My weekly commute has been a whole lot of this. Heavy Rain. That's okay, last week we had some sun. What i do love about the rain, is the adventure; very few wander the dark, wet streets and so there's a sense of calm within the hussel and bussel of the city. Then there's the fresh crisp air, the technical gear, the constant hydration.
rain.
80km commute running into work per week. 100+ with trail training miles. focus on strength through endurance then into a medium cycle of speedwork.
i like the rain.. I'd even say that, most times (as long as i'm not cold, i hate being cold) ... i LOVE the rain..the heavier the better. I simply adore the adventure of the elements, a strong weather system is a pretty incredible force, its at times (when well equipped) such an experience and opportunity to take part in.
..random tip. Gore-Tex. question - 'im wet underneath, i thought this jacket/shoe was waterproof?'.
Let me explain the Gore-Tex theory in my words. GTX is a membrane, similar to your skin, it breathes. Just like your skin does not soak up rain neither does GTX, it simply allows your perspiration to evaporate through. Factors that effect the performance of the water-resistentsy (side note - waterproof is bad for clothing, your body needs to sweat in order to cool itself, waterproof does not breathe, water-resistant does : )
back to factors..oh yes. clogged pores. dirt. oil from your skin (around your neck, back and cuffs), age, uv exposure to fabric, outer repellancy coating (DWR)..etc. Washing your GTX (and other performance gear) regularly is crucial for its function. Simply. Wash with a mild detergent/soap that will not leave a residue (my top pick is Nikwax's techwash). Dry med-high heat. Gore-tex jackets will be as good as new. ..and yes you will be wet underneath, because we sweat, but you will stay warm. The inside moisture control has everything to do with your laying system..however that's an another talk.
...and while on the rain theme.. here's a good tune to pass the lonely rainy days.
Sunday Feb 12, 7:30pm (doors 6:30) Centennial Theatre >>> Presentations - 9 Presenters, 7 minutes each! Anders Ourom Hayley Shephard JD Hare Mandy-Rae Krack Michael Schratter Ryan Leech Ryan Pogue Ryley Breiddal Shawn Leclair Inspiring to say the least... I love listening to stories of adventure. Tonight's lineup of speakers were aWEsome, here's one of my favorites from last year.. UltraRunner Nicki Rehn.. I've never had the pleasure of meeting her but she's certainly the type of energy we all love to surround ourselves with... plus Tor de Geant is on MY 'must run' list.
GReat piece of two of Vancouver's trail favorites, two of the nicest, down-to-earth characters in our west coast RUnning culture. http://www.straight.com/article-596221/vancouver/find-your-way-trail-running .. .Vancouver & area is a paradise for all year round trails.. if you're a local of just visiting, check out the Trail running guide; it's a super easy book to follow into the unknown, the descriptions are clear, ratings accurate to the averagely healthy individual. Maps are most excellent as well as elevation profiles. The advice and tips are well written and at times hilarious to read and the imagery is breath-takin' and inspiring..its an Awesome Guide book to the Vancouver and area trail networks.
photo right from above article: Trail runners SenjaPalonen and Rich Wheater hoof it along the Baden-Powell Trail on the lower slopes of Mount Seymour Provincial Park. by Louise Christie
Rich Wheater is also presenting at this Year's edition of the VIMFF (Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival) A film festival that runs From February 10-18, 2012. Every night features a different MOuntain thrill, whether it be skiing, trail running, whitewater or aerial diving, sacred headwaters, tigers, MTB, or base jumping, this festival has it all and all the gNArly awesome presenters to tell their stories.. i LOve it.. so much as I'm real excited to say that I'll be checking out three nights this season : ) wootwoOT!..
..and a little peak into '5 races 5 continents'... creative genius not too mention athletic greatness, many talents working on these films, they're a complete joy to watch in an old classic theater..
