2014 Review, 2015 Goals

I can't believe tomorrow (now today) is the end of the year already. I went in search of a goals post from the end of last year or the beginning of this year, but it seems I didn't do one. This has been a great running year for me, and a pretty great riding year also. While I only got to one endurance ride in April, we still achieved some big things on our own. Whilst I have done every aspect of horse training from the very beginning to developing skills in maturity, Bugsy is the first horse that I have done *everything* with. It's been quite an experience, with no expense spared with regard to the blood, sweat, and tears (quite literally on all counts lol). From his first trail ride, with me only being on his back less than a mile (and having had me on his back maybe ten times), to a (mostly) responsive enjoyable horse that has taken me nearly twenty miles, and could have done an LD at the end of the year had circumstances allowed. I often find myself trying to compare him to Fuega, but they are such different horses it's like comparing apples to oranges. This definitely helps, and 18 months on I still miss my firecracker mare every day.

On another computer somewhere, I'm pretty sure I have my list of goals for the year. As far as my memory goes, the running related goals looked a little like this:

• 5k at approx. 9:00min/mile pace
• Complete an ultra
• Complete a 50 miler
• Run five miles continuously
• Run a sub X? minute mile? (I forget what I set...)

I'm pretty chuffed to say that all of these have been accomplished. I ran one 5k at 8:55 pace, and another at 8:50 pace. I completed three ultramarathons - Salt Point 50k,  Headlands 50 miles, and Woodside Ramble 50k. I ran eight continuous miles with no pausing at all (after already running six). I'm not certain that I set a mile time goal, but I did one test, and ran a 7:43. This year, I have run 950 miles, most of which have been in the second half of the year (~200 in December alone).

So next year? Goals that are relevant here include:

• Run every day (Part of a run streak challenge)
• Run 2,015 miles for 2015
• Run <26:30 5k
• Run a 100 mile race
• Ride 750 miles with Bugsy
• Complete Bugsy's first LD or endurance ride
• (Reach goal weight - 130lbs)

Wishing everyone a wonderful new year. Make it what you want!

Don't Blow Away

California has been in a drought for a while now. Until the last few weeks, during which we've had more rain than we did all of last year. It isn't going to fix the drought overnight, but it's a good start. It does mean that I haven't ridden in a month (hmm, five year old very green Arab, better sit tight when I do get on lol). I am more willing to run in the rain than I am to ride. Partly because Mr Bugsy lives in a field full time, and is most likely very wet, not good for saddling. Partly because I ride with vague permission on private land and don't want to tear up the trails. Partly because my horse is a sometime-idiot, and tends to fall over himself on dry ground not paying attention, slick clay is asking for trouble. Partly we have saddle fit issues, and he is still growing, so time off isn't a really big deal anyway.

My favourite dork :)

But I can run! I call it mental training, and I hate the treadmill, so it's the best option. Due to conditions I've been forced on the road more than I would like, since running in the woods with all the animals displaced is not a good idea. I did try JugHandle today though, and made it a grand total of 0.3 miles before being turned around by a huge fallen tree. If I tried really hard I might have been able to push through it, but it didn't seem worthwhile, since I know the ones that were down before aren't cleared, and more than this one was probably blocking the way. I headed back to the truck and decided to loop the headlands. This only adds a half-mile, so I ventured out to the roads. I knew full well that going back into town, I wouldn't want to go out, and six miles on the mill would be awful. The rain wasn't too bad, and the wind was chilly, but not too bad either. Being on the road was no fun though. I saw a couple of off-shoot trails, and considered one or two. Both times I realised they were not real trails, and while possibly runnable, it wouldn't be a smart move. (Local "cash crop" rife in this area - getting shot would certainly put a damper on my run. Road it is!) 

Bleh

I did my best to grin and bear it, until I got to the farthest point I could be from my truck. Then there was sideways rain that felt like being pelted in the face with nails. I had to squint to see anything. And the wind. As I was running along the hedgerow, I heard a loud cracking sounding, followed by a big crash. About ten minutes later, there was another. I knew heading straight back to the truck wouldn't get my scheduled seven miles, but this was dumb. The closer I got to the truck, the worse the weather was getting, until I found a vacant looking porch and hid under there hoping it would ease. The rain died off, but the wind got much worse. I was getting so cold huddled there that it seemed better to keep moving where I had dry clothes and a heater. As I left the village to pick up the trail I heard another tree giving up. And realised I left my truck parked under a tree that loses branches all the time. Genius over here :) I finally made it back to find my truck in one piece, but not until the wind got strong enough to nearly bowl me over. At least I got most - 5.6 miles - of my run outside. Once home and dry I managed to make it to the gym before the 1pm Christmas Eve closing time to finish up. Tomorrow I go meet more of the FogDodgers, a small crowd for Christmas but will be nice to run with new people. If only I didn't have to get up at 5.45 lol

