U Homecoming 5K

On September 18, Scott, Oliver, and I participated in races in celebration of the University of Utah's homecoming. (Race costs supported student scholarships.)

Oliver's 1K was wonderful, despite the pouring rain. He had a blast and came in first in his age group. 

Shortly after the kids race ended, the 5K started (and 19:39 minutes later, Scott finished his race and also came in first in his age group).

My race, on the other hand, was absolutely brutal. The race took us all over the very hilly U of U campus, and every time we went down a hill, I dreaded the impending climb. Honestly, when I got to the 1-mile mark, I thought it was the 2-mile mark and that they just forgot to put out the 1-mile sign. 

Then, somewhere between miles 2 and 3, we were hit with crazy headwinds, and I felt like I was walking in place as I ascended the hill by the Huntsman Center. I was discouraged and told one race volunteer, "This sucks" as I shuffled by.

The best part of the race was when Oliver met me for my last .1 miles, which, true to form for this race, was uphill. We crossed the finish line together at 42:15, which I wasn't especially proud of. On a positive note, though, the race and conditions were much more challenging than last year's Be Well Utah race, which I finished in 43:20. So, I guess things could have been worse.

Here's a picture of all three racers.

I don't think I'll sign up for this race again, but I will definitely be there to cheer my two boys on. Oliver is already ready for his next race - and race medal!

<3

 

Be Well Utah Virtual Walk, Run, & Roll 2021

On October 11, I got up early to complete the BWU Walk, Run, & Roll Challenge. Last year I finished in 43:20, and I was pretty confident that I could beat my time this year, despite my lack of training. 

I don't have a whole lot to report on this race, except that I wore the wrong pants (which fell down as I ran) and I felt good as I listened to my old iPod Shuffle and watched the sun rise. Here's a picture of me in my free race shirt and a pic of Salt Lake City around 7:30am.

I ran my first mile in 10:50, which was probably too fast for my fitness level (as evidenced by my 13:58 second mile). But it was nice to get a strong mile under my belt, and the remaining 2.1 miles weren't that bad. My average pace was 13:02, almost a minute per mile faster than last year.

<3

Bloomsday 2021

This was my ninth Bloomsday, and, once again, I completed it in Salt Lake City. Even though vaccines are readily available these days, the race organizers made the (wise) decision to keep people off of planes to attend an event where 50,000 runners and thousands more spectators gather in the streets of Spokane. Hopefully, Covid will be managed by 2022 and we can see our Pullman/Moscow/Spokane friends for Bloomsday next year.

Two months ago, Megan Whiteman and I decided to start training for Bloomsday so that we could improve our times from last year - and feel better about ourselves overall. I won't speak to her progress, but my own progress/training can be described as minimal. I tried to log miles each week, but it wasn't a priority after full days in the office every day and managing a household. Further, my second Pfizer shot was pretty hard on my body, and, even two weeks later, I still don't have all of my energy back.

But, enough with the excuses. I started my race around 10:30am on Sunday, the day that Bloomsday would have occurred on in "regular times." I decided to run the same course as last year - at Liberty Park, just 10 minutes from my home. My goal was to beat my time from last year and come in under two hours. I also hoped to run some of the race, get fewer/no blisters, and get some audiobook reading done.

 

I felt pretty good throughout the race. I walked most of it and jogged occasionally so that I could keep my pace under control. I finished my first mile in under 15 minutes, and every one after that was in the 15s. I made it through a lot of my book, The Body Keeps the Score, and I enjoyed seeing my boys (who cheered me on and gave me water as they ran and biked) each time they passed me on the 1.4-mile loop.

 

When I hit just over 7 miles, my little sweetie joined me to finish the race together. I couldn't help but remember when he finished the race with me back in 2016, when I was 8-months pregnant with him.

I met my goals and finished with a 1:54:10 and a 15:18/mile overall pace. I also had only one small blister, and my book is almost done. :)

We celebrated my finish at Winger's and had a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale. (We were surprised/disappointed the patio wasn't open, and we ended up eating indoors, which hasn't happened in over a year. Note the red mask sitting next to me.) 

On Facebook, I posted pictures and words of love to my fellow Beer Chasers who completed their races in Washington, Idaho, Michigan, and elsewhere. Even during a pandemic, we remembered and supported one another. I'm lucky to have them in my life - even at a distance.

Bloomsday 2020

I believe this was my 8th Bloomsday.

