Blue Sky to Devil's Backbone

Blue Sky Trail...looking south towards Coyote Ridge

Fickle is the way I would describe yesterday's weather. As if the heavens were never quite satisfied with the climate options. Switching back and forth from sun to dark clouds, then sun and snow to dark clouds and snow. Wind! Now this was something the celestial sphere could agree upon. According to the vault of heaven, wind went with everything today. And I'm not talking about a cool, refreshing breeze with a puff here or a waft there. I'm talking about the kind of wind that will blast you off your feet mid-stride...the kind of wind that makes you curl into a fetal position while on your feet in hopes that there will be less resistance to the gale of a head wind...the kind of wind that has you pitying the crows as they attempt to fly north into the gusts, only to hover as they desperately beat their wings. I felt like the crows as Mindy and I finished our loop at Devil's Backbone and began our return trip north...8 miles to go...head on into the brunt of the tempest.

Mindy & Ean...where Blue Sky meets Devil's Backbone

The wind was obliging enough to push us south 8 miles to the Laughing Horse Loop above Devil's Backbone. Mindy and I were glad to get some red rock running practice for our races in Moab next month. Mindy will run the Red Hot 55K and I will run the Red Hot 33K.

Mindy...patiently doubling back to check on me

It's always nice to find a running partner that makes me feel comfortable enough to run at my own pace and not feel pressured. Up until today, the only other person who makes me feel this way is Alex. Alex always tells me how much he enjoys running with me...even though he is twice as fast as me. Some days he will run with me the whole time and other days he will run ahead and double back to check on me. Mindy was so kind and cheerful the whole run...even though she could have run much faster.  Mindy continually expressed how she was glad to be getting in the hours and not worrying about the distance. I was able to truly enjoy my running and be in the moment instead of worrying about holding anyone back.

Only a couple miles left in this 16 mile run

My legs felt like they were full of lactic acid and no spring left in them by the end. I found that eating a bagel doesn't really give me enough fast energy during such a long run. I was glad I had stashed a Gu in my pack, which I needed to get me back to the car. Vanilla Bean never tasted so good.

I love how running brings people together. Mindy and I met a few weeks ago at the Beer Mile, yet really didn't know much about each other until today. You don't get to know someone as quickly and deeply as you do when you bare your spirit, soul, quirks, smells, etc, on a long run. When you spend 4 hours with someone else beating your bodies to get stronger for various goals and aspirations, you create a uniquely intimate bond.

Red Hot 33K Aspirations

Red Hot 33K...Moab, Utah...
Saturday, February 19th @ 8:30am



Elevation gain: 2,681 ft.

Elevation loss: 3,326 ft.

Trail Systems: Gemini Bridges, Gold Bar, Golden Spike, Poison Spider

Countdown: Less than four weeks away...26 days...624 hours...37,440 minutes...2,246,400 seconds

Aspirations: 1) Finish the 20.5 miles; 2) Finish the 20.5 miles under 6 hours



Training: Last week was the most mileage I have run in a single week--47 miles. Last Saturday was my second longest run in my life--16 miles. I ran 16 miles in 4 hours so I think I might be able to pull off 20.5 miles in 5-5:30 hours.

I'm fortunate enough to be married to an ultrarunner who has experience coaching and personal training. Alex put together my final training schedule for the next 25 days so I should be well prepared and tapered by the day of the race.  I take full responsibility for any glaringly lacking outcomes to my race.

