Sunday, October 16, 2016

Buffalo Run 100

WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE RACE:
My first 100 miler was the Buffalo Run last year.  There is just something about Antelope Island that I love and I wanted to see if I could beat my time from last year so I signed up.  3 weeks before the race on a training run just before mile 10, the outside of my left foot began to ache and then tighten and knot up.  I recognized this pain all too well.  My peroneal tendonitis in my left foot was flaring up.  I figured it was probably agitated from running the Moab 55k and even though I threw in a reduced miles week after Moab, once I jumped back into higher miles my foot wasn't having it.  I had the exact same injury 6 weeks out from my first marathon.  I was able to heal in enough time and complete my marathon.  This time around I only had 3 weeks until race day and 100 miles is a LONG way.  My initial decision was to skip Buffalo and give my foot proper time to heal and then focus on Boston.  If you know me well, there is a great depth of spirituality that I receive from running.  As I was praying I received the impression "faith precedes the miracle."  The Lord has blessed me countless times and has helped me through hard times and struggles during many of my running journeys.  I thought that maybe this time it was too much to ask for another miracle.  I believe the Lord ministers to everyone personally and individually and I have gained a greater perspective of the Atonement and His love for me through running.  The Lord was trying to teach me . . . again.  My faith is far from perfect.  I have doubts and moments of despair, but I always go back to the knowledge that the Lord is all powerful and that I am in His hands.

I stopped running for 5 days after my foot initially flared up.  I hopped back on the treadmill and made it just 2 miles before my foot was completely aggravated again.   Only 16 days until race day.  Another 5 days off of running.  My foot would occasionally ache during the day and the pain would get worse at night.  I have to admit, I was far from being faithful.  I was very discouraged and frustrated.  It would be easier to give up on the idea of Buffalo and just focus on healing for Boston, but deep down I knew I had to continue to find hope.  Chad had given me a priesthood blessing and said that my foot would heal quickly and the Lord wanted me to be happy.  I couldn't give up just yet.  11 days before race day - I completed a 5k without pain.  Yay!  I ran 6 miles 2 days later.  Making progress.  6 days before the race, I ventured out to the island to complete a 10 miler.  There was a dull ache in my foot while running, but luckily didn't progress to the sharp, knotting pain.  After running out on the island I fully got on board and was determined to run the 100.  I figured that I would start the race and if I had to drop then it would be okay.  I would go until my foot said no more.

RACE DAY - Friday, March 18th

It doesn't matter how many races I do, I never sleep well the night before and I always have a belly full of butterflies at the start.  My plan was to run at an enjoyable pace for as long as I could and pray that my foot stayed happy.  


At noon it was go time!  Off to the first section the White Rock loop.  19.6 miles.  As I started the race, I thought that if I could make it at least the first loop without my foot freaking out that it would be quite the accomplishment.  At the same time, I knew I had to put the fear and worry about things that I didn't have control over in the back and my mind and focus on just enjoying the moment.

The Start




















  The course starts running uphill for just over 2 miles.  Slow and steady.  Going up the hill, a girl passed me running rather quickly.  Part of me wanted to fall right behind and follow her up, but I held back and knew better to run my own race and my own pace.  The weather was perfect!  It was upper 40's, lower 50's and the sun was shining.  What a good day for a run!

5.5 miles - Elephant Head aid station
I didn't need anything so I headed out on the Elephant Head trail (a quick out and back - 3 miles).  I tripped last time year on this section and knocked my knee so I was extra careful to pick up my feet.  I loved this section of the race.  The view at the turn around is beautiful!  On this section, I met some new running buddies Danny and Alex.  I love meeting new people and these two were hilarious.  Running, laughing and loving every minute of it!  It was good to share some miles with these guys.
Coming back on the Elephant Head trail
Finishing the White Rock Loop
Back to the Elephant Head station - I grabbed a chunk of a banana and sip of Heed and headed off to the Split Rock loop, 5.5 miles long.  There is a nice little section of downhill and then you hit the switchbacks and go up.  At the bottom of the switchbacks, I could see the girl that had passed me at the beginning of the race at the top of the switchbacks.  I just continued along at my own pace and finished the loop back to the Elephant Head station about 14 miles in.  I was feeling great and my foot was happy!  By the time I completed the White Rock loop, I ended up catching the girl who was in front of me.  3 hours 20 minutes and I was back at the start/finish area 19.6 miles in.  I ate another chunk of banana and Chad switched out my handheld water bottle.  Then I was off to the Mountain View trail. 
Heading to the Mountain View trail
Follow the dirt road, down a steep hill and then you hit the Mountain View trail.  Once you hit the trail you turn left and head down the trail for a mile to the Mountain View aid station.  After the station you turn around and run back down the trail all the way down to the Ranch 11 miles away.  This section of the course is pretty much flat.  At this point, I put in my headphones and turned on some music mentally break it up a bit.  27.5 miles in Lower Frary aid station.  Check!  Continue on to the Ranch.

