Mildred's Trail Dash ~ Double win!

Life is full of surprises. The good ones are worth holding on to- which is why I still post in my blog from time to time!

Summer schedules have made getting in any long runs hard for me to do. Similarly, I haven't been able to get to the track often, or even maintain a base suitable for doing any significant speedwork. Despite all of those excuses, sometimes a girl needs some excitement, which is why I decided to enter a smaller local race that was held July 9th. 

Mildred's Trail Dash is a fundraiser for the Mildred Kanipe Memorial park in Douglas County (Oakland), Oregon. The park includes almost 1,100 acres of land, including pastures, creeks, rolling hills, orchards and forests. Historical structures include a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse, a farmhouse, and outbuildings.

The park has run into some financial difficulty since county officials recently determined that all county parks have to prove themselves financially self-sufficient or be shut down and sold or logged to cover the operating costs. The location is a little out of the way for me, but I always enjoy coming to the park and would be very sad to see it shut down. I was happy to help by running!

With my husband working the 4 pm to 4 am shift, I had to figure out what to do with my kiddos if I was to race. My oldest quickly decided he wanted to race too. We talked about whether he wanted me to run with him and whether he'd be OK with me running a 9k while he did a 5k. He was fine with different distances, so that was settled. 

My middle son (9) decided to stay home and watch documentaries while dad slept. The youngest (7) wasn't sure what to do! Five kilometers on the road is a long way for him still, and this was on a trail with mud!

I put in a last minute phone call at the park and asked if my youngest could be a "helper" at the race. The woman who answered was SO kind and offered to stay with him and find some jobs for him to do so that the oldest and I could each run at our best efforts.

Before we started the race, the race director, Mike McCarty, briefed all the runners about the courses (the 9k and 5k). As he spoke, it started to rain heavily. After a few days in a row of this, it was going to be a muddy adventure!

Finally we all lined up at the start line. For the first time, I had one of my sons next to me at "go" time! And we were off...

About 400 meters into it there were three men ahead of me and I saw my son just behind my right shoulder. I tried to huff some advice to him, "Don't try to stay with me! You have to pace yourself. There's a lot of race to run!"

"I think I can hold this pace, Mom," was his reply.

What can you say back to that in the middle of a race? I didn't want to demoralize him and figured he'd have to learn his own 5k lesson. 

I just said "OK."

Another 400 meters went by, and I saw the top 3 males missed the trail and took a wrong turn. I let them know, and they quickly scampered back down to the singletrack. 

We started the first big hill and things started to get really fun! There was enough mud that NObody was going fast. I passed the first mile marker and felt like I was working for it, but wasn't dying yet, which is good when you are racing 9k. I had lost sight of my son, but could still see the #2 and #3 runners when we weren't weaving through trees!

After clearing the top of the hill, there was a nice downhill stretch which was LOTS of fun in the rain. Slippery rocks, mud, wet grass and cows in the middle of the trail, all added to the excitement! I was grateful to have my Adidas Terrex Agravic shoes with the super-grippy lugs. My kiddo though.. he was wearing a pair of road Asics from track season.

At the bottom of the hill there was a turn followed by a sign for the 5k/9k split. I knew there was a woman not too far behind me, and I just tried to keep my effort level up. I am glad I have kept in decent hill shape and done the few track workouts I have done in the last month!

We all kept following the orange flagging and markers until reaching the next volunteer. She was standing in front of a flagged area and ushered us up the hill. I wondered why the markings were behind her, but having never done the 9k, just took her directions to go right. Up the next hill we went, through trees and ferns and mud, past signs with no words on them-- unless you looked backwards. I kept getting closer to the 3rd male, but couldn't quite catch him!

Finally, we were running downhill trough similar terrain, except muddier and straighter. Then I started to see a few runners running the opposite direction on the same loop. Apparently we had been asked to go the wrong way, but slower runners had done the course before and knew where to go. When we passed the volunteer again, she had moved out from her spot and everyone was running the loop clockwise, even though the first 5 ran it counter clockwise! I kept apologizing, telling people I was told to go that way as I passed them.