It was weird and virtual, just like the rest of 2020. There were no crowds or popcicles or cheering spectators or loud music. No Doomsday Hill. No Beer Chasing friends. No abortion protestors. (A huge silver lining to this year's Bloomsday!) 

Instead, I woke up, put on my running clothes, and drove to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, about 10 minutes from my house. I turned on a podcast about the Trail of Tears ("This American Life" with guest Sarah Vowell) and began my "race." 

Over the next two hours, I listened to my podcast and talked to my mom twice and my brother and sister-in-law once. We talked about Scott in Law School, low mortgage refinancing rates (2.25%), businesses surviving the pandemic, and other things. We wondered what Christmas in Idaho might look like this year.

And I just kept walking - and occasionally jogging, but not much. I ended up with a finishing time of 2:03:31 - a 16:33 minute/mile average. Since I had no goals, I was neither proud nor disappointed. My feet hurt, but I could tell my body wasn't going to hurt as bad as it did after my little 5K a few days before.

Here are a few pictures of my uneventful race.

Beautiful morning for a walk/race. My mask is around my neck.

"The 2020 Utah windstorm was a hurricane-force windstorm that struck the U.S. state of Utah in the early morning of September 8, 2020. Nearly 200,000 homes lost electrical power. Thousands of trees were toppled, causing much damage and closing dozens of parks. One man was killed." - Wikipedia

Blister starting to form. I had one to match on my other foot.

<3

Be Well Utah Virtual Walk, Run, & Roll

Ok - so I know it has been FOREVER since I've entered a race (or even jogged around the neighborhood, or to the mailbox, or to the kitchen...), but this month, I entered two. 

The first race was the Be Well Utah Virtual Walk, Run, & Roll, a "pick-your-level, pick-your-challenge, free, family-friendly event" sponsored by the University of Utah. Participants could choose to walk a mile; run a 5K, 10K, or half marathon; or bike a 1-mile, 5-mile, 10-mile, or 50-mile self-selected course. I signed Oliver and Scott up for their own races, and I signed myself up for the 5K. I mean, how hard could it it be?

Well, the answer to that question is "pretty hard!" I put on my free Be Well Utah shirt, running capris (that I've used exclusively for lounging and sleeping over the past few years), and bright pink Brooks Launch and headed up to campus to run.

I had two goals, and I really had no idea how realistic they were. I wanted to run the first mile without walking, and I wanted to run a 12-something average mile. I only accomplished one of those goals.

My first mile I ran/jogged the whole thing at an 11:45 pace. I felt pretty good about that. I mean, I know that isn't fast or anything, but it was nice to know that I could still run a mile if I needed to and that I wasn't starting from scratch (when I couldn't run more than 60 steps without walking).

My second and third miles were hard, though. I had to walk a bit - and then a lot. My second mile was a 14:03 mile, and my third a rough 16:45. My average pace, then, was 13:58, and my finishing time was 43:20.

I can't help but feel kind of bad about my results even though I didn't train for even a second before starting it. Back in 2009, I ran my first 5K after only three days of training and finished in 37:49, 5.5 minutes faster than I ran yesterday. I'm eleven years older and more than eleven pounds heavier now, and I guess that showed up in my time.

Well, at least I got a free T-shirt, right? ;)

Bloomsday 2016

I finished my seventh Bloomsday yesterday, which is quite an accomplishment since I live in Salt Lake City (over 700 miles from Spokane) and have more than a few extra LBs around my middle these days.  ;)

When Scott said he wanted to fly to Spokane for Bloomsday again this year, I hesitated as to whether I wanted to join him.  Of course I wanted to see our friends, but the idea of spending a bunch of money to run a race while 32 weeks pregnant didn't sound like my idea of a great time, especially since everyone was meeting at a brewery post-race, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy the festivities in my condition.

Thankfully my hesitation was short-lived, and we planned our trip.  We got into Spokane on Friday, enjoyed some friend-time with Diane, Buzz, Aaron, Edie-Marie, and Stacie on Saturday, and then ran the race on Sunday morning before our flight left around 5:00pm.

Diane Kelly-Riley, me, Scott over Spokane River

Edie-Marie Roper, me, Scott, Aaron Whiteman, Stacie Olsen-Wilkes, Buzz Nanavati at The Blackbird Tavern + Kitchen

The race was actually just fine.  Although my hands and feet swelled up something awful, my big, pregnant body handled the 7.46-mile walk just fine, and Stacie and I had two, full hours to catch up on our lives, enjoy the bands, and get some sun.  We stopped once to take a picture with the anti-abortionists, once to stand in line for the portapotty, and twice for Otter Pops.

