Mount Laguna marathon 2018

This race seemed like a reach but last year I missed it because I was sick so this year even if I had to hike it I wanted to be a part of it. We started of on time 7am and The running of the 6th Mount Laguna was off. November in Cuyamaca is amazing. Its not to cold but the leaves are changing and its a beautiful. 

The best part is seeing everyone out there. Hugging your fiends and hearing all the stories from every ones latest adventure. The race was not hard but I was tired and my legs were tired from Javalina. I found a nice steady pace that worked for me and just stayed at it . I didn't hike to much instead I opted for a steady pace. I think finding a pace and staying at it is a great thing to learn to do well,  Slow or fast.

The medals are always awesome. There hand made.

I was happy with my time and I was happier I could jog up that last climb. This is my last race for 2018 and it was a great year. Everything about it was good. The biggest thanks has to go to my husband because he makes all this possible and he loves hearing about my adventures. 

Javalina !00 mile race recap

The week before this race, I felt like a mess. I was nervous and excited and had so many vivid dreams about this race. My daughter, Isabella,  drove 6 hours to Arizona with me and she was also excited to be able to share this with me. She was my weekend helper. This would be her first big 100 mile experience with her mom.
When we got to McDowell Park I was impressed by how well this race was set up. They made dropping off all your stuff really easy. The parking was easy and the showers and bathrooms were all easy to get too and clean.

we got our tent right away and unloaded. Bella would have one night of camping alone while I ran we set up her sleeping bag. Then we set up all my race stuff and the cooler. Teenagers need lots of snacks after  we drove to packet pick up about 20 minutes away and that was easy too. We ate a Freak Brothers Pizza hung around bought some T-shirts for my kids and then we saw Catra and a-lot of Hoka athletes. I got the number 46 because I am 46 !
After that we drove to Scottsdale  to our hotel so we could be back at the race by 5am. We fell asleep by 9pm.

Race morning went as planned and I was ready. The music was loud and the excitement was all over. I was excited to try for 27 hours.  That was my huge goal. That would take 3 hours off my PR and I had done the math and thought maybe I could pull it off. Plan B was 29 hours. That would still be a PR and so those where the numbers flying around in my head. Robert convinced me to start with the first group. I was nervous I wouldn't be able to keep up. Robert said to just do it and I did and it was great. 

The race start felt awesome. There was music the Race Director was our DJ. She did a great job getting everyone excited. It was a very different race start and I really enjoyed the whole thing. Runners dressed in costumes and techno was playing. I think it is the coolest race start I have been a part of. 

The race started and I felt great. A couple things I have been working on for this race. I started using carbo-pro for all my runs. I also have been cross training consistently. I felt great I told myself that when I finished the second loop I could listen to my music and I made new play list with Elton John and Kanye. I don't know why, but these songs worked for me.

The first 3 loops I ran with Robert. To my surprise I was able to keep up with him. I just kept a steady pace and we didn't talk we just did our thing. Slow and consistent. I kept waiting for the shit to hit to fan right?? I was thinking Omg why do I feel so good and should I slow down. I kept checking in with myself and everything was fine. Yes my feet where sore and my arms where tired but I felt great for 60 something miles. I ran the first 50 miles in 12 hours. I was doing the math and at mile 70 If I just kept it together I could have had a sub 23 hour 100 mile race!! Lets just say never ever ever would I even think I could do that. Why ?? All my 4 other 100's I have been really close to 30 and between 30 and 31. I know you do not do math while you run so even though I was doing the math my main focus was finishing and I think the numbers thing was a great way to pass the time. I felt so good at one point I had Rocket man playing the sun was setting my heart was bursting with gratitude . Big thoughts I had I am so grateful that I am healthy enough to run 100 miles fallowed by I miss my sister. Then I always go back to how amazing are my fiends and daughter sitting there and waiting with open hearts to help me. A good crew is priceless. I always think about how lucky I am to have good people .. Then I check in with myself. I do a full body scan. I always find something that hurts but pain during an ultra is always changing so when my feet felt so sore I just remind myself that in 10 minutes that will change..so just hang in there.

The night came and before I knew it..my wheels feel off. ( I was doing so well) I started feeling sick and cold. I was tired and the GU would not stay down. I was dehydrated from only drinking carbo pro and no water. ( what was I thinking) That was the problem and consequently my diagnosing skills where left at mile 60. The next lap I lost a ton of time but I also knew that my friend Colleen was  here to pace me. I also knew that everything I was feeling my friends where feeling too. Hey G your not alone in this suffering, this is not easy for anyone so just keep fighting and sooner or later you will finish. Any hope of sub 24 were put down to rest and now it was about keeping my shit together. If you ask my pacer I failed at that too. I am really so grateful for Colleen she took care of me when I was barfing and freezing and at my worst. Thank you Colleen and thank God for good girl friends that are patient and strong.
The sun came out and something in me woke up. Then we ran the last 3 miles in. Ran ran not jogged but 3 miles running.

My time was 24:57. Yes, 24 hours, 57 minutes. 4 hours off my PR!! That was at Western 29:56

Let me just say for the record that even writing that seems crazy to me. How did that happen? It must be all the training.

I had a full range of emotions. Next up? Sub-24.