WESTERN STATES 100 HIGHLIGHTS -- PART I

There were so many things about the race and my entire experience that were just fabulous. I don't have a lot of interesting things to say generally so I'm going to blog this stuff for all its worth. :-) The first highlight in this series is that I had my feet fixed at the Placer High track by the author of one of my favorite books, Fixing Your Feet. None other than John Vonhof ended up being the kind man who patched up my ouchie feet -- and I was simply star struck. The entire Western States experience is very princess-y, with rock star treatment at every aid station by everyone and their brother. This was really a cherry on top (there were others too but this was definitely one of them). Ted suggested I leave the bandages on forever or use them as a bookmark in my "Fixing Your Feet" book, but I thought that might be gross. Anyhow, this was pretty cool.

Quickly checking in

I "timed out" at mile 70.7 of the Western States 100 after my feet were such a mess that I was hurting too badly to run. I tried to get them fixed in Foresthill, which seemed like it was going to work, but it was just far too uncomfortable to continue. I'm really disappointed right now but will get over it. I'll give a fuller report later. The upshot is that although my feet are still a mess and it's tough to walk on them, I'm ok.

BUSY WEEKEND

Saturday was the second running of the Herron Hustle, a fundraiser/awareness raiser I put on for Foys to Blacktail Trails. It went pretty smoothly, except for the fact that 5 people took a wrong turn and got lost. The turnout was decent and I was overall pleased with how it went. I had great volunteers and the people who do this run seem to be mellow easy-going sorts.

This morning I did the swim portion of a local sprint triathlon. Deb did the bike and Ruth did the run. We had a lot of fun and took second place for the teams. The swim was supposedly "long" so a little more than half a mile -- in 21 minutes. Not bad.

I need to pack drop bags and pack for my trip, but for some reason I can't bring myself to get started. So much to do!!!

I got to open my birthday present from Ted tonight! Is it bad that I can't wait for winter?

Getting Antsy

First of all, is that a cute hat or what? Deanne, Chris' wife, made it for me. I'm so excited to have my own cute hand-knit hat. And it's absolutely perfect for summer mornings/nights around here. And, it worked well for yesterday's heat training session. I had to drive the car to pick up the CSA veggies so I wore long pants, a fleece and a hat -- and turned the seat warmer and heat on. It was pretty miserable.
Leanne and I marked the Herron Hustle course and I left my fleece on as long as I could stand to. I am awful at this approach to heat training. Even when it's plain hot your skin gets to breath air. I think that Saturday-Tuesday I will do hour long sessions in the sauna in effort to cram in some last minute heat training. I'll suck it up and make time to go to the gym. I'm beginning to get afraid that I'm setting myself up for disaster by forgetting some critical preparation.

What I'm really most afraid of, I realize, is letting myself down. I think that's what these adventures really come down to, aside from the fact that they're mostly fun. I challenge myself to see what I'm really made of. Which is a little perverted since I consider myself to be, at least, strong enough to get through life without drama and chaos. I've endured things much tougher than a really long run. And, I did this before (100 miles), so what must I prove to myself this time??? I'm not too sure. What I do know is that I just can't let myself down.

Back to being antsy: I am pretty consumed by picking out my outfit. It's down to this: Pabst Blue Ribbon tank top, wool 1 patagucchi (peachy colored) or Headlands 100 shirt? Tough decisions.

I need to heat train for Western States. . .

Sunday Ted and I took the pups for a hike to Strawberry Lake. The dogs were so happy to find snow to burrow in.
The lake was also extremely pleasing to the dogs. I wore my Vibram Five Fingers on the hike and found them to be wonderful -- and great for the lake. However, my feet did get cold standing in the snow. They are not a winter shoe.

I am getting insanely excited for Western States. For one thing, I can't wait to see Cheryl. It has been a year! Second, it will be fun to see all my other runner friends out there. Third, THE RACE OMG OMG OMG OMG! It has been too long since I've experienced that level of fatigue and exhaustion. Also, afterwards we get to hang with the Joanna/Kale family and the David/Ellen family. Old friends cant't be beat.

Also, I can't remember if I told you, not that you necessarily care, but my number for WS is #163.

Tom Update and Rainbows

Tom came to see us before our run this morning. There he is with Deb. He seems to be doing well. They will soon close up his wounds and let him heal. The bites themselves weren't as debilitating as the ongoing surgeries to clean them out. He's also getting antibiotics through an IV pretty frequently. I think he'll be glad when he's healed up. The doc thinks he'll be back on the trail in a month or so.

In other and sad news, Dr. Deb's sweet doggie Pecos passed on after a short battle with cancer. Poor guy. He had a nice 14 years though. It's hard to say goodbye to our faithful furry friends. So, for Deb and Pecos, I'm posting this cheezy but sweet story about what happens to our pups:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

EDITED: OH *&(*&$ the trail was closed because Tom, who we were supposed to meet up with but couldn't find, was looking for us and was mauled by a grizzly bear. He's ok though just has a bunch of puncture wounds. And he forgot his bear spray. It sort of makes this blog post not so funny. . .

ANOTHER FABULOUS WEEKEND

our life is great

First and foremost, some pictures of the bookshelves Ted built all by himself. Tom loaned us his table saw and I think some other tool thingies and Ted built incredibly nice shelves. I'm so impressed. There's even a secret door that I can't open. Yay Ted!
Saturday I ran (ok hiked) up Columbia Mountain. I wasn't feeling very well and just couldn't do the 30 mile thing. So I did Columbia Mountain and decided I'd go as far as the trail was clear and turn around at snow. 5 miles, 4,000 feet later, I hit snow. It was surprising that I made it up to 7,000 feet before the trail was totally covered. A guy I'd seen earlier encouraged me to follow in his bootpacked footsteps and go all the way to the top, but I get nervous on slippery snow on top of mountains -- especially alone. So I ran back down the mountain and got some Taco Bell. I think it has been at least 5 years since I last ran for the border. It was salty fatty good.

Sunday Callie and I ran in the park (Glacier National Park). The high country is still socked in with snow but some of the lower atltitude trails are clear. We started at Lake McDonald Lodge and ran up this trail that's so incredibly soft and bouncy and carpeted with wonderful pine needles.
Then we took the Avalanche Lake trail to Avalanche Lake. I love that spot there where I'm standing. And when you go early and beat the masses it's even better.
On our way back though we discovered that they closed our trail -- that we had spent several hours on -- due to "bear danger." We did see black bear tracks but my spidey sense alerted me of no danger. I have no idea why they closed it. But I'm sort of glad we didn't find out I guess.
Luckily I had my bear spray. On Saturday I almost forgot bear spray and went back for it NOT because I was scared of bears but because the last thing I want is to get eaten by a bear and have the headline say "Bear Victim Ran Alone Without Bear Spray" (and then my friends would be quoted saying "she never had much sense.") No, I don't want to be "that girl" about whom people say "I mean it's sad but how foolish!"
After our run we had a quick recovery IPA at the Lake McDonald Lodge. Aaaaah. Perfection.