Ultramaraton Baja Trail

This last weekend March 17th I ran this race. In Tijuana Baja Calif. In Mexico. I just want to start by saying I was really nervous about this one . I had at least 4 people tell me how hard this race was going to be so I knew it was going to be a challenge but a new challenge is always welcome.
 The day started really early , I was up at 2 am and a friend picked me up on his way down to the border at 2:30am. The bus was scheduled to pick us up at 4:30. You would think we would have enough time to get everything done but we barely made it to the bus and then finding the bus was its own adventure.. By the time it found us we had walked 4 miles.

The race had 3 distances. My friend Louka ran the 80k and started at 6 am . The rest of our group  Kylee, Scott, Janell, Maria started at 6:30 we ran the 50k. So there we all are standing in the cold rain excited and ready to go. We all counted in Spanish and off we went. You start in a single conga line going up hill and make your way up a mountain. Then there was another and another. My friends did not lie to me this was a hard race but lets be honest whats the one thing that makes a hard race not so hard.....Perfect Weather
How can you complain when it is 60 degrees with a light mist. 

The views went on forever.

This is at the top of El Capitan. Getting up here was an adventure..

Seeing so many familiar face of friends I admire and call friends made the miles and hard work go by quickly. 

Another familiar happy face coming my way..

and another. Sometimes you run races and you know there are people you just admire and look up to because there so strong and have been killing it in this sport forever. There also so nice and wise and then You feel lucky just to able to share the trail with them. Even if your way behind them it is still special.

I loved the race and I didn't mind the climbs. You know how sometimes your just feeling it. I got lucky because this week I feel good and I went out at my pace and just ran my race and finished around 8:20 something. 

I really loved how the entire day unfolded. It was such great course and the rain all of it made it a special day.
I want to mention a couple things.. The course was so well marked. They did a great job marking it. The aid station and the volunteers so kind. They gave me hugs and food and so much encouragement . If you get chance to run the Baja Trail Maraton Just do it.
Be the girl who decided to go for it !!! That's it.... Happy running 

Day 3 and 4 Tahoe 200

Even on the third night, I felt overwhelmed by the beauty. My thoughts kept reminding me to try and be present: take it all in G. I would stop and count from 10 to 1 and take deep breaths. It is a good way that works for me to remind myself to come back to NOW.

OMG!! Let me tell you the story about this picture. I don't remember what it's called but I took this picture when I got to the top. Okay its about 6am and we have to run through the streets of  Tahoe where the really nice houses are to get to this trail head. We get there and I literally looked up and said, 'oh shit!' I remember during the race briefing they told us about this part of the race where you see the telephone poles. They told us you will have 3 false summits and it does not look like a trail but it is. You will have to go through bushes and pull yourself up by roots and just when you think your done you're NOT! I was so mad at the race director at this point. I was like OMG this lady is trying to kill us. I think it was the fact that I was tired and how freaking hard it felt. Then as I am struggling to go up I hear, 'on your left.' Just like that a 70 year old passes me. He just climbs up like its nothing. My butt felt humbled. In my brain I was being a baby and I told myself we don't have time for that G. It was at this point I started realizing I needed to step up. When I got to the top I took the picture, went pee and waited for Robert. 

I feel like after this climb this race for me got real. Robert was the perfect partner. We got in grove where we stopped talking and we just ran in rhythm. I started having serious foot pain too. My bottom of my feet just ached and I kicked a rock and tore my big toe nail off. I started with La Sportiva and then wore Hokas but they where too tight on my fat feet so I ended up running the last 80 miles with Salomons but by then my feet were gone. The best thing I could do to was just channel my pain away from me and go faster. Even though it hurt I felt lucky just be able to run and be in the mountains.

Robert was in pain but neither of us complained too much. I helped him and he helped me. He was amazing at keeping us on track and I only got mad once and that was because I am a slow eater and I hated having to eat fast at the aid stations. Robert got kinda upset because I took way to long for 2 miles but once he communicated what was wrong I stepped it up and went faster. After he told me we actually made up a whole hour. 

