late winter training to terrapin 50k-- Springing forward full of gratitude

  I'm so completely excited that today is the vernal equinox!!
Im so completely filled with  hope and  enthusiasm for  2013 spring and summer. I'm really enjoying training, feel I'm in a good place with it, balancing running, work, family obligations. I've had some amazing long runs  since holiday lake ( and some fleetly tempo runs and hill repeats) and I'm just feeling strong. Excited for the journey that will lead to me Old Dominion 100 on June 1st.  I have many many adventures planned the next couple months, so training for OD is going to be VERY FUN:)

 I really have been trying to  INTENTIONALLY and PURPOSEFULLY focus my energy in a positive direction this past week. Remind myself daily of all the things in my life I have to be thankful for.. there are so many!  My wonderful kids and family that loves me and cares for me, my friends that I run with---
 I love all the communities I'm lucky enough to be apart of: Ultrarunning, local road running scene, my yoga friends, my Pilates friends, my golf friends, my mtn sports family.   My coach, Eric Grossman --thank you for saving me from myself. I am always messing up my running, and he patiently tweaks my training here and there to get me back on track.  YOURE THE BEST:)

Sophie: who is just one TOUGH DIRT CHICK, and I really aspire to be more like each day. She leads such a FULL life-- but always makes time for me when I need advice whether it be about life or training, and has welcomed me into her home so many times the past couple months.  even on thanksgiving-- she fed me the most amazing meal. :) Love you, sis!! xoxo

I'm so extremely appreciative to Salomon for being so good to me, being supportive of my racing, Sponsoring CTR10k aug 10th, and giving me the freedom to plan some cool events to expose more runners in Southwest Va and Northeast TN to their awesome shoes and gear. Everytime I go to put on my new Salomons they sent me, I feel like doing the happy dance. Thanks for being so  nice to me, Uber group and  Josh/ salomon running. This is a good company  guys, go buy their shoes!! :)
  I'm also very thankful to be on the GU crew. Gu Energy Labs is fueling my training, recovery and hydration. I have to say Ive been really happy utilizing Gu brew recovery drinks and the Gu brew electrolyte tabs. ( they taste SO GOOD and I feel really work just as well as comparable products on the market-- I was surprised to be honest-- didnt' think I would find something other than nuun-- but I really do like them better)

Next race up for me is Terrapin Mtn 50k this weekend. I'm just ready. Ready to go run hard and HAVE A BLAST in the mountains. This was my first 50k in the LUS series in 2010,  part of terrapin is on the hellgate course, and  Clark Zealand is the RD ( I LOVE MMTR and GRINDSTONE too) , this is just homecoming for this gal. "Clark" races are special. "horty" races are too ( love ya horton!) . But Clark races just have this chill laid back vibe pre and post race  that just  really resonates with me.  THANK YOU, Clark for all that you do. I know RDing an ultra requires so much work and preparation and it's a labor of love. Thank you for providing these high quality, extremely organized FUN events for us.

okay-- YOU GUYS: Please think positive thoughts, prayers, vibes, energy for  me as I go run Saturday morning.  I really need it, and it would mean SO much to me!! :)
 without  further adieu: here are some pictures of what I've been up to since holiday lake:

Marlin Yoder and I on the Grindstone Course when we ran a loop of The White Oak Trail with Sophie

                                                   Sophie  being her lovely self
                                               

                                               View  of the mtns from Old FS 84 in the hurricane section of Mt rogers

 I LOVE my  S Lab Advanced skin 12 hydration pack. I have pretty much carried everything: nathan, ultimate direction, ultra spire, and this pack is by far the nicest. SO many cool features other packs just dont offer. 

 I  have been running alot in S Lab 5 soft ground.  really love these shoes.  very comfortable, 8mm drop heel, listed as stability shoe, but SO cushy. it's a nice ride running in them. 

                                     Quality Trail time with  Maverick the super Aussie.

                                                 I love running with my furry bestie.

                                          Laurel's Falls in Church Hill, Tn this little park backs up to Bays Mtn Park, so the trail systems connect. :) love running from here into bays.

                                          View from the AT near bear tree park ( maybe 2  miles from the spur to cross rt 58)

                                           View from the top of Big bald.  Shew that is a HAUL.

