A Lot of Time to Run

Wednesday I had arranged to pick a runner up from the airport to take to the ranch. So much for listening to my mom about talking to strangers. John was flying in from Maine. He let me know he had a delay and I picked him up at 7:30 and we went to grab a quick dinner. I missed the turn down the road to the ranch as I'm only used to seeing it from the opposite direction. I also missed the sign and gate into the ranch as my night navigation skills are not stellar. We would joke I was taking him home with me.

We met Luis and he would make some comment about never seeing me in real clothes. John was able to get settled into a tent set up for him. I went and said hi to some friends as we chatted around a camp fire. I made my way out of the ranch and back home as I had to work the following morning.

Two days later I was completing my tasks at the office as quickly as possible so I could leave to get back to the ranch. I packed my car and arrived at the ranch only to realize I didn't grab my charcoal starter bucket or charcoal for the Dutch oven cobbler I wanted to prepare that evening. I parked by Jadd, Alejandra and Jadd's family and went to go run up a hill to try to get free Patagonia gear. The beer mile was next and I chose to spectate and watch Jadd claim the title the third year in a row.

I walked over to the Luna sandal booth and they were asking for an iron. I asked to take Jadd's dog with me as I drove back to my house for an iron and ironing board and to pick up the other supplies I'd left. I got back and set up the board and prepared the cobbler.  Sean helped me try to start the charcoal only to have pointed out to us by another guy that I had the starter bucket upside down. A few minutes later the coals were finally lit and ready to cook. An hour later all the cobbler was served.

I was awakened Saturday morning by the sound of shotgun blasts and wondered why 4:30 am when the run didn't start until 6:00 am. Of course I was cold most the night so I looked forward to getting dressed and ready to run. I made my way to the start where I found Corinne, Baby Benji, Josue, Abigail and Gabi. I was happy to start my day seeing them. After a special little tribute to Akabill and the Caballo Blanco oath the run began. 

I finished the first ten miles in just over 2 hours and made a small stop at my car for hydration and cooler clothing change. The next loop is yellow which is more challenging, but I like it better because it has climbing and some single track. I saw Jeff taking photos on the hill just like in years passed and he made me laugh.  I continued to run and arrived at the hill that Akabill had yelled to me the previous year to hurry up he was falling asleep. I got teary eyed as I saw the sign and tribute to him. I ran down the hill thankful for the buff from Luna Sandals to wipe my eyes. I finished those next ten miles with a personal best despite my leg hurting.

 The next loop was the same as the first, but I slowed down. I got back to my car to see Alejandra had finished the 30 mile course and her first ultra and I was so proud of her. I was at my car to do quick foot care and refill my fluid bottles and my friend Terri arrived. I wasn't expecting her until around 7:00 pm. She decided to wait for me to finish the next loop. I really pushed myself to get back at the second aid station I saw my friend Lisa and she would tell me it was 2.8 miles back to the start/finish area. I got back and was glad I only added 30 minutes to my previous pr and made it down Akahill the second time without crying. The dirtbag prom was getting under way as I finished my first 40 miles. I was excited I'd run the most I had ever done in 12 hours and also longest distance I'd done in my life. Terri braided my hair, I put on my dress and we began the next loop. Terri pushed me to jog and/or run more than I wanted to but I was glad she did. I told Terri I wanted to rest before I began my last 10 miles. She reminded me to take an extra headlamp. We said goodbye I thanked her for her support and I put on some warmer layers and took 10 minutes in my car. 

I was on the last loop it was quiet it felt much longer in the dark and I thought I missed a turn so I retraced my steps back up the trail where I saw Manley and Jennifer and asked if they were on pink or yellow they said pink and I asked if I missed the yellow turn. They said no I needed to go down the trail they would go right and I would go left. I was upset and frustrated I had second guessed myself and wasted time and energy. Yellow loop felt so much longer in the dark and I wondered if I would ever find the single track turn or Akahill ever again. I got to the last aid station and talked to Bill for a little while and joked that I'd almost rather carry his wife down the trail. He said he didn't think he could carry me up the hill and so I made my way knowing I just had to push forward for 2.8 miles. I found the finish line just after 4:00 am so happy to be finished and crawl in my car. I looked at the timing screen saw I got credit for all 60 miles and selected my amulet made by Tracy Thomas of Marvelous Mud. I love her talent.

