RimRunning

Gorging myself on whitewater in the Alberton Gorge

2009-08-26T19:25:00.003-06:00

Work took me to a library conference in Missoula, MT in early August and part of the conference included a whitewater raft trip on the Clark Fork River with some co-workers and my son, Brian, and his girlfriend, Amy.

As our group approached the final rapid, Tumbleweed, our guide reminded us to keep paddling at all times. We enter Tumbleweed, poised and ready to do battle. Brian and I are in the front of the raft and excited. A wave hits him hard and knocks him a little off balance. We quickly begin rocking and rolling and I am trying to stay in the boat. The people on the left side of the raft start falling into the middle of the raft and then, wham, I get hit with a wave of water and it's all over -- I fell out.

Falling into the water was a rush and I loved it! Fortunately, I was still next to the raft and could reach out and grab a rope that was attached to it. I knew I should go feet first through the remaining part of the rapid but instead I let the raft pull me through a little backwards. While riding along next to the raft, I managed to whack my butt against a submerged rock which left a heckuva bruise.

All-in-all it was an exciting adventure and I'm just glad I didn't suffer a worse injury. About a week later a kayaker died going through that same rapid area. He capsized his boat but grabbed onto another passing craft. As he was being towed along, his hand slipped off and he fell face-first into the water. The authorities said he aspirated some water and that was all it took. He had on both a helmet and a life preserver. How awful. There but for the Grace of God go I.

Back to running.

2009-07-30T16:13:00.004-06:00

I missed most of my favorite running events this spring and summer but did do the Bloomsday 12k in Spokane and the Women's Run 5 mile. Those 12.46 miles were the only miles I ran the entire month of May which is not a good training program. Of course, I suffered a setback but I expected that. Just hated to miss those two events.

So after a lengthy rehab period I am back to running. My long run is currently at 3 miles and my pace is slower but at least I am running. This morning, it occured to me that it used to take me 3 miles just to feel warmed up and now that's my long run. Oh well, with time and good health comes more mileage. On today's run, I also realized that for the first time in a long time I barely thought about how my injured leg felt. Previously, I was constantly monitoring how the injured muscle was feeling. It's sure nice to be able to let all that go and just run.

I've had to give up my plans of doing a Sept or Oct half marathon. It just didn't seem wise to try to build mileage that fast at the risk of re-injury. Instead, we are planning to bike the 109 mile Mickelson Trail in South Dakota with some friends. More on that later....

Denial

2009-04-11T14:42:00.002-06:00

Finally had to stop denying the obvious: It's time to take a small break from running and let my right adductor magnus muscle heal. Yesterday, I had an ultrasound & electrical stim treatment done on it and will have 2 more treatments next week. I rode my bike today instead of running with our group and carried some of their water. At least I didn't have to sit home and wait for them to return.

The morning was spectacular - definitely one of the finest we've had! Everyone stayed for breakfast afterwards so it was a fun morning.

Hoping I'll be back in action soon.

Shamrock 8k Race - Virginia Beach

2009-03-29T16:25:00.004-06:00

I had originally planned to run the half marathon in Virginia Beach for the 3rd time but didn't get signed up before the race closed. So I ran the 8k instead since I was already planning to be in the area for work.

The race started and ended right at the Hilton which was where I was staying. It sure doesn't get any better than that! The morning was cool and sunny with a nice breeze blowing in off the ocean. Many people were pretty bundled up but this was perfect running temps for me.

The course is pancake flat and the elevation profile tickles me:

I was slower than I'd hoped but until I can shed some unwanted pounds, that's the way it is going to be. My finish time was 47:01 or a 9:27 per mile pace. The post-race party was fun. This event is the only time I ever drink beer and eat Irish Stew at 9 in the morning. Wish I had more photos but here's the website if you are interested: http://www.shamrockmarathon.com/

Frame of Mind

2009-02-22T07:09:00.005-07:00

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I can sure dig myself into a pit of misery during a run. President’s Day was a day off work for me so I went to Riverfront Park for a run. Initially, I felt excited to be outside on a nice morning but as the run began to unfold the mental storm clouds rolled into my mind like it was twister season in Kansas. I began to perseverate over every little physical discomfort; this negative internal monologue was making the run feel more difficult than necessary.

So I slogged through the first 3 miles not feeling very good mentally or physically and I wondered if I was being self-abusing or building character. I really wanted to cut the run short and call it a day. But then I came across some red silk rose petals sprinkled along the gravel trail. I suspected they were remnants from someone’s Valentine's Day surprise. The pretty red petals were a nice contrast against the blah winter colors of Riverfront and I was intrigued. There were several petals in one area and they spread over the trail as if to lead the intended person towards something delightful. I willingly abandoned the negative thoughts that had been circling relentlessly in my mind as I pondered the story of the petals. A couple of times I thought I had lost the trail and then I'd see another one or two petals a little further ahead.

