Mayen Night runs

A little weekend adventure.

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We decided it would fun to drive to Arizona and do the night time Mayem run. It was about 16 miles but four of us got in my       mini-van and drove 6 hours to run in the desert in a full moon. The experience made me feel adventurous. We barely had time to stop so we grabbed a quick sandwich and made it an hour early.

I love running in new places. I really like running in sand and  I have no idea why. You could see the cactus flowers in the dark because the moon was so bright. 

Its great that there are other crazy friends that are willing to drive 6 hours with me to go experience something new. 

The Holiday half race recap

I signed up for the Holiday Half in San Diego last week of December. I had heard from a-lot of people that this is a great race because its mostly down hill and the weather is perfect too. 

I have to say it was awesome to just be there because all around  runners where dressed in red and green and the Christmas spirit was everywhere..  

This is what happened .. I met my friend Robert at the race . He kept telling me that he thought I could run way faster than I usually do. I didn't believe him but he told me to just try. All I had to do was try and keep up with him and how hard could that be. He believed in me when I honestly did not. I ran about 60 miles that week my plan was to go and run my usual 2 hour half marathon. I think that is a great time and its what I always do but Robert convinced me to push myself so I did.

We ended up running a 1:44... I know right !!! Lets just say I never really thought I could run that fast . It never crossed my mind to see what I could do.
Moral of the story.. We can do much more than we think we can. In my case I am so grateful that I surround myself with people who believe in me. A Big Thank you to my friend Robert for pushing me to try and now next time I run a half I will have to try my butt off to see if I can beat 1:44.... It was an awesome day.

Noble Canyon race report 2016

Race day arrived just as planned. My friend Daniel picked me up at 4 am and I was grateful to have a ride. We arrived around 5:30 am and it was so so cold and it got colder. I got my number 122 and I got some coffee went to the potty and waited for 6:30am. 

before you know it the race started.
OK I am going to be honest here. I have been really tired lately and even though I am getting my miles in I just have not been feeling it. You know the happy freedom you usually feel when you run and you find your happy place. Its been missing but soon to return I am sure.
For this race I decided my game plan would be this. I wanted to have a good time and just try to be in the moment and take in the course. I thought to myself lets just look at it as a 31 mile day. I started in the back and hung out with some awesome runners. They told me cool stories and this runner right behind me was wearing sandals and the guy in front of me was 72 years young. That's what it is all about for me. I love the stories and I love the people I meet. A huge part of the  trail running community is meeting super interesting people. I ran in the near the back about  12 miles and then I felt like I was ready to run a bit faster. 

It was getting warmer and this was not an easy course but I just kept thinking baby steps forward  G. The aid stations where so awesome. The volunteers took great care of us and they had everything you could ask for. I had amazing cantaloupe and water melon and some bananas and potatoes. They had ice for us and filled my water bottles on the spot.  Arriving at every aid station was a relief was such a nice break. There ready to help you and I always felt better leaving than coming in.  

I started feeling really good at like 14 and like crap at 22. Gotta love the range of feeling you get to experience during an ultra. I saw a couple of my friends and got some hugs. I saw the awesome Scott Mills then my thoughts went to how lucky I am. I will always envision him at Western States calling me into Michigan Bluff looking at me and telling what I needed to do to keep going. Then he patted me on the shoulder and said you can do this. It was one of those moments that just stays with you because he is a legend in this sport. You know the man.
I was tired and hot but just kept taking baby steps said hi to everyone and just enjoyed the myself. 

I knew my friends would be waiting for me and I was anxious to see them and ready to be done. This is a tough course it descends Noble Canyon and then Pine Mountain and Indian Creek Trails. You definitely earn your medal at this race. My time was 7:29 and I am happy with that. Happy I got to meet so many new runners and hear so many inspiring stories. Happy to see my Trail Crasher friends. It is always such a nice reunion to see each other after knowing we where all out there doing our best getting out ass kicked somehow.
 I met a girl named Stormy and she was all sunshine. I would say that it was a great day and a tough race and I can't wait until year.

