Today was just about the opposite of Saturday's grueling run. I got up before the sun so I could get a run in before Jim went to work. Conditions were perfect, a nice cool morning, and I felt great. I saw several deer, including a nice looking young buck and a doe with twins. I felt so good, I wished that I could just keep going and going. It's days like this that I remember why I love to run. Hill? What hill? I just flew right up it.
Was it the weather? The terrain? The rest? The shoes? Who knows. A combination of all of the above. Sometimes its hard to predict when you will have a good run or a bad one, but when you're having it you know for sure. I am so thankful for days like these.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What can you learn from a bad running day?
Two days after my strenuous run/hike with John, Jim was ready to test his legs out again, and John offered to watch the kids for us as we went out for a run together. Although I was still sore (like, barely able to walk down the stairs my quads hurt kind of sore) from Friday, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to run with my own personal ultramarathon man, Jim.
We ran out in the woods behind our house here, along a route both of us have done many times. It was a great day, early, not too hot, and just a super run. We figured we went about 11 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Better, in fact, than when we'd started. So we planned another, longer run, for the next weekend. This time we actually had to pay someone to babysit the kids, but it was well worth it (they hung out with our friends Adam and Aubrey - an experienced outdoorsman and a nurse - so we felt comfortable leaving the boys with them!).
Well, that run didn't turn out to be as glorious an experience for me as the previous one. For one, I felt like shit. I'm not sure why. Maybe still recovering from the previous weekend. Also, we started too late on a hot, sunny day (8 am) and I forgot my sunglasses and didn't bring a hat. I didn't eat breakfast, and didn't bring my preferred trail food (cliff bars). I was soon standing at the side of the trail feeling like I might pass out. I had a Montana Huckleberry Hammer gel for breakfast, and was able to go on, but never really very well.
We did get to run somewhere we've never run before - up in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. We went to the Franklin Bridge - 16 miles round trip. I can't say that I actually ran the whole way. I was feeling pretty poorly and the sun was blasting down on us. I was struggling. I was suffering. Then, on the way back, I realized that we had been running gradually uphill the whole way. It was so gradual, I couldn't even tell. I just knew I was floundering. So, I felt a little better on the way back.
I had a bad running day. It happens. But, it helped me to realize something. I have been pushing myself, trying to get to the point where I can run a marathon, and giving myself a hard time because I'm not there yet. And I've finally accepted that maybe its just not going to happen this year. And I'm not sure I even want it to. Races stress me out. I get so worked up the night/morning before racing, then I get down on myself for not performing better...when really I just want to run to stay fit and healthy and have a good time. Why stress myself out?
One problem for me is that I compare myself with Jim. This is completely unrealistic. Jim, obviously, is not like everyone else. He finds great joy in just running for miles and miles. I'm not sure if it is the same for me. It is a different thing. And that is ok.
So, I've kind of let my marathon goal go for this year. Because in order to get to the point where I can do the one in September well, I need to be doing long runs (like 20+ miles) while on my trip back east to NY and OH. It may be better to just take it easy and enjoy myself.
We ran out in the woods behind our house here, along a route both of us have done many times. It was a great day, early, not too hot, and just a super run. We figured we went about 11 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Better, in fact, than when we'd started. So we planned another, longer run, for the next weekend. This time we actually had to pay someone to babysit the kids, but it was well worth it (they hung out with our friends Adam and Aubrey - an experienced outdoorsman and a nurse - so we felt comfortable leaving the boys with them!).
Well, that run didn't turn out to be as glorious an experience for me as the previous one. For one, I felt like shit. I'm not sure why. Maybe still recovering from the previous weekend. Also, we started too late on a hot, sunny day (8 am) and I forgot my sunglasses and didn't bring a hat. I didn't eat breakfast, and didn't bring my preferred trail food (cliff bars). I was soon standing at the side of the trail feeling like I might pass out. I had a Montana Huckleberry Hammer gel for breakfast, and was able to go on, but never really very well.
