Changes Are Coming!

I had an incredible run today. In the world of running it wasn't anything spectacular, but it was fun, faster than usual, and just not that hard. I took one of my favourite trails, the bluffs and Staircase trail up to the pygmy forest. I had an early client in Mendo, so took running clothes with me, figuring I could change in my truck to run at JugHandle which I pass on my way home; if I got another client leaving me with a gap in my day I could run at Big River, which is right outside my window at work! It was cold enough for tights and to use my buff as a beanie, even though I didn't actually hit the trail until 10.30 (not looking forward to running at 5:30am tomorrow, brrr). There was ice in the puddles at the boardwalk at the top end of the trail, and plenty of frost elsewhere. A few tourists braved the chilly weather and were enjoying a hike, mostly bundled up with steaming cups of coffee - apparently we don't do Winter very well here haha. Unfortunately for them, a cold run gets things flowing, if you catch my drift. Slight apologies, tourists, for the snot rockets you were unfortunate to experience. Can I mention how effective it is for clearing airways on the run? Try it sometime, you will understand why this most unattractive of habits is regularly performed. To be fair if I had seen them, I may have waited until I was around the corner, and it's not like I hit them or anything extra gross. :D

New shoes getting to enjoy the view

I love love love my new Altra Superior 2.0s! I kept putting off ordering them, since when I upgraded my Lone Peaks I was disappointed, and I really enjoy running in the 1.5s. There is a slight increase in stack height, but the removable stone guard was not in the shoe. Since most of my trails don't need the stone guard, I haven't put it in yet, and the feel in these shoes is amazing. Yesterday S and I were route scouting (and not getting lost! Sorry for oversleeping and being 1/2 hour late - I am bad bad running buddy) for the Mendocino Coast 50k. We ran on dirt road, sand, trail, mud, dry pavement, and icy pavement. The only time I didn't love them was the short section of dry pavement. The super grippy treads were really soft, and it felt a little like having suction cups on my feet. I think they will wear down much faster than the 1.5s if I do too many pavement miles in them. All the more reason to squeeze in more trail miles, right? I might add in the stone guard for my run at Big River on Thursday and see what difference that makes. Hands down my new favourite shoe! Even though I doubt I will get any trail miles in the next few days (heading north to see my bestie, ride, and give massages) I might throw them in the truck just in case.

Superior 2.0 aka My Preciouses (preciousi?)

And the changes? Adjustments to my work situation, which are long overdue, will be giving me more time to ride and run, yet still extra cash flow (Pony shut your ears, we don't need to spend it on vet bills please and thank you!). It will be easier to get time off for races of both varieties, a little more flexibility for training time, and more time for private appointments. I am slowly relaunching my website, and working on a better location to see clients. For the moment I can do outcalls, and have limited availability at my home (no restroom here means it isn't a viable long term solution). Let me know if you're interested in an appointment.

Massage room at Stanford, Big River is my view!

One Year Streaking!

I made it! I began my running streak on November 24th, 2014, and I'm still going. I wasn't my smartest, and didn't connect that the 'streakaversary' day and Day 365 are not the same, so RSD365 was a measly one mile run/walk with our pooch. Today at least was a five miler at Big River with the FogDodgers. Initially I had riding plans, but courtesy of a skunk vs my buddy's dogs that got scratched. Due to last night's downpour (Yippeeeee!) the trails would have been super slick, and neither of our pony's are hoof placement geniuses so it may have been for the better that we didn't go. I nearly went back to bed, until I remembered it was Tuesday. I was hoping the rain would continue, not just for anti-drought purposes (still on a Stage 3 water emergency restriction) but so I can test my new rain jacket. I've worn it for a couple of rides, and this morning's run, but it didn't actually rain during any of those. Eventually! The sky at Big River was pretty dramatic when we set out, and an hour later back at the vehicles we had blue sky. A wonderful view for a year of running!

We've been route scouting on S's course for the Mendocino Coast 50k on our Saturday trail runs. We went the wrong route last time, but found a really fun single track through the woods that cuts out a section of rocked road. While not the race course, it's a good section for training runs and rides. I studied the map some more, got an improved map from S, picked the brain of the local bike shop owner, and declared that I knew where we went wrong and had a good idea of how to fix it. There was one tricky turn that I wasn't sure we'd find, and we actually stopped a couple of times to check the map and be sure we were on the right track. We finally came to the turn in the road, and I promptly do a happy dance through the woods singing out "I'm a good route finder". The bottom of the dirt road turned into single track, with a couple of options. Softly continuing "I'm a good route finder" we tried one route, only to come across a murder cabin (actually some kind of water level measuring area, but when you're in the deep dark woods it might as well be a murder cabin). We couldn't find more trail, so turned back and took the second option. This was another fun single track requiring a lot of attention on footing, particularly going across or around some dilapidated foot bridges. Oddly, the best condition one we saw was the only one with a sign cautioning two people only. There were lots of bridge building materials stashed along the trail (and some tiny solar panels?), but we can only assume they're letting the wood weather a bit to keep the authenticity :) We came to another junction and I figured out which of our three options we should take, proudly explaining my reasoning, which S didn't disagree with. All is well until I recognise a spot on the trail from a FogDodger run a few months back, having made a mental note at that time to come back and explore. I mentioned we may have gone wrong somewhere, and sure enough I had somehow brought us in a big loop and we were now a mile down the trail from where we started. Hey, at least if I'm going to go the wrong way I can get us back to our vehicles. Again, this is going to be a great training route, but still not part of the race course. I once again know where we went wrong (where I did my happy dance...oops) and will be setting out to explore again soon. Of course, fun had to be poked at S who, as the race director, should really know the route! Other than confirming this last section, we only have about a three or four mile section to explore through the Mendocino Woodlands. It's going to be a gorgeous course, and very runnable with enough challenge to keep things interesting.

