Try these apples!

Here's some training advice that I thought I would share.

Do what sucks. You hate running uphill because it's hard for you. You should run uphill-because it's hard for you.

Train your brain. Your body can do more than you think. Convince your brain through positive thinking and visualization. You'll be surprised at what you accomplish when you say you can.

Eat. Fuel your workouts with the food you eat on race day. You'll run faster in practice and digest better when it counts. Experiment: There are dozens of energy concoctions for a reason. No one thing works for everyone.

How do you like them apples! Works for me!


Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big. Robert Brault

Diagnosis: FOMO

I received the diagnosis four years ago, after finally reading about it in a July TrailRunner magazine. It is called FOMO, and this dreaded disease afflicted me. FOMO ---Fear Of Missing Out, is affecting my everyday life. I use to be satisfied running 10k's, only to begin longing for 25k's. Then it became 50 milers, then 100 milers, and now, H E L P!! I can spend so much time reading about races put on by Racing the Planet, Primal Quest, and other adventure races that are run all over the world. I have this deep longing in the pit of my heart that wants to experience doing races that are so tough and so incredible that few "normal" people would ever even dream of doing them. Take The Coastal Challenge for example. That race was HARD! It was the kind of race that really let's you know just what you are made of. It shows you how tough you really are. It taught me that I can do ANYTHING. These kind of races challenge you physically and mentally. There is something very alluring about that to me. Unfortunately, these amazing races cost lots of big dollars. I've got the desire, but I don't have the money. What's a poor girl to do?



I am an ambassador for The Coastal Challenge. In January 2010, you can experience a race of a lifetime. It is a 6 day stage race located in Costa Rica in the remote and dry Northwestern coast. You will run through volcanic regions, through inland lakes, windswept highlands, jungle and tropical dry forest. The course is set in Costa Rica's driest area. Terrain: jungle and rainforest trails, rough and winding dirt roads, farm roads and some asphalt; mountain trail and some single track across ridgelines, passes and highlands; beaches and rocky outcroppings or reefs, dry tropical forest and rainforest, open lands including river/water crossings and more... This route is called The Route Of Fire. You can receive 5% off the registration fee by using my promo code. Just write KR10 on either the memo line of your check or the promo code on the online sign up. It's easy and you would be helping me at the same time! What a deal.
Well, I am off to a run to train for I don't know what. I will let you know when I figure that one out.

Ultra running at it's best

I am sitting here at my computer, thinking about running and still I just sit. After one more cup of coffee I am headed out the door to the gym, then the pool, and then, finally for a nice easy run. This will be an easy day. Twenty minutes of upper body, twenty minutes in the pool, and then a nice run. Sounds like a plan. This video is what gave me the inspiration to get my butt off my comfortable computer chair. I bet it will get you going too. Seeing how many places I recognized kept me mesmerized and excited. Running does that to me. I just can't get enough of it.

UltraRunning from Matt Hart on Vimeo.

Listening to your heart.
Follow your passion as long as you live. Ptah-Hotep

An Adventure into the Big Ditch

On Saturday, a group of friends and I took a trip to Arizona to run the double crossing of the Grand Canyon. The famous R2R2R is known for it's beauty and for it's ability to kick your butt. " Team Diablo", consisted of Dennis, Dan, Tim, Dave, Tamara, Suzanna, and me. Two years ago a few of us started at the Bright Angel trail, but this year we started at the South Kaibab trailhead. All of us wore hydration packs except Dennis. He is a two bottle kind of guy. I wondered how he would do in the 100 degree heat with only two bottles. As it turned out, there was plenty of water and he did fine with what he carried. Looking back, he was probably the smarter one. I know that I was carrying a heavy load. I carried enough food to last me a week and of course, I didn't even eat half of it!
The South Kaibab trail was mellow and relaxing. We arrived at Phantom Ranch and refueled and refilled our packs and spent some time talking to some hikers. From the Phantom ranch we headed into the "box." The Box is a narrow gorge carved through the deep Vinshu Schist by Bright Angel Creek. The gradient is steadily uphill, but at a very low angle, so the entire stretch is runnable. The next 2.5 miles to Cottonwood, then to Roaring Springs cabin at the base of the rim, and then the steep climb up to the North Rim. Climbing out of the Roaring Springs Canyon is my favorite part of the run. It is so beautiful! The North Kaibab hugs the edges of high cliffs as you pass huge Redwall formations. The trail was hot, and it just seems like it takes forever to get to the top.


At the top we regrouped and Tamara arrived feeling poorly. Thinking that it might be the altitude, she descended hoping to feel better quickly. The run down was spectacular. The colors, the rock formations and the flowering cactus were amazing.

