20/20/20 training run weekend

I actually ended up running 21/20/21 this weekend.. not that it matters. Upon reflection of the events of the past couple days the journey proved to be much more fun and rewarding than the destination.

I knew I had some back to back long runs coming up over memorial day. I had done several back to backs over the past couple months solo. Felt rather confident that I could get those completed. However, one could imagine my surprise when I saw that I was supposed to run 3 days of back to back to back 20 milers. oooh, interesting. and a little daunting.

My friend Eric Grossman was embarking upon a (much bigger) quest of his own over memorial day: running 108 miles over 3 days in the high country of mt rogers and damascus area on the AT and IMT. Jenny had an epiphany. I could crew for Eric on his run( which I had already happily volunteered and perhaps( if I wished hard enough and clicked my heels together a couple times)-- Eric would let me jump in with him the last 20 miles or so for a couple of days. (That way I could actually RUN with him) and then on monday, beth and I could go run with Sophie Spiedel and her crew for 21 miles at Rip Rap/wild cat ridge.

With the wheels set in motion for my game plan, emails were exchanged, shuttles and meeting points arranged... Eric and I even did a drog bag exchange ( his idea-- always thinking ahead, Grossman is)

I went to the grocery store SO excited on Friday trying to pick some really great stuff to have at my "aid station" aka FJ. Lemonade, Limeade, Coke, Gallons of water, cookies, chips, bananas, watermelon and oranges, things to make sandwiches. etc( happy to report the Pepperjack cheese and Honey Ham actually was used-- the bread was not:oP) I knew that I could just use the food all weekend, and share with thru hikers.

So saturday, I met up with Joey and Beth at Sundogs. We were driving to meet Grossman and Annette Bednosky ( who was running the first 21 miles with Eric of his 42 and then driving my FJ back to damascus for me) We were then going to run the remaining 21 miles from Cross Mtn back to Damascus on the IMT.

We arrived and set everything up. waited and waited... the mood was light we were laughing and joking and Joey was entertaining us with his dinosaur noises. All of a sudden, a red car pulled in the parking lot and I saw this orange jersey I thought looked REALLY familiar. Beth said "who's that?" I replied, "Good Lord, I think that's David Horton. " The man gets out of the car, waves and smiles.. it IS David Horton. WOW. fancy meeting him here.

Annette and Grossman arrive!! Grossman refuels, fills his nathan pack, we snap some pictures.

and then Eric, Beth, Joey and myself embarked upon the next 21 miles. Eric had ran about 27 miles the previous day with Byron Backer. So he was about 48 miles in, and would reach the halfway point of his run with us, and have about 66 miles by the end of the run.

I seriously was so happy to see how Eric didn't seem tired or taxed at all. In good spirits and happy. ( I really don't know what I was expecting?) Pain, suffering and turmoil? haha.

It was NO time before we met up with David Horton at 421.. talked to him a bit, and then when on. It was the middle of the day when we began our run, and it was very hot and humid. My clothes were drenched. But it started to rain on us sometime after crossing 421 and I was SO happy and thankful for the rain. We saw countless ( okay about 21?) piles of fresh bear scat, I know what a weird thing to count along the way while running. but never saw a bear. I just really tried to stay on Eric's heels as much as I could. He wasn't going fast ( FOR HIM) but he was going at a constant and good clip along some really rocky and what I consider technical single track. So It was a challenge for me to stay up with him. I was feeling good, because I could feel I was working hard, but happy I was staying consistent and not bonking. I felt strong.

Good ol Eric DID eventually get to drop me the last 5k ( which is what I consider one of the funnest sections to descend on the IMT) I felt like I was flying, but no matter how hard I tried to look down the mtn...never could even catch so much of glimpse of him. UNTIL the end of the run. Pretty amazing that he can run that quickly, after going so far.

Eric had ran about 400m more and jumped on the creeper trail, I was going through a section aptly named "dog town" and all the dogs were freaking out and barking at me as I ran by.

I got to sundogs and there was Eric ( and he commented he knew I was coming because he could hear all the dogs barking) haha.

Beth and Joey came soon after me, and we rode in Joey's truck to the "staging area" aka Jim and Aliese Harrison's house ( where my car was parked) met up with Horton who was waiting there for us. We all drank protein shakes for recovery.. and then I guzzled some limeade. I had been thinking about limeade for several miles:o) We all chit chatted for about 30 min and recovered.

I left to go home to cook dinner and spend time with my family. I admitt, I was pretty tired.. I didn't feel like eating AT ALL.- uh, oh. I knew I needed to.. so I just tried to give myself some more time about 10 pm that night I ate a bowl of cereal, 2 bananas and 2 bagels with justins PB. AAH! much better. I tried to hydrate as much as possible and went to sleep knowing not only would I be running 20 miles again, but also have several MONSTER climbs on super rocky and muddy trails up on mt rogers. Eric's final section for his 108 mile journey.

Sunday morning I woke up feeling a little tired, but not sore. I ate a good breakfast, and attempted to hydrate more. I got my things together and drove the FJ up to lost mtn and parked off the side of 58. I sat there in the chairs ( okay, I LAID there in the chairs and rested while I was waiting on annette and eric) I was still feeling tired, so I was just trying to muster any energy I had. I wasn't even THINKING about going to charlottesville. ( I had packed my bags the night before and just had them waiting at the front door) I was just trying to take this 20 miler by 20 miler.. so I wouldn't get overwhelmed. Just focus on the task at hand.

Many thru hikers were coming by.. so each one I asked them if they needed water or food. most would tell me "no" then I'd ask if they wanted a chocolate chip cookie? OF COURSE THEY DO!! so one by one.. I gave them cookies and chatted them up. Told them I'd see them later in the day because I was running up mt rogers and onto fairwood on the AT.

Eric and Annette make it to the car! yay! only Grossman has a blister on the back of his heel! boo! so I go into hostess mode to get them food and drinks, while they break into my first aid kit to Dr. on Eric's foot.

So after Eric got his foot taped up and ready to go, we started our journey. Annette, drove my car back to damascus for me. My heart rate was going up really easy, I was trying to keep it at 150, but was having some trouble doing so. We ran to buzzard's rock ( not to be confused with buzzards den) The views was incredible to say the least I thought this pic of Eric ( who was looking for his house when this was taken) turned out very well:

Onward we climbed up to Elk garden. There is a parking lot there, and that was where horton parked his car, we refilled our packs and ate some of his food.. drank some of his low-cal gatorade:OP thanks david! locked up his car..

we decided we had 12 miles left of the run.

So we ventured on, and were deep in conversation while running up the trail when someone yelled : "HEY!!!" extremely loud right beside me on the trail. I jumped and screamed ( like a little girl). I looked and it was David Horton sitting there on the side of the trail laughing EXTREMELY hard that he had scared me to death. We talked to him for a bit, and thanked him for the food and water. He said he would be at the finish at fairwood.

