kirsten's thoughts, mostly running-related

Just another blog ~ some helpful stuff ~ some feelings etc

Tag: ultra (Page 1 of 2)

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

Keeping it really real

February 26, 2017 /

Its an on-again, off-again journey < harder for some that others. For me, registering for races isnt just a motivator, its about the greatest feeling of all, the finish line. This last iteration of off-the-wagon was a combination of starting a new job, increasing my commute, moving, and a series of other crap that just took a priority over my fitness.

I entered a 6 week challenge 6 wks ago to kick my a$$ back on track.

Ive been lifting a lot but not spending much time doing cardio. I happen to know that you CAN cardio your way thin. Too thin even. My first full marathon, Oct 2010, I was gross skinny. My next marathon, 5 months later, was the best shape of my life, 10 lbs heavier, all muscle. Ive run 8 total fulls but never that fast again. It was also the year I PRd 50k and 50 Miles. None of my fulls or (10) ultras since have I done so well. But Im searching for a different kind of PR this year…and its going to be more about my mental stamina than anything!!

Anyways, adding muscle to a frame that isnt carrying fat is easy. I said it. Its fucking easy.
I have fat to lose now, so I cant just keep lifting. I need more time on my feet to build the endurance to spend 24 hours moving on a trail. Pretty basic stuff.

Ive been mixing spin, running (I just started back up) and lifting (HIITS). Today I followed a sprint video and there were only ten 30 second sprints but phwew, I was feelin’ it!!

Lifting is definitely my favorite of the three types of activities but I know theyre all important. As a side note, my new house has a pool, so no more excuses to not swim. I cant wait to open it and start training – for my first Iron Man. But I digress….first I need to do my next ultra, in exactly 2 months!!!

So I close with a horrifying before-after pic (wine belly).

before and after

Be well my friends,

xo

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

Not The Race Report I Fantasized About Writing

October 10, 2015 /

I wont be closing out the month of my 5 year marathon-anniversary with a 100 miler. Yeah, a full, two halves, 2 50ks and a 100k in the last few months – but I did not finish the Grindstone100 – but I started. It rained on us the majority of the time. The terrain is brutal – at least the part I managed to finish.
I love that this race started with the director, Clark who amazingly managed to get this all pulled off after the permits were pulled last week due to storms – prayed for us and our safety. Then we all sang the National Anthem – then we were off.

The two runners I paired up with were vets, to say the least. Between them they’ve completed such great feats as Barkley, Bad Water, Leadville and Grindstone – as well as other insanity runs to include countless 100s, some 200+s and one of those amazing cross-state runs totaling over 600 miles. One of them, Dave, was the only reason I wasn’t curled up in a ball in the pouring down rain crying. OK slight exaggeration but we both were there for each other in different ways to including noticing which way to go or helping each other up from a fall.

When I got to the last aid station before dropping, there was a handful of
people waiting for a ride back to the start. The worker who was driving them basically said – ‘You just did the hardest part of the race, it will be light in a few hours. Youre almost an hour behind the hard cut off. Not to be rude, but you need to make your decision fast – either get in my car, I need to get up and back – or start running.’ At this point David was out – how can he be out – he has done BAD WATER – he has done LEADVILLE etc – and no one was behind me, they’d all gotten in a car to go back. The next runner back was 30 minutes up, a super nice guy who’s name I forgot that left a shirt for me at the station because I didn’t properly prepare in terms of change of clothes and drop bags – it wasn’t likely I’d catch him, and I still had nearly an hour to make up to not be DQd.
Its not that I cant handle the miles, or time on my feet, I’d done twice that distance or duration 4 times already this year. It was this gnarly course, this day – this moment…my nutrition – whatever. I inspire myself usually by just saying, Do it for your kids so they can never say they couldnt beat the odds – because you always do – but alas.

This is not the same as my JFK story I love to tell when I didn’t make the cut off then made up the time plus 15 to finish under….I wasn’t 10 miles from the finish – I was like 70 – and this course was like no other Ive ever seen.
I had plenty of energy still – but that didn’t matter at all…Im certain I can go a solid week without eating or sleeping – but I cant make myself faster. I’d taken too much precious time avoiding falls while I watch people fall all round me. The paths are narrow, the edges are slick and soft, and the drops were steep and rocky. I watched someone’s foot go off the path and they slide right down the hill. And for me, much worse than the steep climbs, was the declines that were very much like Slip & Slides.