 Cool thing about salomon ambassadorship- cool things randomly arrive on my porch! I LOVE these gloves.  I channel my inner Karl while wearing these:P) 

                                   IMTR st. patty's run: LEPRECHAUN LUAU Rob French made the drive all the way from high point, NC just to run with us!!!

 Dennis Norris, Lou, Tammy Grey, Sid Hood

Jenny primm, beth, ava's BF,  Ava, Doug Blackford

Beth Frye, Paul the BA Belgian, Ed Marsh

 Beth and Dave Frye

WINTER OR/ HOLIDAY LAKE 2013 RACE REPORT

 I had an amazing trip to Salt Lake City for OR!! ( THANK YOU MTN SPORTS for letting me go! ) it seriously was a wonderful experience.  I learned so much! met so many cool people in the industry. It was invaluable I feel to meet with reps, and sitting in on meetings with Steve ( my boss ) and the reps.  I can earnestly say I LOVE LOVE LOVE working for Mountain Sports so much. It truly is a special store owned by the nicest family. Please support them and BUY LOCAL!!! Your local independent dealer gives you costumer service, one on one interaction you will never receive with an online purchase or from a big chain/ big box store. :) 

 It truly was so wonderful. Brock got to go as well, and I know he really enjoyed walking around the convention center while I had appointments, and we went skiing together one day. Brock and Steve went to a utah jazz game etc. so I know he had a great time as well. 

mtn demo at solitude 

Solitude ski resort

View down big cottonwood canyon ( from solitude ski resort) Wasatch 100 2014?? I think so. 

 I couldn't find my helmet so I used one of brock's. and wore a knit hat with it.  does it make my cranium look extra large??

                                            North Face lounge thingy at OR

 more ski pics from solitude

 COOL KUHL truck outside the salt palace

 My boss and one of my favorite people: steve cheers. He hates having his picture taken and wasn't too thrilled with me snapping this one -- can you tell?

 The CEO of GO pro had one of his Porsche's at their booth. We thought it was pretty cool. 

. Salomon is outfitting me for the 2013 racing season in exchange for some ambassadorship responsibilities.  I had just received my gear and was SO excited to get to try out some of the new clothes and shoes for this race! I wore the XR missions a couple of runs the week before the race and decided to go with those. I'm a HUGE fan of the SLAB series, I wore them during Umstead 100-- very cushy-- just wear long socks:) Salomon is coming to Mountain Sports Ltd to have a couple demo days this year. Very excited to lead some fun trail runs in the area and let runners see all the new shoes Salomon has in their line up. I am really interested in the Fellraiser and the Mantra models. I haven't gotten my hands on them, but hope to soon and do some shoe reviews.  I'm really extremely grateful to Salomon for just giving me the opportunity to wear their things and promote for them, and i'm really motivated to train and race hard this upcoming season:) 

 Really excited about demoing cool products for Salomon like these gloves for example-- cool, huh??

 it snowed a couple times the past couple weeks. Here is a shot my friend Ginger Stewart took on the VA creeper trail. I do most of my speed work on the creeper. It's a rail to trail-- very flat and runnable  hybrid trail that is 34 miles long one way. and just a great place to run hard  on a soft surface and not worry about foot placement too much. 

 The weekend before holiday Lake 50k the IMTR's  ran 17 mile route we call "orange dot" it has alot of big climbs and is just a very fun route that utilizes the AT, Tn side of the Iron Mtn trails. It was cold and snowy that morning and I had to capture Tim Lamie with his uber beard he is growing for the winter. very impressive.  Very fun day on the trails and post run, we all ate at Blue Blaze Cafe ( in the location of the pizzeria formerly known as "quincy's" ) yall check it out if you are ever in Damascus. 

 My australian shepherd, maverick loves to run and play. We have been having fun in the snow the past couple weeks. 

 i also was excited that I had gotten some GU products to use for my 50k-- and for training and racing the next 6 months or so. Super elated to be on the Gu ultra team they call the "Gu crew".  Once I get the dates for my clinics on sports nutrition, I will post them here and on my FB.  THANK YOU GU ENERGY LABS!! 

 I was very happy about using GU brew instead of Nuun in my hydration bottle.  I've used Nuun for years-- most of the time just eating tablets because dissolving them in water was such a muted flavor-- and I found it a little hard to drink with exception of doubling up tablets in my bottle, but was intrigued by the different flavors GU brew has-- they are tablets too-- so was happy to try those out.  Let me tell you the flavors are SOO much better. Peach Tea is my favorite!!  Blueberry- pomegranate is another favorite. 

