tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12837319522145173812024-03-12T23:00:47.810-05:00Serious Case of the RunsThe madness, excitement, adventure and musings of a runner who can't get enough of itPaigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-6558146908693878912019-04-01T14:30:00.000-05:002019-04-01T14:30:53.933-05:00My Poor Pelvic Floor<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17.4px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I know I say this every time, but wow, it has been a LONG time. I would partially like to blame Google because I can no longer post from my laptop for some reason so I have to make do posting from my phone. It’s not nearly as convenient :)</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">Anywho, I ran up a hill last weekend and again yesterday. I ACTUALLY BROKE A SWEAT. I am positively victorious!! And would you be shocked to know that is the first time since October, 2018? Probably. After all, I have a Serious Case of the Runs, right?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">*Warning: this is a very open and honest post.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">Holy s***. I have been on a RIDE people. In fact just writing this I can’t help but cry. It is startling how much one can lose by creating life. In no way do I regret being a great creator of two gorgeous lives, so stop right there. But, I get to sometimes lament completely losing myself in the process. I get to have that. These days, I have come to terms with life as it is and no longer feel anger or body betrayal or self-pity, but I have my days just like any other human being. I will never be who I was again, and that could make me sad, but what I can now counter that thought with is that I look forward to learning more about who I am now, each day, and who I will become.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I have had very dark days. Very low lows, but I am grateful to come out of those times, and each time it is a little brighter and slightly less low.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">It’s sort of amazing, but I meditate now. I actually can’t do a day without it. I love it so much, why did I wait so long to start?! I am in a better place with it. And, I enjoy the challenge of quieting the crazy. We could all use a little less crazy, no?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I have missed all of the things. Most of all I have missed running. I have missed identifying as a runner, talking about running, wearing my running clothes, the smell of a new pair of kicks. At first I felt pure rage and incredulity. I was just out for a run in the most beautiful place I have ever been (Kauai, Hawaii), when the bottom quite literally fell out. Pelvic organ prolapse. What. The. F***. Mother. Nature.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I am among the 50% of women that this sort of thing happens to. In fact, over the age of 37 the odds of experiencing POP skyrocket. Be nice to your pelvic floors, people!! (This includes men. Obviously, men won’t get it from below, it manifests slightly differently but equally as devastating feeling.) And, for the love of God, stop sucking in your belly. You are beautiful just as you are, all of you!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">Please, if you or someone you know has experienced POP, first of all know you can do something about it! Not everyone will have the same outcomes, but it is absolutely worth trying. It is an insane amount of work but worth it. Second, *talk* about it! I felt so ashamed at first, like a failure, but then slowly people started to come out of the woodwork and shared their own experience and it is HUGE to know you aren’t alone in a struggle. Hence, this blog post. If anyone has questions, email me, I am happy to chat. Third, find a pelvic floor PT to help you. If you don’t like the first one find another one. A solid PFPT could just change your life. Not to be dramatic, but seriously. I am now working with my fifth(!!) PFPT and not because I didn’t like some but because I have been on a quest to learn *everything* and each one has taught me more and led me to the next, plummeting me further down a rabbit hole :) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">It has been 19 very long months of getting myself on track and restoring my body to something slightly resembling a functioning human being. I was well on track last September. And then I wasn’t. Some days I am really tired of it all and I just want to toss in the towel, tear up every home exercise program I’ve been issued by various PTs, scream expletives to the heavens, and just resign myself to being a motionless blob, rolling through life, sucking at everything. But, that’s just not me. So I get back on the horse and do all of the things.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">An old friend of mine said recently, “I am so far down the rabbit hole I can’t see the light anymore. And I love it.” Me too, sister, me too.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">When truly taking your health into your own hands you can’t help but fall down the rabbit hole. I don’t like stones left unturned. Because it isn’t just strength, it is core control, pelvic floor health/strength/mobility, breathing, rib mobility, alignment of EVERYTHING, foot mobility, balance, shoulder mobility, upper body strength, pressure management, glute strength, hip flexor management... Then, maybe one day, a run will happen. I even signed up for a 12 week class to learn more about all the crap that comes with the postpartum body and am now a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. I have virtually met (because do we really meet face-to-face anymore?) the most amazing group of people imaginable, with similar and varied experiences from similar and varied backgrounds, but all with the same goal in mind: to make ourselves better and stronger and to help others do the same. I have never been more inspired in my life.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I am now in a place where I am thankful for my journey. I love where I am now and my <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>exact journey was the only way I would ever have gotten here. Besides, I always had the most success with the PTs who *really* got it, the ones who had walked that walk. I will share that I went from a three finger width diastasis recti (abdominal separation) to one finger width and full tension, and a grade 2 prolapse to now undetectable. Two PTs have been unable to find any evidence of it. Which is crazy because it was definitely there, but then I have worked my ass off so that makes me feel pretty good. It is a never-ending road of self-care and maintenance, though, so I will just keep chugging along, doing what I need to do to stay on track. And, eventually I hope to help others going through this same sort of thing. Because, I get it.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">I will be a runner again, it will likely look a little different than it used to. I feel okay with that. In fact, it sort of excites me to focus on running short, fast, and light. For now, walking and uphill hill repeats it is.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17.41pt;">Paige, out.</span></div>
Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-56756296510429050802018-04-14T09:19:00.003-05:002018-04-14T09:19:45.999-05:00Diastasis Recti: Every Mother Runners Worst EnemyMy brain is exploding with new, amazing discoveries about rehabilitation of the core and coming back after baby. There is so much I want to share here that it is spilling out of my brain faster than I can type it!!<br />
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I have recently begun to really take charge of my recovery post-baby...a full 7-1/2 months after the fact. But, better late than never, no? I did an initial round of physical therapy as soon as I was cleared for full activity, at 8 weeks postpartum. I was able to get back abdominal strength that was completely eliminated in the aftermath of my emergency c-section experience. And by completely I mean *completely*. Sitting up straight was an enormously difficult task. Standing at the sink to clean all the bottles and pump parts required multiple rest breaks because I didn't have the core strength to hold myself up without back pain creeping in, so this meant I had to rest on my forearms. A LOT. It was really bad. And those two months of PT did wonders for restoring my 'general use' strength so I could function normally, start running again, and get rid of the back pain I was experiencing daily.<br />
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Now, I need to finish the work I started and close the diastasis recti (DR - an unnatural separation of the abdominal wall, more or less) that has remained despite all the core strengthening I have been doing. Or, perhaps, the DR has remained *as a result of* all the core "strengthening" I have been doing?<br />
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Boom. I just said it. Postpartum truth bomb to myself. I was doing it all wrong. I'm in the freaking business and I *still* was doing it wrong.<br />
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Guess what? The six-pack abs I worked so diligently to create and maintain over the last decade were worthless. They looked awesome, they served me well in the short term, and I could wear cute, fitted shirts. Then, throw in two pregnancies, an emergency c-section, and only then did I discover how much all my hard work has been in vain (and for vanity). The body is exceptionally good at faking it, until you break it. Pregnancy doesn't give you a DR, lifestyle gives you a DR and pregnancy just brings it to the forefront and holds a mirror up to all your unknown mistakes. (An aside: you would be amazed to know how many *men* have a separation of the abdominal wall.) DR isn't a pregnancy, "I-had-big-babies" problem (for reference, my kids were 4.5 and 6.5 lbs). DR is a pressure system problem.<br />
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My biggest mistake? Breathing. No, seriously. I have been a belly breather for as long as I can remember, and a belly sucker-inner. I won't go into all the details of why this is bad because it would be a silly-long post, but go <a href="http://www.coreexercisesolutions.com/articles/">HERE</a> to find all the goods and to join me in the rabbit hole :)<br />
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I am seeing an amazing PT, <a href="https://www.alignforhealth.com/">Susan McLaughlin</a>. I attended her prenatal workshop when I was pregnant with my daughter and was very impressed with the content and used most of what I learned as I prepped for birth/delivery. I'm excited to be working with her and after what I have learned in our first two visits, and the breath work that I have been doing for three weeks has already improved my situation enormously. After a few days, I was hooked and discovered an unopened can of worms I never knew existed.<br />
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I mean, I've been breathing my whole life, right? So I've basically been prepping my body for this challenge all along. My pressure system is off and getting it to a good place is actually seriously hard work. But not physically hard. It is mentally hard. Relearning how to breath is a weird thing. I started at a three-finger width DR three weeks ago and when I rechecked it after 10 days of focused work on my home 'exercise' program Susan gave me, it was down to just barely more than one finger-width. AND ALL I HAVE DONE IS WORK ON BREATHING WITH MY ENTIRE RIBCAGE (aka "360 breathing"). No planks, no crunches, no bridges, no sidelying hip abduction, no quadruped bird dogs. Breathing. That's it. I think about it all day long, and even have found myself thinking about it as I fall asleep at night, before I lift my toddler, while I'm holding my 7 month old, driving, eating, all the time! My running is even better now because I can breath. I didn't even know that I was having trouble with it before all of this. Hills? They are my new friend. I seek out hills to run now because I can practice good alignment and ribcage breathing all at once. Who knew?!<br />
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The things I am learning are not just great for my own situation. I have been able to cross it over into my work and help others. I was working with a gentleman patient earlier this week with an interesting ribcage (and seeing us for something "unrelated" to this...but, c'mon, it's all connected). I checked and found a 3 finger width DR (IN A MAN), watched his breathing while he did some of his exercises (belly breather), and then showed him (manually and with verbal cues) how to manipulate his breath and use his full ribcage. I was curious. He could get awesome closure of his DR (down to 1 finger width) and good tension of the connective tissue. He said his back felt a lot better just in those few minutes. It was so cool, and he was really encouraged!<br />
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Anywho, like I said, rabbit hole :)<br />
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In all of this, my ultimate goal is to be able to get back to the kind of running I did before kids (long distance) and for the long term. I don't want to pay later for short cuts used for short term benefit (and long term negative consequences). It takes patience and time, but the payoff is significant. I see enough of the negative consequences walk into the clinic every day to know that it's not how I want to be in 20-30 years. Susan remarked at my most recent appointment that I'm lucky, I get to take advantage of all this stuff I'm learning so early on and for the long term (I'm in my mid-30s). That was a good reminder...because sometimes I feel like I'm learning it *late* in life, ha.<br />
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In other news, I've found a new pair of shoes in my quest to discover what else is out there other than my beloved Brooks Ghosts, which I have worn exclusively (for road running) for the last eight years. The Altra Intuition 4.5...I'm digging these so far. I'm also (coincidentally) reading Katy Bowman's book "Whole Body Barefoot". Not my intention to be a barefoot runner, but it is my intention to learn as much as I can about all of the things :) And feet are really, really cool things...they are our foundation, the place where so much of our experience of our world starts!<br />
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(Katy Bowman and her Nutritious Movement website/blog/podcast/books is incredible stuff. Check it out if you also want to fall down another rabbit hole with me.)<br />
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Okay, I need to stop myself here. I can feel full on nerd-mode starting and I want to redirect that energy towards other awesome things right now, such as super-snuggles from my kids :)<br />
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Paige, out.<br />
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(P.S. Now take a deep breath and try to fill your entire ribcage...let it expand from every nook and cranny, like a balloon expands in all directions, not just front or back, up or down. ALL directions. And, then smile :))Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-56017210458435252292018-03-03T17:44:00.001-06:002018-03-03T17:44:02.843-06:00Redefining Our Normal...and Exclusively Pumping for the Running MamaThere have been several things that have changed in the wake of Operation Offspring 2.0. Not the least of which is what running looks like now. Gone (for now) are the days of willy nilly daily 10 milers, trails runs, weekend meandering long runs in excess of 30 miles, running <i>together</i>, sleeping in, etc. Now, running looks more like getting in one mile at a minimum in order to keep it kosher, "long runs" of 5-10 miles on the weekends, road running, a lot of solo runs or running with a sleeping toddler in the stroller, running to/from daycare to get it all in, running in 'shifts' so that the kids are managed and we can do a faster run sans 50 lbs of stroller and toddler or baby, no sleeping in, an area the size of a postage stamp to do foam rolling sessions post-run, etc.<br />
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But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Not really. Of course, there are days when I feel pretty overwhelmed by it all and I definitely reminisce about the 'old days'. Who wouldn't? Anyone who says they don't is lying :) I love instilling a love of running in our kids. E is happiest running full tilt down the sidewalk, racing mommy or daddy, doing laps around the gym at school. Hopefully, A picks up the running bug as well!<br />
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Two is a huge change from one. People who make it look easy are also lying and totally losing their minds behind closed doors. Guaranteed. I don't think we are making it look easy, but just in case we are just know that it is super hard and we are hanging on by a thread most of the time :) It's a very sweet thread. A thread I am thankful to be holding onto, for multiple reasons.<br />
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I am trying to find new ways of enjoying my running and reallyreallyreally trying not to compare it to how it used to be or, worse yet, comparing myself to others (that is the *worst* thing you can do). Working on consistent running, improving endurance, improving speed, setting my sights on shorter stuff for now, improving core strength, staying injury free. Though, I am looking to do a 50k this fall, once I am done pumping.<br />
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Pumping. Now there's an interesting twist in all the fun.<br />
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Since A doesn't nurse, I have done what any insane mom would do: take on the task of exclusively pumping. It sort of just happened. I remember finally feeling semi-conscious in the STICU and knowing that I would need to get a jump start on milk production so I had the nurses snag me a pump and I got to work. I kept it up throughout my hospital stay, and continued when we got home because things weren't looking up in the breastfeeding department. When it was looking like A wasn't going to be "drinking from the tap" (as my lactation consultant lovingly put it, LOL), I doubled down and began researching how to make it all work. Enter: exclusively pumping (EP). I am basically a human cow, pumping straight into bottles and then A gets the good stuff. I was super-resentful at first. I mean, it's not supposed to be so damn hard, right?! But, it is. I feel lucky it worked out so well with E. At least I have that experience under my belt. Once I exhausted every conceivable trick in the book, I felt that it was time to find another way. I had a feeling EP was going to be our reality earlier than when I succumbed to it, but I had to try everything first. Otherwise I would always wonder.<br />
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I read as much online as I could about EP and tried to find information about running and EP. There was nothing. At all. So, it's an experiment of one. I started out pumping up to 8x/day, then by two months it was 6x/day, and at 12 weeks my supply was stable enough that I could drop it to four times/day and still have the same production as I had at 8x/day. My production has been massive this time around. I struggled often to keep production up when I was breastfeeding E. It's interesting how different so many things are about this particular journey. Pumping 4x/day isn't bad, in fact it's downright convenient if I'm being honest. I can plan it around whatever I may be doing each day. I find it works best if I have 6-7 hours between pumps (I get much better results this way, which is completely against everything I read that insists you have to pump at least every three hours in order to keep up supply. I say, find what works for you :)).<br />
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I can run as usual as long as it's after I pump, otherwise it's just uncomfortable. Racing is totally fine except I'm not sure how hard running would effect things and I really don't want to race long enough that I need to factor in a pumping session. Seems like way more work than is necessary. Someone in an online running group said something that I really resonated with. "I've decided that's it's just not the season of life for me to be running really long distances. But, that season will come back around and I'll be ready when it does." She was talking about how her young family was taking priority over ultra distance training and racing. It made me feel so much less alone. They are little for such a short period of time that I don't want to miss any of the really good stuff because I'm out doing a six-eight hour run. More power to you if you're able to/want to do such things :)<br />