Little by little I could see the third male getting closer. We had a final uphill and I thought maybe I should not go full blast, so I could have a bit more for the downhill. When I reached the top we were shoulder to shoulder. 

It was a bit awkward running side by side.. I hoped to have a bit more leg speed, but he picked up his pace.  I kept with him..until the last 600 meters. When we reached the pond and the finish line was in sight, he dropped me like a hot rock! This proves one of my sayings to be true: Never get in a sprint with a teenage boy. (I lose every time!)

As I crossed the footbridge to the last few yards, I saw something that made me smile. This young man:

My son was waiting next to the finish line when I crossed at (42:43 on the Garmin- NOT a great 9k time for me, but a good one for the conditions and the course loop reversal!).  He also shared the news that he had placed first male in the 5k! I was so surprised, thinking he might have faded and walked the last mile, but I guess he used a combination of walking the uphills and running as hard as he could the rest of the time to earn a solid placement.

"One girl passed me on the hill, Mom. I think she was in high school," was his report of the race. 

I told him that was OK, and that he did GREAT. I couldn't have been more proud!

Sporting a bit of mud from the trail on the Adidas.. 

Super kid. I can't wait to see if he ends up racing too!

After catching my breath and giving my oldest son a BIG hug, the next task was to find my seven-year-old. He was casually walking around the pasture area taking 645 photos of the peacocks that roam the park entrance. 

Deb, the race organizer, told me he had been super helpful! This was the best news. I had been a little worried he might not have had a good time.

A few days later when he received a letter in the mail, he was so surprised (and my heart was touched). It was a note thanking him for his help, and rewarding him with some cards for free french fries at McDonald's. What a score!

We had to stay for the awards, and my oldest was thrilled at receiving a special water bottle as well as a gift card to Subway sandwiches.

I got a matching water bottle and gift card to Denny's, which I awarded to my youngest. (He has yet to redeem it, but we will have a special lunch together soon.)

***

Post race thoughts:

I've never wanted to push my kids into running. If they find other passions, I will support those fully!  I just don't believe you can force the love of something on someone, and I definitely want them to love what they do.. However, If I am being honest, I do hope they will each find the joy of running on their own. 

This day was a turning point.

It was such a moment of pride for both of us that I can see a future where one of my kids wants to run, enough to want to run with me. If that happens, I plan to make the most of that window of opportunity for as long as I am blessed with it. The moments go by so fast.

Here I go again!

Somehow I got suckered into signing up for another 50K.

Yes. You read that correctly.

Everyone should know their own strengths and weaknesses.

Running long races is not one of my strengths. In fact, if you look at road performances, after the half marathon distance I fall off the wagon.

Also, I am really not a good trail runner. I love to run trails, but I am not actually very good at it! Maintaining an easy pace, that I can do.
Running "balls to the wall" and hitting some good turnover on downhills... that just hasn't happened for me yet.. And it probably never will, because I have this insurmountable obstacle in my head called a brain, which likes to exercise the "Don't break your ankle" button way too much for me ever to get good at trail running.

Which brings me to point out that I wasn't going to run any 50ks this year.
I thought I might not even race at all this year- just have fun and run trails and the occasional 5k if I had a few good weeks of mileage and track sessions.

View from Bob Butte, on one of my training runs.
The tioga bridge is 2 miles away.. crossing that white speck, which is the river, in the upper right middle.

I am a glutton for punishment, though, so I find myself running long runs on the NUT solo again.. and running out of water (buying a lifestraw next!), while out there trying not to sprain my ankle or land wrong (with sketchy to non-existent cell service). All in the name of adventure, right?

The good thing is this race, the Nut50k, is near enough to me that I can train on the trails that will be used as part of the course.  Well, actually I'm not doing much training on the 50K course.  More of it has been on the lower section of the 100K course.  But, the idea is the same:  lots of climbing, single track, varied terrain, large angular rocks,  occasionally runnable trail, great views, poison oak, several small bridges and waterfalls.

