2031

Much feels reading through this article. Take a minute --

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/wp/2016/05/25/2016/05/25/13-right-now-this-is-what-its-like-to-grow-up-in-the-age-of-likes-lols-and-longing/ 

I think it touches on some truths, but at the same time, just a slice. 13 is such an age -- I remember doing equivilent behaviours with my friends using what I had at the time (in 1985). Talking on the phone all.the.time. with a series of friends, comparing notes, just to circle back around to call the first one again to share what "Everyone" else had said.

Only time will tell what the impact is as today's 13-year-olds grow up and out of those years into the later teen years and adulthood. I don't think it will be catastrophic or the end of society or wasted youth. All those things have been predicted and more in the past already. This technology may be unprecedented, but tbh I just can't believe that in the long run it will be qualitatively different.

On the flip side! Read "The Circle" by Dave Eggers. He consciously set out to revamp Orwell's 1984 for the 21st Century. If you recall, Mr. Orwell wrote his book in 1948, when the height of fascism was still fresh in everyone's mind and communism is in full swing. Since The Circle was published in 2013, maybe follow Orwell's lead and give it the unofficial title "2031".

Many of the themes in that novel represent a possible natural extension of the behaviors we see in today's teens. Today's youth born from 2002-2011 will be in their 20's in 2031. My girl, my nieces, and all their friends are in this group.

The takeaway may well be not to fear, malign, or surpress the technology but as always, to keep Human Nature in check and maintain our Humanity.

The Comeback Trail (Pt 1, Lake Lowell & RONR)

So far all of 2014 has been strongly colored by the fall on the ice in January in which I broke my wrist.  In hindsight though, I can see that it is really just a minor bump in the road.  (I am so very thankful to live in this time, in this place, where a bone break like that may be repaired.  In another time, another place, I would be compromised the rest of my life.)  I didn't have to "lose" as much time and fitness as I did, but I lost a lot of "heart." I'm still working out all the Why's, but that fall really shook my confidence. If you had asked me if I thought I was invincible or immune to mishap, I would have said "Of course not!" But my feelings after the fact contradict that. That's the first time I've been truly injured in at least a decade ... and the first since I have joined the ranks of Wife and Mother. I realize there's more at stake now.  It's not just about "me" anymore. I suppose everyone comes to that realization in their own time and at their own pace. I've always been a late bloomer!

I know it's a fluke,
but I'm proud anyway!

So with the healing of my injury and the return of milder weather, I've been busy making up for lost time and setting a different tone for the rest of the year. Signing up for an event is the best way for me to stay consistent with being active. It's a great mind trick: "I'm not a middle-aged mom out for a jog ... I'm an athlete in Training!" (Plus, I'm too cheap not to use something I PAID for!) Thusly, I signed up for a 10k road race in April. I did much better than I thought I would, coming in at just over an hour (1:03). That time is nothing special, but in the vein of "80% of success is showing up" it was good enough to place in my age group!  Talk about a confidence booster!  I felt like a Comeback Kid.

Next, I set my sights to June 21 and the River of No Return Endurance Runs event. This offered courses of 25k, 50k, & 100k (15, 31, & 62 miles). Just 25k for me, thankyouverymuch! However, this event wouldn't just be a long half-marathon, but a true trail run on remote single-track up the side of a mountain and back again for a total elevation gain/loss of about 3500 ft. (About 1070 meters for you metric folks.)  My goal for this event was simply "to finish." I wasn't concerned about time, or coming in DFL.

"50K Poser"

STOP! Watch this video -- http://trailandultrarunning.com/how-to-be-an-ultrarunner/

That's "me" at :27. The 50K Poser.

I have really been struggling with feeling of inadequacy these last few months. I don't have the right to claim the moniker of "UltraMom." I know (and know-of) many many people that run way more and way longer than I do. Often juggling it against greater family/work/social commitments than I have. (Take Christie, for example.) I've "only" run two 50Ks. Last year. I have yet to do a 50M or 100K, or the belt-buckle-worthy 100 miler.  (And those are just the typical beyond-marathon distances.  See below for a few of the better-know events longer than 100 miles.)