We regrouped again at Phantom Ranch where we enjoyed Lemonade and ice tea. Tamara had been vomiting for miles and she was having a hard time trying to get her body temperature down. Dennis stayed with Tamara and the rest of us started back via the Bright Angel trail. It was a long run back through the canyon as the heat was a "warm" 100 degrees. The climb up to the South Rim was long and steady. I felt strong and my feet held up great. After we finished we ate and then headed to bed. It would be several hours before Dennis and Tamara would hit the bed. Tamara struggled with either heat exhaustion or dehydration, or probably a little of both. We all decided that Dennis is going straight to heaven with no stops for staying with Tamara for several difficult hours.

It was a great run spent with great friends. We all survived the double crossing of the Grand Canyon and after we had slept, we decided that we would do it again. It is not a run to be taken lightly. It is very difficult and must only be attempted if you are in excellent shape. It was another great adventure that I am so thankful I got to experience. A big thank you to Dennis, Dave, Dan, Tim, Tamara and Suzanna. You guys were great to travel with and even greater to run with. My experience at the Big Ditch would not have been the same if you all had not been there. Thank you to Drymax socks for a blister free adventure!

Following your dreams.
Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again;and this interdependence produces the highest form of l iving. Anais Nin

Try something New

On Friday, a group of us are flying to Arizona to run the R2R2R at the Grand Canyon. Suzanna and Tamara and I are sharing a room. It's going to be a blast!

On the home front, I have gotten out a few times and run. I am happy to report that my injuries are much, much better. I hope that I have not lost too much conditioning as the Grand Canyon run is extremely tough. My plan is to just take it easy and have fun. I am bringing my new camera and I plan to take a lot of pics. Two years ago when I did this same run, my camera decided to conk out after just a few shots. That was the pits.

Suzanna is training for San Diego 100, and the others are training for Vermont 100. This will be an excellent trainer for both of those races. I always say I am in training when people ask. I wear my hydration pack filled with water and I always imagine how great that must be. Running with all that water weight on my back. Good training, I say. And then I think about it and remember that, well, I'm not really training for anything. I guess I just want to BE READY FOR ANYTHING. What a dork I am. It's kinda like the saying, "all dressed up and no where to go."

I ran an easy 9 miler today with lot's of power walking up some steep trails. I wore my water filled hydration pack and only took a few sips from the tube. Great training, I reminded myself. You must be ready for anything.

TRYING SOMETHING NEW. Unless you walk out into the unknown, the odds of making a profound difference in your life are pretty low. Tom Peters

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day!!
Today Matt and I hiked for about 2 hours. It was a beautiful morning. It was a great way to start the day. This afternoon we all went out to lunch, Grandma's included, and then walked around the plaza in Sonoma. Both of my girls were with us, and Caleb called me on the phone to say hi. It was a nice day spent with special loved ones. My brother gave me a little book called, The little things. I will include quotes from that book often in my posts on my blog. I think you will enjoy them..

My foot and ankle are feeling so much better. I see light at the end of the tunnel. I can't tell you how relieved I am. I will continue with the swimming, though, as I think the crosstraining will do me good.

On Friday, a few friends and I are leaving for Arizona to run the double crossing of the Grand Canyon. This will be my second time doing the R2R2R. I am so excited and can hardly wait. I have a feeling that it is going to be HOT out there. Another hot, fun adventure!



Living with intention.
We each have only a limited amount of time here. We have to do more with it, pay attention , explore, be open to all of life. Because we have only one chance, we have to make life seem longer than it really is. viggo mortensen

Relief from de feet

Last Saturday was the Miwok 100k, and I, unfortunately, was injured and unable to run it. I was bummed, but didn't feel as bad as I would have, since the weather sucked and I heard it was butt cold. That race can be very hot, and hot is how I like it. I am not a cold weather person. Give me heat and I tend to thrive. I heard there were lots of DNF's and that made me feel a little better as I swam lap after lap in the pool, in the rain, with the wind stinging my back. Next week, I will be running the R2R2R at the Grand Canyon. It is a 48 mile run that is absolutely stunning. I can't wait to bring my new camera and hopefully, I will get some beautiful shots. I am praying that my ankle and foot will be feeling better by then too. I hate being injured. The only thing that makes it okay, is that it forces me to rest my body and to do different exercises like swimming or cycling. I do feel like I am staying fit and the swimming is great for my upper body. (I am trying to stay positive.)

On Thursday, I did an hour long run for the first time in what seems like forever. It was a beautiful day and I felt great. My left heel pain is gone and my right posterior tibial tendonitis is doing so much better. Things are looking up! Have a great weekend, my friends!