More Airline Humour. Not.

When traveling abroad it's usually a good idea to have this with you...



Less than 24hrs after getting back from the week in LA/Las Vegas, I was back at the airport, flying to Dublin via Amsterdam. For once I was not rushing - which means I got to the airport almost 2 hours ahead of departure time. The line through security was nice and short so I figured I'd have time to have a coffee, check some emails etc. As I approach the check-in kiosk I see the guy in front of me take out his passport to swipe it. PASSPORT. Shit! I couldn't believe it. It took me at least 30 seconds to recover from the shock and scramble for my phone. The check-in staff were all busy and anyway I knew they could do nothing for me so I tried to think who to call. Who has keys to my house? Who has keys to my house and is actually in town? Valeria - Birkie this weekend - and had a great race!, Pam - on her way back from San Diego, Eric - not even sure if he still has a key, he kindly cut my grass a few times when I was out of town - before I gave up altogether and started paying for a lawn service. But anyway, he's in Nepal! Does Bronwyn still have a key? And she lives close to me - so I call her and she finds the key almost right away and very kindly offered to get it and drive to the airport - even though she was about to leave her house for dinner with friends. It was 6:15 at this point and I ask the check-in guy if it's worth it - that it will be close to 7 when I get my passport... he actually seems quite positive and says something like, well it doesn't leave until 7:45. He could see my huge bag that had to be checked in and all. So Bronwyn goes to my house, gets the passport and drives to the airport - I raced back over to the desk with it and the same dude who appeared to be the supervisor said "Sorry, the gate won't allow me to check you in after 6:45". Well, THANKS A BUNCH YOU ASS**** Oh I was so annoyed. I mean, mostly annoyed with myself but if he'd just told me that 6:45 was the absolute cut off it would have saved Bronwyn the journey and delay to her plans.

I wouldn't mind but I'd actually started to feel quite sorry for the check-in staff. They are completely understaffed and have to deal with no end of complaints and arrogant travellers. One guys in particular was a total ass - I don't know where he was from but I am going to guess northern Europe... he was trying to use the kiosk but was having problems so one of the staff took his passport to scan it and as she started to flatten it out the guy grabs it off her and starts shouting about how she is going to damage his passport. A few minutes later another lady starts to help him, same thing, then a guy come over to check him in from the desk rather than the kiosk - he hands over his passport and the guy still needed to open it and scan it and again the German dude (I've decided by now that he is German) grabs it back and starts shouting about how it's an official document and they are treating it like a scrap of paper! I was stunned at how rude he was. And I was jealous he had his damn passport. I don't know if he ever did check in as he was still walking around - cooling off - an hour later as I was leaving.

I was bummed not to make the flight as I had made plans to visit friends this evening and tomorrow before getting to Galway for work Tuesday. With limited time over there I won't get a chance to see them this trip. But at least it's a business trip and the ticket was booked through our work travel desk so I was able to re-book for tonight with no fee. And I got to see Susan and Pam who landed back from San Diego just as my flight was taking off without me. Susan kindly gave me a ride home so it was great to catch up with the girls and hear about their 'spring training camp' - running trails in Torrey Pines State Reserve (Susan ran her first trail - YAY!), swimming in an open air 50M pool... and meeting a rather eclectic group of Minnesotans who were there to swim a qualifier for the Channel Swim. I guess if you can do a few hours in the 50 degree Pacific Ocean you are heading in the right direction for the frigid English Channel!

And since I was in town... I made it out to Lebanon Hills this morning for a nice long run. After the week of pavements in LA and along the Strip in Las Vegas (6AM is definitely a better time than 6PM to try that!), it was so good to be out in the woods. And what a beautiful morning. Better still great company for the few hours. I started out at 7AM with Bill and Steve who had both ran long there yesterday so were just doing 1 loop. I headed back out for more and ran into Sonya, Kurt, Tony, Paul, Adam and Rick! It was great to meet up with the gang, doubled back as they finished that loop - some were done then and the rest of us did another 2 loops so I ended up with 23 which takes me over 60 for the week. I'm guessing next week will be an easier one. Hoping to hit a yoga class in Galway as I can definitely feel having missed it all week - found a studio in Las Vegas but couldn't make it having to do the work-dinner thing more often than I would have liked...

Last of the Winter Olympics today - watching the Mens Classic 50K - I can't imagine that repeat motion for 50K! The Womens race yesterday was awesome. 0.3 seconds between gold and silver! I was thrilled to see the Polish girl win - I think it was their first gold medal at the Winter Games - or possibly their first in skiing. The hockey game starts in an hour - should be a good one.

Flight Attendant Humour

It's not too often you remember the flight attendants for their humour these days. But in the past two weeks I've been on two flights where they really did keep us entertained. Flying MSP to Boston on Presidents Day the flight attendant announced he had bottles of wine to give away and started a quiz on US Presidents - press the flight attendant button if you know the correct answer. It was hilarious - most of the questions took people a minute to solve (e.g. how many presidents died in office)... and then the board up front would light up and the attendants would figure out who answered first and if they are correct - and here's a bottle of wine!

The flight attendant button took on new meaning on a flight from Burbank, CA to Las Vegas earlier this week. Flying Southwest for the first time I have to say the service is as good and efficient as I expected. As we were taxi-ing (how do you spell that word?) the usual announcement came on - "We will be dimming the cabin lights for take-off. There is a reading light located in the panel above your head." And then... "Please note that if you press the flight attendant button it will not turn us on."

Training to Race, Racing to Train

This blog title sounds familiar. I think I might have used it last year. Or stolen it from someone. Sorry, Steve if I plagiarized again!

[Plagiarized - that is a great word - no matter how often I use it I can never spell it correctly, that first "i" just looks odd...]

Anyway, I guess I am planning to do a bit of both this year. OK, make that a lot of both.

I am not sure when (though I log my miles so I suppose I could find out), but at some point last year I changed from swearing by the “run less, cross-train more” to the “run more, cross-train as much as you can” school of thought. Not that I actually put much thought into it, I just started to run more miles and of course as any of you mileage-obsessed ultra runners know, it’s a slippery slope... 50 last week? Better do 60 this week. I can’t understand how she fits in 70 miles a week? If I run twice tomorrow I can make it to 80.

When I posted a few weeks back on goals for 2010 I meant to also include a mileage goal. 2010 miles would be an easy one I suppose but given that last year I was at 2060 I’m going to go with 201 miles per month on average - expecting that the summer/fall months will be the higher mileage ones. So that would be 201 x 12 = 2414 miles. I ran 226 in January and will probably be over 200 for February so maybe I should aim higher. But then again, I’ll likely overdo it and have to take a month off at some point. We use a tool at work called “Risk Based Planning”. I’m all about it.

