First time the Wheels Fell Off

THAT WAS A FIRST
It wasn't even a race... just a nice long Sunday run with the gang.

45 minutes into a 3 hr run, hitting the second hill of ... Calf cramps! quad cramps! out of breath! WTF??

I felt fabulous otherwise (energy level etc), except that when I asked my legs to push me uphill... there was NOTHING there, like no blood was getting to my muscles.

LOSER!

I bowed out, told the gang they would probably spend the rest of the run waiting for me. I went back downhill and ran relatively flat to finish out a 2 hr run.  Hard to believe someone can feel like a loser only running 2 hours- but I did.

WHY??

Literally depressed at my performance, I spent 1/2 the day trying to find an explanation.  The flu a week earlier ? Recent speedwork? Spending hours on a ladder?.

... Probably all of the above

TAKE HOME LESSON:

So I ask myself :

"Why am I running if I end up mad at myself cuz I wasn't up to par one day?" 

After much introspection I remind myself: 

 " I run for fun, for health,  for adventure, personal accomplishment and socialization."  

Sometimes the fun gets lost in the seriousness of training.

Race season is essentially over, so why not cross-train,  take the pressure off and go have fun!!!

I think I'll go buy some snowshoes... Look up a cool hike , ride my bike,  and maybe even take a dip in the pool.
...And eat cookies : )


Heather

RETURNING to this post I reealize how I need to chllax. I am back at it with the gang and am catching up.   Why?
STRETCHING!!!
MASSAGE !!!
ROLLING !!!! ON the roller
AND I'm back doing  core exercises.
I am BACK on the WAGON!!!! the running wagon that is.  Yeah baby !!

FEAR IS TEMPORARY, REGRET IS FOREVER

What are you afraid of? How does it limit you from living your life to your fullest?


Fear of the Doctor:
My husband is recovering from a serious illness… which brought on this discussion.
Was he afraid of yearly checkups for fear they might find something??

…. But had they found something, they may have prevented his current health issue!.

There is food for thought…Wouldn’t you kick yourself if the doc finds something that could have been fixed a few years ago if you saw him then?? Get that physical!

But it Expands from there- what else do you avoid because of fear?

Fear of Wildlife:

Some people never go enjoy the outdoors for fear of bears, pity! What they are missing!!! According to the wildlife research institute, people are 250 times more likely to be killed by lightning than a bear. The odds of being hit by lightning are 1 in 4.2 million. The odds of dying in a car accident are 1 in 20, 000. So put down the cell phone, put both hands on the wheel, quit worrying about bears!

Fear of Driving:

Well, that is definitely one of my fears- especially in the city. But when I added up all the great experiences I turned down because I was afraid to drive , it was again, a pity. I have since taken the wheel (albeit white knuckled) and have expanded my adventures outside of my little neighborhood. Doing so has expanded my life and independence- What a GREAT feeling!

Sad story of Fear:

In my clinical experience I recently came across someone who admitted she was afraid of intimacy and rejection so she chose to be obese on purpose! (I’m talking 300+ lbs and had a stroke in her 30's) . She DENIED herself health and happiness, just because of her fears! Whoah, give your head a shake!

So Get out there, do what you HAVE to do... do what you WANT to do,

and don’t let fear stand in your way!

And here are a few quotes for Motivation: 

“The greatest mistake you’ll ever make is FEARING you’ll make one” . Elbert Hubbard

“You’ll ALWAYS miss 100% of the shots you DON’T take.” Wayne Gretsky 1961

And of course one suited for those ultra-runners;

" Only those who risk going TOO FAR can find out HOW FAR they can go” . TS Elliott -Love it!

Heather



Since when did I think a trail 1/2 marathon was a SPRINT? Since yesterday.

Years ago I did 5 peaks trail races- the "Enduro's" (10-17 kms) . I used to think they were long.  After  my first race I had to go have a nap, and was stiff for a week! Years later, I'm doing 50 kms, training longer (and running slower I might add)  

I was granted a freebie entry into this weekends 5 peaks 1/2 marathon trail run (payback for Volunteering).

I knew I could do the distance. That is all I knew.  Sadly, due to the trail conditions we did not get to do the fun technical Diez Vista trail... oh well, its going to be a fast one then! And FUN it was!!  And it was a BEAUTIFUL SUNNY day!!!