Team Salomon 5 Continents E05 - KotaKinabaluintl. Climbathon Malaysia
A strange time, life is chaos..trying to stay together.. learning to love the cold but wishing for the warmth. trying to continue my routine, my creation in Vancouver but cant shake the feeling that there's places to be. Many things shifted during my last visit to Costa Rica, good shift..ideas. I realized that i enjoy working events as much as i do racing them… I love people.. and i love to see people breaking through barriers, pushing limits and working hard. i love being outside… and boy do i love gear. It's wicked fun to take gear out, use it, test it, break it, reinvent it. Since i spent more then half the past decade working with Canada's best Mountain Equipment Co-op, i learned to love and appreciate well designed and thought out gear. i only wish i had more time to play Now.. shifting all my love and attention to Salomon. What a better home then here, at the base of our local mountains, an innovator and key player in the TrailRunning culture. A place to connect to the trail community..oh and with 5PEaks season soon to start, the Salomon shop will be a key go-to for gear, training and expertise. So, I've always kept this blog pretty random, usually only in thought of my own self-reflections, however, i feel i could really share some useful tips. (i need to be honest to my strengths, I'm great at helping, finding creative solutions and intimately understanding how technical gear functions with the movement and reactions of the body. I'm good at interacting with problems and challenges….so, when i write..it's at time hard to teach when there's no subject to direct my rants.. ..i need an editor. …. I'll tell you this. ... i am hugely excited about…the *NEW lineup of Salomon XA SkinPro packs. We just received our first shipment. It warms my heart that the incredibly well-thought out designs of Salomon are now available to us here on the west coast... this is going to only promote the growth of TrailRunning as a sport and a way of Life (call it culture). We are so lucky here on the west coast... perhaps I'll also finally be able to get my hands on a pair of exo calves, I've been looking for a pair for years. jaja.
and… the COastal Challenge comes to a close. Final day.. crazy hot and exhilarating. Fulfilled spirits, beautiful days. The racers of this years edition where hit with what seems like nothing but heat and sun, long uphills and beautiful vistas. One could say that pain and suffering was also part of that equation however minor next to the camaraderie and spirit displayed all week by the racers, staff, and volunteers.
So..what was i up to all week? …Media. a sort of apprenticeship with the talented LEAD ADVENTURE team. We got up super early every morning to head out on course to capture the racers in all their glory. We'd drive to a location, check it out, try to capture the essence of the day and report the happenings back to a network of media connections. I had a blast working the creative angle and was able to pick up and begin to understand the logistics of covering Media for an event of this size, definitely work i will do again, media work is right up my alley. So in the end... did i feel sad that i wasn't running... perhaps a little however, i found an incredible amount of satisfaction in helping run this event, encouraging the racers, giving my little pep talks about hydration, foot care and i did get to run on course 3 of the 6days between racers and aid station... it was fabulous!! Results are to be found LIVE at LeadAdvenvture Media
62kms and 4280m of cumulative ascent. A really tough stage for the runners, as they were hit with tempatures in the low to mid 30s with very little to no cloud cover. The first 10km was an aggressive uphill climb with an ascent of nearly 700m. Myself and the Media crew (the excellence of LEAD Adventures) headed up early to PC2 to capture the leaders. Roiny Villegas (CRC/ELMEC) was leading, closely followed by Damon Goerke of Australia. Chris Barth had fallen behind the leaders as Steve Bremner was closing in. I luckily got to run a lot of the Afternoon… YEs, you heard me : ) RUN. The best part of day two is by far running along all the wind turbines, nearly 10kms of super high winds, beautiful scenery and endless rolling green hills. I spent a few hours, running back and forth from runner to aid station, encouraging and motivating. I shot a quick video of the wind turbine trail… however i dont have a strong enough connection to upload it or i still lack the skill to figure out how to... here are the leaders in the Expedition category.
