North Country Ultra

Photos from on the trail as well as at the finish at North Country - what an awesome day!!!!

Thanks to PowerBar and of course my friends (to my left) Donna and Jim, for getting me through the day!

Ultra Woman!!!

August has come and gone and along with it one of the most spectacular days of my life. On August 27th, I ran the North Country 50 Mile Ultra. It was my first ultra and I was incredibly nervous. Actually I was scared half to death. Training for the race I had read Bryon Powell's Relentless Forward Progress for guidance in all things ultra and then right before leaving on the trip, I read Marshall Ulrich's Running on Empty. I met Marshall at Grandma's Marathon earlier in the year. He signed my book by saying that the only limitations were in my mind. I hung onto that fact along with all the inspiration, prayers and encouragement from my friends, the Red9runners and my family along with the fact that I had two great running buds with me for the adventure.

I have to say that despite being terrified by the distance, at some point I overcame that fear and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Once I was safely across the finish line, I came to the conclusion and allowed myself to say out loud that I couldn't wait to do it again. Coming across that finish line was a feeling like no other - one of those golden moments right up there with the birth of my children. Only later did I learn that I had actually placed in my age group. Not that my time was fast (in fact I hope to improve upon it significantly in my next attempt), however getting the award was amazing - icing on the cake of an already perfect day!

During the run, despite difficulties with the hills during miles 45-50, I felt really good pretty much of the way. My friends, Donna, Jim, and I ran the entire first 25 mile loop together. We separated early on the second loop and I went ahead alone down the trail. The trail was beautiful but of course being alone I had lot of time to think. There were many ups and downs, moments of doubt when I wasn't sure I could do it and times of euphoria where I was sure I could run 100 miles that day if the race were that long. Of course that thought was quickly fleeting but it was the first time my mind entertained that notion and then came to the conclusion that I could see how 100 could actually be possible.

Then there were the ups and downs of the hills especially the last hills in miles 45-50. (I've really got to work on my downhill running!) Overall I was excited to be out there in the woods enjoying the run and feeling fairly strong. Once I passed the 50K mark and could still feel the strength flowing within me, I couldn't believe it. I was flying high for such a long time running alone in the woods -- thank God for those little red flags marking the way! Things did get tough again near mile 38 but then I met Anastasia on the course. She was a veteran ultra runner and really encouraged me those last miles telling me I was a rock star and could do it. Awesome! I felt my strength restore and pushed on with new resolve. Relentless Forward Progress!!! (Thank you Bryon Powell!) Looking at the race as a whole, I can identify numerous things I can improve on, pacing, downhill running just to name a few.

However, one thing I did right was that I really nailed my nutrition and hydration plan. Thank you PowerBar and PowerBar Team Elite for the PowerBars, PowerBar Energy Gels and Ironman Drink that got me through the day. In the end, my brain failed me so I'm not sure how many gels I actually used, but my favorite, Tangerine, really pulled me through at the end. Thank you also to my Nathan Intensity Hydration Pack that kept me hydrated all along the way and provided an excellent way to carry all those magical PowerBar Gels!

Crossing the finish line I found a surge of energy I didn't know I still had in me - even jumping and throwing my arms in the air. Truly one of the most amazing moments of my life!

You are Extraordinary! (cross post)

The things you do are extraordinary!  

For quite some time this phrase has been rolling around in my head.  As endurance athletes from the first time Couch to 5k runner all the way up to the Multi-day Adventure Racer, you are all cut from the same cloth and continue to challenge yourselves each and every day.

The things you do are extraordinary!

Sometimes in the midst of the challenge it is easy to get down yourselves for not meeting a training or racing goal.  It's important to remember that there are so many people that will never leave their comfortable place on the couch.

The things you do are extraordinary!

The fact that you keep on striving day after day, achieving one goal and quickly moving on to the next is a testament to the sheer power of will in each and everyone of you.  Over the past few years I have been impressed and inspired by so many great people.  I have been as impressed and inspired by beginners as I have athletes that have completed IronMan triathlons.  

The things you do are extraordinary

I have competed in a wide variety of events in this, my second go round in the endurance world and across all of these events one thing remains constant above all else,

You are extraordinary!

I signed up for what?????

Well, I've done it now. I've signed up for my first ultra. A 50 mile trail race to be exact in Minnesota, several states away from home. What was I thinking? I was thinking this will be a great adventure, that's what I was thinking! However, I am exhilarated and apprehensive all at the same time. While the 50 mile part of it doesn't scare me, the trail part does. I have not spent any time running on trails other than the marathon I ran in Wisconsin this past October but that was on a bike trail made up of sand and road gravel with the occasional bolder thrown in just for fun. So, no roots, sticks, thorns, etc. I really need to get out on some trails but I don't know where to go since I have never run on trails before... I am hoping some of fellow trail running friends can help me out and point me in the right direction.

I also need to purchase trail shoes. I haven't started investiating just yet but need to get going on this quickly. While my miles will not start building up drastically until May, I have already started with back to back long runs completing 12 miles last Friday and 15 on Saturday with my fellow red9runners! Unfortuantely, all those miles were on the roads. However, I should get a little extra credit on Saturday's 15 since there was about 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and more falling. At least at the beginning the roadways were not plowed.

I have discovered this winter that I actually don't hate running in the snow for long miles -- who knew that was even possible. I have always enjoyed running in the snow for short miles but I secretly enjoyed the fun of the snowflakes continuing to fall Saturday as we ran. While I much prefer Summer running over Winter, I have made my peace with she snow and cold, stared it in the face and accepted it for what it is, another obstical to overcome.

Now, if I can just figure out a strategy to successfully take on the challege that the 50 mile ultra will throw my way.

Running With Gordon

I wish I would have actually seen this when I was a kid.

January Newsletter

2011 - January