...holes of searing pain into my legs and lungs.
Ran 12 summits with Arthur today. Only my second completion of all summits since last year.
I’ve not been drinking (beer) for a couple weeks now and have lost a little weight and have actually been exercising during the week, so I started the run just a tad over-confident. I’m better off having low expectations.
The pace was slow and the first half was not bad. Arthur brought his nail file and cut down some twigs – calling it trail work. Tangled with some of the top bosses of the infamous Devil’s Club. Also ran into Urtica Dioica a frequenter of Tiger Mountain – I hate that jack @ss. However, we were never hit with the rain showers predicted for the day so the conditions really couldn’t have been better.
As soon as we hit the turn around after eating and refilling water, my pack felt extremely heavy and I had to stop and double check that Arthur hadn’t hidden a small boulder inside. From there on I went through spurts of energy and then hazy no-energy periods. At the hill up middle Tiger (I think that’s the correct name) I wanted to see how fast I could walk up and tried to lose Arthur, but he stuck to me and still had plenty of energy for the downhills.
I was excited to get done and go check out the WS100 webcast. We started just before 5 a.m. when WS runners were starting so every now and then we’d say okay, they’ve probably run x many miles by now.
I barely made the drive home, I was so sleepy – something that hasn’t happened to me since my very early newbie days. Anyway, I’m glad I got in a hard training run. My knee held up so I think I’m in the clear from my March injury. But it turns out my legs have a short-term memory when it comes to running hills.
I popped out of bed at 6 a.m. Sunday and went straight to the computer to catch up on WS progress. Can’t wait for all the locals to come home and let us know what went on down at the race.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I'm Sponsored!!!
Ha ha - made you look! Here's the story.
Today I learned that no matter how much of a waste of money I think accountants are for a household of our means, I really shouldn't be doing our taxes myself. We've been saving up this year to pay the IRS a hefty sum, when today in the mail we got a REFUND of a nearly equal hefty sum! That's like a windfall of a hefty sum x2!! Looks like the IRS will be paying for all my race entries, shoes, food, gas,... this summer. Thanks IRS!
The only mistake I made that is greater than screwing up our taxes, is that in my excitement, I called my husband Seth to let him know. I should have kept it to myself :|
Today I learned that no matter how much of a waste of money I think accountants are for a household of our means, I really shouldn't be doing our taxes myself. We've been saving up this year to pay the IRS a hefty sum, when today in the mail we got a REFUND of a nearly equal hefty sum! That's like a windfall of a hefty sum x2!! Looks like the IRS will be paying for all my race entries, shoes, food, gas,... this summer. Thanks IRS!
The only mistake I made that is greater than screwing up our taxes, is that in my excitement, I called my husband Seth to let him know. I should have kept it to myself :|
Monday, June 11, 2007
Lake Youngs - Oh I love a rainy day
Floors cleaned? Dishes done? Laundry folded? Dogs washed? Check, check, check and check. Ok then, blog time.
After getting home after midnight on Friday night from attending my younger sister Kaitlan’s high school graduation in Burlington, I did a load of laundry and packed before getting to bed around 1 a.m. No different than any other night. I love sleeping, but I hate going to bed for some reason.
Regarding the graduation – My brother and I, along with my mom and stepdad, were in the heckling section apparently. My brother and I, both grads of B-EHS, gladly followed along with the rebel-parent crowd when they booed the high school principal after she admonished the grads for tossing a beach ball around. I understand that the school has to set a precedent for making the graduates behave – otherwise when do they cross the line? But it seemed silly at the time. Also, the principal “reminded” the parents not to cheer until after everyone’s name was read – well, everyone in our section whooped and hollered after every name. Hey, if you can’t rebel during high school, you might as well do it sometime.
So anyway, up at 6 a.m. Saturday with 20 minutes to get ready and a short 20 minute drive. I decided not to bring my dog Rickie because I wanted to see if I could push myself and if my knee would hold up without having to pull gimpy dog along for the ride.
Arrive with 15 minutes to go. Pick up my race packet from Jenn and Charlie and then started to socialize until RD noticed I was still standing around in my sandals and reminded me to get ready!
I started off with Karen Wiggens and Janet Casal and friend who were going at an easy pace. But soon they were about a ½ step too fast for me and I was trying to get back to my MO of start slow, pass ‘em later.
I came upon Scotty Railton who I know through family and we ran together…he was one heck of a fast uphill walker which suited me so I started running with him, but his running pace was almost too fast for me! We stayed together for the rest of the first loop. At the aid station I asked Arthur if he was planning on running or if he was just going to hang out at the aid station all day (well he did already post this run as a “complete” on the MM site!) and he gave some lame excuse about being the RD.
Second loop. I felt like I picked up the pace slightly (although my time was slower due to a bathroom break). Don’t remember much here except coming upon Karen in the bushes. And I thought I was unabashed about squatting anywhere. Well, from now on I won’t worry about it. :) Passed by Janet who was conducting business on her cell phone and she said to slow down, so I told her to quit yappin’ on her phone. ;) I was also surprised to see Van here, but then I had to remind myself that she is running Big Horn next weekend! Towards the end I saw Jenn with the kids and the Martineau’s friend Chris (the post-race cook) doing a loop in the opposite direction. Got some nice high-fives from them.
Third loop felt like I was pushing it. Knee felt like it was floating around on downhills, but no pain. Around 1/2 way mark, I came upon Bill Barmore, going the opposite direction, who had come out to run a loop. He decided to turn around and run with me, which at first was tough because it’s hard to run another’s pace (especially when they’re running on fresh feet!), but I settled in. Plus it probably helped me keep my running pace up, but I made sure to be the leader when walking uphills.