We did get to run somewhere we've never run before - up in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. We went to the Franklin Bridge - 16 miles round trip. I can't say that I actually ran the whole way. I was feeling pretty poorly and the sun was blasting down on us. I was struggling. I was suffering. Then, on the way back, I realized that we had been running gradually uphill the whole way. It was so gradual, I couldn't even tell. I just knew I was floundering. So, I felt a little better on the way back.
I had a bad running day. It happens. But, it helped me to realize something. I have been pushing myself, trying to get to the point where I can run a marathon, and giving myself a hard time because I'm not there yet. And I've finally accepted that maybe its just not going to happen this year. And I'm not sure I even want it to. Races stress me out. I get so worked up the night/morning before racing, then I get down on myself for not performing better...when really I just want to run to stay fit and healthy and have a good time. Why stress myself out?
One problem for me is that I compare myself with Jim. This is completely unrealistic. Jim, obviously, is not like everyone else. He finds great joy in just running for miles and miles. I'm not sure if it is the same for me. It is a different thing. And that is ok.
So, I've kind of let my marathon goal go for this year. Because in order to get to the point where I can do the one in September well, I need to be doing long runs (like 20+ miles) while on my trip back east to NY and OH. It may be better to just take it easy and enjoy myself.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Trail running and talus surfing
Two things: I got myself a new hydration system and tried it out yesterday. I also got to run with someone, in a place I'd never been before.
Our friend John is visiting from Idaho (Roz's husband) and since Jim is still resting from his 50 mile race last week, John went for a run with me. He was also talking about maybe doing the Two Bear marathon, at least, he was before our run yesterday.
We went for a short drive and a long run up in Petty Creek Canyon - just up the highway from here. First though, we couldn't find the trail, so we tried a different one. It was ridiculous. We spent about an hour (and spent our legs in the process) running and climbing, then surfing down some treacherous talus. It was an adventure anyway. So then we're driving out, and we see the trail. So we got out and ran it. Well, we started out running anyway. Until our legs would run no more. It was up up up and it was actually faster and more efficient to walk most of the way up.
We reached the top of this awesome ridge with fantastic views all around, then ran the whole way down. All told, we were running and/or power hiking for about 4 1/2 hours. I'm not sure how many miles we actually covered (we had planned to do 15-16), but I'd say we got a pretty good workout in regardless.
As for my new hydration system, it is a Nathan pack with a bladder in it (like a camelback) made specifically for running (and even more specifically, for women). It holds 2 liters of fluid, and all the little things I need. I also tried out some new electrolyte tablets called nuuns and they are really tasty. One problem was that I didn't know how much liquid I had left, and I drank it all by the time we got to the top. That's ok, I didn't really need it going down. But, in the future, I will keep better track or bring additional water. It also took some getting used to, being able to suck the water out of the tube and breathe properly at the same time, especially when I was out of breath.
I think that John and I were each a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we walked so much on the way up, especially after Jim told us he had run the whole thing. But, this is JIM we're talking about, Mr. Fifty-Miler. I really wish that I had more of whatever it takes to push myself harder and to keep going strong. It is something I need to work on.
Our friend John is visiting from Idaho (Roz's husband) and since Jim is still resting from his 50 mile race last week, John went for a run with me. He was also talking about maybe doing the Two Bear marathon, at least, he was before our run yesterday.
We went for a short drive and a long run up in Petty Creek Canyon - just up the highway from here. First though, we couldn't find the trail, so we tried a different one. It was ridiculous. We spent about an hour (and spent our legs in the process) running and climbing, then surfing down some treacherous talus. It was an adventure anyway. So then we're driving out, and we see the trail. So we got out and ran it. Well, we started out running anyway. Until our legs would run no more. It was up up up and it was actually faster and more efficient to walk most of the way up.
