Sunday, July 01, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Now that's a Happy Birthday!
T and i dropped M off at camp and then headed over to Big Bear Staging Area (BBSA). on the way there it occured to me that i still hadn't figured out my gear, food and fluid needs. i threw EVERYTHING in the back of my car but i had until we arrived at BBSA to decide what to take with me to the start. T dropped me off at Lone Oak around 9:45, so far i was on schedule.
not knowing how long i would be out there i brought my 40 oz camelbak pack, my big waist pack that carries (2) 20 oz. bottles along with way too much food. plus one hand held bottle. i looked like the rookie posterchild. the waistpack and handheld bottle should suffice for race day...i may of looked dorky but i wasn't taking any chances.
i walked most of the hills and and ran the flats and downhills for most of the way between Lone Oak and Sibley. once i got to Sibley i used the restroom, filled my water bottle and gu'ed. something black and dangly above my head startled the shit out of me, i literally yelped. i never figured out what it was. a little while later, i got stung or bitten by an unidentified bug. i think it was a mean fly cuz i didn't notice a stinger left behind.
i also lost my good sunglasses along this section:(
fortunately, "I" didn't get lost once. considering i forgot my maps, that was a confidence booster. i am questioning the Huckleberry section though, i may of got lost on that last time though because it seemed a bit shorter this time around. i just stayed on the Eastbay Ridge Trail until i got to Redwood. i was an hour ahead of schedule. i filled my water bottles and headed towards West Ridge.
i've run this section the most and while i'll never be fluent in French as in the "French Trail" i didn't get lost here either and found Chown easily. i saw a couple of men running. both probably in their 50's. the first guy was really working the uphill section as i was all rubbery legged and barely moving the opposite way.
once i got to Stream Trail i rested for awhile. 14 miles down 3 to go. i threw out my gatorade and refilled my bottles with water. the cold water tasted better than my warm gatorade which i had in abundance!
my new Garmin didn't skip a beat and read 16:59 miles in 4:59:27 by the time i reached Big Bear Staging Area. i kept it on the whole time so this includes all the rest breaks i took.
i also took quite a few pictures along the way. i'll share those when i get them developed probably after the weekend. i know i've said this before but this route is Gorgeous!
so as far as birthdays go this one was pretty great. after tossing and turning all night i was a bit nervous about going out today so far by myself but i was prepared...heh, more than prepared as far as supplies go. i need to get more trail time in as eveidenced by all that walking. but there's no denying that walk or run this was one hell of a workout.
not knowing how long i would be out there i brought my 40 oz camelbak pack, my big waist pack that carries (2) 20 oz. bottles along with way too much food. plus one hand held bottle. i looked like the rookie posterchild. the waistpack and handheld bottle should suffice for race day...i may of looked dorky but i wasn't taking any chances.
i walked most of the hills and and ran the flats and downhills for most of the way between Lone Oak and Sibley. once i got to Sibley i used the restroom, filled my water bottle and gu'ed. something black and dangly above my head startled the shit out of me, i literally yelped. i never figured out what it was. a little while later, i got stung or bitten by an unidentified bug. i think it was a mean fly cuz i didn't notice a stinger left behind.
i also lost my good sunglasses along this section:(
fortunately, "I" didn't get lost once. considering i forgot my maps, that was a confidence booster. i am questioning the Huckleberry section though, i may of got lost on that last time though because it seemed a bit shorter this time around. i just stayed on the Eastbay Ridge Trail until i got to Redwood. i was an hour ahead of schedule. i filled my water bottles and headed towards West Ridge.
i've run this section the most and while i'll never be fluent in French as in the "French Trail" i didn't get lost here either and found Chown easily. i saw a couple of men running. both probably in their 50's. the first guy was really working the uphill section as i was all rubbery legged and barely moving the opposite way.
once i got to Stream Trail i rested for awhile. 14 miles down 3 to go. i threw out my gatorade and refilled my bottles with water. the cold water tasted better than my warm gatorade which i had in abundance!
my new Garmin didn't skip a beat and read 16:59 miles in 4:59:27 by the time i reached Big Bear Staging Area. i kept it on the whole time so this includes all the rest breaks i took.
i also took quite a few pictures along the way. i'll share those when i get them developed probably after the weekend. i know i've said this before but this route is Gorgeous!