They eventually disappeared and I never did figure out their purpose. However, I was captivated by thoughts of the petals and grateful for the distraction from my negative thoughts. Who left the trail of petals and what kind of Valentine surprise lay in store for the person following the trail? Perhaps a blanket in the trees with an array of wine, cheese and other delights.

Whatever the intended purpose, the mystery of the petals was a welcome distraction from my negative thoughts and helped make my remaining couple of miles more enjoyable.

Yellowstone Park XC ski trip

2009-02-16T13:20:00.008-07:00

Yellowstone Park XC Ski Trip
Feb 7 & 8, 2009

My running club sponsors a xc ski trip to Yellowstone National Park every year. We stay in Gardiner, MT which is the north entrance of YNP. Saturday morning we drove the 5 miles to Mammoth Hot Springs and caught the 8:30 a.m. snow coach. There were 9 of us on this shuttle – 1 man and 8 women. Normally, we fill the early shuttle with 15 but some people cancelled this year. The plan was to ski the lower part of the Bunsen Peak trail and connect with the Sheepeater trail. We’d have lunch at the warming hut and then ski some more on the trails around there.

Unfortunately, the driver misunderstood our instructions and he drove right past our Bunsen Peak drop off point. We pounded on the glass when we realized his mistake but he was totally oblivious to the screaming women in the back. He opened the hatch expecting to see a bunch of excited skiers but instead found a bunch of sad faces. He felt really bad. The snow coach ride is my least favorite part of the trip. It has a cab with seating for 5 and pulls another unit behind which probably holds 10, which was where we were. The windows fog and frost terribly so you can barely see the scenery and there is no communication with the driver. The ride is very bumpy with everyone bouncing around inside. You can also smell the exhaust. I feel sorry for anyone with motion sickness or claustrophobia because you can’t even crack a window to get fresh air. You just have to laugh and make the best of it and get cozy with your neighbor as you bounce around. We lost about 45 minutes or so of time due to the miscommunication. When we arrived at the proper drop off point, we decided to mess with the driver a little. He opened the hatch and saw our sad faces so figured he once again took us to the wrong spot. We let him suffer a minute and then burst out laughing. He was so relieved.

The weather was superb and sunny with the morning temp a calm 20 degrees; the snow was perfect. Last year we had horizontally blowing snow and that can make navigation difficult. I get lost in a hotel so I would never ski this route unless I was with people who had done it many times before. The trail is marked with little orange markers in the trees but they can be very difficult to see especially if it is snowing. And there never seems to be enough of markers either. Since we were on the earliest shuttle, we might not have the advantage of having any tracks to follow. I would be skiing with 6 other women and they were all experienced xc skiers. They knew the route so I was not concerned.

The trail itself is basically flat and mostly easy skiing but I could tell my breathing felt labored with the over 7,000 foot elevation. There are few places where you have to side step or herringbone up hills and there are some interesting obstacles along the way like fallen trees, rocks, and stumps. The bison stayed out of the way so that was good. If they decide to stand in your path there’s not a darn thing you can do about it except make a very wide circle around them. One year, one of our club members was chased by a bison and that’s not a good position to be in.

This photo was taken right after we were dropped off by the coach and looking towards the direction we would be skiing.

This is the elevation profile from the trail head and includes the 2 mile loop we did around the warming hut. Don't let the graph fool you it is mostly flat:

Everyone started out overdressed and by one mile we started stripping. It’s hard to judge what to wear because the weather can be so different at the drop off point than it is at the Mammoth hotel where we catch the snow coach. No one had any major problems on the trail other than a few falls here and there. This year it was much easier to get up after falling because there wasn’t nearly the amount of powder as last year. I still feel a tad tentative on the skis after being injured last summer but survived a couple of minor falls just fine. After lunch we did a loop around the warming hut trails before heading back on the snow coach to soak in the Boiling River. We ended up with about 7 to 7.5 miles for the day which was a little short of our goal of 10 miles. Both of my Garmin charts are a little off on mileage because I can't seem to remember to start the darn thing.

Break time at the warming hut:

The Boiling River is probably the only place you can legally soak in the thermal waters of YNP and it’s part of the tradition for this ski trip. The thermal water rushes over the rocks and mingles with the icy water of the Gardner River. The water temp is perfect but you have to keep moving around to find the sweet spots. Getting out is interesting. There are no changing areas and it is too cold to wear a wet suit for the hike back to the car. So you pretty much just have to drop your swimsuit, quickly throw on dry clothes, and hope no one minded seeing your naked body through the steam. Skinny dipping and alcohol are both prohibited and enforced. We saw a ranger bust a couple of college-aged kids for having beer. That seems a bit severe to me but it is clearly posted. That night our club had a potluck dinner and then several of us played ping pong in the motel game room, which was a hoot. I can still play a mean game of ping pong – even left handed.