We reached the top of this awesome ridge with fantastic views all around, then ran the whole way down. All told, we were running and/or power hiking for about 4 1/2 hours. I'm not sure how many miles we actually covered (we had planned to do 15-16), but I'd say we got a pretty good workout in regardless.
As for my new hydration system, it is a Nathan pack with a bladder in it (like a camelback) made specifically for running (and even more specifically, for women). It holds 2 liters of fluid, and all the little things I need. I also tried out some new electrolyte tablets called nuuns and they are really tasty. One problem was that I didn't know how much liquid I had left, and I drank it all by the time we got to the top. That's ok, I didn't really need it going down. But, in the future, I will keep better track or bring additional water. It also took some getting used to, being able to suck the water out of the tube and breathe properly at the same time, especially when I was out of breath.
I think that John and I were each a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we walked so much on the way up, especially after Jim told us he had run the whole thing. But, this is JIM we're talking about, Mr. Fifty-Miler. I really wish that I had more of whatever it takes to push myself harder and to keep going strong. It is something I need to work on.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Devil's Backbone race report
OK, well, I wasn't actually there. But I did drive over to Bozeman with Jim, then he went on to run the Devil's Backbone 50 mile trail race while the boys and I visited our friend Kevin. Then Jim joined us after the race on Saturday.
Jim ran the course in 12 hours, 45 minutes. He came in 9th place overall, out of 26 people who started the race. Six people didn't finish. Jim saw a couple of these people along the trail; one woman had stomach problems, one guy twisted an ankle...things that could happen to anyone. Jim had some stomach problems, his stomach hurt and it was difficult to eat. What happens is, (I think), that your body gets so tired that even though you know you need to eat something to get you through the race, it is really hard to put any food into your mouth and swallow it. After a while, all you can stand is water. But you MUST have more in order to go on. Well, somehow he made it through. He said the course was incredibly beautiful, high up on this ridge line. At times it was very windy.
For the next two days Jim rested, then he got up early and went to work today. I'm sure he is thinking about his next 50 miler. The back of his legs were sunburned and his legs were somewhat swollen, but he reported feeling pretty good. I think I was more sore after my last 1/2 marathon than he was from a 50 miler.
Jim ran the course in 12 hours, 45 minutes. He came in 9th place overall, out of 26 people who started the race. Six people didn't finish. Jim saw a couple of these people along the trail; one woman had stomach problems, one guy twisted an ankle...things that could happen to anyone. Jim had some stomach problems, his stomach hurt and it was difficult to eat. What happens is, (I think), that your body gets so tired that even though you know you need to eat something to get you through the race, it is really hard to put any food into your mouth and swallow it. After a while, all you can stand is water. But you MUST have more in order to go on. Well, somehow he made it through. He said the course was incredibly beautiful, high up on this ridge line. At times it was very windy.
For the next two days Jim rested, then he got up early and went to work today. I'm sure he is thinking about his next 50 miler. The back of his legs were sunburned and his legs were somewhat swollen, but he reported feeling pretty good. I think I was more sore after my last 1/2 marathon than he was from a 50 miler.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Run for fun
Yesterday the boys and I (and Jim too) bagged our second letter. That is, we hiked up to the "L" on Mount Jumbo. This is right across Hellgate Canyon from our last hike to the "M" on Mount Sentinel. I was surprised last time that the "M" was so easy for them (maybe it was the candy corn I gave them at each switchback), but this time I expected them to send it.
We only had an hour before they had to be at their annual doctor appointment, so we had to hurry to make it all the way up and down and across town in time. So, we pretty much ran it, with occasional stops for gummy treats. The best part was the run down. I actually had to run to keep up with Isaac. It was so much fun it made me realize something really important that is missing from my running: fun.
I do the same couple of routes every time I go out running. It's just easier that way. Unless I drive somewhere to run (which seems silly to me), I only have a few options, all involving the same first couple of miles. This has been going on for YEARS now. I go to the same places, I go at the same pace, I go by myself. Then every once in a while I go with someone else or in a different place or mix up the pace a bit and I think, wow, this is FUN.
