tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27679812210128736922024-03-05T07:33:31.235-05:00Shining's Ultra BlogWelcome to my blog and the place where I will post my photos and musings from my life as an ultrarunner. My nickname "Shining" was given to me by a group of very special students after I finished my first 100-miler, the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100. They were the inspiration that enabled me to finish this awesome race, and I try to live each day with a "shining" attitude!Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-22108522293135264382017-01-12T11:18:00.003-05:002017-01-12T11:29:43.039-05:00What's Your Word?At the start of every new year, I decide on a new motivating mantra or word to guide me for the next 12 months. For <a href="https://www.trailsisters.net/2017/01/10/2017-whats-your-word/" target="_blank">Trail Sisters, </a>I wrote about my two words for 2017. Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwynYbOuIX6apXjMGFmmo4QsdZyaSNis3uG4UNK3cDMYE2yNSrU-nx7W4G7BDgARny9mgfBWt-JTZVaC2YjwoToJrHnLUu6QKUGoYSSmxV0UZbV8P145vH7ziGDzE08Ac2yXcNcHaY_QI/s1600/SophieCatawba2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwynYbOuIX6apXjMGFmmo4QsdZyaSNis3uG4UNK3cDMYE2yNSrU-nx7W4G7BDgARny9mgfBWt-JTZVaC2YjwoToJrHnLUu6QKUGoYSSmxV0UZbV8P145vH7ziGDzE08Ac2yXcNcHaY_QI/s1600/SophieCatawba2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo, taken atop McAfee's Knob on the AT by Hallie Hegemeier in 2010, perfectly captures my mantras of "Open" and "Listen" for 2017.</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-21756548072804064522016-10-06T08:38:00.001-04:002016-10-06T09:01:40.845-04:00Dirty Mothers and Trail SistersI'm very excited to be a contributor to <a href="https://www.trailsisters.net/" target="_blank">Trail Sisters</a>, a new social media platform and very cool "community of women inspiring others to lead healthy lifestyles while adventuring outdoors and protecting Earth's playgrounds." I had been following this group on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/trail_sisters/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for the past few months, having stumbled upon some fantastic photos and interesting posts from a variety of women in the trail and ultra community. My first post is<a href="https://www.trailsisters.net/2016/10/06/this-is-53/" target="_blank"> here</a> and I will be continuing to write blog posts both here and on the Trail Sisters site. Enjoy!Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-230551966818344122015-12-14T21:30:00.000-05:002015-12-15T07:04:27.611-05:00Ten Years of Hellgate: Letting Go<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_hSgVat4xgFA8RS87gv7SkPTWHqVCjyl6GWroISDY8yxyLxBMHpG8WmIHOiYIUftFhgaYMPmFcfrmGA6C-SRd_76FFDkP06zt4ogAPud1at6XJLs64CslIswccZ_somuq8O17gnWUFA/s1600/SophieHellgate15wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_hSgVat4xgFA8RS87gv7SkPTWHqVCjyl6GWroISDY8yxyLxBMHpG8WmIHOiYIUftFhgaYMPmFcfrmGA6C-SRd_76FFDkP06zt4ogAPud1at6XJLs64CslIswccZ_somuq8O17gnWUFA/s640/SophieHellgate15wave.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waving farewell at the finish. (photo: Michelle Andersen)</td></tr>
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When I crossed the <a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/" target="_blank">Hellgate 100K</a> finish line for the tenth and final time on Saturday, I turned around and saluted the course. I had been bidding adieu for the past 16+ hours to every section, saying goodbye to an old friend for the last time. There were no tears and no regrets at the end, just a lot of gratitude for time spent together and the lessons learned. I had finished in my slowest time ever --16:24-- but was thrilled nonetheless. I had taken a calculated risk for this final ride, gambling that the warm 50 degree temps overnight and 70s during the day would not be an issue; I was wrong. After 42 miles of cruising comfortably near PR pace, on the hot grind up from Bearwallow Gap, the course once again reminded me who was in charge. And that's the way it should be.<br />
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"We" first met when I was 43 and relatively new to the ultrarunning community, and over the next ten years my relationship with Hellgate grew from one of fear and dread to one filled with gratitude and respect. The fact that the race has been part of my birthday weekend each year added special meaning to the adventure: running from night into day, <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2008/12/fearless-frigid-and-fast-recipe-for.html" target="_blank">under full moons</a> and in quiet forests, I was able reflect on my life, my choices, and the people I loved, and celebrate the gift of another year. It was the perfect birthday present. <br />
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But Hellgate is also a race. I honed my closing skills on the final six mile climb and descent from Blackhorse Gap more than once. I learned how to pace, to stay alert overnight, and to eat, to adjust when things went wrong, to suffer, <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/12/spending-time-in-pain-cave-at-hellgate.html" target="_blank">to dig deep into the pain cave</a>, to take risks, and to fail. <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum06/hellgate-sophie.htm" target="_blank">I ran the course in deep leaves, </a>snow, ice,<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2013/12/hellgate-8and-2013-in-pictures.html" target="_blank"> cold hard rain</a>, and hot, beating sun. I started out as a wide-eyed newbie and grew into a more patient, intelligent, and mindful ultrarunner under its watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BDh-IsU5ydqd90Gl-d8mV2-Igdyb6B4JH8lb30Ngth3NZnb81nqvLWBBs63r-SIAw3n9tYdJT4fyk-NhMqdvmb2aDqw-TyedNwSNkcqaWQhoadUDDQPPzdZUxewFB1cLAYR38a16u_o/s1600/SophieHellgate15Annie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BDh-IsU5ydqd90Gl-d8mV2-Igdyb6B4JH8lb30Ngth3NZnb81nqvLWBBs63r-SIAw3n9tYdJT4fyk-NhMqdvmb2aDqw-TyedNwSNkcqaWQhoadUDDQPPzdZUxewFB1cLAYR38a16u_o/s640/SophieHellgate15Annie.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing with Annie. I hope to return the favor and pace her in one day. (Michelle Anderson)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/hellgate-sophie05.html" target="_blank">I once called Hellgate "the final exam"</a> because it came at the end of the racing season and demanded my full attention and preparation. One can try to dial it in at Hellgate, but that typically results in a<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2014/12/hellgate-2014-smackdown.html" target="_blank"> huge smack-down</a>. A <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-falls-away-at-hellgate-100k.html" target="_blank">successful finish requires patience, courage, and a sense of adventure</a>. I have been lucky to have run the women's race with some of the greatest runners in our sport: Krissy Moehl, Amy Sproston, Bethany Patterson, Justine Morrison, Helen Lavin Scotch, Kathleen Cusick, Annette Bednosky, Rebekah Trittipoe, Kerry Owens, Donna Utakis, Sheryl Wheeler, Megan Stegemiller, Alexis Thomas, Vicki Kendall, Alyssa Godesky, Amy Albu, and Jenny Nichols are just a few women who have inspired me, pushed me, and made me better over the years. As I ran the last brutal miles through the Forever section on Saturday paced by my good friend, training partner, and <a href="http://www.crozetrunning.com/" target="_blank">Crozet Running</a> teammate Annie Stanley, I had fun showing her the landmarks to look for, just as Ryan Henry had shown me years before. The repetitive creeks, the pine tree grove, the final descent to the aid station. The shiny tops of the cars! We laughed at my bumbling and stumbling, took a selfie, shared our goals for the future. Breathed hard on the climbs. Exhaled on the descents. During those special miles with Annie, I felt like I was passing the baton to the next generation of courageous women who will take on Hellgate and be changed for the better. It felt just right.<br />
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As we neared the Day Creek aid station, we came upon my husband Rusty, who had biked from the finish to ride us in. I lingered and thanked the volunteers one last time. Most years I wouldn't have wasted any time to get in and out of Day Creek, but not on Saturday. I took it easy and savored the fact that I wasn't racing the clock. It was just me, Rusty, and Annie hiking up the mountain. The sun was setting, and there was a wonderful warm breeze blowing. I had never before taken the time or energy to lift my head to notice the incredible views on this climb. I made sure I did this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2_XqPJSp51-e9xnZZhHzScwhNu21DeAJiwGpGqa5YrPuG_hCbERE5MPHRbpGFRueioLWRQgo424bVwbaEjSGlvSjN3RavtJExtVTmUFT-8OcWlQ0s1UFI_-jEhW4eCi1nggGRYLg1Ds/s1600/SophieHellgate15bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2_XqPJSp51-e9xnZZhHzScwhNu21DeAJiwGpGqa5YrPuG_hCbERE5MPHRbpGFRueioLWRQgo424bVwbaEjSGlvSjN3RavtJExtVTmUFT-8OcWlQ0s1UFI_-jEhW4eCi1nggGRYLg1Ds/s400/SophieHellgate15bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
Cruising up to Blackhorse Gap one last time with Annie and Rusty</td></tr>
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The greatest lesson of Hellgate for me? <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2007/12/hellgate-100k-2007-we-are-family.html" target="_blank">We are a family.</a> We watch out for one another in the darkness and help each other find the trail. We share our fuel, our water, our gear. We set a good pace and help one another keep up. We spend our night and day crewing, volunteering, and supporting. We pace the last miles with good humor and patience. We cheer when our friends succeed, and share their pain when they are disappointed. We bond together, and are forever changed, on the Glenwood Horse Trail every year because David Horton, Charlie Hesse, and George Wortley decided to create an adventure called the Hellgate 100K. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you so very, very much. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnI88aCRtSVc9W4MsZse0q_N-hIgxNvzY-PGFSovT9w3-bPwM16OAe_MUVRv61C9eugym6Vnmm0bQDRsivSLeuBfaLBdsUyfIbzNcFMG68pMoMx6gCYXkCdE8C9x7FmVToJ65Rm6RuzQ/s1600/SophieHellgate15Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnI88aCRtSVc9W4MsZse0q_N-hIgxNvzY-PGFSovT9w3-bPwM16OAe_MUVRv61C9eugym6Vnmm0bQDRsivSLeuBfaLBdsUyfIbzNcFMG68pMoMx6gCYXkCdE8C9x7FmVToJ65Rm6RuzQ/s400/SophieHellgate15Award.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and me at the finish line</td></tr>
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My retrospective of Hellgate, 2005-2009 in video and photos. I'm so glad I took the time to capture these people and these views. Best viewed on a laptop. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxqajKOY0Q4N2PhngO8thoEuFMYa0IghNbsGSG972L_rMHfiqB7jLdSXnWDDJP4lhpA4veNh0lg-BIBkO6VbQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Hellgate all-time results, reports, and top 10 age group times are<a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/" target="_blank"> here.</a>Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-24193179426527371332015-09-22T14:39:00.002-04:002015-09-22T15:08:12.621-04:00Good Times At The SufferfestI ran the <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/half/" target="_blank">VHTRC Women's Trail Half Marathon</a> for the first time in<a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/half/res02.htm" target="_blank"> 2002.</a> I knew absolutely no one. I drove up from Charlottesville in the dark, after having found information on the race just a few months earlier thanks to the pull-out (paper) Trail Runner Magazine race calendar. The course was actually over 13 miles and a bit harder in those days. I won my 35-39 age group in 2:12:46, and absolutely loved everything about it ---the low-key vibe (I was coming off triathlons...), the friendly shouts of support between the runners on out and back sections, the great aid stations, the fun awards ceremony, and most especially, the inflatable water wings that I was given at the last aid station to wear for a prize (a gift cert for Montrail trail shoes). I immediately went home to learn more about this crazy, fun-loving group of runners via<a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/" target="_blank"> the club website</a>. I was hooked -- on trail running, and on the VHTRC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ98IXd5drHpAtptp7NixaihWfKzcQJsq-iSEQtWQ3PRjUsIPORWdehdzPLcdoVbulLmkI2EV4eyXje_D86mr0XFY_vDY77_tvq1Z6CmtgJYJBPBlvn_x5DnwyTG66GcoHHfYVy66rChQ/s1600/WHM15gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ98IXd5drHpAtptp7NixaihWfKzcQJsq-iSEQtWQ3PRjUsIPORWdehdzPLcdoVbulLmkI2EV4eyXje_D86mr0XFY_vDY77_tvq1Z6CmtgJYJBPBlvn_x5DnwyTG66GcoHHfYVy66rChQ/s400/WHM15gang.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of the Charlottesville and Crozet gang before the start</td></tr>
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Fast forward 13 years: Thanks to the support and friendships gleaned from the VHTRC, I've run a few ultras, and have a few more WHMs under my belt. I was very excited that this year, 17 women from our little running mecca of Charlottesville/Albemarle were coming up for the fun, most of whom were new to trail running. They were headed to the right race: the <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/half/?page=home" target="_blank">WHM</a> was created by Chris Scott in 1998 with the support of the VHTRC to encourage more women to run trails. It has a welcoming atmosphere for women of all fitness levels and experiences who are eager to try a longer distance or different terrain without the intimidation factor that can come with larger, coed races. I've often been asked by some of my male friends why women-only races are necessary, and I tell them that the WHM and the <a href="http://www.w4mtp.com/" target="_blank">Charlottesville Women's Four Miler</a> are excellent examples of events that encourage women and girls of all fitness levels to run a race where the emphasis is on participation and support instead of hardcore racing and splits (but let's be clear, the WHM has its share of hardcore racers...I am one!). At a time when women are <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2012/10/twenty-seven-percent-why-arent-more-women-running-ultras.html" target="_blank">still in the minority in trail and ultra races</a>, an all-women's trail race in 2015 is still as important for encouraging new female trail runners as it was in 1998.<br />
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This year I came into the race feeling healthy, fit, and ready for the heat after a solid training block for the <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2015/07/bighorn-52-mile-running-happy-and.html" target="_blank">Bighorn 50,</a> and more recently for the Mountain Masochist 50.<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/09/with-little-help-from-my-friendsand.html" target="_blank"> In past years,</a> the heat and humidity have had their way with me, and my times on the newer 12+ mile course have fluctuated between 1:56:45 in 2006 to 2:01:34 in 2012. I was hoping to break 2:00 this year, and was confident that the weeks of hill repeats and tempo runs, combined with long miles with the<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2015/09/dirty-mothers-and-sisters_15.html" target="_blank"> Dirty Mothers </a>had set me up nicely for a faster time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TZC6Mxr8YkYU05JqXtft6U0n-DF7ns-9gMHi4_OWQk1-Bjr0gmuVvJXMA5BB7poZ2LVSX_3xXRPwsCXlPsS4sRayhQWE7RdYAvNVHSVHK49E18styXoNYjFPnXBWoPJGxdNRnQLwS2k/s1600/WHM15CRgang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TZC6Mxr8YkYU05JqXtft6U0n-DF7ns-9gMHi4_OWQk1-Bjr0gmuVvJXMA5BB7poZ2LVSX_3xXRPwsCXlPsS4sRayhQWE7RdYAvNVHSVHK49E18styXoNYjFPnXBWoPJGxdNRnQLwS2k/s400/WHM15CRgang.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crozet Running team mates and pals Michelle Andersen, Annie Stanley and Becca Weast before the start (pic by Aaron)</td></tr>
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I even wore (ironically) the trucker hat that Gary Knipling had given me at Western States this past June. If the trucker couldn't get me swift times on this very Left Coast type of trail, then nothing would! We lined up for the start and traditional pre-race serenade of "Happy Trails to You" by the VHTRC Men's Chorus, a few tips from super RD Tracy Dahl (herself a road-to-trails convert after meeting hubby Keith Knipling), and then we were off for the "sufferfest," as I fondly call the race. Woop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh3LBe5NhUnnmvjbKXZAXfpS6QOAj8WrbjbDV0tZf5o0ofBbBYkyWaUPTlCuL9P50te5eS5TlUa43S2Zy-II34bJbTZGzzumTUFr55QROUfs62MhYxpTg1lKFYTw82QpWRzNr7Hts0v0/s1600/WHM15AaronBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh3LBe5NhUnnmvjbKXZAXfpS6QOAj8WrbjbDV0tZf5o0ofBbBYkyWaUPTlCuL9P50te5eS5TlUa43S2Zy-II34bJbTZGzzumTUFr55QROUfs62MhYxpTg1lKFYTw82QpWRzNr7Hts0v0/s400/WHM15AaronBridge.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I asked photographer Aaron Schwartzbard if he thought I could break 2:00 from here. He said, "Ummm...yeah!"</td></tr>
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The trail is very fast and runnable, with a few short, steep climbs in the first 7 miles and longer grinding climbs in the last 4. Annie went ahead and Becca settled right behind me, and we made good time through the Do Loop with the rest of the top-10 women. I passed two women in the Do Loop ---channeling my weekly Man Maker hill repeats-- and then another in the last few miles. I came into the aid station at Fountainhead with about 1:00 elapsed and headed out for the last 4 miles on a mission. This section is where the runners can see one another on the out and back, and it also has Team Gaylord's fabulous aid station with a Mexican theme (and special Mexican Fun 'Punch"). Despite getting heckled for not stopping to taste the punch, I made good time back to the finish and hoped a sub-2:00 was in the bag by the last mile to go. It was only in the final 100 yards when I realized I would also get a PR, and when I saw the clock at the finish, I was ecstatic to see a time of 1:55:34!<br />
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It was a great day for everyone. Annie finished her first WHM on the podium with a third place 1:50, and Becca was right behind me for a PR of 1:57. Michelle ran a 20-minute PR of 2:06, and we had a blast cheering on all the other ladies as they finished. Heather Clark, a road runner and relative newcomer to the trails from Crozet, summed up the day perfectly with her Facebook post of the top-10 things she loved about the WHM (yep...laughing about #8!):<br />
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1. Packet pickup was a manner of minutes<br />
2. Potty line - ummm none<br />
3. Pre-race serenade <br />
4. S<span class="text_exposed_show">haded course with beautiful views<br /> 5. Hiking with purpose is encouraged <br /> 6. Cheers from everyone on the course<br /> 7. Sharing fuel / water with runners struggling <br /> 8. Hanging out with Elite Runners - Annie, Sophie and Michelle <br /> 9. Being with an incredible group of "Dirty" women<br /> 10. Smoothies - enough said</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Are women's-only races still relevant? After reading this and talking to our friends after the race, I offer a resounding YES. Nothing beats being able to shed our other roles of wife, partner, and/or mother for a run in the woods with like-minded women and friends cheering us on from both sides of the trail, and to experience that feeling of satisfaction upon completing a goal that months ago seemed out of reach. Of course coed races offer a similar experience, but the vibe is different. And, if a women's-only race increases the numbers of women running on trails and roads, that's enough for me!</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show">Thank you Chris Scott, the leadership of the VHTRC, and all the previous WHM race directors for your vision and for nurturing this event for the past 23 years, and especially to RD Tracy Dahl and this year's amazing volunteers for making the WHM a classic VHTRC event. Club members of all generations and genders were marking trail, manning aid stations, taking photos, recording results, making smoothies and cheering runners: the very best of what makes the VHTRC so special. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-wGEPCfQ77b5KvfgVzecFTsj2l_0hBYtyAzZcpj8QBEqcnZYnTIhENXbYJx01CxwfkkbhP3ddpM5guSaPTjiHGOvvL52f9t8c3AtanppId4IVYTd3Y00qFhfprM_rsg5u2YKbQIHjq8/s1600/WHM15Tracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-wGEPCfQ77b5KvfgVzecFTsj2l_0hBYtyAzZcpj8QBEqcnZYnTIhENXbYJx01CxwfkkbhP3ddpM5guSaPTjiHGOvvL52f9t8c3AtanppId4IVYTd3Y00qFhfprM_rsg5u2YKbQIHjq8/s400/WHM15Tracy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super RD Tracy Dahl awards Michelle Andersen her age group prize: homemade granola</td></tr>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"> Long live the VHTRC Women's Trail Half Marathon!</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show"> 2015 Results, Photos and more are <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/half/?page=results15" target="_blank">here </a>.</span><br />
<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-53630294530085775422015-09-15T11:45:00.002-04:002015-09-15T11:58:41.937-04:00Dirty Mothers and SistersAfoot and light-hearted I take to the<br />
open road,<br />
Healthy, free, the world before me,<br />
The long brown path before me leading<br />
wherever I choose. --Walt Whitman, <i>Song of the Open Road</i><br />
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<br />
The idea for our Dirty Mothers adventure run was hatched -- where else? -- on a trail run in December, 2013. Martha Wright, Annie Stanley, Jenny Nichols and I were scouting the course for the upcoming Thomas Jefferson 100K. As is the custom on our trail runs, we were yakking away, sharing stories of our lives as mothers, wives, and grandparents. After lamenting the lack of quality time we had for nurturing our female friendships and our ongoing desire for adventure, someone suggested we should take a "girl's weekend ultra-running style." But instead of going to Vegas, or the beach, or other places women go for girls weekends, we would hit the trail and explore areas familiar as well as unknown, and we would do it as a multi-day run, with no kids, no husbands or partners, just us gals. Bingo! After a flurry of emails to women we knew (and women we wanted to know better), we had ourselves a group of five, who happened to be all mothers. "Dirty Mothers" was born.<br />
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<i> </i><br />
Over Labor Day weekend 2014, our group of DMs -- plus Stephanie Wilson-- ran the length of the Shenandoah National Park on the AT, starting from Front Royal and ending at Rockfish Gap, for a total of 100 miles (schedule conflicts required we end a little short of the total length of 111 miles, but no matter).<br />
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Annie made a fun video of the adventure:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rfOFWvOQckw" width="480"></iframe> <br />
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For 2015, we decided to head further south on the AT starting at Rockfish Gap with a finish at Apple Orchard Falls, for a total of 92 miles over three days. Jenny and Steph had family obligations, but newcomers Michelle Andersen, Jo Thompson, and Becca Weast joined the fun. Becca is not a mom (yet!) so it was nice to realize our initial vision of an adventure run weekend for women, not just moms.<br />
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On <b>Day 1</b>, Annie and Becca headed south on the AT with our pal Bob Clouston, who would also serve as crew. They ran through our familiar stomping grounds of Humpback Rocks, Reeds Gap, and Three Ridges Wilderness for a 28-mile day ending at the Tye River and a cool soak on tired, battered bones (both Becca and Bob took a tumble on this rocky section).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becca, Annie and Bob at the Tye River bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie and Becca cooling off post-28 miles in the Tye River</td></tr>
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We were fortunate to have Annie's family cabin, complete with a view of Three Ridges, as our base camp for the weekend. I hauled up a few dozen steamed blue crabs, others brought refreshing beverages, and we celebrated with Annie's husband Jimmy as the sun went down. Honestly, is there anything better than steamed crabs in Old Bay and a beer with friends after a long run? I think not.<br />
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<b>Day 2</b> dawned humid, cloudy and threatening for thunderstorms.