Edema/Sad hands

Activist Annie #MYCHOICE

My walking buddy, Stacie with Otter Pop

Our/my finish time was 2:24:20, which figures to a 19:20/mile pace.  Granted, that was slower than my 18:00/mile training walks around Liberty Park in SLC, but we did stop a few times, and we also had Doomsday Hill to consider.  Overall, I'm pleased to have finished even if I was much slower than I've ever been (and much slower than the average 34 year-old Bloomsday runner, whose pace is 14:21/mile).

Two Bloomsday finishers

After the race, we enjoyed seeing SO MANY of our Beer Chaser and Pullman friends.  They embraced my belly and me with wide open arms, and although I really wanted a beer and hard cider,  I had a great time with everyone sans-frosty beverage.

Aaron and Edie-Marie, practically twins

Drew Polley, Emma Polley, Nicole Froelich, me, Scott, Dan Froelich, Graham VanderShelden, Stacie Olsen-Wilkes (not pictured: The Cornelius Family, Linda and Jeff Greene, Michael Riley, Doug and Sue Jacobson, Jim Ekins, Mike and Tammy Bonney, Paul Chisholm, and other wonderful Beer Chasing friends who fill my heart with love and happiness)

 <3

Bloomday 2015

Yesterday was Bloomsday, so Scott and I traveled to Pullman and then Spokane to see our friends and run the race.  This was my sixth year running, and I am proud of myself for doing as well as I did with next to no training.  I wasn't fast by any means, but I ran more than I thought I was going to, and I averaged under a 13:30 mile, which is pretty good for me on a course with elevation change.  I ran when I could and walked when I needed to.

Here are my stats for the past 6 years:

Starting line

Crossing the finish line

I don't have a big race report in me, so here are the highlights:

1. I got a free doughnut before the race.  Bonus! 
2. I got hit with a water balloon, right in the neck. Not bonus!
3. The weather was lovely! 70s and sunny.
4. I saw a few great shirts and signs.  My favorite, perhaps, was a woman's shirt that read, "Dear God: Please let there be someone behind me to read this."  Also, there was a shirt that read, "I thought I said yes to a Bloomsday RUM." And finally, there was a sign that said, There's no time for 

<3

Ran a Mile

It has been a long time since I've been on a run.  I still exercise some - at home on the elliptical machine, at the park on my rollerblades, or around the neighborhood in my walking shoes - but one seldom sees me jogging on Pipeline Trail or joining Scott on Antelope Island.

But, I have a couple of activities coming up, and it seems that I had better run a little if I want to participate... and survive.

One, I signed up for Bloomsday again, and we're flying to Washington to see our friends and run the race this weekend.  (I am still not convinced that I want to run and hold up Scott (et al?), as I won't be finishing as early as everyone else.   After all, we could be spending more time socializing at No-Li Brewery instead of dealing with the consequences of my slowness.  Sigh.) 

And two, I'm Scott's back-up support runner for Scotland in June, and while I am barely ready to face the rain, the cold, the midges, and a hurting runner for 95 miles, I'm currently unprepared to run any section of the West Highland Way.

I have no training plan beyond losing a few pounds before the trip (it is easier to move a lighter body than a heavier one), but I am trying to be consistent about exercising, and I did go on one run last week.  On Wednesday I walked two miles and ran one, which isn't a big deal, I know, but I felt pretty good that after a long time of no running, I was able to run one whole mile at a 10:49 pace.  I know I should do more to train, but with working full time, keeping a clean house, cooking meals, buying a home, and traveling most weekends, I don't have the time or energy (or desire) to go running.

Regardless, here are a couple of pics from my "run."  I took them during my walking sections. :)

<3

Twisted Trees

Paved road/trail with forest and stream

Relaxing at the end

Heyburn State Park Trail Series #2

On Saturday I ran a five-mile race in Heyburn State Park.  It is the second race of the series, and I signed up since Scott and his brother, AJ, wanted to run the half marathon. 

