kirsten's thoughts, mostly running-related

Just another blog ~ some helpful stuff ~ some feelings etc

Tag: trail running

Somethings bugging me

September 15, 2018 /

The weather was perfect.  Despite the usual lack of sleep or nutrition, I felt fine.

Finishing up loop 1 I said out loud, That was easy.  I loved the time to myself.  The time w my thoughts.

I wasnt in pain or tired.  Same after loop two.  I was good.  Training?  I thought, Who needs training 😉

There was a funny moment at aid where I asked for scissors so I could cut my pants into shorts.  A nurse helped me, after she noticed I cut myself (Im clumsy and my hands were swollen).

Approaching the 20 mile mark of loop 3, I was coming up to my favorite part of this course, the rocky ridge at the rivers edge.  Was almost done and ready to meet up with my friend who was going to pace me thru the last two loops, I got bit

FUCK – I screamed.   It hurt.

I couldnt see whatever it was, but I slapped it.   And it fucking bit me again.  I just ran.

Since whatever it was bit me twice, it wasn’t a bee, and there was no stinger.  It was probably a wasp.  A nasty, angry wasp who didn’t mind the smell and taste of insect repellent.  Swelling and dizziness and itchy hives ensued.   My head was spinning and I felt like I had bugs all over me.   And I knew my race was over.  Only ~6 hours into it, I was done.

That was 6 hours ago.  I still itch and have markings all over my chest and stomach (though I was bit  on my shoulder and shin).  The only reason this makes me happy is that if I was going to be haunted by regret over if I’d over reacted and should have kept going, and I will, be haunted – at least I know that anaphylaxis is no joke and I really couldn’t  run anymore.

**though a weird dark version of me has always thought if I could pick where I die it would be on the trail**

Anyways, I knew it was a more serious reaction  than just the bite site, when the itching was everywhere.  I knew I needed benadryl and I knew the amount I needed  would knock me out.

So I  cut off my chip, on this beautiful cool fall day, when I felt strong and pain free, was making great time,  and was about to be paced by a super cool chic.

Those the the breaks I guess.

Time to register for the next one.

a month away

March 27, 2017 /

Today I went out and got new shoes and couldn’t wait to try them out on the trail. It was like I had to spend that $100ish dollars to force myself to run. I had to right? Race is a month away, one little run wont matter but still…

I hate to write too much about my upcoming race, since I don’t even know if Im going to run it, but here it goes. If I do show up, despite that it is a conflict with an important work event, and Im in the worst shape Ive been in since I started running in Oct 2010 – my Level One Goal is to do 4 laps, which would be a full marathon. I haven’t run longer than 5k in a year, and Ive maybe only run a half dozen times.

I did just do a 6 week metabolic fitness challenge and it didn’t change my life or anything, but got me back on the right track.
My handful of excuses for the worst shape ‘of my running life’ is new job (with just as much travel and a ton more commuting etc), moving (after 9 yrs in one place, which is the longest Ive ever lived anywhere) < and 2 months later Im still not even half done, kid stuff and other stuff – whatever. No matter what life throws at us, we’re always in a position to make choices and what we do or don’t do fitness and wellness-wise, is on us. I think I can do the full – which will be a lot with zero training and my plan is one lap at a time after that. If I do one more lap, that’s ultra #11 in a little under 6 yrs. 3 more laps would be 50 miler #3, and another 2 laps would tie my distance PR for 100k – but before I start talking about how many more laps to get to a new distance PR or 75 miles etc – I know that Im not in the shape I was in two years ago when I did 100k. And, that year Id done a full and a 50k just 2 and 3 weeks prior to the 100k That would be like expecting to have done 4:20 at FlyingPig like I did at Shamrock, when I was simply no where near the same shape. What I really love about the Athletic Equation timed races is that you just go out there and race yourself. There are no cutoff points and Im not saying that makes it easier, its just a very different race dynamic. Its metaphorical of each day of our lives isn’t it? Facing ourselves, maybe our greatest opponent and ally!! Think about it. Be well Love ~k

Final Spring Race Report 2016 – The Humble Version

May 8, 2016 /

So ultra number 10 in just under 5 yrs is done, and Im curled up in bed now all cozy. It didn’t turn out the way I’d planned, but that’s ok. Actually, all three of the races I did in the last month had results very unlike what I’d hoped. A succession of unforeseen recent events/circumstances had me pretty sure I wasn’t even going to go today. I wasn’t packed and nothing was charged, not my phone or my GoPro.