Specifically, I would like to hit a few 90-100 mile alternate weeks during the summer. Even though I will race all of the races, no point trying to suggest otherwise, many of them I won’t taper for and will therefore consider them “training runs”. Way Too Cool next month being one of them. I will ease back a bit the week before but still try to hit 50 miles for the week. My main goal at that race is to have fun running in California and get a sense for the trails out there ahead of Miwok in May. That’s much more of a “goal race” for me. It’s a different location but from what I can tell a lot of the terrain - as in trail surface - is similar. But more climbs at Miwok.

I also thought I’d set a yoga goal. Here again I was messing around with the 2010 numerals and since I do a mix of Hot Yoga (usually the 90 minute class but sometimes an ‘express’ version that is 60 minutes) and Vinyasa (60 or 75 minute classes), I thought I’d set a time goal rather than number of classes... so for the sake of originality I came up with 201 hours. That’s close to an average of 4 hours a week. Some weeks I can easily fit in 5-6 hours but with a bunch of work travel this year there may be periods where it’s much less. Though one of my first Google searches for a new destination is always for a hot yoga studio - found a nice one in Boston last week and this week I’m going to try one in Vegas.

Speaking of yoga, one of these days I am going to write a lengthy post about the benefits of hot yoga for runners (not facts, just my point of view). I am sure I regularly bore people to tears talking about it but in the past few months a few friends have taken it up and I think they would agree it’s been a good addition to their training schedule. Of course, it’s more time, more money and depending where you live not always that accessible. For many people it’s a question of whether or not it’s worth the trade off vs another work-out.

Which brings me back to the higher mileage goal and necessary time that will take, given that I don’t really want to cut back on cross-training either. I am not sure if my lifestyle is conducive to my training goals or if my training goals are conducive to my lifestyle. I suppose in the end they are so integrated it doesn’t matter. I was asked, once again, by my chiropractor on Monday morning, where I find the time to run so much. This was after he asked how long I’d run at the weekend and I mumbled something about 20 miles or so on Saturday. I figured 25 would have been too close to the marathon distance for him to fathom as a training run, not to mention the Friday and Sunday runs. Or the 50K race the previous week. This was followed by “Don’t you ever, just, go to the movies with friends or something?” Movies? I watch them on the plane flying back and forth to Ireland a few times a year. I don’t mind this line of questioning. It wasn’t too many years ago that I would have rather do anything than work out. But I do get a bit pissed when the tone of the question assumes that I neglect the important things in life - family and friends - for the sake of training. Granted, the fact that I am single and my family is spread across the globe means that I don’t have some of the same constraints/obligations that others do. And I don’t mean that in a negative way even though those words make it sound that way. I am just blessed to have a wonderful circle - or more accurately circles, random groupings, ever-expanding gaggles - of friends that love to do what I do. Whether it’s on the trails, in the yoga studio, or on the bike - these people are my family. And spending time with them brings me as much joy as the activities we’re undertaking. I know I don’t need to explain this to anyone who reads my wanderings. But it feels good to put it into words...

I should finish by saying that despite his crappy insights, I think I am continuing to benefit from my weekly visits to the chiropractor. Or at least my body is :)

Psycho Wyco 50K Race Report

Design by Jason Crosby Illustration

I'd read about this race a few times and was sort of thinking it might be a nice way to kick of the season early. Previous February races had been Moab in 2007 and Orcas Island in 2008. This time last year I was in Argentina attempting to climb Aconcagua. With a California race next month I didn't want to travel too far, so it helped that Kansas City is both within driving distance and right up there on the list of exotic destinations. An email from race director Bad Ben informing us of the "Mud Stud Challenge" sealed the deal - I may finally be able to answer yes when asked - So, do you, like, win money for doing this? We headed off from the TCRC (Twin Cities Running Company) store in Eden Praire, travelling in style...

Adam, owner of TCRC, a speedy runner with a great driving iTunes playlist, who happened to be extremely mistrusting of other's RV-driving ability, was running the 10 miler (1 loop), while the rest of us were in the 50K. Yes, we did give Adam a hard time for taking the 'easy' option. Much discussion on the way down regarding goals and times. And of course the prize money! $75 for guys under 5 and gals under 6. $250 for going an hour faster but I don't think any of us were seriously aiming for that. I'd gathered together some of the previous year's times but without knowing many of the runners it was hard to tell what was a 'good time'. And of course, every year the conditions can vary quite a bit in terms of ice-to-mud ratio. Regardless, I knew I wanted to run sub-6 and felt like it should be doable. I'd taken a look at the registered runners list to check out 'the competition' (can't help myself) and didn't recognize any of the names. But I was more concerned about my own time, and the added bonus of some cash, than wondering if I could win. As it turns out there was an additional $75 for winning. I need to do better research! We got down to Kansas City around 6pm Friday evening and headed for Gary Gribble's running store to pick up our numbers. Very nice technical race shirts and a cool mug. Backtracked to the hotel which was only a mile from Wyandotte County Lake Park (the WyCo in Psycho Wyco, the Psycho will become clear). The gang went for dinner but I decided to chill out in the room. I vary between wanting a steak dinner the night before a race to just eating a few snacks. I wasn't feeling great, not sure if it was nerves but wanted some time to sort out race gear and needed to do a bit of work also. Watched some of the Olympics opening ceremony - very cool. We were in bed by 10pm with the race not starting until 8am. Nic met us downstairs for breakfast and rode over to race start with us. He was looking fit and in shape despite being six months pregnant. Got sorted out with drop bags, everyone milling around the start area. We chatted with John Gustafson, fellow MN runner. And got ready to rock and roll. It seems TCRC's yellow shirt is setting a trend... The first few hundred yards was wide open as the field started to spread out. About 20-30 guys ahead, as we headed up the first hill, onto a short section of road and then into the woods. The terrain was a mix of rocks, dirt trails with room for passing. Some snow, but overall pretty decent footing as we meandered through the woods for a few miles until we hit the first aid station and entered...

A mile of singletrack zig zagging through the woods. On any other day this would be my favourite type of trail to zip around but today I took the first loop pretty tentatively figuring it could be a bit icy. The second time through was much more fun as I let loose and apart from a few turns the trail wasn't too greasy. Yet. Loop 3 was misery. Out of the loop and back on dirt trails. A bit of everything over the next few miles, plenty of up and down but all runnable. Some of the downhills were a bit tricky with the mud taking over already. Out onto some meadow and then a short uphill to the next AS at around mile 5. Starting out I was aiming for a 1:40-1:45 first loop. Got here with 50 mins on the clock so was happy with that. A few hundred yards uphill on the road and then back in the woods again. Just under 3 miles to the next aid station. Entering "Fester's Wander" (the dog-designed section of trail) wondering if we'd ever emerge... came out of the woods hoping it was the AS but knowing we hadn't run that far - through some meadow and back into the woods. A few nice uphills through here and eventually up a short hill and the park shelter and AS at the top. 2.5 miles to go. Plenty of hills here that killed me on loop 3 but the first time around I think I ran them all. I'd left the AS at 1:08 on the clock so was thinking about 1:45 for the loop but came through at exactly 1:40 so I'm thinking that last section is a bit shorter than 2.5 miles. In any case, it was 1 down, 2 to go. Still clean...