If anyone would have told me 7 1/2 years ago after my first heartbreak and rapid 30 pound weight loss and discovery of the couch to 5k running podcast that I'd be running 60 miles I would have called them crazy. I am so grateful that little phrase that upset me so long ago has allowed me to learn its truth through my trials and journey. "Often the worst things to happen to us become the best thing to happen to us."

My friend told me to take this week to relax. I asked if that was a 5 letter f word. 

I've done my best to follow my own recovery plan. I rested then got a pedicure and foot massage. I've iced my tender foot. I went to my sports therapy appointment for another massage and he taped my foot. I've done little jogs back to the rear lot for work. I donated blood yesterday and for the first time in years my hemoglobin level improved. I guess there really may be something to that relaxing and there is always enough time to run.

SISU 1000 Takes A Lot of Time

My mantra for 2016 has been to do something that scares you.

Yesterday I decided I wanted to do the SISU 1000. It is a series of various 50 repetition exercises followed by a 200m run after each 100.

It took me 1:24:41. The beginning went by quickly and relatively painless, almost fun. I enjoyed the 200m run regardless of each rounds pace slowing. This workout is great at a track, but I chose the gym and the 50m parking lot to tiny hill run. It wasn't until the pushups and bench dips that I realized my darn muscles were going to hit fatigue every few repetitions. The squat thrust burpees were ridiculous as my mind has been accustomed to the push up at the bottom. The last 50 reps were the most difficult. I stopped 10 reps in to go to the water fountain. One of the guys in the gym pointed to a picture on the wall of me that I didn't even know was there. It was from a challenge in January where I was with a partner pushing a weighted sled. That day was hard for me I weighed 8 more pounds than my partner and he was so nice to take me on as the only girl. This small moment was the motivation I needed to just finish the last 40 supine burpees even though I don't like the way my lower back responds to them. I was so glad to be done.

I have received a number of invitations recently to learn more about nutritional/weight loss programs. I'm sorry, but I am not joining the statistics! I do not diet! I follow a fairly regimented way of eating that works for me and benefits my autoimmune disorder. While I value the passion these individuals want to share about their work I don't value the message it sends to me and perhaps I'm being overly sensitive in this area and I own that. What is it that I portray that says to them I want something different or why do they feel I would benefit from what the company they work for is trying to sell me. Recently I viewed a TedX talk by Jenny Schatzle and I love the message she delivers in it. It can be found here.  https://youtu.be/6DNqKig7Xis 

My happiness comes from liking who I am, trusting the process, giving back to my community and knowing my life purpose.

I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of me. I am scared by the gear list this year it isn't as easy to figure out the challenges like I was able to last year. I am excited to know my heart and mind are in a much different place this year than they were one year ago going into this event.

Oh and I accidentally fell backwards traversing to the waterfall just to train for the dip in frog pond. Swimming to the other side was freezing. I think my face can tell the story better than I can.

Spend Time in a 3rd World Country

I began my journey with a flight out of my local airport at 8:30 pm on Monday night. I had a 3 hour lay over in Los Angeles and would catch the next flight to Houston, Texas. I arrived in Houston and met a woman Becky who I had connected with earlier through social media. She was also traveling and running the 50k later in the week. We would be sharing a rental car and travels to Ometepe Nicaragua. We arrived in Managua Tuesday afternoon got through customs with a quick $10 payment. She coordinated with the rental car agency and we hopped on a shuttle to go pick up the car. They told us to travel to the right on a side road. This turned out to be North as my compass on my watch so obviously pointed out. No gps on either of our phones and we stopped at a gas station to ask directions. Lucky some really nice guy who spoke Spanish much better than I did translated for me and got the cashier to tell me to take a side road to get to where we needed to be which was the port in San Jorge and most definitely not North. Becky was amazing at navigating the round abouts as I attempted to read the printed out map and directions. We arrived at the ferry and another really awesome guy with broken English and us with broken Spanish managed to get on an earlier ferry and travel to Ometepe. We then had to figure out how to get me to the town where I was staying. One missed turn and a u-turn and I was singing Becky's praises. She still had to go find where she was staying on the other side of the island. I was beginning to feel like arriving in Omtepe for Survival Run was the first challenge.

