Breaking up is hard to do….

Breaking up is hard to do….

You never see it coming, or maybe you do but you don’t acknowledge it for what it is-the beginning of the end. I was at Glacial 50 mile and had no reason to think that I would be unable to finish. I was actually really confident although my weekly mileage had dropped to around 15 miles a week for the past 2 -3 weeks. Big mistake I guess...and then I ran a 10k the weekend before and really strained myself good-had bad shin splints for like 3 days, tore up my hip flexors a bit too. 10ks hurt, I needed to get back to ultras…
The thought comes to mind, "You can’t fake a 50".
In all reality, I should have dropped down to the 50k. I was running this like a 50k, hitting the turnaround at like 4:44...pretty fast for me. My hip flexor on my right leg started talking at mile 21, and that should have been the writing on the wall to slow it down some. Not sure if that would made any difference or not, but at around mile 25 the IT band was joining in on the conversation, getting more and more irritated the longer I ran. I was down to a hobble at mile 28 for all the down hills, and then by mile 31 I was hurting no matter what. I kept thinking back to this race last year, where I severely sprained my ankle at mile 4.5 and then ran the rest of the race and REALLY did a number on both legs. My right ankle took almost 8 months to recover from, and it is still not 100%. I ended up with bruscittis (spelling?) on my left lower leg right behind the achilles tendon, which became so inflamed I couldn’t even walk on it...hours of PT afterwards, rehabbing that thing back to be able to run...hours of pool walking, soaking, icing, etc. So all this is going through my head while the other part of my brain is trying to talk me into going on, finishing no matter what...even if I have to f@#$ng crawl in...
Saw Brad shortly before the turnaround. “Come get me,” he says…with a knowing smile…I thought about that, and realize there is no way I am getting anyone. I was shocked to come up on him at mile 27 or so, as he tells me he is dropping. He is thoroughly bummed, and I could see the strained look that I am sure I was wearing later. He says this is the first 50 mile he is unable to finish…I thought a lot about that over the next few miles.
I knew I couldn’t make the cut off anymore by mile 37. I was averaging 22 min miles with 13 to go. I thought about Hellgate, and how much I wanted to do that race. I thought about running in general, and how much an IT band issue can screw that up...I knew how the whole IT band works, the more inflamed it gets the more damage you are doing. I called it. Glacial and I were breaking up… I came over the hill to the aid stations at mile 37 and Julie Treder was standing there, I did the motion of one slitting their own throat...she frowned, me too. I explained my situation, feeling guilty the whole time like I was cheating on a midterm… As I told the person checking in the runners that I was dropping, it was almost surreal...I was still undecided! Oh man my stubborness is unbelievable! I saw Marty and Jodie there, both looked beat down. I told Jodie all she had to do was average 20 min miles and she was home. She nodded, already knowing that she was going back out. Marty looked like he just wanted this thing to be done! Ha ha oh man we all know that feeling! So off they went, and I plopped down on the grass. I was angry with myself for not going on, going through all the ‘what ifs’...still contemplating going back out...even though I KNEW it would have done me a lot more harm. I was injured, plain and simple. You see, what bothers me the most is the not knowing...well how MUCH harm? Would I still have healed up in time for Hellgate? I don't know...and I never will. I don't even know if I will even get accepted INTO Hellgate. That's the love of this game, you just never know what is going to happen out there, or when, or sometimes even why. It is truly the great unknown out on the trails. I went for a run Thursday in the rain, doing a slow black loop to feel everything out at Lapham...no IT pain, hip flexor a little sore. Overall it felt great. Glacial, we will be seeing you again next year. I learned some valuable lessons at this race. “Training is SO key”…and “Don’t get comfortable, cause that’s when things get uncomfortable…”
Congrats to all the finishers out there this year, this is a hard course in its own right. That's what brings me back...tough love.

Spring again...raceready?

So it has been awhile since I wrote on my blog so I am addressing that issue! Ran Chippewa 50k a couple weeks back. This was my one year anniversary for running ultras, since this was my first ultra last year...
Of course, this one went much better! Shaved off almost 30 min from last years time and also was able to see Jose finish his first ultra! So cool. I felt pretty good the whole time, still having some cramping issues that I cant quite figure out...I am taking plenty of salt and potassium and b vitamins and all that, must be in the muscles themselves??? Dont know...maybe I need to up my mileage. Running twice a week prob isnt enough when I am in the ultra season. I did BearTrax a week after that and felt great, setting a PR there of 1:41 for the 20k. Felt good. Now comes the real test...50 mile at Ice Age this coming Sat. I am nervous and excited to see what happens to me during a 50 miler...this race will take me to uncharted waters and that in itself is exciting, for "we do not begin to live until we leave our comfort zone". So true. And I will definitely be out of my comfort zone!
As far as school has been going its almost a wrap. I am done in September-then what? ha, I am trying to figure out how I can keep that going and still keep up with the bills. Its mainly the bankruptcy payments that are killing me- they are making me bankrupt! How does that work?
I wanted to take the Architecture Tech program at MATC because it acts as a transfer program into UWM. Now I find out that the classes are only offered during the day...bummer. Since I have two years left to pay on the Chap 13, I cannot afford to live and keep up with it and take day classes...however I am going to apply anyway, talk with the advisors, and try to find a way to keep moving in the direction I need to become an Architect. Some days I feel like I am already an Architect, just still in training...I guess that is because I made the realization that in this field I can pursue those things that I really love to do. So to me it makes perfect sense, like trail running!
I have pretty much a race planned for every month this summer. I like it when I get race ready, and can then just run races every month, recover, do a couple maintenance runs, and race again. Love being in that kind of shape! Soon the heat will be on and the bugs will be out, and then we will be racing the mosquitos!
This year I have begun to run down in the kettle a lot. I really enjoy those trails and the variety to be found down there. I have also met some new trail runners and have been fortunate to have people to do the longer runs with, always a blessing! It is hard to find people to wake up and run 20+ miles for some reason....
Live moves forward...and so we must follow suit.
I look back a year and am amazed at the distance covered...its just like an ultra. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you will get there.
Till next time, rest easy.

