Saturday, December 4, 2010

Scott on the Trails???


Don't be shocked, but Scott joined us at Clear Bay!  Quite a group showed up for the run at Clear Bay on Saturday morning - about 20 of us!  Scott, Scott Coleman and Julie's BF Dave did their on thing on bikes.

It was one of those crazy days where my Achilles hit me almost as soon as I stepped out of the car.  I tried my best to shake it off.

I did most of the first loop with Cara, Peggy and JenHenry.  The miles went by rather quickly with this social group.  Jen helped - verbally through some struggles I've had with yoga.  I have this goal to do a forearm stand, but I keep collapsing.  We laughed because it's not like we're gonna stop on the trails and start doing yoga - but we did once we got back to the parking lot!

Scott and the other riders were at the parking lot by the time we got back, and seemed to have had a good time.  The guys bonded well.  Coleman had to leave, but Dave and Scott were willing to go out again as I wanted to get in some more miles.

Shay and I ran a modified second loop, consisting of about 5 miles.  My right hamstring started cramping bad and she was just plain worn out.

Back in the parking lot, I was cold, I hurt and just wanted to get home.  Others were planning to go to Panera.  I wanted to be social - wanted Scott to get to know my friends better, but sometimes you just can't do it.  I love my running friends, but with 20 or so people, lunch at Panera would be too much!

I'm seriously questioning whether I can do the marathon at Cross Timbers.  This leg thing is a pain - haha no pun intended.  I guess I'll just wait until the event gets closer...

Happy Trails

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

It's Like An Easter Egg Hunt

While training for the 24 Hour run last Summer, Tanya and I collected reflectors that we found on the trail that had come off bikes.  We glued them to plant sticks to help guide us and the other runners on the trail that night.  It was a nice effect.

So last weekend, when I ran 12 miles at Draper, I found 1 reflector.  Today, in just 30 minutes of Bluff Creek, I found 5!   That tells me that my home trail is a tough one!  I found myself continually scanning the area for them.  Made the short run go by much faster. 

Get me any reflectors you find and let's light up the trail!

Happy Trails~

My treasures!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

12 Miles With Mixed Feeling, But Completed...

I met up with the gang at 9:00 at Draper this morning.  The gang being me, Shay, Melissa, Peggy and Dave.  Dave rode behind us on the bike.  Dang, riding that slow has got to be an awesome ab workout!  The last time I ran these trails was very frustrating for me.  Ya know, when your head is just not in the right place?  And, my left achilles was bugging me to no end.  Well, today was so much better! We did Blue, Green and Orange at a 5:1 and finished the 6 miles in 1:10.  I'm very happy with that!  My hamstring felt awfully tight, but I pushed through.

After that loop, it warmed up quite a bit so we shedded layers, gloves and hats.  Shay was afraid to remove her hat as she feared what her hair would look like...  I pulled mine off and she knew she couldn't look nearly that bad!



After that loop, it warmed up quite a bit so we shedded layers, gloves and hats.  Shay was afraid to remove her hat as she feared what her hair would look like...  I pulled mine off and she knew she couldn't look nearly that bad!

Dave and Peggy left after one loop as Melissa, Shay and I took off for another.  Yep, the left achilles kicked in...  Melissa out ran us after the first mile, but Shay and I plugged along.  We decided to the Advanced  Red loop.  I haven't been there in almost 2 years.  This one has a heck of a lot more drops and shorts, steep climbs.  I thought this might be good practice for Cross Timbers.  Shay and I just laughed as we ran through it.   I swear, my legs almost gave out on me a couple times!  We both whooped and hollered as be finished Red and got back on the safety of Green.

Our pace was definitely slower than the first loop, but that's OK, we planned it that way.  We pushed each other, tried to keep the conversation going.   When I almost stopped for an extra walk break, she talked me through it.  When she mentioned she planned to walk up the big hill once we exited the trail, I just said, "Let's see."  We both ended up running it just fine.