At O'dark thirty we shuttled my sturdy DRTCHK crew vehicle to our
finishing spot along Rte 60 at Long Mountain Wayside, the halfway mark
for the Mountain Masochist 50. Jimmy was a hero (in fact, all our
husbands were incredibly helpful and supportive of our weekend plan) and
he drove us back to our start at the base of the Priest where we met
the rest of our party. We had 35 miles and about 9,000 feet of climb
awaiting us! Woop!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo, Annie, me, and Michelle ready to roll up the Priest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The Priest ascends almost 3100 feet in 4 miles, and we enjoyed warming up with the long climb and lots of chatter. This would be Jo's first ultra distance run, and Michelle would be attempting her first back-to-back long runs over the next two days, so we talked pacing, nutrition, and what to expect in terms of terrain. Annie then asked if we had been following Heather Anderson's self-supported FKT attempt on the AT, and we started talking about where she might be along the trail. Heather (or "Anish" as she is known on the trail) is attempting to break Matt Kirk's record of 58 days of hiking the AT without a crew meeting her at checkpoints. Instead, <a href="http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/post/3149/quote/6?page=3" target="_blank">as she indicated on the FKT website</a>, she mailed supplies ahead to various post offices near the AT, and she will walk off the trail and back to retrieve them. She won't get into a car at any point, and she will only accept "trail magic" from people who offer it spontaneously.<br />
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After the debacle that was <a href="http://web.outsideonline.com/2015426/scott-jurek-reflects-his-appalachian-trail-run-and-its-consequences" target="_blank">Scott Jurek's supported FKT attempt</a> to break Jennifer Pharr Davis' record this past summer, it is refreshing that Anish is attempting a low-key push without huge sponsor logos on her clothes and large crowds meeting her along the trail. When Anish<a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2013/09/doing-what-she-most-wants-to-do-heather-andersons-pacific-crest-trail-fkt.html" target="_blank"> set the self-supported FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2013</a>, she attracted attention of other hikers with her frequent updates on social media; for this AT attempt, she is carrying a GPS tracker set to "private" until she finishes, and she is delaying her social media posts by a few days in an effort to hike alone and stay under-the-radar but still be accountable.<br />
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So, as we were nearing the final steep pitch of the Priest climb, we came upon a hiker wearing a dress and carrying a huge pack. "Hmmm....Heather Anderson hikes in a dress," I thought to myself.<br />
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"Hi there!" I called ahead to the hiker, as is our custom when approaching from behind. The hiker stepped aside but kept looking ahead. A little unusual, given that many typically stop, turn, and greet us as we approach.<br />
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As I walked past the hiker, I looked her right in the eye and immediately recognized her face. "We had JUST been talking about you!" I gushed. "You're Anish!"<br />
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Anish smiled, and replied, "I am."<br />
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"May we take your picture?" I gushed again, now in full girl-crush mode. <br />
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"When we get to the top of the climb," she said graciously, so we moved quickly ahead, power hiking with the help of the huge adrenaline rush we had just experienced.<br />
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"Oh My God!" someone said. "I can't believe we saw her!" "Girls Rock!" I felt like I was at a Taylor Swift concert and we were just given backstage passes. We arrived at the top of the Priest moments later, prepared to wait, but Anish was just behind us, matching our quick pace up the mountain.<br />
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"We are friends of David Horton" I called out, and she immediately relaxed, smiled, and dropped her pack. (In an interesting twist of fate, David, a former AT record-holder, first met Jenn Davis on the Priest when she was thru-hiking the AT for the first time). After introductions, Annie offered Anish trail magic, which she quickly accepted. It turned out that we came upon her at the perfect time-- she had erroneously mailed only three days of food for this section, which would actually take her 4 days to complete before the next mail drop. So she quickly consumed the Picky Bars covered in Justin's Hazelnut Butter, and gladly accepted more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie, me, and Michelle with Anish</td></tr>
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After a few minutes of chatting and eating, we parted ways. We knew that she would be keeping pace with us over the next two days, and it was going to be fun to see if she would catch us, or vice versa. As we started running down the AT, I couldn't help but smile at the symbolic serendipity of it all -- four women, seeking adventure and quiet from our busy lives as wives and mothers, happen upon a young woman who once attempted a conventional lifestyle, but redefined living "happily ever after"<a href="https://youtu.be/pgDeh2XDNY4" target="_blank"> here.</a> <br />
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The rest of the day was spent exploring the AT section that runs parallel to the Mountain Masochist 50 course...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical green AT ferns </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising down Cold Mountain</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We finished the 25 mile section at route 60, where Michelle and Annie hopped off the train and began crewing duties. It was about 2:00pm and getting hotter, so their smiling faces (and cold drinks!) were welcome sights for me and Jo at miles 28 and 31, where Jo's family picked her up. Annie then jumped back in and we ground out the last 4 mile section to Punchbowl Gap, which climbed 1200 feet in 2 miles --- a beautiful but tough slog in the waning daylight. Michelle met us there, and after cleaning up we headed back to the cabin for dinner, a cookout with husbands, and an early bedtime!<br />
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<b>Day 3</b> was a 28 mile day near the Hellgate 100K and Promise land 50K courses. It<b> </b>was also sunny and hot, and this section had minimal water sources or crew access. Michelle and I departed from Punchbowl Gap at 8:20 am with full packs and handhelds, prepared to run 10 miles before getting aid. Annie was taking on crewing duties and would run back to meet us at each checkpoint.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle and I with trusty DRTCHK at Punchbowl Gap</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We descended to the lowest elevation of the weekend at the James River at 700 feet and then ascended to the highest point at Apple Orchard Mountain at 4225 feet in about 17 miles. Along the way, we saw beautiful overlooks and rock formations, as well as quiet forests and refreshing streams.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFe-DFM6PCLgJ0vm4Ix2wLay9rqe5B3SNfdd7BF57lZURP5oV20mPzkakxFmRAw6mQPCZMPR1Z10XO60X_f759gHSYD-3mgbo4BS5cL4D9ayS5Pd1QJCz7oQcoMKiGErFjpUP5eCYgoo/s1600/DMs15Guillotine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFe-DFM6PCLgJ0vm4Ix2wLay9rqe5B3SNfdd7BF57lZURP5oV20mPzkakxFmRAw6mQPCZMPR1Z10XO60X_f759gHSYD-3mgbo4BS5cL4D9ayS5Pd1QJCz7oQcoMKiGErFjpUP5eCYgoo/s400/DMs15Guillotine.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous "Guillotine" rock formation on Apple Orchard Mtn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NJhzP7RxchtLRH0T-CGJIQb2DftSIgc274ibxFNApldrGwTIaDW9JcqS-uSJxfiQCcrWq0yHDeqzf_NK2UA1SHHzWFR35LZnpHFQZbtSMn_fl0Q20Qy5Hl6Wwt2RByKGBfVmmw2xTQo/s1600/DMs15View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NJhzP7RxchtLRH0T-CGJIQb2DftSIgc274ibxFNApldrGwTIaDW9JcqS-uSJxfiQCcrWq0yHDeqzf_NK2UA1SHHzWFR35LZnpHFQZbtSMn_fl0Q20Qy5Hl6Wwt2RByKGBfVmmw2xTQo/s400/DMs15View.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie and Michelle looking down at the James River and our next climb up Petites Gap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPCjDb83NX2JgJBTxSuE8gfftr-R575lzo9xugzyakI-9sCwqZdJWzswRR4WKdMhRMEda6eNOCQbWlqEkyoWYsESujeGx4756mdmX4FSSGo673Z7YKveRZKGQkCon5DHm8OLi017gBDo/s1600/DMs15overlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPCjDb83NX2JgJBTxSuE8gfftr-R575lzo9xugzyakI-9sCwqZdJWzswRR4WKdMhRMEda6eNOCQbWlqEkyoWYsESujeGx4756mdmX4FSSGo673Z7YKveRZKGQkCon5DHm8OLi017gBDo/s400/DMs15overlook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east towards the Masochist course and where we came from</td></tr>
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Annie would drive ahead to the next available crew access points (which ended up being at 10, 10, and 8 miles) and then run back on the trail to greet us. Each time, she would share news of Anish, who had camped at Punchbowl Shelter the night before but had departed about an hour ahead of us. Over the course of the day, we were able to get within 20 minutes of her before our run -- and weekend adventure-- was over at Apple Orchard Falls. I must admit to a little jealousy that Anish remained on the trail, with no obligations, just moving forward in her (seemingly) effortless way, all the way to Springer Mountain, Georgia. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of our Dirty Mothers 2015 journey at Apple Orchard Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proudly wearing my DMs charms, lovingly made by hand by Jenny Nichols</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All cleaned up and ready to eat burgers and fries at The Palm in Lexington</td></tr>
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What a gift to be able to share the trail with such strong and inspiring women! As we wrapped up the weekend, I found myself planning next year's journey in my head. Shall we go north or south? Familiar places or brand new? Run with crew, or get out of our comfort zones and fastpack? There are so many miles of Appalachian Trail left to explore!<br />
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What will Dirty Mothers 2016 have in store? My wish is for more spontaneous and serendipitous moments to share with my adventure-loving friends on a beautiful mountain trail, and to be "healthy, free...the long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose."<br />
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Just like Anish.Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-58952574794069623892015-08-10T18:43:00.005-04:002015-08-12T22:26:39.893-04:00Western States 2015: Team Gary Knipling<i>For this blog post, Gary Knipling and I share our perspectives as crew/pacer and runner at the 2015 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.</i><br />
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<i><b>Sophie</b>: </i>Gary Knipling has been a loyal friend to me ever since I landed amongst the crazies of the VHTRC in 2004. We met on the trail at at the Catawba Run-Around (a low-key run put on by his son Keith), and later that year, Gary inadvertently paced me to a finish at The Ring (a long story best suited to be shared on the trail). In 2005, he was a big factor in keeping me from dropping at my first 100, Massanutten Mountain Trails 100, and over the years, he became an energetic fan of my sister's and husband's bands, regularly inquired on my children's lives and paths, and together we have forged a genuine "father-daughter" friendship that has filled a void after my dad, Chapin Carpenter, passed away due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis in 2011.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary finishing the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100. He is an 18-time finisher.</td></tr>
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Gary is 71 years old. If you have run any ultra in the mid-Atlantic region in the past twenty years, there is a good chance that he has introduced himself to you at the pre-race meeting (with a list of entrants and a highlighter in hand to make sure he didn't miss anyone), filled your plastic cup at the end of the race with ice, Coke, and his favorite Knob Creek, or chatted with you on the trail while gripping a pair of mango panties in one hand. Gary is the quintessential "ambassador" of the ultrarunning world and he proudly represents the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club. He makes everyone feel welcome, welcomes everyone, and leads the VHTRC "Blue Train" every summer to a destination race where we proudly wear our Happy Trails shirts while running in the mountains and celebrating at the finish line. With Gary around, life is always a post-race finish line party.<br />
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The VHTRC trip to the <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/" target="_blank">Bighorn Wild and Scenic Endurance Runs </a>was Gary's choice of Blue Train race for the summer of 2015. He encouraged us on the club's Facebook page to enter one of the Bighorn races (100, 50, 50K or 30K). Most everyone got into their preferred race, and about 40 of us began to make our travel plans. When the Western States lottery was announced in early December, Gary hit the ultrarunning jackpot: not only was he chosen to run <a href="http://www.wser100.org/" target="_blank">Western States</a> in 2015, he also won the raffle for a spot in the 2016 race! This meant he would not be running the Bighorn 100, as he had previously planned, but instead he would run the 50K as his last long run a week before Western States.<br />
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<b>Gary:</b> <i>The 10-day buildup for Western States, 2015, had been a fun time with many friends and fellow runners from the VHTRC. The annual Blue Train road trip was the week before with over 40 Club members running one of the events at the Bighorn Trail Runs in Wyoming. I had planned on running the 50K distance at Bighorn one week before Western, just as I had done the two previous times I had run Western in 2004 and 2006. Being just slightly superstitious, I didn’t want to change a good routine! But one week before Bighorn, I tweaked my right calf muscle (the soleus) on a regular local training run, so I decided to play it safe and not run the 50K. My soleus bothered me quite a bit at first, but after some PT and good advice from friends who had had a similar injury and moderated rest, I was100% ready physically for the start of WS at 5:00 AM June 27th.</i><br />
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<i>The Monday of Western States week I flew from Billings, MT to Sacramento to get a head start of experiencing the local flavor, excitement and thrill of the circus of Western States. I registered and attended most of the meetings associated with the 2nd Annual Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports Conference held at Squaw Valley that Tuesday and Wednesday. Most of the participants and audience were MD’s, but I believe the lectures would have been of interest and benefit to any serious ultra runner. Some topics covered were: "Screening for Participation in Ultra-Endurance Events,""Ultramarathoner’s Eye," and "Post-Exercise Recovery Methods."</i><br />
<i><br /><b>Sophie:</b></i> I was fortunate to land a spot on Team Gary Knipling along with longtime friends Quatro Hubbard and Tom Corris. All three of us had run Western States, and since we were familiar with the course, our job was to support him at aid stations, keep him moving, fed, and hydrated, and take turns pacing him to the finish line. Crewing at WS is incredibly fun without the pressure of running the race. Since we had each run at Bighorn the weekend prior (Q and I had run the 50, and Tom the 50K), we took a few days to explore Yellowstone and Cody before arriving in Squaw Valley on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, we hiked up The Escarpment to the traditional flag raising ceremony that officially opens the race week festivities. Here WS Board members John Trent, Tony Rossman, and Mo Livermore welcomed, runners, family, and crew into the Western States family, and we remembered members who had passed away the previous year. This was very poignant and made me feel very fortunate to be part of a sport that treasures its history in the way the folks at WS do. We sang "America, The Beautiful" and looked out at the Granite Chief Wilderness, where the runners would be heading on race day. I had goosebumps and couldn't wait to get started--and I was just crewing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Western States group in 2006: Quatro, Gary, me, Scotty Mills, Keith Knipling, and Scott Crabb</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015: Quatro, Gary, me and Tom. A smoky sky due to a forest fire in South Lake Tahoe</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i> </i><b>Gary:</b> <i>My honorable VHTRC crew and pacing Team of Tom Corris, Quatro Hubbard and Sophie Speidel arrived on Wednesday and our “home base” was the Squaw Valley Lodge which was within yards of all of the activities of race registration, pre-race meetings, etc. All day Thursday and Friday there was a building up of energy, excitement, anticipation, and hope. Just walking around the “village” of Squaw Valley was like being in a fantasy world of accomplished ultra athletes. After the yellow bands were placed on the entrant’s wrists following check-in Friday morning, all of the “official runners” were “labeled” as such. I’m guessing I bumped wrists with a dozen or more people I never met, but we shared the same bond and camaraderie and expectations for the weekend ahead. It was with pride that I walked and socialized with my crew and we proudly proclaimed that we were not only from the east, but we represented VHTRC Land. Each of our small cadre of Club entrants did the same.<br /><br />My crew protected me from any and all negative influences, and even arranged for an hour-long massage for me Friday afternoon – just the second time I had ever had one. By early Friday evening I was as ready as I could have been both physically and mentally, and I was impatient for the start. </i><br />
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<i><b>Sophie:</b></i> Thursday afternoon was spent meeting with Gary and determining where he wanted crew during the race, what items to pack in his drop bags, what items we needed for the coolers, and then shopping for all of it. Gary likes to take in liquid nutrition during his 100 milers, so we bought plenty of water, sweet tea, smoothies, chocolate milk, Yoo-Hoos, and sweet pickles. The weather forecast was calling for very hot temps in the 90s at the start of the race with cloud cover and cooler temps in the later miles. From our experience at WS in the very hot year of 2006, we knew that early hydration, steady calorie consumption and a slow, manageable pace would be critical for Gary's success. We were also paying close attention to his soleus --he was feeling better each day leading up to the race, but the big question was whether the soleus would give him trouble in the early miles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary holding court at our crew meeting. He's saying, "I want milkshakes at every checkpoint."</td></tr>
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On Friday, Gary checked in, got weighed, and socialized with his fellow runners, while many friends, family, and crew members ran the Montrail Uphill 6K Challenge up the mountain. I joked that this was the perfect way to allow everyone not running the race to "take the edge off" since the energy and electricity of Squaw Valley had been buzzing non-stop since race week began. Quatro and I ran/scrambled up the technical course to the top, enjoyed the view and then bombed the descent in time for a quick lunch at the Fireside Restaurant, a Starbucks ice coffee, Team VHTRC photo and the required pre-race meeting. By Friday evening, we were ready to get the show on the road and move our guy down the trail. Wake up was at 3:00am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q leading the way up the Montrail 6K Challenge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Gunhild Swanson was introduced along with the top 10 females at the pre-race meeting, we had no inkling that her triumphant fist bump would foreshadow her finish on Sunday morning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're off!</td></tr>
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<b> Gary:</b> <i>The first 4+ miles to Emigrant Pass are uphill with little running. It was a big boost to hear so many runners note the “Happy Trails” and I was proud to be associated with their comments regarding BRR and MMT. Although I hadn’t seen her before the start, I caught up to Gunhild Swanson over halfway to the summit. We talked for 6-8 minutes; mostly about how lucky we each were to be a part of something so special as WS. Just seconds before 11:00 AM Sunday,<a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2015/06/gunhild-swanson-post-2015-western-states-100-interview.html" target="_blank"> Gunhild would make Western States history</a> in the most amazing and unbelievable way. I was so lucky to have witnessed and seen, firsthand, her finish which I believe will be recognized as the top two or three best moments ever at Western.</i><br />
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<i>For the first 20 miles of the run I felt very confident and in control, and I thought I would finish the run with no major problems. I ran with just a few runners that I knew and was still moving up through the spread out groupings of runners. This part of the trail was quite dusty so I was intentionally avoiding bunched up runners and content with finding a gap in the flow while still using my dampened bandana to avoid sucking in too much dust. I saw Quatro and Tom at the first crew access aid station at Duncan Canyon (~ mile 24) and was happy that they were enjoying watching the parade of who’s who runners participating, I tanked up with my favorite aid treats and moved on toward Robinson Flat six miles away. </i><br />
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<i>This would become the “high water mark” of the run for me at not even ¼ of the distance. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DEPkhaLd0Dyh_Q7MYcta63tIb31V22V19NBewU4Eye_WHsCdMUd3FEzbEyjziGrGrTcaFGVQg1Z8oaMbnToKWJuV-lbCcny3MO0ubv7HG11XKGeiV20GURQrLsw3Khc9JhTxD8FgeFo/s1600/GaryRobinson15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DEPkhaLd0Dyh_Q7MYcta63tIb31V22V19NBewU4Eye_WHsCdMUd3FEzbEyjziGrGrTcaFGVQg1Z8oaMbnToKWJuV-lbCcny3MO0ubv7HG11XKGeiV20GURQrLsw3Khc9JhTxD8FgeFo/s400/GaryRobinson15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary at Robinson Flat, mile 30. He arrived with 30 minutes until the absolute cut-off.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>Sophie:</b> </i>I arrived at Robinson Flat in time to see women front runners, including Stephanie Howe, Magda Boulet, and Robin Watkins come through, and all looked hot and tired. This did not bode well for the back of the pack, and there were quite a number of runners who dropped out at Robinson because of the heat and subsequent stomach issues. I had gotten word that Gary moved well through Duncan Canyon AS, which meant that his soleus was not an issue. Hooray! It was time to switch mindsets from preparing for the worst (a strained soleus) to the best (getting Gary successfully fed, hydrated, and moving). He arrived with about 30 minutes until the absolute cut-off, and he took a wee bit too much time sitting and socializing with his pal Greg Power. We sponged him off, gave him a strawberry milkshake at his request, put ice in his bandana and wrapped it around his neck, and sent him off down the trail. I was worried that he had only one handheld bottle and carried another smaller bottle of lemonade, but he reassured me that this is was enough.<br />
<br />
<b>Gary:</b><i> In the next six mile stretch to Robinson Flat (~ 30 miles), the dry heat of the exposed sections of trail were draining me of energy and causing me to slow down. More runners were passing me, and the only runners I passed were a fellow sitting on a log and another curled up in the shade of a Douglas Fir sleeping. I recalled this section from ’04 and ’06 and remembered that I had been moving well and chatting with fellow runners. This was very different this year. It was great to see Sophie and other west coast acquaintances at Robinson. I stayed longer than I should have but I needed to try to change something. Even though I drank so much, I still felt thirsty when I left the aid station. It would get worse between there and Dusty Corners eight miles away after another long stretch of exposed hot trail. At Dusty, Tom and Q tried very hard to get me back on track and energized. I left Dusty just 10 minutes ahead of the absolute cutoff and started the seemingly helpless situation of fighting the cutoffs for the next 10 aid stations. </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcMW8K4CXhQPBFXHubgnVL0mjJ_tX7oORbPkUabBXCVZgE-Y5MXvr086LBgyxdIjh3cusocuxVv6ADTMD8uun_7_61HMcZEm7npij46ZYlOSc5lvDVcupZZhIzyTdOBeVysZGXPHl2gQ/s1600/SophieLittelBaldWS15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcMW8K4CXhQPBFXHubgnVL0mjJ_tX7oORbPkUabBXCVZgE-Y5MXvr086LBgyxdIjh3cusocuxVv6ADTMD8uun_7_61HMcZEm7npij46ZYlOSc5lvDVcupZZhIzyTdOBeVysZGXPHl2gQ/s400/SophieLittelBaldWS15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WS trail at the top of the climb out of Robinson, looking towards the exposed section that leads to Dusty Corners</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>Sophie:</b> </i>Having two crew vehicles at WS<i> </i>is very helpful; it allows the runner to have crew at Duncan Canyon, Robinson Flat, and Dusty Corners, before the real "meat" of the race happens in the canyons and the climb up to Devils Thumb. Tom, Q and I met up at Foresthill (mile 62) so we could take one car to the next crew checkpoint, Michigan Bluff at mile 55. We got to Michigan around 5:00pm and given that Gary was going to arrive after 8:00pm, he was allowed to have a pacer start from there. Q drew the short straw and had the great opportunity to pace Gary 23 miles overnight to the mile 78 Rucky Chucky aid station at the American River crossing, where I would take over.<br />
<br />
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<![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Gary:<i> The Swinging Bridge over a fork of the American
River at about mile 46 marks the start of the very steep 1 ½ mile climb to
Devils Thumb aid station. I made it there with just a couple minutes to spare,
but I needed to be out of the aid station by the allotted time of 7:00 PM as
well. I was hoping the cooler temps of the evening would help me but the
benefit was only so-so. My Team was waiting for me at Michigan Bluff (~ mile
56), and knowing that Quatro would be able to go with me from there was
encouraging. I barely made it to Michigan in time, and would not have if a
medical volunteer had not escorted me with her light the last ½ mile since I
foolishly had not expected to arrive there after dark and had no light of my
own. I could not stay in the aid station (because the clock was ticking) but Quatro had planned for my dilemma,
and had food, liquids and my light to take with us. We were officially in the
last-gasp group of runners fighting to stay ahead of the sweeps, and we
witnessed the culling process that needs to take place to maintain century run
integrity. The only runner we saw after Michigan Bluff that finished this year was
Mario Raymond, who somehow was able to run the last 38 miles in about 9 hours
after running the first 62 in 19 hours. Mario passed about 80 runners after
Forest Hill School to finish in 28:04 (and NONE passed him). </i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Sophie: </b></i>Michigan Bluff was stressful. The sun had set, the clock was ticking, and there were a few other crews waiting for their runners along with us. The captain of the aid station, Kevin Sawchuck, gathered us together when there were 30 minutes left until the absolute cut-off. He emphasized that they wanted to do everything they could to help our runners finish, and that our runners had to out of the aid station by the cut-off time of 9:45. He would blow a horn with 20 minutes to go, then another at 10 minutes, and then he would make sure we were out of the aid station before the cut-off time. He also urged us to NOT let our runner sit down at this point, but to check in, leave, and then get aid outside the aid station (crews can give aid to their runner within 200 yards of the aid station). When Gary arrived at 9:43pm, we rushed him out, even though he wanted to sit. Q and Tom got his nutrition needs and met him on the other side of the aid station --which was a good 30 yard walk from the entrance. Everyone was yelling, "Go, go go!" and it was a tense moment.<i> </i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Q waiting to pace Gary. You can tell from the look on his face that it was getting tense.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Gary</b>:<i> After Forest Hill, it was more of the same for me. Quatro
worked so hard to keep me moving, especially knowing and feeling the mostly
downhill trail for 16 miles to the Rucky Chucky river crossing. There are three
aid stations before Rucky, and we witnessed a few runners at each being picked
off by the cutoffs. I was so tired and sleepy and begged for a 5-minute lay
down/nap from Q. He treated me like a 7-year-old-spoiled kid saying: “If you’re
good and gain 10 minutes at the next aid station, you can lay down for 5." All
I did was continue to shuffle along and bitched and moaned into the endless
night, never gaining that 10-minute cushion. </i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Sophie: </b></i>This was going to be the pattern for the next 5 aid stations. Crew
were allowed to meet their runner at mile 60 at Bath Road and give them
aid, so I walked 30 minutes from Foresthill to meet Gary and Q, and had
carried a variety of drinks with me for Gary to consume. At 11:10 they
popped out of the woods, and I told him that he had to get in and out of
the Foresthill aid station by 11:45 to make the cut-off. We power
walked up the hill, then started running together at the top. I could
tell that Gary was struggling-- his breathing was labored and he kept
asking us for "cold ice water, cold, cold ice" over and over. We were
able to check out of Foresthill with about 5 minutes to spare, and after
a quick sit and chat with well-wishers, we moved Q and Gary towards the
Cal Street loop which would take them down to the Rucky Chucky river
crossing at mile 78. Our VHTRC buddy Mario Raymond, whom we were helping
as well, was the last runner to leave Foresthill just as the sweepers
on horseback were making their presence known. And, as Gary noted above,
he passed over 80 runners in the last 38 miles!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FZRVsw4vK9bxA0nz1DS98PVldO0JLbjb3DWypOciZHHar5p9hBc06tROhyphenhyphenZh4MgYWZo3MyrKStesMUCnWJAIlFx5WwhEm8qf8ocO3g0RHXASrjrfxVCeTJaWcBuCxT37HSedxx4yx14/s1600/Rucky+Chucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FZRVsw4vK9bxA0nz1DS98PVldO0JLbjb3DWypOciZHHar5p9hBc06tROhyphenhyphenZh4MgYWZo3MyrKStesMUCnWJAIlFx5WwhEm8qf8ocO3g0RHXASrjrfxVCeTJaWcBuCxT37HSedxx4yx14/s400/Rucky+Chucky.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">!n 2006, we crossed the American River in boats due to high Sierra run-off...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJX3Ha2LiImVMPV_rYKhr-ZD5cnE5Tsc07W1ZYpt3wqroj5Qs2xL7kQ14OGYYgdGakHv1EbOsyQ5hbNSWT9dLfxpviFb48NATEpo1dovcp_wHENWH-pPobX9z2PQj_6WCYPnCCzgFab0/s1600/SophieRuckyChucky15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJX3Ha2LiImVMPV_rYKhr-ZD5cnE5Tsc07W1ZYpt3wqroj5Qs2xL7kQ14OGYYgdGakHv1EbOsyQ5hbNSWT9dLfxpviFb48NATEpo1dovcp_wHENWH-pPobX9z2PQj_6WCYPnCCzgFab0/s400/SophieRuckyChucky15.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2015, we crossed the river on foot. The volunteers were wearing wetsuits, sitting in the river and directing our foot placement with the help of glow-sticks in the water. Crossing the river at Western States is, to me, a defining moment as an ultrarunner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i><i> </i></div>
<i>
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<![endif]--><i><b>Gary:</b></i> <i>When the lights and bustle of
Rucky finally came into view, my entire Team was together again. Sophie &
Tom had hiked in my special cooler with my likes. At Rucky, I did a good job (I
thought?) of getting some calories and liquid in me, and I got “piggy” with
trying to get some aspirin and S Caps down as well. I was doing well until
the second S Cap got caught in the back of my throat and without any chance
for a second swallow, all I had worked for came streaming out. There was no
time to consume again. Sophie took over as my pacer and we were ushered/forced
out of the station. I was the last runner allowed to cross the River which had
to be a relief to the string of volunteers lined up in wet suits making the ~
60 yard crossing safe. The waist deep water was cold but refreshing. I thought
how nice it would have been to submerge myself into the River, but every precious
minute did not allow for that. I had taken my light with me across the River,
but Sunday’s dawn was breaking and the light was unnecessary. I needed to make
up time somehow but it was not coming easily on the two-mile climb to the next
Green Gate aid station. Once again, at Green Gate, the volunteers encouraged me
with haste to move on through the aid station stressing that I was the last
runner on the course.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Sophie:</b> </i>Crossing the American River on foot was a total blast for me, since in 2006 we had to take a boat across. The water was moving very swiftly but there were amazing volunteers in wetsuits holding the cable and directing our feet on the bottom with glow sticks. There were HUGE boulders in that river! Poor Gary had to really stretch his tired hip flexors to get over some of them. It took a good five minutes to get across the river, take off our life jackets, and start the climb up to Green Gate. Q had done an outstanding job of getting Gary to gain back some time on the run to Rucky Chucky, but the slow going river crossing was eating into the cushion. Gary worked really hard on the climb up to Green Gate, and we arrived with 5 minutes to spare. The volunteers ushered us in and out quickly, and soon we were running all the flats and downhills and moving quite well. I was cautiously optimistic that we were banking more minutes by the pace of our running. Gary did stop every time he needed a drink ---this is his habit-- and the climbs were tough.<br />
<br />
<b>Gary:</b><i> The six-mile
section to Auburn Lake Trails was a series of PUD’s (pointless ups and downs)
that went on and on and on. We passed one runner and her pacer in the first
mile after Green Gate. Instead of getting a boost for now not being DFL (Dead Freaking Last), I just
knew we were both in real trouble. It was on this section where a lady runner
had been attacked and killed by a mountain lion before 2000 while alone on a
training run. Since I was not saying much, Sophie was talking and singing to
herself to ward off any possible lurking predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still aware enough to think it would be
exciting to get a glimpse of a mountain lion. Sophie didn’t think so. </i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Although I had
run Western twice, I had not seen any of this trail in the daylight. So much
was runnable but my capability was limited to more of a downhill shuffle.
Sophie was doing her best to keep me running, but I was running low on
everything – mostly time.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RX-GEosN71qm5iGzPM6EUPkUTRgsDY8sqlM-GvPRq965RafZxMjYWHtgPQJK4DyAgHHUUO5zkPyZ2fmm9MI9sIYsbJ4_CKqraIkztFvWfIlJgdoV_S4KgDbTtiKzHSMr3LkKL2mzti8/s1600/GaryALThike15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RX-GEosN71qm5iGzPM6EUPkUTRgsDY8sqlM-GvPRq965RafZxMjYWHtgPQJK4DyAgHHUUO5zkPyZ2fmm9MI9sIYsbJ4_CKqraIkztFvWfIlJgdoV_S4KgDbTtiKzHSMr3LkKL2mzti8/s400/GaryALThike15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary working the PUDS (pointless ups and downs) on the Auburn Lake Trails section</td></tr>
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<i><b> Sophie: </b></i>It was on these same ALT trails in 2006 where Gary blew by me like I was a tree standing still, en route to a 28:32 finish at age 62. I was thinking about that moment and hoping we could summon a similar second wind, but Gary was having trouble eating anything solid and he desperately needed the calories for energy. I got him to suck on a Clif Blok and a pretzel, but basically his stomach had shut down and even drinking fluids was hard at this point. At one point he asked/ranted/whined, "Gosh, where is that aid station?" so I ran ahead to find out. The cut-off time was 7:00am, and when that time had come and gone on my watch and I still had not found the aid station, I turned around and found Gary. I decided to not say anything about missing the cut-off while out on the trail, but instead just encouraged him to keep moving. </div>
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<b>Gary: </b><i>The protocol for the warning for runners of impending aid
station shutdown at WS is one horn blast 10 minutes prior to the cutoff and one
at the time when no runners can continue. I had become accustomed to hearing
the shutdown blast at every aid station since Devils Thumb. Knowing the hard
cutoff time at ALT was 7:00 AM, when my watch said 7:00 I was expecting to hear
a horn. Maybe my watch is suddenly wrong? Maybe we were off trail? Are we that
far from the station? Sophie ran ahead to find answers. When she came back, she
affirmed we were on trail. As we approached the ALT aid station, there was a
most-polite applause from the dozen or so volunteers assembled; but for the first time since mile 30, there was
no urgency in their actions. I saw two runners in chairs wrapped in recomposed
states of mind. I stood there wondering. That is when Sophie gave me the bad
(or good?) news. I had timed out.</i>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIxxSXMwDDqal9b_HuqmSVPJ8pOYlHlnEklTXsU1y3_jXCkXG4NLTsYToNKch1MPxEQtIWYbKPwQoUwe4oSxDHL_lLS5PurIBv46PRO3JdPud3MyD2w26u1abSYZT52XHA7w3ReQ5is/s1600/GaryALT15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIxxSXMwDDqal9b_HuqmSVPJ8pOYlHlnEklTXsU1y3_jXCkXG4NLTsYToNKch1MPxEQtIWYbKPwQoUwe4oSxDHL_lLS5PurIBv46PRO3JdPud3MyD2w26u1abSYZT52XHA7w3ReQ5is/s400/GaryALT15.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ALT theme was "Christmas in June" --the volunteers were amazing.</td></tr>
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<i><b> Sophie: </b></i>Finally, after what seemed like hours on that section of trail, Gary and I ran into the mile 85 ALT aid station. I smiled at the volunteers and made eye contact with them. They smiled back, and in that quiet moment, we made a decision together: I would be the one to tell Gary that he had missed the cut-off by 5 minutes. I was very grateful for their sensitivity and compassion. And so I turned to my friend, who had worked so hard for 26 hours to get 85 miles, and said, "We missed it. It's 7:05." He looked back at me, and in classic, humble Gary Knipling fashion, smiled at me and all the volunteers and said, "Well...gosh. Gosh! That was close. Can I please have a chair?"</div>
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<b>Gary:</b><i> A chair was offered. Initially I just stood there. Sophie
brought me a cup of ginger ale and ice. The chair was so inviting and I sat
down. It was suddenly a relief. After a couple minutes of showing appreciation
to the dedicated volunteers, I saw a folded up cot nearby. I asked if I could
use that and a young lady promptly set it up for me. As I gingerly sat on the
side and then spinned my butt around to lay prone on my back, my thoughts were
directed to Quatro: “Hey Q-Man. There, Big Buddy. I wish you could see me now!” </i></div>
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<i>My Western States attempt was foiled and done.</i></div>
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<i><b>Sophie: </b></i>Crewing and pacing a runner in a 100<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> allows for people to bond on a very deep level, for the runner to be vulnerable and trusting, and the crew and pacers to honor this trust above everything else. Pacing, in particular, speaks to my passions as a counselor and as a coach, and I was able to do a little of both while on the trail with Gary. Like so many others on that day, I witnessed courage, humility, strength, and love. I learned about perseverance, determination, and the power of positive thinking. And I am determined to live my life with these values leading me. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Thank you, Gary, for being an inspiration to all of us. </span></div>
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Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-18514935252115814402015-07-03T23:30:00.000-04:002015-07-09T11:25:29.334-04:00Bighorn 52 Mile: Running Happy and Content In The Shining Mountains<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EZBZ7B5aIEjmJcl34EkQUi4TikrC22HIAfwUYL-VH3Kw6BOdIk0o2UZNgRcS_puExlBWZI4a1T-QsvahZfgDw0DKIhyphenhyphenhUy_Dl5wcXAcmyVjRejTm_DugSXOXT2N_pqql0fBm4uY4ZrQ/s1600/Bighorntrail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EZBZ7B5aIEjmJcl34EkQUi4TikrC22HIAfwUYL-VH3Kw6BOdIk0o2UZNgRcS_puExlBWZI4a1T-QsvahZfgDw0DKIhyphenhyphenhUy_Dl5wcXAcmyVjRejTm_DugSXOXT2N_pqql0fBm4uY4ZrQ/s400/Bighorntrail1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first sublime miles of the Bighorn 52</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I ran my first ultra at Holiday Lake in 2002, my children were 9, 7, and 4. Over the years my ultra career mirrored the ebbs and flows of their lives, and our life as a family. The "early" years were somewhat easy, in that the kids had not quite gotten into travel athletics or other activities that would demand my attendance each and every weekend. I actually did fairly well during these years and even won a race or two! Later, especially as our older son took to travel lacrosse and our younger kids got into summer swim team, I went to fewer races, and almost never in the spring and summer months. This was a win-win for all of us, as I loved watching my children thrive in their chosen endeavors, and in return I found myself feeling fresh and chomping at the bit to race once the cooler fall weather arrived. More often than not, I was able to steadily improve my races times at both Mountain Masochist 50 and Hellgate 100k for about six years...that is, until 2014.<br />
<br />
For a variety of reasons, my performances at both Masochist and Hellgate in 2014 were disappointing. I came into Masochist a bit under-trained after dealing with a late summer piriformis injury, and at Hellgate, I <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2014/12/hellgate-2014-smackdown.html" target="_blank">totally screwed up </a>with a variety of rookie mistakes. I was discouraged and often wondered if my "best" years were behind me. As 2015 arrived, I looked forward to my first summer ultra in years: the Bighorn 52. I needed a new challenge, a new-to-me race. But most importantly, I wanted to run a race and feel like I did in "the old days" -- when I ran smart, was injury-free, and was well-prepared. So, <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2015/03/being-smart.html" target="_blank">after recovering from a late winter calf strain</a>, I plunged into a 12-week training cycle that incorporated a few new workouts and a renewed emphasis on strength and heat acclimation (since running in the heat is a huge weakness of mine). I also worked hard on my technical downhill running (another huge weakness, one that gets harder to improve with age!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSygBfCXVXfIZkpQG9R17jYvgIISAbudlSrID1fw-bSrJ9dbHLTPwlIgvTxAqC8O4GnWWDdT5kPL-AedHNBQXjuvYO522BPps87IcBRnP0j0prAujLg3Ek7yUj-nb5X4QhL_4DI2SZWg/s1600/Bighornselfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSygBfCXVXfIZkpQG9R17jYvgIISAbudlSrID1fw-bSrJ9dbHLTPwlIgvTxAqC8O4GnWWDdT5kPL-AedHNBQXjuvYO522BPps87IcBRnP0j0prAujLg3Ek7yUj-nb5X4QhL_4DI2SZWg/s400/Bighornselfie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The VHTRC gang just before the 52 mile start. It was cold!</td></tr>
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The entire race is on beautiful, runnable, rocky single track in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming (called the "Shining Mountains" by the Sioux-- I love that!). The 52 mile race started at 6:00am on Saturday, the day after the 100 milers started, to maximize finishing together on Saturday afternoon. The weather was cold (40s) at the start and warmed up nicely throughout the day, until it felt oppressively hot with the late afternoon sun beating down into the canyons. Once in awhile we had some dirt roads and double track to rest our minds and be brain dead for just a moment...but for the 12 hours that I was running, I was forced to focus my energy on navigating the twisty, grass-covered, muddy, narrow single track trail that wound itself from 8800 feet at the 100-miler turnaround to the finish line at 4000 feet along the Tongue River. My finishing time of 11:59 was my slowest 50+ mile time ever, but I feel incredibly proud of how I prepared for, trained, and executed on race day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP71U-m0_8P_epsGn-5P_sQejm00fYfaN98vzjteV5s-iK435tyVuwzKuXEg_xyy8W9YYuim4c__VEjviai5LxBHuUE9YOpZbi5umUpu8UgODltnqRDrW0n5ZcMPYT9zwBP8Ro85S9ak/s1600/BighornDryforkrunners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP71U-m0_8P_epsGn-5P_sQejm00fYfaN98vzjteV5s-iK435tyVuwzKuXEg_xyy8W9YYuim4c__VEjviai5LxBHuUE9YOpZbi5umUpu8UgODltnqRDrW0n5ZcMPYT9zwBP8Ro85S9ak/s400/BighornDryforkrunners.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dryfork Aid Station, mile 13/83 for the 100 and mile 34 for the 52</td></tr>
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My <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2015/06/bighorn-50-training-cycle-with-lot-of.html" target="_blank">previous blog post </a>outlined my Bighorn training cycle, and looking back post-race, I wouldn't have changed much of anything. My time in the sauna prepared me well for the heat, which was a good thing given that the temps were among the hottest in race history (high 80s and low 90s). I was not drastically affected by the altitude, except during the highest pitches of the three short climbs we had (I wish there had been more climbing, to be honest!). And I had practiced racing hard on technical downhill in a few trail 5Ks as well as running downhill hard during hill repeats. I also spent a good amount of time in the gym working on core, glute, quad, and hip flexor strength. As a result, I had very little quad soreness during and post-race. Hmmm...that makes me think I could have pushed the downhill pace more, but until I feel more confident with my technical downhill turnover, it is what it is!<br />
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I was very happy with my nutrition. I made a concerted effort to take in about 240 calories an hour, and this came in the form of Perpetuem Cafe Latte, EFS shots, Hammergel, Clif Shot Bloks, and Justins Almond Butter. I took nothing from the aid stations except water and the contents of my drop bags I carried my Ultraspire hydration pack and used a handheld bottle drinking to thirst, and felt good all day long, with the only time I had a rough patch was when I was baking in the heat of the Tongue River canyon around 5:00pm at about mile 47. Here the final 5-mile gravel road section (finally!) meets the end of the technical trail, and for me, this road could not come soon enough. I was able to pass two women who had run by me earlier to inch closer to the top-10 (which I missed by one spot--the 9th-13th place females were separated by about 6 minutes!). Many folks complain about the tedious nature of this flat road, but I loved stretching my legs out and seeing how hard I could work in the final miles.I think I was able to lay down a few sub-8:00 miles. Woop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDjwnfl0sRTEGFT63Y1DnUKrTiGiymMEGO6_OcECwQM0YOo6nfLVlOvLF9DPP2xS8rWdNaZ6bhryd0MmS1gTK5Wue7XB1p6BiYG7l_mnrTnvXd7LUcHMhYSZsIh5zNmaT0Ew0ODGuQEE/s1600/BighornfinishSophie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDjwnfl0sRTEGFT63Y1DnUKrTiGiymMEGO6_OcECwQM0YOo6nfLVlOvLF9DPP2xS8rWdNaZ6bhryd0MmS1gTK5Wue7XB1p6BiYG7l_mnrTnvXd7LUcHMhYSZsIh5zNmaT0Ew0ODGuQEE/s400/BighornfinishSophie.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling good at the Bighorn 52 finish line</td></tr>
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As good as I felt throughout the race, Bighorn was definitely harder for me than the <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2014/12/hellgate-2014-smackdown.html" target="_blank">Hellgate 100K</a>. Once out of the comfy surroundings of my local ultra communities and familiar trails, I had to adjust to bigger mountains, less oxygen, tougher terrain, and more competition. There were women in front of me and behind me all day long, so we were constantly jockeying for position and very much aware of one another, which was mentally draining --- but I very much enjoyed competing with so many more women than I see in our races back East! The downhill trail forced me to run and there very few opportunities to climb and re-group, which I always enjoy and look forward to. The terrain was ever-changing and always challenging to navigate, and the heat and altitude made it harder for someone like me who runs well in sub-freezing weather and conditions. In short, the Bighorn 52 kicked my butt and was <i>exactly</i> the challenge I had been seeking.<br />
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As I came into the finish area, I immediately saw Annie (who had dropped from the 100 earlier in the day). I started to weep ---tears of sadness for her disappointing race as well as tears of relief that my race was over and that I could sit down! As soon as I finished and was off my feet, I talked to Annie and cooled off my legs in the Tongue River. She was characteristically upbeat and philosophical about her tough day, but I could tell she was really hurting inside. It is hard to train 3 months with a friend, and know how hard they worked to get to the start line, only to have the race blow up in a matter of hours. When we come back out to Bighorn, Annie has unfinished business to attend to, and I know she will take care of it!<br />
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The <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/" target="_blank">VHTRC</a> had a huge group representing in the 100, 52, 50K and 18 mile Bighorn races, and it was a blast sharing the trail together, crewing for one another, and spending time together throughout the weekend. These various race distances, along with the very low key, "old school" vibe and community enthusiasm for the event, make Bighorn a perfect destination ultra for groups of friends, non-runner spouses, and families with children. My hubby rented a mountain bike at the Billings Spoke Shop and was able to ride on parts of the course with Annie's husband, Jimmy.<a href="http://run-mommy-run.com/" target="_blank"> Annie's</a> three children were able to play non-stop for hours at the finish line park, and our VHTRC crew celebrated our races and the Summer Solstice until dusk on Saturday evening, sharing cold beverages and enjoying the post-race cook-out. On Sunday morning, we gathered again in Sheridan for a pancake breakfast awards ceremony before saying farewell and heading to points north and west: Cody, Yellowstone, Glacier, Tetons, and beyond. Bighorn is a perfect summer vacation race!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBfIPLZf1MrTQ7CIAEzYIxlfcPJL6neb5YY8YHe3zopRX7bpP2U3f6ZLZ_zjkSpIZ8LQN8RPm6cOTb-gCOb4r6Db46H7-2CXZhxjFEeuev8joqdodkzZKpm7f4p2l8pY_4qYjO51OAaE/s1600/BighornAnnieSophie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBfIPLZf1MrTQ7CIAEzYIxlfcPJL6neb5YY8YHe3zopRX7bpP2U3f6ZLZ_zjkSpIZ8LQN8RPm6cOTb-gCOb4r6Db46H7-2CXZhxjFEeuev8joqdodkzZKpm7f4p2l8pY_4qYjO51OAaE/s400/BighornAnnieSophie.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie and I were thrilled to represent Crozet Running in Wyoming!</td></tr>
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I absolutely loved running in the beautiful Bighorn Mountains. It reminded me of the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia, only with 8,000 foot mountains on either side. The event was incredibly well-run given the sheer numbers of runners, family, and crew (over 1,000 total) in the small town of Dayton, and the volunteers were terrific---very helpful at aid stations and sincerely interested in making it an unforgettable race weekend. When it was all over, as we were driving west towards Cody and Yellowstone for some rest and relaxation on Sunday afternoon, I kept asking my husband, "How much fun was that?" We were both on a huge post-race high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQCUGlaTflU4lkrM1DhGtX8FYLazpAJ00Ib-yIaN4tUnPv2agUC40UMPKdVY8XoWQZuuh4JrFhk30Q_wJiBEyb-hXJmN4EVjf62sAfwKO7c1V-vJn22hwIJhsu6IxeLlb7KQeMoQjDE8/s1600/Bighorntrail4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQCUGlaTflU4lkrM1DhGtX8FYLazpAJ00Ib-yIaN4tUnPv2agUC40UMPKdVY8XoWQZuuh4JrFhk30Q_wJiBEyb-hXJmN4EVjf62sAfwKO7c1V-vJn22hwIJhsu6IxeLlb7KQeMoQjDE8/s400/Bighorntrail4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around mile 22...I took photos all day long</td></tr>
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A few days before leaving for Wyoming, I had read a race report from the San
Diego 100 beautifully written by John Trent. John is in his early 50s
(like me) and he has been in the sport a bit longer than I. And, like
me, he considers Scotty Mills, the RD for San Diego, one of his mentors.