We continued our ascent to the top of mt rogers and were both surprised by the fact the rhododendron were in full bloom at the top of the mtn. Very pretty.. :o) Eric indulged me in more picture taking.

I think at this point we had 10k left of the run. I began to feel very rough. I took more salt tabs, and ate a gel. We were exposed on the top of mt rogers, and it was hot-- and I felt terrible. It really was at this point I knew Eric would drop me because I couldn't hang with him! Which did make me feel bad because here he's at the END of running more than 100 miles during a three day period, and I'm just at 35. but guess what? Eric didn't leave. He stuck it out there with me for about 10-15 min and let me death march( THANK YOU, Eric for your patience btw) .. THEN we reached the woods to begin to descend down to fairwood.. and OF COURSE, I felt better... shade, downhill running.. how could you not feel tons better? so the last 4 or 5 miles we ran really well and strong.

Horton, as promised was there at the finish with Oreos and gatorade in hand. AWESOME:o) I was so happy for Eric to be finished. He really ran so well and so strong through the entire thing. So unwaivering. I really felt like i learned so much just getting to run with him those 2 days. I was ELATED to be finished with that 20 miler.. because that one was pretty tough!! ( more so than the day before)

So I get back home. very tired.. very weird and out of it. I go shower. I eat 2 hamburgers that brock so kindly had brought me back from his mom and dad's Memorial day cook out. Drank a bottle of Nuun.. and I feel MUCH better. I feel guilty as I'm loading the car, because I really have missed my kids the past 2 days, and here I am leaving immediately to go to charlottesville ( and it's late like 7ish) but I'm on a mission. I can't NOT run this last 20.. and even if I ran the last 20 here at home, I would feel like I was missing out because I had been looking forward to running this run with sophie and her crew for a couple weeks.

Beth meets me off exit 19 and is kind enough to drive the FJ, so I can rest. We hydrate the whole way there. We get to waynesboro at midnight and get a hotel. CRASH OUT. Up at 5am.. get dressed.. get gear together. everything is all running together. I am literally struggling to stay focused to not forget my salt tabs.. not forget my handheld! I did forget my handheld, but luckily had one of eric's in my car.. ( he was nice enough to give me permission to use it)

We eat breakfast downstairs, check out and leave for sugar hollow park. After eating, I am starting to feel better. Once we arrive at the park, see sophie, mike bailey and martha wright my fatigue and tiredness falls away.. and I'm feeling pretty normal. The festive mood of the group really makes me think this run is going to be so much fun. I make new friends with marlin yoder and bill potts.. and I'm enjoying the overlooks and swimming holes, and the miles just click away. Sophie really delivered on this run.. it had it ALL. overlooks, pristine swimming holes, fun downhill, big epic climbs, etc..

It was SO nice to have such a mellow and chill close to my weekend. ( I severely was in need of mellow and chill given my tired state) It was about 92F and very humid. I easily drank 120oz of water and took 4 salt stick tabs.. I actually FELT better running than I had the previous day with Eric, but we were running much slower and we stopped twice to swim, and we also stopped many times to take pictures etc.

ALL weekend I wanted to see a bear. saw tons of bear scat.. but no bear, well almost at the end of our run ( about 4 miles left) we get to see a bear on the side of the AT

you can see it much better on my FB, but the bear is in the middle of the picture beside the tree.

Once we finish-- and boy howdy, I am still just FREAKED OUT that I finished that run strong with no bonking. MISSON COMPLETE.

I go and sit in the river with my new buddy and pal Marlin and ice my legs and drink more limeade ( oh, how I love limeade) THEN an enormous copperhead slithers out of the rocks about 2 ft away from us... END of the "ice bath"

everyone else was coming in from the run, and we all had a pot luck lunch

Truly appreciate just getting invited to run with sophie and her friends and they were so nice and hospitable. We would LOVE if they were able to come run with us in Damascus sometime!!

Beth and I load up, and head back to southwest Va. We make it back through memorial day traffic in 4hrs. I call in a pizza at bellas for dinner ( so does beth) Veggies lovers with bacon:o) YUMMMM...

I arrive home. Happy to see my family. Content I did EXACTLY what I set out to do over the weekend. This weekends training has me feeling pretty good about cheat mtn 50 and leadville trail marathon. I feel like I'll be adequately prepared for both challenges.

However, just the friendship, camaraderie and sense of community I felt was so overwhelmingly AWESOME. That aspect of it really made it such a positive experience. Actually, THAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE. I know when I look back upon the memory of this weekend, it won't be how well or strong I ran, ( or if I bonked on a run or didn't bonk) but the bonds of friendships and wonderful time that I had will be forever etched in my memory.. :o)

cheers yall! :o)

capon valley 50k

I had such an awesome time this weekend in Yellow springs, WV. here are the results on the race website

I guess the adventure truly began friday morning when I loaded up my car with my camping gear, and took my kids to my mother in laws. I went to south holston lake to pick up my good friend, beth minnick. Loaded up her gear. A last minute glance at the directions to Ruritan Park, and we were off!

We drove north up i-81 happy and excited about the adventure that lay ahead. We thought that capon valley was a "fast 50k" and were both hoping to PR big. However in my mind I have to say, I thought the course would be cake. I really, really did. The course descriptions on the race website ( and lack of an elevation chart) and the fast times on last year's results just had this image in my mind of me running on a dirt road with some stream crossings.. I discovered that it REALLY wasn't the case once the race began. but I'll get into that in a second.

Beth and I made a pilgramage to Sheets at Wytheville( rick and tammy always stop there when we travel with them) and got some essentials and ice. Then drove a couple more hours to Harrisonburg, where we picked up our friend/super cool ultra runner Mike Bailey. He was going to camp there with us the evening before.

We arrived at Yellow Springs to blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures. set up camp. each of us did extremely well putting up their own tent:o) no, really, it was easy; and just laid around and chilled out waiting for the packet pick up and "runners mixer" ( which quickly became the catch phrase for the evening).

Our friend Amy Albu and her super cute 17 mo. daughter came for packet pick up, and she came over and chilled out with us and tried to feed her daughter dinner ( she was having NONE of it because she wanted to run and play in the BIG wide open spaces of the field.)

Race day was also Amy's birthday. Amy had a STELLAR performance at Promise Land 50k 2 weeks earlier, and I had a gut feeling the Running Gods were going to gift her with an overall female win!

Amy left for her "rustic cabin", and we went to the "mixer" tried to force down some food.