It was a good day.  I was almost afraid to go back, but my Draper demons are gone.  We worked hard, and deserve a nap!

Happy Trails!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Karma and I met up with Tanya, Rian, their dog Jimbo, Shay and Nancy for a Thanksgiving Day run.  No problem that is was 25 degrees out! We were all standing in the parking lot, bundled up, waiting to see if anyone else was coming and Karma, smart dog that she is wiggled back into the car through my open door.  "If were just gonna stand here, I'm going back where it's warm!"

I was a nice paced, easy run.  Rian went on ahead, Tanya held back some with her dog.  Nancy led our little group and Karma kept us entertained with her antics!  Only one loop for me as I had plenty to do at home in the kitchen, but at least I burned outt some of the calories that were just around the corner!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Trails

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Two Falls Too Many!

Within the first 2 minutes, I fell hard.  I got up, we all laughed and continued with our run.  This was the first time I've been to Clear Bay trails out at Lake Thunderbird. 

Ouch!



Wasn't exactly the way I like to start ar run!  But it happens.  The Oklahoma Trail Running Assocation made the venture down there to check out Julie's home trail, and Wow!  I loved it!  There are some long, steep climbs followed by some nice flat single track for recovery.  With about12 miles of trails, Julie had mapped out a nice 7 mile loop.  Oh, I can tell that I'm out of shape, but this will be good training for Cross Timbers.  I can't wait to get out there again!


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Time For A New Challenge

I've learned that I don't workout unless I'm training for something.  Most of the gals that I usually run with had signed up for the Cross Timbers Trail Run, so I figured I should too.  After some frustration about finding a hotel room, Scott and I will be staying at the same motel as the rest of the gang.  I'm glad he's coming along as he is my best friend and safe place.

Cross Timbers has a 50 mile, marathon and half marathon.  I'd love to tackle the 50 mile event, but with the uncertainty of my right leg, I decided on the marathon.  My goal for most events is to finish in the top 50%.  So, after looking at results from previous years, I'd like to finish around 6:00-6:30.  Of course, the weather could change everything, but that's what I'm looking at right now.

My running hasn't gone well for the last few months.  While training for the Dirty Double Dozen, I injured my right hamstring and it hasn't completely healed, AND, 2 days before that event Dr. Flesher found a cyst on the back of my right knee.  So lately, my training has been yoga, spin classes and the elliptical at the gym.  But now that I have an event to train for - I'm  motivated.

Namaste

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Friday Night Run With Friends...

About 2 hours in to the adventure! Lookin' Good!
Some of my friends can't understand how I can put in so many miles at Bluff Creek, but it's home to me. I started at 5:30pm, while it was still over 100 degrees out. I set up my little aid station with a note to Tanya and Holly who I knew would be out there soon. Once I ducked into the trees and into the shade the temp dropped quite a bit, mind you it was still way hot. I wore my Classic Vibrams because I was afraid the full foot of the Bikila's might be too hot. Well, that lasted 1 hour. The bottoms of my feet hurt. Switched to the Bikila's. Soon after that I met up with T and H who planned to walk/hike for 4 hours. Even if I wasn't going to hang with them, it sure is nice knowing someone else is out there.
I've never tried "5 Hour Energy" before - until tonight. Since I had to sleep last year during the 24, thought this might be a good idea. I took a huge swig of the Lemon-Line flavor and GAGGED! Yikes! It reminded me of a liquid cough medicine I had to take when I was hospitalized with pneumonia back in High School! Yes, bad tastes like that stick with you. Hard to tell if it worked, but I never laid down during the run to take a nap.

Before they saw the trails...
Switched from the Bikila's to my Asics as my toes started cramping. Now that is something new and different.

I walked most of the last 1 1/2 hours, but definitely kept a strong pace going. I think I'll be good by the time the "Double Dirty Dozen" rolls around. Moved my body forward for 4:45 and moved it about 18-20 miles.. And that's good enough for me!

 
Happy Trails.