Heading out on the second loop I was feeling pretty good. Figured I should aim for a 1:50 second and then a 2hr final loop. That would be 5:30 which I knew I'd be well pleased with. But it was still early and I had no idea how the legs would hold up as the mud piled up. Paul passed me about a mile later and I kept him in sight through the triangle and for the rest of the loop. Took a spill in the second section at exactly the same spot I'd seen the guy in front of me fall on the first loop. Slammed down on my right hip and knee, scrapes and bruises, no lasting damage. I hit the 5 mile AS at exactly 2:35 so I was on track. Jogged up the hill happy for once to be on pavement. Then tried to keep it up a good momentum on the downhill singletrack through the woods. Got a wicked cramp that slowed me down for a few minutes - probably the result of drinking a few cups of coke too quickly at the AS. I should know better. The course was definitely much greasier but still a lot of very runnable sections. The worst of the mud started to hit towards the end of this section. There was a slightly downhill section around mile 7 and it was just impossible to get through without holding your breath and hoping for the best. It had already become a 1-foot wide channel of thick mud with trees on either side so no real option of 'taking the high road'. Coming into the end of the second loop I saw 3:30 on the clock so was happy with that. Stopped at my drop bag, downed half a can of sf red bull. And off again. Great support through here, including David from Kansas who I'd met up at Superior last fall. I could still see Paul up ahead but knew that wouldn't last for long. Called to Adam as I spotted the RV. Was beginning to think the 10 mile was indeed the smart option today. There wasn't much of a break from the mud on Loop 3. Even the trails that seemed dry and packed in the first loop had dissolved into slop. The triangle was no fun at all. But surprisingly I managed to stay upright and made it through the first few sections without using my entire vocabulary of swear words. Not so much once I passed the mile 5 AS and got back in the woods. I am not sure if the uphills or downhills were worse. Passed quite a few people on this loop - mostly 20 milers as well as a few 50K'ers, some of whom were probably on their 2nd loop. It got a bit tricky passing people as it wasn't always a simple matter of stepping to the side but for the most part people were great. Though I did get a little impatient heading down a steep mudbath behind a guy who seemed quite content to tell me how muddy it was with no sign of thinking I might want by. At the bottom of this slide was a creek crossing which earlier had required some navigation but now I was stepping right in hoping to clear some of the mud. At least momentarily. I think I made a bad sock choice though as my feet were cold for most of the run. Back to the SmartWools next time. I was so glad to reach that final AS on that last loop! The volunteers were great - coming out from the AS to grab water bottles to refill and making sure we had everything we needed. The spread at each AS was perfect for the event though I didn't need much with carrying 6 gels and Nuun tabs. Took a few electrolytes early on but probably not necessary. I carried my iPod shuffle the entire way but never listened to it. I was just enjoying being out there in the woods. Even in the moments of mud misery it was still a blessing to be running on trails in pleasant weather conditions in February. Smiling, happy to reach the final AS...

My shoes, however, were not so happy...

The final few miles passed pretty quickly. I'd left the aid station at 5:11 so I knew that a 5:30 finish was out the window but figured maybe 5:32... that was soon revised upon hitting The Three Hills section for the final time. Navigating that final downhill mudslide, a reprive on grass, and then down towards the finish... felt so good to be done! And I have to say there's nothing like a race director with a check book to greet you at the finish line :) 5:34 - 1st F, 15th overall. A $150 check, a $50 gift cert for Gary Gribble's running store and a free entry to next year's race! And if that were not enough I later picked up a pair of Mizuno trail shoes. Not bad for a day's work.

Caught up with the guys, all of whom had great runs - Brian went sub-5 (4:58) to take 3rd place. Tony was 10th in 5:20 and Paul next in 5:26. I think Paul's lap-to-lap ratio was the smallest by far! Nic ran a great race to take 6th place with 5:16. Sorry Matt, I think you'll know better how to stack the odds in future! The race was won by Andy Henshaw who'd taken 4th at Leadville last year. He set a new course record in 4:15. And possibly another record for most stylish finish line dive... Valeria, who's name rhymes with Malaria (it may have been easier just to teach the guys Spanish), came in second and also went sub-6 (5:55). Nice one!

And Kami came through a bit later, with an impressive amount of mud. And still smiling - as she was early on while still clean...

We got cleaned up. And felt (and looked) so much better...

After all, Adam wasn't letting anyone back in the RV until we were clean...

Speaking of Adam, he ran a strong 10 miler to take 4th. But we still gave him a hard time - after all, he was beaten by a 16yr old. This kid meant business...

Time for a group photo before we headed for home...

And then the party started...

Champagne in plastic cups. Ah, we're a classy bunch indeed. Thanks to Bad Ben and Sophia (and Congratulations!) - and to all of the volunteers and supporters. Despite my lack of love for mud, it was a very well organized, fun event that I would definitely recommend to people. Also, thanks to the busy photographers (Dick Ross and Kristi & Rick Mayo) - most of the photos above are downloaded from the links on the race website.

2010 - Train, Race, Repeat

I started this post about the middle of December - right after Hellgate I think - but soon fell out of racing (and training) mode and have been pretty side-tracked recently. I need to retire!

Last year I said I would ease back on racing and train more. Didn't quite work out. So this year I am throwing that out the window and just planning to race as much as I can!

As you see from the updated sidebar it is quite a list. I have no doubt I'll 'put it all out there' in most if not all events but certainly many will be more like training runs. I have a few 'key' races that I want to be well trained for - Miwok 100K, Afton 50K, Superior 50M and Hellgate 100K. But I'm putting goal times down for all events. I'm sure I'll change my mind several times between now and race day as I start to research a few of the races new to me. But I'm usually a bit coy about goal times and figure it's time for a new approach: put it on the blog and try to stick with it!

So here goes...

Psycho Wyco 50K (KS) - sub 6
I know that sounds like sand-bagging for a 50K but check out the past results. And this year will be no different in terms of challenging terrain - mud is the new snow. I am not confident of beating Dr. Nic despite the favourable odds being quoted by Matt though it would be sweet given that he'll soon be slow and fat (upon arrival of Lil' G) and it wouldn't be fair to gloat about beating him then.

Way Too Cool 50K (CA) - 4:45
I have no idea how this stacks up against others but I read in UR that the course is rated 2-3 in terms of difficulty so I figure for an early spring race on a relatively kind course it's a decent goal.