6 miles from Lower Frary to the Ranch.  On this section, there were a lot of bison that were uncomfortably close to the trail.  I usually go off the trail and go clear around, but they were on both sides.   I am not going to lie, it made me nervous.  I kept telling myself not to make eye contact and I picked up my pace as I passed by and would glance over my shoulder to make sure they were staying put.  Adrenaline boost for sure especially when they are eyeing you down! 

I made it to the Ranch without incident!  Woo hoo!!!  33 miles in!   And now to turn around and run all the way back up the Mountain View trail and past the bison, again!  I survived and made it back to the Lower Frary aid station.  39 miles. 
I told Chad to call Jenn, who was pacing me at mile 50, to tell her I was about 11 miles out.  I initially told Jenn (best case scenario) it would take me 9-10 hours to finish the first 50.  Last year it took me 10 1/12. I was making better time than I thought I would and my foot was still happy.  It was a good race so far and I was surprisingly feeling pretty good. I know not to get too comfortable though because things can change quickly in an ultra.  The temperatures were starting to get cooler so I threw my long sleeve shirt to throw on.  The sun was going to go down shortly so I grabbed my headlamp as well.  Heading out of Lower Frary, you continue about 3 miles on the Mountain View trail then turn left and go up the steep hill that you initially came down and then head on over to the north part of the island to Bridger Bay.  I tripped and fell twice on this section, which is kind of funny because it is the least rocky of all the trails.  No damage done, just felt like a dork, haha!  Going down to the Bridger Bay aid station you have to go through a field of tall pokey weeds.  The trail is marked by wood sticks with pink flags attached.  I was grateful that there was still a little bit of light out so I could site the course markers easier.  Going around the north side of the island, the sun started to set which made for the most spectacular views.  About 2 and half miles from the start/finish are the sun and it was time to strap on the headlamp.  I was grateful to be almost halfway done and on a good note my foot was still happy. 


