Playing with the Shorter Distance and Getting Lost: Amasa Back 14.5 mile Race Report

As I have been getting into longer races I have realized that I really, really love running! It brings me personal peace and quite often the solitude my soul needs. I enjoy pushing my body to new limits and seeing how powerful it is. I often hear people talk about running burnout and how running isn't fun anymore and more like a job. I myself have experienced periods of burnout and over the years have come up with ways to keep it fresh and always fun. When my friends invited me to go to Moab with them and run the Amasa Back I was very hesitant. Running a 14.5 mile race didn't sound appealing, it sounded short! After a lot of thought I decided I would do it remembering how important it is to keep it fresh.
This was the first race in a long time I did not get nervous over and my stomach thanked me for that. Going into the race I knew if I pushed myself I could possibly place but was it worth the pain if I wasn't feeling 'it' the day of the race. Probably not. So I decided I will start the race and then decide how I would run it. I knew my body would tell me within the first couple miles.
Race morning arrived and I was excited!  As the race started I knew immediately it was going to be a good day. It has HOT though! I am definitely not used to running in heat this time of year. I carried a hand held bottle of water, one gel and a couple S caps. I knew this heat was going to drain me. Running along the scenery was surreal. I love the Utah desert! The first 4.5 miles were an up hill jaunt to the top of the mesa where the first aid station was. I drank some Heed and off I went. At this point, I knew I was towards the front of the pack. My friend Sue and I had only seen a couple other girls in front. I was a bit excited but knew I was still a long way from the finish. Just past the aid station came the 'Stairs' a 650 ft elevation drop rock scramble. Sue and I cruised down the scramble passing the 2 girls in front and met a new friend on the way down who came up from behind us. She was a lady from Colorado who we got to know very quick and we were chatting it up with her. Getting to the bottom, the trail disappeared and after some looking around we decided we would straight shot it though the desert to where we thought the dirt road was that we were supposed to be running on. This was the first time we got lost. As we reached the dirt road and got back on track we look back and realized we overshot the trail by long ways. Dang it, we had added some extra ground that we needed to make up some time on. On the dirt road the Colorado gal, Sue and I were pushing hard and fast. There was a man in front of us we were gaining ground on but it was shortly after this I looked down at the trail and asked why there were only 2 sets of footprints and not a bunch like there had been previously. Suddenly we all stopped and looked around and noticed that something was wrong. I knew that the map of the course had us make a loop and it was only 4 miles and we had been running for 32 min already and we hadn't looped yet. OH NO!! Looking backwards I see the direction we should be going. OH NO again! Once again we straight shot it through the desert towards hopefully the trail we were supposed to be on. In and out of washes and climbing up and down rocks we finally see people(the smart ones who didn't get lost)! Happy that we were on our way back to the right trail and unhappy about the excess mileage I just put on and wondering to myself how we missed the markings to go the other way I was frustrated. The Colorado gal and I pushed hard and fast back to the trail and then back up the 'Stairs', the rock scramble we had come down earlier. It was getting very, very hot but I knew the aid station was at top with more water and food! Getting to the aid station I knew I had lost my chance at placing but I didn't want that to stop me from finishing this thing with full effort. I walked for a minute and got the gel in me and then took off slowly. The last five miles or so were fun slick rock and single track. The Colorado gal and I played leapfrog and ran fast the rest of the course. With a few little wrong turns here and there but once we made it to Jackson trail it was smooth sailing. During these last five miles I started passing a few gals not knowing which race they were in but hoping they were in my same race.  Right near the end was a creek crossing which was almost chest deep but felt amazing on my overheated body. I could have stood there longer but right on my tail was that Colorado gal so I opted to head out of the water to the finish line.  Got to the finish line clocking in at 2:50 and running 1.7 miles longer than I should have! I had come to terms with myself and my mistakes along the course and was happy with my time. Then a few minutes later my friend came up to me and told me I was third, I was ecstatic. I had done it! I had pushed hard and regained a top three spot.

 I have to thank the Colorado gal  for this. She had pushed me the whole race and was an amazing runner! She was a great sport and honestly one of the nicest people I have ever met in a race.  This race was fun and challenging, even though it was short and I will never regret having done it! It made me learn to push past my personal comfort zone and fight for something.Thanks Grass Roots for another fun race!

 Huge lesson learned in this race is to keep your head up and watch for course markings!

I later learned that I took 2nd and there was a mistake with someone else who ran a shorter race! YAY!! Perseverance paid off!!

Antelope Island Buffalo Run...My First 50 Mile Race Report

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow" Ronald E. Osborn

The white specks are headlamps coming up the hill.

Laying in bed attempting to sleep the night before this 50 mile race my heart was racing already. I haven't had this feeling since before my very first marathon years ago. I could not calm down. Dang nerves! Finally I fell asleep.The morning of the race I felt much better. I was ready to get out there and run this thing. Physically and mentally I was prepared.