I have been thinking, and talking, about training for a marathon in September, which I pretty much have to get started on right this second, but it has been difficult for me to motivate to actually start doing it. The weather has been great. Physically, I feel really good. So all that's missing is the psychological motivation. I need some running partners. I need some new routes. I need some new challenges.
Well that's just my whining about where I'm at. Maybe I'll go look up the Two Bear Marathon and see if that helps.
We only had an hour before they had to be at their annual doctor appointment, so we had to hurry to make it all the way up and down and across town in time. So, we pretty much ran it, with occasional stops for gummy treats. The best part was the run down. I actually had to run to keep up with Isaac. It was so much fun it made me realize something really important that is missing from my running: fun.
I do the same couple of routes every time I go out running. It's just easier that way. Unless I drive somewhere to run (which seems silly to me), I only have a few options, all involving the same first couple of miles. This has been going on for YEARS now. I go to the same places, I go at the same pace, I go by myself. Then every once in a while I go with someone else or in a different place or mix up the pace a bit and I think, wow, this is FUN.
I have been thinking, and talking, about training for a marathon in September, which I pretty much have to get started on right this second, but it has been difficult for me to motivate to actually start doing it. The weather has been great. Physically, I feel really good. So all that's missing is the psychological motivation. I need some running partners. I need some new routes. I need some new challenges.
Well that's just my whining about where I'm at. Maybe I'll go look up the Two Bear Marathon and see if that helps.
Volunteering at the Missoula Marathon
Since neither Jim nor I were participating in the marathon this year, but we wanted to be part of the event, we decided to volunteer our entire family at an aid station. So we got the boys up out of bed at 6 am and drove to town. We were able to choose the aid station in front of Cafe Dolce, which is at around mile 10 of the 1/2 marathon, mile 23 of the full. Jim handed out water, I poured water and gatorade, and the boys handed out gummy bears.
I was really hoping to see more of the people who came through, but most of the time my head was down, focusing on pouring liquid into cups to keep the tables full. The boys did a fantastic job for about two hours (I even saw Ike down there doing a little "gummy bear dance" for folks). When they started getting bored, we walked down the street to our friends' house (and trampoline) where we had lunch and a really nice afternoon.
I did get to see the winner of the full marathon come through (Keifer Hahn finished in 2:30:37) and that was pretty awesome. He was cruising. It is so amazing to see people like that run, especially for me since I am usually in the middle of the pack and tend to just see others like myself plodding along. He just looked so strong and solid. The next full marathon runner didn't come by for another 15 minutes, he was that far ahead.
This was the first time volunteering at an aid station (we have helped out in other parts of the race process) for any of us Chases, and I think we all got something out of it. On an intellectual level, we know that volunteering is a good thing, as we have so much appreciated volunteers who have helped us out at other races, and we foresee more in the future. What we didn't realize was how good it FEELS to volunteer. I'm still not sure how the boys processed the experience, or what they will remember about the day (maybe just the trampoline?) but I hope that in some way they learned something...well, even if they just had a good time, it was well worth it.
I was really hoping to see more of the people who came through, but most of the time my head was down, focusing on pouring liquid into cups to keep the tables full. The boys did a fantastic job for about two hours (I even saw Ike down there doing a little "gummy bear dance" for folks). When they started getting bored, we walked down the street to our friends' house (and trampoline) where we had lunch and a really nice afternoon.
I did get to see the winner of the full marathon come through (Keifer Hahn finished in 2:30:37) and that was pretty awesome. He was cruising. It is so amazing to see people like that run, especially for me since I am usually in the middle of the pack and tend to just see others like myself plodding along. He just looked so strong and solid. The next full marathon runner didn't come by for another 15 minutes, he was that far ahead.