1. Damon Goerke - Australia - 6:17:49 2. Roiny Villegas - Costa Rica/Equipo Elmec - 6:26:09 3. Christ Barth - Canadá - 7:54:53 --- 1. Laura Hronik - (USA/EE.UU) - 8:47:09 2/3. Kelly Wilson - USA - 9:13:31 2/3. Patricia Ossendack - Costa Rica 9:13:31
To kick off this Year's edition of the Coastal Challenge, nearly 60 runners set off to tackled 24km and 1550m of cumulative accent in some of the region's most beautiful, aggressive mountain trails. Runners started in the small town of La Fortuna, renowned for its beautiful view of Arenal Volcano and its lake which is surrounded my lush, larger then life rolling hills. They climbed Cerro Chato, an extinct volcano formation only to finish on the shores of beautiful Lake Arenal.
Unlike previous years, we experience nothing but sunny weather today. Racers got a real taste of what was to come, as the days will only get hotter, the battle with dehydration and heat exhaustion begins.
Winner of today's stage was no other then my local boy Chris Barth. Chris ran a solid pace today, attempting not to 'POUND' it, but rather ease into a comfortable pace he managed to take top spot; Damon Goerke of Australia taking 2nd only a minute behind, closely followed by local favourite Roiny Villegas (CRC?Team Elmec). Female winner was an incredibly talented Colorodo runner, Keri Nelson of the USA, my bet is that she will do verRRRRy well this week.
Racers then spent the afternoon chillaxing, eating and getting to enjoy the many pleasures Rancho Margot, a completely self-sufficient organic working ranch and in my opinion, one of the most desirable vacationing spots in Costa Rica, in anticipation of tomorrows (and this weeks) longest stage… 62 grueling, hot kms.
1. Christ Barth - Canadá - 2:26:07 2. Damon Goerke - Australia - 2:27:15 3. Roiny Villegas - Costa Rica/Equipo Elmec - 2:30:39 --- 1. Keri Nelson - USA - 2:51:47 2. Linda Fuqua-Jones (USA/EE.UU) - 3:30:54 3. LauraHronik - (USA/EE.UU) - 3:40:34
Im in the airplane on my way down to San Jose. I should be arriving in the next three hours.. I've forgotten my digital camera and the footbeds in my running shoes, im already off to a great start. However, i must admit that the stress is much lower then previous years knowing that i am not in neck deep in preps for running the Coastal Challenge. NO fuel prep, no clothes prep, no worrying that i've ran up enough mountains in the past month to ease the suffering… no suffering.. somewhat sad that im missing this incredible opportunity to test myself. HOwever, really looking forward to Staffing the event, being in behind the scenes, helping to make sure things run smooth.
1 day later.. In Costa Rica… no luggage.. wOW..am i ever lucky that im not racing, hahaha…i have a pair of jeans, a dirty tee and shoes with no insoles…haha.
One week after my New Years 50km, which took a lot out of me, it drained my already weakened post holiday state, i'm strangely standing in the same shoe. I spent the first 3days of the New Year strategically recovering. Which went well, other then catching a bit of a cold bug or perhaps a few early symptoms of over-training (i'll stay on top of the noted possible warning signs). I'm exhausted, and in super stiff. My day started out with a 14km am run across to the North Shore with a wicked fast runner friend, Chris Barth. The man is all about speed and pounding it, he has over a decade of experience as a National Cat.1 road cyclist turned elite marathoner. And so, this past year i've had the immense pleasure of watching him shift his values, attitude and incredible skill towards the trail and Ultra world (much different then the road racing world). In a couple weeks time, i'll be following him and a few others race the 2012 edition of the Coastal Challenge (a race i wish i was not missing, but sadly am :(.. but nevermind that. ..i adore following multi-day events and will try to provide all the details here on how to follow the Racers. So then... Shop Run at Salomons.. Noon came about and it was time to hit the trails for a weekly Sunday Open run. We ran a SoLid hard pace (that was group led, pace is always determined by the skill and experience present), pushed all the hills and loved every second of the flowing down. My comrade on this beautiful, dark rainy day was a great, gREAt fellow... huge KUdos for putting in great top effort and enthusiasm, undulating fartleks. 18:30... must run home, i didn't bring a warm layer to wear...haha ha i'll freeze if i walk..must rUN! So today, what a day.. 3x 14km. wheres my Tiger tail : )
In times of desperate need (i simply 'NEED' to walk down a flight of stairs without looking like im a 100 yrs old with the range of motion of a pug) we tend to be willing to try it all. We put our trust and hopes into gadgets, super foods, remedies and cleanses; we base our opinions on wHAt?!, reviews, friends, people we know who've used it, tried it, or is it attractive packaging?
