Speed-o

I had a super sweet speed workout last night. Felt good. My obliques are sore. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to speed workouts and such... 

15 warm up
4 x 3:00 all out with 2 min. in between
2 miles cool down at 8:30 pace 

I'm sweeping the Golden Hills marathon this weekend... My intentions were to just go and see my friends run Firetrail 50 because, let's face it, it's fun to watch your friends suffer. But somehow I roped myself into sweeping the marathon course. I really really hope the back of the pack isn't pushing the allowable 20/min pace otherwise it may turn out to be the longest day of my life. Running 26.2 trail miles is hard. Walking it will just be all out brutal. 

In other news it looks like a zombie threw up in our office. There is Halloween everywhere. It's awesome and awful because there are Butterfingers 2 feet from where I sit. But there are also a variety of masks that I get to put on and go incognito when I feel like it. I know people still know who I am but for some reason it allows me to start dancing and acting like a fool as if I've been waiting my whole life to have different face to hide behind so I can start shaking my hips and behaving like the 5 year old I feel like sometimes. 

Happy Halloweeny!

Back to life. Back to reality.

I'm suffering from post race depression bad today. So I'm going to re-hash the last 4 days of my life in agonizing detail. 

Friday/Marathon 1 - Emerald Bay to Spooner Lake:

Kevin, Derrick, Dennis and I were standing around waiting for  the start. We wished one another luck and in the middle of a sentence the gun goes off startling all of us! "Oh I guess we're on!" The first few miles is all descent and I'm just focused on keeping my feet underneath me and keeping her easy. Run your own race was the advice of the German speaker the previous night at pasta dinner and record holder of the triple. "Don't run too fast, don't run too slow. Run how you trained and run your own race". This stuck with me those 3 days and I always had in mind to just keep it comfortable - the goal was always to finish in 1 piece (and to share Derrick's goal: no pooping of the pants). 

Derrick found me within the first half mile and to my surprise we actually ran the entire first day together - well minus the last mile or so when he had more gusto in him to kill that final hill and bring it in. Derrick is a much stronger runner than I am so I fully expected him to take off that first day. Day 1 was a nice ease into this stage race. I had someone to chat with when needed and laugh and joke about what the hell we were doing out there. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the lake I knew exactly what I was doing out there. 

My mom was the best support anyone could ask for on day 1. She had the Gracie and June Bug (JB) with her and leap frogged us the whole time. We were self sufficient as far as GU and water but it was so nice to see her face every few miles camera in hand. 

The final 3 miles of this first marathon are up hill about 1,000 feet or so. The last mile was probably the hardest mile I've ever done. I never stopped running, I just kicked it into a very low gear and said to myself "chug and lug - chug a lug". I find keeping my eyes down helps. The final turn into the parking lot at the top of the hill my mom was there with the dogs. I ran it in with JB: 

And actually received 1st place in open women's division with 4:21:53 :D

Saturday/Marathon 2 - Spooner Lake to Tahoe City:

Brooke came up the night before to help with support on Saturday since my mom was riding her bike around the lake. She dropped us off and today was a 7:45 start time. The first 6 miles or so are mostly downhill. I was worried about my IT bands since they've given me issues in the past and things were sore today. Again, nice and easy I told myself. Around mile 5 or so the view opened up and I saw the entire lake. It was so beautiful. I also saw in the FAR distance the casinos at the North Shore stateline that I knew we had to run beyond. It looked eons away.

After the halfway mark when all the half marathoners cleared the course I thought to myself this is where my race begins. And with that thought was an arduous climb up a very busy street. The cyclist were all passing by now from their trip around the lake. This was awesome. They were all encouraging and I was happy giving them all a thumbs up as they sped past. I also hit a euphoric 2nd wind here (which cannot happen without its polar opposite, I'll get to that). At this point I was waving at cars and having a great time chatting with the spectators as I'd run past. And then I spotted my mom coming around the bend on her bicycle. This was another great boost! She cheered for me and a couple others around me and said she loved me before pushing beyond. 

I was then blasted with fatigue and soreness around mile 16. But I pushed on. I never walked on this course, I just put it into a very low gear. This day was the hardest of the 3 days for me but it was also the fastest (a faster course, mostly downhill). 

On the first day I developed a little 10K and 5K left dance, just some minor wiggling and finger shaking. When I had 10K left on this course I mustered up the dance with all my might. When the 5K left mark came, I was shattered. I pointed my fingers out for about .5 seconds and then pushed on. I was mad and sad and hurting. I figured I'd cross the line and start crying immediately. 

