tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21838266343287443892024-02-06T19:29:04.985-08:00Stacey Cleveland<b>The trials, tribulations and training of an ultra runner.</b>sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-61868008431115940332018-12-23T13:33:00.001-08:002018-12-23T17:26:34.835-08:00Tucson MarathonI ran my first marathon 20 years ago in Vancouver. Despite being appallingly under-trained, I went in with the over-confident attitude that only a naive (arrogant?) 20-year-old can have. "How bad can it be?" I thought to myself. Really, really bad it turns out. Horrendous even. There were tears, blisters, cursing and chaffing. It was a massive suffer-fest that took me nearly 5 hours to complete (4:51 to be exact) and I couldn't walk properly for weeks afterwards.<br />
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I certainly didn't shuffle away with the sense that marathon running was "my thing". But, oddly enough, something about it made me happy. And somewhere along the way, it actually became my thing. Go figure!? When it comes to running, what I lack in natural ability, I make up in sheer determination. I think that's how, two decades later, I ended up with a PR and win at the <a href="http://tucsonmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Tucson Marathon</a>. Not talented, just stubborn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsjyB9gxJrw82ZIP78lME9Iu6v2ccedsVArkmzr06fNgsa5z9UPb7QErtrTe6jxuWY6gxNbBV8Q3iYh8eK-Bkw0ZSVJX9V7WVckvFtKBLEPHvF_-pZcB1BVDovhTRw0dC2-YBEA34Xvc/s1600/20181208_065244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsjyB9gxJrw82ZIP78lME9Iu6v2ccedsVArkmzr06fNgsa5z9UPb7QErtrTe6jxuWY6gxNbBV8Q3iYh8eK-Bkw0ZSVJX9V7WVckvFtKBLEPHvF_-pZcB1BVDovhTRw0dC2-YBEA34Xvc/s320/20181208_065244.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the race to start.</td></tr>
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Obviously, though, simply being obstinate will not win you a marathon. You need the support of others and I've got some pretty amazing people on my side. My husband is at the top of that list for so many reasons. Without him, I'd never make it to a single race start. Seriously, I can't read maps, I'm terrible with directions and I hate driving. Most importantly, he believes in me even when I don't believe in myself. As well, I have the good fortune of training with David Roche of <a href="https://swaprunning.com/" target="_blank">Some Work, All Play Running</a> and the progress I've made under his guidance these past two years is remarkable. (I've PR'd in almost every distance. At 40! WTF?!)<br />
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I definitely didn't go into the Tucson Marathon with any expectation of winning. I consider myself a trail runner who decides to do a marathon every few years and then regrets it. This time around, my only goal was to go under 3-hours (which has been my goal for more years than I care to admit). I had run a 3:04 at the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.com/2018/07/cascade-super-marathon.html" target="_blank">Cascade</a> trail marathon in July without much preparation and got the idea in my head that this was the year to give sub-3 another go. I selected the Tucson Marathon because I thought the Arizona weather in December would be ideal, it was an opportunity to visit my parents and in-laws and the downhill course profile was very appealing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy cruising in the early miles.</td></tr>
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My marathon specific training started in the fall and went extremely well. I didn't have any issues with injury or illness, and the weather this year could not have been better. I fully expected snowy streets to force me onto the treadmill for many of my long runs, but it never happened. I was able to log almost every mile outdoors. Based on my training efforts and a <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.com/2018/11/frosty-mtn-and-tnf-dirty-feet-tunnel-run.html" target="_blank">20km race</a> I did in November, I knew I was on track for a 2:58-3:02 marathon. Meaning that to go under 3 hours would require race day perfection - there would be no margin for error. One bathroom break or loose shoelace could make all the difference. I knew this going in so I think that's why I didn't stress when faced with the slightest of headwinds. Oftentimes, a headwind isn't a big deal unless it's a point-to-point course (like Tucson) in which case you'd better learn to love it because you're going to be stuck with it.<br />
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I was a little sad to see that I losing a couple of seconds per kilometre once the winds picked up, but as I was otherwise feeling great and having a fantastic race, I didn't let it get to me and actually stopped looking at my watch entirely at about 30kms. For the most part, the course is very open and runs alongside the Tucson-Globe Highway. There is one 5km out-and-back section around the halfway point where you get your only opportunity to see where you are in the field. I knew I was the third woman and was curious to see how far ahead the top two ladies were and how they looked. I also wanted to get a sense of the gap between me and the ladies behind me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other than a headwind, the weather was perfect!</td></tr>
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Fortunately, the turnaround confirmed for me that I could comfortably hold my pace and position and just settle in for the second half. I was not going to catch the ladies ahead of me who were looking strong and relaxed and showed no signs of fatigue, and there was enough distance between me and the next couple of ladies that I didn't feel vulnerable. Mentally, this was my happy place. I was following my race plan, feeling amazing and only had a half marathon to go. Sweet!<br />
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Somewhere around three miles from the finish, I realized that I was gaining on the 2nd place woman which suprised me. As I was still feeling pretty damn good, I decided to go for the pass. I did it with the best race face I could muster and didn't look back. I still feel like an ass for not saying anything to her but sometimes saying something seems insincere (i.e. "you look great", "way to go", "keep it up" etc. - when the person is clearly not having a good time) and I'm not a very chatty race person anyway. (We did talk at the finish and she is absolutely lovely. Hi Carrie if you're reading this!)<br />
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At this point in the race, we had caught up with some of the half marathoners so there were a lot of runners out on the course. With about a mile to go, I looked up and spotted what appeared to be the blue shirt of the lead marathon lady. I had assumed that she was long done by now and decided that she must be a half marathoner with a similar shirt. It wasn't until I was right behind her that I realized it <i>was</i> the leading woman and she was hurting. Still running well and feeling the pull of the finish line just around the corner, I passed her but indicated that she follow me so that we could finish together. Again, I felt bad going ahead so close to the finish when she had lead the whole race.<br />
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Clearly, though, she didn't have anything left so I continued on alone. I pushed hard in that final mile with "oh shit oh shit of shit" running through my head. I didn't think she would catch me but I also didn't want to let up just in case. I was ready to be done. When I crossed the finish line in 3:01:32 it was not disappointment I felt for missing my sub-3 goal, it was sheer joy for having run my best marathon ever and feeling so good in the process. Winning was the cherry on top. (<a href="https://www.athlinks.com/event/228282/results/Event/703739/Course/1146798/Results" target="_blank">Results here</a>.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish lines are always a welcome sight for tired legs.</td></tr>
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This year of running has probably been my most successful, both in terms of results and enjoyment. I still can't believe all that I've done without even the slightest hint of injury or burnout. And the fact that I turned 40 in September and am now racing as a Master with better times than I had in my twenties just adds to my awe of what the body is capable of when we treat it right and have a positive (and realistic) attitude.<br />
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I'm now in the process of planning my races for 2019 and there will be another road marathon on the schedule. I still haven't given up on my dream of a sub-3 hour marathon. If anything, there's more fuel in the fire now!<br />
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For the holidays and New Year, I wish you health, inspiration and time to pursue the things that make you happy!sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-32580683811013311672018-11-08T15:04:00.000-08:002018-11-09T11:23:45.120-08:00Frosty Mtn and the TNF Dirty Feet Tunnel Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Frosty Mountain 50k</b></div>
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By the time September comes around, I'm usually too busy and excited about the race that we put on (insert utterly shameless plug for the <a href="http://www.mightyquail.com/" target="_blank">Mighty Quail Trail 100k</a> here) to do more than get in a few runs and, if I'm lucky, maybe even a race. </div>
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Race reports, though, never seem to get written which means outstanding events like <a href="http://www.trailwhisperer.ca/frosty-mountain-ultra-trail/" target="_blank">Frosty Mountain</a> are overlooked. Why this race isn't more popular and doesn't sell out like so many less scenic and more expensive events, I'll never understand. Frosty Mountain rocks! If you haven't done it, do it! Let 2019 be your year to discover this gem of a race. Both the 27k and 50k courses offer a satisfying challenge and lots of stellar views. There's a 10k too but I haven't done it so can't vouch for its awesomeness.</div>
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There's something about Frosty that attracts kooky people and I think I met most of them this year. (And, just to clarify, I mean fun kooky, not if I met them alone in a dark alley I would run away screaming kind of kooky.) For example, there was the fleece jacket guy, who, despite mild temperatures, claimed he didn't need to ditch his fuzzy sweater because he was getting enough air circulation through the pit zips. I figured he must have been at least a little uncomfortable as I was wearing far less and feeling quite toasty. Then I met another runner who wanted to tell me about his chaffed balls and I decided that he deserved the prize for the worst race day outfit. And perhaps the biggest overshare to a stranger...</div>
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Anyway, I finished the race first woman and second overall in a time of 5:28:26 - just over a minute behind the top man and less than three minutes off the women's course record. Will I be back? You betcha!</div>
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Results <a href="http://www.trailwhisperer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2018-Frosty-finale-results-this-is-it-50-k-corrected.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<b>The North Face Dirty Feet Tunnel Run 20k</b></div>
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This was my fourth - and fastest! - <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/trail-running-races/november-penticton/" target="_blank">TNF Dirty Feet Tunnel Run</a>. I was sort of using it to test my fitness for the Tucson Marathon next month where I'm aiming for a PR. Having met my goal of going under 1:25 at the Tunnel Run, I'm hoping that will boost my confidence for the marathon, which I'm still expecting to be hard AF!?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is THE tunnel!</td></tr>
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My <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/" target="_blank">Dirty Feet</a> friends, Phil, Grace and Pickles (the dog), put on this great race and I try to do it every year if we're in town. Out and back runs on the KVR trail are the bread-and-butter of my workouts so it's a surface and grade that I'm very comfortable with. And being a local race usually means I'll see lots of people I know. </div>
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Because the race is held around Halloween, costumes are encouraged and there are some great ones! I'm always amazed by what some people are willing to run 10k/20k in (the race can be done solo or as a relay in teams of two) and also curious about how these outfits are cleaned afterwards. I dressed up one year but didn't find wearing what was essentially a gigantic polyester tent very conducive to running fast so have stuck with my usual race kit ever since. So boring, I know.</div>
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Results <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/results-2/2018-results/nov-4th-run/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less than 4k to the finish.</td></tr>
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Based on these two write-ups, it would seem that I'm preoccupied with "proper" race attire. I'm really not, but I have done my share of overheating and chaffing in the past and would happily help others avoid making the mistakes I've made. However, as most people don't appreciate unsolicited advice, I'll just keep my thoughts on race day fashions to myself...and my blog. ;)sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-74102688622183454222018-08-11T14:19:00.002-07:002018-08-12T13:51:50.764-07:00Idaho Peak UltraHad you asked me immediately after crossing the finish line if I enjoyed the <a href="http://kootenaysufferfest.com/idaho-peak-summit-race/" target="_blank">Idaho Peak Ultra</a>, I think I would have had a hard time answering. My initial feeling upon finishing is that I was very glad to be done and wouldn't want to do it again. With hindsight, though, I can honestly say that it was a great race and I will likely go back next year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally finished!</td></tr>
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There aren't a lot of races that I want to return to, especially in consecutive years, but sometimes you have to make exceptions to your own silly, arbitrary rules. There are two main reasons I'd go back to Idaho Peak. One is completely ego driven - at the finish, I found out that I'd missed the course record by about two minutes and since I don't feel like I ran my best race this year, I want to see how I do when I'm not fighting a migraine. And on a day that's a few (or 10!) degrees cooler. </div>
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The second - and more important factor - is that I received this highly unusual trophy that is mine for the year, but must be returned. I don't imagine I can easily ship it through Canada Post so I guess I'll be hand delivering it and if I'm going to be in the neighbourhood anyway, I might as well race, right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM6Fljao4ZQGW_qw43WxTs_05HRMqkcQdco9jC6RVFfLKQnRxNuYfNR-7yH6Bq7bKpt0XEUWGZHVRbSg7o_7RHjKqRqWvc4puSX120CFSyQrlwc-lgMUsza30UzB3o9L8t0S7FcZUax4/s1600/IMG_20180729_065139776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM6Fljao4ZQGW_qw43WxTs_05HRMqkcQdco9jC6RVFfLKQnRxNuYfNR-7yH6Bq7bKpt0XEUWGZHVRbSg7o_7RHjKqRqWvc4puSX120CFSyQrlwc-lgMUsza30UzB3o9L8t0S7FcZUax4/s320/IMG_20180729_065139776.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a kind trophy art</td></tr>
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My one regret for this race was underestimating the elevation gain (approximately 2,200 metres over 45km according to the race website, although my Garmin showed it being a bit less for both elevation and distance). Whatever the exact numbers are, it's a shitload of climbing, coming almost entirely in the first half. When Dave commented on the vert after looking at the course profile, I should have listened because the guy knows numbers and can climb like a goat. However, I brazenly disregarded his concern knowing that I like climbing and generally do well at it. How bad can it really be?</div>
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Well, let me just say that after 18 kilometres of climbing, I didn't like climbing very much anymore and couldn't wait to start descending which is a new and scary feeling for me. The photo below does not do justice to the steepness of the last climb up to the peak. I was scrambling up using my hands for sections and worried that if I leaned too far back, I'd go ass over tea kettle down the mountain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOtNF_HtB8x2u1h0SERILWc5fUlQ1tpDlPShps7blRPT9X0Ql-u0wF-nyFBrN_aSQF0VmVa9ELBi_TzEMkGTl7KSZYXrhy96TfUejc8g8JHGb7roMaJsk10a5m1rCL64ykDMKRzJQgRY/s1600/37932910_10155899579728925_8322916088660623360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOtNF_HtB8x2u1h0SERILWc5fUlQ1tpDlPShps7blRPT9X0Ql-u0wF-nyFBrN_aSQF0VmVa9ELBi_TzEMkGTl7KSZYXrhy96TfUejc8g8JHGb7roMaJsk10a5m1rCL64ykDMKRzJQgRY/s320/37932910_10155899579728925_8322916088660623360_n.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final push up to the Idaho Peak lookout.</td></tr>
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By far, the best views of the course were along the ridgeline from the fire lookout tower. I was mostly focused on the trail and darting around day hikers, but occasionally I'd look up and be absolutely blown away by the beauty around me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reward for all that climbing</td></tr>
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After reaching the high point, it was finally time to switch into downhill mode. I blew through the second aid station without stopping and Dave let me know that there were two women who were only a minute or so behind me at the first aid station. It was not exactly what I wanted to hear as I was still feeling crappy with a throbbing head and it was starting to get hot. I would have preferred a larger gap between me and the other ladies, but what are you going to do. Just keep running, I guess! </div>
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Knowing that I don't do the downs as well as the ups, I tried to stay focused on keeping a consistent pace and effort. And not falling on my face. I saw Dave again (he was biking parts of the course) between the third and fourth aid stations and he let me know that I had increased my lead significantly by the second aid station so I felt a bit less pressure but didn't want to ease up much just in case.</div>
