Running Free: Planning ahead for racing

Monday, November 5, 2007

Planning ahead for racing

I had a great weekend! The weather was just beautiful and it was warm and it certainly didn't feel like November!! The weekend started on Friday with a great run with Suzanna and Jeff. We did a lot of hill climbing and the sun felt so good on our backs. On Saturday, Karen and I were joined with Bob and Matt and we again ran in our favorite park called Sugarloaf. We saw a large red Fox running up the mountain and enjoyed watching him lope along through the rocks and shrubs. On Sunday, Karen and Bill and I ran at Mt. Tam. We ran 22 miles and the weather was just incredible. Stinson Beach was warm and people covered the sandy beach. It wasn't a fast run but certainly a run that was just what the Doctor ordered. It was "time on my feet", and I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. I am feeling stronger now and am excited to be getting back my strength.

November is a great time for looking ahead and checking out what races might be nice to run. Last year I was plagued with so many problems and raced very little. I would like to race more in 2008. It's fun to think about the adventures that are out there. I sent in my entry for WS 100 this morning. It is exciting to think that there is a possible chance of getting in. If I don't get in, I will pace someone or volunteer there, as I can't imagine not being part of that race in some capacity. Have any of you looked ahead and started to make some tentative racing plans? Soon the weather will be cold and the days shorter. Making some plans now will help keep us motivated to train through the winter. Good luck with your racing plans......

8 comments:

Dave - Atlanta Trails said...: Good luck with getting into WS.

It seems like everyone is starting to put together their '08 plans. I did made some tentative plans as well.

Hopefully I can make it out West for a couple of races as well...; November 6, 2007 at 8:18 AM
seagull junker said...: whew, that was close. the entries have to be in by novemember 8th. good luck.

if i don't get into states i'll pick a june 100, not sure which one yet.

going to go watch brother try to get another top ten at states for sure. take a load of pictures again.

it's always fun to go to that race weather running/pacing or just watching friends.; November 6, 2007 at 12:39 PM
kelly said...: Hey Tom, thanks for stopping by. I know, I am a total procrastinator. Nothing like sending in my entry at the last moment. Good luck to you in the lottery!; November 6, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...: ummm might not have raced a lot in 07' Kelly but you had a KICK asss WS100 event ...

SOOO this newbie here has TWO 100's planned for 08' one in May on Eastcoast OD Memorial and then back to the Tetons for FOUR loops--whew GTR 100, this will be insane but since I did the 50 I do have a bit of the lay of land but 4 times up FREDS (10,000) is going to be a great mental test...YES Game is ON :-)

Hope u get back in WS100; November 7, 2007 at 6:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Kelly's right: Better to have plans for 2008, otherwise it's the ditch.

After a great 2007 Ultra season, I have turned into a SLOTH. Not running much, getting fat, and even listened to some bad country music.

But, Suzanna called yesterday and scolded me for being such a slacker. Even threatened to send out that "guy looking for a running group" on Kelly's site!

Okay, so I'm back in. Going to run with the gang this Friday in Pt. Reyes. And, I even picked up some Hank Williams III tickets. All is well again.

Paul

PS - Good luck to all entered for WS'08. I would end up in Divorce court if I applied! Looking forward to pacing, crewing, etc.; November 7, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Olga said...: I am always loving making plans for next season - it's almost the best part of the whole season...besides actually the race day itself:); November 8, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Carey said...: Kelly,
Sounds like you are recovering quite well! I, too, entered the lottery for WS so perhaps we'll "run" into each other :-) Plans for '08 are coming together; need to get a sub-24 100 miler under my belt so Rocky Raccoon in February, 3 Days of Syllamo in March and then we'll see from there (depends on WS). I definitely want to hit a race in Vermont and at least one in the West next year.
Glad to hear you are doing well,
Carey; November 9, 2007 at 10:40 AM
kelly said...: Hey Carey, Good luck to you in the lottery! Exciting! If you get into WS you might want to run Miwok 100k or the WS training camp. Both are really valuable runs. I hope you had a great weekend. Thanks for the note.; November 11, 2007 at 8:01 PM

