Running Free

2012-08-19T21:53:00.001-07:00

I just checked out my last blog post and I haven't written a thing since April. Wow. I have hardly missed my blog. So many things happening and so little time to even write a quick note. I wrote in my last blog about my injured toe and the troubles it has caused me. I have exhausted all the treatments and now I am left with a big toe that is getting stiffer and stiffer. My friend, who just happens to be an Orthopedist, says that maybe my toe is started to fuse on it's own. I can live with that as long as a fused toe doesn't hurt! We will see. This summer has been busy with lots of fun runs and hikes in the mountains. My friends and I traversed Zion National Park in April and had a blast. I ran Silver State 50 miler in May and managed to dehydrate myself right into the hospital. I ran in Emigrant Wilderness at Kennedy Meadows twice and enjoyed doing Safety Patrol at Western States 100. Last month I ran The Tahoe Rim Trail 100 and managed to slowly cross the finish line good for a Silver buckle. Thanks to Marc Dube for helping me finish under 30 hours. All in all, my toe is handling the stress I have put it under. It is painful, but not unbearable anymore. That makes my heart happy. In September, I will run The Bear 100. I am getting excited for that adventure.

I don't know about you, but I have found Facebook to be all consuming. I think I am addicted. Ouch! I hate to even admit it here on this social media. Let's see, Facebook or my Blog? Such hard decisions to make at this bedtime hour. Happy dreams!

Happy Wednesday

2012-04-18T05:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, yesterday was a whirlwind. I started my day out with a nice 45 minute swim and enjoyed a long hot shower at the gym. It was heavenly! lol. I went to see a Doctor in Corte Madera who originally made my orthotics, and he made some adjustments to them and gave me hope for running in my future. Apparently, he saw 3 patients just last week with some of the same issues I am having. I was glad to hear that I am not the only one. I left his office and immediately went to a few stores and bought a nice Northface jacket and a running skirt and a pair of running shorts. I think I feel better now! Shopping always does that for me. The problem is that I have nothing to wear except for running stuff! I use to have a magnet on my refrigerator that says, "I feel like such a failure. I have been shopping for over 20 years and I still don't have anything to wear". Hilarious, but true.

Today, after work, I am going to try out my new refurbished orthotics and see how my toe does. I am hopeful and hesitant at the same time. Have a great Wednesday and make it a healthy one!

Falling apart

2012-04-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

This was a beautiful weekend here in Sonoma County. The sky was so blue and the air was warm. It was the kind of weekend that made you dream of summer. Spaghetti strap tops and shorts and flip-flops. I even saw some people laying beside the pool when I was swimming this morning.

Matt and I took Jada out for a long hike in the hills and she loved jumping in and out of the creek and chasing sticks as they rushed down the swirling streams. A great weekend!

Running has completely sucked for the last month. One injury after another. Frankly, it is really starting to get me down. I just don't get it. Right now I am dealing with a big toe problem. It really came to a head two weeks ago after finishing a 27 mile training run. It seems that I have arthritis in my toe and some bone spurs to boot! I am unable to push off without tremendous pain. I have tried having Rooster Comb injected into my toe and using strong anti-inflammatory meds. I have stopped running for 2 weeks and have gotten back into the pool. I am trying to form a relationship with lap swimming so I feel like I am doing something to keep in some sort of shape. Swimming just doesn't do it, though. It is so boring. Yawn......I do keep checking my arms to see if I can see any definition because this swimming thing has got to be doing something!

Yesterday was Lake Sonoma 50 mile, I was a DNS there. (did not start). That sucked. Today, I went out for a 30 minute slow run, toe taped and fingers crossed, and I am feeling hopeful. That is all I am going to say. Tuesday, I see another Doctor for a 2nd opinion and a MRI on Thursday. How much fun can a girl have in a week?

Next Friday, I am going to Zion to traverse the park with several of my running friends. It will be about 50 miles of running fun. I am going even if I have to crawl. I have wanted to do this for a few years and I am not going to let this injury stop me. I figure that I can go as slow as I need to go. It is not a race so the pace will be comfortable. I am really excited to do this. So..... that is what has been happening in my world. Happy Monday everyone.