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The final few kilometres of the race followed the river and included a cable car crossing, which I thought was going to be gimmicky, but was actually quite fun and the volunteers there were very efficient and didn't waste any time sending me across. </div>
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The <a href="http://kootenaysufferfest.com/" target="_blank">Kootenay Sufferfest</a> crew, who puts on this race and some other very cool events (running, biking and multi-sport), are doing a great job of promoting tourism and trail use in one of my favourite areas of BC and it makes me happy to support them and their efforts! </div>
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Race results here:</div>
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sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-23612680806552830372018-07-13T15:33:00.000-07:002018-07-13T15:33:18.344-07:00Cascade Super MarathonWhen I sent an email to my coach (<a href="https://swaprunning.com/" target="_blank">David Roche</a>) at the end of May saying: 1. that I wanted to add a marathon to my summer race plans 2. said marathon was taking place in one month and 3. I wanted it to be my fastest marathon ever; I'm pretty sure his initial reaction must have been "ARE YOU CRAZY?!? (He probably would have inserted an F bomb in there too because he's very expressive that way.)<br />
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Fortunately, David is a wise man and probably realized that I was foolish enough to attempt it with or without his blessing so he'd better get on board and try to minimize the damage that I might inflict on myself; thus, undoing all the careful and cautious post-injury running babysteps we've taken together over the past year and a half.<br />
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His one caveat to agreeing to this last minute marathon was that I would scrap my plan to do the Fragrance Lake Half Marathon three weeks before it. To which I relied, "um, nope, I think I'll still do that one too." (Race report <a href="https://staceyontherun.blogspot.com/2018/06/fragrance-lake-half-marathon.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) Good lord, who knew I was so difficult?? (<i>Lord to Stacey: EVERYONE knew! Your husband, parents, brother, friends, colleagues, neighbours, even the freakin' mailman had his suspicions and he's only been on the job a week.</i>)<br />
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So long story short, I did the marathon and it was AWESOME! I won't bore you with all the details of what I ate the night before or how many trips I took to the porta potty race morning, but I will say that I had as perfect a race as I could have hoped for.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQe4E940tSbbE3QGnQerJxetsai7cqzNdhNsWddMPuqrADhxrJ3sb5me7kXxrkMIjyi1WUoPOGbDN4it0NuBuTe0qXAMWYi8VJTpBzWezNDlm5PuLcg394uYGIlrJvz3vHxGCsJ-4AVc/s1600/FB_IMG_1530636218899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1072" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQe4E940tSbbE3QGnQerJxetsai7cqzNdhNsWddMPuqrADhxrJ3sb5me7kXxrkMIjyi1WUoPOGbDN4it0NuBuTe0qXAMWYi8VJTpBzWezNDlm5PuLcg394uYGIlrJvz3vHxGCsJ-4AVc/s320/FB_IMG_1530636218899.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the turnaround at mile 2.5.</td></tr>
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Being an old rail bed, the mostly downhill course was fast and slightly more forgiving than asphalt as the surface was comprised of dirt and gravel. There was a very cool 2.4 mile tunnel that we ran through requiring flashlights because it was so dark inside. Race day temperatures where mild and calm and, thanks to all the aid stations, I didn't have to carry anything for hydration, which was nice for a change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VetfrmJX4-OLHzNnNVe8VbQYfAIWmKxFY2BnHvJTXuHWHlv-CfnB1JUIaxdUvTJvHBufT_9BttLRp2O5lFHO498XfVryyOhsQMOEC0T7YMacXar5rWCdLs0FcHAOmHTA_Sadbf4NOu4/s1600/20180630-_DSC1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VetfrmJX4-OLHzNnNVe8VbQYfAIWmKxFY2BnHvJTXuHWHlv-CfnB1JUIaxdUvTJvHBufT_9BttLRp2O5lFHO498XfVryyOhsQMOEC0T7YMacXar5rWCdLs0FcHAOmHTA_Sadbf4NOu4/s320/20180630-_DSC1226.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several trestle bridges we crossed.</td></tr>
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Like I said, it was a good day. The race was well organized and everything went smoothly, yet I still missed my long sought after goal of a sub-3 hour marathon by four minutes and 57 seconds. Sigh...I guess that means I'm going to have to do another one of these damn things!? (Full results <a href="http://www.itsyourrace.com/results.aspx?id=9537" target="_blank">here</a>.) Instead of dwelling on what I didn't achieve, I'm going to celebrate the fact that I won the women's race and got a marathon personal best time by over two minutes. That, my friends, deserves a <i>woo hoo</i>! And also a round (or two) of beers. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDfs_UHdaBWusLftEYxNQgzPFtUEpUnZYN1WUf5FVExvuPE4nAuGh3rzdK0G_6dL_8vLQPux_YfUKTzl9_KpEfGLU0Qbv3VFrasM8ttJ5m5oDnvTr2tc65ogGnQWpPpK4h2MM3IgGBLM/s1600/36571965_1180267682116506_1601068957891035136_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1098" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDfs_UHdaBWusLftEYxNQgzPFtUEpUnZYN1WUf5FVExvuPE4nAuGh3rzdK0G_6dL_8vLQPux_YfUKTzl9_KpEfGLU0Qbv3VFrasM8ttJ5m5oDnvTr2tc65ogGnQWpPpK4h2MM3IgGBLM/s320/36571965_1180267682116506_1601068957891035136_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no plans to go to Boston, but it's nice to have qualified!</td></tr>
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There's a very good chance this won't be my last <a href="https://cascadesuperseries.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Super Marathon</a>. I would definitely consider returning for another sub-3 hour attempt. But next time I'll give myself more than a month to train for it. (You're welcome, coach!)sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-38474386612851612472018-06-13T11:39:00.000-07:002018-06-20T11:24:48.286-07:00Fragrance Lake Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If I'm drinking beer at 11am on a Saturday, it's either been a really good or a really bad day. This time, fortunately, it was the former. I'd only decided to do the <a href="http://www.bellinghamtrail.com/p/fragrance-lake-10k20k.html" target="_blank">Fragrance Lake Half Marathon</a> about a week in advance and wasn't specifically trained or tapered for it, but like most of my races this year, I just wanted to run fun trails, visit new places and meet cool people, and I succeeded. </div>
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I love the trail running community and am continually impressed with the amazing people that I meet. This weekend, I had the pleasure of sharing a few miles and laughs with my <a href="https://swaprunning.com/" target="_blank">SWAP</a> teammate, Nikki, right from the start which put me in a really good mood and filled me with positive energy. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Nikki cruising along the Interurban trail</td></tr>
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I had run parts of the Fragrance Lake course before when I raced <a href="https://staceyontherun.blogspot.com/2012/03/chuckanut-50k-race-report.html" target="_blank">Chuckanut 50km</a> and the <a href="https://staceyontherun.blogspot.com/2012/11/bellingham-trail-marathon-race-report.html" target="_blank">Bellingham Trail Marathon</a> so I had an idea what to expect. With over 3,300 feet of vertical, it's definitely not an easy race, but I knew I'd be okay on the climb (always my favourite part), could handle the quad-pounding descent if the footing wasn't too tricky (it wasn't) and then I'd just have to try not to die on the technical ridge trail (slick from heavy rainfall the day prior...ugh). </div>
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Although, I didn't exactly enjoy the ridge trail, I did survive it with no blood shed or bones broken so that's something. I know I lost a fair bit of time along that section (exacerbated by an emergent yet still annoying "pit stop"!?) so I expected someone to overtake me, but no one did. Whew!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvFssqyXRH_v7VFhCEZoQkiyGizHCHnJxgPrmE2rEcnRd9Ynmz0CbxPbI3iWZgK-T_S9flT5-uGUhNSTLXW4rO9xuQHurRYZ-MjmtO-Opq6NV-cx4OxgDOanH3-g7QasJYZKNPiEA-UA/s1600/35193545_10157518323629972_7305279804700360704_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvFssqyXRH_v7VFhCEZoQkiyGizHCHnJxgPrmE2rEcnRd9Ynmz0CbxPbI3iWZgK-T_S9flT5-uGUhNSTLXW4rO9xuQHurRYZ-MjmtO-Opq6NV-cx4OxgDOanH3-g7QasJYZKNPiEA-UA/s320/35193545_10157518323629972_7305279804700360704_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the up!</td></tr>
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Once Nikki and I split up at the start of the climb, I ran almost entirely alone. The second place man was within sight for most of the first half but then I caught him near the top of the climb. He later passed me in the final kilometre which burns me a bit because I thought I was doing pretty well on the downhill. I guess I'm going to have to work on my finishing kick! </div>
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After the race, I had a nice chat with <a href="https://mariadalzot.blogspot.com/2018/06/fragrance-lake-half-marathon-summer.html?m=1" target="_blank">Maria Dalzot</a> who was the OVERALL winner and holds the women's course record. I'm totally okay with coming in second to an elite runner like Maria! It's also pretty awesome to see four women in the top 10. </div>
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Full results <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=51646" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top 3 ladies - speedy and colourful :)</td></tr>
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Thanks to Tad Davis for the photos and to <a href="https://www.destinationtrailrun.com/home.html" target="_blank">Destination Trail</a> for putting on this fantastic race!</div>
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And, as always, my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to my husband Dave and <a href="https://swaprunning.com/about-the-coaches" target="_blank">coach David</a> for their roles in getting me to the starting line of every race happy and healthy. </div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-89469662552354905312018-05-26T22:45:00.000-07:002018-05-29T10:09:50.099-07:009 Months, 8 Races LaterI'm back! Now before I start making excuses for essentially abandoning this blog, I'd like to say this...I love running again! It's true. For awhile (hmm, like most of 2014-2016) I didn't, which really sucked because running has always been my thing, my go-to happy place. Except when it wasn't. Those times when my hamstring throbbed after every run and my stomach revolted during every race just left me feeling sad, frustrated and empty.<br />
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But I kept on running (and occasionally racing) partly out of habit but mostly because I thought I could force happiness. It didn't work - shocking, I know! However, things have finally turned around. My hamstring is nearly back to normal and I am getting some speed back in these old legs thanks to <a href="https://swaprunning.com/" target="_blank">Coach David</a>. (I never expected to be posting some of my fastest times at almost 40!!?)<br />
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I've done eight races since my last blog entry and as I have neither the memory nor patience to write that many recaps, I'm going to be lazy and simply add a few pics and words about some of them.<br />
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<b>Sun Mountain 25km</b><br />
I think my face says it all: I love this race! This photo was taken just past the halfway point of one of my all-time favourite trail running events. Put on by Race Director extraordinaire James Varner of <a href="http://www.rainshadowrunning.com/" target="_blank">Rainshadow Running</a>, the Sun Mountain 50km was my first ever ultra (and <a href="https://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2010/06/my-first-entry.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>!) and will forever hold a special place in my heart. I have been to this race four times now, having also run the 50-mile and 100km distances, and always had a blast. I thrive on these trails and this course has been kind to me. This year, I was second woman and sixth overall. So much fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzcWlUyJzEzDg4vxSrlIAB0uiUr1RawEdS7qK9Pba4oRBD_WKgWGV4XnzMDPmlO-TBOZYmcAzbZip9BjFMBSa3rUMbrEIRyHoq8fspmvO8jmwcyiiojnVGZQYjMKMSPvpN1UnkyqP_K0/s1600/76735993-IMG_0887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1226" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzcWlUyJzEzDg4vxSrlIAB0uiUr1RawEdS7qK9Pba4oRBD_WKgWGV4XnzMDPmlO-TBOZYmcAzbZip9BjFMBSa3rUMbrEIRyHoq8fspmvO8jmwcyiiojnVGZQYjMKMSPvpN1UnkyqP_K0/s400/76735993-IMG_0887.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Glenn Tachiyama Photography</td></tr>
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<b>Leona Divide 50km</b><br />
My first big race of 2018 and the kick-off to our California road trip. I lucked out with great weather and a beautiful course, consisting mostly of the Pacific Crest Trail. My favourite takeaway from Leona Divide is running almost 40 kilometres with this amazing gal. Not only an incredibly talented runner, but also an absolute sweetheart and it was wonderful to share the trails with her. We were both aiming for a sub-5 hour finish and decided to work together to make it happen. Even if my stomach hadn't started turning during the final 5 miles of the race forcing me to drop back, I would still have been rooting for Emma to take the win. She's just that nice. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to catch the 1st place lady but finished strong in 2nd and I was about 5 minutes behind her in 3rd. (Three ladies in the top 10 - woo hoo!!) We both easily broke 5 hours and made the list of top 10 fastest times ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Rudy (Emma's man)</td></tr>
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<b>Interior Running Association (IRA) Races</b><br />
I'm pretty sure at some point I said (with a sneer) there's no way I'd ever go back to road racing. Well, never say never. I've done two IRA road races this year (the <a href="http://www.interiorrunningassociation.com/oliver-10k.html" target="_blank">Oliver 10km</a> and <a href="http://www.interiorrunningassociation.com/blossom-10-miler.html" target="_blank">Blossom 10-miler</a>) and enjoyed them way more than I was expecting. Shifting focus from 50-plus mile events to mostly 25- and 50-kilometre races means racing shorter distances more often and at a faster pace. I find both of those things kind of scary, but that's probably why it's good for me to do them. It's also nice to occasionally be social (as an introvert I struggle with this) and to support the local running community. Plus, there are good prizes like wine!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT1uxqP6_WMgHbfzQkOiwjaZmSk4uPtZ4PrxL6I9yLthyphenhyphenF63hmmLfZnH0XlJC6UIfalCP61BsdQPzoVYpEPr5z14lnez2u1P_nwJfrjJ4hOZ3BpSn46-meVJtnDVhc_H0VORBkkvcckY/s1600/_DSC2545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT1uxqP6_WMgHbfzQkOiwjaZmSk4uPtZ4PrxL6I9yLthyphenhyphenF63hmmLfZnH0XlJC6UIfalCP61BsdQPzoVYpEPr5z14lnez2u1P_nwJfrjJ4hOZ3BpSn46-meVJtnDVhc_H0VORBkkvcckY/s320/_DSC2545.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Vlad Zamecnik</td></tr>
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<b>Dirty Feet 20km Tunnel Run</b><br />
This is always a fun end-of-year race to do. Phil and Grace Hiom of <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/" target="_blank">Dirty Feet</a> have it dialed in terms of putting on a well organized and attended event with a fun, low-key vibe. I've done this race at least three times and what makes this one memorable is that I decided to run to and from the race, almost doubling the distance. My intent wasn't to be heroic. Quite the opposite actually. As you can see from the photo below, conditions were not ideal and since I hate winter driving, I decided it would be safer to run to the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxXuJCt-18aIjuuSmup-mhODLJRnYVbo0ps6OpwUztQNjCTIYOvT78z_AKm4tefk7eABWT5W8fkucsXJ1Ccqln3iFOeAiYPGCwuuksuKDi0TIn7_eCe3eaWp4Yy67fo7v-VPwVdFmDyU/s1600/23405691_1608358165891030_6469418802901635242_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxXuJCt-18aIjuuSmup-mhODLJRnYVbo0ps6OpwUztQNjCTIYOvT78z_AKm4tefk7eABWT5W8fkucsXJ1Ccqln3iFOeAiYPGCwuuksuKDi0TIn7_eCe3eaWp4Yy67fo7v-VPwVdFmDyU/s320/23405691_1608358165891030_6469418802901635242_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Phil Hiom</td></tr>
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<b>Frosty Mountain 27km</b></div>
I don't know why I didn't do a write-up for this one - it was my best race of the year! Maybe that's why. I think bad races are easier to write about because inevitably something funny and/or embarrassing happens that you're going to want to share with a bunch of random strangers on the Internet. Good races are just plain boring. On this occasion, though, I'll take boring.<br />
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A former coach used to encourage me to "go Kamikaze" in races, but it's just not in my DNA to go all out. My self-preservation instincts are too strong. I've probably done more than 100 races over the past two decades and can recall exactly three times when this crazy competitive drive kicked in and it was both terrifying and exhilarating. Anyway, Frosty was one of those times when I decided to go for it. I had a perfect race, winning outright and setting a new women's course record. (My father-in-law is still in disbelief that I, a girl, could beat ALL the boys. Every time he brings it up, it makes me smile.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Daryl Spencer</td></tr>
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<b>Mighty Quail 100km</b></div>
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Frosty might have been my best race of 2017, but the Mighty Quail 100km was by far my favourite. I didn't run it, but instead helped organize it, along with Dave and our friends Andrew and Magda. It was probably one of the most stressful and satisfying things I've ever been involved with and I am so proud of what we created. Find out more at: <a href="http://www.mightyquail.com/">www.mightyquail.com</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKibjKHzJ1llmY9oncNlxVJr3wS6ibL7UfdYHKdxJgrZVCPYQU9GkOE-emwJnClgp8tsMincvXz9A8Iss43dGwsMlXc-BNpNgbWmIkILTguIYpHz1A40UTsvHZ28AhuGAo3_PL5vaeDdY/s1600/MightyquailshootMay+%2528155+of+318%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKibjKHzJ1llmY9oncNlxVJr3wS6ibL7UfdYHKdxJgrZVCPYQU9GkOE-emwJnClgp8tsMincvXz9A8Iss43dGwsMlXc-BNpNgbWmIkILTguIYpHz1A40UTsvHZ28AhuGAo3_PL5vaeDdY/s320/MightyquailshootMay+%2528155+of+318%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Aaron Barry Photography</td></tr>