The race (my 4th 50k) will be on June 11, five weeks from now.

So far I have two 17 milers and one 20 miler done. At 7 miles into the 20 miler I was bargaining with myself, telling myself I could quit at 14. But at 14, I thought, "Surely you can make another 6 (mostly downhill) miles? right?

Although those runs might be sufficient for some people to feel ready to race 50K, it is not enough for me! Hopefully I can get in one or two more over 20 miles.. if I can fit them in between school hours!

So, run I will!
Long and slow.. and uphill.. upriver.. along the scenic North Umpqua river and Crater lake Highway.
Until I can run no more.

The truly crazy 100k racers will start by crossing over this bridge; 50k racers will start higher upriver.

And it will be the LAST one, ever, if I can help it!

Burg 2 Bay Relay 2016

Last Saturday marked my second experience participating in the Roseburg to Coos Bay relay over the Coos Bay Wagon road.

I'm not sure how exactly this team got together except that both Elissa and I wanted to be on the same team.

Our first plan fell out when another friend was unable to be in the area the weekend of the relay. Our backup plan went into action when Elissa found a friend who knew a friend who wanted a team and needed more runners.
Isn't that how all great stories start?

Shoe Review: Topo Hydroventure waterproof trail shoe

I had never heard of Topo Athletic until coming across their posts on Instagram recently. They are a newer company based out of Massachusetts, "with a mission to develop footwear that honors the shape and biomechanics of the human foot". 

Always on the look out for the best trail running gear, I was intrigued by their design, as well as their claim to being waterproof.  Here, in the Pacific Northwest, that last part could be useful!

Having a shoe sent that you have only seen on the Internet can be like rolling the dice. I requested a ladies 10, though I normally wear a 10.5. I didn't see an option for my usual size. Surprisingly, they fit very well right out of the box! 

Cottage Grove Half Marathon: I'll be back

For not having raced a half marathon since 2011, I really wasn't sure what to expect from myself at Saturday's Cottage Grove Half. 

Ever since hearing from a friend that there was going to be one on the Row river trail, I have had my eye on this race. If ever there was a course made for fast half marathon, this is the one! With an ever-so-slight net downhill, it's made to be easy, but not a knee-breaker. 

I arrived at the finish line area with plenty of time to pick up my packet at 7:30 in the morning. I was surprised at how many people were already there, but I hadn't found Wenona yet. Just before the shuttle buses left the parking lot, we connected and she picked up a packet for another friend (via Instagram), Kelsey. 

A few minutes later, rather than taking one of the four full shuttle buses, Wenona's husband drove us to the Start line. On the way up I noticed that out in the reservoir, which was low for the winter, was a herd of elk! What a view!

Just before the race, all smiles at the Dorena school! PC: Doan Turner

We had a dry gymnasium to hang out in for a little while before the race, which was perfect just in case. 

I took off for a little warm-up jog, and spent about 10 to 15 minutes doing some light and easy stuff and then a few accelerations

My plan was to go out at a seven minute mile and see how it felt. I really had no idea if it was something I could hold for the entire race. I also didn't know how good my GPS reception would be up there and if the readings on watch would be accurate. So, I was aiming for a pace, with the plan to let effort be my ultimate guide. 

I noticed a familiar face giving out lots of hugs (and advice) to runners. Taking a stab, I said something to him and it turned out it was a Facebook friend I had never met in person before, Lonn. It's always fun how races bring people together ☺️

We were advised to have anybody running under an hour and 30 minutes at the front and everybody else behind them. I figured I would find the fast group and get behind it. I definitely wasn't going to go out like a firecracker, but I also didn't want to be stuck behind anyone. 

Fortunately, there was plenty of space in the wide road at the start before hitting the trail. By the time all of us runners were on the trail, most everyone had a good position established.

My watch was reading in the 6:30 to 6:40 range for the first little bit, and I decided to pull myself back. I would have no legs left if I tried to keep that up! 