12.31 22:37… fell asleep (with glass of wine in hand), feeling overly tired from what seemed like a month of buildup. happy new years.!
01.01 07:01 wake. coffee. 08:00 warm up run to race start 7km away 09:00 race start, Frozen Ass 50km ….4:38:00 later. finished. stoked : ) 10mins faster then last year. push a steady pace with a rotten belly. 15:00 eating recovery protein meal (beef burger and yam fries, they went down awesome, like a warm blanket for the inside of my acidic, empty belly). walked home. bathe. stretch a little but not really. 19:30 bed
01.02 07:00 wake. sort of stretch. coffee. 08:00 walk to work. 13km 10:30 work. Salomon. Lunch. spinach/kale salad, quinoa, chicken, beets, feta, bread and pineapple juice..yum. 18:30 run home.12km im in a world of pain, every step, i feel every bone impact, i try to stay light, be nimble, turn fast..hold up. any turnover will do, my legs feel like lead. i spot a running store.. i would like so very much a roller (i have a home made-thing that works for…some things, not suPEr well but it does the trick…but not really. i stop into a running shop and buy a gadget... the best gadget in the world!!) 20:00 home. ouch. roll ohhh sweet rolling with new silly gadget that feels like heaven covered in chocolate..i LOVE THE TIGER TAIL.! and i also eat my *Special Power recovery Shake (ingredients are highly depending on what lives in my fridge)
COCONUTYBANANARAMMER POWER SHAKE
1/2 cup Almond milk 1 Frozen (pre-peeled) banana in chunks (this is the KEY to a creamy, thick smoothie) a quick pour of plain or vanilla yogurt as above of UDO's 3-6-9 oil blend 1tbsp powdered coconut cream (for the fats)
then add Protein - i like to mix two types together, a whey protein isolate (Naturals is a great choice) to give my muscle the fuel they need asap to start repairing and an additional protein with loads of glutamine, an extra boost to the immune system is always good (my favorite, HAMMER's chocolate RECOVERITE). i mix the two to usual 1-1.5 servings
01.03 my body has been in cold sweats all night, my bed soaked in sweat, im freezing cold, my legs are tingling, my body exhausted. i think i better bus it into work in the morning rather then running. 07:30 wake. coffee. 10:30 off to work on the bus. 19:30 i decide to walk home..12km and meet up with a good friend for a walk..another 5km . ...legs are feeling fantastic, the TIGER TAIL has been fantastic, what a friend..and it can be your friend too..lol..check out the video below.
01.04 im good physically but i feel like my body is now starting to fight off a cold...arrggggh or perhaps a little over-training? i feel good... i did something right.. now as per every week i have three whole days of recovery (no pushing limits on body). Cant wait to run to work on Sunday.