Remember Me??

2012-03-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

Hello readers. Do I have any, anymore? It's been forever since I have updated my blog. Something called life has taken me and kept me quite busy. When I am not feeling creative, my blog goes dead.

A lot has happened since I last blogged. A few injuries here and there, a couple of races, and a whole lot of nothing. I have been battling a performis issue and a big toe problem. Both of these injuries have kept me from running. When I have run, it is labored and unsettling. It seems when you have one injury, it creates another. This video has really helped me. Check it out. With some serious stretching and a little chiropractic work, I can feel that I am doing better. I have started a series of five shots of "Rooster Comb" injections into my big toe and I can see improvement there too. I have a bunion that is filled with arthritis and it is so painful, especially when I run. I hope these injections will help stave off surgery for awhile. A long while.
Yesterday, I bought two new pairs of running shoes. When I was sponsored by Montrail, I wore their shoes religiously. It has been a few years now since I have even tried a pair on. I decided to try the Montrail Mountain Masochist for the first time. After reading about them I decided to try them out yesterday on my 12 miler and I liked them. My foot seems to sit a little high in them, but they were comfortable. The other shoe I bought was the Asics 2170. I have loved the Asics trabucho but they seem to have changed their sizing and I have run out of patience trying to get the right fit. I hate trying a new shoe out when the Asics Trabucho is so perfect for me but it is time. I am going to take them for a spin this morning.
The weather has been amazing this year. We have had only a few days of rain and lot's of sunshine. Of course I love it, but it is so weird. Usually, we would be having rain, rain, rain. I'll take the good weather while it's here.

Last Sunday I ran up on the Western States trail. We ran from Michigan Bluff up to a little ways past Last Chance. Almost no snow and beautiful weather. Go figure. I love that trail.

The new water bottle holder for runners! Start 2012 right!

2012-01-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Don't look back on 2011- focus on thriving in 2012.

2011-12-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed my early morning run today. I reflected on the past year and decided that it wasn't the best year to date. December 2011 started out with a 50 miler that I felt fairly good about. Mid December my girls and I were in a car accident and left the 3 of us pretty banged up. The day before I left for my 6 day stage race in Costa Rica in late January, I fell while running down a scree covered trail and tore my shoulder and my triceps. Leading up to Costa Rica had me feeling really fatigued and my Doctor said that my labs were off. My Lupus numbers were climbing. I was hoping for a good race there, but God had other plans. Then in February, one of my daughters started having health issues and the stress from that was all consuming. In April, I had my shoulder surgery and my running came to a shrieking halt. The rest of the summer had me hiking and enjoying sitting at the dog park with Jada and all my dog park friends. My left arm was soft and weak. In June my other daughter had surgery and was battling some health issues also. Life was not happening as I had planned. All the races and vacations that Matt and I had planned had to be cancelled. My 100 miler in France (UTMB), that was to happen in August didn't happen because of my shoulder. It was a very stressful year and I am glad that we are beginning a New Year in 2012.

I feel better and I am looking forward to a great year. I am happy to say that I have won 2 of the three 50k's I have run in the last two months. I am planning some adventures and excited to do some different races this year. I am starting to think of a resolution that I can keep that will propel me in a positive direction. Life is starting to look up. Merry Christmas to all of you out there and I hope your 2012 is filled with everything good. I have to remember to not look back- I'm not going that way!

Merry Christmas from the family

2011-12-18T21:06:00.000-08:00

I will miss you forever, Dad

2011-12-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Today I celebrate the life of my Dad who was taken from me too young and too soon. He was just 60 years old. Twenty one years ago today, my life was turned over. I celebrate his life today but I morn also. In some ways he lost his battle with life years before. Vodka took that away long before God took him. A beautiful man filled with a creative mind, a great sense of humor, and a wonderful love of his family.

