Nanny Goat 100, Here We Come!

I finally did it; I signed up for the Nanny Goat 100.  The race is actually a timed event (12 hour and 24 hour options) but anyone who runs 86+ hours in 24 hours can continue on and attempt 100 miles before the 28 hour cutoff.  It is a flat, mostly dirt, loop course inland (ie. HOT) and will be my second attempt at 100 miles.  I was successful the first time (not sure how....) and hope that I have similar luck this time around.

 I prefer hilly, more technical courses as it's easier on my legs but I really, really want to earn another buckle.  And I love the Nanny Goat buckle since it's blue (close to my wedding color)!  I'm hoping that my knee will cooperate and that I can run, jog, walk, and crawl the distance. 

My fiance, who has never participated in a race longer than a half marathon, decided he wants to attempt the 100 miler also.  So my training is shifting to running with him and trying to help him learn what his body needs to survive.  Nutrition is something that I am bad about for myself but I'm working on teaching him what needs to be done.  I admit that I am worried about his being able to go from a solid base of  25 mpw to 100 miles; he is pushing through training runs, which I doubt he considers fun, though they are necessary.  However, we are having fun going shopping for gear that can help us (even if it's just psychological). 

We purchased several items this weekend, including a pair of Hokas for me.  Now, I'm trying to find compression tights or something that will support my knee and hip flexors; CW-X tight appear to be my next purchase, though the price and thought of wearing them in 80+ degree temps have me still searching for other options.  Preparing for a 100 is hard work and shopping for gear is no exception...back to reading product reviews I go.

Have a great week!

Pacing at Rocky Road 100

Earlier in the year I pondered attempting to run the Rocky Road 100; it is relatively nearby where I live and I know the course well.  However, I (for once) listened to my own voice of reason and realized that I could not get ready for that distance in 5 weeks.  Instead, I asked a running friend if I could pace her; she did not have a crew or pacer and she was very happy for my offer.  My plan was to start pacing her at mile 45 and stay with her until my legs said no more, she got tired of me, or she finished; in other words, I prepared mentally for 55 miles of pacing.

I ramped up my distance and pushed myself on back-to-back runs and knew that I was ready to run.  However, I forgot the main thing that is different about 100 miler and shorter distances - walking or wogging is what your legs need to be prepared to do!  Nevertheless, I had a blast pacing Rachel for 30 miles; she struggled with foot issues and decided to call it after 75 miles.  She was such a bright spot during the dark night and I knew she was feeling horrible when her smile became more of a painful grimace; while I pushed her to finish the loop, prop up her legs and warm up, and then reevaluate, I realized around her mile 73 that there was no way I could convince her to attempt miles 75 - 100.

We completed mile 75 and then warmed up in the car, thinking our friends (her ride) were doing the same.  I know understand why I always see warnings not to sit by a warm fire at an aid station during a race; it's nearly impossible to get back out there after experiencing that comfort.  My legs probably wanted to thank her for not continuing as they ached from walking 30 miles (I walk very fast so her jog was my walk); I finally "got" what Billy meant when he paced me during SD 100; walking for that distance is harder than running, if your legs are trained to run! 

When I discovered that our friends had gone back out for the next loop, I decided to stay with Rachel until I knew she was feeling okay.  That led to having time to chat with her and consider my plan for hopefully earning a buckle or two over the next year.  Pacing and being out there seeing incredible athletes pushing themselves to go the distance made me yearn for attempting a 100 miler as soon as possible; May is looking like a potential 100 mile attempt.

Thinking ahead to next year, I was impressed with how much the race has grown since I paced and volunteered at it in 2010; since it is so close to home, it is on my radar for next year.  While it is very monotonous (7.5 miles out and back - repeat- repeat- etc) and the scenery gets boring quickly, seeing the other runners so frequently helps make it enjoyable.  Having aid stations every 2.5 miles helps with making the race an "aid station to aid station" race and breaks up the distance.  For me, running past where I will be getting married was very cool and I think that I would enjoy that next year.

