Cool Fun Training Run (1/28/12)

Way too Cool 50k is a popular ultra marathon coming up in March. So popular is this event that you can only get in my lottery. But, I seem to be pretty lucky with lotteries so got in this year. This will be my first 50k (running).

I ran one long trail race last year and it gave me a little taste of what ultra marathons are like. They are very different than marathons. Marathons are done on roads (typically) and all about speed and pounding pavement. Ultra-marathons are typically on trails and more about getting through the distance. And, the trails are just gorgeous! Challenging but you get some stunning views! The aid stations are more than people shoving dixie cups of water or gatorade at you but tables with all kinds of food and kind volunteers. So, after my marathons, I wanted to try an ultra this year. And as luck would have it, I got into WTC!

On this day, there was a special FREE Cool Fun Training Run. A couple hundred runners came out for this organized training run. There were various distance options for people. I opted to do the long run (which was supposed to be 23 miles).

Me and some running friends (some Java Joggers and some Folsom Trail Runners) carpooled out there. Met many more other running friends (from both groups) at the Cool Firehouse. We then headed off for our 20-something mile journey around Cool. The first few miles were easy paced as there was quite the line of runners. We get down to Quarry trails and the trails widen so people start spacing themselves out more. I was running with some fast guys but we were laughing and having a good time.

We hit one hill and some of the guys just flew up it. I opted to take it a little easier rather than chase them as I had a lot more miles to cover. My buddy Scott opted to do the same. Scott & I have been running a lot lately and we seem to run about the same pace. So, it was nice having a running buddy during these long training runs.

We got through Quarry trails and headed on the Dead Truck loop, some new trails for Scott and me. They were beautiful! Again, how I just LOVE LOVE LOVE trail running! There's just something wonderful about being out in nature, running these trails. It wasn't until I become more of a serious runner that I come to realize that I live so close to amazing running territory.

Around mile 11-12ish, I start getting a little weary. I take some GU and keep trucking along. I am glad Scott is with me to chat with and keep me going. There's a special bond that develops when runners run together. And, I feel like Scott & I definitely further bonded on this run!

Then, we hit the aid station. There's some snacks, which I was grateful to see as I was getting hungry. I drank a little coke too (I am a major coke addict so this really helps!). After this, we head along some of my favorite trail sections out there. They're single track, windy with little rollers. Some of it you can just go flying on, like a roller coaster! And again, the views are gorgeous!

Around mile 16ish, I can tell I am getting weary. I try to make sure I am fueling every 30 minutes but I can tell I am a lot more tired than previous times I have run through this section. Of course in the previous times, I had not run quite so much when I got to these trails.

At mile 18, we hit the dread Goat Hill. This is a beastly hill. Everyone pretty much trudges up it. I have gone it at mile 12ish or so. But, not at mile 18. And, boy was it much harder. Towards the top, I was wishing I had a rope that I could use to pull myself up it.

After the hill, I was so wiped out, I could not keep up with Scott anymore. I was just dragging my way through the rest of this run. A couple miles later, my hamstring cramped a little. I took some GU and drank more electrolytes hoping it'd pass (which it kind of did). I also wasn't going to push myself too much. This was after all, just a training run.

The last couple miles were uphill again. But, I kept going. Around mile 21, I felt like I was close to the Cool Firehouse. As I was running in, I realized the route was going to be less than 23 miles. I was not going to complain! I was ready to be done!

I finished and saw a bunch of my running friends! Everyone brought food to share so it was this giant potluck afterwards! It was AWESOME! The soup someone had made really hit the spot. I downed a bunch of cold cokes. All that really helped. And, it was good fun hanging with my running friends. Since I started training for WTC, I have been running a little more with Folsom Trail Runners (FTR) and have made some new friends as a result. There are just some fun people in the group. Some I find are even crazier than me. I love it!


Despite the training run being a bit brutal towards the end, I had a lot of fun. Great company out. Another wonderful sunny day out on the trails. And, I was glad to get the training in and get myself even more familiar with the race course. I think I need to play around more with my fueling plan. I still have about six weeks or so before the race to get myself even more trained up. This is my longest trail run to date! Going to keep coming out!

Acknowledgments:

Thanks James Barstad for putting on such a fun, well-organized event! I thank all the volunteers out there! You were great! All the runners for bringing wonderful food/drinks to share after the run! And, great fun running with many of you Folsom Trail Runners today, especially you Scott Engquist! :)

TBF New Year's Duathlon (1/7/12)

Total Body Fitness (TBF) puts on a free duathlon at the beginner of the year. It's a fun event. You run 2 miles, bike 7 miles, and run another 2 miles. I did it last year and had fun. But, boy was it COLD! This year, weather was warmer and it seemed to have gotten more popular. Or, I just befriended more athletic friends in the past year. Whatever the reason, I got to see a lot more friends doing this event than the year before. Made it even more fun!

