Happy New Years

Ahhhh I want to wish you a very Happy New Year ! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Thank you for the sweet messages that let me know you care and the words of encouragement. I have had a wonderful time this year watching my kids grow up and cooking lovely dinners for them. I have really found my love for reading books and I feel so grateful for my simple life at home. I am getting older but I seem to be OK with it now. I really can not put into word just how excited I am to welcome a whole new year. 2016 !!! baby
I always welcome the new year with my word for the year. A word I want to hug and welcome into my life. This year my word is HONEST. Fear has always kept me from just being honest but it is time for me to just speak my truth and let the rest go. If it does not serve me I do not need it. I am letting go and being honest with myself about it.
HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST HONEST
That is how I will choose to head into 2016 and I hope I learn grow and find more of me…
Happy New Years to you !!

Tis crazy Life

                    Stop being who you were, and change into who you are .
                                                                            Paulo Coelho

Beautiful Quiet

There seems to be a beautiful quiet the greets me in the wee early morning hours. As I walk out of my car and make my way to the trail my heart seems to know that I have arrived. Then slowly I start. All I can hear are my shoes as they hit the trail and my breathe. I want to be very quite as not to disturb all the lies before me. This will be the only time of the day that I will get to be out here alone with nature. In the stillness. My body craves time in the mountains time spent running.  My pace is irrelevant what matters is how this consistently heals me. It teaches me to be humble to take my time to just be there present. I try and take it in to let it move through me. It gives me so much it has become a spiritual experience one that I am so grateful for. 

Its the end of the year

The end of the year is here..  and man I have a had a wonderful year. I never thought I would be in this  great place. Things are good. The number  #1 thing I have learned is that if you find something you LOVE something that fills your heart and soul. Something you do not get tired of doing. DO IT

You do not have to be good at it when you start . You do have to practice practice and show up. 
I have hobbies that I just love. I found running and 14 years later I still love it. I think its the longest relationship I have ever had. This activity has taught me so much about myself and had humbled me at the same time. The biggest thing that it is OK for a me a mother of 4 to take time for myself. That guilt you carry as a mom when you leave for weekend or a couple hours  is real but I have learned that I deserve time for me. I feel like running makes me feel excited and that flows into my life as a mother.
 I had a really exciting time running this year. Distances I dreamt of running but never thought I would be able to.
Finishing the San Diego Grand Slam is by far my biggest running accomplishment for 2015 with that came running my first and what I thought might be my only 100 miler. My first 100k that was the hardest on my body but I got through it. Then I found out I somehow by the grace of God got into Western States 2016.(WTF) I am so excited and I feel so lucky to have such a great opportunity. I have been spending time just trying to figure out what I need to do to succeed. My family is 100 percent in and willing to help how ever they can. I am so grateful. My dream is to go to Auburn and just have a great race and that means finishing in under 30 hours.

Merry Christmas

Hi.. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas ! I was able to get a run in early this morning. It was perfect. Getting up early kinda sucks but its so quite and peaceful in the early moments of the day.

I had to put my feet in the water this morning. It was cold but perfect. I went up to my knees put my hands in the air and just took it all in. Thanked God and the universe for all wonderful things in my life.. I am so looking forward to Western States next year. I still can not believe it but I will take it.  Stay Positive and healthy and Happy Holidays..

28 miles…Why yes please

This weekend our run took us to Lake Hodges. It seems like we run there a lot but it seems to be our most of our winter runs take place there. You can run a long way and still see people along the entire trail. Saturday we ran for about 6 hours. Mt girl friend is going to race a 50 mile race there so we are training. Ever since finding out I got into Western I feel like I really need to convince myself that I can do this. My friends seem to think I can so now I just need to believe it too. That's why when my GF said she was running 28 miles I felt like I wanted to join her. It was not a hard run we kept it easy. I just love spending all morning outside so when I was asked if I wanted to run the 28 I said yes please 

Jazz Hands Peeps

It really felt like a great morning. It was cold and the sun was out. There was lots of talking going on and we saw friends out there. I am really excited about Western so much so my tummy hurts every time I think about it. I just need to keep showing up for long runs long work outs and anything else I can do to make sure I run that race in under 30 hours. I am sure I will be focusing a lot on that race.