 50 miles complete!  8 hours 38 minutes.   Heading into the start/finish tent, I saw Jenn, my pacer and I gave her a hug.  I switched out water bottles again, put on my jacket, had a few sips of soup and headed back out with Jenn to repeat round 2 of the course.  It was good to have Jenn with me.  My music was getting old and it was nice to have someone to talk too.  I was starting to get sleepy-tired which was odd since it wasn't late into the night yet.  I made sure to drink some Mountain Dew at when we hit the Elephant Head station and downed a few caffeine pills as well.  The entire White Rock loop seem to go by relatively quick.  Coming back down the hill to the start/finish, my foot started to ache.  Oh crap!  It wasn't the outside of my foot, but the inside part of the foot that ached.  I kept running thinking that it may just go away, but it didn't go away and was getting progressively worse.  Mile 69 - 13 hours from when I started.  I had to say good-bye to Jenn and I was on my own with my sore foot.  Every time I tried to run my foot furiously rebelled and it was a sharp ache.  I was reduced to walking.  There was still a dull ache while I walked, but at least I could keep moving forward.  I knew it was going to be a LONG, slow going final 30 miles. I tried to walk as fast as I could - power walking - not the hip swinging, butt clenching style, but the put one foot in front of the other as fast as I could with heavy, tired legs.  Since I was at a slower pace, I started to get really, really cold.  3 miles before Lower Frary, I was absolutely, miserably cold.  I had a tank, long sleeve, and a jacket on at this point and I was freezing.  I kept telling myself, keep moving or you are going to freeze.  I finally made it to Lower Frary.   I sat by the fire to try to warm up while Chad went and grabbed my clothes bin.  I thew on every layer that I had brought.  On top - tank, short sleeve shirt, 2 long sleeve shirts, jacket, and Chad's jacket.  On bottom - shorts and my running pants.  And hat and gloves.  Chad was a little worried about me and asked if I wanted him to join me to the Ranch and back to Lower Frary.  Yes!   So off we went!  I was still cold with all the layers on, but at least I wasn't freezing like I was before.  Last year, there were glowy eyes from the bison that you could see at night.  This year, there were no glowy eyes to be seen.  Miles went by slowly, but we eventually made it to the Ranch.  When we turned back up the trail, we headed into the wind.  Brrrrr!  Chad had 2 layers on top and I could tell that he was cold.  I asked him if he wanted his jacket back and he said that he was okay.  In reality, he was freezing and was really tired.  He hadn't initially planned going 12 miles with me in the cold.  There is something very special about this guy!  He always makes sure that I am well taken care of and would do anything for me.  I absolutely love him!  2 miles from Lower Frary, I could tell Chad was fading.  He kept dozing off and I kept telling him that we were almost back to the aid station.  We made it back to Lower Frary and there were 2 girls there getting ready to leave down to the Ranch.   The sun came up and even though it was shining I kept all my layers on because I was still chilled.  Leaving the Mountain View trail I was dreading the short steep hill.   It was a painful, climb and my legs and feet were starting to really feel it.  Before I headed down to Bridger Bay, Jenn joined me to finish off the last 5 1/2 miles with me.  I told her that I was shooting for under 22 hours and if I kept up my current pace I should be able to do it.  Bridger Bay aid station, check!  Heading on the north trail, my stomach wasn't feeling too great and my legs began to feel very heavy.  One mile at a time; one step at a time.  About 2 miles out and I could see the finish area.  I looked behind us and could a guy and gal running and closing in fast.  I assumed the girl was pacing the guy to the finish.  As they got closer, Jenn turned around and asked if she was pacing him to the finish.  The guy said that he was pacing her to the finish.   I was tired and I hurt and there was just over a mile to the finish.  I knew I would have to run.  I started to run and everything screamed on my body.  My foot felt like it was going to explode.  I turned and told Jenn that my foot hurt bad.  We ran up the short hill to turn to the dirt road.  I had to keep running or else I would be passed.  I turned up my music and it took everything in me to push all the pain deep down and focus on moving forward.  Just keep running.  Jenn glanced over her shoulder a few times letting me know that they were still running, but that I was still good.  I finally hit the end of the dirt road and the final turn up the road to the finish.  I kept running up the hill and through the finish line. 


My body hurt so bad, but I was so grateful to have been able to push to the finish and not be passed in the very last mile.  I really don't remember much about the finish because it was a blur and I just wanted to sit down.  I went into the finish tent and could sit and drink some chocolate milk.  I started to get excited because I came in at 21 hours 31 minutes (last year 22 hours 22 minutes) - PR!  First place overall woman. I had made it!!!!  I started this race thinking there was a point that I would have to drop and even though my foot wasn't happy the entire time, there was still a way provided to make it to the finish. 






Monday, February 15, 2016

Moab Red Hot 55k 2016


My first race of 2016!  Moab Red Hot 55k.  I have completed this race twice before (2013 - 6:23:32; 2014 -5:26:24).  I love this course!  It is a challenging course with the most beautiful views.  I signed up for this race to use for training for the Buffalo 100 next month.  This course is incredibly tough!
 
Race morning -
The weather forecast for the day: 25 degrees at the start warming up to the upper 40's, low 50's, sunny.  Course conditions - parts of snow and ice and as the temperatures rise a nice mix of mud as well.  I originally wanted to see if I could beat my previous time on this course.  The plan was to give a good effort the first half and if I was where I needed to be time-wise than I would push the second half.  Most importantly, I wanted to enjoy it and to have fun.

 Start - 8 a.m. at the Gemini Bridges trail head
And go!  Up you go!  The first mile you climb up a snowy, icy dirt road.  It gets the blood pumping right from the start. (The pictures from the course were taken the day after the race when Chad and I took the kids in the Jeep up the trails.)
It is hard to start a race on a hill, but I managed to stay on my feet and felt pretty good and warmed up at the top.  The course then drops down and then levels out as you head towards Gold Bar/Gemini Bridges junction.  At the junction, there was a 33k sign that pointed to the left and then a 55k sign that pointed to the right and up wonderfully steep hill.  Up the short steep hill and  the first aid station and then continuing on Metal Masher road which climbs up to the rim.   On this section you start out with gentle grade dirt and then it turns into steep slick rock terrain.  Even with my persistent effort to pick up my feet, I tripped and fell climbing up to the top- it was inevitable!  No damage done, so I continued on.  About 10 miles from the start you reach the top.  What an incredible outlook!  All the climbing is sure worth the views. 

