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.  

I'm Still Alive

I know what you are thinking?  What the heck happened to Tara?  Over a month and no post...Well you see we up and moved from Texas to Conneticut.  Now that is one heck of a move and whats more is the house we bought needed/needs a ton of work.  Doug and I are pretty dang handy so, we can do a ton of it ourselves but, it is eating up my time.  However....LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!  Enough said. This house ROCKS!!! We live right on a lake.  We spent last week playing on the ice and I imagine we will spend the summer swimming in the lake.  I haven't got a ton of running in but I have had some serious speed work.  In the above picture you can see me pulling my neice Bridget and Chloe.  I would run as hard as I could and ramp them over little mounds of snow we made.  Then Joe (my nephew seen skating by me in this picture) would jump on the pile and I would pull all three.  My legs were screaming after two days of giving rides but, I figure it had to be a good workout.  Oh and the squeals of delight made my day. 

I have gotten out for a few runs and I love the neighborhood.  The roads are pretty narrow so not ideal for running but, the neighbors tend to drive slow so at least no one should mow me down. I have tried to run the trails a few times but, dang the ice storms really messed up the snow around here.  It is so icy that it takes off skin when you run into it so, I need to figure out how other runners do this winter snow running when the snow is iced over on top.  I haven't seen anyone running the trails so I am guessing they are just too messed up right now to run but, if any of you have ideas let me know.  I am new to this snow trail running. 

So just a quick post to let you know I am still here.  I am running again but, only short distances for now.  No idea what races I will do this year.  There is so much to do it is hard to sort it all out at the moment. 

We do have a guest room all set up.  We have already had two sets of guests.  So if you are in the neighborhood please let us know and stop by. 

Pulling the Plug

This week I went for a run.  The Doc said to go for it, he even said I could go as far as 8 miles (even to my ears that sounded nuts, who runs 8 miles your first run back after an injury, if I know that is stupid, it must be really bad advice, lol).  I told him I would try 5 (ummmmm, ya because 5 is so much smarter than 8, bahahahaha). The next morning  Doug and I dropped Chloe off at school and headed to our favorite trail (which also happens to be the only trail in this area).  We start down the first trail  and my left leg is SCREAMING but my foot doesn't hurt and then WHAMMMO! It SCREAMS at me: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME."  My foot was shot after 1 measly mile. We walked all the way back to the car.  I was so bummed.  I knew at that moment that Rocky was a really truly bad idea.  If it hurt to run one mile then I was going to run all 50 miles with my foot screaming, which I can do and have done but, I have to question how smart that is.  So I pulled the plug.  I am not going to race Rocky or even run it.  I am going to lay off until this sucker doesn't hurt anymore.  I have to.  I love running to much to totally screw up my foot. 

In other news we now have a closing date set for next week.  We should be packed up and on our way to CT next week at this time.  It is going to be quite a change and I am so sad to leave my friends here but I so look forward to seeing more of Doug.  Oh and I am super psyched about our new house, it is our dream home.  We are so lucky to have found it.  When I do get back up and running I will be treated to miles and miles of trails right out my front door. 

Happy Running All! 

Arsenal

 My original arsenal of shoes were all a lovely set of Mizuno Wave Riders (See Picture Below).  Oh they were grand.  They got me through my first few ultras.  I know you are thinking I have an excessive amount of shoes and yes I do but they are all in different stages of wear.  Some have 300+ miles and are headed out and some have 5 miles and are on their way in.  The old shoes hang around long enough to show the new shoes the ropes, lol.  This year however I began to add the Brooks Launch into the mix, oh that is a nice shoe.  Here is the issue, all my shoes are neutral and old Doc McHotty says I need to switch it up to a Stability Shoe. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! What was that???? A new shoe?  Is that really a good idea?  I don't like change and therefore my feet don't like it either.  What to do what to do?

Here is the standoff...The new pair of stability shoes facing off with the old arsenal.  Who will win this battle?  You will have to stay tuned. 