My dad was great he drove with me and crewed me. See how tired I looked. I think I was totally swollen too. Oh by the way this jacket by Ultimate Direction is not a warm jacket. It is a wind breaker. Note to self I need a new rain jacket.  This picture was taken mile 190 and I Robert and I had been up for almost 4 days. We had 10 miles to go but needed 5 hours to do it in because of the climbing that was coming up. I was starting to feel nostalgic and I missed my husband and I wanted to tell him all about this crazy race. I felt love for Robert because he was such a great running partner that made sure we never got lost. I felt grateful for my dad and Anthony and Cassie. They were so good to me while I ran. I felt so lucky that somehow with Robert's help we where going to make it. You know your out there for so long and it's like being in another world for 200 miles. I kept thinking about people like Scott Mills and what he has accomplished and what an inspiration he is for me. I thought about Angie Shartel this strong bad ass female Ultra runner mom I admire. She just had surgery and I know she is will come back stronger because thats who she is. I thought about people I have met in the San Diego ultra community and how much they mean to me. How there story had inspired me so much to not give up. I just feel so lucky to have found The Trail Crashers. The running group that took me in and let me suck and stuck in there waiting for me during training runs until one day I got a little stronger and I was able to keep up. I think I should probably just say I don't know what there is about this sport not to love. I had to keep myself from thinking about my kids because I was trying not to cry but I cried from mile 203 to mile 205. 

The Black Canyon 50k

I signed up for The Black canyon 50k . I thought it would be a great training run for Tahoe 200 . The weeks fallowing the passing of Chris I had no running in me. I felt guilty leaving my kids to go for a run so I stayed as close to them as I could. I was not happy because running is my happy and training for a race is what really keeps me motivated but life has been mixed up lately. The last two weeks I kicked myself in the butt and started running again. 

On Saturday July 21 I woke up early and drove 25 minutes to the race. Another reason I signed up for this race it's so close to home. We started at 6am. I had no freaking idea what I was in for. I thought oh its a 50k I can do that and we don't have that many hills in San Diego so I should be okay. BS
It was really hard and challenging. I got my butt kicked and it was just what I needed to remind me that I need to keep at it if I want to take part in this sport.
About the race. It was really well organized . The shirts and hats totally rock. There logo is awesome and they had Popsicles at the aid stations... The volunteers as usual where so nice and helpful.
The course was a bunch of complicated loops but the way they marked the trails was really well done. I did not get lost and there where so many ribbons that I never really freaked out about being lost. The heat and the climbing sucked and it went on forever and ever. The moment I got to the top of a hill oh wait there is another hill and another.
It took me 8 hours peeps !!! That is a long time but looking back this is a great race because your working your ass off. Your running climbing and trying to keep cool. All the things we look for in a good challenging race !!!

s

I felt a-lot like the green guy in the picture !!
Now its back to training the Tahoe 200 is in about 1 month. Yes, its going to be a great time because even when it sucks its good. 

Lost Boys 2017 race recap

The day before the race I drove up to Lake Cuyamaca with the plan of sleeping in my van. The sun was setting on my drive and it was devine. I don't remember having a more beautiful spring in San Diego in a very long time. As I was standing here I could smell the mountain flowers. 

I stopped one more time along why 79 to take this picture too. My thoughts where tomorrow morning at 5 am I will start running from the bottom of the desert straight up here. Man that is a long way !!

I was on the bus at 3:30 am. They drove us about an hour I think into the desert and  by 4:30am I had checked in and had my bib. #39. The race director had everything ready to go. There was muffins and I think coffee I am not sure. The RD for the race was there making sure we all knew what was going on and giving us some safety tips. The race started promptly at 5am. I decided to leave my head lamp because the sun would be out soon. This is a picture of the sun rising over the desert it was stunning. I was running with Robert and Mark at this point. Robert and I are running the Tahoe 200  together so we had talked about trying to hang together during this race to get a feel of how we would do. 

The morning is my favorite part f this race. I highly recommend the 
Lost Boys 50 miler. I mean look at this light. The start felt easier this time than our training run 3 weeks ago and that's probably because we ran it and got a feel for it. I am sure my  excitement had something to do with it. San Diego has such a supportive and just great ultra running community how could you not be in running haven. 

