It's Good When A Plan Comes Together

It's 5 weeks till the Foothills 50K Frenzy (31 miles of running through the mountains with an elevation gain over 5600 feet.)  According to the training schedule, I was supposed to have 26-36 miles in for the week with my long run between 12-16 miles.  However, between now and the actual race day, my weekends are pretty much spoken for and in order to get the longest training runs in (anything more than 14 miles) I either need to stash water somewhere along the course the day before a run or have someone running aid station support for, and that needs to be on the weekends.  This was the ONLY weekend I could get this first 22 miles of this race under my belt.  So this week I have over 50 miles in with my 22 mile long run in.

I have an amazing husband who agreed to wake up early on a Saturday morning to drive way up into the mountains to meet me at the 12.5 mile mark with food and water.  He was to meet me again at mile 18 to top off my water and then again at 22 to drive my butt back to my car which was at the starting line several miles away.  I don't know very many husbands who would give up their sleeping in Saturdays for this.  The non-running spouse of a runner has the patience of a saint!  And I appreciate my hubby more than words can say!

The first 22 miles of this course are critical because this distance has a 2pm cut-off time.  The race starts at 6am.  That gives you 8 hours to get 22 mountain miles under your feet.  On a road marathon, this is nothing.  But single track mountain trails with rocks, sand, and some serious climbs make this a bit of a challenge, especially for the newbie trail runner.

I just started trail running in November and I had to take several months off to train for my cycling adventure and then had the concussion.  So I do consider myself very much a newbie.  Actually, until I really started training for this race, I had only been on some of these trails just once and I had no real clue where I was (I was running with a friend who knew her way around).  I started my serious training for this race in May.  I learned to read the trail maps.  I learned to plan out my own routes.  I printed out the race course directions and planned training runs for each part of the course.  I run with friends, but most of the time, I am out on the trails alone.  Today was no different.

All through my training for this race, I have had a plan to keep my minute/mile pace at 20 minutes (or under).  I know that seems like a slow mile, and for some of the more experienced trail runners that is VERY slow, but for this newbie, that is the pace I need/plan to keep.

I needed to make sure I could get the 22 miles in within the 8 hours.  I woke up at 4am and was on the trail by 5am. The moon was a sliver of a crescent.  The stars were all out.  It was DARK.  My head lamp did very little in the way of lighting my way.  The start of the race, takes place in a parking lot and takes a paved road to the actual trail head.  Once I reached the trail head, I heard a rather large animal moving around in the bushes.  (Now just a week or so ago, they had to capture a bear in this area and relocate him.)  This area also has coyotes and mountain lions (Of which I have only seen a coyote a couple of times...was even stalked by one last winter.)  I looked in the brush but I didn't see anything, but I was spooked none the less.  I was alone.  It was dark. And ya.....  I thought about turning on my music on my iPhone, but then I wouldn't be able to hear if someone (or something) was lurking in the bushes. I just prayed for daylight to arrive.  Usually during the week, I see a couple of people out this early, but not today. They must have all been camping or sleeping in.  I was all alone in the dark mountains!

I realized that I really can't see in the dark.  The paths that I know so well are completely different in the pitch blackness.  My head lamp was not doing much of anything.  So I stuck to my plan.  Power hike and keep my time to 20 minute miles or faster.  While I was walking in the dark, I was thinking about how long I will be in the dark come race day.  Last night, we checked the sunrise time for race day.  If I take the unofficial early start of 5am, I will be in the dark for 2 hours.  2 hours will get me up through the hardest climbs of the early part of the race.  I will reach the first aid station right about the time day light hits.  Which means I will be able to run on my favorite part of the course!  This made me very  happy!

The thing about trail running is that no matter how slow you have to walk or power hike up a steep climb, you can usually make up the time on the down hills when you can let your legs fly.  That is what I did once I got to the Watchman trail.

I LOVE that trail. It's long, easy and pretty much down hill (in the direction we are going).  And it leads directly to the hardest climb of this course.  It took me just about 3 hours to reach the Watchman and 5 Mile Gulch trail head intersection.  5 Mile Gulch is the toughest climb of this race.   I started out at elevation gain of 4341 at 2:57:07 and by the time I reached the top of the trail head at ridge road where the 2nd aid station will be I was at an elevation gain of 5896 at 4:01:54.  It took me a little over an hour to go from mile 9.48 to 11.5 with an 1, 555 elevation gain.  OUCH!  This sucked up my time!  And just when you think the climbing is over, there is 1 more mile up Ridge Road to a turn around point that has even more climbing.  I just wanted to cry.  Once I finally got to that 12.5 mile turn around point, my hubby was there with fresh water and food!  Yay!!!

 


He is so supportive.  He kept telling me how great I was looking and was cheering me on.  But at this point I was seriously cranky!  *laugh*  Thankfully, he picked up on that and shut up until I could get some food in my belly then I could be a nice person :).

Then it was back on the run going down Ridge Road to Rocky Canyon Road. This had some climbs but mostly it was down hill, and I was booking it.  My speed ranged from 17 minute miles to 10 minute miles.

We totally miscalculated how fast I would make it to the next aid station stop so I beat Tracy down and had to wait for him to meet me there so I could fill up my water at mile 18.  I probably had enough water, but with 4 miles to go, the sun was beating down and there was very little shade and 2 of those miles was up hill again.  I didn't want to risk it.  I had stopped sweating which is never a good sign.  While I waited for Tracy, I ate a Payday bar hoping the salt would help with the lack of sweating.  At this point, I was just over 6 hours in.  That gave me a little under 2 hours to finish the next 4 miles.  I was feeling great about that timing!  Once Tracy made it and I was able to refill my water, I was back on the trails.