Malibu Canyon 50k race report

Malibu Canyon started of well. I drove up the night before and stayed at my sister in laws house. It's a 3 hour drive from my house so I decided going the night before would be smart. I am a terrible tired driver so I just avoid it now. I stayed with her the night before and then only had an hour drive in the morning. I arrived at 6:30 am and that gave me plenty of time to get ready in my car and check in. Everything was very well organized . I really like my tech shirt and I also got some socks. Gotta love swag :). The weather was that perfect morning running cold weather. You can stand being outside with out really needing a jacket. The sky was a clear blue. The sun was shinning really bright but it was still chilly.

Over 100 people gathered at the start and then just like that it was ready set go. I really liked the small group of runners that gathered it felt like a small race. Everyone said hi and good morning. many people asked if this was your first 50k.  I saw a friend I admire from San Diego Karen. When I ran the San Diego 100 back in June I remember some lady at mile 70 something at some aid station held my face and told me I was going to make it and that I just needed to keep going. I will always remember that because it was at that moment that I believed I was going to make it. Karen was that lady and while I was running I put the two together. Those volunteers at the aid stations can make all the difference in the world. God Bless all of them. 

There was 2 big ass hills. The 50k had 5900 elevation gain. There was tons of climbing but as you can see it was not rocky so it was really nice.There was only 18 percent single track. 74 percent dirt road and a little bit of asphalt.
 I have friend Jeff Hooker who I  is a really great power hiker and runner . He does it so well and I have watched him and he has walked me through his style so I practiced as much as I could . It was the perfect place to practice practice, practice. I honestly do not think you can ever practice power hiking enough. 

 I really enjoyed myself. It was so pretty and as I was running it dawned on me that in 2010 I had run this course and failed. This is the same course as the Bull Dog 50k and because I failed (DNF) at this once I felt really good about how much better I did this time. I am telling you this never gets old. The picture is of Malibu Canyons and I could see the most insanely huge houses from the trail.

This part of the run was short but it felt very Patagonia. It looks warm in this picture but it was cool.

My shameless #runningselfie

I made a  new friend and it turns out we have run other races together but we never met.

 I finished at 7hours and 15 minutes and 8th in my age group. They had aid stations every 5 to 8 miles and everyone was friendly. I filled up with water got some chips and I was golden.

My legs look so skinny in this picture. They are actually really big and buff (JK)…
 Once again I had a wonderful time met new people and heard some great stories. The race director was really nice and friendly. If I could change anything it would to not drive home the night of he race and I wore the wrong shoes for sure. I love the mini adventures in my life that running theses races provides for me. Thank you for reading. G

50k Weekend Yay

Hi Peeps. So you know that feeling you have when you have not signed up for a race and the year is coming to an end so you want to just plan a quick end of the year thing because well you're a little nutty and you can't help yourself. That was me right before I found out I got into W.S. I have to be honest I also needed a little me time. Having a big family can sometimes get loud and I am not complaining just simply stating that I needed a just for me run. The other night I was on Ultra sign ups and there before me was a race and long story short I am running it tomorrow . The Malibu Canyon 50k   I am going to spend the night at a friends house that lives close by and then go RUN. I am excited I have only run in Malibu once before when I ran the bull dog in 2011 my only DNF. I know this will be a much better experience because I am a different runner now. 

Here is the elevation map. Looks like fun. I am excited for a couple things. I know I will make new friends. I get to run for a couple hours all by myself on a trail . I also feel like I need start taking nutrition seriously and I am going to observe how I feel through out the day more. So I will be back with a full race report soon. I hope your long run this weekend goes great.

