Oh yeah!
Last weekend, Matt and I got invited to run the Maple Grove half marathon. That was a fun diversion. The race directors always put on a first class race and it's an enjoyable, rolling course. We certainly try to support them when we can, and I'm usually a walking advertisement for their race since their race t-shirts are my favorites. Doing a road event was a good way to test my legs and see if they had any speed left in them - plenty of long, slow, miles put in on the trails. For the most part, I was able to maintain 8:45 pace pretty easily. I didn't PR, but felt like it was a reasonable effort for having not done any specific speed training. The miles clicked by quickly, and it was great having a quality workout in, in less than 2 hours!
I am chomping at the bit to get into more ultra marathon training and racing. Next weekend we have a 21 mile trail run on the schedule, and I'm really hoping to get to Afton State Park, spend some time on the trails and get some good hill work in. We are registered for the Afton 50k, in early July. The final tune-up before Voyager 50 mile. I am just so excited for both of those events. I know my psyche is working over time because I'm already having "nightmares" about DNF-ing at Voyager. Leading up to both Ironman races, I had similar dreams of not finishing. I'm fairly certain I will need another long race come fall, so I'm eyeing the Fall Superior Races, with my sights set on the 50 miler.
One of things I got to thinking about during the 1/2 marathon last weekend was the lack of crowds during trail races. There's nobody standing on the trail saying "You Can Do IT!" Maybe at the aid stations, but that's different. You look forward to those aid stations, and at that point that encouragement is probably needed! But each mile, each turn, to have complete strangers cheering you on... I dunno, it's not really my thing anymore. Some people really need that, but I want to dig deep, and meet my inner demons face to face. I want to look around and hear the breezes in the tree tops, listen to the birds and critters along the way. Occasionally tune into my music or catch a conversation with another runner. And know that the only way, I'm going to get to the finish, is to motivate myself. I've always said that running for me is like meditating. I can calm my mind, get in my zone and go for hours. I think having the trees, and trails as my back drop is going to be just fine for me right now.
Until next time, Happy Running!!
Last weekend, Matt and I got invited to run the Maple Grove half marathon. That was a fun diversion. The race directors always put on a first class race and it's an enjoyable, rolling course. We certainly try to support them when we can, and I'm usually a walking advertisement for their race since their race t-shirts are my favorites. Doing a road event was a good way to test my legs and see if they had any speed left in them - plenty of long, slow, miles put in on the trails. For the most part, I was able to maintain 8:45 pace pretty easily. I didn't PR, but felt like it was a reasonable effort for having not done any specific speed training. The miles clicked by quickly, and it was great having a quality workout in, in less than 2 hours!
I am chomping at the bit to get into more ultra marathon training and racing. Next weekend we have a 21 mile trail run on the schedule, and I'm really hoping to get to Afton State Park, spend some time on the trails and get some good hill work in. We are registered for the Afton 50k, in early July. The final tune-up before Voyager 50 mile. I am just so excited for both of those events. I know my psyche is working over time because I'm already having "nightmares" about DNF-ing at Voyager. Leading up to both Ironman races, I had similar dreams of not finishing. I'm fairly certain I will need another long race come fall, so I'm eyeing the Fall Superior Races, with my sights set on the 50 miler.
One of things I got to thinking about during the 1/2 marathon last weekend was the lack of crowds during trail races. There's nobody standing on the trail saying "You Can Do IT!" Maybe at the aid stations, but that's different. You look forward to those aid stations, and at that point that encouragement is probably needed! But each mile, each turn, to have complete strangers cheering you on... I dunno, it's not really my thing anymore. Some people really need that, but I want to dig deep, and meet my inner demons face to face. I want to look around and hear the breezes in the tree tops, listen to the birds and critters along the way. Occasionally tune into my music or catch a conversation with another runner. And know that the only way, I'm going to get to the finish, is to motivate myself. I've always said that running for me is like meditating. I can calm my mind, get in my zone and go for hours. I think having the trees, and trails as my back drop is going to be just fine for me right now.
Until next time, Happy Running!!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Face plant at the start line
Ok, so here is my Trail Mix 50k race report... It was quite a day!
Saturday morning the alarm is set for 4:45 am - but I am lying awake at 4am... The birds aren't even up yet - they didn't start chirping until at least 4:15! So I just try to lay quietly and rest, since I know it's going to be a long day. What seems like forever, and the alarm goes off. Up and at 'em I go - clicking on the coffee pot, and making the day's peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pretty soon we are on the road - a few minutes ahead of schedule actually. That never happens!