Up hill again. It wasn't a steep up hill, but it was relentless.  I found myself getting very cranky, but at least I was sweating again.  When was all of this uphill going to end?  Where was the trail head to turn from Orachard Gulch to 5 Mile Gulch to head down hill.  I just wanted to head down hill.  I was tired of all the climbing.  I kept looking ahead, willing it to hurry up.  Then I realized that was making me even more cranky. Just like in life, I need to pay attention to this present moment, where I am right now and focus!  I will eventually get to where I need to be, but there is no point in worrying about it and willing it to get here faster.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  And thank God I decided to pay attention, cause there was a freakin' snake on the trail hiding in the shadow of tree branches.  YIPES!  (I sure hope all the snakes will be asleep in October!)

Finally, I made it to the trail head interchange!  Time to run down hill!  Yay!!!!

It's a very steep down hill because 5 Mile Gulch is a steep climb up!  *laugh*  So I ran slow. My ankle was feeling it by this point in time. I need to take care of this thing.  By this time, I knew my time was going to be well under 8 hours.  I didn't want to push my legs hard. This is a training run, and I need to keep in mind that on race day, I need to leave gas in my tank for 9 more miles of climbing and running.  Keeping my legs in check, I kept going.

When I reached the Watchman and 5 Mile Gulch trail intersection, I knew I was on the home stretch!  I was almost there!  I swear this was the longest part of the trail, or at least it seemed like it.  But the funny thing is, once I came to the end of the trail, I was surprised to see the end!

In the end, I finished 22 miles in 7 hours and 12 minutes!  YES!!!!!!  At the finish, I felt like I still had gas in the tank ready to take on the last 9 miles....that is until I sat down in the truck to drive to my car at the starting line.  Oy!  I feel like I felt the very first time I did a marathon.  After a shower, 20 minutes on a hydro massage table, a yummy burger at Fudruckers and a 4 hour nap with ice on my ankle wrapped up in a pretty rainbow scarf to keep it in place, my legs are feeling much better.  I will recover.  This next week will be an easy week with a couple of 6 mile runs with maybe a 14 miler thrown in.

 

I really do love trail running!  And I find it very entertaining that while I did road marathons, I HAD to have music playing at all times, and today for 7 hours and 12 minutes it was just me and my own thoughts!  How often do YOU spend that much time with just you and your thoughts...AND do it while battling some crazy physical challenges? Try it sometime. You will learn alot about yourself!

Just When I thought The End Was Near

WARNING:  This is VERY long, but SO WORTH the time to read it!  I promise!

It has been a very emotional week for me, and I'm certain my husband is tired of listening to me whine! No, I am not going whine on my blog, but to really appreciate what happened today, we have to first discuss a bit of the past which leads up to my rough week and the incredible man I met today.

I've never been great at listening to people when they say, "You really should probably consider NOT doing this."  or "It is not exactly impossible for you to do a marathon with less than 6 months training, but it will take you forever and you are liable to get injured."  That was in 2006 when I started training for my first Marathon.  (I know I have told this story numerous times, but this part is so important to what happened this week. Please hang in there.)  When I decided to do the City of Trees Marathon in 2006, it was April and the Marathon was in November.  I couldn't even walk a mile without my feet hurting.  I went straight to the podiatrist who gave me plastic orthotics.  I wasn't able to actually "run" or train on my feet until June. I had 5 month to get a 220# non-athletic body that couldn't even walk a mile, in some kind of condition to run 26.2 miles.  (Even after a local running club here in town told me it would be "next to impossible".)  Whatever. I did it!  *laugh*  I just don't listen to people like that.

Then in 2010 I was Fresh Meat for Treasure Valley Rollergirls (Roller Derby). I was having knee issues.  So I went to the Idaho Sports Medicine Institute.  The doctor there said that I picked a great sport to be in because with my knees, I will never be a runner.

What did he just say?  I will NEVER BE A RUNNER????  Ya, he probably shouldn't have said that.

I ended up giving up roller derby.  It was just too hard on my knee.  I still roller skated for fun, but the derby part of skating puts quite a bit of pressure on the left knee (which I have already had 1 surgery on years before).

2011 came and my friend convinced me to do the Honolulu Marathon with her for her wedding.  Who cares if the doctor said I couldn't run.  I was nearly 250# with a knee that really hurt, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I started Weight Watchers and started running.  By June of 2012, I had run several 5K's, a 10K, 3 half marathons, and 4 marathons.  In July my left foot was really hurting. It felt like the arch of my foot was just going to collapse and break in two.  I went back to my podiatrist.  A few x-rays later, she tells me I have some serious deterioration in the bones of my feet.  I am also pretty much bone on bone in part of my feet which helps contract your foot up towards your legs (bring your toes up towards your legs and stretch your calves.)  She thought it was because my calves were tight, but in reality, because of the bones in my feet, my feet do not have full range of motion.  *shrug*  Oh well. I just keep running.

In August, my knee was really hurting, and I bit the bullet to have knee surgery.  The did a lateral tendon release and cleared up some scar tissue under my patella.  I was back to trail running by November, and I had really big plans to run 12 marathons/ultra marathons in 12 months! I had them all planned out.  Life had other ideas.  And that is okay.  When it comes down to it, the only race left on that schedule that I can run is the Foothills 50K Frenzy. My first ultra marathon and its in October...a month away.