January 24-30: 40-45 miles with a 15 mile long run

• Monday...Pineridge Loop 6 miles...1:06:00, fastest mile--9:41, Average pace--10:58, Max--7:05, legs felt strong after Sat. long run, fast, no IT band/knee pain, passed 2 people with off-leash dogs--one tried to follow Shadow and me--aarrgh!, NB shoes felt supportive, but still rubbing a bit too high on the heel. 
• Tuesday...Spring Canyon Park loop + 6 strides in the grass (100m w/100m recovery jog) 4 miles...45 minutes, fastest mile--9:40, Average pace--11:20, Max--5:14, I think the strides were a bit shy of 100m, legs felt strong but my glutes were a little fatigued from yesterday's run, no knee pain!!, shoes/feet felt great.
• Wednesday...through Pineridge to top of Maxwell/Reservoir Overlook 9 miles...01:58:29, fastest mile--10:09, Average pace--13:18, Max--7:49, felt tired, slow and hungry the entire run, ate a tiger milk bar that took the edge off, realized I need to fuel better before going out, was feeling dizzy by the time I dropped back into the park at mile 8, walked most of the hills, blisters developed on the top of my middle 3 left toes during the foothills descent--my shoe wasn't tied tight enough and my foot slipped around---tightening the laces seemed to help, no knee pain!! which is awesome since the last time I descended foothills I had to stop and stretch the pain out, the sun and 45 degree temp felt amazing on my bare arms and face.
• Thursday...Spring Canyon Park loop easy 3 miles...after driving 2.5 hours to Denver for Drug & Lift Tests (per the request of my soon-to-be new employer if I pass said tests), it felt wonderful to stretch my legs and get some blood flowing in my glutes.  I was thankful for the "easy 3" after yesterday's 9 and tomorrow's 15.  The 60 degree temp. was AMAZING!  30:33 minutes, fastest mile--9:44, Average pace--10:11, Max--7:57, knee twinged a bit at first, but worked out as I warmed up.
• Friday...long run...Soderburg-Towers-Mill Creek-West Valley-Lory Visitor's Center-East Valley-Soderburg..15 miles...4:49:45, Average pace--19:58, Max--7:56, started out really slow and tapered, took it easy up towers and down Mill Creek so I would not aggravate my IT band, felt well fueled with 3 sunkist fruit snacks, 1 TMB, and 1 GU, refilled water at LVC, legs and body in general felt surprisingly strong the last 5 miles, I walked most of the hills, left foot/heel is a tad sore, most importantly...my IT Band did not hurt at all...which makes me super happy since Mill Creek/Arthur's rock 15 miler in Nov. was when my IT Band pain began!!

Shadow and I taking a break to refuel after 9 miles...6 to go

• Saturday...rest...took the kids and the dog to meet Alex for a picnic lunch midway through his 22 miler.  We met him at the new swim beach/picnic area on the East side of Horsetooth Reservoir.  Went for a a short hike along the Foothills trail and found some pretty cool bouldering areas and a comfy sitting area made out of rock slabs.

• Sunday...5 miles easy...ran to The Blue Tongue (during the cross country season, some of the middle schoolers referred to this area as the "Hobo Shower" but were quickly put in their place by another student who found that term to be insensitive.  The Blevins Cross Country Team now calls this refreshing summertime spot "The Blue Tongue," because...that is exactly what it looks like.) along Spring Creek Bike Path (2.5 miles from my house if I circumnavigate the water cycle display).  Maddie rollerbladed along one side of me and Shadow excitedly pulled the leash on the other.  Felt strong after Friday's 15...even had the strength to push Maddie up the hills on the way home.

January 31-Feb.6: 35-40 miles with a 10 mile long run
February 7-13: 30-35 miles with an 8 mile long run
February 14-20: 10-15 miles plus 20.5 mile race

We'll see if this works!

Maddie and Micah hiking up Poison Spider trail 

in hopes of meeting Alex as he finishes the 50K

2009

Bighorn Training

Bighorn 30K Trail Run...2011


Saturday, June 18th


6 weeks

So...honestly, I haven't run for about a month.  This is my attempt to get my training back on track so my 19 miles in the beautiful mountains of Big Horn, WY will be an enjoyable, rather than painful, experience.  Again, just like the Moab Red Hot 33K, I'm looking to finish Bighorn in a comfortable 5-6 hours and enjoy my time on the trails.  Since my training has fallen off my goal of 4 hours is out.  I have six weeks to beat my body to do my will so that I can run 19 miles injury free and appreciate the amazing wildflower covered hillsides of the Big Horn Mountain Trail Race.


