Recovery Week

 

This week was about rest and recovery and ........snow?

I know we have had snow this late in the year before but almost 5 inches of wet heavy snow was not what I had figured would actually happen when the predictions started.  What is crazy is 6 hours later it was completely melted and it was like it never happened.  The above picture was not taken by me but taken by a local artist. I have reached out to buy a print but I absolutely adore this shot of our beautiful city park.  

His name is Dad's Eye View if you want to check out his amazing work.  I don't think the Tulips loved the heavy snow but so far my flowers in my yard seem to be bouncing back.  As Jill Haukos wrote, the prairie will bounce back, it's a hardy soul.  

I think Stella's face says it all.  WTH mother nature????  

We had two of our last big practices before the end of the year 5K for our Girls on the Run girls.  We had another 35 minute run in very nice cool weather and then our practice 5K.  Most of the girls had been running super close to 3 miles anyway so I didn't anticipate any issues.  We did do a new to them route with hills and I am SO excited to say that most if not all of them did their 5 K in under 40 minutes!!!! I am blown away!!!!  While I am super sad we can't run with them at the actual 5K, I can not wait to welcome them all at the finish line. 

 

I had not planned on running with them at first as I didn't know if I would be able to but as the week went on and I felt mostly fine, I made the decision to try it.  After having an incredible painful adjustment session with my chiro where she tried to break my pelvic bones and beat the living crap out of the inside of my thighs with a massage gun, she gave me the green light, as long as we took it easy and that was the ONLY run for the week.  She also told me I could get back to light weights next week but that it may be a good idea to take another week off as nasty as my pelvic bones are right now.  

The weekend was a blur without running to define it LOL!  We watched a band at our local winery outdoors with amazing BBQ on Saturday night.  We also headed over to one of our favorite pizza places for lunch and played some fun games including pin ball and a little ring string toss thing.  

Then it was early to bed so we could get up and start out our race season.  I had high hopes for this year as Andrew has been practicing hard and really refining his lines and speed.  

The day did not go well and I don't know if it was a combo of nerves, the car not being set up correctly, or not taking meds and loosing focus or what.  There were several wrecks involving Andrew and other kiddos.  Andrew's car had issues and seem to go backwards instead of forwards all day.  After watching him drive his butt off in practice, it was super hard to watch him struggle and get last place all day. His favorite car got smashed and is going to have to some welds fixed.  The most important part though was he got to see his friends and play his little heart out.  I don't think Tony saw him all day except when it was time to race.  THAT is why we do this, for the friendships and the fun pre and post race.

Have a great week y'all!  I will get back to lifting some light weights and then it's time for the GOTR 5K and maybe some return to running for me for my sanity!

 

The Flint Hill's 50 miler: The good, the bad, and the UGLY

 And now it's time for everyone's favorite post, what was good, what was bad, and what was downright ugly!  I love doing these because it helps me remember what worked and what didn't work for future races.  

Good:  Again just like the 50K, I felt like my fueling was on point even if I went an hour and forgot to eat. I need to just set a timer on my phone.  I tried to eat half a Honeystinger waffle every 30 minutes plus supplement that with Colorado Cola Tailwind and a snack every time I saw Tony.  I also had a few times where I took a shot of coke.  Thanks to the cool weather and no sun, my stomach stayed happy and ready to go.  My uncrustable at the half way point really hit the spot.  

Good:  The weather.  How did I get so lucky on both of my ultras this year?  I know I have no control, but rain the night before and cold temps at the start were perfection.  This lets me know that in the future, I don't need to go past probably April on my ultra selection.  

Good:  I feel at peace with my decision to stop, just as I did when I ended my first 50K attempt at mile 22.  I probably should have called it good at mile 25, but I thought I had enough in me to get to the 35 mile aid station at least.  The answer was a resounding no about 3 miles later thanks to what I will discuss in the ugly, but it is what it is.  I am very happy with my 50K performance on yes, a much flatter non technical course, but folks I have learned a long time ago I am not a mountain goat and never will be.  I have friends who excel at technical trails and I am super duper proud of them, but it isn't me for sure. I need more gentle courses that have generous cut offs for sure.  If that makes me a weak ultra runner then so be it. I  am fine with that :)

Bad:  I totally forgot to eat for a period of time. I just need to set a timer on my phone and deal with it, so that doesn't happen again.  Of course I panicked and shoved in like a waffle and half in about 5 minutes flat, and my stomach wasn't the most thrilled for a little bit with said shoving, but I don't think that affected my ability to run.  