 Gu brew was also what was out on the course for holiday lake so that made it very easy for my fueling at the aidstations brock couldn't get to-- knowing I was using the same products and that would probably be more agreeable with my tummy.  I'm super excited to experiment with all the Gu products and find a good combination  for my racing nutrition plans especially for my 100 milers for this year. 

HOLIDAY LAKE 50k Race Report: 

 wow. that didn't go the way I had planned!!  How many times in life have things happened that throw you off course and try to detour you from your goal? it happens all the time. That is why it's so important to stay flexible, focused on the finish line and not get discouraged-- even when things don't go your way or you don't achieve desired results.

 My goals for Holiday lake were pretty simple. LONG RUN for OD 100. I'm just now starting to train seriously after hell gate 100k/ break during the holidays. So I didn't taper for this race or really make it a  big deal. I idealistically wanted to run about 5:20, what I ran the previous year. but knew going into this race I was much more leg tired than what I was last year. I feel my base is great. but as far as leg speed and cadence.. I haven't really done any speed work since before Grindstone, so I knew that was out the window. So I came to this race with the mindset to do my best, but enjoy the day and just get time on my feet. ( boy did I jinx myself- self fulfilling prophecy there!!) 

 I was thrilled that Brock and the kids were coming to crew for me. The kids hadn't been to a race in a while and really are excited about me racing and helping ( they love to hand me things-- and run, play and have fun while waiting for me at Aid stations) So that was another plus in holiday lake race weekend that we were all together as a family. We had a great meal at Wasabi in Lynchburg Friday night, took the kids swimming at our hotel before retiring for the evening because we had to get up so early (4:30 am!!)

We got to the  start RIGHT in time. I had the chance to go to the ladies bunk house and say hi to ALL my ladies!! ( prissy and martha, diane etc) and tell them good luck and before i knew it we were lining up and were off. 

 starting off I was running about 9 min pace and felt slow really kinda stayed in the same gear all day.  Wish I had more exciting things to write about!! it just is what it is. off day. 

 going through the first AS.  HIDEE Bill Potts and Clark Zealand!! 

 going around the bunk house at the turn around.  Amy Albu is in front of me in the hot pink skirt. 

 
 My son Jack switching bottles for me at the half way point.

 Harry landers, myself and Laura Duffy about mile 21

 It was SO great to see so many IMTR's and my friends having good days and running strong. YEP, it really kinda made me have crazy thoughts during my race like: 1. I should of tapered. 2. I need speed work  and other things lamenting for feeling slow and having a ho- hum run... some runs are just like that-- but it makes you appreciate the special runs when races go well-- AND I don't want to be peaking now anyways!! I want to be peaked june 1st. it's okay where I am:) I had to remind myself of my goals for this year and what Im out there for. 

 BUT I was on pace to finish 5:25-30.. and I was happy with that.. I kept harry landers in my sights. and knew I was going to be okay. I counted on the turn around and knew I was 13th woman at mile 29. -- been doing a stellar job of falling back in the field through out the race. 

Well coming out of the last Aid station for SOME STUPID REASON. I didn't turn left down the road..  I ran straight into the woods?! and ran and ran and found myself on lake side trail. crossed a bridge and realized I was on the wrong side of the lake!!  I looked across the lake and could see runners running at what I call "2 miles to go" at the picnic area. HEAD SMACK!! 

 I was frustrated at my stoopid blunder at first. upset that I would now finish WAY behind where I was supposed to because I now had to run ALL the way back practically to the last AS.  but I quickly mentally shifted gears and actually had MORE FUN running the bonus miles and then once I got on the right trail, the last 3 miles. My feet didn't hurt. I felt fine. I wasn't tired. I felt I could go run another 50k. lol like I was just getting warmed up. maybe I was just getting warmed up and that was the problem.  I finished in 5:58.  I will say this is the first ultra in a LONG LONG time ( maybe ever?!)  I finished with skinny fingers!!! that  is exciting. I ate GU/ GU roctane and drank GU brew only in my bottle this race. no S caps. it was a cool day 25 at the start and 45 at the finish.  HMMM.  interesting!!! 