Scotty is a longtime VHTRC member and leader. He was the RD for the
Bull Run Run 50 for many years and one of the first people I met when I
was an ultra newbie. He was, in fact, the same age that I am right now
(52) when I started running ultras, and he helped me immensely at
Promise Land 50K and at The Ring (where he ran over Kern's Mountain with
me and gave me tips on how to run over the Massanutten rocks). In
short, Scotty took the time to show me the ropes, encourage me, and
teach me a few things about running ultras that I have used over and
over in the years since. As I have gotten older (and slower), I have
thought a lot about the lessons I have learned as an ultrarunner, about
the person I am now compared to that newbie in 2002, and how I will
adjust to aging and the inevitable decline in speed and agility. So, I
found it serendipitous when I came upon John's reflections on his ultra
career and read about his own reverence for Scotty Mills.<br />
<br />
In John's
San Diego report, he reflected on the runner he was eight years ago,
before a knee injury sidelined him. He wrote, "<i>Make no mistake, though. I
like the runner I am now. The runner I am now is more helpful, more
concerned for others and less worried about himself. The runner I am now
takes time to hug and to listen. The runner I am now tries to
contribute to our community. The runner I am now, I think, has taken memory and made it plural, collecting and sharing it with others...if
anything, the past eight years has taught me that the simple act of
running is a miraculous thing, a gift really, and to take it for granted
or cloud it with too harsh judgments or negative thoughts based on
placing or finish time is simply a fool's errand. And so I run today,
happy and content with who I've become as a runner, and as a person.</i>"<br />
<br />
This
is a beautifully written meditation on the trans-formative nature of
our sport. Ultrarunning has the power to simply make us better -- better
people, partners, friends, mothers, fathers. Knowing this inspires me as I look forward to what the years ahead offer. I read John's words many times before heading to Bighorn, and decided that my mantras on race day would be, "take time to listen" and "run happy and content."<br />
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And, I did.<br />
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<i>Coming up: Daring Greatly At The Big Dance</i>Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-14082025727130043862015-06-12T16:58:00.003-04:002015-06-15T13:32:35.825-04:00Bighorn 50 Training Cycle: With A LOT of Help From My Friends<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b1nmEg5YL6jeIDwXEtCnWpwUXGX-e5usWWfyHXX6jksb3e28BgtRNOR2qm8EhS1KX09UfVEMYLM_E37If_xZad8KT_sRWQTdgP638wLQkJ_gahY0JrDjeO3VXhEdDf9JMzxs8Wg-Yyk/s1600/SophieNightRun15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b1nmEg5YL6jeIDwXEtCnWpwUXGX-e5usWWfyHXX6jksb3e28BgtRNOR2qm8EhS1KX09UfVEMYLM_E37If_xZad8KT_sRWQTdgP638wLQkJ_gahY0JrDjeO3VXhEdDf9JMzxs8Wg-Yyk/s320/SophieNightRun15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset Run up to Blackrock in the SNP to cap off a fantastic training cycle</td></tr>
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On Saturday, June 20, I am joining 35+ other <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/" target="_blank">VHTRC</a> friends who are running the 100, 50, 50k, or 35k options at the <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/" target="_blank">Bighorn Wild and Scenic Endurance Runs.</a> Bighorn is the official "Blue Train" destination race of the year, and I'm excited to join my brethren from the East Coast as we descend on the town of Dayton, Wyoming and run through the beautiful Bighorn Mountains. Bighorn has been a bucket list item for me ever since the first Blue Train-Bighorn run in 2005, and I am thrilled that my hubby will be joining me on this adventure as we celebrate 26 years of marriage and the start of our first as empty-nesters!<br />
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As I wrap up the training cycle for the <a href="http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/home.html" target="_blank"> Bighorn 50,</a> I am reminded --more than ever-- that for me, the essence of training for and running ultras is ALL about the relationships forged over many, many miles of mountain trails and shared stories about life, jobs, children, hopes, and fears. It's about "daring greatly" with Big, Hairy Audacious Goals, asking for help, feedback, and guidance and knowing that my tribe will support me unconditionally, even if I fail. And it's about sharing my own list of "things I wish I had known" with my fellow ultrarunners as they train for their next BHAGs and adventures. Putting together a logical, cohesive, and effective training cycle is a very satisfying feeling, and I'm cautiously optimistic that this Bighorn 50 cycle will yield a fun and enjoyable experience. A number of friends have inquired about my training this time around, so here it is in a nutshell...<br />
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<b>Long, easy stuff. </b>I started training in earnest at the end of March, after recovering from a mild calf strain as a result of cross-country skiing. It was actually good timing to be coming off an injury, as I found myself hungry and itching to get back to running after a 4+ week layoff, my longest break from running in years. The cycle began with lots of long, slow easy runs, gradually building my mileage up to about 50 miles per week through April. Each week included a quality day of either hill repeats or a hilly tempo run, and each weekend was spent with easy back-to-back long runs in the mountains at conversational pace. The Bighorn 50 starts at 8800 feet of elevation and descends the first 18 miles to 4200 feet, before a long climb of about 2100 feet in three miles before descending one more time to the finish. I asked my friends and Bighorn veterans Katherine Dowson (a previous Bighorn 50 women's winner), Beth Minnick, and Rachel Bell Kelley for advice on training. They encouraged me to work on my downhill (and mud!) running as well as trashing my quads in training, so the weekend runs focused on long downhill descents on trails and gravel roads. Fellow <a href="http://www.crozetrunning.com/" target="_blank">Crozet Ultrarunning Team</a> member Annie Stanley is running the Bighorn 100, so she joined me almost every weekend, which was awesome. We trained on the TWOT loop twice in April (running both directions with 7500 feet of gain in a 27 miles loop), the Priest and Three Ridges (7500 feet of gain in 24 miles), The Priest-Three Ridges-wimpyPriest (28ish miles and almost 9775 feet of vert), the AT in Shenandoah National Park, and the Fox Mountain loop near Charlottesville, a hilly gravel road 17-miler, where we worked on MP, HMP, and 5K pace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLC-Up0R43ff5uEZEZdBhyCXLRWHjhzn_h7BwYGK615iCZNciueBVjG4MZ1gq3PZXZbUL8wqPSHY6L_dESsdaJTaqfXWrXOT-UPqYx8JH7mKfasmyTsY6b4LsktzTGrbA2HJnUlmatps/s1600/SophieAnnieThreeR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLC-Up0R43ff5uEZEZdBhyCXLRWHjhzn_h7BwYGK615iCZNciueBVjG4MZ1gq3PZXZbUL8wqPSHY6L_dESsdaJTaqfXWrXOT-UPqYx8JH7mKfasmyTsY6b4LsktzTGrbA2HJnUlmatps/s320/SophieAnnieThreeR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie and me on Three Ridges (pic by Michelle Andersen)</td></tr>
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<b>Speed</b>. At the end of April, I added a quality day to the weekend runs with the first of five short races. The hilly and hot VIA 5k was part of a 15 mile day of running the Rivanna Trail in C'ville, and the next weekend I ran the <a href="http://www.monticello.org/site/visit/events/montalto-challenge" target="_blank">Montalto Challenge 5k</a> (an uphill road race) as part of a 17 mile push on the trails of Secluded Farm and Carter's Mountain. Two weeks later I ran the very tough <a href="http://www.crozetrunning.com/trail5k/" target="_blank">Crozet Trail 5k</a> in mountainous Mint Springs Park (with ~700 feet of gain) followed up by the fabulously old school and very hilly <a href="http://batesvilleva.org/Batesville_Community/10K_Race.html" target="_blank">Batesville 10k</a> --a perfect quad trasher--as part of a 15 mile heat run. Finally, on June 9, I ran the first <a href="http://cvilleareatrailrunners.org/wp/blog/2015-ohlly-5k-race-results-and-pictures/" target="_blank">Ohi!ly 5K trail race</a> in heat and humidity. <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/category/columns/ajws-taproom" target="_blank">AJW</a> and I developed a fun and feisty rivalry over the course of these races, and he currently leads our series 2-1, having soundly beaten me at Mint Springs and Ohill while I crushed him on the Batesville 10K course. I am thrilled to have been able to use these local trail races as part of my preparation --- there is nothing like toeing the line week after week and getting a quality workout in, both physically and mentally! Thanks, Andy, for pushing me to improve my downhill running :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising up Montalto (pic by Natalie Krovetz)</td></tr>
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<b>Heat</b>. Ah, yes, heat training. When I was training for the heat of Western States 100 in 2006, I worked up to 45 minutes in the sauna, 2-3 days a week. This was critical that year when temperatures soared to 110 degrees in the Sierra Nevada canyons. Given that Bighorn has a lot of exposed sections and that I tend to suffer (aka suck) in the heat, I returned to the sauna at UVA's North Grounds Rec Center, and really enjoyed it. I used the time in the hot box to foam roll my IT bands, calves, piriformis, and shoulders, as well as to practice easy yoga (I'm pretty certain the lifeguards had a lot of fun talking about the wacky old lady in the sauna, rolling her butt over and over). Since I did this in the early morning hours, it was also a perfect time to meditate and stretch, and I emerged feeling calm, serene, and ready for the day. After my sauna sessions, I typically swam about 500-1000 yards nice and easy and then sat in the whirlpool on the pool deck for a few minutes. Adding the sauna, foam rolling, and easy swimming to the training cycle is something that I will stick with going forward--- being able to sit free of distractions for up to 45 minutes and stretch/roll out all the junk in my body (and my mind!) was a huge luxury and made a world of difference in my mood and outlook. And, dare I say, all the foam rolling has kept injuries at bay!<br />
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<b>Strength</b>. I strength train 1-2 times a week all year long, and continued doing so during this cycle, in addition to using hill repeats for lower body work. Every other Thursday I joined fellow CAT Jason Farr for AJW's version of Man Makers: 3:00 "hard" (perceived 10K pace --almost redlining, but not quite) up an 18% grade trail followed by 3:00 hard downhill. 15 push-ups and a 30 second plank followed before a 30 second rest period. Then repeat, working up to 8 repeats two weeks from race day. Jason, who is training for the Tahoe Rim 100, swore by these for his Grindstone training, and I was looking for something new and challenging to add to my hill training. Oof. Man Makers were killer. I included a few more hilly miles after our repeats for a total of 11-12 miles, and I can tell they have made a huge difference in my climbing and overall fitness as the weeks progressed. On alternate Thursdays, I ran with CAT Becca Weast for a hilly tempo run with 2 miles at MP, rest 1:00, and 3 miles at HMP on a gravel road near UVA before running 3-5 repeats of the Ohill powerlines, with push-ups and planks in between. In the gym, I focused on kettle bell swings, single arm snatches, Bosu ball squats, lunges, and a variety of core exercises including planks, side planks, as well as Swiss ball and medicine ball work.<br />
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<b>Boot Camp</b>. A key part of the training cycle was the Bighorn Boot Camp over Memorial Day Weekend, four weeks out of race day. A number of the CATs and Crozet Running peeps were training for Highlands Sky 40 on June 20 as well, so it was awesome to share some training miles and race strategies together. We ran the Priest-Three Ridges-wimpyPriest on Saturday for about 28 miles and 9775 feet of climb; On Sunday, we tackled for the first time the super tough Whetstone Ridge trail, a fantastic 22 mile loop with about 5,000 feet of climb (and the first 9 miles downhill!), and on Monday, we joined about 35 other <a href="http://cvilleareatrailrunners.org/wp/" target="_blank">Charlottesville Area Trail Runners</a> for the 6th Annual Harry Landers Memorial, which is about 21 miles and 4000 feet of gain on the sweet singletrack of the southern Shenandoah National park. Finishing that weekend feeling good after running over 70 miles and 18,000 feet of climb was a huge confidence boost for us all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabip93qyS-TCe-mEtsvOblqQM0iX12iE9UHeaAb8qlc_-Me8TpJgep4Jka2SCIrfgx8_l7FGOPkWoYJp5aegFz9_UD0TzEi0Oz94fwcDVZ8xEpTP2Dff3GPnY-7yvHrEc8PIVQlLZlu4/s1600/HarryLanders15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabip93qyS-TCe-mEtsvOblqQM0iX12iE9UHeaAb8qlc_-Me8TpJgep4Jka2SCIrfgx8_l7FGOPkWoYJp5aegFz9_UD0TzEi0Oz94fwcDVZ8xEpTP2Dff3GPnY-7yvHrEc8PIVQlLZlu4/s320/HarryLanders15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harry Landers gang</td></tr>
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Now that the taper is in full swing, it's time to start packing for our trip out West. In addition to watching me run Bighorn, Hubby will be able to mountain bike on the trails, and we will visit Cody and Yellowstone after the race before he heads home for work and I head out to Squaw Valley, CA to help <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2015/05/intriguing-story-lines-at-the-2015-western-states-100-part-1.html" target="_blank">Gary Knipling finish his third Western States 100...as a 71-year-old! </a>This June marks the first in 12 years where we don't have a travel lacrosse tournament or swim meet to attend, and while it is bittersweet to be entering our "empty nest" days, we are both looking forward to the freedom that comes with having grown children.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These women are authentic, real, and make me better. Annie, Michelle, and Becca.</td></tr>
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I feel extremely fortunate to be able to run the Bighorn 50 and share the adventure with Hubby and all our VHTRC friends, and eternally grateful to my fellow CAT and Crozet Ultraunning Team buddies who supported me through this cycle. Thank you, dear friends, for answering the call to meet at 0600 or 6:30pm, joining me on "just one more" hill repeat, and keeping me honest by blazing past me running down the rocky stuff. Thank you for joining me in tabulating the minutiae of miles run and vert climbed, and ignoring me when I got bossy. Thank you for indulging me while I waxed nostalgic over the last days of my daughter's high school experience and fretted over the first days of my son's real world life. Most importantly, thank you for accepting me as I am. You are the best :-)<br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-71304672481721402342015-03-23T14:04:00.002-04:002015-03-23T14:07:18.856-04:00Being Smart<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My celebratory "Spring Is Here In The Mountains!" stance... and celebrating running pain-free</td></tr>
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I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to "be smart" in our sport of ultrarunning. Ultras, on paper, don't appear to be a very smart activity. The extreme distances can strain the body; the time commitment can strain relationships; and the FOMO adventures with friends can lead to poor decision-making due to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek" target="_blank">Groupthink</a>.<br />
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In my early years as an ultrarunner, I took some risks that now make me cringe when played over again in my mind. That first-ever night run in the Massanuttens in pouring rain that led me to the edge of hypothermia when we missed our rendezvous driver. Or running part of the first Reverse Ring in snow, with temps in the low teens, and with no one aware of our location on the ground in case one of us got injured. Or, more recently, running on the AT with friends and turning back due to ice-covered trails, only to then have a fellow runner fall, break her wrist and have to be rescued off the mountain in sub-freezing temps. Ugh. Not smart.<br />
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Lucky.<br />
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For the first time since 2004, I found myself sidelined this past month with an injury. I wasn't too surprised, given that I had been playing with fire by running back-to-back ultras, the<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2015/02/all-leaves-are-brown-and-sky-is-grey.html" target="_blank"> Sean O'Brien 26++ followed by the Holiday Lake 50K++ the first two weekends of February</a>. As I have gotten older, I've become much more conservative in my race scheduling and more committed to rest and recovery, so attempting this double was out of character for me. But as my students would say, YOLO ("You Only Live Once" for us old people), so when the chance to run in California came up the week before Holiday Lake, I couldn't resist. <br />
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Both races went well. I emerged relatively unscathed after Holiday Lake with only a slight right calf strain, which is my typical sore spot after a long run. This strain is a result of some chronic wear and tear around my right big toe, which I've dealt with for almost 8 years with help from Montrail inserts and Hoka Stinsons, Cliftons, and Challengers. (The Hokas have been a game changer, actually. They allow me to push off without requiring big work from the big toe, and the inserts support that as well). After all the snowfall we had in mid-February, I took out my cross-country skis for a spin around the farms near our house, and the repetitive action of lifting my heel up and down did a number on my sore calf...so much so, that when I resumed running a week later, two miles soon became impossible. Ice, rest, Aleve, and stretching did nothing to help, so after three weeks of this routine with no change, I visited my physical therapist, Eric Magrum. The last time Eric had helped me was when I had ITBS after running the Ring in 2004, so we had a good time catching up on local trail talk (Eric is a dedicated biker and trail work volunteer for our local mountain bike club) while he massaged (read: squeezed, beat, worked, bruised) my calf into submission. His Rx: stretch my soleus and calf 5-6x daily as well as my big toe, and "don't be stupid." I smirked and said, "Yes, sir." And, I meant it. <br />
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After a fun few days of trail marking and pacing Bill Gentry at the <a href="http://www.tj100k.com/" target="_blank">TJ100K</a>, I'm grateful to have been able to run 50 miles last week and finish my first long run in the mountains yesterday with no issues. As a 52-year-old ultrarunner with 13 years of running long stuff behind me, I've learned that in order to keep training and racing at a high level I will have to be diligent with foam rolling, stretching, continuing my 2x weekly strength training, swimming and pool running routine year round, as well as take off 1-2 days a week. In other words, I have to be smart. I'm grateful to be on the road to recovery with just a soft tissue repair, because I have friends who are battling chronic arthritis in their joints or nerve damage in their feet and may not be able to run again without pain. This was <b><i>my</i></b> wake-up call. I have to truly listen to my body and pick my training runs and races carefully. FOMO and YOLO is going to be replaced with my new mantra, "Be Smart."<br />
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Over the years I've been asked by my running friends,"How do you stay uninjured, with all the miles that you run?" My response was always tinged with a bit of hubris: "I rarely run on pavement and I don't race too much." But from now on that response will be tinged with humility: "I'm lucky. I rarely run on pavement, I don't race too much, and I try to be smart about when to run and when to rest." <br />
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Happy spring, my friends! As you celebrate your return to the trails after the long, cold winter, enjoy every moment. And run smart.Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-41984839652691522852015-02-17T15:17:00.000-05:002015-02-17T15:23:56.044-05:00California Dreaming...and Holiday Lake Memories<br />
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<i> All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey<br />
I've been for a walk on a winters` day<br />
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.<br />
California dreamin` on such a winters` day</i><br />
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<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">--The Mamas and The Papas</span> </i><br />
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Our daughter is looking at colleges on the west coast, and last weekend we had the good fortune to be in LA on the same weekend as the<a href="http://sob5050.com/" target="_blank"> Sean O'Brien 100k/50/50k/26 races</a> in Malibu. I had heard fantastic things about the SOB course from Andy Jones-Wilkins, so when I realized that the marathon and 50K distance started at 7:00am on Saturday, I was psyched that I had time to run on the famed SOB course and get a taste of the west coast ultra scene, while hubby could take our daughter shopping in Santa Monica. I love it when the cosmos line up! Win-win!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Georgian ---a classic hotel in Santa Monica</td></tr>
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We stayed at the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, a wonderful old boutique hotel that was built in 1933 that once hosted Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. It was about 20 minutes from the race start/finish in Malibu Creek State Park. Hubz drove me to there along the Pacific Coast Highway just as the sun was rising; it felt a bit surreal to be mentally preparing for a mountain trail race while admiring the moonrise over the the ocean! The Santa Monica Mountains are craggy, exposed, and wonderfully runnable. The TV show M*A*S*H* was filmed in these mountains; in fact, the 100K course went through the old set for the show. With about 5500 feet of climb for the marathon distance, I knew I was going to get a tough workout just one week before the Holiday Lake 50k.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_K_YIiT3qBlzBN_2GXbK29mucLMtCe_nZu8X-OB6utH8stKp1R8OaShlDGBWFfOqG2rzHFGIpkNvGdC1iAspCFndbeB6OvSv4w_gEF89sK4F9X0Dpp4hFyO1zR4m6hwWxnSZSsxrfoc/s1600/MASHimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_K_YIiT3qBlzBN_2GXbK29mucLMtCe_nZu8X-OB6utH8stKp1R8OaShlDGBWFfOqG2rzHFGIpkNvGdC1iAspCFndbeB6OvSv4w_gEF89sK4F9X0Dpp4hFyO1zR4m6hwWxnSZSsxrfoc/s1600/MASHimage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The site of M*A*S*H in Malibu Creek State Park</td></tr>
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Since I typically never race on back-to-back weekends, I asked my Charlottesville Area Trail Runner peeps for their advice on whether I should: a) take it easy and run SOB as a training run for Holiday Lake; b) race it and take my chances that I would have dead legs at Holiday Lake; or c) go out easy, take lots of pics of the views on the course and then throw the hammer down on the way back if I felt good. The unanimous response was c). In addition to getting in a good training run/tune-up for Holiday Lake, I was excited to see some beautiful new trails and meet some kindred spirits on the left coast.<br />
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The course led us up on the ridge line of the Santa Monica mountains to the Backbone Trail, which offered great running and gorgeous views. Below are a few pics from the first 13 miles:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ28MIvw32XBpflhYvZce3FciFLaQg_tfLPvw6juiD8mEUOqlZ3zOuE-qNNq2q52WCPXhBlEyc9LIZvYtWjJaebV_rdjkmqXpu01hBoiKJy6ngKWI1Y5nuRKgNZRkdGZLQ0OE7_7OMqHs/s1600/Calitrip7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ28MIvw32XBpflhYvZce3FciFLaQg_tfLPvw6juiD8mEUOqlZ3zOuE-qNNq2q52WCPXhBlEyc9LIZvYtWjJaebV_rdjkmqXpu01hBoiKJy6ngKWI1Y5nuRKgNZRkdGZLQ0OE7_7OMqHs/s1600/Calitrip7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Malibu early in the race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-bWs0QqJpuJjWxYzDKCkH-SFZEatdgOCz2fktO5mbstNCkHk3_5WpS2racF3ZKmZ-b0oK8JjHkwEvkEL11NhVW7cYSiXrYMu_pww9Zk686cRrV2w5m53kwJt6LB7EzJBG_qTBjZjOgo/s1600/Calitrip8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-bWs0QqJpuJjWxYzDKCkH-SFZEatdgOCz2fktO5mbstNCkHk3_5WpS2racF3ZKmZ-b0oK8JjHkwEvkEL11NhVW7cYSiXrYMu_pww9Zk686cRrV2w5m53kwJt6LB7EzJBG_qTBjZjOgo/s1600/Calitrip8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical fire road in the first 6 miles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJofdFrOpoDAMBDmFVOjmWfMo8adbm9SylpvZi1B9wIYpVpbR5Qw-vXG6fyMFGd8O10wQ-_pn1CcaK15yoBT7EULbNUdwH0fQM81NGVQ-8JSzR8Qof7aHDO7fhjRa7NWtMPzi3e1Ghw/s1600/Calitrip9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJofdFrOpoDAMBDmFVOjmWfMo8adbm9SylpvZi1B9wIYpVpbR5Qw-vXG6fyMFGd8O10wQ-_pn1CcaK15yoBT7EULbNUdwH0fQM81NGVQ-8JSzR8Qof7aHDO7fhjRa7NWtMPzi3e1Ghw/s1600/Calitrip9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west towards the ocean</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhVkF8uVN0jJPOW9I6ttXGgAefy_0MAMkJ3dm8wax3K9n5b5ye8SuargtqPDCcjbcR7sbxr1pe7NuV6Pq3U8C7XIwL4y3b8rLuHQFgYCfoMq1Y88rd3sf04RMl9XmzJ9NFO1xBVPL8HM/s1600/Calitrip6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhVkF8uVN0jJPOW9I6ttXGgAefy_0MAMkJ3dm8wax3K9n5b5ye8SuargtqPDCcjbcR7sbxr1pe7NuV6Pq3U8C7XIwL4y3b8rLuHQFgYCfoMq1Y88rd3sf04RMl9XmzJ9NFO1xBVPL8HM/s1600/Calitrip6.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were miles of this runnable, buttery single t</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rack</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The aid stations were manned by experienced ultrarunners. Each time I arrived I was personally met by a volunteer with a pitcher of water ready to pour in my bottle (this was a cup-free race...of course!) and move me quickly on my way. The aid stations had the usual fare, along with Clif Bloks and Shots, and when I got to the marathon turn-around, a volunteer saw from my yellow bib color that I was running the marathon. She approached me, looked me in the eye, and told me to turn around to go back to the finish. No messing around here --- they made sure there would be no bonus miles! The return trip was a blast with greeting and cheering on fellow runners, most of whom were running the 50K. I did notice that there were many more women 50 and older than I typically see on the east coast, and everyone was incredibly supportive and positive as all ultrarunners tend to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebUyDnvfiJDYPL6xq4DPeH-wmsEdfr7yDaUM5kYO_GB-DABRBsNA_rtcUa7IMKw230_wG6YRiB1I9HAGEWaxOw9PLe-HkNec-PKj5KUTXvJ02rWaDZQJTh3NMTx8cQeqKOOROPB0aquY/s1600/Calitrip10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebUyDnvfiJDYPL6xq4DPeH-wmsEdfr7yDaUM5kYO_GB-DABRBsNA_rtcUa7IMKw230_wG6YRiB1I9HAGEWaxOw9PLe-HkNec-PKj5KUTXvJ02rWaDZQJTh3NMTx8cQeqKOOROPB0aquY/s1600/Calitrip10.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scene of the crime: course ribbons were moved to direct runners to the left side of the photo</td></tr>
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The only glitch of the day took place with about 3 miles to go, where *someone* had moved the ribbons to purposely direct runners off course. I spent about 15 minutes with a few other guys running downhill before we realized that the ribbons we were following were NOT the race ribbons, just shorter versions of the actual race ribbons that had been ripped up into shorter pieces and placed on the wrong trail. Ugh.<br />
