Tag: ultras

Somethings bugging me

September 15, 2018 / kirsten

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.

ultra#12 – Thank you sir, may I have another

April 22, 2018 / kirsten

OK first, lets start here…

FAQ:

That about covers that stuff I get asked all the time.

Here is what happened yesterday.

The setting is a trail once used by the CIA to train cadets, before it was the CIA (OSS) and adjacent to where Marines and FBI are trained today.

After a week of not eating or sleeping properly on a trip to the West Coast, I landed then headed to the race. So in my head it was only 4am when it started and I don’t sleep on planes so I hadn’t slept since Thu.

I started training for this race beginning of Nov. I trained 5 or 6 days per week for three months and was just starting to feel like I was in a groove and making progress. My goal was to get a new PR. Then on the first day of February, I deadlifted 175 lbs. I have no business doing such a thing and I paid the price (sciatica). <ouch man

Here’s the thing about that, I think my trainer and I share responsibility in the foolish move that I ended up paying the price for. I mean, I did say, No, I cant (after two pulls) and he said, Do it. And I did. And then, I just kept working out.

I could have stopped. And during the weeks of significant pain that followed, I could have done more stretching, then worked from that to push ups then squats, and been strict with my nutrition etc but I didn’t – I got depressed and gained weight and got wicked out of shape.

So ironically all that workingout lead to me being less prepared rather than more.

It was 5 years ago, on the day, I did a Bad To The Bone series 50k. It was very hard (it is on a mountain). Until yesterday, it was my slowest 50k finish, at 10 hrs. BTTB races have waist high water and significant elevation. I ran that one an hour faster than the one yesterday. In fact, this is the slowest of 9 50ks Ive ever done, all on tough courses.

Loop one I was fine. I finished it feeling like I was possibly going to do 8 or more (each loop is 10k so 8 loops is 50 miles). Loop two the sciatica started talking to me. First a whisper, then a shout. It’s the first sensation of pain it’d given me for weeks. I thought I was healed. Maybe something like that never fully goes away though and can be aggravated and if ever I was going to exacerbate it, I guess running on choppy terrain on no sleep w no training, would be the way.

I however, was not going to at least do 5 loops so it would still be an ultra. Midway through loop 4, I wasn’t sure I could do one more. Every step I took on the left side felt like what I imagine being stabbed with a knife would feel like. And if I have learned one thing in ultra-running, it is that if you start favoring one side, something will go wrong on the other side (100% true).

Sure enough, I started feeling bad in a few different places. But the trail quality was perfect and the weather could not have been better and the best part, I hadn’t fallen (huge for me – long story). Probably because I was going so slow, but still. For perspective on the speed, I can run a 10k in an hour or less. I was doing these loops in about 90 mins, taking about a 10 minute break after each loop by the time you add up grabbing food and doing first aid and using the facilities (not to gross you out but my stomach was a disaster the whole time and its that time of the month on top of all that). Woohoo!

So I end loop 4 (marathon distance) and I just keep on going. As I said, it was a perfect day – and all the beauty of it overwrote the discomfort…

Loop 5 wasn’t that bad. By the way, it’s a lollipop loop, so after you head up the base, you can go left or right. Most people choose right, because they find its easier to do the majority of the climbing on fresher legs then zoom downhill to the finish. This really makes sense and I should have done it but I got this thing in my head a long time ago (Ive done this race 4 times) that I want to go in the same direction every time and since I went left the first time, it’s the only way I go.

When I finished loop 5, I knew I could do more. Alex, the RD, he knew it too, and told me he wouldn’t cut my timer chip off. Technically I could have rested and gone back out. Afterall, its whatever you can do in 24 hours, and I’d only been our there 11. I had 13 more hours to go. Maybe if I rested, or had a crew (aka nitro coffee) or took a few advil, I could knock out a few more loops. But I wanted to be in my bed for the first time in a week and I wanted to see my doggie and just be home. So I cut the chip off myself.

So Athletic Equation Trail Race #6 done. By far my favorite Trail Race series of all. Cant say enough about the crew and amenities and course. Love it

Final message, If I can do that, in the shape and condition I was in, anyone can.