This cow was happy enough :)

December Review Weeks 2 & 3

For some unknown reason, training since Woodside has been going extremely well. The run streak is still alive - tomorrow will be Day 30. I was a little slow moving on Monday, but otherwise felt pretty good. I did have some shoulder soreness, I think because my pack was heavier than I'm used to (no drop bags, so we had to carry everything we might need and I haven't learned to run light yet). Tuesday was even better, and a bonus that I didn't have my one and only desk sitting shift. Wednesday was back to a real run, and while a little sluggish, it went well. It wasn't an easy route either. Thursday was held up by downed trees, but even so was still nearly one of my fastest times for that route. My best run had to be Sunday's long run - 14 miles, of which the last eight I took no breaks at all. This is actually the longest I have ever run non stop, bonus that it was an okay pace. I also accidentally found a local running club, the FogDodgers. We happened to head out on the same trail at the same-ish time, so I joined them for a few miles, and hope to meet up with them again soon. This morning's run was somewhat disastrous, but not from a running perspective. Uncooperative running partners, downed trees, and not-crossable streams. My little creek that I was able to jump over a month ago? Not so much anymore!

From this:

To this!

We definitely need the water, just means we need a new route in Jackson to find a way around here.

Week Two Numbers:

Day               Plan        Actual       Elevation Gain         Route       Other
Sunday:          8               8.3            1184'                      Jackson   
Monday:         6              6.5             1620'                     GG/Osprey     Gym
Tuesday:         2              2.1              72'                        Town              Yoga
Wednesday:    4              4.2             199'                       Town               Gym (LtW)
Thursday:       4               4                 xx                        Treadmill
Friday:            2              2.1               73'                       Town                Gym (NoW)
Saturday:        2              1.1                xx                       A street in Redwood City in jeans :)
Total              28             28.3             3148'

Week Three Numbers:

Day               Plan        Actual       Elevation Gain         Route       Other
Sunday:          31              31            5227'                     Woodside Ramble 50k  
Monday:         2              2.1              282'                     Gravel pit     
Tuesday:         2              2.4              255'                     Gravel pit             Yoga
Wednesday:    6              6.1             1129'                     GG/Osprey          Gym (LtW)
Thursday:       4              4.2              228'                      JugHandle
Friday:            6              6.2             299'                       Bluffs trail             Gym
Saturday:        2              2.4             254'                      Gravel pit
Total              53            54.5          7674'

Also, we got the photos from the race :)

Mid conversation :/

 

Wheeee

My best jump? No. The best I could muster at mile 30? I'll take it!!

Woodside Ramble 50k - Race Report

My best race yet! I had so much fun at this event. It was a beautiful course, really well marked, enough technical trail to be fun but not tedious when I got tired, and the volunteers were fantastic. We had perfect weather for it too. Thanks to Inside Trail for a great event. 

Challenging but fun

I mentioned in a previous post that I was setting my 'A' goal at 7:45:00. When I was making up pace charts for my A/B/C goals, I thought 7:45 might be a little generous for an 'A' goal if I wanted to stretch myself. I reset it to 7:30, B at 7:50, and C to finish (C is always to finish). During the race, I realised that I was moving pretty well, and if I didn't blow up that 7:30 was a real possibility. Then I noticed that if I kept up as I was, I could maybe squeeze 7:15, which would be nearly an hour PR. I bargained with myself that if I managed 7:15 I could order my shiny new Lone Peaks. Spoiler: I ordered them this morning :)

Pre-race

As usual, I didn't sleep great the night before. Combination of strange bed, no husband or dog, and flurry of nerves and excitement. The alarm went off at 5.30 and we lay in our beds eating sweet potato with the tv on. After a hot shower, we loaded up and were on our way to Huddart County Park by 6.40am. We hiked up the hill to check in and get our bibs before organizing ourselves.

While making sure we had all our gear, T noticed something was leaking in the back of my truck. Before leaving on Saturday, I had pre-mixed a bladder with tailwind. Something had fallen on my pack and there was enough pressure for enough time that it completely drained. I had a mild panic attack, then reminded myself this is why there are spares. Refill complete, problem over, eat some panda cookies, Cyd's happy again.