Falling and breaking my wrist has turned out to be tougher for me mentally then I thought. I actually didn't lose *that* much conditioning while restricted from running while in a splint for three weeks.  I probably could have picked right up in my training plan for doing a 6-hour timed event at the end of March. I could have walked more. Resumed running longer, sooner, more often. But I lost my Mojo. It was still cold. It was still icy. The last thing I wanted to do was go and fall *again* especially under the spectre of a hospital bill the size of a VW Jetta.

In blog-land this is when I'm supposed to be all inspirational-like and tell you how I have/am overcoming these feelings and on track to bounce back for my best year yet! But I can't do that. I'm running two (maybe three) times a week, for weekly mileage of about 10-15 miles.  (By comparison, in the months leading up to my two 50K's, I had several 40-50 mile weeks, and several 100+ mile months, with a peak 150-mile month.)

In my defense, I am working more. I'm a contract instructor, and last year I had more free time.  Bad for the pocketbook, but great for running 150 miles a month! (And at my pace, that is a significant time investment, let me tell you.)  But despite the greater demands on my time, I still have a bad case of Lackadaisical.

I did run a 10K event a couple of weeks ago, and I have a plan to ramp up to a 25K (~16 mile) event in the middle of June. The secret to success is no secret -- I need to return to the practice that got me to 50K twice last year -- "early to bed, early to rise" and "Just Do It".

I can do this.

For Independent Study:

The origins of the Belt Buckle for 100 mile races -- Gordy Ainsleigh and the Western States 100 -- http://youtu.be/629q81fPqYM

A few runs ~longer~ than 100 miles:
-- The Spartathlon -- http://www.spartathlon.gr/en.html
-- Badwater Ultramarathon -- http://www.badwater.com/
-- Race Across USA (one of many transcontinental options) -- http://raceacrossusa.org/
-- Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc -- http://www.ultratrailmb.com/

What Does the Specialist Say?

If I were really clever, I would do this post in rhyme as a parody of "What Does the Fox Say?"

♫
Feet go slip
Bone goes crack
Girl says OW OW OW
ring ding ding dingding dingdingdingding
ring ding ding dingding dingdingdingding

♫

But I'm not.

After getting patched up at the E.R., I was sent home with a referral to a hand & arm specialist. I called as soon as I got home Tuesday afternoon and was fortunate to be seen right away the next morning.  All night I was hoping that the break could simply be set and cast, and I'd be on my merry way.  After all, I had some running to do. I had a race in 10 days ... a free one, at that! I had won a spot in the Wilson Creek Frozen 50K in a raffle and was really looking forward to it.  I think I can see Wilson Peak from my back window, and I want to know if I can see my neighborhood from Wilson Peak.

I had a feeling, though, that this was not to be the case. If it were that straightforward, couldn't the ER doctor do it?  Why was I being referred to a specialist?

This is the most difficult thing I've ever had to write...

No really! This is the most difficult thing I've ever had to write because I fell and broke my arm this week! I am attempting to type this one-handed... left handed... and I am not a southpaw.

On Tues, Jan 7 I headed out for what was supposed to be a routine long run of 12 miles in preparation for two goals. Short term, doing the 20-mile route at the Wilson Creek Frozen 50K on Jan 18; and longer term staying on schedule with my training plan for the goal of hitting 50K in the time limit of 6 hours at the end of March (http://24hour.pickledfeetultras.com).  I had only run once on trails since completing the Foothills 50K Frenzy back at the beginning of October, and that was several weeks prior, before Thankgiving. Only one trail run in three months?! Yikes. If I didn't want Wilson Creek to completely kick my ass, I needed to log some more trail miles, stat.