Before the race, I ran a little bit around then met up with my fellow Java Joggers. We did our warm up run together. It was fun as it kind of felt like we were doing our usual weekend run. My cyclist friends thought it was silly we would do such a "lengthy" warm up run when the first run is only 2 miles. I told them the shorter the race, the longer the warm up run. My running friends understand this.


This duathlon reminded as to why I prefer doing the longer distance events over the shorter ones. This one hurt! The shorter distances, you sprint and go all out rather than pace oneself.

The race started and I took off on the first run. Went running 7 min/miles. I think I might have ran a little harder than I should have but hard not to when the run is only 2 miles.

I finished the run and scurried off on my bike. My cycling legs had not quite recovered from the Beatty smack down. Every hill I hit was just tough and legs were aching like crazy every time I came out of the saddle to push myself up the hill. But, I kept pushing myself as it's only a 7 mile bike ride.

Halfway in the ride, I felt my right foot twinge a little bit. I could tell it was wanting to cramp up. I tried to ease up on the pace a little bit since I still had to run after the ride. As I rolled into transition, I unclip my foot and my whole foot and leg cramp up. I drag myself to the bike rack and rack my bike up. I grip the bike rack for dear life as my leg cramps up. Oh man, my marathons didn't hurt this bad! I hobble my way out of transition and eventually get to the water station. I ask for some electrolytes. I get a power gel and drink some gatorade and off I go.

I felt like I was running super slow. My legs felt really heavy and achy. I was just dragging myself along. Actually, I was not running that slow. I averaged 8:30's on my second run. The first mile was just painful. Eventually, my running legs found their groove and I got going in the second mile. Coming into the finish, I gave it all I got.

I finished. Cramped some more. Told myself, this is why I don't like short distance races. This is why I rather run a 50k over a 5k (which I have never done).

Last year, I finished this duathlon in 1:10:07. This year, I finished in 58:59. Both my running and cycling have improved greatly in one year. It's nice to do these events just to see how much progress I have made. But, I think I will aim to do longer distance events.

The post-race was fun hanging out and seeing numerous friends (both running and cycling friends).

Beatty Smack Down!

Beatty hill is well known by local cyclists as a toughie of a hill! Beatty Road is in El Dorado Hills, California. It is about a 375' climb in 0.7-0.8 miles with a mixture of 5-16% grades.

Yesterday, the Hammerin' Wheels Bike Club has a New Year's Day Smack Down - Beatty Hill Challenge. The challenge is to do as many hill repeats in two hours as you can. Riding up Beatty one time is already tough for a cyclist. Repeating it is a whole another challenge!



To give a little background, I will say two years ago, it was a struggle for me to ride over the overpasses in Davis. At my first triathlon (in September 2010), I ended up getting stuck with my bike on a hill. Very frustrating. So, in 2011, I was very determined to get better at climbing hills.

I first met Beatty in February 2011. I only got about half way up her. My foot cramped and so, I stopped. I had no idea how much more hill there was going to be so I turned back down. It seemed like this endless hill.

Later in the year, after riding much more hills and getting myself stronger, I was taken back to Beatty and trucked all the way to the top! Felt great to see the top. Then, I went up a second time just for good measure. I was really happy that after months of work, I was finally able to conquer this hill!

Then, I geared myself for the New Year's Smack Down. Prior to this, I had only repeated Beatty 3 (maybe 4) times. I wanted to try to do at least 10.

On the day of the event, there is a good showing of cyclists out there. The sun is shining and it is hard to believe that it is winter! A perfect day to ride! And, not only are there a good number of cyclists doing the smack down, there are quite a number out there for support and encouragement!

I find the first climb up Beatty always hurts the most. And, that is how it went this day. I take off on the first one trying to get ahead of the slower folks. The super fast folks (including my "sister" Sarah) got way ahead of me but I was glad not to be stuck behind the slower folks. I think I hammer a wee bit too hard on the first two times as it is just brutal getting up Beatty. However, the third time, it is feeling a little bit better. When I reach the bottom after the third repeat, I ask for some Gatorade as my hand/legs are shaking like crazy!

The next few feel much better. I actually feel really great at 5, 6, and 7. I find I am not so great at speed as I am endurance. And, this was a test of endurance alright! I just keep going up and down. It really helps seeing some of my cyclist friends standing all along the side of the hill cheering me on as I truck up and down. I come flying down the hill. Turn and see some folks at the bottom cheering me on. Then, I get going and reach the first bend where I see some more friends. I smile at them as they encourage me on!