Monday, August 9, 2010

My Best Training Partner

No offense to any of my friends, but I LOVE running with the Karma Dog!  Most of the gang I run with knows all of the trails very well so there usually not a problem if someone wants to speed ahead, or drop back.  We all know our way home.  But the Karma Dog will never leave me!

Karma and I met Julie at Bluff Creek for an evening run.  We figured a start time of 7:45 would be cool enough.  WRONG!  When I left the house it was still 95 degrees out!  With Karma, and no water available on the trail, we decided to do the 2 mile Dirty Double Dozen loop.  Julie is thinking about doing the 6 hour run for that event, so she was all about learning the course.  We set Karma's water bowl at the trail entrance.  I forgot my watch, and Julie didn't have hers set so we ran until we wanted to walk, then walked until we were ready to run.  Worked out fine since it was so hot.

Conversation flowed easily with this new friend of mine, and Karma was the perfect companion too.   She has finally learned NOT to trip my fellow runners.  The first loop was great - hot but great.  Karma gulped and gulped her water.  Previously I'd tried to get her to drink from my water bottle, but she wants nothing do do with it. 

With about 1/2 mile to go it was starting to get dark.  Originally we had planned for 6 miles, but the heat just wasn't going to allow it.  Not only were we tired, but now Karma was lagging behind.  I felt so bad for her.  She wanted to stop, but was no way going to let us out of her site.  When we stopped for a walk, a dribbled some water on her snooter.  This time, rather than running away, she started gobbling!  Yea!  She finally figured out that this bottle was a good thing!  Now, she's gotta start carrying her own...

Happy Trails!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Oh, My Aching Feet!

I moved my body forward for 3 hours today.  Oh yeah, it was a tough one.  I met up with Peggy, Beth, Melissa, Shay and Julie for a training run at Draper.  We stuck together pretty well for the first 6 miles and I felt great!  I wore my Vibram Classics for that first loop.  Once we got back to the cars, I switched to my Asics - didn't want to overdo it.  Shay and Julie left us there for home and some yoga, but we picked up Janice.  As we headed off to the yellow loop, I slowed the pace some.  We had run the first part at 5:1, but I needed to switch to 4:1 if I was going to last another hour and 45.  So, the gang dropped me - by my choice and it was a good thing.  My feet started to hurt!  After a while, I noticed I was practically limping - definitely altered my gait.  It hurt just to put my left foot down.  I ended up taking off my shoes and short cutting out of the trail.  Hobbled back to the car and put back on the Vibrams.

I did the rest of the run on various parts of the green loop and my feet felt fine.  Have I really become so used to the Vibrams that I can't run in regular shoes?  Never heard of anyone having that issue before.  But, the balls of my feet were pretty sore.  I may need to get the Vibram Bikila - with a thicker pad at the ball of the foot.  I finished the run at a 1;1 pace, but at least I finished!  I only need to tack on 21 hours before October!

Happy Trails!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Running By The Light of Fire Flies

What a fun evening run!  I met Cara and her daughter at Bluff Creek at 8:00 to put in some dusk miles.  Trying to decide if we should bring our lights, we realized we had know idea when sunset was.  WE left them in our cars, knowing we could short cup out and get them.  Sure enough, it was pretty dark when we at the furtherest possible area.  Running back carefully, it was awesome to see all the sparkles in the trees from the fire flies!  I look forward to doing this run again soon- maybe with the lights!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Trail Edition

Sometimes I really like to run alone.  Today was one of those days.  Scott had gone golfing, so I decided to skip church.  While running, I started thinking about this past April.  While tens of thousands of people were running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, I did my own marathon at Bluff Creek.  I ran 13 loops of the Double Dirty Dozen course.  I really wanted to be a part of the OCMM but my hips just can't handle running on pavement - so I did my own.  So today I wondered if there were others like me:  want to run the marathon but can't haven't the pavement?  Perhaps I could work with the marathon committee and help put on the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Trail Addition!  I'll have to gt with Thomas Hill as I certainly wouldn't want to take from their event, just add to it.  Maybe I can get Tanya to help me?!?  Another TanKa production.

