A Momentary Break...

in our Summer weather. It was actually gloomy and drizzly for part of the weekend last week, unfortunately the rain wasn't here to stay. In fact, it's suppose to warm up for the weekend. I sure hope we get some rain before Spring starts, the water situation, from what's been reported, is not good.

Headed out with The Endurables trail running group with Sam, Jenny and Mary. These guys like to run around Mt. Tam and are a good group to hang with. Because of all the moisture, the trails were trickier than usual - the wooden steps, roots and rocks were slippery. Despite my Vasque's with the aggressive treads I was sliding around all over the place. Several years ago we had a particularly muddy and slippery Quad Dipsea. It had rained during the week and all through the night stopping just before the race. Our champion that day, William Emerson from Oregon, ran the race in racing flats. I've never forgotten that and I think about it every time I slip around in my super engineered trail shoes. I still remember seeing him in those shoes and being dumbfounded.

Everything was so lush and beautiful though. Love those trails. It was a two loop run and on the second loop, Jim, the coach, led us up to the top of Mt. Tam using a steep, rocky trail that he wanted to check out. Some of it was un-runnable, well for me, but amazingly fun and refreshingly different. I have a new way to the top of the mountain. Jim has completed Western States 3-times among other accomplishments so he knows what he's doing and doesn't mind me running with his group. I need to start paying the drop in fee though, can't continue riding for free. We would end up doing 13-miles total for the day and I took off for another 3.5 hours. On my way out I ran into Gunderson and we headed back toward the bridge together. Perfect how that worked out.

This week I've just been laying low. Been feeling sluggish like I had mentioned last week so I made good with my plan to take it down a notch this week. I took the last three days off of running and just hit the gym for light workouts and stretching in the sauna. The core/groin soreness is still there but I don't expect any miracles. I saw a doctor about it but I need a new one. He thinks I should give up running altogether and just do aerobics instead. Right, right that will happen, who are these people? Then he tells me that I'm only able to do this because I'm single. Right, right, he should tell that to Mark Tanaka who is an ER doc with kids. I already have a lead on two doctors which I'll follow up on shortly. I need a primary physician anyway. I haven't had one since I left Hawaii 16 years ago. It's not that sore when I run it's the lingering soreness when I'm not running that bugs me.

Ran short this evening and it was fine, will run short stuff for the rest of the week with a half-marathon this coming Sunday. I'm reasonably fit and prepared for this road race. What I failed to do however was lose the 4 pounds I gained during the holidays. Since January 1st I lost (drum roll please) half a pound. Yes, yes even with all that running. It's the sugar. Whatever time I finish I'll think to myself, that could have been faster. Serves me right. Jo-Lynn you feel my pain.

Well you all have a great weekend!

Sure this is runnable, oh you mean by me? On our way to the top of Mt. Tam. Photo courtesy of Sammy.

Behind me, there's usually a great view. On our way to the top of Mt. Tam. Photo courtesy of Sammy.

Where have I been all week?

Well I've been feeling worn out. Could it have been the 7:45 and 40+ miles with Gunderson on Saturday plus the 12 or so miles on Sunday, nah it couldn't have been:) Haha I think my body is choking on the long mileage and hills this early in the year, so soon after my holiday break. None of my long runs last year went over 6.5 hours or 35 miles, look at me now. What can I say, I've fallen in with a crowd that is more capable and hard working than I am with early races/events on the schedule. They either wear me out or I adapt to the extra workload. The weight training is certainly making things more difficult too but I know it's making me stronger. I either break or get stronger right? Right now I feel like I'm breaking, what with a strain in one of my core muscles and lingering fatigue. No worries, I've put in more rest on the schedule this week and next week is a back down week anyway. No long run that weekend and only one strength training session in preparation for a half-marathon that Sunday. The road race will be hard in it's own way but it will be over quick. Still beats last week though when I was sick for 3 days and I was reduced to two jogs during the work week. Yes, yes, I was licking other people's spoons, drinking other people's beers.