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I plan to EP as long as possible, but not beyond one year. That's my limit :) I breastfed E for 21 months and only stopped because I was pregnant with A. But I haven't had enough of the Kool-Aid to feel like I want to pump past 12 months :) Plus, I have a crazy frozen stash. So much, in fact that I was able to donate a huge chunk of it when I realized we weren't going to use it before it would reach its use-by date. I found a mama in need and handed over 173 precious ounces from those early days (so it's the really good stuff!). It felt good to help someone out and it felt good to free up space in our friends' deep freezer that they have graciously let me take up space in with my stash. As time goes on, I'll probably end up donating most of my stash since I'm able to pump more than enough to give A the freshies everyday. We'll see.<br />
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In any event, I have my eyes on a trail half marathon early summer, and maybe a return to the steeplechase if we are in town. The 50k (North Face Park City) I really wanted to do doesn't appear to be returning to Utah, so I'll need to find something else for the fall.<br />
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Lest you think I have it together in putting together this post, you should know it has taken the better part of three hours, two diaper blowouts, a baby nap, coloring with my toddler, two loads of laundry, and two readings of Goodnight Moon before actually finishing :)<br />
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We are redefining our normal on a daily basis. At least that part of our life is consistent!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-54341758057600975222017-12-04T17:10:00.000-06:002017-12-04T17:14:01.146-06:00Streaking in PublicI feel like I have so much to catch-up on, mostly because I do :) Now to just put pen to paper...or, rather, fingers to keyboard.<br />
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In 2016, we went back to Hawaii for our fifth wedding anniversary, and for Mother's Day that year, E and Geof got me a new Suunto GPS watch, and it needed to be used in a big way :) Geof was in the midst of a run streak while we were away, and at the time E basically only napped in the running stroller, so runs were a way for us to spend time together and get E some sack time.<br />
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<i>I fell 'bass ackwards' into my very own running streak. </i><br />
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I didn't notice it for several weeks until Geof mentioned it and asked if I had taken a rest day yet (something I always made sure to do at least once/week). I checked my run log and sure enough, I managed to forget to rest...whoopsie!<br />
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<i>Can't stop, won't stop. Oh, wait, I did stop :)</i><br />
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From May 20, 2016 thru December 29, 2016 (7 months, 10 days...224 days) I ran every day, at least two miles, and averaging 4 miles/day for a total of 889 miles. Looking back I can't recall why I stopped, but I do know that the next day is when I found out I was pregnant again. Then the air quality got really crappy and I will not run on orange or red days because it makes me feel like I'm sucking on a tailpipe the entire run.<br />
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I was back to running the next day and I continued to run up until June, at over 29 weeks pregnant. I was psyched to make it past the 16w6d that I ran while pregnant with E. This time around was a significant improvement, and this pregnancy was drama and complication-free. Hopefully, A will grow up to love running as much as his sister already loves it :)<br />
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Streaking was a lot of fun, and garnered me a significant amount of good fitness and strength going into my pregnancy. More so than I would have anticipated. Never discount the power of a few miles a day, for both body <i>and</i> mind. I also listened to a lot of audiobooks during that time.<br />
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While I have no <i>plans</i> for another run streak, I do see it in my future, one way or another. Once the worst of the inversion season passes it may just sort of...happen. It's cool how it just became a part of my day, like morning coffee. It was never a question of <i>if</i> but rather of <i>when </i>each day.<br />
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Like I said previously, I'm just happy to have running back in my life :)<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-75994301432805492802017-11-17T13:13:00.001-06:002017-11-17T13:13:39.823-06:00Catch-up TimeIt appears it has been over two years since I last posted here...I guess I have been busy!<br />
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Where did I leave off? Oh yes, I ran a 21k race 5 months postpartum, in 2015. Then the following summer I ran a steeplechase which was super fun, and a good challenge for me!<br />
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And then life started changing. December 30, 2016 we found out we were pregnant! And, at the end of this past August we welcomed a very handsome and happy baby boy! Our threesome became four.<br />
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Life has been very different in the wake of his birth. I like to find silver linings wherever I can, to determine the 'purpose' of a particular event. This helps me to cope. And I needed all hands on deck to cope with all that ensued. I think I will save the full story for another post, but long story short: completely uncomplicated and amazing pregnancy and I was able to run comfortably through 29.5 weeks which was significantly longer than with my daughter. I went into spontaneous labor at 39.3 weeks (woohoo, for full term!) and a very healthy and happy baby resulted. Super thankful for all of this. However, I was wheeled in for an emergency c-section (the complete <i>opposite</i> experience I hoped for and expected), and two hours post-op I suffered a severe hemorrhage and underwent a second procedure to find the source(s) and stop the bleeding. Next thing I know, I wake up in the shock trauma ICU, intubated, laying totally flat, and unable to speak. I would not have believed you if you told me that four days later I would get to discharge home. It was a scary 48 hours and I, thankfully, was unconscious for most of it, but my sweet husband 'got to' experience the full force of it all.<br />
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No one involved in any of my care and recovery expected me to make it out so quickly and to rebound the way that I have, but to me it felt like an eternity. The physical and emotional battle that ensued was unprecedented, and looking back I can't believe all that we have gone through. From being completely unable to care for myself to being back to running better than before in just 11 weeks I feel incredibly thankful for my husband, my family, my health, and my body's ability to mend itself. Getting cleared to pick-up my 25 pound toddler was a really big day in our house. Dropping the 40 pounds of fluid weight that I put on <i>in the hospital, </i>being able to see the tendons in my feet again, going for a one mile walk/run, driving, starting PT to get my ab strength back, sitting up from a fully supine position...all enormous milestones.<br />
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I have a completely new perspective on life, and recovery following a trauma. Perspective I have (thankfully) never had before, but that has enhanced my ability to empathize with others. There's a silver lining.<br />
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<i>Eight days old</i><br />
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Big sister is loving her baby brother and dotes on him. Brother is a sweet, charming little guy who loves to "chat" and smile and being insanely adorable...but he also really likes to not sleep at night just yet :)</div>
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Anywho, I started back running on October 29 and each run has been better than the last. I even did some intervals last week while pushing the jogging stroller! I am seeing a women's health specialist for some physical therapy to restore core strength, pelvic alignment, and overall strength in order to return to running in the smartest way possible. We are <i>quite</i> done making humans now :) so I am excited to eventually get myself back on the long distance trail. But, for now, I am content to just be able to run again!</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
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Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-59930614593726760882015-10-06T11:06:00.001-05:002015-10-06T11:06:58.954-05:00Xterra National Trail Champs 21k: Finding the FireI'm trying something new and attempting a post from my phone. I feel so tech-forward. Or am I way behind the times and bloggers have already been doing this for some time? Probably that.<br />
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In any event, I ran my first race in over a year last month! It was the Xterra National Trail Championship 21k (half marathon) at Snowbasin Ski Resort outside of Ogden, UT. And, it was fantastic! My goal was to finish somewhere between 2.5-3 hours, accounting for technical trail bits and the 2,200 ft of elevation gain. Oh, and accounting for a serious lack of training :) I figured three hours would be more like it. So when I rolled into the finish chute after 2h:34m I was more than thrilled with the outcome!<br />
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Muscle memory is real! <br />
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The race was so much fun! Geof, E, Cadence and I drove up race morning and met up with our friends also running the race, Beth, Betsy, and Tom. I was a little nervous about how things would feel above the waist and had very little concern for the legs. Being a nursing mama, and this being my first athletic endeavor since E arrived, AND being that I would be away from the babe for an extended period of time I wasn't sure what to expect. I tried nursing her one more time before the start but she was far more interested in everything else going on around us and went on a meal strike :) Oh well, glad I pumped before we left! <br />
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The race was smaller than I imagined it would be, less than 200 I think, so as we began the initial climb up the first ski hill there wasn't too much uncomfortable jockeying. My legs felt amazing and my lungs were already burning :) My goodness, how I've missed this!<br />
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I felt so out of practice that the night before I wasn't sure how to carry hydration, and if I even needed to. I definitely wanted to avoid dehydration (which can wreak havoc on milk supply). After consulting with my fellow comrades, I decided on carrying a handheld. I felt so dorky, like a total novice, and that was sort of fun :) So, handheld in hand, I broke into a power hike up the first climb. It felt goooooood.<br />
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I'll spare you the blow-by-blow, but I will say that this was a terribly beautiful run through some gorgeous fall foliage, delicious single track with sweeping views, technical footing, a few good climbs, and several miles of absolutely joyful downhilling. I would definitely run this one again. I was feeling the effects of my undertraining by the halfway point, but then came 4-5 miles of downhill at the most perfect time. I relaxed the legs and the mind and let gravity bring me down the mountain. I was actually running the descent hard enough that my quads began to fatigue. I haven't done that in ages! I made up a lot of time on this stretch and passed a lot of folks, which is always a nice little energy boost.<br />
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I sipped from my bottle frequently and refilled only once, near the end. The weather was so amazing (sunny and cool) and the terrain was exactly what I needed. There was one final stretch of uphill before descending a ski hill into the finish chute. It felt so good! Geof was wearing E, who had completely passed out for the duration of the event. Cadence the pup was very excited to see her mama, though! :)<br />
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After some stretching and some chatting we said our goodbyes and sought out a shaded grassy area so I could nurse E. I was ready! I never really felt uncomfortable, but it was good to relieve some pressure post-race. All my nursing mamas know what I mean ;)<br />
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I love that post-race glow; it's something I have really missed. And I love that post-long run ache. I felt like I hadn't done a thing the next day so I'll take that as a sign that I'm on my way back :)<br />
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The following weekend we went up to Logan to help crew at the Bear 100 and I would be lying if I said it didn't light a fire in my belly... The thought of returning to that race makes me downright giddy :) I am staying away from 100s until I wean from nursing, but I could totally be ready for a good race by next fall. I just don't know what my training could look like in reality now that it's no longer just Geof and I these days, and I'm not going back just to finish...I want to do it faster next time :) So, we'll see!<br />
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In any event, it's good to be back and really good to know I haven't lost the fire!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-61022326584216998672015-08-28T17:16:00.000-05:002015-08-28T17:16:15.360-05:00I'm Back, Baby! Well...-ish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As of tomorrow it would be two months since my last post...I just couldn't let that happen :) Good thing I have some news to share...I JUST SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST POST-BABY RACE! </div>
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A good idea? Probably not.</div>
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Will I be ready? I think so.</div>
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Am I excited? Of course!</div>
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Am I nervous? I walked away from the computer twice to give myself time to think it through some more, because, somehow, the last three weeks wasn't enough time to stew over it.</div>
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So, it's not like the old days, running ultras all willy nilly. While I will be biting off slightly more than I can chew, it's much more low key than in the past. I will be running the Xterra Trail Run 21k (half marathon) in Ogden, UT on September 20th. It'll be a birthday present to myself :) I did a bunch of Xterra races back when I lived in Chicago and always enjoyed the low key nature of their events. I'm not sure how this event will stack up, especially since it's the national championship race ;) No, I'm not competing, and anyone can sign up and run. I just want to run trails and be surrounded by other super excited runners. It has been TOO LONG. And these will be all new-to-me trails. Yay. My friends Beth, Betsy, and Tom are also running, so that was really the main selling point :) </div>
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I've been doing a fair bit of road running with E in the jogging stroller and hiking whilst wearing said baby, but I've also done a fair bit of not running...easy to do with a four month old babe and fully renovated priority list. Speaking of, how cute is this?!</div>
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<i>Really stinking cute, </i>that's<i> how cute</i></div>
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Yesterday, I took Cadence up Millcreek Canyon and we ran to Dog Lake for the first time this year (and Cadence's first time ever). It was a glorious, glorious 6.2 mile trail run and it felt AMAZING. That's when I decided to put on my big girl pants and just sign up for the race already. It's sort of incredible what the body remembers and while I make no claims to having near the fitness I had pre-pregnancy, my legs have done a darn good job remembering how to run. And Cadence is a really awesome off-leash running partner. Come to think of it, this was our first time running together!</div>
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I start back to work part-time next week and I'm both excited and nervous. Nervous because it's going to be weird not having a tiny human attached to my person all day long, and because new things always make me nervous :) Such is life. </div>
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I have big dreams of a 100 mile run next fall, but we shall see. Best laid plans... For now, half marathon in the mountains it is!</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-77171814631856546082015-06-29T17:56:00.002-05:002015-06-29T17:56:27.417-05:00Rolling With My Homies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was on the floor doing my morning planks this morning when I suddenly remembered...I have a blog! There has been a lot of life happening since my last post in February. It's a little bit crazy to consider where I was physically and emotionally when I last wrote here, and where I am now, almost five months later. </div>
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Well, let's get up to speed, shall we?</div>
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I continued to walk at least two miles/day, sometimes venturing onto the trails as my growing belly allowed me. Then I began working in March. I was LOVING my work. It felt so good to finally do my thing. I was bouncing around to multiple outpatient clinics for the company I work for, waiting for my "home clinic" to get things ready for me to join them for good. It was a lot of fun to meet so many different therapists and staff around the valley and to learn something different from each one. I met so many awesome patients and was hitting my stride. </div>
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My belly was growing beautifully, and I was also LOVING that! Baby Dunmore was getting more and more active and prepping for his/her arrival quite vigorously. We ventured over to Healdsburg for the Lake Sonoma 50 (Geof was running, not me :)) and stayed with friends, John and Lisa for a long weekend. It was fantastic. Events transpired at this point that led my midwife to believe that Baby Dunmore was likely to make an early appearance. She wasn't 100% confident in that statement, but she wanted us to be ready, just in case. So we set about finalizing things and finishing up the nursery. I had a sneaking suspicion that she was right, but didn't fully believe it either. </div>
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I left work one Saturday in April, books strewn about my desk, open to specific pages to remind me to research a new technique for a patient when I was back in the clinic the coming Tuesday.</div>
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Sunday, we spent the ENTIRE day nesting...without realizing that was what we were doing. I mean seriously intense nesting...cleaning, organizing, purging, more cleaning, more organizing. It was so awesome. How did we not see it coming?</div>
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Monday early afternoon I was standing in line at Target, waiting to purchase some last minute items for myself in prep for baby's arrival. And I felt a trickle. <i>'Oh my. That's unfortunate. Did I just wet my pants a little?' </i>This happened several more times that afternoon. I never thought twice about it. I just chalked it up to a little bit of late pregnancy incontinence. I was only barely more than 35 weeks along.</div>
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I finished up errands for the day, and then we were sitting down to dinner. About 15 minutes into our meal, I started to describe what happened that day when I suddenly felt a gush that stopped me mid-sentence. I ran to the bathroom, unsuccessfully. '<i>WHOA, what was that?!'</i> I gathered myself and returned to the table to pick up where I left off. And then WUSH! Just like the freaking movies! And of course I couldn't sit still and let it happen, I had to pee-pee dance my way back to the bathroom, spreading the love, as it were, the entire way! Sorry, TMI, but it's true. I shouted to Geof that I think perhaps my water just broke. <i>Uh, ya think?!</i></div>
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So, anyway, here we are a full month before my due date and we are rushing off to the hospital after a call to the midwife where she urged me to get to the hospital in the next three hours. </div>
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I guess I wouldn't be heading into work the next day after all :)</div>
