Sun Mountain 50km...(and the return to ultra distance racing)!

(A little foggy of a day but there were bursts of sunshine!!!)

As I drove into Winthrop, WA on Saturday afternoon, with 4 of my amazingly awesome girlfriends, I realized something...I haven't ran an ultra distance event since Western States last June. WOW!


(Me before the race: My LA SPORTIVA crosslites were the perfect shoe on a muddy day like today!)



As the above statement demonstrates, I took a bit of a break from ultra distance running. I have still raced: The dirty duo 25km, Coho run 14km, First Half 1/2 marathon, and the Phantom Run 19km, so it's not like I have stopped running/racing. I have merely spent the past 8 months seriously thinking about my relationship with racing and running long distance events. I have mentioned in previous blogs about being burnt out, wondering why I was doing this, and what it all meant to me. I think it all boiled down to where I was at in my life and what I really wanted out of my life in general.




There is no doubt in my mind that running is a passion, and trail running through the mountains, whether solo or with friends, is the icing on the cake. I missed it, I really missed it, and I now have a whole entirely new outlook on racing and running which I believe is a much healthier version of what it has been the last couple of years.




Ok, back to Sun Mountain. I decided a couple of months ago that I wanted to run Sun Mountain 50km. I had been doing a lot of long runs and I knew I was ready for it. In fact, I hadn't run a 50km since Chuckanut in 2010. An adventure buddy of mine, Shauna, was in town doing her Practicum for occupational therapy and I pretty much took the liberty of signing her up. Then I got Squamish locals Kristi and Gretel on board and Cathy jumped in at the last minute. That was it, the car was full, this was going to be one fun road trip.



Seeing as though it was a long weekend, we left Saturday morning @ 5:30am to ensure we beat the border traffic. The drive was smooth sailing all the way to Winthrop, with total trip time being around 7 hours (some pass was closed which shortens the trip to 4 hrs). We checked into the Virginia Resorts, which I highly recommend. For $69/night, you get your own cabin with 2 queen size beds! We drove into town and checked out all the local shops. We went into the outdoor store and were immediately attracted to these awesome Prana headbands. Within a few minutes we each bought one and decided it would be awesome to wear during the race, our new team gear!




After a quick small grocery shop for the mornings breakfast items, we went next door to an amazing organic pizza place (highly recommend). I had carbo loaded the night before on Pizza and new we were having it after the race the next day as well, so it was going to be 3 nights of pizza. I wasn't complaining as I really love pizza! We also shared an awesome pitcher of IPA that rounded out the evening perfectly. After dinner it was back to the hotel for some shut eye...



The race didn't start until 10am, which allowed for a more leisurely wake up. I had 2 pieces of bread with peanut butter, honey and 1/2 a banana. We drove to the start, diddled around for a while taking pictures and chatting with others. We witnessed a puker outside of the car beside us which was entertaining. He had been at a wedding the night before and didn't know he was running that morning. Great surprise!



It was finally time to tow the line and watch the kids fun run. Oh wow, these kids were cute and my friend Mel's boy won the race! Ok, so maybe he was the oldest kid there but still, he's fast like his mom! After that, James went over some important race details and then suddenly 5..4..3..2..1 and we (50km & 25km together) were off. I was really excited and just went with it. The terrain was simply, no roots and rocks, and twisted and turned on a gradual grade. I kept checking in with myself to make sure I wasn't going to fast. Most of the runners ahead of me were 25km runners but I felt like I was in control of my pace and breathing. I shortly caught up to a female ahead of me and never really knew if there were anymore until later in the race.

We wound our way up to the aid station at mile 8. I refilled my camelbak and was off again. We made our way up a logging road, where we split from the 25km runners. We went up and they went down but eventually our paths met up again at the bottom of the descent a few minutes later. I was super thankful to have some sort of downhill relief as we had been climbing steadily for some time but it was short lived. The middle is a bit of a blur but I started to feel really good and move super well. Eventually, the climbs ended and we were on some fun rolling terrain on the side of a mountain, think Way Too Cool 50km. I began to pass a bunch of runners and started closing in on some of the 50 milers. I had already passed aid station 2, where I refilled my pack again and grabbed some solid food, as I was already tiring of my gels. However, the combo of my quickening pace and trying to digest/chew a peanut butter and jam square did not sit very well.