I wish he was here to see me now. I've grown to be someone he would be proud of. I know that he would be proud of me, but not surprised. I know that he watches me from above and smiles at me. He would be so proud of my kids and would talk to everyone who would listen about what amazing adults they have become. He would see himself in me and I think he would wish that we could spend time together again.

Thank you Dad for coming to all my boring long swim meets. Thanks for going with me to Girl Scout camp and for buying me a horse and a horse trailer so we could go to horse shows and overnight trail rides together. You sacrificed so much to make me happy. Thank you for being so generous and loving. You were a good athlete too, Dad. I think I got that trait from you. I am tall and slim too, and I look a lot like you from the neck down. No boobs, great lungs, long legs. I look like Mom from the neck up and I have to laugh every time I see myself in the mirror. Yes, I look exactly like Mom. I am proud of that also. She is a beautiful woman and I love her so much. I am so glad that you too found each other and that I was born to both of you. How lucky is that?

I guess you know that I took care of Don when Pat died. It was something I needed to do for both him and me. It was special to spend time with him. You were lucky to have him as your brother. We had a lot of fun together and I felt so sad when Cancer took him away a few years ago.

You were my hero and you still are. Shawn and Wally got your creative traits. Both of them can fix or make anything. I on the other hand have no creative ability, but running and being outside is my passion.

Today I am running a 50K in memory of you. I will not cry, because crying and running don't really work together. I've tried that, and it really sucks. I will smile and know that you are watching me. Thanks Dad for everything good and bad that we shared together. It has made me the person that I am. I am strong and determined and will never forget you. RIP Dad. 12-10-1990.

BEAUTIFUL

2011-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

Wyman Meinzer's West Texas from Wyman Meinzer on Vimeo.

The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you are the pilot.

The Canadian Death Race.....2012??

2011-11-20T20:20:00.000-08:00

This race is on my radar for August 2012. It looks very challenging and it has definitely caught my attention.

"The world is filled with interesting things to do. Don't lead a dull life in such a thrilling world."
American Writer and Lecturer, Dale Carnegie

2011-11-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hello people! No, I didn't ditch this blog. I have been just ignoring the fact that I have one! How is that for honesty? ]

A lot of things have happened since I last posted. For one, I got a laptop. I have wanted one for a long time and I am very happy with my Macbook Pro. This is my first Mac and I am adjusting to it quickly. Since I last posted, I ran a trail marathon where I was reminded that I had neglected my long runs. It was a painful reminder. I walked away with an age group win, so I was quite pleased with that. Last week Matt and I went to Texas to run the Rockledge Rumble 32.5 miler, and I managed to win the womans race. Of course I was happy, and staying with Tom Crull was icing on the cake. Tom is the race director of the Rockledge Rumble and also a great friend. I met Tom on a training run on the Western States trail several years ago. We have been best friends ever since! Speaking of Western States, I put my name into the lottery and the drawing is on December 10th. As of this morning, there are 1700 applicants. Chances of getting in is probably nil. Oh well, there are many 100s that are beautiful and worth doing, so I won't be real disappointed. My fingers and toes are all crossed as I write this though. :)
Have a wonderful day and do something that makes you feel happy!

Relentless Forward Motion

2011-11-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

2011-10-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

2011-10-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone!

Hood To Coast Relay

2011-09-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I headed to Portland Oregon with some friends to run in the Hood To Coast Relay that runs from Mt. Hood to the Coast. I have never run HTC and didn't ever expect to, as I had really never thought about doing a relay before. We had a complete blast. Two vans, 12 fun people, and 200 miles to run, what could be better than that? We finished in 25:00:17 for a 8th place finish in men's masters division. That put us at 99th out of 1268 teams. Not bad considering that most of us are ultra runners and a few members of the team either just finished a 100 miler or getting ready to run a 100 miler. Oh, and did I mention that we are all OLD?

I hadn't run on pavement in like, 15 years or something, so I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it felt to run there. I hope to be able to run there again someday!