Bull Run 50M (VA) - 8:30
This is probably pushing it a bit but I'd like to get in a very solid run ahead of Miwok. The course looks interesting - a real mix of terrain. Some out-and-back and loops sections. Not my typical course but I do like to race in Virgina and it's organized by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club so it has to be a good race!

Miwok 100K (CA) - 11:00 10:30 (Olga is keeping me honest...)
And a top 10 finish while I'm at it. I don't ask for much. Kami Semick won this race the past 2 years. 2008 was the muddy year and I can't recall what her time was but last year she was just over 9 hours. Incredible. But then she is in a different class. Representing the US on the 100K team and running some amazing times at 42 years of age no less.

Superior 50K (MN) - 4:45
And a complimentary goal of beating Steve. He started it! Check out the poll on his blog. I'm assuming he'll come up with a prize for the winner of this battle also. Though I may have to wait until the Fall races to collect on it. Confident aren't I? One battle I won't be winning is the CR one. Eve ran 4:32 on this course in 2007. Even if it wasn't 2 weeks after Miwok I can't see myself doing that kind of time on this course. Maybe sub-4:40.

Bighorn 50M (WY) - 10:00
It's ambitious - by at least 30 minutes - Kim Holak ran 10:40 there last year and she was in good shape, getting ready for Hardrock. But I figure 10 hours in a nice round number... I won't be too disappointed if I don't make it. Darcy Africa is running it - she holds the record of 9:04! Would be awesome to see her go for sub-9. I guess another way of looking at my goal is to be within an hour of the winner. Speaking of records, the men's is 7:43 set by Charles Hubbard back in the day. No one has gone close. Sort of like Scott Jurek's record at Voyageur. Though I imagine Big Horn draws a lot more competition from around the country.

Afton 50K - 4:30 (MN)
I'm doing it this year! Enough said.

Where's Waldo 100K (OR) - 12:00
I haven't registered for this race yet (opens March 1) but I hear it is not too difficult to get into and I've been wanting to run again in the Pacific NW AND my good friend Carrie moved to Portland last year... I have to do it! Carrie - in case you are reading this, heads up on a visitor :) The 2009 times are quite a bit slower than Miwok (by the same women) so I'll go with a 12hr goal - and if I fail miserably in CA perhaps I'll rethink this one...

Superior 50M (MN) - 10:00
A half hour behind Duke's 2009 time. Yeah, this is one of those goals that will get revised upwards closer to the time. But it's only February so I'm feeling ever so confident that I'll do so much brilliant training (in between all this racing) and will be in extremly good shape for this race.

Twin Cities 26.2M (MN) - 3:12
I am still sort of in shock that I signed up for this. But I did. So I may aswell try to PR. I will have to take some of whatever Brian P was on last Fall - after running sub-10 at Superior he ran a sub-3hr marathon (big PR) 3 weeks later. Nice! And/or I'll ask Joe Z to pace me :)

Wild Duluth 100K (MN) - 12:00
This seems like a reasonable goal on a tough course. But again, makes me think 11 hours is awfully ambitious for Miwok. Never mind 10:30...

Hellgate 100K (VA) - 13:10
I ran 13:25 in December - feels like another lifetime not just 2 months ago! I think the CR is 13:01 or something like that. I suppose really that might be my goal. But come race day I will be more like - I just want to run 1 second faster than last year! Of course, with this race, more so than many others, the course and weather conditions are a huge factor. Also, as well as the midnight start, it's worth noting that it's 4 miles longer than the other 100K races.

Apart from a lot of racing, that's a lot of traveling too. No, I haven't come into an inheritance lately. But I figure, I love to travel and meet new runners, there are no college funds to plan for... and I can put off the, ahem, retirement planning, for at least another year. Or ten.

First race of the year is days away... bring it on!

Well said!

Went to 2hr spin class this morning and we watched the final stages of the 2005 Tour de France. Giuseppe Guerini won the 19th stage and was interviewed afterwards:

Reporter: "You're 35 so you're a senior citizen in this race. Was this a victory for your legs or your head?"

"Both. You need the legs to get to the front. And when you're in front, you need the head to stay there"

You may remember Guerini from the 1999 Tour. He won the Alpe d'Huez stage - one of the hardest and most famous climbs. When he was in the lead, a German photographer in the middle of the road jumped to the side just as Guerini tried to go around him... only a few hundred metres before the finish line. He hit the photographer and fell, but he managed to get back on his bike and win the stage.

Watch it!

Kurt posted the link to a really great film that I watched last night - this is a 90 min movie (not a short You-tube clip!) but definitely worth the time.

http://danceswithdirt.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-makes-us-believe.html

Quinquennial Anniversary

Quinquennial - now, there's a word I don't use often! I am happy to say that today I am 5 years living in Minnesota. It seems so much longer when I think of the actual move over here. But so much less when I think of how quick those years have passed. But heck, a lot has happened. 95% good, 5% not so good. That is a pretty decent ratio.

I probably won't make it to my Semisesquicentennial (also known as Demisesquicentennial or Hemisesquicentennial) anniversary but I'd be okay with Semicentennial (also known as Quinquagenary). And, that's a bit easier to spell...

New Foot Record at Arrowhead 135

Zach Gingerich crossed the finish line at 9:02PM. 38 hours and 2 minutes after leaving International Falls. Incredible!

About 2.5hrs under the previous course record set by John Storkamp in 2008. Conditions appear to be pretty favourable this year. Well, if you call not too far below zero favourable :)

Looks like last year's winner Eric Johnson is in second place and I think John is in third. But no recent updates. Several locals still going strong out there as they head into a second night.

Wednesday morning...

Eric Johnson finished 2nd on foot at 5:25AM - 46h25
John Storkamp & Matt Long next at 6:39AM - 47h39

As we were all waking up from a second night's sleep since this race began :)

Scott Myers, Daryl Saari, John Taylor, Tim Roe (ski) and Pat Susnik (finished! - sorry, "at finish" = dropped; bummer - after getting past 100 miles, but I guess that goes to show how much is still left to go at that point...) among the folks still moving - from the 5:30AM update they are all north of the Tipi checkpoint - so they should finish over the next several hours if things go OK...

Wednesday evening...

Scott and Daryl finished around 2pm, Tim also finished this afternoon, and John rolled in a little before 7pm - awesome job to make that finish line after close to 60 hours on the trail. Hard to fathom. They are all winners, everyone who set out at 7AM Monday morning.

Would I ever consider it? I don't know. I think it's a little too close to serious danger for my liking!

Arrowhead 135

It will never be a post title for an actual race report of my own... but check out the race blog to get the live report from the 100+ souls brave enough to try it.