I knew snow and ice were factors, so I studied my Ridge to Rivers trail map for a route that was... long enough, exposed so there would be minimal ice, and not too remote. I specifically sought one of the trails that had multiple access points "in case something happened."  In hindsight it's tempting to try to call that foreshadowing or a premonition, but in truth I seek that criteria for most of my solo runs, no matter what  time of year.

I considered running up Rocky Canyon Road, but ultimately decided not to due to the lack of restrooms, and the unrelenting up followed by straight down. I wanted more of an undulating trail, since I was out of practice. Thus, I planned on Corrals Trail, up and around in a "U" to the end of Bob's Trail, and return.  I knew that about a mile of Corrals was in a little ravine following a creek, which would probably be icy, but the rest should be fine. I actually wasn't familiar with Bob's.  Just the day before, there was this on the Boise Foothills Trail Conditions facebook page:

Post by Boise Foothills Trail Conditions.

The Mid-Packers

This writer believes he is writing about The Mid-Packers, folks like me; but I think it provides just as much insight into the mind of someone who is usually closer to the front.

WHAT'S NEXT?

So ... What's Next?

I've learned that training consists of a cycle of push-and-recover, push-and-recover. This cycle occurs  at all different levels, weekly, monthly, yearly. In the course of a week, you stagger your workouts between long and short, easy and hard, aerobic and anaerobic. Week over week, you build strength, endurance, log more miles until you reach a target event or pinnacle of some sort. Then, take some time off to recover, regroup, recoup. Repeat. Over years, that base builds, experience is gained. If you're smart about it, and with a little luck, you Level Up instead of Break Down!

In the build-up to the Frenzy, I reached a peak of 40+ miles per week (with one 50 mile week!), and had a string of 100+-mile-months (and one 150 mile month!), all a first for me.  Now, it's time to come full circle, back off and run about 20 miles a week for a while.  Then, start the build again... 30, 40, 50 miles a week to prepare for the next challenge.

A big component of training that I have not bothered with is speed training.  I have worked on making running a consistent habit in my life, part of my routine.  Then I worked on endurance and stamina.  Now I am ready to try to speed things up a bit.

Towards that end, at the moment, I am eyeballing the Pickled Feet TIMED Challenge (http://24hour.pickledfeetultras.com/) in which you run for a set time, not a set distance. The person who runs the most miles in the set time is the winner. This event has options to sign-up for the following times: 6 hour, 12, 24, and even a 48 hour!  Yeah, I think I'll stick to the 6-hour, thank you.

The course, while unpaved, is a flat and smooth 2.5 mile loop.  Based on my experience at Weiser River Trail last April, in which I hit the 26 mile mark at 5:45, I think it is possible to come along a year later and complete 50K (31 miles) in 6 hours.  According to my calculations (thanks Excel!), this would require an overall average pace of 11 minute miles including stopping at the aid station. It's ambitious for me, but I don't think it's unrealistic.

I have the stamina. I've been "out there" for 6+ hours quite a few times now and I know I can handle it.  The challenge is going to be maintaining the speed for that long. I maintain that pace or faster all the time in my mid-week training runs of 10 miles or less. Other than the three half-marathon events I have done, for distances beyond that, I've slowed way down. I'm pretty sure it's mostly mental. I psych myself out -- "You're going soooooo far today! You have to slow down if you're going to make it!"  The physical training -- preparing -- for a target is the easy part.  That self-talk is killer!

So far, the best way I've found to quiet those voices is to prepare.  Worried about running 20 miles? Go do it. When you're successful, it shuts up the voice that says you can't!  Worried about running fast(er)? I'm just going to have to go do it!

RACE REPORT ~ Foothills 50k Frenzy!

RunKeeper stats

OK, I've sat down at least a dozen times to do a race report for the Foothills 50K Frenzy (which took place on Saturday, October 5, 2013) and somehow found myself not quite ready to do it yet. It's taken 10 days, but I'm ready now! It's funny, the delay is not because the experience was SO profound. In a way, it's because it's somewhat the opposite. I feel almost a sense of, "Meh, I trained, I did it. No big deal."  This, I do not understand, because by all of my counts the Frenzy was pretty epic!