The race started at 7am and there I was, at 830, still home, drinking coffee in front of my computer about to do all the things I hadn’t finished this week. Then I just jumped in my car and headed down. I thought of Jodi and I hope she doesn’t mind me saying this but was I seriously going to not do the drive and at least 5 loops because of blisters or sprains or work pressure or the kid stress or any series hectic or taxing trauma – while my friend is fighting cancer? For like 8 years!!? Im not going to get into her business but I will just say that her unwavering faith and beautiful love for our Lord humbles me greatly and make me admire her so.

I needed this. I needed to be out there. And they let me start late!! By the time I arrived everyone was at least two loops ahead of me, including the new friend I met during the North Face and dragged to Flying Pig with me. I think he finished 7 loops! Woo Hoo!

I actually got to spend a good bit of time on my own, with just my thoughts, clearer on the trail than at any other time. My original goal for this 24 hour run was to run the full 24 for a distance of 75 miles (12 loops). Now I was aiming to call it a night after only 5. And thats ok.

Oh how I love how my head lectures itself when I am out there in the woods.I decided these trail ultras, particularly the timed ones, are the best metaphor for life. You race against yourself. There are twists and turns and obstacles. There are many unexpected things that can happen from a stumble over a root or a slithering snake gone by or the noticing of a tiny pretty flower all alone and smiling up at you. The kindness of others out there is really a gem in it all. Everyone helps everyone in every possible way.

These ATR races in particular, more than any, are so full of wonderful people carefully providing the most wonderful race experience. Wounds are dressed, bladders are filled, encouraging words are spread and the food is outstanding. You leave feeling not just like you have more friends than when you arrived but that you are part of a big awesome family.

Today, I thought about humility. I thought about in life how you get put in a situation where you feel someone else gets something you deserve. When you get blamed for things you didn’t do or watch others take credit for what you were responsible for. How can we really learn and grow in all these situations? How are our greatest lessons the most painful ones? Knowledge and wisdom come with scars.

I reflected about attention and approval and how Ive always craved both for some reason. A year ago I did ten loops and I needed to do more. But why? I mean its not a bad thing to be motivated and have goals but it doesn’t hurt to know what the point is. To be still when God tells you to. To listen. To be at peace. To stop trying to control everything. And out there on the trail, there’s so much you cant control…so translate that into life. Ive been too stressed lately. This little 10+ hr run gave me clarity. Peace…

When I was home earlier where I belonged and needed to be, the sunshine outside for the first time all week, beckoned at me and I couldn’t fight it. I shut my laptop and just left. I knew the injuries I had were from the last couple of races and were minor and that if I took it easy, I’d get through it.

The trail was in amazing shape considering all the rain we’ve had – or maybe my standards just changed after the NF muddy debacle. I do wish I”d had the GoPro with me for some o the trickier spots, just to share – but really, there are things that no film could ever really capture – and that is the whole personal experience.

At one point, I had the full on Curt-Schilling-bloody-sock thing going on, just like in North Face a month ago. The crew put new skin on me and taped it and off I went. Shortly later it slid off and was rubbing worse. So the next time I came through they cleaned it, disinfected it, reskinned it and then “taped the fuck out of it”
Not only did it hold the rest of my loops, I could hardly get it off when I got home. Its in rough shape and will be for a while, but Im confident I’ll be back in order soon enough.

Luckily there are no more races on the horizon. I am taking off for a week, completely, Then Im going to increase the water intake, reduce coffee and wine, carb-cycle and split my days between Daily Burn and riding my bike, whenever possible. Just do what I do, because choices matter.

I came home to flowers and a card and most importantly – a big yummy Starbucks ordered just the way i like it.
Happy Mother’s day.