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A volunteer appeared on the ridge (having quickly been sent by the RD to fix the markings!) and directed us where to go. We hammered the final miles of downhill and I tried hard to save my quads for Holiday Lake, but I knew I had been just behind the 2nd and 3rd place females before I went off course, so being conservative was a challenge. I ended up 4th female, about 20 minutes from the 3rd place female (who also went off course), and we had a good laugh at the finish line. This was the first race in my 13 years running ultras that I had gone off course due to sabotage. It can happen on popular trails, and I'm very glad it didn't impact the 100K runners who were going for the Western States slots!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxbnbKWJrh7bd083YJ3kOYrWaEjeIsTkNSWZOA2KCzFX6tXrh4xYpmOJJHssvyYsdz5jc12Y9m1bWZft-JIsafRjYrDPLHtmFOFYpM8h3qq2c8WJGMvS1d0z-ex0hJIbHBcc3zeSKjZs/s1600/Calitrip14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxbnbKWJrh7bd083YJ3kOYrWaEjeIsTkNSWZOA2KCzFX6tXrh4xYpmOJJHssvyYsdz5jc12Y9m1bWZft-JIsafRjYrDPLHtmFOFYpM8h3qq2c8WJGMvS1d0z-ex0hJIbHBcc3zeSKjZs/s1600/Calitrip14.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RD Keira Henninger awarding me my sweet 4th place SOB coffee mug. How did she know I love coffee?</td></tr>
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At the post-race party, there was a huge buffet of veggie and turkey subs and soups, and I was able to chat a bit with<a href="http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/" target="_blank"> Ultrarunner Podcast's</a> Eric Schranz, who had been running the 50K. While we were chatting, I got a text from Andy Jones-Wilkins, who wrote, "Have a great run and don't take too many pictures!" I was happy to text him the pic below of Eric enjoying his post-race carbs (Andy has been a guest on URP a number of times)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkId_349h3qJHPFAHsB77PQg2KiGazm9IfTkSP3mnNLBkyqqXcpMV6F2T9swgMHAP7Kl8Sho6fQU7kakAqNI9LzlB1Uzwbd3C0UWtyY2hKTPonce5fEFCzkKPl1G_4C39-tdKojc7McI/s1600/Calitrip13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkId_349h3qJHPFAHsB77PQg2KiGazm9IfTkSP3mnNLBkyqqXcpMV6F2T9swgMHAP7Kl8Sho6fQU7kakAqNI9LzlB1Uzwbd3C0UWtyY2hKTPonce5fEFCzkKPl1G_4C39-tdKojc7McI/s1600/Calitrip13.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric and the crocheted shorts that are all the rage (?)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After socializing a bit, it was time to head back to the beach (Dude...I love the sound of that...) and continue our weekend visiting USC, the Grammy Museum, and Griffith Park. I loved running the SOB and visiting sunny LA in February!What a treat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZBmpB41DsTfoRA0CeioiHnn4zFZPUnZzPtmYc8zu3gbgk_HD8fOV8rmOxSurLmhG4WG8HCO7EwivtbZAl0mGM-WO8Q9odXVuNEjkciMqjXJ5MXsw8YNlf03cJyy0gdv0gUwyru8cTeQ/s1600/CaliTrip4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZBmpB41DsTfoRA0CeioiHnn4zFZPUnZzPtmYc8zu3gbgk_HD8fOV8rmOxSurLmhG4WG8HCO7EwivtbZAl0mGM-WO8Q9odXVuNEjkciMqjXJ5MXsw8YNlf03cJyy0gdv0gUwyru8cTeQ/s1600/CaliTrip4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the city from Mt. Hollywood...yes, that is smog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3ZmPGGU2uu2f8i_Oi9SfSE5UAouXsUa3u0tveM6BAZtOD859hgtRNjQCA8BhUDG8go4aRRhBOp3ei8I3Uou5ozBwe0Urk3o7ulxGLyM0c9x32E0nrn9_sCE6FiqeeHPnyw8osXmTNA4/s1600/Calitrip11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3ZmPGGU2uu2f8i_Oi9SfSE5UAouXsUa3u0tveM6BAZtOD859hgtRNjQCA8BhUDG8go4aRRhBOp3ei8I3Uou5ozBwe0Urk3o7ulxGLyM0c9x32E0nrn9_sCE6FiqeeHPnyw8osXmTNA4/s1600/Calitrip11.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the beach</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC4pMGiVRci6ts9e0TVsB0CinQPgQExj8E9XHISPgLZFCSW54JadqJfDNL-K2J_VaFYe1bDHUM83EFX_W7oFn0wiJ4E-i1vJ6_7ndrBk5k1QfO-fdiHTmuxcRSzCUOr-JkDfESEjlvSY/s1600/Calitrip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC4pMGiVRci6ts9e0TVsB0CinQPgQExj8E9XHISPgLZFCSW54JadqJfDNL-K2J_VaFYe1bDHUM83EFX_W7oFn0wiJ4E-i1vJ6_7ndrBk5k1QfO-fdiHTmuxcRSzCUOr-JkDfESEjlvSY/s1600/Calitrip3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Hollywood Hills</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3umb1jvH2QPo-ysJkN2wh9w-84csMF6E6W9wp5mpyh6tQxtYb8fjmdyQ6553SVsPw4DZK2ud1zDwlWnCflItMQmQa3xVS6j3UvvNLBf0F6MhrazGGSCHBEykvcuQcbZDvv2reCu5DTM/s1600/CaliTrip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3umb1jvH2QPo-ysJkN2wh9w-84csMF6E6W9wp5mpyh6tQxtYb8fjmdyQ6553SVsPw4DZK2ud1zDwlWnCflItMQmQa3xVS6j3UvvNLBf0F6MhrazGGSCHBEykvcuQcbZDvv2reCu5DTM/s1600/CaliTrip2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and hubby at Griffith Park. Yes, it's kinda smoggy.</td></tr>
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After flying home on the redeye Sunday night, the week following the race was spent hydrating, resting, and stretching in anticipation of 32 faster miles the following Saturday. I was a little sore until Wednesday, and didn't run a step except for 4 easy trail miles that morning. The others days I swam, stretched, and slept late...ahhhh. I could get used to just racing, recovering, racing, recovering! Forget training!<br />
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Work kept me busy all week and before I knew it I was heading down to Appomattox on Friday afternoon with John and Michelle Andersen, owners of <a href="http://www.crozetrunning.com/" target="_blank">Crozet Running</a> and leaders of the <a href="http://www.crozetrunning.com/community-2/ultrarunningteam/" target="_blank">Crozet Ultrarunning Team</a>, of which I am a proud member. Holiday Lake was to be Michelle's first ultra, and we were all really excited to share this special time with her. Holiday Lake 2002 was my first, so coming back each year always gives me a jolt of happy memories...I love watching my friends anticipate and finish their first ultra.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO68Qx5IDz3YAWyz2ymZGHKrrR6h6jKLufttLDbMf1AE_-9cEGN2knorNnTY0MA1ltpH4isb-bwQgRzFT4A7KPZ7U4OOrETTIRs4_ydLy7PRlEk564VSzlHPctpfWlPWAKO4-t2ZDAsLs/s1600/HolidayLakeladies2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO68Qx5IDz3YAWyz2ymZGHKrrR6h6jKLufttLDbMf1AE_-9cEGN2knorNnTY0MA1ltpH4isb-bwQgRzFT4A7KPZ7U4OOrETTIRs4_ydLy7PRlEk564VSzlHPctpfWlPWAKO4-t2ZDAsLs/s1600/HolidayLakeladies2015.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle, Annie, Martha, Kathryn and me in the bunkhouse just before the start</td></tr>
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Holiday Lake is a great first ultra. The 4-H camp has heated bunkhouses, good food, and hot showers at the finish, and staying onsite creates a wonderful sense of camaraderie. The night before the race, after the pre-race dinner, RD David Horton hosts a "first-time ultra" information session which I always listen in on. He tells some classic stories of his days on the trail and gives great advice, most of which I totally agree with! This year he told the newbies not to wear a hydration vest since the aid stations are so close together...but I was very glad that I did because I'm realizing that I can't skimp on nutrition (see my previous blog post, "<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2014/12/hellgate-2014-smackdown.html" target="_blank">Hellgate Smackdown</a>"). I'm very glad that I brought all my Perp, EFS, and Hammergel with me --nutrition played an even more important role given the fact I was attempting back-to-back races.<br />
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So, how did this back-to-back experiment go? In perfect racing weather of temps in the 20s and dry trail, I started fairly conservatively with my mantra all day being, "Your race, your pace." I needed to just run my race and not get swept up with the fast girls. And, for the most part, it worked. I came into the turnaround at 2:30 on the nose, a little fast for me but a good sign that I might come close to my PR of 5:01 which I set in 2012 in very similar temps and trail conditions. I was around 12th place female, about where I usually am at Holiday Lake. And, I was feeling good, so I knew I had something in the tank in case I needed to actually push the pace. At around mile 23 I saw Rob Colenso who was looking calm, relaxed, and very focused. We ran together for the next 10 miles trying to chat but we soon realized the pace was too fast for chatter. At one point I took a nose dive in front of Rob and two other dudes. Rob's comment: "Very graceful!" There is nothing like a face plant and shoulder roll in front of a bunch of dudes to get the adrenaline moving. "Nothing to see here!" was my response and before long I was back running behind Rob, focusing on his Happy Trails shirt to pull me along. Whew. Dodged a bullet there, nothing hurt but my ego!<br />
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Around mile 26 we met up with Jason Farr. Jason is a fellow CAT and he has treated me to some fun hill workouts during the past few weeks on Carter's Mountain. As we were crossing the creek, he told me he was hoping for a sub-5:00 finish as well. I was thrilled to be running with these two friends and that we were shooting for the same goals. I learned a while back that running WITH my fellow competitors as opposed to AGAINST them made me a better runner and person. It allows me to dig deeper than I would if I was alone, share the experience of the pain cave and suffering with another, and always reveals to me what a privilege it is to help and share in someone else's PR, win, or course record. Donna Utakis taught me this <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/12/spending-time-in-pain-cave-at-hellgate.html" target="_blank">beautiful lesson at Hellgate</a> and Mountain Masochist. Running with her at the end of both those races enabled me to set a PR in both, even though we were also competing for a top female spot. I try to remember that lesson every time I race.<br />
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"Sophie!" Rob is yelling at me but I can't really hear due to my singing "Shake It Off" along with Taylor Swift in my earbud.<br />
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"Whatt???!!" I stop and turn. It's about 4 miles from the finish now, and I'm starting to fade a bit.<br />
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"If you pass the next female, you'll be 10th!" he yells, before catching up and passing me like I was a tree standing still.<br />
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"Awww. Rob! Thanks for the intel buddy! Now I have to race. Geez" I think to myself, though I very much appreciate him finding this out at the aid station and passing it along. Top-10 females get some special schwag at Horton races, as do the age group winners. If I finished 10th, that meant another "old lady" in our age group-- Rebekah, Martha, just to name a few-- could get the Patagonia backpack instead. I dig deep and find the next female a mile or two from the finish. I make the pass, run ahead, and then once out of sight, promptly start hiking uphill. Rob is just ahead so I focus on his shirt one more time and keep moving. The final mile of the race is on the paved road, and I looked at my watch for the first time all day when I got there. 5:00:34. Ahh well, no PR today but at least a top 10! I hammered on.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0ACzjMBEw-2xAGI1NLihoMQW7pSHnFk-Z0PClydwmLT1V_I4xIkYIRtL2gwx9NSYMf1Ix5CQX1LlS_7oqhTFeCNlpcOCU5ZQmd3LL7XxTDNEafHxEflEWi7dSrcakiAbDdYeDHkVTXs/s1600/Holiday+Lake+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0ACzjMBEw-2xAGI1NLihoMQW7pSHnFk-Z0PClydwmLT1V_I4xIkYIRtL2gwx9NSYMf1Ix5CQX1LlS_7oqhTFeCNlpcOCU5ZQmd3LL7XxTDNEafHxEflEWi7dSrcakiAbDdYeDHkVTXs/s1600/Holiday+Lake+2015.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to keep it all together on the final paved stretch (photo by SOS photography)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I finished in 5:07:36. Not too shabby for this old girl with no real taper. My nutrition worked like a charm and besides a few miles of low energy and a bad attitude, I felt fairly strong all day. But I know it would not have been possible without the push of Rob and Jason in those middle miles. Thanks, guys. It is very fun watching both of you get faster and faster!<br />
<br />
The finish line celebration at ultras are the best, especially at David Horton races. He loves to announce the name of every finisher, especially if he/she is a first time ultrarunner. I remember finishing my first ultra at Holiday Lake in 2002. I was third female in 5:17 (this year, TEN women broke 5:00!). I'll never forget his welcoming hug at the finish. It was the beginning of a life-changing thirteen years that has introduced me to wonderful friends, beautiful landscapes, and challenged me in ways I could not imagine. Thank you, David, for helping me get my start.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_nqBEDc0u_zdRnvIUhPFOnzRO7RcFjDT426MfrzIGDmIGY9NB1uh2jKxo6on8FdgfBGXH5rIngZAELoy4SkYFMhBRfimlA63NKykTRqXPIB-P_vzdqRmw9wqtPwAE5sXRjmMWbhhVIw/s1600/Holiday+Lake2015DH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_nqBEDc0u_zdRnvIUhPFOnzRO7RcFjDT426MfrzIGDmIGY9NB1uh2jKxo6on8FdgfBGXH5rIngZAELoy4SkYFMhBRfimlA63NKykTRqXPIB-P_vzdqRmw9wqtPwAE5sXRjmMWbhhVIw/s1600/Holiday+Lake2015DH.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish with RD David Horton. I had to sit down because he told me I was 11th female, not 10th! It's all good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rest of the afternoon was spent cheering in my CAT, VHTRC, and Crozet Ultrarunning Team friends. It was awesome to see the joyful expressions on the faces of so many friends as they crossed the line. Special congratulations go out to Michelle Andersen and Jen Lysiak who both finished their first ultra! Little did I know thirteen years ago, while sitting all alone on the wooden bench at the Holiday Lake finish line knowing virtually no one, that the sport would embrace me, nurture me, and make me a better human being.<br />
<br />
I think about that every time a newbie crosses the finish line, wondering, "Does she know what wonderful times await?"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lAnZ4-NwuMCVAQ3g7NrPgxtucPPMJ_WhhqAoFhDrPDPmBiNWoL32L-nT5iyfib1_yxLZXKH4Gs5T8o67aNOC9wA5L0bN0GL8-8Xji_Lh7zJ2DSQTnlRhYqT4EOGhXyruY3tUKq3H3eo/s1600/Holiday+Lakeprerace2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lAnZ4-NwuMCVAQ3g7NrPgxtucPPMJ_WhhqAoFhDrPDPmBiNWoL32L-nT5iyfib1_yxLZXKH4Gs5T8o67aNOC9wA5L0bN0GL8-8Xji_Lh7zJ2DSQTnlRhYqT4EOGhXyruY3tUKq3H3eo/s1600/Holiday+Lakeprerace2015.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlottesville Area Trail Runners! We are growing, and it is awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZSjb2jBvaxNrdqIlMQDEh5PT-l9Ice8VLz4iTeGsp1T0MP5YdT3RA9flzMnmJwN58dWIuN4tbMU_vTt_MzDRoNLYx68Eu7Xyr3zSLyVWVTgzZl8N1iaAkFd5E1L_SpxoAx6ftCPZB_U/s1600/HolidayLake2015CRUT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZSjb2jBvaxNrdqIlMQDEh5PT-l9Ice8VLz4iTeGsp1T0MP5YdT3RA9flzMnmJwN58dWIuN4tbMU_vTt_MzDRoNLYx68Eu7Xyr3zSLyVWVTgzZl8N1iaAkFd5E1L_SpxoAx6ftCPZB_U/s1600/HolidayLake2015CRUT.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crozet
Ultrarunning Team-- Bethany (first female...and she won in 2002 also!),
Marc, Michelle, Dan (11th), Horty, Nick, Annie (7th female), Jeff
(first old guy), and John (10th!). Love these people.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Congratulations to all the Holiday Lake finishers! Results are<a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/" target="_blank"> here.</a><br />
<br />
<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-10738350295491131112014-12-20T07:10:00.000-05:002015-12-14T20:10:28.787-05:00Hellgate 2014: Smackdown<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
I'm back! I took a break from blogging in 2014 but with the post below, I am officially making good on one resolution for 2015, which is to get back to writing. Since I've posted about Hellgate every year, it made sense to start with Hellgate 2014.</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After running Hellgate 100k eight times with an average time of <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">15:07</a>, and a PR on my 50th birthday in 2012 of <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">14:33</a>, I was under the (false) impression that my ninth Hellgate would be a no-brainer. I *thought* that since the weather was basically perfect with lows in the 30s, highs in the 50s, and clear skies, that all I had to do was show up and run. I *thought* that since my training had been going really well and that I had been feeling rested and recovered from Masochist, all I had to do was show up and run. And I *thought* that since this was my 12th year of ultrarunning and I had figured out my nutrition years ago, all I had to do was...you get the idea. But here's the thing about ultrarunning in general and Hellgate in particular: hubris will smack you down every time. Gary Knipling and I had a conversation about hubris at the Barkley as we watched some friends suffer its consequences. And I thought of Gary once again as it occurred to me at mile 40 that I was in the grip of a huge, epic bonk: hubris had reared its ugly head and Hellgate smacked me down for good measure.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What happened? Well, I was cruising along feeling fine around mile 15 along a gorgeous stretch of horse trail known as the "Promise Land" section with Keith Knipling and defending women's champ Kathleen Cusick. "Hmmmm...I must be running pretty well if I'm running near these people." (Lesson 1: Don't get too cocky. They were just having a rough patch and finished in <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">14:15</a>). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The headlamp that I had borrowed for Hellgate was blinking a warning that it was time to switch out the battery, even though it was only 4 hours into the race. (Lesson 2: For the love of God, don't mess with what works! Why I decided to try a shiny trendy headlamp and no handheld instead of the trusty Petzl MYO XP and a very bright handheld is beyond me!). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I spent a lot of energy trying to navigate the technical sections in the dark, and when I came into mile 25 aid station, I was so preoccupied with fixing the lighting situation that I neglected to leave with my Perpetuem powder as planned as well as extra Clif Bloks. (Lesson 3: don't mess with your nutrition! Get it dialed in and stick to it like glue).</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As a result, I started to lose energy descending into Jennings Creek at mile 29, and despite eating lots of eggs on the ascent to Little Cove, I continued the makings of an epic bonk because I was without all my other nutrition (Lesson 4: MANAGE YOUR RACE. This is probably the most important rule of ultrarunning. When things start to unravel, figure it out, change it up. Instead of eating whatever they had at the next aid station, I just took photos of the sunrise). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I knew I was in for a long day when I reached mile 40 aid station at Bearwallow Gap and they didn't have the hamburgers they had made in years past; I had to settle for a pancake. Not the end of the world, but when I mixed my Perp powder from my drop bag into the water from the aid station, it tasted like soap. Ugh. (Lesson 5: see Lesson 4). Needless to say, I didn't drink a drop for the next 2 hours.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The last 15 miles I spent refueling and chatting at the aid stations, taking photos, texting my son ( who was en route from Australia throughout the entire race, so I was a wee bit distracted to say the least), and death marching to the finish. Despite my low energy and bad attitude, I also enjoyed periods of gratitude and joy as I remembered the many friends with whom I had had the pleasure of running with in 2014 and in past years at Hellgate. And the final three miles always make me smile: a sweet downhill, the sun shining in my face, the prospect of good food and friends at the finish line, and another Hellgate finish. What could be better?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What will Hellgate #10 bring? One thing I know for certain: hubris will not be invited.</span></div>
</blockquote>
Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-8477347952575456472013-12-31T14:48:00.003-05:002015-12-14T20:10:58.958-05:00Hellgate #8...and 2013 in pictures"You wouldn't have wanted it to be any different!!" David Horton yelled, just as I was approaching the finish of my 8th <a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/">Hellgate 100K.</a><br />
<br />
"<i>You wouldn't have wanted it to be ANY different</i>!!" he yelled again, just in case I had not heard him.<br />
<br />
Oh, I heard him. Loud and clear. And, he was right. Despite my declaration that I would "never start Hellgate if it was raining and in the 40s," here I was, a little over 15 hours after starting, at the Hellgate finish line, soaked to the skin due to sleet, snow, and cold, hard, drenching rain. How did that happen?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hpUmg_ACOUj0xUnXYc_MJz3VjlTTDpBio0_SlGp60RCg2UwSrZG0S8s-k5-cHqr_jG4__TeW1XVB1uOyJY7Ns0jxnW5dwQLCC-ZnKwd0hE-4TG5AevOBI5qtfKg-I7GTTCa4hU4LKT4/s1600/Hellgate2013stephen+hinzmanstart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hpUmg_ACOUj0xUnXYc_MJz3VjlTTDpBio0_SlGp60RCg2UwSrZG0S8s-k5-cHqr_jG4__TeW1XVB1uOyJY7Ns0jxnW5dwQLCC-ZnKwd0hE-4TG5AevOBI5qtfKg-I7GTTCa4hU4LKT4/s320/Hellgate2013stephen+hinzmanstart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of Hellgate 2013--photo by Stephen Hintzman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The start itself was lovely. Temps were in the mid-30s, there was no wind, and the trail was dry. David had warned us the preceding week that we were finally going to experience true "Hellgate weather" after years of perfect conditions. In fact, in the 11-year history of the race, this was the first "Precipitation Year" where we actually had wet stuff falling from the sky. Race week prep included trading Facebook posts about good waterproof jackets and shoe choices in addition to all the usual hand-wringing. But as we were climbing up Petite's Gap to the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it seemed like all the fuss about the weather had been for naught.<br />
<br />
Not so fast. At around mile 12 and 3:00am, as we were climbing up to Camping Gap aid station, the sleet began to fall, followed by the snow. Huge, fluffy snowflakes covered the Promise Land section of the course. It was magical. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNQ4OoiLG32NHlFj3-ylzB5L_bdCpEL-OZZHTOR7RMN-lY5Jw9jL4saBtW7BxFzrHCxuzBelpjBqCV9uNfB_dmLOliIS4Oe_97s-a1Dv6l9ysIU-ZXN-X35ILhlfjos1K8zShxDnqxak/s1600/Hellgate2013snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNQ4OoiLG32NHlFj3-ylzB5L_bdCpEL-OZZHTOR7RMN-lY5Jw9jL4saBtW7BxFzrHCxuzBelpjBqCV9uNfB_dmLOliIS4Oe_97s-a1Dv6l9ysIU-ZXN-X35ILhlfjos1K8zShxDnqxak/s1600/Hellgate2013snow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Hellgate course, around 4:00am -- photo by Megan Stegemiller</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I love about running in the snow in the middle of the night is that the trail is lit up, reflecting off my headlamp, and I only have to follow the footsteps in front of me...no worries about going off course! Fresh snow makes everything very quiet and serene, and I was having a wonderful time playing around in it, especially while descending the rockier sections---it made descents much easier, too.<br />
<br />
It snowed for about 3 hours, and then, 4 inches later, it was over. But not for long. At around mile 35, the predicted cold rain started to fall. Hard. George Wortley took a great video of the race which shows how bad the weather became<a href="http://youtu.be/jhR43ERYsEM"> here.</a> I was very happy running in just my Patagonia Cap 3 Zip Top, and didn't need to put on my Marmot Precip jacket until about two hours to go, when it started to become drenching. I had been making great time through the Devil Trail at mile 35, but the rain, combined with tired hip flexors (due to the slip, slip, slip-ping on the snowy ascents) started to take its toll. Megan Stegemiller and I came into Bearwallow Gap (mile 40) together in 3rd and 4th place, and as I ate my half a hamburger on the climb out, she and Amy Albu ran past me on the steepest uphill of the race. Yowza! That was some impressive running by Amy, a veteran ultrarunner, and Megan, a rising star in the sport. I was now holding on tightly to fifth, which (to me) is the same as being top 3 anywhere else.<br />
<br />
The Forever Section through Day Creek is typically my undoing at Hellgate, but this year I made decent time and was still running at sub-15 hour pace. The creeks were overflowing, the leaves were slippery and slimy, and the rain was flippin' cold. Eating and moving well were the best strategies to get through this section in one piece. I was happy with my fueling plan---I needed to take in at least 3500 calories throughout the race and was using a mix of Perpetuem, Clif Bloks, Hammergel, eggs and the half burger. At the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with only 3 miles to go, I looked at my watch and it read 2:30. Typically this descent takes about 30 minutes, but not this year. My trashed hip flexors and cold hamstrings made sure of it. When I rounded the last corner in Camp Bethel, saw the clock read 15:07, and heard Horty's booming welcome, I laughed. The weather was so ridiculous, and yet so perfect for this race.<br />
<br />
No, Horty, I wouldn't have wanted it to be <i>any</i> different! <br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1shrcyaDQEY-FL2qRHLEFE5P4jofOtTCYgsHo00y_igCLNkmySvkXEBP4Q9UVMxSiI-78TWKehFvLd7wqew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<i>The video I took during the 2008 Hellgate, with comments and photos of so many dear friends. Timeless.</i><br />
<br />
************<br />
<br />
I get a lot of grief for taking video and pics out on the trail, but 2013's photos reminded me why I do it. Here are some highlights!<br />
<br />
