Bonking on Peterson Ridge

Little clouds of dust puff behind Matt's every footstep as we make our way through the trees. The sun, now fully high in the sky, beats down like a blow torch and even though the humidity is low, I find myself sweating profusely. Beads of perspiration drip from my chin and splash on my knee. Just a mile into the run, I knew it would be a rough day.

When we found ourselves with a long weekend, on an actual holiday weekend, we wasted no time trying to link up with friends we normally miss on our weekday weekends. Steve and Michelle, community band buddies of mine, have spent the last few years trying to get us up to Bend to check out the trails. Home to a lot of professional athletes, including trail runners and mountain bikers, I knew the area had to be packed with some really good running. I was not disappointed.

Weaving through the trees on gently banked trails, I am surprised how fun running on mountain bike trails is turning out to be. We pull over several times to let riders pass. Since this is well-known as a beginner trail, we trade the lead back and forth with a group of girls who are struggling on the terrain and fall off their bikes a lot. This doesn't exactly make me want to take up mountain biking, I think to myself, it looks pretty awful.

In pockets of moisture on an otherwise dry ridge line, we pass clusters of gorgeous wildflowers. Every so often a panoramic view of the Three Sisters appears. I suddenly find myself jealous of the fact that each of these little towns has their own trail system right from the edge of the city, something my local area is just beginning to develop.

Taking a break at one of the rocky outcroppings, we snap a few pictures of the snowy mountains and have a snack. Even though it has been a low snow pack year, snow still blankets the high country. That just means we'll have to come back later this summer when those trails reopen. Darn.

It's not until our rest stop that I realize how sweaty I've become. It's like I'm hemorrhaging water. We decide to turn down the a connector trail and make a smaller loop. The trail connector is called Hello Kitty. Given my love of kitties, I decide fate is telling me to go that way.

Our return trip suddenly feels easier and it isn't until now that we notice we've been climbing gently this whole time. My dizzy bonk begins to lift and I'm feeling strong again. A few miles later the bonk returns, and for the remainder of the run, my energy comes in small bursts punctuated by an ever-mounting fatigue. This seems to be how moderate altitude (this run was 3,000-4,000 ft.) affects me: it's not high enough to force me to walk, but it's enough to make the whole run feel a little off.

This is totally my bliss face.

As awful as it is, I find myself enjoying the simplicity of the raw fatigue. When my body becomes tired enough, all my other thoughts melt away, starting with that silly pop song that was playing on the radio and has been stuck in my head for the last ninety minutes. I'm relieved to finally be alone with the sound of my own breathing and heartbeat, which are louder than usual given the altitude and my state of hydration.

So. MUCH. SWEAT.

We run out of water after the thirteenth mile. Our friends pass and offer some more. I take large greedy gulps from the Camelbak hose and sense a third (or fourth?) wind coming on. Matt and I split our last bit of food and then continue on back to the car. We manage to pick up the pace in the last mile and Matt zooms off ahead at his own speed while I try to keep him in sight. It always amazes me how my body can pull off a kick after feeling so drained. Sometimes I wonder how much of that fatigue is mental. My legs can keep going long after my head gives up.

15.5 miles, 2:37:33, 10:09/mi. 
(paused Garmin for snack break to take in view and not feel rushed, elapsed time: 3:05)
870 ft. gain.

Last Week: May 17-23

The locals call it June Gloom. Instead of basking in the sunshine and warm temperatures, our summertime is cool and cloudy. Fog spills over the coastline, packed tightly between the inland mountains and the chilly Pacific. Sunshine is scarce. We had about twenty minutes of almost sunshine today and then it promptly clouded back up again. This weather is perfect for running as I rarely overheat and if I get a taste for summertime, I only have to travel a few miles inland to find the sunshine again. The days grow light enough to get a long run in after Matt's day shifts, it's really is the perfect time to have long days on the trails.

Sunday: Run 12 miles, 2:07:02, 1,789 ft, gain; Strength work: Core, legs, shoulders.

It was a beautiful morning for a run and part two of our 31 mile weekend block. Matt ran with Jeff, I ran with Tanya. With my still injured knees, it was no surprise that I was strongest on the climbs. I took the downhill portions slow and mostly focused on not falling again. Can't beat the company. I missed running with Tanya.

Monday: Strength work: Core and legs.
Ever since Boston, my IT band had been tight, so I added back the hip and upper leg work. It seems to be helping. Fingers crossed.

Tuesday: Run 7 miles, 58:09, 8:19/mi. 236 ft. gain.

