Post Red Mountain Ultra

So, the thing that looked like a fairly well groomed dirt road was, in fact, a trail. Much of it looked like a jeeping trail in Moab, with big boulders and holes and huge hills. I've never been trail running ever, so I was ill prepared. It's so fun though, jumping over the rocks and sailing down the hills that you really don't notice time going by or how hard you're working. It wasn't until I got to the pavement at mile 12 that I realized I couldn't lengthen my stride. My glutes and hamstrings were just tight as a knot. There was a spot right at the top of the highest point on the trail section where you could see out in both directions and it was right when the sun was coming up. It was so beautiful I had to stop for a sec and just take it in. I wished I had taken my phone for that. (When I got to the car, I looked at my phone and Ron had been messaging me, thinking that I would have my phone on me facebooking about it! I'm so sure. : ) )

I got to the pavement thinking I was feeling pretty good, and I was in second place of the women. That kind of inspired me to try and push it a little. I kept saying to myself that I run 17-20 miles on a regular basis, and it just won't be that big of deal. I was drinking that disgusting Heed electrolyte drink (tastes like corn syrup, but supposed to be great during a race) and a lot of water, but I was stayed totally cramped up the whole rest of the way. THEN the road we were running on had no shoulder and no road closures, so we were running on the slanted sides, which really killed my ankles and knees. I was in so much pain at different points that I was sure I wasn't going to finish. I just felt like I couldn't quit though. I hobbled along the rest of the way. It wasn't until mile 28 that a group of 3 women passed me. I was bummed, but at the same time felt like I was really just lucky to be that close to the finish line. Brother, what was I sad about!? That would have been fun though, to have taken second. There were only 75 people running it total, so it doesn't say a whole lot, but still.

I always think it so funny to see the people passing me. I look at them from behind and they honestly look like they are moving so slow, but they're passing me! It makes me realize how slow I'm going and makes me laugh. Then there's always the guy in the cotton Tshirt and basketball shorts and shoes that don't even look like running shoes and he's flying past everyone at mile 15. There was a Mr. Uber-Tech there too, with all the latest and greatest shoes and clothing and accessories that was also passed by Mr. Basketball shorts. It is a great statement about how not to take it all too seriously. (Mr. Uber-Tech was rubbing himself down with one of those massage sticks at the end. He just didn't want the gadget fest to end.)

So I came in 5th of the women. My time was 5:35. It could have been much worse, so I'm happy. Ron was driving the route to find me and met up with me about the last 1/2 mile. Josh and Noah got out and ran the rest of the way with me. That is always my favorite part. One of them commented on how slow I was going and how easy it was, and I told him it's because I hurt so bad. Then he asked, "So why are you doing this, again?" I just said I was wondering the same thing. I told Ron when I was done that I was never going to do anything like that again. I seriously didn't ever want to ever put on a pair of running shoes again. I'm sure now I will, but I don't know if I'll ever do that race again. There just is no training that prepares you to run on a slant like that. I couldn't take it and I couldn't figure out a way around that. I think I'm going to ask the race director what the secret is.

I'm really not tempted to work harder and run more trails and try and do it better next year. I got home and just felt so glad I could stay home in the mornings and clean my house! I don't have to go running! Yeay! I think I had a running overdose and now I'm cured. I started cleaning today but realized I really can't bend or get up and down the stairs. I think I will wait to clean for a few more days.

I'm signed up for the St. George Marathon in October.

Red Mountain Ultra info

http://www.redmountain50k.com/course.htm

This looks like it will be a fun race with pretty scenery. It looks like dirt roads are the "trails." I think it will be a perfect transition into trail races and longer races. There's aid stations every three miles the whole way. That is really uncommon for an ultra. I'm really excited! I'm going to start taking my camera on some of the trails I'm starting to train on. I've posted a couple on Facebook already. It's incredibly beautiful. I wish I could take you along.

I Un-did it.

I withdrew from the Wasatch 100. How can I train for a trail that is 5 hrs away? I can't. Yet. I signed up for a 50 K in Central Utah in April though! Red Mountain 50 K.


So, most of the women with babies and preschool age kids are in a babysitting co-op, where everyone takes one day a month and watches everyone else's kids (that needs a babysitter) for a three hour shift. They asked me back when they started it if I wanted to participate and I declined. Sarah was a baby and would sit in the jogger, and I just frankly... wasn't ready to leave her anywhere yet. Now that she hates that jogger I am ready. I left her at a friend's house once already this week and I babysat yesterday. I'm going to leave her today from 9-12 for a long run. Here's some pics of the muffin decorating I attempted to do with the kids yesterday.


That was super crazy. Babies and Kindergarteners.

I did it...

I applied for entrance to the Wasatch 100! I got on the site to check about the registration deadlines and noticed that it is on the 9th on January... five days from now. So I had to send it in without thinking. Which, by the way, is the best way to sign up for something like a 100 mile race. I'm totally psyched and completely rested, as I haven't done a thing for months now. I've never run trails in St. George so Ron is going to show me a few mt. bike trails that I can run nearby. It's exciting to have a new goal. I've been bored.

Long Run Rant

(The little aspen trees on the side of the path are just about the only color of fall to be seen around here, so I had to document it.)
I did my first long run (20 miles) since the marathon on Saturday. I haven't felt like myself since the marathon since I haven't really been running any significant distances. I've found I really don't feel like I've gotten a workout unless I do a longer run. I've been doing more strength training and slow jogs on an inclined treadmill. It feels really good to be stronger, but it doesn't help me feel relaxed and happier like distance running does. When I went on Saturday I left Sarah home with the boys, knowing that Ron was going to be in and out of the house. I wasn't sure how long I would be gone. I really shouldn't have been gone that long, but I couldn't stop. It was so beautiful out and it felt so good. I think it's a small price for my kids to pay for a mentally and physically healthy mommy, right? This is the first time I've don't that by-the-way. I don't normally abandon everyone and I don't expect to make a habit of it.

Doing some research...

I started looking up how one begins to train for 100 mile race. None of what I found out really surprised me, but I'm questioning whether I really want to be as selfish as it would require. Here's just a few things this one ultramarathoner does throughout the year before a 100 mile race:

1. Two workouts a day, both at least 10 miles. (Okay, maybe manageable)
2. Long runs are all at least 22 miles. (Doable)
3. Every 3-4 weeks run 25-50 miles instead of the usual 22 miles. (Mini Chi would freak!)
4. Weight training 2-3 times a week. (When?)
5. All weekly long runs should be on a trail with hills. (Anyone know a nanny?)
6. Track workouts of 800 meters at 80%-90% effort. (Ouch)

Obviously I would have to do those things to be ready to run on a trail for 100 miles, but looking at it broken down like that, it's clear that I would have to be away from my family for hours every day. A nice idea, but unless I don't ever want to sleep, probably not going to happen. I do have a goal though, to wake up and run before my kids need to get up for school so that it doesn't take up half my morning anymore. I can get it out of the way before I start the day. I set my alarm last night for 5:00 AM, and then turned it off at 11:00 PM before I fell asleep. I'm such a chicken. I really, really hate getting up early.

Tomorrow. I'll start tomorrow.

P.S.

The headband is called Bondi Band and they are on the web.