<b>January</b> ~ New Year's Day Run in the SNP with the Harrisonburg crew along Jones Falls. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0XeaUYZWjbi4D6gEkkaVEckcz8sisVpUA5FtvYObm3XF1H4YccFy8UUHGI0d5DCIaftgFwi8IALR9xjcMAZ_1BX9Uq5xOLhps0xHKv5GnqqC0lErAUKs0nqaZIbBPmF8CgMYjsIYxGY/s1600/New+Years+Day+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0XeaUYZWjbi4D6gEkkaVEckcz8sisVpUA5FtvYObm3XF1H4YccFy8UUHGI0d5DCIaftgFwi8IALR9xjcMAZ_1BX9Uq5xOLhps0xHKv5GnqqC0lErAUKs0nqaZIbBPmF8CgMYjsIYxGY/s1600/New+Years+Day+2013.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>February</b> ~ Road trip with the VHTRC to the Uwharrie 40, one of my favorites races<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSPnmBX922bIKeEe01nNRgE23P59uIaw2ySkF3TheH6lssUbhPcGlW0r5acESbcrtsQ6Ik_zHbTLf_ziFWhFJ1QO41G55M-EGFTPsqrytufsLwUxCJ4DK3CcrJCZUCA-hyMJUYCcE7qo/s1600/Uwharrie2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSPnmBX922bIKeEe01nNRgE23P59uIaw2ySkF3TheH6lssUbhPcGlW0r5acESbcrtsQ6Ik_zHbTLf_ziFWhFJ1QO41G55M-EGFTPsqrytufsLwUxCJ4DK3CcrJCZUCA-hyMJUYCcE7qo/s1600/Uwharrie2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam and Alan Gowen, me, Keith Knipling, Tracy Dahl, Rob Colenso, Beth Weisenborn and Sean Andrish</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>March</b> ~ The Barkley Marathons. Enough said!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUES2pFolGCxCLVxl6pktDpUSPz4BmbGLvlVA4orFWeoECQx1k7JibNRslM_fCfmm6v8DB39lS8FVP-DDBeezO4u4xrp2UwWvrBz7bk-arP_687eITRvCHSuXbB6BBp84YROXuUBfPGc/s1600/BarkeleyYellowGate13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUES2pFolGCxCLVxl6pktDpUSPz4BmbGLvlVA4orFWeoECQx1k7JibNRslM_fCfmm6v8DB39lS8FVP-DDBeezO4u4xrp2UwWvrBz7bk-arP_687eITRvCHSuXbB6BBp84YROXuUBfPGc/s1600/BarkeleyYellowGate13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Yellow Gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QHdK_HC4Fz3Rsg9XmTPIQagIUgMPCUnEGHIBB8Wy943LEWlGrGjcSDd5qCg5gxoQLKHeSzZAH001PnFvhEKepPFZjUB2AgbPoNpRcwlZZBRg1Emq4w4_gb_yWABjIGkPyEGCnIVWzQk/s1600/BarkleyCraig13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QHdK_HC4Fz3Rsg9XmTPIQagIUgMPCUnEGHIBB8Wy943LEWlGrGjcSDd5qCg5gxoQLKHeSzZAH001PnFvhEKepPFZjUB2AgbPoNpRcwlZZBRg1Emq4w4_gb_yWABjIGkPyEGCnIVWzQk/s1600/BarkleyCraig13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Craig Thornley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzxS7_0MviuXnCY8Kg5YfES-xKSH6-aBriEE7Xma-TSRdpP6cfBHh0uUXwtO2sMvcWsgImdL8bNB9pZ-jBjYaHAuLrS0_Gjkmqs9nuXHo3lzw3UdEXk2j5KSIV_k_aPxc1XD-AOc8HDU/s1600/BarkleyGang13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzxS7_0MviuXnCY8Kg5YfES-xKSH6-aBriEE7Xma-TSRdpP6cfBHh0uUXwtO2sMvcWsgImdL8bNB9pZ-jBjYaHAuLrS0_Gjkmqs9nuXHo3lzw3UdEXk2j5KSIV_k_aPxc1XD-AOc8HDU/s320/BarkleyGang13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Mike Bur, Jenny Nichols, Keith Knipling, and Gary Knipling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>April</b> ~ means all lacrosse, all the time. My wonderful JV girls lacrosse team after a run on the Rivanna Trail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHl1nq828em8OIVYKfUC265jCqnK3wOVMrJkk4Iu1NDwlpoxKS8BEuh0i8l5JcpVS6vyIJLRc-VIMKcjCLh-OdQw2SU-RcWaDugzVsFZY-zwuIDFGDhXBHq_G1ioBlAwXO0hRXkJgWEY/s1600/JVlaxRT2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHl1nq828em8OIVYKfUC265jCqnK3wOVMrJkk4Iu1NDwlpoxKS8BEuh0i8l5JcpVS6vyIJLRc-VIMKcjCLh-OdQw2SU-RcWaDugzVsFZY-zwuIDFGDhXBHq_G1ioBlAwXO0hRXkJgWEY/s320/JVlaxRT2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>May</b> ~ Montalto 5k, a race to the top of Montalto. Cool weather + fast girls = a 20 second PR. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHubP1PDXH-nixsvysXiSOxb7DtTHVEJUAfdNXWtb3hbGYyNvDJonQ3R0rPXNs-hO_LCIQlqpc3Mz2vRnJI47e0uIrIulQel2UBXMDLpEvMB0xA52sbLLO-QE_Rkc-zLyFZz55pU0QRFU/s1600/Montalto13AJW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHubP1PDXH-nixsvysXiSOxb7DtTHVEJUAfdNXWtb3hbGYyNvDJonQ3R0rPXNs-hO_LCIQlqpc3Mz2vRnJI47e0uIrIulQel2UBXMDLpEvMB0xA52sbLLO-QE_Rkc-zLyFZz55pU0QRFU/s320/Montalto13AJW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my sometimes-when-he's-running-my-pace training pal, Andy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>May</b> ~ Reconning the OD100 course with Jenny and hanging out at MMT 100<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9Lym3K0MWo_DiVxByTQlmrDL7WZG29TewjeecM-vzDcSm5glXAcMVQBmCWCg5_mpOrMvzIkmJS3vEGWbnltzA85xBuUQVTkPdscB_ZYdSKckwzCED3eWPmrqJehtokC7COErKh-RtRg/s1600/ODjenny13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9Lym3K0MWo_DiVxByTQlmrDL7WZG29TewjeecM-vzDcSm5glXAcMVQBmCWCg5_mpOrMvzIkmJS3vEGWbnltzA85xBuUQVTkPdscB_ZYdSKckwzCED3eWPmrqJehtokC7COErKh-RtRg/s320/ODjenny13.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Nichols at the confluence of the OD 100, MMT 100, and Tuscarora Trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>May</b> ~ Carter's graduation from St. Anne's-Belfield School<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMGvuRRxXkVPcbokPgJ1YbNhXXlWcPZOHoEmCwJNi92enOdBxIxJRHmNuUNO3qZ8s7bs0WitTTXqCIVv0E1oVGSckCEcQRQmm9Y4_eNyTsk6AvNR6RSsU8TNGyZVAhVztHsr_0dJ8pSI/s1600/Cartergraduationfamily2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMGvuRRxXkVPcbokPgJ1YbNhXXlWcPZOHoEmCwJNi92enOdBxIxJRHmNuUNO3qZ8s7bs0WitTTXqCIVv0E1oVGSckCEcQRQmm9Y4_eNyTsk6AvNR6RSsU8TNGyZVAhVztHsr_0dJ8pSI/s1600/Cartergraduationfamily2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this photo, especially because my Mom is front and center!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>June</b> ~ Harry Landers Special (20 miles in the SNP with my Charlottesville and VHTRC trail friends)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Siut-CNR8r0zE0F5AQV7nk6703m-iK-S0q8FUoD4CVpJ8o3U_hwAABUAiQoNyFWfIKs-fMM1PR8j_orfVBR2rRMS8pKr4oroAlxyojHRE-_J2hpDP_UeQVAZl-jgwix5LokvQu8OzaU/s1600/HarryLanders2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Siut-CNR8r0zE0F5AQV7nk6703m-iK-S0q8FUoD4CVpJ8o3U_hwAABUAiQoNyFWfIKs-fMM1PR8j_orfVBR2rRMS8pKr4oroAlxyojHRE-_J2hpDP_UeQVAZl-jgwix5LokvQu8OzaU/s320/HarryLanders2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>July</b> ~ Friday's After Five in Charlottesville with SGG, and a surprise appearance by the SGG kids :-)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZNoe9ZUwe9Z00PXU2knMGCFK485zwnFcqdROjIJIH0Tp4fnNVjZagZF2MevKT7HXlqnY5yQLyLPVSHO2E3slS6WHWhyphenhyphenKDHd8T9Ei8maHO__FmH-3DiQdZ5eydA7mk1ntZv1sNbMCjgo/s1600/FridaysKids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZNoe9ZUwe9Z00PXU2knMGCFK485zwnFcqdROjIJIH0Tp4fnNVjZagZF2MevKT7HXlqnY5yQLyLPVSHO2E3slS6WHWhyphenhyphenKDHd8T9Ei8maHO__FmH-3DiQdZ5eydA7mk1ntZv1sNbMCjgo/s1600/FridaysKids.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsay Goodrich, Anna Goodrich, Carter Speidel and Virginia Speidel singing "Hey Ho" while their dads play back-up</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>August</b> ~ our family trip to Bald Head Island, the best week of the year. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQISTg5JGE2FrwRj-78HauCmsVyjeuSXfGyrcsCo7oiWtuSqcNY5e6uB23oHKkouMa7U4pWkaDiXAJBEFUYv6uwdaZXGMkpwMgNaHB0zn2SsuI2Ask4Gxb8JBFhc3-fPVEqv3k8yJK8Y/s1600/BaldHead2013sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQISTg5JGE2FrwRj-78HauCmsVyjeuSXfGyrcsCo7oiWtuSqcNY5e6uB23oHKkouMa7U4pWkaDiXAJBEFUYv6uwdaZXGMkpwMgNaHB0zn2SsuI2Ask4Gxb8JBFhc3-fPVEqv3k8yJK8Y/s1600/BaldHead2013sunset.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on our last night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>September</b> ~ the Odyssey 40 and back to school --- this year I am run-and bike-commuting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlXhb52Xj8kAGAyq5CIE6pWXJBT0Dt7KYo20oRIMhb9VFRIHcF1VLaPDGfYrHy6h14sh-HQF8SFbRs40oMjixhZebI4i_n_Md735f2l_p1XjW2cO1TH-gk8w4_ainYs2spgNHRif7XRE/s1600/BikeCommute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlXhb52Xj8kAGAyq5CIE6pWXJBT0Dt7KYo20oRIMhb9VFRIHcF1VLaPDGfYrHy6h14sh-HQF8SFbRs40oMjixhZebI4i_n_Md735f2l_p1XjW2cO1TH-gk8w4_ainYs2spgNHRif7XRE/s1600/BikeCommute.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3BSjKc-ITI8PprkaamT2kDqfzcgj1lLwFtigIG3zbGvJwpJvqlERHdCqcJol0JDDJblwyj59i4yTWpxvyPmOO07a-i3L70jWCdWXtadG1hUfRyJF6pQ2oPiNLTKdAhoc8wX9EbFpR6Q/s1600/Sunset13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3BSjKc-ITI8PprkaamT2kDqfzcgj1lLwFtigIG3zbGvJwpJvqlERHdCqcJol0JDDJblwyj59i4yTWpxvyPmOO07a-i3L70jWCdWXtadG1hUfRyJF6pQ2oPiNLTKdAhoc8wX9EbFpR6Q/s1600/Sunset13.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my run home one evening</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gKx08CdBgtIMCtmXe1bi-takUmwvfn9sz9pZMUb-AIpsvqFWPiMt8qpxuTNeXNWUnU4h8uBpRl-rObZyI0D4Xgt1DUx_0IliRFpbVTQqBDXT1z5hQX38j2uTqBVNTOZtutjoQeDwYBE/s1600/Odyssey2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gKx08CdBgtIMCtmXe1bi-takUmwvfn9sz9pZMUb-AIpsvqFWPiMt8qpxuTNeXNWUnU4h8uBpRl-rObZyI0D4Xgt1DUx_0IliRFpbVTQqBDXT1z5hQX38j2uTqBVNTOZtutjoQeDwYBE/s320/Odyssey2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the highest point on the Odyssey 40 course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b> October</b> ~ Mountain Masochist 50 training on the Fox Mountain course...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNwixCvYA4x4qjZc7XXDD3j9rvKy1IfC1Rv6haSuPzpLY7ZIamg0S-42Vj1UshgXh4pa7jrS8P09C-4pTLKZZk89tB3si7yyaWROVkA1Yps72jo_kLgygtiFjStRu-O3tymkE3fsVlh4/s1600/FoxMtnview13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNwixCvYA4x4qjZc7XXDD3j9rvKy1IfC1Rv6haSuPzpLY7ZIamg0S-42Vj1UshgXh4pa7jrS8P09C-4pTLKZZk89tB3si7yyaWROVkA1Yps72jo_kLgygtiFjStRu-O3tymkE3fsVlh4/s1600/FoxMtnview13.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
on Three Ridges... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqfqOMatcMUN7xz8ei_OnJ7cLZ6OAk4KzKMg5h9eKeR-AwojqlnTmt0pAUvrTtuGLKB3NVdGniG2tBAxAU1qMAbbWEkPlwrlxEG3qjLUXCLdOFVi-x0Tgyzx4_rsF09aDoX5xR4inI4k/s1600/Priestgang13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqfqOMatcMUN7xz8ei_OnJ7cLZ6OAk4KzKMg5h9eKeR-AwojqlnTmt0pAUvrTtuGLKB3NVdGniG2tBAxAU1qMAbbWEkPlwrlxEG3qjLUXCLdOFVi-x0Tgyzx4_rsF09aDoX5xR4inI4k/s1600/Priestgang13.jpg" /></a></div>
and with Anton Krupicka...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLAcnVtl3MlfbHWyeaNC2lBSm9dhAuNnuwX8TGWOCUX4zWlt6WDcevutgglahmiSIlcxgN6oP7CpwQSrVnCuD65nsSUGXA1M7iC3rMJXzxA8xBn5cVB4CiYZx84oo6c9EbqGaJgl5b-M/s1600/AKrun2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLAcnVtl3MlfbHWyeaNC2lBSm9dhAuNnuwX8TGWOCUX4zWlt6WDcevutgglahmiSIlcxgN6oP7CpwQSrVnCuD65nsSUGXA1M7iC3rMJXzxA8xBn5cVB4CiYZx84oo6c9EbqGaJgl5b-M/s1600/AKrun2013.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
with the Richmond dirt chicks...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFwStLnp9jlLNy3qJM6qs4ZDW6r1MaGF-w6vwRX0gwv6yuhlt-HDnk5KO3alj4oPCRbOyqD3MsrLWtXoRC9XTjJU7swxAwFG1gWuxY646AAul-We8zkB97Hc7gf_bM0JlWVBoXF5Kt2I/s1600/Jarmans+Girls13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFwStLnp9jlLNy3qJM6qs4ZDW6r1MaGF-w6vwRX0gwv6yuhlt-HDnk5KO3alj4oPCRbOyqD3MsrLWtXoRC9XTjJU7swxAwFG1gWuxY646AAul-We8zkB97Hc7gf_bM0JlWVBoXF5Kt2I/s1600/Jarmans+Girls13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>November</b> ~ Mountain Masochist 50: This photo of Harry Landers, finishing his first 50 to the cheers of his beautiful wife Janis, is my favorite of the year!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm5kVOsdiZ-1Wry7vvBBKJk3pbRM3lDVSKW64fMLYjcN9p3l3Q9_FeYw3HDIINCAGzsfks2n1xIxZbzRarOFI_BOMmIjir-3U6HXZO7lIi-q4jSHgJ7f8itPUwf0wKunHa9D29TaSkX0/s1600/HarryJanisMMTRfinish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfm5kVOsdiZ-1Wry7vvBBKJk3pbRM3lDVSKW64fMLYjcN9p3l3Q9_FeYw3HDIINCAGzsfks2n1xIxZbzRarOFI_BOMmIjir-3U6HXZO7lIi-q4jSHgJ7f8itPUwf0wKunHa9D29TaSkX0/s320/HarryJanisMMTRfinish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and this one is close behind:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4WvCb8vh17c_mBsdL3XsII1YeIX2DGOejK9NpHiH3p1pI9AZuefGwJIEparGPoqt1o1kgCPDIcHQcYdxqI0cc5xwXmwxg4Z9v250vKH_eY5P9vsUXYEnGvfUVZYhZ-vby3Bh35SDDtg/s1600/SophieMMTR13finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4WvCb8vh17c_mBsdL3XsII1YeIX2DGOejK9NpHiH3p1pI9AZuefGwJIEparGPoqt1o1kgCPDIcHQcYdxqI0cc5xwXmwxg4Z9v250vKH_eY5P9vsUXYEnGvfUVZYhZ-vby3Bh35SDDtg/s320/SophieMMTR13finish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how Horty is saying "first old lady!" and Clark is smiling. I love this race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hanging with some of my people...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T43YdFepeTn3ipOJooOFIvlT-X2LNJGU2iNPjE7qoUKK8TBxHFsU3gEvMmKj2N2l7pikcVyTCa7SCtCUTyYyK6TuxXDpRxVtguJmDHAK6BZAiVI_I3NyTUs-Wg1Szby6FNdOuR0ZZ9s/s1600/MMTR13gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9T43YdFepeTn3ipOJooOFIvlT-X2LNJGU2iNPjE7qoUKK8TBxHFsU3gEvMmKj2N2l7pikcVyTCa7SCtCUTyYyK6TuxXDpRxVtguJmDHAK6BZAiVI_I3NyTUs-Wg1Szby6FNdOuR0ZZ9s/s1600/MMTR13gang.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Stegemiller, David Horton, me, and Jennifer Pharr Davis </td></tr>
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The view from the highest point on the Masochist course...<br />
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and the spectacular foliage we ran through during the race...<br />
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<b>December</b> ~ Christmas with our kids, all home from college<br />
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and running with the girls on the Thomas Jefferson 100K course<br />
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What will 2014 bring?<br />
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Who knows, but here are my goals and plans, if it all comes together: stay injury-free, run a PR at Holiday Lake, volunteer at the inaugural Thomas Jefferson 100K, watch my son play his last season of college lacrosse, tour colleges with my daughter, run a girl's only adventure stage run, and finish Masochist (my 8th) and Hellgate (my 9th)... Lots of changes afoot in the Speidel house, but we are looking forward to the adventure.<br />
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Life <i>is</i> good...wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year!<br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-78591944490579539262013-04-07T22:23:00.002-04:002013-04-11T18:51:55.417-04:00More lessons from The Barkley, 2013<span style="font-style: italic;">"There was a day when the Barkley runner need go no further than the trailhead to get out of the comfort zone.<br /><br />You all know about the comfort zone.<br />That's where most ultras take place.<br />Running ultras is all about staying in the comfort zone.<br />All our strategies revolve around staying in the comfort zone.<br />All our advice is about staying in the comfort zone;<br /><br />"Start slow"<br /><br />"Walk every uphill"<br /><br />"Don't take any chances"<br /><br />For all the talk about exploring human potential, and seeking our limits, Ultrarunners tend to play it safe.<br />They line up "challenges" they know they can finish.<br />And run them carefully<br />Well within their "limits".<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">We believe that success is never failing.</span><br />
<br />
--excerpt from 2010 Barkley report by Lazarus Lake, Barkley RD<br />
<br />
I opened my 2010 blog post, "<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/04/lessons-from-barkley.html">Lessons From the Barkley</a>," with this quote, so it seemed appropriate to share it again as I reflect on my trip down to Frozen Head State Park last weekend. This was my first visit to the Barkley Marathons, a race that captured my imagination after I first read about it in a 2003 Trail Runner magazine article written by Neal Jamison...and then again when Mike Bur posted his classic <a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/04bur.txt">2004 report </a>to the Ultra List. I have been an avid fan of the event for years, so much so that I <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/04/you-are-tougher-than-you-think-you-are.html">created a "mini-Barkley"</a> for my JV lacrosse team to complete each lacrosse season. When I realized I would be able to crew for my friends Mike Bur, Keith Knipling, and Eva Pastalkova this year, I jumped at the chance.<br />
<br />
Much has been written about this event, considered by many to be the world's toughest ultra (14 finishers in 27 years, with about 12,000 feet of climb per 20-mile loop). The old timers and loyal followers associated with the Barkley seem both supportive and resistant to the rest of the world learning about their special event, and when the New York Times published <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/sports/the-barkley-marathons-few-know-how-to-enter-fewer-finish.html?ref=sports&_r=1&">a piece on the Barkley </a>three days before the 2013 race, there was much hand wringing and worrying going back and forth on the Barkley email list about the article exposing some of the well-kept secrets of the event. But RD Lazarus Lake reminded his supporters that *some* positive media exposure actually keeps the race alive amidst pressures from the park service and other groups that have not been so friendly in the past.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiihjxO6GkU3HFe9sFQ1snToDM0Ivx6XFYnIYsLRK3Sq_UYGTaCpZilsDAstNjzsc0NzCkoxvWj7gwvMDTJgQ5g_4gffhV_MZEb17RyLbxyKAevbF8DKgi9yqMTIirn1jF7mHevr9ync/s1600/Bur,Eva,+Keith+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiihjxO6GkU3HFe9sFQ1snToDM0Ivx6XFYnIYsLRK3Sq_UYGTaCpZilsDAstNjzsc0NzCkoxvWj7gwvMDTJgQ5g_4gffhV_MZEb17RyLbxyKAevbF8DKgi9yqMTIirn1jF7mHevr9ync/s320/Bur,Eva,+Keith+2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Bur, Eva Pastalkova, and Keith Knipling before the start of the 2013 Barkley</td></tr>
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I traveled to Frozen Head Natural Area, outside of Oak Ridge, TN, with Jenny Nichols on Friday morning. We both enjoy geeking out on all things ultra, so it was extra fun to take in the sights and experiencing the lure of the race, LIVE. Jenny wrote her <a href="http://jendenichols.blogspot.com/2013/04/barkley-voyeurism.html">own thoughts on the Barkley experience</a> on her blog. As her photos show, we had a great time running the "candy ass" park trails with our partner-in-fun Gary Knipling, hanging out in camp taking in the Barkley mythology--the Yellow Gate, the license plates, the chicken dinner--and watching the runners arrive at the top of Rat Jaw, a brier-infested power line climb where Book 7 was located along with a water drop, about 12 miles and 6 hours in the race (yes, that is correct, 12 miles in six hours). Rat Jaw is the only place on the loop where spectators are allowed, and runners are forbidden to take any aid or drop off unnecessary clothing, equipment, etc. Given it's location along the loop, it is also a perfect venue to assess the physical and emotional statuses of the runners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_SmHSBT5fQO9cEdj8iFa-9HLDWJVtZsZDvEgMjDuoyyMdPBzKKmDuH0Cburn8qTZNiZ8ItiFaZI0x5YwLK2qCMSYBQlMzPbrYSRr2M0AhcjbfW4hVVGJUOK8ZVRTTIaIywIJZJ0uijg/s1600/KeithRatJaw2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_SmHSBT5fQO9cEdj8iFa-9HLDWJVtZsZDvEgMjDuoyyMdPBzKKmDuH0Cburn8qTZNiZ8ItiFaZI0x5YwLK2qCMSYBQlMzPbrYSRr2M0AhcjbfW4hVVGJUOK8ZVRTTIaIywIJZJ0uijg/s1600/KeithRatJaw2013.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith Knipling (foreground) and Mike Bur arriving at Book 7 at the top of Rat Jaw</td></tr>
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We had been expecting Keith up Rat Jaw sooner, but a few "navigational difficulties" eventually hooked him up with Mike Bur. Bur was going for a Fun Run (3 loop, 60+ mile) finish, one that been eluding him ever since bailing on 2.5 loops in 2005, and if there is anyone who knows the Barkley course and necessary mindset to be successful, it is Mike Bur. As they were tearing out their pages to Book 7, the veteran Bur commented, to no one in particular, "The biggest mistake of the Barkley virgin is hubris."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher and student, Mike Bur and Keith Knipling, at Book 7</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Hubris:</b> Noun: <i>Excessive pride or self-confidence;(in Greek tragedy) Excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods, leading to nemesis.</i><br />
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As he was tearing his page out, Keith was lamenting (Keith later corrected me by saying he was "f%&#ing pissed off") about his decision earlier in the race to leave ahead of the front running group that included veterans and Fun Run finishers Alan and Bev Abbs as well as 2012 Barkley finisher John Fegyveresi, before Book 2<i>... </i>and Bur, his longtime <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/">VHTRC</a> friend, was encouraging him to keep perspective and stay with him for the remainder of the loop. It was an interesting moment, one that revealed an essential truth to "success" at the Barkley: patience is the ultimate tool and reward, not speed. Keith is a fast and very experienced 100 mile specialist and Bur (a Last Great Race finisher in 2003) is more of a mid-pack guy. But at that moment the playing field was level as the veteran Bur was calmly teaching Keith a key to succeeding at the hardest ultra Out There. I got goosebumps listening in.<br />
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After Bur and Keith departed Rat Jaw, Jenny, Gary, and I ran back to camp on the sweet, smooth, runnable North Old Mac Trail. As we ran, we discussed the idea of hubris. Where is the line between hubris and plain old confidence? How much confidence does one need to enter the Barkley in the first place? Can one be a successful ultrarunner without some level of "hubris?" Can one finish five loops of Barkley without it? Isn't the desire to take risks and stretch our perceived limits one reason we attempt ultras--and don't we need confidence to take these risks? Isn't the reason lots of really strong 100 miler runners (such as Keith) succeed because they have confidence that they can? And, the big question: "What does it really take to be able to finish five loops at Barkley?<br />
<br />
Keith managed to finish Loop 1 in a time of 10:23, and he quickly turned around and went out on Loop 2, only to be defeated by extreme fog, cold rain, and mud--and the risk of hypothermia. He ended up quitting at the top of Rat Jaw, 12 miles on his second loop. Bur finished his first loop in 11:03 and his second loop in about 22 hours. Eva, our third VHTRC hopeful, dropped a page from Book 9 en route to finishing her first loop. True to her tough and focused reputation, she opted to re-trace her steps six miles to find the lost page, to no avail, and was not allowed to continue, as per Barkley rules. With fog and rain rolling in on Loop 2, many observers back at camp predicted no one would finish all five loops. Despite the horrendous conditions, two runners became Barkley finishers 13 and 14: Nick Hollon and Travis Wildeboer, both of whom had finished numerous Fun Runs in the preceding years, as well as holding multi-day Fastest Known Times of long trails in the U.S. They finished Monday evening in 57:39 and 58:41, respectively.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-YajfqX1f9qPMk0M_5KFCPLnTZh7vFdEIeRvR8CFYlS6NANTo5RtO8LQtWzKCV6zsjWdO7Ib_yab_lFtQs2pXqSybGRndOFCOYHsWTGSFTVfIAHD1f4O5l7OgqSvgek4MXZsJKFV6YU/s1600/KeithBarkleyfinish2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-YajfqX1f9qPMk0M_5KFCPLnTZh7vFdEIeRvR8CFYlS6NANTo5RtO8LQtWzKCV6zsjWdO7Ib_yab_lFtQs2pXqSybGRndOFCOYHsWTGSFTVfIAHD1f4O5l7OgqSvgek4MXZsJKFV6YU/s1600/KeithBarkleyfinish2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith, after quitting on Loop 2 (photo courtesy Keith Knipling)</td></tr>
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<i>"I just have a lot of regret which festers. A lot of personal faults
revealed. I am thankful for the lessons learned and all the nice people
I met...have no regrets about attempting it, just how I did it and all
of the errors and missteps (literal) made because of who I am." </i><br />
<i> --</i>Keith Knipling, in an email to friends after Barkley 2013<br />
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When I read Keith's email, my first thought was an emphatic "YES." When an ultra experience reveals a bit of ourselves to us, we can either stuff it away or embrace it<i>. </i>Keith came for the Barkley experience, hoping to run five loops, but like all Barkley starters, he no doubt left Frozen Head a different person and wiser runner, determined to learn and grow from the experience. The Grand Slam, Beast Series, and multi-MMT finisher has a new challenge awaiting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB10_WRFVyHfEswe7dGkm2a2xsnMqDcyEdKH1Re0p-3wWiJ6pBHBqNL9w0yiUfQJWQnibO3rlBgcSKU_0xADtKKl12S5IGTYvjiy_oR0FeFlIZ4-98QPL1WKOEQxKMDZ_N3y9h9Xl1vY/s1600/BurBarkleyfinish2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB10_WRFVyHfEswe7dGkm2a2xsnMqDcyEdKH1Re0p-3wWiJ6pBHBqNL9w0yiUfQJWQnibO3rlBgcSKU_0xADtKKl12S5IGTYvjiy_oR0FeFlIZ4-98QPL1WKOEQxKMDZ_N3y9h9Xl1vY/s1600/BurBarkleyfinish2013.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bur finishing Loop 2 (photo by Keith Knipling)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">At the Barkley success is about over-reaching our abilities,<br />and living to tell about it.<br />Sometimes success is getting your ass out alive. --Lazarus Lake, 2010</span><br />
<i><br /></i>
Bur returned to camp, wet and muddy, after many hours navigating in the fog and rain. I had no doubt that he would finish the loop in one piece, given his experience on the course and extensive preparation. Jenny and I were not there to see him walk down the road into camp (as we had to get home for Easter with the family), but the photo above reveals what I missed: the expression of a man not defeated, but satisfied with his effort, given the reality of the course and the extreme weather...and one who will be back for that third loop.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Some people "get" the Barkley. Some don't.<br />But the Barkley is all about leaving the comfort zone.<br />The Barkley is about taking our chances with failure.<br />True success is not the absence of failure,<br />It is the refusal to surrender. ---Lazarus Lake, 2010</span><br />
<br />
After spending two days watching the Barkley unfold, meeting the runners and crew, and listening to quiet conversations around the campfire about past experiences, lessons learned, and fears revealed...I am at once humbled and in awe. Keith Dunn, a longtime Barkley supporter, looked at me at Friday's chicken dinner and said, "You know, we are watching ultra history being made." As an observer, the Barkley more than exceeded my expectations. The media tries to explain the essence and the lure of the event, but fails to fully capture the nuances and the feel. It is the ultimate "old school" ultra, one where there are no trails to follow with confidence markers, no aid stations along the course with food and comfort, no schwag or finishers medals, no pacers keeping runners alert and on trail. As Laz observed in 2010, <br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">For all the talk about exploring human potential, and seeking our limits, Ultrarunners tend to play it safe.<br />They line up "challenges" they know they can finish.<br />And run them carefully<br />Well within their "limits".</span><br />
<br />
The Barkley is our sport's most pure and ultimate test of endurance, patience, and perseverance. And it was a privilege for me to be a witness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie, Bur, Jenny, Keith and Gary the night before the 2013 Barkley (photo by Keith Dunn)</td></tr>
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<b>Postscript:</b><i> </i>a few observations from Keith and Bur...<br />
<br />
<i><b>Bur:</b> </i><i>"My comment about hubris was firmly grounded in my own experience. My<br />first year, I did similar to Keith but didn't make it as far, coming<br />in overtime for one loop. I think it is hard not to do this,<br />particularly if you are fit and feeling good. Had I stayed with Mike<br />Dobies and Craig Wilson like I had said I was, I could have gone<br />further...same thing happened - I was fit and grew impatient and<br />forged ahead, only to blow it navigationally, and then have them pass<br />me. I almost caught back up --they were within eyesight going up<br />hell, I was only a few minutes behind. But behind enough to make a<br />wrong turn and rather than take the trail back to camp, I went the<br />opposite way toward Mart Fields; the trails were not as well blazed<br />back then."<br /><br />"One of the main reasons I persisted this year is that I've come to<br />realize that the only place and time that you can really "practice"<br />Barkley is *at* Barkley. Nothing else really matches. Making all the<br />little navigational mistakes that I made during that foggy loop 2 will<br />be useful to draw on in the future. The other reason was, I've quit<br />at Barkley enough, it was time to just keep going no matter what."<br /><br />"I think Eva going back for her page showed a lot of guts and character.<br /> Not to mention, it provided her with some valuable extra practice<br />time on the course. Just about anyone else would have sulked in camp.<br /> So while it was persistent for me to continue on w/ loop 2, I think<br />she clicked it up a notch w/ her fool's errand."</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>Keith:</b> </i><i>"At Barkley, teamwork is absolutely essential. Only when/if absolutely
necessary (preferably on loop 3 or loop 4) should you leave the comfort
of the group and go off on your own. Otherwise, work with your
"competitors" --- multiple eyes and minds are better than one person's.
This is how Jared Campbell finished last year. He ran step for step
with Brett until he was forced to separate on loop 5 [1]. Jon
Fegyveresi similarly waited up for Bev through midway loop 3, until it
was finally necessary for him to "be his own man." [2]</i><br />
<br />
<i>"</i><i>I don't really regret at all dropping out on loop 2. My feeling was
that I had already tried to drop at the Garden Spot and the only reason I
had made it to the tower was because of Henry (Wakely). I would not have made
it there on my own. Ironically, at that point we had every reason to
continue to the prison and beyond. We quit just an hour before
daylight, before sections that I had nailed navigationally the first
time through. But in my mind, there just seemed to be far more positive
consequences for quitting than for continuing on. I think this was
mainly because of the disastrous first loop. I had pissed away (or at
least thought I had) any chance of finishing anything at the Barkley.
In hindsight, I probably should have stuck it out because stuff happens
to everyone there (Bad Things…). I know this lesson from many many
ultras (things always get better) but I was so mad at my earlier
mistakes and lost all composure to realize this. Another lesson learned."</i><br />
<br />
<i>"I've thought about how far I could have gone had I stayed with the Abbs.
I *think* I could have stayed with them through three loops, perhaps
pulling ahead on the third and making it in in time to consider a
fourth. But realistically, I think a fun run is the best I could have
possibly hoped for in that weather. And I might not have even done a
third (although with company I think I would have tried). It was tough
and slow going. I know I would not have finished 5. In fact, when Nick
and Travis went out for their fifth laps I did not think either of them
would finish. The climbs were just so slow.<br /><br />From discussions
I've had with Eva, I think she is in similar agreement on what her
prospects would have been. A fun run possibly, but probably no more.
