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.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Race Report
After weeks of preparation, the day of the Pengelly Double Dip finally arrived. It's been raining here for weeks, but the sky cleared and it was a beautiful, sunny day. I awoke with the sun, too excited to sleep anymore. I headed into town and decided to do the early start at 8 am, instead of starting at 9 am with everyone else. Because it had taken me so long to do on my practice run, I was concerned that it might take me that long again and I would be the last to finish. Plus I didn't want to wait around anymore!
A handful of other people also did the early start. One woman was just ahead of me for the first hour.The course was really beautiful - great views, green and tons of wildflowers. When it started to get steep enough to warrant walking, I finally caught up to Mary Ann, and we walked together. Turns out that she is a mom too (5 & 7 year old girls). It was great to have someone to talk to and commisserate with. It was so nice (and different for me, being typically a middle of the pack runner) to be the first ones at each aid station, and at the peaks.
It wasn't until we were on our way back down from the most relentlessly steep climb up to the radio towers that we finally started seeing other people. At first they were surprised to see us, but soon realized that we were not faster than them, we'd just started early. Still, it was really cool to be up there running in the front with the fastest guys. Mary Ann and I reached the summit first, where I called my guys (Jim and the boys had been volunteering at the race and I wanted to let them know when I'd be coming down) and Mary Ann went flying down the mountain.
Soon I started getting passed by the fastest men (7 in all passed me before I finished). The last part of the race is miles of treacherous downhill, followed by a short flat section. I got a blister on one foot and a black toenail on the other from the downhill pounding.
Then I came into the finish chute with all of these people watching (expecting the winners) and my boys came out to join me for part of my final steps. It was really an amazing feeling being one of the first to finish, even though I was an imposter of sorts.
Afterwards Mary Ann found me in the crowd and she was all scraped up. She'd taken a spill on the way down, but didn't seem fazed by it. She'd still managed to beat me to the finish!
What a great race, but I was glad it was over. Then Jim left the boys with me so that he could run the course, twice in a row, as part of his training for the "Devil's Backbone" 50-miler in July. I continued my endurance event by spending the day in town with the boys, first going to the pool, then to China Buffet, then to a kid's birthday party (I did not go in the bouncy house).
I was exhausted, and so was Jim. It took him 6 hours to run the whole thing twice (the equivalent of a marathon). I did my 1/2 in 3 hours. I woke up with aching muscles but Jim was already gone - out for another long run.
A handful of other people also did the early start. One woman was just ahead of me for the first hour.The course was really beautiful - great views, green and tons of wildflowers. When it started to get steep enough to warrant walking, I finally caught up to Mary Ann, and we walked together. Turns out that she is a mom too (5 & 7 year old girls). It was great to have someone to talk to and commisserate with. It was so nice (and different for me, being typically a middle of the pack runner) to be the first ones at each aid station, and at the peaks.
It wasn't until we were on our way back down from the most relentlessly steep climb up to the radio towers that we finally started seeing other people. At first they were surprised to see us, but soon realized that we were not faster than them, we'd just started early. Still, it was really cool to be up there running in the front with the fastest guys. Mary Ann and I reached the summit first, where I called my guys (Jim and the boys had been volunteering at the race and I wanted to let them know when I'd be coming down) and Mary Ann went flying down the mountain.
Soon I started getting passed by the fastest men (7 in all passed me before I finished). The last part of the race is miles of treacherous downhill, followed by a short flat section. I got a blister on one foot and a black toenail on the other from the downhill pounding.
Then I came into the finish chute with all of these people watching (expecting the winners) and my boys came out to join me for part of my final steps. It was really an amazing feeling being one of the first to finish, even though I was an imposter of sorts.
Afterwards Mary Ann found me in the crowd and she was all scraped up. She'd taken a spill on the way down, but didn't seem fazed by it. She'd still managed to beat me to the finish!
What a great race, but I was glad it was over. Then Jim left the boys with me so that he could run the course, twice in a row, as part of his training for the "Devil's Backbone" 50-miler in July. I continued my endurance event by spending the day in town with the boys, first going to the pool, then to China Buffet, then to a kid's birthday party (I did not go in the bouncy house).
I was exhausted, and so was Jim. It took him 6 hours to run the whole thing twice (the equivalent of a marathon). I did my 1/2 in 3 hours. I woke up with aching muscles but Jim was already gone - out for another long run.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Wacky Hip Strikes Again
I love Frenchtown Physical Therapy.
Last week I was feeling pretty darn good, even after running the Pengelly Double Dip course (with scenic route detour) and then doing 9 miles with Jim two days later. Then I went for an easy 4 mile run and felt like total crap. The worst part was that my hip had started to hurt again. I stretched, I massaged with an ice bottle, I rested, but it still ached. With the race less than a week away, I wondered if I would be able to run it.
FPT to the rescue. This time I brought Jim in with me so that he could learn how to fix me. It turns out that I did indeed get my hip out of place again. The good news is that I figured out how I did it, and Jim now knows how to fix it. Apparently, when you have hip problems like mine, it is not a good idea to get all loosened up with yoga before a run, which is exactly what I did. It makes it too easy for the hip to slip out of place, and then comes the pain.
So now all that's left to do is rest, fuel up, and think positive - then race on Saturday!
Last week I was feeling pretty darn good, even after running the Pengelly Double Dip course (with scenic route detour) and then doing 9 miles with Jim two days later. Then I went for an easy 4 mile run and felt like total crap. The worst part was that my hip had started to hurt again. I stretched, I massaged with an ice bottle, I rested, but it still ached. With the race less than a week away, I wondered if I would be able to run it.
FPT to the rescue. This time I brought Jim in with me so that he could learn how to fix me. It turns out that I did indeed get my hip out of place again. The good news is that I figured out how I did it, and Jim now knows how to fix it. Apparently, when you have hip problems like mine, it is not a good idea to get all loosened up with yoga before a run, which is exactly what I did. It makes it too easy for the hip to slip out of place, and then comes the pain.
So now all that's left to do is rest, fuel up, and think positive - then race on Saturday!
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