A Epic Run Promised and Delivered

Last night Power girl sent me a text message about meeting up at the Overlook for a run with Captain Kirk, Wonder Woman and Dustin (hmm I need a nickname for him). The plan was, for me a nice and easy pace about 8 miles or so. I jumped at this opportunity as running by myself was getting pretty lonely.

Once at the overlook this morning I learned that Captain Kirk had a epic run planned for us. I quickly chimed in that I was planning on doing 8 miles or so. He totally understood and was glad with the fact that that was all I was doing. For our epic run we would be running on some new trails up towards the Foresthill bridge. Sounds like fun, I am always up for a new trail.

Off we went but even before we got going there was a huge group of workers/volunteers/fire fighters working the trail that takes us to Cool. I could hear chain saws buzzing, saw people standing around we even saw a tree hit one of the workers. Finally they let us pass, but still the chainsaws were buzzing. I am surprised that we didn't end up getting hit by a falling tree. We must have missed the sign that said the trail was closed, but then again I don't think we ever saw a sign nor did anyone else we ran into on the trail today.

cutting down trees

Watching the trees be cut

Immediately this run was already pretty epic. We made our way down to the fire road and the single track trail and then the fire road again. It is always interesting when you hear your fearless leader say "Now, I was told there a was trail just off to the left somewhere that will take us up to the highway crossing." Ummm Captain Kirk you mean to tell me you heard about this trail and aren't even sure where it is?

Looking Good you four

OK, we all just laughed and soon enough we were stopped just a bit shy before you hit the waterfall. Captain Kirk said he thinks this is the trail, but when I looked at it, it honestly just looked like a game trail, or even a runoff trail. But we all went single file...Captain Kirk took the lead, followed by Wonder Woman, Power Girl then Dustin and I took up the rear.

I think this is the way

Wonder Women said "This looks like a trail where we would see rattlesnakes." The trail was overgrown with tall brush. I said "If we pass a rattlesnake it will probably strike me since I am last", but Power Girl quickly reassured that it would strike her as she was third. The saying goes something like this.....The first runner usually startles the rattlesnake, the second runner pisses it off and the third runner gets bitten because the snake is pissed off so I would be OK because I was last in the line. Good information to know, so note to self I will never be the third runner. I am guessing the first runner is the spot to be.

still climbing

Up this "single track" trail we go. It is getting steeper and steeper, I end up power hiking it as I didn't want to blow up my legs. Up and up we go, until the green gate where we get to cross the highway. Captain Kirk had flown up this monster, you would never have guessed that he ran States a few weeks ago. I arrived and we cautiously crossed the road. We continued hiking and came upon a huge line of port a potties. So many we each could have our own times 3.

Port a potty anyone?

Soon the single track meets up and we are on our way to Stagecoach. It is a very beautiful trail. Covered in most areas, very fast down hill sections, very smooth but at times a bit technical but overall a very awesome trail. We even crossed a little wobbly bridge. We arrived at our turn around spot and had a brief photo session as we could see No hands bridge way down below us, we could see the trail leading to K2, and we saw the Foresthill bridge. A very pretty sight, but I didn't realize how high we had climbed.

No Hands Bridge way down there, can you see K2?

The road to Cool

Can you see Foresthill bridge?

Captain Kirk and Dustin and I turned around while Power Girl and Wonder Woman continued on stagecoach. Wonder Woman is running in a trail marathon in a few weeks and needed more miles then us.

Still smiling :)

A good day on the trails

Captain Kirk enjoying his day on the trails

Power Girl and Wonder Woman ready to keep on running

On the return we power hiked most if not all the hills. I enjoyed the company of my fellow trail runners on the trail and even spent some time sight seeing, which I normally don't do during a training run but since I am in taper mode I enjoyed the views today.

But of course we did have some excitement on the return trip, I was in the lead with Captain Kirk right behind me, I immediately stop and put my arms out so he can't pass, he immediately grabs my hydration pack ready to pull me back. He didn't know why I had stopped so suddenly he was ready to rescue me from a rattlesnake only it wasn't a rattlesnake it was huge deer crossing the trail and bonding up the trial. Now in my experience where there is one deer there are more to follow, I didn't want to be in the middle of the rest of the deer who were crossing the trail.