"AND THEY'RE OFF !  "

Like GREYHOUNDS out of the starting block, all the 1/2 marathoners took off at what seemed like blasting speed.  I looked at my Garmin- 6:45-7 min miles- yikes, I can't run that fast... but I kinda had to.

They were greyhounds, I felt more like a little WEINER DOG pumping my legs as fast as they would go to keep up.  I was actually thankful for the hills- a place where I could catch up! But catching up was difficult with this fast group. I ended up running alone most of the race.

" Well, I guess this will just be a good speed training run" I tell myself.  I had to give my head a shake, speed training?  diddn't I used to think of a half as an endurance event? How things have changed ! I finished the first loop of lakeview/buntzen lake in about 1hr 30 mins- then some guy waves me in the direction of my second loop up and around some trails- " Oh Goody" I tell him.  As usual, once I'm warmed up, I really start to enjoy the race. I do the rest with a smile on my face.

Thanks to all the endurance training, I was at least able to keep a solid hard pace the whole run and finished with gas in the tank and enough energy to dance all night at a wedding.   

 It was good to revisit old experiences to see where I've improved (and need improvement) .
The BEST part was when Jim suprised me and met me at the finish line!  It totally made my day!!

Note to self:
 Hard run - feel GREAT  after.
Night of partying, dancing in stilletto's- NOT  so great after .
Will I ever learn? probably not. Its all in good fun!
           

Heather

Jims Toughest Test Ever

Roads to run, Trails to Traverse, and Peaks to Persue.... All great tests of our endurance and strength. 

Last week my husband was given one of the toughest tests ever...
He damn near died with BLOOD CLOTS in BOTH LUNGS !!  Yup, bilateral pulmonary embolisms!! Freaky hey!
He had calf pain for months, then it mysteriously went away.... only cuz the blood clots moved up to his lungs!

He couldn't breathe, had massive chest and rib pain, but had to hold on... and hold on he did!!  Several sleepless, painful nights he endured .  Thanks to his great fitness level going in he had enough reserve lung capacity to keep alive. And now he is back walking on the trails.

This is not an endurance event I recommend for anyone, but it certainly supports WHY WE RUN.  I truly believe that had he been sedentary he would not have had the physical and mental strength to make it through this.

Yet another reason to get off the couch.  And if that isn't enough, have a look at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbXgQqbOoU&feature=player_embedded

Just keep moving forward....

Heather

Swan Falls Loop Revisited with Video

Amazing hike/run  on a sunny day. 
I even took some videos to enjoy when I'm 80 yrs old and can't do this.

Looking down on Vancouver from Mt Beautiful

THE PICTURES SAY IT ALL!

Lindsay Lake

Ropes up rock

Here is the VIDEO:
Listening to myself, I realize I am truly a NUT !! I guess thats why I love trail running.

The Hangover Run Poem:

I read a great athletic poem by Tom Craik on Stormy http://tomsrunnow.blogspot.com/ ... and that put me in a 'poetic mood'.  So I created this poem on my run today- though it certainly doesn't relay any uber athleticism.  Enjoy!

The Hangover Run

Drank in moderation, or so I thought                                                          

Woke up this morning-apparently NOT

Morning meal diddn’t sit right,

Run or not, with myself I fight.

Get that Sunday long run in!

Today I pay for last nights sin.

Head is knocking, stomach queasy,

This run is not going to be easy!

Outside I go into fresh air,                                                   

Dew on the ground, wind in my hair.

With every step, I feel more clear

As I run off last nights beer!

Heading home I sprint ahead

Knowing that is where I’ll find my bed.

Second wind, now I’m cruising

Hot damn, I do love running!

3 hrs down, I’m feeling spent,

I did it, I did it! So glad I went!

(or, an alternative ending for those hardcore partiers out there)
3 hrs down, I'm feeling great,
Now lets go out and celebrate!

Some pics and Videos from today:

Beautiful wide trails to Sasamat/Belcarra

                                                              

Sasamat Bridge

Second wind VIDEO , LOVE running Downhill!!

INAGURAL FAT DOG 100 - Voley/pacer experience

INAGURAL FAT DOG!! 100 m/100 km.