Sunday we ate breakfast with the group and then split up to do our own thing. Three of us went the short distance to Jardine, MT for more skiing. Jardine is an old western gold mining town near Gardiner but it is basically a ghost town now. We skied about 5.5 out-and-back miles on a forest service road which had nice ski tracks for the majority of the way. The first part of the route was a comfortable climb of nearly 500’ and we enjoyed beautiful views between the trees along the way. Again, the snow and temperature was perfect. We stopped several times to take photos and talk to other skiers. The trip down felt effortless.

I’m really happy with how my knee felt on this trip and the IT band caused no trouble. My only problems were a couple of minor blisters in odd places.

Jardine Elevation Profile. I forgot to start my Garmin so it’s a little off but this was about a 500' elevation gain so a nice, steady climb.

Electric Peak, elevation 10,969’. This is the 8th highest summit in YNP but the highest point in the Gallatin Range.

The trip down – our reward for the climb.

A kindly skier offered to take our photo.

2009-02-09T20:36:00.003-07:00

I'm getting a little behind in my blogging so will try to catch up with a couple of fun trips I recently enjoyed.

The first was a trip to Phoenix and Vegas January 15 - 22. We stayed with friends in Phoenix and ran the Rock N Roll half marathon while there. The weather was outstanding and we enjoyed the run with 28,000 of our closest friends.

There was a band about every 1/2 mile on the course, cheering squads, and a few guys dressed like Elvis. We felt like rock stars as we ran past all the cheering crowds into the ASU finish area.

After that it was on to Vegas for 3 nights at Treasure Island. We saw the Cirque du Soleil Beatles Love show and also went to Improv Night at Harrahs. Vegas was pretty dead thanks to the recession but we still had a lovely time.

Training progress

2008-12-16T21:25:00.003-07:00

I knew there was a reason why I've never done a half marathon in January before: It's effin' hard to train for one during the busy holiday season. Plus, our frigid blast of actic weather hasn't helped much either. I'm plugging along trying to do what I can do. We ran 9 miles last Friday and will do 8 to 10 this Saturday (HOPEFULLY!). I'm trying to get pumped up for it. Maybe the promise of mochas and scones will do the trick...

I'm missing my good running friend who is now wintering in Arizona. But I'll be seeing her soon enough. First stop Phoenix, then onwards to Viva Las Vegas! I'm excited! We have both decided that we will not worry about our finish times in Phoenix. We simply haven't had enough time to train properly since coming back from our injuries.

I started working with a personal trainer a few weeks ago and he is kicking my ass. Clearly, I have been wasting my time in the gym for the last couple of years. I can tell he is testing my level of fitness and strength at these sessions. He works me hard and makes me sweat in ways I won't make myself. Then he checks with me to see how I am feeling so he can figure out if we overdid it or not. I'm developing quite the love/hate relationship with him. Last week, we did too much leg work before my long run. I won't let that happen again.

So overall everything is going pretty well. The injury problems seem under control, which pleases me. I've got much work ahead of me but at least I am running again.

Gratitude

2008-12-03T14:00:00.001-07:00

I recently returned to running after nearly 3 months off. It is hard not to feel a little down about how much fitness I lost during this time of recovery (and about how much weight I gained). My current 3 mile pace is slower than my June half marathon pace. But the good news is that I am running again; I am up to 8 miles now and for that I am extremely grateful.

Through the years, I have come to realize that I am happiest when I feel gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life. Lately, it seems so many people are getting really sick that I am grateful for things I don’t have too. When I wasn’t able to run I felt as if I had lost a friend so I am grateful for any miles I run now. As always, the bad runs help us appreciate the good runs and not running at all helps us appreciate a return to running – even if it is at a slower pace.

Out of the fog

2008-11-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

The car door slammed shut and the woman walked easily over to the light pole, which she used as support to gently stretch her quadriceps. The man joined her and they discussed which direction they should go and wondered if they would need an extra layer. The early morning air temperature felt sharply brisk and a dense fog hung in the air waiting for the sun’s heat to burn it off.

They started with a brief walk and then fell into a gentle side-by-side jog. The narrow running path consisted of small gravel layered over packed dirt bordered by unkempt grass and weeds. The woman bounced along next to the man and they settled on what pace they would run today.

Into the fog they ran and as they approached the lake the woman noticed how the moisture in the cool air thickened and clung to her cheeks. They noticed several snowy white objects floating on the calm water. As they grew closer she could hear honking noises and realized the objects were swans floating in and out of the mist.

They jogged steadily through the trees, around the corner and over the wooden plank bridge that covered the marshy area. Their raggedy jog smoothed out and they found a comfortable rhythm. His breath puffed when he spoke a few words trying to initiate a conversation. Normally talkative, she answered briefly and withdrew contentedly back into her own mind.