Here it looks hotter than it was . The weather was perfect not to hot and not to cold. There was the perfect head wind and everyone was still smiling. The first aid station I remember coming into Larry told me I was number 39 just like my number. I also remember they had the best potatoes I have ever had at a race. I had 2 and kept moving and talked about how good they where for a while. Robert was really good about not letting me lag. I think if I was alone I would not have been as motivated to keep moving and I would have taken way more pictures but nope I kept running along.
 I always run with head phones but lately I have been rewarding myself with music. This time I told myself when I get to Orriflame Canyon I will turn on my tunes and I am so glad I did because I was able to push and yes dance my way up the canyon. I felt like a lucky kid that gets to play outside all day with her friends while climbing the canyon. (while getting her butt kicked by the climb )  After climbing up Orriflame I started to get my second wind. I think it was all that NWA that got me going. I almost forgot to mention that Becca with Nutritiously Balanced helped me with my nutrition and that made a huge difference too. I never felt sick and I was able to keep my energy levels consistent. My expectation going into Lost Boys  was running 25 min faster than last year. That gave me a goal to work towards. Imagine my surprise when a man at an aid station told me your 5th female. I knew there was only 14 woman running and lets be real here in the past I am always near the back. I have never trained so much before and its true if you put in the work you get better results but better results for me would of looked like 30 minutes faster. This training thing really works !!!

I kept running and thought  to myself maybe you should try and catch the next girl G. My thoughts ... what do you have to loose  just run. I pushed myself and pushed some more. Than I passed 5th and then 4th and I had a fun conversation but  she encouraged me to keep pushing so I did. I ended up finishing 3rd female 10 minutes behind second and an 1 hour and 16 minutes faster than last year. 
 All my training with the Trail Crashers is paying off. I get so emotional after I run too. After this picture I gave my friend Becca a hug and cried.  This is such a good race if you love running challenging courses that take you places this race offers just that. Climbing ,stunning views all while getting your butt kicked.

I kept thinking of this quote during the last 5 brutal miles when I asked myself why are you doing this.
You can choose courage or you can choose comfort but you can't choose both.   Brene Brown

Pirates Cove

I was talking to my friend Phillip and he casually mentioned he was running Pirates Cove. I think he is doing the 12 hour run and so I decided it would be a great training run for me too. I have never done this race and it looks like fun. It is a loop course and a bunch of people I know will also be running it so yes I signed up.  I will be going for 50 miles. Time on my feet and I really want to do well at SD100 so practice practice practice.   Have an awesome weekend and I will fill you in the details on my next post.

Training run in the dessert

I slept about 3 hours on Friday night. Jack is sick and his coughing along with just being his mommy kept me up. I ended up getting up at 3 am I contemplated getting ready to run or getting back in bed. I knew when I sat up in bed that running would win. I have learned that when ever I hesitate on a run either because the drive is so long or the weather sucks or I just feel lazy that if I just get ready and leave the house I will have a great day! It usually works that way. I got up and made coffee got ready and looked at the forecast. It said COLD !! 40 and windy :( Then I pack every jacket I own just because having my jackets in the  car helps me feel more ready. 

Our run was the first 18 miles of the Lost Boys course. Can I just say it was really difficult. A total work out. My mantra when running really hard stuff is this is making me stronger. I just say that over and over and over .

We climber boulders that used to be waterfalls and we just kept running. Then I realized that for me this was one of those runs that you get what you put in. It was really pretty out in the dessert and the sky was bright blue. The weather ended up at a perfect 70 degrees . I got to see my friends and yes getting 3 hours of sleep having to leave my house at 4am and being uncomfortably cold at the start of our run was so worth it. This weeks run felt like an adventure. 

Saturday's training run

Today's run took place in Cuyamaca. We ran 18 miles of the  Orriflame course. It was so cold my teeth kept chattering. Last year when I ran this race my feet where in bad shape and running down the rocky Orriflame course was so painful and it took me forever. I felt running today was a big mental boost I felt way stronger running down and even though I didn't feel great running up hill that is okay because I just ran a 50.  This running lifestyle it is a very good one. Wishing you a very happy Sunday. 