May 9-15: 9 miles of running

• Monday: 3 miles around Spring Canyon Park with Shadow.  I guess I still got it...I was able to run mile 1 in 10:10!
• Tuesday: Off...worked a 12+ hour shift on the ambulance today.  Had thoughts of going for a short run along the numerous paved paths near my station in Arvada, but got off late and wasn't up for having to be vigilant about my surroundings...you know, on the lookout for creeps.  I'll try again Wednesday.
• Wednesday: ran a 3 mile loop around my station in Arvada. 3/4 of a mile to get to the Ralston Creek path that goes 12.5 miles west.  Headed west and then hopped off the path at Marshall, ran north and then east back to the station.  The rain made me feel quite adventurous.  Since I was worried about being the only person out on a lonely overcast evening, I ran 9 min miles and faster.
• Thursday: took today off
• Friday: got up early and ran 3 miles around spring canyon park with Alex and Shadow.  It as a beautiful morning, but must remember to eat something before a morning "run."  Glucose...what an amazing concept for getting your body to do what you want it to.
• Saturday: took today off...was going to ride my road bike along the paths of Arvada after work but scrapped that plan for two reasons: it had been raining all day; got off 1 hour late and was ready to go home.  I'll try again soon.
• Sunday: I was supposed to go for an 8-9 mile run today, but decided I really needed to rest at home with the kids after working 5 consecutive days of 10-12 hour shifts.  I even took a nap...it was awesome.

May 16-22: 19 miles of running; a few miles of bike riding

• Monday: Shadow and I ran up Towers (53 min) to Mill Creek, Arthur's rock trail-head, South Valley trail, and back to Soderburg...9.5 miles.  I LOVE Mill Creek!  There is something magical about running underneath the canopy of pines and leaping at downhill speeds along the rocky single track that has me grinning the whole way down.  We found a perfect watering hole along the way allowing Shadow a cool dip and a little reprieve from the heat.  I love trail running...it's great to share the experience with others, but it's just as good to be out there...just me and my dog and the sounds of the forest.
• Tuesday: off...spent my day running errands and cleaning the rental house.

• Wednesday: off...10 hour shift at work

• Thursday: off...10+ hrs at work...found out I didn't get the new shift I had bid on...totally depressed!

• Friday: off...10+ hrs at work

• Saturday: 9.5 miles/Young's Gulch/Poudre Canyon with Alex and Shadow.  Another one of my favorite trails to run.  This is a great training run for any race that involves creeks crossings/running in wet shoes and socks for several miles.  Dogs can be off leash so it is tons of fun watching Shadow launch himself gracefully over the numerous rocks and through the 30+ creek crossings.  That dog inspires me to be a better runner!  The trail is a gradual gain in elevation until you reach the end near Rist Canyon Rd./W Co Rd 52E.  My Garmin said it was 4.75 miles.  There is an outcropping of lichen covered rocks that overlook Rist Canyon...great for taking a break, getting the rocks and grit from out of your shoes...etc.  The way back is the best part of all in my opinion as you navigate the creek crossings and the elevation loss at downhill speeds.  Great training for moving your feet quickly across rocky trail and creeks.  I almost ate trail a couple times, but loved the thrill of running fast and recovering from my near face-planting encounters.  Oh, and splashing through the creeks past all the hikers that were gingerly crossing as not to get wet...was rebelliously exhilarating!!

• Sunday:  Resting seemed like a lovely idea after yesterday's run.  Spending time with Micah and Maddie also seemed like a good idea.  I had promised to take Maddie to the Fort Collins Bike Library to check out a cruiser...and even though I would have rather stayed in my pajamas all day lounging around the house...a promise is a promise.  So Maddie and I hopped in the pick up truck and got to the Bike Library right before they closed. Maddie's was red and mine was powder blue.  Surprisingly, Maddie's 10 year old legs fit a small adult frame.  She was relieved because the really nice bike guys had just told her they had no kids bikes since the local elementary schools had checked them out for their kindergarten bike rodeos.  Needless to say, Maddie and I were both super excited to ride our new cruisers and I'm really glad I kept my promise.  As soon as we got home we rode the half mile down our street to Spring Canyon Community Park and rode the paved 2 mile loop around the park.  Riding around the park, watching the numerous families partaking in all sorts of park-like activities, passing walkers, runners, bikers, dogs...on a beautifully balmy Sunday afternoon...wearing shorts, tank tops, and flip flops...feeling the gentle kiss of the summery breeze on our skin...ahhh, it was a perfectly satisfying feeling that all was well in the world.