I was training hard for it and was doing fantastic until I fell on the same knee I had surgery on.  I ended up taking 6 weeks off to let it heal.  Then my first run back, I rolled my ankle with a pop and a snap.  That is never a good sign. I took the rest of the week off of running and continued to do low impact dancing to keep the ankle loose.  I ran the next week and my foot was NOT happy. Maybe I had broken something? I don't know.  I have never experienced this kind of pain with a sprain ankle before.   I made an appointment with the doctor.

In the mean time, I found that my running shoes (that only had 154 miles on them) had blown out with a hole where my pinkie toe rubs.  This is a HUGE issue for me because finding shoes to fit my feet AND my orthotics is next to impossible.  So all week this week, I have been dealing with shoe drama.  A girl should not have to cry over trying to find the right pair of running shoes.  It's hard when you have one of the best shoe guys in town telling you, "You can run without your orthotics, it will be okay."  And you gut says, "NOT A GOOD IDEA".  And you walk away with a pair of shoes that will NOT fit your orthotics.

Thankfully, I had a podiatrist appointment the next day.  When I relayed to her the conversation with the shoe guy she said "Absolutely not!  You will injure your ankle worse and hurt your feet!  I know your feet!  YOU HAVE TO HAVE THEM!"  So I went back to the shoe store, and ended up with a new pair of running shoes. I had to leave the trail shoes and go back to road shoes since those are the only ones that will fit my feet and orthotics.  So far, with 20 miles in 2 days, they are doing great!

If you are STILL reading this...thank you.

We finally get to today.  After all the drama of trying to find shoes and battling between the shoe guy, my own gut feelings and my doctor, I have been feeling rather exhausted and wondering if running is worth it.  I have been told so many times, "You should not run."  In my head, I have begun to believe these people.  My feet have serious issues (though my podiatrist has only been supportive of my running).  I have the hardest time finding shoes to fit them.  My ankles are compromised because of multiple sprains. Out of the 3 stabilizing muscles around your ankle, I have totally blown one out.  It doesn't fire anymore. One is completely cranky due to the recent sprain. The other is fine.  And my knee is hurting me still.  I got up this morning for a 14 mile run, and I was NOT feeling it.

I got to the trails and started walking. It seems as though I have decided that running is NOT a great idea. So (in an effort to keep my joints semi-happy) I do my best to power walk and stay within a certain time limit per mile .  Shortly after I started, 4 BSU cross country female runners came running by me.  The first pair that came by were wearing those short spanky type shorts and just their sports bras with their shirts tucked under the center strap of their bras.  Their long hair in a pony tail swishing back and forth.  Their legs and bodies perfectly toned and healthy.  And there I was.... 44 years old, still considered morbidly obese, walking as fast as I could and probably huffing and puffing at this point.  My joints hurting.  And I found myself a little bit resentful of their youth and their perfect "Sports Illustrated" bodies and health.  And I wondered, "What will they look like and feel like at 44 years old?"

I just kept pushing on.  I am on the trail for a reason.  I have an ultra marathon to train for.  I need to get 14 miles in today. No point in worrying about those 20-year-olds cause let's face it when I was 20, I was way over weight and there was no way I was gonna run even if a gun was pointed at me.  I would have just told them to shoot me right then and there; it would have been easier than to die from a heart attack trying to out run them!  So I kept pushing on.

About 2 miles into my training run, I saw a familiar face coming down the path I was about to take.  I smiled and got my phone out.  Today I was going to ask him for a picture.

I have seen him several times out on these trails, and he always has a smile on his face.  He is an older gentleman.  He always has a ball cap on, is shirtless and wears black shorts.  He also has some rather impressive braces on his legs.  His right leg has a couple of braces from the foot all the way up to just about the bottom of his shorts.  His left leg has a knee brace on.  When he runs, his posture is a little bit bent over and his steps are slow, small and intentional.  You can see his age in his running.  But he is out there running and always with a smile on his face.

I saw him yesterday as I was coming up Buck Tail Trail and he was up ahead of me crossing my path but on the Ridge Crest Trail.  I didn't get a chance to greet him; though I did consider chasing him down to talk to him and get his picture.  But I figured there would be other days.  We seem to run in the same places at the same times.

Today was the day.  He came running down towards Ridge Crest Trail and I was turning right up Shane's Loop.  I got my phone out and hit "pause" on my Runkeeper just in time.  "Good morning!  It is always so great to see you out here in the mornings," I said to him.  We shook hands and introduced ourselves. His name is Phil (I could have sworn he said his last name is Collins, but after leaving him, I wasn't entirely certain he said that or my scrambled brain just jumped to that conclusion *laugh*).  He looked just like he always looks, black shorts, topless, baseball cap and his leg braces.  Upon closer inspection of his shirtless body, I see skin that shows his age but muscle definition that says he feels much younger than his years!

I asked him how far he was running. He laughed and said, "I don't keep track anymore. I just come out here and do 2 1/2 hours every day.  It ends up being whatever it ends up being.  I like getting out to Three Bears where its a bit flatter and I can run.  Otherwise, I'm just like you, out here walking and enjoying the day."

I laughed, "I run...but on the down hills.  Up hills, I power hike."

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he continues to tell me, "I was fitness trainer in the military and used to tell people all the time.  'Don't run!  It's bad for you.  Just get out there and walk!  Walk every day.'"

I laughed cause I see him out here running every morning.  We both knew he wasn't taking his own advice, even with the braces on his legs.  He tells me, "The doctor said I can't run.  I need a new ankle. It was the VA that told me I needed a new ankle.  But if I get a new ankle, my foot won't move the way it needs to for me to run.  So I am seeing a new doctor in a couple of weeks.  I used to do alot of marathons, but not anymore.  I just did a half marathon up in East Idaho, but I can't remember the name of it; it goes down into some falls area.  Anyway, I did it with my kids. And when we got to the finish line, my grand kids all came and ran the last half mile with me to the finish line!"  He had the biggest, proudest smile on his face!