Bad:  I just never could get my breath under control.  Not sure if it was the humidity or what, but it made me feel not so great that I was red lining on my heart rate from a very early time on.  It was cloudy and cool the entire time which is helpful, but for me if the humidity is up, all of that doesn't matter.  I really need to move to a less humid climate LOL!  I am not sure if this contributed to me walking so soon into the race or what.  Yes, it was super hilly, so I was power walking the hills like a boss, but I still felt like based on my first 50 that I was walking waaaayyyyy to early in the race.  

Good/Bad:  My hubby now knows what it takes to crew an ultra and he saw some crews in action doing their thing for some of the front runners.  Yes, he did leave the course, a big no no in the crewing world, but he bought me these most amazing and beautiful flowers.  I had stopped having him come to my races because it is a lot to have him just sit there with Andrew all day long since I am so slow and usually in last or next to last place.  Now that Andrew can entertain himself a little better and I can talk to him about the importance of being positive for mommy, I may have to have them come along more often.  I know having them there was crucial when I noticed that Stella was off, and it gave me peace of mind that if I really needed anything, he always had what I needed.  

Are you ready for the ugly????

UGLY:  This huge blister.  When I started having burning sensations in the bottom of my foot, I had no clue what was going on. I  had gaiters on, so it couldn't be a rock and my socks were the same I always wear, so they couldn't be bunching up.  I don't know what caused this blister, but it was more than likely friction due to running oddly thanks to my many injuries I am nursing or the weight of the mud I was carrying on my shoes.  In my running career I have had a total of 1 blister in my life (over 8 years, how lucky am I) and it was not in a spot that it would stop my race.  It was actually during my first 50 and I honestly don't know what caused it either, but it was not a show stopper like this one.  What I have learned post running is that yes, I could have popped it mid run with one of the pins from my bib, but I would have risked infection due to not having a bandage to cover it. I could not accept aid from my hubby on the course and I was 7 miles from the nearest aid station.  I have never had a pain like that before and I will forever more lube my feet thanks to Cindy's advice on the matter.  I use to wonder how people let blisters make them stop during a race and now I know.  There are actually three there, the biggest one and two smaller ones that are deep, but as of writing this several days post race, all are being re absorbed (and yes I wash my feet but I had on black socks when I took this picture LOL).

So there you have it, my good, bad and ugly.  As always, this race taught me new things like don't do races with cut offs you can't achieve because it will drive your brain nuts, and lube up your feet you idiot and or carry Band-Aids in your pack.  Sigh.  If you didn't learn something then it wasn't a good race right?  A huge thanks to William Layton photography for the amazing shots.  He got some of people running past burnt flint hill's prairie that are just to die for and he stayed till he got us last place runners, which always makes for a super long day, but much appreciated.  I still have a lot of what ifs in my mind, but I know I made the right decision and when Andrew gets older and I have more time to train, I will come back to the distance for sure!  Someday that 50 mile belt buckle will be mine!

Flint Hills 50 miler 2021 race report

 I had hoped this would be a most awesome race report ever.  It still is awesome, but spoiler alert, I did not get a full 50.  Let's dive in shall we?

Start for the 50 miler was at 7:00 am, but since Tony had picked up my packet the day before we didn't need to be there super duper early.  I wanted to check in at race headquarters around 6:30 am and then get ready to go.  Too much time standing around gets stella super amped up, but you can see she was already at that level.  Several people got videos and they are all hilarious!  

The first 10 or so miles are pretty much uphill and in my opinion are the hardest part of the race.  Seriously, if I could have done the second loop backwards, I might have been able to get it done.  Anyway the views of the flint hills in the spring were absolutely amazing.  