Thirty-one miles. Eight and a half hours. Six Thousand feet of climbing (and descending)....  and it doesn't feel like a huge deal?!

MINDSET

The Foothills 50k Frenzy took place Sat, Oct 5. It's been a week, and I finally feel like I can start to put the experience into words. This event was both exactly and nothing like any event I have done before. On one level, it's very simple. Do the work, day in and day out, then show up and run. On another level, it was very profound to experience the culmination of months, even years, of training.

It's sometimes difficult to pin down a watershed moment. I can't quite recall precisely when or how I learned that there were folks who ran farther than a Marathon (26.2 miles, or 42.2 kilometers). Within a few weeks last summer, I heard about Dean Karnazes and his running exploits for the first time, and learned that my buddy Rich had signed up for a 50 kilometer (31 mile) run called the "Vaquero Loco" (aka "Crazy Cowboy")!  All I know is that instead of instantly thinking, "That's insane!" I thought, "I gotta try that!"

Welcome to my Blog 2.0

I started this blog in 2008 as a way to keep in touch with family and friends, primarily with updates about The Girl.  Then, I joined Facebook, and it all fell by the wayside....  Now, thanks to running, I have resurrected my blog! Thank you for accepting the invitation to view it. (I just have to actually post to it! haha)  One thing I have done to populate the blog for the last 5 years is copy my "notes" out of Facebook and put them in here.

Every blogger worth their salt has to have a catchy name. I came up with one by accident. This is the story: We have magnetic letters on the fridge. Our latest game is "Word of the Day" in which we spell out things that happened in the day, like "hawk" if we saw a hawk, or "pancake" if I made breakfast for dinner.  Well after my run, I spelled ULTRA.  Then I was randomly inspired to add "M O M" to it ... ULTRAMOM!  And thus, a name is born.

Race Report ~ Weiser River Trail 50K

Race Report: 

Weiser River Trail 50K Relay and Ultra

04-27-2013

Most of you know this story REALLY begins either 20 years or 2 years ago when I started running the first and second times. But, we don't need to go back that far. How about to five months ago when I decided to train for a Marathon? To train, I used the Plan provided by my Run/Walk group and stuck to it. Week after week, month after month, logging the miles: building a base, increasing mileage, working in recovery weeks, then the taper.

On New Year's Eve, I ran 14 miles, which was my longest run yet. Then, a few weeks later I went for 16 miles. Then 18. Then 21 ... 23!

Somewhere along the way, I sent a message to the directors for the Marathon I had chosen asking about the route.  I wanted to drive it, bike it, and run segments of it before event day. This is when I discovered that the event I had so *carefully* chosen had changed from a loop all the way around a lake to an out-and-back. I was so disappointed! I didn't want just to run a Marathon, I wanted an *experience*, and now I wouldn't have that caché of saying "Yeah, I ran around the lake".  So, I decided to find another event within the same time-frame that fit my criteria, and discovered the "Weiser River Trail 50K Relay and Ultra".

Marathon Madness

(I doubt this Note will be of much interest to anyone but me;

but I have to get this out of my head and Husband is sick of hearing it!)

As I have heard from many and varied sources, training for a Marathon will take over your life. I accepted this as fact; but, academically, the same way that everyone told me having a kid would change my life. Also in the same way, I am discovering the reality is so much more than one can ever know beforehand!

My Run/Walk coach says, "We train using a textbook plan, but we don't lead textbook lives."  As my training plan progresses and the weekly long runs get longer and longer, I am realizing I will not be able to do my long runs on Saturdays. So, I am reevaluating my plan to figure out when to do my long runs.

An Open Letter to Slacker Radio Regarding Recent Advertising Practices

An Open Letter to @Slacker Radio Regarding Recent Advertising Practices.

Dear Slackers,

I have two advertising-related complaints.