Bur definitely gets my vote for VHTRC Performance of the Year. He stuck it
out and finished with a grin on his face. Real persistence." </i><br />
<br />
<i> [1] "Being a virgin, Jared was effectively tethered to me" (<a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/12maune.pdf" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365607340270_2509" target="_blank">http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/12maune.pdf</a>)<br />[2] <a href="http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/12fegyveresi.pdf" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1365607340270_2510" target="_blank">http://www.mattmahoney.net/barkley/12fegyveresi.pdf</a> </i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
To be continued...<br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-75809443898767546532013-02-16T21:52:00.001-05:002013-02-16T21:52:40.905-05:00VHTRC Road Trip! Uwharrie Mountain Run, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Train at Uwharrie: Pam, Alan, Sophie, Keith, Tracy, Rob, Beth and Sean</td></tr>
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Some of my fondest ultra memories are road trips with the <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/">VHTRC</a> Blue Train. Two that stand out are the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim crossing in 2005 (with Vicki Kendall, Barb Isom, Laura Dewald, Linda Wack, Anita and Jay Finkle) and the 2006 Western States 100 road trip with Gary Knipling, Keith Knipling, Quatro Hubbard, Tom Corris, Scott Crabb, Bryon Powell, Prasad Gerard, and Bunny Runyon.<br />
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The Grand Canyon R2R2R fell into my lap; Linda Wack emailed a group of friends a year ahead of our trip date of October 1 and basically told us she had made all the reservations and logistical plans, and that all we had to do was show up! And what an amazing trip that was. This photo was taken the night before our run, looking southwest from the North Rim Lodge balcony at sunset:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bo_4WoXQ76S0Ti_SQMOnfDAiuCLT6m7DdFW9IGDQ_RaBOB28qBu7xVPHY2Rx8THUWciGxG_d4CIx8uq93Zf5eE8W_u416GpjN2QDrxwYVtDxfYJUh4Ax1116bkFzo501Tk7f0kkXhIM/s1600/Grand+Canyon+2005+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Bo_4WoXQ76S0Ti_SQMOnfDAiuCLT6m7DdFW9IGDQ_RaBOB28qBu7xVPHY2Rx8THUWciGxG_d4CIx8uq93Zf5eE8W_u416GpjN2QDrxwYVtDxfYJUh4Ax1116bkFzo501Tk7f0kkXhIM/s320/Grand+Canyon+2005+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oVB8coK5Dp7bf6GprCjx3l-xncfmHIoMFVVYQMVgD_7kehUhhQULccwzevxPZ4YKirgL097ycRb4A6-xWD6h0vYpb2zlCv3aFc-JUNdtzmhLNbM0d2vUqLcyc1OU8O5MiIwB2Sm_utU/s1600/Grand+Canyon+2005+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oVB8coK5Dp7bf6GprCjx3l-xncfmHIoMFVVYQMVgD_7kehUhhQULccwzevxPZ4YKirgL097ycRb4A6-xWD6h0vYpb2zlCv3aFc-JUNdtzmhLNbM0d2vUqLcyc1OU8O5MiIwB2Sm_utU/s320/Grand+Canyon+2005+097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I took this photo as the gang ran down the South Kaibab Trail in the afternoon; we had successfully crossed to the South Rim via the Bright Angel Trail earlier in the day, eaten a hearty lunch at the Bright Angel Lodge, and were now on our way back to the North Rim via South Kaibab. I love this photo as it shows the immense scale of the Grand Canyon in a way that is hard to show with most photos. Needless to say, this was a trip of a lifetime, and I am so glad I accepted Linda's offer. Every ultrarunner should have a R2R2R crossing on their bucket list!<br />
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The following summer, a large Blue Train group was fortunate to get into the Western States 100 via the lottery. Nowadays it is virtually impossible to get into WS solo, forget about a group! 2006 was called the "hot year" which means it was 75 at the start at Squaw Valley, 110 degrees in the canyons halfway through the race, and 95 degrees at sunrise in Auburn on the second day. Despite these conditions, the VHTRC gang had a very high finishing rate (all but one of us made the cut-offs), Keith and Bryon won their age groups, and we had a total blast representing the East Coast on that sweet (some would even say, "candy ass") trail. WS remains as one of my favorite races, despite the heat, the blisters (oh, the blisters!!!), and the distance! Another bucket list item, for sure. Here are some fun pics:<br />
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This photo sits on my desk at home, and is a constant reminder of why I love our sport: the friendships made through shared adventure, and the amazing beauty of the trails we explore. This photo shows Quatro, Gary, me, Scott Mills, Keith, and Scott Crabb on the Escarpment with Lake Tahoe in the background. We had hiked up the Thursday before the race to observe the WS tradition of the flag raising ceremony, and couldn't resist a group photo. I love how we are all wearing some sort of VHTRC Blue, totally unplanned :-)<br />
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This photo makes me smile--it is so dated (love the throwback baggy shorts, hip belt, and handhelds)! I remember this moment exactly---I was coming into Michigan Bluff (mile 50) at 7:00pm, well behind my projected splits because of the heat. Yet, I was feeling good and really looking forward to seeing my crew--and to the sun going down. Rusty was crewing me along with Gretchen Garnett and he told me it was 100 degrees at 7:00 pm, really bad for crews as there was no shade to be found. <br />
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I was sad that we had to cross the American River in boats that year. I would have given ANYTHING to have dunked myself in that cool water, but the snowmelt in the Sierras that year yielded high water downstream, so we had to cross by rowboat. It only took about thirty seconds, but it was tough to get in and out of the boat without cramping big time. Rusty really wants me to go back to WS, since he had a blast crewing and biking the Tahoe Rim Trail...but I think my next WS trip will be as a pacer, and I am crossing my fingers for my pals who plan to enter the WS lottery (again and again!).<br />
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Sadly, the family schedule in the summer months has not been conducive to any more summer Blue Train road trips for the past few years, and I really miss them. So this fall I decided to gather a group for a trek down to the Uwharrie Mountain Run 40. We had previously made the trip in <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/uwharrie05sophie.htm">2005</a>, and I had raced in 2007 and 2008 as well, and was eager to get back with a VHTRC team. Uwharrie is "MMT Lite"--technical, rocky trail with lots of ridge running until you run down to an AS, and then back up to the ridge-- so it is a tough challenge for a winter ultra. Since my racing schedule focuses on November-March, I knew I would be in good shape, but I also knew I would be cutting it close in terms of recovery from Hellgate.<br />
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I rode down with Rob Colenso and we met up with Keith Knipling, Tracy Dahl Knipling, Alan and Pam Gowen, Sean Andrish, and Beth Weisenborn at the pre-race dinner. The RDs, a young couple who own Bull City Running Company, did a great job and even made sure that our table got three grab bag prizes--two beer glasses and a free pair of trail shoes!<br />
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Keith, Sean, Rob, Tracy, Alan and I were running the 40, while Pam and Beth ran the 20. In the team competition, the top-5 places across all three races count, so we knew we would have our work cut out for us given the fact that many other teams had more runners in all three races. But it was a blast cheering for each other on the out and back sections of the 40, and many runners commented later how much they admire our club spirit and the races we put on. Hail!<br />
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It was a great day out on the Uwharrie Trail, and we got some hardware to prove it! Sean finished as 2nd male after taking some time off from racing--it was great to see him running so well. Keith looked solid as usual and he finished 4th. I was hoping to once again make it into the "Brain Dead Club" for women who finished in under 8:00--my previous bests were 7:47 in 2005 and 7:53 in 2007--but I had an energy lull mid-race that set me back a bit. I finished in 8:07, good enough for second female. Tracy finished her first 40 miler looking awesome in 9:36, and Rob PR'd by 15 minutes in 9:02. Alan, Pam and Beth all finished strong and we were able to take third in the team results, despite having the most runners scoring in the 40 miler. Woop!<br />
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After hanging around the fire ring at the finish eating and drinking soup and other frosty beverages, we gathered at the local BBQ joint for some real Carolina BBQ and sweet tea (no beer at this place...dry county?) It was a great way to celebrate another Blue Train adventure. Next year, we hope more friends will join us at Uwharrie--the entry process is still a work in progress, but hopefully the kinks will be worked out for 2013. Until then...Happy Trails!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob, Sophie, Keith, Tracy and Sean at the Uwharrie finish line</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.uwharriemountainrun.com/results/">Uwharrie results</a>.<br />
<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-74909415871384968122013-01-04T16:08:00.000-05:002013-01-04T16:08:11.751-05:00Looking back at 2012...while new adventures await!The end of 2012 marks the sixth year of Shining's Ultra Blog.<br />
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I am grateful to all the loyal readers and followers, and very much appreciate your comments and interest in what I have to say about life as an ultrarunner. As I look back on all the photos and posts between 2007 and now, a few themes have emerged: I love to run in the mountains with my friends, spend time outside with my family, and face new challenges (but not necessarily in that order!). This blog has evolved from a monthly log of training runs and race reports to a personal photo album and journal of moments that define who I am today as a runner, mom, wife, counselor, coach, and friend. I am so glad that I took the time to write as much as I did about my races, training, and various adventures over the years, as these posts continue to provide helpful reminders of what went well and what didn't, and help keep perspective on what I truly value. I very much enjoy sharing my ultrarunning journey with you, and look ahead to a 2013 that I anticipate will bring many new adventures and thrills :-). But first, a few highlights from 2012!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years Day 2012 Resolution Rendezvous with the Harrisonburg Rocktown Ridge Runners</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Catawba Run Around with good friends and gorgeous views</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A third place podium finish at Terrapin Mountain 50K!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking with my family in the SNP and then hanging out at Blue Mountain Brewery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkDD-Jb7zhCnheHey1HZyTkCK4tsOsAI52XzpCptcx-Ag0XIZvMSXg_8gkWllED2LwQ9g_Bn-2sHkO9bu_JnnOeU6ieZhlNwrG9QR4B0aPOIR9lRooRY63RHRiFOZHtXdbugDGokkhdQ/s1600/photo%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkDD-Jb7zhCnheHey1HZyTkCK4tsOsAI52XzpCptcx-Ag0XIZvMSXg_8gkWllED2LwQ9g_Bn-2sHkO9bu_JnnOeU6ieZhlNwrG9QR4B0aPOIR9lRooRY63RHRiFOZHtXdbugDGokkhdQ/s320/photo%252811%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweeping the Promise Land 50K course with Jenny Nichols--and getting caught in the apocalyptic storm on the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing the Priest and Three Ridges to Winslow, Beth, Rick, Tracy and Jack</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXU3W3hTUmLtjlfbOksYixSOmB3rq7LpPxEc-QxCLc888d8daZWoONgas1WFvf6n4OczY_c_VHRRln3P6MmTboHJuHTNj6J9D_CChv1f8KhxYkGKbgse-J22WGRIazeZSvWnHAEWYw4jM/s1600/photo%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXU3W3hTUmLtjlfbOksYixSOmB3rq7LpPxEc-QxCLc888d8daZWoONgas1WFvf6n4OczY_c_VHRRln3P6MmTboHJuHTNj6J9D_CChv1f8KhxYkGKbgse-J22WGRIazeZSvWnHAEWYw4jM/s320/photo%25287%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning the Montalto Challenge---and the Polka Dot Jersey!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many Runs up Jarmans Gap in the SNP with the CATs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacing Jenny Nichols to her Grindstone 100 win with the help of fellow pacer and crew Rob Colenso</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusty crewing me at Hellgate and then riding me in the last 6 miles---crucial to my race! With his help, I ran a PR of 14:33 and finished third overall female. A HUGE thrill, and so much fun to be able to share the trail with him at my favorite race!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating my 50th birthday at the Hellgate finish line with Horton, Clark, Nancy Horton, Rusty, Jenny, Keith, and all my VHTRC and IMTR friends---a really special moment.</td></tr>
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A few words about Hellgate...the 2012 race truly delivered. It was my toughest Hellgate because of the warm temps (45 at the start, sunny and high 60s at noon the next day)-- I wore short sleeves and a skirt all night and day, and had to stay on top of my hydration and fuel all the time. The women's race for the top 5 spots (and Patagucci Nano Puff zip-tops) was tight. I was bouncing between second and and third place most of the race and, remembering 2011 when Alyssa Godesky breezed by me in the last 4 miles for third, I worked very hard to hold off 100-miler specialist Kathleen Cusick for the final podium spot. Rusty was there starting at mile 40 crewing and pacing on his mountain bike, and it was so much fun grinding up to Blackhorse Gap (mile 63) with him scoping out the field behind me--this was the first time he had ever been in the race with me as a pacer. I had left the last aid station at Day Creek with Kathleen only 2 minutes back, and busted my ass to make more time at the top. Rusty rode by me as I crested the mountain and told me she was now 5 minutes back--enough of a cushion but never a guarantee. He said, "you are going to have to work really hard these last three miles---do you want me to stay with you?" and I said (nicely), "Thanks honey, but you can meet me at the finish!" as I was really suffering and not up to having an audience. Geez...it never fails that at Hellgate, I am either <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/12/spending-time-in-pain-cave-at-hellgate.html">chasing the clock</a> or<a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2007/12/hellgate-100k-2007-we-are-family.html"> being chased </a>at this exact same spot year after year! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keith Knipling giving me an incredibly thoughtful and fantastic 50th birthday photo :-)</td></tr>
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Celebrating my 50th birthday at my favorite race with my husband and close friends was amazing...one of life's very special moments. To have PR on top of that was icing on the (yummy mocha) cake!<br />
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As I planned my 2013 race season, I once again stuck to what has worked really well for the past few years---the model of racing ultras between November and March, shorter stuff in late April and May, and easy fun training runs throughout the summer, with mini "off-seasons" at Christmas and early April. This schedule works well given my family and work demands and I find myself fresh and ready to take on my "A" races (typically Masochist and Hellgate). For 2013, I added the <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/uwharrie05sophie.htm">Uwharrie 40</a>, which I last ran in 2008, and the Odyssey 40, which I ran in 2007. I am pacing <a href="http://jendenichols.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a> at Old Dominion 100, and crewing a few friends at<a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/04/lessons-from-barkley.html"> a run that I am obsessed with</a> but don't have the guts to enter. Not to mention that I am in a new age group on the roads (50-54) and in ultras (Grandmaster, 50+). Woop!<br />
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The first day of 2013 was celebrated with an SNP mountain run with friends from Charlottesville and Harrisonburg---a perfect way to start the year. Here's to good friends, good health, and good fun in the year ahead! Happy New Year, everyone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jones Falls in Shenandoah National Park---a New Year's Day tradition</td></tr>
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-16357380932173982032012-12-06T18:42:00.000-05:002012-12-06T19:09:42.785-05:00Hellgate!As I have <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/12/spending-time-in-pain-cave-at-hellgate.html">written here before</a>, there is nothing like the Hellgate 100K to cap off the year, and this year's race will be extra special as Hellgate 2012 will mark the final ultra of my 40's!
The past ten years of ultrarunning have introduced me to the most amazing, talented, and generous people, and the video below is a tribute to my favorite race and the friends who, over the years, have made the event so special. I filmed it in 2008 at the pr-race dinner, asking friends to respond to the simple question, "What one word describes Hellgate?"
I also filmed the sunrise and full moon over Headforemost Mountain (mile 26), a section of the Devil Trail (mile 36), the final climb from the last aid station (mile 60), and the aftermath at the lodge. There are also photos of runners whom you might recognize--runners from far and near who made the trek to learn about what makes the event so epic, some of whom we miss very much, as they have moved away or who are no longer running trails.
Enjoy...hopefully you will get a sense of what all the fuss is about, and perhaps make a promise to join us in 2013!
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdciQ5qC0pxaKJSdQNn-iqnZVFJWz63KjCsHFXHiUHESV03ylXAsI1NAIZKWI3GxF0aA_3Y7dLFq4m01rSwA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-85718631389642473372012-11-08T22:11:00.002-05:002012-11-09T05:49:25.620-05:00Race Season Is Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Saturday, after seven months of recovery, short races, and a three month build-up, the Mountain Masochist 50 (aka MMTR or, if you are really Old School, "Masochists") was finally here! This was the 30th anniversary of the race, my sixth start, and the first with a new start location. I drove down Friday afternoon with VHTRC bud Rob Colenso and fellow CAT Mark Hampton. Both were running MMTR for the first time, and it was going to be Mark's first 50. We checked in, listened to Horton describe "4-8 inches of snow in the Loop," re-connected with old friends, and sat about tweeting about the course conditions and posting photos on Facebook to alleviate the nerves. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging with Meredith Terranova at the pre-race dinner</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I was so happy to be able to catch up with longtime pal Meredith Terranova, who was running her fourth MMTR. Meredith and I met out on the course in 2007 and have been FB and blogging friends ever since. She came to MMTR this year to celebrate her 38th birthday and take in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a far cry from the desert trails near her home in Austin Texas. I admire Meredith so much---she is an amazing person, wife and <a href="http://grandkonaslam2012.wordpress.com/">support crew/pacer to hubby Paul</a>, talented runner, and awesome swimmer--she swam something like a million miles in Austin's Town Lake this summer to raise money for charity, and she is also a very<a href="http://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/archives/3139"> well-respected sports nutritionist</a> in her free time. I loved that were both eyeing the award for the top-10 men and women (a sweet Patagonia Down Sweater) and appreciated that she is just as competitive as I am!<br />
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After dinner it was time to go to the hotel and get ready with bunkmates Prissy Nguyen and Martha Wright. The three of us were quite a sight---drops bags, gels, Bag Balm, Vaseline, Perpetuem, Clif Bloks were scattered about the hotel room as we chatted about race goals and got ready for the early wake up call. I didn't realize how much I missed racing until it was time to get organized!<br />
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Race morning came quickly and before we knew it we were at the start at Wildwood Campground under clear skies and 30 degree temps. Wildwood is a MUCH better start for MMTR---a lovely jaunt around the lake with 300+ headlamps bobbing was a cool sight to behold, and we were able to spread out nicely on about one mile of pavement before ducking into the woods for good. Mark, Rob, and I started together and made an easy jaunt of the first 5 miles of singletrack and fire roads. We saw a gorgeous sunrise along the ridgeline, something we never saw in the previous years, and chatted and laughed the early miles away. I was enjoying our easy pace and slowly we started to pass the middle of the pack, little by little.<br />
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Around mile 16 Mark and I parted ways and I saw two women ahead of me on the long downhill towards the Lynchburg Reservoir. David Horton drove by and reported that I was 13th woman. Hmmm...all I needed to do was pass the two in front of me and then I would be 11th and knocking on the top-10 door. Sweet! A few miles later I passed Bethany Patterson and was suddenly number 10, so I switched into race mode as we made the long climb up to Long Mountain Wayside, where I would see crew Harry Landers and Bob Clouston. But first I ran by Bill Gentry and his son Ben who were walking towards me on the road---how awesome it was to see them and feel Gentry's classic positive vibe! Thanks dude!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_y8fd-XJdYpd9_QjbY8xPCDOdg9Idq0HPY5SdTimN4dbvOpsZofaqbAqGsSmxXtmXv_bRpewKQFpTK_lr82jNIo-DewgL9U2H6jgeBgotaqr9Wbn0SaiXfQXXSKafnGMXnLTFNdEv80/s1600/Masochist2012LongMtnSoph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_y8fd-XJdYpd9_QjbY8xPCDOdg9Idq0HPY5SdTimN4dbvOpsZofaqbAqGsSmxXtmXv_bRpewKQFpTK_lr82jNIo-DewgL9U2H6jgeBgotaqr9Wbn0SaiXfQXXSKafnGMXnLTFNdEv80/s320/Masochist2012LongMtnSoph.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">refueling at mile 26, Long Mountain Wayside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Harry and Bob got me in and out of the aid station lickety-split and soon I was hauling up Buck Mountain, feeling pretty good and running a lot of the uphills. I came upon Meredith at almost exactly the same place I had seen her in the last two MMTR's, and we had a good laugh about the fact that we were now number 9 and 10 female. She was moving really well so I just hung back and let her take me along. It was awesome to work together with such synergy and I loved focusing on the simple things of pace, fuel, breathing, and staying in the moment. Climbing Buck Mountain at MMTR <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/11/mountains-shall-bring-peace-to-people.html">brings back many mixed feelings</a> so it was good to be able to just run mindlessly for once!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UYWr8kHG6oxzYiJcZgm2xycsk2Fmsam9-jST9-z3o3gCLJj5xKlEw6yqUgVTIyuEvieYMnZD2nT5Ecz7ippUxnWxBZHPoRQ6fqnXfGXh9hAwMOMH1uQQDsw053UeIHN3TeUkqis48nc/s1600/MasochistWigginsSophMer2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UYWr8kHG6oxzYiJcZgm2xycsk2Fmsam9-jST9-z3o3gCLJj5xKlEw6yqUgVTIyuEvieYMnZD2nT5Ecz7ippUxnWxBZHPoRQ6fqnXfGXh9hAwMOMH1uQQDsw053UeIHN3TeUkqis48nc/s320/MasochistWigginsSophMer2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">approaching Wiggins Spring AS, mile 32 with Meredith</td></tr>
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When Meredith and I started the climb towards the Loop (and the snow), I gave her a fist bump and said, "let's get it." The climb on dry fire road came and went quickly and soon we were running in packed snow with drifts of 5-10 inches on either side in the Loop. At first it was easy and fun. The sun was shining, we were talking about all sorts of random things, and the trail was a net downhill. Meredith was running really well, considering it was her second race ever in the snow, but soon it started to get tedious and slippery and became work. The new section of the Loop to the Mt. Pleasant overlook was really tough. The frontrunners were flying down towards us looking stressed and I learned why: the snow was easily 6-12 inches in places if you didn't land right, and it was sucking valuable energy. I started to think about the folks who would be running close to the cut-offs on a "normal" race day, and hoped that Clark had extended the absolute cut-off given the conditions (he did, by 30 minutes).<br />
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At the top of Mt. Pleasant we had a glorious, 360-degree view of the The Priest and Three Ridges to the north and Apple Orchard Mountain to the south. But we couldn't stay long because women # 11, 12, 13, and 14 arrived in succession within minutes. The race was on! Meredith and I plugged into our iPods and started HAMMERING the downhills. The snow certainly helped and made it fun, but it was also stressful and hard work. Soon there was a train of women in 8th-14th place within yards of one another, and it was clear that someone was going to put hammer down as soon as we left the Loop and the snow.<br />
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And that's exactly happened. Lee Conner dropped into 8th and I followed with Beth Minnick right behind me.We hauled down the road sections and climbed hard up the long roads. It was a beautiful day, bright blue sky, cold, and a bit nippy, and I was really enjoying the racing vibe. Lee started to pull away and Beth came upon me as we entered Forest Valley, which had equally deep snow and more brutal climbs. I put my head down and stayed focused on my pace, which seemed to work as I made some distance from Beth and closed the gap on Lee. The snow was a blast in the final downhill section--no roots or rocks to worry about, just puffy snow to bomb through. <b>WOOP!</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0vU777gXJrUAAn2UFtzMXAOPU7TsQmMrGMfD6KclE2hUEY5jRGO0sJFsrW9WjHJwd7gzFOnCU0CIKzy18Du7ZLFhUR561ARrvfMKDiZb1DNmmitV2M95ghVRKMINdxUWAyTEKOshpuc/s1600/Masochistfinish+Sophie2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0vU777gXJrUAAn2UFtzMXAOPU7TsQmMrGMfD6KclE2hUEY5jRGO0sJFsrW9WjHJwd7gzFOnCU0CIKzy18Du7ZLFhUR561ARrvfMKDiZb1DNmmitV2M95ghVRKMINdxUWAyTEKOshpuc/s320/Masochistfinish+Sophie2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Approaching Montebello, I glimpsed Lee crossing the finish line about 45 seconds ahead of me, and was so happy to come in ninth female in such a strong women's field. I had told my hubby before the race that on paper there was no way I could finish in the top-10, but in those snow conditions in a 50 mile race, anything <i>can</i> happen, and it did. As soon as I was finished, my ultra idol Krissy Moehl approached and congratulated me---wow! Krissy is a humble but fiercely competitive and talented ultrarunner, and she herself had a close race to the MMTR finish line. Her race report included a <a href="http://krissymoehl.com/blog/2012/11/8/mt-masochist-50-mile-trail-race">few thoughts </a>about the art and science of racing and competing. I love and admire her spirit and attitude!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqypJc5qbIReEu6J5DM9vn91vesF-9faMKGG3UPPPsPoyYeWnxydISvdVmLPOQo3Z-yDLyynoV6Or5a4N4sNWv4-LGhoeQpEJ2ePgBDEztjxizHpuWKvGk9WD8I0CFyYel2xIGrE7Rkw/s1600/Masochistfinish2012SophKrissy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqypJc5qbIReEu6J5DM9vn91vesF-9faMKGG3UPPPsPoyYeWnxydISvdVmLPOQo3Z-yDLyynoV6Or5a4N4sNWv4-LGhoeQpEJ2ePgBDEztjxizHpuWKvGk9WD8I0CFyYel2xIGrE7Rkw/s320/Masochistfinish2012SophKrissy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Krissy at the finish, star struck.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The MMTR finish line was a blur of cheers, hugs, photo shoots, more cheers. Patagonia sponsored a post-run tent with soup and quesadillas, and the Montebello store had their yummy chili. As always, it was fun to watch the day's stories unfold on the road to Montebello. Here are more pics from the finish...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqyE2hdtNTJJNeq5HlPWCMBhUKMYvGv_tdWl9prMysgoAwFsbUC58F0Ky9CRsJ1_yoJv2tXu37T-boWgzHU1j4wCTPwjTv5N49cwMUUyQsM0DL7hqIpqalN8GgdxghCbL3wJftu7S6ZI/s1600/Masochistfinish2012RustySoph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqyE2hdtNTJJNeq5HlPWCMBhUKMYvGv_tdWl9prMysgoAwFsbUC58F0Ky9CRsJ1_yoJv2tXu37T-boWgzHU1j4wCTPwjTv5N49cwMUUyQsM0DL7hqIpqalN8GgdxghCbL3wJftu7S6ZI/s320/Masochistfinish2012RustySoph.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with hubby Rusty...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfaF08nnGlDdIY9qI7g4f6A_uwhD9Ko9BCYktpHft03v7nt8-KE4H151bD_b_lpZPMKgMkbB3iN2UQfhYh1ce6oJGYkgkE0Xox-WoSqSFunTZziK7wyJF8gJBjzZOqgrHmQ8XXZLpp_U/s1600/Masochistfinish2012SophHorty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfaF08nnGlDdIY9qI7g4f6A_uwhD9Ko9BCYktpHft03v7nt8-KE4H151bD_b_lpZPMKgMkbB3iN2UQfhYh1ce6oJGYkgkE0Xox-WoSqSFunTZziK7wyJF8gJBjzZOqgrHmQ8XXZLpp_U/s320/Masochistfinish2012SophHorty.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with MMTR founder and friend David Horton...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoXAuSOYlagdhDXgbn6fciwrdoPvdtSVcI_eGs-L9hdF97YUnau-emNd7YR8fa3r163qG7ETDme0L_0WH6OEwlF52uk9h1OjFYshZvCOUdP5M0fKS6qQ70GsDLExl5tgbacrebmJL0qE/s1600/Masochistfinish2012SophMer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoXAuSOYlagdhDXgbn6fciwrdoPvdtSVcI_eGs-L9hdF97YUnau-emNd7YR8fa3r163qG7ETDme0L_0WH6OEwlF52uk9h1OjFYshZvCOUdP5M0fKS6qQ70GsDLExl5tgbacrebmJL0qE/s320/Masochistfinish2012SophMer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Meredith after her 11th place finish...so close...but she is all smiles as always...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rVFG4G72-Uzq70Mm4oYidQerxoNe6XF_PXoP7hI8O9jPaZ5KM3MCX3m-Hfn9i1cY-tD2UdZ8pDXdHdx5kcK7WZJKaUySr5lvq0AFDMSfchSB54eahW6IaOVmznbK-iTzYHF4Pugwy_4/s1600/Masochist2012MarkHarrySoph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rVFG4G72-Uzq70Mm4oYidQerxoNe6XF_PXoP7hI8O9jPaZ5KM3MCX3m-Hfn9i1cY-tD2UdZ8pDXdHdx5kcK7WZJKaUySr5lvq0AFDMSfchSB54eahW6IaOVmznbK-iTzYHF4Pugwy_4/s320/Masochist2012MarkHarrySoph.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and with Mark after his awesome 10:28 finish, and super crew Harry Landers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
30 years of Masochism! The iconic race that David Horton created is alive and well, and doing better than ever with the new changes to the course. It is always a wonderful reunion of friends, a worthy challenge, and a great way to kick off my race season. Next up: <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/multimedia/hellgate/interactive.html">Hellgate 100K</a>, my absolute favorite race. But first, a little rest and recovery.<br />
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Happy Trails!<br />
<br />
MMTR results are <a href="http://apps.eco-xsports.com/reports.php?race=2&year=2012">here</a>.Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-42786024625580280812012-10-10T22:32:00.000-04:002012-10-11T22:33:34.768-04:00Pacing Jenny<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtFObogCpZ1S9xwICc4FF4f203EGtHFYXfYCj34Go8SB26HPh9VkPAbvC-JRllHyY44YqsidroyvMV-TZpVpvGMplMU0ThJhhF4cQPSC9lkYQlmHoeDj9X2rNoHrZMzCVAbZJWHF8h8A/s1600/Gstone2012Swoope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtFObogCpZ1S9xwICc4FF4f203EGtHFYXfYCj34Go8SB26HPh9VkPAbvC-JRllHyY44YqsidroyvMV-TZpVpvGMplMU0ThJhhF4cQPSC9lkYQlmHoeDj9X2rNoHrZMzCVAbZJWHF8h8A/s320/Gstone2012Swoope.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grindstone 100 course landmarks: Elliott's Knob and Little North Mountain</td></tr>
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After a six month break from ultra racing and blogging, I am back! It has been six months filled with much needed family time, rest, low-key training runs, and shorter races. It was also a necessary break from the routine of training, racing, recovery, repeat (and reporting). After ten years of running ultras, I *think* I have figured out how to train and how to rest-- having run a bunch of PRs last year despite creeping closer to 50, I am convinced it is because I am racing November-March and taking the rest of the year to rest, recover, and just run for fun and camaraderie.<br />
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Camaraderie is one of the most enjoyable things about being part of the ultra community, along with the culture of helping other runners achieve their goals. Whether it be through coaching for free (or beer), crewing, pacing, or training together, nothing beats the feeling of helping a friend accomplish something really hard. This week our local newspaper, C'Ville Weekly, ran a cover story on three local ultrarunners and yours truly was one of the featured runners. The reporter interviewed me a few days before I was off to pace Jenny Nichols at Grindstone 100, so she asked me a ton of questions about pacing, and <a href="http://www.c-ville.com/break-on-through-ultra-runners-push-the-limits-of-human-endurance/#.UHc7Ba43hCY">this is what I told her.</a> In essence, we are a sport of "paying it forward"-- everyone, from the top 100 mile runner in the country to the newbie-- has shared something important and valuable that has helped me later in a race or during an adventure. We may be a selfish sport (yes, admit it, we are) when it comes to time commitment and time away from home...but when it comes to reaching out to include and help one another, without expectation of payback or publicity, we are second to none. <br />