I got to the hostal where I was staying which was also Fuego Y Agua staff headquarters. I saw some familiar faces and got emotional and tried to hide it. I talked to my friend Yishai and he said to get my things together to race in the morning and that really helped. I closed the door to the room I was in and saw a message on my phone. It was from a dear friend I have come to love and value a great deal. I think it said something like if I went missing he needed to know how to find me. At that moment it was exactly what I needed and I was much more calm. I think I laughed a little too at the thought of a former Marine searching some small island for me.

Race morning started out well. I woke up without my alarm got prepared and made my way down to the start near the beach. I signed my waiver, got assigned a number and a yellow strip of material to tie around my arm. I walked down the stairs to the beach for gear check and met up with the other yellow team members. We were instructed upon the signal we would run down the beach pick up 5 pieces of bamboo and run about 3k down the beach. We were also told the first team done would get an advantage. They would be the decision maker for the clock starting time and all participants after that would be at a time disadvantage.

Meeting Gabi Stephens the Race Director's sister at check-in. She is wonderful!

I should note I gave my team fair warning that I am slow. I am fully aware that I am a horrible team player. I have signed up for team events, kept myself at a gym I hated in their team stretching warm up just to try to improve. I am the me in team. It also stresses me out and I worry about pushing myself too hard. As soon as I heard go I ran to the bamboo and helped a guy pick up the other end after about 500 yards and feeling like I couldn't keep pace with him I passed off the bamboo. We needed to make a raft to float to a little island to retrieve some items, run to our color sticks and begin digging to the bottom of that stick to find a treasure and search a plantain field for small yellow bags at eye level. All these challenges provided puzzle pieces once that puzzle is complete you can continue on as individuals.  The rocks fell off the raft so some of the teammates came back to rebuild the raft. One guy Dylan was so good with the raft and paracord lashing. I felt frustrated like I wasn't contributing so I was glad when my teammate Morgan asked me to dig in the sand. I was grateful for long fingernails, but there wasn't any treasure under the stick I dug so off I ran to the plantain field. I couldn't find a bag on a tree and then I heard a teammate yell she found it. I was so happy for her and our team. The puzzle was constructed and we each took a chicken egg that was brought back in a container from the island. It seemed some had broke and that I got the last unbroken egg. I also realized at that point that the container I had in my pack to keep my egg safe was missing. It had fallen out of a side pocket. I had a backup in my pack filled with my fruit and nuts. I emptied out my peanut snack container took off my event buff that was a gift and asked it to keep the egg safe. It's far too early in the race to begin talking to inanimate objects, but I did not want to buy or barter for an egg it would cost me valuable time.

I pinned my bib to my shirt and began a run down a road to the first individual task. I was so excited to use my machete that my friends at All Seasons Gardening and Landscaping had sharpened for me. I got to cut plantains off a stalk and have them weighed. They needed to be 20 pounds. I put them in my grain sack and weighed them. Yishai said you're going to need to add more. The scale read 14.6. He said,"I'm sorry I'm not trying to be a jerk." He is one of my favorite friends and race directors he's always so kind and at that moment that just made me laugh. I added more and the scale read 22.4 he said I could take out 3 and continue. This bag would be with me until I was instructed to drop it.

A few weeks ago I read a statement that said,"It isn't the load you carry, but the way you carry the load." This phrase would continue to go through my mind as I found a way to carry the 20 pound bag of plantains across the back of my shoulders. Sometimes I would change that carry to my left hip.