A great start to the New Year. . After sleeping through the 12 o'clock hour last night, i'll be honest, i felt awful. It strangely felt as though i had miss the gun, the start time. The time came, went and it took the crowd with it... 'Sorry Jude you miss the boat on this one. You'll forever be disorganized!'. Luckily there was more clarity as the day unfolded. Not to mention that we were forecast for slushy rain... and to my surprise, no rain, not a drop. It was a mild, somewhat warm, at times sunny morning. Refreshing. The energy was good. First person i saw this morning was a grumpy little old man, he managed to gruff me a 'good morning' i was moved. .. the morning of the race (resolution run is also an appropriate name) i easily wake up. No doubt, i had fallen asleep the previous night around 22:30, missing the turn of the year. ..morning comes and its 7:00, i throw on my race kit, a little rubA535 on the legs, compression tights on, toque, gloves, pack, fuel...extra cash.. okay, im good to go. I leave my house just before 8:00 (for a 9:00 start) and set off into a warm-up run to the Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, site of the celebration start... i have 20 mins to get there, im still a ways away, i text a friend and ask him to sign me in; i cut through the aquarium lot and shave off a few minutes, i get in with 5mins to spare :)
'Vancouver's sea walk'
Nice and warmed up, after a great little debriefing and morning greeting we set off to run . I have a wicked first half with a fellow i had also ran the first half with the previous year..ha, imagine that. Then, i had a pretty painful second half; my stomach was off, it had been for a few days (had a few pit stops). The route was fantastic, no surprise there, the rain let off (very cool) and i ran my little heart dry. A steady 4:38:00 5okm for me (plus a 7km warm-up). I had a really great time, it was so nice to be out. Best part was, as off as i felt, i ran 10mins faster then last year : )
Big THanks to Club FatAss and all the volunteers, friends and family who make it all awesome and possible for this event to happen every year.
i'd like to approach everyday this year with this much openness and enthusiasm. and i'd love to keep hacking out the hard miles like those : )
I've been over thinking a change since my last post. I'm in the midst of finding my routine. ... I laugh, ridiculously over the fact that i just can't articulate the change.. .okay, here goes… … I'm now with SALOMON. .. …I've left my home at mec. (Mountain Equipment Co-op) wOW..that was super tough. In fact, I'm sure, this is why its taken me a while to fully transition, to fully express myself in the open. I loved my place at the co-op, i wouldn't have left for anything except a step further into the Mountain Running scene, into a specialty and that's exactly what i received. Lets face it... anyone who really knows me, knows my fetish for feet and gear. i love well made bEAutiful things, i cant help it. I have an eye for detail and design, and i love to develop things. There's a part of me that believes the little French girl inside me was and has always been built for this.. i feel i am exactly where i should be. I'm sUPer Stoked to be coming in with Salomon and their brand new Concept shop in West Vancouver, beautiful British Colombia Canada. This shop is ONE of three of its kind. The other two are in Chamonix France and Moscow Russia... hOW WiLd is that!. What this means to me: a more specialized hand in the TRail Running world as both retailer and ambassador; seeing and using the coolest, newest evolving technologies; a larger involvement in the local North Shore trails and events; a role encouraging and inspiring a community of local trail runners; ..aND ... a definite peRK.. i get to commute again..woot woot. 11-14km, depending on the route, i can weave from park walkway to forest (Stanley Park) trails almost the entire distance or cut through Vancouver's downtown for a quick urban flavor. Both beautiful routes.. Ive covered just a few kms short of 300 since i started 3 weeks ago. My loVE TAnk is very full these days. .. and i like that.
It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction. - Pablo Picasso
...
Ohh and check this OUt! Sunday & Wednesday Salomon Shop Runs (from Park Royal)... woot woOT, how fun! A wicked opportunity to hit the trails with other runners, a great way to push oneself. If you're brand new to the trails and you're nervous, no worries, the trail and its people are always welcoming. You can also simply pass me an email jultra7@gmail.com to everyone else, its a great opportunity to commit to a New Year date with the running shoes.. in the Capilano trails with friends.