Wood chipper cutting up the trees into tiny pieces

Long day on trails for this group

Once back at the overlook we met up with Dustin who was in the canal. I joined him and iced my legs down.

 My body wasn't feeling terrible it was feeling like it should during a taper at times my legs felt a little funky, but most of the time my legs were feeling really strong. I took my time on the climbs out per Captain Kirks advice. I ended up taking one s-cap and pretty much drinking my entire hydration pack on the run today. It was bit warm out there. I am excited about TRT in a week and can't wait to be racing as this taper is making me a little ancy. Captain Kirk told me that I am looking really strong which coming from him is very reassuring. All in all I had a great time on the trails today with some great friends.

Going Taper Crazy

This week is my taper week. So far I have logged 12 miles. 2 six mile early morning runs. During these early morning runs though I wasn't by myself. I brought a friend. Or I should say he invited himself and wouldn't take no for an answer.

This way mommy

Traildog post run

Traildog hadn't been out for a run in awhile due to the fact that when I typically go running it is mid day and has been scorching hot. So since I was running rather early 5:30am I thought he would enjoy some early morning exercise and also the fact that he gets to be with his mommy. Traildog did a pretty good job, though he did try and trip me when we first started but soon enough he found his pace and he also found his place which is on the right hand side of me running next to me not in front nor behind. This makes it a bit easier to control him if he gets a sudden urge to chase a squirrel or try and take off because he wants to go faster. Little does he know that this is a six mile run and he needs to conserve his energy.

After our run he of course is down for the count the rest of the day. He enjoys following me from room to room, chair to bed back to the restroom and back to the couch. You see he is a mommies boy and gets very anxious if he is not in the same room with me, in fact he gets anxious if he isn't touching me in some sort of way. He is my little boy and my protector and I love him for his dedication and devotion. If I am in another room all I have to do is whistle our special tune and he comes flying down the hall way barreling through whatever or whoever is in is way. He has even knocked Lil Man over just to get to me.

Traildog and I do have on thing we both fight over, the bed. I prefer to sleep on the left side and so does he. He will literally race me to the spot and plop down before I can. He is also very muscular and hard to move once he is comfortable for bed. There have been times when I was initially on the left side and I have woken up to find myself on the right side while he is enjoying "the spot" how he managed to get it I will never know. He must have some magic power over it because recently it has been happening every night. What do I do, I just chuckle and fall back asleep and sometimes I will reclaim "the spot"

See even as I type he is in the spot.



Traildog is very loyal and he is also very loyal to Lil Man. Anytime Lil Man comes home Traildog is one of the first to greet him with kisses and high paws. If Lil Man is sleeping Traildog will ever so quietly ease into his room to check on him. He is making sure Lil Man is OK and sometimes I find Traildog snuggling with Lil Man.

Traildog this morning snuggling with Lil Man

Taken a few months ago

Some more pictures of Traildog and Lil Man snuggling.

At least a year ago, because of the pacifier. Sweet Kisses

This is my favorite one. Hugging on Traildog.

Traildog is well loved in this house. Lil Man ask for Traildog and loves to give him treats. It is cute to watch the two of them run around the house together and play. It is almost like having 2 three year old instead of just Lil Man.

This morning before Lil Man left for pre school he wanted his hair a special way. Who am I too say no.

"Sharp" as Lil Man likes to call it.

I don't know where he gets it from. 

He was more into his animal cracker then the actual picture!

This taper must really be going to my head! Anyways, this afternoon Lil Man and I have special plans to head over to Fleet Feet and spend some quality time with our friends. Plus I think Lil Man enjoys the gum and cookies he gets. We missed our special day yesterday as he was very busy with mom, but once he got home last night he did ask me to take him to Fleet Feet. So that is what we will be doing this afternoon.

I am enjoying my taper can you tell? Going taper crazy, especially since I am off the next four days. I have to keep occupied somehow! My body is feeling good and my legs are feeling strong, and it almost feels like TRT should be this weekend, but it is not until next weekend. What to do during this taper? 