I went back out to the tent and the air was getting much cooler ( maybe 59F-- as opposed to 80F) and I changed into my PJ's which was just some northface fleece pants and a patagonia capilene, some smart wool socks.. ( I had brought and placed in my tent my summer bag (45F bag) because I didnt' want to get too hot in my 25F one-- ) I went ahead and did my little pre- race rituals of crinkling up my bib number, folding it just so.. and pinning it to my skirt.. putting my gels, salt tabs, nuun tablets in my racing vest and this week, a new ritual: of filling a vial with sustained energy and heed mixed together for later in the race.. and placing SE and heed powder in my handheld-- all so I wouldn't have to fool with it the next morning.

Mike's good buddy Janet, who was running her first 50k got to the campground to camp out-- it was getting dark, so we all sat outside under the canopy of stars and looked at constellations. Someone in a camper about 200 ft away had a James Taylor CD playing softly, and on the other side of us, mike and janet's friend jim was playing his guitar.. it made for a very chill evening.

About 9 beth climbed in her tent to read via headlamp. I followed suit about 30 min later.. climbed into my little yellow mtn hardware bag and snuggled down in it and listened to the crickets chirp and the frogs croak until I drifted off to sleep. and I slept well.

I woke up exactly at 5am-- no alarm. The air in the tent was warm 60F-- good.. it's not cold out! NICE!!! I decide to go ahead and get all my race clothes and shoes on and fix breakfast. I go outside my tent. uh, oh.. yes, it's freakishly warm for 5 AM but the clouds over head look ominous and foreboding. I knew they were calling for thunderstorms, but kinda hoped the forecast would change. I went about my business and got out the jet boil and coffee press and made coffee, ate some granola with soymilk. The masses started rolling into the campground for morning packet pick up and the little community of 20 racers grew to 200.

I wasn't that nervous ( for the first time) I spent time with beth, amy, mike before the race. The skies looked green and the wind was blowing.. I made the joke to amy I didn't want to run in a tornado. We all lined up and we were off. I ran the first little bit at the start there with Alisa Springman. She had just ran miwok 100 k the week prior, so I took time to tell her how extremely happy I was for her! I would love to run that race one day! or a 100k even!

I decided to kinda keep Amy and all of a sudden about 5 other girls ( have no idea who they are but they were FAST!) who where in front of me with in reach so I sped up across the bridge and when we turned off the pavement and onto a gravel road.. I looked down 7:20 pace... umm, went out a little hard, did we?? up a gravel road on we turn onto single track and beth was right behind me. Through the woods we went on trails.. that were about ankle deep in leaves. We crossed the same stream 4 times.. and then started up a very steep climb. it was here that the skies opened up and commenced to dump the rain on us.. I really didn't care, it felt good. it wasn't a cold rain. beth made the comment "at least we have cover because of the trees" and the all of a sudden.. a clearing on the same hill.. we were drenched. oh, the irony. THEN 2 things happened: 1. michelle harmon ( who went on to get 2nd overall female passed us hiking up the hill) sorry.. everytime a girl passes me it REALLY gets my attention 2. I realized I had VASTLY UNDERESTIMATED this race.

My friend Frank Lilly tried to warn me repeatedly that Capon was NOT a super easy run.. did I listen??? NOOOO... (I'll try to do better next time with that, Frank) I had just envisioned this nice, smooth muddy double track roads with some stream crossings.. AHH.. so nice.. but this was kicking my butt: I quickly snapped into the reality that if I was going the PR or get my goal time of 5:30-5:45... I was going to have to work pretty hard.. RIGHT THEN AND THERE. get all the allusions of this sweet runnable 50k out of my head..

We top the hill and poor beth is running behind me. I know this is annoying her because I am not fast on downhill sections and she is BLAZING fast. She told me to "let the hill take me" and I just said " hmm.. how about you just go on and pass me." which she did.. buh-bye beth.. see you at the finish line.

I really tried to keep beth in my visuals and I did for a couple of miles. I last saw her at the power line section.. CREEPY.. we had to run under these HUGE power lines and it was still kinda thunderstormy and you could hear the lines humming... ZZZZZZZ.. not cool. did not enjoy running underneath or around those AT ALL.

At this point, I made friends with this cool guy named Prasad, who runs 100 milers.. I could kinda tell by the way he was SUPER efficient in the way he was running. We introduced ourselves and kept a dialog for a couple of miles.. it was so funny because he asked: " so when's your first 100 miler going to be?" oh devil, on my shoulder! I smiled and told him I was still a year or two away from that, but that I was training for cheat mtn 50 in august. In the back of my mind, it shocked me that I would even answer him that way.. there is this little glimmer of an idea.. and idea that several months ago, would seem so preposterous and OUT THERE.. several months ago.. I would of answered: NEVER! Now, I'm saying.. oh gradually.. I'll run a 100 miler.. Sweet Lord, help me.

Prasad and I leave the power line section and start up another huge climb and I notice this girl behind me in a red tank top. She smiles and yells up the hill that she hopes I don't mind but she is going to stick with me the rest of the day because she doesn't want to get lost. So for the next hour or so... I run and I'll look over my shoulder and there is the cute girl in the red tank top.. I wave, she waves back at me.. 30 more minutes go by... I look over my shoulder.. yep, she's still there! I wave and say " you're doing great!" and she does the same.

We run into a clearing and the girl in the red tank top yells "WAIT!" I stop and realize I am off trail and was about 100 feet in the wrong way.. missed a turn.. and she is now in front of me we get to a stream crossing and I catch up with her and thank her. make a joke that she was the one worried about being lost and she saved ME from getting lost! Introduce myself. Her name is Mary.. Mary is cool. Mary ran frozen sasquatch too this winter. Mary has ran JFK. Mary ran a 3: 35 marathon 3 weeks ago. I decide that mary and I should be friends:o)

on we go, Dan Lehman ( always happy to see him! he's cool!!) catches me we run together on a down hill section and chit chat for a bit. He is FLYING.. so I tell him to have a good race..

Then here comes Sophie. I run with her for a bit.. same deal.. make small talk.. and pretty much just work together running up some hills and into aid station 3. mary is still around.. but she fell back some..

I'm kinda being obcessive about my time.. I'm looking at my watch.. trying to calculate mentally how I'm doing.. when I was with Presad.. I was SUPER HIGH emotionally because I figured out I was 5 hour pace.. and was feeling good about it all... after encountering some tough climbs and then dan and sophie both catching me( knowing the started slow and will only get faster and finish strong) I was feeling a little LOW.. I was wondering at one point "will I even break 6 hours?!" It was mile 18.. I decided it was time for an assessment of myself.. I decided 1. eat salt tab 2. drink more of my hand held.. like GULP the sob. ( I was carrying sustained energy and heed mixed together) so it had some extra calories and 3. eat a hammer gel ( I didn't use that many gels because the SE has calories and protein) see if that helps..