  I once was lost but now am found!!  Finishing with some extra miles on my feet, no worse for wear and just happy to be there with boys.  I love these little guys more than anyone else on the planet. My kids are my everything. After the race they both told me they were so proud of me for not quitting even if things weren't going my way. It's amazing they are 5 and 8-- and they GET it that early.  I really want  more than anything them to learn to set and achieve goals for themselves, but also I want them to know the importance of good sportsmanship and being apart of community and the JOY it adds to your life.  The Ultrarunning community adds a tremendous amount of joy to mine. You guys are like family to me, and the races a big family reunion and celebration of what we do!! :)

 ALL the charlottesville crew gave me the stupid award!! lots of hugs and laughs at the finish line. 

I'm here with Harry landers, bob clouston ( picture courtesy of Sophie Speidel) 

So week after holiday lake, I'm super accepting of how it went down. If I run it again, I will be WAY more aware of coming out of that Aid station. and not be dead heading around and get myself lost.
I really just rested that sunday, I feel pretty unfazed by my 37 mile long run. Life is random. Many times things dont work out the way you'd like them to, it's important to be flexible, re-group and revise things and THEN go back after it.

I'm happy to think about Terrapin MTN 50k and getting ready for that. It's more my cup of tea and I fairly sure I wont get lost on this course. I skipped it last year, so I'm excited to get back there. I'm going on the road the next couple weekends for some group long runs. in C-ville and Roanoke. :) YAY!!! and then have terrapin march 23rd. and maybe a trip to the barkley the week after. ( to watch/help crew)  April will be a very big month too!!  so I will be  taking tons of pics of my advenures in march and do a couple blog posts-- back to my resolution to blog more this year!!

 This is a cool panorama of my parent's farm in richlands, va. This is the view from their front porch overlooking their property. I never get tired of it.  and just wanted to share.  CHEERS YALL!!! 

looking to 2013 epic adventures with tons of training and racing thrown in for good measure

When I think about the upcoming year I'm so filled with optimism, hope and excitement for all the adventures that lay ahead. 

 My 2013 race calendar is shaping up. I'm excited to focus on my goals, and spend my time in between training and adventuring : playing with my kids supporting them in their extra curricular activities: cubscouts and they are going to play soccer for the city of bristol's league, family camping/hiking/being outside for tons of time, swimming,  biking,  yoga, reading good books, eating good food, making jewelry, knitting-- and just try to be an even better mother, wife, daughter, neighbor, friend, person...   it's an on going process, each year I learn more, become wiser through life experience.

 Embrace what/those who are truly important and dear to me-- let go of the people who are critical, toxic, try to bring me down,  and really just take away from my general  happiness and well being. That has been a tough lesson this past year. When people lash out or as I like to say "hate on you" -- 99% of the time it has little to do with you.  I'm the type of person who tries to love everyone, so it's hard/ really hurts when you encounter that rejection. but just the realization-- that I don't place my self worth and value based upon the opinion of others--   just as Thoreau says " KNOW THYSELF"  Ultra running has given me that.  Jenny REALLY knows who she is in a clear and concise way.  As long as I love and accept myself-- it's really all that matters-- the rest all falls into place, and  everyone else can just play catch up:P 

 The longer I am in this sport, the more I realize I run much better if I have balance. Yes, I have a VERY VERY busy, VERY FULL hyperactive life. but the fullness of it and flurry of activity really makes me so happy. When I feel like I'm living life to the fullest and accomplishing  my goals-- is when I'm happiest and fulfilled.  balancing my family, friends, running and now, my job at mtn supports: It  seems when I'm  busy like this and not so one dimensional-- I run WAY WAY better. That was the theme for 2012. definitely going to apply the same method for 2013. Train smarter not harder. My work ethic, motivation and drive is just fine:) but my tendency is to over train-- and get hurt or tired ( both!) Eric Grossman really helps reign me in when it comes to running too much:) thank you, eric for saving me from myself. :) 

OKAY couple of cool things going on: 1. I got picked up by GU!! I'm extremely honored, humbled and excited to  represent GU, promote, and use their products to fuel my training and racing! As a GU athlete, I'm going to hold a couple free clinics/fun runs where we run first and then I give a small lecture on sports nutrition and fueling during endurance events. ( and of course promote GU) 