And suddenly, I was at the end of the trail!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Oh, I've Got A Long Way To Go

Oh, I've got a long way to go if I plan to run for 24 Hours in 2 months!  Hoping to run 12 miles today, I only made it 8 and the last 2 weren't pretty.  I met with Peggy and a new friend, Julie at Draper.  Kept a pretty good pace going for the first loop, but had to walk a lot of the next two miles.  I just have to keep plugging away.

I'll blame it on the heat, but I felt pretty crappy for the rest of the day.  More fluids, more electrolytes.

Happy Trails.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Start of Training...

My training for the Double Dirty Dozen keeps getting delayed.  I wanted to get focuses and have a plan, but things keep getting in the way.  Today was to be the day.  Karma and I got to Bluff Creek with a plan to do 3 2-mile loops.  Gotta do short loops when it's this hot so she can get water.  Well, after 2 miles she quit running!  I tried sprinting, jumping - anything to get her interested.  Nope, she just walked.  Dang it!

We went back to the car and headed for home - me frustrated, Karma tired.  I joined Scott for his workout today.  We joined The Lighthouse last week, so I thought I'd check it out.  Did 50 minutes on the elliptical and then some balance exercises.  Not my originally planned workout, but it's a start. 

Tomorrow is another day!

Happy Trails...

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Getting Motivated

Over the past 2 weekends I've volunteer at races. Last weekend was the Midnight Madness 50 Miler up in Tulsa. This morning I volunteered at the Draper Duathlon. Now, I want it to be my turn. I miss the focus and discipline it takes to train for and complete long distance. Now that I'm already registered for the Double Dirty Dozen, I really have to think about it.

I remember the run itself - not so bad.   Yes, I got very sleepy but it didn't hurt.  But, it really hurt the next day.  For 2 nights I had horrible night sweats, like I wet the bed all the way up to my neck.  I had to sleep on a towel.  2 days post race, I could barely walk.  There was such a huge, deep blood blister on the ball of my foot.  Had to do the crutches thing for a couple days.  I just don't want to go through that again.  I hate the idea of not running it because I'm afraid of the pain, but 12 hours sounds of so good.   But...

At least I'm debating between a 12 and 24 hour run.  There's gotta be motivation behind that.  Most people wouldn't even consider attempting 6!

As I ramble on here I sounds like I must set some goals, figure out what is important and how I can glorify God with the abilities that He has given me.

Happy Trails!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I Need Motivation

2010 has been such an interesting, busy year. Selling my house of 15 years, moving into a new one, getting a job as a school teacher and trying to be a strong person. My running just hasn't been a priority.
The 2011 Double Dirty Dozen is quickly approaching and Chisholm, the race director, called to tell me that I get my entry "comped" as the defending champion. Just the week before he called I had decided to run the 50 miler at Palo Duro this year, which happens to fall the week before the DDD - can't do both. But, driving to Palo Duro is 4.5 and the cost of entry, camping... I gotta go with the free race just 3 miles from my house. But do I want to 24 again? Re-reading my race report, I have to say no. I think the 12 hour sounds soooo muc better. Perhaps I'll train for 24 but enter the 12.