Days of December

Getting ready for Christmas ?? I am trying to get a little Christmas in everyday. Today we headed over to Balboa Park. We saw the big tree by the Balboa Theater. We tried to watch the puppet show. We stayed as long as Jack wanted to and that was about 25 minutes. That's OK when your 2,  25 minutes is a long time to sit still. We had lunch at the Japanese Gardens and we walked around for a couple hours. It felt as Christmas as you can feel when its 80 degrees outside. Happy Holidays.

Early morning runs and unexpected blessings

Today was the day it happened. I woke up at 5:30 am I slowly rolled myself out of bed and then I got dressed. Lately I have been so happy to go out on these really early morning long runs. It was a really cold morning you know the kind of morning you Thank God for the gloves you remembered to bring with you. We started right on time and today we had a small group show up. I love the fact that we are out there for hours just running and talking. It is enough time to practice my form work on my breathing and think about life stuff. My dad always says long runs are like putting a Q tip in your brain and getting rid of all the cob webs. When your done you feel all new. This is so true. Today I ran with a runner I really admire because she is a bad ass. She is a strong female and I admire that. I was kinda able to keep up with her for the second half and that is partly because her shoes hurt but hey I kept up. I have been feeling better about my runs. Maybe I have been excited because I feel that slowly I am improving at something I love. So after our 20 something mile run we went back to the car and I looked at my phone and I had 50 messages … 

The messages said…. Congratulations G  You got into Western States from all my friends.  I ran to my girl friend hugged her and cried a little. Dreams do come true. I got in. Me a totally middle of the pack and sometimes when its over 50 miles near the back of the pack runner. Gloria the girl who is just happy not to make her friend wait to long to for her to catch up. I got in. They picked my name and I can't explain how happy and scared but mostly crazy ass grateful I feel. I got into Western States number 297 picked. Today it really happened my biggest dream came true. 

Us

This was my today.
It was simple. Time at the park and a much needed run. Pine cones and dirt. We came across broken drinking fountains and we saw two trains. We played with puppies and laid on the grass. Today we kept it simple and that was way more than enough. 

15 Hours | with Ann Trason

Exploring with Jack

One of the lessons I have learned this year is that nothing can compare to the time I have spent with my dad and Jack going on our little day trips. Even though I feel tired sometimes and like I don't want to drive an hour away to go visit some tractors I have learned to change my perspective and then the whole trip and day changes. Yesterday we went to the Automotive and Tractor Museum. I am not a tractor girl but I literally tell myself ," G you are going to have a great time let's just do this with a smile." Then I have such a good time. Jack is 2 and at two everything is new and wonderful I try hard to look at stuff through his eyes. I try and not have crazy expectations and just enjoy myself. I ended up loving the tractors. 

So this place we visited was about 5 acres of old tractors. model cars and old engines from the 1920's. There where mechanic out there running the model T cars and it was really interesting. My dad wad in heaven and so was Jack. I guess one of my big lessons for 2015 has been to stop fighting it. I am choosing to accept all things that come my way. Choose Happy 

Happy December

Can you believe December is here ? I have heard that so many times and yes I can. I can see my children growing up right before my eyes. They are so much taller and mature. Jack is talking in full sentences and I have a couple more wrinkles and I feel this is exactly like it is supposed to be. My second chance and as time flies by I try and close my eyes as often as I can and take a deep breath and thank God. It feels right.
I went to register my car yesterday and I tried to connect with the lady that was helping me. She was gathering all my paper work and I asked how her Thanksgiving was ? I put my phone away so I would not be tempted. I made eye contact and just like that we connected and that took over. She had lots she wanted to share with me and I loved her story about how her mom celebrated the Holidays.( I think she was about 60 )  She thanked me for asking and just like that I felt happier and I think she did too. She held my hand before I left and said have a nice day.
I want to see the people that help me. The clerk at the store and the lady at triple AAA. I want to try and be really grateful for there services. I am going to practice that this month. I think most people want to be seen and everyone wants to be appreciated. I think its a great way to spread some Christmas cheer . So here we go into the last month of the year. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am home from my moms and feeling very grateful for my life. The good and the bad and everything in-between. I am happy to be alive.
We had another great trip to the mountains there is something about the mountains that feeds my soul. I think my son got that from me. He loves hanging outside with us.