I haven't been running at all lately; I'd like to blame the car accident I was in on June 2 (I am still experiencing back pain/discomfort) or the recent rain on the Palouse, but what it really comes down to is this: I don't want to run.  As far as exercise goes, I have found some success in my daily workouts on the elliptical machine.  Granted, I wish I could do my workouts outside and enjoy the sunny weather, but I do occasionally go biking on Chipman Trail with Scott, and I enjoy my Wednesday walks during Beer Chasers.  Also, soon Scott and I will be in Greece, walking and exploring new lands, and after that, I will get out on the trail and start my training for August's 12-hour race.  Until then, I'll elliptical and watch Breaking Bad.  I'm watching the finale of Season 4 tonight, and I am dying to know if Gus is going to kill Walt... but I digress.

I signed up for the race knowing that there was going to be an uphill.  After all, trail races aren't flat, and this wasn't my first rodeo.  So I wasn't scared.

Race Start

But I should have been.  The race started at 9:30, and by 9:35 I was dying!  My lungs burned, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath.  In the first 1.5 miles, I climbed over 1,500 feet.

On my way up the single-track trek to the top, I wish I could say that I had a positive outlook on the race, but if I said that, I would be lying.  I thought to myself, "Why did I spend $35 to hike to the top of this damn mountain.  That was dumb.  I am never gonna do this again.  I am no gifted hiker/runner.  Is that the top I see ahead?  Nope - just another false crest.  I'm gonna be here all day." 

The hike to the top was slow, but I kept going.  I never stopped to rest, and at some point I did reach the top.  While the views were not great (only because of the rain and clouds), the feeling of knowing that I didn't have to climb anymore was pretty dang sweet!

The rest of the race was fun.  I was sopping wet, my rain jacket completely soaked to my skin and my shoes actually making "squish" sounds at every foot-strike.  I ran the remainder of the course, my legs and lungs feeling cool and fresh.  I knew that my overall time was going to be slow because of the uphill, but I kind of impressed myself at the pace at which I was running the downhill.  But no one saw me; I was too far behind everyone else to impress them with my lightening-fast descent.

I crossed the finish line with a pace of just over 16:00/mile, and I didn't finish completely last.  That's something.

<3

Bloomsday 2014

Getting up for Bloomsday was hard this year.  The day before the race, I drove down to the Riggins Rodeo to spend the day with my dad and Susan, and I drove back the night before Bloomsday.  My alarm went off at 5:30; no one should be up at that time, in my humble opinion.

We got on the road by 6:15 so that we could get to Spokane, pick up our packets, and get Scott and the other second seeders to their corral by 8:15 or so.  Everything went as planned, and even the weather was looking up (it had rained early that morning, and I was hoping that my tank top and capri pants weren't too optimistic an outfit for the race). 

My race started sometime around 9:20, though I really don't know when; I wasn't carrying my watch or my phone, so I just followed the masses of orange bib-wearing runners in workout clothes and costumes (superheros, Raggedy Anne, and a banana, to name a few).

I ran the first 1.5 miles or so until the first minor hill.  I decided to walk it even though I wasn't tired; I figured that I hadn't done any running for a while, and there was no way that I would realistically run the whole thing.  I decided to be strategic: run the flats and downhills and walk the uphills and water stations. 

The race was mostly uneventful, other than being hit in the head with a beach ball after the first mile and running nearly side-by-side with a fireman in full uniform.  I have to admit, though, I kind of impressed myself by how fast I seemed to go, given my lack of running training.  I knew I wasn't close to my 11:18 pace (2011 PR for this course), but I knew that I was going significantly faster than I had last year (14:14/mile).  My near-daily elliptical machine training paid off in terms of cardio, and I completed the race without ever feeling truly out of breath or pained from side aches. 

Somewhere between Mile 6 and 7, I felt a little annoyed at how long that particular mile was.  I could have sworn that someone had moved the Mile 7 marker because I knew I had run much farther.  Unlucky for me, however, no one had stolen the sign; I came upon the marker and still had a half mile to go.

The last half mile wasn't fast, but I did have a little kick at the tiny downhill to the finish.  I crossed the finish line in 1:38:40, with a pace of 13:13/mile.  I finished in the top half of all 32 year-old females and over a minute faster per mile than last year.  I did ok. :)

After the race, a bunch of us from Beer Chasers met at No-Li Brewery to enjoy a meal and a beverage or two.  Unfortunately, it wasn't warm enough for us to sit outside, so I enjoyed my Cream Ale at an indoor table, with my jacket on, surrounded by fellow Bloomies.