 My good friends at Fleet Feet Sports in Kingsport is going to let me  hold one there at the store. ANNND My wonderful place of employment, Mountain Sports LTD is hosting several clinics. THANK YOU STEVE AND BOB. Also several more trail running events are in the works through Mountain Sports. Heads up yall!  Details to follow.  but hopefully, group runs, Demo days ( where you can try out shoes and gear on some local trails) Mountain Sports is a wonderful ( and VERY SPECIAL)  locally owned independent store located on commonwealth Ave in bristol, Va. and it's a joy to work there-- where else can while at work:  play with outdoor gear, listen to Sam bush, and EVERYONE is happy and nice-- one of the most positive vibes in this store. :) Super Excited they are jumping in with both feet to be apart of the local trail and ultra running community. 

 and another thing I'm excited about: I'm going to OR!!! ( thank you steve!! :)  can't wait to go to meet with reps and check out all the lastest gear!! I am so enjoying learning about the retail side of the outdoor industry. :) 

 another resolution: I really am going to try to blog more regularly for 2013:)  hope ALL my friends has  a wonderful 2013 and many many epic adventures out side. :) 

Lastly: here is a little picto blog I have thrown together to give you a glimpse of what i've been up to lately. :) 

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Our family rang in the new year with many good friends at South Holston Lake. Jj and bonnie Jessee hosted a fabulous bonfire party:) the kids had a blast!!

                 the next weekend I ran at Mt rogers with Joey, dennett and beth. Mt Rogers has always been a tough place for me to run, the rocky terrain, and for some reason I really feel the elevation change of going from 1,800 to 5,500ish ft. -- no matter how much I've suffered up there on that mtn, I always drive back home renewed, refreshed, revitalized in my zeal and love for what I do.

                               I entered another 100!! woo hoo! June 1st baby!! it's ON!!!  OD, OD OD is my mantra for the next six months, yall.

            Cool pic of DD and I hiking up a cliff at mt rogers

              AT snow run in Damascus on Jan 18th. incredible views and very fun running in the deep fluffy snow

                          ICE up at mt rogers. This was taken on a hike to the summit with my best friend from high school angie Tague was visiting from spokane, WA and came to go adventuring with me at Mt Rogers

          Kids and I build a very distinguished snow man...  they were very proud of him

                             Beth minnink and I at mt Rogers enjoying a 2 mile section of ankle deep muck:)

 and lastly here is a link to a cool Video of us in some high winds on Mt rogers on a rock cliff that was really slippery, wet and lil scary!!

Hellgate 100k Race Report-- a month later

        A month ago, I ran my second hellgate 100k. Upon reflection, I'm sitting here wondering how I can adequately express why  it's taken me a month to write my thoughts, impressions and experiences  about the race. Just being genuine: Ive had alot going on in my life. Good, Bad, Ugly and Beautiful. 2012 was full of extreme highs (   fantastic summer and fall with the boys-- full of adventure,  CTR 10k was so successful, Umstead 100!! Grindstone 100, !!!) and extreme lows --  that were beyond my control. 

 timing for all this was terrible. Having ran the course last last year. Knowing what I was up against-- all the vertical climbing, sleep deprivation, and technical terrain.  and I've ran 2, 100 miler races. 100 milers are a new distance for me and I felt a little insecure about my recovery from Grindstone.

But I refused to focus on that. I decided to focus on 1. I'm a good person who although isn't perfect-- I strive to do the right thing and treat people the way I would like to be treated. I can only give account for myself and my actions 2. I knew in my heart my intentions, my thoughts and my motivations for my running is for personal growth. When I reflect back on all the experiences of the past 3 years! running in the mountains has given me so much JOY and UltraRunning has made me physically, mentally and emotionally a strong, tenacious, independent, capable strong willed and unbreakable  gal. :)

 no matter how I felt, or I knew I could eat drink and keep moving forward until I got to the finish line. 

 I truly feel choosing your attitude and focusing on the good is KEY in these longer events. Also, surrounding yourself with positive people is key. And another thing I'm blessed with: people who love me. The encouragement from my running friends, my coach, my yoga friends, my parents to complete Hellgate 2013 really solidified my desire to toe the start line. My brother Brian and my sister in law Tammy who crewed me at Grindstone, committed to crew me at hellgate.  I felt that was half the battle, I knew if I had someone there at the Aidstations, it would hold me accountable. 

The Friday after Thanksgiving, I road tripped to cville to spend time with what has quickly became my "extended family" in Charlottesville, The Spiedels:) 

 I ran up hawksbill with Sophie, VHTRC, and the Lundblads. This was my little litmus test to see if I truly would decide to start hell gate. This run went pretty well. It was a beautiful, warm, crisp late fall day, and I truly enjoyed spending time with  positive people: sis, marc, anne, and all my other awesome ultrarunning friends. 