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Since the theme of this post seems to be love, friendship and gratitude, I'm going to wrap things up by thanking my husband Dave for his support through all my racing highs and lows. I think my struggles with running and injuries have often been harder on him as I have a selective memory and forget the really bad times. I'm pretty sure all he wants is for me to retire from racing and yet he knows how happy it makes me when things are going well so he's willing to stay up late scrolling through event calendars with me and planning all our holidays around my race schedule. What a guy!<br />
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I'm also grateful for my wonderful friends who put up with me even though I often can't do anything with them because I'm going for a run, recovering from a run or going to bed early because I have to run in the morning. And they refrain from making piggy noises when I eat twice as much as everyone else at the table!</div>
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sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-57956337296345158092017-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:002017-08-24T06:52:23.342-07:00Waldo 100k Race ReportWhere's Waldo? Well, he's not hanging out in my GI tract because I emptied it on the course and didn't find him there. I didn't realize that when I added the <a href="http://waldo100k.org/" target="_blank">Waldo 100k</a> to my bucket list of races, that I would literally need a bucket during the race for all the puking I'd do, but perhaps that was short-sighted of me. Based on previous long-distance race experience, a bucket should be on my mandatory gear list. When will I learn??!<br />
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I can make light of it now because I fully get that in the grand scheme of things, having a shitty race doesn't matter, like, at all. Still, I'm disappointed. My training for Waldo went really well and I'm healthy and uninjured for the first time in years so I was expecting good things. Maybe even great things if I'm being completely honest.<br />
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Since joining the <a href="http://someworkallplay.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">SWAP</a> (Some Work, All Play) training group in February and working with coach David Roche, I've been logging some of the biggest mileage weeks I've ever done and instead of getting sick or worn down like I have in the past with larger training loads, I'm feeling strong, fit and happy and that in itself is a huge accomplishment.<br />
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Earlier in the year, I made the conscious decision to race less with the hope that I would enjoy racing more. I only did one 50k event (<a href="http://www.skisilverstar.com/events/slay-dragon-trail-running-race" target="_blank">Slay the Dragon</a>) leading up to Waldo and I can see now that that was probably a mistake. While my stomach held for 50k at Slay the Dragon, it was starting to go off by the end of the race which is about the same point things went sideways at Waldo.<br />
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And I think I took for granted that I didn't have any nutrition issues on my long training runs. But then again, I never do! It seems there's something about racing that triggers a seriously leaky gut and I have yet to find a solution for it. The other possibility is that I've developed a psychosomatic aversion to racing that manifests itself in severe and prolonged vomiting episodes in events over 50k. Either way, it blows...chunks - ha, ha.<br />
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Race week was dreamy. I slept well, ate well and even gave up beer (mostly). I couldn't have asked for a better lead up to a big race. I was so excited to run this one. Having seen a lot of the course beforehand, I knew it was totally up my alley - non-technical, cruise-y singletrack trails with lots of climbing. It's like a roller coaster made for running.<br />
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The first half of the race flew by uneventfully. I was pacing well and staying on top of my food and hydration. I had a minor fall descending the rocky summit of Mt. Fuji leading to a bloodied knee and shoulder which the aid station volunteers wanted to clean up, but I politely refused because A. it didn't hurt and B. I thought it looked badass.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only photo from Waldo</td></tr>
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Coming into the Charlton Lake aid station at mile 32, I was on track for a sub-12 hour finish (my goal) and sitting comfortably in 4th place amongst the women. Then I started getting queasy. I decided to slow my pace considerably in the hope that I could settle my stomach, but it was too late. Within half an hour of leaving the aid station, the barf fest started and the party didn't stop until I rolled into the finish many looooong hours of slow walking - and puking - later. (Total time 14:22, 12th woman.)<br />
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It was an absolutely miserable 8+ hour period of my life that I would love to get back. I probably should have dropped out earlier but quitting is no fun either and I was pretty sure I could make the cut-offs even in my compromised state. Plus, I really needed another trucker hat for my collection...<br />
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Fortunately, there were some lighter moments. In a failed attempt to win a booby prize (not real boobies), I decided to go for the Show Us Your Waldo (also not what you're thinking) contest which is a spirit award voted on by the aid stations. Lacking any real talent, the best I could come up with was to Prancercise in and out of the aid stations. Yes, Prancercise. Based on the blank - and often confused - stares I received, it seems not a lot of people are familiar with Prancercising. If you're one of them, I suggest you check out the video below. It's kinda awesome! (But didn't win me the prize.)<br />
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I also met my doppelganger at Waldo and she's a lovely wife and mother of one from Bend, Oregon, and her husband and daughter were very excited to point out that not only do we bear an uncanny resemblance and race day fashion sense, but apparently we also run the same and share a fondness for stopping to pets dogs at aid stations.<br />
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And then there were the amazing ladies running the med tent at the finish who were able to give me a wonderful prescription strength anti-nausea medication that fixed me up well enough that within a couple of hours of staggering across the line (with Dora by my side!) I was up and actually able enjoy some of the post-race festivities that <a href="http://www.rainshadowrunning.com/" target="_blank">Rainshadow Running</a> is known for - like pizza!<br />
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It was sweet how many other racers who had seen me struggling on the course stopped by after the race to tell me they were happy that I finished. Apparently, I looked as bad as I felt out there!? This sense of community created out on the trails - in good times and bad - is one of the best things about ultra racing.sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-23051444574395287862017-07-10T08:56:00.000-07:002017-07-11T11:32:28.744-07:00Dragon SlayingFor my first race of the year, I decided to do a new 50k at Silver Star Resort called "<a href="http://www.skisilverstar.com/events/slay-dragon-trail-running-race" target="_blank">Slay the Dragon</a>" which includes the nearly completed Beowulf trail that has been four years in the making and was built by bikers for bikers. And it felt like that. I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way, but there are trail features for mountain biking that just aren't as much fun for running, like berms and tight switchbacks...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-OnEY992bUEmVdrBU5_4ni9z6CoqqGBGCGHinYWYV6uXL0nzubNFz2rJ_sN511mvWX1x2gGEkW3dAcwfWFcUlawx1HOr8qk5P49F6YwH2dqSpYasEhGEkcPiTZ0Ffy0cOG-gqUYMIM/s1600/silverstar-biking-trails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="1600" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-OnEY992bUEmVdrBU5_4ni9z6CoqqGBGCGHinYWYV6uXL0nzubNFz2rJ_sN511mvWX1x2gGEkW3dAcwfWFcUlawx1HOr8qk5P49F6YwH2dqSpYasEhGEkcPiTZ0Ffy0cOG-gqUYMIM/s320/silverstar-biking-trails.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a 10k descent, followed by a 10k climb</td></tr>
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It was still a fun course, though, even if some sections lacked flow, and I'm pretty sure my mountain biking friends will love it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random internet guy, not an actual friend</td></tr>
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Mostly, I just wanted to get in a low-key training race before the <a href="http://waldo100k.org/" target="_blank">Waldo 100k</a> in August and this was the perfect event for that. I got to test my gut and hamstring on a hot, tough course and both held up well (sorta...keep reading). Hopefully, that means those concerns are mostly fixed, or at least good enough to run hard and get a few more miles on this body.<br />
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Since February, I've been working with David Roche at <a href="http://someworkallplay.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Some Work, All Play</a> and his guidance has been incredibly helpful. I credit his cautious and conservative approach for my successful return to running with a torn hammy. He's also hilarious and makes training a lot of fun!<br />
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As for my stomach, well, it got me through the race just fine. I ate and drank throughout and didn't have any problems...until the car rode home and then things went south. Dave was forced to pull off the highway with little warning so I could fall out the car door and do some retching into the gravel. I thought that was as bad as it could get until we got stuck in a traffic jam near Peachland and couldn't pull over so I had to do my barfing into a plastic bag which I later learned had a hole in the bottom. I think the resale value of our Subaru went down that weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ3f9MculssUYp0Sfkl1oUcD8e-JZcWcIr_DVhjW0IYKDHDE3pBrqEOzpag3LGBkg7BEe57Fhgp2O6EUVvVJcT0vd5j6Y2cb3riWBjSwlg-VugzcRWrCr5gHgd78UNCMcSOc8dqzdl1c/s1600/car-sick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ3f9MculssUYp0Sfkl1oUcD8e-JZcWcIr_DVhjW0IYKDHDE3pBrqEOzpag3LGBkg7BEe57Fhgp2O6EUVvVJcT0vd5j6Y2cb3riWBjSwlg-VugzcRWrCr5gHgd78UNCMcSOc8dqzdl1c/s320/car-sick.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random internet dog, not my actual dog</td></tr>
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Anyway, we finally made it home (longest drive from Vernon EVER) and after a couple hours of moaning miserably on various flat surfaces (i.e. the floor and couch), I was totally fine and able to take down every edible in the kitchen like a professional eater.<br />
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The working theory for my post-race bout of pukiness is the evil Ibuprofen I popped mid-race to counter an increasingly throbbing headache. I probably won't do that again. But headaches suck too so I might have to.<br />
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As for the race itself, I was able to run the first mini loop of about 13k with a few friends doing Grendels' Mother - the 25k distance - so that was fun and helped passed the time. After that, I was pretty much on my own for long stretches. It was not a large race so the field was quite spread out.<br />
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I was happy with my pacing and on track for a 5:20 or so finish which I thought was pretty good, especially considering the course was looking to run a bit long and had a decent amount of vertical. Unfortunately, an unmarked (sabotaged?) intersection at around 44k earned me a few bonus kms as I tried to figure out where to go. I finally found my way back on the course and dragged my ass over the finish line (or finish area since there didn't actually appear to be any kind of line or chute) in 5:46 for 54k. That was good enough for 1st woman and 5th overall. Results <a href="https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=105904" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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For a first-time event, I thought the organizers did a great job. There were a few minor hiccups along the way, but I'm sure they'll have them sorted out for next year.<br />
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-67850451654437316882017-03-02T12:23:00.000-08:002017-03-02T12:39:26.846-08:00Winter HibernationI definitely tend towards introversion on the social scale at the best of times, but come winter, my hermit-like tendencies kick it into high gear. And this winter - with its prolonged periods of cold, snowy weather - was no exception.<br />
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Not that I'm complaining, I've read some excellent books (I highly recommend anything by Chimamanada Ngozi Adichie), made enough soup to fill a swimming pool, filled every available inch of freezer space with baking and did a lot of nothing.<br />
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Well, almost nothing...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were some fun family snowshoe adventures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpziaj_r4Vjckq733vbCFo_LpBCgbOmvQQVS4hnDySJDcqWBwlT9Q6geP8irTjBN2ZAtDVWcd-dz7pud9FHnnqRdJ5of5woN3dAzzsoGaFf_fC9yhrIY_i6HtCi0BoX1JKEbBFXpTQM4/s1600/IMG_20170209_083541301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpziaj_r4Vjckq733vbCFo_LpBCgbOmvQQVS4hnDySJDcqWBwlT9Q6geP8irTjBN2ZAtDVWcd-dz7pud9FHnnqRdJ5of5woN3dAzzsoGaFf_fC9yhrIY_i6HtCi0BoX1JKEbBFXpTQM4/s320/IMG_20170209_083541301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski touring on the KVR.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ER9y0x11ZIrs9qim0i9GcvinfhacTYZIHiPza5XysktImltZswQXLAP06Pv5ZgUUbnRy2sWu8zGmom8OUeY9H5HeiJJDEAWC3Yv7IVYnq6OMVUSfiKVKuwt1vpBM3Je773fzHCNLerw/s1600/IMG_20170224_105940737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ER9y0x11ZIrs9qim0i9GcvinfhacTYZIHiPza5XysktImltZswQXLAP06Pv5ZgUUbnRy2sWu8zGmom8OUeY9H5HeiJJDEAWC3Yv7IVYnq6OMVUSfiKVKuwt1vpBM3Je773fzHCNLerw/s320/IMG_20170224_105940737.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And unusual yoga classes.</td></tr>
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After <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2016/12/the-north-face-endurance-challenge-50k.html" target="_blank">The North Face San Francisco Endurance Challenge</a> in December, I took two entire months off from running. I needed the time off to complete a series of prolotherapy treatments on my torn hamstring. I'm happy to report that I have a much happier hammy now. Not entirely pain-free, but at least improved enough to start thinking about some races.</div>
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Since I've been off for so long and gotten terribly out-of-shape, I've decided not to plan any early season races so that I can gradually build up my mileage and, hopefully, avoid more injuries and burnout. </div>
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My tentative 2017 race schedule looks something like this:</div>
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March - Elevator Multi Sport Relay (road biking)</div>
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April - Rainshadow Running Yakima 25km</div>
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May - Dirty Feet Kal Park 25km</div>
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June - Chelan Century Challenge 100-mile (road biking)</div>
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July - Slay the Dragon 50km</div>
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August - White River 50-mile</div>
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August - Waldo 100km</div>
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Hmmm, now it kinda looks like a lot!? Well, I'll just have to see how things go and how my body holds up to a bigger training load. I'm no spring chicken anymore after all ;)</div>
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I am, however, pretty excited that spring is coming! And I'm not the only one. My hairy little friend is looking forward to hitting the trails again too. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring on spring; we're ready for it!</td></tr>
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sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-6938529249242152022016-12-07T09:22:00.003-08:002016-12-08T11:20:56.285-08:00The North Face Endurance Challenge 50K <i>My arms and legs are pumping furiously and I keep looking over my shoulder for a glimpse of the girl in the hot pink shirt. I passed her a couple of kilometers back and now I'm certain she's chasing me down. Being more of the slow-and-steady type, a sprint finish is my worst nightmare. I know I'm close, I just need to hang on a bit longer.</i><br />
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<i>I sneak another peak behind me. There are so many runners on this final, slightly uphill road section where four of <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/en_ca/get-outdoors/endurance-challenge/california.html" target="_blank">The North Face Endurance Challenge</a> events -- 50mile, 50km, marathon and marathon relay -- converge that I can't spot her, but I sense she's closing in. And then I hear spectators shouting "Get her, Kelsey!" and "Go, Kelsey, go!"</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJAccTqV3SAzWH5NcAoktOOu3iUdKtYicfiX97yHjOcWtiEPRbhIAdgUvVbLMJAO57qLVEetVJ_dR92iqXlGfQTMX3YbG23RmMcRlY1cYwXY4NstmW9LhjPTSyS9FY3pw6PPF0xqdZEw/s1600/HowILookWhenIRun_1000x1000.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJAccTqV3SAzWH5NcAoktOOu3iUdKtYicfiX97yHjOcWtiEPRbhIAdgUvVbLMJAO57qLVEetVJ_dR92iqXlGfQTMX3YbG23RmMcRlY1cYwXY4NstmW9LhjPTSyS9FY3pw6PPF0xqdZEw/s320/HowILookWhenIRun_1000x1000.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure my face looked like this dog's as I sprinted for the finish!?</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In my mind, there were thousands of them all cheering for this Kelsey girl. In reality, it was probably only a couple of people, but it lit a fire under me and I was able to pick it up a bit. In my head, I'm thinking "sorry, Kelsey, not today, this is my day." (For the record, I don't know Kelsey nor have anything against her. I chatted with her after the race, and she was very nice.)</span></div>
