someone stole my legs

Last week was brutal. exhausting. only managed 34.

what else can i say?

check it out

If you haven’t already, check out my coach at http://www.whereskarl.com/

Pretty great site and very exciting stuff he is doing!! And my race, the North Face Endurance 50 Miler has sold out. (and all other distances that day)!!! Who-Hoo!!

today’s motivation

It doesn’t matter how much you want. What really matters is how much you want it.

-Ralph Marston

East to West Part II

I woke up a bit late on monday and promptly put on running clothes and headed out to Red Rock Canyon. I didn’t know what to expect except that it would be hot and lots of sun. Well, the desert does not disappoint. I began the run at 8am in 85 degrees and climbing temperatures. Just 30 minutes away from the vivacious and bubbling las vegas, but one would never know it. The vastness of the land and the enormous red rocks that surrounded me was breathtaking and heart-stopping. Nothing around but pure beautiful earth. 

After getting some directions from the visitor center, I headed out for the run. it sure didn’t look too challenging at first glance, but, wow, was i in for a surprise. The trails were extremely technical and at many places, tough to run. My time out there became more of a run, hike, walk due to the terrain and the relentless heat. I kept negotiating time to look around at my surroundings and take it all in and then pay attention to my footing as it would have been far to easy to take a nasty spill. There were no other runners out there. No hikers either. Just me and the rocks; pretty damn cool. I only last 1 hour out there and then decided i could run again later in the evening. 

After getting back to hotel, eating and hanging out by the pool, i was ready for another run. This time i went into the spa/gym and ran on treadmill. a great reprieve from the heat. 

Tuesday morning I woke up earlier and was able to get out by 7am. It was still 85 degrees! dry, dry, heat. I ran 5 miles in and around the LV strip. A good way to start out the day and good running days to begin the week. I would finish this week at over 40 miles total, which I think is a first for me. 

July 20: 1st run am = 9 miles/1:30/10:00 pace; 2nd run pm = 2.5 miles/24:10/9:40 pace – treadmill

July 19: 9 miles/1:27/9:40 pace – very hilly

July 18: 2 miles/18:17/9:06 pace – treadmill

July 17: 3 miles/30:00/10:00 pace – 6am 

July 15: 5 miles/48:56/9:47 pace

July 14: 1st run am = 6 miles/1:12; 2nd run pm = 4 miles/38:37/9:39 pace

TOTAL = 40.5 miles

East & West Part I

Last weeks runs were good, just not quite enough. The trail run last Saturday was awesome. Went out with my buddy, SL, and we did the Kennesaw 10 mile loop. This is never an easy trail and I’m happy to say I made the full 10 without stopping or walking up any of the tough climbs. First time in years that I did this! Felt great!

As mentioned, I left for Vegas Sunday morning. Well…I was SUPPOSSED to leave in the morning. We got stuck on the plane due to a thunderstorm. We were stuck sitting on plane for 4 hours! Not the best way to begin my mini-mini vacation, but what could I do? Nothing!! Well, after another 4 hours on the plane to the desert city and another hour or so to get my rental car, etc…I finally arrived at the hotel! Pure luxury for 2 nights!! It was fantastic. The sucky part was that I didn’t run after getting settled in like I had planned. After mother nature and luck took away about 5 hours of extra vacation time, i was too wiped to try to run. I figured I would go hard on Monday.

July 12: #1 Run = 10 miles/1:44/10:24 pace – Kennesaw Trails #2 Run = 5 miles/48:37/9:43 pace

July 10: 5.5 miles – treadmill swimsuit run

July 9: 3 miles/28:24/9:28 pace

July 8: 5.5 miles/9:26 pace

TOTAL = 29 MILES

westbound

tomorrow morning i leave for a short trip to las vegas! am pretty psyched. staying at  http://www.bellagio.com/ & hoping to run 2 days at http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/

proper attire?

I went to the gym last night after leaving my office. As I was changing my clothes, I realized I did not have my running shorts in my bag. OOPS. I usually forget something like socks or sports bra, but never the shorts. Well, what’s a girl to do?

I noticed my swimsuit was in the bag and thought I could just run in it with my running shirt on top. So, that’s exactly what I did.

I have to say, I kinda felt a little like Lori Bowden!! (hee hee)

Daily Inspiration

The Badwater Ultramarathon begin on Monday July 14th. What more inspiration could you possibly need?

http://www.badwater.com/

a quote to share:

“Turtles have taught me this: Do all you can and don’t worry about the odds against you. Wield the miracle of life’s energy, concerned only that whether we fail or succeed we do so with all our might. That’s all we need to know to make our efforts worth our while on Earth.” – Carl Safina, Voyage of the Turtle

rain, pain, and a mystery ghost

saturday and sunday back to back double digit runs. sunday started off about 80 degrees and high humidity. around mile 5, a terrific thunderstorm hit and i got drenched. happily so. snot was hanging from my nose along with rainwater. i could not see much out of my eyeglasses. i just kept chugging along. it was pretty awesome, actually. both days i took on hills; hill after freakin’ hill. my legs were begging me to stop…but i just couldn’t. 50 miles…the goal is 50…the dream is 50…keep going.. about 5 minutes to go in today’s run and I was in a complete and thunderous downpour and i mean THUNDEROUS. the sky was crackling. every inch of my small frame was drenched and cool. i threw my head back and sucked it all in. the moment. and then, BAM! A huge, thundering, crackling, noise and some sort of fire illuminated in the skies. It was so freaking loud, i jumped about 2 feet and was frightened. a car alarm went off. I hurried my last 2 minutes and got my butt inside the house. sheesh. here’s the week’s breakdown:

July 1: 5 miles/48:10/9:38 pace > treadmill

July 2: 3.7 miles/36:30/9:51 pace

July 3: 4.3 miles/43:19/10:04 pace

July 5: 10.67 miles/01:47/10:01 pace > outside/hills

July 6: 1st run = 11 miles/01:51/10:06 pace > outside/very hilly; 2nd run = 3.5 miles/34:01/9:43 pace > treadmill

weekly total = 38 and change. YES!