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As for pacing Jenny...when <a href="http://jendenichols.blogspot.com/">Jenny Nichols</a> announced on Facebook that she had entered Grindstone 100 (her second 100, and first mountain 100), I immediately bombed her inbox with, "Pick me!" Pick me!" pacing offers. Of course, Selfish Sophie wanted to participate in this fantastic 100-miler without the<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/10/grindstone-2009.html"> pain and suffering of actually running the thing again</a>. But I also wanted to help Jenny in the same way others had stepped up for me. <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/mmt05sophie.htm">Mike Broderick</a>, <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2008/10/reflections-on-grindstone-100.html">Mike Mason</a>, <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/10/grindstone-2009.html">Michele Harmon</a>, and <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum06/ws-sophie.htm">Gretchen Garnett</a> have been my fabulous 100- miler pacers, and I wanted to be there for Jenny in the same way they had been there for me--as a fellow 100-miler comrade, offering unconditional support, friendship, guidance, and help towards achieving her huge goal of finishing a really tough 100.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZpLihlxrm2xjzVddZhSTl0zRuRB30Y6maT0JaRc-JC3l95nx0iTSK3Kfi7U1227k8AgXUssHxj5CnAZSPEGy8eYMGwVQV24YMgkWgLz9mSR_jzD737zGAjj4rx6SJfIUk0bam9T4-l4/s1600/JennyGstoneBeforeRobSophie2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZpLihlxrm2xjzVddZhSTl0zRuRB30Y6maT0JaRc-JC3l95nx0iTSK3Kfi7U1227k8AgXUssHxj5CnAZSPEGy8eYMGwVQV24YMgkWgLz9mSR_jzD737zGAjj4rx6SJfIUk0bam9T4-l4/s320/JennyGstoneBeforeRobSophie2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob Colenso, Jenny and me on Friday, a few hours before the Grindstone start</td></tr>
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Jenny, as is her nature, was incredibly gracious and immediately accepted my offer as well as Rob Colenso's, so now she had a pacer from mile 50-68 (Rob) and another from 68-102 (me). I am not sure how Rob ended up drawing the short straw (hehehe) but in fairly short order Team Jenny was assembled and included me, Rob (<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/10/privilege.html">whom I paced at Grindstone last year</a>), Jenny's hubby Brock, her brother Brian, and sister-in-law Tammy. Logistics were dealt with, pacing plans were made, training runs and races came and went, and before we knew it, Grindstone race week had arrived! With it came daily reminders from me to Jenny for race mantras such as "I will finish this race even if I have to walk it in," and <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2012/09/karl-meltzer-2012-run-rabbit-run-100-champion-interview.html">video clips of Karl Meltzer</a> sharing his 100-miler secrets, including this nugget: "<i>You don't have to run fast to run 100 miles, you just have to run all day.</i>" At my urging, Jenny planned to follow Karl's gold standard 100 mile pace strategy: to take it easy at the start, stay within herself to the turn-around at mile 50, and then let the race come to her.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyXzOfSDy_h_hJxXYk055iFvu7FiyZWB5daceF_OATNiDsZbbG6Xs1PKfe4FKQm4rd5ONUC_g6G6Df157LDZpjfLM35mVNE7QtOQPYKSU_P8ZYuhNE2hCI2N_zvcs6SpJaKUCJ-Ipnjo/s1600/Gstone2012AJWNEALHORTY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyXzOfSDy_h_hJxXYk055iFvu7FiyZWB5daceF_OATNiDsZbbG6Xs1PKfe4FKQm4rd5ONUC_g6G6Df157LDZpjfLM35mVNE7QtOQPYKSU_P8ZYuhNE2hCI2N_zvcs6SpJaKUCJ-Ipnjo/s320/Gstone2012AJWNEALHORTY.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AJW, me, Neal and Horton at Grindstone start</td></tr>
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Grindstone starts at 6:00pm on Friday, which allows everyone a chance to gather, pitch tents, socialize, strategize, panic a bit, and then run all night in the dark. For pacers like me, it is a perfect setting. I drove 55 minutes from my house to the race start at Camp Shenandoah and was able to check in with Jenny and Rob, eat and drink a few with Gary and Q, eavesdrop on a nervous Neal Gorman and pacer Andrew Krueger as they plotted Neal's race plan, hang out with AJW and Horton, and generally enjoy the scene without the stress of racing. Because I needed to take care of family stuff, I drove home after the start and Team Jenny took over crewing and pacing until I would meet them at mile 68 the next morning.<br />
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The live stats were behind schedule all night, so when I arrived at the mile 68, North River Gap parking lot (aka TWOT lot) at 7:45 and was informed that Jenny had a 45-minute lead on the women's field at mile 50, I was alternatively psyched and concerned. Rob was pacing her down the mountain and hopefully had slowed her down enough to prevent trashing her quads on Little Bald, and I knew that the next 50K section had two 2500 feet climbs as well as a few brutal descents. Horton and I agreed that if she could just keep moving at this pace, she would be tough to beat. At 9:40, an hour ahead of the next woman, Jenny arrived at North River looking happy and relaxed, so we filled her pack and got the heck out of there!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXZM1kI87cwDf2V5A7oBvyPAwMvAgA-GDzZrkxhVlPkUWeJV7-pZV2r2TyRuEMULMBNiRABvyK8IXiyRWdsEYzv83Hw97ZkB995NLx6iISClJnAzYt6HcD-juiixBB68aGKqjvdqrYBU/s1600/JennyGstoneHankey2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXZM1kI87cwDf2V5A7oBvyPAwMvAgA-GDzZrkxhVlPkUWeJV7-pZV2r2TyRuEMULMBNiRABvyK8IXiyRWdsEYzv83Hw97ZkB995NLx6iISClJnAzYt6HcD-juiixBB68aGKqjvdqrYBU/s320/JennyGstoneHankey2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny at mile 77 with Elliott's Knob (mile 90) in the distance</td></tr>
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The next 12 hours and 32 miles were a blast! We laughed, took photos, cheered on girl scout hikers, greeted mountain bikers and horseback riders, and moved at a great pace. I had Kerry Owen's 28:45 splits with me from 2011 and Jenny was a good thirty minutes ahead at Dowells Draft, despite sore knees. The plan was to go in and out of the aid stations with a smile (despite feeling a bit ginger on the downhills), grab a bottle of Perp, and get the heck out. We may have spent :45 at each AS, which was a testament to her fabulous, efficient crew and her focus.<br />
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After leaving Dowells at mile 80, Jenny plugged into her Ipod and we ran a good 50 minutes across Rte 250 and along Chimney Hollow. The sun was starting to get low in the sky and the woods were magically quiet and serene. I was LOVING it! It was nice to be quiet for awhile and then other times busy solving all the world's problems. Jen was climbing like a champ and making some good time before we made the nasty descent down Crawford Mountain when the wheels (aka her knees) started to fall off a bit. I could tell from the look on her face (and my own memory of this race) that it was just brutally painful to descend. But she hung in there and before long we were at Dry Branch Gap (mile 85). WOOP!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgQqTCVFStqZG_-HXJbvynUy0Fzy3LvdJ-znjge_J_2kEu6SHNEAnMhqa3ARQ3DgDrFNISMMqYHQLyhPhpSHmR5rLhk94rBcBHkqTBS2B0InW7kYZA-PI7FSd3P8I2_Z5jqog3Ljezic/s1600/JennyGstoneBrockJenny2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgQqTCVFStqZG_-HXJbvynUy0Fzy3LvdJ-znjge_J_2kEu6SHNEAnMhqa3ARQ3DgDrFNISMMqYHQLyhPhpSHmR5rLhk94rBcBHkqTBS2B0InW7kYZA-PI7FSd3P8I2_Z5jqog3Ljezic/s320/JennyGstoneBrockJenny2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and Brock at Dry Branch, mile 85. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Dry Branch was the first (and last time) where Jen sat for more than a minute. Here we iced her knees, grabbed more Perp and gels, and Rob and I conferred on where Megan Stegemiller, the second-place female, was in terms of time. It was decided (by bossy pants moi) that Rob would stay until Megan arrived and then we would hopefully get a text up on the ridge with intel on her time of arrival and departure. This was important because I needed to know how much to push Jenny up and down Elliott's. Rob's comment "you need to push her regardless" was spot-on, but I knew she was hurting and wanted to know if we had a cushion. Being in the lead was a trip---fun as hell but also very stressful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4ZlCC4Tgj73C0MuD4eLKaOfTnag77WG-sN0SKGupxNMF0F5XirxOGMhEDfJ_HF3k0gz8BZNW9YKqZ372Yq-syTYp_CYEVE32iI8cnHAuaGVkztfDKB8OSJKGaOyJ7Z8ufnCOa_OQ5M/s1600/JennyElliott'sGstone2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx4ZlCC4Tgj73C0MuD4eLKaOfTnag77WG-sN0SKGupxNMF0F5XirxOGMhEDfJ_HF3k0gz8BZNW9YKqZ372Yq-syTYp_CYEVE32iI8cnHAuaGVkztfDKB8OSJKGaOyJ7Z8ufnCOa_OQ5M/s1600/JennyElliott'sGstone2012.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not many Grindstone finishers EVER get to run down Elliott's in the DAYLIGHT!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The caption above was our mantra the entire climb up to Elliott's Knob (mile 90). We were moving well, chatting about family, kids, ultras, and how beautiful the night was, interspersed with changing clothes, adding gloves, and kicking rocks. When we reached the descent on the Elliott's Knob fire road, we started to get passed by a few men (including Jenny's buddy Rick Gray). This was disheartening for Jen. She got weepy because of the hurt and the cold, and mumbled something about the stress she was feeling, but I loved her attitude too--she was fighting to keep that lead, regardless of who was passing by. Underneath that sweet demeanor and those super strong hugs lies a fiercely competitive and passionate woman, and I totally get that! I told her when she started to get weepy that she could cry for 5 minutes, and then had to stop to save her energy :-)<br />
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We arrived at the last aid station at mile 95, Falls Hollow, having lost a few more minutes, so the next 6 miles were going to be gut check time. These six miles are the worst six miles in ultrarunning for the Grindstone finisher. In the 2009 race, I made a vow to NEVER run in the woods again except as pacer, and here I was, running and walking on tedious ascents and descents, railroad tracks, baby head rocks, technical stream beds, and roots. Not to mention the mental challenge of running past the Camp Shenandoah showers with a bit more than a mile to go! A few more guys passed us but we were not concerned---we knew after the showers she had the win in the bag. It was at the "1 Mile To Go" sign that I made a huge WOOP and turned to Jen and extended my hand: "Congratulations, you are going to win the Grindstone 100!" There were tears of joy, of pain, but mostly...relief.<br />
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Across the earthen dam we ran (!), along the road, and into camp. It was very dark now, with a crystal clear sky full of stars. It was about 9:45pm and I wooped it up so Clark and the gang knew it was us. "What's your number?" we heard them call out from the finish line.<br />
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"105!!!" we yelled.<br />
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Big cheers erupted as Clark announced "First Woman, Jenny Nichols! 2012 Grindstone Women's Champion!"<br />
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Big hugs all around from Clark, Rob, Brock, Brian, Tammy, Rick, Tammy Gray, Q, Gary, Jim Daniels, Neal Gorman, Kerry Owens...<br />
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Big fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue2yMqJo32Wl0RSTeiwW-FT674l2DGezdUy1CNW3AvqciivdLHhtvtDP9DzE-5x9ajpfkOmImKE_8ws7BXpP-eFJDAZZO6Tvf1q8KL-luXvV5fMp9x7XyQsIarAE3SJUjBZb-B32Dm5w/s1600/JennyGstoneRobSophie2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue2yMqJo32Wl0RSTeiwW-FT674l2DGezdUy1CNW3AvqciivdLHhtvtDP9DzE-5x9ajpfkOmImKE_8ws7BXpP-eFJDAZZO6Tvf1q8KL-luXvV5fMp9x7XyQsIarAE3SJUjBZb-B32Dm5w/s320/JennyGstoneRobSophie2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob, Jenny and me at the Grindstone finish line, 27:46</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1I5tJObqwrezgeK5dgfb0FSNauxKi1GJNweIabwwK6cY1wVNrkp1WDPeuTcESRIlB_Th09GzS17Vr5WM-PcPs3vIHoqFNi9MUjtxlhCsDcQEBIesooxYF_dBCmUaEVUErShqokkXAb8/s1600/JennyGstoneKarl2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1I5tJObqwrezgeK5dgfb0FSNauxKi1GJNweIabwwK6cY1wVNrkp1WDPeuTcESRIlB_Th09GzS17Vr5WM-PcPs3vIHoqFNi9MUjtxlhCsDcQEBIesooxYF_dBCmUaEVUErShqokkXAb8/s320/JennyGstoneKarl2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Grindstone 100 Champs, Karl Meltzer and Jenny Nichols</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Grindstone <a href="http://apps.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=1&year=2012">results</a><br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-46068203940839984292012-03-05T20:45:00.000-05:002012-03-05T20:45:52.716-05:00The Run That Shall Not Be NamedPeople often ask me where and when my blog title photo was taken (above). It was in 2010, after a "real" winter of heavy snow, and a group of friends and I were running on trails in southwest Virginia. A bluebird sky, fresh 6 '' of powder, and temps in the 40s made this run beautiful yet very challenging. My friend Hallie took the photo as I posed atop the most photographed place on the AT. To me, this photo symbolizes everything I love about ultrarunning: a celebration of freedom, health, and nature while moving swiftly and light on trails with good friends in beautiful places.<br />
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2012 was the tenth year of friends gathering to celebrate on these trails with a run that we do not name and is not advertised. In fact, I hesitate to blog about the run at all...but given the fact that ten years have come and gone for this iconic, old school trail run, I thought a little homage was required. The reason for the secrecy? To keep the run pure and under the radar, so that it can continue as long as the runners want it to continue. And I bet there are runs just like this one across the country in Cali, Oregon, Colorado, and other places where "events" are not permitted. Ours is certainly not an "event," but rather a gathering of friends who enjoy nature and one another's company.<br />
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This run was my first mountain "adventure" run. The year was 2004, and I was a lurker on the VHTRC website. Someone posted photos and a link to a "non" website. Hmmm...this looks cool, I thought. I was a newbie ulturarunner then, having only run Holiday Lake 50K and Mountain Masochist 50. But I was itching for something more, something really hard but not life-threatening or stupid. My friend Quatro mentioned that he was going to run it and so I asked if I could tag along. And over the course of the run (which is about 35 miles but runs like a 50), I found myself getting exactly what I had come for: really tough climbs, never-ending PUDs, quad trashing downhills and endless views of where we had run and where we were headed. It took me 9:25 to run the 35 miles, and when it was over, I knew I had turned a corner in my ultra career. <br />
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This year brought together some of my closest friends from all over the Mid-Atlantic: runners from the VHTRC, WVMTR, CAT, IMTR, and Lynchburg. The group naturally split into thirds, with the fast boys and girl kicking butt and taking names. Neal Gorman ran the Fastest Known Time on this course in 6:25 and Eva Pastalkova was the first woman to break 8 hours. The group I was with took lots of pics at overlooks, and goofed off with our friend Knob Creek:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5PS4FMB9F1HRKaw_Cm759UgS_jYmlKAZjc9GKRXxaYNuCB0UFJIPrOc1XInCb8UXfdYB9ZzM13NV_gSgRRqrbExNg40FF6ZtJC77KqIO_Jd0nce75f57CyS2fClD8vSAPoAYoogxQk0/s1600/Catawba2012AndyLane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5PS4FMB9F1HRKaw_Cm759UgS_jYmlKAZjc9GKRXxaYNuCB0UFJIPrOc1XInCb8UXfdYB9ZzM13NV_gSgRRqrbExNg40FF6ZtJC77KqIO_Jd0nce75f57CyS2fClD8vSAPoAYoogxQk0/s320/Catawba2012AndyLane.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just goofing off with the usual suspects</td></tr>
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We ran easy and caught up on eachother's lives. We talked about recent races, 100 milers looming in the distance, and plans to crew and pace at upcoming events...and about our children, our jobs, our career decisions, and the losses of our loved ones. In short, we solved all our problems over 35 miles...the best kind of therapy!<br />
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The entrants list from past years lists everyone from Grand Slam record holders, Team USA members and Western States winners to back-of-the pack tough guys and dirt chicks. We come for the trail, the views, and the fellowship, but mostly, I think, for the chance to try something really hard. I know I am among the many who are grateful for the chance to explore this beautiful and wild place each spring. Here's to ten-plus more years of adventure!<br />
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Happy Trails! <br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-25113034283387932142012-01-31T13:49:00.000-05:002012-01-31T13:49:17.910-05:00Spreading the Gospel of TrailLast night I was invited to lead a discussion for a group of interesting, fun women who had just read <u>Born To Run</u> as their monthly book club assignment. I knew only a handful of these smart ladies, most of whom are not runners, but who all enjoy being active in some way. It was a great evening, as I basically got to talk about what I love to do most: run dirt trails in the woods and mountains, something I could talk about for hours (and do, when I am running with my gang). In addition to talking about the book, they wanted to know how I got interested in running, specifically ultrarunning, and asked all of the classic questions:<br />
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<i>"How many days do you run? Do you take any days off?"</i> A: 5 days max per week, with at least one day off, sometimes two, with swimming and pool running in there as well.<br />
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<i>"What do you eat? Do you have a special diet?"</i> A: Everything, especially fruits and veggies, and Supremo Decaf Skim Mochas. No fad diets for me.<br />
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<i>"Do you ever fall asleep when you are running 100 miles?"</i> A: Yes. That's why I don't run them anymore.<br />
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<i>"What do your kids think about their mom doing this stuff?"</i> A: They *pretend* to not care, but I have caught them bragging on me a few times to their friends--"My mom can run 100 miles!"<br />
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<i>"Do you wear Vibram 5 Fingers?"</i> A: Heck no. If it's not broke, don't fix it. I do wear my beloved inov-8 268s, though.<br />
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<i>"Why do you love running trails for long distances?"</i> A: I love the community of the ultra world and the people, first and foremost. And running ultra distance has taught me to be flexible, to persevere, to adjust, and to be in the moment. Very valuable skills for this Type A mom. (there were lots of heads nodding at this point).<br />
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I brought along the buckle I earned for finishing MMT 100 in 2005, and we passed it around. I told them about how Western States 100 started, about Gordy and the Tevis Cup, and that Virginia is second behind California in the number of ultras, which seemed to surprise them. We talked about cool local trails that they could run or walk on, and I encouraged them to consider running with the <a href="http://charlottesvilleareatrailrunners.blogspot.com/">CATS</a> one day!<br />
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Mostly, though, I tried to convince them that it is never too late to find a passion that will change their life for the better. Thank you, ladies, for inviting me to your book group and allowing me to share my passion with you! Happy trails.<br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-73647709692329252812012-01-02T12:27:00.000-05:002012-01-02T21:49:02.117-05:00A look backMy husband and I have a New Years Eve tradition where we go to our favorite restaurant, sit at the bar, and while eating delicious tapas and drinking sangria, share our hopes and dreams for the upcoming year as well as reflect back on the one we are leaving behind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hubz and me at our fave post-hike joint, Blue Mountain Brewery</td></tr>
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Rusty, a mountain biker, wants "to do something epic. This is the year to do something big and not be a chicken." I want to build on my 2011 ultra season, and the lessons learned off the trail as well. Last year at this time, I decided that my mantra for 2011 was, <i>"Welcome change, seek out adventure, take a risk at failure."</i> As the months went by, I found myself going back to that mantra many times---as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister, as a teacher and coach, and as a runner. There were many changes to adjust to: the death of my father, a new boss, work stressors, and the fact that my children were growing more independent and relying less on me. I sought out new adventures---the <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/09/snp-adventure-run.html">111 mile journey through Shenandoah National Park</a> and the <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/11/race-within-race-masochists-2011.html">Lynchburg Ultra Series</a> were the big ones--and accepted that failure was an important part of growth and something not to fear.<br />
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At the risk of sounding like a total self-aggrandizing idiot, let's just say that 2011 was my best year as an ultrarunner, as far as race results go. Not bad for an old lady. I set three personal best (PR) times at three distances: the 50K, 50 mile, and 100K++. I was really stoked about doing this because I was coaching myself and weaving together everything I have learned in ten years of running ultras. This gives me a lot of confidence as I stare down my 2012 race and adventure plans.<br />
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OK, enough about me. Let's talk about...me. Here are a few lessons from 2011 that I want to carry into 2012's big challenges, and that might also prove helpful to others who are seeking their own new adventures:<br />
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<b>1. Less mileage is More </b>(at least for me). I am 49 years old and this year proved to me that I could run fast and go long with an average of 55-60 miles per week. Granted, I am working on ten years of an ultra base, but it is nice to know that I don't have to crank out huge miles to run faster.<br />
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<b>2. Hill repeats are the bread and butter. </b>I ran a lot of 1:00-4:00 hill repeats on a runnable slope at least once every two weeks. These workouts gave me a ton of confidence and strength without spending a lot of time in the weight room.<br />
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<b>3. The weight room is my friend.</b> That said, I did go to the weight room at least twice a week for about 25 minutes. There I did classic core and balancing workouts with the Bosu ball, Swiss ball, kettlebells and planks. I know a lot of friends swear by Crossfit, Pilates, Yoga...but this works for me, and is all I really have time for.<br />
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<b>4. Swimming and pool running keep me sane and healthy.</b> I am not <a href="http://runningetc.blogspot.com/">a running streaker,</a> nor can I ever envision myself running more than 4 days in a row. I would get terribly bored and burnt out. To break things up, I spend my 25 minutes in the weight room, then I go to the pool (in the same building, very convenient), swim about 1,000 yards easy, then pool run with a flotation belt. I don't do this for long (about 15 minutes is all I can handle) but I can solve many of my problems of the day by running up and down the lap lanes in the pool. Plus, it's very relaxing and stretches out my hips.<br />
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<b>5. I don't need a track to run faster.</b> For years I have been doing speed work on the UVA track. This year the track has been closed for a multi-million dollar upgrade, so instead I relied on tempo runs on hilly gravel roads, fartleks such as 1:00 hard, 1:00 easy x 10, and the aforementioned hill repeats on trails and dirt roads. <br />
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<b>6. Inov-8 shoes make me run faster.</b> Call it a coincidence, but ever since I started running in my <a href="http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&L=27&P=5050973237">inov-8 Roclite 268s</a>, my turnover has been quicker and I have been running faster times. I really think they help me run more efficiently with a mid-foot strike. Plus they are comfortable as heck.<br />
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<b>7. Running with a group a friends also makes me faster---and it is way fun.</b> In 2011 the <a href="http://charlottesvilleareatrailrunners.blogspot.com/">Charlottesville Area Trail Runners (CATs)</a> became an organized, inclusive group that trained together and supported one another at races by crewing and pacing. One of my key workouts for Hellgate was a "Skinny B" workout with the fastest guys in the club. We ran in the dark for 1.5 hours at my tempo pace on rooty, muddy trails and then did a bunch of tough 2:00 hill repeats. It kicked my butt but delivered two weeks later with a <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-falls-away-at-hellgate-100k.html">Hellgate PR</a>. Thanks, boys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zWt_nNZPb29HDZ40D4whzsnw5n20UODuuKZzcUx9lX4CDAN6faYRTCWHukgVKT_5f-PVcdrp2vWSGdMuVhif9X9Ib8kEHJZIpjIa1wImt6nvyhd2Tadntd6p7PPbW8guhCx-hgX03K8/s1600/CATSMMTR2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zWt_nNZPb29HDZ40D4whzsnw5n20UODuuKZzcUx9lX4CDAN6faYRTCWHukgVKT_5f-PVcdrp2vWSGdMuVhif9X9Ib8kEHJZIpjIa1wImt6nvyhd2Tadntd6p7PPbW8guhCx-hgX03K8/s320/CATSMMTR2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CATs at Mountain Masochist 50</td></tr>
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<b>8. Rest and recovery are the most essential part of the training cycle. </b>This is a really hard concept for many ultrarunners to accept, but it is so true. In 2011, I took at least one and sometimes two full days off per week---that means no running, hiking, swimming or lifting. Nada. As a result I was able to train harder on my hard days without feeling tired or dead (except at the end of the workout).<br />
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<b>9. Less racing is more--for me</b>. My 2011 racing season was split into two: a spring season with the three LUS 50Ks, each a month apart; and a fall season starting with the SNP run over Labor Day (not a race, but a hugely beneficial training weekend), and including Mountain Masochist in November and Hellgate in December. I did not race from the end of April until the beginning of November, but instead rested a ton, ran for fun, trained with friends, and spent time with my family. Racing from November through March seems to suit me best, and will be my routine for the next few years.<br />
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<b>10. Remember always: Being able to run is a privilege.</b> This is the greatest lesson. Thank you, David Horton, for reminding us all <a href="http://www.shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/10/privilege.html">at the start of the Grindstone 100</a> this year, and every time we see you ride your mountain bike. Thank you, my wonderful family, for accepting my passion and supporting it. Thank you, dear friends, for your companionship on the trail and roads. Thank you for reminding me to never take running for granted.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The epitome of privilege: on the WS100 course above Lake Tahoe with good friends, 2006</td></tr>
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What does 2012 hold in store? Stay tuned.<br />
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Happy New Year!Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-17249682079226814042011-12-13T11:32:00.001-05:002015-12-10T14:43:07.687-05:00Time falls away at Hellgate 100KI have been an ultrarunner for ten years now. It has been an amazing ride, filled with peaks and valleys of adventure, disappointment, satisfaction, fear, and lessons learned. The threads that weave the ultra community together are the shared experiences and bonds forged during training runs and races. We spend hours on the trail and during the post-run parties hashing the details of our favorites trails and adventures, and planning for the next one. Not surprisingly, many of my ultrarunning friends have a particular race that defines them, that they obsess over and look forward to more than any other. <a href="http://ajwsblog.blogspot.com/">AJW</a> has Western States, Gary Knipling has MMT, Keith Knipling has Cascade Crest, Steve and Deb Pero have Hardrock, Mike Bur has The Barkley, and I have <a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/index.htm">Hellgate 100K</a>.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws3byokNZ_5gAFDSqdOR7v3pNZjz8erXLLh8hsZQzzjGaAOteHxVJ-ndaHi7OCWpZEx2p-KGUfHG401RbJfZ-Zqb42XEU4hzXYFL7d-mDNYEyKVxwuZ-pUVch4PHqBTu5kUuUK05Ncck/s1600/hellgate_elevation.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws3byokNZ_5gAFDSqdOR7v3pNZjz8erXLLh8hsZQzzjGaAOteHxVJ-ndaHi7OCWpZEx2p-KGUfHG401RbJfZ-Zqb42XEU4hzXYFL7d-mDNYEyKVxwuZ-pUVch4PHqBTu5kUuUK05Ncck/s320/hellgate_elevation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have run Hellgate six times, more than any other ultra in my career. For the first five, I became obsessed with breaking the 15-hour mark. In <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/hellgate-sophie05.html">2005</a>, the "snow year", we ran on sheets of ice and over 6" of powder, and I finished in 15:56. In <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum06/hellgate-sophie.htm">2006</a>, the "Leaf Year" we got to see the trail that was hidden from the snow...and there were leaves, piles and piles of them. I ran a bit faster, in 15:16. In <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2007/12/hellgate-100k-2007-we-are-family.html">2007</a>, the "Warm Year" I raced Rebekah Trittipoe for the last 6 miles and second place (my highest finish) in 15:36. In <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2008/12/fearless-frigid-and-fast-recipe-for.html">2008</a> we had a full moon and excellent weather, and I just missed my goal with a 15:03. Finally, in <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2009/12/spending-time-in-pain-cave-at-hellgate.html">2009</a>, I came rested and determined to break the barrier I had set before me and did just that in 14:58, but it took everything I had.<br />
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After that race, I took a break from running the 2010 event. I wanted to jump off the intense cycle of focusing on time and splits and instead be part of the event in another, more relaxed way. I drove down on race morning to help my friend Stephanie Wilson achieve her goal of finishing, which she did in strong fashion in 17:01. I took photos, ran the last six miles, and hung out at the finish helping runners get food and showers. I loved being on the other side, but I missed being "out there," and knew that in 2011 I would be back.<br />
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My <a href="http://charlottesvilleareatrailrunners.blogspot.com/">CAT</a> friends Jen Nichols, Mike Stadnisky, and Christian Dalhausen were entered in the 2011 race and their energy and enthusiasm about the event got me fired up. There is nothing like being a Hellgate newbie, and I had a blast training with them, answering questions about the race, the trail, and what to wear and eat. I knew the special adventure that awaited them, and it was so much fun to be part of their preparation---perhaps that is the teacher and coach in me. We decided to start together, to run easy to Camping Gap (mile 13, about 3 hours in), and then go our separate ways if needed. Most importantly, I decided to not look at my watch for the entire race, and to just run on feel (aka "perceived effort"). This would be a huge challenge for me, as my watch has always been an integral part of my racing plan---I needed to know my splits so I could adjust accordingly...or so I thought.<br />
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After we sang "Oh, Canada" and "The Star Spangled Banner" we were off at 12:01 am. Jen, Mike and I maneuvered through the pack with Christian not far behind, and soon we were climbing together up to AS 2, Petites Gap. The moon was out, there was no wind, and the long climb up the mountain warmed us up. In and out of the aid station, we bombed down the single track of the Terrapin Mountain course and soon were climbing up to Camping Gap. Jenny had fallen behind a train of runners, and Mike was pulling me up the mountain. We turned off the lights and enjoyed the moonlight. It felt easy. I wondered what time it was and then told myself to let it go, and we ran down the Promise Land section where Mike pulled away and I was alone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Headforemost Mountain, mile 25</td></tr>
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Since I didn't have my watch, I used the moon and the sun to help me predict my pace. I knew that if I came into Jennings Creek (AS 5) in the dark, then I was moving well. I saw our super crew Bob Clouston and Drew Kreuger and they looked surprised to see me: "Don't tell me what time it is!" I laughed/pleaded. And, they didn't, instead directing me to the pancakes and eggs and wishing me well. After Little Cove Mountain (AS 6), Kristen Eddy passed me with a smile and a greeting, so I knew I must be moving well (Kristen is a national class adventure racer and very fast trail runner). Hmmm, I thought. If I am near Kristen, then I bet I am in the top 5! This was exciting given the strength of the womens field this year. So, I made a little deal: I could look at my watch at mile 40 (just once) so I could get a sense of where I was. I would be absolutely thrilled to be near 10:10 am (my fastest split to that AS). Just as I was entering the AS, I looked down and the time read: 9:53. YOWZA!<br />
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Horty greeted me with a shout,"Fourth Woman!" and I was in and out in a flash. Bob had a delicious burger waiting as well as a full bottle of Perp, and then I was off. No more checking of splits, no more looking at the watch...just run! And run I did, as well as think about why I had been able to run the first 40 in such a fast time. I believe it was a combination of Masochist fitness, trail knowledge, nutrition (I ate and drank almost 4,000 calories for the 66 miles), and most importantly, letting go. Letting go of pressure, of time, of stress, of the past...and being fully present. Letting go.<br />
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The rest of the race went by in a blur. I was thrilled beyond belief that I would be able to run in the solid 14s for the first time in my Hellgate career. Alyssa Godesky passed me on the last climb looking really strong, and I wished her well as we hoofed it up and over the parkway for the final downhill. The sun was higher in the sky than it had ever been before on this downhill, and I took it all in as I approached Camp Bethel and the finish: 14:41, fifth woman, and a 17-minute PR. But who's counting? Not me.