2011-08-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today my brother and I ran 22 miles and he struggled a bit with tight calves and aching hips. I hope he figures out what the problem is because he is signed up to run a 50 miler in October. After a quick shower, Jada and I headed out to our favorite place these days, the dog park. It's a little embarrassing to say that I absolutely LOVE going to the dog park and just hanging out. The people are great and the dogs are wonderful. I would never have gotten involved there if I hadn't had surgery and been off work. Just another blessing I got with being on medical leave.

My friend Suz and I talk frequently about nutrition on our runs. We discuss foods, cooking and just plain eating. Our topic usually is around a gluten free diet. I am basically gluten free and have been this way for over a year now. I have found it to be easy and I do believe that I am healthier because of it. The Paleo diet is also a hot topic with us these days. I am not so sure about removing beans and grains from my diet but I definitely am interested in decreasing these foods a bit. I think as athletes we need to be concerned with our diet. You can't expect your body to perform at a high level if you are not feeding it with healthy foods. Doing a little research can go a long way towards making you a better runner if you just heed the advice, and dump the sugar and flour in your diet. I may be skinny, but I eat a lot of food and I am strong. You need to be strong to be an endurance athlete. Changing your diet by simply cutting back significantly on starches and dairy and replacing those lost calories with fruits, vegetables, and very lean meats can make such a difference. Cutting out breads and pasta's were huge for me. I was addicted to bread and taking that out of my diet was difficult at first. Now, I never even feel tempted and I feel so much better. I also feel like my running is better too. Challenge yourself to eating more healthy. It can only help you, and you might lose a few pounds! Happy trails!

2011-08-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

"Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still."

-Lou Erickson

No UTMB for me this year- bummer!

2011-08-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day! Caleb is here visiting for a week on his summer break from Chiropractic School and so we all went out on the San Francisco Bay for a cruise on a big Catamaran. It was a beautiful day, freezing but clear and we all had a blast! It was fun to do something a little different for a change.
My running is improving! It feels weird to know that we should be in France right now getting ready and all psyched up for UTMB, but instead I am running 10 miles and feeling like a big shot! Wow. My legs feel lighter and my stride is noticeable stronger in the last few weeks. I think I am finally getting in better shape. It's exciting and a confidence booster all in one.

It's sad to think that if I hadn't had to have my surgery, I would be very fit and just about ready to stand at the starting line of UTMB! Instead, I will watch from my computer and watch Krissy Moehl attempt to win once again. While everyone is lining up in Chamonix, I will be starting the HTC relay in Portland with some Team Diablo friends! I've never done a relay before, but it will be a blast hanging out in a smelly van for 24 hours and laughing the whole time. We will each run 3 legs of 6 or 7 miles and run from Mt. Hood to the sea. Should be interesting....I haven't ran on pavement in years......But- I did buy some road shoes. That's a start, right?

Medical leaves happen for a variety of reasons. On my last short "jog" before the Costa Rican stage race, I was pushed down by Jada and ended up having shoulder surgery. Of course I was totally bummed, but so many good things came out of it. Spending the summer at home was a big plus, but bigger was the time I got to spend with my dog, Jada. I loved my "alone" time too. Lot's of time to be thankful for.

This morning I am excited about planning another long race or some kind of adventure. I am feeling the need to push myself, to push the limits of what we think possible. Lot's of ideas......I think I need to go buy a lottery ticket! I hope you all can get out on dusty trail for a great run today.

