That's crazy... Crazy awesome!

What on earth persuades a person to consider a 135 mile race through Death Valley... in July? Why is someone compelled to run 100 miles over mountains with no sleep for a prized belt buckle? Why would someone stay up for 24 hours just to see how far they could run during that time?

I don't know why people first consider it, but I totally get why they follow through.

Soon the ultra-racing season will really begin. I'm not discounting the many other fabulous ultras that take place throughout the rest of the year; but they are not like the ones that will be taking place this summer. The big ones. Creme de la creme. Of course I will not be racing (ha ha) or even be in the same state/country as they are taking place. Even so, here are the three that I am most excited to read about:

• Comrades Marathon: ~56 miles of hills, hills, and hills through the farming villages of South Africa. Comrades is taking place in a mere 7 days, on May 30. The race is point-to-point and each year they switch the direction. Because of that, some years are an "uphill year" and some a "downhill". This year they're heading down from the highlands to the sea. A strict time cut off of 11 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds is enforced - and if you come in at 12 hours or later, to Comrades, you don't exist. That equates to running an average 12:51 pace per mile... if you came in at the last second.

• Western States Endurance Run: 100 miles. Last year 240 people finished. 205 people DNS or DNF. Nearly half of the registered participants dropped out or didn't even begin the run. Starting at Squaw Valley, California, and ending in Auburn, California. From their website: "The trail ascends from the Squaw Valley floor (elevation 6,200 feet) to Emigrant Pass (elevation 8,750 feet), a climb of 2,550 vertical feet in the first 4½ miles. From the pass, following the original trails used by the gold and silver miners of the 1850’s, runners travel west, climbing another 15,540 feet and descending 22,970 feet before reaching Auburn." Covering gorgeous mountain passes, pure snow-melt streams, and single track trails. It's a beautiful challenge. And of course the honor receiving the coveted belt buckle.

• Badwater: Oh my gawd. Badwater. 135 miles of torture through Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California... in July. It's touted as "the world's toughest foot race" for a good reason: temperatures reaching 130*F, 13,000' of cumulative vertical ascent, and, oh yeah, 135 miles of running. Total race length is 60 hours. That's all I can say about it, because, really, that says it all for me.

People who race in these (or any ultra) are inspiring. Their pain tolerance, mental toughness, and sheer craziness are beyond me. Someday I may run an ultra. But for now I'll stick to my mini distances.

Day 1 (again!)

Helloooo blog!

So, apparently, blogging takes commitment. Obviously (by my, uh 4 previous posts) I’ve tried the blogging thing in the past, and it hasn’t yet stuck. I think it needs to be a habit. I need to think of blogging as I do with running. I get up in the wee hours of the morning, put on my awesome pink-stripey Mizuno shoes and head out the door. Most days I don’t think twice about it. According to an article I read, it takes a person an average of 66 days to form a new habit. I guess the countdown begins again. . . . Day 1. . . .

Venturing into this world of blogging (with an insanely simple goal of just keeping this thing alive) is actually quite intimidating. It’s nice to put my thoughts out here, but, uh, who’s reading it? I want someone to read it. It’s now it’s time to find some blogging friends. I’m actually no good at making friends in real life. Sure, I’m pleasant, nice, agreeable. I’m the girl who smiles politely, adds a line or two to the conversation, but is ultimately just standing awkwardly on the edge of the circle fading away into the background. *cue awkward girl music*

So I am extending my hand to all of you who read (and that would be no one yet..), stumble upon, or glance at my blog. Welcome to my world. Give me a high five, handshake, or just say hi. I promise I’ll return the favor by reading your blog too, cause we all just want someone to listen, right? :)

Eyelash Icicles!

12 miles @ 6 am. 10 degrees.

I was nervous about today's long run for a couple of reasons:

1. It has been less than a week since the last long run - I had to move today's up since I wouldn't be able to do it this weekend.
2. I've had 2 very quality (read: hard) runs Monday and Tuesday and was actually a little sore from them. I haven't been sore from a run for a while now.
3. It was cold. Like, whoa.