May 23-29:  13 miles of running

• Monday:  Ran 2 miles with Alex tonight at 10pm.  Spent the day cleaning the rental house and put off my run.  So, when Alex came home quoting Dean Karnazes' Ultramarathon Man I was inspired to be adventurous and go for a night run.  Years ago, when we were still living in California, we had read Dean's book, Ultramaraton Man.  Dean did things with running that people hadn't done before...like, run through the night and call up pizza delivery to deliver at a particular street location along his route, gorge himself on Hawaiian style pizza with extra of everything, drink a coffee and top it off with whatever dessert they offered...while continuing to run!  Alex had been reading small excerpts of the book and parts of the movie to his middle school math students during the last week of school and this particular day he came home quoting a very poignant story expressed by Dean's father in the movie...If someone lives to be 90 and sleeps 8 hours a night, they end up sleeping 1/3 of their life...which is 30 years.  Dean goes on to tell his father that he wants to live until he's 90, but he only wants to sleep for 15 years.  After dinner I put on my running clothes and even though Alex was feeling a little sick (he can never turn down a run) he put his running togs on, too and we went out at 10pm for a cool and windy night run.  It only lasted for 2 miles since Alex had to stop and dry heave every 10 minutes.  Alex has always been such an inspiration for me in running.  He is super tough and will stick things out way longer than most runners.  I am so lucky to have a best friend who will go running with me late at night when he is feeling ill!!

Dean at the 2009 Gore-Tex TransRockies
6 days...120 miles

• Tuesday:  Finished cleaning the rental house and spent the rest of the day gardening so the rental house backyard would look welcoming for the guests that arrive tomorrow.  Planted red flowering plants near Buddha, filled the bird feeders, planted a slough of herbs, cucumbers, pumpkins, strawberries, blueberries, planted blue and purple flowering plants in the square foot perennial flower box.  Made a welcome basket with local treats...Horsetooth Hot Sauce Naughty #4, Izze sparkling drinks,  and a Chocolove chocolate bar.  Came back later that evening with Alex and hung the hummingbird feeders in the dark.  Left a dozen fresh eggs from our "backyard hens" in the fridge.  I could use a week at the rental house, myself...it's super relaxing...no clutter...awesome.

• Wednesday:  Worked a 10 hour shift on the wheelchair transport van...actually got off on time.

• Thursday:  Worked a 10+ hour shift on the wheelchair transport van.  I have been feeling rather lonely since the wheelchair van is a solo gig.  More often than not, I have a wonderful encounter with a stranger, that reinforces my desire to help people and refocus my outlook on the people I encounter With that Moon Language.  I was securing a patient in my van when an older man...a little bit crusty, with some of his lunch still clinging to the sides of his mouth, and 2-day stubble around his sweet face...who proceeds to tell me that he could never do what I am doing and he is glad that there is someone who can do it.  He then throws his arms out wide and says with gusto, "You need a hug!"  I totally did.  I've been feeling so alone on the wheelchair van that I've been counting the days until I can work on an ambulance with a partner.  So I smile and give him a hug.  I thank him for the hug and his kind words.  He says, "You have a beautiful smile.  Keep on smiling!"  I was practically glowing by that point.  his kindness shook me out of my funk and I had a grin on my face for the rest of the day.  It amazes me that such a small gesture can change someone's day entirely!  How powerful is that ?!  My goal is to be better at expressing the thoughts I keep inside...like when I meet someone and  I think "Wow, you have amazing eyes" or "Your smile lights up the room"...I want to start making peoples' days a little bit brighter by sharing with them these thoughts I have.

• Friday: Worked a 10+ hour shift on the wheelchair transport van.

• Saturday: Worked a 10+ hour shift on the wheelchair transport van.