Finding what makes you come alive is what it is all about and for some of us its getting to kiss a rat after a long day !!! Good Times

Saturday Night Check in

Hey you ! It is me and I am checking in. So whats going on with me.

I am feeling recovered from Noble Canyon..
That feeling goes with picture number 1.
So even though I love the long races recovering is a necessity for me. A-lot of sleep and more sleep. Jack sleeps I sleep. I also am doing my green homemade smoothie thing everyday sometimes twice a day and I am not sure if it helps but  I am drinking them.
picture number 2
 says I choose to believe the green drink thing helps.
Then there is picture number 3.
 I had the best run today. Yes it was so crazy hot and yes I forgot my water and music but I am thinking that is what made it so great. It was 7 miles and I was soaking wet but it was so good. It was one of those runs that reminds you why you love the runners high so much, maybe the only 7 mile thing made it nice too.
SO what is up picture number 4.
I am Nervous and scared about my last race. You KNow Cuyamaca 100k. I have heard so many scary stories about it. I have heard the second loop is so hard ,maybe the second loop is crazy hard. You know how it works when people tell you it is going to be really hard then only two things can happen. It is either crazy hard or it is going to be way easier than I think. I have never ran tho space before so that also makes it intimidating but and are you ready when I finish this race I will get my Grand Slam Jacket. Please do not worry I will do a how do I wear a Grand Slam Jacket blog post. So with less than 1 week to before my next 100k I will be checking in soon…I think I the runners high thing is still with me…. 

Dick Collins 50 miler part 1

Hi guys I made it. I am going to tell you half of my story today and I will post the other half tomorrow because I am waiting on those pictures. We flew into San Jose and the night before the race Jack was seriously unhappy. I think it was his teeth but having a crying baby in a hotel room is stressful so I got maybe 3 hours sleep. I was up at 4:30 am and my butt was at the start  by 5:45am. The race started at 6:30 so I had plenty of time to get my bib and go to the bathroom and get my drop bags to the right place. As soon as I got in line to get my bib  standing next to me was Dr. Gordy Ainsleigh wearing his number 0. It was really cool to see someone in there 60s that has been running for as long as he has who is still so passionate about running. This man has ran the Western states course 120 times. (crazy cool ) So the race started in the dark and I did not bring my head lamp and that was ok because there was so many people with them and the race starts on concrete for about the first 20 minutes and by then the sun was out. 

The really cool thing about running this distance is that I can talk when I run because I am running at a pace I can keep for 50 miles  right? I first met a lady that lives on the same street as my mother in law. She was really sweet and this was her first 50 miler and she was in her 50s. Thats so perfect. Then I met lady who ran up to me and said hey wanna talk ? I said sure and for about 2 hours we ran together. She was 20 years older than me and could kick my butt any day. I was and am so inspired to keep running and stay healthy. 

I took these pictures while running and there no the best but the course was so inspiring. I would look up only to see these majestic massive trees all around me. 

This race Dick Collins Had the best aid stations I have seen in a race. I know I haven't ran that many trail runs but these people where serious about there stations. They all had huge smiles and they were very excited to help you. I made sure to thank them all for being there. Its always great to see so many happy smiles when your out trying to run 50 miles.  I felt strong and happy and the hardest part was the hills. There was so many hills. They never stopped . Just ask my legs.

I just kept running and I did not use music. I talked a-lot with God. I did most of the talking but I felt heard. I knew I wanted to finish around 11 hours so I also did a-lot of math. I was so freaking happy..

I was at the top of world. So for nutrition I drank Trailwind until mile 25 . Then I started with a GU every 45 minutes and I had a banana at every aid station and I felt great. 

You could see clear to San Francisco. 

Its kinda hard not to be happy when your running here. 