Happy Trails

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

My Dirty Double Dozen


I first heard about Chisholm’s plan for a 24 hour race at Bluff Creek while working at the Redman booth at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Wow, that’s a lot of endurance events in the same sentence! Once I heard about it, I knew I had to be a part of it. Before I knew it I was heading up the aid station for the event.
As the planning meetings progressed, I was getting more and more excited. This was going to be a great event! I didn’t want to just volunteer at it, I wanted to run it! Mind you I had never run more than a 50K before. Sure, the event offered a 6 and 12 hour event. But the way my mind works, I knew I had to go for the max. I didn’t drive to Wichita Falls to go half the distance in the Hotter’n Hell Hundred. Nor did I bother to try a half ironman before going for the REDMAN full. I was going for 24!
I won’t bother boring you with the details of my training. Long, long training runs. Most of these training runs were alone, but some with Shay, Melissa, Peggy and Beth. Tanya met me for some 4:00am runs to get used to the trails with shadows. Chisholm and Joel were awesome with their encouragement.
I’m not going to call it a race because I think competition causes unnecessary stress. What I do are events. I set goals and try to accomplish them. Whether there are other participants there, so be it. I hope they reach their goals, too. My main goal was to cover 51 miles. Yes, that is weak, but I wanted to go more than 50 miles. It’s kind of like someone calling a 27 mile run an Ultra because it is more than a marathon. 50 miles is a benchmark in the Ultra-community and I wanted to pass that. My secret goal was 72 miles. That would be an average of 3 miles per hour. Slow, huh? And guess what? I didn’t make it. Oh well, I’m thrilled with my 68.32.