There were moments of beautiful views, amazing sunflowers, and sunshine. I eventually got to this junction where we go up and do a loop and then return to the same spot and head down. This was an interesting part of the course and I was starting to tire a bit. My digestive system was pulling it's usual tricks and I started to get acid reflux, something I have been battling in most of my ultra distance races. I had to power hike some of the climbs but no one was catching me and I just focused on my body and doing whatever my body was going to give me on the day. After a nice downhill, we go to a road that lead to the final aid station. At this point we only had 6 miles to go. I downed some coke, had some banana, and was off again. In these last 6 miles you essentially go up one last long switchback climb to the top, turn around, come back down to a junction and turn right which takes you back to the road. The trail was not marked properly and people were kind of all over the place, taking different sections to come down and not coming out on the road in the right place. In the end, it all went to the same road so it's all good. This section was a bit of a grind for me but again, I just focused on my body, moving as best as I could and getting it done.

On my way back down, a gentleman directed me to go right. I ran down some switchbacks to a barbwire fence. The trail continued on the other side but there were also other trails on my left and right. Not knowing what to do I waited a couple of minutes until I saw another runner and we made a decision together. We walked up and over the ladder than went over the barbwire and made our way back to the road. I was surprised to know thtt there was only 1 mile to go and to be honest, I was pretty happy. My body felt heavy, sluggish, but I powered on and ran my best to the finish. I crossed the line 1st female, 3rd overall, in a time of 4:34, which I was super stoked about. Cathy, who had a super wicked 25km race, was there cheering me on, and not shortly there after Shauna came ripping in, placing 2nd female! It wasn't long before both Gretel and Kristi came in with huge smiles on their faces.

Overall, I am really happy to be back racing and just surrounding myself with other racers of all ages that inspire me to do what I do. I really went in with no expectations other than to test myself to see where I was at. Placing 1st was definitely a bonus because I scored this kick ass handmade mug, which served as a great eco friendly post race beer mug! It is clear I still need to get a handle on my nutrition because acid reflux is starting to become a little bit of a bitch (said with a smile). Looks like I have some experimenting to do.

Thanks so much James for putting on this awesome event and ladies, thanks so much for making this weekend one hell of a good time. There is just something about getting together with a group of ladies that is very energizing, inspiring, and motivating.

Alright, next up is Comfortably numb at the end of June and then onto Knee Knacker with a whole hell of a lot of adventures in between.

READY TO GO!!!!

Wow o wow! Way to long since my last post. I was on a roll there for a while.

Soooo....running has been going fabulously. I am just so amped up right now about being out in the trails. The weather has finally turned and I can finally put all my tights back in the winter bin, hopefully not to be seen again for quite a few months. It's skorts and shorts from here on out! Now if I can just get rid of these damn long sleeve shirts!

After my biggest week in terms of mileage I decided that I would take a down/recovery week when I went to Palm Desert. This proved to be a good idea because it was hot...damn hot! I really couldn't run past 9am because I literally felt ill if I ran. So, it was a lot of early morning wake ups for me which is totally fine because I wake up early everyday! This also left me with lot's of time in the day to relax, shop, bike ride, explore, and eat!

I felt a little guilty on this trip because I was living a little beyond my means. I am used to living pretty frugally back home but the ladies I was with (2 were in their 60's) spent quite a bit of time shopping and eating out. But, eventually I got over it and embraced it. You know the saying...when in Rome! Thanks again Bailey for hosting me at your sweet pad!

I wonder if there will ever be a point in my life where I don't have to double think about spending money eating out or shopping? On the flip side, maybe it is a good thing no matter what because I think it's good to ask yourself "Do I REALLY need that". Most of the time, I don't. However, it amazes me how simply some people do live. And, the personalities on those people more than make up for their 'second hand' clothing, which others may judge them on....but I digress.

I had a great time away but at the same time, I am happy to be home. Happy to be back to regular weather, glorious trails, and the fabulous folks who I train, that inspire me and keep me fired up on a daily bases.

Last weekend was awesome because I had 3 great run's, all with great company. Friday I ran with Kerry Ward and his lunchtime crew (11 hilly miles). This lunchtime crew has been meeting 5 days a week for he last 27 years. There only 5 of us out this day but nonetheless it was great to have company on this rainy day. My legs were super tired from the previous days Chief workout but I made it to the end in one peice!