Friday night goodness

Today we had an 18 mile run and it got hot really fast. I mean 85 degree hot. Yes this is November in San Diego. I ran with my friend Becca and we talked the whole time and pushed through the crappy parts of the run and talked on the good ones. We made progress but it was not perfect. Progress not perfection peeps. You just have to show up and understand that it is OK to be a beginner and that anything worth having takes hard work. Then just keep showing up. Happy Trails friends. 

Progress yes please

If you are anything like me then you are always looking for ahha moments. I totally heard something today that just grabbed me. It made sense to me in so many ways.  PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION. This is going to be my new mantra. Its about consistently moving forward. You know if you just keep moving forward sometimes taking baby steps and sometimes leaping its progress. I just love that. Yes, I love that it works for running and when your running for a really long time you just have to keep moving forward I can see how these word will come in handy. So there you go I am totally inspired by these 3 words they give me hope. We all need hope. 

A mini day trip ADVENTURE

Hi Peeps.. How is your week going ? I have had an easy week over here.  Driving my kids to school and doing laundry but I have been able to get my runs in even if they are short and a couple workouts in. Yesterday I took as mini road trip with my dad and Jack to Palomar Mountain. It is about and hour and half from my house so not to far but it is a slow 1:30 because it is a very windy road.( I don't like those roads ) Jack was practicing his patience and he did well. When we finally arrived it cost 7$ to go into the Park for the day and guess what we where the only people there. There was no one else in sight and ours was the only car. It was beautiful . The leaves are all changing color and it felt like a really good fall weather. When you live in San Diego you have to enjoy it when you can capture this feeling. Jack was so excited to get out of the car and run around. Let's go run mama.. 

The elevation was 5500 feet and it was 65 degrees. We saw deer and ducks. We threw stick in the pond and collected acorns. We crossed a bridge and smelled a pine tree and the best part was when my dad Jack and I where all sitting on a huge log and Jack held us both really tight and looked up at my dad and said oh grampa .. It was special for sure. This kid brings out the best in me. 

When your little a pond is awesome. He yelled at the ducks and he would look at the water and say two trees mama. I think he saw the reflection and was showing me the two trees. We hiked for about 3 hours. I definitely got my work out in because half of that hike I carried Jack. He can get heavy. 

My favorite picture from yesterday. My little boy exploring. I really can't complain about anything. I feel so full of hope and joy and when I see this it helps me look at our future in a soft light. I love how much Joy a couple hours outside brings us. I love that I get to show my kids the parts of life I feel are so important and in doing so they to will see the soft light that can surround our life. Yesterday was a really good day. One I won't forget anytime soon. 

3 things I am LOVING right now

I thought it would be fun to start of the week with all the stuff I am obsessing over right now.  I had a great run yesterday. 16 miles on the trails with my awesome friends and it was just so good. Yes, they had to wait for me because there all faster than me but I did not take away from how good I felt. The cold made it feel more adventurous than it really was but it was so fun. So holding on to that spirit I though I would share some other things I have come across lately that have made me feel this happy.
1. I found this great website ..Simple Green Smoothies 
I signed up for the 30 day challenge and I am really excited about fallowing along and making some healthier eating habits a part of my life. I even bought a new Blender.. (thank you ladies at simple green smoothies )

I went to Sedona a couple years ago to spend time with some beautiful woman. What we had in common is we all loved to create. It's was there that I met Rachel Awes. She was light and had a lovely colorful nurturing soul. Her art is truly magical .
2. She just wrote a book. The Great Okayness and you can her and her book here. Rachel Awes  . You know how in life sometimes you come across someone and they leave an imprint in your heart forever . She does that in life and you feel her in her books. I can't say enough good things about her so I hope you take the time to check her out and pick up a copy of her book.
3. I have been trying to not sign up for any races for next year because I have been trying to give my body rest time but that is not really working out for me. So I have been looking daily at ultra sign ups. I just want to look and see what if anything moves me and yesterday something did. It moved me to sign up. The Moab Red hot 55k   I found this video on you tube and I do not know the runner but it is a really good preview of the race course. It looks like so much fun. and I feel really excited about having a race to look forward to in a brand new place I have never run before.. I love adventures in new places. So there it is 3 things I am all excited about !!