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This mad dash to the finish seemed more exciting when I thought I was racing for 3rd place and a spot on the podium. It turns out you can't always believe what well-meaning volunteers and spectators tell you as I was actually 4th. Oh well, whatever, it was fun. And painful. But mostly fun.<br />
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In fact, the whole day was a blast. I can't remember when I last felt so strong and consistent for an entire race. It makes me very, very happy and relieved. Like I said, it's been awhile since I've experienced such euphoria on the trails with a number pinned on and I thought maybe that part of me was broken. Was it my best race result? Nope, but the races I find most personally satisfying usually aren't.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing views and lots of climbing (over 7,200ft)<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.ultraracephotos.com/">http://www.ultraracephotos.com/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was my third time at the Endurance Challenge, having run the 50-miler in 2011 (<a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2011/12/north-face-endurance-challenge.html" target="_blank">race report</a>) and 2012 (<a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-north-face-50-mile-endurance.html" target="_blank">race report</a>), and I continue to be very impressed by how well organized everything is, especially considering how many different events and athletes are involved. The course is scenic and well-marked, and there are plenty of aid stations. Plus, there is a nice selection of beer and hot food at the finish. And for once I wasn't suffering from post-race nausea so I could actually enjoy it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had originally planned on running the 50-mile distance until a random knee injury mid-October set my training back a few weeks, and I decided 50k would be smarter. And since Dave was also signed up for the 50k, I thought a little spousal rivalry would be fun. (Dave had a good day and finished 15th OA and 2nd in his age group; thus, kicking my ass - surprise, surprise. Full results </span><a href="https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-24511" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We arrived in San Francisco late Wednesday and spent the next two days exploring the Bay area on foot. It's such a beautiful city with so much to see and do, and we lucked out with perfect weather for the entire five days we were there. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best idea to walk that many city miles before a tough run, especially in hilly San Fran, but those are the trade-offs with a race holiday.</span><br />
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Another potential attempt at self-sabotage occurred the day before the race when we made the unwise (yet delicious!) decision to have the extra spicy Thai curry at lunch. I knew it was a bad idea even as Dave was ordering it and yet I said nothing. Miraculously, for a girl with a looooong history of GI probs during races, my stomach was totally fine on Saturday. Whew! Still, I probably won't do that again.<br />
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For once, I had absolutely no race drama. Everything went smoothly, which unfortunately means no funny stories for my race report -- sorry. All the things I worried might flare up (and it's a fairly long list these days!), didn't and I was able to focus on simply running, eating and drinking. I couldn't even obsess over the data as my Garmin hadn't charged properly so I went watch-less for the first time in an ultra. Initially, I felt a bit lost without it, but after awhile I didn't miss it at all and may race without it in the future. If I race again that is... ;)<br />
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Usually once my last race of the year is over, I can't wait to start making plans for next season. Not so this time. I really don't know what's next for me. For now, I'm going to take a bit of time off from running to deal with a few chronic niggles. I'm also looking forward to getting out on skis and snowshoes, and tackling the tower of books on my nightstand. I suspect before long, I'll be pulling out maps and scheming on spring road trips and adventures, but for now I'm going to enjoy some downtime with no big plans or training programs to follow.<br />
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This year has had its share of ups and downs but overall I'm satisfied with where I'm at and what I've accomplished. I've tried to listen to my body even if I didn't like what it was saying and that meant taking time off to rest, racing less, healing injuries, building strength and, most importantly, finding joy in running again.<br />
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A huge thanks to <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/en_ca/homepage.html" target="_blank">The North Face Canada</a> for your steadfast support and for making me look way cooler -- and faster -- than I actually am for the past three years. I'll never know why you decided to take a chance on sponsoring me, but I'm sure glad you did! #NeverStopExploring<br />
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Happy December my friends!sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0Marin County, CA, USA38.083403 -122.7633035999999737.2833505 -124.05419709999997 38.8834555 -121.47241009999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-80655176440455824252016-07-05T11:27:00.000-07:002016-07-06T13:01:17.167-07:00Summer Solstice 12 Hour RaceA week after the Bryce Canyon 100 fiasco, I spontaneously (and perhaps unwisely) decided to jump into the Summer Solstice 12 hour race. Why waste good training, right? I had mentally and physically prepared for a big race and felt robbed of the opportunity so it was like I was being given a second chance.<br />
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Also, as it was a low-key and small (like really, really small) first-time event, I could test the theory that my ongoing stomach problems during races is stress-related. Since no one I knew (except Dave) was aware that I was doing this race, there shouldn't be any pressure. And the idea of doing a "secret race" thrilled me. I'm kinda kooky that way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NXjKFMsyNqyFd2XmFeLkffqJtJP3LHBWKcBBtESPV8o_ZBK18Voke4Ay9XZYed1dmjXWBm1ZIMp56KsSwgxNxjkb63KtsVZOaXRXUu-H5psxm1mz03Kz-1t6T2xnRj58e34lz53RHQQ/s1600/13522822_1288604271157669_8421181203035556358_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NXjKFMsyNqyFd2XmFeLkffqJtJP3LHBWKcBBtESPV8o_ZBK18Voke4Ay9XZYed1dmjXWBm1ZIMp56KsSwgxNxjkb63KtsVZOaXRXUu-H5psxm1mz03Kz-1t6T2xnRj58e34lz53RHQQ/s320/13522822_1288604271157669_8421181203035556358_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be back on familiar trails @ Sun Mountain</td></tr>
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I've also always wanted to do a timed event so this seemed perfect. The fact that it was being held at Sun Mountain where I love the trails and have always run well was just icing on the cake. True, my legs were still feeling the miles I'd put on them at Bryce and the adventures we'd had on the drive home, but I felt fresh enough.<br />
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The course consisted of 8km (5mi) laps on mostly single-track with a decent amount of climbing. My plan was to do at least 12 laps and aim for 14-15 if things were going well and my stomach behaved, which it did for the first 8 hours or so.<br />
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Then it unravelled. All those precious calories I had consumed, were returned to the earth over the next couple of laps. Nothing in; everything out. Same old story. I won't bore you with the gag-inducing details because if you've read any of my previous blog posts, you know how this ends. I managed two more laps of walking and vomiting before calling it a day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHwcb7UKKOndKLEYyrd6drG33jDGzvmTAGqShTdQg6mWMWemQMJtuePOaTyZHHj4U5EqUuY_ZZ2F7jlCaFc0OxbzRyKs_yCQms8zFRCbkLA-4JeWaV9Ifd7T9Be08Fq5lEsQCl4pcLig/s1600/13522837_1288608474490582_2543372341435672196_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHwcb7UKKOndKLEYyrd6drG33jDGzvmTAGqShTdQg6mWMWemQMJtuePOaTyZHHj4U5EqUuY_ZZ2F7jlCaFc0OxbzRyKs_yCQms8zFRCbkLA-4JeWaV9Ifd7T9Be08Fq5lEsQCl4pcLig/s320/13522837_1288608474490582_2543372341435672196_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At least with a timed event, you really only have to leave the starting line to be considered a finisher. I fell short of my goal, but still managed to take first place overall. (Did I mention this was a really small race?)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXFtc2LqUrV5t4cQAqr_ys4ByjBDh8yaZD21UGgXtQ85PtzicfI10aGvs72orqBQ3C-93hzRsKm-jXlU8EF_6avgaCJ3klSKlj5_q1PcAT0AZf282CMZC-DhFAZvEheSCXvv9fUdNioI/s1600/13558648_1288604024491027_5465760029066310309_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXFtc2LqUrV5t4cQAqr_ys4ByjBDh8yaZD21UGgXtQ85PtzicfI10aGvs72orqBQ3C-93hzRsKm-jXlU8EF_6avgaCJ3klSKlj5_q1PcAT0AZf282CMZC-DhFAZvEheSCXvv9fUdNioI/s320/13558648_1288604024491027_5465760029066310309_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful handmade finisher's medals.</td></tr>
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Even with my GI issues, I'm glad I did it. It was a fun and well organised event with great people and lots of potential. Hopefully, it will attract a few more runners next year.<br />
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-56835396997414664082016-07-05T08:57:00.000-07:002016-07-14T12:33:56.076-07:00Bryce Canyon 100: The Race that Wasn't<i>Dear Bryce: You seduced me with your beauty and then you broke my heart. I know I’ll get over you eventually, but I’m not there yet. Sincerely, Stacey</i><br />
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Ever have the feeling that today is going to be your day? That’s how I felt heading into the <a href="http://www.grandcircletrails.com/bryce-canyon-general-info/" target="_blank">Bryce Canyon 100-miler</a>. Having completed two previous 100s (<a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2014/08/cascade-crest-100-race-report.html" target="_blank">Cascade Crest</a> and <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2015/11/javelina-jundred.html" target="_blank">Javelina Jundred</a>) with underwhelming results, I felt I’d learned some important lessons that I would apply at Bryce and I was going to rock it.<br />
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Fate – or more specifically, my stomach – had a different plan.<br />
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Going into the race, I was confident in my ability to not just finish but to finish well. My training had been solid. Sure, there were a few injury hiccups in the months leading up to Bryce, but they left no lasting damage. Really, I felt in much better shape for this race than any others I’d done in the past two years. <br />
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With both previous 100s, I had struggled with horrendous GI issues, resulting in lots of puking and walking in the later stages of those races. I knew outside of an injury, stomach problems would be my biggest obstacle to success at this distance.<br />
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Through trial and error in training, I determined that a nutrition plan based on real food and minimal sugar worked best for me. So the night before the race in the “kitchen” of our VW van, I whipped up a feast of boiled potatoes with salt and butter and corn tortillas full of avocado and turkey bacon all stuffed into little baggies for easy consumption on the go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusJ1XFcY8LPtTxT3aG5jm2i_YmJRto8v8uGNDAHdRj2-gu70_n8LB3CrgtlqNB6iDgwN0BnvZPKyoRs9WFdWhup3nd0CWzbqaM9Eg1kgdPeozjTTaybV85MqGiiNTW-FCX3_kS1YabHI/s1600/IMG_20160616_185349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusJ1XFcY8LPtTxT3aG5jm2i_YmJRto8v8uGNDAHdRj2-gu70_n8LB3CrgtlqNB6iDgwN0BnvZPKyoRs9WFdWhup3nd0CWzbqaM9Eg1kgdPeozjTTaybV85MqGiiNTW-FCX3_kS1YabHI/s320/IMG_20160616_185349.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm...yummy wraps.</td></tr>
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That night I slept well and awoke at 4:30am well rested and ready to run. I felt good, no great, and was psyched for a big day out on the trails. As I got geared up, I nibbled on my PB and banana wrap. After a few small bites, my stomach started to feel queasy and I didn’t think I could eat any more so I offered the rest to Dave.<br />
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It bothered me a bit that the day hadn’t even started and already I was falling behind on calories, but I decided it was just excitement and a few pre-race nerves affecting my appetite and that I would relax once I hit the trails.<br />
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We drove 10-minutes down the road from our campsite to the starting area. It was a cool, but pleasant morning and people were huddled around small fires chatting and waiting for the race to get underway. At this point, I was still feeling relaxed and full of hope for an inspired day (and night) of fun trails and new friends. I knew there’d be lows – it's 100-miles after all – but I was ready for them too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzyzcgivJX3rGh5cEHs94_sNeydcAa9LhSLzvqyyyNYW-b0eVnX_hC0_OUp_53oKPbbM5G0RS_q7kzbdKUd3OwkM0vy-pxlEn4ctFD0z8WDtwBjc4bHGbi1fxDXF-i_HfjkmTQrHURUw/s1600/IMG_20160617_055548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzyzcgivJX3rGh5cEHs94_sNeydcAa9LhSLzvqyyyNYW-b0eVnX_hC0_OUp_53oKPbbM5G0RS_q7kzbdKUd3OwkM0vy-pxlEn4ctFD0z8WDtwBjc4bHGbi1fxDXF-i_HfjkmTQrHURUw/s320/IMG_20160617_055548.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultra dork! My super sexy pre race combo of sun hat and puffy.</td></tr>
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With little ceremony, we were off. The race started on a mostly flat double-track dirt road for several miles, followed by flow-y single-track through a sparsely wooded forest that spit you out into some of the most impressive scenery of the course. These are the views that have made Bryce Canyon famous. Gravity defying rock formations and hoodoos that are both spooky and spectacular. And we were running on, over, up and through them. It was surreal! Obviously I wasn’t the only one who thought so; I have never seen so many camera-toting racers before. Tripods and selfie sticks too. Bizarre.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzPTgXNeIhyphenhyphenCppNDhS3xMtfkd80piHayQydoVy0vIke5kBvhm8PXShaUs3xVbPdavavZsAtFGkbmq1zXPwIhntBHaKu4U5qnqm6ZTE7Txb7EGdYswEixxHfJFFCU2ESvSngYKJdCqtks/s1600/bryce5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzPTgXNeIhyphenhyphenCppNDhS3xMtfkd80piHayQydoVy0vIke5kBvhm8PXShaUs3xVbPdavavZsAtFGkbmq1zXPwIhntBHaKu4U5qnqm6ZTE7Txb7EGdYswEixxHfJFFCU2ESvSngYKJdCqtks/s320/bryce5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even in the first hour of the race, my gut felt unsettled and I feared I'd be revisiting my breakfast. Again, I didn’t think too much of it and decided that I should have woken up earlier so I'd have more time to digest. I told myself to be patient and wait for the nausea to pass and then eat. <br />
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When the second hour came and went and my attempts to ingest anything were soundly rejected by my closed throat and grumbling belly, I started to get nervous. This was an all too familiar feeling, yet I thought if it was going to happen, then it would happen after 50-60 miles, not in the first 10! From experience, I knew I could persevere through many hours of throwing up and moving slowly; however, I had never had my stomach go off so early in a race. This was not good. Not good at all.<br />
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Then things got a little worse when 30-40 of us went off course and added 2-3 bonus miles to our day. Not a big deal in the grand plan, but not what I needed. Once I was back on track, I further slowed my pace to see if that would make me feel better. It didn’t, and now I was vomiting too and would continue to for another 10 hours or so. As I came through the next aid station, I was happy to see Dave there as I had told him not to bother as I would be fine until at least 60 miles. (I believe my exact words were "the wheels NEVER come off before 100k!" Ha! Never say never…lesson learned.) He was clearly worried about me as my detour and slower than expected pace meant that I was already well off my projected times.<br />
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In hindsight, I should have dropped out at this point, but I still hoped that I could bounce back. It was early in the race and my mind refused to accept that it wasn’t going to be my day, even if my body was fully aware. I had come so far and trained so hard for this race. I couldn’t just quit. Not yet.<br />
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The next few hours are a bit of a blur. I recall climbing, the heat and many incredible views. But mostly, I remember vomiting. Lots and lots and lots of vomiting. It was quite a long stretch until the next aid station and I had a few very rough patches on the way there. I was obviously looking bad enough that some of the other racers had alerted that aid station crew that I was going to need some assistance when I arrived. And did they deliver!<br />
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I must give a huge shout out to the volunteers at the Kanab Creek aid station. They made me feel like a real VIP (very important puker) and did everything humanly possible to keep me in the race. When I eventually dropped out, I actually felt bad for letting them down after all they had done for me. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes out to you guys for your concern, support and encouraging words.<br />
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By the time I got to Kanab, my brain was scrambled and I had mistakenly thought that this was where Dave would be and that I could end my misery. In fact, that was one of the few thoughts that had gotten me through the last few hours; just knowing that my suffering would soon be over.<br />
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Imagine how I felt when I got there and didn’t see Dave or Betty White (our VW). I looked around desperately while a volunteer searched for my drop bag. It was only when he told me my bag wasn’t there and I went over to check for myself and saw all the bags were labelled “Kanab Creek” that I realized this wasn’t the aid station I thought it was and Dave wouldn’t be here as there was no crew access.<br />