Outlook - 800 foot drop over the edge
Outlook

From the outlook, the course headed downhill to the next aid station.  With the temperatures rising, the snowy dirt turned into muddy spots on the course.  Keep trucking along.  At aid station 3 (17 miles), I checked my watch.  I knew I wasn't on pace to finish the course faster than I had previously done, so I decided to let up on my pace and just enjoy the 2nd half of the course.  It was kind of nice not having the pressure of pushing hard the 2nd half.  After hitting the aid station, you head back down that wonderfully steep hill and now incredibly slippery and muddy to complete the first loop of the 55k.   The course then hooks back into the 33k course and continues on the Gold Bar Rim trail.




     This section of the course includes some good, hard climbing on steep slick rock.   It was definitely harder than I remembered.  The sun was shining which made for a beautiful day, but I sure wished I was in shorts and a tank top.  I was grateful to see aid station 4 at mile 22, since I was running low on water.  Thank goodness for volunteers and their off road vehicles, which make aid stations possible on this course. :)   2/3's of the way done!  Now for the ups and downs of the Golden Spike trail.  On this section you have to look for the pink and black striped flagging to stay on course.  You would think that I would know where I was going since I have ran this course twice before.  Nope!  I only ran off course once.  Unfortunately, I went down and then had to hike back up to get back on course.  That's okay, it's all part of the adventure, just like my race shirt says, haha! 
I just love the people you meet running!  Kimberley from Canada and Garrick from Boise became my new flag sighting buddies.  It is easier to stay on course when you have more than one set of eyes.  There was a really steep slick rock part that was covered with snow.  It was almost comical trying to climb with your hands and not slide back down.  Good times!   The last aid station - mile 28.  Just over 5 miles left on the Poison Spider trail to the finish.  My legs felt pretty good at this point and I decided I would pick up my pace a little on this final jaunt.  However I forgot picking up my pace meant that I would have to be better at picking up my feet.  Coming down a rocky section I tripped and down I went.  My shoulder took the brunt of the fall.  Ouch!  Well at least it wasn't my knee.  Forward to the finish.  6:04:39.  I was happy with that!  This race was a beautiful challenge that I was able to soak in and enjoy!

My shoulder


Monday, December 7, 2015

HITS Palm Springs 2015

Last race on the schedule for 2015 - HITS Palm Springs championship 140.6



I was excited to come back to Palm Springs.  Last year, I set a PR on this course - 11 hours and 29 minutes with a 3 hour 21 minute marathon split.  I placed 4th overall and 1st in my age group.  The added bonus was that since I beat the CEO's finish time, I received a free entry into this year's race.  Going into the race, I didn't have any expectations.  I just wanted to give a good effort, enjoy it as much as I could, and finish with a decent time.  Oh boy!  It definitely turned out a lot different than what I expected.




The swim- 2.4 miles - 2 loops that would totally throw my body through a loop!

Let me just start out by saying, my body does not like cold water - AT ALL!  Sometimes when I swim laps at the pool, I can't get my body to warm up.  I'm a wimp when it comes to cold water.  As I was heading into T1 before the race to set up my bike gear, they announced that the water temperature was 52 degrees.  Yikes!  I had my thermal swim cap and booties, but I knew it was still going to be cold.  Flashbacks of Grand Junction came to mind where I felt like an ice cube on the swim.  I was less than thrilled to get into the water, especially since I was already fighting a lingering headache the past couple of days.

At 7 a.m., the athletes competing in the half started their swim.  7:30 - full distance swim start.  Brrrrrrr!!!!  As I put my face in the water it immediately took my breath away.  I swam the first few minutes with my head out of the water and then finally plunged my head back in.  I had a hard time catching my breath, but kept telling myself to stay calm and keep my body moving. The swim was pretty much a rectangle. Heading out it was hard to site the buoys since we were swimming right into the sun.  I just followed the pack and kept going.  My face and hands were frozen by the time I headed back to complete the first loop.  Before finishing my first loop, I started to pass a handful of athletes that were competing in the half (you can tell by the color of their swim cap).  They were all struggling.  One guy was holding onto a life raft hyperventilating and the life guard was trying to calm him down.  A little freaky!  Heading out on my second lap, my head started to pound.  My legs and arms started to stiffen up even more and I felt like I was flopping more in the water than swimming.  I could see that a few athletes had swam to the shore and were sitting on the beach trying to warm up. Others swam to shallow water and were walking in the water.  As for me, I kept on flopping away.  I could feel my arms and legs go from being stiff to starting to cramp so I tried to swim faster.  I just wanted to be out of the water.  It seemed like forever, but finally I finished the swim. 
Heading into T1, my whole body was shaking.  I was soooo cold.  Luckily, I had a jacket I could put on.  In Grand Junction I didn't have a jacket and ended up with Chad's jacket.   Not the greatest thing to ride in or be seen in. :)   
Flashback to Grand Junction - the parachute!
Lesson learned - this jacket was much better!
I didn't spend too much time in T1, because I knew if I got on my bike and started pedaling I would warm up.