The woman concentrated on her breath as she listened to the sounds of their synchronized footfalls. Her mind roamed through her body assessing how different body parts were feeling. Her legs felt springy and she experimented with increasing her stride length and leg turnover but not so much as to compromise her relaxed breathing patterns. They mostly ran silently yet keenly aware of the other. Their elbows bumped, he apologized, and they re-negotiated their space on the narrow trail. As her muscles warmed she increased the pace slightly. He fell behind but then surged to return to her side.

She could hear his steady breathing and it became her breathing. They ran as one unit sharing space, sharing breaths, sharing thoughts. Her heart pumped strongly and the blood flowed from her, circulated into him, and then returned to her. She felt great gratitude. In her mind she told him things she’d always meant to say but hadn’t gotten around to actually saying. Yet somehow she knew that on that day in the foggy mist, he understood what was in her mind and her heart because they ran as one.

Training Begins

2008-11-04T18:43:00.004-07:00

I feel incredibly energized partly because I have a new goal: The PF Chang RockNRoll half marathon.

I'm excited about this trip as I'll be splitting my time between Phoenix and Vegas. However, I am worried about pushing so hard after recovering from an injury so I will keep my goals modest: avoid injury, enjoy the course and have a fun trip. If all goes well, I will be in excellent condition for the Virginia Beach Shamrock HM in March. I might even consider doing the full.

Now I need to develop a training plan that will get me from injury to half marathon condition in about 10 weeks. So much to do, so little time.

Yoga Nidra

2008-10-14T22:37:00.003-06:00

I have been quite interested in yoga during the last two or three years. My favorite classes have always been those that were vigorous and strength-building. It’s amazing how you can work up a good sweat even though you don’t look like you are doing much. Lately, I have been exploring classes of a more therapeutic nature. The deep, long-held stretches of yin yoga have really helped my hip/sciatic problem. This week, I attended my first yoga nidra class which translates into “yogic sleep.” Seems like I can never get enough sleep so that sounded like the perfect class to try.

I arrived at class with an open mind, unfurled my mat, and gathered a couple of blankets and a bolster. The room filled with more people than I’ve seen in the other classes. We lined up in two rows with our mats about 18” apart. I fought back the feeling of claustrophobia; I’m not used to sleeping so close to complete strangers. Everyone settled and the instructor explained the class format.

She made it clear that while some people may fall asleep during the class, traditional sleep was not the goal. She would guide us in meditation which would help us fall into a conscious sleep-like state. We lay down in the corpse pose position, covered with blankets and listened as she began the meditation. Within probably the first 5 minutes I had fallen asleep but awoke when I heard her saying, “Do not fall asleep.” Oops! I believe I stayed awake for the remainder of the hour in a dreamy relaxed state of consciousness.

A couple of nearby people snored softly and I started to wish I had a pillow because the folded up blanket beneath the back of my head was feeling rather cement-like. I had no idea how much time had passed and my ability to lay so utterly and completely still without fidgeting surprised me. Without giving away all the secrets, when the instructor brought us out of our nidra I was astonished an hour had already passed. I found the experience to be a good one and will definitely attend another yoga nidra.

Snow angels

2008-10-12T11:49:00.003-06:00

Winter landed early and I couldn't wait to get outside and play. At 7 a.m. I started bugging my husband to get the skis out of the rafters in the garage so I could ski around the neighborhood while the snow was still fresh and nice. I glided for about 90 minutes in car tracks and then took a jaunt into the field. But the knee-deep snow made gliding too hard. Afterwards, I had more fun knocking the snow out of our trees and those of our neighbors to help keep the limbs from breaking and also did a little shoveling. I think we've seen the worst of this storm but to be honest, I'd love to get snowed in for a few days! :)

Weatherman Draw

2008-09-30T17:07:00.014-06:00

We joined some running club friends on a hike to view American Indian pictographs in south-central Montana near the Wyoming border. The weather turned out to be perfect and while our group was small, we were big in enthusiasm.

The area was typical of the high plains of Montana: dusty and rocky with lots of scrub vegetation. The panoramic views provided a nice backdrop to imagine the Indians of yesteryear riding across the prairie on horseback. An occasional wispy white cloud drifted lazily overhead but the sky was mostly unmarred and the most spectacular shade of blue. Looking out for miles and miles in any direction gives one the feeling they can almost see into both the past and the future. The innumerable sage and short evergreen shrubs provided an aromatic sensory experience. Small purple and yellow wildflowers dotted our way as we walked along. Despite our diligent avoidance, the prickly pear cactus and cheat grass annoyingly invaded our footware and socks as we tromped our way up the trail.

We headed towards the little valley that supposedly has the largest collection of Native American rock art on the continent with some dating back to over 1,000 years. The area is also known as the "Valley of the Shields or the "Valley of the Chiefs." Several years ago, a controversy erupted when Phil Anschutz, a billionaire businessman, wanted to drill for oil on the land. Through the coordinated efforts of several tribes and non-profit organizations, this sacred area has been spared that fate.