In between a few errands, Matt and I made a stop at the Hammond Trail for a run. I'm slowly adding faster miles back in and was surprised by how easy it was to dial the pace up when I wasn't feeling particularly energetic otherwise.

Wednesday: Run 7 miles, 58:33, 8:22/mi.  5 kitties.
Every once in awhile, it works out for me and Matt to run with the home-schooled group. They always pick the route and chose an extra hilly one with several steep ravines. They pushed the pace faster than usual and pooped out after four miles, so Matt humored me and we went for a few more. It was also the first day I was able to wear pants without wanting to scream. They were only super soft sweatpants, but it was nice to have cozy legs again. It is just not warm enough here to wear shorts everyday.

Thursday: Run 5 miles, including 6x440yds Goal: under 1:40. Strength: Core, legs, shoulders.

My first track workout in almost two months, and yup, I could feel it. It started off by me forgetting my inhaler. Then on the first rep, I was almost hit by a frisbee and the guy running after it. I got to the end of the repeat to notice my time “00:00″. I had forgotten to start my watch, that’s why there are only 5 reps listed above. Oh well….  Instead of focusing on a time goal like I normally do, I focused on strong form and regularly checking in with my knee. I enjoyed running fast again, it was the perfect length workout to get back into it.

Friday: Run 15 miles, 2:25:33, 9:42/mi. 1,331 ft. gain. ONE BEAR.

This was one of those after work runs. Straight off the edge of town, we can disappear for the rest of the evening onto the hilly logging roads.

Some parts are flat and straight, others are singletrack where we dodge puddles, erosion prevention berms, and debris. Even though it's not quite wild with all the human changes caused to the area, the lack of trees on the hilltops does provide some pretty spectacular views. Oh and I saw my first bear of the year.

Saturday: Run 4 mi, not timed. 12 kitties.
Four easy miles to finish out the week, I had to try and recover the kitty count. Even though my yearly total will suffer, I'd prefer not to see any kitties on the trails. :)

TOTALS:
Miles: 50
Kitties: 17
Bear: 1

Notes: Fifty mile weeks are my happy place. They don't feel hard and my body feels fluid and loose enough to be really enjoyable. More please! I loved that there was a little bit of faster road and track running mixed in. Variety is key to my running happiness. :)

Zoey: Three Months

Zoey sleeps peacefully by the window, resting so deeply that I notice her little kitty snores. I pet her head and she's startled awake. Talking in calm tones, I pick her up and we walk into the garage. She struggles in my arms the moment she sees her carrier. I've perfected the art of a sneak attack.

The same thing happens when it's time for pills. I come to her with the pill gun ready. Wearing thick leather gloves, I know she'll swat at me. She knows that I'll let her go once the pill tool is out of her mouth. She's come to trust that I'm not going to kill her and she tolerates it as well as anyone could.

Luckily for her, she knows that each pill is followed by a delicious treat. After I give her a pill, she jumps from my arms, runs to the kitchen, and parks herself on the floor next to her food dish. Wide expecting kitty eyes follow my every move until tuna or an acceptable equivalent is placed on the floor beside her.

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It has been three months since we began treatment. In those three months, she's gained almost a pound and her sleek glossy coat has returned. Her appetite is normal. She looks like a healthy kitty again.

Lab results show that the chemo isn't upsetting her blood. It's doing its job without making her violently ill like the human chemotherapy does.

Last week, I noticed she occasionally vomited up clear liquid, something she used to do before we started treatment. Much of her resting time was spent with her eyes open, just laying there. I could tell she wasn't feeling her best. When we went outside, she stayed close by instead of exploring the backyard as she usually does. Upon mentioning it to the vet, results showed that she had an elevated neutrophyl count, indicative of infection. We started her on antibiotics and within a day, she perked back up.

In some ways, it's nice that she and I spend so much time together. I notice little changes that others might not. I can tell right away when something seems off. On the other hand, it's hard because I see these little things, and wonder, "Is this her telling me that she's ready to go?" I justify it to myself, "she's been sleeping a lot, but yeah, she's a cat..." Even though I understand that we all have bad days and good days, what I'm most worried about is not being able to recognize when the bad days begin outnumbering the good. I hope that when she's ready, I'll know.....

Until then, she still comes running at the sound of the squeaky drawer that contains her brush; she still enjoys the occasional sunny spot; she enjoys waiting until the fresh catnip has dried just enough before she rolls around on it.

Summertime Gear Upgrade

I roll from bed and pull back the curtains. The sunshine that I've enjoyed the last few weeks is nowhere to be found. Dark, muted clouds block much of the light and I check the clock to make sure it's not earlier than I expected.