I caught up to a guy Dave that I recognized from social media. I was thankful to have him to talk to. I had another friend say there was a little market if we needed anything before we began the ascent up the volcano. Something told me to stop there. I gave the sweet lady 20 cordobas for a small bottle of water and emptied my Fluid Passion Tea Performance powder into it. I wish I would have tried to catch back up to Dave here, but I didn't I just pushed forward at a pace I was comfortable with.

I arrived at the next challenge which was a tree climb to retrieve a length of rubber tubing to make a sling shot. I tried a rope climb technique and became frustrated I wasn't able to pull myself up the tree with my arms at all. Some other runners put a plank to step out to the tree on and I tried again and my calf cramped. I decided I would continue on without the rubber tubing and I would find a way to make a sling shot with my tire tube and paracord.

Having a heart to heart with the tree with my signature hands on hips.

I continued climbing up the volcano trail that was incredibly well marked. I was having a tough time and I looked up only to see a rock with the words Don't Give Up written in chalk. It reminded me of those same words that had been spoken to me a month prior just before I was told I didn't make a course cut off. I continued to push forward and caught up to some runners I was really surprised to see. One guy was really thirsty and told me his hydration bladder had been punctured. I handed him the remaining fluid in my water bottle as I knew I still had my emergency canteen as well as Fluid Performance in my pack. He drank it and up the hill he went. Some of the runners would joke I gave him rocket fuel and ask what was in that water. Fluid is a company that I absolutely love who has been generous enough to sponsor me. It is also the only product I use in training and on long runs as it hasn't ever given me an upset stomach and I find I rarely need food when using it. Some more runners would say they ran out of water and I saw one runner put his hand on a muddy bank and water came out. I realized it was from the plant and I told him so he poured the cold water on his head. I later learned from Morgan that the lifestraw in that plant to drink the water would have also been a great idea.  We all discussed the idea of ditching the bag of plantains. I said I was continuing with mine because I didn't want to leave a trace. A couple more hours go by and that idea of missing the course cut off become real. I decide even if I miss it that I want to continue to the top. 4:00 pm cutoff passes and I cut open my grain sack lose the plantains and continue climbing. I feel so guilty at wasting a food source for the locals and also for leaving a trace. I am almost to the top of the volcano and the guide tells me I need to turn around. I see Tony and he is also really thirsty so I pour the blueberry pomegranate fluid into my emergency canteen and tell him to gulp it down. He doesn't quite finish it catches up to Rob and asks if Rob can have the rest of that drink of course I say yes.  The two of them continue down much faster than me and with a separate guide. Another guide is following me. He took a phone call while following me and in his broken English tells me it was his father. I felt so guilty for keeping him away from his family that I tell him he can leave. He tells me no and I realize I have no choice, but to keep moving. I honestly just wanted to be left alone and I contemplated sleeping up there until morning. I was warm and after all when was I going to use that emergency blanket taking up valuable real estate in my pack. I was grateful for my smartlite headlamp that I paid $2.12 on Amazon. At times it was really dark I was really nervous, held back tears and I scooted down the trail like a crab using my arms to propel me. I was happy to meet other runners at the bottom and get a ride back to the start. I thought a cold shower would feel amazing, but it turns out I really learned to be thankful for a warmer shower at home. While climbing the volcano carrying that bag of plantains I said this is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity meaning I never needed to do it again, but truth is that Survival Run is so hard I almost want to see what the next one will provide.

Luis Escobar captured a photo with my Fluid trucker hat

The day following Survival Run I went across the street to Villa Paraiso to have breakfast. I then went with my friends sons to Ojo De Agua to swim and relax. That evening I went to Camp Estre with friends and staff for dinner and was happy they had curry. I did not want to try any new foods while I was on this trip so I was glad to have something I was familiar with.