Be well everyone
<3 <3 <3 K

where I belong

June 19, 2014 /

I have no idea why I registered for the Diva race in Sept – impulsivity I guess.   Everything about [the race] annoys me and/or does not appeal to me.  I don’t want to wear a tutu or a tiara.  Not that Ive never pretended to be a girly-girl, but that is not who I am and not the sort of crowd I even want to be around.

I guess if someone were doing it w me I could enjoy it w that person, but, I don’t think I will enjoy the experience.  Honestly, I don’t really see myself doing any street races anymore.  Something will really have to twist my arm to compel me to run a non-trail race again.

I just want to be on the trail – yes, the place where I cut my knee open – its where I am happy.

I want to be around people like the BadToTheBone and NorthFace and AthleticEquation crowds.

Theyre my kind of people.

So – I just registered for the AE 12-Hour Race in Sept (the week after the Diva that I likely wont do) *does anyone see a pattern here ie not doing Zooma the week before NF 😉

And yes, I plan to do the AE 24 Hour again next Spring.

Beyond that, I get my stitches out tomorrow – and I’m gonna fix the tires on my bike and start riding in addition to strength/core, that’s how I plan to spend my summer.  See you in Sept along the Quantico River 😀

12 hr map

just another day at the office ;-)

March 28, 2014 /

I showed up to the customer location dressed impeccably.  It was an important meeting, and I was ready for it.  There was an issue with my clearance so people were running around trying to figure out what we would do next, and then the person I was there to meet walked in.  We made small talk and the subject of running came up.  I told him I’d be running my first 24-Hour-Ultra on a nearby trail.  He asked if I had my running gear with me.  Of course I do.  “I know the trail, lets go” – everyone else looked on.

So just like that, we went running.  Seven miles.  The meeting that was to be, never was – and there we were.  On a trail, alongside a creek, going up and down hills covered in mudd.

It was f’n awesome.  We had a better conversation than we had when I met him three years ago in a conference room.  It was pretty much the best meeting Ive ever had, on so many levels.

I am thankful I didn’t wipe out 😉

When I got home, I was still in my running gear, so – my husband, youngest son, and doggie and I ran a mile out back  (I couldn’t catch any of them).  My little guy earned his Mardi Gras Madness 1-Miler medal that I’d ordered for him.  He was so proud.

boys trail

Fantastic day.  Almost 90 miles for the month, 325 for the yr.  5 weeks until the 24-Hour-Ultra 😉

 

ultra-training

March 16, 2014 /

In response to some twitter posts recently,  let me start by saying I do what works for me and feels right.  You have to do what works for you as well.  I hope that the successes and failures I share will help you, but by no means do I think there is one way to do things that will work for everyone.  We all have to do our own thing.

People often ask about what is the big differentiation in terms of training for an ultra, rather than a marathon.  There are a few things I had to learn, to include bricking, pacing-down and ‘learning to walk’, but today I’ll start with nutrition.  If youre running for 8 or more hours, you’re going to have to consume more than just a sports drink or energy gel to keep going.

While you are doing your long training runs (and hopefully you’re doing back-to-back longs, but not more than 20 miles imo) – bring food.  Try one thing at a time, so you can test how you will react to it.  This doesn’t mean that you’ll react the exact same way every time, or that the same things will always appeal to you – every run can be different – but just try one thing at a time.

Aid stations are going to have things like fruit, cookies, crackers and chips etc.  Since I am gluten free, I can not always indulge in what is being provided.  So I have to bring my own stuff, by way of drop bags, backpack and/or crew.  Examples of things I have eaten are pretzels, nut butter sandwiches, doubleshots (this is probably not good advice because coffee is a dietetic but I crave it during runs), roasted salty potatoes (omg yes); and crispy turkey bacon (don’t judge me).

I also water down sports drinks – I don’t drink them straight – they irritate me.  I water them at least half and half or even one part electrolytes and two parts water.  Salt is important – it can take cramps away, as can bananas ie potassium.  Some people like fruit and candy etc, but I usually cant stomach anything sweet.

Anyways – when youre out training for 3 or 4 hours, bring a little food.  Youll be glad on race day when you have made a habit out of eating-on-the-run.

<3 K

 

 

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