I am sure the race description has "gently rolling hills" in it right?  There were several false summits meaning you thought you were at the top and boom, you were just climbing again.  I was going to try to do my 4:1 intervals, but very quickly I realized this was pointless.  I was trying to keep between a 10:30-11:00 minute pace on anything flat and then power walk the hills.  Most of the time I was around 16-17 with my power walking.  

The weather was perfect, cool and cloudy with a cool NNW wind.  After a few miles I stripped out of my jacket and ran in just my long sleeved tech tee.  A few time I pushed my sleeves up, but mostly kept them down with the cool wind.  Then weird stuff started to happen.  

First Tony and I had a miscommunication at the first manned aid station. We had driven to both of them the other night, but when he called I thought he said the top of the hill and he was at the bottom.  Don't make me have to think too much LOL!  As i ran up the hill away from the aid station looking for Tony, several crews reached out to me to give me whatever I needed and this is why I dearly LOVE the ultra community.  I didn't really need anything, but wanted to see Tony and Andrew.  I was not feeling great, was huffing and puffing WAY too much.  There was still several fields smoldering and I felt like the humidity must be high because I just couldn't get a full deep breath.  Stella was running well but we were both getting pretty muddy.  Some sections were like running in peanut butter and some sections had big full puddles.  Of course after starting like a lunatic, she was pretty thirsty, so she would stop at the puddles and drink.  Thank goodness yet again for overnight rain, even if it made things a little soupy.  When I finally found Tony, he had me my stuff ready to go and after a brief visit, I headed back out to try and re coup the lost time. You see this race had a cut off of 14 hours and my previous 50 while much more technical took me 14.5 hours.  I needed to not have any wasted time to make the cut off for sure.

Along with me huffing and puffing and not having the energy I needed even though I was fueling like a boss (honey stinger waffle every hour and a bottle of Colorado cola  and a bottle of water in my pack), I noticed my fingers were swelling and turning weird colors.  Now I have lots of friends who suffer from Raynaud's and I have not ever been one of those, so this was kind of weird.  I felt like I was getting enough electrolytes and that I wasn't cold enough to need gloves.  I was still sweating salty, so I took some water a few times and just rinsed my face off.  OF course due to the humidity, which I later found out was at 92%, the water on my face would just sit there and not provide any cooling effect and I had to wipe everything off with my sleeve.  

I am not sure when I met up with Derrick, but he was having a rough time and wanted to bail at the half way point.  He has run this race several times and I have volunteered several times he has run it and of course we are FB friends LOL.  We power walked and talked and I made him run a few times when he didn't want to.  A few miles after we met up, I noticed Stella wasn't running right.  I know this sounds weird, she wasn't lame, but I could tell her gait was off.  There was nothing in her feet, but something had happened and while she was keeping up, she just wasn't 100%. I called Tony to let him know I wanted to switch out dogs and that I also would probably be done at the half way point.  I honestly think he was relieved on both points because a) he didn't even want me to do 25 miles with her and b) and think he and Andrew were tired of crewing.  It's a long hard job, that is for sure with LOTS of waiting.

Derrick and I threw our run:walk intervals out the window and just tried to run when we could.  We also tried to power walk as hard as we could, but heck my little legs couldn't go faster than 17-18 minute miles.  Derrick calculated if I could keep up my pace, even with walking that I should be good to finish, but that he was DONE.  As we got closer I kind of talked myself into trying to get to at least the 35 mile aid station before stopping, even knowing the first part of the course in my opinion, is the toughest part.  

I had started having some issues with the top of my left foot. On and off it would hurt like crazy, but then it would just go away.  My right shin stayed at a dull roar the entire time thank goodness because my stomach would not let me swallow my tumeric pills early in the morning.  I started gagging and seriously couldn't stop and didn't want to loose my breakfast.  I also was having a weird pain in my left knee when I would run down hills.  I honestly was sore all over at that point.  