Never know when you might need mini heavy equipment...

Lotteries

Forget the Great Red Cup Debate, this is the season of ultra running lotteries. This is the first year I have bowed to the lottery gods (and none of them care what I drink my coffee from...) Somehow all the races I want to do next year, except our road marathon, are lottery entry.

Gordy Ainsleigh - WS100 founder - credit: Luis Escobar

Western States 100 - is the big one, and my name is already in that hat. UltraSignup has a page where you can check the applicant list, and my name is among 3258 others when I checked at 1pm today (up from 3046 last evening). I can't see if there's any way to find out how many tickets each name has. Last year with two days to go there were about 2500 names, so it looks like it's an even bigger pool this year. For the 2015 race, a single-ticket applicant had a 4% chance of being selected. A guesstimate this year was around 3500 names with 9200 tickets... I'm really counting on low probability, preferring to have more experience under my belt before toeing the line. Just in case, don't cross your fingers for this one!

Way Too Cool - credit Myles Smythe/UltraSportsLive

Way Too Cool 50k - I didn't really care about this race until about 3 weeks before the 2015 event, then I really wished I could go. There is a LOT of runners at this event, which might drive me crazy, but might be fun. Those I know who've run it say it's different having so much company, but no problem. This year it falls 5 weeks before Lake Sonoma, so could be a great training run as long as I treat it as such. Which I'm not very good at...

One of the (many) hills at LS50 - credit Myke Hermsmeyer

Lake Sonoma 50 - My first attempt at an ultra, and my first trail race. (*Note - I don't recommend this race for anyone in that position...) Also, did I mention that 3 months prior I ripped my knee open and it didn't stop bleeding for six weeks? And that I had absolutely no clue what the heck I was doing...? First ultra, first DNF (of only 2), and I want to tackle it again! A relentless but beautiful course.

Bad memories of this hill (twice) at Headlands 50 - credit Lubor Ptacek

Miwok 100k - Between Sonoma and Miwok, I would probably prefer to run Sonoma. The bonus to Miwok is that a sub-16 hour finish is good enough to qualify for 2017 WS100, which would take care of that little task. At a month apart, if I trained really hard over the winter, I could possibly do both, blending recovery and taper with one long run in the middle (Mendocino 50k - April 23). Doable, but I'm less than enthused. Also, stairs...

The waterfall in Russian Gulch, Mendocino 50k

I haven't even really looked at events later in the year, since planning that far ahead is asking for things to go wrong, and it would really depend on how the first six months go. I have a couple races in mind that I would like to try my hand (foot?) at, as well as a few endurance rides that would take up some of my weekends. There are plenty more lottery races as well, but my poor brain can't handle it! With careful planning and some good luck, it would be feasible to do all the above. However, that's a lot of running and racing in a short space of time, and I think that was a big part of my slow recovery this summer. I have race FOMO!

Mendocino Coast 50k

Yippeee! Not only are we getting more and more running events locally, but now we have an ultra! There are now 4, maybe 5, 5k/10ks, a 5k/10/13.1m, and in April 2016 the coast's first ultra. Yup, a 50k on some of my favourite trails, hosted by race director Sid Garza-Hillman, my Saturday morning trails buddy. The course is going to be amazing, starting and finishing at Big River Beach, and follows the bluff trails overlooking the ocean, dropping down into Russian Gulch State Park where you'll run through the redwoods to the Russian Gulch waterfall. Climbing out of the park, there's more fun twisty singletrack (be glad you're going down that hill, not up it like we did last week!) cutting over towards Caspar Orchard, where you'll then head for the Mendocino Woodlands. More gorgeous trail will drop you off several miles up Big River, which will be your guide to the finish line. Most of the course is soft single track, and not technical. There are a few roots for the unsuspecting runner not picking up their feet - I know because I've found most of them at one time or another! It's challenging enough to be fun while still letting you appreciate the beauty of the trails in our area (and see how lucky we are to get to train here, hehe). Registration is hosted by Ultra Signup, and more information about the race can be found at www.mendocinoultra.com. Scrolling back it looks like the only bluff photos I have are from different bluffs trails, not those skirting the village of Mendocino that you'll get to experience during the race. (I know I'm spoiled, I don't take it for granted!) At least the other pictures will give you some idea of what's in store!