• Sunday:

• Ran 11 miles today with Alex and Mary B.  We ran the 11 mile loop out in Bobcat Ridge, counterclockwise.  It started out being an overcast, drizzly morning that turned into a sunny, blue sky, fluffy white clouds that thankfully covered the sun every now and then, cool breeze kind of a day.  Perfect weather to run in...not too hot, not too cold.  Need to start wearing sunscreen, though.  The first 6-8 miles were uphill and I was feeling rather under trained.  The weeks continue to fly by and Big Horn's 19 miles are looming on the horizon.  Alex said it well when he described my running lately as "binge running."  That's how it feels...long run, nothing, void, zero, zip, zilch, long run.  Ah well...I will hike the up the hills and run down the other side.  Start slow and taper...yeah, that should work.  Although, I must say, that gravity really does agree with me...and I was able to stretch the legs out on the long downhill descent at the end of our run today.  I hit a max speed of 5:33.  It felt really good to run full tilt after spending numerous hours driving around Denver in my wheelchair van the rest of the week.

Me and Mary

The DR Trail is the start of a 3.5 mile gradual climb

This was the start of the Ginny Trail which continues to climb
to the top of the ridge with a rapid  descent to the parking area

Me and Alex

6 week Training Plan...courtesy of my coach, Alex May

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
May 9-15	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Park 3 miles	off	Park 3 miles	off	Young’s Gulch  8 miles
May 16-22	MTN Bike Ride 1 hour	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Park 3 miles	Park 3 miles	off	Coyote Ridge to Indian Summer 11 miles
May 23-29	Bike Ride 1-2 hours	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Park with Pineridge Hill 4 miles	Park 3 miles	off	Soderberg- Mill Creek- Spring Creek- Herrington- Stout- Towers 13 miles
May 30-June 5	Bolder BOULDER	off	Pineridge 6 mile fartlek- run all up hills hard	off	Easy 3 miles in Vail	Teva Mtn Games	Teva Mtn Games 5K Trail Dog Race
June 6-12	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Pineridge with Down Hill Mile and park cool down 6 miles	off	Park 3 miles	off	Hewlet Gulch 8 miles
June 12-19	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Park 3 miles	off	off	Big Horn 30K Race	rest

Forty-Eight Degrees

Shorts, t-shirt, running partner and slushy snow!

Ran from home to Spring Canyon Park, to Cottonwood Glen Park, up into Pineridge via northernmost trail, dropped down into the valley and counter-clockwise around the reservoir, passed ONE other runner, Pineridge is "Moi Oi-land" (shout-out to Alex who frequently quotes the crazy Irishman from Braveheart), Shadow trots ahead off-leash since we are alone in this world that is trapped between winter and spring, snow and UV, everything sparkles, sweat is dripping down the side of my face, pooling between the bridge of my nose and sunglasses, dripping down the middle of my back, God, it feels good, Shadow looks up into the trees as birds call out to each other, up onto the Timber Trail, one foot in front of the other, smile on my face, feeling strong, much better than yesterday when I foolishly thought I could run on an empty stomach, it's amazing how a few 100 calories can make you feel like master of the universe, crunching snow, slipping, sliding, splooshing unexpectedly in hidden slush, finding purchase, running strong, up and down the rolling trail of Timber, to the south by the dam, past the big dogs...according to Shadow, No Shadow...let's go past the south ridge trail and go further today, I feel great, along the valley, condition is good, not muddy yet, up the winding trail to the middle of the ridge, up and over to the other side, down, down the north side, it's been an hour, ran 6 miles today 10 minutes faster than yesterday, bonking a little, niggling pain in my knee, keep going, the sun makes me feel invincible, makes me want to be out in it all day soaking in the uv, drop into Cottonwood Glen Park, back to concrete but only for a bit, turn onto the snow covered dirt path of the park, past walkers who look at me in disbelief that 1)I'm wearing a t-shirt and short shorts; and 2)I'm runing in the snow, past the dog park and the poor souls stuck behind the poopy perimeter of muck, back up into pineridge, Shadow...I'm almost at 7 miles...let's go a bit further so I can get 8 by the time we get home, almost to the top of the ridge, back down and feeling stronger, my body has adapted to the lack of fuel, around the dirt/snow path towards Olander and a 90 degree turn towards Platte Dr., keep an eye on the 20 something hoodlum in his huge truck with his huge tires speeding through the slush...that's right...you better slow down and not spray dirty slush all over me, you punk, back to the house, 8.10 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes, glorious!

