The Northface Endurance Challenge

With the Holidays upon us, I have totally neglected writing in my blog. With Facebook so conveniently in my face everyday, I forget that I should update the blog once in awhile for the couple of people who do read it.

Last Saturday I ran The Northface Endurance Challenge 50 mile race that is a Championship race and the last of 6 races in a national series. There is a lot of money on the line for the winners. Ist male and Ist female win 10,000, 2nd wins 4,000, and 3rd wins 1000 dollars. As you can imagine, the race was stacked with some of the most elite ultra runners in the world.

It was an early start, 5am, and running for a couple of hours in the dark posed an interesting slant on a 50 miler. The weather Gods behaved themselves for the most part, and despite the rain and wind, it could have been a lot worse! The course is very challenging with lots of ups and downs and several sections of stairs that are endless. We even had to climb a vertical ladder on the Steep Ravine Trail. It is beautiful running in the Marin Headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge.

I was happy with my time, as I started the race with minimal training and a very tired body. I was pleasantly surprised that I ran strong from start to finish. My good friend and pacer Suzanna Bon was excellent and it was so great to have her out there with me. My finishing time was 9:42 which put me at 16th woman, and 1st in my age group. I'm happy with that. I started the race with a sore low back and today it is still really hurting. I have been using the foam roller and stretching but I think a chiropractor appt. and a massage are in order.

Saturday was also the WS 100 mile lottery, and once again my name wasn't drawn. Oh well, what's a woman to do? Run a more exciting race, right? Well, I'm working on that. I'll let you know.

Crewing the WESTERN STATES 100

I didn't get into the WS 100 lottery again, but I had to laugh at this video. Enjoy it, it may be as close as you'll get to the race!

Please don't drink and drive.....everybody hurts.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you will know that I do not drink. Nothing. Nada. And for a good reason, too. As a child of an alcoholic, I know what drinking does and what driving drunk can do. Please take the time to reflect on this video and be smart and safe this Holiday season. Do it for your children, and friends, but mostly do it for yourself. Thank you and have a healthy and safe Holiday Season.

things impossible

life is simple. travel often. some opportunities come only once. seize them. If you don't like something change it. do what you love and do it often. getting lost will help you find yourself. life is short.

Motion and Progress

Today I found myself reflecting on all the good things in my life. I am so thankful to be healthy and motivated. I am running a 50 miler in two weeks and though I don't feel ready for that distance, I will run with confidence and purpose. February is The Coastal Challenge, a six day stage race in Costa Rica. I can't wait! It will be an amazing adventure and so much fun. I've put my name in the lottery for Western States and will also try my luck for Miwok and Mont Blanc. Let's see what the lottery Gods has for me this year. If I don't get into these races, well, there is a lot more great races waiting to be run. No point sweating it. Last year when I didn't get into WS, I entered Big Horn and had a blast! Things happen for a reason.

The Holidays are quickly approaching and I like to go into winter feeling fit. Remember it is easier to stay fit all year than to begin all over again come January. Commit to a fitness regimen and keep off the extra winter weight. You will be so happy if you can do this. I had to include this picture of my daughter's dog, Bentley. He was so tired after trick or treating all evening that he fell asleep in in Halloween outfit. So cute!


"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress." Alfred A. Montapert


Your action for today is to look at one of your long-term goals and see if you are making progress towards it.

Have an extraordinary day!
Make 2010 your best year EVER.

Boggs 50k!

On Saturday I ran the first ever Boggs 50k in Cobb California. It was a beautiful course with lots of pine needles that made for a soft cushion. The rain held out and we started out in dense foggy conditions. It was actually a perfect day for a race. I won the womens race in 5:10 and placed 4th overall. Leigh Schmitt won the men's race in 4:26! I was happy with my performance with minimal amount of training. The race directors did an excellent job! I highly recommend this race to anyone who is looking for a beautiful race with great footing. I wore my favorite Drymax socks and finished with NO blisters. Thanks Drymax for covering my feet!

This week we have had an unusual amount of warm weather. Last week it rained everyday! On Tuesday, Karen and I saw a huge rattlesnake on the trail sunning itself. It was shocking to see one this late in the year and a good reminder that they are still out!!

Registration for Western States 100 is almost here. The lottery will be held on December 4th. I will be running a 50 miler on that day and will miss being up at the lottery. It is so much fun to be part of the excitement in Auburn on that day. Good luck to everyone who is praying for a spot in 2011!

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. Dalai Lama

Just a bunch of nothing

Today, my twisted sista Suzanna Bon is running in the 24 hour Oklahoma Ultrarunning Championships. She has been running all day on a one mile asphalt loop. She hopes to qualify for the World Championships in Europe this summer. I hope she has a great run there as she has been training really hard. I admire her motivation and drive. I want to be more like her when I grow up :')

My training has been consistent and I am feeling good about the runs that I have done. I have managed a couple of 20+ milers and feel good about that. Next week I am running a 50k so it will be good to see where I am at with my level of fitness. I am running with Costa Rica in my mind and it excites me to think about my race there. Tamara is also going and so that is great too.

Work has been interesting to say the least. The best part about my job is that I get to meet a lot of interesting people. I love to meet new people and to interact with them. Last week I got to meet a transgender and a rock star! My job is never boring! I learned a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff this week! Hilarious!

I am not a baseball fan, but, how about them GIANTS? Woohoo! I have to admit that I did enjoy the game. I am happy for them. Okay, you can see that I have nothing really very exciting to say, so I will sign off. Happy Sunday!

"What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate."

We must never forget

Irena Sendler

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena.

During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist.

She had an 'ulterior motive'.

She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews (being German).

Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids).

She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto.

The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.

During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants.

She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely.

Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard.

After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family.

Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Last year Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize

She was not selected.

Al Gore won --- for a slide show on Global Warming.

63 years later




In MEMORIAM - 63 YEARS LATER

Best Motivation Video Ever

If you've never failed, you've never lived. Do you need some motivation? Watch this video!

Kilian Jornet - new Kilimanjaro record