So Saturday was another early day with Gunderson. I didn't realize we were gunning for 40+ miles until that morning but I was game. It's not like we were moving at race pace. He's preparing for Rocky Raccoon 100, happening in 3 weeks. It was a gorgeous day, real nice. We followed a good part of the Miwok course and traveled North for 4 hours before heading back. On the way out we encountered a bunch of fellow ultra-marathoners heading the other way on Bolinas Ridge. Familiar faces, many wearing "Team Diablo" shirts. Fast Kevin Swisher was there, we even shook hands, and toward the back of the group was Graham Cooper, another runner I admire. He is the 2006 Western States champ and the course record holder for one of my favorite 50-milers - the Quicksilver 50. What some people don't know is that he is also a great triathlete. Having been involved in both sports the last 5 years, I admire someone who has done it well. Usually when I see him, at a race, he's all business. Saturday he was relaxed and just one of the guys, good to see. It was great seeing them go by, training for the Miwok 100k perhaps. Then another 3+ hours later, a half mile from the car, out pops in front of us, Kelly Ridgway and Karen Hanke in their bright pink running skirts. Like us they too were finishing their long run. Kelly is training for the Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica, a multi-day race adventure. It was great to catch up and Kelly was getting updates on her phone on Suzanna's progress at HURT 100 in Hawaii. Suzanna would finish second woman. That is one tough race. I've never done it but I lived there, I know that terrain - crazy technical, muddy and slippery. Gundy and I finished well and felt good for the rest of the day.

Gunderson on Bolinas Ridge.

Bolinas Ridge. The Miwok 100k, the Headlands Hundred and 50-miler and the Northface 50-miler comes through here.

Jon with Karen and Kelly.

Sunday was an absolute blast. It was the kick-off run for our triathlon club, a trail run and brunch event. Genius idea, a trail run with the promise of food and baked goods at the end. There was also coffee, orange juice and mimosas. I skipped the mimosas but had ample amounts of the first two. We had about 35 people which is a pretty good turnout. The route was a 10k around a lake and not too hilly. The weather was as good as Saturday's and we only lost a couple of people who got lost on the course, no worries they made it back. I ran the first 10k easy with the group, playing the sweeper at one point then headed back out with another group at a faster pace. Good stuff and I felt great. The Cardinals beating Philly was just icing on the cake. I'm a Niner fan myself but we didn't make the playoffs. I've been rooting for Arizona because the locals at Javelina took great care of us, that and the memory of a sunset and sunrise in the Arizona dessert has never left me - so amazingly beautiful.

Karen and Julia on their way back from the loop. I promptly looped back at this point and followed Sandrine and Dana back out to the lake.

Daniel, on his second loop leading Heather and Sandrine. J~Mom your short sleeve shirt request will be fulfilled by Heather, no worries she's a sweetheart. Daniel is fast, he won PCTR's Angel Island 25k a couple of weekends ago.

The scene waiting for me after the run. There better be some donuts left! Photo courtesy of Gary Najarian.

So business as usual this weekend but I am watching my rest more closely. I'm also probably going to see the doc about this strain on my core. It runs from stomach all the way down to my groin on the left hand side. The pain is not sharp and I'm convinced it's muscle related but just in case. I'm paying for the health insurance, I might as well use it.

PCTR's Angel Island 25k

Starting with Mt. Tam, a 360 degree view of the bay from the top of Angel Island..

The ladies doing a dance move called "The Running Man" (it's really called that), for our friend Samantha who couldn't join us on the run. She was supporting her football team on their playoff game.

So they are calling it a heat wave, we are having unseasonably warm weather for this time of the year - mid 60s and sunny clear skies. I'm actually praying for rain since we need it. Good weather for running though. It's only January and I already have a summer tan.

This past Sunday I joined some friends at PCTR's Angel Island 25k. I thought the views were even better on the island. Not as high as Mt. Tam but we got a 360 degree view of the bay. Pretty sweet. We also got a chance to check out the fire damage to the island. Back in mid-October there was a fire that could be seen for miles. It was pretty dramatic.

Anyway four of us stuck together for pretty much the entire run and had a great time. I'm enjoying these shorter easier paced runs with friends. I hope to mix more of these type of events with the hard training and racing for the upcoming year. Love it.

Kara is cool, calm and collected. Dana is excited and rearing to go.

Waiting to get on the ferry with other members of our tri-club.

Local ultra-runner Brian Wyatt with his youngest.

