Just how crazy are you?

Darkside 8 Hour Run has come and gone. Managed 30 miles, which was WAY better than last year's 23, AND I made it through the entire 8 hours. As this one kicked off my 2012 craziness, now it's time to buckle down, train, get fit and train some more. Next race is the only one I've done every year since 2009, the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th. Since it's more of an event than a race for me, I'll just see how I do and not worry about being fast. 


After that, it's Hot to Trot 8 Hour Run on August 4th. That one is on trails vs the asphalt loop I did at Darkside, so I'll be hitting the trails as much as my schedule allows between now and then. Then Labor Day weekend, I'm raising the bar with Merrill's Mile 12 hour. And in December, raising it even higher with the Pine Mountain 40 mile trail race. I'm doing this, the challenge has been set, and I'm committed to finishing them all. This is what has really resonated with me in regards to ultras, the challenge to my body, my ability and my toughest competitor/cheerleader/devil's advocate - my own mind.


Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Boy have I been slacking...

No excuse for it, it just happened.

So what's gone on since last August? Well, Swept the Mystery Mountain Marathon 12 mile course in October, did finally complete my first 50K in November, changed the marathon in Louisiana to a half marathon in January, attemped another 50K in March (and failed), and now it's May.

4 days away from the Darkside 8 hour run in Peachtree City, I'm going to shoot for 31 miles. Lee Brown is doing it with me, so I think between the two of us we can both get it done. Here's hoping!

Hot to Trot 8 Hour Run

Well this day rolled around a lot quicker than I thought it would. It started out pretty optimal, overcast and a rain shower that kept everyone cool and happy (for the most part) through the first hour. Let's talk the loop, 1.18 miles of trail, with a small section of road to keep it interesting. The trail itself, well this is Sweetwater, so I love the trails; the rolling, roller coaster hills at the beginning of this loop were fun, for a while. The hill coming up from the creek on the yellow trail, has never been a favorite, but as Sarah says "it's not Jack's hill!". And it's not, but even after 4 hours, getting to the top of it proved harder and harder.

I was hoping for 30 miles, but knew that race day can either meet, exceed, or barely come close to stated goals. But I went out with every intention of hitting my goal, running as much as I could, walking the hills, pushing myself to power walk wherever possible. After the first five loops, Reann came out to join me (it gets tiring sitting there watching me go 'round and 'round), plus she was wanting to get some miles in. And boy did she! By the time Chelsea showed up, around noon, Reann had already logged about 6 or 7 miles herself, and was hoping for 15. Those two took a break while I went out for another loop, then they both came out the next time.

It started heating up after noon, but we still had the cloud cover for a couple more hours before the sun came out and really started heating things up. My mileage was dropping as the day wore on, but I was determined to keep moving. Of course, the pain in my feet was hard to ignore, but I was at least able to tuck it off to one side most of the afternoon. Running with my girls is always a treat for me, running a race with so many other runners I know is AWESOME!!!!! (that was for Aaron). I get such a kick out of seeing them all out running, pushing themselves, and being able to shout out encouragement to them, and receive it back. The running community is one I have embraced wholeheartedly!

It was great running with Babette Griffith, who went on to complete her first official ultra distance - you go girl! It was just great to be out there with so many runners of all speeds and abilities. Yes, got left in the dust by the hottest males and females, but that was quite alright! That's why they're so dang hot! Last year's "Cold Water Dude", Tom Wilson even came out and did the last 3 (or was it 4?) laps with the girls and I (as I was last year's "Ice Queen", it was quite fitting!)

But then on lap 19, just before we hit the road section, I was lucky enough to have a major ankle roll. I'd been able to catch myself in the past before it would roll too much, not this time. The momentum from coming down off that trail section rolled it almost parallel with the ground. Ooops! Well, it happens. Just had to walk, and walk, then walk some more. It didn't respond well to running, so yep, I walked some more! It's all ok, I managed one more loop after that, before my feet and my body said "you're done". 20 loops for 23.63 miles. I'll take it, it's all good experience for the next race. Well, next ultra distance anyway. I think I can manage the 12 miles I'll be doing as sweeper in October, and if I decide to do Silver Comet 1/2 again (ditched the Sizzler, am just going to focus on running for training instead of racing for the next couple of months). Let me just say this, I am REALLY looking forward to cooler temps for running again...