Somewhere around the 1st mile marker, I saw Lonn again, cheering, and asked him if I could leave something with him. He's very courteously said "yes," and I handed him my fuel belt that had my phone in it. 

For some reason my stomach was aching, and I knew I couldn't handle having that belt on for another 12 miles. I had thought of just tossing it in the bushes somewhere. And, it probably still would've been there when I came back, but it had my key in it, and it would've been a pain in the butt to go back for! THANK YOU Lonn! 

As I came to the next mile marker, I saw the sign before my watch read 2 miles, and I decided to go ahead and hit the lap button. I didn't know what my pace actually was, or if I was getting bad GPS signal. Of course, every one of the mile markers started to come about at about .96 of a mile. And I hoped that it was just a GPS issue. 

The course is tree/covered in sections, with amazing views of Dorena reservoir and the mountains beyond. It's easy to find yourself staring off and forgetting about your pace when you're distracted by that kind of panorama!

Enjoying the view during the "middle miles" of the course. PC: Audra Terry Photography, used with permission

Someone clearly FAST! Photo : audraterryphotography.com

I had slowed down a few seconds of a mile and was running what I thought was about a 7:07 - 7:10 pace. There wasn't a lot of passing or getting passed during this race except with one lady whom I didn't recognize. She had gone out fast, then I caught her, but she passed me on the downhill section and said something about me catching her again on the flat. I wish I had!

Oddly, my slowest miles for the race were during the downhill section. I wasn't consciously trying to hold back, but I figured if I went any faster it was going to take more effort than I could keep up. I am certain of it now!

By the time I hit the flat, "town" section, I knew I was closing in on the finish. There was one very long mile between nine and 10 markers. This was a bit of a "catch up" for all of the short miles earlier. I was mentally prepared for it thankfully! With only 4 miles left, I was ready to turn things up a notch. Unfortunately, there wasn't much left in my legs! 

I struggled trying to catch the girl in the pink shirt, (who turned out to be in my same age group). I never quite caught her; but, I think if I had another 50 yards… Maybe ;-)

After trying repeatedly to find another, faster, gear, I finally made it to the finish line in 1:34:28. I got a lovely medal placed around my neck, and stretched a bit --until I saw Kelsey coming in, followed by Wenona, who had earned a shiny, new PR!

***
A few thoughts about the race

All in all, it was a fantastic day. I'm blessed just to be able to run, but even more blessed when I get to run with friends.

Any complaints I have are against myself, ( I will save that for a different post.) The race was well staffed, with flaggers at every intersection, paramedics, and pretty much no way to get lost!

The aid stations were stocked with water which was handed out. I never needed the water because I had my orange mud handheld, but I picked up a hammer gel along the course, only because I had tossed my bag with 3 Honeystinger gels in it! 

I didn't stick around for the award ceremony this time, because I was pretty sure I didn't get one. I might have to look back through though! For a first-year event, there were a lot of people, but everything seem to have been thought of, from the porta-potties  and the shuttle buses, to the food stands at the finish line. A lot of thought was put into making this race worth the entry fee.

Overall, I would rate this race as a 9 out of 10 stars, only (-1) because of the mile markers.. I would definitely do it over again!

See it on STRAVA

Cottage Grove Half Marathon: Promises to be fast!

It's been a few years since I've ran a paved half marathon.

You can call me lazy if you want to.

I'm pretty satisfied with my PR in that distance, and haven't felt the need to do what it would take to improve it, (abandon my family completely and move to a running commune).

Despite my laziness, The Cottage Grove Half Marathon is on my radar for my first race of 2016.

There is just a little bit of climbing along the route; but, overall, it drops 200 ft and should be a PRIME smaller race for anyone looking for a fast downhill half PR (anyone but me!). And, with Eugene Marathon around the corner, it would be a fantastic tune-up race!

A couple of girlfriends and I have been able to get to the course to do some preview runs. We shared smiles, sweat and laughs-- as well as views like this!

Maybe running slowly will make the sights even more enjoyable?