Saturday I lead the Squmaish Trail Running Club run and there were 6 of us out. The run ended up being a little longer than normal (19km) but with great company it simply flew by. We had great weather for it and my legs felt surprisingly good.

Sunday, Gretel, Shauna, and Jenni, and I went out for a grand adventure. We started at my house, ran to the Chief, followed the Squaw trail, up 9 mile hill, lavaflow, down ring creek rip, down powerhouse plunge and back home. This 5 hour run was my longest run to date this year (approx 24 + miles). It was also the run that solidified in my head that I am ready to race.

I had been having some hip flexor/TFL issues on an acute level. I would have a dull ache in that general area when running 2-3 hours. The feeling was never THAT bad but I was worried how it would hold up doing any sort of intensity (race). I think the down week I took while in Palm Desert gave my hip the breather that it needed. After 5 hours of running with no discomfort whatsoever on top of feeling really good, I am confident that I am ready to rock out come May 23rd at The Sun Mountain 50km. My goal races aren't until July (knee knacker 50km) and August (Where's Waldo 100km) and so I have kept everything pretty mellow as to not peak too early.

I totally miss racing and just being in that racing environment. I haven't been able to test myself in a while, something I am looking forward to in a couple of weeks. Reading Banff Trail Trashes Blog called 'Ultrarunning, it's like that' rang true for me in terms of why ultrarunning/runners are so fun!

Also, just want to congradulate my mom on finishing her first Marathon!!!!!!!!!! We watched and cheered her on the entire day and she looked so fresh from start to finish.

Alright, time to go get some work done. Looking forward to tonight's hill repeats with the Squamish Trail Running Club!!!!

See you in the trails!

Adventure....right around the corner.

I have been following Krissy and Devon's R2R2R speed attempt ever since I first got news of the happenings which was only a few days before it happened. As cool as it was that they accomplished it, it's even cooler that they did it as a team. I think adventuring is often enjoyed more when done with someone else. I can think back to the movie 'Into the Wild" where right before he dies he writes..."Happiness is enjoyed more when shared"...or something along those lines.

I do enjoy runs solo but I enjoy adventures more with a companion.

I am in Palm Desert right now with a friend of mine, Bailey, her mom (Jos, a client) and her mom's friend Deb. We had planned to go to the street market today and after I noticed that they had 2 bikes in the garage, I suggested that we bike the 15 or 20 minutes there. It was awesome! The bikes are nothing special but I think that adds to the adventure. After a tarmac run this morning, I was longing to find some trails and I thought what better way to explore than by bike. After the street market I asked Bailey to humor me by coming on a bit of adventure. The adventure being to find the trail head. So, off we went towards the mountains and eventually we did find the trail head. I am stoked to go explore that in the next day or so. I even went out and bought a bike lock so I could ride there, run, and ride home.

When I told people that I was gong to Palm Springs, I got a lot of responses along the lines of "Palm Springs is for old people" & "There isn't much to do there". However, I think if you have adventure in your blood, there is always something to do! You just have to work a little harder to find it....but in the end, that's all part of the fun.

So, here is to adventure and doing what you love, no matter where you are. Adventure is always just around the corner.

Happy Easter!!!

TODAY

(The Tenderfoot boogie crew from Sunday, The dog was jumping at me that is why I am lookin' kinda funny)

As I was delightfully hiking up the Chief today, I couldn't help but think about how nice it would be to simply lay down and be one with the rock, once I got to the top. Yogi's often put there heads down to their mats (which I can't even do from a seated position!) after their practice as if to be kissing the earth. Well, kissing my mat isn't really my thing but I thought that laying down atop the Chief would be my way of being one with the universe. It would represent being and living in the now and enjoying the peaceful calm and quietness that exists up there.

However, to my surprise, there was another guy laying down on the top! I told him he had stolen my idea and then I joined him in silence, just laying, smiling, breathing and enjoying. This guy was in jeans and was just taking a simple break from work. I know that because he eventually got up and said "well, better get back to work". The weather had forcasted rain and I awoke to sunny skies and this hike called my name. By the time I got to the top it was snowing, however, ever so faintly, as if the snow were cotton floating around in the sky.