We get the race with plenty of time for packet pick up and porta potty stops. As we begin to gather at the starting line, our wonderful friends, and fellow "Team Junkyard" members are there to see us off - Jennifer and Jonathon. What a great surprise!
Soon the announcer is calling 1 minute to the start, and we make our way into the group. POP! the gun goes off, I start my watch, and BOOM! I'm face first on the ground!!! Oh my, it was really comical!! I'm just glad that it was a small race, and nobody stepped on me. It happened so fast, one second I'm ready to go, the next I'm face first on the ground! Call me Grace! Anyway I picked myself up and got dusted off. No blood. Ok, I'm ready to continue. I am now literally at the back of the pack. Oh well, I've got all day to make my way to the middle of the pack where I belong :)
As I start into the first of 4 loops, I realize my left pinkie finger is really quite sore, and I'm finding it very distracting. So I stop 3 or so miles in and ask a First Aid volunteer to tape my pinkie and ring finger together. Ahh, my fingers are much happier now.
I think the 1st loop was mentally the longest. Loops 2 and 3 went by ok. Listening to music, meeting some new people. Finally loop #4. I think it's getting colder. It was high 40's at the start and very comfortable. The forecast is for rain as the day goes on. If only that rain would hold off for an another hour and a half...
No such luck. A couple miles in to the last loop it starts to rain, and blow. All race I had been walking the uphills. Now I am walking the ups and the downs... but now it's colder and I'd dumped my long sleeve shirt after loop #1. Well if nothing else, being cold certainly forces you to keep moving! Probably faster than I would have otherwise. So I keep plugging along. Some dull pain is now taking up residence in my right leg, I think my tendons and ligaments have been replaced with steel rods. One step at a time, one hill at a time, one new friend at a time. And then, there it is, the last few feet to the finish line - and it's all up hill!! I guess I better run this one!
And there it is, 30+ miles and 5:45 later, I have run farther than I have ever before. I slayed a few demons out there, and simply kept moving forward. Another experience of putting your mind to it, and putting one foot in front of another.
Saturday morning the alarm is set for 4:45 am - but I am lying awake at 4am... The birds aren't even up yet - they didn't start chirping until at least 4:15! So I just try to lay quietly and rest, since I know it's going to be a long day. What seems like forever, and the alarm goes off. Up and at 'em I go - clicking on the coffee pot, and making the day's peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Pretty soon we are on the road - a few minutes ahead of schedule actually. That never happens!
We get the race with plenty of time for packet pick up and porta potty stops. As we begin to gather at the starting line, our wonderful friends, and fellow "Team Junkyard" members are there to see us off - Jennifer and Jonathon. What a great surprise!
Soon the announcer is calling 1 minute to the start, and we make our way into the group. POP! the gun goes off, I start my watch, and BOOM! I'm face first on the ground!!! Oh my, it was really comical!! I'm just glad that it was a small race, and nobody stepped on me. It happened so fast, one second I'm ready to go, the next I'm face first on the ground! Call me Grace! Anyway I picked myself up and got dusted off. No blood. Ok, I'm ready to continue. I am now literally at the back of the pack. Oh well, I've got all day to make my way to the middle of the pack where I belong :)
As I start into the first of 4 loops, I realize my left pinkie finger is really quite sore, and I'm finding it very distracting. So I stop 3 or so miles in and ask a First Aid volunteer to tape my pinkie and ring finger together. Ahh, my fingers are much happier now.
I think the 1st loop was mentally the longest. Loops 2 and 3 went by ok. Listening to music, meeting some new people. Finally loop #4. I think it's getting colder. It was high 40's at the start and very comfortable. The forecast is for rain as the day goes on. If only that rain would hold off for an another hour and a half...