We did not find all of the pictographs but did find several. While they are still quite visible, they will eventually erode through the effects of time and elements. We wondered why they chose the canvases they did. Each sandstone surface appeared to be carefully prepared before the paint was applied. The sandstone texture was different beneath the art; it was if the surface had been sanded and smoothed.

The art we saw depicted shields with heads and sometimes tails and the photos do not do justice.

We took our time searching the area for more art. We crawled over bolders and squeezed between massive sheets of rock while always being alert for rattlesnakes. The wildlife actually seemed rather sparse; a bunny here, a hawk there, and a few snake skins. There was lots of scat so we knew larger animals were in the area. Skeletal remains in various conditions were common. One small scull appeared to be completely intact and we guessed it to be of a rabbit. This was a day of wonder and awe and gave us all an appreciation of all things great and small. With childlike curiosity we took turns examining the little scull and opened and closed its jaw trying to align the tiny teeth. What happened to the poor little thing?

No one in our party was in any hurry to leave this special place and we looked for every excuse to delay our departure. We found massive bolders to sit on while we dined on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and plums freshly picked from someone's garden. Together we marvelled at the natural beauty of the area and grew closer as friends through this shared experience.

Disconnect the brakes

2008-09-16T22:01:00.003-06:00

After a recent 2 hour bike ride that proved to be rather difficult, I realized my front brake was pressing against the rim of the bike tire. Not knowing how to properly fix this, I decided to disconnect the brake and oh, what a difference that made.

Today, I rode with wild abandon. It was as if the wind were constantly at my back and the out-and-back course downhill in both directions. The day was a beaut -- one of those last minute summer surges before fall really sets in. The sky was cloudless, the blue endless, and the temp deliciously warm and inviting. The Sunshine Store was open for business and I was determined to make the best of an afternoon off.

I left my house without a plan or a purpose other than to enjoy the feel of the sun on my bare back and shoulders. With child-like delight, I pedaled my bike down the concrete bike trail to the river about as fast as my strong legs would allow. Giant grasshoppers -- dead and alive --littered the concrete trail. While riding through Coulson Park, one locust took flight and flew along next to me for what seemed like an amazingly long time.

Simple things make me happy like the sun warming my skin and the wind blowing in my hair as I propel my body through space. Funny how much difference an overly tight brake can make. I couldn't help but wonder what other "brakes" in my life are creating problems. What else can I disconnect to make the pedaling easier and the ride more care-free?

I look forward to exploring new areas in my life in which I can disconnect the brakes in the hopes of moving forward more easily and unencumbered.

Patience

2008-07-26T13:44:00.005-06:00

So the running isn't going too well thanks to this sciatic/S.I. issue plus my left leg/knee bone is still sore 5 weeks after my fall during my Bighorn trail run. Hubby thinks I need an xray and I'm wondering if he may be correct. There is some improvement but overall a significant amount of tenderness remains. I'm trying to view this period of downtime as an opportunity to explore other interests and to catch up on some things I've been meaning to do.

You may wonder how that's working out for me. Well, honestly, not too well. I've been doing a fair amount of biking but it's just not the same. I miss going on long runs with friends and the satisified and exhilarted feeling you get afterwards.

I keep reminding myself to be patient; this is a good time to back off for a while. Patience... patience...

PATIENCE

If thou speakest not I will fill my heart with thy silence and endure it.
I will keep still and wait like the night with starry vigil
and its head bent low with patience.
The morning will surely come, the darkness will vanish,
and thy voice pour down in golden streams breaking through the sky.

~RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Let it snow!

2008-07-16T08:25:00.002-06:00

I had an interesting yoga class last night. After a month or so off, I'm trying to get back into shape and regain the strength I lost. I arrived at the 7:00 class and the room was already warm. I changed clothes and swiped on a little deodorant - a free sample of some untested brand that I'd tossed in my gym bag. I unfurled my mat between 2 people: Valentina from Russia who is so flexible she could be her own circus act and a new guy who has a shaved head and a very fit looking body AND the longest mat I have ever seen. I commented on the size of his mat in my best imitation of Little Red Riding Hood, "Myyyyyy, what a long, black mat you have!"

Shaved Head Guy is doing a little warm up. Actually, what he is doing strikes me as showing off because he is doing all kinds of tricky yoga stuff that is great for impressing friends at parties and that I cannot do . So the teacher arrives and asks the new guy what kind of yoga experience he has. "OH, I used to do a lot of ashtanga but it's been a few years." Great, that means Jeff is going to ratchet the class up a bit to accommodate this guy and I'm really not up to that.