Though, I go on and hit the second bend and have to buck down, pedaling hard to get through that darn middle section! But, having so many of my friends all along the hill cheering me on as I drag myself up and down that hill definitely helps a lot!

I get 10 repeats in and am feeling pretty good (happy that I got ten) and thinking I could do more. Now, I being to figure out how much time of the 2 hours I had left. On my 11th repeat, I push myself a little extra hoping that I could squeeze in a 12th one before the cut off time. I get to the top of the 11th one and zip down as fast as I can. I hit the bottom and turn ready to charge the hill one more time. Jeff says I still have time so I go!

So, I finish doing 12 repeats on a hill! A hill I could not climb a year ago! I am amazed (and also on a fantastic endorphin high)! I end up being third female. So, a respectable appearance at the Smack Down. Did more than what I set out to do so I am happy with that! :)

It was such a well organized event! Tons of Hammerin' Wheels volunteers out and friends cheering! It was great! The bibs they had made for us were awesome! They had barcodes which were scanned every time you made it to the top. People would ask how you were doing and offer water, GUs, etc.... I felt well taken care of during the event! This was better organized than some of the paid events I have been in. And, perhaps the funnest cycling event I had ever done! Crazy but OH, so much fun!! What a great way to kick of my new year of crazy! :)



















Acknowledgments:
I want to express great thanks to Scott Taggart and Hammerin' Wheels for putting on such a great event and for getting to me to do all those hill repeats last year which made me able to partake in this event! Much thanks to Jeff Sanford for being the organizer of such an awesome cycling group and for providing support at the aid station today! The Hammerin' Wheels folks have really helped me become a cyclist in the past year and definitely made me much better at climbing hills. I thank you all for that! Thanks for those folks who came out to cheer me on as it was greatly appreciated and did really help me get up and down that hill! :)

[forgot to start garmin on the first climb so probably my fastest time up beatty is not recorded]

It Gets Crazy in 2012!

Two years ago, I decided to train for a sprint triathlon. Rather than resolve to exercise more or to get into shape, I made a goal to do a triathlon in September 2010. Back then, I could hardly run, bike, or swim. I started from scratch. It was tough but somewhere along the way, I got hooked into the endurance sports.

In 2011, I decided I would try to do at least one event a month. I started off running a few half marathons. By late spring and summer, things started getting a little crazy. I was most definitely hooked on the running, especially the distance running. My cycling started to get better too. And, I enjoyed the swimming, though slow as molasses in the water.

In 2011, I completed my first two marathons, biked my first century, and completed two Olympic distance triathlons. I did quite a number of other events as well but what I had set out to do, I accomplished even more than that. This pleased me. I was amazed as to how much one can improve over a year.

So, for 2012, the stakes have been raised even higher! Most of my friends think I am completely crazy now with all my running and cycling (still trying to get better on the swimming). But, I am going to take crazy to a whole new level.

Some goals for 2012:

-complete an ultra-marathon (namely, a 50k). I got into the lottery for Way Too Cool 50k! So, I will be doing that in March. However, I am looking to do Tahoe Rim 50k (in July) and maybe Run on the Sly 50k (in August; I ran the 20 mile race last year and really enjoyed it so we'll see).

-get the California Triple Crown (that's finishing three double centuries in a year). Feel like I tested my running endurance last year with a lot of running events so this year, I want to test my cycling endurance. Haven't figured out which three doubles I want to ride in this year but I plan to do at least three and earn that triple (crazy) crown. :)

-ride the Death Ride. Death Ride is in the California mountains. 129 miles with 15,000 feet of climbing. It's crazy but I am doing it. Signed up with a bunch of my Hammerin' Wheels friends. I am excited that we'll be training and doing the event together!

-ride in the Northern California AIDS Cycle. felt like doing a charity event this year and someone suggested this and it really appealed to me. The monies raised goes to the local community rather than some generic AIDS organization. It's 330 miles in 4 days. It should be a fun, memorable event for a good cause. The funny thing is that I am not so much worried about riding the 330 miles as I am raising the $2000. I was never so good at fundraising but I am going to give it my best shot. (By the way, if you're interested in donating or seeing how much I have raised so far, you can check out this link: http://norcalaidscycle.org.kintera.org/2012/crazyhelen)

-finish a half ironman distance triathlon. I really want to do Wildflower Half Ironman this year so I have my eye on that one. But, I will do at least one half ironman distance triathlon. That's 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.

So, we'll see how this year turns out as I take crazy to a whole new level! :)