2011-08-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

I almost feel guilty about my long delay in writing on my blog. All 3 of my blog friends have been on the edge of their seat waiting for me to post something. Relax, I'm blogging at last!
This afternoon I started my run by walking for about 100 meters up the hill. I stopped and pet my friend the horse, and then proceeded to run down the trail to meet my sister. Suddenly I stopped to pee. I didn't think about anyone being around. Why would I? 5:30 pm on a warm Thursday evening, lot's of people on their bikes, hikers, runners. As I knelt down to do my thing, I remember thinking, what a scary sight my white butt would be to anyone coming up behind me. I laughed to myself. I pulled up my shorts and stood up quickly and glanced around me and much to my surprise there was a guy walking up the trail in perfect shot of my bare butt just 3 seconds before. I was mortified! He never gave me eye contact and didn't say a word. I was soooo embarrassed.
I am going back to work after being on medical leave for 4 months with my shoulder injury. It is going to be hard to be back at work. I have enjoyed my time off so much. If I buy a lottery ticket within the next two weeks, AND WIN, then I could avoid going back. Oh, if only I was rich.......I could get use to not working. It would not be a problem for me. I love my job, but I haven't missed it at all.
I have been slowly trying to get my fitness back. Stumbling along the dirt trails wishing my legs didn't feel like they weigh 100 pounds each. I keep telling myself that it is suppose to hurt getting in shape. The only way to get faster and fitter is to push myself. Tomorrow I am going to run 16 miles and hopefully, I will have a decent run. Hopefully, my legs will float and my breathing will be quiet. I hope I will be smiling!

2011-07-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to see improvements in my fitness- FINALLY. Thank God. I've been hiking and running and progressing like a herd of turtles! Last weekend Matt and I went up to Kennedy Meadows in the Emigrant Wilderness area and camped out with the Johnson family and some of their friends. We had a blast. On Sunday, while Matt and Jada hiked, Tamara, Dave and I ran about 30 miles through snow and lot's of cold water. Naturally, I was trashed, but managed to finish with no soreness or discomfort to speak of. I even started the run with a brand new shoe- the asics trabuco 14, and didn't have one blister. I couldn't believe it. I don't think I have ever worn that shoe and it fit like a glove. So perfect!

Yesterday, I ran about 15 miles with Suz and just about died the last 40 minutes of the run. For the rest of the day I had about as much energy as a snail. I don't think I moved around too much for the rest of the day. I wanted to walk most of the last few miles, but Suz pushed me to finish what I started and I'm glad that I did.

My shoulder is progressing nicely. I go to PT twice a week and improving everyday. Nights are still painful and I am unable to sleep without pain unless I take a sleeping pill. I am trying to only take a sleeping pill a few times a week. It's been difficult to get good sleep these days, but if you know me that's nothing new.

My daughter Chelsea, who is 23, recently got diagnosed with Lupus. It makes me sad to think that she got it from me. I hope she does as well as I have done. My heart breaks for her. She is a strong woman and I think she will do well.

"It's not the load that breaks you down; it's the way you carry it." -Lena Horne

On a positive note, today Chelsea and I were driving around and found a lawn mower in front of a house with a FREE sign on it. Much to the embarrassment of Chelsea, I stopped and loaded that baby into the back of my car. I brought it home and BINGO! It works like a charm and even self propels itself. What a find!

ENJOY LIFE

2011-06-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

"The first question which you will ask and which I must try to answer
is this, ‘What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?’ and my answer
must at once be, ‘It is no use.’ There is not the slightest prospect
of any gain whatsoever. Oh, we may learn a little about the behavior
of the human body at high altitudes, and possibly medical men may turn
our observation to some account for the purposes of aviation. But
otherwise nothing will come of it. We shall not bring back a single
bit of gold or silver, not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not
find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise
food. It’s no use. So, if you cannot understand that there is
something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and
goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself
upward and forever upward, then you won’t see why we go. What we get
from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end
of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money
to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is
for."
--George Mallory, 1922

Age is only a number

2011-06-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

I celebrated my Birthday last week. It was a "hard to swallow" Birthday. 53 years old , sounds and looks so OLD. I hated every minute of turning that horrid number. I didn't even feel good on that day. I felt old, ugly and used up. But, today, almost one week later, I am feeling good and moving on with my 53 year old bad self. Enough said!! Matt surprised me with a Greg LeMond spin cycle that is big and beautiful. It is displayed in our living room (for now anyway), and it is as quiet as a mouse. Now I can watch all my reality shows and get in shape at the same time. I am really excited.