FOCUS. I'm so bad to be in the middle of a long race like this and LOSE my focus on the task at hand.. no going through the motions.. work hard.. so I make myself run. I listen to my ipod and try to think about my running form.. and I think that helps. I start to feel better. mary catches me, another gazillion stream crossings and so does a cool girl named Merideth. We all three run together and talk and the miles are rolling by.. YAY.. I think I may have bugged them some because they noticed immediately that I was still very obsessive about the clock.. They told me to enjoy the experience.. but I tried to tell them I SHOULD.. but REALLY wanted to make my goal time. I wanted to do well. I hate to compare myself to other people ( but hey, we ALL do it.. right??) I knew amy was probably having an awesome day.. I sure wasn't running down beth.. so she was having an awesome day too! Jenny wanted a good day as well!

we get to the last aid station.. and I just go nuts.. I jump and yell "WOOO" and freak everyone out... I'm SOOO happy!! you'd of thought it was the finish line!! I run through and top off my bottle really quick, and just really start running.. 5k left-- time to haul it to the finish! SURGE of energy!! REALLY it was the first time ALL day I felt really connected with myself and my form and my pace.. and not it's NOT lost on me that I was now off trail and on a gravel road experiencing this.. but hey, it's my moment so I'm going with it.. I just run and feel great!! 820 pace!! not too bad.. not too bad at all for end of a big run like that.. as I come around to the finish line there is Amy!! and there is beth!! they were waiting for me! AW!! 5:31.. made my goal time.. glad I kept my watch on or I would ran way slower. I know it. I had 4,500 of climbing and 4,400 ft of descent ( according to my suunto t6) so there was way more climbing than I thought there would be!!

and here come merideth and mary!! WOO! AWESOME ladies! thanks for all the encouragement and way to work hard together for like 10 miles! sorry I became capt caveman after that last aid station!

I go clean up and change clothes, and beth( who was super happy! she had an awesome day! she ran 5:11)

and I go give Amy ( OVERALL female WINNER WOO! 4:52) her GIANT Cupcake for her birthday!

We have a nice lunch, have fun hanging out and talking to friends new and old. Then break camp. Drive mike back to his car at harrisonburg, and then drive 4 more hours to home. I arrive home at 9 pm that evening.. Dog tired.. but completely, totally and utterly blissed out by the fact I set a goal and met it, I got to sleep in a tent, I got to hang out with some really nice people... I can't think of a better way to spend 2 days!

I want to give a shout out to BOB!! he completed his first 50k at capon! WAY TO GO!! WOO!!

and to my buddy Janet! she ran her first 50k and did AWESOME!!

laurel's run ascent and capon valley 50k

well, I've definitely been slacking on my blog. I just wanted to catch you guys up to speed what is going on with me! 2 weeks ago, I ran Laurel's run Ascent in Churchhill, TN ( it was held during the spring this time) and I was able to defend my little title ( I had won it last year) BUT I improved my time by 10 minutes. I had ran a 1:52 in 2009, and ran a 1:42 this year. So I was very happy how that all turned out. I have to say that it HAS been pointed out to me that I was probably overdressed ( wearing the nathan racing vest and handheld) I have seen the error of my ways, and JENNY HEARBY DECLARES: SHE WILL NOT RACE IN A NATHAN VEST FOR RACES UNDER MARATHON DISTANCE FROM NOW ON. I give no guarantees on the handheld because that varies with the weather conditions and course difficulty.

This is a really challenging race because it's pretty much 5.5 miles of climbing and then 5.5 of downhill. I do MUCH better on the climbing part than the descent but luckily for me I had Rick Gray there to pace me out there the last 3 miles and get me to the finish line.

I loved that mark Skelton gave out pint glasses for awards this year! Mine has already been used SEVERAL times! I just think awards like that are SO much better than something from a trophy shop. Thanks Mark for putting on such a great race.

I also enjoy the smallest of all the races in the Skelton Law Trail Series because it's a tight knit group of people, I love the social aspect of smaller races and I got to see and visit with my old friends:

John Cornelius ( he was my next door neighbor when I lived on South Holston Lake) and it's so awesome he runs and trail runs!!

Tom Murrell ( my FAVORITE local runner/coach/road biker) he's just a cool guy!

Jim Bowers: beth and I met Jim in Nov 2005 at Mtn Masters in harlan, ky. We've ran many races with him since. He's just a great guy and a good runner!! I ran a good mile and a half warm up with Jim before the race and caught up on life there. It was great to see him. ( I hadn't ran with Jim since Haunted Half Marathon last oct)

LOVE Rick and Tammy!! I know you guys see them really frequently on my blog, but these guys are my "trail parents". I can honestly say I don't know if I would even be attempting to run ultras if it wasn't for them! Running, Traveling and Racing with them is always so much fun. I'm so happy they are in my life:o)

there are more pictures and the results of Laurel's Run Ascent up on State of Franklin Track Club website

May 8th, I am going to run my 3rd 50k! Capon Valley 50k! I am very excited and hope to get a 50k PR. The course isn't going to be as difficult or technical as Terrapin so I am certainly hoping to break 6 hours. I'm feeling pretty good about it. here is the course website: www.runcapon50k.com

also MMTR registration opens may 1st ( TOMORROW!!) I'm going to be running on the AT ( cross mtn to watagua section of the AT) tomorrow morning, but plan to register as soon as I make it back home.

EXCITING!!! :o)

42 mile night run on the AT/ IMT

For the past several months my friend, and super ultra runner Rick Gray had been trying to get me to sign up for my first 50 mile run. I had already planned to run MMTR in november for my first 50 miler, but Rick seemed to have other plans. The first time he mentioned it was on a saturday run with the IMTR. He was talking about Cheat Mtn Moonshine Madness 50 mile. He was saying that there were some peoples names missing from the list. He went on to say "beth and jenny!" I just looked at him like he was crazy. ME? Run a 50 miler? in the dark? in august? I quickly dismissed the thought. NO WAY, RICK GRAY!!!

However, our next run in march for the tacky leprechaun; sure enough, Cheat Mtn 50mi came up AGAIN in conversation. Rick looked at me directly this time and said "you still haven't signed up yet!" This time I just sighed heavily and said, "maybe. I am thinking about it." Well, that next monday. I registered for cheat mtn. knowing rick would be relentless haha. My family and non- running friends were proclaiming that I have lost my mind and I that I am really just taking the trail and ultra running stuff way too excessively. I was obsessed. I was going to get hurt. I was going to burn out. I wasn't giving myself anytime to recover. ( mind you these are people are don't run )THEN my road running friends tell me I'm just stupid to ultra. I'm going to kill my speed. at that point is when I would tell them that Cheat mtn was a night race. You could see the look in their faces.. I went from teetering on the edge to a lost cause in about a split second.