The weather was perfect for a long run, something you can’t count on for late October in Oklahoma. My event started at 9:00. There were 6 events going on that day. The 24, 12 and 6, and you had your choice of a one mile paved loop or a 2 mile trail loop, both met back at the start/finish area and shared an aid station. In the 24 hour trail event there were just 6 of us: 2 female and 4 male. A few of the other entrants had switched to the paved event due to wet conditions on the trail. (The trail was perfect)! The 12 hour event started at 6:00am. My friend and training partner, Melissa was running in that one and I got to see her go by before my start. Looking good, but one fall already. I had posted on Facebook that I was taking a poll: How many times would I fall during my run? I had figured 6 – once for every two hours. Funny, but both Melissa and I only fell once that day, and both on our third lap ...
My husband Scott is not a runner, never will be, just doesn’t understand it. There is no way I was going to ask him to be there for the race. Plenty of others had families there for support, but Scott wanted to paint the house. Go for it, buddy. Had he been at the run I would have been worried, “Is he bored? What is he doing?” It would have messed with my head. But, I told him I wanted him there for the start, to meet me for dinner around 7:00pm and be there at the finish. I have an awesome, supportive husband!
No problem the first 3 hours, well, other than missing a turn on the second lap! This is my HOME TRAIL! I know it inside out, every tree and root. Well, the course didn’t follow the usual route and I zoned out. At least I didn’t’ get too far off course. Bret, who designed the course, had a good laugh about that.
At noon, the 6 hour group got started. For the next 6 hours, all 3 events would be on the trail. My friends Jane and Tanya were there and I got to chat with them a bit.
Did I mention my friends Rob, Sarah, Ben and Chap were doing a relay? Team Bacon. Yeah, that makes sense for a relay team that is half vegan! Rob passed me about every third lapduring the first 6 hours. Never once laughed at my slow speed, and always had a word of encouragement. This encouragement continued from all of Team Bacon until 9:00 the next morning. That relay was very inspirational! Thank you!
The mutual aid station was well staffed and organized. Thank you to all those volunteers. What was wonderful was this was where I could see the runners doing the paved events. So many fo my friends were out there and I loved seeing them. Throughout the day, other friends and member of the triathlon and running community came out to watch and cheer us on. Team Bacon member took to calling me Kit Kat and whenever I approached the timing mat/aid station I’d hear, “Go Kit Kat.” No one had ever called me that before, or since.
Peggy, Dave, Bret, Keith and Beth were awesome! With every lap they asked how I was or if I needed anything. Beth had already made a trip out to get Melissa some Doritos. “No thanks, I’m good.” Then, shortly before 6:00 it hit me. It hit me hard. I needed a glass of milk. Huh? Yes, milk! I called Shay as I knew she would be working the aid station at 6:00. Um, OK, are you sure you want milk?” Yep. Oh that tasted so good. More than one person commented on that later. So I’m a little different.
The 12 and 6 hour events ended at 6:00pm. A gunshot signaled the finish. When I heard it I jumped and then almost started crying. I was so happy for all of those people who had met their goal. What an accomplishment. Then I almost started crying again when I realized I still had 15hours to go! This is when things started to get interesting. There had been some 25 people on this two mile loop, now there were just 6, 7 counting the relay.
A couple hours went by where I didn’t see anyone except while at the aid station. I didn’t see another runner on the trail! As evening turned to night and we donned our lights, shadows began to play tricks. There was still a good crowd of people with chairs and tents lined up along the mutual aid station area. It was dark and I was tired, and I had a hard time recognizing people as they cheer me on, but it was inspiring nonetheless. There even came a point where I thought I saw a fire on the trails. As I got closer I could see a couple people dressed as skeletons holding a torch. I wouldn’t have recognized Martha and Biff and they not told me who they were. Awesome, though it was a very windy night and I feared they really might start a fire!
The low was in the upper 50’s and I still didn’t need a jacket. The wind in the trees was peaceful and I was thankful that I was running on the trails. I worried about the gang on the pavement loop getting blasted by the wind.
Around 1:00am I started getting dizzy. I was tired, the shadows were messing with me, so I decided to go lay down in my car. Let me tell you that the backseat of a Ford Focus was not built for sleeping! My hips hurt, but I thought the rest would do me good. It was 2 hours before I got up again. Did a few more laps, then just couldn’t go on. I had to take another nap! This time when I got to my car, I couldn’t think of any good reason why I shouldn’t just go home. I have to backtrack. I said I think competition is unnecessary stress. But, there was just one other women in this event. If I beat her, I would WIN. I’ve never won an event before. I had absolutely no idea where Lorrie was, or how many loops she had done. I had passed her on that trails in the late afternoon, but hadn’t seen her since. All I could ascertain was that I was one lap up on her before I took a two hour break. Fine, I need to rest. Let her win. I’ll take second. Better yet, I’ll still be First Masters Female. I had lost track of my lap count, but didn’t think taking two naps would get me to my goal of 72 miles. I was too tired to drive home, so I slept.
Climbing out of my car the second time was killer. My legs and feet felt fine, oh, it was my hips. But once I started moving again, all was good. Back at the aid station I learned that only one other person and the relay was still on the trails. The other participants had dropped out.
Beth had accompanied Melissa on her final laps during her 12 hour event, which by the way, she WON! Beth had also offered me company. OK, now it was around 7:00am and I needed it. Beth and I power-walked throughout sunrise. How awesome to hear the birds waking up out on my favorite trail. Joel, Maurice and Chisholm had told me what a ‘pick-me-up” sunrise would be, and they were right! Only 2 more hours! I could do anything for 2 hours! OK, now my feet hurt. I didn’t trust my legs. Who put all these logs where the tree roots used to be? I used to joke that I knew every tree and root at Bluff Creek. Beth commented that I now I knew every leaf and blade of grass!
It was getting close to 9:00, I was ready to see Scott. More people were starting to gather at the aid station area to see the finish. I grabbed a flag with my bib# on it to plant on the side of the trail if the gun sounded and I hadn’t completed the lap. Partial credit, yeah! Beth continued with me for another lap and I walked as fast as I could. Running was no longer an option. Towards the finish we ran into Melissa. She was getting around pretty good, walking her dogs. She shouted, “Will you do another?” I replied, “No way!”
Beth helped me finished another lap, and there was Scott waiting for me! There was only a few minutes left, so I grabbed Scott’s had to join me until the finishing gun sounded. Truly, he had a hard time keeping up with my power walking pace. Just passed the bridge, I heard the countdown. When the gun fired, my eyes filled with tears and I planted my flag. I wish I had the words to express my feelings. Awe, amazement, pure fatigue… similar to what I felt crossing the REDMAN finish line, but more so.
When the awards were announced and I was the overall female winner on the trails I was thrilled. Chisholm handed me my certificate and said that he was crying. I know he was so happy for me. Having a friend win your event must be a great feeling.
Thank you Chisholm for putting together this great event, and for the encouragement throughout.
See you on the trails!
Katharine Miller
2009 Oklahoma Female Ultra-Trailrunning Champion