Also, check out the piece on NPR yesterday - very cool that the race is getting so much attention this year - as well as the support of the town of International Falls.

Lots of locals running, as well as a few bikers and skiers. Pierre himself is skiing this year - I think his first time to ski it? Zach Gingerich of IL, an awesome ultrarunner, is upping the competition as he goes after the record. From what I can tell he was the first runner out of Gateway (35 miles) at 15:03, John Storkamp left there at 17:15 and close after him was Matt Long, Pat Susnik, Jason Boon and Scott Myers - all veterans of this race. John Taylor had not yet arrived at the time of that update. Tim Roe is skiing and was in around the same time, as well as Pierre. Daryl Saari is biking and was doing super well but I don't see his name on the list of bikers through Melgeorges which is the next checkpoint at 69 miles. Alicia Huddelson, who ran the Superior 100 last year, and also ran the entire SHT last spring, came in to Gateway at 17:37 but it didn't have her out time. I am assuming she's running. The blog identifes the skiers but not bikers vs runners so I'm going off times and names I recognize so there could well be other runners in the mix at the front. In any case, from Gateway there is still 100 miles to go. Hard to comprehend. But it is awesome to just think of all those people out there on the Arrowhead Trail at this moment!

Tuesday AM update -

Zach Gingerich arrived at Melgeorges (mile 69 - just past half way!) at 01:22AM - 18h22m in. The record (John Storkamp) is right around 40 hours so he is definitely going after it! Several bikers finished - the first 3 were all within seconds of each other at 23:20PM. Looks like first female biker finished this morning at 6:31AM.

Funny - I cannot get into the blog from work - "Reason: The Websense category "Malicious Web Sites" is filtered"

Love it!

What would I do without the iPhone?

Cheryl is doing an awesome job keeping the blog updated.

---------

More updates...

A few drops at or before halfway including Alicia H and Jason Boon. John (~7:30AM), Matt Long (~8:00AM) and a few others back out on the trail. Others in at halfway but not out yet.

---------

Tuesday PM update -

Zach G is definitely going after the record! He was through Tipi at 16:15 today with ~25 miles to go. I think he needs to finish by 11:30pm to break John's record of 40h30m. Last year's winner is in 2nd place, coming into Tipi at 7pm. If he got out of there quickly he'll likely beat his time from last year of just under 47hrs. Still, heading out into a second night I guess anything can happen. No reports of any runners through there yet. Lots of bikers finished.

Studio 54

In our former lives (that is, mine and the club's), Studio 54 might well have been a place I'd want to spend a Saturday night. But last night, and indeed all weekend, my studio was a series of Minnesota Winter Wonderlands, finishing up with 54 miles.

Friday, after a pretty stressful week at work (13 hours at the office Thursday was the reason for no extra curricular activities Steve :) - the day I get to live my preferred lifestyle by working just 1 day a week will indeed be a great day!)... I headed straight for the gym to meet Susan for a treadmill run. She was going to be late so upon realizing how beautiful it was outside I cobbled together some outdoor running gear (it's a good thing I like to carry around 'stuff' in my car) and headed off for the 6 mile loop around Parker's Lake. Finished up with another 5 on the treadmill. Then Saturday morning I met Lisa who was down from Duluth for a fun run along the MN River Bottoms trail... we headed east from the Lyndale parking lot for several miles until the footing got too rough and then spotted a trail off to the right as we were heading back - ended up down by a branch of the river with the Old Cedar Ave Bridge to the east... so we got on the ice and headed towards it! It was beautiful - wide open space with trees on either side, downtown St. Paul off in the distance and planes taking off overhead. A nice layer of snow for the most part but some sketchy expanses of ice to navigate around or tread penguin-like across. Got to the bridge and headed back a bit further west than we'd started out. Got back on the trail and back to the cars and then continued west for a few more miles ending up with about 13. It was pretty chilly but little wind and a great start to what I knew would be a fun (long) day...

Joel had posted a few times about running on the St. Croix and I told him a few weeks back that I'd love to join him sometime. So with the full moon last night he organized a run. We all met at Joel & Marty's house just north of Stillwater around 9PM. 10 of us in total I think - most of the guys I didn't know but Chris I at least knew from blogger land! It is always so fun to meet people you 'know' from reading their blog. After signing the waiver Joel (Button at Law) wrote up - anything involving a waiver has got to be worth doing, right? - we headed off to Marine-on-St.Croix. Quiet spot at 10PM as we made our way down the trail and onto the river. Joel had mapped out a route that took us north for about a mile and a half, around an island and then south all the way to Stillwater - approx 16 miles. For the first hour or so the moon was moving in and out of the clouds. It was so beautiful. We all shut off the headlamps pretty much as soon as we got on the river. Each time the moon moved out from the clouds it was as if a giant lamp in the sky was switched on. The snow reflecting the light. The river is very wide along here for the most part, with small ice falls off to the right along the bluffs. We ran mostly in little groups spread out across the river, the footing was excellent with very few patches of uncovered ice. There were snowmobile tracks most of the way also though I didn't see anyone (I guess the bars in Stillwater are open to 2AM... probably a good thing on this occasion). At half way, just before the high bridge, Marty met us and joined us for the rest of the run, while a few of the guys finished up here. After a can of sf red bull and a few mini snickers it was time to get moving again. Slipped a few hand warmers into my mitts and ran for a while with Joel and Marty, and then by myself for the rest of the run. Going under the high rail bridge was definitely the 'high' point of the run. The clouds were completely gone at this stage. Clear skies above with a few stars and the full bright bright moon. Silence all around. Running water passing quietly far below. Or at least a few feet below. Heaven on earth.

With a few miles to go the lights of Stillwater were visible. Around a few twists and turns in the river and the lift bridge came into view. Jeff and Matt had finished a little before me and were waiting at the gazebo. We walked up to Matt's car just to keep warm and then back down and saw Joel & Marty nearing land. Back to their place to get into dry clothes and a delightful cup of hot chocolate - thanks Marty! Home around 3AM and straight to bed...

I'd planned to attempt to run with Sonya and Kim around noon today, legs willing, so I'd set my alarm for late morning thinking I would surely sleep that long. No chance, wide awake by 7:30AM. Decided I may as well be doing something so off I went to hot yoga - except that class was cancelled and the only other one at the same time was a sculpt class. Even on my most energetic days I avoid yoga sculpt classes - there are weights involved! But I'd driven to the studio and wanted to be in a nice warm room for an hour... It was actually quite fun. The instructor was a little less energetic than others I've had though I expect my arms will remind me of it tomorrow.

Back home, oatmeal, large coffee, and back into the almost dry runners. Met Sonya and Kim at Lake Calhoun and we set off for a few hours in the bright sunshine. Great company and entertaining conversation - I soon forget how tired my legs were. A little chilly in the wind but perfect out of it. Finished up with 14. Feeling my hip flexors for the last few. Yoga will be on the menu for tomorrow...