As the race started being able to chat with friends made the first few miles fly by. Before I even knew it as I looked at my watch I had already ran for an hour. Not paying attention to the miles for I knew this section of trail fairly well as having run on it quite a few times. I felt strong and knew this was going to be a good day! Running in and out of elephant head was fun, the 'fast' people we coming back out as I was going in. It's so neat to see these amazing strong runners on the trail and not just running in their dust. Even though I really was but it was fun to see their faces. I did pay attention to the women and noticed there was only few of them in front of me at this point and I got nervous thinking I am out of my place here. Should I slow down....maybe.... I don't know...yes....no! I came to terms with myself and continued to push forward where I was feeling comfortable. Working through the climbs battling the wind and dust in my face I started to struggle with a lifetime disease of mine called 'asthma'. Finally got it back under control as I worked myself back into Elephant head for the third time. Didn't even stop this time I had everything I needed and was good to continue on back to the start line area. Coming down from elephant head I ran into some of the 50 k leaders and they were so encouraging.The trail running community is full of the nicest people.

Half a mile from the start line I got attacked by the 25k's. I was trying so hard to get back before they started but couldn't do it. Thankfully the kind man I was running with at the the time, who also was at least 6 feet tall told me to run right behind him so I didn't get trampled. Such a gentleman! We made it, phew! As I came into the HUMR aid station, I got hugs! I am loving all my new friendships I have gained in the recent months it really helps to have support on the race course.
Made a pit stop and headed on out again and was still feeling strong but decided I would walk part of the hill on the way out. Got down to the Mt View trail and did the out and back and headed to the ranch. I was running great keeping my pace close to a 9min mile. Nothing was bothering me but I started to play it safe a little and walked a few hills knowing I still had a VERY long way to go. As I reached the Frary Aid station I ate my usual banana and chips refilled my bottles and off I went again. By this time I had only one salt pill. I am trying to figure this salt pill thing out. I am very new at this. As I approached the Ranch I noticed I was starting to swell in my hands and took another salt pill. The ranch was a welcoming sight. I had a friend meet me there and she was going to finish this thing with me. Being new to this distance I figured a pacer was probably I good thing this time. Emptied my shoes of rocks and continued back out into the wind again. Yuck! My first few miles back out went great until mile 39 and my lungs hurt so bad. I started getting sharp pains and was feeling lightheaded. It hurt so bad....... I could not breathe. I can only pump my inhaler every 30 minutes and even at that its risky to my overall health. I could not get these attacks under control. I started walking every hill for a few miles and would push on the flatter sections. I knew I was was losing ground and it was mentally draining. My legs felt so good... why couldn't my lungs!?  At one point the thought of quitting crossed my mind, but I quickly reminded myself "I am not a quitter!!" As I approached the Mt. View Aid station I actually sat down. I needed to recoup. As I sat there for way too long the friendly aid station workers kicked me out and told me a girl with a HUMR headband needs to move and not sit! So I did! I was feeling better, I could breathe again!! The chest pain was still there but I could breathe. Pushing hard again and trying to regain some of my lost time I was running hard around onto the Lakeside trail. I was on a high and I knew I had this. I knew my time goal wasn't going to be achieved, but I was ok because I had almost just ran 50 miles!! That to me is a huge accomplishment and even a year ago I thought these long distance runners were crazy. Here on the last stretch of road in a distance I saw a familiar figure, it was my hubby, Jeremy. I didn't think he was going to be there and he was. I was so excited and glad he could see me finish this accomplishment. He plays such an important role in me being able to train. Then the finish line was in sight. As I rolled in I was amazed at the support and cheering from everyone. Thanks to my friend Sue for helping me through my dark spots and running the last 17 miles with me and thanks to all the HUMR's for your cheerful support throughout the course!

Finished!!

I was so excited to be done!

Lessons learned:
1. Drink more broth..it went down really well.
2. Use a few more salt pills.
3. I am strong and I will keep pushing through my asthma.
4. I will do another 50 mile race.
5. I will start training harder...I am tired of being right behind the fast girls! :)

Moab Red Hot 55K

Running Along!

As the day for the Moab Red Hot 55k approached, which was going to be my first Ultra and longest run of my life my nerves were getting the better side of me. I all of sudden had aches and pains all over my body. Three days out my stomach was in knots. Oh no!! I thought to myself numerous times what was I getting myself into. I reminded myself this has happened before and I made it through it! The day before the race as I was saying goodbye to my children as they were leaving to school my daughter and I were reading over a paper she had written. On there she had written the person she admires is Mom. Almost instantly I had a little tear in my eye and I asked her what it is she admires about Mom. The first thing that she said was, "cause you are a runner". This stuck with me and helped me push through my longest race ever. If a seven year old admires me be because I am a runner I must prove to her I am a strong and can do anything I set my mind to!