I went from being massively over heated to shivering in my soaked clothes. All the water crossings were over flowing from the rain the past two weeks and my feet were a soggy mess. I didn’t bring enough pairs of shoes either….
All that sounds like a whiney bitch-fest and none of it is an excuse. The race is still going on now as I am writing this – and will for a long many hours for whoever is still in it. Over half the registrants didn’t start and I have no idea how many DQs will happen – but all the journeys are unique.

We all have our own challenges in training and races. Priorities, responsibilities, disabilities – and gifts and strengths. Prior to this moment I’d say my grit and stubbornness are my truest game changer. It was no small task to chose not to keep going. I was fearful of being alone and lost for hours on end in the rainy darkness. I was already seeing shit that I knew wasn’t real, and I’d only been in it about 8 hours. Normally it takes at least 12 hours for me to loop out like that – but the fog, rain and leaves all made the path crazy to look at. Also, if I headed out there alone – if at some point I needed assistance – I was going to be HOURS from any other human, as it was taking several hours to get to each station. That and, unless I got a tremendous boost of energy, I was looking at a finish that likely wouldn’t even make the final cutoff by at least an hour.

I love the wonderful people I added to my life, like every endurance adventure
I partake in – it’s a special breed.

grinstone graphic

Same ;)

October 4, 2015 /

Yes, all of us are unique individuals. I had a person tell me last week that surfing for however many hours equates to 25 miles of swimming which by effort on a mile to mile ratio is the same as running 100 miles. Ive never surfed an inch, I wouldnt know.
Ive also seen and heard, I don’t know how many times – the question asked, what’s harder, a century ride or an IronMan or a 50 Mile run etc.
Yo. Really. I don’t know. I suppose we’d all like to think whatever we’ve done is the hardest. Was your run assisted or unassisted etc? Its all debatable.
I know that I’d rather be sitting on a bicycle seat on a down-hill, with no more effort that the wind in my face than running down that sucker. And actually, I can run past people on bikes on the hills where I live. So, there’s that.
They say a mile is a mile. I get it. It is said to encourage the slower runner. I should’ve prefaced to say, I am one of those slower runners. And I can tell you – at least for me – a mile is not a mile. An 8 minute miles is a hell of a lot harder *for me* than a 12. I actually have been more worn out crushing a 5k than meandering a 50k. Depends on the day.
A flat mile is a lot easier than a steep incline. The road and the track and the trail are all very different. So no, a mile is not a mile in running. Going all out on a flat, lit, short loop for 24 hours might be just as ‘hard’ as holding back on a crazy technical mountain single track trail for 30 hours – I don’t know – I have yet to do either – I actually imagine that would be mentally horrific – but I know what Ive done and as much as I don’t mean to discourage anything that anyone else does –Im here to tell you – it is NOT the same.
But here is what IS the same. Doing and trying. Do it. Try. Or else all the pontificating in the world equates to a big fat zero. Get your butts out there, every day – and DO something.
Be well all my friends
Xo
~K~

cinque anni

September 27, 2015 /

As anyone who has talked to me recently probably already knows – October 30 is the 5 Year Anniversary of my first marathon aka “marathon-versary”. And in just a few days – less than a week, I am attempting my first 100 Miler.

It will be my 40th race, and 9th ultra.
Oh, how my life has changed so much! Ive added so many new and wonderful people to my life. Ive learned so much about who I am, and what Im capable of.

During this journey so far, starting with training for my first full, five years ago – I have been in so many different places, in terms of fitness and training. There were races that I ran EVERY day for. I remember following plans to a T. I remember between work trips or my kids’ basketball, football and lacrosse games, I would use those periods of time to hit the trail – I always had my shoes and gear on me or near me. Football practices were 6 nights per week, so why not run around the practice field the whole time? People in the community just came to know me as a stinky person.

That’s what I did.

Ive been injured to the point of completely incapacitated. Ive had a pulled back and a ripped open knee. Ive been just plain old lazy and my weight has ranged up and down in a 30 pound window!!

For me personally – Ive over trained. I dislocated a toe (that is still not connected to my foot) doing incessant hill-repeats for hours. And I’ve under-trained, driving hours away to a race where I found myself barely able to walk anymore, nevermind run! What a lesson!!

When you don’t listen to your trainer about how to fall (roll into it) not only do you break your hand – sometimes you end up with enough rocks in your knee (and left over flesh on the trail) that your ass is stuck on crutches for
weeks.