I was also given the okay to start running again. My Doc gave me his blessing and then said, "but you can not fall!" Duh....who goes out running and plans a fall? Come on, Doctor K! If I had any control over the subject, I would never, ever ,chose to fall!

I have power hiked until the cows have come home and I still am sucking wind at every hill. I guess I have a lot of running to do before I am feeling fit again. Hopefully the spin bike will help me achieve my fitness goals.

I don't think I have really ever talked about my dog, Jada. I feel like a first time parent these days. Everything is about Jada. I go to the dog park, I take her on runs, long hikes, I kiss her a hundred times a day and I talk baby talk to her. I think I've lost my mind. Maybe its time to go back to work.....

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end. Ursula K. LeGuin

2011-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day training weekend is almost here on the Western States Trail. It kills me that I won't be there. I had played around with the idea of going up and hiking/jogging from Foresthill to the River. I figured I could do that and still enjoy myself. But then reality set in and I thought about it for a few minutes and I know that it would not be the smart thing to do. I would most definitely get caught up in the excitement of things and it would be hard not to run and the possibility of hurting myself is high. So.......with much sadness, I will stay home and do a hike/joke thing closer to home. My Doctor said that I could run on a paved surface or treadmill as long as I don't fall. I don't think Foresthill to the River is what he had in mind. :)
“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~Proverb
   I am lucky enough to be sponsored by La Sportiva shoes. Yesterday I got a new pair in the mail. They are the Quantum trail shoe. They have a funny wavy sole and they are ergonomic, adaptable, shock absorbing, stable and lightweight. I can't wait to try them out!

My daughter Courtney had surgery today and had her Tonsils removed. A big deal when you are 21 years old. I feel so bad for her because I know it's going to be a painful and uncomfortable recovery. Hopefully, she will be a healthier person without those gross Tonsils that constantly get infected.

To everyone heading up to the WS trail this weekend, have a BLAST! I will be there in spirit!!

Rhabdomyolysis and Ultrarunning

2011-05-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend I read a story in the new June issue of TrailRunner Magazine titled, Up Against a Hardrock. It is a story about Diana Finkel's amazing 2010 Hardrock 100 race and its devastating aftermath.

I was especially drawn to this story for two reasons. The first is that in 2006, I was lucky enough to pace my good friend Stephen to a great finish there. I promised myself and Stephen that I would return there to kiss the rock myself. The second is that in 2006 and 2007, I ran Wasatch 100 and experienced, both times, the same condition as Diana did after Hardrock. It is a story worth reading because as extreme athletes, we push ourselves beyond normal. Sometimes we can push our selves over the edge and into a sometimes fatal condition, and always a very serious condition called Rhabdomyolysis.

I read this article that was written by Diana's husband and it took me back to my Wasatch DNF, where I was unable to finish because I knew I couldn't continue the last 25 miles crawling. It took me back to my 2nd Wasatch where I knew I had Rhabdo again, but I just had to redeem myself and finish this time. Both times I was hospitalized and was very sick. I was stupid during that 2nd Wasatch when I recognized the symptoms and practically crawled my way to the finish, sicker than a dog. We as ultra runners sometimes do stupid things. We cross health boundaries to achieve higher goals we set for ourselves and sometimes they have dire consequences. Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition in which muscles break down quickly and spill their contents into the blood stream. Myoglobin is a protein that is contained in muscle cells, and if enough is spilled into the blood stream, it can clog the kidney's filtering system and lead to kidney failure and a variety of other serious medical consequences and complications. While muscles routinely get sore after physical activity, rhabdomyolysis takes that muscle injury to a higher level. Rhabdomyolysis is the result of massive muscle destruction.

Unfortunately, I have not returned to Hardrock to run that spectacular and difficult race. Rhabdo got in the way of that. I have done a couple of successful 100's since and several difficult races without problems. I hope Diana will be back to run 100's without issues too. Rhabdo is a reminder that we must take our health seriously even while pursuing our dreams. Maybe someday I will get a chance to kiss the Hardrock, maybe not. I'm okay with that.

2011-05-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
- W.B. Yeats