<3

Pullman Winter Ultra 12/14/13 & 01/11/14

I participated in both races again for the Pullman Winter Ultra in Pullman, WA.  This year, however, I ran the 25K in December and the 12.5K in January.  I am especially proud of the distance in January, and I'm proud that I survived the rain and wind in January without catching pneumonia or becoming hypothermic (as did some of the other racers).

The 25K in December was pleasant for the most part.  It was quite cold (35 degrees), and I did slip around a bit on the course (especially in the shadows, where the ice could not melt), but I enjoyed being out on the course, knowing that if I finished, I would get a PR.  I found that Lou Bega's "Mambo Number 5" is a wonderful song to jog to and that my ankle is at least 90% recovered, as it did not start feeling sore until well into my second lap.  All in all, I walked away with a PR, two gnarly blisters, and third place overall female.

The 12.5K in January was not much fun.  It was cold (40s) and wet and very, very windy.   In the first mile or so, I thought that I may do two laps; my legs were feeling good, and I felt like I had dressed appropriately for my speed and effort.  But soon thereafter the rain came, and my mind changed completely.  It rained so hard that my fleece mittens were completely soaked through in a matter of minutes.  My rain coat kept my body dry, but my feet squished water out the sides with every step.  I could feel my healing December blisters get new blisters inside my wet socks.

Worst, perhaps, was the wind.  The wind sprayed the rain into my eyes and, at certain sections of the course, kept me from jogging in a straight line.  The 40-50 mph gusts pushed me sideways.  I cursed under my breath and wondered why I had gotten out of my warm bed to run in such weather.  I finished with a time of 1:52:00, or a 14:25/mile pace.  I was glad to be done.  I felt for the runners still out on the course as I drove home with the heater on high.

Here are a few photos from the January race, though they simply cannot do the weather conditions justice.

Checking in and bundled up

Climbing the hill to Banyans

In a downpour, just past the bears

Just a few yards before finishing with Steffi Tietz

Good to remember, even in the rain and wind :)

Also, I signed up for Bloomsday again this year, and I am registered for the 12-hour Transcendence Race in Olympia too.  I don't have many races on my agenda, but the ones I do have actually mean something to me.  And I think that's what matters to me now in my running journey.

<3

No Transcendence Ultra 2013

I was really excited about running the Transcendence Ultra again - the 12-hour race in Olympia, WA, where I ran and walked 38 miles last year.  I haven't been serious about signing up for many races, though I have participated out at Kamiak and the occasional beer mile.  But the 12-hour race really interested me.  Yes, I felt super sick after my performance in 2012, and no, I haven't learned much about fueling (and not swelling up) while running in heat, but I really wanted to see if I had one more lap in me this year.  So, in spite of my normal approach to running, I actually started to train a few months ago.  I started walking to Moscow to toughen up my feet, and I tried to do one long walk/run and one medium-to-long run mid-week.  I downloaded books by Mindy Kaling and David Sedaris, put on my Brooks Launch, and set out with the hope that a little bit of training would not only help me get 39.5 miles this year but also finish the race without throwing up in the car on the way home.

Beautiful Palouse view during "training"

But then Life happened and got in the way.  While accompanying Scott to Schweitzer Mountain for one of his races, I fell on a step similar to the one pictured here, and broke my ankle.

It was bad.  I fell down onto the step and cried out, as my ankle immediately started to swell.  I honestly cannot say that I have ever felt that kind of intense and prolonged physical pain.  My body broke out into a clothes-drenching sweat, and my vision went black and blurry.  I was nauseous and couldn't seem to put my words into complete sentences.  I was helpless and hurt, and people crowded around me.  Scott saw that this was no typical "Annie-fell-and-stubbed-her-toe" kind-of injury and ran for help.  He and two men from the first aid station picked me up off the stairs and carried me into the lodge's first aid center, which consisted of little more than a vinyl-covered bed.  They placed me on the bed, gave me water and a trash can in case of illness, and put a cool cloth on my neck and forehead. 

I could barely think; all I wanted in the world was something for the pain.  The pain didn't subside like they said it would, and instead of giving me morphine or Vicodin, they asked me questions for their accident forms.  Even though they were nice and somewhat helpful, I was annoyed and wanted to get off the mountain and go somewhere - anywhere - that had something to dull the pain.  Scott drove me to an immediate care clinic in Sandpoint, where I got x-rays, a half-cast, and (finally) a prescription for some pain meds.