I knew that I could do the mileage and the work to prepare myself to run 50 miles. However, I knew that I really needed to do some night running on single track. I wanted to be VERY comfortable with it. No way was the first time I am going to run with a headlamp on race day. but what was I to do??

Then I get an open email from Rick Grey to the email list of IMTR's. Proclaiming that he was aware of my problem. AND My friend Doug Blackford, also had the same dilemma for he is running Mont Blanc ALSO on the same evening as Cheat Mtn and it begins at night. Rick's suggestion was to have a night run a ENORMOUS 42 mile loop on the AT/ IMT. here is the map:

To be ran at night. Start time of 9pm.

What a great group of friends I have! Seriously I am so appreciative to have them, because I know there was NO way I could get in training like this solo.

So began some research begged some of my ultra running friends for headlamp advice. I decided to select 2 headlamps and use them together. ( thanks to the suggestion of a sage ultra runner) I used a petzl Myo xp on my noggin. and then I wore a tikka plus around my waist so I could see my feet a little better.

The forecast for friday night was going to be a little on the cool side with 30F and windy. I tried to layer my clothes some, but not too much. I was concerned with overdressing, and me carrying too much in my pack because other than aid at mile 20, this was a self supported run.

I decided to use my ultimate direction wink hydration pack because it has so much more pockets and room than my nathan pack.

I met beth at 7pm the evening of the night run and we went to Whistlepig Bistro in Damascus for dinner. We met up with JJ, his wife bonnie, and walked in and the place was SLAMED. WOW! all the tables were full! We saw Lone Wolf and Gypsy at the bar eating their dinner, so we ended up sitting with them for dinner. The food was AMAZING. and the 1.50 PBR's were too good to pass up. Carbs. beth and I needed carbs.

We went back to sundogs parking lot to prep for the run, we met up with Jim, who drove up from Columbia, SC to run with us. JJ got his kilt ready.

One by one everyone started congregating and ready to GO! We were a little late getting started, and ended up leaving damascus closer to 9:30pm.

There was definitely excitement in the air as beth and I ran across town via the VA creeper trail enroute to the AT. We pass right by our friend Aliese's house as we jump up on the AT, and Aliese and her two exceptionally sweet and bright children were all out of the porch yelling and cheering us on.

I was pretty anxious to get started and get some miles behind us. The first 5 miles or so is some pretty tough climbing.

I pretty much charged up the mtn with reckless abandon. I was having SO much fun, SO happy to be there. I knew I should go out slower.. WAY slower. but it just really didn't seem like an evening to play by the rules. We stopped at the back bone rock trail and regrouped. I ate a honey stinger gel. I noticed immediately that as soon as I stopped I was getting cold. I wondered the beginning of the run if I was overdressed, but there 5 miles above town I realized I was underdressed and I did not bring enough clothes.

I got to run most of the climb with Jim. I had never met him before so I got to know him and the miles went by pretty quickly. We made it to the shelter at mile 11 and stopped for the rest of the group to catch up again. and I was SERIOUSLY teeth chattering cold this time. okay, in the back of my mind I'm thinking.. okay 50k more to go on this run, and you are already shivering. I got out my go lite jacket and then got out my handy dandy handwarmers and put some in my mittens. AAH!. I ate a packet of Justin's almond nut butter and took a salt stick cap.

I think everyone else looks cold in this picture at the shelter as well. I have to add that beth and doug both hit their heads going in and out of the shelter. Which really shouldn't of been funny,but it was.

I decided I was running way too hard and needed to calm it down some and conserve a little. So beth started running with Jim and I ran with Rick, doug and Joey. We got to this section of the AT where the Forest Service had been doing some control burns. It had rained the day before so nothing was on fire but the smell was a little much after running in it for a couple of miles. we got to govt road. and I knew now I was going on sections of the AT I had never been before! yay! We ran on to 421 and I couldn't believe it when I saw a Johnson Co. TN sign. WOW! I can't believe we were that far.. oh wait we weren't that far trail wise... we were only 15 miles in. It was getting colder and we were getting on a different trail so we had to stop so the group could see where to go. We had a couple people who had never ran the route and we didn't want anyone to get lost at night. so we camped out on a picnic table and waited.

it was getting colder.. and stopping was really hard on my my knees and hip flexors were hating me for the stop and go stuff. see the cool patagonia fleece beth has on?? I would of LOVED to had one up there friday night. my thin long sleeve and go lite jacket did not cut it! BRRR.. so teeth chattering again. I decided it was a good time to gel, take 2 motrin, and cuddle with beth because I was freaking freezing!!! We had fun joking around and laughing.. we watched this crazy enormous horse trailer go up and down the mtn.. honking at us each time it passed. I did burpees for the group to show everyone what this CRAZY core exercise looked like.. so that was fun. doing burpees on a friday night in the leaves on the side of 421...

Finally everyone was all together again and it was time to go to cross mtn!! WOO! it's the kinda half way point for us, and stopping point for 4 of our friends.

I ended up running with rick, doug and joey again for this 10k. we passed 3 ?? tents by the AT on this section. I know there was one guy just in his bag on the side of the trail ( haha bless his heart.. him there asleep and 9 trail runners go clomping by at 2 in the morning) I got behind doug and rick about 5k out from cross mtn, but was in front of joey and I got off the AT and onto a spur for about 100 yds. it completely freaked me out once I realized what I had done. I backtracked and found the trail by that point joey was coming down the trail and I admitted my blunder. I was just thinking .. what if I hadn't realized what I had done, and gotten lost? in the dark? but all was well, and Joey and I ran the last 3 miles together laughing and talking and just what a cool moment it was that we were running there together on the AT under this enormous canopy of stars.

I was feeling a little down when we got to the AT parking lot at cross mtn. though.. it was like I went from extreme high to extreme low. my mood shifted quickly I had stopped and I was really COLD. I was worried about time.. I was worried because on the way to Damascus Brock called and told me he had "accidentally" told MY MOM that I was running 42 miles on the AT @ NIGHT ( and other than me SO wanting to seek revenge on my dear sweet husband for such utter betrayal) I felt guilty because I knew my mom would be up all night worrying about whether or not I was cold or lost or hurt. My poor mom has been through so much. I had told them I was going running at night with the IMTR's but I wasn't about to tell her how much or that literally I would run ALL night long. I just knew my parents wouldn't understand my freakish behavior. but first and fore mostly, I knew my parents would worry. They have ALWAYS worried about me. I know it's out of love and concern. I never really tell them about my mileage or long runs...They think I'm trying to punish myself or push myself to these crazy limits. I don't really know how to convey to them that REALLY my time in the mtn's isn't about pain at all. It's about peace of mind. It maybe escapism of some sort, but when I run in the mtns, I feel so free and happy and have this sense of contentment I have never experienced before or any where else.