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After a lengthy rest in the medical tent, and a promise to the aid station captain that I would take and finish a bottle of Gatorade before the Straight Canyon aid station in 8 miles (where Dave was, hopefully, waiting for me), I set off at a slow but determined pace. Just one mile at a time, I told myself. And who knows, maybe now, finally, things would turn around.<br />
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Nope, after another vicious repeating cycle of sip-jog-barf-walk, I finally made it to Straight Canyon and there was Dave. I collapsed in a heap on a shady patch of grass for awhile considering my options, which all seemed to point to the inevitable: DNF. I calculated that for the 12 hours I’d been out on the course, I’d taken in roughly 600 calories and vomited up at least that. Plus, I’d been unable to keep down any fluids for the past 5 hours and it was a warm day (temps in the mid-20s).<br />
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It was a big hole to be in. Too big. Especially with 50+ miles to go at night with freezing temperatures expected. My body had already been through a lot and didn’t deserve more abuse. I had to accept that my finish line had arrived, far sooner than expected and instead of cheers, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment, I felt sad, sick and empty.<br />
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Dejected, I informed a volunteer that I would not be continuing on and handed in my race number. It was over. I was done and just wanted to be as far away from the race as possible. We drove back to our campground mostly in silence. What was there to say?<br />
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This DNF hit me hard. It wasn't my first, and probably won't be my last, but it was and continues to be the hardest for me to accept. I don't know where I go from here. All the training in the world won't help me if my stomach decides to revolt on race day.<br />
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After a night of sleep and finally being able to eat a bit, I physically felt much better even if emotionally I was wrecked. Needing some distraction from the feelings of disappointment and failure that consumed me, I did what I always do when I need a mental break: run. There was a 8km trail starting from our campground that Dave had checked out earlier and said was beautiful so I laced up my shoes and headed out.<br />
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In life and in races, sometimes you get knocked down, but then you pick yourself up and carry on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contemplating life at Reflection Point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post race recovery leg soak/hike in the Zion Narrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing mountains is good for the soul @ Wheeler Peak (Nevada).</td></tr>
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-12736911881674522722016-05-29T15:54:00.000-07:002016-05-29T16:15:38.615-07:00Sole Sista SummitsAs alluded to in an earlier post, I'm very excited to be reuniting with this fine lady for another running-related adventure that we're calling Sole Sista Summits! <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/p/sole-sista-summits.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read more.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RGHLSA3quOno8P-zO7ggOIxT_-zklkwsfnzArUzwOufD-R1fHL6es-Y6BMngIlHpo7Ctr0VoMeCSmQYE2KcIBBKSNgelILSlQJTW3z30bCo-ezREpBm-v2IR5FOL_y_9SYwPYWSj4Nk/s1600/northfaceladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RGHLSA3quOno8P-zO7ggOIxT_-zklkwsfnzArUzwOufD-R1fHL6es-Y6BMngIlHpo7Ctr0VoMeCSmQYE2KcIBBKSNgelILSlQJTW3z30bCo-ezREpBm-v2IR5FOL_y_9SYwPYWSj4Nk/s320/northfaceladies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Me and Mel, my friend and teammate with TNF Canada<br />
(Aren't we cute in our matching outfits!?!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-84930485923275491682016-05-24T11:01:00.000-07:002016-05-24T11:19:58.340-07:00Sun Mountain 100k Race Report<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw a funny card lately that said: <i>99% of getting older is
wondering how the hell you hurt your back.</i> That’s certainly been true for
me lately.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSVwAP2cN1GaTBu8Wqm-eYzxyW36WhZEx7B41AD1zlQ18M3a2j1GOtDAZeZ17nibRMoDzIegXTHtBKUBxSeVPvPKdCqrjIcAx_gBnFUEUL5h2Jx-xg3KS4lxQStXw0hHfPCW6A9CVuYI/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSVwAP2cN1GaTBu8Wqm-eYzxyW36WhZEx7B41AD1zlQ18M3a2j1GOtDAZeZ17nibRMoDzIegXTHtBKUBxSeVPvPKdCqrjIcAx_gBnFUEUL5h2Jx-xg3KS4lxQStXw0hHfPCW6A9CVuYI/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
About a
month ago, I woke up with an inexplicably tight lower back. Instead of
resting it, I foolishly decided to run a <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2016/05/race-report-north-face-dirty-feet-50k.html" target="_blank">50k race</a> thinking that might loosen it
up. (Being new to back pain, I didn't really know what the protocol was and
lacked the foresight and common sense to figure it out.) The race did not go
well and my back pain got worse, putting me out of
commission for most of the next 2 weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, after visiting my coach/RMT, “we”
(mostly Andrew – I just chilled on the massage table) were able to work through
some issues upsetting my back/hips/pelvis and many of the things connected to them. With a few treatments, the pain started to subside and I felt like we were making
progress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously, that was the goal and I was happy about it, but
it was happening only a week out from the <a href="http://www.rainshadowrunning.com/sun-mountain-100k-50m--50k.html" target="_blank">Sun Mountain 100k</a>, which was intended to be a trial run for the <a href="http://www.grandcircletrails.com/bryce-canyon-general-info/" target="_blank">Bryce 100</a> – one of my
“A” races this year. Having lost a significant chunk of training time in May to
deal with this back thing, my confidence to immediately jump into another race
wasn't high. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the week leading up to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sun</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
I was really struggling with whether or not to race. I love the Sun Mountain event having done the 50k and 50mi distances there in the past, but knew it might not be the best thing for my body at this point. It took me right up until the day
before to decide that I would start the race and drop out if my back started to
seize up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1zD_sTI3LS3kirv44tPyIyqL3Ri6b3jurVCds4WhrOAv6DepreF2tnAciOg83hGdwdc60BMkKFpRxcuELDccxbvyuPmTcr_nbx0K5Pd1UqyJmaVXJuMsAra4wDTxiu9pqdPxNlRz940/s1600/101_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1zD_sTI3LS3kirv44tPyIyqL3Ri6b3jurVCds4WhrOAv6DepreF2tnAciOg83hGdwdc60BMkKFpRxcuELDccxbvyuPmTcr_nbx0K5Pd1UqyJmaVXJuMsAra4wDTxiu9pqdPxNlRz940/s320/101_1535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first ultra - the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2010/06/my-first-entry.html" target="_blank">Sun Mtn 50k</a> (2010)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H6H3TN4qeoM0kxmy6EX8pE9YoMQQIZ7s9qZuRvdQH69ijbvmgVMMP6dGU8QiBqNsn9qvazMWxDe5t6-WSJsP_TA1gV1-0MobOTtADkR2TPDgRvuLSbR1lwnBgzK6HJTBIlSGYrxay30/s1600/sunmtn_stacey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H6H3TN4qeoM0kxmy6EX8pE9YoMQQIZ7s9qZuRvdQH69ijbvmgVMMP6dGU8QiBqNsn9qvazMWxDe5t6-WSJsP_TA1gV1-0MobOTtADkR2TPDgRvuLSbR1lwnBgzK6HJTBIlSGYrxay30/s320/sunmtn_stacey.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back for the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-return-to-sun-mountain.html" target="_blank">Sun Mtn 50mi</a> (2013)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Race Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My alarm went off at 4am. It was still dark and I could hear
rain falling outside. I downed my oats and coffee, made a few last minute gear and
clothing decisions based on the weather, and then Dave and I drove to the race
start, about 25 minutes away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With fewer than 80 participants in the 100k distance, the
check-in process was quick and there were no line-ups at the porta potties
(hey, you gotta appreciate the small victories in life). The first people I saw
when we arrived were Suzanne and Geoff from Vancouver whom I had spent time
with in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region>
at the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2013/07/2013-iau-world-trail-championships.html" target="_blank">World Trail Running Championships</a> in 2013. Suzanne was also racing the
100k and Geoff was there as her crew. It was great to see them again,
especially during the race when a familiar face and a
few words of encouragement can do wonders to lift your spirits. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time the race started at 5:30am, the rain had nearly stopped and it was actually a very nice temperature for running. I fell into an
easy pace to test my body and see if there were any unhappy bits. Surprisingly,
everything felt pretty good and I was moving well so I picked it up a bit.
Starting the first big climb, I was running alongside a lovely woman from <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> named Kaytlyn (who would go on to win the women’s race in a phenomenal sub-10 time) and
enjoyed having someone to chat with as we plugged along the steady uphill
grade. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Knowing that I had to take care of my body and not push too
hard early in the race, I encouraged her to go ahead. I would've loved to have
tried to stay with her, but when my back started acting up later in the day, I
was sure glad that I hadn't!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were several other runners that I was back and forth
with over the next few hours and it was nice to get out of my head and enjoy
some bits of conversation here and there. Overall, things were going quite well pace, body and nutrition wise
up until about 40k when my lower back started tightening up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By 50k (the halfway point and end of lap 1 of this 2 lap
course), I had convinced myself that my back was only going to get worse if I
continued and that it would be better to drop out now. I was totally at peace
with this decision and the knowledge that I was doing the right thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I got to the aid station and there were lots of people
there cheering, telling me that I was doing well and that I was second woman.
Before I could tell someone that I was dropping out, a helpful volunteer was
refilling my bladder and Dave was handing me my snack bag. Geoff asked me how I
was feeling and I whispered back, “not great, I'm thinking of dropping out”.
Without missing a beat, both he and Dave basically told me that I was not
dropping out. So I didn't, and that’s how I ended up back on the course for my 2<sup>nd</sup>
50k lap. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I left the aid station a bit bewildered by what had just
happened. I’d already made plans for the rest of the day…that did not include reliving
the past 5 hours of my life. I quickly came up with a new game plan – drugs!
Nothing illicit, just ibuprofen. I try to avoid ibuprofen while racing, but I
needed something to settle my back if I was going to continue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second part of my plan included walking. Not that I
didn't walk parts of the first lap ‘cause I did, but I knew I’d have to back
off the pace and walk more if I was going to get through this thing without
triggering another injury setback. Being conservative seems to have
helped because my back pain did ease up some during the second half of the
race. Or maybe that’s just the drugs working. Either way, I was glad that I hadn't dropped out earlier. (Thanks Dave and Geoff!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At around 6 hours into the race, my stomach went off. Again.
Same old story with me. Up until that point, I had managed to take in about 150
calories/hour. Not great, but not terrible either. For the final 5 hours, the
best I could do was about 50 calories/hour mostly in the form of Sprite or
Ginger Ale at aid stations. It was frustrating because I could feel my energy levels dropping and I actually felt hungry, yet when I tried
to eat, my throat closed up and I couldn't swallow. Grrr, what a ridiculous
problem! I love food so to be unable to eat when I
need to is very upsetting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may not have been my strongest finish, but I finished and
even managed to hang onto 2<sup>nd</sup> place (full results <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=36639" target="_blank">here</a>). Mainly I'm just happy that I got to run with some cool people on trails that I love and that I didn't further
upset my unpredictable body. Strangely, my back actually feels now than it has in weeks. And no, I
don’t know how that’s possible!?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I've got a month to focus on getting fit, healthy and
strong for Bryce – the race, not the person.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks James and <a href="http://www.rainshadowrunning.com/" target="_blank">Rainshadow Running</a> for designing a race that
is challenging and beautiful, and for bringing together the kind of
people who appreciate that sorta thing! Feeling generally crappy at the finish kept me from enjoying more of the post race fun – pizza, beer and live music – but now that I'm the proud new owner of my very own growler, I'm sure I'll make up for it. ;)<br />
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxe14ziDEiNp2m4qhSKBUdwEDBOu2C9dqCOM7iEfaAnOgtD5IZAgRFQf-z6ALJcFRJ0PCfwK-oySi6YI9y0KKiBM4NvB7-r-u8NMTQaEVYdcR24Y60hTMCgK_lkOgAX2jK2z7Rtty38w/s1600/IMG_20160522_092138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxe14ziDEiNp2m4qhSKBUdwEDBOu2C9dqCOM7iEfaAnOgtD5IZAgRFQf-z6ALJcFRJ0PCfwK-oySi6YI9y0KKiBM4NvB7-r-u8NMTQaEVYdcR24Y60hTMCgK_lkOgAX2jK2z7Rtty38w/s320/IMG_20160522_092138.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race (second) breakfast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I’d also like to thank <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/en_ca/homepage.html" target="_blank">The North Face <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></a> for the
sweet new race kit. I used some of it at Sun Mtn and was very happy with both the fit and comfort of what I wore including: the Better Than Naked <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-activities-running-en-ca/womens-better-than-naked-jacket-ca2t-en-ca?variationId=FN4" target="_blank">rain jacket</a>, <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-activities-running-en-ca/womens-better-than-naked-split-shorts-ca2x-en-ca?variationId=A1L" target="_blank">shorts</a>
and <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-activities-running-en-ca/womens-better-than-naked-short-sleeve-ca2u-en-ca?variationId=W1F" target="_blank">tee</a>, and especially the <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-ultra-endurance-cc4d-en-ca?variationId=GXB" target="_blank">Ultra Endurance shoes</a>, which kept my feet happy for 100k! </div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-4202038363029210722016-05-02T14:59:00.000-07:002016-05-24T11:13:39.301-07:00The North Face Dirty Feet 50k (or "What the hell happened out there?!")Was it just a bad race or is it time to accept that my days of "fast" running are behind me? That's what I'm asking myself today after a horrendous 5 hour and 40 minute sufferfest at the Dirty Feet 50km in Vernon yesterday.<br />
<br />
<div>
Let me be very clear that my bad day is in no way a reflection on the event, which is extremely well organized by a couple of race directing pros (and my friends) Grace and Phil Hiom, who go out of their way to create fun races in beautiful places with lots of local support, and this race is no exception. (My <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2013/05/the-north-face-dirty-feet-50k-race.html">2013 race report</a> sums up the highlights nicely.)<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
The fact that it's probably one of my all-time favourite 50km races is one of the reasons I gutted it out to finish when all I really wanted to do was drop out after the first 25km lap.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I knew from the word go that my body didn't feel quite right but I blamed it on a chilly start and the fact that the first 4k or so were all uphill. I figured once the day and I warmed up, my body would loosen up but that never happened. Instead, my back and hips went from feeling tight to seizing right up making running both uncomfortable and awkward.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still not entirely sure why this happened. My training has been consistent and I've had some solid workouts with lots of good quality miles - but not so many that I should be over-trained. I have 2, or possibly 3, theories to explain my implosion...<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
#1. I'd been fighting a bug for several days leading up to the race so had been doing a lot of lying on the couch and not much else. A couple of midweek runs were aborted due to intense feelings of crappiness. Being an occasional optimist, my hope was that this enhanced taper would leave me well-rested and ready to go hard by the weekend. Perhaps, that was unrealistic.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
#2. I had a hard fall last weekend. Not running, but doing trail maintenance. True story. I was lunging uphill with my pruners towards a wayward branch, tripped over a root and fell on a large jagged rock bruising my right thigh and forearm. Also possibly jarring my hips/back and precipitating my lower torso stiffening on race day??<br />
<br />
#3. Sh*t happens. Just like everyone has good days and bad days, runners have good races and bad races. I guess I've been lucky in the past that when I've felt lousy before a race, I've still generally been able to pull out at least a decent effort on the day. So maybe my luck has run out; think what I'll save on lotto tickets knowing this.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
On the upside, I'm glad I made myself finish even though I was fairly miserable. I'm quite certain that if I had quit the blow to my confidence for future races would have been shattered to the extent that there may not have been future races. That sounds melodramatic, I know, but I'm not exaggerating.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I also think I did a pretty good job of masking my mental and physical struggles out on the course. I made an effort to smile and say hello when I passed other park users and tried to be cheerful when I came through the aid stations. It might not sound like much but I think it helped offset the inner negativity I was experiencing. In short: No one likes a self-pitying ass so don't be one! ;)<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay, moving on to the technical details of this "report"...<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