Kara, Dana and Jess.

Jess and Mt. Tam in the distance.

Sitting happy on the ferry after a good day, while Chuck Wilson behind me, the guy in blue, regales runners with stories of his running adventures in beautiful places. Last week I was looking at his photos from the 2007 Coastal Challenge, the multi-day stage race in Costa Rica, on Facebook and got to discuss it with him earlier in the day.

For more photos, click here.

Mt. Tam Loop

Jonathan Gunderson and I at the top of Mt. Tam.

Well that was a great weekend of running trails with people. Second weekend in a row of having company in my long runs; I'm spoiled, quite a departure from my usual solo adventures in the Headlands and Mt. Tam. Too much to put into one post I'll just start with Saturday's run.

Jon and I got started early Saturday morning at a starting point just North of the Golden Gate Bridge. We hauled with no specific plan, made it up as we went. It wasn't until we were almost two hours into our run did we decide to shoot for the top of the mountain. The weather was good and we knew the views would be spectacular. Unfortunately the sun was so strong it blew out a lot of the pictures.

It worked out well, his ankle was feeling funny and I strained an ab muscle during the week strength training. We were both not running at 100%. He was doing better than I was though. We made good progress nevertheless and covered a lot of ground. Ran a good part of the Miwok course and my favorite section of the Northface 50-miler. The last hour had us hustling at our best speed for the car so he could make an appointment with his fiance. Nothing like the fear of being late to give you that extra push:)

A very good day and we covered about 30+ miles. Next up, PCTR's Angel Island 25k.

Looking back towards San Francisco, the city is off to the right, in the horizon.

Making our way back down and back towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

I Stepped On the Gas...

and my body when VROOM. Such a great feeling. I mixed in some "accelerations" during my evening run last night and the body responded nicely. Unfortunately there wasn't much gas in the tank. Haha, started sputtering on my fifth acceleration, had to coax my body to do several more and it was a slow jog home. Felt great though, the last time I felt this good I ran some great races. More endurance will come in due time, if things go according to plan I'll have gas to burn at the Spring events. Speaking of which, despite my desire to keep things loose schedule wise, I will have to organize my season better. There are so many good races in the Spring and I have to pick my way carefully through them. Gotta resist the urge to do everything. A good problem to have no doubt but I need to focus and be realistic. I don't want to be burnt by Summer:)

Tomorrow I'm running with fellow San Francisco ultra-runner, Jonathan Gunderson. He wants to be running by 4:30AM in the Marin Headlands. It's gonna be rough getting up but I'm looking forward to running the trails in the dark, at least for the first 2 hours. He's getting married in May and has wedding related stuff that he has to do later in the morning - stuff he can't get out of. He's making me nervous, on our conversation this evening he said "We'll start early and run hard to get a 50k in before I have to go." Something tells me it's going to be a hard Saturday morning. Sunday I'm running PCTR's Angel Island 25k with friends. Should be a good time. I'll probably bring my camera for that one. On a good day, the views of the bay from the top is spectacular.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Big shout out to my buddy Dave Elliot who is running the Bandera 50k in Texas. Go get em Dave!

Woohoo and I'm in Miwok 100k. First time I got chosen in a race lottery. My 0-6 record at the Western States 100 lottery puts me in a less than hopeful mood when it comes to race lotteries. Oh wait...that's not entirely accurate. I did run the New York Marathon once but that feels like another lifetime.

Saturday Run

Ready to go! Boy was it cold, not cold enough for some of us to give up the skirts and shorts however:)

What a great run that was. Longer than I should have gone but way to start January.
It was an early start which is always hard for me but once I was up it was all good. I caught a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge, to save my legs for the trails, and ran to the meeting point. I crossed the bridge just before 6AM and except for the cars I was the only one there. That's a first, I had the bridge to myself. I made it to Rodeo Beach right at 7, I didn't bring a light so I followed the roads going in.

BRRR..IT WAS COLD!
Florencia Gascon's Garmin recorded 31 degrees, that's cold here. You didn't need a temperature gauge to tell you it was cold though, not only did you feel it but you could see it. There was lots of frost on the ground and this is at sea level close to the ocean. Quite a sight.