Watering hole where locals refresh and do laundry on the way to Ojo De Agua

My last full day on the island was my favorite aside from the day of the run. I walked down to help out with the beer mile. I helped take money and get the backpacks and school supplies together. It was great to see that the runners generously donated close to $1000. Luis Escobar traveled to be there and he helped a sweet Elderly Nicaraguan lady to the stage. She was selling empanadas for 10 cordobas each that is ridiculously cheap in comparison to US dollar. She would reach to her purse to make change as she sold each one and I would tell her to keep all the money. She was so humble it was so hard for her to accept. She reached for my arm and asked me if I understood Spanish. I told her I did as she pointed to the sky and said,"God bless these people." I finished talking to Patrick Sweeney and he helped the sweet lady off the stage.

I went and rented a bicycle to ride to the coffee plantation.I was told it was down the road and a left turn to santa cruz. I was riding and passed the cutest Down Syndrome boy having a lollipop on the curb in front of his house. He yelled hola and happy tears just fell down my face. I kept pedaling and felt like I must have gone way too far. I stopped and asked a man walking his pack horse. He said I needed to turn around and make a turn up the road to Finca Magdalena. This road was like a pitted rocky fireroad and I wished the bike I was riding didn't sound like it was going to fall apart. So I hiked the bike up the road to the coffee plantation where I enjoyed coffee and lemonade and met two sisters who were visiting from Boston.  I rode the bike back down the dirt road scared I was going to fall while trying to ride through the sand and loose gravel. I stopped back at Camp Estre for lunch and rode back to return the bike.

Garden view at Finca Magdalena

  In the evening the event hosted a bbq and I sat with Margaret and got to get to know her background. She was doing the race coverage and social media for the events and did an amazing job and always seemed to be there when I needed her.

I came back to my room and got to talk to my dear friend Corinne who was a big reason for me committing to do Survival Run. She was preparing for the birth of her son.

My last morning on the island I was up to watch the 50k and 100k ultrarunners start and then took a taxi with my friend's son to the ferry and we began our boat ride, flight and lay overs back to the U.S.

View of Concepcion leaving the island

This was an incredible time filled with so many incredible moments. I'm glad I took the time to capture some of them. I'm grateful for the runners, staff, new friendships, volunteers and the generosity of all the islanders who helped me.

Time to Catch Up

The whole Summer flew by without me taking any time to write about all life's adventures.

June was filled with trips to waterfalls and kayaking with whales.

July I volunteered throughout the night at Santa Barbara Endurance Race 100 mile and 100k. I got to make Dean Karnazes a peanut butter tortilla roll up warm and crispy. I drove a long windy road to return runners not wishing to continue back to the starting line and I got to watch my friend and inspiration Jadd cross the finish line taking first place and a course record.

I donated my last pint of blood to complete gallon 7 on my way to my 10 gallon donor goal.

I drove the Bus of Fun to MidState Fair 9 out of its 12 operating nights. It's like a shuttle bus with lots of great people having fun. I got to enjoy wine slush each night, great concerts, people watching, omg olive oils and lots of fun.

August I made a big decision along the lines of my health and fitness goals in preparation for an endurance event I chose to apply for. I quit CrossFit and it's a decision I am happy with. In life when something stops being beneficial or something I look forward to I know it's time for change. I make a decision and find the positive side of it.

I ran the second of 3 half marathons in a race series and traveled to Utah to surprise my mom for her 70th birthday and run another half marathon one week later. 

September was my birthday month and it was filled with so many surprises and great times.

I booked my flight and registered for Fuego y Agua in February 2016. I ran the 3rd half marathon in the race series and received a $100 gift card for donating blood again. My boss and the business partners brought me flowers and a gift card to my favorite salon. My friend's got me a machete that I need to sharpen and get comfortable using. My previous clients daughter and I enjoyed a movie and lunch. My mom sent me the best card and a special surprise.