I set out at 6 am under a clear, deep blue sky, still dotted with fading stars. The first couple of miles were between brutal and just plain difficult. I couldn't get warm. My popsicle-feeling hands were stuffed in not-so-warm gloves, then tucked into my jacket sleeves pulled tightly over them. I realized I had forgotten a key to the apartment. It just wasn't clicking today. I tried to perk myself up a bit, tried to bounce to the music, let my mind wander from the horrid cold and stiff legs. After a torturous 3.8 miles on sidewalk, I reached the actual road. I felt good finally. I realized something - I tend to feel confined, tense, when I have to run on the sidewalk. I'm not sure why. Running on the shoulder of the road I just felt... free! ("Now I'm freeeeeee.... Freeeee faaaaalliiiinn'!")

I'm a strange bird.

By mile 5 the sun had finally started to warm me and my hands emerged from hiding in my sleeves. My eyes watered every time I found the wind when I reached the top of the hills and created little icicles that covered bits of my eyelashes. I'm pretty sure they stuck to my cheek at one point.

A little over halfway through, the arch on my left foot started to "click" (as I call it). I used to have arch pain a while back, but started to wear "Superfeet" insoles. They are awesome. With this pain happening again, I tried to recall when I had bought the ones I am currently using. I couldn't remember. Yup, time to buy another expensive ($30 bucks!) pair to hopefully stop feeling that click before it gets worse. They have definitely been worth the price in the past. Let's hope it continues.

By the time I got back home, I felt like a rockstar. It wasn't the most fabulous run I have ever been on, but I stayed true to my goal of ENJOYING running, even when things weren't going my way.

Now it's time to pack my bag for tomorrow's bike to work. I'll probably go 4ish on the treadmill for an easy "recovery run". Sounds fabulous.

One fine day...

10 miles @ 6am. 35*. Rain.

Wind was howling through the cracks in door. Rain would be there soon, on a lovely (oh, good morning sarcasm) 35* morning. It was 5 am and I was sitting comfortably on the couch wrapped tightly in my fuzzy green blanket. Soon I would be donning my running gear and heading out the door to the cold, wet roads. I was quite nervous about the run, even though I had run this route a bajillion times (yes, I've counted. That's exact.). Maybe a little fear is healthy; keeping any overconfidence brewing at bay. Then it was time to stomp on that worry.

Here's a look at the run's elevation profile:

10 miles later - I felt like a superhero. The hills felt easy and fun; and I actually enjoyed running in the cold rain. On the downhills I even "dranced" (danced + ran) to some of the songs pumping me up. I imagined every passing car thinking "that girl's crazy". Maybe I am a little crazy to have so much fun with this. My mind wandered on the run, and I was able to just enjoy it. Getting home, I was soaked - water still dripping from my hat and socks squishing after removing my shoes. And I smiled. It was great. :)

Next long run is scheduled for Thursday - 12 miles on my day off. I don't know if I could think of a better way to spend a day off work (no sarcasm this time!). I've had to move it up because of an awesome out-of-town-celebration-weekend! I hope I "drance" during that run too.

I shall end today's post with a great Ultra Running video. Someday I hope to run an ultra. Someday.

Holy over-dressed run, Batman!

6 Miles @ 5:00 am. Temperature: 32*

Yesterday was my first run back from (cue terrifying doomsday voice) "THE WEEK OF SICKNESS". Ok. I may be exaggerating a little bit with the severity here. But I was sick. And it stunk. And I'm happy to run again.

Who knew that a run in 32 degree weather would have me peeling off my gloves and wanting to use my jacket as a wind sail? I've been running with the temperature mostly in the teens, so I should have been a little more prepared to run in a balmy 32. Ahhhh. It was like a morning at the beach. (Where's my beach ball!?) I went out in running tights, long sleeved tech shirt, wind jacket, warm gloves, ear band, baseball hat, and a neck gaiter. I knew I was over-dressed within 8 minutes; just far enough away that I didn't want to turn around. What was I thinking with that fleecey neck gaiter? Doh. I spent the entire rest of the run with that dang thing wrapped securely around my forearm and endlessly pulling off my gloves, then putting them back on again. All-in-all, it was a wonderful run back into action.