Tapers love hate relationship

This weeks marks the beginning of my taper. Tapers for me and I am sure for some of you are hard. I know I get a bit stir crazy and anxious during these taper weeks, but I have also come to love them. Tapers are all about letting my body rest, recovery and heal so that come race  day(July 16) I will be at my full peak and ready to rock Tahoe Rim Trail 50k.

I believe that tapers are so hard for me because I am a routine kind of girl. I love my routines and when I can't go out and run the distance I want or run when ever I want it is hard on me. Sometimes without my running routine I start to feel lost, but then when I do go on a short easy run and I notice how great my body feels all is calm again. Sometime during a taper little aches start to be noticed and once that happens the worry begins. I know during my taper I am extra careful at work for fear of a pallet, or pallet jack dropping on toes or a box hitting me during the trailer unload. I tell my team, please be extra careful I have a race. Sometimes they just look at me and I can only guess what they thinking.

During my tapers I do some visual imagery. I see myself running the hills, I see myself fueling properly, I see myself looking strong on the trail and I see myself having fun. This has helped in past races and it helps keep my mind occuipied and in a happy place.

I am looking forward to TRT50k this year. I know I can do better than last years race. Last year I ran it in 8:19:12. Last year I also struggled with fuel the entire race so this year I am hoping that wont happen. I will also be packing extra power gel just in case solid food becomes my enemy. I also think that having been on the course before will help me because I know what to expect. This race is very challenging, but I am always up for a challenge.

With this week being my taper I plan on allowing my body rest, I will get a few solid runs in to keep my legs fresh and to help avoid the dead leg feeling. I am also planning on getting a massage from Lily, I haven't seen her in a few weeks. My body overall has been feeling pretty strong. I have put up some nice mileage weeks and nothing has flared up and I can tell a difference in my body every since those nice mileage week. My foot is getting better each day and while my foot has been healing I have been careful. It still flares up sometimes with shooting pain, but it hasn't been as bad as that one day when I couldn't walk on it. Overall I am ready for Tahoe. I have put the time on my feet, the miles and hill repeats in. Now all I can do is get my body rested and ready for race day. Today I love tapers but I am sure later on in the week I will be hating it, but deep down I know it is what is best for me.

Western States 100 In Photos

This past weekend was Western States 100. I was Anthony's personnel crew for his pacing duties with Kuni "The Beast". We headed up to Foresthill to support our other friends who were racing and to also be a part of the action. If you have never been at the Foresthill aid station I would highly recommend it. It was a awesome experience. There was a ton of energy flowing, runners coming in and going, and plenty of excitement all day.

Anthony, pointing the way!

Foresthill Aid Station

Fleet Feet Ultra Team Member

Refueling

First Woman Runner into the aid station

Here comes Eric, he had a awesome race

Weighing in

Meet up with the crew

Anthony putting on chap stick, the things the crew does for it's runner

Here comes Kirk! Awesome Race

Confidence with each step

The Happy Couple

Feet were a little wet, needed to change his socks

Organized Chaos when coming into a aid station

Focused on the task at hand

Almost ready to go

Off to the river crossing. He was in and out within minutes.

After all of this excitement Anthony and I headed down Bath road to meet Kuni. He came around that corner and had the biggest smile on his face. He was also looking strong and powered up Bath Road like he owned it.

Kuni "The Beast"

Anthony checking in

Little help from Lily and his crew and he was good to go.

Off to the river crossing.

After seeing Kuni off I headed home to sleep for 4hours and then I headed back up with Dustin and Michael. We were volunteering at the Fleet Feet aid station which is about 1.3 miles from the finish. Our job was to assist the runners as they came up the hill by refilling their water bottles and giving them whatever they needed. Most wanted new legs. Near the later stages of the day, we were literally doing hill repeats to assist the runners. We kept them moving and on to their goal of finishing.

Here come Kuni still looking good.

James, almost there

Stan, resting for a second and then he was on his way

Fleet Feet Aid Station, every runner that came through earned themselves a buckle that day. A few only had 20 min. to go the 1.3 miles to the finish. What a huge inspiration every single runner was that day. It was amazing to see and words nor pictures could truly describe what I witnessed.