Guess what arrived in the mail while I was sunning myself in Pensacola? Yep, our team shirts for Phili. Thank you so much for the idea and design Tracey and to Heather for ordering them and to Mom for sponsoring us. Woooo Hooo, I love them and they fit great. Ummmm, and yes I do feel like a big old dork wearing a shirt with my picture on it but, anyone who has seen the Chariots of Fire video knows that acting like a dork comes naturally to me. It is a gift really. :). Last week I managed to run 13 miles, 41 miles and then 17 miles on M,T, W. The 41 miler was pretty much continuous except for a small break to take care of Chloe and get her to school. I also added in Hills and some speedwork. Although it wasn't a huge mileage week it was a HUGE mileage week, I squeaked out a 41 mile run by getting up at 2am and it felt great. I think my training is really paying off. As you can tell I really want to do well in Phili. My eyes are on the Prize.
Last week on the Daily Mile they asked: What race would you run if you could run any race? My answer was: Badwater. My dream race is Badwater. Yes, Tara, your dream race is Badwater. So, go out there figure out how to get into it and get it done. That is it. Once I figured out what my dream race was I realized I needed to do it. To get in I need to have 5yrs of Ultra running under my belt and many more 100 milers and somehow 24hr races where you go over 100 miles don't count. They prefer you do something like the Grandslam of Ultra Running (which is a pretty amazing group of back to back 100 milers across the US). For those of you who don't know what Badwater is, it is a 135 mile race from the depths of Death Valley to the top (or almost top) of Mount Whitney. It takes place in the middle of July when it is so hot that your running shoes melt. If you can stay on the white line you won't have to change out your shoes as often. You have to fill out a 5 page (I think) application complete with essays on why they should let you run the race to get in. They only let around 90 people run it every year. This my friends is my dream race. And you know what? Many of you are just as nuts as I am because, most of you have already volunteered to crew for me when I get in. Waaa hoooo. Here we go. I have a dream and I am going after it.
Happy Running All! My plan this week is to go over 100 miles and get in some speedwork.
10 comments:
In considering running Badwater you might want to prep with "Running with the Devil" 50 miler at Lake Mead in Las Vegas. It is run in the middle of the day in the Summer so you can count on getting some good heat training (temp usually between 110 and 115) during the race. Can't believe the Western States did not make your wish list :)
Sorry about that, hadn't updated my list in a while. Western is definately on the list. Thanks for the race info. Will definately check into it.
OK, we will do the t-shirts for the crew. Maybe Chloe and I will come and just watch and offer all of the encouragement to you and the crew. I feel sure you will reach your goa. Way to go. XOXO Mom
The shirts came out great! And if you do badwater I so want to crew for you, I would not want to miss that for anything. You are such an amazing runner I know you will get in and totally kick its butt! GO ULTARA GO!!!
All I can say is WOW!!! And I so want to crew team badwater! In fact I think we should have a Tara's 100 Mile Ultra Tour...haha rent an RV for a year and all hang out in the Tara bus...wouldn't that be fun!
Thanks Tracey and I will hold you to that, lol. Mom, there is no way I am letting you bring Chloe to Death Valley, you will melt her :). You two will have to hang out elsewhere.
duh the ULTara bus. Oh and the shirts rock!
I can say that it is one of the impressive way to present the idea behind the post.
Alright Anna sounds good. We can see about doing the Grandslam that way, :). It will be like a traveling Running Mom commune.
i'm in. i loved my visit to death valley years ago, what a great way to return! and i can't wait to wear my shirt for the Lone Ranger. You look super cute in it!
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