Then there was another hill. And all that was left was my will to live. I was talking to myself in short sentences mantra like. I knew I would finish but it was taking it out of me. I finally heard Derrick's voice scream at my sighting and new I was done for the day. 

Big smiles, no tears:

4:20:14

Sunday/Marathon 3 - Tahoe City to Pope Beach (about 6 miles beyond Emerald Bay)


5:00am Sunday morning I awoke with nausea. I got up for the normal routine of coffee with half and half and oatmeal and found that my stomach immediately said no way, not today. I had my coffee black and a Mojo bar instead. I rolled a bit and yawned about 40 times on the 45 minute drive up to Tahoe City for the final race. I couldn't be bothered to stand in line at a porta potty so went pee in a parking lot in front of a car with a little stick tree right beside me. I gave no shits this day. We saw a pale and distressed looking Dennis at the start and took a few photos. The gun went off and we hobbled on. Dennis was right behind Derrick and I for a couple miles and he dropped off. "He said he ate yogurt and a banana for dinner, Derrick" I said worriedly. Dennis is the fastest marathoner of all of us I think had the biggest breakthrough this weekend in testing his limits. 

Derrick and I ran together for the first half or so seeing Brooke and my mom along the way. Its great to have support in races, especially stage races or ultra-endurance events. And its a pain the ass for them so I really appreciate it. 

The first 8 or 9 miles was flat. I was grateful and we were easily doing 9:40s or so. Also, as soon as I started the race my nausea and fear of what lie ahead was instantly gone. I thought it funny how the thing that was causing trauma to my body was also the only thing that was making me feel better. Anyhow, as soon as the hills started I slowed a bit. This is where I lost Derrick and just went at an easy peasy no rush pace. I enjoyed the scenery and the energy from the half marathoners when they started at the half point. At Inspiration Point I grabbed some grapes, pretzels and Ultima to choke them down with. I walked and just looked out at the lake and I experienced so many emotions. I was calm and happy eating and I was also sad that in 6 or so miles it was all going to be over. So I enjoyed those 6 miles the best I could. I chatted it up with several people. And around mile 21 or so Dennis caught up with me! I told him to go catch Derrick after he explained he was just numb to the sickness he felt and pressing on. Way to go, Dennis! 

After I rounded the final stretch where my mom and Brooke stood I was drawn in by the cheers of onlookers. What a great day! The 4 of us here at the end doing our final post race soak:

4:36:28

These were probably the most amazing 4- 5 days of my life thus far. I've experienced far ends of the emotional spectrum and I feel lucky for all of it. And I especially feel lucky that I can eat this and not feel the least bit guilty about it:

Next day chillin with JB (and the rest of the gang) at Kiva Beach - I wanted to run another marathon but we went to apple hill and ate pie and fritters instead.

 Bye Bye for now Lake Tahoe!

T3 Beckons!

This past weekend saw three 18 milers, 3 days in a row. With help of friends I got through them with little perceived effort. Typically when a weekend has this kind of thing in store I'm nervous and even a little mindfully apprehensive but I had a different outlook after the previous week and half being sick with a sore throat turned flu-ish turned cold symptoms. I was just happy to be well enough to run. 

Running is more fun anyhow when you have things to look forward to:

18 Saturday early morning run - followed by Perko's and Baker Beach

18 Sunday - followed by lunch with mom and dad and a nap with the monster, June Bug

The next week and a half will go by fast.. I need to enjoy every second of this taper as I will be getting into some heavy speed work in preparation for CIM after T3 recovery. I'm already 2 Cookie Connection gut busters in for the day. This is why I run. 

My Dancing Queen

This post is dedicated to my friend Joe... 

February 16, 1980 - August 18, 2012

The animal lover:

The cross dresser:

Lover of women:

Fashionista:
Yes, his shirt says "I heart Strippers"

Some assholes playing gangster games Friday night into Saturday morning resulted in his untimely death. 

Having never experienced death of someone without warning I'm figuring out how to deal with the mourning, the grief stages all while holding on to every piece of time spent with this person in the last couple years. Joe and I went to high school together and started our college educations at American River College. I would often laugh in total disbelief at the vivid memories he had of our conversations from ARC. I don't know if I just have a really bad memory or perhaps he was just able to recall more than me because he is much brighter than me. Sometimes I just plain thought he was making it up. 

I was lucky to receive a friend request on Facebook from Joe in December 2010 - I accepted and he asked me to join him for dancing. I put off the invitation for several weeks mostly due to my own shyness and not knowing how to dance. He assured me he would come over and teach me the moves before we went out to blues dancing at the local Firehouse 5. He came over with a bottle of wine to help with the confidence (liquid courage) and then taught me the basic steps of Blues. He made it easy, so easy that when he told me I was a natural I believed him. 