"My grand kids asked me if I was going to do any more marathons.  And I told them I wasn't sure.  But my wife has put her food down and said, 'No more marathons!'  I guess I won't be doing anymore, but I  come out here and run every morning and do what I can do."

I thanked him for his service to our country.  Then his eyes lit up with a sense of pride mixed with sadness.  The smile on his face turned down a bit.  And he tells me that he had a rough week last week.  He is part of the military group that helps with the Transfer Ceremonies for the returning deceased soldiers.  Last week, he helped with the return of our fallen Caldwell soldier who was returned to his family for burial.  Phil was there at the Transfer Service in full uniform (and he can't wear his braces under his uniform.)  He was with the family (being of service to the family) the entire week until their son was laid to rest.  Phil's eyes filled with tears and pride all at the same time.  I had to catch myself from crying too.

His tears didn't last long.  He stopped them.  "It was hard on my legs.  But I am honored to be able to be with these families.  But I'm back out running this week and feeling much better."

I thanked him for his story and told him what an inspiration he is to me every time I see him out there.  I asked him for his picture.  And his and eyes and smile grew big and bright again.  "Absolutely!  How fun!  I would love to!"  Sweaty, with our arms around each other, the way only runners can appreciate, we took this amazing picture:

We shook hands, "It was great meeting you!" we said.  And then as an after thought, he said, "I work at the Veterans Home, please come by anytime and say hi!"  And with a smile and a wave, he was off running again.

Wow!  I'm certain there is so much more to his story. I walked away trying to figure out how I can find a way to do my runs with this man and really get to know him! So incredible!

Then I thought back to my original, "poor me" attitude and thought about this incredible elderly man who's eyes and spirit are so much younger than his physical years.  I realized, I will be just like him.  I have never been one to listen to "You can't!" so why start now?  I will keep running/walking until I can't anymore.  It's as simple as that.  And I really hope that I get to spend many more mornings visiting Phil on the trails, even if its just a "Hi, Phil!  Beautiful morning, isn't it!"

In a Tizzy for the Frenzy!

The Foothills 50K Frenzy is October 5, 2013.... 5 1/2 weeks away.  A 50K is 31 miles (in case you were wondering) which classifies it as an ultra-marathon.  This will be my very first ultra-marathon.  But before we talk about this, let's go back to 2006, shall we.

In April of 2006, I decided I was going to do a marathon (26.2 miles) by the end of the year.  The last race of the season was the City of Trees in November.  6 months training for someone who is not a runner is just plain nuts!  Add to that my weight and the fact that I couldn't even walk a mile without my feet hurting, that was even crazier.  I decided if I was going to do the marathon, I needed to go see a foot doctor.  I found the most amazing podiatrist, Dr. Dana Owen.  She is a marathoner herself.  After visiting with her, we decided I needed hard plastic orthotics to go inside of my running shoes.  I wasn't actually allowed to run until June (that's how long it took for my orthotics to come in and for me to get used to them.)

Since 2006, I have run 5 more marathons, all with my orthotics in.  At mile 13 (or so) my toes start to hurt, even with orthotics.  When I say hurt, I mean serious pain like I can barely take another step.  So at about mile 13 or 14 I end up taking a pain killer to make it through the remainder of the 26.2 miles.

The orthotics make it nearly impossible to find running shoes to fit my feet.  I need a very deep shoe other wise, the heals slip off.  It usually takes a couple of tries with different shoes, but I have been able to find a pair.  This year, I went to all 3 running stores in the area and the very last pair finally fit my shoes.  I bought them in May for my birthday.  I put 154 miles on them.  Then I realized last week, just before my morning run that there was a hole in my shoe!  I was not happy.  I even posted about that run and posted a picture, but just in case, here it is again.....

I bought these shoes at Shu's Idaho Running Company which always has great customer service.  However, when I bought the shoes, they had just changed their return policy which was not as liberal as it used to be.  So when I found the hole in my shoe, I didn't even try to take them back.  Instead, I wrote a letter to the manufacture (Montrail).  I posted about my email on the Boise Trail Runners group page on Facebook, and Mike (the owner of Shu's) suggested I take the shoes back to the store in which I bought them.  I immediately sent him a private message with my thoughts and he invited me in and said he would take care of me.  

I rushed down to the store.  Mike spent and hour with me and 2 other pairs of shoes. He is convinced that I no longer need my orthotics.  My orthotics will not fit into the shoes he had me try on.  He asked me to humor him and try running in these new Pear Izumi shoes and if they do not work and my toes hurt, I can bring them back.

Did I mention my race is in 5 1/2 weeks?  Not only do I need to break in a new pair of shoes, I now need to see if my toes can handle running long distances without orthotics.  This prospect scares the crap out of me!  One of the things that concerned Mike was that I rolled my ankle even with the orthotics in; he said that should not happen.

I see my Podiatrist tomorrow (because of my rolled ankle). I want to make sure that my foot is okay to continue the race and to get tips on how to tape it (if necessary) for the race and stuff like that.  I will also speak to her about Mike's recommendation to run without the orthotics.  

These are the pretty new kicks that Mike set me up with:

I'm not gonna lie.  I'm petrified and nervous to run without the orthotics.  Words can not describe the burning pain I have gotten in my toes in the past.  He told me to take them for a couple of runs and see how they feel.  If they don't work, I can take them back.  I made sure it would be okay to take them out for all of my runs this week, including my 22 mile long run in the mountains this Saturday.  If I can survive the 22 mile run Saturday, then I will be just fine.  

