No problems up until this point; in fact, I’ve been shocked at how great my knee was dealing with running longest distances I’ve run since 2001! But, what my body kindly reminded me of this week was that things drastically change when you get into the big miles. 15+ is a new ball game.

This is the week that I’ve really been hit squarely in the forehead with what I’m attempting in November. My 1st full marathon in 10 years. The biggest race goal I’ve tacked on the calendar since 2008′s 1/2 Ironman.

Gulp. It’s the real deal now.

Today was refocus day. I decided to remind myself of why I’m doing this…to raise $ for MalariaNoMore, to take back my health after a year of struggles, to run with my cousin in the most amazing city in the world, and to share a legacy of setting/achieving/living goals for my kiddos.

Things change at 15+ – but my goals and my focus do not. The tougher the challenge, the sweeter the finish line, right?

That FULL quote goes something like this: “You’re better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can.” (Ken Clouber – founder of the Leadville Race Series)

Today as I sit – with major tired-head – and type this, I know this to be true. I got to see it in action yesterday as I watched some of my fav people attempt to cross the finish line at the Leadville Trail 100 in less than 12 hours to earn the silver belt buckle. There were many obstacles – other than the obvious 12,000+ feet of elevation – to overcome. And truly, I would guess, the thoughts and doubts would have to be the biggest obstacles of all.

Well, 3 of the 5 we were watching beat the clock…and the demons in their heads telling them to quit w/every single pedal stroke. All 3 – amazing stories on their own. Pat – racing for his family in honor of his brother passed away too early and rode up the red carpet ahead of his pals. (10:47 – he killed it!) Todd – fighting back from a tough DNF (well…he DID finish actually in the most dramatic finish ever – in the dark w/police lights flashing and a rush to the med tent) last year. You could read his eyes (despite the furry beard) that he had to get even w/that course…and he did. 11:09 – buckle.

And then there’s my guy, Brent. He had lofty goals to better his time by almost 2 hours. He knew he could do it. At the first 2 stops he was on track, but the race got the best of him and by mile 60 he knew the new goal was to FINISH in less than 12 hours. He fought thru cramps (new prob for him) and had that “crazy guy” look for the last 40 miles…but he did it. He rolled across the line w/the kiddos running alongside him.

Truly tho – this race (and we’ve been to a lot of races) is not just about the racers…it’s an epic event of endurance and determination that is contagious…and overwhelming. I’ve never ever ever been to a race where spectators and racers alike all seem to be on the same “team”. In fact, at 60 when we were crewing Brent – a guy standing beside us helped Brent w/his salt tabs and get his jacket off while we tried to pull off his leg warmers. Team. Unified goal. Cool stuff.

And all the friends/family who came out to – not just cheer – but actually be apart of something bigger than just a race. An experience. A blip on the lifeline that will leave you affected…somehow. We loved sharing the (LONG) day with each of them. And – all the friends following/encouraging via tweets, FB, and texts. I ran down 2 full cell batteries and have tired texting fingers today…but loved having so many share in the excitement with us.

I’ll tell you – there were so many life lessons and opportunities to see the GOOD in things out there – like the rider/MD who stopped to give medical aid to a wreck that was touch/go (back/neck injury) – and they let him past the cut-off for his efforts. The smiles/tears as they riders crossed the finish line – words cant explain that feeling getting to witness that. And, the upbeat words of the DNFers…hearing my bro Jon say, “I felt great for 30 miles…great day…” (he DNFed bc of broken finger and bike messed up) and seeing Bennett at the finish line waiting for his friends to come in. Watching the Bleasdell boys high 5 Coach Brent and give him a push off at 60. Seeing Maya hanging on her daddy and the medal around Braeden’s neck.

“You are better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can.” We all are. I thank my God that I had a day where I got to feel/taste/see/experience that very notion. We can all do our own LT100 – in life it can be anything…not just 100 miles on a mountain bike. Watching everything around me – not just the race – reminds me how very true that statement is.

What a perfect way to wrap up the greatest vacation we’ve ever had as a family.