My Lake Hodges 50 miler race report

I woke up 5 times the night before the race and the last time I woke up I yelled, " oh no I missed it I over slept."  My husband kindly told me it is 4 am. I think you're ok. I was nervous because even though I was excited to be a part of such a great event I decided to run it last week so my training could have been better. I know that I would have benefited from doing a couple back to back long runs but I needed just think about the training I have been doing and remember how well I know the course.
 I got to the race 30 minutes early and got my bib #245 got a hug from the race director Paul (awesome human ) then before you know it we where off. Right on time. 

A couple things I loved about this race. The weather  was perfect perfect. I wore a short sleeve running shirt and shorts. I didn't need gloves and I was not hot or cold . It was perfect. The trails where perfectly clean because of all the rain we have been having and everything was green. I felt great at the start. I was running 11 min miles and just stayed at that pace. I met new people and had some fun conversations. I was excited because the Trail Crashers where hosting an aid station 15/35. ( I get to see my friends twice) and  just knowing I get to spend all day running this amazing course Paul set out for us how could I not be happy.

The sun came out briefly and it was mostly over cast. (perfect running weather) There was also an aid station every 5 to 10 miles fully loaded. The aid stations had everything you needed. The course was so well marked (thank you Paul)                                                I felt good and happy most of the time. The hardest miles for me where 43 to 49. I was just tired and my tummy was not happy. I also know that if I would have dome some back to back long runs I would of been mentally better prepared for that I am tired feeling and my body would of pushed a little harder. 

 This was just a great day. I wanted to do better than I did in 2015 . I ran it 10 minutes faster and this is weird but I felt like I was going faster than 2 years ago. The difference is I ran at a consistant pace this year. Instead of running walking I kept it under 12 minute miles for most of the race. Baby steps

 The course is awesome. I was talking to this lady I was running with and she told me she does this race every year and the thing that bothers her is there is to much running on this course. I thought about it for a while and I think what she meant is that its a flat course. I love it ! I love the running part of this whole situation. I loved seeing so many familiar faces and the volunteers are just so good to us runners. I felt like yes the race director likes us he is making sure this race goes of with out a problem and thats what it felt like.

I was so happy to be done. My finishing time was 9 :45 thats my 50 mile PR.  A huge Thank You to Paul Jesse for putting on an excellent race. The voluteers for taking great care of the runners and my running group The Trail Crashers I love them there support makes me try harder and my husband for coming with Jack to the race.  

Weekend stuff

This weekend we ran at Lake Hodges. Everyone is tapering so there was no need to drive really far for 14 miles. I went to the wrong spot but eventually literally ran into my friends out on the trail. It was crazy humid but not to hot so the run was actually nice. We ran around Lake Hodges and it was nice to see so many runners out there and mountain bikers. Becca made cupcakes and after a couple of us went to breakfast.
I took today completely off and just rested and took a 2 hour nap. This next week I will just do short runs and the most important thing for me is I need to get to bed early. The older I get the better I run when I sleep at least 8 hours. That is not a bad problem to have. I love to sleep when ever Jack does. I have a busy week ahead of me filled with family dinners and a baseball game with my sister. I am really excited about saturday run .. Noble Canyon is so much fun because so many people I admire will be there running. I hope your week was good and happy times ahead..

Saturday's Story

This Saturday I was supposed to wake up at 4:30 am to get ready and be out the door by 5am to make our Saturday morning run. I did not hear  my alarm and I totally over slept. (bummer)
fortunately my girlfriend spent the night and she woke me up at 5am. I hurried my butt and we where in the car driving to the mountains by 5:10 am . I did not have anything to eat except for a cup of coffee. 