Start to Dunlap/King's Mountain (6.4/6.4)

We set off easy, down the hill and along the creek. T and I stayed together for the first four miles, until I was waiting a little more often than I needed to be. Time to go. Right around this point the speedy half marathoners were catching up, and we had to keep yielding trail to them. I have no problem with this if there is space to do so, but pinning myself against the side of the trail is not preferable to them waiting five strides to hit a wider spot (but I get that it's annoying for them having to get around us all too.) Coming into the aid station, we were on a fairly narrow trail with a steady stream of 35k and 50k runners, half marathoners passing from behind, and really fast half marathoners coming back towards us on the out and back course. Crowded but fun. My goal for this segment had been 1:32:xx, and I came into the aid station at 1:30:48. Perfect. I grabbed a cup of water and moved on quickly.

Dunlap/King's Mountain to Bear Gulch (5.7/12.1)
This was a fun rolly section, with some adventuring under and over downed trees, and mostly runnable trail. There was a girl ahead of me that I made it my mission to keep up with her. She could keep it up on the uphills better than I could, but I was faster on the downhill and we were evenly matched on the flat. We were going a little quicker than I might have by myself, but not uncomfortably so, and sustainable. The crowd thinned out quite a bit, and there was only two-way traffic on the latter part of this segment when the 35k's were coming back. My segment goal was 1:22:xx and I hit the aid station in 1:10:30. I was nearly 15 minutes ahead of schedule, but it was still early. Again just a cup of water, and I set off.

Feeling good, running well, and having fun

 Bear Gulch to Bear Gulch (7.9/20)
Bear Gulch was the turn around for the 35k's, so there was a lot less people from this point onwards. Going down the hill into Wunderlich Park had some two way traffic, but once I started the lollipop loop I was on my own. I had a bit of a moment down here going up a more exposed hill. It was warmer, and I was a bit tired, and now by myself. Instead of getting into my head, I went through a checklist of what I might need. Did I need to drink more? Not really. Was I hungry? I hadn't had any snacks yet, so since I was hiking anyway I got a bag of panda cookies from my pack and munched away. Sure enough, I started feeling better. I washed them down with tailwind instead of the plain water I had with me, which was a mistake, but not catastrophic. There was a really fun section that was rolling and runnable through the redwoods. I knew there was a big climb coming, but just put it out of my head and tried to bank some time without pushing too hard and blowing up. The trail was winding a little bit, but I kept getting glances of a runner ahead of me that had left the Bear Gulch aid as I arrived. I never seemed to be getting any closer, but she wasn't pulling away from me. It was good motivation to make me run more of the hill than I might normally have done. I slowly started gaining ground, but it took nearly two miles to catch her. We chatted a minute, but I could see another guy a few turns up from us, so wished her luck and went after him. I caught up and we chatted a bit until we got back to the aid station. I got my pack refilled here, and set off, passing another guy who was lingering. The segment goal had been 1:54:xx, actual time was 1:46:52, and still feeling good.

Getting tired, but still going strong

Bear Gulch to Dunlap/King's Mountain (5.7/25.7)
The next section was heading back the same way we had come. I was kinda thinking maybe I'd like some music, but I was also running well and didn't want to stop to mess with it and realise how tired I was getting. My feet were starting to hurt too (though no blisters at all - yay Feetures and Superiors). Every time I could hear the two guys behind me, it was a reminder that I needed to keep moving. It was getting harder to run the ups, so my rule became that if I could see the top, I had to run it. If I couldn't, I had to pick a spot that I could see, and reassess when I got there if it was time to take a walk break. This system served me well the whole segment. Getting closer to the aid station, I caught up to another runner. He was moving at a good pace for me, so I sat behind for a little while. It didn't take long before I got the itch to pass. My fellow runner didn't seem to want to let me through, so when I saw my chance I shot past and pushed it a little bit to put some distance between us. He was right behind me coming into the aid station, and we both took a minute. Other than a cup of ginger ale I didn't need anything, but my lungs were ready for a breather. I spent a minute or so chatting to the volunteers and the runner I just passed. I realised and said aloud that I was currently almost 25 minutes ahead of my 'A' goal, at which point the volunteers checked I had what I needed and hurried me back out on trail. My segment time goal had been 1:22:xx and it had taken me 1:18:48. My 'A' plan had me arriving at this aid station at 2:10 pm and it was only 1:47. I still felt good, and got moving right away.