We start our practice and our body temps quickly rise with our exertion. The new guy's shaved head is covered in beads of sweat and his shirt is soaked. I'm having my own struggles trying to keep up with all the sun salutations. Plus the smell of this new deodorant is really starting to gag me. The more I sweat, the more it seems to engage and I begin to fear that everyone is smelling it. I glance at Shaved Head's mat and notice it is covered with mini sweat puddles. I look at my own yoga mat and notice there are tiny white deodorant balls all over it. I'm snowing deodorant balls from my arm pits. I think I'd rather have sweat puddles than deodorant snow.

I quivered and wobbled my way through the class and I have to say it feels DAMN good to be back in yoga again -- deodorant snow balls and all.

Decisions....decisions....

2008-07-11T13:51:00.004-06:00

For the last few months I have agonized over whether or not I should sign up for the Portland Marathon. Initially, it seemed like a good idea because a good running friend was going to make that her first marathon and we could've trained together. Plus, I love Portland and would enjoy another trip there. Initially, I wasn't sure I could get through an entire marathon but after finishing the Bighorn, I decided I could do it. There were lots of good reasons to make Portland my first yet I still struggled.

Finally, I decided that if the decision is this hard then maybe it isn't the right thing for me to do. My heart simply isn't into training for a marathon. There are too many other ways I want to spend my time other than running. Maybe I will feel differently in the future but for right now this is the right decision. Besides, the half marathon really is the perfect distance.

Non-Stop Thrill Rides

2008-07-03T13:35:00.007-06:00

It's official: I've done the Bighorn.

I had to find out why this course seductively entices our local runners to its trails each year. What makes it so special? Could I do it and would I enjoy the adventure? I went in search of Epic.

Miles 1 - 7: Like riding a new roller coaster for the first time, the climb upward heightened my anticipation for the thrill the downhill would bring. The first climb trudged from 7300' to 8000' and then dropped back down to about 7300. Then back up to 8100' before the next really long downhill segment. The trail ranged from decent jeep trails to single-track with a variety of large, embedded rocks or loose rocks. The Mile 5 aid station supplied runners with a bountiful smorgasboard of boiled shrimp, fresh fruit, Heed, gels, chips, crackers, etc.

I quickly found out that none of my training prepared me for the difficulty of the single-track trail. All of my long runs had been on the dirt and rock trails along the Rim Rocks but did not come close to simulating the difficult footing and steep downhills. I had to stay mentally focused the entire time or risk tripping. Letting my mind meander like I normally do on long runs was not an option and I became mentally and physically tired. I felt unbalanced and rather out-of-control. The course loses over 5,000' in elevation. How does someone prepare for that on a local level? I envied the good trail runners who floated over the rocks and down the hills effortlessly.

Mile 8: My toe finally caught a rock and I went down on hands and knees in the loose rock. It was jarring but overall I looked pretty good with just some minor trail rash on my left leg, a skinned knee, and a quickly bruising left palm.

Mile 10: I stopped to have my blistering feet taped by a handsome young man at the aid station. I was slightly horrified to have someone so precious tending to my dirty, sweaty, and blistered feet but he didn't seem to mind. What an angel.

Mile 12.5: We had lost significant elevation and the temps were become brutally hot with very little air circulation in the canyon. I was over-heating and the sound of the Tongue River rushing with the winter run off could be heard and seen in the valley just below the trail. What a cruel joke that was -- all I wanted to do was take my shoes off and cool my feet in the frigid water.

I felt seriously light-headed at this point and some running friends wisely encouraged me to take some Heed and Endurolyte capsules at this aid station. I also ate some watermelon and orange slices. Volunteers soaked us with cool water. I walked a while and began to feel better.

Mile 15: I felt pretty whiny until I came across a woman who was finishing the 100 mile route. She was barely putting one foot in front of the other so I slowed to walk with her a bit to help encourage her. She was at about Mile 97 and really hating life. She told me about her night alone on the trail and how she had been really afraid of bears. We talked about what motivates her to run the ultra distances.

A little boy with a garden hose thoroughly soaked us both at this aid station while his mother ran to fetch me a popsicle. I drank more Heed. The ultra woman and I parted ways and I didn't see her again until the finish. She shaved 3 hours off her last year's time.

So it wasn't pretty but I finished my mere 18 miles and found my husband who was nervously waiting at the finish line. My finish time was 30 - 45 minutes slower than I'd hoped but I lost significant time in the aid stations. "Never Again," I said. "That was the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life!" A male running friend smiled at me and said, "Well, now you've done THE BIGHORN."

That's been nearly 2 weeks ago and I find the pain has been replaced with a real sense of accomplishment and pride. I can already hear the seductive Bighorn sirens crying and calling to me. I will go back next year.

My GPS lost some mileage on the course but here's the overall profile.

Ready for the Bighorn 30k Trail Run

2008-06-18T22:19:00.004-06:00

I am ready.