With longer races coming up, I thought this would be a good opportunity to try out some gear and fuelling options. I chose to wear <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/shoes-womens-running-training/womens-ultra-endurance-cc4d?variationId=GXB">The North Face Ultra Endurance shoes</a> even though I had only done one 2 hour run in them previously. Fortunately, they were great - comfortable, grippy and supportive. I stuck with my standard race kit of a short sleeve technical tee and <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-pants-shorts-shorts/womens-better-than-naked-split-shorts-ca2x?variationId=0C5">The North Face Better Than Naked split shorts</a>. My <a href="https://ultimatedirection.com/ultra-vesta/">Ultimate Direction Jenny race vest</a> was a good choice since I knew it would be a warm day and I didn't want to be low on fluids.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd give myself a solid B+ in the hydration department. I maintained a consistent intake of water (in the bladder) and electrolytes (in my small flasks which I refilled at aid stations along the way) supplemented with a few salt tabs as needed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Unfortunately, I earned a big fat F for food so I'm definitely going to have to focus on that before my next race. I knew I was going to be fighting my stomach when I could barely choke down my pre race breakfast of oatmeal and a banana. During the race, all I was able to take in was: 8 dates, 2 gels and a small handful of chips. About 500 calories total when I should have been consuming 200 or more an hour. Ugh - I must do better!<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, that about sums it up. I'm going to take a few recovery days now and then I've got a 100km race coming up in a few weeks. Hopefully, this back problem settles down with some rest and massage. </div>
<div>
<br />
Congrats to everyone who participated in the 8/25/50km races - there were so many amazing runners on the trails this weekend (including my husband who placed 3rd in the 25km!). And it was nice to see lots of familiar faces from the local running scene as well as reconnect with old friends from the <a href="http://www.mountainrunning.ca/">Canadian Mountain Running team</a> and <a href="http://transrockies-run.com/">TransRockies</a>, and even my home town. Huge thanks to Phil and Grace at <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/">Dirty Feet Trail Racing</a> and their super volunteers for a memorable day! ;)<br />
<br />
****<br />
<br />
Going through my emails a few days after the race, I came across one from <a href="http://competitor.com/">Competitor.com</a> that seemed quite timely "<a href="http://running.competitor.com/2016/04/training/pro-tips-bouncing-back-disappointing-race_148318#fUhJkM32EijFV8mM.03">Pro Tips for Bouncing Back from a Disappointing Race</a>." Coincidence? Yeah, probably. </div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-78834596559690813602016-04-13T13:20:00.000-07:002016-04-14T08:58:17.194-07:00Racey Stacey<b>Expect nothing. Appreciate Everything.</b><br />
<br />
Four simple words that sum up who I want to be and how I want to live. Some days it comes easily. At other times, it's a struggle. More often than not, it's a struggle, especially in terms of managing expectations.<br />
<br />
It doesn't take much for me to tap into the deep sense of appreciation I have for the life I have and the people in it. It's an awareness that's innate and rarely shaken. Removing expectations, though, is a challenge that I'm still working through.<br />
<br />
I figure that applying the "expect nothing" philosophy to my races this year would be a good place to start. Considering that I'm coming off a year of injuries and age has started to rob me of some of my fast twitch muscle fibres (not that I had many to begin with!), it seems like a pretty reasonable approach. <br />
<br />
As the last couple of months of training have gone quite well and my hamstring issues are much improved, I've taken the bold step of registering for six races covering approximately 600km (370mi) of trail. Plus, pacing/crewing duties at two other ultras. It's going to be an incredible year!<br />
<br />
2016 Race Plans:<br />
The North Face Dirty Feet 50km <br />
Sun Mountain 100km <br />
Bryce Canyon 100-mile<br />
<div>
Sinister 7 (support)<br />
White River 50-mile </div>
<div>
Fat Dog (support)<br />
Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 116km <br />
The North Face Endurance Championships 50-mile <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqwrlHOtwwfabyhEHRqMsF_s_HZIWoPKW-u05QG4j5hEOL-Lp2nlr0uhXoLcaOVuVW7MxnjFdo57sgh8PQggwVQ9_i6flKGRZki43gL3W2LgSyPM_mgZXQ__EBcNNaCdu1S4ZqYRI1hQ/s1600/IMG_20150912_131808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqwrlHOtwwfabyhEHRqMsF_s_HZIWoPKW-u05QG4j5hEOL-Lp2nlr0uhXoLcaOVuVW7MxnjFdo57sgh8PQggwVQ9_i6flKGRZki43gL3W2LgSyPM_mgZXQ__EBcNNaCdu1S4ZqYRI1hQ/s320/IMG_20150912_131808.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you hugged a tree today? It's good for you!<br />
<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201511/why-nature-is-good-our-brains">Science says so.</a></td></tr>
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sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-79732453140591769772016-02-04T17:12:00.000-08:002016-03-31T10:57:39.761-07:00F is for Fitness I was trying to think of a title for this post and "let's get physical" came to mind which, of course, prompted me to go to YouTube to watch the video of the song Physical by Olivia Newton-John. I'm pretty sure I've never seen it before and found it rather creepy. And hilarious.<br />
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I've included the video for you here in case you're interested. I had to watch the first two seconds a couple of times to determine if the dude is naked or wearing a flesh-coloured Speedo. I'm still not sure. And, honestly, I'm not sure which is worse!<br />
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In my own little world, I've designated this month as Get Fit February. After intentionally taking a six-week break from running (and almost all forms of exercise except daily dog walks) after <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2015/11/javelina-jundred.html">Javelina Jundred</a> in October, I was only two weeks into a new training cycle when I found out that I had a hamstring tear and should take another 4-6 weeks off any activity that causes pain i.e. everything! Then there was some travelling, Christmas, a horrible, lingering cold and weekly butt-zapping sessions at physio. Not exactly conducive to good training.<br />
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While I was able to do little bits of weights, skiing, jogging, etc. here and there, I was definitely feeling less fit than usual. But then February arrived, signifying the end of this prolonged period of rest and recovery, and my final shockwave treatment. My physio has officially cleared me to start loading my hamstring again and, fingers crossed, I won't have any problems with it.<br />
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Another exciting development is that I'm working with a new coach this year (Andrew at <a href="http://www.openairfitness.ca/">Open Air Fitness</a>). He's got me on the "hamstring protection" program that includes cycling and strength workouts in addition to running while I work on building my base back up. I think it's going to be good to mix things up a bit and get a fresh perspective on my training. Injury prevention is definitely going to be a major priority going forward.<br />
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And now I have a good reason to get fit again as I finally have a race on my schedule for 2016! Just this morning, I received notification that I've been selected to participate in the inaugural <a href="https://www.ultratourmonterosa.com/">Ultra Tour Monte Rosa</a>, a 116km race from Italy to Switzerland with an impressive 7,500m of elevation gain that takes place in September. Only 100 applicants were invited so I feel quite fortunate to be among them.<br />
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As for other race plans, I have a a few ideas, but I want to see how my body holds up over the next month after some tough workouts. I'm hopeful that I've fully recovered from my injuries, but I just can't quite allow myself to believe it yet.<br />
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If Get Fit February doesn't do it for you, there are many other interesting and unusual occasions worth celebrating at <a href="http://www.daysoftheyear.com/">www.daysoftheyear.com</a>, including some real winners like Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (Feb. 18) and Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbours Day (Feb. 7). Yep, that's actually a thing. It's on the internet so it must be real, right? ;)<br />
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<b>And please don't forgot about <a href="http://www.nationalcupcakeday.ca/">National Cupcake Day</a> on February 29th. It's a wonderful event that raises funds to support local animal shelters, SPCAs and Humane Societies. Yummy cupcakes and helping animals? I'm in!</b><br />
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-60881085308838914162016-01-16T13:11:00.000-08:002016-01-17T10:06:30.077-08:002016: New Year, Same MeReflecting on 2015 in terms of running goals, training, races, etc. gives me IPA face**. Think furrowed brow, wrinkled nose and pursed lips. Cats are genius at this expression.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jz82RJYSBMZt79xvkhol0uHvfivpz7xU4XG1OPv9ZUOhhja-gLGQ4L24CyObs2G5TsIONfZrWQJg3VmIJ3sFjyCCL4VqmuRBBtCsRb22mvpN-V7ooiW2qF28NtlaA7vM0bzFZ_KHSPI/s1600/Angry-Cats-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jz82RJYSBMZt79xvkhol0uHvfivpz7xU4XG1OPv9ZUOhhja-gLGQ4L24CyObs2G5TsIONfZrWQJg3VmIJ3sFjyCCL4VqmuRBBtCsRb22mvpN-V7ooiW2qF28NtlaA7vM0bzFZ_KHSPI/s320/Angry-Cats-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are you looking at? You disgust me human person!</td></tr>
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Yep, simply put, it was a frustrating and disappointing year. But I've moped along the pity path too long and now it's time to move on. And, anyway, the year wasn't all bad. I joined up with some fun girls on relay teams for the <a href="http://challenge-penticton.com/">Challenge Penticton</a> triathlon and the <a href="http://methowduathlon.blogspot.ca/">Methow Valley Off-Road duathlon</a>. And I completed my second 100-mile trail race (<a href="http://aravaiparunning.com/network/javelinajundred/">Javelina Jundred</a>), taking over 4 hours off my previous best time.<br />
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I'm still working on getting my body fixed. Who knew it would be such a major project?! I once joked that I wouldn't be satisfied until every healthcare practitioner in town had been consulted on my butt. Well, the more time that goes by, the more that statement becomes true. Not so funny after all.<br />
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An MRI in December revealed a tear at the top of my hamstring at the origin, which likely occurred at a <a href="http://my%20big%20fat%20dnf/">race</a> I did in California back in 2014. I'm now going through a series of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extracorporeal_shockwave_therapy">shockwave treatments</a> to break up the scar tissue that has formed around the original injury so that muscle can mend. I'm also waiting to see a sports med doctor for consideration for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolotherapy">prolotherapy</a> to help expedite the healing process.<br />
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That's the water bottle half empty part of this post. Fortunately, my water bottle is half full too.<br />
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For example, all this hamstring and glute work has done wonders for my ass. It's true. I was suffering from a very lazy backside before, but not anymore. These days, I'm actually using my butt for more than just holding up my pants. Who knew it would be such a valuable<i> ass</i>et - ha, ha! ;)<br />
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I've started going to the gym twice a week and I don't actually hate it.<br />
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The skiing this winter been phenomenal with the best conditions we've had in a decade. I've been getting into ski touring and spending lots of time exploring around Apex Resort and the Methow with Dave and Dora.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia2FLmFva3yQL2yo25zqw4t9DJniznw8CNKpcocfgNPRgR3tCAn6d85wrT849xKn6WEN3q7-3GtiQ5BytJ1oMXME2YUbG6C8F3vYku9S25Tn16SJzenO2-n7h-j3GrZ-Q-hHbxzkie2w/s1600/IMG_20151206_101354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjia2FLmFva3yQL2yo25zqw4t9DJniznw8CNKpcocfgNPRgR3tCAn6d85wrT849xKn6WEN3q7-3GtiQ5BytJ1oMXME2YUbG6C8F3vYku9S25Tn16SJzenO2-n7h-j3GrZ-Q-hHbxzkie2w/s320/IMG_20151206_101354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our own little winter playground near Twisp, WA.</td></tr>
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I've made some race plans for the year, including another 100-miler and a mountainous 100km+ race in Europe. Hopefully, if everything goes according to plan (like that ever happens!), I'll return to a few old favourites as well as run some new ones. As I'm technically still injured and coming off a year of virtually no racing, I'm trying to be conservative with my plans, but it's hard not to get caught up in the thrill of registering for events when my rehab seems to be going well.<br />
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Also this year, I have plans to reunite with my partner from the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2013/08/transrockies-race-report.html">2013 TransRockies</a> stage race <a href="http://dirtbunny1.blogspot.ca/">Mel Bos</a>, who is also my <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/en_ca/homepage.html">The North Face Canada</a> teammate, on something pretty cool. I'll post more about it next month once we have the details confirmed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg368Qc-yM1l95esadCaiG8Z8Z1R_UXbFM4jakloTl3fUpErmYKvTEweirNPjc15p5Uio3K5ZoiMYeyKTgc-HVF_oUY-4FfKTqk76yNuWo_y-R0fEsFZgUk_zIxV0bz5fD6I6OY_Chv_RE/s1600/MG_0410_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg368Qc-yM1l95esadCaiG8Z8Z1R_UXbFM4jakloTl3fUpErmYKvTEweirNPjc15p5Uio3K5ZoiMYeyKTgc-HVF_oUY-4FfKTqk76yNuWo_y-R0fEsFZgUk_zIxV0bz5fD6I6OY_Chv_RE/s320/MG_0410_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutthroat Pass, WA</td></tr>
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May you have a year of chocolate croissants and mountain tops - and lots of both!<br />
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**IPA face: This video gives a decent demonstration of the many faces of IPA. Skip ahead to 3:54 for the one that most closely resembles mine.<br />
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<span id="goog_2124376431"></span>sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-5585565637315027592015-11-05T15:36:00.000-08:002015-11-09T12:48:21.358-08:00Javelina Jundred<div>
I have no idea how to race 100 miles. Seriously. Just when I think I'm doing everything right, something goes wrong. Having finished two - <a href="http://www.cascadecrest100.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Crest</a> in 2014 (<a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2014/08/cascade-crest-100-race-report.html" target="_blank">race report</a>) and now <a href="http://aravaiparunning.com/network/javelinajundred/" target="_blank">Javelina</a> - I have figured a few things out though. Mostly I've learned what not to do. Here are some of the things that my second go at 100 miles has taught me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTgkOrfyfDJWY3M7kiViLR6w4NDpCwKszuAiIR1y-oumT2_BbbsY9g6hM4MKQ_DEQAMV6-aqxKL0ttcTj83tqCe_a3MO5Y3aslB2YrFRmGBAAQC423JhAYs8kJvsQuf_yUVxonNWBcTo/s1600/IMGP1397_E-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTgkOrfyfDJWY3M7kiViLR6w4NDpCwKszuAiIR1y-oumT2_BbbsY9g6hM4MKQ_DEQAMV6-aqxKL0ttcTj83tqCe_a3MO5Y3aslB2YrFRmGBAAQC423JhAYs8kJvsQuf_yUVxonNWBcTo/s320/IMGP1397_E-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javelina Jundred is an absolutely fantastic race. I'd highly recommend it!<br />
Photo credit: <a href="https://cetonsphotoplace.smugmug.com/">Cetons Photo Place</a></td></tr>
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<b>Run with a Pacer</b></div>
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If you have the option, always say yes to a pacer. Pacers aren't mandatory at Javelina and with the reverse direction loops there are always others out on the course with you, but in my opinion, it makes the experience so much richer to have someone there by your side for the good times, and the bad. Mostly the bad.</div>
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Some of the funniest conversations of my life have happened in the wee hours many miles into a race when I'm somewhat delirious and slightly deranged. Here's an example of one such conversation, a variation of which I had with both my pacers at some point when my stomach was starting to go off. </div>
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Pacer: Fart</div>
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Me: I don't have to fart.</div>
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Pacer: Well, just try.</div>
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Me: No.</div>
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Pacer: You'll feel better if you do.</div>
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Me: (silent, not wanting to continue with this subject)</div>
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Pacer: Come on, you can do it.</div>
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Me: <i>buuuuuurp</i></div>
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Pacer: Nice - that's almost as good as a fart! Now give us another. It's good for you.</div>
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Ridiculous, right??! And that wasn't even the worst of it. There will be things discussed at mile 80-something of an ultra that can never be brought up ever again anywhere. What happens on the trail, stays on the trail.<br />
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I was fortunate to have two amazing pacers, my husband Dave and friend Katie, by my side for the last 40 miles and they really helped get me through my low moments. Sure, I could have done it without them, but it was so much better to have them there.</div>