Not Even Lupus Can Slow Ridgway

NOT EVEN LUPUS CAN SLOW RIDGWAY Published on June 26, 2004 © 2004- The Press Democrat BYLINE: BRUCE MEADOWS Three years ago when she was diagnosed with lupus, Kelly Ridgway didn't take much time plotting her course. ``I figured I could lay on the couch and be a drug-seeker for pain or I could choose to be as healthy as I can be,'' said Ridgway, 46, an outpatient surgery nurse at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Ridgway, defying the odds, is entered in the Western States 100 Endurance Run, which starts at the base of Squaw Valley at 5 this morning and ends 100 miles away in Auburn. ``I see people at the hospital in horrible shape because of lupus, but I realized I had a choice how to deal with it,'' Ridgway said. Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease affecting mainly women. The immune system attacks the body's own tissues as a foreign substance, producing antibodies to fight it. The cause of the disease is unknown although research has shown it occurs when a specific set of susceptible genes is exposed to a combination of environmental factors such as infectious agents, certain drugs, excessive ultraviolet light, physical trauma or emotional stress. Ridgway said she has been a ``serious runner'' for 14 years and has also competed in 50- and 100-mile events on horseback. She started running to get in shape after the last of her three children -- Caleb (18), Chelsea (16) and Courtney (14) -- were born. ``I've found I really love ultras,'' said Ridgway, a single mother who graduated from Montgomery High, then earned a nursing degree from Santa Rosa JC. Dr. Lisa Kremer, Ridgway's rheumatologist said, fatigue is the most universal symptom of lupus. ``For somebody to run 100 miles with an auto-immune disease is incredible.'' Ridgway first experienced flu-like symptoms, then fatigue. ``But when I started having problems with cognitive stuff, I knew there was something more to it.'' She was having trouble doing simple math or even finding her way around town. ``I thought of all sorts of things, including a brain tumor,'' said Ridgway. Ridgway has been training with Santa Rosan Karen Hanke, 42, and Suzanna Bon, 39 of Sonoma. This is the second Western States for Hanke, who finished last year in 29 hours, 47 minutes, running the last 70 miles on severely blistered feet. It is the first Western States for Ridgway and Bon. Because of the glut of applicants -- more than 1,000 annually apply for 400 spots -- runners must not only qualify with an acceptable 50-mile run time but also get lucky by having their name drawn by lot. Bon, whose goal is ``just to finish although I'd love to do it in under 24 hours,'' is impressed with Ridgway's effort. ``Kelly is strong and smart about training,'' said Bon. ``We'll run at our own pace this weekend, not together, but we want to do the best we can.'' Ridgway sees herself as a runner who happens to have lupus. ``My case is relatively minor and medication has really helped,'' said Ridgway, who logs 75 miles a week. ``But I don't know anybody with lupus who runs as much as I do.'' She has bouts of fatigue and deals with them. ``There are days I am really tired and need to come home and rest for a while,'' she said. But this weekend there will no place to rest. ``I'm not the type to quit,'' she said. ``I will persevere.'' Kremer said people with lupus react differently to the disease. ``Some have a real tough time with it and others take it as a challenge,'' said the doctor. ``In general, a disease like lupus provokes self-evaluation ... some patients look at it as a way to straighten out their lives, physically and socially.'' Kremer said most lupus patients with a positive outlook exercise to some degree. ``For them, making an effort is a personal victory.'' Ridgway, who left for Squaw Valley Thursday, has been on the Western States course before, having competed in the Tevis Cup horse race and also working the run the past two years as a medical helper. ``It's beautiful ... I fell in love with the trail,'' she said. ``I'm excited but not nervous.'' Ridgway will be tested following the race to determine how running 100 miles affects a lupus patient. ``I know I am capable of doing this.'' She likes to run, even 100 miles, because it makes her feel healthy and alive. ``Maybe in some ways this will speak to people who are trying to make choices,'' she said. ``You can push ahead and take charge of your life.''