The cold is moving in. ..im dreaming of warmer places..lol im sipping on a foamy cappuccino… im not happy about that…i hate foam. My sister told me earlier that a cappuccino was just like a latte (which is hot milk with a shot of coffee) but with the shots of coffee poured on top rather then milk poured over coffee (espresso to be accurate)…however :( it is not, you've certainly misinformed Josee or perhaps i didn't recall exact what you said? Either way, im a Simple kind of girl..i loVE coffee with a whitener of sorts and often a sweetener, make it as you'd like, i just love coffee..so in the excitement of trying something new i order a faNCy drink, a cappuccino… a cappuccino is half foam…yuk. i hate foam (its not a drink, i ordered a drink, liquid not foam..arrRRgg.. what?!?)… so brilliantly, instead of staying quiet, and having a hORrible customer experience, muttering on of rants of injustice and humanity, drinking a warm drink that i didn't care for… i went and politely asked my barista to quickly educate me on how to ask for what i really wanted which was a decaf latte (its 8pm and im not sleeping as it is) with the shots poured on top (very little foam)… oh yummy.. much better, and with a smile it was no problem, she was the sWEEtess gal and she found a fEW WArm giggles on my sisters' lack of coffee knowledge..lol (sorry JOsee, i might have embellished your character for comical value :) and i had a much better experience…easy as that. … .however i feel my rant on humanity was justified. Earlier, i had witness an act of cruelty and brutality, my heart ached. It was mid-morning, i was running into NOrth Vancouver to really explore the local trail/mountain networks. I was running along the goRGeous coastal sea wall that runs through our famous Stanley Park to the Lions Gate bridge. The crowd thickened and i slowed. To my left, 100m away, across the beach, on the waters edge… are half a dozen police officers surrounding a homeless-looking man. They were slowly moving in, guns pointed. Theres now a lot of people watching from the side-lines. ..The man is frightened, the pack is closing in on him, like a scared animal, he ducks low and try to make a run for it, the police jump on him and start beating him down in the sand and water. A women 10feet from me starts to cheer… my chest is collapses, i feel like throwing up, my head is pounding, i have no right to witness this and do nothing, i move on past the hooting lady and throw out at her 'WHy are you cheering, the MAn is frightened!'..im sure she had no idea what i was seeing or talking about. I run off…It wasn't right, there was no need for a police collapse, no need for such an extreme take down, then again, who am i to make the call, im blind to the situation… ive thought back and wondered if i really saw what i did..?. ..so now i sit with my latte. I cant sleep, no worries its decaf. My mind is restless. Ive been running hard these past few weeks and it feels great. My body is tired. I want to sleep, to recover but theres so much to be done, yet i really don't have the mental capacity to get those things accomplished, its a viscous cycle… my brain feels rotten. .. ..so on a different note. im almost two weeks into my 100days of movement, and for the most part its going quite well. Ive managed to run almost everyday except the couple of days a week i spend all day with my little guy which we've managed to cover between 10-15km of simply walking from park to park, i usually end up carrying him on my shoulders 3/4 of the way through, so it becomes a great strength workout as well. I feel i need to make more effort to stretch and do strength work at home. This Wednesday is pretty exciting too, i'll be trying Hot Bikram Yoga for the first time…wish me luck. .. and then there's ..My second metatarsal on my right foot is still an issue. A few months back at Wasatch100 i had tripped up in a hole and twisted something, i think a mild fracture, and all this speedwork has really been aggravating it, but im taking good care to take it easy, mostly, and pull back if too much pain starts to develop. … i find it hard to believe that i lack the ability or self-care to do as i preach. Come to me with an injury or issue and i'll have a pretty darn good idea on how to make it heal or better, and im sure what i do to my own body would never be in that advice..lol. ... oh yes.. i remember cold weather means hot weather elsewhere.. like my absolute favorite, the Country that has stolen my heart.. COsta Rica.