With Rachel post-race

What was I thinking?

The past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster.  I made a tough work-related decision and felt that I made the right choice; however, it is looking as though I made a bad decision so I am very stressed. My stressed mind was not thinking properly today when I got talked into getting on the wait list for the PCT 50; the RD told me to train hard as he bets a spot will open. 

Um...what was I thinking?!  I am not ready for a 50 miler, especially one that covers technical terrain.  Oh boy...I have my work cut out for me over the next few months.  (palm to face)

HItting the hills

I quickly realized that my lofty notion of running a 100 miler in February was very unrealistic; I had neither the time nor the physical activity level to make that happen.  Instead, I offered to pace someone during the race and have worked on ramping up my mileage and endurance.  I have been doing my usual runs with baby hills but making more them go into Bommer Canyon, which adds some climbing.  I have also been working on back-to-back double digit runs so that I am accustomed to running on tired legs.  Last week my body screamed for rest and I obliged; Sunday I cut my planned run in half and cruised through Shady and Bommer Canyons.

Sunday - "rest day"

 

Monday I decided to take advantage of being off work and set out for a minimum of 16 miles; one big goal was to run through Bommer Canyon to Turtle Ridge, a newly opened trail.  Before Monday, I had ventured up the single track switchbacks of Turtle Ridge until I hit my turnaround mileage (about the time my legs and lungs said no more) but never saw where the trail ends.  For some insane reason, I decided to make my longest run in ages the toughest; the climb up Turtle Ridge felt never ending but the views were worth the climb and the ensuing return climb and long downhill back into Bommer.  I tacked on some mileage by seeing where West Fork links Bommer Canyon to Laguna Wilderness Park and El Moro Canyon.  

My legs were shot so I was happy to run home.  The back-to-back runs made me feel so strong and happy; I am pushing myself running up hills more than I have in years and it feels awesome.  I am not accustomed to running up hills as I used to power hike them; unfortunately, my right calf gets super knotted and painful and the run made that issue return.  I believe I run uphill on my toes so I need to learn how best to run uphills; any advice?!

Going organic

One major change that my fiancé and I decided was necessary is to change the foods we eat. I have been reading lots about genetically modified crops and pesticides and the reports are troubling. So we are buying organic foods and I am loving going to the farmer's market and buying locally grown, chemical free food; we are trying new dishes and loving it. Here are a couple of pictures of recent dishes. I plan on blogging more about food as I think that it's important for people to know how the food in the US is increasingly contaminated with chemicals and GMOs.

Organic and vegetarian pizza- so yummy that we will buy a pie pan to use next time instead of aluminum foil:)

Quinoa with chard, mushrooms, and lentils- healthy, delicious, surprisingly filling

Trails

Trails, trails, oh how I have missed you. With your ankle-twisting holes, butt and calf blasting and lung exploding hills, you are so much better than asphalt. Even the big cats who cross the path and cause my heart to race are worth glorious hours with you. The last two days caused me to yearn for spring so that I can spend more time with you.

2012 craziness?!

While 2011 was not a fantastic personal running year, I had a blast running with Alan and seeing him PR on a challenging 1/2 marathon course. We wrapped up the year in Memphis and I logged some wonderful trail miles and learned about the booming Memphis running scene; I will definitely join Breakaway Running store's runs next year. Alan and I did the Operation Jack satellite run to support OJ (autism charity) and I loved showing Alan the killer gorgeous paved path winding through the nature area behind our hotel.

2012 is guaranteed to be an amazing year since I am getting married this year. Running will continue to be a priority as I am very stressed with other family things and running helps me escape those worries for a few hours. Alan and I are gearing up for some races; he does not love long distances as much as I do so I'm eyeing some solo long races. I'm bouncing around a crazy idea of attempting a 100 miler in February; I've been lacking the motivation to do long runs and need a long distance race goal. I definitely question whether it would be wise to attempt that distance given my lack of high mileage so I'll keep musing over the idea before signing up. Ultra craziness is a real thing!!!