We came upon Steve Stoyles and Rob Hester. Dang, for some reason I thought they were behind me. Steve said Rob was slowing down, but he looked good too me! And for all Rob’s saying that he’s not been running, he was doing really well. (They would finish right behind me.) Bill and I ran a stretch with them and then pulled ahead.
We got to what I think of as the first false finish where you start encountering homes and know you’re close, but still have about 5 more turns to go before the home stretch. When we come to the real final stretch I say ok, let’s do it and we push it to the finish. Total time was 4 hours 48 minutes. Jenn came and took care of me right away and asked what I needed, and I’m sure I told her I needed a beer or a foot rub. :)
I felt good about the run. No injury. And I am sore still in my legs which is unusual – lately I’ve only been hobbled by blisters, but after this run I had a hard time standing up. Had to pull my car up closer to the post-race BBQ so I could sit and eat.
Afterwards I caught up with everyone and we talked about the usual runner stuff – you know, bathroom and blister talk. Did my best to be the guest who overstays their welcome, but I had to go to a grad party for 5 of my husband’s cousins who were also graduating from high school.
Next up is Climb-A-Mountain in Spokane. I did my best to keep quiet about this lesser-attended run (because for me, it’s not about how fast I run, but about who shows up!). But I just saw that Van has signed up. :) Ah well, those eastern WA runners needed a little competition.
After getting home after midnight on Friday night from attending my younger sister Kaitlan’s high school graduation in Burlington, I did a load of laundry and packed before getting to bed around 1 a.m. No different than any other night. I love sleeping, but I hate going to bed for some reason.
Regarding the graduation – My brother and I, along with my mom and stepdad, were in the heckling section apparently. My brother and I, both grads of B-EHS, gladly followed along with the rebel-parent crowd when they booed the high school principal after she admonished the grads for tossing a beach ball around. I understand that the school has to set a precedent for making the graduates behave – otherwise when do they cross the line? But it seemed silly at the time. Also, the principal “reminded” the parents not to cheer until after everyone’s name was read – well, everyone in our section whooped and hollered after every name. Hey, if you can’t rebel during high school, you might as well do it sometime.
So anyway, up at 6 a.m. Saturday with 20 minutes to get ready and a short 20 minute drive. I decided not to bring my dog Rickie because I wanted to see if I could push myself and if my knee would hold up without having to pull gimpy dog along for the ride.
Arrive with 15 minutes to go. Pick up my race packet from Jenn and Charlie and then started to socialize until RD noticed I was still standing around in my sandals and reminded me to get ready!
I started off with Karen Wiggens and Janet Casal and friend who were going at an easy pace. But soon they were about a ½ step too fast for me and I was trying to get back to my MO of start slow, pass ‘em later.
I came upon Scotty Railton who I know through family and we ran together…he was one heck of a fast uphill walker which suited me so I started running with him, but his running pace was almost too fast for me! We stayed together for the rest of the first loop. At the aid station I asked Arthur if he was planning on running or if he was just going to hang out at the aid station all day (well he did already post this run as a “complete” on the MM site!) and he gave some lame excuse about being the RD.
Second loop. I felt like I picked up the pace slightly (although my time was slower due to a bathroom break). Don’t remember much here except coming upon Karen in the bushes. And I thought I was unabashed about squatting anywhere. Well, from now on I won’t worry about it. :) Passed by Janet who was conducting business on her cell phone and she said to slow down, so I told her to quit yappin’ on her phone. ;) I was also surprised to see Van here, but then I had to remind myself that she is running Big Horn next weekend! Towards the end I saw Jenn with the kids and the Martineau’s friend Chris (the post-race cook) doing a loop in the opposite direction. Got some nice high-fives from them.
Third loop felt like I was pushing it. Knee felt like it was floating around on downhills, but no pain. Around 1/2 way mark, I came upon Bill Barmore, going the opposite direction, who had come out to run a loop. He decided to turn around and run with me, which at first was tough because it’s hard to run another’s pace (especially when they’re running on fresh feet!), but I settled in. Plus it probably helped me keep my running pace up, but I made sure to be the leader when walking uphills.
We came upon Steve Stoyles and Rob Hester. Dang, for some reason I thought they were behind me. Steve said Rob was slowing down, but he looked good too me! And for all Rob’s saying that he’s not been running, he was doing really well. (They would finish right behind me.) Bill and I ran a stretch with them and then pulled ahead.
We got to what I think of as the first false finish where you start encountering homes and know you’re close, but still have about 5 more turns to go before the home stretch. When we come to the real final stretch I say ok, let’s do it and we push it to the finish. Total time was 4 hours 48 minutes. Jenn came and took care of me right away and asked what I needed, and I’m sure I told her I needed a beer or a foot rub. :)
I felt good about the run. No injury. And I am sore still in my legs which is unusual – lately I’ve only been hobbled by blisters, but after this run I had a hard time standing up. Had to pull my car up closer to the post-race BBQ so I could sit and eat.
Afterwards I caught up with everyone and we talked about the usual runner stuff – you know, bathroom and blister talk. Did my best to be the guest who overstays their welcome, but I had to go to a grad party for 5 of my husband’s cousins who were also graduating from high school.
Next up is Climb-A-Mountain in Spokane. I did my best to keep quiet about this lesser-attended run (because for me, it’s not about how fast I run, but about who shows up!). But I just saw that Van has signed up. :) Ah well, those eastern WA runners needed a little competition.
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