One thing was for sure that evening, I fell in love with dancing Joe. On the dance floor watching him move with other women (and men) I was absolutely gawking. I've never seen anyone move with such grace, style and sexuality (in flip flops!). By the end of the night we were all drenched with sweat and I was starving. Joe was kind to escort me to Burgers and Brew - it had to be close to 11pm and a Sunday night! This was very unlike me to be out so late and on top of that eating grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries. We spoke of relationships, his dancing community and running. I knew instantly that this was a different person from high school. The high school/college Joe I knew was very quiet and didn't say a whole lot. In fact, I think I just found him a bit odd. Not in a bad, creepy way but in an intriguing what-is-going-on-in-his-head sort of way. 

Joe and I quickly became friends and had a few adventures that I'm grateful for. Tree climbing, trampoline jumping, swing/salsa dancing for crowds, staying up way past my bedtime. He put me through a track workout that had me walking funny for 2 days and then we'd gorge at Mark and Monica's pizza.

Through all these things I learned more about Joe than one does knowing someone for years and years. He had that kind of open, infectious personality that left you energetic after spending time with him. 

There is no saving grace in a situation like this. So I'm just going to say that I'm grateful I had the privilege of knowing him and sharing/exchanging thoughts with him while I had the chance. I will miss his charisma and I'm not too sure that he could have lived his life any fuller in his 32 years. 

Miss you. 

Western States Recap - Part 2 - The Best Pacer. Ever.

Part 2 - 10:30PM


Read Part 1


After the 30 mile slog fest of Safety Patrol I went to my moms to take a shower and mentally prepare myself for pacing duties. I hit a low. I tried napping with no success because I was stressed about making sure I would get Florida Dave, and myself, to the finish line in under 24 hours. I had chafing on my back from my sports bra and dirt embedded into my skin and underneath my toenails.


My runner had to be in worse shape than me since he would have 50 more miles on his legs but I couldn't convince myself that I was going to keep up with him. I envisioned him pushing me more than me pushing him. Around 5pm my mom pumped me full of red sauced noodles and parm and I was revived (I'm noticing a trend here...) I was spunky to the point that I was already talking about pacing Florida Dave for his 4th and final 100 miler for the season, the Wasatch 100 (Florida Dave is nuts. He's going for the Grand Slam this year. Four 100 milers within a month of each other. Did I mention he was nuts?)


By the time I was shuttled to the Green Gate walking entrance, I thought I had about 20 minutes or so until my runner and his first pacer, TJ, would arrive. I was wrong. 


I waited...and waited... He was due at the river crossing at 9:30 (excellent time for a sub 24). The river crossing, once through the waist high, cold river, is about 1.5 from the Green Gate so when it approached 10:15 I decided to mosey on down to the river. I hadn't done this yet because I was reluctant to add another 3 miles to my total of 50 for the day. But I was cold and I needed to see what the heck was going on down there. I was genuinely starting to get worried for him. As I approached the bottom of the hill I spotted the Dave and TJ. "Dave!" I shouted excitedly. I got a high five which was followed by a "WALK A LITTLE FASTER, TJ!". We were power walking up this hill and Dave was crackin the whip on TJ. I saw his agitation immediately and all too quickly assumed that the next 4-5 hours of my life were going to be hell. Dave seemed like a nice guy when we were running that trainer together...maybe he turns into a barking beast when he's in game face mode. Whatever. This was his day and I was in for the bludgeoning verbal abuse if that's what was in store for me. 


Me: I have your duffle at the top
Dave: Oh good, I need a Boost. TJ, is there a Boost in the duffle? 
TJ: Tyler, is there a Boost in the duffle? Did you grab one from the cooler?
Me: Err.. you just told me to grab the duffle, TJ... 
Dave: TJ, is there a boost in the duffle?
TJ: I don't know, Dave
Dave: Why don't you know, TJ? 


It went on like this for a few minutes. They reminded me of 2 siblings having a go at each other because they've been sitting in a car for too long together. 


We reached Green Gate, changed headlamp batteries, stocked up and headed out. There was about 1/4 of warmish Boost left in the duffle and like any good sport, Dave took what fate had given him and was OK with that. I saw him snacking on a few things at aid and was happy that I wouldn't have to be watching his caloric intake too much at this point. He still seemed to be stomaching things OK.