A great weekend after a not so great week. I'll take it!

Somewhere in between all that I made what I think is rather tasty carrot & corriander (or cilantro as they say in America) soup which I am now heading off to share with friends at Patty's 'soup night'! yum yum

The Line of Scrimmage

I have no idea what it means. And really, no desire to learn. But it's my favourite thing about American Football. It sounds... kind of rough and thoughtful all at the same time. I won't claim to know anything about the game and after watching tonight (well, the 4th quarter and now OT), I won't know anything more. But I've come to have a little more respect for the game over the past few years. Well, most of the time I think it's just a lot of overpaid and overweight guys jumping on top of each other (except Peyton Manning - babe!), but I know there is an immense amount of strategy to the game. Or so I'm told. Then again, these are people who don't get why soccer is such a great game.

Ohhhh... it's all over. OK - so I thought 15 minutes of overtime meant 15 minutes of overtime but I guess it's like the golden goal rule. Oh well, that's too bad. Just as I was beginning to get into it.

Back to what I know best...

Had a great run around the lakes this evening. I had meant to leave the house by 3pm but had some work to do that ended up taking longer than planned so it was after 4pm which meant I had exactly an hour if I was to get done in time for a Hot Yoga class which I wanted to take as it's the perfect way to finish off the weekend. That sentence was way too long. So instead of a leisurely 10-12 miles I decided I'd try for a bit of speed and get in 7 miles in the hour to make it a 70 mile week... 8:30 min miles not exactly speedy but after a 20 miler yesterday and a 90 minute spin class this morning I wasn't sure how the legs would feel. Well, about a minute after starting out a guy passes me on a hill and what does Helen do... of course, I try to keep up. With much success. After a while I realize we're running sub-6:30 pace. A few minutes later I pass the guy. So then of course I have to keep up the pace (and cannot possibly look back to see if he's still behind me!) - 5K in 21:30 - over to Lake Calhoun, ease off a bit after crossing at the lights when I realize speedster is not chasing me (obviously, seeing as I'm the only one "racing")... then step on it again and decide I'll see how fast I can make it to the 10K mark. Somewhere along the way I realize the 10K I was meant to do over Christmas at home that had to be postponed due to the weather was actually being run this morning - ah, the sub-conscious mind! 10K in 43:35. Not bad for tired legs. Eased off and finished up the 7 miles in 50 minutes flat. 7:08 pace. That'll do nicely. And plenty of time to make yoga... felt so good to stretch out after that!

A 70 mile week and it's still January. Feeling good about that. My calves were super tight during the long run yesterday which is unusual as I rarely have calf issues. But for the most part the running is going just fine. Aiming to keep it around 60-70 miles the next 2 weeks and then ease off a little before the 50K. Though I won't really taper as it's more of a fun race to kick off the season. Though I am hoping for sub-6hrs and therefore a cash prize!!

Still having blog issues - seems that I can only post on certain blogs and sometimes only when using the iPhone (further proof that my life would be totally miserable without it).

Chris S - I think the biggest hassle for all the runners yesterday was getting out of their driveway! The race conditions were actually perfect - or at least much more favourable than any other year I've ran it. I didn't look up race results yet but I'm assuming some pretty fast times. I love the out and back course and seeing how fast the leaders are going.

Steve - we only ran 3.5 miles before so my excuse is simply that it was intended to be a long easy run... except it didn't feel all that easy!!

Chris - Are you psychic or tracking your blog visitors?! I found your blog the other day and was trying to post regarding running routes in the city... so here's what I was trying to post:

I'm guessing if you know the lakes you've taken the Minnehaha parkway down to Nokomis? That is a nice out and back route and a change from circling the lakes. Or head over to Cedar Lake and up to Theodore Wirth parkway. Probably a bit icy now but in general the paths are pretty good in the winter. Most of the rail trails around the cities are not cleared in winter but if there's a lot of traffic they are quite runnable - maybe check the websites - the new Dakota trail heads west from Wayzata; the new section of Luce Line from Theodore Wirth parkway links up with Medicine Lake and miles and miles west - if the trail is not cleared there is still a nice 8 miles loop around Medicine Lake that is usually ok in winter.

Excited for next weekend - if the weather freezes up nicely... check out Joel's blog! He posted on fb recently about running on the river so I was asking him about where he runs. Others were asking to join sometime also - and then I saw it was going to be a full moon next weekend... perfect! Just need many many inches of thick ice.

Who dat? All day? Is he going to cry? Aw...

Time to get Screwed

My shoes, that is.

Had a nice run at Lebanon Hills late this afternoon - had hoped to finish up work earlier but ended up starting out around 4pm so ran the last few miles in the dark but it wasn't so bad as the trails there are well packed. Not as good condition as last week but that's to be expected with the weather... and the ice showers due tonight won't help much! But hopefully we get some fresh snow soon. Thanks to Maria for the screw advice - picked up 3/8in screws this morning - there were 14 per pack so I put them all in - probably overkill but no point in keeping spares as they'd be lost in some box in the basement... I don't have anything resembling a toolbox. Though Pam is working on me.

I have a few random things to talk about...

First off, these blog issues are a pain in the ass - now I can't post a comment on anyone's blog! Thomas - it was great to read your blog - I had planned to run Connemara as my sister is getting married the following weekend but then my brother decided to get baby christened the weekend after that and don't think I can stretch the trip to 2 full weeks. Though it probably wouldn't surprise anyone if I ditched the christening in favour of a 39.3 mile run! But anyway, I was beginning to wonder the wisdom of that far on the roads a month out from a 100K trail race in California that I've sort of set as my "goal race" for the spring. I'm moving away from roads as much as possible. So I'm on the lookout for a 50 mile trail race in the US that weekend instead - much more sensible! Also, Thomas - in case you are reading this... our paths have crossed... Dublin 2004 was my first marathon and then I did Connemara in 06! Good luck with the training - sounds like you have some nice hilly training routes. One of my fav training runs ever was in the summer of 2007 around Slea Head. A beautiful part of the country.

A black bear giving birth is pretty damn cool - check out Kel's blog for the link and some more info on black bears - the sound of the baby cub is just amazing!