so as far as birthdays go this one was pretty great. after tossing and turning all night i was a bit nervous about going out today so far by myself but i was prepared...heh, more than prepared as far as supplies go. i need to get more trail time in as eveidenced by all that walking. but there's no denying that walk or run this was one hell of a workout.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Trail Time
despite getting in the miles the sad truth is i'm not spending enough time on trails. plain and simple fact is to prepare for a trail marathon you need to train on trails. all of my long runs have mostly taken place on the road. i'm slow on the road and even slower on the trails. still, there's a notable difference between road miles vs trail miles.
i didn't choose an easy 1st marathon. 26.2 trail miles is going to be tough and if i come in under 6 hours i'd be thrilled....i'd also be dreaming...under 8 hours is more likely...i wonder if there is a cut-off?... lucky for me the dick collins 50 miler is going on at the same time!
sunday i returned Tilden with a plan to head over to Sibley. i decided to give Galloway's run 7 minutes walk 1 minute approach a try. it felt awkward for quite awhile and it took me some time to settle into any kind of pace. sometimes depending on how far i got i would be walking flats and running hills. i wondered if the approach would work on such erratic terrain. i kept this up until Steam Train. (the 1st AS @ 3.6 mi)
upon entering sibley, walk breaks became more frequent and longer, so much that i abandon the whole notion of even trying to run. the hills are tough. the descents are too. this is a pretty technical section. i am not fast on these descents at all. and am reduced to carefully climbing down "steps" of heavy roots spreadout over a bed of sharp rocks jutting out of the ground.
following the tricky decent there's a good stretch of flat single track before you come to a bridge. this is the start of a good long steep hill with a last little climb right at the end before you arrive to the Sibley Volcanic Traihead(the 2nd AS @ 7.7 mi) i arrive in exactly 2 hours. about 30 mins. slower that when i ran more and walked hills only...but i felt considerably fresher. i rested for a good bit before heading back. more walking than running. it took me 2 hours to get back. last time it took 2.5 hrs to get back and i felt awful.
when i got to Lone Oak the first thing i noticed although i was tired i wasn't whooped. walking early and often seems to make a difference. same with fluids. lastime i did this run i was also on the brink of getting really sick. so i felt great this time in comparison.
i plan to do this again on wednesday starting from Lone Oak and ending at Big Bear Station. T will follow me to BBS to drop my car off and then take me to Lone Oak. i should be on the trail by 10 am and get to Big Bear in time to p/u M from camp (i've got till 6pm!)that gives me 7 hours to cover 17 miles.
i didn't choose an easy 1st marathon. 26.2 trail miles is going to be tough and if i come in under 6 hours i'd be thrilled....i'd also be dreaming...under 8 hours is more likely...i wonder if there is a cut-off?... lucky for me the dick collins 50 miler is going on at the same time!
sunday i returned Tilden with a plan to head over to Sibley. i decided to give Galloway's run 7 minutes walk 1 minute approach a try. it felt awkward for quite awhile and it took me some time to settle into any kind of pace. sometimes depending on how far i got i would be walking flats and running hills. i wondered if the approach would work on such erratic terrain. i kept this up until Steam Train. (the 1st AS @ 3.6 mi)
upon entering sibley, walk breaks became more frequent and longer, so much that i abandon the whole notion of even trying to run. the hills are tough. the descents are too. this is a pretty technical section. i am not fast on these descents at all. and am reduced to carefully climbing down "steps" of heavy roots spreadout over a bed of sharp rocks jutting out of the ground.
following the tricky decent there's a good stretch of flat single track before you come to a bridge. this is the start of a good long steep hill with a last little climb right at the end before you arrive to the Sibley Volcanic Traihead(the 2nd AS @ 7.7 mi) i arrive in exactly 2 hours. about 30 mins. slower that when i ran more and walked hills only...but i felt considerably fresher. i rested for a good bit before heading back. more walking than running. it took me 2 hours to get back. last time it took 2.5 hrs to get back and i felt awful.
when i got to Lone Oak the first thing i noticed although i was tired i wasn't whooped. walking early and often seems to make a difference. same with fluids. lastime i did this run i was also on the brink of getting really sick. so i felt great this time in comparison.