From here on Dave and I fell into a nice groove real quick. I stayed in front and ran on the descents, flats and short climbs and power walked the long hills. We got into a mode of reaching a climb, 5 second walk, run again. He would say "Okay, walk" or "Okay, run". The last 10 miles these audible "Okays" turned into grunts and moans. He never once cried or whined and I'm proud of him for that. 


Mile 10 - 15 or somewhere thereabouts was rough for me. We were both quiet and just getting through it. We reached part of the Quarry Road and I felt myself starting to fall asleep (yes, while running). I've read about this happening to people before. You just start to zone out. We were still keeping good pace though. I knew if I could keep us under 15 minute miles we'd be well under 24 hours and we were pushing typically a 11-13 minute pace (unless we were power hiking a hill). 


We reached HWY 49 at I have no idea what time but TJ was there, with Boost, and really excitable: "You guys keep gaining time on the 24 hour mark! You're doing great!" I've ran this section of HWY 49 to no hands bridge at least half a dozen times and I was really looking forward to the descent (that you have to climb to get to). As soon as we toed down the descent I couldn't really see that well. My light was starting to dim already and my footing wasn't great; Dave took the lead and bounded down that hill like a gazelle. He called back to make sure I was fine and I was. I just couldn't see too well so I took it easy on that hill and told myself I'd catch up with him at that aid station. But I didn't see him there. I ran straight past aid yelling, "I LOST MY RUNNER" and I was running as fast as I could to catch him. I passed about 3 or 4 other runners telling me "You go get 'em!" like I was the runner... I didn't correct them. 


Right past No Hands I looked off to the right and saw 2 eyes peering directly at me. Shit. I immediately stopped in my tracks. I knew there were 2 runners about 40 feet behind me. I don't know why this put me at ease. I guess knowing that people would at least witness my being mauled by a mountain lion made me calm. I looked again to the right and tried to make it out. Just a deer. Run.

I ran as fast as my eyes would let me. My vision got really funky. I got this "tunnel vision" going on where there was just a black outlined circle directly in front of my face and everything else was dark. I'm still not sure if this had to do with my headlamp going dim or having not slept for about 26 hours. I would never forgive myself if Dave was able to actually get so far ahead of me that I couldn't catch him. Finally I looked up and saw someone, alone, up ahead. 


Me: Dave is that YOU?
Dave: TYLERRRR! 
Me: You think I'm gonna let you get away from me when you've ran 50 more miles than me today?! 


Just after I caught up to him we saw the lights start creeping up from Robie Point. The coolest thing about this race is the support. Volunteers drag generators to the middle of nowhere (namely aid station somewhere around mile 88) and blast music and have a plethora of Christmas lights inviting you in (only to shove you out 3 minutes later). Robie Point is mile 98.8 or so. I looked at my watch. "Dave! You have 25 minutes to run 1 mile to be sub 23!!"


Right about here we see TJ and run the final mile. This is Dave's first time doing Western States AND his first time running a sub 23 100 miler. Not too shabby. 
                             
                  Here is Dave looking more spry than his 2 pacers

Western States Recap - Part 1 - Safety Patrol

Saturday, June 23rd, 2012                          Above: Me and my fearless driver/dog watching mom


Part 1 - 1:00AM


We woke at 1am after about 2 hours of solid sleep (due to my crazy chihuahua~this is the wrath I deal with living downtown and having 6lbs of fury who doesn't like the drunkards walking past the house on Friday/Saturday nights). Everything was packed the night before from a list I had delicately laid out days ahead. I would never be this organized had I not agreed to pace a new friend the last 20 miles of WS100. Apparently when I have someone relying on me I am capable of taking it to the next level. A quick stop to pick up my mom who agreed to be crew/dog watcher/driver and we headed up the hill to Squaw for our pacing duties (the first 30 miles of WS course). 


The way to Squaw it started storming. The heavy kind of rain where you have to slow down because you can't see 10 feet ahead of you. It must have been my lack of sleep that made me so blasé about the whole thing. Meanwhile, Kevin is in the back seat stressing out about finding garbage bags to cover himself with/making it there in time to get our safety patrol items/heart rate spikes/etc. etc. Such is normal before an event and I've come to appreciate it as it makes me appear the calm and calculated half. 


We made it to Squaw around 4:20am and picked up our plastic baggy of gauze, ointment, band-aids and an extra large red SAFETY PATROL t-shirt (hey just my size!) My mom made an 80's knot on the backside for a snug fit.    

                                  Here we are! Ready to save lives! 26 minutes to start!