Dunlap/King's Mountain to Finish (5.4/31.1)
The guy I had passed was still sticking with me. It seemed he had found a new gear, and having someone to chase was what he had needed. We were heading down some switchbacks and both caught sight of another runner ahead. I'm not sure who started it, but we started pushing each other, the speed creeping up. We were still heading in a generally downhill direction, but now going fast enough that I was breathing hard. We caught up to and hammered past the third runner. We were still at least a couple miles from the finish. I looked down at my watch, which told me were running at 8:30min/mile pace. That's not okay for me, though I'm pretty pleased I was sustaining that for as long as I did, especially 27/28 miles in. My last 5k was a PR at 8:51 pace. I held on for a while, determined not to let him pass me, but I didn't want to crash and burn so near the end. I should have stopped before I did, but at least I made the call before it was too awful. I ended up walking more of the last mile than I wanted to, and probably would have done had I not got caught in a racing mentality when I did. It did, however, significantly improve my time over this section. The goal had been 1:18:xx, I ran it in 1:06:30.

Very happy and tired girls

Every one of my time goals had been beaten on each segment. When I was making my pace charts, I didn't account for elevation. I planned even splits, and figured it would work itself out. I planned on being okay being behind after a more uphill segment, knowing I could probably make it up on a descending segment. My official finish time was 6:53:27. It was fantastic to have beaten my goal by 37 minutes, and huge compared to the 8:11:xx that I ran at Salt Point less than five months ago. I can even walk today, and will be heading out soon for an easy two mile recovery run. T also beat her goal by nearly twenty minutes, so we both had a fabulous day of running. And neither of us fell down!!!

Big Feet!

Today was my last longish run before Woodside, with my plan calling for eight miles. Last night there was a Zeppelin cover band playing that we wanted to see. Needless to say this called for numerous beers, closing the bar, and deciding on the way home that I NEEDED fries. The only place open after 2am was Denny's, and since everybody was starving, that was where we found ourselves. Mmm hot chocolate, whipped cream, and moons over my hammy! So awful and amazing and delicious and disgusting all at the same time. I mentioned aloud that today's eight was going to suck but it was so worth it! Note to self: be sure to leave good snacks at hand when going drinking.

I love panda cookies!

The 'getting up early for pony-riding' was definitely not going to happen (also, the weather was not cooperating, so nothing lost). Seven-, eight-, and nine-o'clock came and went. Nine-thirty I made a very strong cup of tea, and finally left the house an hour later. I picked up some pandas (new favourite running snack) and headed to JDSF to do the same loop I did on Thursday with a little alteration to make it eight without having to mess with an out and back. Once parked, I sat and messed about in the truck, not wanting to get out and get going. Once I finally got moving, I was surprised to find it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. Even the uphill start was okay. Maybe I'm getting better at this running thing after all :)

Odd things go through my head when I run, especially by myself. Recently I was considering whether or not getting a head injury and waking up having lost my memory would mean I would speak with a true English accent again? Would I have forgotten that I 'speak American' now? Today, I used my foot as size perspective for a photo I was taking on the trail. I realised that most people wouldn't have reason to know that I have such big feet for such a little person. Really, not quite 5'3 and size 9.5 (US)? Then it came to me! I am a big-pawed puppy! This is why I fall down all the time. I just don't know what to do with all that extra foot. And why switching to mid-foot striking has helped my falling as well as my running. Yep, that has to be it, I just haven't grown into my feet yet!

And the picture I was taking with my foot? Another bear print. This was in a different area from the ones on Thursday and not as fresh. I didn't get too too concerned since this one had a deer imprint that was fresher, and I hadn't seen any deer either. Although I was still on alert just in case, especially as I was coming up to an area that we've nicknamed 'Baby Bear Corner' from when my mare and I were about to go around a switchback putting us right between a mama and her two cubs. But that's two different prints and an encounter in a week. Definitely need to be careful running by myself in such secluded locations.

Today was Day 14 of my running streak, 71.7 miles covered, 10,052' climbed (over 7500' of that this week).

Dec wk1 Review

Success! I am remembering to post a review of this week's training :)

Day               Plan            Actual        Elevation Gain         Route                        Other
Monday:         20             14 (Bears!)      3461'                    Manchester/Orca          Gym
Tuesday:         2                2.1                  52'                        Town                           Yoga
Wednesday:    4                4.4                 335'                       JugHandle                    Gym
Thursday:       8                8.2                1178'                      Jackson
Friday:            6                6.2                1114'                      Manchester                  Gym
Saturday:        2                  2                   52'                            Town
Total              42               36.9              6192'

 Other than having to cut the long run short due to mama bear, I've been on point and feeling pretty good. There's been pony time too, but no riding since the trails are so so wet. I might try to get up early enough to get out to the haul road tomorrow before too many people are around to set off his brain. We had a substitute instructor at my strength class who had us doing donkey kicks and hydrants in addition to our usual stuff, and I'm absolutely feeling that this morning. Definitely no doubt about where my weaknesses are haha! Feeling really good about Woodside this coming weekend, with an 'A' goal of 7h45.