One month and three days later, I am still on crutches and in a boot with a torn deltoid ligament and a fractured fibula.  I missed the Transcendence Ultra, which still bums me out, but I'm doing my best to think positively and not feel sorry for myself.  (And about 85% of the time, I am successful.)

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow afternoon, and hopefully he'll give me some good news. I'd love to be walking and driving again soon, even though there are little joys like this that have acted as my silver lining...

<3

Bloomsday 2013

Yesterday I participated in Bloomsday for the fourth consecutive year.  As always, it was a good event that I would recommend to runners, joggers, and walkers alike.

This year, I kind of felt like an old pro, so I didn't take pictures or make mental notes of things that I would write in my running blog about the experience.  Instead, I just went out there and tried my best to run when I could and walk when I felt like it.  As a result, I ran for probably half or 2/3 of the 12K, and I walked the rest.  (I definitely walked up Doomsday Hill, which took just under 6:30 alone. What a beast!)

The music by the 30 or so bands along the course was fun; the backs of people's shirts were entertaining; and the general feel of the racers was very positive.  The weather was simply wonderful at 68 degrees, and the heat was cut by sprinklers, misters, and cool treats along the course.  (I accepted a "pink-flavored" Otter Pop that was handed to me by a cute little girl from an obviously friendly church organization along the route. Yum!)

My final time was 1:46:18.  (To give you some perspective, my all-time best was 1:24:25 when I actually ran the whole thing.)  This year's average pace was 14:14, placing me 244th out of 506 31-year-old females and 20,809th place out of all 47,165 finishers.

After the race, I met up with some fellow "Beer Chasers" from my local running group, and they had all finished in about half my time.  I was happy for them (and also glad that my friends Drew and Mandy were still out walking the course).  Even though I don't train for races anymore, I was glad to know that in a race of nearly 50,000, I didn't come in last! :) 

The turnout by Beer Chasers and friends was great, and the cream ale at No-Li Brewery (and the river view on its deck) were impressive.  Today, I am a little sunburned but happy to have been a "bloomie," and when I get home from work, I am going to sit out on my own deck and drink another pint of cream ale.

<3

Seaport River Run 2013

This weekend I participated in the Seaport River Run.  This was my third time running the race, and it was a good experience.

It's been a while since I've been running, but I decided to sign up for the 10K anyway.  After all, it was the same price for the 2.9-mile or 10K option, so I figured, "Why not?"

There were around 1000 people at Swallows Park, so it was busy and high-energy at the start of the race.  Fast people were stretching and warming up, dogs were pulling at their leashes, and the rest of us were getting our iPods ready and enjoying the sun and fresh air.  Scott gave me a good luck kiss, made his way to the "fast people section" in the front of the pack, and before I knew it, the race started.

I ran the first mile in about 12 minutes, and the second in about 12:30.  I did the math in my head and figured I would run about a 1:15:00 10K if everything went as planned.  My 1:08:58 PR (set in 2011) seemed rightfully out of reach for a woman who hadn't run a full mile in multiple months.

The run was okay, but I have to say that around Mile 4, I remembered why it is that I don't run much anymore.  I wasn't enjoying myself, and I looked forward to the race being over.  (It is funny how mindset works.  If I had allowed myself to just walk and enjoy the sunshine, I wouldn't have been miserable.  But I am stubborn.  I had the 1:15:00 goal in my head, and I was determined to get close to that goal, even though I had nothing but the first couple of miles to base it on.   And since I had no watch or Garmin, I pushed myself to my limit.)

I crossed the finish line at about 1:20:00, averaging at about a 12:50 mile. (My exact time is unknown since the race isn't chip timed, and it takes a minute or so to even cross the starting line.)  I wasn't thrilled with my time (which I realize is ridiculous since I did not train or have a goal going into the race), but I crossed the finish line smiling; Scott and some fellow Beer Chasers were cheering for me and calling my name.  It felt good to be supported...and done!

After the race, I was reminded why I did run regularly for as long as I did.  I felt really good.  My body felt tired and happy; my beer tasted especially good after running 6.2 miles; and everyone around me seemed pleased that I had come out to share in the experience of the race.  I was glad to have been there.

My relationship to running is funny like that.

This weekend I have Bloomsday (and I do NOT plan to try for a PR or unrealistic goal), and I am still signed up for the 12-hour endurance run this summer.  Those are my only races on the calendar for now.