Can't wait for tomorrow's run!

Red Hot 33K Training...Part II

Maddie, looking for her dad amongst Moab's red rocks 2009

Countdown:  almost 3 weeks...19 days...456 hours...27,360 minutes...1,641,600 seconds

January 31-Feb.6: 35-40 miles with a 10 mile long run

• Monday...Pineridge Loop 6 miles...This was probably the most frustrating run I have ever had!  I wasn't cursing because of the 11 degree temp. Oh No.  It was maddening due to the inability of actually running for fear of falling and braking something important!  It was like trying to run on a frozen lake covered in a fine layer of snow.  6 miles took me 01:30:10 with an average pace of 14:53.  I had to take baby-steps the entire "run" and I still managed to spend a good portion flailing my arms wildly in hopes of regaining my balance so as not to fall on my ass.  The funny thing is...I didn't fall once on the trails, but I took a big spill on top of my poor dog (sorry, Shadow) as I was walking from the street to my driveway at mile 6.  At least I got out today and didn't brake, tear, sprain, or strain anything in the process.  Although, there will be a lovely bruise to look forward to on my right "cheek."  This ended my biggest month with 150 miles!!

Shadow's frozen whiskers after our icy 11 degree run

• Tuesday...5 mile loop around Spring Canyon Park with Alex & Shadow.  The temperature stayed at 7 degrees, but fluctuated between being bitingly cold (if you were headed north, into the wind) and sweat-dripping-down-your-face-damn-I-have-too-many-layers-on warm (if your were headed south).  Alex coached me through 6x75m strides as we enjoyed our rare gift of a school-wide "Cold Day."  We were able to circumnavigate the snowy/icy path in about an hour with an average pace of 12:35 and a max of 4:59.  There is an ever-present soreness in my legs, but they feel strong at the same time.
• Wednesday...decided to make this my rest day since I spent all day in Arvada signing contracts and picking up my uniform for Pridemark.  Felt tired and lethargic as I headed out to my 6-9pm IV Therapy for EMTs class at Front Range Community College.
• Thursday...5 miles around Spring Canyon Park with Shadow.  Legs felt like lead, energy level was zapped, and my mood was gloomy like the grey sky.  Time--58:15; Average Pace--11:38; Max--8:44.
• Friday...went for "A" good run to the "A" Overlook with Shadow.  10 miles in 2:15, Average pace was 13:31, max was 8:13, ate one packet of Honey Stinger's Organic Energy Chews, walked the hills, overall--felt strong, bonked at mile 9, but was glad to be outside exercising for over 2 hours after spending another 2+ hours in the car driving to Denver to pick up my Pridemark uniform.
• Saturday...Much to my delight, my IV lab at PVH finished several hours early and I was able to meet up with Alex and the rest of the crazies for the Human Powered Brewery Tour at their second stop...Fort Collins Brewery.  Luckily I was wearing my running shoes and my Fort Collins Trail Runners shirt...so I jumped right in and joined the HPB Tour.  My first beer of the day was a taster of the Double Chocolate Stout which tasted like a thick and creamy "beershake!"  YUM!  Running to the next brewery (Funkwerks) with Alex and Mindy/Ladybug, was slow but exhilarating to see the costumed runners in front of me and bikers whooping and hollering as they whizzed past.  I never counted, but it seemed like there were between 30-40 of us crammed inside the tiny Funkwerks tasting room and the noise level steadily increased until the cacophony became unbearable.  Mary B. was worried about hearing loss and I was starting to feel trapped as my "fear of crowds" began to set in.  Thankfully, we set out for our next destination...O'dells.  The group was getting noticeably more raucous.  We hung out at O'dells for quite awhile...thank goodness for Mary's cheese and pretzels stashed in her pockets.  Our penultimate destination was Equinox Brewing located next door to Hops & Berries and across the street from Coopersmith's, which would be our final stop of the tour.  I have to say that, aside from Fort Collin's Double Chocolate Stout, Equinox was my favorite Brewery of the day.  My favorites from the sampler tray were the Ursa Major Honey Beer and Mr. Delicious Oatmeal Stout.  The rest were rather hoppy...not my favorite, but I would like to go back and try the Quasar Grand Cru and the Midwinter Warmer.  Finally, we sprinted across the street to Coopersmith's and ordered some much need food to sop up some of the beer.  Around 5pm, Alex and I said our goodbyes and ran our last mile back to New Belgium where this craziness began...six hours earlier.  I think I got about 4 miles of running in today.  Isn't it amazing that we could run to 6 unique and delicious breweries all within a few miles of each other?!  Definitely a good day to be a runner!