Days off? Some say they are necessary for recovery etc. I don't know. As you can tell from my side bar activities I tend to work out every day and usually twice a day. Call me an addict but I just can't stand doing nothing and if I wasn't working out I'd be working - and there's no thanks for that! Anyway, yesterday I ended up not doing anything as I felt like sleeping in and then in the evening I was late for my Acupuncture apt so didn't get out of that on time and missed yoga. And this morning I felt soooo tight at yoga. Went to the chiro then for my weekly adjustment and he was asking how much I'd been running as I was tight all over. I told him not enough clearly. I'd say he doesn't know what to make of me but he's good at what he does and I think this preventative measure is good for me. Then, mid-shoulder adjustment he asks when I'm going to find the time to get married and have kids. I said I didn't know, that maybe it wasn't part of my plan - not meaning I was doing any life planning (hardly) but rather meaning God's grand plan for me except I wasn't really feeling all that philosophical as I was really thinking f**k off and mind your own business. But anyway, the adjustment felt good. And running this afternoon felt great - and then I went to yoga again (I know, I know) and felt so loose compared to this morning. So there you go, scientific evidence that days off are completely detrimental to one's training. Or at least to my training.

Acupuncture - I've had chronic shoulder pain for a few years now - the sort of pain that goes from nagging background aches to preventing you from sleeping - mostly the former until recently. So I've never really done much about it. Well, I saw a chiro for a few months back in 07 but when she asked me after about 3 months how I was doing and I said my shoulder was still pretty bad at times and she said oh I didn't know you had shoulder issues... yeah, you know how that one ended. Put me off the profession for a wee bit but then a friend recommended Dr. Pete and I think he knows his stuff and is helping me stay out of trouble. Even since doing my lower back in during TCM 2005 I've had right sciatic issues where my right leg pulls up and "gets shorter" and if I don't get adjustments to correct it or better still prevent it happening I end up feeling pretty rough and very off kilter. I know I should probably be doing all sorts of strengthening exercises that would ultimately negate the need for regular adjustments but that just sounds like too much work altogether. Anyway, back to acupuncture - the first apt on Monday was pretty non-eventful, the needles are so tiny I hardly felt them, then the half hour chilling out with them all over my shoulder, neck, and back was very relaxing. But last night when he put one in somewhere on the left side of my back serious pain radiated out from my right shoulder (the dodgy one)... I guess we'll see if that was a sign of a good release! I'll go for a few weeks and see if there's any improvement. I know the recent surge in pain and discomfort is mostly from work, pretty busy lately... being right-handed and constantly on my laptop or phone, using the mouse, texting etc - it all adds up.

Speaking of things all adding up... it must be pure misery in Haiti these days. I can't imagine. I was reading Stones Into Schools recently (excellent book) and Greg Mortenson describes the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan - the impact is just devastating for places that are so under resourced to begin with. He focused a lot of the "places at the end of the road" as that is where they build their schools and are of course the last places where help reaches. I expect it's the same in Haiti. All the talk is about Port au Prince which was certainly hit hard but I'm sure there are so many other areas that are still without proper aid. Anyway, hopefully my lack of interest in biking helps someone there - I have an indoor bike trainer for years that I have used about 3 times so when a friend of Shelley's was interested I thought that was a good way to provide a donation - not to mention that asking for $200 and saying it was going to the Red Cross helped avoid any bargaining :) It was a bargain anyway as they are almost $400 new and mine wasn't far off new. There's been a lot of talk about what charities to support etc but I figured they as good as any when it comes to the larger organizations and I already support Médecins Sans Frontières (who I think do some of the best work in sub-Saharan Africa) - though I think if I took the time to research there are probably some smaller local organizations who may do a better job in putting more of the money directly to use on the ground. Another way to help for anyone interested: Feed My Starving Children has 4 local centers where you can pack food - they have a neat sign up schedule on the website.

Now, it's bedtime. Frozen Half in the morning. Kami and I and hopefully a few others are meeting at 7:30AM so we can get in 7 before the race which starts at 9AM for a nice 20 miler... just hope those ice showers decide to miss St. Paul!

Bits and Pieces

Life in 2010 has been pretty busy which is the main reason for lack of posts recently. But I am also having weird blog issues whereby I cannot sign into my own blog directly - I have to comment on someone elses and then "I'm in" and can go to my own - but still have to open everything in a new window vs being able to just click on "new post" at the top on my page. Odd...

I have thrown together (aka spent way too much time planning) my list of 2010 races on the sidebar but am doing a little refining so will come back to that soon and add some more detail. Running is going well - I think the Christmas break did me good. I am not feeling terribly fit and all of my running clothes are tighter than I would like. But 3 longs runs in a row over the long weekend reassured me that I have not lost much endurance/fitness so that made me very happy. The additional inches will take care of themselves over the coming months (assuming I can stay away from the candy jar at work and the coffee shop muffins/scones... ahh sugar is evil!).

Finally ran at Lebanon Hills last weekend - what an awesome park! And only 30 mins from my house. Thanks for the tour Zach. I will be back again soon. The Friday morning run has moved to T Wirth so I'm discovering a few new trails there also. Well, I mostly haven't a clue where I am at so that just means I need to keep up with the guys. And if that doesn't get me fit, nothing will!

Looking forward to the first trail race of the year in a few weeks time in KC - I expect it'll be a snow/ice turn into mud-fest by the last of the 3 loops - fun, right?

My new nephew in Perth is doing well. Skype is the business! The little guy is unbelieveably strong for a new baby - he was looking around non stop and thrashing his skinny little arms about like crazy. I can't wait to see them in April (the whole family will be in Ireland for the first time in a few years). Meanwhile, I'll be over there for work at the end of next month. I think it'll be a busy year for work travel given the projects I have going on. I like travel, love airports, but will be trying to keep it to a minimum during the summer so I can be here as much as possible.

Planning to do the frozen half in St. Paul Saturday. I have run it every year since 2005 except for last year - which wasn't a bad one to miss seeing as it was cut short. It's a nice low key race and we usually fit it into a longer run by running for an hour beforehand.

Doing tons of hot yoga - loving it - and think it will remain part of the plan through the year. Lots of running, lots of yoga, spin classes at least through the winter. That is the grand training plan!

-------------------------

Helen's comments:

So now I can sign in to my account by just opening "sign in" in a new window - but I cannot comment on my own posts!

And I just have to let Matt know that hot yoga is a 90 minute sweat fest that include many precarious positions, little periods of rest in between, following the instructor, and feeling completely wiped out at the end. So yes, it's exactly what you think it is...

Olga - it's funny, as much as I enjoyed my one 100 miler when I started to plan the year I found there were so many 50M (& 100K) races that I really want to do... but a 100 is still in the back of my mind! Grindstone would be the most likely choice if I do decide to go for it.

Steve - yes, I am still going to beat you at Superior.

Chris - I loved your treehouse pic - what a treat that would be for a vacation!

2009 - The Year in Review

Before 2009 has disappeared from view I thought I'd post a few random thoughts from the year...

• Best race performance (according to me!): Voyageur 50M

• Best "race shape": Leanhorse 50M

• Most fun racing: Leanhorse 50M - correleted to above I am sure!

• Most memorable training run: Eagle Mountain - a 10K return trip to Minnesota's highest point complete with a swim in pristine Whale Lake - try it sometime!