<3

Pullman Winter Ultras and MLK Walk

I haven't been running much lately, but I have been a participant in a couple of running and walking events in my community.

First, I walked one lap in Pullman Winter Ultra Series on December 15, 2012.  The lap was a 12.5k, and I finished in 1:57:00, earning me the honor of being last place for yet another race.  During the walk, I emailed my brother in Afghanistan (smart phones are truly amazing), took pictures of the funny tracks (Yak Trax, doggy feet, Ben's Vibram FiveFingers, and lots of running shoes on fresh snow), and enjoyed some alone time in the fresh air.  I was one of 36 participants in a race that I used to direct/organize with Scott.

Second, I walked the same loop on January 12, 2013.  My plans in December were to do a 25K in January, but after spending Christmas Break with a bunch of sick friends and family members, I decided to walk my 12.5k in January and try not to die from a coughing fit. I barely succeeded and, yes, came in last with a time of 2:12:00.  The course was icy, and the air was far below freezing.  Despite my finish time, I still regard myself as a badass for even going out there.

Third, I participated in a 1-1.5 mile walk on MLK Jr. Day.  It was a pleasant event and a nice reminder of why we have the day off work.  I was overdressed and sweaty, but for once, I didn't come in last! :)  Perhaps that's the key: treat a "walk" like a race, and beat everyone else's time because they aren't even timing themselves... ;)

I have no plans for future races, and I have cut way back on running in the past few months.  I've realized that I was running primarily for someone other than myself, and no matter how hard I tried (even over these past three years), that wasn't bringing me - or the other person - satisfaction.  Now, I participate in events like these to be social and active, and I keep reminding myself to do things for me.  (Going to a movie for someone else or perhaps taking dance lessons for someone else might be okay, but adopting a lifetime sport that requires a daily commitment is simply unsustainable, I've learned.)

You'll see me on my blog from time to time, sharing pictures and experiences from events and travels, but I will be posting less frequently than I once did.  I hope that doesn't disappoint you (all 3 readers...) too much. 

Goodbye for now.

<3

Post-Race Weight Gain (and Loss)

I am writing this blog to all runners out there concerned about putting on weight after a big race.  This is a brief overview of what happened to me, and I hope that it gives you some relief as you step on your scale tomorrow morning:

I am pleased to report that I am back to my pre-ultramarathon weight this morning.  <Insert giant sigh of relief here>

When I left for Olympia (and my first ultra-marathon) on August 10th, I weighed myself and - naively - wondered how much weight I might lose if I met my goals of running/walking for the full 12 hours.  Of course, this wasn't a weight loss plan; I wasn't trying to lose weight, per se.  But I knew that I would be burning lots of calories and sweating a lot in the 90-degree heat, and I assumed that I would have a pleasant surprise when I got home and stepped on the scale.

To my surprise (and horror), I weighed SEVEN pounds more when I returned home on August 13.  "How can that be?" I thought.  "I didn't eat much during the run, and I threw up everything in my stomach anyway." 

My mind kicked into overdrive.  I thought about everything I ate after the race and the next morning - a chicken sandwich, a half-can of chicken noodle soup, a large Diet Coke, a snack-size Sun Chips bag, and a gas station breakfast burrito.  I couldn't figure out how those items added up to seven pounds, even though the burrito wasn't exactly health food.

I went online and found lots of articles, blogs, and discussion boards describing similar weight gain.  Most folks said that they gained 2-4 pounds after a big race ("water weight") and that the weight came off in a few days.  That eased my mind somewhat, but I was worried that my weight gain was more significant, and when the weight went up another half-pound in two days, I felt concerned. (Years ago I was overweight, and I worried that I was getting fat again.)

And I felt bigger.  I felt like I was swollen and thicker than I should be.  I felt all 7.5 pounds.

Thankfully, the past few days have been good to me.  This might be TMI, but I have been using the restroom a lot more, and it seems like my body has wanted to get rid of excess fluid and anything else that it has been holding onto (probably because it was in shock over the whole 12-hour race).  It seems to have relaxed back into normal life.

This morning I stepped on the scale, and I am at my pre-race weight.  My stomach feels flatter, and my fingers don't feel so sausage-y.  I'm not a skinny girl, but I feel better, and I am well within "healthy and normal" weight.  I'm so glad.

If I do another ultra, I might do a little bit more work on my fueling so that I don't feel so sick after the race and so I don't put on so much weight during and after the race.