I'm torn.  Who do I listen to, the best shoe guy in town or my podiatrist?  

I'm telling you, if its not one thing its another with my body and running.  Feet/toes, knees, ankles!  I asked myself when I was running today, "Why do you run?"  And my answer was, "Because I do. It's what I do.  There is nothing else."  When its just me and the down hill side of a mountain, there is nothing better than just letting go and running.  There  are not thoughts..just the rhythm of my feet.  It's what I do.

So yes, 5 1/2 weeks till the Frenzy and I'm in a Tizzy!

PS.... Aren't my new kicks HAWT???!!!!

The Barefooted Trail Running Nudist

I have a son that has the hardest time keeping electronics in one piece.  I used to think that as he got older, things would get better.  However at 20 years old, he still has issues.  I am not certain that it is about him being responsible or irresponsible as much as I think electronics and his own personal energy do not mix.    I have heard of people who can't wear watches because they just don't last on them.  The watches break or whatever.    Often, these people just give up on watches all together.  I'm not certain that my son can give up on electronics, though.  Then there is me.......

In the last 2 weeks, I have had 1 bikini top and 1 bra blow out their under wires.  I have had one of my favorite pairs of capris rip a hole in the rear end.  And just this morning as I picked up my running shoes to hit the trails for a run, I noticed that they had a hole in them!  My shoes were bought in May and only have 154 miles on them!

There is only one explanation for my wardrobe blow outs.  My energy does not mesh with clothing!!!  So I have decided that I am going to become the barefooted trail running nudist!  There is just one very obvious and painful problem......what to do with "the girls"?  I may have to rethink this.

But seriously........

Finding a hole in my running shoes at 5:30 AM was not the way I wanted to wake up.  As a matter of fact, I did NOT want to wake up at all today.  I swear I woke up every hour last night.  I would look at the clock and tell myself, "I have 5 more hours to sleep."  "I have 4 more hours of sleep." "I have 2 1/2 hours more to sleep."  "I only have 30 minutes left."  "Please, Lord, I don't want to wake up!"

Thankfully, I have this amazing husband that even in his sleep, he can hear my alarm clock and nudge me out of bed and not remember it when he finally wakes up for the day!  He's awesome!    Anyway, having rolled myself out of bed and in a rather grumpy mood, I found a hole in my running shoes.

I decided I would run anyway, but I still wasn't happy.  Then my dog Shane was whimpering and crying. I asked him what was wrong, like he could verbalize the issue.  Then I realized that it was probably thundering outside.  I went out the front door and sure enough, the streets were wet and in the distance I saw lightning.  It looked like the storm had already passed.  But what if it hasn't?  No sleep, hole in my shoe, and now the weather?  I thought I could totally use these are reasons to skip my run and go back to bed.  But I remembered that I have been out running in the mountains in a crazy spring storm.  This storm that had just passed was NO reason to stay home.  *sigh*  Fine!

I was so cranky!  I was mad!  I seriously wanted a diet coke and a blue berry muffin.  It took all I had to  get the banana and the protein drink and have that for breakfast.  As a matter of fact, I was still contemplating the junk food as I got in my car and headed out.  I just kept telling myself that these things are part of the reason why my knee is hurting me so badly.  What do I want more?  The food that is bad for me or to continue being a trail runner?  I drove on.

I was just about there.  It was still dark out and I saw a runner coming my direction on the mountain road.  His head lamp was shining bright and it dawned on me.. I had forgotten my head lamp.  "I can go home and go back to bed!!!"  I can't see in the dark and I wasn't wearing my glasses and I didn't have a head lamp.  That sounded like the perfect reason to go home.  Again, I heard myself saying, "You know this trail.  You can walk.  And it will be light enough to see in just 10 minutes!"  I kept driving.

Finally on the trail, still feeling grumpy, I walked.  My knee was cranky and my ankle was stiff.  I decided that I would just walk this 6 mile trail today.  I really need my ankle/foot to heal and I do not need to strain it more and make things worse, but I do need to train.  So I decided to walk my 6 miles and deal with my emotional crankiness.  That is the best part of trail running.  I do not listen to music while I'm on the trails and when I'm by myself its just me and my thoughts.  I can entertain myself for hours with all kinds of interesting and silly conversations in my head.  I let the sun rise and clear away the cobwebs in my head.  The smell of wet sage cleansed my mood and lifted my spirits.  I was beginning to feel more like my happy self.  Yup.  This is the best part of trail running!  I had to stop and take pictures (of course).  Watching the sun rise through the clouds and over the mountains is just amazing!

Finally, I finished my 6 mile walk with an 18:47 pace.  I STILL wanted the blue berry muffin, but I drove straight home.  I ended up driving Tracy to get his allergy shots and then to work.  I STILL wanted and CRAVED that blasted blue berry muffin and diet coke.  If I went after I dropped Tracy off, no one would ever know!  I was hungry too!  I just kept driving and headed straight for the house.  "What do I have at home to eat?  What can I make?  I need protein."  Once I started thinking like this, my thinking switched.  It went from "I NEED SUGAR!!!" to "I can't wait to get in the kitchen and create something yummy, healthy and colorful!"

 


Yes, it was a crazy, emotional morning!  I've said it before, sometimes the hardest step is getting out the front door.  Today was no different; actually today was even harder!  I'm very happy with myself for getting out there in spite of everything.  I am even happier that I made a healthy food choice today!

Here's to a Healthy YOU Today!