Here comes spring...:)

So, it is March already. Last night we received another 3" of snow...many people are saying "Enough already!".

I feel as though lately when I am running I am chasing spring...it is so close it seems some days, and then so elusive the next. My winter training is starting to pick up now, Chippewa 50k is 6 weeks away...can't believe its been almost a year since my first ultra! Its like someone once said in the LPTR group, "it isnt the years, its the miles...". I am planning on attempting my first 50 miler this year at Ice Age. Actually a few of the people from the running group are, so it will be a 'collective' effort!
I learned a lot last year about not slowing down enough for your body to recover, and how important stretching is for your legs...I was humbled and excited to reach new heights with my running, and this year I hope to do the same. School has been keeping me very busy; and slims down the miles but I get out as often as I can- and plug in to the primal force of feet on trail. It is the time spent in nature that keeps me grounded, when the rest of the world may be spinning out of control or even just your own, the trail is there to beckon you to put down the worries and come out and play for awhile. When I am running everything is in motion, my body, my breath, my mind. All working in unison towards the simple goal of maintaining movement. So simple and yet having all those muscles working in unison as a single unit is awesome.
I have learned quite a bit this past year about letting life happen, and trying not to control it.It is truly beyond us; and how we scrutinize our time is down right ridiculous at times...its all about schedules, our schedules. Not the ancient movement of the ecosystems all around us, the very ones that we ourselves are a part of. Who even knows the seasons of the foods they are eating these days?
I am really hoping to learn some new foods this year, perhaps refine the diet a bit to better assist in my training. There are a lot of things changing, and it has been amusing and exciting watching them unravel just as it was to watch my orchid bloom this winter, as every year it does it is is unique. This year was no different, with the plant taking its own time to show off, leaving me with nothing to do but wait. When it happened, its timing was perfect...New Years Day. If only our timing could be so, if we were able to read natures watch a little better instead of our own...maybe we would be blooming a little more profoundly ourselves.
"Ships are safest in the ports, but that is not what ships are built for..." good thought to sleep on.

Glacial 50k 2010

Well I finally made it up to the northern Kettle to experience the Glacial 50k trail run. The weather was beautiful, a tad bit warm in the afternoon but that just made you want to finish all the more. The scenery was amazing, with leaves of bright yellow and gold all throughout the woods, and reds and oranges all over the prairie sections. This race was very well put together, Robert Wehner the race director does an awesome job making this race one you want to come back to year after year. I had the priviledge this year of seeing Cassie (LPTR) come out from Colorado and smash the female course record by over 30 minutes, takin second overall! Go Cassie!
As far as my own race, well it was an experience. I started off well, setting a good pace and running with Todd Egnarski. At mile 4.5 I was flying down this hill and my left foot caught something and twisted my foot to the left, I actually heard a slight pop-pop noise and pain shot up my leg. I literally yelped and stopped myself immediately to asses the damages. I was so worried that the race was already over for me... I started walking on it and it hurt but didnt feel extremely bad so I tried running on it- seemed do able so I continued on, figuring I would just see how things went. Well for the next 11 miles I felt pretty good, back on pace and making good time. At around the turnaround point (15 miles or so) the pain started to gradually progress, of course the trails many rocks and roots didnt help my situation, as I was continually stepping on things that made my ankle wince in pain. At about mile 24 I was reduced to a walk. Running was no longer an option. My ankle was trashed, and I felt like an idiot for trying to run practically the whole 50k on it anyway...I just couldn't bring myself to just give it up. I figured I would run/walk the rest, but my ankle just kept getting stiffer and more painful so I had to walk the last 4 miles or so out of the woods, just watching everyone I had passed throughout the race come on by while I just kept reminding myself," you are injured, just finish and its done..."
Boy you really forget how long it takes to walk a few miles when you get used to running them! My Garmin would beep at a mile and inform me that I was on a 20 min/mile pace-ouch. Seemed like it took forever to get out of those woods! However, I stayed positive and used all my extra time to look around me and take in the beauty of fall that was on display. Once I made it to the road, I managed a slow jog (flat surface made me pretty unconcerned about twisting my ankle any further) and made it into the finish. 6:09. By no means a PR, but I made it. Had a great time socializing with friends and other runners afterwards, icing the ankle and forgetting about my 20 min. miles...I would say I all in all I had a good race. Be back next year.