As I head outside, I pull open the door and am greeted by an icy chill that wastes no time eating through my pajamas. A light drizzly mist hangs in the air. It's not heavy enough to see but within just a few minutes of morning chicken chores, my hair and clothes are visibly wet.

Welcome to summertime on the coast. Sometimes I miss having warm summer days, being able to lounge around in tiny outfits while the sunshine heats my skin. It's the perfect temperature for running, but it otherwise produces a lackluster summer. This year I'm looking forward to it.

Fog and drizzle on the coast means warm temperatures inland. While we struggle to break 60F here, for each mile we go inland, the temperature climbs another degree. It's not unusual for places as close as ten miles away to break into the 80s. Thanks to some new gear, Matt and I are more willing to venture inland. Instead of planning my travel outfits to be bikinis layered with the most breathable of fabrics, I can wear what I want. I can now be one of those people who only knows the outside temperature by the thermometer reading on the dashboard. Yes!! We finally have air conditioning!!! Never mind that she's pretty and has so much more ground clearance and power than our Focus, I won't have to die in the sweltering heat while I stuff icy water bottles down my pants!! I'm so easy to please sometimes.

After a few years of saving like mad, we were finally able to afford the car we really wanted, one that can take us to the most remote of trailheads. We have yet to name her, but we'll probably have one by the end of Matt's upcoming long weekend. So far, we don't have a destination other than MOUNTAINS, but I'm sure we'll enjoy the drive in our very first brand new car.

Group hug!

For now, we're going to keep the Focus with the idea that we'll finally have the shuttle for a couple of those thru-hiking backpack trips.

"OH NO! Which one is mine?!"

Then when winter comes, we'll decide from there. Yesterday, Matt left at the same time I did. It felt awkward to follow my own car down the road. It's almost like seeing photos of myself from the back. That's what it looks like? After years of sharing a car and coordinating our schedules, it's oddly liberating to know I could just take off whenever I want without so much as a goodbye. I've never had my own car before and am just now, at age thirty, finally experiencing that teenager freedom of having my own set of wheels. Ohhh the possibilities!

Our friends say that once we go to two cars, we won't ever go back, but they aren't the ones squeezing two cars into a just-barely-two-car garage. :)

Sorry Thermarest NeoAir, I've got a new favorite piece of gear.

Intro to Trail Season!

The foggy mornings return. The garden vegetables bud. Wildflowers bloom, fade, and the green freshness of winter begins to die off as we head into our dry summer season. I swap out my clean road shoes for the permanent dirty look of my trail ones. Off to the forest!  Sifting through race calendars and training ideas, I finally settle on a plan, the one that will hopefully bring me a summer of great adventures leading up to the Siskiyou Outback 50K. Nothing brings me more motivation to drive the extra distance to the trail than an upcoming race. Here's the plan Matt and I agreed upon:

Click on the picture for a larger version.

A few notable things:

1. Numerals in red are club races. They are mostly in the 5K-10K distance range. I'll run all of them as a speed workout.

2. Marathon/half pace: I found it a lot easier to get into Boston training after keeping some shorter stuff at that pace in my trail season last year.

3. Intervals: I've got a few friends training for the Humboldt Bay Marathon and I thought it would be fun to work with them. I don't have a plan for each workout, but I'd like to try some shorter intervals like 200 or 400m sprints instead to shake things up.

4. TRAILS TRAILS TRAILS. Around here that means killer hills. So those 60-70 mile weeks will likely feel more like 90 mile weeks. Road marathon season is about improving my speed. Trail season extends my endurance. I'm looking forward to long days on the trai.

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Similar to my Boston training cycle, this one began on injury as well. I really need to stop running into things. Last time it was another car, this time it was that darn ground. Nevertheless, it's better to have a setback at the beginning of training rather than at the end so I took all the rest and easy days I needed and still ended up with a respectable first week of training.

May 10-16:

Sunday: Run 6 mi, including Atalanta's Victory Run 5 Mile Race. 2 kitties.

I didn't have any mental power for this race. Averaging 7:40/mi pace the whole way and then pulling out a 7:08 for the final mile proves that. I saw two kitties on the course and got to hang out with my favorite moms on Mother's Day, so I still had fun. Fifth place in 37:41.

Monday: Run 10.75 mi, 2:04:31, 2,047 ft. gain.

Matt and I scouted out the Grasshopper 10.5 mi course to check for washouts and downed trees. We found a little bit of both. Then I learned firsthand why my race course was nicknamed the Crash Hopper. Ouch.

Tuesday: Rest! 
I went to the doctor for xrays on my left arm. All was fine there, but he bandaged up my knees so tightly that I was unable to move and ordered me to keep them on until Thursday. Very sneaky there, guy.