We made it there by 6:40 and lucky for me everyone was running late and the whole group was still there. The SURF group  and The Trail Crashers both started in the same place. We ran 21 miles. It was the first loop of The Cuyamaca 100k. I was really tired the entire run. I had already put in 60 miles on my feet for the week but I really needed to get on the course and get some miles in at altitude. OK so I totally sucked and it was hard. My legs felt like heavy logs. The kind you have to pull behind you. I even thought about hitch hiking back but I was honestly so happy to be out there. I don't care that I was in the back I do feel bad that everyone had to wait for me but my friends where there waiting. Happy to see me every time I caught up to them so they could continue running. If I had any kind of direction savvy I would lead the slow group. Oh wait I would be the only  one in it for the most part.
There really is nothing better than hanging out in the mountains with a bunch of people you admire. I feel that running in the mountains is a place where you can put away all the hats we have to wear as adults and just be free. A bunch of free adults running up and down the mountain with no cares in the world. We ended up running 21 miles and 9 where up hill. One of us saw a mountain lion (not me ) I got almost 40 thousand steps in for the morning. (so cool) I got to hang out with my friends all morning oh and please let me not forget one very special friend jumped out of the bushes and made a noise like a lion and scared the everything out of me. 

We will all be running Noble Canyon 50k in about 2 weeks. Wishing everyone an awesome week. 

Saturdays good time run

I woke up at 4am yesterday. I was really tired and as I sat up in bed and came too I remembered why I was up and then this feeling came over me of simple happiness. I made my way to kitchen started my coffee maker and then got dressed. It has been about 7 weeks since I went out for a run with my friends and fellow Trail Crashers. I was honestly thinking man I hope I still remember how to do this. It was going to be a hot day out and so I took lots of water and I chose to use Tailwind and V-fuel. I don't think I can a GU for a while since Western States. All I remember is how it felt coming up and not down. 

Our group run was at Cuyamaca State Park and that's about 73 miles from my house. I was in the car at 5 am and about 15 min early to our run.  I was so excited to see the gang. I missed them all and I know with the heat we are having there is no way I would of ran by myself . We started running at 6:30 am and it was a long hard 12 miles for me. I feel out of shape and I gained some weight hanging out at home but you have to start in order to make it happen. I had a lot of those moments when you just feel tired and hot but I really embraced those moments and told myself G your back here running . The little cheerleader in my brain was cheering for me. The group added 4 extra miles for those that felt like running more. I joined them because I was so excited to be out there. Those extra 4 miles kinda kicked my butt because I did not take enough water and I started getting a headache. I finished with a smile and I am so grateful that I got to run with my friends on Saturday.. 

The only reason I would wake up at 4am is to meet with the TC and go for a run. I needed up running 17 miles and it was hard but I loved it. 

Happy Trails friends. 

My Western States Journey

When we arrived to the start line, I kept looking at my bracelet. I kept telling myself: 'I belong here. I can do this.' I was crazy ass scared. Can I do this? Can I really do this? I kept thinking about the San Diego 100 mile race and how hard it was and how it took me 31:29. Now I am here at Western States and I need to take 1 hour and 29 minutes of my time.  REALLY?!

I got out of my head and looked around. Mike was standing in front of me and he said, it's OK you can do this. I chose to believe him.

Julianne was with me the day I found out I got into Western States. I asked her before the lottery if they picked me. Will you pace me? I have a huge admiration for women who are strong and I don't mean just physically. While inside, Robert was gone saying good luck to Ricky too. We went outside and with 4 minutes to go I saw Becca. I felt like I really wanted to see her and give her a hug because she was there with me for all our training runs. She knew this was my dream and we chatted about it for months now. You start training with strangers and before you know it these people are your best friends. You would give anything for them and that's how I feel about my training friends.

The race started and I was in the back. The very back. Here is the deal with me. I know what I can do. I knew I had to get up that hill as soon as possible and that would be at a slow pace.  There where 8 people in the back with me. I was slow but I was moving I could hear Becca telling me slow deep breaths and try not to hunch over. Breathing was the hardest part but I just kept hearing her in my head. Before I knew it I was at the top . I stopped when I finally got up and told the photographer Wow it is so pretty up here. He said don't worry you have all day to look at the views keep going. So off I went.