But, I’m struck by those 5 words…how HARD it is to take those words and convince your mind to go along with it when the air gets cold, the climbs get painful, and the lungs get dry. These guys are true competitors…amazing achievement just getting the training in.

And so, I’ll continue to document this epic race adventure. Stay tuned…in 25 hours we’ll have some race reports to post.

Awesome ride with constant views of Mount Massive and Mount Elbert as our backdrop.  On the way back Jason turned on his camera for the descent of BF Hill (very beginning of video)and then we ripped through the singletrack.  Pushing speeds 20+ (watch how fast ground is passing in the video for perspective) I almost went over the bars at the 2:50 mark in the video when a quick left caught me by surprise.

Great way to spend a day–look forward to this section on race day.

I ran today…it’s hot…I’m not gonna lie. A/C is comfy and when I’m running now I feel like my brothers’ black dogs seeking shade wherever I can get it. Today, I ran in mud just to be in the shade of a fence line. 19 weeks to get to 26.2.

So, today I set up my fund-raising page and started thinking thru my training days…I’m begging God to get me mentally where I need to be to start this adventure and see it to the end. I have 3 goals to achieve…

1. To remember at all times this is  a choice…a gift…a privilege. When I did my first (read: only) 1/2 Ironman I taped this mantra on my bike: “I GET TO”. My first goal is to regain that attitude…to remember it even when I’m hurting or feeling discouraged. I can do anything for 19 weeks. I GET TO.
2. To keep my focus on what I want to run for – I want to think of the Dominican Republic. I want to remember the memories my boys have shared with me about their trip there. I want to remember what they saw, feel it, and let it motivate me. This is MY mission trip…it’s my chance to do something meaningful. I want to focus NOT on the $3,000 I committed to raise, but on the opportunity I have to do a tiny part to help.
3. I want to use my training and racing time to get alone with God and spend time in prayer and thinking about bigger things than just me…bigger than my aches and pains or my to-do list for the day. I want my run-time to be my God-time. I want to make this effort more than just a race…I want to grow and think outside my lil world.

Huh. Go figure. Not even a race goal on that list. Well, I suppose I should add one:

1. I really really really want to finish in less than 5:30 and I want to be able to walk the next day.

How’s that? So…here we go. 19 weeks. I’m ready. What are your personal goals for training? Be an outsider…pick an event…pick a reason to race and start now.

If you want to pitch in and help me hit my goal, go to my fund-raising page to donate OR just read about what/why I’m going to do.

We’re NOT in FloMo Anymore

Terence, Fabian, Gene, Michael and I made the trip to Oden (pop. 220) to join about 600 other riders for a great day on the Oauchita and Womble trails.

Terence and I raced it last year and Michael is from Arkansas so we knew what to expect.  Fabian and Gene—not so much.  When we met up at Oden School on Saturday they had just been accosted by a Meth-head bent on stealing their bikes and making Fabian his wife.   (In the shot below Ben Thornton is explaining what would happened if the guy would have caught them.) Very Harlan County.

Pre-Ride

Pre-ride was uneventful with the exception of crossing paths with some shirtless rednecks riding 4-wheelers decorated with the confederate flag and beer cans.   I think they were headed here:

After pre-ride Terence and I headed up to Spinelli’s in Mena to grab a beer and some food.  It was packed with racers, locals and military watching the UCONN v. Kentucky game.  The owner sat with us for a bit and explained why there is such a cool place to eat in Mena.  She is a former Chik-Fil-A exec and wanted a great place to eat in Mena, so she opened her own place.  Outsider.

After dinner we headed up to Queen Wilhemena to try to get a decent night sleep.  Hard to do when Terence is so SG. (I think he and the Meth-head would make a great EHarmony commercial.)