SO as soon as I walk up to rick, doug, beth and jim.. I say " rick, talk me up.. because I'm feeling kinda blah. right now." I ate a banana, drank a coke. I know I need to eat more but I don't feel like it. okay.. this maybe crazy.. but everyone makes fun of me because I'm a non-urinator when we are in the woods. I NEVER have to pee EVER. ESPECIALLY during a race. and I admit, as I run more ultras and longer races.. I was REALLY shocked by all the pitstops and just how open it all is-- you just see everyone right beside the trail taking a leak... I had drank pretty much all of my hydration pack and I realized. I really should try to pee.. so Jenny peed in the woods ( not for the first time-- I've camped/hiked tons) but for the first time DURING a run. and I felt tons better.. I really should try that more. I think I'm just too self conscious about that. maybe eventually I'll get over it. but being in complete and total darkness helped. so I say I will at least have that going for me at cheat mtn. haha.

We all get in Joey's truck.. beth is giggling ( I know now she was hurting and cold too and it was more to keep from crying) rick, doug jim, joey and I all in a ford ranger eating chips and drinking coke all trying to get a little warm before the remaining 22 miles. we still had 3 runners out and wanted to make sure they were okay. I was still babbling about my mom.. I couldn't get warm. Joey let me use his phone to send a txt out to let everyone know I was okay and made it to mile 20. I felt a little better BUT I REALLY want just let joey take me to my car in damascus.. get in my warm FJ and go home take a hot shower and then retire to my nice warm bed. Funny how the most basic things seem like luxury. I turn around and look at rick and beth. and am instantly snapped into the reality. This run was to help ME. MY FRIENDS were out here freezing their butts off in the middle of the night so I could get prepared for Cheat... and they all have promised land 50k in two weeks. OKAY.. let's go.. by that time JJ came and he gave me some chocolate with espresso beans in it. I hugged him and mumbled I really wish I was going with him but had to finish this run.

we start moving up the road. the AT section of the run is over and we are now getting on the TN side of the Iron Mtn trail for the 22 mile run back to damascus. This trail is used alot less frequently than the AT. there were SO many branches and twigs on the trail/ blowdowns and its' just SUPER SUPER rocky with really extremely tough climbing sections. Rick turns to me and says " THIS IS WERE THE FUN BEGINS!!!"

but actually 5 min away from the cars I begin to thank all my friends profusely for not letting me stay behind with JJ and Joey. They never MADE me come, it really wasn't a conversation about me quitting. but it was more an inward struggle I was having with myself because I was SO cold and I really did want to be comfortable. I had refilled my hydration pack at cross mtn and it was leaking on me, BADLY.. it had leaked some at the beginning of the run, but not this bad. My whole back side was DRENCHED. NICE.

We find the trail and begin following the blue blazes back to Damascus

i decided to listen to my ipod some and just try to get some miles behind me. You could see the lights of Mountain City, TN and the prison there... I mulled over many things. I thought about my sweet children sleeping at home in their beds.. Jack and Todd are my everything. why was their mommy running on top of these mtns in the wind and cold in the dark? what compels me? Why do I feel so isolated because of my compulsion to be HERE in this exact moment. I really feel I so many people can't relate to me about this and it kinda makes me sad sometimes. It also makes me cling to the IMTR's and my other friends who run ultras because I feel they understand or can identify with me. There really isn't anywhere on earth I would rather be right now stumbling over rocks and tripping over branches on the IMT in the wee hours of the morning. haha What the hell has gotten into me?

We get to a road we have to cross to get to IMT on the other side. We stop for a minute. I feel like I'm going to hurl. Doug tells me we have 15 miles left.. we are at mile 27. I choke down a salt stick cap and eat a bag of gu chomps. The sun is getting ready to come up.

I start listening to Steve Kimock Band and the sun is rising up on the horizon and I'm running right there with all my friends. I feel SOOO extremely happy and humbled to just be there with my friends. LOVE YALL SO MUCH!!!( I tell you these long runs make me feel a little bi-polar-- happy/sad/happy/sad/happy) Seriously sunrise on the IMT really ranks up there with one of my top running moments. it may even eclipse the kingston beer mile from 1997.

beth turns and gives me a peanut butter sandwich. We have 10 miles left. SO close but so far away. pretty much the last 15 miles of this run has some killer climbs. so I was still having to work really hard. I felt like I had been working VERY hard all night. I think really after the 50k point.. my body was really like "what the..." and I started to slow up and found it harder to not lag. but I just listen to my ipod and try to keep rick and doug in my visuals. and not think about the fact that my feet are hurting and my knees are sore from all the downhill and my calves and hamstrings are killing me from all the climbing. about 8 miles left.. mile 34-- I get to the top of a hill and rick and doug are sitting on a log waiting for me. yep.. I know.. they are staging an intervention.

doug: "you need anything?" me: " nope. i'm fine. " rick: "here have some gel" ( he hands me his flask) rick: have you taken any motrin? me:" hmm I did a while ago I think at mile 15.." rick: " I think you'd benefit from a couple more." ( so I take some motrin) They make me run in front of them. i'm kinda sad that my run is all falling apart and I really needed to be babysat-- someone to tell me to gel and take motrin--.. but at least I'm still running at this point. We get to about 5 miles left and doug goes on down the trail and it's just me and good ol rick. We hike the climbs and try to run the mega steep down hill. my knees hate me. I'm death marching and I know it. I have felt this way before-- Frozen sasquatch! haha only this is more painful and worse. I don't complain I just try to keep moving and keep going. Rick and I talk about anything and everything. I'm just so thankful he is there with me and I'm not alone. I know I'll feel better in a little while, and I'm SO close to finishing. finally the last 3 miles I start feeling good again. and We are running at a good 10 min pace.. my breathing and my heartrate are freaking me out a little. I think it's just from me being up past 24 hours. but my legs are feeling okay.

we FINALLY make it back to sundogs. Rick congratulates me and tells me to remember all the lessons I learned the night before.( oh, don't you just love survival mode) that I finished and no one can take that away from me. I run to my car, and there is JJ!!! and beth laying on her yoga mat drinking a magic hat #9. Jim and doug standing around too. I bounce around and hug everyone. I'm so happy to be finished. I make a recoverite and drink it and spread out my terrapin mtn blanket and lay in the sun for a couple of minutes.

Everyone else went to quincy's to eat, but doug went back to boone, NC and I drove home to my family. :o) took a shower and a 2 hour nap.