I’ve given myself a manicure and a pedicure and have my race stuff mostly packed. Would I look silly carrying a purse on the trail because I’m not sure this is all going to fit in my fuel belt and Race Ready shorts?

4 gels
Gloves
Extra socks
Bandaids
Moleskin
Chapstick
Sunscreen (sample sized)
Tissue paper
Dirty Girl Gaiters
Endurolyte capsules
Ibuprofen
Tampons (super sized)
Chewing gum
Garmin
Ipod Shuffle (for the final couple of hard miles)
Sunglasses
Cellphone (for taking pictures or calling 911 as needed)
Hat or visor? (Game Day decision)
Jacket – will leave in the drop bag
Pull on pants – will leave in the drop bag

Pickles, Onions, on a sesame seed bun.

Hoping I won't attract any bears on the trail

PR's and Blood Blisters

2008-06-11T20:08:00.003-06:00

My Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Half Marathon went well. I logged my new fastest time (2:05:20) and got 2 nice blood blisters for my efforts. The course through the Black Hills of South Dakota is incredibly scenic with every turn offering another delight. The first handful of miles is run through the trees on a nice, easy downhill grade. Then all of a sudden you turn a corner and the trees part to reveal a lovely green valley. From there we were in and out of trees, followed along a stream, crossed several wooden bridges, and finally finished in quaint downtown Deadwood. Then the fun part of cheering friends as they finished their own races. It was a good day. Now on to the Bighorn 30km trail run!

Thinking of Deadwood

2008-05-28T17:32:00.003-06:00

My Deadwood half marathon is quickly approaching but lately I've been thinking more about riding the Mickelson Trail on a bike than running it. The George S Mickelson Trail is 110 miles in length and goes from Deadwood to Edgemont. It was built along the old BN rail route and traverses the Black Hills region linking several of the Black Hills mountain communities. The path is crushed limestone and the trail offers spectacular views along the route. I would enjoy taking several days to ride the trail stopping along the way to enjoy the mountain towns.

Something to think about at least....

Snakes on a Trail

2008-05-20T21:07:00.003-06:00

No, it's not a movie sequel but a running hazard this time of year. Last Saturday, Jim, Vince, and I came across snakes in the middle of our path on two separate occasions during the course of a 15.5 mile run. The second time it happened to be 2 snakes who appeared to be mating. I felt like I was in the middle of a Discovery Channel show and of course we had to stop, watch, and take a photo with my cell phone. The men thought they were probably bull snakes. I suppose it'll be Tick Week for our run next Saturday.

We seemed to do a lot of stopping and going on that particular run and I really had to crack the whip on those guys as the temperature was quickly rising. By the time we finished it was a blazing 80 degrees and we were sure hot, tired, and dusty from the trail running. But that didn't stop us from going into City Brew at the end of the run for cold drinks and treats.

Snakes on a Trail:

Mother's Day Weekend

2008-05-11T13:22:00.004-06:00

What a fabulous weekend I am having. My 5 mile race went very well yesterday and my finish time was 45:24. I got to meet Lisa Rainsberger at the packet pickup and then spend some time with her at a dinner party last night. Lisa is the last U.S. female to win the Boston Marathon. She's very down to earth and cool and her 6 year old son, Ian, is adorable.

We joined 4 others on a long run this morning. Everyone else stopped at 12 miles but I continued on home which gave me 15.5. I was getting pretty hot and tired but it went reasonably well. I remember a few months ago when my first 15 miler was absolutely miserable. While it's still not easier, it's definitely easier than the first time.

My hip has been feeling a tad better but I'm still being careful to ice and stretch. The chiropractor said my vertebrae look good but that my hips are a little unlevel which is probably causing my problem -- along with some piriformis or sacroiliac issues contributing.

Here's a photo of Lisa and myself at the packet pickup.

Chiropractors and Black Magic?

2008-05-05T17:58:00.002-06:00

Today was my first visit to a chiropractor and I left feeling disappointed and skeptical. Why, you ask? Because he didn't DO anything to me except take a few xrays of my low back region and do some other black magic to check my electrical force or nervous system or some such thing.

I told him what I thought my problem was and all he could say was something like, "Are you in the medical profession because I don't normally have patients who use that kind of terminology."

Next appointment is Wednesday but I'm not getting my hopes up.

New Trail Shoes

2008-05-03T16:28:00.003-06:00

Cut back week.

My new Brooks trail shoes got a test run of 11.5 miles today and it went well. They really make a difference on the varying trail conditions. Although, I did get a small blister in an odd spot -- on the side of 3rd toe -- so will need to remember to apply some Glide next time. But I think that was more caused by the very uneven trail than the shoes.

I ran with a friend from the running club and we had to scramble over many BIG rocks to keep to the trail. In some places we were very close to the edge of a cliff and that made me a bit nervous considering the footing. At one point, I wished I would've brought my cell phone in case of someone slipping. Next time I will take it with me for sure.