I promised myself I would not take more than 20 pictures. My speed has no time for pictures. I arrived at Red Star Ridge at 9:24am. It took me 4:24 to go 16 miles. My mind was blank this point . I knew this would be a long day and I just needed to go as fast as I could. At this point breathing was the hardest thing. I could not catch my breath.

Hello altitude.

The weather was awesome so far. I remember helping my friend Charlene crew her husband (Jeff Hooker) last year and the weather was so much hotter. I was so grateful it was not going to be that hot today. That made me feel lucky.  Honestly I really did feel lucky and grateful all day just because some how I got a number pinned on me that said: Western States : 126 : Gloria King.

With my husband and pacer crewing me at my awesome fast pace its safe to say there really was no time for pictures. This is me coming out of Robinson Flat. It took me 8 hours 15 minutes to run 29 miles. There was nothing easy about this course. Seeing my crew was comforting. This would be the only time during this race I would get to sit and that was for about 2 minutes. 

I moved along knowing that at Robinson Flat I would see my crew: Julianne, Mike and Isabella. I arrived at Robinson Flat at 1:15pm,  8 hours after starting. At this point I knew I was chasing the cut offs. I had told Mike I really don't want to chase cut offs all day. I don't want to be that runner but when I was there doing it I felt like: F--k it, I am chasing the cut offs that means I am still in the game! Yes, I am barely making it but I am making it so don't F--k around G. Just go!!

I find that being out there for so long this thing happens you end up shedding all the emotional crap. You are down to knowing the people you love. The people that love you back.

The next aid station was Dusty Corners and it was really dusty. I have to tell you about these volunteers. When I would run into an aid station they would ask: how are you? what do you need? All with concern in their eyes. They would surround me and ask me questions I did not think about. They filled me up with ice and gave me food and told me what I needed to do. The man at dusty corners, I think his name was Hans, told me we are at 38 and I needed to hurry and get to 43.  It's hot so take lots of water and ice and eat some watermelon. Then he said don't slow down. You don't have time for that but you look like you can do it. I thought to myself I can keep doing this 16:30 pace (my watch was still working at this point)

Next destinations were: Last chance, Devils Thumb, El Dorado Creek and then I get to see my crew at Michigan Bluff.

This was really difficult my thinking was this. G give everything you have aid station to aid station. Just keep moving and don't stop. If you get pulled you can look at your friends straight in the face and say I just did not have it.

This was my thinking as a very sweet 70 year old woman and I climbed up to Michigan Bluff. The flies where biting and I was dripping sweat. Then, to my left, is Ann Trason making sure her runner was doing OK.  I just kept walking and before I new it I saw Mike to my left and Julianne up ahead yelling go to the aid station get what you need and meet me down the road. I turn to my left and see Scott Mills I suddenly felt like everything was OK. He asked me what was wrong and I said I am tired. he gave me a small cup of coke (this is the first time I have had coke in a race) then he told me I had 5 minutes to get out of the aid station. 5 minutes?? Really!!

OK I ran out of there like my ass was on fire with my pacer. Maybe it was a slow run but it felt fast. So now I have Julianne with me. My mind felt recharged and I felt a  lucky that I got to have her for 45 miles. I had asked to run in front of me before the race because I wanted to consistently try and catch her. I didn't want her to run next to me . I love to talk and I needed to run. We had a really good time. I threw up about 20 times. I felt crappy but I just kept going. When we got to Forest Hill School, Mike brought me a red bull and I drank the whole thing I was happy to see him even if it was for 2 minutes. Then I also saw my friend Mark and that was so nice too. I was happy and ready to keep going with my pacer.

So, some perspective. It's now mile 62 and 11:26 pm. I was at the Forest Hill aid station for 1 minute. I had been running for 18:29.
I was cutting it close. Very close.