Bike - 112 miles - 4 out and backs


After about 10 miles, I warmed up on the bike, but the damage from the cold swim had already been done.  My head was throbbing, my stomach was nauseous, and my world was spinning.  The bike course was pretty much flat.  It was in the 70's and there was a nice breeze so it wasn't too hot.  I wish I could have taken advantage of the course, but I was just focused on trying to balance on my bike.  My equilibrium was out of whack.  After finishing the first out and back, I wanted to quit.  I was miserable, but I kept on going.  Heading back out for the 2nd time, I could feel myself getting really dizzy so I decided to stop.  As I was pulling over, I unclipped my shoe, but it was too late.  Timber!  I was on the ground with my bike.  I just sat there for awhile.  A guy passed by and asked me if I was okay.  I said, "yes, just sitting in the dirt with my bike" and then I laughed.  He gave me a half smile and continued on.
Do I keep going or do I call it quits?  I made the decision to pull back the pace and if I fell off my bike again than I would be done.  I passed by Chad and he asked if I was okay.  I told him I was fine and that I just had a headache.  I didn't want him to pull me.  For hours on end I tried to focus on staying on the white line or staying in line with the person in front of me.  It was like I was a little kid learning to ride a bike for the first time.  My stomach was nauseous, and even though I couldn't take in gels or solids, I kept the fluids going in.  At about 4:30 p.m. the sun was starting to set and I was headed back on my on my final out and back.  As it was starting to get dark, I made it back to T2. 
My not so graceful attempt to get off my bike
I was so relieved to be off my bike.  The sick, twisted carousel ride was over, but come to find out I wasn't off the merry-go-round yet.

Run - 26.2 miles - 4 out and backs


I am usually so excited for the run.  It was the perfect temperature to run, but I felt so awful I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it.  My head was still pounding and everything was still spinning.  Since it was dark, most of the athletes had headlamps on.  I held mine in my hand since I wasn't going to put anything around my head.  Those dang, miserable, bouncing headlamps!  They made me so sick to my stomach and the lights felt like they were penetrating my head.   Adding to the misery were the headlights from the passing cars - yuck!  I was in the twilight zone.  The first 2 out and backs, I ran until I became too dizzy then I would walk until my head was at a slower spin then I would run again.  Every time I crossed the mat to head back for another lap, I wanted to give up and be done, but I kept on going.  The last 2 out and backs I completely fell apart.  I was way too dizzy to run.  My sick stomach was catching up to me and I puked every time I started to run.  My inner thoughts had been battling all day long.  Part of me just wanted to be done.   It was okay to quit.  I was absolutely miserable.  But there is part of me that always seems to take over.  That part that says you are not dead on the side of the road, keep on going.  I knew my finish time was going to suck and that it would be recorded on the internet for all to see.  The greatness of a race is not defined by a finish time, it is defined by the obstacles you are able to overcome.   I could be done when I crossed the finish line. 
15 hours and 13 minutes later I reached that line.  My slowest time by hours.  Even though I wasn't the last person to cross, I was the last woman to cross the line.  At that moment, it didn't matter.  I had made it!  There were just over 200 athletes for the full distance and only 96 finished the race.  I was one of the survivors! #6 Ironman - completed.

I have raced an Ironman with a head cold and in crazy hot weather in the mid 90's.  I have raced this distance having the stomach flu the week leading up to the race and then puking like crazy on the run.  But this by far is the hardest Ironman that I have ever completed.  I've learned that the Lord doesn't always take your trials from you, but He will give you the strength to endure. 

2015 - 2 Ironmans
           2 -100 milers
           R2R2R in the Grand Canyon - 48 miles (one of my most favorite runs!)
           5 hours of running in circles at the Oval - 36 miles
           8 marathons (3 being back to back to back)
           and to top it off a sprinkle of half marathons

I'm tired and my body needs a break!  Time to back off the miles and rest and recover.  Oh and eat lots of brownie batter and cookie dough! :)