I NEED a race!

Ok, where to begin...we moved this winter.  That move has really messed up my running time.  There has a been a ton of work to get done on the house and there still is a ton of work to do on the house and Chloe's school schedule is different.  I have just had a tough time getting into a training groove.  Last week I was able to grab 60 miles and this week I just haven't felt like it or found the time.  I know you can always find time for a run and trust me I could have. 

Here is my delima: If I sign up for a race I have a goal and will therefore not just take a week off here and there but, if I sign up for a race I will have a goal and that will meen a training plan and a highly irritated Tara if she can't fit her runs in.  So do I sign up for a race and get going on a goal or do I just run when I feel like it and toss this running season out?  There are some great races around here.  Maybe I should just go for it, if I can run 60 mile weeks then surely I could bust out a 50 mile race.   Last week I felt like me again with all the running but this week my house feels more like home because of all the painting.  What to do what to do?????

Here is another component to this question: I need to run a 50 miler under 10hrs (I think) or complete a 100 miler to enter the WS100 lottery again this year.  This year I would get two entries because last year I didn't get in.  For those of you who don't know the WS100 is like the Boston Marathon of ultras in the US.  So, one day I would really like to do it.  The year I get in I plan to make a play for the Grand Slam of ultras, which is 4 of the best 100 milers in the US back to back to back to back all summer long.  So maybe I should bust out a couple of 50 milers to get my ticket punched for the lottery. 

I know this isn't really a delima in the grand scheme of things but I probably should figure it out soon.  Ok I really think I need to race.  I haven't run a race since December and even that wasn't my race.  I haven't really run a race since November, Oh MAN....what did I just type?  Has it really been that long?  Ok that is it I am signing up for something.  No frick'in wonder I am lost and confused, I clearly need to race.  Will post later what race I find and sign up for. 

Happy Running All!

Happy St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! We are having a group competition that involves dressing up and running a 5k in my Running Moms Group hence the awesome attire.  Yes, poor Doug had to go running with me to take the photo.  Got to wonder what a husband thinks when his wife not only begs him to go running but then shows up in this outfit for the run, poor guy, lol!!!

I have to say that my Running Mom Group has made a huge difference in my running/life.  It is an online group that I found when Chloe was 4mnths old.  I was searching for an answer on how old a  baby had to be to go in a jogging stroller and how long you could leave them in there.  I stumbled upon this awesome group of ladies who not only answered my questions but pushed me onwards.  They have been the back bone of my running ever since. 

I had a dream...

When I was in Junior HS and living in Colorado I read about this crazy race called the Leadville 100.  People ran 100 miles, through the night, delirious, focused on one goal...I was in love but, I never thought I would do it.  I don't know why I didn't think I would run 100 miles, I am definitely a super driven person.  I completely believe that any person can achieve any goal with hard work, determination and perseverance.  But, it just never really occured to me to do something this crazy myself. Throughout the years I forgot about the race and then I met my Running Mamas.  Someone was asking about ultra marathons, I looked up what an ultra marathon was and BANG!!!!! I was sold hook line and sinker.  Signed up for a 50 miler and ran that just over a year after Chloe was born.  That race was so dang hard.  Yowsa!!!! Toenails came off, legs hurt for well over a week, and I had blisters all over my feet, basically I was trashed.  I didn't run for over a month afterwards.  I slowly began running again and then of course the Running Moms struck again, I blame this entirely on Cathy (MC to the troops), she brought up Rocky Raccoon one night, it was a 100 miler in Texas (not far from where I lived).  I signed up the next day.  This time I sent out a message to my Running Mamas and asked if anyone could come help me through my first 100 mile race.  I was floored when multiple Mamas signed up to come help me out.  They had never met me except online and still 4 of them came together to pull me through the race.  They have done the same for all of my ultras to date.  I guess the whole point of this post is to say: THANK YOU!!! To the wonderful ladies that make up Running Moms.  You ladies are just amazing. 

And of course that means I had to do a running dance for you...I was singing: I am a Leprechaun and I don't care, I will run in my underwear.... But I think only a blip of that came out and I almost bit it landing in a slippery spot of mud, bahahahaha.  Love you ladies.  Have a good laugh!

Happy Running.

P.S. The video is sideways but thought asking Doug to redo the video was pushing my luck (and I am not Irish, lol).

Pine Mountain

I have been horrible about keeping up my blog lately but, as all of you know we have just moved and, as most of you know our basement flooded and we haven't been able to get the water to stop coming in.  Total bummer but, could be worse and we are figuring it out and I am once again finding time to run.  WOOOT WOOOT!

My runs have been awesome, no better than that, they have been those type of runs that make you feel alive, the kinds that feed your soul and give you wings.  I come home each day with my shoes almost black from mud, my legs throbbing from the hills and my hands messed up from falling.  I LOVE IT...what?  You think that is sick...no way...you are runners too so I know you get it.  I am starting to get used to running up Pine Mtn.  The transition from running in Texas where it is mostly flat and paved to this has been tough endurance wise, meaning I haven't been able to get in 20 milers because it takes me forever to get up and down the mountain but it is so much fun. It takes me all of 2 minutes to get to the trail head, makes the sinking house totally worth it, lol. 

I have no idea what my racing plans are this year.  I want to race so bad.  I want to pick and ultra and go for it but, I just haven't got into my groove here and figured out how to get in the mileage I need.  It will happen but for now I am in race limbo, AHHHHH!!!!!!! I am sure it will work out.  I do have a ton of ideas I am kicking around just no plan yet.

So here are some movies from toady's run.  I will get you some more soon.