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A final note on pacers, always remember that you're getting a lot more from them, then they're getting from you so show them lots of love. They deserve it! Often, they're sacrificing time, sleep, warmth and food to walk/jog in the cold, dark night with you for many hours. And, in my case, having to watch and listen to me throw up several dozen times! (And burp. For the record, I never did fart.)</div>
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I feel particularly bad for Dave who has been stuck with me at the point in both 100 milers when the wheels have come off and the barf fest has started. I can't imagine how hard it must be for him to see me with vomit dribble on my chin and a tear in my eye as I tell him "I feel sooooo sick" and yet because he loves me and knows me better than anyone, he knows I won't quit. So he gives me some water to rinse out my mouth and we carry on 'cause that's the only way to get to the finish line.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr127Fzf9i5HebJUz3fW-bUMJ_MtAtkQWMfP18333rZXPkrwd22eEj6wl3ZngLgfE45lxIm6VE1gdYz0EmasVuQROCa909VNLeW3dO6RTFy0iE3HNGszLh0J0q3wdaHCNPwq8kmCRPKI/s1600/20151031-MG2A2235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhr127Fzf9i5HebJUz3fW-bUMJ_MtAtkQWMfP18333rZXPkrwd22eEj6wl3ZngLgfE45lxIm6VE1gdYz0EmasVuQROCa909VNLeW3dO6RTFy0iE3HNGszLh0J0q3wdaHCNPwq8kmCRPKI/s320/20151031-MG2A2235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who's happy to be running again after a year of injuries? This girl!<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://running.competitor.com/2015/11/photos/photos-javelina-jundred-trail-running-races_139046">Competitor.com</a></td></tr>
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<b>Beware of Bears</b></div>
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Not the scary, hairy kind we have here in Canada, but the colourful, chewy variety that taste delicious and stick to your teeth. At some point during my third 25km lap, I decided I wanted to have something to nibble on between aid stations. There are pockets on the back of my favourite <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/womens-pants-shorts-shorts/womens-better-than-naked-split-shorts-35?variationId=JK3" target="_blank">North Face race shorts</a> that will hold two little handfuls of candy I discovered. Perfect! As much as I love chocolate, it melts and I didn't want a suspicious brown stain down my bum for obvious reasons so I went for the gummi bears. For some reason, I thought it was very amusing to have pocketfuls of smiling bears with me.<br />
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In the heat of the day, my bears were getting a little sticky but I was still enjoying them and I ate quite a few. This would come back haunt me later when I became violently ill and starting rejecting everything I had ingested over the past 12 hours, including a large family of little bears. When things were at their worst, I was spewing bile out my mouth and nose simultaneously and I'm quite convinced that a partially digested bear got lodged in my sinuses. I don't know if that's even physiologically possible, but post race, sinus pain was the worst discomfort I had so it must be true.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaeph9Ojcd7x9eBrIGvAzR46tllq6kY53QJD2k9DiaFXRJpNb8L6aUZUNFuS93pMDLNBtbruLRTPYdOG4VQ6Gt92oboa1QmCMa8xsNMLyFpfSBcnbjuoVQaLYcyn30n6SMaJTngcpoeA/s1600/P1040561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaeph9Ojcd7x9eBrIGvAzR46tllq6kY53QJD2k9DiaFXRJpNb8L6aUZUNFuS93pMDLNBtbruLRTPYdOG4VQ6Gt92oboa1QmCMa8xsNMLyFpfSBcnbjuoVQaLYcyn30n6SMaJTngcpoeA/s320/P1040561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On site camping - nice! Betty White the VW is in there somewhere.<br />
Photo credit: Katie Hicks</td></tr>
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<b>The Splatter Factor</b></div>
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Last piece of advice with any mention of bodily fluids, I promise. I learned the hard way that because the desert floor is so dry, it does not readily absorb liquids so anything poured on it from some height or with force will bounce back and splatter you if you're not careful. This is is true of say water or Gatorade, but also of urine or vomit. Enough said.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJl5Zsd9IMflsTom1FbCMSQn5ixVnztwlm31WUV2QLivM_21r8MtJADo8NtB11t60K5eo2Zj0cba_wmcFcjNCRM0SHV5xDN7x7hpHQRvXd05cuOJkBNr9eWC7qDbNynTLBvKWYSTDbT4/s1600/12185449_918338274888681_1591233258406487205_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJl5Zsd9IMflsTom1FbCMSQn5ixVnztwlm31WUV2QLivM_21r8MtJADo8NtB11t60K5eo2Zj0cba_wmcFcjNCRM0SHV5xDN7x7hpHQRvXd05cuOJkBNr9eWC7qDbNynTLBvKWYSTDbT4/s320/12185449_918338274888681_1591233258406487205_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultras are gross but the desert is beautiful.<br />
Photo credit: <a href="http://www.sweetmimages.com/">Sweet M Images</a></td></tr>
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<b>Don't Judge</b></div>
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Another runner was coming towards me singing loudly and poorly to music that only he could hear on his iPod. At the time, I thought to myself, "Man, that must be annoying to the other runners around him. I'm glad I'm not them." And then a few hours later Happy by Pharrell Williams came on my iPod and I was shocked to realize that I was not only singing along - loudly and poorly - but also dancing - badly and in public which I just don't do. Ever. Don't underestimate the effects of sun and fatigue on your ultra addled brain. They can make you do all kinds of things you wouldn't normally do.<br />
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<b>Be Cool</b></div>
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Even during the "cooler" years by Arizona standards (think low to mid 20s), this is a hot race with full exposure i.e. no shade for almost 12 daylight hours. Come up with strategies to manage the heat and use them. Also have a good understanding of your fluid and electrolyte needs. I didn't and I think that's one of the reason I ran into problems later in the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxjlc0yxR8jFcIotgjwGf1a-x6dtM7gO6TaOM5oDmeRwbS6K2-PZjgV9eza6vBQn8ndAjGz21YU7C2VfdImUnp_h-2aegaaFIDiCX5IFGBhetmVHTggckr6oPUTrBsrO3JPTuIl2xr84/s1600/P1040570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxjlc0yxR8jFcIotgjwGf1a-x6dtM7gO6TaOM5oDmeRwbS6K2-PZjgV9eza6vBQn8ndAjGz21YU7C2VfdImUnp_h-2aegaaFIDiCX5IFGBhetmVHTggckr6oPUTrBsrO3JPTuIl2xr84/s320/P1040570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew support zone at Javelina Jeadquarters.<br />
Photo credit: Katie Hicks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So those are just a few of the little nuggets of wisdom that I wanted to share. I finished in 21:48 (my new 100mi PB!) and 9th woman. (Full results <a href="https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=31274">here</a>.) Obviously, I still have A LOT to learn about the 100 mile distance if I'm going to do another one, which I probably will. I think. Maybe. Maybe not. Ask me again after the <a href="http://www.wser.org/">Western States 100</a> lottery on December 5.</div>
<div>
<br />
I'm so thankful to the following for helping me get through yet another 100 miles relatively unscathed:<br />
<br />
The Coury brothers at <a href="http://www.aravaiparunning.com/">Aravaipa Running</a> and all their wonderful volunteers for organizing a super race that I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for a destination 100km or 100mi race. It has everything I look for in an event: beautiful scenery, fun trails, good schwag, yummy food (yep, even made on site pizzas) and local beers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/">The North Face Canada</a> - You've been a great sponsor and so supportive even though I've been injured almost all year and not able to race which makes me feel like a huge dud. As soon as I mentioned that I was thinking of doing this race, your immediate response was: "What can we do for you to help make it happen?" Thank you for having such a super attitude, believing in me and making great products that I'm excited to use and recommend.<br />
<br />
Dave and Katie - I couldn't have hoped for any better crew or pacing support. You both claim to be "bad cops", but you took very good care of me on and off the course and I am so lucky to have had you there. When do we get to do it again - ha ha! ;)<br />
<br />
Mom and Dad - Thanks for coming out to cheer me on in the blistering heat! I know that you don't always understand why I do what I do, but I'm grateful that you're still willing to get behind me no matter what my latest crazy scheme is - even if it puts Dad on the brink of a heart attack. Love you!<br />
<br />
Jesse (RMT), Mark (PT) and Christine (PT) - You've invested so much time trying to put my broken body back together and I know that you probably didn't approve of me doing this race, but thanks for not giving up on me. I wouldn't have made it to the start line - let alone the finish line! - without all your poking, prodding, manipulations, cracking, needling etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0McDowell, Scottsdale, AZ, USA33.685053300000007 -111.749541933.579357800000004 -111.9109034 33.79074880000001 -111.5881804tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-8390376221441155152015-07-18T23:08:00.000-07:002015-07-20T13:16:28.554-07:00Fitness & FunnessIt took awhile to fill the running shoe sized void in my life, but I can honestly say that I'm now in a really good place mentally and physically. To keep fit and sane during almost eight weeks off running, I've been swimming, biking and working on my strength and balance.<br />
<br />
I also spent a couple weeks in France...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNjd_NFN8dFyiDNC1-hnYxNbQtZq9i6DFv099HQBFj-zRhDPSIslnph-_Ecj9h-aLOBz0MBxFQMCPbWl05jdwXoRJtwZQ7QpIOoHZ8sYtgqaJqOxTtyksm4Lwlye9KfMVTtjLLbaYUmA/s1600/IMG_20150530_062250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNjd_NFN8dFyiDNC1-hnYxNbQtZq9i6DFv099HQBFj-zRhDPSIslnph-_Ecj9h-aLOBz0MBxFQMCPbWl05jdwXoRJtwZQ7QpIOoHZ8sYtgqaJqOxTtyksm4Lwlye9KfMVTtjLLbaYUmA/s320/IMG_20150530_062250.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting Team Canada in Annecy at the World Trail Championships</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1R112LDofDkUFF-KlCCMD-rzPQssXj6cqz47FV4aaHUSFstEWLDfM9HwupCYluVyI0J82okrE2KlvBktsQKdiTCvpgh6zz_Ky8VeGl6YB7lRfOt3ochIAO_MHhiNuq9ForXrRamTZno/s1600/IMG_20150601_213826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1R112LDofDkUFF-KlCCMD-rzPQssXj6cqz47FV4aaHUSFstEWLDfM9HwupCYluVyI0J82okrE2KlvBktsQKdiTCvpgh6zz_Ky8VeGl6YB7lRfOt3ochIAO_MHhiNuq9ForXrRamTZno/s320/IMG_20150601_213826.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consuming waaaay too much yummy French breads, cheeses, wines etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHQT7WkyX3M7MSl4WIQH7e7ucbxJMNaYX4tKpbzf3TvCh7Qey41dfNnxDiEDxSLdD2mLlPmNIUtKQme10YUX6zytwv5g40pz6TgqVoDfeF2jufD8KX-B8ge-q2-ikL6X3iXx0LTY1Xg/s1600/IMG_20150603_085933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHQT7WkyX3M7MSl4WIQH7e7ucbxJMNaYX4tKpbzf3TvCh7Qey41dfNnxDiEDxSLdD2mLlPmNIUtKQme10YUX6zytwv5g40pz6TgqVoDfeF2jufD8KX-B8ge-q2-ikL6X3iXx0LTY1Xg/s320/IMG_20150603_085933.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing on the Mediterranean coast in Cassis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_yrzLYvyEqwLrPUoi7c1nyLbUo13gJ6z_9la6vFmKKbxUtTK2PxVSaBzg4hxCoEuxMtlkQtV9r-bXHAxe3o2mTIlR-CLG1Y6QxHz5b1e-NBet0XAS1UN8MX-5HkUXPIdqZb4TvhmqVw/s1600/IMG_20150603_083241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_yrzLYvyEqwLrPUoi7c1nyLbUo13gJ6z_9la6vFmKKbxUtTK2PxVSaBzg4hxCoEuxMtlkQtV9r-bXHAxe3o2mTIlR-CLG1Y6QxHz5b1e-NBet0XAS1UN8MX-5HkUXPIdqZb4TvhmqVw/s320/IMG_20150603_083241.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting the local markets. Mmmm...olives...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M0_mq0phgxnnIy0HOyHdEE4tQiCJi46mBXITo670skSP8NcWb8L9hGZ3EffqyGos0863cxzFQB2r023IasWbu_T17uwiM6zV1C22IBw_3i6gmY9y1KIKl7IrMeosyhrsW6zL7ZtpyWQ/s1600/IMG_20150605_093646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M0_mq0phgxnnIy0HOyHdEE4tQiCJi46mBXITo670skSP8NcWb8L9hGZ3EffqyGos0863cxzFQB2r023IasWbu_T17uwiM6zV1C22IBw_3i6gmY9y1KIKl7IrMeosyhrsW6zL7ZtpyWQ/s320/IMG_20150605_093646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking to the top of Mount Ventoux.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_4M1uAzUaZl-MdiUr67Zyun_VNebDYSusMakIz0zpntazSO6703uWywMTFbEUSWW7bszJa8B9e9I7URrwqhMPWksnxG27zdLNrZcoDTTaRQopVqTk85IaWLXLyYS-zwrEMq88Rx3lh4/s1600/IMG_20150607_114850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_4M1uAzUaZl-MdiUr67Zyun_VNebDYSusMakIz0zpntazSO6703uWywMTFbEUSWW7bszJa8B9e9I7URrwqhMPWksnxG27zdLNrZcoDTTaRQopVqTk85IaWLXLyYS-zwrEMq88Rx3lh4/s320/IMG_20150607_114850.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And through quaint little villages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you ever tear your meniscus and LCL and need a place to go for rest and rehab, I'd highly recommend France! ;) I'm now 10 weeks out from my initial injury and my knee has healed well and is now stable enough to allow me to start running again - yay! Not a lot, and not very quickly, but it's great to be out on the trails.<br />
<br />
I'm also finally making progress with the chronic hamstring and glute pain that has plagued me for over a year. In my unofficial quest to have every healthcare professional in town assess my ass at some point, I'm working with a couple of new therapists who are trying different treatments that seem to be helping.<br />
<br />
My biggest issue seems to be a curve in my spine (also known as scoliosis) that is pinching the sciatic nerve. The hope is that if the alignment in my hips and spine is improved it will reduce the sciatica and the pain will disappear. Fingers crossed this new approach works!<br />
<br />
It's probably completely foolish and premature to even start thinking about races when I've only got two weeks' worth of runs logged on Strava, but I am. Since I had to withdraw from this year's <a href="http://www.ultratrailmb.com/en/page/20/UTMB%C2%AE.html" target="_blank">UTMB</a> (due to the injury issues mentioned above), I'm without a Western States qualifier for the 2016 lottery. This would be my fifth consecutive WS lottery and I really don't want to lose those tickets so I'm tentatively eyeing up <a href="http://aravaiparunning.com/network/javelinajundred/" target="_blank">Javelina 100</a> as my qualifying race.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of other Fall events that I'm considering if the next 6-8 weeks of training goes smoothly and my body stays happy. (As happy as it can when preparing to run 100 miles!?) I've been told it could take up to a year before my knee is 100% so I've adopted a wait and see approach to everything, including racing.<br />
<br />
For the rest of the summer, my plan is to enjoy as much activity as I can - in whatever form I feel like. It's actually really fun to train like a triathlete without actually having to do triathlons. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy4cqfxS0wfBxrsBUsUpTCRRpZJYdn7i8k1jLfGdEUuKZD9uvyvNVW2kvafRjapd_j9AgXtbZrBwtAfcYSuO3NJXAr_zJqSGkVfgADb_3fF4dXh8b7yR-fBl1JJHcZpXP4_8OcqLRjgs/s1600/IMG_20150628_111444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy4cqfxS0wfBxrsBUsUpTCRRpZJYdn7i8k1jLfGdEUuKZD9uvyvNVW2kvafRjapd_j9AgXtbZrBwtAfcYSuO3NJXAr_zJqSGkVfgADb_3fF4dXh8b7yR-fBl1JJHcZpXP4_8OcqLRjgs/s320/IMG_20150628_111444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm also hoping to spend some time in the mountains with this girl. <br />
(And Dave too, of course!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wish everyone a happy summer full of adventures!<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If you like reading running blogs, you might enjoy Pam Smith's recent post <a href="http://theturtlepath.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Coming Back from the Dead</a>. I've never met Pam, but she's on my list of random people I'd like to drink beer with.</i>sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-2038824159285566562015-05-18T20:40:00.000-07:002015-05-21T10:08:28.617-07:00Butterflies and Unicorns<i>Disclaimer:
This is a running blog and while being a runner is a big part of who I am, it’s
not all I am so if I sound like a real downer – or worse yet, a whiner – please
believe that I’m generally a pretty happy person and my negativity in this post relates only
to the current state of my running life and not the rest of my life (which
really kinda rocks in all the ways that matter). </i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">On a recent run, a friend promised butterflies and unicorns at the end of the trail if we were willing to push on just a bit further. It got me thinking, when was the last time I found
anything magical while out running?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Well, it’s
been a really long time. In fact, it’s been nearly two years since <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2013/07/2013-iau-world-trail-championships.html" target="_blank">my last good race</a>. And I don’t
necessarily define a good race by time or placing. For me, it’s having a solid
run where more things go right than wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">For too long, I’ve struggled with a variety of injuries and ailments and my running has suffered. My
body has suffered. My spirit has suffered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Is
suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">The last
four months have been particularly hard as I’ve had to deal with a fractured
sacrum, a GI parasite, hamstring tendinopathy, anemia and, most recently, a torn
meniscus. Nothing debilitating on its own, but the combination has been rough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">With the <a href="http://www.worldtrail2015.com/" target="_blank">2015 world trail championships</a> coming up at the end this month, I’ve had to make the
difficult, but necessary decision not to race. To say I’m disappointed barely
touches on how I’m feeling. While I’d love nothing more than to compete for
Team <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
my focus right now has to be on getting healthy and running pain free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">My
relationship with my body and its image is complicated at best. Self
destructive at worst. In yoga, we’re taught to send love to the places that
hurt. Like full lotus or pigeon pose, this is a challenge for me. I prefer the
tough love approach to pain management: no pain, no gain, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">I exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest, take fistfuls of vitamins, stretch
and roll daily and go for regular massages and physio treatments. In return, I
expect to be fit and strong. When I’m injured, I expect to recover quickly.