• Sunday...Ran the Fort Collin's Running Club Tortoise & Hare 8K with my rosy cheeked, bright eyed, sporty and competitive Maddie.  We were the first to leave (the official tortoises) at a casual 14 min/mile pace.  It took us about 2 miles to warm up while Maddie got her race face on and finished her breakfast...Tiger Milk Bar.  We had a bit of a slow start out of bed this morning since we both had a late night...Maddie was on a date with her dad at their 5th annual Butterfly Kisses Father-Daughter Dance & Micah and I went out to see Tron in 3D (don't get me started on the 3D-hype, headache inducing plastic spectacles and $12 tickets--Arrrgh!) and then appetizers (cheese fries, fried pickles, and baby onion blossom--food of champions, I know), which would have fed 4 hungry adults, at the Texas Roadhouse Grill.  Needless to say, we brought most of the edible grease home to share with the rest of the family for our super bowl party/preemptive Fat Tuesday/excuse to eat artery-clogging food.  So, back to the running...it took us 1:00:50 to complete the 5 miles while I used my typical diversion tactic to help the miles go by for Maddie...tell her crazy stories about my EMT and IV classes.  She loves hearing all the gory details and forgets about the distance we are running.  After a few miles she gets into her zone and I know when this happens because she starts to tell animated stories to me about past runs or things that she finds funny.  During our 2nd mile, we lost about 30-40 seconds while waiting for the snow sweeper to clear the tunnel.  Soon after that, as we were deciding if we were going the right way, a female runner came speeding towards us.  We had about a half mile to the turn around and I realized that this woman must be new because there was no way that anyone should have been passing us that soon or that quickly.  I told Maddie this and she was relieved to know that she would still be able to hold onto her point lead.  Newbies don't get points...since they always understate their times.  Sometimes I forget how competitive my daughter can be, but was reminded of it today as we hit the turn around and started passing runners on their way out.  I could feel Maddie pick up the pace as she saw runners closing the distance on us.  I tried to keep the pace casual so she could make it the 2.5 miles back.  I could tell that Maddie was getting energized as she passed Fort Collins Trail Runners and familiar faces from past T&H races, all of whom cheered Maddie on or encouraged her in some way!  There was Celeste and her pup, Brian W., Dennis V., Alex A., Alex/Dad, Slush, Sarah Hansen.  We were slowly passed by 2 other unfamiliar runners, then a bearded man, and finally a tall guy.  At this point we were half a mile from the finish when the runner number 5 passed us and Maddie was going to have none of that.  She really kicked it into gear so she could overtake #5.  He was steadily lengthening the gap between us so I encouraged Maddie to go for it...I took her discarded sweater and gloves so she could focus on the final sprint.  I honestly couldn't keep up with her at this point...she's really adept at finishing fast...kicking it hard...giving it all she's got...All heart, that girl!  She made it to the finish line in 6th place and I came in 7th.  There was a little confusion as the not-very-child-friendly-guy handing out race places didn't give Maddie a place...when I pointed this out he replied, "Oh, I didn't know she was running it seriously."  Maddie's sentiment..."I take all my running seriously!"  After shaking off the frustration of once again being overlooked as a child, Maddie was able to focus on the positives...how amazing and thoughtful Nick Clark is in regards to giving Maddie her due recognition as the youngest runner at these T&H events, always making sure to talk to her, encourage her and make her feel included & all of the runners that encourage and cheer Maddie on during every T&H run!  It really is a great group of people.  Another awesome morning...running with my daughter.  
• Here are Maddie's impressive NEGATIVE splits!! Mile 1) 14:05; 2) 14:00; 3) 11:37; 4)11:25; 5) 9:13  

 Since we didn't take any photos at the T&H  here is Maddie running in Pineridge

February 7-13: 30-35 miles with an 8 mile long run

February 14-20: 10-15 miles plus 20.5 mile race

Bighorn Training...the Final Countdown!