I decided I would not make the decision till I got to the start finish. Once we hit the start finish I had made up my mind to try and power walk to at least the 35 mile aid station where I would see Tony again.  Unfortunately see the picture above of the first 10 miles.  My body was NOT having it and I was having a stabbing pain in the bottom of my left foot.  It as first felt like I had a rock in my shoe poking me, but I had on gaiters so that couldn't be the issue.  Then I felt like maybe my sock was all bunched up in the middle of my foot.  Tugged and pulled on my sock but nothing was changing the pain.  I was about 8 miles out from the aid station at that point and my walking had slowed to a 20:00 minute per mile sufferfest. I called Tony to just come and pick me up because at that pace there was no way I would be finishing before the cut off but he was IN MANHATTAN!  What I didn't know was he was buying me flowers for finishing, but at the time I was hopping mad. I told him rule number one was NEVER leave the course so bring everything you might need for the entire day.  

When Tony finally got to me, I was at peace with my decision. I didn't know what was going on with the bottom of my foot and did not feel like I could suffer through till the aid station.  Of course when I got my shoe off it is a giant blister that is super deep and puffy, which I could have popped at the aid station but not on the course as i had nothing to cover it with.  I don't think I would have made the cut off anyway as those hills with the north wind were kicking my ass.  I thought I would cry when I went to tell the RD I was done but I didn't.  I am at peace with my decision as of typing this just as I was post my 50K DNF years ago.  I couldn't have pushed my body any harder, it just wasn't my day.  I haven't gotten to do any hill work with my adductor injury and then subsequent shin injury because I wanted to keep up some semblance of running.  I chalk it up to a great training experience where both dogs got some miles, I got to practice fueling, and got to spend time with friends.  Will I do it again, not next year. I want Robin and I to do another 50K or heavy trail marathon like Rockin K.  She has committed to that and nothing more than that.  I have found that I really enjoy racing with her and as I did with Melanie.  Someday I may revisit the 50 mile distance and get a buckle but I need a race with no cut offs to worry about and more hours in the day for training.    

  

Stay tuned for another post because I know the photographer Billy got some great shots of me with both dogs!

Race Week Flint Hill's 50 miler

OMG.  Yes I am screaming because heck I am getting pretty excited about the race.  Will I do the entire race?  WHO knows!!!  Will I have fun?  I am going to try my darndest!  Which dog will I run with, STAY TUNED :)

I ran with the girls on Monday but only part of the running time as we had to fill out posters as coaches thanks to the modifications because of Covid.  I ended up getting a mile in and my leg was screaming since we were all on hard sidewalk, so called it good.  Tuesday had perfect weather, but SO MUCH BURNING.  If you are from KS or around you know how we burn spring pastures/fields around this time.  While I really wanted to run, it was so smoky/ hazy that Tony asked me not to and I for once obliged.  Instead we mapped out the route and then found the two aid stations he would need to be at and drove to them to check them out.  I remembered one from running the marathon route a few years ago, but could not for the life of me remember the other.  Tony got to see how uphill this entire race is and found that both aid stations were off of a main road, which will make his job way easier as mobile crew.  There was so much burning on the route that at times we couldn't see the road for the smoke, but I am hoping that means by Saturday that all will be done and we can have a smoke free run.

  

The week was spent mostly doing things like mowing and yard work.  Loving that everything is blooming but was kind of worried since it was also getting pretty cold at night.  

I had made a decision to start with Stella and have boom in the car just in case I needed to trade out at the 25 mile mark.  It was a good decision because foreshadowing since I am writing this post my race, I had to switch them out at mile 19 because stella was just off.  More on that in my race report.  

I ran another mile long run with my girls again.  I just love them so and I can't not run with them.  I waited till the end of their run to get in a mile with them.  

By the time I got this cart full and checked out, I think the lady thought I was on drugs and having the munchies.  Thursday night after I shopped I packed and did a live video on my packing method.  I have learned so much from helping other runners in their races and I highly recommend if you ever want to run an ultra, crew for an ultra runner as you will learn SO much!

Tony got my bib for me from Manhattan Running company.  The t shirt was so soft and amazing and I can't wait to wear it!  

That's a wrap for the week!  Stay tuned for the race report!