Julianne and I kept moving and she would tell me that was a good mile G. When I would say I was tired she would say can you believe we are running Western States. We are running Western States. I knew what she meant and I would think put on your big girl panties G and follow that girl. Our conversation was about getting to Rucky Chucky and how exciting that would be. To get in the water at 4am. I was worried I would be cold. Oh, and I forgot to tell you I actually carried my pack backwards for about 15 miles. I have an Ultimate Direction pack. Its great but my back was killing me so I put it on backwards and it gave my back a break so I just kept it that way until we arrived at Rucky Chucky. Then I took off my pack. Mike had my smoothie and I had a coke. (Coke during ultras are a great idea) I took of my watch and everything else . I picked up one water bottle and my small waist pack and I traded head lamps with Mike. Mine was fading. I felt light leaving the aid station and excited to go in the water but not as excited as Juliane. She was so excited. The water was freezing but across we went. The next part would be painful. My Hokas were freezing and running with cold shoes made my feet hurt so much. I complained to Julianne about my feet but what could we do. We continued to run/walk up hill for a while. So now we need to go from 78 to 93. I had a coke at every aid station and Julianne would get me to eat bananas and potatoes with salt. I thought about how much my mom loves baby Ruth's and then went on to think about my mom and sister. Carmen was with me at this race there is no doubt in my mind. I felt her with me. I felt her so close to me I could see her.

When we finally arrived at Hwy 49 at 8:56am, I heard Mike yelling. He told me you have to keep it under 17 minute miles to make it. I didn't know but I only had a time buffer of 6 minutes. I was cutting it close and there was not much left in my tank. I really felt like I was running on empty. Julianne and I ran through these beautiful meadows and I could feel myself coming to end. I prayed please let my finish and then I decided that my mind was in charge and over and over I told my legs to keep going.

When I got to Robie Point (mile 98.9), I felt it was over. I lost control of my breathing and I felt like I had nothing else to give. Julianne looked at me and told me she could see in my eyes that I had the strength to finish. If she believed I could do it then I would try a little bit more.  This is the part where I get crazy and started to look and lean to my left. In my state of zombieness, I see Fern. This guy is a crazy fast, fun, and out-going runner. We just met but he always makes me laugh. Anyway, out of nowhere, I see him and he starts yelling at me to move. I guess I only had a couple of minutes and I needed to do more than drag my feet. I can hear my daughter somewhere and more Fern. I tried so hard to listen to what he told me. Swing your arms back and forth Gloria. See when you have good form you move so much faster. He poured water on my head many times. Then I saw Becca telling me to breathe. My mind was trying so hard to listen but my body just had nothing left.

From somewhere inside, I copied the way Becca told me to breath and tried walking like Fern told me. I really felt drunk like I had no control but I was willing myself to finish. I knew I had a little bit of time left so I tried to jog as I swung my arms like a crazy person. My tounge is hanging out I have lost all composure but I was moving toward that finish line with the help of my friends. I saw Mike holding Jack right before I went into the high school  track and I just kept willing myself to move. My legs felt like jello and I could see Julianne to my right and Becca to my left. I remember thinking: 'ok I am on the right track, that's good.' I finally made it over the finish line and it was not graceful. Even that last step took every bit of will power I had left in me. I had nothing left. Nothing. The Western States course took it all and I was ok with that. 

So I crossed the finish line in 29:56 (only giving up 2 minutes from Hwy 49). It took every bit of everything I had and that's perfect because thats what I came to give. I am still in  disbelief that I some how  earned a buckle with my name on it. The best part was seeing my kid's faces and my husband's face, I made them proud. I feel proud of myself for showing up and really giving my all.

The moral of the story is this: if you have a huge dream and, believe me this was huge for me, do the work and keep at it. Even if you're not the fastest or the smartest or the anything. If you work hard for something, really hard, your chances of achieving your dream become possible. But you have to want it and you have to work hard for it. It's that simple. 