the 'route of fire' is very dear to my heart. A 6 DAy footrace covering half the length of Costa RIca, a beautiful volcanic, tropical landscape, drylands, wind-turbines, rock and ocean. You run a set, achievable distance everyday, recover, socialize, eat, enjoy the incredible beauty of your surroundings and company and sleep comfortably 'eNOUgh' each night in tents. You wake to a delicious breakfast (that is by the way.. incredibly enough cooked by a dedicated and loving local family, they have been cooking for this event year after year watching the 'bEAUtiful and Inspiring' effort everyone contributes, wonderful Team and aWESome local cuisine, the fruits and veggies were my favorites...oh yum yummy! ...only to finish at this perfect little paradise bugalow getaway for the final night of celebration with fellow comrades and friends. Two years ago, i sat out on the fifth day due to crazy medical conditions, therefore 'gave my race up' :( it still saddens me, however i hold onto the incredible adventure and sense of accomplishment it left me with, the connections i made with the Racers, the Volunteer and the Race Team. It was really something, i recall too, Erik (Staff) later collected racer's sneakers to donate to Costa Rican school kids in need of footwear (awesome in so many ways..for the kids and for USA customs..haha).... a running vacation that allowed me and everyone else who came out a challenging environment in which to grow in, to alter ones life in, i came back a changed person, a stronger person.. somehow with a slight amount of more courage, empathy and belief in humanity. ..if your looking for a little umf to spruce up your New Year (lets think ahead here).. i guess everyone is always looking for a way to live life and looking for suggestions on things to do, work towards, enrich...Lifes what you make it ..even if you only ever do it once.. like skydiving :) but as far as footraces go . ..i'll tell you this.. :) the surest wAY to connect with people is to suffer with them. . ..that said, nothing good comes without work, so in spirit of Movement (and humanity, challenge yourself to become a better version of yourself), i propose this as a bit of a challenge to you all... .. Gather a Team ..to head to Costa RIca for Jan 21-28 2012, theres two main options .Option One - a Team of 3. You each will run together every day for 6 days, you can choose to run the entire course (~230km) or enter the 'adventure' category and run half that distance over 6 days. .Option Two - A two-man relay. Each runs 3 of the days, your strategic choice :) .The run starts just north of SanJose. Its a point to point, so each day you run from and arrive at a different location..slowly making your way to the finish line. After your day of running its all about eating great food and chatting it up with all the awesome characters or simply taking in the gorgeous warm weather, forests and beaches you experience everyday. .. ..Check all the races details online, it a wicked fun adventure. The entire six days is taken care of for you, you just bring yourself and your stinky run stuff. Follow this link and use the codeword "coastal" without the parenthesis... you'll receive a 20% discount for ... OR choose a FREE RACE ENTRY to any 2012 location for (Lost Worlds Trail Series) (good thru Nov and December), any questions can be directed straight to info@thecoastalchallenge.com, they're fantastic with quick responses to your concerns and inquires. .. .... ha hahahaa and heres a great chuckkler for those who remember Bikini Girl :) Elusive “Bikini Jogger” Enlivens, Perplexes Bernal Heights
There's no time like the now.. so on a whim, like many things in my Life i decided to jump on board to one bRiLLiant girl's idea of inspiring a community to Live healthy and active Lifestyles. .. .100 dAys of MOvement. .what does that mean? .. .
..for me.. these last few months have been a transition with my racing season ending late September, i was searching for deeper purpose. Many parts of Life are, i sadly admit in Limbo, however it seems im seeing light in the development of my hormonally imbalanced confusional state. In other words, im snapping out of this in between period of Life.. refocusing :)
100 dAys of MOvement. .. .i have a weakness in consistency.. CAn i overcome my inability to focus.. .. .100 days, everyday, 30 minutes of intentional heart-pumping activity. i will train smart and efficiently and set high running goals. i will find consistency in a yoga practice. i will stress less, eat more greens and learn to LOve sleep. i will pass on the knowledge i have to inspire others to 'Live ACTively' to enjoy a healthy happy Life.
