My Road to Success

Ran a fast 5K to get some good speed before the race.  Going to take it easy the rest of the week.  Maybe a few strides included.

Ran with SRC to keep the legs fresh and get some last minute MP miles. Felt great and come Saturday I will be primed and ready to go.

Ran miles 16, 17, and part of 18 of the UVM course to get it in to my mind. It is the last of the bigger hills on the course. Felt very nice. Went nice and easy and now am all prepped for the race.  Feeling good and getting excited.

Some days you have it, and some days you don't. Today was one of those days I just didn't have it. At mile 3 I could tell it was going to be a tough run. I felt ok, but my legs were heavy and I just wasn't feeling it. I had the goals that I wanted to hit and was doing really well. I reached the half way right on time at 1:27. It all fell apart from then on. I felt ok for a few miles then I started to feel the blisters and the cramps. The last few miles any time I tried to go faster than an 8:30 I would start to seize up and cramp in both legs. It was very discouraging. Curtis Eppley ran the last couple miles with me encouraging me the whole time, and I was grateful for that. It was not what I wanted but I did finish at a 3:12:10. 82nd overall and 14th in my division.

I just couldn't handle not running any longer.  I felt good so I decided to go out for a run and loosen up the muscles. It was a nice run. I am really going to make sure I won't have any excuses on my next marathon. I want to spend a lot of time running trails, while doing all my speed work on the road. I ran up slate canyon and along the BST over to the Y. and then down and back to my place. It was nice to get some climbing in and get the heart rate up while still taking it easy. The legs felt good. ave pace was an 8:15. Time to start building.

Got some good trail miles in today.  Ran the 051 trail with a good group.  Had a friend do his first trail run as well and it was a little much for him.  I hung back with him so he wouldn't get lost so it was much slower than I wanted. I was proud of my friend though.  He did awesome.  Got back to the car and did a little more with Eric. We went straight up the mountain till my stomach couldn't handle it any more. I had to run back down and hope that nothing came out.  It was a good run and the legs felt great.

I had some friends running the AF half so I decided I would run with them for a bit. I started at the finish line and ran up to the aid station at the mouth of the canyon. As I was getting close I saw the first runners come through. I saw Scott, who looked real good flying down the course, and I saw all the others cruising down.  I ran a short distance with Tristram Jones and he was cruising as well. I went back up and then ran back down with my friend and his son. Kevin, my friend, is a 2 -time cancer survivor and was running for that purpose. He brother had recently passed away from cancer as well.  It was an emotional run. They ran stellar. They finished in 1:47. I was so excited to see them and run with them. 

Ran with SRC doing hill repeats. Didn't want to go too hard because of the long run this week coming up (Ragnar). It was a HOT day too. Ran from the store over to riverwoods and then up Timpview. I don't think it was too smart to not bring any water either.  The first hill was ok, but then the second and third were very tough.  complete cotton mouth after the last one. We grabbed a drink from a house where we were and then ran back down. The effort was just what I wanted and even though it was hot it was a good run.

Ragnar Relay:

Leg 1 

I started out the 2013 Ragnar relay for team Running Chaos. What a fun experience to be the first runner. As with every race you have those who bust off the line and then fade when they turn the corner. It wasn't any different this race. We set off and I was right behind the guy who took off. We were moving. We turned the corner and ran up the street for a bit. When we turned to go up the hill the guy quickly faded and I was in the lead. It was nice, then out of no where some other guy comes up on the hill and takes off. I was impressed. I didn't want to head off too quick so I let him go. We jumped on to a trail on the mountain and we were cruising. It was so nice to be out running trails. I kept an eye on this other guy for a while and then as the downhill started I slowly pulled him in. As we came close to the first Van support section he and I were running together.  I didn't want to make a big deal out of who was winning or not so I just hung with him and we ran the rest of the way together. It was cool to run with him. We had 2 miles left and we came upon 2 little girls who were handing out gatorade for runners. They were so cool that we had to turn around and get some. We were so far ahead of the other runners that we didn't even see them there. Placido, the other runner, took pictures and we enjoyed the quick break. We cruised in to the exchange point and I had to finish first, so I took the lead.  It was a great first run. (7.7 miles, 6:52 pace)

Leg 13: 

The second leg I had was going to be a quick run. It was mostly downhill and was going to be fast.  I felt great. I got the handoff and we ran up the grass and rocks and hills at snow basin. As I got to the top I felt great and started the decent. I was cruising. I just let my body to the moving with as little effort as I could let happen. It was cool to see a few miles under 6 min. I finished up the leg with a faster time than my previous leg. (8.2 miles, 6:14 pace)

To end the day there was another runner who had an injury that prevented her from finishing up her long run. She had ran 5 miles of her 8.7 mile leg.  I was so ready and jumped out to finish things up for her.  It was a cool evening and starting to get dark. I spent a lot of time running with others who were struggling and offering encouragement to them. This is one reason why I love to run the ragnar. So many people run this and learn how much they aren't in shape. But they struggle through. They work so hard and accomplish things they never thought they could. Never underestimate the heart of a runner. (3.7 miles, 8:14 pace) 

Leg 25:

4:20 AM and cold. Set off wanting to take it easy.  Very little sleep takes a lot out of you. I just wanted to cruise and let my body tell me what to do. It was an easy run and I felt fine. I had more on than what I should have so I was warmer than needed. Finished strong. Was odd to see so few runners running at that time. (4.9 Miles, 7:20 pace)

Ragnar Hill:

I wasn't planning on running any more after my last run but I felt impressed to get out and run with the girls who were running the toughest hill on the course.  They were so determined to finish this run, they just needed the encouragement coming from someone the whole way instead of in the van while driving. I ran/walked with them and they pushed themselves to the limit. What a couple of driven women who have hearts as strong as lions. Both instances I let them start things out and then after a bit I jumped out and ran with them the rest of the way trying to help them as mush as I could by talking, teaching, and encouraging. I was more impressed this day than many other days and love to see someone give it their all.  They each conquered a huge feat today. (5.6 miles, 2800 feet in climbing).