14 of us set out of Rodeo Beach shortly after 7AM and we all ran different distances. People turned around where they felt comfortable. By the time we got to the Pantoll Ranger Station some 4 hours later only four of us were left and from there Florencia and I peeled off for Mill Valley. We left Kelly and Suzanna to continue the run.

FORMAL INTRODUCTIONS
I managed about 30 miles in about 6.5 hours. It was good fun and I'd like to run with these folks again in the future. Not owning a car limits my involvement but I'm not averse to getting up extra early to join in on the fun. A bonus was finally meeting two people who I've always seen at races but never actually formally met. Suzanna and I have shouted encouragements to each other in races, the most recent at the Quad Dipsea, but it was only this Saturday that we formally exchanged names. Florencia Gascon I've seen since my first ultra and I'm glad to have finally met her as well. I think she gets a kick about our French last names that sound similar.

I was definitely slower today. I feel the strain of all those miles not having gone long in the last three weeks but nothing that took me out of Frisbee and Football. Having a case of the butterfingers was a bigger, more embarrassing problem. So were the bad throws:)

Enjoy the pictures!

Always a special day when I can already be at the Headlands while it's still dark in the city. It doesn't happen that often.

Rodeo Beach at the start.

The way we came, the first miles.

We thought about our East Bay friends and their training grounds out there. That's Mt. Diablo in the distance. I plan to participate in PCTR's Mt. Diablo 50-miler this coming April, two summits to the top and then some.

Kelly and Tamara dropping down the Miwok trail.

Kelly and I love our Drymax socks but we are also big fans of Bob the Drymax representative. Bob this photo is Kelly's idea and it's for you.

For the photoset.

Happy Birthday Gary

A great group of people. Birthday boy Gary in the middle, in orange.

Hanging with some of the tri-folk this evening. I missed the New Year's day swim so I was glad to have had the chance to catch up with some of them this evening. Maybe I should limit my exposure. Talking races with them I started to second guess my decision to pull out of tri's for awhile to focus solely on running. I actually started to plot a training plan for Big Kahuna, a great half-ironman distance triathlon held in Santa Cruz in the Fall. I snapped out of it though. Almost. I need the time that would have gone to swimming and biking to increase my overall weekly mileage.

I was very well behaved. Nursed a drink for two hours and was out of there by 9. Big day of running planned tomorrow. I was invited, along with other runners, by Kelly to join her and Suzanna on a 10 hour training run. I'll probably tag along for 5 or 6 then catch a bus back to San Francisco. Kelly and Suzanna are fast, hopefully the pace is something I can hang with. They are both such accomplished runners. I think Suzanna is training for the HURT100, thus the 10 hour run. Don't you just dig that name, it stands for "Hawaiian Ultra Running Team." The race takes place in Oahu. She should do well. She was first woman at the Cascade Crest Classic 100 this past year and was also first woman at the Quad Dipsea in November, that's just the races I know about. Should be a good day.

Happy New Year

Ah how happy am I that the holiday craziness is finally over. I don't have to hear over and over again, in the news, how bleak retail sales have been. Most of my friends are coming back from visiting home or holiday trips. I tell you this city empties out like college during the Christmas holiday. And it's a brand new year! The days are getting longer again and in a blink of an eye it will be March and time to race hard again. In the meantime nothing to do but continue with the Winter training. Not only did I have a great year in 2008 but I also finished in the best shape ever; tired but not exhausted, little hurts and pains but not injured and extremely motivated. Ironically it was my competitive nature that checked my desire to sign up for one more long race before the year ended. I just knew I wouldn't be able to run the time that I wanted. But I'm back now and busy laying the ground work for a new season. I already started that job when I sought Rachel's help, my personal trainer, to revamp my weight training program back in October. I suspended the weight training heading into the last two races and picked it back up again during the break. It only has started to feel comfortable this week. I'm finally finding my groove in this whole strength training thing and I don't mind the gym as much as I used to. In fact I'm going to head over there right now. I think it's crazy they are open on New Year's day but since they are. At a mere three weeks this is the shortest break I've taken and unlike previous breaks where I did absolutely nothing I ran besides doing the weight training. Short stuff, 4-6 miles of easy to moderate and long runs of 9-12. I feel better for it. Nothing like a good run to scrub away some of the junk in the mind and spirit.