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Long story short, it was an amazing birth experience. I mean <i>amazing</i>. Sure, it was scary because the little tike was showing up 4 weeks early, but it was obviously time. Baby Dunmore was ready to come and meet us! We were waiting to find out what our little bundle of joy was, and I highly recommend it. Talk about a sweet surprise! We got a girl!! It was even more of a surprise as I was completely convinced we were having a boy, ha!</div>
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Everything went without a hitch and I was lucky enough to be able to have the unmedicated birth that I had hoped for. I wouldn't say that anything about it felt good, but it was a challenge I was most definitely up for and I'm really glad I was able to follow through. From check-in to delivery it was about 13 hours total, but thankfully the uncomfortable phase was very short lived, just a few of those hours. </div>
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After just a couple of days we all headed home. We felt enormously grateful and very lucky to have had the experience we had. </div>
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<i>Presenting Miss Ellery! This was a month or so after she was born, but I just love this photo :)</i></div>
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Life was taking a whole new direction much earlier than expected, but the only option was to roll with it. To be honest, I was sad to miss out on that last month of pregnancy as I had enjoyed it so much; sad to miss out on that last month of prep, nesting, and enjoying our final days of just us two. Strangely, I had trouble adjusting to my rapidly flattening belly. I loved that big pregnant belly! :) But then I got over it and am now back in runner mode :) </div>
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Yes, I can run again!! Once the Chariot arrived from Geof's mom and step-dad we were excited to get out for our first spin. Ellery LOVES her new ride! She only fusses when I stop or slow down. I may have to start calling her Coach ;) </div>
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<i>Check out those rims! Rolling with my homies...Geof and Ellery :)</i></div>
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Adjusting to life as parents is a trip and definitely not for the faint of heart. We are just two months in and life is completely different, barely resembling any part of what it once was. But it's a pretty darn good trade. Ellery is our tiny little dreamboat :)<br />
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It's good to be back running. I feel like I've got a blank slate, which is kind of cool. I'm keeping my runs short and sweet, and including plenty of walk breaks as dictated by our 100 degree weather, in addition to my decreased fitness. I'm thinking I'll sign up for something fun, like a 1/2 marathon, this fall, to keep me honest. Why not?<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-3884348584482149542015-02-03T11:12:00.001-06:002015-02-03T11:12:22.152-06:00It's All About That...JourneyI don't know where I'm going with this post, but while I lay foam rolling on the office floor just moments ago I suddenly was motivated to log-in here and type <i>something</i>.<br />
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Over dinner last night, Geof was recounting an interview he heard on NPR with Bradley Cooper, from American Sniper. Cooper talked about how he completely transformed his body in order to become the roll and how strange it was for him. At the end of the day, he couldn't go home and take off his 'suit' and relax. His 'work clothes' were now a part of him; he was living in someone else's body, within his own body. <br />
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What a strange experience to have. And yet, in my mind I immediately compared it to being pregnant. I am wearing another body atop my own. Even though it's all me, it's this transformed version of me that I walk around in. I can still see the remnants of my previous self: my runners' legs that are surprisingly still very runner-ish, gangly arms that are slightly less gangly, the uppermost portion of my rectus abdominis is still very much ab-like when I flex, and my feet remain tendinous and flexy. That's not a word, but it is right now.<br />
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Early on, this was a difficult reality...so much change and more to come, 'how will I ever get my running body back?', everyday something new and totally unpredictable.<br />
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But, thankfully, that phase passed very quickly. I feel extremely fortunate because I LOVE EVERY MOMENT OF THIS. I wake up each day excited to see if my belly has expanded further or to see if my clothes fit a little tighter. I admire my new shape constantly...borderline obsessively? :) While there is a little extra cushion appearing in a few key places, enough to ban me from certain pre-pregnancy jeans at this point, 23 1/2 weeks in, I hardly notice these things. It's the belly I marvel at. And what a marvelous thing it is! When is it ever exciting to hear your husband proclaim, 'You're huge!' or 'You're <i>really</i> <i>pregnant</i>!'<br />
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Those words are music to my ears. I smile every time he remarks on my bump :)<br />
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Once the belly really began to pop, the excitement compounded. It's such an amazing thing. We're growing a <i>human</i> in here! And when the kicks began to occur consistently and predictably, that took things up a notch. This is one heck of an active baby. Being able to not only feel but also <i>see</i> their antics from the outside is pretty amazing. I love it so much. I laid on the couch for an hour yesterday and just watched my abdomen bounce about, smiling and laughing like a nutcase. Cadence even walked over at one point to see what all the fuss was. She didn't quite get it and went back to her bed.<br />
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While I still step into my running shoes daily, I have downgraded the pace a bit...from a runners' pace to that of a walker's. And while that was difficult at first, I feel like I've really grown into my new mode of exercise. I like to do at least 2 miles a day, and my bladder won't let me go much beyond 4-5 miles. I log my walks, just as I did when I was running. That small act makes me feel surprisingly happy. I heart my log. And I live vicariously through Geof's running. I feel really good. It's going to be hard to ease back into running after the baby arrives, but such is life. It will be good to get back to it, but I'm in no rush. I'm working on something a lot more important right now :)<br />
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*<i>Insert Awkward Segue</i>*<br />
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With all the academic excitement of late...graduating, sitting for my boards, passing said boards, acquiring three job offers in the span of one week, receiving my license to practice...there were some brief periods of quiet contemplation.<br />
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There's a blog that I've followed for a number of years now, titled <i>It's Not the Destination, It's the Journey. </i>I've always loved the name of it. But, I never really thought much about <i>why</i> I love the name.<br />
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We recently spent a long weekend in Santa Barbara and on a long walk with Cadence up the canyon it suddenly came to me. My most recent extended journey being school and becoming a PTA, I was thinking in terms of this, but it applies to becoming a parent as well.<br />
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A goal is set, the groundwork is laid, you take the steps to begin, and then you're off. It's hard; it's exciting; it's pure joy; it's intense, however short-lived, let downs; roller coaster ride after roller coaster ride. But the end goal is always in sight. You never lose sight of that. Keeping your eyes on the prize. Each day is another day closer to achieving that goal. The goal is concrete, tangible, definite; just enough out of reach that you need to work for it. You're becoming stronger and stronger with each passing day, slowly morphing into this new version of you. And then one day, on a set date that you knew was coming all along, it happens. You achieve your goal. You have reached your destination. You did the work, you survived the gauntlet, and now you emerge victorious. And holy moly, what a victory it is!<br />
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<i>But...now what?</i><br />
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It's not to say that the destination was a letdown. It was anything but that. I am now a PTA! I get to do the thing I've been dreaming about doing for more than seven years now. I freaking did it! It's a strange thing to workandworkandwork towards something for <i>so darn long</i> and then suddenly it all happens, exactly as you imagined it. But is that the end of the line? <br />
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<i>No, it's just the beginning. </i><br />
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I reminded myself not to look at the destination I had reached. Instead I reflected on the journey I took to get there. It was an <i>incredible</i> journey, people! I marvel at it. I marvel at myself, at my fellow classmates (my second family, really). Every single day was worth it. It's a badge of honor having survived everything we did in order to be where we are now. I am thankful for the journey I had. Reaching this destination is merely one stopover in the longer journey. And now I stand on the cusp looking ahead and I get goosebumps considering all the possibilities. <br />
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Goals are good. They're great. Destinations are necessary. They get us on the road; they get us to begin and sustain the journey, even when it sucks at times. <i>Especially</i> when it sucks. And then one day we get to look back and marvel, then look ahead and get goosebump-y with excitement. Can you imagine setting out on a course having no idea what the end goal is, what you're heading towards? A destination allows for primitive structure, and that structure grows and morphs as you pick your way along the course. It's sort of like a choose-your-own-adventure book :)<br />
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So I guess I'm just writing all of this as a reminder to never forget where you've come from. Appreciate the journey and look forward to the next.<br />
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Parenthood is going to be one heck of a journey. Pregnancy has been a journey already! It's terrifying, exhilarating, and I have no idea what to expect. And I couldn't imagine it being any other way, or experiencing it with anyone else. Geof is going to be an <i>amazing</i> dad. People happily share their experiences, but let's be real here. Those are <i>their</i> journeys, not ours. I don't want to internalize others' journeys. I want to live and experience <i>ours</i>. Whatever it may be.<br />
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<i>A 21 week beach bum-p</i></div>
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I'm now realizing the irony of this post. I set out composing it having no idea what my destination was. And, yet, I managed to arrive at one :)</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-83703958413600044032015-01-01T12:14:00.001-06:002015-01-01T12:14:37.467-06:002014, The Year of ExchangeI remember writing my wrap-up post for 2013 and thinking in my head, '<i>I'm going to publish this goal, but I also have a super secret whisper goal.' </i><br />
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Make a baby :)<br />
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Turns out the kind of running I love to do is not conducive to baby-making. So, as a result, my numbers suffered a little bit in 2014, but my body flourished! Here we go:<br />
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I ran 1,120.8 miles in 185 hours and198 runs averaging 5.6 miles per run in 2014...slightly more than half my mileage of 2013, half the number of runs, but 1/10th longer per run. Numbers are sometimes fun :)<br />
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My midwife asked me to back off the running a smidge, up my weight a tad, and decrease stress. Thus, after July and the Speedgoat 50k+, I seriously cut back on my mileage, declined signing up for a hundred miler, and began drinking whole milk and upping my red meat intake (two things I have no issues with). <br />
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I was able to pack on a whole 3 lbs in about two months :) But, it worked! <br />
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More than two years ago, when we first decided we wanted to expand our family, I really struggled internally with exchanging who I've been (a feathery ultra runner) for who I will be (a less feathery short distance runner). Even though it's not a forever change, it still took me a year and a half to feel really, really good about that. Best decision ever. I LOVE BEING PREGNANT! Though my running is almost non-existent (it is <i>so</i> uncomfortable right now!) I am thrilled with all of the amazing changes that are happening. Building a human is so cool! At 19 weeks I can feel our little babe dancing around gingerly in my abdomen and it makes my heart sing. <br />
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Hikes in the mountains with the pup have more or less replaced my runs, and I'm good with that. I graduated from my program three weeks ago and it's been so amazing to have some downtime, nap whenever I like, play with Cadence, and study for my licensing exam. All good things for a growing babe. I feel a heavy guilt over barely running but that guilt is balanced out by a true enjoyment of other things right now. Prenatal yoga is on the agenda, and lots more mountain hikes, so it's not like I'm a total bump on a log :) <br />
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Speaking of 'bump', I also love my bump. Never have I ever outwardly relished watching my weight slowly climb upward.<br />
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The year 2014 was a very good year to me. Lots of great things: getting a puppy, little bit of travel, great runs early on, getting pregnant, graduating, spending time with family, great friends. However, 2015 is going to be tough to beat...we are going to be parents this year! And, I'll get to begin my PTA career, finally! I'm not going to lay out any goals here now, but I do wish for all of you a happy, healthy 2015!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-8519944568811325912014-11-23T09:47:00.002-06:002014-11-23T09:47:51.509-06:00News Bulletin: Serious Case of the Runs Expanding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*<i>Screeeeech</i>* *<i>Taptaptap*</i></div>
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Is this thing on? Oh, good :)</div>
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It's the end of November and I have SO MUCH TO TELL YOU! In less than two weeks' time I will graduate from my program and begin preparing to sit for my boards to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in January. This has been a <i>really long journey</i>. Mostly fun and amazing, also quite frustrating and difficult at times, but alwaysalwaysalways worth it. This all began back in 2009 when I first began taking prerequisite courses in anticipation of going to PT or PTA school. And now it's finally all coming to a delightful close, the next door waiting to be opened.</div>
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On that note, we've expanded our family! We got a puppy! A vizsla to be exact! Back in August we took the plunge and boy what a ride it has been! </div>
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Introducing Cadence June Dunmore...</div>
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<i>A mere 7 weeks old in this photo, and less than 9 pounds...</i></div>
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And, really, she looks a lot more like this now...</div>
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<i>Now five months old and just under 30 pounds of raw energy and puppy love! And not so easy to curl up in our laps these days!</i></div>
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Cadence is going to be an <i>amazing</i> running dog when the time comes (around 1.5-2 years of age), but in the meantime it's a lot of walking, pooping, loving on her parents, and playing puppy pinball in circles around the house :)</div>
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Speaking of expanding our family...we're doing it <i>again</i>! Go figure, we get a puppy and two months later we find out I'm almost two months pregnant! What an absolutely thrilling surprise!!</div>
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Introducing "Blueberry" Dunmore...</div>
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<i>Those are arms and legs! How freaking cool is that?! This is a 13 week shot of both of us :)</i></div>
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So, needless to say, things have changed a bit here at Serious Case of the Runs headquarters. Lots less running (mostly because my midwife had charged me with gaining 10lbs back in July, but also because I have been <i>so tired</i>), so much napping, and so many cheeseburger cravings. Once school shuts down in a couple of weeks, I'll ramp the running back up. We are now in the second trimester and energy levels are supposed to peak, so I plan to take advantage of this little window of opportunity and get in some delicious pregnancy miles :)</div>
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I cannot begin to express how EXCITED we are about all of this. And deliriously happy. And terrified all at the same time!</div>
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We just got our first snow here in the valley. So I think we need to get in our first snow run of the year. Just wanted to pop in and share all the big news!</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
<br />Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-4608967946350010192014-07-20T21:59:00.001-05:002014-07-20T21:59:14.386-05:002014 Speedgoat 50k…Sweet LemonadeKnock, knock. Who's there? It's me! :)<br />
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I feel like I have partially emerged from a long hibernation, observing the world through a clouded mind and creaky body. Smells are all new, flavors unfamiliar, light…so bright. But, alas, I've simply emerged from the most intense 4 weeks of my entire education. My head is filled with so much information and knowledge I surely thought it would spill out as soon as exams were done. But it's still in there, thankfully :) <br />
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And so, it was time to celebrate!<br />
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<i>With the Drs. Lewis and my G…pre-race smiles!</i></div>
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The 2014 Speedgoat 50k was my celebratory dance for surviving the juggernaut of my summer semester. And celebrate I did. If by 'celebration' you mean eat a lot of popsicles, drink a lot of warm Coke, and consume enough Gu to make me gaggy :)<br />
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This year's race took it up a notch. Some course changes were in order and Karl certainly didn't hold back when re-routing the final few miles. He originally stated it would be about 250-300 feet of additional vert added at the end, but my Garmin would say otherwise… I think he had his fingers crossed behind his back when he said that ;) The day would prove to be exceptionally warm with full sun all day long (quite the contrast to last year's race!), and an absolutely brutal final few miles. But, of course, it was astonishingly beautiful. The wildflowers were out en masse and I couldn't help but smile just about every step of the way. I kept thinking,"I am so freaking lucky to live here. I <i>get</i> to do this!"<br />
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That said, it was hard! I finished just over an hour slower than last year, and that seemed to be the case for most everyone else, across the board. I recorded over 11,500 feet of vertical climbing (and an equal amount of descent) in just over 33 miles. The new ending boasted 4 new smaller climbs and barely even the suggestion of a trail…just little blue flags to follow. At the end of a long and tough day, it was a little demoralizing, but at the same time it made me hungry. In the same thought I said to myself, 'eff you, Karl, eff you…' and then, 'bring it on!' Then I laughed at the crazy. Then I laughed because I realized that I think of the weirdest things during races.<br />