I was very surprised that I was NEVER sleepy during my run. I thought I would get sleepy, but I guess you are so amped up from running ( and your heartrate is up) so that never was an issue. but I do see that I went out WAY too hard and then bonked at the end. I'll try to do better with that at training run #2 of 2.

recovery is going well. I really wasn't that sore the next day ... which is weird. I thought I would be. Whatever, that was the hardest run of my life so far. so even if I'm not sore.. the pain from it is seared into my memory for now.

this weekend I'm running laurel's run ascent. I would LOVE to win it again ( like I did last year) but I know realistically I just need to work hard and hope I have a good day. so we'll see how it goes. :o)

for those of you who ACTUALLY made it to the end of this post CONGRATULATIONS and AWW. thanks ;O)

Ultra #2 in the books-- Terrapin Mtn 50k

How do I condense into a couple paragraphs and snapshots what I experienced this past weekend? I'll try to make this as brief as I can ( or else it will turn into a novella). first I want to say that my good friends beth and JJ both have excellent race reports up on http://imtr.blogspot.com

I drove to abingdon town hall with snowflakes flying in the air and it was COLD! I was beginning to feel like there was no escaping the snow. My mind was pretty much going 100mph thinking about what I needed to do the next day at Terrapin Mtn 50k. STEP UP. This was my second 50k race. My first Frozen Sasquatch was an epic adventure for sure. However, it was very cold, miserable and SLOW and I death marched quite a bit of it to finish at 7:36. I knew I could run MUCH faster. I was just really anxious because I didn't really taper for this race and was leg tired. Hadn't been sleeping very well either. Tired. I probably shouldn't of put any pressure on myself performance wise, but since I was running with the IMTR's, it was really important to me to run strong and represent!:O) and I also reasoned that since Frozen Sasquatch I really had been working my butt off to improve and become a better trail runner. Surely all that hard work has to come into play somewhere.

I meet up with Rick and Tammy Gray. Beth throws her gear in the back on my FJ and we are OFF! Caravanning down i-81 enroute to bedford, Va.

We arrive at the hotel and Doug Blackford has arrived the very moment we have! I was pretty hyper and in a great mood, so I was running around the parking lot snapping pictures of everyone. The sun was setting and I was able to take some pretty cool shots of everyone, and I great shot of Terrapin Mtn ( with so much fog around it you can't really see it)

After we unloaded the car, we all headed out in the family van to go eat some dinner. :o)

We got back to the hotel about 8:30 and Beth and I started the fun task of laying all all our gear and clothes for the race the next morning and getting everything ready for breakfast ( we had to get up at 4:30am) I was a little stressful trying to figure out the right combination of clothes, I knew it would be cold at the start but then warm up to 50F by the time I crossed the finish line. I decided on : mtn hardware tank

mtn hardware skort

moeben sleeves

marmot glove liners

wigwam wool knee socks

inov-8 gaiters

montrail mtn masochists

nathan racing vest

ultimate direction hand held

I went to bed hoping I had make the right choices for my gear. I felt pretty good about it.

Lights out! beth and I talked for about 30 min before we both got quite and drifted off to sleep. I actually slept pretty well-- we didn't turn the heat on, and i swear I think that is why I slept better! my phone's alarm went off at 4:20am... and we both sprang into action! haha.. not really but we both got up and got ready made coffee, choked down breakfast. and loaded up the car so we could leave for the start line at 5:30.

We got to big island, va! I was nervous. BEYOND NERVOUS. Afraid of failure. Afraid of walking too much and being a weak person physically and mentally. I wanted SO badly to be able to dig deep and be strong. I really felt like I was going to vomit. beth decided to capture this moment on film. I have to admit, I hide being scared and nervous rather well....

got our race packets! I got to meet the RD, Clark Zealand for the first time. CLARK! :O) Super nice guy!! Excellent RD!

Then it was pretty much a meet and greet until the racers meeting. I hung out with Mike Bailey and some of the VHTRC people for a little while. ( NICE!) Then I saw Abby Meadows from across the shelter and ran over to her to hang out with her for awhile. I am FB friends with abby and I have been following her blog. but it was SO cool to finally meet her in person. Once we started talking, we discovered that we grew up in the same area in southwest, va. ( which I think is the COOLEST thing ever!!) She is just such an outgoing and happy person, and amazing athlete! I can't wait to get to run and hang out with her again soon! (YAY ABBY!!!)

Clark had the pre-race briefing and then it was time to line up!! I hugged tammy, beth, rick, kathleen, JJ, doug, ALL and told them to have a good race. Then there was this split second moment where I just decided that I was going to have a good day, and run the way I felt and no try to conserve so much. I just needed to WORK HARD!

GONG!!! Clark really knows how to start a race! very cool!! ;o)

There wasn't a cloud in the sky the morning was cool, frosty and crisp; and as I began to run, I started to feel REALLY good. I just decided to try to mirror Rick Gray and run behind him as much as I could. I didn't know if I could hang with him the whole race, but I knew he would take me out at a conservative but good clip.

When we turned off the pavement to make the climb up towards camping gap. I stayed with Rick. I got to make some new friends. I ran behind Sophie Spiedel for a couple of miles and we chatted about 50 milers, ( rick told her I had signed up for Cheat mtn) and what were some other great races to run. ( it was very cool to run with you Sophie! hope to see you again soon!)

Then kathleen caught up to Rick and I and we all three worked really hard on the climb up to the first AS. I didn't stop.. we just rolled on through

We started the downhill section and I was still really happy because I felt strong, had tons of energy. I just kept saying to myself "be patient." because I knew I would hit some points during the race where I wouldn't feel this great. This section had alot of downhill with a couple miles of flat. I averaged about 7:23 a mile here on this section. ( go me! ) ( the rest of my race was a blazing 12 min pace) got to the second AS and it was time to climb again.

I started listening to my ipod at this point( YES, Hot Buttered Rum!! they are a bluegrass band from Cali- and I know that sounds weird but they are SOOO AWESOME) .. I ran alot with both rick, kathleen and amy on the single track and then when it spit us back out on the road to climb BACK up to camping Gap from whence we ran down. It was about 15 miles. I suddenly found myself kinda alone.. rick and kathleen were in eye sight but up ahead: BOOM!!! I just got tackled in an ultra!! is that legal?! haha.. it was beth! she CAUGHT ME!!! I was really happy to see my best buddy. To tell you the truth I may have lost focus there for a little while haha or for the remainder of the race.. but I had fun hanging out with Ted and Beth.. and CLimbing, Climbing, CLimbing!!

We finally made it to the AS at mile 16 and I found my AT buff I had dropped earlier ( that beth had found) soo happy to be reunited! beth and I took off down the jeep road and we got to see the top 5 men cruising on their way to climb to terrapin rock. We yelled and cheered! ( I think they appreciated it:o) did the same when we saw Justine about a mile later. We started climbing UP some more. Beth and I worked really hard on trying to run anything runable and passing everyone we saw.. we caught back up with ED and TED... we punched in the first hole punch.. finally found some down hill. Beth took off, and I ran with Ed and TED... went through the next AS with them and climbed to Terrapin rock ( for that hole punch) thanks Ed!! ( he punched my bib for me) and it was cool just to get to run with them for this section..