This month has been just as busy as the Summer. Last weekend I traveled with my friend to Tahoe where we met up at the cabin with her boyfriend and more friends staying with us. I didn't want to race I only wanted to volunteer and follow the last runners as course sweep. It was a great opportunity. I wish I would have taken a photo of Ashley the young lady who showed so much courage and determination to get to the finish line. She placed a lot of trust in me, my strength and my headlamp. Sunday I got to collect on my hug from my friend Iram who is a brain cancer survivor I met in Vermont 2 years ago. He came from Texas and it was great to watch him race to the finish line of the charity sprint.

My friend Corinne gifted me a race entry 2 years ago when I did my first Spartan Race not knowing what it was. Her generosity struck again as she registered for a half marathon prior to her becoming pregnant. She gave me her entry and the race director accommodated making the transfer to me. I had said I was done running half marathons for the year 3 weeks ago. I liked being wrong. Today was fun and even though I ran just as slow today as I did my first half marathon 6 years ago I got to be outdoors running and see great friends.

Always Show Up On Time

This weekend was spent helping my favorite Santa Barbara family move into their new home.

Saturday morning I did a 10k run in Morro Bay where my mile pace was far behind where I wanted it to be, but I achieved my goal of finishing before the first half marathon runner came in.

I arrived to learn what my tasks would be. I moved pottery vases and pieces down stairs, helped dissemble and assemble beds, some lifting and other tasks and we finished with a nice dinner together. The best surprise was my Godson coming home from his trip early and having his bed in his new room ready to sleep in.

Sunday morning I went to Mesa cafe because they will make my spinach and tomato eggs perfect with a side of fruit no yucky toast and have the takeout order ready for me to take home to the still in bed sleeping 17 year old.

I then got to help load and transport the heavy temperpedic bed and when that was done there was another task to finish clearing out the new garage. There was so much teamwork and charity involved. I received a mirror. A refrigerator was given to a family and one of the cousins got a new mattress, the rest goes to goodwill. 

The last task was relocating the BBQ grill from the front yard to the back yard. I wanted to surprise my Godson's dad and have it finished while he was out running an errand. Chandler and I rotated the grill and together sled push style moved it. We had it moved just in time as his dad walked up. The timing was great.

I drove to my Godsons mom's office to tell her bye before I left to drive home and we ended up having the best talk. We talked about mine and the boys younger years and she expressed her love and appreciation. I thanked her again for trusting me enough to watch her young sons when I was only 19. She said sometimes you just know and she just knew. We talked about the place I was at 6.5 years ago verses now and how proud she is and of course I cried as she hugged me and rubbed my back. I told her she is that person that can call or ask me for anything and my response will be how high, how fast? Patty is not only my other mother, but a beautiful mentor and life coach. My favorite words and amazing humbling compliment from her was,"you always show up."

If there is anything I want to take from this enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. It is gratitude for those who serve and who choose to "Always Show Up!"

Time Hack

Friday I arrived in Monrovia fairly early so I had sushi with a fellow SISU IRON athlete. We had met a year prior at a Spartan Race 12 Hour Hurricane Heat where I had fireman carried him through one of the challenges because I was too heavy for him to carry.

I relaxed for a few hours then met my dear friend Joe for another quick bite to eat. I knew I wanted calorie surplus going into the event.

I arrived and joked with the sweet lady taking fees that I put my pants on one leg at a time and wouldn't need vip parking. I drove up the hill and was the only one in that area.

I walked down to registration turned in my waiver and tennis balls and learned my first challenge was to retrieve a small chocolate covered donut suspended from a paracord tied over a stream. I was not allowed to use my hands and if the donut fell in the stream I still needed to eat it. I began and for some reason put my head back a got light headed. I took a few pointers from Dave and Margaret laughed at their funny comments and ate that ugh thing that I can't remember the last year I had one actually I liked it or maybe it was just the challenge and patch that Dave handed me.