I can't think of a better place to run a paved race...

I'm not as prepped as I would like to be for this race (which is only 2 weeks away!), and am running much lower weekly volume and shorter long runs than in past half marathon training. But, I have had some very good tempo runs, and a nice 16 miler.   

A PR is probably an unrealistic goal for me this time around, (unless my feet sprout wheels), but I still want to see what I have in me for the day.  

Now… would you cross your fingers for sunny weather on March 5th?

I'd like to see the ambulance coming before it picks me up at the finish line!

Swiftwater 50k Race Recap: My 2nd attempt to run a really long way.

"Pacing in an ultra is about leaving enough in the bank to last you to the end. There is a golden rule of ultra pacing, or at least an old adage: If you think you are starting the race slow, then slow down even more."-Hal Koerner

These are wise words I wish I had read before running on Saturday!

Regardless of not taking Hal Koerner's advice, I still had an unforgettable day, finished my second ultra, Swiftwater50k, with a

Salmon River Trail

I really don't need any excuse to go trail running, but sometimes it helps to have one readily available before you try to make a three hour trip to run with friends in a non-race situation.

Heck. I don't even get to drive three hours to race usually!

But I won't complain, because I have some pretty awesome runs right out my front door. ☺

Conveniently, a lady runner I had met via blogs had

Summer Adventures: part1

The summer has just rolled by, but not without a few excursions.

We've been making the most of our opportunities to enjoy the 3 months of dry weather we get here in southwest Oregon.

My other half has been largely out of town, which has made ultra training..

Closer Than the Shirt on Your Back

Well, I didn't fall apart. Or go hide in a cave (though it is tempting at times).
That's the good news!

The bad news is that I am most certainly carrying the double-dominant gene for stubbornness- which can be both a blessing and a curse. 

(If you missed my last post, you might want to catch up there first. I must have hit on something with many readers, because I have been blessed with encouraging and heartfelt comments, G+ comments, tweets and emails ever since. Thank you for every single one of them.)

Update:
My foot is still a little "off", but I have decided that it is tendonitis of some kind or another.

MUD ENERGY Fuel review ~ Long Run Envy

Eighteen weeks is a long time to be training for anything.

At least it is for me.

Looking at the workout schedule for the 50k ultramarathon I plan to do in September, it was obvious something was missing for the next 4 weeks: 

the long runs. 

So, without over-thinking anything, when friends invited me to run about 18 miles with them on a new section of trail (the day before my schedule started) I said yes! 

This gave me a reason to test out a new brand of running fuel I came across via Twitter

Taking a leap

I bit the bullet. 

I might regret it later, but...

On April 1st I entered the lottery for the McKenzie River Trail Run - #MRTR 50K. It is not a large race, but it's popular for the area, so race organizers have capped it in order for the atmosphere remain outstanding. If you have already finished it 5 times, you are given an automatic entry. For new readers here- I have yet to run past 26.2 miles/42k. 

I won some Skittles, and have been a bad, BAD blogger.

I should have posted this a while ago, but I have been a bad, BAD blogger.

My apologies to anyone who might have been itching for their latest edition of my little updates here. Heh.

Aside from the normal level of craziness, the weather has been good and the kids are now on spring break, so we have been doing lots and lots of outdoor activities. I am fresh out of good excuses, so here's my attempt at cramming a few weeks into one sensible (short) read.

1) I won a race.

Re-Thinking Running, Gratitude and 2 Winners :)

It's such a blessing to be running right now!

In March of last year, I was thumping  myself on the head and wondering when I might be able to run again. I had signed up for a relay (I am signed up for the same one this year!), but was unable to run due to domino injuries in my left leg.  Little did I know it would be months before I would be running "right".

This spring, it feels like I have peeled a layer off. Another version of my running journey revealed.

The biggest joys are little things....

Trail run Rescue

Sometimes an adventure sounds like a good idea... 
A recent escapade of mine started off that way!