12-Hour Transcendance Race

On Sunday the 12th I participated in the Transcendence 12-Hour Endurance Race in Olympia, WA, and I have to say that it was amazing and unlike anything I have ever done.

In the past couple of weeks I have told people that I was going to run a 12-hour race, and some have been surprised that I haven't been training.  Running one's first ultra, after all, is no joke.  But I didn't want to train; my relationship to running has simply changed, and I haven't wanted to put in the long hours and even longer miles to prepare for this race.  So my mindset going into the race was probably different than most runners'; I really wanted to see what I am made of - who I am right now - with this heart and this body and this mind.  I exercised a few days a week, went on some runs and walks, kept my weight under control, and tried to keep my expectations of myself reasonable for the race.  And not to give away the ending, but I consider my race experience very successful and positive and do not regret a thing.

Because it was such a long day and the thought of writing down everything that happened is overwhelming for me, I'll just include the highlights:


Sunday was here before I knew it, and I found myself at the starting line with 79 other runners.  The sun hadn't come out yet, and I was excited to see what I could do on this 1.52-mile course.  I felt lucky to start my first ultra with Scott and to see him throughout the race.

The course, although short, was quite pretty.  It was great to not have to worry about carrying water since there were drinking fountains along the course, and I knew that an aid station was only a mile and a half away.  

Sunrise on the lake

Capitol building view

I downloaded a great book on tape called The Five Love Languages, and listened to it for a good chunk of time during the run/walk.  I learned a lot, and it kept me entertained for over five hours in a way that even Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift cannot.  ;)

I met a bunch of people over the course of twelve hours.  I met Max, a retired Air Force man who runs ultras in his retirement; Jenneth, a gal who told me that not picking up a penny is telling the universe that you have enough and won't accept free money; Brock, a harmonica player who rode his bike next to me during my final two laps just because he was enjoying talking with me; Josh, a Vibram Fivefingers runner who gave the first place finisher a run for his money; and others who were happy to share bits of their life stories.  This one of the coolest parts of the race, in my opinion.  Just think, if this was a traditional ultramarathon course, there never would have been an opportunity for me to run or walk a mile and a half with any of these people; they would have been 10 miles ahead or behind me.  It was neat to see familiar faces and to have so many opportunities to walk-n-chat.

It was very cool that Scott jogged/walked his final couple of loops with me.  He finished his 50k in under 6 hours and then crewed for me for the next 6.  It felt great to be greeted at our little tent with some Gatorade and a cool cloth to wipe my face. 

After I left the tent, I walked only a few feet to the food tables and ate potatoes with salt and potato chips.

After I completed my first 50k, everyone at the finish line cheered and rang bell.  When I left the tent and started the next loop, it felt awesome to know that - for once - I was going to run farther than Scott.  (I realize he is recovering from injuries and that his pace was much faster than mine.  Still, it felt good.)  I learned later that Scott had posted my accomplishment to Facebook, and I had a crazy number of encouraging and congratulatory comments.  (Thanks, everyone!!)

I completed just over 38 miles!  That is almost a marathon and a half-marathon back-to-back!  I felt pretty awesome.  Period.

(I made page 2!)

While most people "hit the wall" and "bonk" during races this long, I never did...probably because I wasn't going for speed.  I felt really good emotionally and physically throughout the whole day, other than the blisters that I got around Mile 6.  Yes, my fingers swelled, and yes, my legs were tired, but I never felt miserable during the race.  (I did feel miserable about fifteen minutes after the race, after my shoes were off and my feet were in an ice bath.  I felt like I was going to pass out and throw up all at once.  I never passed out...)

My mom drove all the way from Boise to Olympia and tried to get there in time to walk a lap or two with me, but the race was over when she arrived.  The bad news - she saw me when I was in the post-race, pukey-nightmare stage of the day.  I could barely walk on my blistered feet and tired legs, and I ended up throwing up my grape Gatorade in her car.  The good news - my mom came to see me at a race (yay!), and when I felt icky, she took me back to her house in Mossyrock, WA and fed me chicken noodle soup. 

This picture cracks me up.  I wasn't feeling too great on the car ride to Mom's.

I am really pleased with my experience with this race and would do it again.  Heck, even the tech shirts are cool, and I plan to wear mine with pride.  I'm so glad that my first ultra attempt was so positive and successful.  Thanks to everyone who supported me and to Guerrilla Running for putting on such a great event!

<3