Another thing we talked about in my Yoga class yesterday was simply being in the now. It is surprising how hard that is to do. Even as I was descending the Chief, I found my thoughts lingering away onto all the other things I had to do today. I consciously had to stop myself and simply try and focus on what I was doing...now.

So, here is to living in the NOW! Taking each day, one at a time because that is all we really have. As the saying goes, tomorrow is promised to no one! Which kind of creeps me out because I'd like to think everyone will wake up and get to see tomorrow.

See you in the trails!

LIVING TRUTHFULLY & FEELING ALIVE

Last night, after 4 months had gone by, I finally went back to Yoga! There was really no good reason as to why I had stopped going but I was choosing to do other things. But, being back in class reminded me so much of why I love yoga and the benefits I see in my body/mind after I leave, always with a smile on my face. I am really enjoying The Yoga Studio in Squamish. It's nothing fancy (no YYOGA), as it is simply one room (and a 1 stall bathroom), but I really like it this way. Simple.

Little to me knowledge, my 5 time pass I bought back in December had actually expired. I was pretty bummed but Lydia, the teacher, let me extend it for another month. I wanted to send her a thank you e-mail and was searching for their contact info on the website. I also stumbled upon the bios of all the teachers and as I was perusing something kind of struck my eye. One of the teachers was saying how yoga makes her live more 'truthfully'. I know I have heard this term before but this time I was intruiged and wanted to dive deeper into it's meaning. I asked myself, "What does it really mean to live truthfully?".

This morning I decided to google it. Perhaps, that's the cheat way! Here is one phrase I found from Mary Rhee...

"By living truthfully, we live a life true to our intent and what we stand for"

Then I stumbled upon another page that discusses what it means to "have lived".

This one for me is very interesting and I have brought it up to Peter many times because I can pin point exactly when I started to feel this way. The moment I felt that I started "living my life" was when I started running, which wasn't until 2004/2005. I can remember it very vividly because it was after I stopped playing basketball for Cap College.

I was a free soul and began going on all these self adventures. Now, to begin, these adventures were small in scale compared to some of the things I have done more recently but the feelings of joy I got from them remain the same. While out running on the sea wall as part of the Sugoi photoshoot on Monday, I watched dozens of roller bladers whip past me. I couldn't help but reminisce...

At the tender age of 20, (HA!) I got a full service restaurant job at The Macaroni Grill downtown on Davie Street. I was still living in North Vancouver at the time. It was around this time that I bought a new pair of roller blades and yes, I am pretty sure roller blading was deemed uncool at this point in time. I hadn't roller bladed since I was a kid and I can't even remember why I decided to start roller blading again, but I digress...

This mode of transportation served as a platform for my daily adventures to work. I would blade from home- down the highway, over the Liongs Gate Bridge, and at that point, I would take off my blades, put shoes on and run down to the Stanly Park Seawall (gravel trail) and put my blades back on. From there I would blade around the sea wall all the way back to Davie Street in English Bay. Everytime I did this I felt alive and I guess you could say I was living truthfully. I didn't care that people thought roller blading was uncool because in the end, I was 100% happier than any of those people. I was doing what made me happy. Side note- I also had a friend, one of my closest, who also had a pair of blades and we would adventure together. I loved the feeling of just ripping around the sea wall at top speed or going for blades with Megs through the demonstration forest, surrounded by trees.

It was also around this time that I began training for a marathon, another experience that made me feel like I was living my life. Roller blading adentures were soon replaced with running adventures and this time, I had many more friends to share these experiences with. Eventually road runs were replaced with mountain runs and an entirely new love affair was born.

I will forever thank running for making me feel this way, for giving me an outlet to adventure, to feel alive. I don't think I have always stayed true to my heart with running and that is something I have personally struggled with in the past year or so. To further explain what I mean, I think simply, my running adventures have not always been my own. It's the creativity of a run or an adventure that makes you feel so good about it. For example, I really want to run from Squamish to North Vancouver or from West Vancouver to Powell River. These types of adventures would be very satisfying because they are my own and I chose them.

I think in the past year or so, I had stopped being creative and perhaps was just going with the flow, choosing races because that's what used to make me feel alive with my running. Somewhere along the way, races stopped giving me the satisfaction I was used to, and I think I simply ignored those feelings. I also stopped coming up with self motivated adventures and was just in training mode. I've since realised this and have been working at keeping that spark alive. Running does have a special place in my heart and without it, I am not the same person.