I had a plan to run trails with a friend, but she couldn't make it. I dropped of the boys and headed to a trail I have scouted out, but never ran. Dexter Reservoir has a lovely view and in the winter will sometimes have clear skies even when town is "fogged in".

It was chilly and the fog was just starting to burn off at 10:30. I got on my Altra Lone Peaks (review coming soon), and headed off across the reservoir road. The wind was biting so I came back for gloves.. And I was off again!

My initial goal was to make up my long run that I cut short over the weekend.

New Year, New Shoes, New Sponsors!

I'm feeling pretty good this week on several accounts!

#1 Change of perspective
 I had one heck of a 2013. I put a lot of thought into writing a summary of how bad it went, all the trials and tests of the year-- the months of time sitting on the bench wondering if I would ever run again.

I even made a graph of how bad 2013 was... (I used to be deeply concerned about numbers. And quite honestly, there are still a few that hold a special place in my heart.)  Then I looked at the colorful bars and decided I really don't need to win a "suck" contest.

Birthday Trail Run

Birthdays aren't over-hyped in my home, but they MUST be celebrated. :)

Don't get me wrong, cake is great... but, my idea of how to best celebrate another year is to find something new to conquer or explore, then spend the next few days refueling and recovering!

Sunday, a friend and I met up in a nearby town at an hour that really should be spent under fluffy covers with a soft pillow. We did a quick transfer of gear and discussed our options again. Then headed to the North Umpqua River outside of Glide, OR.

North Umpqua River, as seen from Mott Bridge

Kristen had a plan for a loop that included about 6 miles of the trail called the "Mott" segment, with a 6 mile return down a different trail. (This would be about 2 miles longer than I have ran in over 6 months.)

Skies had been wet, and the climate is always cooler up in the Cascades. So, we dressed in layers and I brought some essential trail items "just in case". :)

We arrived at our destination at dawn and found a nice, weathered outhouse. And some guy in a van who looked like he spent the night there. He was going to bike the first section we planned to run.

First bit of trail as we headed out..

As we headed upriver, I noticed right away that the trail was beautiful, but had a lot more rocks than another segment downriver. There were some close calls, as sometimes those rocks and roots can sneak up on a runner!  I was glad I had on my Brooks PureGrits, because they allow me to "feel" the terrain without slipping. This was probably the scariest bit of running trail I have ever been on. I am sure I will see scarier though!

The single-track got rather narrow at one point, with a steep wall on one side and a drop off to the river on the other side.. And there were 2 trees across the path. I thought of the cyclist and hoped he was an expert! O_o 

At the end of the Mott segment, we took a bridge (built by the CCC in 1936) across the river. Then we ran along the road for about 1/2 mile before picking up the Riverview trail back down.  This trail was much wider, having been made for forestry vehicles.

Tiny mushroom growing near a campground outhouse :D

Downhill = fun running!!

I don't know any of our actual distance or pace information, since we left before I got a good GPS reading. Oops! Chances are good we might have lost the signal anyway.

Afterwards I was fortunate to get a hot shower at Kristen's house before heading home. If you ask me- a hot shower is a real treat after a cold run! So is a little cake :)

***
Do you do anything "running related" to celebrate your birthday?

What items would you take "just in case" if you were heading out to run new territory?

Cake, ice cream, or neither?

Wet.

Lovely weather for a trail run Sunday ... 
Puddles and storms didn't keep me home! ;)

Please excuse the blurry shot of the Lake Marie trail. I didn't have time to focus the camera before it got soaked. 

I think they built that handrail just for people like me who might slip off the edge into the lake. :)

Recent workouts: 
-Saturday  7.5 mi road run, EZ heart rate
-Sunday 5.7 mile bark/water trail run, EZ heart rate
-Monday  1 hour bike indoor
-Tuesday am >6 mile road run. Not sure of distance.  I think i turned off my garmin when I pulled my armwarmers off and didn't notice for a bit. Grr. pm 3 mile trail/grass run
-stretching each day+ PT exercises


#GRATEFUL to be able to run! And for so many other things.... ♥