i plan to do this again on wednesday starting from Lone Oak and ending at Big Bear Station. T will follow me to BBS to drop my car off and then take me to Lone Oak. i should be on the trail by 10 am and get to Big Bear in time to p/u M from camp (i've got till 6pm!)that gives me 7 hours to cover 17 miles.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Stuff I'm Learning
running has opened up a whole new world for me. registering for the big race in october has inspired me, motivated me, and scared the crap out of me many many times . but something has changed. instead of freaking out and feeling overwhelmed (though i'm quite sure i'm not completely done with that!) i'm starting to learn a few things, i'm gaining experience, figuring out the right questions, and starting to trust myself more.
some of the best information i ever received regarding foot care was during a weekend backpacking trip with the girl scouts a few years back. it has helped me recognize the warning signs and keep any major problems at bay.
ultrarunner's know a thing or two about foot care and i'm always learning something new from them.
i'm no expert and everybody has to figure out what works best for them but over the past few months i've been making little changes here and there and as my mileage is going up i'm being hyper careful to not let the warning signs go unnoticed.
so far this seems to be working for me.
- keep toenails trimmed
--slather feet with vaseline...in between the toes too!
-carry a few first aide supplies, anti-biotic ointment and duct tape,
hydration has been an ongoing learning process for me. i'm coming to the realization that i can't rely on how i feel. in my various readings (i'd give credit where it's due, buttttt..don't recall) "drink a little allot" instead of a few gulps every 20 minutes or so i've been taking a small sip every 10 minutes.
i'm currently experimenting with socks. thinner socks are recommended for warmer weather but i've tended to go thick. today i'm taking my new shoes on a long run and will have to just see what happens with the lighter socks.
i had been experiencing pain on the top of my foot and determined that i was tieing my shoes too tight ...as evidenced in the ripped out eyelet of the Hurricanes! so i need to take time early on to lace up right and to STOP along the way to readjust as the foot expands.
it's not like i'm racing for time or place i can pullover take care of things and just be smart. i AM my crew and if i don't take care of myself who will?
i bought a pair of gators awhile back, there kinda lame and boring unlike the ones from DirtyGirlGaiters...these are khaki gators from REI and i haven't used them yet. i'm having to pullover and remove small rocks and debris more often as i go longer so today i'll use the REI gators and see how that goes.
nutrition is in need of attention. last night i ate pasta and this morning i ate oatmeal and a banana like i always do before a race...except i haven't been racing much just training so i've been slacking on the pre-race regime. i need to eat more like i'm racing early on and not just the week before. i can't seem to handle too much in the way of solids. i prefer Gu and go back and forth between plain water, gatorade and Gu20. i carry something salty and will munch on solids when i take walk breaks.
sunscreen is tricky. yesterday i ran without a hat and put sunscreen on my face....which was a drag because as i sweated the sunscreen got into my left eye which was annoyingly painful. i was sporting braids that looked funny under my hat.
can't i look good and be well protected. must it always be a compromise???....i know such a dork!
ok, time to hit the trails. lately my runs have felt like homework...in a good way...i sure wish i could get college credit ...wouldn't that be cool!
some of the best information i ever received regarding foot care was during a weekend backpacking trip with the girl scouts a few years back. it has helped me recognize the warning signs and keep any major problems at bay.
ultrarunner's know a thing or two about foot care and i'm always learning something new from them.
i'm no expert and everybody has to figure out what works best for them but over the past few months i've been making little changes here and there and as my mileage is going up i'm being hyper careful to not let the warning signs go unnoticed.
so far this seems to be working for me.
- keep toenails trimmed
--slather feet with vaseline...in between the toes too!
-carry a few first aide supplies, anti-biotic ointment and duct tape,
hydration has been an ongoing learning process for me. i'm coming to the realization that i can't rely on how i feel. in my various readings (i'd give credit where it's due, buttttt..don't recall) "drink a little allot" instead of a few gulps every 20 minutes or so i've been taking a small sip every 10 minutes.
i'm currently experimenting with socks. thinner socks are recommended for warmer weather but i've tended to go thick. today i'm taking my new shoes on a long run and will have to just see what happens with the lighter socks.
i had been experiencing pain on the top of my foot and determined that i was tieing my shoes too tight ...as evidenced in the ripped out eyelet of the Hurricanes! so i need to take time early on to lace up right and to STOP along the way to readjust as the foot expands.
it's not like i'm racing for time or place i can pullover take care of things and just be smart. i AM my crew and if i don't take care of myself who will?