 This picture is so awesome that  sis/Sophie had it printed and framed and gave it to me for christmas!! :)

 I had alot of craziness the week of hellgate. of course! but I went onward and laid out my gear, replaced the batteries in my trusty petzl myo, gathered my gels, handhelds, and printed out crew directions and maps. 

 I drove to camp bethel friday evening after taking my kids to my parents house in richlands.  I really just enjoyed the windshield time, listened to music, and mentally prepared myself for the task that would be soon at hand. 

 I met brian and tammy we transferred everything to my car, and then I went to the racers meeting feeling pretty relaxed and happy

                                               sophie was relaxed and happy too.:) ready to go celebrate being alive by running in the mtns all night and all morning, into the afternoon.


 I went back to the car and took a 2 hr nap, and then got my clothes on and sophie and I rode to the start with my brother and sister in law.
  I got a chance to climb into the Grossman VW van for a couple of min to spend time with Eric ( my coach) Beth Minnick ( one of my oldest and dearest running friends I have) and Jj Jessee ( who was my super crew and pacer last year at HG 2011) and micah Mc Faddin, a yougun  in the ultraworld and one to lookout for--

 I started the race feeling fast but comfy and hung right with marc griffin. I was mere feet behind 1st and 2nd place ladies and was happy to be there in 3rd.  but them in my sights. I started to feel optimistic and hopeful-- I was feeling strong-  after the first Aidstation and starting the climb up to petits gap, I passed Holly Bugin, and stalked Kristen  ( the eventual Hellgate woman's champ) and Chris Scott:P

 I actually bounced ahead a couple times, and had a blast getting to know the both of them going up camping gap, but on the promiseland section, Kristen pressed on and I felt like I was working too hard. but felt MUCH stronger on this section than I did the previous year. I knew I was going to PR and do fairly well in comparison to HG 2011. Sophie ( man I was so happy to see her) caught me at the falls there at AS1 for promise land 50k before the FS road climb to headforemost mtn... and I caught her up to speed about my race and that kristen was the only other girl ahead and she let me know where all the other ladies she passed was, because she started slow and moved through the field ( classic sophie race strategy!)

after headforemost mtn AS, sophie dropped me on the AS I could not hang with her and feel comfortable. and I was content listening to music and was at the breakfast AS before I knew it and it was still dark. and another fast girl who ran well at JFK breezed by.. okay I'm in 4th. I'm kinda bummed about falling back in the field but really happy with my time?? so rationalize.. I should just enjoy this experience and be happy! it's hell gate!!! how many people can say they get to run hell gate??! and be happy!
 I knew the sun would come up on my climb to the next AS so tried to eat well and take care of everything I could think of-- I took an S! cap and tried to drink all I could. The sun coming up showed a crystal clear day, and it was getting warmer and warmer. I was so happy to get rid of my headlamp and my crew is the BEST. Brian and Tammy are PERFECT. They are quick, efficient, encouraging but most importantly- they keep me moving!!  it was at this AS that Kathleen cusick passes me and I'm in 5th.  I tried to pass her back ( I LOVE kathleen, but hey! it's a race! ) but then she drops me on a downhill. I have got to work on downhill running lol

the section where it's the devils trail and leading to bearwallow was a low point in the race for me. I was sad, grouchy and feeling sorry for myself and mulling over my heartache and trials in life. When My friends/CATS Christain and Marc griffin  catches me. I proceed to spew my toxicity-- saying I hated rocks and this is TERRIBLE.. and C looks back and me and with his lovely German accent says "perhaps you should eat a gel?" my eyes grow wide! realizing I hadn't eaten in almost 2 hrs. and that is why I'm being such a meanie pants!! I immediately thank him and tell him-- Christain, I'm hurting-- do not let me drop at bear wallow gap.  I just felt SOOO tired. I wasn't sleepy. I was just exhausted. I felt like I could just collapse at the side of the trail and go to sleep.