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Easily, the hardest race I have ever done, even The Bear. I love races like this because they put everything into perspective. If I can do that, I can do anything. Speedgoat makes me feel like a real mountain runner, and watching Speedgoaters finish is very close to watching Hardrockers finish. I can't get enough of it.<br />
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So the day started out as any other race day, and continued on that way for me. Geof and I ran our own races this time, just as we did last year. I think overall I felt really good all day long. There were never really any high highs and certainly not any lows. Just a lot of evenness. Which was weird, and cool. I listened to music on the climbs; it helped me get and maintain a good cadence so that I could just power up rather than dilly dally. The climbs were the only points at which I actually passed people. I yucked it up on the downhills as they just aren't my strong suit to begin with, and then add in unstable footing, super steep terrain, and lots of rocks, and I'm pussyfooting it all the way down. Better safe than sorry! So I resolved to kick it into gear on the climbs to make up for what I lost on the downs. <br />
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Once I realized I wasn't even going to match my time from last year, I cut myself some slack. I took quick breaks in the shade when it was convenient, I eased up on my pace, put ice in my bra, and I gave myself permission to just enjoy the day. I never realized I needed permission to do that, but yesterday I did, and it was fabulous once I granted it. <br />
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You know what else was fabulous? The salted watermelon flavored Gu that I ate. It was like eating a watermelon Jolly Rancher, and I love those!<br />
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It's funny how when you have a really even keel kind of day there isn't really much to report on. I feel about as beat up as I have after any 100 miler, which is so weird. My mind was all sorts of fuzzy today, and my appetite didn't return until about 6:30 this evening. Um, hello, it was a dang 50k! And I kind of love it. I live in the sort of place where 33 miles can knock you flat, and then have you asking for more before you know it :)<br />
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As I very rhythmically made my way straight up the face of 11,067 ft. Mt. Baldy yesterday, my carotid arteries pulsating in my neck, my heart pounding in my ears, Coldplay's "Paradise" blasting through my ear buds, I couldn't think of anywhere else I'd rather be. I felt like somehow I had arrived. Often during hard times, especially races, I find myself wishing I were somewhere else, and then I miss out on all the awesome that surrounds me. I let myself become consumed by the difficulty of the challenge. Yesterday I embraced it and loved it for what it was. Something that would make me tougher, make me more appreciative. The face of Baldy is so steep that your heels don't touch the ground, it's a calf-burner. As I neared the summit, I wobbled a little when I set my foot slightly askew of a rock and I reached out my right hand, setting it into a mound of dusty dirt and debris. It was warm and stuck to my sweaty hand, and it was real. I connected with what I was navigating. And I smiled.<br />
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I guess that's what heat, a belly full of Gu, and sleep deprivation will do to you ;)<br />
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I rounded a switchback in the final descent down to the finish after a gal that I'd been running behind for quite some time cried uncle and asked me to pass her (she said I was making her work too hard and that she just wanted to walk :)), and came upon another gal picking her way down. The trail opened up to a jeep road and I pulled up beside her and said hello. She said 'good job', and I replied, 'don't just let me pass you, c'mon!' She switched it into high gear and we battled it out, smiling, side by side down to the final straightaway. My legs felt like rockets and I pulled ahead of her in the end. I found her afterward and apologized (I felt a little bad), but she just smiled and said, "Thank you! You made me work harder than I had all day; I needed that!" What a good sport :)<br />
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After some thought, and a little bit of food, I'm pretty sure I'll be back again next year to test my mettle in the Wasatch once again. For us mortals, it is not a race; it is a test of one's ability to just deal…taking those lemons and making some killer lemonade. Speaking of which, I had the most amazing lemonade flavor popsicle at Larry's Hole AS2. I made that sucker last all the way to the base of Baldy. It was AMAZING.<br />
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I think I need to go and fix this whole sleep deprivation thing I've got going on ;)<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-56137291162509996292014-05-07T11:19:00.004-05:002014-05-07T11:19:55.017-05:00Running Around'Tis the season to run! Wait, 'tisnt it <i>always</i> the season to run? Of course it is!<br />
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We have slowly been creeping up the mileage ladder over the last month or so and it feels good. Our long runs are still, um, short, relatively speaking, but they are still just as rewarding. A few weeks ago, we headed out from downtown, through Memory Grove, to the City Creek trailhead and shortly thereafter began to yo-yo with an older fellow running with his dog. When we came to a T at the stop of the long climb, we stopped and the gentleman, Jim, asked us which way we were going. We didn't really have a plan, other than a number goal, so he offered up a route that would bring us back to the TH. He said he was enjoying our pace, that we were keeping him moving. He seemed nice enough (and he was wearing a San Juan Solstice tee so he was obviously awesome :)) so we headed along he proposed route. It was fun to just go with the flow, meet someone new, run with an awesome dog (a labradoodle named Molsen), and learn a new running route. Jim and Geof got a little ahead of me on a downhill portion, and Molsen hung back with me, running just behind me. A few times the trail widened out and I moved to one side to let the dog pass, but he stuck behind me, waiting for me when I stopped to adjust something, or take in the views. I love running with dogs. Eventually, once the guys were back in view, Molsen ran ahead to greet them, then stopped and waited for me to catch up to him.<br />
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That was a good run.<br />
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We've started meeting once a week with a small group of super fasties and it has been going really well. A few weeks ago, we did a hill repeat workout, in which I didn't get totally smoked, woot! The following week we did bonafide speed work on the track: 16x200 meter sprints, with 200 meter recoveries. It was FANTASTIC! I can handle short sprints, and I think I managed quite well. I didn't know I had that kind of movement in my legs…I felt a little bit fast :) This week, we met back on the trail and did a progression run up Dry Creek Canyon. I think that may be my new favorite workout. Even though I didn't really follow the progression 'rules', I did do what I could and I maintained a solid pace all the way up, breaking into a walk only once for a short, steep stretch. Geof was leading our pack and basing the progressions off of HR, increasing "pace" by 5 bpm every 5 minutes. He did awesome. Once we turned around, it was all glorious downhill running from there. I really pushed it here, running on the razor thin edge between control and total absence of control. It was an instant reminder that running downhill can actually be really taxing; you can push beyond just merely allowing gravity to do it's thing and really get a workout from it. I felt free, and untethered. A cramp started to form in my abdomen but I just ignored it and kept pushing. It felt good. Reaching the TH we all regrouped and closed it out with a nice and easy cool down back to our cars.<br />
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That was also a good run.<br />
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It's starting to get hot, and the sun is hanging out more these days. It feels great to get a little more natural vitamin D, to hit the trails with some regularity, and to have two weeks off before my first clinical internship begins! <br />
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And, oh, the wildflowers!! <br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-8701310863839404252014-04-25T09:30:00.001-05:002014-04-25T09:30:48.509-05:00Dunmores Are At It Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yep, we're biking for MS again this year! One ride wasn't enough, so Geof and I are headed back up to Northern Utah on June 28-29 for another little 100-mile ride around the stunningly beautiful Cache Valley, doing our part to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.<br />
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This all means I have a goal! I'm upping the ante to $600. Fundraising has always made me squeamish (asking for money, yikes!), but I figure I may as well raise the bar for myself this year :)<br />
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So, if you feel so inclined, I would be awesomely thankful for any and all donations. No donation is too small, and everything is appreciated. A link to my fundraising page is below, and I've even added pictures this year, woohoo!<br />
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<a href="http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/UTUBikeEvents?px=11701599&pg=personal&fr_id=22337">Sponsor me HERE</a><br />
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Donating to Bike MS is the equivalent of telling MS to "kiss it"!<br />
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Thankyouthankyouthankyou, and for all those who can't say it themselves, THANK YOU!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-50282562862701038352014-04-11T10:32:00.001-05:002014-04-11T10:32:26.977-05:00CobwebsCobwebs. They are everywhere. Quiet corners, between the rafters in the basement, the spokes of my bike, my legs, this blog, my brain :)<br />
<br />
It's time for some spring cleaning, and the cobwebs are the first to go.<br />
<br />
To start, I reintroduced 'speed' into my running diet this past Wednesday. Bethany invited me to join her and some ladies for a first installment of group trail speed work. My heart responded before my brain could catch up, and I said yes :) I'm really glad I did. While I was operating far beyond my current scope of practice, it felt good to get my tush handed to me, repeatedly, and fantastically. <br />
<br />
We were meeting up east of the U, on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail early evening, and in a moment of pure thoughtlessness I decided I would run the two miles there as a warm-up. <br />
<br />
I forgot to factor in the fact that it's two miles of all uphill. Every step, uphill. And it was at the end of a long day. 'Oh well, it will be a nice downhill cool down on the way back home.' At least the weather was perfect (in the 70s) and the sun was casting a nice glow over the mountains.<br />
<br />
My legs weren't as lead-y as I feared they might feel, but they definitely had zero spunk in them. I knew what I was getting into running with B, but I didn't realize I was actually going to be the only slow person in the group. That was silly of me ;) I must have forgotten where I was!<br />
<br />
I arrived right on time, and last, which would be the theme of the evening. And I was totally okay with that. We did an easy 15 minute warm-up north, and then began the butt-kicking. A progression run was on tap (something I had never even heard of before this) of 3, 5, 7, 5, 3 minutes, with half-time recovery between each set. It was to be entirely self-paced, and we would regroup on the recoveries. We were to aim for 1/2 marathon race pace. <br />
<br />
Inside I died a little, but in a good way. I had bitten off far more than I could chew, but I was absolutely tickled to be participating. It was exactly what I needed.<br />
<br />
I was immediately dropped like a bad habit, and at first I felt awkward, but then I thought, 'Whatever, who cares. This is all I have today.' I just hoped the others wouldn't be annoyed by my lackluster performance. We kept to the lower trails and ran loops, easing our way south before heading north again. Hills, rocks, amazing views. I can honestly say I have never done speed work on a trail before. And, I can honestly say I haven't done speed work since October, 2013. AND, I can honestly count on my two hands the number of times I have done speed work in my entire life. Out of my element? You could say that.<br />
<br />
But you can't grow as a runner if you don't step outside of your comfort zone and get a little uncomfortable every now and again. I could have received Olympic gold for the record-breaking long jump I did outside of my comfort zone. <br />
<br />
This was also only the second time I've been on the trail since our race at <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2013/11/droppin-it-like-its-hot-rio-del-lago.html">Rio Del Lago 100</a> back in early November. I know, it's terrible. My name is Paige, and I have been a road runner all winter long (*Hi Paige*). Then I had a respiratory ailment earlier this year, then I have school that takes up all my time, blah, blah, blah.<br />
<br />
So I had a lot going against me. A lot of excuses I fought to not share, to at least relieve myself of some of the guilt I had over my performance.<br />
<br />
Everyone was awesome. On the recoveries, they would turn back to meet with me, and then we would stick together until the next push. That made me feel good, and they were all great sports. So, thank you for that :) I started to feel the push by the seven minute interval and I got all goose-bumpy and flushed feeling (which has always been the cue for me to ease back), so I did and that worked marvelously. It just meant I was even slower now. But, nothing like a fainting runner to really bring the mood down, and there was no way I was going to do that to myself. I had to keep reminding myself that I was just getting back into it. To not get down on myself. <br />
<br />
We wrapped it up after a nice and easy cool down back to where we started and we headed in different directions. I took it really easy getting back home, and by the time I got to the front door, I felt amazing. My legs were completely spent, I had almost 10 miles under my belt (which, by the way, is a "long run" right now!), and I was ravenous. That's a good feeling. I missed that feeling :)<br />
<br />
Hopefully, this will be a weekly thing. It is exactly what I need. Feels good to punish the legs again, and to do something that completely overrides anything school-related. I was working hard enough that there wasn't a single thought of school in that hour. It was almost a little meditative. <br />
<br />
Cobwebs are feisty, but if you keep at it you can keep them away. Lots more work to do, and I like it.<br />
<br />
Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-81368452620730130362013-12-31T11:43:00.002-06:002013-12-31T14:25:54.619-06:00Looking Back, But Mostly Looking AheadThis time <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2012/12/say-it-with-me-now-what-year.html">last year</a>, I was closing things out with 2,140.6 running miles and 403 hours. This year, I didn't have a particular goal in mind, other than shooting for averaging 200 miles per month for as long as I could. I somehow managed to do that for 9 months this year. Booya.<br />
<br />
Soooooo, the final numbers are…2,227.8 running miles and 403 hours, highest yearly mileage to date. Same amount of time, but 82.5 miles more? Hmmmm, definitely did not think I ran faster this year, but I suppose I did after all :) <br />
<br />
I like to keep track of these numbers here so that I can look back and remember that I wasn't as lazy as I managed to feel. We barely raced this year (relatively speaking), but I stayed very focused on maintaining fitness and getting out to run most days, especially once school started up. I'll pat myself on the back for that.<br />
<br />
Looking ahead to this coming year…I can't believe tomorrow is a new year…I am changing my running focus. <br />
<br />
I'm laying down the gauntlet.<br />
<br />
Rather than focusing on distance I am going to focus on speed. With school taking up as much time as it does, and then clinical rotations beginning late spring, I'm not going to dedicate the kind of time I'd like to dedicate to training for long distance. BUT, I can certainly handle short distance and speed work. I'm setting my sights on the half marathon distance. The prospect of training for a short race has me positively giddy! I've only ever run one half marathon race, back in 2008 (right before running my first 50k), arriving at the finish line in around 2:01. Then I PR'd the distance in 1:46 while running my PR marathon (3:39) back in 2011.<br />
<br />
<i>I can do better than that. And I will.</i><br />
<br />
I'm setting my sights on a 1:35 half marathon. I have written down a list of possible races, and once I decide on one I will post it here for accountability. That's the only way my goals become reality. Accountability. <br />
<br />
While discussing it with Geof during dinner last night, he threw down. "You can run faster than that; shoot for 1:30!" I think I originally proposed 1:40, which would, in retrospect, be a garbage and easily attainable goal (too easy). I bargained, and we agreed on 1:35. It's just enough outside of my comfort zone without being anxiety-inducing :) It'll hurt just enough to let me know I'm doing something, but not so much that I hate it. <br />
<br />
Always set goals just a teensy bit outside your capabilities; those are the goals that make you work and push you to <i>new</i> limits.<br />
<br />
I love this!! I've been feeling pretty <i>meh</i> about running lately and I came up with this idea during yesterday's run. I'm a person who needs a focus, a goal. I know this about myself. If I let myself go too long without a focus I begin to drift and then it's really hard to get back on track. So the powers that be threw me a lifeline and offered up this idea. I began doing fartleks halfway through my short run yesterday, feeling the drive and excitement creeping in as my idea grew upon itself.<br />
<br />
<i>I love goals!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
In an effort not to overwhelm myself, that is the only solid racing goal I will be setting at this point. I figure it's good enough for now. We have other plans that will hopefully fill the year up... :)<br />
<br />
Ahhhhh, that feels good to write (i.e. type) down. Now I just need to formulate a training plan…<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a fabulous last day of 2013, and all the best to you in 2014!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-53588373756414440412013-12-24T13:47:00.001-06:002013-12-24T13:49:28.189-06:00The Genius Of It All<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I actually hesitated before posting this for the first time in my five years of blogging. That's how I know I needed to post this.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Years are funny things. They happen no matter what you do (<i>e.g. I've been blogging for <u>five years</u>?? When did <u>that</u> happen?!</i>). Time moves by you sometimes in an instant, and other times it crawls at a crippling pace. Sometimes we can move in stride with our time and other times we feel as though we have stumbled, tumbled, fumbled and fought to just brush our fingertips against it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