                   
        
                                 


We started climbing up the hill with 2 other safety patrolers to get a head start on the runners. It was dark and the higher we got up the mountain the windier it got. WS starts with a nice little climb of 2,200+ feet up to Emigrant Pass within the first 3.75 miles of the start. By the time we reached the first aid station around 4 miles or so it was starting to hail and gusts of wind were coming at speeds liable to knock someone my size right over. I buried my head down and kept on climbing. Thoughts were something like "I want my mom, I miss my dogs, why the hell did I get out of bed for this..." Upon reaching the summit Kevin wanted to empty the debris from his shoes and take a photo. Normally I'd be OK with this but when I'm sucking wind and keeping my legs a good 4 feet wide so that I don't become a rescuee, this idea wasn't all too pleasing, "HURRY UP". I couldn't feel my fingers and the glory of running the first 30 miles as safety patrol was starting to turn into a slog already at mile 5. 




Feeling Fresh Again with Glenn Misono!

By the time we made it to Red Star (mile 15 and some 4+ hours later **yes, I said 4 HOURS for 15 MILES**) I was shivering and the volunteer must have noticed I wasn't doing all to well because he guided me directly to the hot chicken broth. This changed my life. I was ready to go out and save someone again. It was at this point one fellow from Sweden was dropping. We had a good chat up to the aid station and he was a veteran of the race. He'd flown all the way from Sweden and dropped at 15 miles because his "head just wasn't in it today".... 

Looking around I could see I was one of very few people somewhat dressed for this kind of weather. Most people were in shorts and little shirts, no gloves and no water proof gear. Little clothing is typically what weather calls for in this race. I heard several times that this was first time it was hailing. They were these little pellet size hail that even my hat couldn't keep from smacking me. It felt like someone throwing ice cold gravel in your face. Those manning the aid station at Devil's Thumb said they had so much left over ice they had to throw it out! As rough as this weather was it eventually led to the male and female record being crushed! 


Another 3 hours and we were heading up the final 4 miles up to Robinson Flat. This was so beautiful but I was dead tired. I was going on that delirium where something not so funny makes you laugh like a drunk at his own jokes. This is great for Kevin because he becomes a comedian when I approach this inebriated state. Looking around I was starting to feel like Alice in Wonderland, no really. 

We came in with the back of the packers, as planned, about 30 minutes before cutoff at Robinson Flat. We had been on our feet for over 8 hours ensuring safety. The only thing we came across was a dude taking a pee in the bushes who had left his bottle out for someone to wait for him. Thankfully, no rescuing was needed. Runners are tough, especially runners that embark on 100 miles. Typically if something is going wrong, mentally or physically, they know what the ailment and cure is. Beyond 30 miles though its a bit trickier as runners tend to forget who they are and why the hell they are running the middle of the night. More on that in Part 2.

The Western States 100 is upon us

There is a definite buzz in my head in anticipation of the upcoming weekend. I must have learned of the Western States 100 not more than a year ago. I probably didn't think much of it at the time (other than "wow, humans can run 100 miles?")  and yet, here I will experience a good portion of it this Saturday thanks to Kevin and newly made ultra-runner friend, Dave from Florida. 


Our Saturday will start around 2am when my mom (good sport as she is) drives me and Kevin up to Squaw Valley for the 5am start of the 30 hour race. Kevin's dentist runs the safety patrol for this race and graciously Kevin and I offered (mine was more of a beg) our leg's services. Glenn was more than happy knowing that Kevin was now an Ironman and capable of the duties necessary for the task. 


We will run about 30 miles in the mid-back pack of runners to ensure safety (imagine that!) Thankfully Glenn didn't require references as to the quality of my nursing skills... This will be my first time running at this altitude and my first time on this part of the course. I will most definitely stop for photo ops and I'm giddy at the thought of watching these crazy bastards (I can say that because I wish I was one of them). 


After 8 or so hours I hope for food and ice. Because 20 more miles will ensue around 10pm or so when Florida Dave gets to Green Gate. I met Florida Dave on day 2 of the WS training runs Memorial weekend. I fell into my groove early on..and Dave ended up behind me. We got to chatting, as you do, and I learned that Dave flew out from Florida for the 3 day trainers before the debauchery that was to take place this weekend. Well, apparently I was good at faking it because Dave thinks I'm strong enough to pull off 50 miles within a 24 hour period without the same muck that took place at AR50.... I hope Dave doesn't have the sappy story of "I had to drop my pacer back there because she's crying and vomiting on herself". Dave, if you do, I apologize up front. Because if this does happen, I'll probably be cursing you at the time.