Wednesday: Strength training: Core, leg lifts, and shoulders.
Matt had his birthday run with the home school boys and I felt a little left out watching them run off without me. I did pretty much anything I could that didn't involve bending my knees. I also spent the afternoon reading my book in the sunshine, so that beautiful day wasn't at all wasted.

Thursday: Run 5 mi., 44:09, 8:51/mi. 9 kitties. Strength: Core, legs, shoulders.
My first run back. My knees felt a little stiff from being immobile, so I stopped to stretch a couple of times. It helped restore mobility to my legs, so it was a good decision to get moving again.

Friday: Run 5 mi., 41:40, 8:19/mi. 4 kitties.
Foggy run on the coast with Rachel. I never get harassed while I running...except when the two of us go together. I took an extra long shower to wash off the smut left by creeper eyes.

Saturday: Run 18.75 mi, 4:37:34, 14:53/mi., 4,503 ft. gain.

Grasshopper 30K course with Matt and Lanore. Again, we were looking for problems with the course. We might have to move our first aid station downhill, but otherwise things looked pretty good. My knees didn't enjoy the steep downhill sections, but I took them easy and cautiously made my way down without a problem.

TOTALS:
Miles: 45.5
Kitties: 15

Notes: Other than the obvious setback with my knees, I had a pretty productive week. I hit the mileage I was looking for and got to check out both race courses, so I'll consider this a success.

Grasshopper Peak 30K course

Clouds and high fog hang in the air and I shiver as I reluctantly get out of the car. We dance around in an effort to stay warm and scare off the mosquitoes as our GPS watches sync to the heavens above. Matt and Mary have trouble finding signal and soon both of them are waving their arms in the air, trying to summon their magical tracking powers. After a few beeps, we're finally off.

With my trail race less than one month away, the main focus of my running this week was to reacquaint myself with the course, checking for washouts in the road and downed trees. We found a little bit of both. Hopefully my park ranger sends his trail elves out before race day or we'll have to reroute.

Monday's run was a tour of the short course, 10.5 miles, with a tumble in the middle. My legs are healing up well with no sign of lasting damage, but I'm still nervous as we set out. The 30K course is my longest run in over a month and I know that the hills aren't exactly gentle on my recovering knees.

We begin with a long climb. I almost feel like a jerk making my racers start out with a steep hill. Throughout the run, I'll find myself glad that I never have to race this route, it's a meanie. Instead, I get to enjoy it at a leisurely pace with my snacks and some good company.

Soon we say goodbye to Mary as she splits off to follow the 10.5 mile course. I ask her if she will be racing this year. "I'll let you know after I finish today," she replies. I would later come home to an email receipt of her registration, so she must have had a good time. :)

Now it's just me, Matt, and Lanore climbing through the chilly, damp air. We chat about recent races and our plans for the summer. It has been too long since our last adventure together and we spend the majority of our time catching up. Several miles pass quickly and we reach the first of three steep downhill sections. I trot cautiously, unsure how my knees will react. As predicted, each step produces an achy groan. Matt and Lanore look back once they realize they've lost me, concerned looks on their faces. I'm happy to report to them that my knees feel fine, it's just a little bit too much pressure on them so I'll have to take almost a walking pace on the downhills.

Lupine! I've been waiting all spring for you to arrive!

We scout out one of the crucial trail junctions. Any runners that miss this turn could be lost for a very long time. The trails out here are on brutally steep terrain and don't really go anywhere but in circles. Even though runners griped a little bit about having to carry a water bottle, it could take a few days for them to become unlost.

Lanore looking hardcore in her trail runner kit.

This is the right way!

The forest begins to thin as we begin circling the base of Grasshopper Peak, my trail race's namesake mountain. Brief views poke through the fog as we climb higher into the clouds through a burn area. This is one of my favorite parts of the course. There's something poetic about how the landscape recovers after a wildfire: destruction and renewal. New beginnings and the circle of life.

When I first moved here, the cloud and fog days used to sullen my mood, but after a few forest runs just like this one, I've begun to appreciate the beauty of this damp environment. Lanore says it looks like an enchanted forest. Nicely put.

My favorite shot of the day. 8.5 mi of the 30K course.

We reach the top of the mountain with little fanfare. Despite the fog's intricate beauty, panoramic views exist only within my imagination. The descent is steep at first and I spend much of the time taking little hopping steps rather than full running strides in order to protect my knees. The trip off the mountain takes longer, but another fall is not an option.. The doctor cautioned me about keeping my wounds covered and said something about "1+1=3". I'm not exactly sure what it means, but it doesn't sound good, so I hope I wouldn't have to find out.