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyGkJxhbwrVP07fWFWbweMGhxFf3jWaRReWVkFnBJlYyzVuFnMsX5e0DTNPp2uLNf1ie6Rgf7cZD4cLUgLR9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<i>This is a retrospective I made of Hellgate in photographs and video, from 2005-2008. Take a look. You might recognize West Coasters, elites, VHTRC buddies, and long, lost friends. I watch this every year as I get ready for the race, as it reminds me of why I love it so: the people, the trail, and the adventure. And the music says it all.</i><br />
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<i>Thank you, David Horton, and all the Hellgate volunteers who make this event possible and so very special.</i><br />
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"Let it slide<br />
let your troubles fall behind you<br />
let it shine
'til you feel it all around you<br />
and I don't mind<br />
if it's me you need to turn to<br />
we'll get by<br />
it's the heart that really matters in the end..."<br />
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-Rob Thomas, "Little Wonders"
.Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-80800570132139156432011-11-07T22:31:00.000-05:002011-11-08T08:20:50.792-05:00A Race Within a Race: Masochists 2011On Saturday I ran the <a href="http://www.eco-xsports.com/events/mmtr/" target="_blank">Mountain Masochist 50</a> for the fifth time. I love this race for many reasons: the gorgeous fall foliage and views from the ridges; a course that has been more or less the same for 29 years; a great mix of technical trail, jeep roads, and lots of climbing (over 8,000 feet); and the wonderful friends and memories I have made over the years as a runner or crew member.<br />
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In 2003, "Masochists" (as it is known by the old guard) was my first 50 and I suffered greatly in the second half to finish in 10:25. I was injured in 2004 but was able to crew for my friend Mike Broderick and join many of my <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/">VHTRC</a> brethren for a great reunion, which Anstr Davidson documented with an entertaining <a href="http://www.vhtrc.org/forum/mmtr2004-ad.htm">reflection on the race, its history, and David Horton.</a> I came back in 2006 with more experience and proper training to run a 9:40, but felt horrible at the finish with toasted quads, and in<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2007/11/slow-and-steady-gets-pr.html"> 2007</a>, I trained all year for a PR and was able to get it on a perfect day in 9:34:18. I then took a few years off from the race to run Grindstone 100 before venturing back in 2010.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Broderick on the Wild Oak Trail, 2004</td></tr>
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<a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2010/11/mountains-shall-bring-peace-to-people.html">Last year's race</a> was bittersweet. We lost Mike to stage 4 lung cancer the day before the race (and his 53rd birthday) and I was determined to run as he would have wanted me to---within myself, smart, and patient. Mike was a beloved ultra and marathon coach who had trained hundreds of runners with that same philosophy, so with Mike's voice inside my head and spirit urging me on, I ran a 9:34:41, close to a PR but off by 23 seconds. I was thrilled to have come so close, but also emotionally drained and not in a huge celebratory mood, so Rusty met me at the finish line and took me back home...with a stop at Blue Mountain Brewery just a few miles away, of course...<br />
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This year, Masochists presented a new challenge: the final race of the <a href="http://www.extremeultrarunning.com/">Lynchburg Ultra Series</a> (LUS). I had never been able to run the LUS due to schedule conflicts, so I was excited when the race dates worked out in my favor. I wrote on this blog in January that I wanted to "welcome change, seek out adventure, and take a chance at failure" in 2011, and this mantra has guided my training and racing decisions all year. The first three races in the LUS, <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/02/back-to-holiday-lake-50kand-paying-it.html">Holiday Lake 50K,</a> <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/03/going-big-at-terrapin-50k.html">Terrapin Mountain 50K</a>, and <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/04/celebrating-spring-at-promise-land-50k.html">Promise Land 50K</a> reward leg speed and turnover, while Masochists favors strong climbing and overall endurance, so I knew I had my work cut out for me. By the end of the spring season, I sat in second place among the women in the LUS standings, just 13:14 behind 22-year-old Jamie Darling, an up-and-coming LU graduate.<br />
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The concept of running a race-within-a race is really fun and satisfying, as many of my ultra buddies can attest. The challenge of going for an age group or overall masters win keeps training interesting and fuels motivation on cold dark mornings in the winter. Being only 13:14 away from the overall LUS title gave this year's Masochists training a little more of a focus on developing speed and strength for the the last miles when I seem to fade. My <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/09/snp-adventure-run.html">SNP adventure run</a> in September gave me a huge confidence boost, as did a hard run on the Wild Oak Trail, the Buck Mountain Half Marathon as part of a 23 miler, and <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/10/privilege.html">pacing Rob Colenso</a> at Grindstone, where I was on my feet for eight hours. I also ran a lot of long runs incorporating marathon and tempo pace, and lifted at least twice a week, focusing on core and upper body strength.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAT members Harry, Drew, and Cristina Krueger</td></tr>
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However, the best decision I made was enlisting Harry Landers as my "handler" (another old-school ultra term for "crew"---a throwback to the 100 mile endurance horse races). Harry volunteered to help me on a whim about two weeks before the race, and I gave him my instructions for getting me in and out of the aid stations quickly. When I arrived at Long Mountain aid station (about 27 miles into the race), Harry told me where I was among the women (ninth), that there were two ladies just ahead, and that I was gaining on them. Perfect! I love climbing, and particularly love climbing the next section, Buck Mountain. The theme from "Rocky" plays on an endless loop from the aid station 3 miles away, and there are motivational scripture passages that greet the runners as they climb. Just like last year, I found myself getting very emotional as I ran by, thinking of both Mike and of my father, who had passed away in October after fighting pulmonary fibrosis for over six years. Regis Shivers, Jr. was on the trail just ahead and it was comforting to talk with him, as his father had died six years ago after struggling with cancer. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the Loop</td></tr>
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The next section after Buck Mountain was rolling, runnable trail and jeep road, with leaves falling all around and the sun shining, so with two Angels on my shoulder, I wiped away the tears and went to work! I eventually came upon Jamie and my friend Meredith Terranova, whom I met at
Masochists in 2007, and both seemed to be having a tough day, so after chatting a bit I made my way up the mountain. I was feeling great and climbing well, and looked forward to seeing Harry again at the entrance to the Loop at mile 35. The Loop gets a bad rap, and I can see why. The first few miles were great running, and then it got rocky and technical. This would be the first technical trail of the day, and I found myself cramping a bit as I descended some slippery scree. It was the highest point of the race, so more climbing was involved, often over slippery leaves. My experience has been if you are on the edge of having a tough day, the Loop will either make or break your race. Fortunately, I managed to run it in under an hour and pass two more women as I was leaving, so I got a shot of adrenaline when I saw Harry and grabbed my bottle of Perpetuem. He told me that I had gained 4 minutes on Jamie, but this meant I still needed to run hard all the way to the finish to get beyond the 13 minute spread. Time to hammer!<br />
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The last 10+ miles of the race are a mix of long downhills and steep climbs on dirt road, and then a long, tough section on leafy trail. This is traditionally another place where MMTR races turn ugly, and I had prepared for this in my training. I knew that keeping my pace strong and close to my PR splits would be the only way I could make good time. I cranked up the iPod shuffle and the songs that popped up were great omens..."Clocks" by Coldplay, "Almost Home" by MCC, and "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas (and my ultra anthem) came up 1-2-3 and I was<i> hammering</i> (at least it felt like it). I hit the last AS right on PR pace and thought, "Hmmm...I may have another chance at breaking 9:34:18 this time..." but then I told myself, "Shut up and run!" This became the mantra for the last, long 3+ miles to the finish. I hit the one-mile-to-go mark in 9:25ish, knowing that I just needed to run marathon pace to get the PR, and 7:45 later, that's exactly what happened, in 9:33:31!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSadtWpE7p9ATZXXhvdr3kn92WkWk_qr6DM-L0-a51GzYnlKuzcKsf8asBuXORnDpC63iNUzY9RbwI7yj72Z6bs9TFlwqO0hqh15XAZJrjrpnBFluX55csnT5DwoVoh5lHlwaQODLZZs/s1600/324684_2597153694348_1419913682_32964523_243591408_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSadtWpE7p9ATZXXhvdr3kn92WkWk_qr6DM-L0-a51GzYnlKuzcKsf8asBuXORnDpC63iNUzY9RbwI7yj72Z6bs9TFlwqO0hqh15XAZJrjrpnBFluX55csnT5DwoVoh5lHlwaQODLZZs/s400/324684_2597153694348_1419913682_32964523_243591408_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish, with Horton and Ashley double-checking my time</td></tr>
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Horton yelled and pointed at me at the finish, most likely thinking, "I can't believe she is running as sixth woman when I/Clark seeded her 11th!" HA! I pointed right back at him, thanked Clark, and promptly lay on the grass, waiting for the rest of the field to arrive. This was the best part of the day: cheering for friends as they made their way down the road, digging deep for the PR, the top-10 placing or the final cut-off time. Everyone had a story and you could see it on their faces, in the way they ran, sprinted, or cried at the finish. <a href="http://mersadventures.blogspot.com/">Meredith</a> arrived with her huge trademark smile, and <a href="http://jendenichols.blogspot.com/">Jenny Nichols,</a> who came up to train many times with the CATs and VHTRCers, cruised in with a huge PR and for the final top-10 spot with the biggest grin on her face. I was so happy for her!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOZTHoCtXbiZhWg8g1sntmg62WPqb_NZvP6152MEVjvrenizhm5MPV371kON3k8bLtLEZwvZ8w08WCTIu4nhLnNAEvYVFpiWo09Qce8zbblJcQuZsyYBe0gd1pVi9PkfTVkhepeRy36I/s1600/Jenand+SophMMTR2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOZTHoCtXbiZhWg8g1sntmg62WPqb_NZvP6152MEVjvrenizhm5MPV371kON3k8bLtLEZwvZ8w08WCTIu4nhLnNAEvYVFpiWo09Qce8zbblJcQuZsyYBe0gd1pVi9PkfTVkhepeRy36I/s320/Jenand+SophMMTR2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny and me</td></tr>
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When Jamie arrived just a few minutes later, Horty and Clark went to work adding up our final LUS times, and when it was over, I had crept ahead by just 1:08. Jamie had worked incredibly hard and was visibly drained, and I am sure bummed that this "old lady" (as Horty likes to call me) was able to pass her in the standings. But she was very impressive with her 1:30 Masochists PR despite having a tough day, and she made me work for every minute of my race. I have written before that I relish the opportunity to race<i> with</i> other women as they always make me bring out my best, and this was no exception. <br />
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The rest of the evening was spent cheering the final finishers, road-tripping back to Lynchburg and the awards dinner with CAT friends Q, Bob and Joey, and enjoying the camaraderie that comes after a race like Masochists. Clark had told us at the pre-race meeting that 2011 may be the last iteration of this particular Masochists course due to Park Service pressure, so next year we could have a slightly altered course or something dramatically different. But what will remain the same? Running 50+ miles in the Blue Ridge mountains in November, chasing PRs and cut-off times, sharing race stories at the finish line, and being part of another Mountain Masochist with good friends, new and old. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Pom9xsSF81DL3-CKk6Ou-xFCMPe29b4KcZZpAahN6G0YePbKJJGyCSqzil3WplP13D4nb7oIv1L0SPdZX7U7wd0Obug2C5AJj1dU4ca4_uo8bsvsQ54QVdi-rus0AUSgOrB1jYpuu1I/s1600/CATsMMTR2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Pom9xsSF81DL3-CKk6Ou-xFCMPe29b4KcZZpAahN6G0YePbKJJGyCSqzil3WplP13D4nb7oIv1L0SPdZX7U7wd0Obug2C5AJj1dU4ca4_uo8bsvsQ54QVdi-rus0AUSgOrB1jYpuu1I/s400/CATsMMTR2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlottesville Area Trail Runners (CATS) at the finish</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Happy Trails! <i><br /></i><br />
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<i>Photos by Brock Nichols and Christian Dalhausen</i><br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-49030330159851432602011-10-09T15:54:00.001-04:002011-10-09T16:08:21.460-04:00Privilege<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3j13waFJ-76Lb3L9p_X-MyBWPf0dMCytMdFeYUZdFbv3hgAfGR9As4PYD-LsEKHHIECToKDYM5Qh4_SCdD1AImxYBH6Z27MXsfFhKV5kdGJZT_WK5kKGkyTAaEatYAaqRraJV771T2k/s1600/Grindstone+2011+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3j13waFJ-76Lb3L9p_X-MyBWPf0dMCytMdFeYUZdFbv3hgAfGR9As4PYD-LsEKHHIECToKDYM5Qh4_SCdD1AImxYBH6Z27MXsfFhKV5kdGJZT_WK5kKGkyTAaEatYAaqRraJV771T2k/s320/Grindstone+2011+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners await the start of the 2011 Grindstone 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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At the start of the fourth annual <a href="http://apps.eco-xsports.com/livestats.php?race=1&year=2011">Grindstone 100</a>, David Horton said a prayer that set the tone for the entire weekend. He prayed for the safety of the runners and crews, and then gave thanks for the privilege of being able to run this race. <br />
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<i>Privilege.</i><br />
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For those who can run long distances in the mountains over trails, in beautiful weather surrounded by the support of family and friends, it is truly a privilege.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA058LOqvHa5ljpK-Ap_5t-IBa1lCeeqMa1xGShlxkhI2T-UYoULft9HVBJGium4GL0Y2q55-0Pvsv44sDDzcoz_ydP9RTiLLhsJ0TuP_ho3erZ4AX0kCgtdQP_TDgx8yMQcSC4xozZs/s1600/Grindstone+2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA058LOqvHa5ljpK-Ap_5t-IBa1lCeeqMa1xGShlxkhI2T-UYoULft9HVBJGium4GL0Y2q55-0Pvsv44sDDzcoz_ydP9RTiLLhsJ0TuP_ho3erZ4AX0kCgtdQP_TDgx8yMQcSC4xozZs/s320/Grindstone+2011+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Drew and his pacer Bob. Grindstone was Drew's first 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To share training runs and racing plans, give advice and tips, offer pacing and crew help to newcomers... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzswtIuhiy9DuG1cmjy1g8Se650hQ44Cla5AxkQ-pIlM3ZKjTq3kkEpTg71u-r6tqRW783Ulhn8Bm6Za2jTLhNwOC5Qk7tWspIRFSDeeBUWamMzSrB_MdKb_vXtCOe-_gVhjkrnJ_g670/s1600/Grindstone+2011+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzswtIuhiy9DuG1cmjy1g8Se650hQ44Cla5AxkQ-pIlM3ZKjTq3kkEpTg71u-r6tqRW783Ulhn8Bm6Za2jTLhNwOC5Qk7tWspIRFSDeeBUWamMzSrB_MdKb_vXtCOe-_gVhjkrnJ_g670/s320/Grindstone+2011+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark Zealand, David Horton, Andy Jones-Wilkins</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To befriend some of the greatest runners in the sport (who are humbled by the same injuries that plague the rest of us)...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGcw082SVNUmMOp2Ygq7V9n5fjiu7rVNYoNpcFIRUvKE18TRCJRlcNbRkjpF3AfuoIslVAUHIUBZw9rw5tgtA_Dwd2PTdL7j44Dx86EA6TjWZtK8GY7HPc9JjVkTomeLmdysY5bf2p0s/s1600/Grindstone+2011+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGcw082SVNUmMOp2Ygq7V9n5fjiu7rVNYoNpcFIRUvKE18TRCJRlcNbRkjpF3AfuoIslVAUHIUBZw9rw5tgtA_Dwd2PTdL7j44Dx86EA6TjWZtK8GY7HPc9JjVkTomeLmdysY5bf2p0s/s320/Grindstone+2011+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dowells Draft, mile 20/80</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To spend the day in the mountains with nothing to do but run, hydrate, eat, and enjoy the views...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEhWSJuDoJ1B_aS-X2eTbHQorLde9bDgGta0DAPsA7Be0XU_O2nIP7C8qBYxb0tMSvNxm5lLMYib0u50qri1fziuK0JAbImwuqyDH3qkkK6VRmn7R7zdmpvglsTAxuVj0u3qodrFSuvc/s1600/Grindstone+2011+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEhWSJuDoJ1B_aS-X2eTbHQorLde9bDgGta0DAPsA7Be0XU_O2nIP7C8qBYxb0tMSvNxm5lLMYib0u50qri1fziuK0JAbImwuqyDH3qkkK6VRmn7R7zdmpvglsTAxuVj0u3qodrFSuvc/s320/Grindstone+2011+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View towards Elliott's Knob</td></tr>
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To pace a friend in his second 100 miler, sharing news of the
race, reminding him to eat and drink, and joining in as he hammers past at least 15
runners...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob Colenso at Lookout Mountain aid station, mile 72</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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More than a privilege. <i>An honor.</i><br />
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Congratulations to all the Grindstone runners and finishers, especially Drew Krueger and Rob Colenso! <br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2767981221012873692.post-36233817154463447802011-09-10T21:04:00.001-04:002011-09-10T21:08:22.530-04:00SNP Adventure Run!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe and me coming into Beagle Gap, Day Three</td></tr>
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I have always wanted to try a multi-day run in the mountains. The idea of running with a goal destination each day in a beautiful place, with yummy food and good friends to celebrate with each night, and no real time goal except to finish, seemed like a great way to celebrate ten years of ultrarunning and to put those lessons learned to good use! So, inspired by the <a href="http://shiningsultra.blogspot.com/2011/08/tough-dirt-chicks.html">Tough Dirt Chicks</a> and by stories from the VHTRC archives of multi day adventures in Shenandoah National Park (SNP), I asked my husband for crewing and parenting support (a critical ingredient), and when that was all set, I invited friends to join me for a 2011 Labor Day weekend trek from the northern boundary of the SNP in Front Royal to the southern boundary at Rockfish Gap, a total of 111 miles of trail.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwTaHuKgNDkLV7rg-zutV2TecS9HfPqURBHNZDZ7ptmP1beayWrEiDxtjWazhnMUyZ8cAmogNXxHJKCSXcMysRihzjqRZF1t1xvz5Mu4T1XrpwoF-bCSrNm-kqKmKjP_cdY9MU3U2heE/s1600/SNP+map.htm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwTaHuKgNDkLV7rg-zutV2TecS9HfPqURBHNZDZ7ptmP1beayWrEiDxtjWazhnMUyZ8cAmogNXxHJKCSXcMysRihzjqRZF1t1xvz5Mu4T1XrpwoF-bCSrNm-kqKmKjP_cdY9MU3U2heE/s640/SNP+map.htm" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shenandoah National Park</td></tr>
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As I researched the logistics of this adventure, I learned that there have been variations on the SNP multi day theme over the years. There is a crew that organizes an annual "leapfrog" run, with a U-Haul truck, aid, and alternating runners and drivers. One year, as a birthday celebration, another group ran from the finish line of Masochist in Montebello, hopped on the AT near the Priest and headed north to the SNP for a 4-day trek to Front Royal. More recently, Kevin Smith ran south to north with his wife and family crewing and camping along the way. Our group, comprised of Joe Clapper, Michelle Harmon, Marlin Yoder, Ragan Petrie and I, kept it simple: we would enjoy crew help from friends and family, utilize SNP water sources and wayside food stops, and bunk down at Skyland Lodge and Loft Mountain Campground. Through multiple Facebook threads we hammered out the logistics, set the day's mileages, reserved the rooms and campsites, and eagerly anticipated our long weekend of fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC4T6Np9E138l1lIJco8ZOzlPOlyCvHxlY4MU6qSpVe-VTSAb0fdYwNSuLIVn_gYnFX0GKiI2VHPd9lcbvcjBSUq9QnVepyMkw2uofy-Yr61LyqJfaj92VU16xJhpj_iAkIrKXNw08Fg/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC4T6Np9E138l1lIJco8ZOzlPOlyCvHxlY4MU6qSpVe-VTSAb0fdYwNSuLIVn_gYnFX0GKiI2VHPd9lcbvcjBSUq9QnVepyMkw2uofy-Yr61LyqJfaj92VU16xJhpj_iAkIrKXNw08Fg/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ragan, Michelle, Joe, Marlin and me at Dickey Ridge trailhead</td></tr>
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<b>Day One: Saturday, September 3rd~ Dickey Ridge trailhead, Front Royal, VA </b><br />
<b>Weather: partly cloudy, humid, highs in mid-80s </b><br />
<b>Mileage:
41 miles (Dickey Ridge trail to Compton Gap, 10 miles; Appalachian
Trail (AT) from Compton Gap to Skyland Lodge, 31 miles)</b>
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A successful ultra runner must learn to be flexible, and we learned the importance of this concept before we ever stepped on the trail on Saturday. It turned out that Michelle would not be running because of a nagging foot injury, and Ragan could only join us for one day. Tweaking the plans, it was decided that Michelle would crew for us while Joe and I went the distance. Ragan and Marlin would run on Saturday, and Marlin would crew on Sunday. My husband (aka The Saint) would drive me up to the start at 4:00am on Saturday and pick me up at the finish on Monday. VHTRC friends Kirstin and Tom Corris would join us Sunday for running companionship and crew help as well.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1VjWIvd8t-PPfZp96SctEAbPmn6lYQNPUg-EH0NwEv7A0bw5J1WhwfUmGJBIVXZ6X95Eia5nkq_Skaep4y6ecdAQMgYFXzrREqfs_WnJd0gqHZTIOBAL0vTB23KPNWhXKlomLevH6QY/s1600/SNP+Michelle+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1VjWIvd8t-PPfZp96SctEAbPmn6lYQNPUg-EH0NwEv7A0bw5J1WhwfUmGJBIVXZ6X95Eia5nkq_Skaep4y6ecdAQMgYFXzrREqfs_WnJd0gqHZTIOBAL0vTB23KPNWhXKlomLevH6QY/s320/SNP+Michelle+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Harmon, crew extraordinaire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After bidding farewell to The Saint, we cruised along the Dickey Ridge trail towards the AT. It was humid and sticky in the hollows and we didn't feel a breeze except on the ridges. Joe told me later that he knew we were in for a long day when he started sweating about five minutes down the trail, and knowing we were going for three days straight, it was important to take the pace very easy. We reached our first aid station at Compton Gap totally drenched with sweat but moving well at about 4-5 miles per hour.
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBh5W0MfqmtJNnCiqGs53qHQ7HgCAxIP1IS3rVEm_EiwjBM9EOAB59jlR3ad9qiJ_4Sa2-SGV7dd116q_zhRbE0F3riu8oLvYglSva1BacXgjwdVlPdD_FeC_ctFD8Q_CL7SgxQYP458/s1600/SNP-Compton+Gap+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBh5W0MfqmtJNnCiqGs53qHQ7HgCAxIP1IS3rVEm_EiwjBM9EOAB59jlR3ad9qiJ_4Sa2-SGV7dd116q_zhRbE0F3riu8oLvYglSva1BacXgjwdVlPdD_FeC_ctFD8Q_CL7SgxQYP458/s320/SNP-Compton+Gap+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Compton Gap, comparing "AT miles" to "Skyline Drive Miles"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The next section to Elkwallow Wayside, mile 25, was brutal. Humid, hot, no breeze, and slippery rocks made for some serious suffering, and when we got to the Wayside at 1:30, I was craving ice and a popsicle. Fortunately, you can get everything at SNP waysides---burgers cooked to order, blackberry milkshakes, beer---whatever you need, they have. We fueled up at the car and headed towards Thornton Gap, mile 31, and the biggest climb of the day to Mary's Rock.
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BDVzmo_CZv3_OQt-2fRcVA9oC0PvLST6LZkH597R77bkxMHPKnNl3WKBySVEp-3upzgGDqtwVeI5Z5WfWey7yly9S1xu0ht2N3b__8PKivT8YqIHXXtMVe6TpD1bohCEwOEwcifjICo/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BDVzmo_CZv3_OQt-2fRcVA9oC0PvLST6LZkH597R77bkxMHPKnNl3WKBySVEp-3upzgGDqtwVeI5Z5WfWey7yly9S1xu0ht2N3b__8PKivT8YqIHXXtMVe6TpD1bohCEwOEwcifjICo/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe suffering on the climb up to Mary's Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
The trail between Elkwallow and Thornton Gap is lovely, undulating single track and a few short climbs. Ragan and Marlin ran ahead, while Joe and I stayed together. After meeting Michelle at Thornton Gap for the most delicious ice-cold Coke I have ever drank, we took fifty minutes to slog the 1.7 miles to Mary's Rock. However, it was worth the (partially obscured by fog) view, and once on the ridges we began to make good time to Skyland. <br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JGpRHHVj60C5E8SFGi-vO0DpZ29ftgrxGt_SJtIyS6Thj15Kg3r-_B7BNCL8JIDhyphenhyphenm6gOmHldKtaKh6UbVf4_1xiNwd85OFzsn8nJCHlVSuTBFgxeCX0uwvPPqSN7A4WqOg-N-ojucY/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JGpRHHVj60C5E8SFGi-vO0DpZ29ftgrxGt_SJtIyS6Thj15Kg3r-_B7BNCL8JIDhyphenhyphenm6gOmHldKtaKh6UbVf4_1xiNwd85OFzsn8nJCHlVSuTBFgxeCX0uwvPPqSN7A4WqOg-N-ojucY/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe atop Mary's Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What drew me to the multi-day run was the chance to spend the entire day outside. I savored the notion of running from dawn to dusk to my room at the lodge,with a cold shower and a
hot meal waiting! As we approached Stony Man at mile 41, daylight was
waning, and the forest was filled with the sounds of the evening peepers
and the Stony Man raven's call. It was heavenly. We arrived at Skyland
at 7:12pm, found Michelle and Marlin, and we were treated to the sight
of a bear hanging out in a tree right next to the room.
After showers, we had a delicious dinner at Skyland Lodge. I ordered
crab fritters, sweet potato fries and French onion soup...as my
appetizer. Then I ordered the wild salmon over angel hair pasta and a
glass of wine. Joe called me an "eating machine" but that is what you
have to be on multi-day runs. The food at the lodge was excellent, and
we had a great time re-hashing the highlights of the day and planning the itinerary for the next one.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-vtEafc1L1eBZTtyvOW8Z4J_rWuc8brEZjQ7JdcBhcsWir0vCDP_NZRUFq78i10GOoBMXgH0BG6TwmZkwZYCb22XHW9KpBcRWhH5hAWe6vuAub8PpeAVykZZbHnAJ9-eorh2ZofRSAQ/s1600/SNP+Bear+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-vtEafc1L1eBZTtyvOW8Z4J_rWuc8brEZjQ7JdcBhcsWir0vCDP_NZRUFq78i10GOoBMXgH0BG6TwmZkwZYCb22XHW9KpBcRWhH5hAWe6vuAub8PpeAVykZZbHnAJ9-eorh2ZofRSAQ/s400/SNP+Bear+2011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bear hung out in the tree for hours at Skyland Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<b>Day Two: Sunday, September 4th~Skyland Lodge to Pinefield gap </b><br />
<b></b><b>Weather: partly cloudy, humid, highs in mid-80s </b><br />
<b>Mileage: 35.5 miles on the AT</b>
<br />
<br />
The next morning, Marlin drove ahead to Big Meadows while Joe and I were up and climbing Hawksbill, the highest point in the SNP, by 7:15. Once again the views were blocked by haze and clouds, but the air *felt* cooler and we were optimistic that we would have an easier day. Hmmm... but as we made our way to Big Meadows Wayside to meet up with Tom and Kirstin, it became clear that we were looking at another hot one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJ_ofNCj6rxsh21nPXhJkivswRrkCvdSo4yyV5vQMiwWy1B_qdx0-yOnED5Qi3Qp_XwKrShBOTL3fI76b5PKLyIRcSpd0BlnRYhreDETR7_81L0ZS4mXUroELSGNc8KT6bcEgZK4EBiY/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJ_ofNCj6rxsh21nPXhJkivswRrkCvdSo4yyV5vQMiwWy1B_qdx0-yOnED5Qi3Qp_XwKrShBOTL3fI76b5PKLyIRcSpd0BlnRYhreDETR7_81L0ZS4mXUroELSGNc8KT6bcEgZK4EBiY/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Joe on top of Hawksbill with the sun rising behind Old Rag</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">We ordered a large breakfast at Big Meadows (egg
sandwich on whole wheat toast and bacon for me), met up with Marlin, Kir
and Tom, and headed down the trail toward South River Picnic area where
we would meet Michelle. The sun started to shine and we started to
sweat---a lot. The trail was lovely, smooth and often a net downhill,
making for some easy running and lots of chatter. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAskSLZ1LDvR3G_RCXVBVdmN8Vo_4DAxIx6Ifx89dd1DatoOpAtxghOS4Oi9KWjGsFznhdNA0A2i7zuBMxxLF3Kd8DGN1OGHKl2uwcGZpf1Y7MpUqev_6aP5RLetf2AGnD2KsmojxQDhg/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAskSLZ1LDvR3G_RCXVBVdmN8Vo_4DAxIx6Ifx89dd1DatoOpAtxghOS4Oi9KWjGsFznhdNA0A2i7zuBMxxLF3Kd8DGN1OGHKl2uwcGZpf1Y7MpUqev_6aP5RLetf2AGnD2KsmojxQDhg/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlin, me, Kir and Joe at Big Meadows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After what seemed like forever, we finally hooked up
with Michelle and the green Element aid station (and another ice cold Coke!)
well after our predicted time of arrival. I was happy to stay with
Michelle and have her pamper me, and was enjoying the non-race feeling
of the run...no urgent feelings of time limits or splits or cut-offs.
However, I also knew we needed to make up some time to get off the trail
by dark, so we couldn't hang out for long.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmm-o4ELGfMm_Xfvh-DFIxF2DZydOPoIDTYGfCKbLCItViWOff5kO-Pg1xsssVrM5EX_5yaEOrNhQxNbQ14GDnHYDobCmwCpN66yPwbkzi7VUZX2WDUJIhVwgjOSDmi-ycdR2yI_Zens/s1600/SNP+Sophie+SR+Picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmm-o4ELGfMm_Xfvh-DFIxF2DZydOPoIDTYGfCKbLCItViWOff5kO-Pg1xsssVrM5EX_5yaEOrNhQxNbQ14GDnHYDobCmwCpN66yPwbkzi7VUZX2WDUJIhVwgjOSDmi-ycdR2yI_Zens/s320/SNP+Sophie+SR+Picnic.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking happy, feeling crappy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Eight miles later, at Swift Run Gap, we met up with the
crew and I proceeded to have a meltdown. I was feeling hot, discouraged,
confused by the disparity between AT miles and Skyline miles, and was
NOT interested in another slogfest up to the Loft Mountain campground
(our Sunday lodging), about 12 miles and 4-5 hours away. I don't know who
suggested it, but the idea of going for another 2+ hours and 8 miles,
and then finding a hotel and Pizza Hut, quickly got me out of my Pity
Party and I had a new attitude and energy. </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpm9t9z7x-gGSuBkvbeif48dYZGvBtI8GS_auPrrNUqBCy7UrQCjffutmzbj752KLomFrkmn5vMBZ0BwlLCbzjOy7KZbu5fwcsm0TFGuWi9AxZkfKgBM0UQNfdOVsQTyFq_een7X-ZzI/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpm9t9z7x-gGSuBkvbeif48dYZGvBtI8GS_auPrrNUqBCy7UrQCjffutmzbj752KLomFrkmn5vMBZ0BwlLCbzjOy7KZbu5fwcsm0TFGuWi9AxZkfKgBM0UQNfdOVsQTyFq_een7X-ZzI/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Hightop towards Simmons Gap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">"Let's get this thing done!"
was all I could think about as we cruised up Hightop Mountain. Michelle
met us at the next gap with mileages clearly mapped out. She told me, "You only have two more miles" and I was stoked. All I can
say is that I felt like a total wimp compared to <a href="http://jenniferpharrdavis.tumblr.com/">Jen Davis. </a>I have no idea how she managed to average 47 miles a day on the AT, when I couldn't even run 35 one day without losing it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We finished Day Two coming into Pinefield Gap, where Michelle was waiting with clean clothes, recovery drinks (Ultragen for me, beer for Joe) and we took off for Pizza Hut, a shower, and a comfy bed just as the rain started to fall. Day Two had taken us 12 hours for 35.5 miles, and we were feeling it! </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP78PC4-OHGj5wQTUAnYyOGa6BCp2SfD-0RP4Km8-IJIHtgXGyg1w26dWMus0rbysVjye3VoAu90m0WZ6t9BEZalIzZfAKbOVDl4f81fUovSuT0_ar3cmWyQ7S_UWdLfg4cYWMPRR3mVA/s1600/SNP+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP78PC4-OHGj5wQTUAnYyOGa6BCp2SfD-0RP4Km8-IJIHtgXGyg1w26dWMus0rbysVjye3VoAu90m0WZ6t9BEZalIzZfAKbOVDl4f81fUovSuT0_ar3cmWyQ7S_UWdLfg4cYWMPRR3mVA/s320/SNP+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe finishing of the pizza while I obsess over maps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b><br />
<b>Day Three: Monday, September 5th~ Pinefield Gap to Rockfish Gap</b><br />
<b>Weather: cloudy, cooler, light rain, highs in mid-70s </b><br />
<b>Mileage: 34.5 miles on the AT</b><br />
<br />
Day Three began with the threat of heavy rain and flash flooding, but in fact we had the most enjoyable weather of the weekend! It was cloudy and cool, and after stopping at McDonald's for sausage and egg biscuits, Joe and I were chomping at the bit ready to roll. I knew this section like the back of my hand, and knew that we would be treated to a lot of ridge running and gorgeous trail. We were able to average 4-5 mph the entire day, and spent the day chatting, wooping, and taking lots of photos. I loved the feeling that I was "running home!"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS_CnD5hX9xzDRfRwOf43FCYHmwjfjJsv_kb4vAZJdrtiPB1SoATGIf0G2KOBN_KO59B6PF5PBfvYWP9Nl0ufFz0Eev2aDHb-7LfDkiV1sEw59WKe92RYSXNDeIgC07xaYCrl1yl2nwI/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS_CnD5hX9xzDRfRwOf43FCYHmwjfjJsv_kb4vAZJdrtiPB1SoATGIf0G2KOBN_KO59B6PF5PBfvYWP9Nl0ufFz0Eev2aDHb-7LfDkiV1sEw59WKe92RYSXNDeIgC07xaYCrl1yl2nwI/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe and me at the start of Day Three<br />
<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_T1NHgtbPItdBeXLqxqFhjjLJSWi9pCro0oy_R7uWQJLrDFm8qG4CBeCPQiyOD1GxSYbhMyI77l07pWYvZIasz1vDDHWFKck7y_c7ej6zBRUE8y6vKH_e3VwWDHlHS5EgCM222hF1mBI/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_T1NHgtbPItdBeXLqxqFhjjLJSWi9pCro0oy_R7uWQJLrDFm8qG4CBeCPQiyOD1GxSYbhMyI77l07pWYvZIasz1vDDHWFKck7y_c7ej6zBRUE8y6vKH_e3VwWDHlHS5EgCM222hF1mBI/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view looking west from Blackrock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was also amazing how good I felt with the cooler temperatures. My legs were not sore at all, and I had a ton of energy. Michelle was able to spend more time hanging out and less time driving, as we met her every 8-9 miles. The trail was runnable, rolling singletrack, and as we got closer to my house, the faster and easier I ran. I told Joe, a veteran of many multiday runs, that the 3-day was my new favorite way to run 100 miles. I couldn't believe how well my body responded after two days of big miles, humidity, and high temperatures. I was very pleased with my nutrition and credited Michelle with every step!<br />
<br />
<br />
The rain came and went in spurts, and we ran a ton. We passed my favorite SNP landmarks: Doyles River, Jones Falls, Blackrock, Rip Rap/Wildcat Ridge, Turk Branch, and Beagle Gap. I texted Rusty to give him an ETA and we hit it on the nose: 4:08 pm, about 9 hours after leaving Pinefield Gap. We arrived at the southern boundary of the SNP just as the rain really began to fall hard. Woop! Rusty took our photo and we scrambled to the car for the drive down the foggy mountain to celebrate at Blue Mountain Brewery!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bOORjFyWFY9-QTBOStUseslil8yxvTcXt5yKXSzjjq6m0L5YCwgub00aeNnjdwEqNK1b1SJvDGjsc9iDL9rBFTncVqeco9LMuzGanQVxqNRfQVCz6jExjk-EYrltwyWfQCe4CyLlr20/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bOORjFyWFY9-QTBOStUseslil8yxvTcXt5yKXSzjjq6m0L5YCwgub00aeNnjdwEqNK1b1SJvDGjsc9iDL9rBFTncVqeco9LMuzGanQVxqNRfQVCz6jExjk-EYrltwyWfQCe4CyLlr20/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe, Michelle and me at Rockfish Gap!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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What an amazing three days! In the end, as disappointed as I was that Michelle couldn't join us, it became clear that her expert crewing, calming influence, sense of humor, and ultra experience was the key to our successful finish. Joe was an awesome running partner who kept me highly entertained throughout the weekend. I am so grateful to them both, as well as to Marlin, Kirstin, Tom, and Ragan for their help and companionship throughout the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4NXeesAo6Ax0LaFy_psGVgvT5Vw2RDDS2futDXbA2Nd_pHJW3DgPsNQip_5gyt8UTEy1LSLFwi2CMNyUNlvMLkK613CxhyphenhyphenoJK1bWFc4dVuLJjbLE5vROeIaX4GCUfK2oUr12HfJxn7s/s1600/SNP+Three+Day+2011+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4NXeesAo6Ax0LaFy_psGVgvT5Vw2RDDS2futDXbA2Nd_pHJW3DgPsNQip_5gyt8UTEy1LSLFwi2CMNyUNlvMLkK613CxhyphenhyphenoJK1bWFc4dVuLJjbLE5vROeIaX4GCUfK2oUr12HfJxn7s/s320/SNP+Three+Day+2011+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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As we enjoyed eating delicious veggie pizza and sampling the brews at
Blue Mountain, I thought about of the most important lessons of the
multi-day run: keep the group small (and within your trail pace), have a solid itinerary plan with a
few back-ups just in case; don't underestimate the importance of a good
crew, a comfortable bed, and a hearty dinner each night; and be sure to
count your blessings that you have friends and family who want to help
you succeed.<br />
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<b>SNP Three-Day Gear:</b><br />
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Inov-8 Roclite 268s (right out of the box!)<br />
Inov-8 team tank (Louis Garneau)<br />
Patagonia skirt<br />
Patagonia shorts<br />
Injinji socks<br />
Headsweat/Nuun visor<br />
Nathan Intensity hydration pack<br />
Nathan handheld bottle<br />
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<b>Fuel/Electrolytes for the 3 days</b>:<br />
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2 Hammergel flasks ( 5 servings each)<br />
5 Clif Bloks packages <br />
10 bottles of Cafe Latte Perpetuem<br />
5 bottles of Lemon Tea Nuun<br />
10 S caps <br />
3 Cokes<br />
1 Egg sandwich with bacon<br />
1 sausage and egg biscuit<br />
1 Popsicle<br />
lots of Fritos<br />
3 bottles of Cappuccino Ultragen recovery drink<br />
plus huge amounts of appetizers, pasta, and pizza each night post -run<br />
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Photos by Michelle Harmon on Flickr<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michele421/sets/72157627491719723/with/6124044656/"> here.</a><br />
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<br />Sophie Speidelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04898497608573807716noreply@blogger.com16