Bighorn 30K Trail Run...2011

Saturday, June 18th

Less than 3 weeks away...

May 30-June 5:

• Monday:  Working the Bolder Boulder today.  Have to be at Boulder Ops at 0500 and will be driving a wheelchair van, resupplying the other EMS crews along the course.  Today was so much different than running the race the last 4 years.  And although I enjoyed running the race with my family...the slip 'n slides, belly dancers, drummers, dorrito chip aid station, bacon aid station, water balloon aid station, squirt gun aid station definitely enhanced he running experience...the 50,000 runners converging at the end of the race out of the CU stadium and into the field house for our cloth lunch bag full of goodies and into the narrow breezeway to the race expo had me feeling trapped and claustrophobic.  I would start to freak out and make my family get me back to the car as quickly as possible.  

• Today was an entirely different experience.  I showed up at Boulder Ops, listened to the morning briefing for all the various EMS crews that would be assisting sick and injured runners and spectators for the day, adorned myself with the mustard yellow event polo shirt, signed out my radio, located my van...I was officially Shag Wagon #2...and yes, every time I responded to comm ("Shag 2 go ahead") I had trouble not cracking a smile...who comes up with these designators??, waited for the EMS Aid Station crews to load their gear into the back of my van, then navigated the closed roads and finally slipped through a barricade to get my crews to their designated mile markers, dropped all four crews off, tried to get off the race course as the Wheelchair Race would be starting in minutes and they finish 6 miles in record speeds, got out in time and found my way back to the start of the race where Micah and Maddie were waiting for their wave to start, and I waited until Comm called "Shag 2" to go bring gear to any of the crews.  Comm finally called me right before the start of the final race, the elite men's race, to pick up the EMS crews along the course.  I watched the elite women and men warm up, then the women started and 10 minutes later the men were off.   I followed behind the elite men's race along the course and picked up the EMS Aid Station crews.  Then we proceeded to the crowded expo behind CU stadium to pick up the gear from the MASH tent and Stadium crews.  Back to Ops for pizza and debriefing of the day.  My family came and picked me up just as the meeting finished and we headed back to Fort Collins together.  Not too bad...I'm hoping next year I'll be promoted from Shag 2 to Bike Medic.

Maddie was determined to beat her previous years' times of 1:34...
this year she ran the 10K in 1:29!!

• Tuesday:  I know the plan is to take today off, but I'm inclined to run up to Horsetooth Rock tomorrow morning...OK, change of plans...rolled out of bed at 0930, ate some sugar cereal (one of my weaknesses), then went for an easy 6 mile run with Alex in Pineridge.  Decided to make it a little challenging by running several 10second all out sprints up the steep hilly sections.  It was a perfectly lazy way to start summer (Alex and the kids are officially on summer vacation now that school is out).  The temperature was a nice balmy 65 degrees with a mild southeasterly wind, bright blue skies, the smell of sunscreen on my warm skin, the sharp, yet melodic trill of the Meadowlarks, soft dirt and hard rocks underfoot....ahhh, perfect!  

• Wednesday:  Off...working a 10 hour shift on the wheelchair van today.  My legs are sore from the last two runs so I'll give them a rest today and tomorrow.

• Thursday:

• Friday:

• Saturday:

• Sunday:

June 6-12:

June 13-19:

6 week Training Plan...courtesy of my coach, Alex May

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
May 30-June 5	Bolder BOULDER	off	Pineridge 6 mile fartlek- run all up hills hard	off	Easy 3 miles in Vail	Teva Mtn Games	Teva Mtn Games 5K Trail Dog Race
June 6-12	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Pineridge with Down Hill Mile and park cool down 6 miles	off	Park 3 miles	off	Hewlet Gulch 8 miles
June 12-19	Pineridge 6 miles easy	off	Park 3 miles	off	off	Big Horn 30K Race	rest