And yes, I just signed up for my next one!!

2018 is almost here!

December 10, 2017 / kirsten

I tweeted yesterday about saying No and Delegating More. Its hard. Not just because I want things done a certain way, and maybe want the recognition or appreciation that sometimes come with doing things – but also, when you value things, you know they deserve you – and yet the you that’s left spreads thinner and thinner….coaching ~ family – friends – career – fitness/goals etc #allthethings

And so now, Im Headed Back into the swing of things – or at least getting there. I have done a few classes in the last week, and I am committed to attending a class a minimum of 4 times per week with 2 additional classes optional, depending how the week/day is going.
Tue, Thu and Sat am are Kettle (my favorite); and Sun am is Bootcamp. Theyre a blast!! Mon and Wed evenings, if I can make it, will be HIIT.

Ive trained with Joey aka Burr Strength before as a personal trainer and I am SO proud of him for having his own space now. He is fantastic.

Today during bootcamp, one of the stations for one of the sets, was a pullup. I used to be able to do one (see proof below circa 2015/2013). I am not fit/strong/thin enough at this time to do one.
When we were supposed to do situps with a medicine ball over our heads and throw it at the wall, I couldnt do that either. I mean, I could throw it, and then sit up, but not one swift motion. And I don’t like it.

Ive just been way too far off track, and this is not a new story. Its Groundhog Day. Off track then back on again. But it feels good to have a thing I can stick to now and that its so enjoyable.
When the alarm goes off super early, just like before any race, there is a moment where I consider just going back to sleep – but I NEVER do and I never regret it when Im done!

My nutrition is always a bit stricter than ‘normal’ but nowhere near as good as it could be and I Know it. I do have a lot of reasons, but no excuses.

Im only registered for one race so far for 2018, an ultra of course, and I’ll probably end up doing at least two.

Everyone has a lot of things theyre balancing, some more than others. So here’s to less coffee and wine; and more water – and at least 4 hours of hardcore training per week, sometimes 6.

This is a good jump start on what can and will be a fantastic 2018.

Raise your standards and expectations – Have intentions that make you feel good and resolve in your own favor – Do you & Be well –

Love ~K~

ps I will do a pullup soon!!

Giving Yourself Permission

August 6, 2017 / kirsten

…to do less.

…to be ok.

Being a self-motivated person can certainly lead to accomplishments and success but it is also a sort of prison. No one is harder on me than me and Im unable to relax. If Im not doing many things, or trying very hard, it actually stresses me a great deal.

Brief times in my life when I had nothing I was particularly driven or passionate about, were the most depressing times Id ever known.

I come a cross, I think, sort of always in a state of upset. But really Im not. Im just not fucking around, because I don’t want to. If youre chill, and that’s your thing, good for you, that’s just not how Im wired.

Whether Im on vacation or it is the weekend or evening, I am generally not satisfied unless Im doing or about to do SOMETHING.
I have a big race coming up, the first one in a long time and maybe the only one I’ll do all year – which, by the way, Im not READY for – as I haven’t trained at all, but Im actually looking forward to it.

When Im about to leave for Vegas every summer, I get well wishes, some of them laced with sarcasm or jealous, along the lines of “Try to have fun” – but really, it’s a fuck ton of work. The work starts long before the events and goes on long after. And I do realize I don’t do nearly as much as a lot of other folks do out there – but I can only measure against myself. What did I really just accomplish? I know what I got out of it but when the bean-counters analyze the ROI, what will they think? I nearly didn’t rest or relax the whole time I was there and didn’t do the majority of the personal-to-do-list things Id meant to do with my family (that was out there with me), or take a minute of PTO.

Today is beautiful weather and I keep going through my head about housework, work-work (catching up after being on travel for a week), working out etc. I decided to just go for a walk with my dog. Stopped and looked a ponds and vineyards and flowers and trees and the sky – and let my little buddy sniff all the things.

All that to say, that’s what I did. And that’s ok.

Its ironic, if you think about it really, how hard relaxing is.