30 minutes before I got to the turn around this guy I met his name was Rob told OK Gloria for the next 3 miles we get to run down hill lets go. It was so cool we ran together as fast as we could down hill it was not that fast but I felt like I flying with some pain but it was a great feeling. 

This was mile 25. There was a great aid station and good food and drop bags. I sat down and put some stuff in my bag and got up and started up again. I did not want to stop for to long I just wanted to keep going. It was a little warm but totally manageable.  

Lake Hodges Trail Fest

The Lake Hodges Trail Fest
I am running a 15k first thing in the morning and a couple of people I know are running the 50k. 15k sounds like a-lot of fun. Its a fun distance because you really do not get to tired. The race is about 15 minutes from my house and I will be staying to watch my friends finish the 50k. I do not think it will be to hot either. A very cool thing about running is you get to meet new people. I met this girl named Kate on a run about a month ago and we ran together for a couple of miles. She told me all about how she was training to do her first Ultra and this would be it she started a blog to write about her journey and just like me running is changing her lifestyle. Good Luck Kate.

Have a great Sunday and I will have pictures soon.

Noble Canyon 50k and me

I took this picture at about 6:45 am. I had already picked up my bib number #104. I also got some cool socks and a new running shirt. The weather was a little overcast but it was very nice to feel the cool breeze. My biggest fear was that it would get to hot. I do not do well in heat. 

Here is the starting line.. I can spot about 4 people I know in this picture. I thought it was cool that at 7 am they said OK..5 4 3 2 1 Start. There was about 150 runners. The vibe was really cool. Everyone was so nice.  It is unusual for runners to say "good morning" the day of a race but not here.  I felt so relaxed.. Let me tell you that I almost threw up twice in the car on the way to the race, my tummy was a mess.  I was trying to be tough but  I was so nervous that I wouldn't finish the race. Having other runners say good morning and good luck helped me relax.  The group of people that came to run Saturday morning are all good people. The first 2 miles where through the camp grounds.  I said good morning to a bunch of runners and settled in between two girls.  It takes me about 3 miles to find my pace.  So having a flat couple miles in the beginning was the perfect way to start.  I like to ease into a race.  I was so observant of all the other runners. There were all sizes, all ages, fast runners, slow runners all here for the same goal "finish."  Everyone just wants to do their best and run their own race.  I love looking in front of me and then behind me and what I see are majestic mountains and beautiful runners... I was in heaven.

It was a technical trail. Technical trails are narrow, dirt and rocky paths offering every variety of challenge that most people associate with trail running.  So I had to keep looking down to avoid tripping and falling on rocks. I ran a lot with my arms out to help me with my balance.  I didn't look very graceful but hey.. I didn't fall..  Along the way I had six GU's with me(w/ roctain).  I only needed 4 which means I was feeling great. I also had plenty of salt tablets with me and those would prove to be key. It looks warm in this picture but it was really nice.. There were only a couple times that the clouds were not covering the sun. This picture picture was one of those times.. Honestly the weather could not have been better.

This is how I felt most of the race..Happy to be there ..

It was beautiful out there. I prayed and I just felt so grateful. You know I spend about 35 hours a week with my sister. She has never walked and she can't talk or tell me how she feels.  After her operation last year she can't eat solid food anymore.  When I am out here in this beautiful canyon I feel really grateful.  Here I am running  and living my life. I always think I am so lucky. My sister will never get to experience anything like this and that sucks so I try my hardest with her in mind. 

Beautiful.. I never really got tired or felt bad. I did get a bad road rash on my back from the camel back in combination with the sport bra I was wearing . There were lots of aid stations and they had everything you needed. They even told you what you needed if you were to tired to say so. These people are trained to help you out. The second half was hard. It was mostly up hill but you just have to keep going and try not to walk to slow or sit down. I never sat down and I avoided walking as much as I could but I walked. I was surprised every time I looked up. It was so pretty and green. There was a stream and huge trees that provided much wanted shade. San Diego honestly has so much to offer. I kept thinking that I really need to bring my kids out here. This was and is an amazing canyon.