Happy Acts

Today after I decided to go through my day making happy choices. I thought it would be interesting to choose to make all my choices from a happy place. I wrote choose happy on my hand and then did things that I thought would make other people happy. I usually just go through my day and even though I would like to think I am not selfish my day is mostly about my family and myself. Today was about my dad and some other seniors we met at the zoo. I know not a big deal right ?  but it was a big deal. He was happier they where happier and It made today extra special. Sometimes the simple actions get over looked but its crazy how easy it spread Joy. 

Mt.Laguna Trail Marathon Review

I am sitting here in my living room and I am still so excited about yesterday's race. First of all, it is hard not to be when this is honestly my favorite race. This is my third time running this marathon and every time it has been a great experience. I was not sure if they where having the race this year but as soon as I heard they where I signed up and told all my friends about it. You have to share stuff like this. So, next year if you haven't taken part in Mt. Laguna Trail Marathon, do it.
The race started at at 8am. How awesome is that?! I got to sleep in a little and I also got a ride to the race (thank you Jeff ).  SWEEEET!!! We arrived at 7:15 am and we had plenty of time to get parking and our bibs, go potty and take a bunch of pictures. Everything was completely organized and there was coffee and bagels. As I was walking around I could hear happy conversations. You know runners catching up and excited to run. For me this was the perfect race to end my running year. The race started right on time. Scott Mills counted down and off we went. 

I ran a long time with my friend Jeff. At one point I told him he was the rabbit I was the greyhound. He would run and I would catch up. I was afraid it was going to be cold but it warmed up really quickly. The air was crisp but the sun felt warm on your skin. The trail was really well marked. I never had a 'Oh no am I lost' moment because there was chalk at the turns and lots of ribbons to keep you on the right path. 

This picture was taken by the race photographer.

This course is not easy but I don't think I have ever run an ultra that I could say was easy.  The course is fun, challenging and beautiful. What made this year different was knowing all my friends were out there too. As far as nutrition, I had Tailwind in my pack and I had a GU every 7 miles. I had 2 small bananas at the aid stations and a small cup of ginger ale and that seemed to work just fine. I was able to keep my 13 min mile pace. I was happy with that.

My goal was to run faster than last year. I really didn't care how much faster but faster. So I knew I had to try and keep a 13 min mile pace to do that. That thought kept me motivated to keep moving. I really did enjoy myself and maybe it was the distance 26.2 miles but I was OK this entire race. I never felt tired and my tummy was fine. Yesterday I had one of those runs that reminded me that getting all my training runs in and working out make a big difference. I felt like I knew the course and I could compare last years run to yesterdays run and I just felt stronger. 

My dad and my 14 year old son volunteered yesterday and I have to say that running into an aid station and seeing my them felt so special. My son took this picture of me when I ran in. He kissed me on the head and said 'way to go mom!' ( I melted a little)
 The course ends with yellow valleys on your right and then a steady up hill at the end. As I was running to the finish line I saw my youngest standing there. 

I finished 5:45 minutes. 6 minutes faster than last year. I can honestly say that when I saw this little guy standing there with all my friends and family behind him well I felt like I won the big race of life. My kids, my family plus add a marathon ( my favorite marathon) on the perfect fall day and I would say I had the perfect race day. 

How cool is this a bunch of the Trail Crasher Ladies placed. Debbie won the female division and Becca got 4th and Julian got 5th. Congratulations Ladies. I have so much admiration for you. 

I love this picture. All those smiles are I am happy to be done smiles. A huge 'Thank you' to the race director Kathleen Baker and Scott Mills for putting on this epic marathon. The amazing volunteers who took good care of us runners. Congratulations to everyone who showed up run this epic marathon. Happy Trails 

Showing up is half the battle training is the other half.