I picked up some groceries, I might get my hubs car detailed (as much for me as for him), Im catching up on reports and emails…..and I might not workout (bs you know I will) but anyways — GOT tonight and Im gonna let myself drink wine while I watch it 😀

So listen I guess the point of this is to try not to let life slip right past you. I certainly have missed out on a lot but I hope in a few weeks when Im out on the trail for 12 hours, I get some good me-time in there with my many thoughts. Maybe I’ll figure out something huge ;D

Be well friends,

~K~

The North Face 50 Miler Endurance Challenge DC 2016 – Race Report

April 10, 2016 / kirsten

*let me forewarn you that I cuss a lot – there’s no other way to tell this particular story for my own reasons, if you cant handle it, go elsewhere

At 345 am I was seriously considered just not going. All the way there I was fine with just saying screw it, turning around and getting back in my warm bed – the snow was already falling – but I was on autopilot and I just put all my gear on and went. I had a very emotional and stressful last few weeks, personally and professionally – too much to even try to explain and lets face it, that’s life, everyone has their own crap they’re going through, that’s not special or interesting – but I hadn’t broken down yet, and it was all still in me and I had to do something with it all. I was going to re-purpose all of the stress and pain and emotions into fuel and go forward.

So here we are. I arrived just with enough time to walk from the drop off area to the corral and they were counting down to go before I could even figure out my head lamp or take any fuel. Fourth time on this course, but doing 50 miles instead of 50k this time. This race starts two hours earlier, so its pitch black dark at 5am. And the powers of the universe decided this day will be unseasonably cold….with enough rain to muddy up the trails so much that your shoes are getting pulled off your feet and youre sliding all over the place, falling on top of each other. And it snowed, and it sleeted, and when the sun finally decided to show its face, the wind gusts picked up to 50mph.
There are checkpoints where they mark your bib to ensure and certify that you’ve reached said location before the cutoff time. The first few checkpoints I was congratulated and told I was way under the cutoff and doing great. I was beaming. I was looking at a 10 hours finish if I stayed on pace. Is this real?? Speaking of pace, I know my pace by now. Ive done this enough times. I don’t wear a gps watch or track it on my phone, I don’t need to. I know where I need to be and where I am. I am have no sense of direction, but this much I know – I always know how fast Im going.

Every checkpoint was the same thing – and when I finished loop one (the 50 milers have to do this lovely, hilly, rocky 7 mile loop three times before they head out through the rivers to the finish line).

After loop one I am congratulated and told to have fun on loop two, my bib gets marked. Im as high as a kite. I cannot believe Im looking at a PR, nevermind one of nearly two hours, after not running more than a mile the last 6 months. Im connecting to folks along the way, like I do in every trail race. Im so happy.
Then a bib marker says, Hey, your over, you need to step it up and run as fast as you can to the next check, that’s about 15 miles up there or youre done, GO.

Wait a minute – how the hell is that possible? I went from having an hour of leeway to I better book it up this giant ass hill or Im done? Now this is not a case of me losing track of time or misjudging my pace or anything like that. The only way this could even be possible is a) I went off course somehow (this is about a 7 mile discrepancy right now and let me assure you, I don’t have an extra 7 fucking miles in me right now like I did last year when I went 8 miles off course – and it was 40 degrees warmer and dry)….b) my bent bib *I folded it, effed up my timing chip c) I missed a timer, went around it or something, which seems absurd to me….or who the hell even knows at this point but Im just going to pull it out of myself and run as hard as I can….I don’t have time to ponder – I have to GO.
So I did. I was probably pulling an 8 or 9 minute mile pace….booking. Now this is either 22 or 29 miles into it, depending who you freaking ask ((there are like 6 different course workers all saying different things and checking computers and deciding)).
The lady at the next checkpoint, the main station at the park – checks me off as completing loop two. I ask her to clarify, because of what just happened. She does. OK. Drama over. Im going to go finish loop 3. Im back on track. Im 6 hours into it right now with maybe 5 hours to go.
I go get some food real quick Potatoes and salt of course.