Some waiting and 9:00 pm arrived. We began by counting off and being put in two lines. I was instantly reminded of emt academy and was just waiting for staff to yell front lean and rest position and "down." Instead we started rolling drills. I absolutely hate rolling it makes me motion sick and I always end up being scared I'll pass out and have an ambulance called. I was so frustrated, upset, angry on the verge of tears and did not even care if I would be first to quit. We got to stand up. I grabbed my knees and leaned forward praying a staff member would not talk to me. I breathed and was okay.

Some athletes submitted essays as one of the tasks to complete prior to arriving. Those who had their story published received a break the next 45 minutes while we played in frog pond. The athlete I had lunch earlier with that day was one of the essays selected as he had written a SISU athlete had encouraged him to sign up for the IRON. He wasn't aware that I wasn't a SISU athlete at the event where I carried him. Next we would be separated into 4 teams and we got to swim in the dirt on land and do rolling again to Kevin's right which was our left that was entertaining. Luckily it was short.

We got to rinse off in frog pond again looking for our individually named tennis balls. We earned another cute patch.

We were then given an assignment to run and retrieve a cinder block up the hill and return with it. When we returned we were separated into two teams. Team one was to take the cinder blocks of team two along with their own back to the area we got them from. I was reminded of carrying all the gallon jugs up a trail last year to set up an ultra run aid station and also of all the bucket carries and trash bag carrying I've been doing the past two months to help clean the beach and pay for my axe, saw and knife. I tied a rope handle through one block and put my forearm through the hole of the other one. The following photo is a result of the arm carrying despite long sleeves.

Our next task was to eat a snack of crickets and meal worms (taste like French fries) and a Serrano pepper. I surprised myself I don't usually do very well with hot or spicy. We got a cute survival patch for this.

We then had our hand zip tied to our foot via our shoe and were given a challenge to take the cinder block around the loop course back to the starting point without using our hands to touch the block. I was one of the last ones on this task. There was a young man in front of me and another person in front of him. We were told we had 35 minutes and could go back the way we came or continue forward. The athlete in front of me chose to go back and I encouraged him to stay with us. I didn't want him to go alone. I took an independent study course in high school in time management and I value being on time and being in the right place at the right time. I created this blog a number of years ago centered around time and the excuses that are made surround it, but time hacks and I have a love/hate relationship. I like the challenge they present, but I also don't like the possibility of failure they create. As the time hack drew near I purposely stayed behind the young man I was ready to be done. One of the staff members Matt then announced we were allowed to remove our shoe but must keep it zip tied to our wrist. It ruined my plan to be done and up the hill I ran with the cinder block.

We had to go down the hill with one shoe to be given our next task. We were separated into teams of 5 and Schmitty my teammate from a race in Vegas last year was placed on my team. Now I knew I had to put my best foot forward and continue because if I didn't I would place an extra burden on four individuals. We needed to run to the chapel and check in then collect items we thought would add up to 500 pounds. We could make one trip or numerous trips. We had to go through the pond with our items. The first trip we collected cinder blocks and I grabbed logs and wood. The next trip we grabbed a large log and put a rock in one of our teammates buckets and decided we would use the water weight to help equal our 500 pounds. I took the teammates rock bucket into the water with me and I said a prayer we would make the weight. As I stepped out of the water her bucket had bulged out from the weight of the rock and all the water emptied. We waited our turn on the scale and as we neared our time to set it up a rock fell and the weight we had was 508. We were closest team thus far and had to do 8 minutes of jumping jacks.

Our next task was a hike. My hydration pack was empty and I wanted dry pants, socks and shoes. We passed my car on our way and I made a quick stop thinking I'd catch up to the last of the group. I closed my car and ran down the trail only to choose left when I should have gone straight. Having learned asking staff questions usually earns burpee penalties I didn't ask Matt which direction I should go instead I let him know I was choosing not to continue. I knew what the following challenge was and I had done recon of the area earlier and knew my chance of making the time hack was small. Keeping this in mind and knowing that I have my first ultra trail run in 2 weeks it was important to me to be true to myself and be content that although I wanted to quit in the first 30 seconds I made it through the night and past sunrise just over 9.5 hours.