Home Is Where the Trails Are

I know I have been blogging a lot lately.  I apologize if you are getting tired of reading my thoughts, and I thank you for sticking with me.

Yesterday was such a challenging day; I guess we need those in order to grow.  It's all good. I needed a good arse kicking by the universe :).  

Yesterday, my amazing hubby agreed to kick me out of bed when my alarm went off this morning.  He is the most supportive man.  That alarm clock goes off at some ungodly hour, and he is more than happy to push me out of bed to make me go run.  (Though I think he does this cause he knows what a grouch I will be if I don't run. So  maybe, his motivation is purely selfish *laugh*)  No. Seriously.  He is the best.  He has always been my biggest cheerleader and support system, and I love him dearly.  Even if at 5 AM he wakes me up and says, "Isn't your alarm set for 5 AM to go running? Why isn't it going off?"  I neglected to tell him that I set it for 5:30 instead of 5.  Oy!  And I didn't sleep much at all last night and was really hoping for a few more minutes of sleep.  As it turns out, I was awake at 5 anyway.  I probably should have just gotten up!  

Anyway, 5:30 the alarm went off and I rolled out of bed rather quickly.  I really don't like to linger too long in bed after an alarm goes off cause I know it messes with Tracy's sleep.  I got up, threw on the clothes and actually had breakfast here at home before leaving.  Just a protein drink and a banana, but that is a heck of a lot better than chocolate donuts and a diet coke!  

It was still dark, but over the back of my house I saw the glow of the full moon.  I was so excited to get out to the foothills and run under the Blue Moon!  It was absolutely beautiful!

Eventually the sun started to rise in the East, but the moon behind me was still up over the city....lingering in the pink and blue sky.  It was the most peaceful thing I have ever seen!

While I was running, there was a little bit of excitement and alarm as I noticed smoke in the next ridge over just North East of me.  This isn't the best picture, but see that darker smoke coming off of the mountains on the left side of the picture?  There was also smoke all along the ridge there.  After debating what to do, I finally called 911 to report it.  I had no idea how to report a fire I saw out in the distance. I knew it wasn't the Atlanta fire, and I had not heard of any fires out in the foothills.  The 911 operator went to check out the reports and found out that indeed one other person had called to report a fire near Shaw Mountain (Yup, that is what I was looking at); a car had started the fire.  Glad I stopped to report it.  More importantly, I am glad that I take the time to appreciate my surroundings when I run and am aware enough to notice this miles away from where I am.

I loved my run today!  I did my typical 6 mile route which is the beginning and ending of the Foothills Frenzy Course.  It's a nice easy way to ease back into training for this course.  I was really excited when I realized I did this 6 miles at a faster pace than my 4 mile street run yesterday!    Yesterday's run was 4 miles with a 237 feet elevation gain at a pace of 14:57. Today's run was 6 miles with a 708 feet elevation gain at a 14:54 pace.  Yes, those 3 seconds matter!

I came straight home after my run.  I even got home fast enough to take a shower and get the hubby to work. (He could have ridden his motorcycle but we like to spend time together.)  Anyway, after my run, I had some peanut butter crackers and finished my 2 liters of water in my hydration pack.  2 liters of water down before 9am.  YES!  I'm feeling so much better today.  Now to keep this up during my busy day of running around with the kiddos.

Thanks for reading!

Time To Get Real!!!!

Okay, y'all!  So most of you know that in 2011 I started a getting healthy/weight loss journey with Weight Watchers.  In a little over a year's time, I released 65#.  It was pretty easy.  I came off consistently. I was also doing tons of running, training for the 2011 Honolulu Marathon.  In April 2012, I became a licensed Zumba instructor and continued to run through June.  Between running and Zumba preparation, I was exercising pretty close to 6 hours a day.

In August 2012, I had knee surgery.  By November, I was back out trail running and still doing some Zumba.  Then in January 2013, I fell and bonked my head.  No more running, cycling, dancing of any kind.   In April I was able to run again.  I started training hard on the trails again.  No more Zumba, and belly dance was put on hold.   In June I fell and hit my knee again.  In July, I went to the doctor and decided I needed to take time off for my knee.  Went on vacation; came back home and finally got back on the trails again and rolled my ankle but was able to get back to Belly Dance and use that to keep the ankle loose and help it heal faster.  Took another week off of running to heal the ankle.  And today, went out running again today.

With all of the injuries and time off, I have been fighting some major demons.  This morning the demons hit HARD.  I have noticed that my stomach (the area between my bra line and belly button) has become larger.  I have gained 10# (the same 10# I lost back in May!)  But more importantly than the weight gain is my stomach issue.  Because my waist line is below this point, most of my clothes are still fitting me.  But my stomach is larger and I know for a fact that this is due to the processed CRAP that I have been eating.  I'm not going to lie.  I'm back to the Maverick breakfasts (even though I have perfectly healthy food at home!)  What does a Maverick breakfast mean?  Chocolate donuts or a large blue berry muffin with a diet coke. And recently if they do not have either of these, I get angry (yes angry) and reach for the double stuffed Oreos.  This is NOT good!  And let's not talk about my new found love and craving for Domino's Pizza with the Hot Wings.  I can eat a box of 14 piece Hot Wings all  by myself and that is WITH the pizza.  So NOT good! And don't forget the root beer to go with it; nothing like washing down unhealthy food with a large amount of high fructose corn syrup!

Below is a picture of my belly sticking out past my rather large boobs.  Granted, I'm slouching while sitting on the couch, but still.  This has gotta go!  It's not that I am unhappy about gaining weight; its that I'm unhappy about what this represents and how it got here!