As for my girls, Reann knocked out 15 loops for 17.7 miles, while Chelsea managed 9 loops for just over 10.5. Are they awesome or what?!?!

A big THANK YOU goes out to GUTS and Sarah Tynes for another world class event. I know how much work goes into a race beforehand, and have volunteered at more than my share, so being able to run a GUTS event again was a really fabulous experience. THANK YOU to all of the volunteers as well, seeing you out there every time we came through the aid station was very motivating. I couldn't have continued on without you!

Summer lovin'...

Time flies when you're having...fun? Darkside has come and gone, I managed to push myself to stay out there, circling that pond for 7 hours and 35 minutes. My mileage wasn't what I had wanted to get that day, but I DID receive the experience I was after. Pushing my body to keep going, in that heat, and managing my hydration and caloric intake throughout the day. While my feet had no intention of carrying me any further, at least I felt good enough that I could have if my feet were up to it.

Now we're 12 days out from my next 8 hour race, Hot to Trot. This one will be on the trails at Sweetwater Creek State Park, my favorite trails to run; not just because they're close to home, but for the constantly changing scenery throughout the year and the variety of trail conditions found there. This is a GUTS event too, so I'll know well over half of the participants and volunteers. I've been pushing myself to run as much as I can in the heat leading up to this, so there's not much to say except, go me! And I can't forget a big THANK YOU to both of my girls, Chelsea and Reann, as well as Jonathan. My girls hit the road or the trails with me with hardly ever any complaining, and Jonathan is always a good partner to hit the trails or group runs with since our pace is similar and we're now neighbors!

After this, I'm still in the thinking stages of signing up for the Big Peach Sizzler 10K on Labor Day, will probably do so by the end of this week, and I still haven't committed to the Silver Comet Half but also hope to do so very soon. After that, it's the Peachtree City 50K in November, really looking forward to that one. Oh, and sweeping the 12 mile course at Mystery Mountain Marathon/12 mile on October 9th. And I've already added one to next year, the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge on January 15th, 2012. All in all, still a lighter race schedule than I've had previously, and that's ok. Life rolls on.

August 7, 2011 - GUTS Hot to Trot 8 Hour Race, Sweetwater Creek State Park
September 5, 2011 - Big Peach Sizzler 10K, Chamblee to Buckhead
October 9, 2011 - Mystery Mountain Marathon/12 Miler, Fort Mountain State Park (sweeping)
October 29, 2011 - Silver Comet Half Marathon, Mableton
November 4-6, 2011 - Pinhoti 100 Mile Endurance Run, Helfin to Sylacauga, AL (crewing)
November 13, 2011 - Peachtree City 50K/25K, Peachtree City
January 15, 2012 - Louisiana Marathon, Baton Rouge

I admit it, two posts by Jonathan today shamed me to post on my own...

Here we are, less than 10 days left in June, and looming in front of me is the Darkside 8 hour run this Saturday. Well, I haven't shied away from challenges, have I? This looks to be no different. I'm doing it, no matter what. So what that we just got back from vacation a week ago, so what that I just moved this past weekend, So what that I gained weight back while on vacation. So what! As long as I manage my hydration, my sodium and my caloric intakes, this will be a good run and a good test of my body's capabilities in the Georgia heat. I'm doing this!

So come 7am Saturday morning, I will be there, at Huddleston Pond in Peachtree City, beginning the first of many loops that I will complete by 3pm. Looking forward to seeing Jonathan, Beth, and Jon, along with the other 45 runners who've taken on this challenge.

Now, just to remember to pack what I think I'll need for that day, and chairs for my cheering squad, and ice, and beer, and s-caps and....