This last year has been about a lot of things, but the first half was mostly about getting into my program. And the second half was mostly about staying afloat. When this first semester ended I could literally and figuratively take a step back and examine the new ground gained in the battle, in addition to the wreckage left behind. Sorry, that was a little dramatic :) In the last year I have transformed into a new version of myself. The vigor and hard work that I put into my running the last few years has been transplanted into my education. My running is but a whisper of its former self, but I feel that I am better for it. This blog is but a whisper of its former self as well :) And for that, I apologize. It weighs on me, but I know that this is a temporary lifestyle. One year left and then I will begin the transformation into the next phase…re-entering the working world, and being the person I've wanted so badly to be. It's going to fly by. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Looking back on the last year, it has been rather exciting and profoundly satisfying in an extremely appropriate way. Appropriate because it is exactly what I was hoping for and working towards. While we didn't get out and race as much as we would have liked, the races we did run went very well and we enjoyed each experience. Speedgoat 50k was hands down my most favorite of the lot because I was able to parlay hard work into a satisfying outcome, and I hope to head back there again in 2014. Antelope Island will hopefully be in the cards again, as well as BoSho trail marathon and perhaps a few other shorter races. I'll be scaling back considerably on the expectations for racing in 2014. Once clinical rotations begin, I will be at the whim of that schedule and won't be able to manage much outside of that. And that is okay with me. It's just another 12 months. I can do anything for 12 months :) Plus, the end-goal achievement far outweighs the small sacrifices along the way (i.e. racing, bits of sanity, a proper diet, sleeping in, a restrictive budget) and I look forward to that day next December. However, there is a whole lot of living to be had before then.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
This post is going to take a slightly different route than initially intended. I thought it was going to be about the last year and hopes for next year. Sometimes free-form writing just does that…has a life of its own. It has to do with disappointment, success, and perceived failure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I think that I probably am viewed in a slightly inaccurate light by those that don't know me well. I have a pretty good idea how others see me and I just want to take this opportunity to let you in on a secret: I have had many a failure and many a disappointment in my life, in addition to the successes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I was rejected by not one but <i>two </i>PTA programs before landing a spot in the program of my dreams. Those were blessings in disguise. Good luck telling me that back then, though. I felt crushed and like a total schmuck. I was downright embarrassed. <i>Am I not good enough? what did I do wrong? what could I have done differently? whywhywhy??</i> If I had gotten into either of those programs I would have been just fine, life would have worked out fine. But then I wouldn't be where I am and who I am today. It took another year and a half before I would finally land squarely on my feet (or my bum, as it were), sitting at our desk in the second bedroom of our new home in our new city, clicking on an e-mail typed in the most beautiful font I'd ever seen: the font of acceptance. I felt redeemed, astonishingly grateful, emotional, and completely at a loss of words. I squealed like a child, in an unearthly pitch that I didn't know I was capable of. I did it! It was a difficult process, but my hard work paid off, finally. Five years of hard work to get to that moment, opening that type-written letter. I'm seriously considering framing the official hard-copy letter I received a day later. It was such a hard battle, and so seriously rewarding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I was told by my 9th grade honors English teacher, in front of the entire class, that I was a 'bad writer' (her words, not mine), that my only saving grace was that I could come up with "really killer titles", and that was it. I was a painfully shy kid. That could have crushed me. And it sort of did. That comment followed me all the way into college when I finally had an instructor who convinced me I had a knack for the written word. It was my middle eastern politics professor…she wanted to frame a paper I had written on Bosnia. I took that as a compliment. But that 9th grade teacher let something out of me that I didn't know was <i>in</i> me. I was on a mission to prove her wrong, and while she will never know she was wrong, <i>I</i> know she was wrong and I'm better for it. If only math instructors could have done the same thing for my lacking in the numbers world ;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I was once a radio DJ. Did you know that? I was, for five years. Two and a half in Central Illinois, and another two and a half in Eastern North Carolina. I was navigating the choppy and unsure waters of media fairly well and had my own midday show on a hard rock station, in addition to a gazillion other job titles within the radio group of six stations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<i>I had never actually hyperventilated before.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
One early spring day, when I was told that I was losing my time slot to an unsavory duo threatening to leave if they didn't get what they wanted, and that I would be pushed to nights, I accepted the news as diplomatically as I could muster. I'm talking the whole nine yards: smiling, good posture, head-nodding, lots of "I understand"s and "thank you"s, blah blah blah. I'm talking Oscar-worthy performance. I then walked calmly outside and around to the back of the building which butted up against a grove of tall evergreens and a busy road. I steadied myself with both hands against the concrete wall, and then I unraveled. I was hyperventilating. I didn't know that that was what was happening at first; it was slightly terrifying. I crouched down, hands on knees, and I sobbed between gasps of air. <i>Holy s***, what just happened?</i> I felt like a complete failure, and a complete idiot. Thankfully, I was alone out there and was able to feel the full force of the emotions rolling in like waves rather than trying to muffle them. Maybe 10 minutes passed and then I gathered myself, went back inside and finished recording the commercials I was voicing for production. Two weeks later I received a phone call in the on-air booth that completely changed the course of my life, and I suddenly knew the reason for things. Everything happens for a reason, it just takes some time for the reasons to shake out and present themselves to you. But always trust that things happen for a reason and that everything will work out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Four weeks later, I was packing up a moving truck with my mom, preparing to make the 21-hour drive to Chicago to begin my new job at a radio station I had interned at during college. While creating a new position in the station, the General Manager remembered me and my work during my intern days and somehow managed to find me way out in NC. I was offered the job and the rest is history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Obviously, I am not in radio anymore, and that's a whole 'nother story of disappointment followed by another phoenix-rising-out-of-ashes type thing. Like I said, things always manage to work out. Life is definitely like a choose-your-own-adventure book. When you get to the bottom of a page, or end of a section, you are directed to choose between two options, each sending you off in different, unexpected directions. If you were to trace the course of my life, for example, it would in no way represent a straight line. It would look more like a tree, with a definitive beginning (the trunk) topped by layer upon layer of branches branching into new branches into new branches into new branches, going in all directions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
There are plenty of examples I could continue on with here, but I think you get the point. I think I put off the vibe of being charmed or 'lucky', when in reality we are all one in the same. I've worked my butt off to get to where I'm at; few things have ever just landed in my lap. I've put in the time and the sweat and some things have paid off. Sometimes things didn't pay off as I had hoped, but ultimately even those 'failures' have helped to pave the way. I am who I am because of where I have been. I regret not a single experience I have had because every experience I have had has gotten me to where I am now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<i>"Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together." ~Marilyn Monroe</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
The PTA program I am in is the hardest thing I have ever done. A lot of the last four months is a blur as a result of the tunnel vision I had to have in order to do well. I've honestly never worked so hard in my <i>life</i>. I'm guessing I made it look easy judging by comments from peers, but trust me, it has been anything but. Not everyone fared so well and as a result we will be short a few of my classmates next semester. I do not know if they read this, but I want them to know that while it feels like crap and really, really sucks, everything happens for a reason. Just give it a little time and the reason will become apparent. Then pick yourself up and do the thing you know that needs to be done, whatever that may be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>"Sometimes life is going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith." ~Steve Jobs</i></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know that if you truly feel you are on the path you want to be on then you will find a way to make it work. And one day you'll look up and realize that it's been working all along.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Disappointment comes in all forms and creeps in at generally unexpected times. The key is to not lose faith that things will work out. Allow yourself to feel the weight of it, but then refocus and decide what needs to happen next. It's the sucky times that allow us to fully appreciate the unbelievably awesome times. Generally, we get out of life exactly what we put in. Do good, do right, pick your path and eventually it will come to fruition. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not everything works out exactly as you hoped it would, but that is the genius of it all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We can't know exactly what to expect every time. What fun is that? So be open to the possibilities and be ready to run with it. We can't possibly plan for everything, nor can we expect that everything will fall into place just as we had imagined it. Not every trail is marked perfectly, in fact many are not marked at all. It is in these times that you must trust your gut and take the path that feels most right. Even if it means going off trail a bit, you will eventually find your way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you
can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots
will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut,
destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has
made all the difference in my life." ~Steve Jobs</i></span><!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><br /></i></span>
So I think that that is enough reflection for a Christmas Eve day. We had a really good run this morning and I'm hungry. I made some wicked delish <a href="http://thebackpaige.blogspot.com/2013/12/pretty-peppermint-bark.html">peppermint bark</a> and I think I need to go make some of it disappear! :)</span><br />
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Paige, out.</span>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-62939992069019279632013-12-13T18:58:00.000-06:002013-12-13T18:58:02.573-06:00Free Time, You Are MineAhhhhhhhhhh (that's me exhaling deeply and happily). I survived my first semester of PTA school (physical therapist assistant…not parent/teacher association :))! I'm not gonna lie, it feels really good. I remember being warned by no less than five PTAs, that graduated from the same program, that the first semester could possibly kill me. One particular class, therapeutic modalities, would be the hardest class of my career. That one particular instructor's exams could be the end of more than a few people. I laughed these warnings off. Until I was fully submerged in the hardest semester of my entire life. And then I remembered their warnings. PTA school ain't no joke, and it's not for the faint of heart. Or the lazy. I still can't believe everything we did and learned. My brain aches. But it's a glorious, smart ache.<br />
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So, yes, it feels so freaking good to have that semester behind me, and to have made it through so victoriously. I just aimed to keep my head above water, not lose sight of the end-goal, and not forget how much I love running. I gave myself permission to sleep in more and rest the body after finishing <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2013/11/droppin-it-like-its-hot-rio-del-lago.html">Rio Del Lago 100</a> the first weekend of November. It was a little hard at first, and I felt a little guilty, but now I'm really glad I did. I've just been running when I feel like it, and keeping it pretty short. The inversion has settled in a tad early, so the pea soup air is an easy excuse to stay in. BUT, I've got a little bit of a challenge going with myself…run every day of winter break. We'll see. I'm not totally married to it yet, but I did push myself out the door this morning in the 10 degree chill and the worst air quality I've seen so far. But I only did a couple miles, and I had my nose and mouth covered :) Then I did some serious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation">netty potting</a> when I got home. (Yes, I boil the water first.)<br />
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Anywho, so I gave myself permission to ease back, and after reading <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2013/12/on-not-running.html">THIS</a> article yesterday afternoon I suddenly felt completely okay with it :) Sometimes there are just bigger priorities than running. These last 3-1/2 months were a true test of my ability to serial task, prioritize, manage my time down to the minute, and breathe. Once our goal race passed, I had a month before finals, and for the first time I put others things, a lot of other things, before my running. And it felt good. They say not to worry about grades now, just to make sure we're passing, because it's a professional program and no longer a competition. But I'm just not wired that way. I'm going to work hard and do my best. I'm also not going to lose myself over it. So I balance. I feel like I did a pretty good job of it most of the time…not always (Geof can attest :)), but a heck of a lot better than I ever used to balance things (which is to say, not at all). I don't feel like I've lost myself, or forgotten what I love to do. I feel like I've shifted focus to other important things…my husband, school, good health, sleep. It's pretty sweet.<br />
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Mental proprioception :)<br />
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Ski season is fantastic already. A lot of great storms up at Alta since November, and we got season passes this year…so the slopes and I are going to be very familiar with each other over the next four weeks! <br />
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Next semester is supposed to be "less insane", but I'm thinking it's just because we are so used to the insanity now that it won't seem so bad. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath ;) I absolutely lovelovelove what I'm doing and feel so fortunate to be on the path that I am on. It's pretty amazing, and I am grateful to Geof every single day for all of his support and overall greatness. Boom!<br />
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We have a weekend of holiday happenings, and a delicious stew (and homemade bread!) that I finally had the time to create for dinner. Oh sweet free time!<br />
<br />
Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-38121620007393075002013-11-15T17:49:00.004-06:002013-11-16T10:19:04.521-06:00Droppin' It Like It's Hot: A Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wha' whaaaaa'! It is officially Friday, and I am one happy camper because that means no class today :) This week, it also means that it's five days post-Rio Del Lago 100 and I'm chomping at the bit to get back running! Always a sign of a great race.</div>
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So, yea, the race was a resounding success once again for the House of Dunmore. The hugely improved <a href="http://www.rio100mile.com/">Rio Del Lago 100 Mile Endurance Run</a> gets highest marks in my book. RD Julie Fingar, et al. took an historic race that floundered in recent years due to poor direction and organization (sorry, but it's true) and have made it into a seriously classy event. Bravo! The organization, the volunteers, the amenities, the course, the volunteers, the food, the volunteers, the <i>food</i>…everything was thought of and everything was so well done. It was a small race, only 112 runners, but you would have thought that this was the Grand Prix of running with the way it was executed. Aid stations never left you wanting for more, and we didn't even need to travel with Gu because the stations were completely stocked with it (Gu Roctane, too, which is high class!). <i>And</i> great swag on top of everything! Of course, the entry fee does make your heart skip a beat at first, but in retrospect it was totally worth it. </div>
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I had such a great time with all-star crew Uncle Steve and <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/">Gretchen</a> when I ran <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2010/09/rio-del-lago-100m-who-needs-toenails.html">back in 2010</a> so we got the band back together! Reunion concerts usually fall flat and leave you wishing you had spent your time a little more wisely, but this reunion trumped the original by a landslide. Uncle Steve and Gretchen were <i>amazing</i> and we couldn't have had better folks out there greeting us at each aid station, ready to attend to whatever it was we needed or wanted, and with smiles and laughs. Gretchen even gave us a few Rockette-worthy high kicks a couple of times!</div>
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The night before, we congregated at Yardhouse in Roseville to talk shop, but mostly to just catch up and enjoy amazing food and libations. Geof's beautiful Cousin Deborah joined us, too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V--HIVUXiWU/UoY2aeTHa8I/AAAAAAAAK9I/Wbp_ildHE5E/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V--HIVUXiWU/UoY2aeTHa8I/AAAAAAAAK9I/Wbp_ildHE5E/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>"We're getting' the band back together, man!"</i></div>
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Okay, so to the stuff you are actually "reading" this for :) </div>
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<i>Race morning, all fresh and ready to go for a little run in the woods</i></div>
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Geof and I were eager to get a 100 mile race in before the year ended and RDL fit in perfect with everything else going on, so we made the leap and agreed to run it together. School has been…ummmm, insane…this semester so while training started out really great (speed work, specificity, loooong runs, back-to-backs), it began to flounder a touch near the end (as in, a three-week taper) on account of my classwork drowning me, and Geof taking on a nasty head/chest cold. My legs haven't been the same since school started on account of stress and less sleep (I'm assuming) so I didn't have really high hopes for this event, but we did set an early goal of 22:30. After three weeks of tapering, we decided to scale back our expectations a tad, and aim for sub-24 as an 'A' goal, sub-25 as a 'B' goal, and not dying as a 'C' goal. </div>
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Thankfully, we met a "B 2.0" goal :)</div>
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The race began with great fanfare at the start/finish at Beal's Point and we were sent off into the night across the levies spanning Folsom Lake (which was disturbingly almost totally empty). The course changed a bit from the last time I ran so I wasn't sure what to expect, other than it being almost completely trail (which is a <i>very</i> good change). As the sun began to peak up we wiggled our way around the 'shore' of the American River (also disturbingly low/non-existant in many places). </div>
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Rule #1 in ultrarunning: Never trust the person in front of you. We blindly followed the runner in front of us, assuming the orange arrows were guiding us along the right trail. They were not. We found ourselves in the middle of a riverbed (which was empty, don't worry), orange arrows having petered off. A large group of fast dudes were making their way towards us, pissed. <i>Oh, crap, we went off trail</i>. <i>But the arrows were pointing in that direction! </i> We blindly, again, began to follow the fasties as they bushwhacked across the riverbed, arguing about ways to get back up the bluff to the trail. It didn't feel good, and after some time we decided to cut our losses and bushwhack back down to the riverbed and retrace our steps to where we went off-trail in the first place. Thankfully, it worked out and we found where we went astray. The arrows were apparently leftovers from a previous race. Doh! Oh well. We probably lost 15-20 minutes, and some steam, but whatever. Better then than later in the race! And at least it was light out. </div>