Here I am right before the finish line. I ran half of the race with my running bra undone because it was seriously chafing my back. I kept thinking about leaving my Nathan along the path because it stung but I decided to just suck it up. I knew I was about 2 miles out and I was so excited that I ran as fast as I could. My dad was waiting for me at the finish line.  He told everyone that is my daughter Gloria... so when I was running in all these strangers started cheering for me. It was such a cool moment..I did everything I could not to cry..

Here I am..Can you tell how I feel? Oh and by the way you have to kiss the Rat when you finish.. That Rat got lots of action..Yes I kissed it and it was a loud MUAH !!! Kiss

My finishing time was 7:37. That is what I expected. Thanks to the everyone who took the time to put this together. The organizers did a great job putting this race together. I felt secure and safe and it was marked really well.. I made some new friends John, Jeff, Mary and Cathy . I had a great time and I am looking forward to doing it again next year...I am so proud. I did something I never thought I could do but always wanted to do. I did all my training and it paid off. I finished!!! What did I learn about life during this whole experience???
Do not be afraid to work hard and dream big.  I did and I got a cool medal with a rat on it..

In less than 24 hours..

At this time tomorrow I hope to be done with my first 50k. My tummy has major butterflies. Here I thought I was tough but man am I nervous. I am going home now and I am going to get all my stuff ready..I am going to do my best and I cant wait to share my story..So send me lots of white light in the morning and I will do my best..
Ok I am off..Have a great day and I will check back with you soon...

Americas Finest City Half Marathon

This was taken yesterday morning before the San Diego A.F.C half marathon. It's about 6 am and we are waiting for the bus to take us to the start of the race in Point Loma.  Let me just say we barely made it on to the last bus.  It is truly an amazing talent that I possess.  I don't know how I manage to barely make it on the last bus year after year..

This girl was funny she called herself the photo bandit.

This was the view from the last bus as we pulled up to the starting line... Can you see all the little runners?

One of my favorite photo's... It's my dad and I.. I felt like saying wonder twin power activate, shape of Cheetah, and my dad could be Ice water.   It was already 77 and humid at 6:30 in the morning...

Here I am in a running self portrait.  I was so hot at this point that I kept telling myself think about happy cold thoughts.  My reoccurring thought was jumping in my dads pool after. I it was really hot. You can train all you want but when it's hot and humid it totally messes with your mind...  To make matters worse my head phones broke because they got too wet.  I just wanted to finish.  My goal was to finish in an 1:50.  Do to the heat I changed my goal and hoped to finish under 2 hours. I finished just under 2:17.

I was so happy to see these ladies. I was fore sure happier to see them then they were to see me..

Yeah..another half bites the dust..This was not my best but it was not my worst. I know part of the problem was my legs were sore from all the training I have been doing. My legs were tired from the long run I did the day before. The fact is after I ran the 1/2 i went home took a nap and ran 6 more... After the race my dad and I had breakfast. It was great quality time and for us that is the important part. I hope you did something fun this weekend.
xoxo
G

Tijuana Half Marathon

The Tijuana Half marathon was perfect. I first heard about the half marathon from an acquaintance at my Monday night run. I tried to find information online but there was nothing posted.  After several emails and a couple of calls I was able to find someone who gave me the email of the event coordinator. The director of the event gave me all the information I needed to sign my dad and I up for the race.  Upon signing up I had to set up a meeting to pay the entrance fee and pick up our bibs.  So get this... as soon as we see the guy my dad says "I know him, I read about him in the news paper..."  The guys name is Hector la Flecha and he was recently written up in the San Diego Union Tribune.  He has competed in and  won several marathons and half marathons that my dad and I have raced in. For example:

The A.F.C

San Diegito

The La Jolla 

and he recently won the masters at the 

San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon

The guy is so Cool..

So here we are totally excited, I felt like we met a movie star.

