Rollin Again...Slowly

Stretching at the top of Mt. Tam, 20 mins into our trail run this morning. Look Jean no snow:) Just teasin.

So after 2.5 weeks of doing absolutely nothing athletic I slowly eased myself back to running this past week. Woof, going downhill (letting it all go) is always fast, the uphill (getting it all back) is the one that takes forever. Well I'm not looking to get back into tip top shape just yet, just doing some maintenance work. Funny I finished the season feeling pretty beat but it only took a couple of weeks to feel fully rested, should've ran harder and faster during the latter half of the year.

Nothing but slower and shorter runs for right now and they feel great, well except for the first one back. Today I was out in the trails with friends Jen and Ashli. Coach Neil extended an invitation to join his training group and we were more than happy to oblige. The run wasn't very hilly, it was on fire road which was wide and tame and my group opted for the short version but even then my heart rate got up there. Thankfully I wasn't the only one:)

Rick: Ed my heart rate is at max
Ed: I hit mines back there
Rick: Oh good

It was a beautiful foggy day. Cold but perfect for running.

Icy Hot Torture

Be careful with this version of BodyGlide.

Bodyglide is my number one choice for prevention of chafing and other skin irritation problems and I recommend it to anyone. The first time I came across it was in triathlon, triathletes would use it to on their neck to protect against the chafing of the wetsuit and on the arms and legs to aid in the removal of the wetsuit after the swim. It's also great for all those other areas prone to rubbing during the run. There has been variations on the original recipe, this one incorporates an ointment that warms the muscles.

Now I don't know about you but when I apply anti-chafing creams, lotions or whatever, I'm like my friends - we layer it on. Like a fair skinned tourist in the beaches of Hawaii with that stuff.

Race morning for the Quad Dipsea about three weekends ago, I did a full application of this stuff after showering. I layered it on; under my arms, inner thighs, nipples and chest (heart rate monitor strap chafing). Before I even got all my clothes on I tore them right off and it was straight back to the shower. At first I tried to ignore it, surely it wouldn't get that hot. Nope, I was wrong. I was tearing by the time I made it to the shower, that was the most pain I felt all day and that includes the cramping during the race. Some of it got into the...um that sensitive area down there. Crazy strong stuff! It builds slowly then wham!

So unless you are the type who only applies a single layer of protection I would suggest you avoid this recipe. Unless of course you like icy hot pain. Thank God it was a home and not at the race. Thanks to J~Mom for the idea for this post.

Enjoying the Off-Season

2 seasons worth of trail shoes, washed and stuffed with newspaper for drying. The newspaper wicks the moisture and keeps them from smelling too. These will be donated to Goodwill, what they can't sell they'll recycle. They actually look nice now that they're not covered with mud and dust, they're still good for something. I get an average of 375-400 miles per pair, I'd get more if I didn't have to run so much road on my way to the trails.

I haven't done anything since the Quad Dipsea two weekends ago. Oh wait...that's not totally true, Saturday I had a haircut appointment and I ran three blocks - I was late. I hate to live up to the Filipino stereotype but I am almost always late. The woman who cuts my hair has been doing it for 14 years and she's also Filipino so it's all in the family, besides I have the sneaky suspicion she already compensates for my usual tardiness.

I feel as Marcy would say, fanfreekintastic! I feel rested, no more aches and pains. I'm having a great time doing things I normally don't do during the year. Last night I was with friends at a local bar for their happy hour special. The place was filled with kids who looked like they just got out of college, however the food turned out to be great and so was the beer. $2 beers and $2 dishes, hard to beat in this town. Instead of being out on the track, my usual Tuesday night thing, I was out drinking and eating - yup feels like the holidays.

In years past I've always enjoyed a complete break from athletic activities for 5-6 weeks during the holidays. Some years I needed all of it. This year I plan on breaking tradition and get in some easy workouts at recovery pace. Starting next week I'll start doing some easy runs and I'm back at the gym to strengthen worn muscles.

Hope everyone is having a great time, despite the craziness that comes with the holidays. This weekend I rented a car and I'm jumping into the fray. Gotta finish up the Christmas shopping; Costco, Target, Trader Joe's, etc, as well as trips to my storage unit and Goodwill. It's gonna be crazy, I might need my trail shoes.

#*&%!

I didn't get in to Western States. This is the fourth time I've entered the lottery and the fourth time I've failed to get in. Thank God for the two-time loser rule, anyone who fails to get chosen in the lottery for two consecutive years gets automatic entry for the the following year. This was how I was able to run the race in 2006. I finished but the trail and the conditions beat me up pretty badly, well my feet anyway. I ended up with 16 blisters and eventually lost 9 toenails, I was already missing one heading into the race:) Since then I've vowed to return and make a better showing but it will have to wait until 2009. Unless they abolish the two-time loser rule, and there has been rumors of that, I should be guaranteed a spot for 09.

I now have the opportunity to run other races. I've been thinking about my schedule since this morning and I think I have my centerpiece races for next year. It's tentative but I've already had them lined up just in case I didn't get in again.

Massannutten Mountain Trails 100-mile run.
May 17th, 2008
At this year's Bighorn 100-miler, I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of ultra-marathoners from the East Coast and the bulk of them was from the VHTRC (Virginia Happy Trails Running Club). Those guys love Bighorn and they are the host for MMT 100. A great bunch of folks and they extended an invite to their race.

Tahoe Rim Trail 100m
July 19th, 2008
Friends who ran this race had a great time.

Angeles Crest 100
I've always wanted to run this race. I heard it's hot and tough. Besides I got lots of family in Southern California. I can visit after the race.

So that's what I'm tentatively thinking for my big races next year. Two of them are tougher than Western States from what I heard so I got a lot of work ahead of me. I've never done any of them so this is a great opportunity. Unfortunately two of them are already open for registration and MMT 100 will open on Tuesday. Money, money, money. I can't afford to fork up for all three races right now. If they are still open after I get back from holiday vacation then it's a go. I doubt they'll sell out that quickly but these days you never know. Ultra's have gotten more popular. If somehow I manage to pull through all three and remain in great condition I would consider throwing in a 4th 100-mile race. For now I'd consider myself extremely blessed if I can pull off just two of these.