Anyway just dropped off the sister who was visiting from Orlando, Florida. Despite the big age difference between the two of us we get along just fine. She's 19. I'll leave you with the note she left on my computer, I don't think she will mind. I had to bleep some stuff though, trying to keep this blog PG-13.

I SEE YOU BEEEYOTCH!! =P

anyway, you're such a punk but thanks anyway for being a brother and paying for my booty. i'm telling you...don't regret it because one day IT WILL BE ME who pays for you, so that's something for you to look forward to =] well, try to take care of your alcoholic ways, lol and keep being your RIDICULOUS self and hopefully 2009 will treat you with better beer and BITC[bleep]ES =D

actually not hopefully...more like 2009 WILL GIVE YOU BETTER ONES!! i'll probably talk to you soon. take it easy and always remember there's more to a girl than just a pretty face and a nice [bleep]....well most of the time anyway. bahahha! alright time for me to check out and for you to get out of the damn shower cause i have a plane to catch, thank you!

-Squirt

She thinks I'm crazy and not because of the the running:) Well she sees a side of me that no one else sees, to this degree anyway, not sure why that is. A funny, ridiculous side that keeps us in stitches sometimes. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by great people, especially family. I hope you all are having a great start to the new year yourselves and Happy New Year!

ADDENDUM
Well it seems like I wasn't the only one motivated to hit the ground running. Members of our tri-club and one of our coaches went out to do the traditional New Year's Day swim at Aquatic Park. It must have been cold, brrr. With and without wetsuits and a lot of love. I actually wanted to join but it was right around the time I had to go to the airport. Heather you are brave. Jay, great photos.

2009 Races and Events

Hugs from my runner, Carrie "Whiney Tiger" Sisk at the finish of the Western States 100. I paced Carrie the last 38-miles, through the night and gave her that name because she whined all night but never stopped moving.

PCTR's Angel Island 25k
January 14th

Fun run with good friends to open up the season.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kaiser Half-Marathon
February 1st

Half-Marathon PR 1:30:45
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rocky Raccoon
February 7th

Crew and Pacer
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pirates Cove 50k
March 21st

Course PR - 4:37. 5th overall.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mt. Diablo 50-Miler
April 19th

Hotter than last year but did not get lost. Course PR with a 10:46. 9th overall, 6th male and 3rd age group.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Skyline to the Sea 50k
April 19th

Volunteer
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miwok 100k
May 2nd

10:57:43 for 46th. A very wet, muddy and windy Miwok. Fun though! Glad I'm used to this weather.
Report
Pictures
Videos

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Redwood Creek 50k
May 10th

Volunteer
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ohlone 50k
May 31st

Volunteer
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

San Diego 100-Mile
June 6-7

100-Mile PR with a 20:00:25. 6th overall, 5th male, 3rd AG.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crewing and Pacing at Western States 100-Mile
June 27-28

A really, really good time at Western States with friends
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Headlands Hundred
August 8-9

Course PR with a 22:06:30, previous was 24:37:50. 9th overall. A really good run and my 9th finish at the distance.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dick Collins Firetrails 50-Miler
October 10

8:29:28 and 28th place. Felt strong throughout the entire run but couldn't get my speed up, a good day nevertheless.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Volunteering at the Nike Women's Marathon
October 18th

Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Volunteering at PCTR's San Francisco One Day
October 29th

All day and all night, spectacular weather and a witness to a new SF1D course record of 140-miles.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Crewing and Pacing at Javelina Jundred in Arizona
October 31st

Another rockin good time in the Arizona desert.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Quad Dipsea
November 28

5:09:39 for 17th place. The race went much better than I thought. Only 10 minutes down from last year's PR time.
Report

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Northface Endurance Challenge - the 50 Mile Race
December 5

9:47:08 for 58th place. Just as tough last year, wish it wasn't the weekend right after the Quad Dipsea. Beautiful course though and I finished just about where I thought I would.
Report
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And It Begins

Another year and many new miles to run. Here we go. Um...soon as I shake off the champagne from last night. I'm good, I'm good, just a little slow today is all but the day is young.