 The morning of the race the nerves had settled and I was ready!! Having some new friends and old friends at the start line was helpful. Then it was time to go. So along we went up the road. I did not exactly know what I was getting myself into so my mental game plan was to take it easy. I did just that for the first 6 miles and I was feeling awesome! I ran by Jeremy saying hi and went right through the first aid station. I knew the HUMR crew would be up the road a bit. I was feeling absolutely amazing and did not want to stop. I said a quick hello with a wave and worked myself around the loop. Coming into this race I knew I had to fuel better than I ever had. I am not very good at it. So I told myself every 4.5 miles I would take a gel, since it takes me .5 miles to gag it down. When I reached the second aid station I drank some Heed and ate a banana this was my plan for every aid station from here on out. Since I had water, my Skratch and gels I was good to go. I felt strong yet a still nervous to pick up my pace. I would find myself running fairly quick and then I would slow down, not knowing what would happen later in the race. I then saw the HUMR crew again and went for it and had an scrumptious rice bar and said hello! Oh.... I also posed for one of my many silly face pictures that were captured throughout the race. Off I went down the hill excited to see my main man, Jeremy!! Said a quick hello and went into a wash, which very quickly became a beastly hill of slick rock! Now I knew what everyone was talking about. Power hike time! As I started up the hill I was still feeling strong and started passing people left and right and I knew all the pain I kept putting myself into doing Malan's repeats was paying off. After playing on the slick rock for a bit as I reached the aid station I decided it was time for a salt pill. I needed my calf's to stay strong, I could feel the work that they were exerting! Had my banana and Heed and a chip and was off again. Running, walking a few times, losing flags markers and almost falling. Started passing people again and was getting scared, this was my longest run ever and I didn't think I was supposed to feel this good. I got over that scared feeling when I surpassed the 26.2 mark and I was more than ready to push forward and finish this race. I had another banana and Heed at the last aid station and ran strong through the sand to where the HUMR support group was. They were a great view to come across those last few miles. I didn't need anything but having their support was definitely a mood booster!! Thankyou! From there I ran hard to the finish. I felt great!  When I rounded the last corner and saw the finish line I was so excited, I had made it!! I was a crazy Ultra runner now! I had told myself it would be awesome to run somewhere between 6-6.5 hours and deep inside I almost thought that was too much to ask for out of my first ultra. When I finished at 6:09 I was ecstatic! Now I know my limits and next time I know I can push it harder! Thanks for the support along the race, the encouragement and guidance from all my new friends and thanks to Jeremy and my family for supporting me and letting me run all the hours I do! I am ready now to take on this year of racing!!!  

Do What I Can When I Can!

As last year came to a close I knew 2014 would be a year of firsts. I had signed up for my first Ultra!! I have been running for years (actually starting in 6th grade and was a 400 meter runner) but started racing on the asphalt 9 years ago when my friend was looking for someone to fill in on her Ogden Marathon relay team. Two weeks later I ran 9 miles the farthest I have ever ran in my life! I loved the thrill and drive the racing scene gave me. Soon after I found out I was pregnant with my third kiddo and running was a bit more difficult and painful (unfortunately). Slowly I got back into it and wanted to race again. Almost two years from my introduction to the racing scene and two weeks before the Ogden Marathon, which I had been so diligently training for I got injured. I had to back down to the half marathon at last minute. Bummed, I continued to train after the injury healed up.  I ran one more half marathon that year, the Bryce Canyon.  Training was hard to fit in with my busy schedule. I had small kids and worked, I did what I could! Which is where I stemmed my motto from, "Do what you can when you can!" If my kids had practice I had practice!
     The following year I was strong and I ran my first marathon! Then I was hooked! I have now ran 11 road marathons, several road relays, a handful of road half marathons and even one 10k. In 2009 a good friend of mine introduced me to trail running. He gave me a pair of shoes and made me go with him! Little did I know what I was get myself into. It was hard and it made me feel weak. Which is why I kept doing it. My inner competiveness kicked in and I would set myself goals at what hill was next to climb without walking.
      The year of 2012 I decided to try racing on the trails. I ran the Mt View Half Marathon and got second place! Whoa! I knew the race was small but 2nd place stemmed a new drive inside me. I also figured out where I belonged, which was the trails! I had always been a mountain gal, what was I thinking running on asphalt! The spring of 2013 I ran a trail relay and got stuck doing 1.5 times my allotted runs and was more than happy doing it. I had found my 'Happy Place'! Later in the year I ran the Mt  Half again and couple weeks later ran my first trail marathon in Moab. Having been sick the whole week before the race and during the race I still came out of the race thinking this was one of the best things I have ever done in my life! I LOVED every minute of it!  I even did really well!
   After pondering maybe for a minute or two I decided I was ready to make the move to run longer and tread into new territory! I signed up for my first Ultra, the Moab Red Hot 55K. Two weeks after signing up for that one I signed up for Speedgoat and El Vaquero Loco. Oh man what was I thinking I didn't even know if I was going to like this distance or if I could even do it! There is even more I went ahead and signed up for a 50 miler. I used to think these people were crazy and now I was becoming one of them. We will see how this year goes but I am so excited for crossing into this new territory! We will see what the future holds! I am so excited for this year of racing!