Today after work, I plan on going out on the trail for a little 4 miler. Slow and steady. It's potentially going to rain, and it'll be in the 40s. That actually sounds like a lot of fun. I'll be in shorts for sure. Watch out for the blinding white legs commin at-cha.

Tomorrow is my long run! 10-11 miles, depending on how I feel. Unfortunately they (those unforgivable forecasters... grrr) are predicting more snow. Really, weather!? Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Hopefully it will blow north and leave us alone!! I'm hoping we get zilch, so that I can run on the road.

I'm fueling "well" (*ahem*) for all of this awesome running from the Strawberry Cupcake Suprise that I made for my husband as a "thank you honey" for taking care of me so well (of which I'm pretty sure I've had more than he). They are strawberry flavored, starbust jellybean enhanced cupcakes concocted from 1 strawberry cake mix, 12 oz of diet 7up, 1 egg white, and quartered jelly beans. They are a freakin' delicious treat.



Oops. Kinda late for work. Gotta get running clothes together, and be on my merry way. Hi-ho-Hi-Ho. It's off to work I go.

Goals... and stuff?

Is it ironic that I began this blog on the week that I have done very little running? Probably. I'll be getting back into my running groove soon - just not today. I'm beginning to feel a lot better, but the low fever is hanging around. It's starting to feel like it's that annoying coworker that clings to you, telling you every lengthy story in minuscule details, even when you give them all the appropriate signals to "uhm, back off". Did you hear me, fever? Back off!

Surprisingly, the lack of exercise hasn't really bothered me - until today.. I am no longer a sick person on the couch trying to feel better. Nope, I have transformed into a blob. Did anyone call for a truffle shuffle? Because I feel like I could adequately preform one right now. Oh Chunk, you're hilarious....

Running is usually my thinking time (or zoning out time...) so with the absence of running these past few days I've decided to channel my thoughts and come up with goals for this year. These are not like a New Years resolution (which I may or may not have made this year... I can't remember already. See how effective resolutions are?). These goals will be obtainable and something I can try to work on each week. Drum roll please?! *bada bada bada*


Numero Uno: ENJOY running. That may mean running more trails, or continuing to just leave the watch at home. I've gotten way too caught up in times before, and no matter how a race or daily run goes, I am going to work towards accepting it and enjoying the fact that I am blessed enough to be ABLE get out there and do it! Yeah.


2: Work to be the healthiest person I can be. That means eating well, finding a balance between enough, too much, and too little, build up my overall fitness, and work towards a good body image (that may be the hardest one...). And this goal will be positive. No negative talk in healthy land!




And the final one: Continue to bike to work more. If we end up moving, who knows how realistic this will be. But for now, I would enjoy becoming less car-dependent. And hey, that would work toward my healthy "overall fitness" goal. Sweeeeeet.



Headache is brewing. Time to go drink some more green tea, read a bit, and then probably sleep. That sounds awesome.

In my dreams..

Literally, I was dreaming about running last night. I am beginning to go stir-crazy sitting on my couch under my fuzzy green blanket (which is quite cozy, actually). While most of the country is digging themselves out of 20 or 30" of snow, the reason I have only been dreaming about running is because I have been pathetically sick. Boo-hoo for me, right? My fever is still here, and to abide by the "running sick" rules, I will grudgingly stay in once again to flip through the channels filled with old sitcoms (oh, "Step-by-Step", I haven't seen you since the days of TGIF on my childhood Friday nights).

Why am I so worried about running? "Get healthy", you say. "What's the rush?", you ask. Well only that I have 7.5 more weeks until Go! St. Louis Half Marathon!! Woot woot! And that was the clincher you were all waiting for. The goal. The carrot at the end of the string that I am running after (har, har). I won't give too much away in this first post; but I have a goal that only hard work and dedication will help me obtain.

I do know that it is better for me to rest up and get the sniffles, sneezes, and *ahem* other things out of my system before bounding back on the treadmill. And I hope to be back on track tomorrow for a slow, but steady 5 (or 6) miles.

For now, it's time to rest and read "In Defense of Food".

Review to come soon. :D