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The first couple of aid stations came and went and we just kept on moving forward. After an hour or so we made up all the ground we had lost, having caught back up to and then passing everyone we had been running with before getting off trail, so that was reassuring.</div>
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<i>After Dowdin's Post 1, Geof flying down the trail alongside the American River. What a stud!</i></div>
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The legs and body were feeling great and I was in one of the <i>best</i> moods. Geof was struggling to fully embrace the day, but he pulled us along well, and when I stepped ahead of him, he stuck right with me. </div>
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I tell you what, even when he's not feeling all that great mentally he still runs really well. I'm always impressed with his ability to almost separate the two and not let his mind muddy things.</div>
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Now, I'll take a moment here to talk about my head. Since we were running together, I needed to let go of my competitive goals. That sounds bad, but what I mean is that competition was not what I was there for. I was there to run with my husband and just enjoy the day, no matter what it brought us. It was hard to switch gears like that. Geof is a super relaxed guy, so I was doing my best to follow suit and just let things be. And I did. I was enjoying the heck out of myself! No pressure, no concern, just running with my husband. Running within my training, running within myself, and running relaxed and carefree. This did wonders for my head, and the first ~75 miles went by rather dreamily. </div>
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<i>Running across No Hands Bridge 1. Love this shot.</i></div>
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The day was starting to warm up, but with 75 as the high, we weren't worried about heat being an issue at all. The sun was out, not a cloud in sight, and it was shaping up to be a beautiful day (and it was!). At Cool Fire Station, we joined the Olmstead Loop for two rounds, running counterclockwise and then clockwise. This gave me a chance to see what was happening up in front. And showed me where I stood in the women's field. I was in third. Well, that's cool and all (ha, no pun intended), but not important. So I shelved that knowledge, put my head down, and just ran. Olmstead wasn't as bad as I remembered it. Though the course marking was severely confusing at first (a LOT of people were running the wrong way, running short, or too long) but we managed to make sense of it by trusting our gut and not following anyone in front of us :) Gretchen and Jamie F. decided to do a little jog before we made it back to the aid station and they caught up to us midway through the first loop. It was fun to chat with them and catch up some more! I was starting to feel a little tired and warm, so we took ample walk breaks on our way back to Cool, where we restocked, stuffed ice in my running bra, and then headed back out for our second loop in the opposite direction.</div>
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Another thought. This course is insanely runnable. So it was really hard to walk. We had to force ourselves into walk breaks so that we didn't overdo it too much. Note to self: this would be an excellent race to <i>race</i> :)</div>
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We got passed by a gal as we were in the final mile of the second Cool loop and she was out of sight before we knew it. Okay, now I'm in fourth :) <i>But, whatever, not my deal today.</i></div>
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One more stop at No Hands Bridge, and a quick inhaling of cheddar potato chips. We were now over halfway done. Wow, that went fast!</div>
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<i>Chip stop at No Hands Bridge</i></div>
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I was sticking to Gu gels and Coca-Cola as fuel for the day and it was working quite well, but those potato chips were heavenly. </div>
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We grabbed our headlamps at No Hands Bridge as the sun was starting to go down and we weren't sure how long it would be before we needed light.</div>
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<i>American River, on the way back to Auburn Dam Overlook 2</i></div>
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<i>Taking our time running back to Auburn. Photoshoot time!</i></div>
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We made it back to Auburn without needing light, woohoo! But it was definitely only a couple minutes before dark was officially happening. We changed into warmer tops and gloves, ate more chips, cleaned out our socks (the dust was insanity!), and hit the road back towards Maidu and the channel. It was officially nighttime, but only about 5:30 or so I believe. Daylight Savings is a trip. </div>
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I don't recall much in this section, other than that I was still feeling like absolute gold and couldn't believe my legs felt so dang fresh. They never got any worse than they were at mile 20 so I have zero complaints on that front. I guess we were better trained than we gave ourselves credit for :)</div>
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At Dowdin's Post 2 we fueled up on the most delicious chicken noodle soup I have ever had during a race. I think it was laced with mojo and crack. I wanted to drink the entire pot. Another runner was there with his pacer. "I saw your headlamps getting closer and closer to me, and I was like 'Ugh, they can't catch us!' So we gotta go!" As we exited the aid station well ahead of him, I wanted to apologize for the spanking we were about to issue him. He put up a good fight, though. We didn't see him until the finish, maybe 20-30 minutes after us. Not bad for a first-timer ;)</div>
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I should explain the course a bit. The new route heads north from Beal's Point, up to Cool, two laps of the Olmstead Loop, head back to Beal's Point, head back out to Horseshoe Bar, and then finish at Beal's Point. So there are a couple of points where you can see those ahead of you. I liked this…a lot.</div>
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What I didn't like was what they affectionately refer to as The Meat Grinder (between Granite Bay Horse Assembly and Horseshoe Bar). It was a total suckfest. No chance to get a rhythm at any point in there. The rocks and undulations and twisty-turny single track was nothing short of anger-inducing. I love a technical trail, but this was just stupid, compounded by the fact that it had to be run four times. By the time we reached Beal's Point at mile 78 I had mentally withered. I seemed to have left my good attitude at the Horse Assembly, four miles back. Now I was letting in the demons. With 22 miles left to go, I wasn't sure how my head was going to make it. My body was just fine, but my mind was playing games. Knowing we would see Steve and Gretchen every five or so miles kept me going. They were a vision each time we rolled into an aid station. Gatorade and chips became the only thing I wanted, but still choked down a Gu each hour, holding my breath as I swallowed so as to avoid tasting them. In retrospect, they were fine, I was just trying to be dramatic in an effort to exhibit my distaste with life at that moment :)</div>
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While on the one hand I could not believe that we had been moving for 15, 20, 24 hours, as it felt like time had just flown, I could, on the other hand, recall every single moment. I felt each foot strike, each minute tick by, every Gu I swallowed, every swig of water from my pack, every breeze. It was semi-surreal. But then again, these things always are surreal. <i>Who <u>does</u> this kind of thing?!?</i> </div>
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After leaving Horseshoe Bar for the last time, and passing the #4 woman for good finally (we had been back-and-forth with each other for awhile), I began to feel my mood take a turn for the better. Less than 11 miles left. We were going to do this. </div>
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Honestly, I am constantly amazed at the human body's ability to do certain things. And I never <i>ever</i> think it's a done deal until it's a done deal. I always feel optimistic and sure of my ability to achieve most things I go after, but I don't let my ego get the better of me. So as the sun began to tickle the horizon while we rolled into Horseshoe Bar for the last time, I handed my headlamp to Gretchen and opted to just use my handheld light for the remainder of the time, and I felt a sudden sense of calm. I could smell the barn, and dang it smelled good. We ran the entire way into Beal's Point, taking in the gorgeous sunrise, reflecting on the day, on the course, on the whole experience, stopping just once to pee in a bush. We made our way across the four levies, the finish line in sight the whole way. Not a soul was ahead of or behind us, and Geof remarked we could slide under 26 hours if we kept running.</div>
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So we did. We rounded the final corner and followed the arrows to the finish line arch as our names were announced: 25h:51m:45s Music was playing, a cool breeze was blowing, and the sun had yet to fully show its face. It was absolute perfection. That is one dang good finish line! We had to get weighed and our blood pressure checked one last time (I stayed the same weight start to finish, a new first for me!). A young girl walked up to me with an armful of swag, including a framed photo emblazoned with 3rd Place Female. Whaaaaaat? Third?! I thought I was in fourth! Someone must have fallen asleep at an aid station because we never passed another chick.</div>
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Now that was a pretty gosh darn good surprise.</div>
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We managed to cover those last ~5 miles quite a bit faster than we had run all day…droppin' it like it's hot. The finish line is a powerful motivator, especially when pigs in a blanket are awaiting your arrival. Yes, they had a full spread for runners and their crew. Made to order pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, mimosas. It was fantastic!!</div>
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<i>Speaking of sausage, I had some serious sausage feet going on, which then led to this happening…in public. Toesocks and Birkenstocks were made for each other :)</i></div>
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<i>Obligatory finisher swag shot</i></div>
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What a friggin' great experience! Even with the tough last 25 miles. Every race can't be perfect, but you can do your best to hang on when the going gets a little tougher than you hoped. The best part is knowing that we could definitely shave a few hours or more off our finish time. My legs had a lot of life left in them, and judging by our recovery, we both had a lot left in the tank. We were <i>definitely</i> better trained than we thought :) So we'll be back to this one for sure. It was such a well run event. Everything had been thought of and executed expertly. Bravo, NorCal Ultras, bravo!</div>
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A big, huge thank you to Gretchen and Steve for giving us their weekend and being such amazing crew. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! </div>
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Now it's time to relax and enjoy a weekend free of long runs…we needed this last week off, for sure. But we are ready to get back to running, and SKIING!!!</div>
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Here's a fun <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqQunLV6eEg">video recap of the day</a> made by Ultra Sports Live.</div>
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P.S. I wore my Brooks Cascadia 8s and Injinji socks the entire day and my feet were awesome afterward. I love those shoes :)</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-31495040075229351912013-11-08T08:44:00.000-06:002013-11-08T08:44:19.022-06:00I Have a Very Important Announcement to Make…We are actually racing this weekend! <div>
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How long has it been now? Ummmmm, since late July? </div>
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What the <i>what</i>? July?! What a lazybones!</div>
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I do have a good excuse, though. School. It pretty much takes up all of my free time. But I love it. But I also love to run 100 milers, so we decided to just go for it and sign up for one before the year closed out on us. There is always time for the things you <i>want</i> to do. Throw it out there and things will just fall into place. Happens every time.</div>
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Yep, we are heading back to Rio Del Lago and the thriving suburbopolis of Granite Bay, CA. <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2010/09/rio-del-lago-100m-who-needs-toenails.html">Remember when I ran this back in 2010</a>? I plan to keep my toenails intact this time, and we (Geof and I will be running together!) are planning to run it a touch faster than what I did back in 2010. We were originally aiming for 22:30 (to earn us both a new 100 mile PR) but we have since scaled back our expectations a touch and are aiming for closer to sub-24/25, and a really fun time. Gotta be reasonable. And considering my running has been less than top form since school started in August, I think that is a very reasonable goal, aaaaand especially considering it's a whole new course this year and we don't fully know what to expect.</div>
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Training has gone pretty well. We got in a number of back-to-back long run weekends, lots of specificity of training, some speed work early on, two long runs spent running around a 1.4 mile park here in town (I'm pretty sure I won't be doing that again for some time…mind-numbing!), some really great runs, some character-building runs, SO MUCH GU, and lots of reciting origins and insertions of muscles whilst running. Hey, gotta study when I can!</div>
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<i>Heading toward City Creek Canyon on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail early October, the Cottonwoods in the background. I love SLC :)</i></div>
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So it's weird and extremely exciting to be heading into our next long run adventure. I can't believe it's been well over a year (<a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2012/10/bear-downa-2012-bear-100-race-report.html">2012 Bear 100</a>) since my last 100 mile race! This is going to be such a fun experience. We've even gotten the band back together for our crew: Uncle Steve and my favorite blogger <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/">Gretchen</a> will be helping out again; me = pumped!</div>
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Okay, need to finalize the packing and then catch a plane. Enjoy the weekend!</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
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Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-19510985109257600382013-09-02T19:06:00.003-05:002013-09-02T19:06:35.402-05:00WhirlywindWhew! It has been a whirlwind of life the last month! I sure have missed my blog, and all'a you guys and gals who bother to check in :) <br />
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So, since we left off back in August I have...driven (i.e. been the passenger in a vehicle) to Iowa, Chicago, Iowa again, and then Colorado with Geof; slept in the back of our truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot; paced good friend Brian G. up and over Hope Pass at the Leadville 100; signed up for our next 100 mile run (we're heading back to Rio Del Lago 100 in California in November!!); started school (physical therapist assistant program); lost my brain, then found it again after surviving the first week; woops, lost said brain again the next day but luckily located it once again; organized my heart out; met our lab cadavers; run a WHOLE BUNCH, even done speed work more than once (what the WHAT?!); cut off 8 inches of hair; done some jumper photos; ran into a moose on the Great Western Trail, and eaten a lot of sardines.<br />
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That's a whole lotta stuff!<br />
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Basically, my excuse for the next 18 months is going to be...school :) Bear with me, please. I promise it will pay off in plenty of entertainment and write-y stuff!<br />
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Meantime, we are still chipping away at the mileage, gearing up for RDL100, where we are aiming to set a new 100 mile PR for both of us. We'll be running together and have our sights set on 22h:30m :) There, I put it out into the universe. Done and done. I like when people explicitly state their goals, so I am going to practice what I preach :)<br />
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It is September 2nd, holy cannoli! Mmmm, cannolis :) Wasatch 100 is next weekend and I plan on being envious of all the runners toeing the line whilst observing the fun from the trail.<br />
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Happy running!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-65387705144414418602013-08-05T16:02:00.003-05:002013-08-05T16:05:59.541-05:00Speedgoat 50k: It Did, In Fact, Get Silly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, Speedgoat 50k, how you woo me. I went into you <a href="http://www.seriouscaseoftheruns.com/2013/07/pre-speedgoat-50kits-gonna-get-silly.html">expecting silliness</a>, and that is exactly what I got. However, I didn't expect to fall in love with you. And you have such good swag!</div>
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Most people I encountered that had run this one before usually described their experiences with multiple eye rolls, sounds of exasperation, and lots of 'once is enough'. </div>
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I should have known.</div>
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It was awesome to be able to sleep in our own bed the night before a race, and only have a short drive to the start. We arrived at Snowbird with plenty of time to futz around with our stuff, check in, get our swag, go back to the truck, futz around some more, and make it back to the Creekside pavilion in time to catch most of the pre-race meeting, and pee. After having us all recite a few times "I will not cut the switchbacks" and "I will not go in the streams", Karl had us line up behind the start/finish arch and then sent us off into the damp and foggy morning. </div>
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A little background on this before I forget. It's gnarly. This is officially the hardest race I've run...The Bear, ha! Pocatello, truly laughable! Zane Grey, yea, right (even though the heat there is pretty stupid). This isn't a race you go to to PR, unless you are just looking to get a course PR. Yes, Sage Canaday ran it in 5:06 (blows my mind), but non-human performances aside, the average finish time looks to be in the 9 hour range. For 32 miles. Let that sink in. There's a lot of different thoughts around what the actual elevation gain is, but Geof and I both came in with 11,000 ft., give or take a few feet. So that's 11,000 feet of climb, and then another 11,000 feet of descent. In 32 miles. I had nothing to compare this to going in, and now looking back, I still have nothing to compare it to. Except that it is almost exactly 1/3 of the Hardrock 100. Sick. The entire course is a breeding ground for rocks of all shapes and sizes, but its specialty are ones the size of melons. Others have described them as baby skulls, but that just sounds wrong (though, an accurate description). What goes up must come down, and vice versa. Always. No flat, just up or down. No easy, only effing stupid hard, hard, and a-little-less-hard. No ugly, only beautiful. No "I'll never do that again", only "Where do I sign up for 2014?"</div>