I get to bear wallow and my crew has a hot dog-- out of cheeseburgers ( dang it!) grab it, tell my crew I'm hurting but will finish and proceed to walk away. My buddy, Bob Clouston walks with me across the parking lot and up the hill to the single track.. talking me up telling me I will go back to feeling UP. It's encouragement I needed.
I start to feel better, I start to ENJOY the journey.. YEAH BABY! :P

 I see blanks blankenship about mile 48 and here I am:)  and he takes these awesome action shots of me!! THANK YOU BLANKS!!!!

 so yeah, I look strong there. 1. hot dogs are so unhealthy and nasty-- but that was just the ticket tons of sodium, sugar, sulfites, carbs and just tons of other grossness. 2. Bob Clouston talking me up, the CATs being so kind to me, Tammy grey cheering for me, Sophie's husband Rusty telling me I'm doing well, my brother Brian and Tammy  being so wonderful each AS--
my eyes welled up with tears of joy thinking of ALL the people who were pulling for me, encouraging me, praying for me, not to win-- not to place, just to finish and have a safe and enjoyable journey.
 as you can see, the sun was shining bright and as I was treated to panoramic splendor along this section. I couldn't help but feel so humbled and just extremely thankful for all the wonderful people in my life who love me, thankful for being blessed with the opportunity to run Hellgate. ( and all these races)  and The journey getting to this point...  Each time I go run in the mtns, I feel I learn more and more about myself. I'm fortified with more confidence in myself what I'm capable of.
Of course! I made up alot of time on this section, I was having fun and my feet felt great! I looked down and in hot pink marking paint were the words "GO JENNY GO" :) my friend Donna Elder...  THANK YOU FOR THAT!!  I get to Bobletts gap full of energy and very happy I am feeling well. knowing I have 15 miles to the finish.


I start my fun downhill running towards my infamous turn I missed the year before in the "forever section"  I get to my turn:) and along the way sputter sputter, die.. I got super hot and just awful feeling.. and I lost another place to a very sweet girl who was just HAULIN-- i just didn't have the wheels to stay up with her.. no down jacket for me..  I'm now 6th woman.. but I know I can run a low 15 hrs if I just keep pushing.  the forever section about did me in. it was the longest 11 miles of my life..

but once I got to day creek, I drank some soda, ate a GU and my brother walked up the hill with me a bit and he looked at me and said "I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you. for you to come out here under the circumstances, and do as well as you are doing-- you are the toughest of us all: you are stronger than me and todd both."  The mention of our late brother- made me emotional for a second but  just renewed my focus and zeal to knock out the last 6 miles. I hugged brian and told him how much I loved and appreciated him and how much it meant to me just to have him out there with me.

At that point I look and there is Marc Griffin for the 3rd time! caught me again. I said " lets march up this hill, marc!" and I just got behind him and paced off him up the hill. we made it in 37 min. 10 min faster than last year.  and continued on to the finish. I was very happy to spend that last 10k with marc. We talked about life. He was anticipating the birth of his second child.  I always brag to him, if I'm around him during a race, I know I ran well.
Finishing was so bittersweet. I was so elated to finish 15:15 and 6th woman. an hour faster than last year. But this was the first race I felt completely tapped out emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually. I sat there at the finish with my head in my hands and bawled my eyes out.
  My friends and family were kind enough to give me some space and let me do that. It was like they knew I needed it.

Hellgate!!! what a vexing, special, wonderful race. Life: what a journey.

I can't say thank you enough to Dr. David Horton for all that he does for our sport, and for putting on such fantastic events. I can't say thank you enough to all the volunteers who was up all night long working aid stations cheering, being happy and encouraging  thus making hellgate one of the most organized and positive events I've ran.

I can't say thank you enough to my many friends and family you guys know who you are for all your  love, support and encouragement. It means so much to me-- I hung in there and worked through my tough patches because of you guys-- I knew you had faith in me and my ability and I should as well.

Lastly, yes, life is hard sometimes for us all, but its one beautiful journey. Change is inevitable, nothing ever stays the same and that is the wonderful, wonderful thing about life and ultrarunning both. Things could be AWFUL for a bit,  but if you stay focused, keep moving forward, stay positive, focus on the GOOD.. things will change.  and when things are AWESOME--   ENJOY IT!! stay grateful.. stay humble.. help others you see who are in their tough patches. ( offer them an s! cap, gel or tums-- if running) ( offer an ear to hear  and  a shoulder to lean on-- in life)

 me a month later?? I'm good.  doing better. still moving forward each day. still being grateful.  very excited about 2013 racing season and just the year ahead and all the adventure it holds! ( and that is what my next blog post is about!)