Still not sure how I made it on this "dream team" of relay runners, I woke up bright and early Friday morning to board one of our highly decorated transport systems (rental vans).
I would be spending the next 27+ hours in this "home away from home," and living the good life, also known as Ragnar Cape Cod.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Ragnar Cape Cod with Reebok: Part 1- Living the dream!
When I arrived in Boston at 11:30 pm Wednesday night, I really had no idea what to expect for the long weekend; but I was ready for anything!
All I knew was:
- I was running Ragnar Cape Cod, a 192 mile relay from Hull, Massachusetts to Provincetown, Massachusetts.
- I was invited by Reebok as their guest... meaning I didn't have to pay for anything. (What?! Is this for REAL?)
- My team would be comprised of
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Pinch me?!
After getting an unexpected invitation, I'm in Boston, and am going to participate in my first Ragnar relay: Ragnar Cape Cod!
It's been a few years since I've been here, and the last time I came (the only other time), was for my second marathon in 2011.
I didn't expect to come back to Boston for running again, but
It's been a few years since I've been here, and the last time I came (the only other time), was for my second marathon in 2011.
I didn't expect to come back to Boston for running again, but
Friday, May 6, 2016
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.
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.
And it will be the LAST one, ever, if I can help it!
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!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
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?
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?
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