i bought a pair of gators awhile back, there kinda lame and boring unlike the ones from DirtyGirlGaiters...these are khaki gators from REI and i haven't used them yet. i'm having to pullover and remove small rocks and debris more often as i go longer so today i'll use the REI gators and see how that goes.
nutrition is in need of attention. last night i ate pasta and this morning i ate oatmeal and a banana like i always do before a race...except i haven't been racing much just training so i've been slacking on the pre-race regime. i need to eat more like i'm racing early on and not just the week before. i can't seem to handle too much in the way of solids. i prefer Gu and go back and forth between plain water, gatorade and Gu20. i carry something salty and will munch on solids when i take walk breaks.
sunscreen is tricky. yesterday i ran without a hat and put sunscreen on my face....which was a drag because as i sweated the sunscreen got into my left eye which was annoyingly painful. i was sporting braids that looked funny under my hat.
can't i look good and be well protected. must it always be a compromise???....i know such a dork!
ok, time to hit the trails. lately my runs have felt like homework...in a good way...i sure wish i could get college credit ...wouldn't that be cool!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
It's a Beautiful Thing
i didn't mention it but during the hike on wednesday the eyelet on my shoes, montrail hurricanes ripped off. i had to relace and wrap the lace around my ankle, good thing i wear over the ankle socks. i noticed that the other one on the other shoe was starting to go too. today i was able to exchange them for a brand new pair at REI.
i haven't had any complaints up til now with these shoes and chose to stay with them. i will definitely be going through another pair or two between now and october, and i have wanted to try out vasque trail shoes but these are good for now.
life schedule is not cooperating with run schedule and so i only ran 8 miles(a FANTASTIC run to the berkeley marina, all blue and sunny) today. i did hike 14 miles on wednesday, i ran probably 3-4 miles of it but mostly hiked.....that's gotta count for something, no?
the garmin needs updating and since it's a borrowed tool i'm waiting for mia to find the other plug ...however with my B-Day coming up i've made it crystal clear to T what i want ...so i may have my own garmin quite soon. for now i'm just running familiar routes and guesstamating my mileage. as much as i am jonesing not having those numbers on my wrist to keep me informed i'm still happy to be running. how could i not be on a day like today?
i haven't had any complaints up til now with these shoes and chose to stay with them. i will definitely be going through another pair or two between now and october, and i have wanted to try out vasque trail shoes but these are good for now.
life schedule is not cooperating with run schedule and so i only ran 8 miles(a FANTASTIC run to the berkeley marina, all blue and sunny) today. i did hike 14 miles on wednesday, i ran probably 3-4 miles of it but mostly hiked.....that's gotta count for something, no?
the garmin needs updating and since it's a borrowed tool i'm waiting for mia to find the other plug ...however with my B-Day coming up i've made it crystal clear to T what i want ...so i may have my own garmin quite soon. for now i'm just running familiar routes and guesstamating my mileage. as much as i am jonesing not having those numbers on my wrist to keep me informed i'm still happy to be running. how could i not be on a day like today?
Friday, June 22, 2007
Ahh Summer is here!
my hamstrings are still a bit tight from wednesday's killer hike ...Brandy was feeling it big time too. extra food and a massage got me back in her good graces...she's hobbling around a bit but wagging that crazy tail of hers ready for whatever i can dish out....she's a great trail companion.
between yesterday's lunchtime swim (400 yards) and this mornings easy 3 miler i do feel alot better, though as i said i'm tight specifically in the biceps femoris . self massage right on the hot spots seems to be helping.
it wasn't until i got to the pool yesterday that i realized it was the first day of summer and that means this is my final week as a 43 year old. i'm feeling stronger and fitter (even when i'm draging my tired butt back to the car, the fact that i can still play HARD is encouraging) than last year and all i have to say to 44 is:
Bring.It.On.
between yesterday's lunchtime swim (400 yards) and this mornings easy 3 miler i do feel alot better, though as i said i'm tight specifically in the biceps femoris . self massage right on the hot spots seems to be helping.
it wasn't until i got to the pool yesterday that i realized it was the first day of summer and that means this is my final week as a 43 year old. i'm feeling stronger and fitter (even when i'm draging my tired butt back to the car, the fact that i can still play HARD is encouraging) than last year and all i have to say to 44 is:
Bring.It.On.
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