Every step of the journey is a learning experience. Ive had to learn about what nutrition works by trial and
error. Ive learned about shoes, socks, jackets, lights, hats, bottles and gloves – and every kind of gear you can imagine. What treatments are effective? Do I want a collagen injection for tarsal tunnel? Do I need KT Tape? Are compression socks going to help me? How much fluid do I really need?

And all of this has to be learned by experience. Since each of us is different, no two stories will ever be alike.

When people ask me what to do – I try to always tell them what worked for me with the caveat that all advice is a nothing more than guideline that they have to adjust to work for themselves by listening to their own bodies.

Please know this, no matter who you are, what youre attempting and how you’ve prepared for it – there’s no telling what race day has in store for you. Whether you are doing something you’ve done before or something brand new – there are many factors that all work together to determine the outcome – positive or negative. There’s weather and nutrition – there’s every aspect of your health, to include a bonus element if youre female – theres unexpected mishaps like falling or getting lost (hey, it happens).

This isn’t just a running thing or an ultra-running things. This is a life thing. You do your best and you hope for the best but there is always the unknown, no matter how unlikely, even if its only an iota of a percent of a chance for things to turn out in the unlikely way possible – you cant control anything – other than your will.

Be well and move forward.
<3 ~K~

September 20, 2015 /

I just ran down the stairs – twice. Yep, ran – Why? Because I can. Why? Because I didn’t push it yesterday. Which might sound like the easier path – and in some ways it obviously is – but mentally when you are given an ~10k loop and 12 hours to do your thing – and you KNOW you can do 8 laps, ****you f#$%#$cing KNOW it – but you only do 5 – well, it’s mentally taxing to say the least. Its hard to let people pass you – its hard to step to the side when you hear footsteps getting closer – its hard to get lapped. Its hard to lean on a tree and wish your fellow runner a good day – let them go – it’s a different kind of day for them – it’s a training day for me. And Im glad I can run down the stairs today (usually I cant even walk, I have to crawl backwards). Im glad I feel ok today. I have the Grindstone in two weeks, and that, however lofty a goal, is my priority.

And for that very same reason, I have offered my Diva Half bib to someone else. Because no tiara, no boa, or tutu or chocolate covered strawberry served with champagne by a shirtless fireman will be worth tweaking or straining or injuring in part of myself a week out from Grindstone. 5 girls will sleep out at my place, and I will cook them pasta and give the a ride and cheer for them – but Im not running it.
Im NOT in my best shape – but Im not in my worst either – and Im not giving up – and I’m sure as hell not going to sabotage myself or act ignorant. The mere race is and of itself enough of a foolhardy ambition to last me a while 😉

I am satisfied with however it turns out. I met so many wonderful people yesterday – many who have run 100s,
several who have attempted and/or accomplished Grindstone – some who tried multiple times. I realize, that like a full-scope-poly or qualifying for Boston – it often takes more than one try. I got to hear multiple personal testimonies describing this very story. Stories of things ceasing up, stories of incessant vomit or passing out. Stories of grit and grime and glory.
And so – maybe I’m just going to learn a bunch of lessons and accomplish nothing more than figuring out what Im capable of that day. There are good days and bad ones. Off and on.

Maybe I wont even distance PR but this adventure is unique to this course – no two distance are alike – that is like no other I have even tried. I have no crew. I have no one to pace me. Im scared of the dark (terrified of being lost and alone). This isn’t a flat, lit, loop track. This is 24,000+ feet of gain and loss on narrow, loose rock with steep deadly drops.

Im going to ride my bike whenever Im home over the next two wks between travel. I might try to find gyms at my hotels when I can. Maybe I’ll even jump in the ocean for a few laps.
Never give up my friends. Much love.

Be well,
<3 ~K~

here we go

September 13, 2015 /

Well, this is it. I have three business trips and three races in the next three weeks.
Not different than any other autumn but they are big races, and important trips (and a bunch of other stuff).

My overall attitude for the 12 hour in a couple days is that Im more than satisfied with 50k, which is a million percent achievable, and will be my 3rd ultra in less than 6 months. If I finish with miles greater than that, its just a bonus. Likely I’ll do more but Ive given myself permission to be satisfied regardless, viewing it as a training run. I’ll just enjoy the experience (it’s a great course and amazing crew) and avoid injury – as my first
100 miler is just two weeks later!!!