2 weeks from the Flint Hill's 50 miler

 Since technically my one week of resting was up on Sunday, I cheated and took a short run on Sunday just to see where things were.  Long story short, things were not great. The tendon that runs down the inside of my shin felt like someone had took a jack hammer to it and I had aches and pains throughout my run.  Plus, just thinking about running any distance feeling like that just made me kind of want to throw up in my mouth a little, just being honest.  To run a 50 miler, not only does your body have to fire on ALL cylinders, but your heart has to be 1000 percent in it.   I decided to let the week play out and then make decisions. I also contacted the RD, who is a friend of mine, and kind of talked through some scenarios.  Since I already have a marathon buckle from this race, I really didn't want to drop down to the marathon, BUT since the 50 milers and the marathons have a slightly different course, if I did not drop down but quit after one loop, I would just get a DNF and nothing more.  He thought I could get it done, even if my second loop had way more walking in it than I wanted to do.  I hope he is right because I have decided to try the 50 with the knowledge that if anything flares up, I will drop and be happy with my decision.  

Andrew was out of school Monday, but we weren't closed for work.  I think I mentioned it before in a previous post, but Tony was awarded (due to contractor's points from one of our suppliers) an adult electric scooter.  It goes 20 mph and scares the hell out of me.  Andrew had previously loved it, but had not cranked it up all the way.  He has an electric scooter that he rides at the track along with a regular use your foot push scooter.  Anyway, he wanted to ride while I worked and I was fine with that.  He did not have his bike helmet at the shop, so we let him use his racing helmet.  Someone didn't anticipate the turn and took the corner on gravel going 20 mph and did a sliding split across said gravel.  He is okay, no gravel lodged itself in his leg thank goodness, but he has a healthy fear now of going too fast around corners and some beautiful road rash.  

Since we did not have Girls on the Run on Monday, I got my miles in on Tuesday with a slightly better run than Sunday.  Leg still wasn't happy, but less angry which I will take.  I am still listening to my body versus doing what is on my plan, so 4 miles felt good enough.  I took both dogs as Stella was begging to go with, and she was running like a champ.  Part of me kind of wants to let her do the 50 miler with me and or switch them out after each 25 mile loop.  Decisions, decisions.  

I also got back to lifting with taking it easy this week and rear squatting with just the bar and dead lifting just a set of 10 lb plates.  Thursday meant GOTR with the girls and a 35 minute run.  We had one girl who ran the ENTIRE TIME!  She was still a little short of 3 miles, but still amazing job.  Most girls are regularly getting 2 to 2.5 miles a session, so running a 5 K will be no problem!  Our 5K is live this year and I can't wait to cheer everyone on:)  I got about 2.3 miles in with the girls and post getting home and getting the dogs fed, headed out with Miss stella to do another 3 to get us to 5.  

I had to sneak in a toe update.  I am happy to say my toe does not hurt at all when I run, but boy does it look horrible.  After several times of popping and draining the blister underneath, the toe nail seems to be firmly in place and not painful at all, but a beautiful shade of purple.  Not sure if I am going to loose it again or what.

Saturday meant long run day and I had NO clue how far my body would let me go.  I planned on 8-10 and got in 10 miles without any major issues!!!  Boom did great and the weather was perfect and I am praying for this exact weather next weekend.  It was a mix of cloudy and sunny, with wind and a small chill in the air. The weather forecast has changed so much at this point for next Saturday that I have quit looking because it is what it is.  I have seen rain to cloudy to partly cloudy and temps from highs in the 60s to now highs 50s.  It is what it is.  

Sunday meant lifting and track day.  We had our second rookie session and the president and I used it as a day to work in the tower and make sure we are totally ready for this season.  You really don't realize what all goes on behind the scenes till you are the one behind the scenes.  We had previously thought we were going to have a small amount of rookies, but thanks to the hard work of our new rookie director, we have 15!!!!!!  Rookies are the lifeblood of a program and we are seeing so many tracks dying because there are no new rookies coming in.  Andrew practiced both cars and did really well with both.  I am so excited for the growth we are seeing.  Let's just hope that translates to bravery on the track this year.  

Have a great week y'all!