1) PLEASE tell me you are not responsible for the full-screen ad (or something) that appeared on my android screen this evening while I was listening to Slacker Radio. The window came up saying something to the effect of, "Congratulations! You are the first US listener selected for a free gift from moblinks[dot]org. Click OK to claim your prize!"

What's Your Secret?!

Now that it has been a year and I've shed 70 pounds, people are starting to ask, "What's your secret?" It's no secret, and I am happy to share.  I am NOT on a "diet". If you are ON a diet, you can be OFF a diet! I am trying to make a sustainable lifestyle change for my long-term health and fitness. (The TRUE test will be where I am in January 2013 ... '14 ... '15 ... )  It all boils down to the classic phrase "Eat less, move more" ... but that is so VAGUE! How do you figure Calories In/Calories Out? Here are some specific tips I have picked up from reading and learning about health and nutrition:

* Don't Quit *

* Don't Quit * 

Don't quit when the tide is lowest, 

For it's just about to turn; 

Don't quit over doubts and questions, 

For there's something you may learn. 

Don't quit when the night is darkest, 

For it's just a while 'til dawn; 

Don't quit when you've run the farthest, 

For the race is almost won. 

Don't quit when the hill is steepest, 

For your goal is almost nigh; 

Don't quit, for you're not a failure 

Until you fail to try 

- Jill Wolf 

"My Closet"

MY CLOSET 

by "Smittyinthesun2"

There a place in my closet where my clothes used to be
The big ones, the small ones, and the ones that fit me.
The big ones, I’m going to give away
To help a brother, who’s in need – Today.

The small ones I’m working to fit in once more
So I don’t have to go shopping, at the Big and Tall Store.
The ones that fit, are okay for me.
I’m down 80 pounds, many people can see.

So back to the gym, I got to do more
There a new suit I want to buy, at the Regular Men’s Store.
More miles on the treadmill and laps in pool.
When I hit my goal weight, it will be very cool.

No pizza or candy or chips or pop
I’m making this happen, I ain’t gonna stop!
So put down that remote, stop watching TV
Come to the gym and walk 2 miles with me.

You pants will be smaller, and you’ll sleep better to
I’m like a Doctor; I got the right prescription for you.
So remember your closet where your clothes used to be
Exercise is a miracle, it will set you free.

I AM A RUNNER

I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I AM A RUNNER because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.

I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate -- things I once avoided -- are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on.

I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.

I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.

(I did not write this. This is a re-post. ~ LEIGH)

As serious as a ...

I'm starting to lose track of who knows what, between Phone calls and Facebook and the Grapevine...  So here is a Note to recap and update for posterity ...

In the wee hours of Wednesday, March 9th, Husband awoke feeling terrible and out of sorts. He said it felt like the worst indigestion he'd ever had. Given that we had Louisiana Hot Links for dinner the night before, it wasn't surprising. I sat up with him for a while, then went back to bed while he watched movies to see how it would play out.

At 7:00 in the morning, he woke me and said, let's go to the hospital. He was restless, short of breath, cool and clammy. When I asked him how he was feeling, he said the fateful words, "It feels like there is a band across my chest."  We all loaded into the car as quickly as we could, and drove to the ER.  On the way in, we called ahead to let them know we were coming in for symptoms of heart attack.

Nutrition Seminar Take-aways

Nutrition Seminar Take-aways

So one of the "extras" that I get with signing up with my local Run/Walk group is the chance to attend free seminars. Last Friday (Jan 7, 11), I went to part one-of-two of a nutrition and weight loss clinic. It was VERY informative for a couple of reasons: 1) I found out I am actually well-informed about nutrition in general, and 2) I still learned a LOT!  I'm looking forward to part two this Friday.

I'd like to share what I learned. I am sure this information is widely available, it's just the first time I heard it. There is an actual calculation for figuring out the calories you need daily just to stay alive: the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)! Surprise! One must know their own personal number to find success with calorie-deficit dieting.

11 Step Program for those thinking of having kids

(Comment if you can attribute the source of this gem! ~ LEIGH)

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.