Monday Mood

I read the best quote :Stories have to told or they die. and when they die ,we can't remember who we are or why we are her.
Sue Monk Kidd
This is one of the reasons I keep this blog to remember. This weekends long run was emotionally draining just to get too. I got up and started on my way and next thing you know I am all tears. I just felt sad all over. I got there just in time and before I knew it we where running. We started with an easy 12 miles toward Raptor Ridge and I felt fine my legs felt happy to be moving and before you knew it I was just having a good time with The Trail Crashers enjoying our Saturday run. It is so weird to know here I am running and my sister is gone.
I really need to get my ass in gear again with less than 7 weeks until  Western States I just need to get all my runs in. The weather was awesome Saturday Cloudy with a chance of rain. We did another 10 miles the other direction and called it a day at 22 miles. Becca does a great job getting the group together and it was a big turn out. Running is a great way to clear your mind for a little bit. I am loving my Lost Boys shirt. I am so proud to be wearing it. Literally I NEVER thought I would get the point where I would be able to finish a race like that one.  You have to try it if your love a good challenge and beautiful scenery. Last week I ended up with 40 miles. Life happens and so I am OK with it. This week is already looking better . I got 2 work outs in today and it should be a 70 mile week including the PCT 50. That's Saturday race. I plan on taking that 50 mile race as a training run for WS. Last year I ran it in 11:45 so I would like to the same or better considering I think my legs are still tired for Lost Boys.  Whatever happens I will share. 

Lost Boys 50 mile race report

 I woke up at 3:15 am on Saturday morning. I rented a cabin about 10 minutes away and asked a friend - fellow runner( Jonathanelo Fields and his crew Jeranimo)  if I could get a ride with them to the start line the Anza Borego Desert Floor. I was really nervous and scared about the weather conditions. We got the the start line at 4:30am and the wind was so crazy you could feel it pushing  the car. I opened the car door and was literally pushed by the wind and yes it was cold. It was so windy one of the porta-potty flew over.  I was  worried about being cold so I decided to that the thing to do would be look at this as a off road running adventure and dress for the adventure ahead. I wore 3 shirts. A tank top and a short sleeve and a long sleeve. (it was honestly cold)  Then I got a little excited about the conditions once I was able to change the way I saw the race I was OK and I saw a -lot of other crazy running friends and that settled my nerves too. Hey I was not alone in this craziness and as soon as we started I just thought about how much I love this and how I had all day to share this run with my sister and I was golden. I was super impressed with how well the trail was marked. There where multiple orange ribbons for every turn. As soon as I knew I was not getting lost I was able to just run and focus on the day ahead. It was a beautiful challenging course.

This time of year there was so many flowers in bloom in the desert. I had to stop and take pictures. So here we are running pre dawn. So its dark but not to dark and then about an hour into my run I passed a mountain on my left and the sun slowly came out. It was amazing. I was feeling great and stoked to be out there. After all the day was just beginning. 

So these picture really do not do this course justice. It was magnificent. I saw Paul Jesse and his crew at the first aid station and you really don't need much at this point but it was so nice to have him say Hi Gloria with a smile. I did not need anything so I just kept going.  There was this really cool part of the course that you have to climb. That was awesome. We ran through all theses desert washes and mountain valleys. 

Now we had about 18 miles of Jeep road and 28 miles of trail and It felt we went up hill forever and ever. The aid stations where awesome . The volunteers got you ready quickly and everyone was happy to see you. I felt great the whole day. I thought I would run it in about 12:30 hours. Becca Roan was my crew and I saw her at the two most important aid stations. She gave me clothes and a new pack with water. I thought to myself this is what it must feel like if your a serious rock star runner. It was awesome and she was a great friend and crew all in one. Robert was my pacer and we started running together at mile 30. This was the second time I had a pacer and what I felt was this new excitement to talk and share my race with my friend. It was awesome. I was really not paying as much attention at this time because I was tired . I ran in front of Robert and 3 times he saved my butt from getting lost. This was because I was tired and just did not see the orange ribbon poking me in the face. Once again I was so grateful to have a friend who was willing to run in the cold with me for 20 miles just because. Thank You Robert Pardy ! The last 5 miles where really painful because my biggest problem are my feel. They hurt so much when I run on rocks. I took some aleve but my feet just hate rocks so I took my time trying to find the softest rock. ( there are no soft rocks ) I would say besides that I had a beautiful day. I felt like Carmen was with me. I could picture her flying along side me. I told her I loved her and it was nice to be out in nature feeling tired and knowing she was my companion. This race was seriously awesome !!! I want to do it again but next year !!!! This was great training for WS