Ok just joking...sort of.  I don't like change and all of my shoes are neutral except for this one new pair but, I am totally up for changing shoes if it helps me run better.  Old Doc McHotty  says I have a slight pronation on my left foot and therefore things track ever so slightly off and it wouldn't be a problem if I ran a normal  distance.  However over 50 or 100 miles the slight pronation and the extra work it causes up my leg begins to cause injuries.  I am actually fascinated by how one issue relates to another and how inter connected the whole body is.  It is really like the Butterfly Effect (Chaos theory) at its best (you know where a butterfly flaps its wings in NY that causes a monsoon in China, or something like that).  One little issue leads to a slightly bigger issue that leads to an even bigger issue that leads to an all out injury.  Super interesting.  So next step is to get totally healed up so I can try my new shoes. 

Wait....What???? Did I just say I haven't tried my new shoes.  Why yes, I did (so happy you asked).  I am so proud of myself.  I am now at a week and 1/2 off from running and the foot is feeling a ton better.  I think I am almost ready to try out a mile or so and see what happens.  Can you believe I have a big 50 mile race in less than 2wks and am not even stressing about not running?  I can't believe it but it is true.  I feel really happy with my decision to get this injury under control now. 

Happy Running Everyone.

Like Sand in Your Underwear...

...I am irritated (and irritating, it is a talent)...with myself.  I am not new to running.  I am not new to injuries.  I am not mentally deficient however, one has to wonder why anyone with half a brain would run for 6 months on an injury.  That silly metatarsal has gone from being annoying and a bit painful to all out hurting to stand on  and now my knee hurts.  ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I HATE injuries.  You know what I dislike more?  When I could have prevented it. 

A quick recap: At Lone Ranger I really hosed up my feet.  I ran until somehow I bruised the soles of my feet, they hurt beyond what I can describe.  The podiatrist there (yes they had one on hand, hummmmmm, that maybe should have been a sign to me as to what was to come) said your feet are messed up if you keep running (if somehow you can) you are risking stress fractures if you don't already have them.  This for most people would have been a clear sign to stop but, NOOOOOOO!!!!! I had put in a ton of time and I wasn't about to stop because some silly dude who doesn't run and spent years in school studying feet tells me too.  That would be way to obvious and rational.  Nooooo.  Like Robert Frost, I like to take the road less traveled so I went back out on the course, well...sort of...if you count walking and crawling as racing.  So any who, this will come as a shocker to all of you but, this race led to an issue with my MH1 (Metatarsal Head 1). 

I know what you are thinking...but, you took time off after so it healed right?   Ummmmm...well...not so much.  Unless you count finding another 100 miler to run and jumping into another round of training, if you do count that then, yes, I rested, and I did it well. 

I then proceeded to run another 6 months on this MH1.  I ran one 100 miler and two marathons with the issue and of course trained for a 50 miler.  And here I sit 3wks out from my 50 mile race with a MH1 issue and now some sort of knee issue.  Oh yes I somehow managed to get the foot pain to travel up to my knee.  I know... I am good, you don't have to tell me. 

I am done running!

What I meant  by that is that I am taking some time off.  I am not running at all on this foot or knee until both feel totally normal and then I am easing back into it.  Well, except for...I do plan to run Rocky.  So really I am hoping that with 3.5 weeks off the foot and knee can fix themselves.  I really want to run Rocky even if it isn't my fastest.  I want to run it.  But, more than I want to run Rocky I want to have my knee and foot back to normal.  This is ridiculous.  I let one small injury spiral out of control because I didn't have the wisdom to take some time off.  So, I guess if the foot and knee aren't feeling better in 3 weeks I will have a tough decision to make.  Ughhhhh... I think I will ignore that possibility for the moment.

Here is the funny part of all of this.  I have needed time off from running mentally for months now but, haven't wanted to mess up any training.  So while I was running on this beat up foot I didn't even want to be out there.  I wanted to run just didn't feel like doing ultra training.  Sometimes all the miles get to me.  80-100 mile weeks are a lot of work.  So for now I am taking a break.  I might cross train, I might not. 

Any bets on how long I last??? :)

Happy Running! Hope you are all injury free and running with Joy.