Aside from the fact that I am gaining weight and my belly is getting bigger, there is the issue of my training.  I have 5 1/2 weeks until the Foothills 50K Frenzy. That is a 31 mile race through the foothills of Boise.  For me, this will be a very long day.  It also means I need to get back to serious training, which means early morning runs.  I need to get my mileage back up to wear it was before I took (a now) 6 week break!  I need to do these runs in the foothills, not on the city streets.  Last night, I told Tracy that I was going to get up at 5 this morning to go running. My alarm went off at 5, and my internal battle started.  "You are too fat."  "You have been eating like crap and there is no way you can do this."  "Your knee is going to hurt."  "Stay in bed."  "If you stay in bed, you are a quitter and you will never get healthy again."  So the demons won. I stayed in bed.  I thought I would sleep.  Instead, I heard:  "I can't believe you stayed in bed!"  "What is wrong with you?"  "You know that if you don't get up, you will never get back to running!"  "GET OUT OF BED!!!!!  GET TO THE MOUNTAINS!"  I stayed in bed and with each minute, I felt worse and worse and worse.  

They always say the hardest part of running is taking that first step out the front door.  For me, today, it was getting out of bed.  

By the time Tracy's 8 AM alarm went off, I was so down and miserable with myself. Tracy kept asking me what was wrong.  How do I explain to him that I feel like crap and that I have spent the last 3 hours beating myself up.  How do I explain to him that even though he finds me beautiful, I feel like a fat lethargic piece of crap?  And more importantly, how do I explain to him that even though I feel like this, we are still stopping at Maverick to get my crappy-for-me breakfast?  (Yes, we have been married 25 years. Yes, he has been through this with me so many times before.  But it doesn't make it any easier!)

When I finally got up, I made sure to put on my work out clothes. Sometimes, that is all a runner needs. Once the clothes are on, running is inevitable.  (That plan did not work yesterday!)  I took Tracy to work. We stopped at Maverick and I was PISSED cause they didn't have a blue berry muffin or chocolate donuts.  (Yes, this is an addiction and today was horrible.)  So I bought the double stuffed Oreos and my diet coke.  The whole time I am driving him to work (or actually he was driving) I continued the fight with myself.  "You WILL go for a run when you get home!"  "You will NOT let this beat you!"

Once I got home, I put on my running shoes, filled my hydration pack and got my iPhone ready with some music and my GPS.  Then I realized my favorite headphones were missing an ear bud.  "Well you might as well stay home then!"  Really????  Up in the mountains I NEVER listen to music.  Doing a little 4 mile run through the city will be fine without the music.  So off I went. I felt guilty.  I knew that the 4 miles I was about to do was LESS than I should be doing and since it was in the city it was no where near the terrain I needed to be on.  I continued beating myself up.  "You should have gotten out of bed this morning to do the 6 miles up in hills!"  "These 4 miles will get you no where!"  "You only have 6 weeks till the race!"  "Your knee hurts. You are never going to be able to do the race!  You won't even be able to finish this run!"  "Look at you!  You can't run. You can only walk.  How are you going to do an ultra if all you do is walk!" "Your running 'career' is over with!"

Why oh why didn't I have my headphones to block out Ms. Negativity???

Eventually, my stronger side started to speak up.  "Just keep pushing, Martha.  Pump your arms and keep moving!  A fast walk is better than sitting on the couch!  4 miles is better than nothing!  Just keep going!"  "Don't worry about tomorrow or what will come after the Frenzy.  Focus on right now.  Focus on the training for the Frenzy THEN take a look at your future in running."  "You can still do Marathons and Ultras while walking."  "Just keep moving!  I'm so proud of you for making it out today!"  "Look at you.. 15 minute pace after not really moving for the last 6 weeks!"  "You can run down this hill.  Look, its not hurting your knee!  Keep going!"  Turning into my street I looked at my GPS..just under 4 miles and just about under a 15 minute pace.  "Run this out Martha!  Finish strong!"  I took my iPhone in hand and ran down my street until I heard the 4 mile mark.  I finished in just under a 15 minute pace.  4 miles in just under an hour after not doing anything for 6 weeks!  It felt good.  It was exactly what I needed.

But exercise alone will not get done what needs to get done in my body.  I need to eat clean.  I need to drink more water. I need to get rid of the sugar in my diet (I didn't even mention all the candy I have been eating or the fact that the Maverick breakfasts have also turned into Maverick snacks....anytime I get in the car, I hit Maverick for these "meals".)  So ya.  That has to change.  I went to the grocery store today. I bought foods that will keep me eating clean.  Now I just have to eat them and not make those blasted trips to Maverick!  I need my self-control back.  I need to break this habit and addiction (again).   I need to fuel my body properly to continue being the athlete that I am and want to continue being.  And it starts NOW!

My Affirmation:

I fuel my body with foods that nourish and strengthen my muscles, joints and vital organs.  My body is hydrated naturally with filtered water. My body is stronger, more flexible, and moves pain free with each step. My endurance increases each day with each climb up the mountain.  My heart rejoices every day as I was the sun rise during my morning runs.  When I think about my health and fitness goals, there is only health and happiness in my soul.  I claim perfect health and fitness as mine NOW.

Here's to keeping it real.  Thanks for "listening".

My Heart Is So Full!

Have you ever had one of those nights where you go to bed so filled with joy that it is like next to impossible to go to sleep and you just can't stop smiling?  That has been me for the last week!  I know I have blogged several times in the last week so I will try not to re-type things.  However, to fully appreciate this huge smile on my face and the way my heart runneth over, some things will have to be repeated.