This was the first time volunteering at an aid station (we have helped out in other parts of the race process) for any of us Chases, and I think we all got something out of it. On an intellectual level, we know that volunteering is a good thing, as we have so much appreciated volunteers who have helped us out at other races, and we foresee more in the future. What we didn't realize was how good it FEELS to volunteer. I'm still not sure how the boys processed the experience, or what they will remember about the day (maybe just the trampoline?) but I hope that in some way they learned something...well, even if they just had a good time, it was well worth it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Mountain to Meadow and more
I have not posted here for some time due to my hard drive crashing. I just got my computer back last weekend and I'm trying to catch up. Here's what's been going on.
I took a few days off after the Pengelly Double Dip, then went for a short run. I felt ok. Then we went to visit friends in Idaho and went for a nice 5-6 miler with Roz. Although we only see each other maybe once a year, she is the person I've run with the most. I felt pretty good, so I decided to run another half marathon the next week, the "Mountain to Meadow," actually a 13.7 mile run on Lolo Pass.
The MtM took place on the same day as the Great Strides Walk, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ike's Team (ie: me) raised over $1,000, but I decided I'd rather run 13 miles than walk one. It was a cold morning (as they all have been here lately!) and really perfect weather for the run. It got sunny pretty quickly, but never too hot.
The race goes up, up, up, relentlessly, but not nearly as steep as the PDD. I made the mistake of not eating enough the night before AND not eating breakfast, so about 3/4 of the way up the first hill (about 3-4 miles into the race) I had to stop for a snack of water and hammer gel. I had started getting light-headed and actually saw stars a little, thought I might pass out. That has never happened to me while running before. So it was a little bit scary, but the hammer gel did the trick. So glad I packed it in my fuel belt, as a last minute thought.
Jim ran the MtM a couple of years ago, and said that it would be easier than the PDD. I don't know if "easier" is really appropriate. Maybe just not as relentlessly impossible. It was still a challenging course and I could never really seem to get going. Still, it was a beautiful course and I finished in a fairly respectable time (2:26), and when I was done, I started thinking about running the Missoula 1/2 marathon (July 11th)...
Since then, however, I have come to my senses and decided to take a little break from running, then start training for a marathon (the Two Bear, in Whitefish) in September. This coming weekend is the Missoula Marathon and it promises to be a huge event. Jim and I and the boys have decided to volunteer at an aid station.
I took a few days off after the Pengelly Double Dip, then went for a short run. I felt ok. Then we went to visit friends in Idaho and went for a nice 5-6 miler with Roz. Although we only see each other maybe once a year, she is the person I've run with the most. I felt pretty good, so I decided to run another half marathon the next week, the "Mountain to Meadow," actually a 13.7 mile run on Lolo Pass.
The MtM took place on the same day as the Great Strides Walk, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ike's Team (ie: me) raised over $1,000, but I decided I'd rather run 13 miles than walk one. It was a cold morning (as they all have been here lately!) and really perfect weather for the run. It got sunny pretty quickly, but never too hot.
The race goes up, up, up, relentlessly, but not nearly as steep as the PDD. I made the mistake of not eating enough the night before AND not eating breakfast, so about 3/4 of the way up the first hill (about 3-4 miles into the race) I had to stop for a snack of water and hammer gel. I had started getting light-headed and actually saw stars a little, thought I might pass out. That has never happened to me while running before. So it was a little bit scary, but the hammer gel did the trick. So glad I packed it in my fuel belt, as a last minute thought.
Jim ran the MtM a couple of years ago, and said that it would be easier than the PDD. I don't know if "easier" is really appropriate. Maybe just not as relentlessly impossible. It was still a challenging course and I could never really seem to get going. Still, it was a beautiful course and I finished in a fairly respectable time (2:26), and when I was done, I started thinking about running the Missoula 1/2 marathon (July 11th)...
Since then, however, I have come to my senses and decided to take a little break from running, then start training for a marathon (the Two Bear, in Whitefish) in September. This coming weekend is the Missoula Marathon and it promises to be a huge event. Jim and I and the boys have decided to volunteer at an aid station.
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