Only sometimes it doesn’t happen that way. Injuries don’t care if you’re
frustrated or exasperated with them. They won’t be bribed, coerced or
threatened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Ah, yes. Patience. The virtue I lack. (Probably not the only one.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Now if my life was a cheesy made-for-TV movie, this is when the turning
point would happen. (Or if you’re an Oprah fan, my “Aha!” moment.) I’d realize
that what I’ve been doing isn’t working and that I need to make some changes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Okay, I can roll with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Changes…hmmm…let’s see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">No running until my meniscus mends. (4-6 weeks?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Get my hamstring pain sorted out. Avoid triggers (sitting, bending,
hills) and work on pelvic stability and glute strengthening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Increase my iron intake. I can’t (won’t) eat steak, but I can remember
to take a daily supplement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">No more racing until these three things are achieved. I’m tired of
disappointing results and DNFs! The next time I pin on a race number, I want to
feel like I’m floating on a cloud with a powerful tailwind pushing me towards
the finish line and at the finish line there will be butterflies and unicorns dammit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">And maybe even a double rainbow. Why not? Dream big!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OQSNhk5ICTI" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-39090421831308527782015-02-05T15:16:00.000-08:002015-03-11T14:05:39.057-07:00Winter Cross-Training Up until I broke my butt a couple of weeks ago, I was hitting the ski trails often enough that I'm sure my Norwegian ancestors were looking down upon my sloppy, but enthusiastic tracks with pride. All the skiing has been really beneficial for both increasing my strength and endurance and also for improving my mood just by being outdoors.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In case you missed it, the Winter 2015 issue of <a href="http://trailrunner.ca/home/" target="_blank">Trail Running Canada</a> is out now and includes an article I wrote called "Ski Your Way to Better Running" on page 37 (as well as a picture of my handsome husband). And if cross-country skiing just isn't your thing, you should still check out the e-mag - it's full of lots of great content. (Back issues of this fantastic publication are available <a href="http://issuu.com/trailrunningcanada" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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Injury update:</div>
<div>
I'm happy to report that my sacrum is healing up nicely and it should only be a few more weeks before I'm back to all my usual activities. Until then, I'm keeping busy - and sane - with water running and walking/jogging on the treadmill. Hopefully, I'll be able to add skiing to that list after this weekend. </div>
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sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-79820888046833457172015-01-27T16:32:00.000-08:002015-02-05T15:18:57.190-08:002015!? Where did you come from? It may not be obvious from the lack of blog activity, but I have been keeping busy. I'll try to summarize the past few months as briefly as possible so as not to bore you...<br />
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After the <a href="http://staceyontherun.blogspot.ca/2014/08/cascade-crest-100-race-report.html" target="_blank">Cascade Crest 100</a> in August, I took a six-week break from training. Physically I probably didn't need it because - other than my GI tract - I didn't tax my body too much and recovered quite quickly, but mentally I like to take some time off at the end of my racing year to reflect, regroup and relax. During this time, I enjoyed some low key adventures with friends and just chilled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peak bagging in WA with Dave and Dora.</td></tr>
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Dave and I took a little road trip down to Moab, Utah in October for an adventure race that he was doing. I took full advantage of being the support crew (i.e. non racer) and enjoyed spicy foods, extra pints and later than usual bedtimes. So naughty - I could get use to it!? :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out trails near Park City, Utah en route to Moab.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain biking in the desert.</td></tr>
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In November, I did <a href="http://www.dirtyfeet.ca/trail-running-races/november-penticton/" target="_blank">The North Face Dirty Feet Tunnel Run</a> in Naramata. Having only been back running for a couple of weeks prior to the race (literally), I didn't feel very fit, but I really like the Dirty Feet races and the couple who puts them on, Phil and Grace, so I decided to go for it. Costumes are encouraged so I pulled one out of the tickle trunk and had some fun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Jerry Mitchell</td></tr>
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I was pleased and surprised to finish first woman and fourth overall (even though I was two minutes slower than when I'd run it two years ago).</div>
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The rest of my winter has been filled with lots of yoga and cross country skiing. I've haven't done a lot of either in the past, but am really enjoying both activities and think they nicely complement all the running. I feel stronger and more balanced for both sport and life in general. It's a good feeling.</div>
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I've also been training hard for the Phoenix Marathon in February. Fortunately, it's been a very mild winter so I've been able to do much of my training outdoors. (As opposed to other years when the snow and ice have forced me to log many miles on the treadmill.) My training has been going well and after my last long run, I started to believe that I might actually be able to pull off a sub-3 hour marathon, which has been a goal of mine for some time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look - it's me on a Caution sign! :)</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, due to a fall on the ice last week that resulted in a fractured sacrum, I may have to pull out of the marathon in order to allow my body to fully heal. I'm hoping it won't come to that, but I have to be sensible. I have a couple of really big, exciting races planned for 2015 and I don't want to jeopardize them by rushing my recovery. It's not easy, but I'm taking my injury a day at a time and I'll just have to wait and see how I feel over the next few weeks.</div>
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One of the races that I'm wildly excited about is the <a href="http://www.ultratrailmb.com/" target="_blank">Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB)</a>. I got in through the lottery and I have no doubt it'll be a highlight of this year. It's a race that I've wanted to do since I knew it existed and I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time in mountains this summer preparing for it.</div>
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Last but definitely not least is that I've been invited to join <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/canada/" target="_blank">The North Face Canada</a> running team again this year. After a lackluster 2014, I wasn't sure that they'd want me back, but they've been incredibly supportive through my injury highs and lows and I'm grateful to know that they've got my back (and will keep it clothed in sweet, technical gear!). </div>
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Happy 2015!</div>
sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-53836921766411921032014-08-27T16:12:00.000-07:002015-02-06T10:54:25.552-08:00Cascade Crest 100 Race Report<i>"Everything was going so good, I thought something bad might happen. </i><br />
<i>And then it did..." </i>From the song Coffee Stain by Sarah Harmer<br />
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That's kind of how my race went, only I didn't think something bad might happen until it did and then things went from really good to really bad faster than I could pop the top off a bottle of TUMS. A conversation with my husband, who started pacing me at the Hyak aid station some 53 miles in, went something like this:<br />
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Dave: "I can't believe how well everything is going."<br />
Stacey: "I know - it's great! I feel so good. I'm exactly where I wanted to be at this point in the race. My pacing has been bang on and I haven't had any of my usual troubles with hydration or nutrition. Everything feels easy. It seems too good to be true."<br />
Dave: "Well, just keep it up, you've still got a long way to go."<br />
Stacey: "No worries. I've got this."<br />
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Three minutes pass...<br />
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Stacey: "Um, can we slow it down a bit. My stomach suddenly doesn't feel so good."<br />
Dave: "Yeah, sure."<br />
Stacey: "I think I'm going to throw up."<br />
<sounds of="" vomiting.=""></sounds><br />
Vomiting, dry heaving, retching, belching and yes, even, farting (sorry - ultrarunning is kinda gross) would be the soundtrack to the rest of my race, which can really be neatly divided into two parts: Before Hyak and After Hyak. So before I get ahead of myself and elaborate too much on unpleasant bodily functions, let's reminisce about the good times.<br />
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<b>Before Hyak (Miles 0-53)</b><br />
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Any pre-race nerves were the result of several factors. <a href="http://www.cascadecrest100.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Crest</a> would be my first 100 miler and I was equal parts excited and terrified about trying something new that would undoubtedly take me to dark places that mentally and physically I spend most of my life trying to avoid. Also, I felt woefully under-trained. A hamstring injury and sciatic nerve issues that started in May and resulted in two DNFs and a forced break from running for most of July had seriously hampered my confidence and ability to put in any big miles. A cortisone injection in my hamstring sheath 3.5 weeks before the race was effective in reducing the pain, but I had no idea if it would last nor how my body would handle twice the distance I'd ever run.<br />
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Standing at the starting line beside the Easton Fire Hall, I was uncertain how the next 24-plus hours would play out, but resolved to get through it no matter what. My main objective was to finish under the 32 hour cut-off so I'd have a qualifying race to enter my 4th(!) <a href="http://www.wser.org/" target="_blank">Western States 100</a> lottery and enough points for<a href="http://www.ultratrailmb.com/" target="_blank"> The North Face UTMB</a> lottery. Beyond that, I wanted to finish feeling good - as good as possible after running 100 miles, that is - and not to get lost or (re)injured. And while, technically, I achieved all of these things so can consider the race a success, I think next time, I'll be more specific in what I'm asking of the race gods.<br />
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As I alluded to earlier, the first half of the race was a dream. I power hiked up steep climbs, danced my way along ridge trails and down flowing single track, chatted with friendly fellow runners (mainly about races that we'd done or wanted to do) and when I needed a break from running talk, I distracted myself with a fun new playlist that I'd put together. Aid station stops were quick and efficient, with my crew and the very capable race volunteers on hand to assist with every whim. Everything was beautiful and effortless. A 30 mile stretch on the Pacific Crest Trail was especially nice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising along on the PCT.</td></tr>
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I wasn't paying close attention, but think I was probably in the top five women for most of the first half with a couple of us frequently changing position on the climbs and descents. Less concerned about placing, than pacing this early in the race, I was happy to be on or slightly ahead of my time targets while still feeling quite relaxed.<br />
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Looking back, I think my stomach problems probably started around mile 45 with a long downhill stretch, followed by a technical bit that I was rushing to get through in the fading light, which distracted me from eating and led to a calorie-deficit that upset the balance of my delicate GI tract. <br />
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Coming into the Christmas-themed Hyak aid station at around 9 pm, just over 11 hours into the race, I was feeling pretty good but a bit rushed as I wanted to change my shoes, socks, shirt and pack here while also getting in some solid food and be on my way again in under five minutes. With Dave now starting his pacing duties, we've reached the second part of this crazy journey.<br />
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<b>After Hyak (Miles 53-100)</b><br />
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Oh, how the mighty fall. After patting ourselves on our backs about how well I'm doing, there I am on the side of the road ridding myself of everything I'd just eaten, followed by dry heaving and retching every few steps as I struggle up the 8 miles to Keechelus Ridge aid station where I try a couple sips of broth that refuse to stay down.<br />
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Any attempts to jog the 8 downhill miles to Lake Kachess aid station are thwarted by an angry stomach that refuses to settle and doesn't tolerate jostling well either so we just keep walking, and getting passed. Sigh. Feeling too miserable to care about much, Dave and I decide that I will have a 20-minute power nap in the van at Lake Kachess and then reassess my ability to carry on. Or not. If I'm still unable to eat, then it's unlikely that I'll be able to continue.<br />
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Fortunately, 20 minutes of sleep proved to be exactly what I needed and I left Lake Kachess with a much happier belly and attitude, which was certainly tested on "the trail from hell" that was next up. Alison had planned to pace me through this section, but because I was so much slower on the last section than we had expected, it didn't work out so Dave stepped up to do the honours. (My husband rocks!)<br />
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We did a decent job of power hiking this extremely technical 5-mile trail, but by the end of it, the nausea was back and I was swept up in the oh so pleasant vomit and dry heave cycle. We arrive in Mineral Creek around 5 am and the lovely Stacie was there waiting to pace me through the final 27 miles. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked and walked and walked...</td></tr>
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We walk about 20 of those miles, my stomach tolerating only the tiniest sips of ginger ale. After a long climb on a dirt road, we spent most of the morning on rolling single track. With the expansive mountain views and brightening sky, it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the pristine beauty of this area.<br />
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At around 93 miles, I start feeling good. Really good, in fact, and we start pounding out the last few miles in what I think was a very respectable time considering everything my body had been through in the past 24 hours.<br />
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I finished in just over 26 hours and in 8th place for women. Full results <a href="http://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=24532" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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It was a long and hard journey, but one that I am ultimately so glad to have taken, even with the lows, because it's from them that I'll learn the most for the next race. And, yes, there will be more 100 milers in my future. (Sorry, Dave!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish with my very patient, super pacer Stacie who walked 20 miles with me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-race finish line pic with my other super pacer and most wonderful husband, Dave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be done!</td></tr>
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<b>Gratitude</b></div>
Running ultras is an extremely selfish undertaking and I couldn't do it without others selflessly supporting me.<br />
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<b>My Crew</b><br />
The one aspect of the race that I had no concerns about was my amazing crew. I can't thank Dave, Stacie, Magda, Alison, Sam and wee Fiona enough for giving up a gorgeous summer weekend to sleep unusual hours in odd places and put up with me and my BS and bad smells for much longer than anyone should. They kept me going when the going got really bad and I owe my finish in large part to their efforts. They knew that the only acceptable excuse I'd have for not finishing would be an injury - and I'm pretty sure it'd have to be a serious one for them to let me quit. (If I'd known how terrible 40 miles of walking while severely nauseated and vomiting would feel, I might have added it to the list, but I didn't and that's probably a good thing or I might not be the proud owner of a shiny new belt buckle today!)<br />
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Coach Ryne for preparing me as best he could while I stubbornly kept injuring myself. Also, my massage therapist Pierre and physio Mark for treating said injuries.<br />
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And to my friends and family who sent their love and best wishes from afar, thank you. It really does mean a lot to me to have your support (even if you think what I'm doing is absolutely insane).<br />
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<b>The Cascade Crest Race Organizers & Volunteers</b><br />
Wow - you are amazing! This was one of the best organized races that I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. From the race schwag to the well stocked aid stations, to the course markings and cheerful volunteers. Well done!<br />
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<b>The North Face Canada</b><br />
I am so proud to represent The North Face Canada. Their products have never let me down and, as you can see from my gear list below, without their sponsorship, I'd be practically naked out on the course and no one wants to see that!<br />
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<b>Gear</b><br />
While not everything went well for me this race, I did get it right with my gear. Thanks to the following items, I made it through the race without any chaffing whatsoever and my feet stayed blissfully blister-free.<br />
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The North Face GTD trail shoes<br />
Injinji trail toesocks x 2<br />
The North Face Better Than Naked Tees x 2<br />
The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts x 2<br />
The North Face Better Than Naked Jacket<br />
The North Face capris<br />
The North Face Stow-N-Go bra<br />
The North Face arm sleeves<br />
Sugoi calf sleeves<br />
The North Face Better Than Naked hat<br />
Buff (borrowed from Alison)<br />
Petzl Tikka headlamp<br />
Nathan HPL hydration pack<br />
Ultimate Direction Jenny ultra vest<br />
Garmin Forerunner 310XT watch<br />
Ironman Timex sports watch<br />
Rudy Project sunglasses<br />
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2183826634328744389.post-22721082244626110792014-07-22T14:00:00.000-07:002014-07-22T16:36:53.715-07:00Recovery for a broken body and spiritThe last few months have been a struggle when it comes to anything running related - even this blog. Since May, I've been sidetracked with sciatica and high hamstring tendinopathy. I've run and raced through it, which has led to a few unsatisfactory finishes - as well as another DNF - and likely prolonged my recovery. Stupid, stupid, stupid.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile? Grimace? @ <a href="http://www.evergreentrailruns.com/6-15-echo-valley-trail-run" target="_blank">Echo Valley 50mi</a> in Chelan, WA. <br />
Photo: Takao Suzuki</td></tr>
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I was finally forced to take a couple weeks off of running entirely and filled my time with yoga, swimming, biking, stretching, rolling and lots and lots of physio. (There may also have been some alcohol and self pity.) While cross training is great and has helped maintain my sanity and girlish figure, I'd rather spend my time on the trails. </div>
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Or would I?</div>
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Even before I got injured, running was not the source of pleasure that it once was for me. Where there used to be joy in my heart when I laced up my shoes and headed out the door, I was instead tormented by a nagging sense of resentment and frustration that I just couldn't shake, or explain. </div>
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At first, I blamed these feelings on a bad week. Then, two bad weeks. Maybe a virus or low iron? Over training? I visited my family doctor and he ordered some blood work. My iron was low, but it's been lower in the past without consequence. I was both disappointed and relieved that there was no medical reason to explain why I was feeling so blah. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not all bad. I've enjoyed catching up with friends too. <br />
@ <a href="http://5peaks.com/events/canadian-mountain-running-championships/" target="_blank">Cdn Mtn Running Championships</a> with <a href="http://catrinjones.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Catrin Jones</a>.</td></tr>
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Part of me thinks that if I'm not enjoying running any more, then I should just give it up. Life is short; hobbies should make us happy. I even "retired" from running for about 5 minutes after my most recent DNF on Day 2 of the TransRockies <a href="http://transrockies.com/kananaskis3-registration/" target="_blank">Kananaskis 3-day race</a>, but I quickly came to my senses and have decided to give myself more time to find my way back to the sport that I've loved for so long. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kananaskis Day 1. What's with my posture? Yikes!</td></tr>
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I now have the green light to start running again - slowly and with caution - and just over 5 weeks before my first 100-mile trail race, <a href="http://www.cascadecrest100.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Crest</a>. Obviously, the lead up has not exactly gone as I had hoped so I'm just going to have to make the most of it and, above all else, try to have fun and finish with a smile.<br />
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After that, who knows.<br />
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<br />sbutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17323576648820355017noreply@blogger.com0