As you know I ran a 1/2 marathon on Saturday in Julian, CA so,  after a long nap, I drove to my dads. We had to be up at 4AM and at the border by 5:00. From there we took a bus across to the Starting line and by 6:30am we where running.  I am not sure if you know this but I was born in Tijuana Mexico.  I was running on the streets my mom and I used to walk when I was little girl.  I also ran by the apartment I lived in with my late Husband. The though of him made me sad but at the same time I talked to Roger (my late husband) and knew he was watching over me and cheering me on.  I could hear him saying... "Hey skinny what are you doing?" and just shaking his head.  It was not an easy run and I say that because I was tight and my legs were tired from the day before.  It was also hazy, hot and humid...  Despite the fact a ran a grueling race the day before I finished a respectable 2:03.  I was happy with that. They did a really nice job putting this race together. The streets were so clean and they prepared really well for this race.  I also saw lots of people from all over the world.. Tons of Kenyans, people from Colorado, Canada, Oregon and even Florida. They awarded lots of prize money and big prizes brings out big crowds.  Their award ceremony was so cool... One participant even won a new car.  In case you can't tell my dad and I had a great Weekend...


Til next time,
G
xoxo

Cuyamaca Three Peaks Half Marathon

My race review. I was actually scared and nervous to do this race. I think it's my lack of trail running experience that led to my fears.  The first thing I noticed was how few runners were in attendance.  There were only about 80 people running and I was one of them, how cool is that?  The scenery was beautiful and the weather was crisp, perfect race conditions.  There was a woodsy smell in the air due to a recent rain.  The course was made up of a single trail, along with a steady climb up Stonewall Peak and then came a very taxing downhill jaunt.  I felt great, I was never tired or hot, it was the perfect day for a run.  There was a water station half way, and a very nice lady filled my water bottles, and I was off.  At one point I was running alone and I was listening to Regina Spektor, I felt like a fairy in woods... so free and happy.  I love being outside and running through the woods.  I recently I stopped wearing my running watch so every time I asked someone "do you know what mile we are at?" I was pleasantly surprised when the told me "you are at mile 6, 8 and 12."  Not only did I love it but I did really well!!!  I was happy with my time but I was happier with the fact that I never got tired.  I had so much fun. I like this trail running thing a-lot.  It feels spiritual to me in so many ways...  As crazy as this may sound I have to get some sleep because my dad and I are running the Tijuana half at 7am.  Stay tuned and I'll tell you all about it..
G

100 Miles Later...

This weekend I woke up around 6 a.m. on Sunday.  I put on my running shoes and went out for a short jaunt.  As soon as I was done I hurried home and got all of our stuff ready for the San Diego 100.  My kids and I were on our way to Alpine to see our good friend Jeff (he is married to one of my best friends Charlene)  finish the San Diego 100 miler.  This is something I  dream of doing and completing.  I was so excited to be able to be there for him and his family.  I have to admit I was selfishly super excited just to be there.  Think about it, I know someone who had the drive and the commitment to train for and complete a 100 mile race.  It is both crazy and amazing to me.  I had that same feeling inside as the day I met Kelly-Rea.. You know that holy shit I am about to meet someone who is a hero to me feeling..  I was just so happy to see all those men and woman finish something so amazing.  It really is a commitment of drive, passion and love.  It was also really great to be able to see a married couple that truly loves each other!!!  Jeff and his wife Charlene have been married over ten years and they are such a great team.  Despite the fact that Charlene was worried about him running, she was waiting for him at every aide station.  She brought him food, changed his shoes and cheered him on...  He may have run the race but he was not alone...  I guess for me the best part was watching this family, that truly loves each other, was that they all pull together for Jeff.  It's so nice to be a part of something so good.   So back to the story... Jeff finished the San Diego 100 miler yesterday.  I stood there with about 10 other people just waiting to see him do something great and he did.  Although all his friends and family were happy to see him finish, no one was happier than Jeff!!!