Race Day and That Feeling that Keeps You Coming Back

Race Day we roll out of the hotel in a 40mph wind and fog bank so thick we can’t see the front end of my truck.  As we roll into Oden, the weather clears and the nervous energy of several-hundred mountain bikers fills the air.  This time is one of the coolest parts about racing–everything moves in slow motion and you begin the mental gymnastics to lock out any negative thoughts.  You battle this for a bit—the gun sounds and then the adrenaline hits.  It’s the feeling that keeps you coming back. I am not a musician but I think this would be similar to the moment right before they take the stage and then they hear the crowd.

The Gun Sounds

We ride out from the school to begin the 10-mile climb on dirt roads that will lead to the singletrack entrance.   The pace is fast I ride up on Michael, (he is flying) we chat a bit then we are all quickly separated.  Terence is on a single speed and spun out on the descents and flats so I rode up to the checkpoint at the singletrack entrance and waited.  Gene and Terence show but no sign of Fabian.

They take off and I go back down the mountain to find Fabian.  I find him grinding up the climb—almost dead.  We ride back up to the singletrack entrance and we enter the trail in a position I am unfamiliar with  — DFL.   And I mean real DFL, not another rider anywhere near us.

We had a short conversation that went something like:

Brent: “Are you gonna quit?”

Fabian: “NO!”

Outsider. That conversation set the tone for the rest of the day and is the perfect example of what Outsiders Racing is all about.  Outsiders Racing is not about winning, placing or ego-pumping.  Outsiders Racing is about choosing a challenge, putting in the time training for it, finding some friends who are crazy enough to do it with you and then doing it.

The Red Shirt Posse

We battled on for the next 5 ½ hours.   Through the rocks, up the hills and bombing every descent—having a blast.   We hit a road section that led us into downtown Sims, AR.  We could see a posse in red shirts standing in the middle of the road with clipboards – never a good sign.  We were either getting ready to sell a kidney for safe passage or we were done.

Turns out the very nice volunteer firemen were there to inform us that our day was done.  We missed the Sims cutoff by 30 minutes and we won a free ride in the back of a pickup truck back to the finish line at Oden School.

We hung out at the finish line and watched the very cool scene that unfolds at the finish of this type of events.  Friend, family and spectators cheer for every person that comes across the finish line and the finisher enjoys the satisfaction of being better than they thought they were and doing more than they thought they could do.

Michael Terrell killed it, Terence was crazy enough to complete it on a rigid single speed, Gene made it to well into the Womble section and to Fabian’s credit, unless you have done this race before you won’t understand the fortitude it took for him to decidedly state that quitting was not one of the options.  This was not only the longest ride he had ever attempted, but it was also the first race he had ever started.  That is what Outsiders is about.

DNF vs. DNS. As an Outsider, we’ll take “Did not finish” vs. “Did not start” any day.

We had a great day and are putting together a group for the next Outsiders challenge.  Join us – and you will do something that will change the way you view life because on the outside there’s more to see…

Here’s a Few More Pix

Our BBQ Joint from last year…didnt survive a storm, apparently. And, here are some words of encouragement from the race organizers.

Terence preparing to wheelie, ride with no hands, bunny hop, do a kick out on a tree, or jump off something high.

Epic day…see you next year Ouachita Challenge

Everyone started somewhere. Every single person – regardless of the distance or the finish time – started with their first race. For me, I did it because I was tired of being pregnant and it motivated me to look forward to MOVING again. Once I started training though, I realized, for me – it was MORE than just leaving the baby at home and getting going. I needed it to be about more. From my first race on, I chose an “A” race each season to train for and then decided how I’d raise money or awareness for a cause. It kept me going when I was out of steam…it kept me accountable when I wanted to quit. And, when I crossed the finish line, it took the focus OFF the final time and back on to what mattered.

Not many folks asked WHY I raced. They mostly asked how I finished or if I achieved a certain pace.

And so, we Outsiders are setting out to redefine “racing”. Make some plans…set some goals…and then ask yourself “WHY DO I RACE?”. Want some motivation? Click on the “Charities/Events” menu item and browse some of our races and causes. Who knows…maybe you’ll find yours, too. Join us…let’s race for more than a podium finish.

Why do YOU race? Or…why WILL you?

Check back soon for more details…

“On the outside, there’s more to see…”