• Toughest race: Hellgate 100K

• Best organized race: Afton 50K

• Best course finish: TFH at Chippewa 50K – I will miss it!

• Smartest race: Hellgate 100K; Leanhorse also - both were negative splits which I guess says it all

• Best fueling experience: That can of red bull at Oberg (Thanks Eric!)

• Best supporters: Superior Trail Races (being among them all day Friday and going by them Saturday morning – it’s an amazingly well supported event considering the location)

• Most awful race experience: Grandma’s Marathon; the race itself is still my fav marathon, it was just a very very rough one for me this year!

• Smartest training decision: Going back to Hot Yoga after the most awful race - with the result that 2 months later at Leanhorse 90F felt like 70

• Best race shirt: Afton 50K

• Best pre race: Hellgate 100K. No doubt the midnight start helps. The pre-race dinner, briefing etc in the hours before the start make for a pretty intense build up.

• Best post race: A tie - Hellgate for the cosy, warm surroundings, and getting to know new people; Afton for the fab sunshine, great food and good times catching up with training and racing buddies.

• Best winner’s schwag: This is a tough one – I’ve amassed a rather wonderful collection of art courtesy of Wynn, John and Larry – but on a purely materialistic basis, the $225 Patagonia jacket from Hellgate is hard to beat.

• Most fun event: Surf the Murph – as much as I love to race (and I do love to race), doing an AS at this race was so much fun. I suspect I will be making it an annual gig. Wild Duluth and FANS were other great volunteering opportunities – I will def be back to volunteer at FANS next year – but I may just have to run Wild Duluth!! Among your many New Year’s running resolutions make sure one of them is to volunteer at an event in 2010. It’s not just a way to give back; it truly is a very enjoyable experience.

• Worst racing decision: Moose Mountain Marathon - racing with an injury is stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Do I regret it? Nah...

• Best finish line feeling: Moose Mountain Marathon (‘Best’ as in “I’m done”, but definitely worst as in “What have I done?”)

• Wisest RD words: A toss up between David Horton's "Keep your nose out of the dirt Helen" and John Storkamp's "Run as fast as you can for as long as you can"

• Best volunteers: ALL of them!

No question it was an amazing year for me. Great results certainly, but what I cherish most are the hours and hours of training, both alone and with friends, the opportunities to take part in some of the best races the mid-west has to offer, running and racing with friends (sometimes involving a little friendly competition), meeting a ton of new people and generally having the time of my life. And on top of that I got to travel to a few races including two trips to Virginia where I just love to run for reasons that are hard to define.

Next up... 2010 plans & goals - which are changing by the minute and it's only January 3rd!

New year, new baby!

No, not me. Though with the extra lbs one would be perfectly within their rights to wonder...

I have a new nephew! A year ago I had 2 nieces and now I also have 2 nephews - a busy time for the Lavin clan!! Baby Patrick Brian was born to Sandi & Patrick (my little brother, well - I guess he's not so little anymore...) - in Perth, Western Australia, yesterday January 2, 2010. Welcome Patrick Jnr!! I just got to see him 'live' on Skype. A very healthy pair of lungs he has. I guess he was just excited to hear his favourite Auntie's voice.

P.S. Written in the US date format that DOB is 0102 2010 - I'm sure that is auspicious in some way...

New Year's Day

My favourite day of the year. And New Year's Day 2010 was a good one! I have never cared much for New Year's Eve (I was in bed by 11pm last night) but I do love the first day of the new year. Bit of a cliche I suppose but I love the idea of starting over, new beginnings, new hopes and dreams. Not so much new expectations as new possibilities.

Despite no running for over a week it felt great to start the day/year with a run around the lakes - thanks Paula for the invite! 9 miles in 1 degree weather. Little wind thankfully and even some warm-ish sunshine. Body felt like it had not run in a while. And it certainly felt like it had taken in waay too much crap food recently. But good all the same...

Then it was off to yoga at noon for 108 Sun Salutations. Why 108? The number 108 is considered sacred in many near and far eastern religions. From http://www.sunfloweryogastudio.com/:

The Hindu prayer necklaces contain 108 beads, each one representing an individual mantra or prayer. Chinese Buddhists and Taoists also use a 108 bead mala. In yoga, it is believed that our heart center is where the soul resides. From the heart center 108 channels, called Nadis, radiate out to all parts of the subtle body. By changing a mantra 108 times, the energy of the mantra enters each of those channels so that it reaches all parts of the body.

It was fun, if a little tough going by the ninetieth chaturanga... my arms will be s o r e tomorrow! The instructor closed with a quote within a quote that I thought was pretty neat. The 14th century poet Hafiz: “Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth ‘you owe me.’” Expanded upon by one Dr. Wayne Dyer*... “Just think of what a love like that can do. It lights up the whole world.”

To finish off the day I spent some time at my favourite place. A hike on the snow covered trails as the sun was setting. Perfect.

---------------------------------------------------------------

What would a New Year's Day post be without a few resolutions...

1. Run more
2. Run faster
3. Eat healthier
4. Volunteer more
5. Rediscover job satisfaction

Here's to a wonderful 2010! Happy New Year everyone.

* I haven't read anything further but I expect plenty more inspiration can be found at Dyer's website.

What Year is it again?

I happened to spot this magazine while waiting in line at the store today. I had to share. People actually buy this shit?

Adding to the Portfolio...

AS 5 Jennings Creek - about an hour after hitting the dirt. I thought at the time I heard a little crunch - turns out I broke cartilage in my nose. But no real injuries from the race... I mean, who needs their nose to run?

AS 7 Bearhollow Gap - I don't know why I look this happy - I'm sure I wasn't at all!

But I was definitely happy here!!!

Hard to believe this race was just 2 weeks ago. In the time since then I've ran about 10 miles... gained at least as many pounds... drank 10 times as many glasses of wine... and eaten about 100 times as many chocolates. Recovery + Christmas = 1/Fitness.

My sister and I did get a little active on Christmas Day - it's not exactly Lake Minnetonka on New Year's Day - but Ireland's had record lows all week so it was a little more intimidating than last year...

Lough Arrow, Co. Sligo. Post dip - warming up with a hot whiskey...

Now, back to 2010 planning... as I sit here with the feet up, glass of red wine within reach, box of chocolates just out of reach (but not for long) - I am having fun checking out the long long list of potential races for 2010 and trying to come up with a reasonable plan. It's not easy!

Nollaig Shona

Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoying some time back in Ireland with family and friends. Freezing conditions - not as cold as MN but roads are treacherous so we're housebound. Had to leave my car at the end of our road and walk the 3/4 mile home... beautiful night out - snow covered fields, bright stars and a half moon! Only problem is I had to leave all the Christmas presents in the car :)