I think in the end, we all need to be true to ourselves and when we are not, we need to look deep inside and ask ourselves the question: Am I living truthfully? Do I feel Alive? There are times in life where we can lose ourselves and it takes a lot of guts and courage to aknowledge it and change it.

I ask you, What does living truthfully and honestly, mean to you?

What makes you feel alive?

Have a happy Tuesday!!!! Adventure onward!

BIRTHDAY SWIM

(Not me, but wow, what a splash!)

Last year, Peter and I, drove up to Brohme Lake to go running. The trails were very new to us and to no one's surprise they were fabulous. We decided to jump in post run and it was a dip in the lake I will never forget.

I can't really describe the way it made me feel but it was a very freeing sensation. It's like taking a leap of fail, being born again, and starting off on a new foot. I remember being nervous and I am certain it took me a long time before I made the jump in. The water was very cold but as soon as I got out of the lake, I warmed up instantaneously because the air was so much warmer....it simply felt amazing. So amazing, that I wanted to do it again this year.


(Birthday Breakfast of Champions)

After a glorious run with Peter in the morning, followed by a lovely bowl of Oats topped with yogurt and fresh fruit, we made our way to Brohm Lake. We made a pit stop to grab a bottle of the Howe Sound Brew Pub beer (Geribaldi Honey), to enjoy post dip. We parked and walked down towards the water. The sky was overcast and the air was cool. It was suppose to rain the entire day but a miracle occured and the rain held off until 4pm. Peter set up a camera to take some video and then we stripped down to our bathing suits. As Peter made his way down to the rock where we were to jump off, I counted down, 1...2...3 and then without hesitation jumped right on in...and to my surprise...SOLO!!! I can't blame him though. I guess this is my tradition, not his!

I was so cold I could hardly breathe let alone climb back up the rock to get out. I put my hand out and Peter helped me out of the water. Again, it was only seconds until I was overcome with warmth and I just felt completely cleansed...born again.

I have a video but it's on Pete's camera and he just left on a 2 week ski touring trip. I'll post it when he is back. I am now 27, and I believe that means I am now in my 'Late Twenties"! Yahoo! Next race for me is Sun Mountain 50km in Winthrop, WA. I am very much looking forward to it. Ladies road trip!!!!

See you in the trails.

OH THE PEOPLE YOU`LL MEET

(Bouldering in Bishop California, 2008, I think)

Peter and I (but especially Peter) were pretty stoked up to come home and climb yesterday. We both had been working on The Shore and the weather was fabulous. However, on our drive home to Squamish (approx 5pm) the weather started to look a little dreary and as soon as we passed the cheif, en route home, rain drops started prancing on my windshield. Peter, having been stuck at work all day, was a little bit more than devastated! I at least, had been able to get out for a run and enjoy the sunny day.

In the end, we took our chances, parked in the Chief climbers parking lot and went searching for some dry boulders. There was only one other car in the lot and we ended up bouldering right next to him. Now this 'him', aint any old 'him'. Turns out we were bouldering with Pro Snowboarder, Lonnie Kauk, who's dad, Ron Kauk, is a legendary free climber in Yosemite Valley. Good times.

Bouldering outside can seem a little daunting, mainly because there are no ropes or gear to protect you. In the climbing gym, it`s pretty low-risk because there are more than dozen puffy crash pads underneath you. Outside however, you may have only a few crash pads on the ground (much thinner) and falling could have it`s consequences. I am not always a risk taker, but as a kid I am pretty sure I was fearless. Now-a-days the thought of sky-diving and bunjee jumping freaks me out (but I will do both someday soon) but when I get on a rock, I seem to be able to block out the risk. The odd time though I find myself thinking `wow, this is really high, if I fall, this won`t end well`.

My skills as a boulder`er, aren`t excellent and I often have more fun when I just play around and make up my own stuff. I am not always a fan of the rules of the route, having to start it a certain way, or following a perfect sequence. But, maybe it`s because I don`t have the patience to try the same route over and over until I get it. Regardless, just being outsidem, getting to climb up some random boulders is a pretty great way to spend an evening. We managed to get out for over an hour without any rainfall, but it did come eventually around 7:30pm, our cue to leave.

Today is a beautiful day and I am gearing up for a run with Segs! Get out there!