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Geof and I ran separate, which is a first for us, and was also totally weird. But, it had it's benefit: we ran our own races. So when we felt good, we went, and when we felt not-so-good, we eased up, and didn't feel guilty about holding the other up, or dragging them along. It was a good experience. But I still prefer to run with my dude :)</div>
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<i>Checking in at the start...</i></div>
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<i>Photo credit: <a href="http://ultrarunning.zenfolio.com/speedgoat50-2013">The Ultrarunning Scene</a></i></div>
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The race started out with a nice 8.6 mile warm up, climbing from 7,600 ft. to 11,000 ft. Hidden Peak. Geof took off a bit and I hung back and chatted briefly with <a href="http://curtisdee.blogspot.com/2013/08/speedgoat-2013.html">Curtis T.</a> from NUTR before making my move up. The sea of 317 runners made its way along the switchbacking jeep road the first few miles before dumping out onto the glorious single track of the Ridge Trail which dropped us back down to near our starting elevation before the long looooooooong climb up to Hidden began in earnest. I caught Geof on the climbs, and he dropped me on any descents on this section. We would end up being within a few hundred yards of each other like this through mile 17 or so. Once we hit the talus slope below the American Fork Twin Peaks, I passed Geof on the climb and wouldn't see him for a bit. It was a grind up this section and a light drizzle began to fall. I was determined to push hard up this last bit to Hidden Peak.</div>
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<i>This was nearing the top of the ascent towards Hidden Peak at the beginning, and the start of the final descent to the finish. It was like running on broken china plates...the size of melons.</i></div>
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<i>Photo credit: <a href="http://ultrarunning.zenfolio.com/speedgoat50-2013">The Ultrarunning Scene</a></i></div>
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I reached the top of Hidden Peak/mile 8.6 in 2h:13m on my watch. I have no idea how that stacks up, but I felt pretty good with my time. <a href="http://ben-runlong.blogspot.com/">LEWIS!</a> and Ada were at the top to greet me, and fellow Wasatch Mountain Wrangler, Zac M. grabbed my <a href="http://www.ultraspirestore.com/product-p/ua029.htm">UA Cup</a> and filled it with Coke (aka The Life Giver). I topped off my bottle and then headed out of the aid station. In-and-out, that's how I kept all my stops throughout the day. No milling about, no sitting. Grab and go. I snagged my tiny rain shell from my drop bag here, as well as the rest of my gels just in case. The race provided EFS Liquid Shot at all the aid stations, but that stuff makes my head fuzzy and bothers my stomach so I stay away from it. </div>
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<i>The final pitch up to Hidden Peak reduces most everyone to a hike. It's a glute burner :)</i></div>
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<i>Photo credit: <a href="http://media.derricklytle.com/Events/Running/Speedgoat-50k-2013/30775036_TcTjLQ#!i=2661014937&k=XNvJr86">Derrick Lytle Media</a></i></div>
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<i>Picking my way down the other side of Hidden Peak</i></div>
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<i>Photo credit: <a href="http://ultrarunning.zenfolio.com/speedgoat50-2013">The Ultrarunning Scene</a></i></div>
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<i>You can see the Salt Lake Valley in the background :)</i></div>
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<i>Photo credit: <a href="http://ultrarunning.zenfolio.com/speedgoat50-2013">The Ultrarunning Scene</a></i></div>
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After Hidden Peak 1, you hop onto the Mineral Basin Hiking Trail, and awesome single track trail that brings you down into the heart of Mineral Basin, through a couple of streams and into Larry's Hole AS. I ran straight through Larry's Hole 1 since it was so soon after Hidden Peak and continued on to Sinner's Pass, another steep climb. At some point here, Geof caught me again, and we went back and forth until we hit some of the worst terrain I have seen on a downhill section and he passed me handily. I don't know how long it lasted (too long) or what it's even called (I think maybe Mary Ellen?), but I was completely slowed to a very cautious walk. It was just enough of a downhill angle that it was very easy to get a lot of momentum going and fast, so I was doing a lot of braking. Picture a wide jeep road, flanked by high bushes and trees, and COVERED in melon-sized boulders. The only respite from the melon rocks were the far sides, which were at an unholy angle and severe ankle busters. It was easier to just go straight down the middle. A mis-step here could mean a nasty ankle sprain at best, or a concussion, loss of teeth and broken bones at worst. My heart rate skyrocketed! Steve Pero caught up to me and I latched onto him and followed his expert steps through this section. We dropped back down below 8,000 feet by the time we hit the dirt road towards Pacific Mine/mi 15.5, and once we did I ran it all the way into the aid station, catching Geof as he was leaving the AS. More Coke, a water bottle top-off, and I was out of there. Into and out of Pacific Mine is a short out and back, so you got to see runners both ways. After hitting the turn-off from the road, we began the very long climb back up to Mineral Basin and to Larry's Hole 2. Eventually as we made our way up, up, up the jeep road, I could see Geof up ahead. I gradually caught him and I could see what I suspected: he wasn't feeling too hot. He told me this would probably be the last time we'd see each other until the finish and to go make him proud. I was feeling a little less than completely awesome and I contemplated just hanging back with him. I also knew I was going to pull out of it shortly, once the caffeine kicked in. I went back and forth in my head for quite a ways, even after kissing each other goodbye and continuing on. After finally deciding to commit myself to finishing it out on my own terms, I tuned out the remainder of the climb back to Larry's Hole 2 with my trusty iPod Shuffle. <br />
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Did I mention this was a long climb? It felt interminable! The music helped and got me into a really good rhythm. The weather was holding really well, and aside from a drizzle here and there, the day remained cloudy and cool with a slight breeze. Perfect running weather. Eventually I made it to the top of Sinner's Pass again and rode out the steep downhill back to Larry's Hole 2/mi 21 where I filled up my UA Cup with more Coke for the walk out, and topped off my water bottle. In-n-out. <br />
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BTW, the volunteers at this little shindig are downright awesome. <br />
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After Larry's came the nice climb back up to the cat track just above the Basin, and below Alta. I knew Mt. Baldy was on deck, but was still curious to see how we would be climbing it. It was a grunt back up to the cat track, and then as we rounded the bend and glanced up, we were presented with our route up Baldy...straight up. Not even a vague suggestion of a trail, just little blue flags to follow, straight up the south face of the mountain. I wouldn't even know where to begin with a guess as to the percent grade of the route, but I'd guess close to 80%! Our heels never even touched the ground and hands were necessary most of the way up, it was that steep. The best strategy was to just keep moving, don't lose momentum. Several guys in front of me were taking a beating and stopped to catch their breath every few steps, and I would have to wiggle around them. I made pretty darn good time up this section and felt really happy to reach the top. <br />
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One step at a time, one section at a time.<br />
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I should mention here that the one thing I was having the most difficulty with was patience. While I handled it fine, it was definitely a mind game. Anticipating what's next, worrying about time/pace/any of that is a waste of energy. I found that just taking it one step at a time was the only way to do it. Not getting caught up in passing or getting passed, other people, terrain, climbs, my watch, not of that mattered. And music on the long uphill grinds definitely helped :) I had a goal in mind, but I wasn't going to lose my sh*# trying to reach it. I was staying within my training and doing my best to race smart. If that wasn't going to be enough, then so be it. But I had a feeling it was going to work out just fine :)<br />
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After ascending Baldy at 11,068 ft., we descended the western ridge down to the saddle between Hidden and Baldy, then continued down the jeep road to the Tunnel AS/mi 23.6. More Coke, more water in my bottle, and then I walked the tunnel as I downed my Coke. It was cool to be walking <i>through a mountain</i>. I'd never been in the tunnel before, so it was awesome to see it finally. Lots of old photos documenting the history of the area and digging of the tunnel. At the other end, we followed the flags down, down, down, knowing full well there was one final butt kicker of a climb back to Hidden Peak 2 at 11,000 ft. once we reached the Ridge Trail. I was ready for it. I ran the entire downhill to the Ridge Trail head and then plugged the music back in for the 1.5 mile/1,500 ft. climb up the north ridge to Hidden Peak. Once we cleared the trees, it was cool to be able to see straight down on either side of the trail, into Peruvian Gulch and Gad Valley Gulch. You could see runners way down in Peruvian making their way to the Ridge Trail, and runners up ahead nearing the top of the Peak. Another grind, and lots of swapping places with others. I was feeling really good.<br />
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And then suddenly we were on top of Hidden Peak again! Pete S. was there to help refill my bottle and get me Coke, and then I was outta there. "Just follow the ribbons back down to Gad, unless you want to climb Twin Peaks," "I think I'll pass on that today!"<br />
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With just 5ish miles, and a 3,500 ft drop, I could smell the finish. Two runners I was near most of the day left the station after me, but soon caught me on the nasty descent of the talus field (pictured above). Dave left us in the dust, and Sadie and I traded spots a few more times. It was just the two of us, and then I passed her when she stopped to take some salt. I knew it wasn't for long, though :) Back on the jeep road, I was completely alone and wondering if I had gotten off route. Lots of blue ribbons still, but <i>were they from earlier, when we ascended this part at the beginning?</i> Hmmmm. I slowed and spun to see if anyone was behind me; no one. <i>Well, this makes the most sense, and there are ribbons. </i>When the route hopped back onto single track trail, Sadie appeared out of nowhere and passed me by. <i>Phew, I'm going the right way :) </i>I latched onto her pace and we were just screaming down the final few miles of single track. Holy smokes, I was riding the line between control and absolute mayhem that entire way! I kept thinking, <i>please don't fall, please don't fall!</i> and somehow I managed to remain upright. I completely unleashed and was blowing my own mind. I kept visualizing my feet moving like I was pedaling, leaning forward into the downhill. <br />
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It was exhilarating! Geof would have been so proud to see me running downhill like that :)<br />
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Sadie was maybe 20 feet in front of me, and we could hear the finish, and see it, as we switched back and forth on the trail, getting closer and closer, and then finally, we were there! I eased up a touch, glanced at my watch and nearly kissed the couple walking past just out for a stroll. I was going to make it under 8:30! Down the last bit of jeep road, round the corner, and <i>ahhhhhhh</i> the finish line arch!<br />
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Done and done. 8:27:48, 24th lady in a very talented field of women. We got a sweet little finisher's medal and a pint glass with the elevation profile on it. I also won a pair of Ryder's Eyewear sunglasses, booya! And, to top it all off, I beat Ultra SignUp's prediction of 8:36...that's what I was really aiming for :)<br />
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As soon as I finished, I walked to the truck to change and then walked back down to wait for Geof to come in. Pizza and PBR helped lubricate the mild discomfort in my legs while I waited :)</div>
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<i>Geof's final kick into the finish, just as the rain began in earnest!</i></div>
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Geof finished in good spirits, but he described a less than stellar day. Just an off day, with a weird patch in the middle, but he held on and finished. I was so proud of him, and so excited to see him running it in! Even though it wasn't the race he was hoping for, he still kept at it when many would have pulled the plug. That's <i>my</i> man!</div>
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Looking back, this was one heck of an experience for me. I'm super pumped with how it played out, and happy with how I ran. I ran smart, hiked strong, kept it moving, and allowed myself to enjoy each moment for what it was. I didn't get too wrapped up in how long it was taking, or how hard any one section was. It was what it was, and I liked it. I loved cresting Hidden Peak and being greeted by tons (by ultra measures) of people, I loved all the wildflowers, I loved the climbs, I loved the descents, I loved the views, and I loved all the volunteers. I did <i>not</i> love that one rocky jeep road heading to Pacific Mine. That road sucks silly a$$. But one thing out of the whole day? No biggie :)</div>
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I will definitely be back, and now I know what to work on in order to grab a sub-8 next time ;) I went into this race with no training runs longer than 12 miles (Pocatello 50M being the longest run, two months earlier!), but with plenty of high mountain running and strong hiking, and my legs and body held up amazingly well. For the most part I think the lack of long runs and focus on shorter runs up high in the mountains were a big benefit. We partook in active recovery the week following and had some of the fastest running we've had all season. I feel great!</div>
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It was a good experiment, running our own races. I got to see what I have in me, and I was not disappointed with the outcome. </div>
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That was our last registered race for the year, so now we need to start looking for a couple more before the ski season begins. School starts in just a couple of weeks, so until then just a whole bunch'a running and funning!<br />
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Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-80729893460353150472013-07-26T16:12:00.000-05:002013-07-26T16:12:02.420-05:00Pre-Speedgoat 50k...It's Gonna Get Silly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Running down the east ridge of Mt. Baldy last weekend, scoping the Speedgoat course</i></div>
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Well I hope I feel as good as I did in this photo, tomorrow :) This will be our very first <a href="http://karlmeltzer.com/speedgoat-50k/">Speedgoat 50k+ </a>and I'm as ready as I'm going to be. Which isn't to say that I'm ready at all, but you know what I mean ;) It shall be a very delicious challenge and I'm ready to take it on. The race boasts over 11,000 ft of gain in about 32-34 miles. That's a s---ton of gain for that short of a distance. Whatever, bring it.</div>
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UltraSignUp has suggested a finish time of 8h:36m for me. As usual, I plan to beat that by a fair amount, I'm just not sure by how much exactly :) </div>
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I am, however, sure that it's gonna get silly. This will be the first race that Geof and I will be running simultaneously, but separately. I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised with ourselves, and are going to have a really fun day out there on the trails. </div>
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In any event, I'm looking forward to being in the race environment as a runner again. It's been too long (i.e. almost a full TWO months since Pocatello). We haven't done any f'real long runs recently, but we have done a LOT of time-on-our-feet runs with a lot of climbing and descending. So that should be pretty helpful come tomorrow. </div>
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A good old fashioned backyard race...packed with a silly amount of national and international talent. I will be but a very small fish in an extremely large pond. I love this sport :)</div>
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Paige, out.</div>
Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-47127142495629021962013-07-18T12:51:00.001-05:002013-07-18T12:57:36.589-05:00Hardrockin' Out: A Hardrock 100 Pacer Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not often that someone else's experience gets me the way a very personal experience would. But this year's Hardrock 100 pacing/crewing gig got me. </div>
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We drove out to Silverton, CO early Wednesday morning and met up with our runner, Brad K. of New Jersey, and embarked on what would end up being one heck of journey. I met Brad at the 2009 North Face Endurance Challenge 50M in Wisconsin, and we've been in touch since. When we saw his name on the entrants list, Geof and I excitedly offered to help him out at the race. Usually a solo runner, and having never used a crew or pacer before, he actually accepted the offer!</div>
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Brad finished the clockwise running of the 2012 Hardrock Hundred (HRH) and was lucky enough to make it through the lottery again this year for a counter-clockwise running of the HRH. "They" say you're not a "real" Hardrocker until you've run it both directions. </div>
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New goal: Not just a finish, but make sure Brad becomes a real Hardrocker. And keep our perfect HRH crew/pace record intact ;)</div>
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I get a little sniffly and my eyes a little misty recalling it all. Brad went through A LOT OF CRAP to earn his finish this year. And, as frustrating as things were at points, and as sleep-, coffee-, food-, and shower-deprived, as trembly as my quads were from all the squatting/not wanting to actually make contact with any of the gazillion port-o-johns I inhabited (hellllloooooo, I was drinking SO MUCH WATER), as achey as I was from our very long walk...I have nothing but rosy remembrances of the whole experience. </div>
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Isn't it funny how the mind works? </div>
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So anyway, after two delicious meals at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-stellar-bakery-and-pizzeria-silverton">Stellar Bakery and Pizzeria</a>, a couple of shakeout runs, and a lot of nervous energy from our runner, we left the Wyman Hotel behind Friday morning for a full 48 hours and made our way to the gym and the start of the 2013 Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run. </div>
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I love seeing all the ripped legs, leathery skin, badass granny nannies and old goats, and seeing all the "celebrity" fasties milling about with the rest of us mere mortals. I freaking LOVE this place.</div>
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Everyone huddled together behind the start line and after a singing of the National Anthem, the runners were off into the foggy morning. Then we headed to Cunningham Gulch/Mi 9 to peep the front runners and start our crewing gig.</div>
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<i>Brad is the one in blue...the only one in full focus. Not sure how I pulled that off :)</i></div>
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Brad came into Cunningham in great spirits and excited to see us. We did a quick pack swap and he was off. Our next stop would be Sherman/Mi 27ish, but we had told Brad we wouldn't be there since it required a two hour haul up and over Cinnamon Pass and we weren't sure we'd have time. Brad was insanely prepared and had drop bags at every crewed aid station just in case we were unable to make it to a station. </div>