Then it happens.
‘Excuse me miss, you didn’t make it. We radioed into the last check, they marked you off the watch list.’
‘Im sorry?’
‘Just sit over there until we can pick you up.’

Now Im flipping out. How did I go from a 2 hr PR to a DNF? Why cant any of you figure this shit out? I want to see the RD (who was very, very nice btw).
I wait. And wait. Minutes feel like hours. Im shivering. Im aching.

Now imagine waiting. All of a sudden you cool down, you cramp up, your muscles cease, your hormones go haywire. This is horrible. Even if you figure yourselves out (ftr this IS NOT the first time that THIS has happened to me on this course)….you just completely fucked me over, its going to be nearly impossible for me to warm back up and get on pace and finish. I waited approx. 30 mins for them to figure it out. Why is this a thing?

Now a couple other people are being told they didn’t make it either – they were both heading into loop 2 not 3. At this point I literally don’t care if I was on two or three.
We quickly decide to take things into another direction. We band together. We go rouge.

We turn in our badges, sign a waiver, and decided to run to the finish line anyways!!!!!!! BANDIT STYLE.
I mean we couldn’t just sit around any longer and freeze.

But you know what, we really couldnt run anymore. We ultimately walked, hobbled, meandered, stumbled, fell, cried, laughed, hallucinated, wandered….for approximately 5 hours to the finish line. There was blood, there was mud, there were tears and stories and hugs and pictures – there are cuts and bruises I will never be able to explain. I rolled both ankles. I put my hand through a rotten tree stump (its true). The entire bottom of both feet are blistered now from the last 5 hours of soaking wet feet sloshing around – blisters that formed on the back of my ankles where the bottom of my pants strategically rubbed too many times into the top of my socks, were ripped open and bleeding….I could barely walk now.
Poor Steve by the way, has been receiving such texts as:
– Im halfway done and going to crush this
– Im done, come get me
– Nevermind, Im finishing
– I have no idea how long its going to take

He just parked and waited….for hours.

We finished. Me, Michelle and Josh. The three amigos. The three crazy, beaten up, hilarious amigos.

If you look me up its going to say I only ran 22 or 29 miles (whatever they freaking decided) but you know what – I kept going and – we got our medals (and our bibs ftr). We know what we did. Its our story and we like it.
Im so glad we kept going.

I want to close with a thank you to the Man Upstairs for getting us all through it, to my hubs for all his patience and support yesterday and a congratulations to everyone who showed up and gave it their all and my (sweaty disgusting) hat’s off to the ones that kept on running – I am amazed by all of you.

*note* at one point we thought about steeling a golf cart that still had the keys in it but we didn’t 😉
haha

See you in a few weeks Flying Pig – then ATR24!!!

why

March 16, 2016 / kirsten

People ask me why I run ultras.

My dad stated some years ago when I started all this that anyone who would ask would not understand the answer.

The first time I ever raced was 10 miles. I went into it having never run any distance even close to that and had no idea if I could do it. It was the greatest feeling crossing the finish line and Ive never stopped since.

In a few weeks Im going to run my third 50 miler, then a marathon a few wks later (not sure if Im going to run it or walk it yet), and then a week later, my 3rd 24-hour loop race. I did 50 the first time, 100k the second, and I’d like to do 75 miles this time! And that’s my spring racing season, for which I have not really prepared, at least not as far as time on my feet goes.

I will re-assess how I feel about #Grindstone after the summer. I have had people say that I should try a 100 Miler that is less technical. Maybe a nice flat loop race. That’s not what I want to do though. Its not just the miles or distance – it’s so much more. I want to go back to that course which was the hardest most technical thing Ive ever set foot on and accomplish it – and qualify for Western States while Im at it. Qualifying for #WesternStates, is, to me, what I guess, qualifying for #Boston is for marathoners.

And while we are at it – I just watched the Barkley documentary and I cannot stop thinking about it.