But we made it through the 8-ish mile trail portion fine. I did catch a toe on either a rock or a root and nearly went down but managed to keep my feet beneath me. The balance work I do in yoga definitely helps me with trail running balance and ankle strength.

I am feeling more and more confident about my upcoming 30k trail run. :)

Chiropractor appointment on Monday to see about my left hip/sciatic problem.

Aches and Pains

2008-05-01T13:52:00.002-06:00

I seem to have a few little aches but nothing major. I hate complaining about physical problems.

My latest issue seems possibly related to piriformis or maybe an SI joint causing some irritation to the sciatic nerve on my left side. On the pain scale, it's very low. In fact, it really isn't painful but more of an uncomfortable burning sensation that seems to fade in and out on the left side of my low back and thigh area, depending on my body position. I made an appointment with a chiropractor in hopes of nipping this in the bud asap.

I am also still having some issues with my left hamstring. I think I may have some small tears at the insertion point so have backed off of yoga for a bit for fear of causing more harm. And then there's my left knee. Sometimes I get a sharp pain at the top of my knee cap when climbing stairs or running up hill.

Interesting how all my problems are on the left side -- something must be out of whack.

Tomorrow is my long run of 11 or 12 miles and I've been trying to find someone to run with. Hoping it goes as well as last week's 15.

Now that wasn't so bad

2008-04-26T14:05:00.006-06:00

All that worry for nothing...

I ended up with 15.1 miles and it wasn't so bad afterall -- although my feet were getting rather tender. I ran with a friend on rim trails for the first half and then ran myself home with my music for the last half. The trail section was beautiful and she showed me a great new trail that I didn't know about. The hills were pretty small but the uneven footing was good practice for the Bighorn 30k that is right around the corner. I had a few hints of cramps in my right foot and left hamstring so will probably pick up some e-caps or something on that order.

Long Run Jitters

2008-04-24T08:45:00.002-06:00

This Saturday my plan is to run 15 miles. The last time I ran 15 miles, I felt pretty miserable. Hubby and I meandered aimlessly around trying to get the miles in and it was terribly draining both mentally and physically. I suffered from serious negative self talk from about mile 2 onward.

So I'm trying to learn from those mistakes for this 15 miler. First, I need to figure out a suitable course. Point-to-points are much more interesting so I think I will drive myself to a point 15 miles from home and then I won't have a choice but to finish the run. No circling back early to find my car or to call it quits. I'll be locked in for the duration.

Second, I would really like to have some company on all or at least part of this run. Unfortunately, neither of my weekend running friends are available this Sat. and my husband may be preoccupied with some home remodeling. Looks like it could be me, myself, and my tunes for the entire run. That makes me very nervous.

Long Run Day

2008-04-20T09:50:00.002-06:00

I'm trying to build mileage for a half marathon in Deadwood, SD and a 30 km trail event in Wyoming two weeks later. My goal is to get to 18 miles before Deadwood on June 8. I have never run more than 15 miles so this will be interesting.

Yesterday, I met my friend, Jen, and we did some jockeying of cars to run a point-to-point course. She only wanted to run 10 and my plan was for 13 so I ran 2 before we met and then a mile on my own afterwards. We started with 3 miles of single track trail with some baby hills and then ventured out on the asphalt. It went pretty well and we ended at City Brew where we had coffee and breakfast. We definitely need to do more trail work and more hills before Wyoming.

I've been doing some thinking about the Portland Marathon in October. Jen is already registered and now another friend is considering it. The pressure is on me to decide. Hubby is supportive and thinks I should just go for it. Honestly, I just don't know if I can get through 26.2 miles.

Fainting spells and cardiologists

2008-04-18T07:19:00.004-06:00

Last week after a terrific medium long run with a friend, I went directly to a running club meeting and passed out cold when I stood up afterwards, hitting my head pretty hard on a concrete floor. Many friends encouraged me to get a physical so I relented. In retrospect, I knew where I went wrong that day and my primary care physician agreed that it was probably due to low blood pressure, poor fueling and hydration, and lack of cool down. However, he recommended an echocardiogram stress test thingy because, "afterall, you ARE 46 and deserve one."

I went to the cardiologist and sat nervously in the waiting room with 6 people who must've been in their 80's. I am too young and healthy to be here. My name was called and the test was performed. I was able to see my heart pumping on the ultrasound machine so that was cool. I lasted almost 16 minutes with an 18% grade. Results: My heart is fine. I have low blood pressure that gets even lower with exercise instead of raising like many people's. Poor fueling and hydration exacerbates this so I really need to be more careful with fueling, hydration, and cool down.

So if you see me passed out cold somewhere, please elevate my feet.

My new blog

2008-04-17T21:54:00.001-06:00

I created this blog today with the idea of giving the technology a try and to see if I would enjoy writing in a digital diary.