View from yesterday's run

Rain and Bears

We've been in desperate need of some really good rain. A really wet season would be fantastic, and it looks like we might get it. I think we've had more rain recently than we did all last winter. The trails have mostly turned into a massive slip'n'slide, with some downed trees for extra funzies. Yesterday was both great fun and a little tedious. There was so much standing water on the trails, and to start with it was fun splashing my way through. First tentatively, then my inner five year old self came out to play! But then it got a little ridiculous.

It was a very good test of footwear, the Altra Superiors drained really quickly, and I didn't get any blisters or hot spots in spite of my crappy non-specialty socks.

This morning I headed to Jackson State Forest (JDSF) for an eight mile run. I chose to do my usual loop there but in the reverse direction. There is an option on this loop that is a short distance longer one way than the other. Taking the longer option would probably have hit eight, but I wanted a comparison for directions, and the shorter option is what I've been taking. This is about 7.5 miles, so I decided to just add an out and back to make up the extra half. It was a glorious morning, and I was feeling really good, even with an uphill start.

I think I prefer the loop this way, the uphills seem more runnable, and it was refreshing to go a new way round - I both ride and run this loop in a clockwise direction. I've maybe gone this way one time before. Whichever way you go there are magnificent ancient redwoods, like this guy:

For some size perspective:

The creek crossing started out basically being a bit of water that was jumpable with a bit of effort. A few weeks ago there was no way to get across and keep feet dry. Today, it reached above my knees in the deepest part of my crossing, and was surprisingly fast moving - enough that it was pushing me a little each step. I tried to video it, but it didn't come out great since I became more focussed on remaining uprightish. (Though on that note, I did stumble coming down the rockface, hands hit the ground, but not quite a 'fall').

After the creek it's only a little over a mile back to the parking spot (plus a half mile for plan-purposes), mostly heading uphill. About a quarter-mile from my truck I stopped in my tracks. Because of these:

Sometimes we come across prints, and it can take some deciphering to figure out what critter made them. There's no mistaking these guys though. I looked around but didn't see or hear anything, so opted to proceed with caution. I really hoped it wasn't just around the corner, since turning around 7.2 miles into an 8 mile run would not be ideal! I should have put my foot in the picture for perspective, but these are quite small prints for a bear, which means it's likely there were two of them. I couldn't see whether it had headed left or right off the trail, or continued in the direction I was headed so I just kept eyes and ears open. For my out and back I chose to play it safe and follow the dirt road out to the highway and back, since that seemed the most unlikely route to run into any fellow forest inhabitants. It's been quite the bear-y week here! I'm so glad that we're finally getting some real rain though :)

Wildlife Run

Monday's plan was 20 miles. It ended up being 14, which isn't really a bad thing. Those 14 were tough, with 3461' of elevation gain, and not a lot of down (point to point run). Plus I had already been at the gym for an hour. I had about half the tailwind (three scoops[300cals]) that I usually have, and ended up completely draining my pack (two litres). We definitely didn't account for it being so warm out.

One of only two downhills

We wasted a lot of time having a mini picnic (individual sachets of the most delicious almond butter ever), and taking pictures:

Then we set off down the trail to drop into the valley behind the hill. The trail then winds beneath the redwoods, following the creek. Beautiful scenery and easy running. We had to go through a gate, and were busy looking around us and down the creek, taking in our surroundings. We set off at an easy run, but only made it a few yards before T stopped.

"There's a cow up there." 
 I stop, and look where she's pointing down the trail. Look again to be sure before saying anything.
"That's not a cow."
"There's a lot of them."
"Yeah, I see two. They're not cows. Get your camera"
T starts backing away.
"Well then give me the damn camera."
The pictures are blurry, and as zoomed as her phone would go, but the best I could get without disturbing Mama Bear and her cub.

Dark splodge on left of the bear is bear cub :)

We're so lucky to be able to see wildlife like this. They didn't notice us for a few minutes, but as soon as Mama Bear looked right at us we started making our way backwards and back through the gate. If there had been just one bear, we might have tried to shoo it away and continue our planned trail. Considering the only time coming across black bears here is likely to be dangerous is making a mama bear feel threatened, we chose to turn back around and head the way we came. We didn't have enough water or snacks to make it back to my truck, so we called for a ride, and made our way to the highway to get picked up. On the way we also got to see a beautiful owl (at 1:30 in the afternoon?). No pictures of him, but he was magnificent, and hoo-hoo'ed at us. So maybe short on mileage, but definitely a fabulous run!