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Turns out we had plenty of time. And, turns out Geof is an ultra groupie. But so am I, I just try to hide it ;) So, we made the extremely sllllloooooowwwwww drive up the stupidly gnarly and unsafe-at-best Jeep road over Cinnamon Pass (which was <i>so beautiful!</i>) and then down the other side and into Sherman Townsite. We caught glimpses of the front folks before I opted to crash in the back of the truck. I would be pacing beginning at the next aid station, Grouse Gulch/Mi 42, and we wouldn't have an opportunity to get back to the hotel for me to rest. After an almost 2-hour nap, I went back to check on the shenanigans up the road and collect a few more mosquito bites (because I didn't have enough yet). Brad rolled in eventually, still in good spirits and quite surprised to see us there, and we made quick business of getting him in and out of there. The next section involved summiting the high point of the race, Handies Peak (at just a hair over 14,000 ft.), and then a nice long downhill into Grouse Gulch. </div>
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Apparently, it was also to involve a lightening and hail storm, torrential downpour, a "slight" detour to the tune of about nine miles off course, an additional allotment of climbing (enough to equal another summit of Handies), running for your life, and blowing minds in the process. Well, at least that was Brad's experience.</div>
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I mean seriously, if I went off course for nine miles in the San Juans and rolled in HOURS behind schedule, and went through the mental mind-f*** of thinking I might die by lightening, I would be a basket case, and probably would be found days later in the fetal position on the side of some stream, talking in clicks. Not Brad. He rolled into Grouse around 10:30 p.m. and could NOT have handled the whole situation any better. Geof and I had been at Grouse for close to four hours, me sleeping in the truck and Geof standing out in the rain/cold the entire time, and had devised the script we would need to use for when Brad arrived. We assumed he would be trying to pull the plug and that we'd need to set him straight. Not so.</div>
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"That's him! Thatshimthatshimthatshim!!!" I shouted from the fog of our truck. He ran into the aid station full of adrenaline and good spirit.</div>
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<i>Ready to tackle Engineer Pass and the Bear Creek Trail</i></div>
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I had no idea what was in store for me, but I knew I was pacing 14.5 miles, from Grouse Gulch to Ouray, and that it involved a nice climb up to Engineer Pass, and then a nice descent of the rather...treacherous...Bear Creek Trail. I recalled parts of the BCT from a pre-race hike with Gretchen last year. I'm just thankful we were covering it in the dark...so that I couldn't see exactly how far one could fall if they slipped off the narrow single track trail gouged out of the side of the mountain. </div>
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Brad was hurting. The adrenaline rush he had from going off course, recovering, then running for his life, wore off and left him completely spent, emotionally and physically. We walked the entire way up the Jeep road to Engineer Pass. Stomach issues were starting to plague him, and we needed to stop every so often to let a wave pass. We moved in silence most of the way up, only the rhythmic click-click-clicking of our trekking poles breaking the quiet. A very dense fog settled in after a couple of hours, making it difficult to see, which was slightly alarming seeing as we were switchbacking up a mountain. I kept to the outside and made sure Brad was safe against the mountainside. He was swerving and quite tired. Holding my headlamp in my hand, closer to the ground, allowed us to see better in the fog (thanks for that tidbit, Robert Andrulis!). </div>
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But before we cleared the fog, Brad embarked on: <i>Mission: Vomitus Muchis.</i> </div>
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I mean, bravo good sir, you puked like a champ! The stomach issues were really putting a damper on things for him, so he asked me if I thought puking would help. Of course it would. BUT, he would have to be willing to refuel shortly after clearing his system. He contemplated this for a little while, almost trying to bargain with me. He wasn't in the right headspace so I was really glad to be with him through all of this. These situations are why it is really good to have pacers/crew at these events; people who can help you make sound decisions. After some time passed he decided he was ready. I walked ahead, turned off my headlamp, and waited. Way to go Brad!! As soon as he finished emptying the entire contents of his body onto the side of the mountain, the first words out of his mouth were, "I really wish I'd given you my camera for that." Oh, how I love this sport, and everyone in it :) He felt better instantly. </div>
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Once we made it to the Pass, we ran the rest of the way into the aid station. It was a great downhill section, and I have no idea how long it was, but probably 20 minutes. It felt great to change it up. A change of batteries, some Tums and Ginger for Brad, observing the comatose body under the tent, and taking off a layer (it was warmer on that side of the mountain), we hit the Bear Creek Trail. Honestly, I don't know how people don't die during this race, or at least seriously maim themselves. Bear Creek starts out cute and sweet, running through fields of wildflowers, through streams, across waterfalls, and then slowly begins to morph into this thin strip of beautiful hell. In sections, it is just carved out of the side of the mountain and in the dark night all you can hear is the roaring of the very active river below you, your heart beat in your ears, and your mind screaming THIS IS SO NOT SAFE, YOUR MOM WOULD DIE IF SHE SAW THIS! Thank goodness for trekking poles. And thank goodness for worrying about someone else so that I didn't have time to fear for my life every time we had to scramble through sketch to continue on. We kept our headlamps on the trail only, and tried not to think about what we were doing. Brad caught me once turning my headlamp off-trail, glancing below. "I saw that! Don't look over the side!" :) It was comforting sharing the trail with him. He stayed in front and would navigate a dry line across streams, a safe route over boulders, and then shine his lamp for me so that I had extra light to get through the sketchy sections. He kept asking if <i>I</i> was okay. What a gentleman :) </div>
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After 13 switchbacks (everyone else swears it is 12, but I have now thrice counted 13...) we crossed over Hwy 550 and descended the Ice Park Trail and the confusion that is the final few miles into Ouray. </div>
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I was pooped. Those 14.5 miles took us just shy of 7 hours to cover. My glutes were sore. And after a 15 minute nap for Brad, learning that runners who leave Ouray after 5:30 a.m. (it was 5:32 when we arrived) had a 1% chance of finishing under 48 hours, "You ARE the 1%, Brad!", and convincing him that going back out was the only option, Geof and Brad strode into the sunrise. </div>
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<i>Be the 1%, Brad, be the 1%.</i></div>
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Fast forward to Telluride. </div>
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I slept for two hours in the back of the truck, grabbed a coffee and bagel up the street, then camped out at the Telluride aid station. Around 2:30 p.m., the guys arrived. And Brad was looking like he was going to need some more convincing. I went about our usual motions, while he called a friend and his wife, Wendy.</div>
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<i>At Telluride/Mi 72</i></div>
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A shoe change, a pack swap, a couple of pep talks later, we got him out of the chair. The next 10 miles, from Telluride to Chapman Gulch/Mi 82, he would be on his own. We were both spent and didn't think it would be prudent to head out with him. I felt drunk I was so tired, and Geof was even more sleep deprived than I was. </div>
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<i>Be the 1%, Brad, be the 1%.</i></div>
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<i>The look on his face says it all. He could not have been happy with us at this point...but he was a trooper, "What else am I going to do?" Exactly.</i></div>
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I felt a little choked up watching him walk out of the aid station. I felt bad that we had to push so hard to get him out, but at the same time that was our job. And he's been through this before. He knew that he'd regret not going back out, and I was super proud of him for continuing on despite it all.</div>
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<i>Be the 1%.</i></div>
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We decided that for our own sanity that that would be the last time we'd convince him to go back out. From here on out, he would have to <i>really </i>want it. There was only one more crew accessible aid station, at Chapman, and we would let him drop there if he wanted to. We just didn't have it in us after Telluride. </div>
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Man, I was really, <i>really </i>hoping he'd pull through.</div>
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At Chapman Gulch, all the mosquitos that got kicked out of the rest of the state of Colorado for illegal doping were gathered for their annual meeting. And they were all hopped up! It was too hot to hide out in the truck, and it was too 'squito-y to spend too much time outside. So we were back and forth between sitting in the hot truck and standing outside with a small group of other crew/pacer-types staring at an empty road willing our runners to materialize. The clock was getting uncomfortably close to the cut-off time (9:00 p.m.) and we weren't feeling all that optimistic. But when Brad showed up practically skipping down the road we were on cloud 9! I don't know what changed, and it doesn't matter; that's what is so amazing about these events. Give it a little time and it will get better. Geof got geared up to head back out with Brad for the final 18 miles, and I was both sad and excited to see them go. He was going to do this, but not without a little work. It was 8:30 when they left the aid station; a little too close for comfort.</div>
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<i>Lube Express</i></div>
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<i>Brad heading down to the Chapman AS with Grant Swamp Pass off in the distance (their next destination)</i></div>
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<i>Photo: Geof Dunmore</i></div>
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<i>Photo: Geof Dunmore</i></div>
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I now had an hour and half drive, in the dark, back to Silverton. By the time I reached Ouray, I could barely keep my eyes open and there was some serious rain and lightening happening on Red Mountain Pass up ahead, so I pulled into the Hot Springs parking lot and slept so hard and so fast that I don't even remember falling asleep. Around 11:30 p.m. I awoke suddenly, momentarily forgetting where I was (which was disconcerting since I don't remember ever really experiencing that sensation before). Remembering how scary the Pass was to drive in the middle of the night, alone, last year, I wasn't looking forward to the final drive to Silverton. But, I survived. I didn't break 20 mph, and drove straight down the middle of the road the whole way up and over the Pass. I'm not kidding. Luckily, I missed all the rain, and traffic, so I was the sole vehicle on the road. </div>
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I took the best shower of my life, straightened up the truck and the hotel room, checked my O2 saturation out of curiosity (who doesn't do that?) and slept soundly for three hours. Bliss.</div>
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I checked the tracking website and saw that they guys had reached Putnam around 3:15 a.m., so that meant maybe another couple of hours before they arrived in Silverton. And I was spot on. I walked down to the gym, and stood in the dirt road, staring into outer space, "Please make it, please make it. Please let them be safe." I was suddenly worried, then so happy I wanted to scream happy things, then sad because it was all almost over. And I was just the crew. I can only imagine what Brad was feeling. </div>
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Suddenly two headlamps rounded a corner and broke through the thick black of night. I just knew by the rhythm that it was Geof and Brad. I WAS SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! I'm getting goose bumps recalling all of this. Radical Face's "Welcome Home" was playing in my head as the music video in my mind played out before my eyes. I think it was even in slow mo and there were definitely heavenly apparitions and flowers and puppies. I snapped pictures with my phone as I whooped and hollered, following behind them. </div>
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<i>"HEDIDITHEDIDITHEDIDIT! Oh my God, he went through so much to get here; I can't believe it, and I can totally believe it!" </i> And we got to be a part of it.</div>
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Yes, Brad, get comfortable with it; you ARE the 1%. Ouray volunteer trying to bring our runner down? Suck it! But also thank you for being there; thank you a million times. You rock, volunteer, except for the 1% comment :)</div>
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Holy crap. That was a lot. I commend you if you've stuck around this long and read to this point. Thank you :) </div>
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What an experience!! And what a great reminder that life is what you make it. You think it sucks, but seriously, shut up and get over it. Around the next bend is the most amazing experience. To quote what I posted on Facebook after it was all said and done (because I just can't sum it up better than how I did in the moment): <i>Hundred mile runs (especially the rough experiences) are
such a metaphor for life: s**t gets real, it gets hard, it hurts, it makes you
cry and then smile in the same moment...but you never give up, because that's
not an option. You don't check out when plans fall through; you reassess,
regroup, put your head down, and keep moving forward. Saw a lot of life being
lived out there this weekend. Congratulations Hardrockers, and well done Brad.
Proud of you!</i> You're a real Hardrocker now, Brad!</div>
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And that's all I've got to say about that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, and I'm totally throwing my name in for 2014. It completely terrifies me, but it's a
challenge I want to take on. It will
likely take a few years for me to make it through the lottery, but I gotta
try. Brad and <a href="http://dailyadventuresgretch.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-magic-and-madness-of-hardrock-100.html">Gretchen</a> have both
inspired me :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Can't wait to go back next year, even if it's just to watch
from the sidelines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paige, out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1283731952214517381.post-53367423312300426312013-06-30T11:59:00.002-05:002013-06-30T11:59:27.837-05:002013 Bike MS: Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride - 100 Mile RideWe did it! My first century ride (and maybe eighth or ninth for Geof) is now in the books. <br />
<br />
Survey says?<br />
<br />
THAT WAS FUN!<br />
<br />
Since this here is a running blog, I'll keep it short. But f'real, it was serious fun. Our longest training ride to date was a 20 miler over a month ago, and I at least was riding to/from work for a few weeks (12 miles roundtrip), but Geof wasn't riding at all. This was old hat for him, though. I don't think he was too concerned ;) So we weren't sure what to expect from the ride. But we did expect to finish, because that is what we set out to do. It was all new terrain for me, and I loved it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcwmirXWsts/UdBdK6tpTwI/AAAAAAAAK1U/LzMfXNUMnn4/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LcwmirXWsts/UdBdK6tpTwI/AAAAAAAAK1U/LzMfXNUMnn4/s320/IMG_1309.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>At the start...we had 40 minutes to kill, waiting for all the waves ahead of us to go (3,000+ riders!)</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-JG9LHLMHU/UdBdJyDc0AI/AAAAAAAAK1I/_pWetPUIjNY/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-JG9LHLMHU/UdBdJyDc0AI/AAAAAAAAK1I/_pWetPUIjNY/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Yeah, Team Wells Fargo! :)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some lessons/thoughts on the day:</div>
<br />
<b>Chamois Cream</b><br />
<br />
"You want me to put <i>that</i> stuff...<i>where</i>?" "Just squirt it all over your shorts." Ummmmmm, <i>what</i>? Talk about feeling like you've had a Serious Case of the Runs in your bike shorts... And thank goodness! I've never used the stuff, but boy am I glad to have had it! Thanks to lube, I have zero saddle sores or anything of the like. I was having mid-ride terrors imagining what those look like. So I did something right :) <br />
<br />
<b>Drinking on the Ride</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Not happening. I could get the bottle <i>out</i> of the rack and take a sip, but I could <i>not</i> get it back into the rack. I had to stop in order to do so. Thus, I waited to drink until we reached aid stations (~10-12 miles apart) :) New goal: learn to drink on the ride successfully.<br />
<br />
<b>Downhill Riding</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Like a boss. It meant I could stand on my pedals and give my arse a break.<br />
<br />
<b>Uphill Riding</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Like a boss...eventually. Took me a few hills to find a strategy that worked best for me. <br />
<br />
<b>Spandex</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's just not for everyone. Someone forgot to mention that to about 75% of the field yesterday. But gotta love 'em for not caring! ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Farm Irrigation</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Thank you farmers of Southern Idaho and Northern Utah! Your sprinklers were awesomely refreshing!<br />
<br />
<b>RecoFit ArmCoolers</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Thank you for existing <a href="http://www.recofit.co/">RecoFit</a>. I wore the ArmCoolers the entire day and never felt hot or uncomfortable in them (temps reached the upper 90s). Nor did I need to worry about sunburn or sunscreen on my arms. Woot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-CPQMg6iE/UdBdKWLbVFI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/CVZVDyuN98Y/s1600/IMG_1316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw-CPQMg6iE/UdBdKWLbVFI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/CVZVDyuN98Y/s320/IMG_1316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This is pretty much what the day looked like for us...mountains, country roads, rolling farmland, cloud cover. It was fantastic.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNQlpkcKB78/UdBdMaH3ORI/AAAAAAAAK1g/I0eC1qF6b6A/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNQlpkcKB78/UdBdMaH3ORI/AAAAAAAAK1g/I0eC1qF6b6A/s320/IMG_1326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Free slushies for finishers!</i></div>
<br />
A major THANK YOU to everyone who donated on my behalf! You all are amazing individuals and I appreciate your donations very, very much. The National MS Society thanks you as well! I thought of each of you during the ride yesterday :) And I thought about how much easier it was to ride 100 miles than to live with MS, that I had no excuse to complain about anything. And I thought about Ian's mom, my mom's old friend, Lauri, Martha's brother, and a couple patients I work with, among others.<br />
<br />
This was a great, well organized event, and I felt very safe and cared for out there. I will certainly do another century ride. It is a totally fun and challenging change of pace for this here ultrarunner...and I sure do love seeing my husband in bike shorts, oooolala!!<br />
<br />
Paige, out.Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16936117159619262436noreply@blogger.com1