I left camp and drove to Santa Barbara to shower and take a nap.  Soon after I drove home and unloaded my car and was determined to carry everything in up the two flights of stairs in one trip. Lucky for me it isn't a log or 500 pounds. Yes I park in a Fort. 

The quote on my bucket is:

Success is not final, failure isn't fatal, courage to continue is what counts. I was given success, failure and courage and now all I'd like is a nap.

Time for a charity run

I've been so focused on training for a 30 hour event coming up in just 3 short weeks that I decided to change my scenery.

Yesterday I worked a half day in the office then traveled to Santa Ynez to preview the Hotshots Extreme Run 3 mile course. I tested a few obstacles, checked where course markings were altered by the cattle and put in 2 extra fun miles.

Today I began the charity run to benefit Wildland Firefighter Foundation. I was in the first wave and we started running in the wrong direction, turned around jumped the fire and continued running. The course was missing a marker and volunteer so we all took another wrong turn creating an additional 1.5 miles. 

I jumped the fire again because my friend was there taking photos so I decided to have fun.

 I followed the same trail I ran yesterday and came to the first obstacle. They are large tubes filled half way with very muddy approaches at the beginning of each one along with a funny sign.

More trail running would come next and a sandbag carry. I found the heaviest one I could find to carry up the hill. A short run and I met Olivia, Kristine and Jamie all athletes from Killer B Fitness. 

We all came to the Barbwire crawl where I rolled and crawled and turned myself and my pack a dark shade of mud.

More running and we carried a bucket of rocks. I have no idea why I enjoy that 5 gallon bucket of fun so much. I've used every chance I get to train with it because I know it will be my best friend at the event I'm preparing for.

The cargo net made me nervous with the transition at the top when I tested it yesterday but today I felt more relaxed. 

We arrived at the slip and slide and I was reminded of being a kid again in our neighbors yard on their hill.

After that obstacle there was an option to continue onto the 6 or 10 mile course. Olivia and Kristine continued on the 10 just behind me.

There was a tire drag obstacle up a hill around an oak tree and back down. I just wanted to pick that boring tire drag up and run with it.

There was a short run on flat trail to a fireman's carry. Kristine let me carry her and then Olivia let me carry her. I was so grateful for them.

After that we arrived at another cargo net. Olivia was nervous and climbed her way to the top. We were on opposite ends of the obstacle and I told her I would coach her over, but with fear in the way climbed back down. I walked over to her put my hand on her shoulder and told her I'd like her to try it again. She was willing and I knew she was capable. This time Olivia got to the top and did the transition and finished the obstacle. I loved her reaction she said she felt lightheaded she was so happy and that her husband would not believe she did that.

There were wall climbs that I struggled with some of the higher ones. There was a ditch we got to hold onto fire hoses and go backwards down just like the rope I use at my favorite training area.

We came to a wall/rope/hose obstacle that I remembered struggling with last year. Today I chose the hose option to honor fallen firefighters and I climbed it. I got some scratches from descending down the back side of the wall with it too fast but I loved it.

The tire pull and tire carry were after this and of course it's tires so I had fun.

The big obstacles are at the end and I saw the quarter pipe. There were 2 guys at the top and I threw them a shirt to hold out for me so I have something to reach for to get to the top platform. Last year that obstacle earned a nickname (quad slapper) because a guy slapped my leg when I finished it. 

My favorite obstacle was the tyrolean traverse over the vineyard reservoir that is approximately 24-26 feet deep. It was not rope, but a cable covered in pvc pipe and I loved the new challenge. I wanted to see how far across I could get but I was also warm and the mud had dried and stuck to me so I traversed a very short ways and let go so I could go for a swim.

 I was cleaner, cooled off and ready to cross the finish line and collect my shirt and medal. Rob the owner of Fireman's Brew rewarded me with an ice cold bottled root beer and one of the photographers tucked his business card down my shirt. I can honestly say no run has ever ended like that.

I had a great time surrounded by great people with a great purpose.