 Should be called the MAD dog!

 because you would have to be MAD to do it!!! ( as per my opinion...but I used to think anything longer than a 10k was too far, and now I'm doing 50k's )

How hard is it? the numbers tell the tale:

The 100Km was reported to be more like 130 km, and took 19-30 hours to finish.
The 100 mile, also longer than expected  .

NOT to mention the elevation gain!!! 17500 ft gain and loss!

Several Veterans of 100 mile races DNF'd at this race!!! WHO IS TOUGH ENOUGH!

Only 13 of the 35 entrants finished the 100 mile.  Hassan Lotfi-pour  won the 100 Mile in 27 hrs 59 min..  This guy had the BEST attitude, and the best sense of humour when he hit my aid station! The longest runners took about 41 hours- thats a long time to be running!

But luckily, most runners got in the beautiful views from Cathedral Mountain and/or  Heather trail (above)

  

VOLUNTEERING ROCKS! :  LOOK at all the water! not to mention the volunteers who packed each and every container!

The  4X4 trip up to my aid station had beautiful views .  Just me, Amber, watermelon, and the bears. Totally worth it!  As a runner, it felt great  giving back to the running community .

DOING THE CALCITE AID STATION ( 2nd one in)  ... felt kinda like a first aid station.

The first runners were to arrive at 7:30.but did not arrive till 11 am!

EVERYONE was out there longer than expected

Several wide eyed, salt laden faces-They either looked like they were in ADVENTURE HEAVEN.. Or, like they had bitten off more than they could chew!!!

One guy said he did not pee for 7-8 hrs. We fueled, and watered him till he was good (and speak in full sentences) and I am happy to report he FINISHED the 100 miles !

Once ALL runners were thru I went ....Back to the finish line to find my HUBBY !!


MEANWHILE, BACK ON THE TRAILS:

Jim was Pacing his  100 km friends for the last 50 Km:  

 I expected them 8 hrs later. so..

I Sit at the finish line:

Expected arrival- 10 pm ... but I knew it would be later.

3am... STILL no runners!!! Did they call it off??

Staring int the darkness for the slightest  headlamp flicker...

Some Pictures Jim took :

Great volunteers , good friends, and a crazy photographer

                            

HOT DOG!

I catch word that my gang of guys  hit the last aid station  at 10 pm  in good spirits..When everyone else was ready to puke at that point and could only stomach liquids,  apparently  Gary Robbins offered Jim  a hot dog and Jim scarfed down 2 or 3 of them!  Since then, he has been coined  "HOT DOG JIM". LOL !

RUNNING AT NIGHT:

It was a beautiful FULL MOON!!

Meanwhile, me.. 5 am... I'm starting to stress a bit: Twelve hours ! omg, Jim must be F'd by now! He just go over plantar faciitis, he must be crawling by now. Or are they all lost on the mountain?? I start to get mad- thats it! our holidays are now wrecked!

7am.. ish- The most beautiful site! Jim lumbering in. He is walking !! (not limping) and laughing!!! The guys finish in around 23 hours.

Jim Doesn't even cross the finish line... He yells "Food!"  B-lines  right to the food table. Too funny!  glad he is only a pacer.  In the end they all make home ! finishing 4th and 5th !!  and all the guys had a great adventure together ... though I hear  'what happens on  the trail stays on the trail' - and I really do NOT  want to hear the details.

So, after running all night, they get back to the campsite.

Jim Quote: " Nothing says breakfast like soup,grill cheeze, 3 freezies and 2 beer"  

I think the neighbor campers were jealous and wondering where they got this girl to bring them food and beer in the morning.. let alone the massages . LOL.

BIG THANKS:

All runners who were BRAVE enough to attempt an inagural event, fully knowing there would be glitches.

Heather for taking on this gargantuan task.
Gary Robbins for offering Hot dogs to Jim ( which probably kept him alive)
Nicola and Peter for their nonstop support and enthusiasm for this great event.

Amber- for putting up with me at the aid station.. for my arts and crafts moments, and nonstop chatter

All volunteers- many of who's long hours were an endurance event in themselves!

Heather

This was a bit late as I was on holidays with no wifi for 2 weeks..