No such luck. A couple miles in to the last loop it starts to rain, and blow. All race I had been walking the uphills. Now I am walking the ups and the downs... but now it's colder and I'd dumped my long sleeve shirt after loop #1. Well if nothing else, being cold certainly forces you to keep moving! Probably faster than I would have otherwise. So I keep plugging along. Some dull pain is now taking up residence in my right leg, I think my tendons and ligaments have been replaced with steel rods. One step at a time, one hill at a time, one new friend at a time. And then, there it is, the last few feet to the finish line - and it's all up hill!! I guess I better run this one!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A mix of nerves and excitement
One week until the Trail Mix 50k. I'm certainly excited, but that is coupled with butterflies in my stomach as well. This last week of training hasn't been as flawless as I would have hoped. For whatever reason I have been struggling with headaches. I'm looking at what conditions might be causing them - tight muscles, dehydration, alcohol. So far getting some bodywork done has had the best results. I guess riding multiple horses 5 days a week coupled with running long, my body needed a little TLC.... I think I earned it! Anyway, since I'm in taper-mode, I haven't felt too bad about taking an extra day off here and there. I'm sure my legs will thank me come race day.
Yesterday, Matt and I headed out for one last loop around Lake Rebecca. It was a sunny, warm day. A nice change from the damp, cold, windy runs from the last 2 weeks. Things have really started to green up as well. So refreshing to watch Mother Nature blossom into Spring.
This is really my favorite time of year.
Our goal for this year is to run a 50 mile trail race. Early on, we had our sights on the Voyager Trail Race that starts and finishes in Carlton, MN - it runs from Carlton to Duluth and back. It's easy to talk about signing up for something like this, but as I'd check it out online, the website wasn't updated for 2012. So up until now, it was all talk...
Not any more!!! Last night we bit the bullet and put our money where our mouth is. We are officially registered for our first 50 MILE trail race!!! Talk about being scared and excited at the same time! I feel like I should go out and start running hill repeats right now!
http://voyageurtrailrun.blogspot.com/
Until next time, happy running!!
Yesterday, Matt and I headed out for one last loop around Lake Rebecca. It was a sunny, warm day. A nice change from the damp, cold, windy runs from the last 2 weeks. Things have really started to green up as well. So refreshing to watch Mother Nature blossom into Spring.
Our goal for this year is to run a 50 mile trail race. Early on, we had our sights on the Voyager Trail Race that starts and finishes in Carlton, MN - it runs from Carlton to Duluth and back. It's easy to talk about signing up for something like this, but as I'd check it out online, the website wasn't updated for 2012. So up until now, it was all talk...
Not any more!!! Last night we bit the bullet and put our money where our mouth is. We are officially registered for our first 50 MILE trail race!!! Talk about being scared and excited at the same time! I feel like I should go out and start running hill repeats right now!
http://voyageurtrailrun.blogspot.com/
Until next time, happy running!!
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Back on track
Well here's another shot at getting my training blog up and running. It's been a long time - 3 years actually, since I worked on it.
This year, Matt and I have decided to take on the challenge of running ultra trail marathons. An ultra marathon is a loosely defined as anything beyond the marathon distance (26.2 miles.) Typical ultras are 50k (31 miles), 50 miles, 100k (60 miles), and 100 miles. They are usually held on trails of varying types.
Our first race of the season is coming up in a few weeks - Trail Mix, held at Hyland Park in Bloomington. We are registered for the 50k - our introduction to the world of ultra running. We've done the 25k there 3 times in the last few years. The weather & trail conditions can be good or bad... It is April in Minnesota after all!!
This weekend's training consisted of a long trail run on Saturday. We headed over to Lake Rebecca Park and ran the horse trails for a total of 21.5 miles. It was a cloudy, damp day, but really good for running. The ground was damp, but not muddy, so my feet got soaked fairly quickly. Luckily I came home without any blisters... I'm not sure how running long distances with wet feet is going to work... I think I'll be inquiring to some veteran ultra runners for advice in that department.
Today we headed out on the road bikes - first outdoor ride of the season. It was good to get the legs moving and spinning out some of the soreness from yesterday's run. We waited until the sun broke through the clouds to head out - but the downside to waiting until late afternoon to ride is that the wind is usually stronger... and stronger it was! Heading out I averaged 12 mph... what a grind... but coming home, that was much more fun!! We saw a lot of folks we knew while we were out, so that added to the enjoyment. An hour and 45 minutes on the bike was just enough for today. I can certainly tell that I have lost all my climbing strength on the bike. On more than one occasion I ran out of gears... But overall a nice ride for the first time out this season.
It's been a good weekend of training and I'm excited for our race in a few weeks. Some events we have coming up include:
Trail Mix 50k
Buffalo Olympic distance triathlon
Afton Trail 50k
Voyager Trail 50 miler
Dairyland Dare 100k bike ride.
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