Last Sunday (a week ago) I had the Fuller Center for Housing Riders/Support Crew crash at my house.  With them, they brought so much joy and excitement.  They also brought one of my favorite people home to visit...Kurt Schneider and his new main squeeze Nadine.  This is important, because I got to spend a great deal of time with these two and really had so much fun with them!

One of the things I LOVE about the community that I live in, is that no matter where I go I am bound to run into someone I know.  Boise is a small "big city".  It is the capital of Idaho and according to Wikipedia,  "The 2012 U.S. Census Population Estimates that 212,303 people reside within the city.  The Boise metropolitan area is home to about 616, 500 people and is the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho, containing the state's three largest cities; Boise, Nampa, and Meridian."  (They didn't include Eagle in there, so throw a few more thousand people (21, 025) in there for good measure.)  I always find it entertaining that with 637, 525 people in my community, I am constantly running into people that I know and love when I am out and about.  Of course,  let's face it.  There is only 1 mall, 1 roller rink, 1 major downtown area where the bars, parties, Boise river, Boise greenbelt, and major events happen.  So if you are going to be at any of these places, you are bound to run into someone you know, especially if you have volunteered and are involved in organizations that seem to bring the polar opposites of the community together in your life.  Let's face it, being a spiritual hippy who volunteered for a seemingly "socialite" organization as well as an organization that helps with HIV/AIDS, and leading a girl scout troop, and doing roller derby (even for a short period of time) puts me in contact with a crazy amount of different kinds of people; then add trail running and working at the local ski hill to the mix and that pretty much covers everything my community has to offer!  *laugh*  And THIS is why I love where I live!

Anyway, last week, I got to celebrate life with a few thousand of my closest friends in a couple of different ways.  In doing so, I ran into lots of friends from various parts of my life and that added to my joy!

First up was Alive After Five.  This event is held every Wednesday in the summer time at "The Fountain at the Grove".  It's live music, dancing, food and beer, and don't forget running through the fountain!  It's great fun for the entire family and its free!  One of our favorite bands was playing there last week, so we HAD to go.  The Clumsy Lovers, a Canadian band that used to come to Boise often, was there.  They don't get to town very often anymore, so this was a MUST NOT MISS!

As soon as we got close to the band, I saw 5 people from my church, a friend I met through another friend while we were running/preparing for our mutual friends wedding at the Honolulu marathon.  I ran into a parent of one of my old girl scouts.  I saw a friend from the Junior League.  I ran into a friend from the roller rink.  And then Kurt and Nadine showed up with beers in hand!

We spent the rest of the evening dancing and drinking with them!  Nadine and I even ran through the fountain together.  Then it was off to Five Guys for Burgers and more laughing!

Thursday night came, and Kurt and Nadine came back to our place to stay for the rest of their visit in Boise.  I loved having them here!  My dogs loved having them here!  It was just a great time.

Friday night we all headed out to downtown Boise for the PreFat part.  Let the bikes, beer and dancing begin!  Once again, I ran into friends from church, friends from the burlesque world, and friends from the roller derby world.  Not sure how Boise can pack so many people into one little block without crazy stuff happening, but we did it!  Boise is filled with lots of people who just love to have a good time, and honestly there are a bunch of tree hugging peace spreading bike riding hippies in my town.  No wonder I fit right in!

After a fun night partying it up in downtown Boise, it was time to get all dressed up and head downtown to Ann Morrison Park for the Tour De Fat bike parade and party!  This was me and Tracy's first Tour De Fat. I can't believe we have lived here 11 years, and this is the first time we have gone!  It was so much fun!  We got dressed up in our finest Parrot Head attire.  Tracy was his usual pirate and I was the parrot.  We rode our tandem (that Kurt gave us last year) affectionately named "Ms. Piggy".  I love a great parade, but this one was like none other!  There was no corporate advertising.  The parade registration was a fund raiser for the local cycling community.  And everyone was just there to have a great time!

There were people handing out free ice cream cones.  People towing major sound systems behind their bikes and played some great partying music.  There were dogs jogging along side their owners or being carried in the baskets.  There were kids straddling the backs of the cargo bikes or in baby seats or being carried in tubs.  There were kids riding their own bikes.  There were lots of tandems with crazy costume clad riders.  There were "chopper" bikes.  There were people covered from head to toe in full body costumes and people dressed in just enough material to be considered legal (or at least not get arrested for indecent exposure)!  There were people of all kinds and shapes and sizes and colors!  It was the best example of the community that could have possibly been gathered!

 

 

Once the parade was over, the party really began!  Lots of dancing, live bands, carnival performers, fund raising, games, and trying out crazy bike inventions....not to mention all of the people watching!  Of course, this is where I ran into more of my friends.  I ran into Sunny and Phil (friends from church), friends from the burlesque world, Al from the rollerdrome, one of my old girl scouts (that wasn't awkward with my cleavage hanging out and 2nd beer in hand) and of course, Kurt and Nadine.

 
 
 
 

Not only did I get to have entirely too much fun with my best friend/hubby, but we got to be part of an amazing fundraiser adventure.  The news said 6,700 riders were in the parade and Tour De Fat was hoping to raise $60,000 for The Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance, Boise Bike Project and Southwest Idaho Mountain Biking Association!  This was the funnest fun(d)raiser I have ever attended.  I mean where else can I check off my bucket list item of riding a bike with shoes for tires????  YES!!!!

I truly live in THE BEST city in the USA. I know everyone says that about where they live or places they have visited and would LIKE to live.  But I am blessed to be able to LIVE in a place that provides so many opportunities to express the Joy that is my life!  How many people really get to say that?