I am also pretty relaxed when it comes to said 100 miler and here’s why.
My mantra is I’d rather DNF than DNS. Last year 55 people out of 262 did not finish, that’s almost a fifth of the runners (17 didn’t start).

That means, Yes Im going to attempt it, and Im going to find out what Im capable of. Not what Im capable of forever and always, but in that specific moment. And it might be more or less than what Ive done before but Ive never done this course before and it is a significantly difficult course – no one can argue that.

So it is an adventure. A journey. Something I cannot predict the outcome of. It is very exciting.
Ive run 50k on a trail in 7 hours before – and guess what – it took me that long to do 20 miles on this course. Its brutal but lovely and fun.

My dream. Well, my dream specific to this race – is – that I finish of course. Im even cool with last place. I just want to make all the cutoffs and not get DQ’d, but I know that that is not unlikely (note aforementioned stat).
I am not letting myself off the hook here, Im fully hooked. I have just been going over and over this in my head lately, usually while riding my bike and I really am ok with just figuring out just what I can do – and then using that as a point to play off of in the future.

I have definitely shifted from wanting to BQ, to wanting a Western States Qualification.

I am an Ultra Runner. Lets go.

pretty sure Im doing it

August 25, 2015 /

So the skinny on the training run I keep talking about goes like this.
I finished dead last. Yes I know its not a race, it’s a training run.
My excuses range from, I haven’t been training that hard, I didn’t sleep or eat properly beforehand and didn’t eat one bit that day – I also didn’t drink much and didn’t pee for over 9 hrs (déjà vu).

AND my fear of falling, mixed with this being the hardest terrain I have ever been on.
(more technical than NorthFace and JFK and BTTB and ATR combined)
It wasn’t even so much the elevation that killed me – it really wasn’t – it was the terrain and my lack of grace.

I have a 12 Hour race in a couple weeks and a half the following week. I have tweaks here and there but am otherwise uninjured and feeling good. I want to keep it that way and a training run is not the place to wipe out (like I have in the past). If youre going to break something or gash something open, do it on race day.

A stick that I picked up along the way that was my savoir I cant tell you how many times. I am a klutz in the best of circumstances, never mind on a loose rock incline or decline with trunks and stumps and vines galore. That stick was my friend and I brought it home 😉

My phone says I only ran one of the 7 hours out there – that’s sad but hey, to meet all the hard race day cut offs you have to maintain a 22 min/mile, which, is a fast walk.

Im sure I can make the ultimate cut off – hell if I had to bet on it, Im sure I can keep going for days nonstop – that isn’t the point tho – can I make the cut offs along the way though? Im not sure. I cant realistically say that I can. Not after Sunday.
I’ll say this though, I was telling myself over and over again throughout the day (I was alone the majority of the time) that I did NOT want to do this again – nevermind times five – but the moment I reached the end – and the director and a few other people cheered and called my name (someone cheered at every checkpoint for me) I was like IM GOING TO DO IT – HELL YES.

“What hurts?” they asked me. “Nothing, just my pride” And really, I wasn’t tired or hurt. And I’m only slightly sore now. I can do this.
Or at least say I tried.
Yep.
That.
It will be a Happy 5th Marathoniversary to me – closing out a year with 1 half, 1 full, 2 50ks and a 100k and at least an attempted 100 Miler!
(if it doesnt work out I’ll just stick around and help the crews)

*Pretty sure the below picture depicts the run on Sunday*

grindstone training run
LezGo

Easy is boring ;)

August 20, 2015 /

Well, Ive had the Grindstone 100 page bookmarked for quite a while now (literally and figuratively). Im not in my best shape. I was for a minute there but my training has gone down the tubes. But – this weekend, Im going to do a 22 mile training run on the Grindstone course. This run will be less than a quarter of the actual race. If I cant handle it, Im one week away from the chance to change my mind and get a refund, and try again another year.

Someone recently said, and to a point I agreed – that a 100 miler is more achievable than a BQ. Depends on the race. In some cases yes. I went and picked one of the hardest. A bonafide Western States Qualifier with not one inch of flat.

We’ll see how I feel after the training run. Im also registered for a 12 Hr in a couple weeks and a half a week later. I do have around 6 weeks to train my guts out for the big day. I have a feeling that unless something catastrophic happens this weekend, Im going to just go for it!

I got nothing to lose right. I either win now, or learn a lesson and win later.

And if all else fails, I should get some great pics 😉

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