Game of Ultra Tag

2009-08-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'm part of an email group called "Ultraholics." Some of these runners think nothing of doing a 100 mile run (some just about every month), doing Barkley, Badwater, full Ironmans, and other extreme endurance events. Nevertheless, Rajeev Patel invited me to join their group last year and I have been touched by their humor, their passion and their strong bonds. They are currently playing a game of "blog tag" and Christian Griffith tagged me. So here it goes:

1. Do you have a favorite race you ran this year - if yes, which one and why?

For pure emotional joy at the finish line I would have to say American River 50 where I PR'd by 45 minutes (10:45) over last year's time. Not my favorite course but a well managed race.

2. Have you selected any race goals for 2010?

I want to do events that I haven't tried yet like Sonoma and Quicksilver. After doing the Headlands 50 this weekend I'd like to do the 100 out there next year (of course, during the 50 I was so happy that I was only doing 50. It's like labor - as soon as it's over you forget the pain).

3. Did you discover any new (non-race) trails this year?

In mid-June I went for my first run on the trails outside of Incline Village. We started at the Old Ponderosa Ranch, ran the Red House Loop and part of the Flume Trail. It was so beautiful with mules ear blooming everywhere, great trails and stunning views of Lake Tahoe. It made me want to run the TRT 100. Now I'm thinking maybe just the TRT 50 with HH instead. I like sea level.

4. Why do you run?

The reason I started to run was to lose weight. I got rid of 44 lbs. That was 6 years ago. Ran my first marathon (the Bizz Johnson outside of Susanville) in 2005 and a few months later did Way Too Cool. With the first training run for WTC, I was hooked on the trails.

Being a "stay-at-home" mom to two kids (10 & 11) and the daughter of aging parents who need extra attention, I love that the trail time is just about me moving forward and reaching new goals. It's "me" time.

5. There are extreme ultra marathons - Spartathalon, Run Across America, Badwater, etc. - are you planning any?

My husband and friends already think I'm nuts. I think they would do an intervention.

6. Favorite food during ultras and favorite post-race food?

I drink a CarboPro throughout (3/4 scoop in 20 oz water) which provides about 100 calories an hour. I love that it has no flavor and provides pure carbs. I use Gu's, Roctane Gu's, Chomps and nibble on the occasional Bonk Breaker bar to bring the calories up to about 200-250/hour. A few potatoes, melon, electrolyte drink and coke are the extent of what I usually grab at an a/s.

As for post race food, please hand me a cold micro-brewed pale ale. And a slice of vegetarian pizza. Or a tofu burger with great fries on the side.

7. Are ultrarunners a part of your life outside of races?

I train with two women (Jennifer and Mary) who have become two of my closest friends over the past two years but we don't really do anything together outside of running, sharing the nitty gritty details of our lives and going to races. Sometimes it's frustrating with non-running friends because other than telling them that I just ran this or that race, I really can't say much more about it. Only other ultrarunners want to hear all the gnarly details.

8. What do you consider the most beautiful

ultra course you have run?

I'll go with the Siskiyou Out Back 50k at Mount Ashland in Oregon that I ran this July. It took my breath away (maybe it was the elevation). Beautiful mountain running with snow-capped peaks, colorful wildflowers, green everywhere, tall trees, smooth trails, and stunning views.

The pictures I took just don't do it justice. Plus, they had some rather colorful volunteers!

9. Favorite race director?

Impossible to pick one but the best ones take their passion for ultra running and put that energy into creating a wonderful event for their runners with all the details covered. I see RD's like Rajeev Patel and Sarah Spelt who seem to know every runner's name.

Then there's Julie Fingar who took the superb job that Greg Soderland did with WTC and AR 50 and made it even better. I'll never forget the big, spinning hug from Tia Bodington when I crossed the finish at Miwok last year. Or seeing her on top of the dumpster at 11:30 pm at the finish line this year as she shoved trash into any gap she could find.

10. What is your longest streak at running the same race?

Way Too Cool - four years in a row with a PR (7:07) this year.

Now I tag Darshan Thaker, Martin Casado and Karen Bonnett.

"Tag" spurs a blog

2009-08-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Finally, a blog for me! Spurred into action by being "tagged" by a fellow Ultraholic (thanks, Christian!) I now have a home for my rambling race reports and photographs. I guess it's time that one of the back-of-the-pack ultra runners had a place to tell what happens on the trails after all the faster runners have finished, eaten their post-race meal, showered and completed their race reports. I'm still out there running. It's all okay and quite a bit of fun.

I'm doing the Headlands 50 miler this weekend and will post my first report after that.

Run Happy Out There

Game of Ultra Tag

"Tag" spurs a blog