After a three year split, tonight I was reunited with the Cascadia. In trail running, the Cascadia was my first love, and we had a wild romance spanning about 5 years. The relationship started in the mountains of Vermont and carried me through a long, rough day at Bear Mountain, NY.
Then, the Cascadia changed. Something just didn't feel right. "It's not me, its you." I tried to make it work, but we just didn't mesh anymore. We reluctantly parted ways, occasionally re-uniting. Over the next few years, I bounced around from shoe to shoe, but nothing felt right. Oh, some relationships started out great, but in the end, they all fizzled. Friends told me that the Cascadia change. It was back to its old ways. But I just couldn't believe it. Finally, I was reunited with the Cascadia through a third party, and tonight we went on a short date. Things are looking up, my friends...
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Jens, the runner
After being cleared by the vet last week to run up to 3 miles, I took Jens on his first run tonight. We ran about a mile and a half, and then stopped so he could play with his friends. There's a group of dog owners that assemble every evening to let their dogs play in the park. Jens played for about 20 minutes, and then we ran the 1.5 miles back home. He had way too much energy even after we got back. For now, he's capped at about 3 miles, but he's going to put in a lot of miles in his lifetime...he just doesn't know it yet.
Now, I just have to figure out how to teach him to cycle, so he can mimic his namesake.
Now, I just have to figure out how to teach him to cycle, so he can mimic his namesake.
Monday, February 11, 2013
The mental game
Ben was just behind me, pacing me. I was struggling mightily to walk up a short incline.
"Its pretty sad that I have 4 hours to cover 14 miles and I'm not going to be able to do it." [regarding finishing sub-24]
It was just before I hit the Dam Nation aid station for the first time on my final lap. That statement resonated loudly and wouldn't leave my head. 4 hours to cover 14 miles? Even though I knew how slow I was going, I couldn't comprehend not being able to cover that distance in four hours. But I knew the pace I had been moving at. My 90 year old grandmother would have easily been able to pace me. I was coming to the realization that it was impossible to cover that distance, even with four hours to spare. But still, the thought wouldn't leave my head, so I made a decision. I was going to break 24 hours or go down in flames. I figured if I wasn't going to break 24 anyway, nothing would change if I cracked...I had enough time to walk it in under the cut off. The fatigue was almost overwhelming, my ankles were swollen, and my feet throbbed with pain on every footfall. I pushed and pushed harder. I almost completely stopped talking to Ben and focused. One foot in front of the other, only walking briefly each time my body revolted, shutting down. I had to will myself to start running again each time.
3 hours and 45 minutes later, I crossed the finish line of my first 100 miler, and Joe Pursitis handed me a sub-24 hour buckle. I had proven exactly what I told a some people only days before. Ultras are run in your head.
"Its pretty sad that I have 4 hours to cover 14 miles and I'm not going to be able to do it." [regarding finishing sub-24]
It was just before I hit the Dam Nation aid station for the first time on my final lap. That statement resonated loudly and wouldn't leave my head. 4 hours to cover 14 miles? Even though I knew how slow I was going, I couldn't comprehend not being able to cover that distance in four hours. But I knew the pace I had been moving at. My 90 year old grandmother would have easily been able to pace me. I was coming to the realization that it was impossible to cover that distance, even with four hours to spare. But still, the thought wouldn't leave my head, so I made a decision. I was going to break 24 hours or go down in flames. I figured if I wasn't going to break 24 anyway, nothing would change if I cracked...I had enough time to walk it in under the cut off. The fatigue was almost overwhelming, my ankles were swollen, and my feet throbbed with pain on every footfall. I pushed and pushed harder. I almost completely stopped talking to Ben and focused. One foot in front of the other, only walking briefly each time my body revolted, shutting down. I had to will myself to start running again each time.
3 hours and 45 minutes later, I crossed the finish line of my first 100 miler, and Joe Pursitis handed me a sub-24 hour buckle. I had proven exactly what I told a some people only days before. Ultras are run in your head.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
First run post-100
I did a short ~3ish miles tonight just to see how my body is recovering. I took it really easy, but I felt fantastic. This week I will give a shot at putting in some decent mileage to see how I respond. I'm still a little in awe of running 100 miles. It doesn't seem possible. I can't wrap my mind around running that far or that long. Somehow I did it.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Finished!
Sub 24! ~23:45. What a crazy experience. I'm still not sure that it happened, or how I just ran that far.
Update #8
Scott is on his final loop. He has had some ups & downs throughout but has stayed focused & really powered through the low points. He is running the toughest/longest stretch now & I will join up with him at the last aid station to finish up his last 4.4 miles of his first ever 100 miler!
He seems determined to finish under 24 hours & at this point he's on pace to do so. Most likely meeting up with him at 4am. Finish line updates to follow shortly....
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Update #5
Temps are heating up a bit, but Scott is still in good spirits & running smart. Just came through mile 36.
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