.. .and this 100 dAys will kick off with a 7am rUN.. little steps.. little steps. (*hint, start your first dozen days with easily accomplishable goals, 30 minutes of activity you know you can do… walk a dOG.. or my favourite… grab a coffee and walk till you get tired, then turn around (unless you've hit the 3hr mark, a 6hr walk is a bit much.. time best used in mOUNtains).
if it would have been easy, i more then likely would have learned nothing about myself.
WHat happened? .. ...hard to say. ..lets bounce around ...MillCreek Aid Station, i drop (literally) a cold LOnely collapse. no one i know or knows me within 1500kms, other then my pacer, whom i'd met just 8.5miles ago.. i had NO one (logic kicks in 'what if i push over that line and have to be hospitalized, theres no one here with me.' Poorly organized trip ended up with me driving myself alone 1500 kms to Utah, USA, attempt to race my first 100mile race with no support at Altitude (i live at sea level), then drive home the 1500 kms). REally!?! there's a flaw in this plan... and im anxious, i spend my last two days in Vancouver with hourly mini-anxiety attacks.. no fun. i just couldn't afford to have that 'fight to the death' mentality or perhaps i simply didn't feel the 'need' to prove that i had it. didn't matter. by that time i had no choice i was blank, shivering madly, internal organs spasming in intervals.. vertigo. cold. veRTIgo.. ah aye yaaaaa! . ... make it stOP! ... . ..8, 9 miles ago i sat in a chair, the sUN WAs setting, i was in rough shape.. however .there was also light and 'hope'... a man who brought me to a chair and fed me, a beautiful woman who cared for me, kept me calm and on task, a handsome wise man with powerful words, a genuine belief in me . ..and an easy-loving, fast talking solid fellow who offered to pace me to the end. ..'yah.. PUSH THROUGH this, not a problem.. it all mental.. its mental.. is it mental?.. cramps..ouch, i've been sick for the past 12 hrs. .. so what is happening and how can i turn this around. Heat. Altitude. Minimus and talus = blisters, ouch. I've had loads to drink, but my eating has slowed right down since the heat and the poops have come on.. WALK, i can walk…ohhH but its not helping, this too shall pass, im sure of it… slowly and painfully. .. .( a computer malfunction and poof.. 3hrs worth of inner thoughts and writing, gone. why are lessons always taught the tough way. I thought i learned to save files ages ago when we first started using computers, i've been taking autosave for granted.. machine does more and i think less..) ..so again. ha. rather suiting actually. i write this again. . im under prepared, my season lost focus when i jumped the gun to race the Expedition Adventure race. I don't have the mileage, i don't have the legs, i forgot about altitude, thought that perhaps it was simply going to be a mental battle. I wasn't prepared for it. I winged it and it showed. Why would i wing a race like this, the 2nd toughest 100miler in the USA next to Hardrock (so i've been told). ..perhaps to be humbled. .. i know now, all that i can do is move on. REflect on my mistakes, be proud of myself for what i did accomplish (heck… i still ran just over 100kms of some of the gnarliest mountains). Stay positive and plan for the next. ..What is next? I have no more races this season, and im feeling good about that. Back to basic, back to the buildup and next season I won't be loosing focus, i will strategically crawl through the Ultra World, find my place. FInd where it is i am needed, find how to make my impact, a positive impact in my Life and the lives of others. I will prepare properly and be ready for the races, ready for the distance. I will be kinder to my body, and do as i preach. I will take in and use all the great advice i've received these last few months. I will continue to work my way to the world stage. I will continue to build an Ultrabody, one that never quits, one that moves quickly and one that can inspire others to do the same, push through their own personal barriers that limit our worth and accomplishments. I am nowhere near my PEak, and thats a great feeling, i have the potential to be so much stronger then this :)
SO move on , i WILL. I bombed my first 100miler, and thats okay… i will try again! The big decision now comes in how i will structure next years' season? I have a feeling that i should recruit good help to guide me.. to bring my 'I CAN DO ANYTHING!' attitude down one notch to a more realistic level and then have a backup plan for flexibility.