The Johnson Camp Trail comes quickly. We weave around from one contour of the hillside to another. Now on a more gentle downhill grade, I find my stride opening up to its normal length. At the first sign of tripping hazard, I slow to a walk. It always takes me awhile to regain my confidence after a hard crash like the one on Monday. Last night, I officially registered for the Siskiyou Outback 50K, so I definitely have time to rebuild before the mid-July race date. I'm finally able to relax as we turn onto the next trail. Whew, made it without falling!

Back on the forest floor, we pass through fallen giants with cutout sections to allow a trail. This is the best part of both of the race courses. Bull Creek South Trail weaves through giant redwoods and under fallen trees. I love that this is how the course finishes up.

When you pass under this fallen tree, it's one more mile!

Matt and Lanore gripe about how the final mile includes a small hill. Climbing steeply up over one hundred feet, I snicker a little while I muster a fake apology. "I asked the park to move the hill, but they said no!" I told them. This is the only trail that connects back to the starting area.

With just one half mile to go, we arrive at the downed tree right in the trail. Compared to most of the trees that fall on the trail, this one is small, but it has fallen directly down the path so almost eighty feet of bushwhacking is required to pass. First you climb through the branches of the tree's canopy and then shimmy along the mossy trunk, teetering some five feet above the ground on a steep hillside. I need to keep bugging my park ranger about this tree's removal. Racers would not appreciate this being part of their finishing kick.

We arrive back at the car just in time for a flood of endorphins. I thank my knees for cooperating as we pile into the car and distribute rations of coffee, banana bread, and potato chips. Even though it was a little slow and chilly, I got my long-anticipated Lanore fix. Let trail season begin!

18.6 miles
4:37:34
14:53/mi.
4,503 ft. of up, up, up.

High Fives, Racing, and Kitties....OH MY!

High Fives
One thing I've come to learn is that spectating at races is a whole lot of fun and can be better than actually racing myself. After scratching my head and doing some serious internet research, I was ready to spectate my first cycling event. The Tour of the Unknown Coast is considered the most difficult century (note me and my fancy biker lingo) in California. We set ourselves up at about mile 30 of both the 100 mile and 100K routes.

A lot of our local riders are also runners. They loved Matt's sign.

Powered by way too many chocolate espresso beans and cheesy pop music blaring from the only station our car could pick up, I danced my way through 264 high fives (yes, I counted) and a full three hours of riders. I even got double high fives from some of the 100K racers making their return trip! All that high five training at Boston helped with my endurance at this event too!  ..of course the beans definitely helped.

C'mon now...who can say no to that?!

Racing: Atalanta's Victory Run 5 Mile

Atalanta Facebook page credit.

Okay, I'm going to say it: I'm glad to have a break from racing. The next club race is my run, so I won't be racing again until June 20. I'm kind of excited about that. After pouring my heart into a race like I did at Boston, I'm not surprised. I know my mental racing power takes the longest to return. Nevertheless, I ran the club's lone lady race on Mother's Day and enjoyed pretty much everything except the run. I finally got to catch up with some of my gal pals and know that it's okay if that's the only reason I toed the line that day.

Y. Kim, SRRC photo. 

Matt and I stuck around to help with cleanup and were rewarded with free ice cream and a handful of leftover blooms.

I love how they coordinate with the color of my kitchen walls too.

Kitties!
As weird as it sounds, I feel like I'm out of practice in counting kitties. I'm sure it has more to do with the fact that I'm running at a different time of day than I did during training, but it has been hard work to find ten kitties! Today's run, my first back after my crash landing on the trails, had the highest number so far: nine.

My legs felt a little stiff due to the scar tissue forming, but I don't think I have any lasting injuries. Yay. I also stopped to sneak a treat to my favorite horse while his buddy was dozing.

Then we took advantage of the perfect spring day and did our stretch and strength routines outside. Clove and Nutty helped Matt count his reps.

OH MY!!!
Matt turned thirty-four yesterday and we had a celebration. I'm pretty sure I aced his birthday this year despite not being able to walk very well with huge bandaged legs. He opened his present, a new running backpack, and was so excited by it that he forgot to open all the rest of his presents. We followed up with lasagna and cake and I earned major wife points by telling him he could eat the whole cake himself since I don't really like German Chocolate.

Have you ever spectated at a non-running endurance event? 
It seems like there's some crossover in the rules and protocol (stay out of the way! and interactive signs are the best), but I'd love some pointers.

How long does it take your mental racing power take to return?
Mine varies, but it's usually at least a month.