Next was Fat man's misery. I fell as soon as I got in between the rocks. there was several inches of thick black mud, and I just lost my footing. I ended up sliding the WHOLE way on my butt and skinning up but elbows and my arms trying to self arrest.. ( why I was trying to stop from sliding I have no idea)

got to the end and got hole punch #3.

Then we descended on single track ( somewhat rocky at times) and steep and I got passed by Alisa Springman( badwater finisher!!) :o)

( I REALLY need to work on technical downhill)

found myself alone ( don't you love the way ultras are like that?) and so I listened to my ipod and just tried to focus on making up ground and catching my group and the people in front of me. I saw rick,beth, kathleen and amy all coming up the trail-- I showed them my arms ( which where all gnarly and bloody) and asked how far ahead they were. I figured about 10 min.

I got to the AS and turned around and focused on finishing. I felt I was so close!! and I was SO surprised how good and strong I felt. Then I reminded myself how ALL my training really had built me up for that moment. So I wouldn't feel so extremely fatigued and tired.

I finally got to the gravel road and then pavement ( 1 mile left) I just tried to dig deep and finish strong. I knew several VERY STRONG ladies were behind me and I knew I didn't need to fade or waiver. I ran about 8:30 pace.. and before i knew it, I was crossing the line and into the arms of ALL My friends who were standing there at the line waiting for me.

I finished @ 6:13... 9th overall female and 55th overall.

BIG PR!!!

so upon reflection, I'm very happy with ultra#2.. I am very motivated that I can see so many areas with my racing I can improve upon. :o) and really just had a very happy, wonderful experience at Terrapin Mtn. I feel everyone who ran or volunteered at this race FELT all the positive energy that abounded that day! :o)

prep for terrapin mtn 50k and bear tree gap run

Well, in two days, I will be embarking upon my second ultra run: Terrapin Mtn 50k. I'm a little nervous. okay, alot nervous. I really have worked really hard the past several months since frozen sasquatch, and I really would like to see my efforts come to fruition in the form of a PR:o) I really suspect that even though there is 2000ft more clmbing in this race, I think it will be much faster than my first one. even black mtn. To say that I am excited to run on actual trail instead of snow and ice is an enormous understatement to say the least.

I have spent the past several days trying to go over my gear and figure out exactly what I'm going to need. I'm opting for using a handheld for hydration and wearing my nathan vest instead of my nathan hydration pack. Wearing montrail mtn masochists. I have toyed with the idea of wearing either my inov-8 talons or NB WT-100's but I feel since this is a long race ( for me) I need to stick with the support of the masochists.. I'll save the others for my shorter trail races.

as far as race apparel: ( always a major concern of mine) I have a range of things all based upon the weather. I still have some cold weather items in my bag for just in case. and or if its a cold morning on saturday, and I'm bringing some salt stick tabs for just in case it's warm! :o) I get to wear a pair of my new Rudy Project sunglasses:o) super excited about that-- it's really the little things that make me happy:o)

I can't wait to meet all my friends tomorrow for us to journey to bedford, VA!! It's always an adventure and always fun! Race reports are probably my favorite posts to write ( provided I didn't just get my hopes and dreams CRUSHED on the course)

Last weekend, The IMTR's met and ran 11 miles on the AT/ IMT/BEAR TREE GAP/ SHAW'S Gap trails.. and yes there was a section were we had to run on Rt 58 for about 400 yds. :o) For the inquiring minds who will wonder about the 3 pictures jj took of me running on pavement.
I have had my pictures up on FB since last saturday but for those of you who haven't seen them.. I made a slideshow!! with a live version of "day trader" by hot buttered rum ( another one of my FAVORITE bands:o) yay! it uploaded WAY easier. I never got the one I made for the tacky leprechaun to work.

Enjoy!! I love the way the slideshow ends with joey sticking out his tongue!

fighting a losing battle....

I just wanted to throw this out there:

HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE YOUR TRAIL RUNNING GEAR?!

when I ran track/ xc in high school ( and one year of college) I had ONE adidas duffle bag I packed it every evening for practice and meets the next day. Same deal with road races and marathons as an adult.. ONE BAG.. I had trainers and flats... extra pair of socks, a change of clothes for when I finish running, hat, gloves maybe a pair of tights and a bottle of water-- This worked really well for me!

UNTIL NOW....

I am really overwhelmed by gear-- I LOVE gear ( don't get me wrong. I love all the gadgets and gizmos associated with this crazy sport I am falling absolutely in love with-) but seriously when it comes to trail running or trail racing ( ultra racing.) I find it IMPOSSIBLE to put all my running gear in a single bag. So I end up with a couple of duffle bags full of EVERYTHING ( for all the "what ifs") I am so terrified of not having something I need or forgetting something and it messing up my race. afraid of being too hot/too cold/ chaffed, bugbitten, sunburnt and catching poison ivy.. afraid of not having enough gels, salt tabs or motrin to carry with me or the little tiny plastic bags I place them in so they won't get wet from me sweating on them.

I usually have a couple different pairs of shoes in my bag because I always decide what I need the morning before the race, short smart wools and knee socks ( in case it's cold) a small first aid kit, maps, sunglasses, nuun, gels, hand helds, nathan vest, nathan pack( I always am on the fence about those too-- HANDHELD vs. NATHAN PACK-- it's a maddening question-- I am learning more and more though-- TRAIN with the Nathan pack.. RACE with the Hand held... ) salt tabs, blister shield, tights, a couple singlets, a pair of shorts, gloves, glove liners, yak trax, hats, go lite jacket etc.. etc..

I find it impossible to keep it organized.. so I just end up digging and digging until I find what I need, and it kinda drives me crazy! literally, annoys me to NO END. :oP

and then I have a separate bag just for "recovery purposes" I always have baby wipes ( they are great for getting mud off your legs! a change of clothes, a plastic bag for my shoes and socks I ran in and one for my running clothes, jacket, and a protein shake to drink because if I have it in the other bags I won't see it and therefore won't drink it post run. and a pair of chacos or crocs and towel so if there is a river or lake I can go sit in it post run and ice bath my legs some.

Surely, there is a far superior way to do this than what I'm doing. I am open to any and all suggestions. PLEASE HELP!!!

I registered for Cheat Mtn 50 miler this week ( YAY!!!!) and I feel as I embark upon longer races, for efficiency sake I have GOT to learn how to manage my gear and get more organized.

and even if only Rick, Frank, and Sean D post.. I think that would be swell because I know you guys are ALL VERY experienced runners and welcome any advice anyone can lay on me! :o)

THANKS!!!