The wretched James Earl Ray, who assassinated Dr Martin Luther King Jr, escaped the ‘inescapable’ Brushy Mountain Maximum Security prison.
He made it 8 miles in 54 hours. And THAT is where the #Barkley takes place. It is this unmarked, ever changing course. No gps allowed. Five 20 miles loops going up and down 12k feet every pass – the equivalent to going up and down Everest, twice. Flesh tearing thorns. No course markings. Just books that you tear pages out of to prove you’ve gone where youre supposed to go.
In 30 yrs, 16 have finished, and it took 10 yrs for the first person so finish. No female, ever.

IM GOING TO FINISH THIS RACE.

Mark my words.

And Im gonna do the whole Appalachian Trail, and maybe Machu Piccho. I have got so much to do. One Step at a Time.

Gary Cantrell:

“you cant accomplish anything without facing the possibility of failure”

“to find out that something, about themselves” – “challenge your limitations”

“you cant tell how much you can do, until you’ve tried more”

One Step at a Time

August 27, 2014 / kirsten

In less than 3 wks Im attempting to run a half marathon. This will be my first race since my dnf if June as a result of the ‘Knee Wrecking Fall’ (do not scroll all the way to the end of that post if you have a weak stomach).

Before my first @BadToTheBone ultra I fell down a mountain and broke my stupid hand. This caused me to have a fear of falling when running down hill that it took me a while to get over.

Now I am there again – running reluctantly. This knee thing sucks.

The flesh is literally not completely healed and it happened at the beginning of June. The problem is there is still debris trying to get out, and so, I still have a little yucky spot that isn’t all the way healed.

ANYWAY – I haven’t been training really. I have a 12 hour schedule for this month as well – and also a 5k where I’ll be pushing a stroller w/ a ‘Captain’. I will do the 5k but lets face it, I’m in no position to take on another ultra – I don’t even know if I’ll finish the half – and that is not something I ever thought I’d hear myself say. Regular Me can do a couple halfs per wk on a weekly basis – but yeah, I don’t know if I’ll be up for this, so I’m going into it just for fun. My PR is 2 hrs and Im hoping to around 3ish.

I haven’t been posting much or writing much because there are still so many things unresolved I have been waiting for answers before I check in.

If you remember when I was sick during my marathon in March, and thought it was salmonella – then it didn’t go away so we tested for everything from parasites, vitamin deficiency, anemia, infections, Lyme, rhabdomyolosis…..it all came back negative/normal….

But I am still sick. Im as sick at I was mid-way through that marathon.

Im having a bunch of tests done next week to include upper endoscopy, biopsies etc – we’re looking for quite a few things and as long as theyre doing this most invasive stuff…they have me doing a gluten challenge after 11 yrs of being gluten free.

THIS SUCKS

At least I know this – I know that no matter what the tests say – I know that gluten makes me feel terrible – so, I’ll be going gluten free again when this is all over.

I will continue to eat clean, lean and gluten free forever. And I’m open to keep making adjustments here and there in search of what is best for me (and my family). There is so much to think about and learn about.

Im sharing this just in case one other person has any of the same issues or ever comes across it – so I can hopefully be of some help. I’ll keep ya’ll posted. Procedures are Tues am.

I decided that regardless of having not yet accomplished all of the things I’d hoped to get done in my running career, I did a lot in a short time. If they tell me I cant run anymore, I’m going to be ok. I don’t know if I’ll listen, Im kind of an idiot like that – but maybe I will. And its going to be ok either way.

11 half marathons, 6 full marathons, 3 50ks, 2 50 Miler and a handful of smaller races in under 5 yrs can be my story if that’s whats meant to be. And Im over 700 miles already this yr – likely to finish w at least 1k for the yr, which will put me at 1k or more each yr for 5 yrs in a row 🙂

One of my tattoos is a pair of running shoes – if that signifies only 5 yrs of my life, that’s cool w me. The other one simply says: Philippians 3:12 ~ Meaning: Though I may not have yet arrive [to be who I can be or should be or was meant to be] – I press forward – never giving up.

One Step at a Time.

Be well everyone.

Tag: ultras

Somethings bugging me

ultra#12 – Thank you sir, may I have another

2018 is almost here!

Giving Yourself Permission

The North Face 50 Miler Endurance Challenge DC 2016 – Race Report

why

One Step at a Time

Calendar

Search

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta