Rocky Raccoon 100 Miler 2014

Finish line with by wonderful husband Caleb

On February 1st 2014 I ran the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler.

A few weeks before the race, I started to wonder when I decided to do this. And also wondered what the heck I was thinking. Despite my efforts I could not recall why I decided to do my first 100 mile trail run. A few weeks after the race I realized, with the help of my husband that I had set the goal to run the 100 before attempting to have another baby. The baby train was the motivation. For now, we've decide to hold off temporarily on the baby train, but it's still on our minds for the future.

My longest runs before the race were: 42 miles at Cactus Rose 50 miler in October (a DNF that I happily took in order to go home and eat a hamburger), Bandera 50K in January, and about three weekends of back to back runs. The back to backs were going well so I paid my entry for RR100 in January. These runs were three hour to four hours and 20 minutes with the same time repeated on the following day. I ran for time rather than miles.

Pre-race with the Rockhoppers

I camped before the race with my husband and arrived at the start line an hour before the start. It was calm and comfortable in the Rockhopper tent. The Rockhoppers are a trail running group I joined that's made up of some of the best ultra runners you will ever meet. My pacer Jon saw me off at the start at 6:00 am and then headed to town with Caleb to get some breakfast at some point. They made it to the 15.6 mile mark aid station to see me. I scarf downed peanut butter and jelly sandwich quarters simultaneously with crispy fresh cooked bacon. AMAZING! I paced with my friend Carrie for most of the day. We had a great time keeping each other company and sharing stories. 

After loop one (20 miles) I had hot spots on my feet. The humidity and heat were both high and my socks that I loved in the past were not working out. I lubed my feet and continued in the same shoes for the next loop.

Running with Carrie Knapp as she earns her 500 jacket!

Shoe/Sock Recap:

Let's see.. I started in my Pearl Izumi N2s. They created hot spots for the first time ever in first 20 miles. Finished to 40 miles in them. Switched to Saucony Progrid Light for 40-70, then Newton road shoe for 3.4, back to N2s for 8 miles and then used my husbands Saucony Kinvara road shoes for the last 17 miles. I had major sock and shoe issues, which is not common for me. I suggest taking all the extra shoes you have as well as a few back up socks in a different styles. Thorlo socks were always my favorite training and doing 50K and marathon. Turns out they were terrible for me in Huntsville.

After loop two (40 miles) I changed shoes, ate most of a hamburger kids meal and continued on with Carrie. I had the pleasure of playing mamma bear after Carrie blew her nose too hard and created a nose bleed. I happily went into mommy mode to assist her. We made it around to Nature Center to see our crews. I took some excedrin and was enjoying the caffeine boost and foot pain relief. The loop was going great for me. Carrie sat down at Damnation and I continued on walking and eating. I was feeling great so decided to push on this loop. I lost Carrie, so I put on my headphones and picked up the pace. It's funny that miles 46-100 each felt longer that any single mile I had ever run in my life. I was extremely grateful to have Carrie's company for a huge part of the day. Those miles simply flew by.

At the end of loop three (60 miles) I was allowed to have a pacer join me. I quickly went through the aid station and took off back into the dark with Jon. The short leg went great. Caleb, my wonderful husband, joined me for the next 13.5 miles. He enjoyed running in the dark on trails for the first time. I had several ups and downs in this leg energy wise, but was very happy. I was getting fatigued and sleepy. At the second Damnation stop I even laid on the ground and twitched for 5 minutes. Caleb kept asking people if this was a good idea. I kept asking for just a 5 minute nap! I sucked it up, changed socks and shoes and took back off. Caleb couldn't believe that after that scene I was able to take off running again. At the end of his leg I met a new friend and pacer, Randi. She was great and it was fun to meet someone new that I have many things in common with.

Sit Recap:

I sat for 20 minutes on two occasions at mile 20 and 40. All the other stops were just long enough to change clothes or shoes. I attempted to take a 5 minute nap at mile 72 in the grass, but Caleb stayed on me to get up. And then I sat down about 3 times in last 20 miles. My pacer Jon would let me sit for exactly one minute.

At the end of loop 4 (80 miles) I came into the aid station with Randi. I could not believe that it was still hot and humid at 3:00 am. After commenting on this several times the weather finally changed. Only it was miserably cold when it did. Sweaty clothes, plus drizzle, plus cold are not fun. This was one of the hardest legs. It was only 3.5 miles but I was cold and getting rained on. Thankfully my crew met me at Nature Center with pants, a jacket and a pancho. I took off running again with Jon, and thanks to some Ibuprofen I was feeling pretty good. We had the longest stretch where I would not have crew access to take on. It was two stops through Damnation. It felt like we were in the rainforest because the rain never stopped. It was mist or rain for the rest of the race. We did a lot of walking and bargaining during the leg. I was extremely grateful to have a crew who all believed in me and wanted nothing but for me to succeed. I believed in myself, but it helped so much to know that they did too.  I ran like a 90 year old man and we walked and walked. I kept waiting for us to get to the damn and to see the sunrise. Both of those waits felt like an eternity. We finished the DAMN loop and I had just 4.4 miles to go with Randi.

With my pancho on and one headphone in, I ran straight through the aid station only stopping to throw my headlamp to Caleb. I pushed myself to run for Randi and it worked. I decided to put all the pain in a box and just keep running. I walked only a few hills in these miles. Randi encouraged me by telling me the pace we were running. And I kept setting a goal of when I would finish. I wanted to finish by 10:00 am. We kept moving through, passing several people and offering our encouragement. And then it finally came. The finish line was in sight. I sprinted as hard as I could. It was finally there! Caleb and Jon and the Rockhoppers were all there to see me finish. It was such a tremendous relief and glorious place to be after 27 hours, 26 minutes, and 37 seconds. I managed to finish before 9:30.

Finish line with my pacers Randi and Jon

Food Recap:

Ate about 7 gels, 3 bags of fignutens, lots of coke & PB&J, bacon, ramen, quesadilla, crystallized ginger candy, veggie burger on tortilla, and a Wataburger kid's meal during the day. During the night I had oatmeal and pancakes.

Enjoying my oatmeal and pancake at Damnation

Recovery Recap:

It's been a whole month and I am still taking my recovery seriously. I plan to relax and be patient for my running to come back. Due to knee pain I am sticking mostly to cycling. I know I will be able to run pain free again eventually, so I don't plan to rush it.

Runner Translations from author Amy L Marxkors adapted by me for my race and life in general:

“I get irritable if I don’t run.”
Translation: “If I don’t run, I may or may not become homicidal.”

“Yeah, I enjoy running.”
Translation: “Let’s hope I never have to choose between running and my firstborn.”

“I’m not training for anything right now.”
Translation: “I’m always training.”

“The race went really well. I felt good.”
Translation: “I had the race of my life. Please ask for details. I want to tell you how awesome I am.”

“I only had a few low points. You know?"
Translation: “No, you don’t know. You will never, ever be able to comprehend how awful they were. I twitched on the ground. I walked in the rain. I had ginger just before I vomited. My body hates me. I might have toenail fungus. The weather hates me. But besides that it was great!"

“It was hot.”
Translation: “You don’t understand how hot it was.”

“It was really humid.”
Translation: “You don’t understand how humid it was.”

“It was raining.”
Translation: “You don’t understand how it rained for nine hours.”

“It was really cold.”
Translation: “You don’t understand how cold it was.”

“I smashed my blisters open running.”
Translation: “I totally made new blisters in new locations.”

“I picked up some more GU before the race.”
Translation: “I’m one gel packet away from an episode of Hoarders.”

Ironman Coeur d'Alene, Idaho -- June 23, 2013

On June 23rd I exchanged a day of my life for something extraordinary at Ironman Coeur d'Alene. The trip started with a flight to Spokane Washington. I was regretting the 4:15 am wake up for the 6:00 am flight for the whole rest of the day. It turns out, in the end I was happy to be on a 4:00 am wake up schedule.

We rented our car and drove about 45 minutes to the race village at the city park on Lake Coeur d'Alene. It was GORGEOUS. Everything was gorgeous, the endless trees, the endless lake view and the hills. The village as a soppy muddy mess. It had rained the few days previously. We picked up our packets, and I thanked the heavens I booked a flight arriving on Friday in time for mandatory pickup. My iron-supporter Caleb and iron-friend Tiffany and I worked our way through the village and left in search of food. We found a neat place called Capone's Pub & Grill after asking an Ironman employee on site.

Caleb and I talked to pro TJ Tollakson for a few minutes about his Zipp Bike since Caleb has the same retro tri-bike before leaving the village.

We definitely felt like tourists! We stopped to take a photo at the Idaho line, where we were greeted by a Idaho police officer who just wanted to chat. Then we asked our waitress if they served chips and salsa, as well as margaritas. It turns out they have both of those in Idaho. Our Captain Beech MJ joined us at the restaurant along with her husband, Jim, and son, Quinn.


We grabbed some groceries and stopped by Tri Team Transport to pick up our tri-bags before we headed to our condo on the other side of the lake. The Worldmark Arrow Point Resort condo was great and it had just what I needed, a bed to sleep in at 4:30 pm. I called it a night and slept like a baby til about 5:00 am! The next day we we went for a short run around the condo before heading to the village. It was about a 30-40 minute drive to the race site. We picked up our bikes and took them for a test ride, then took them to drop off in Transition. We stopped off for a presentation called "Secrets of the Course." It was informative and started to get me excited about the big day coming up the next morning. MJ, Tiffany and I took a swim in the lake. It really wasn't too bad. Tiffany and I actually swam without wetsuits. This gave of us come confidence and for me it kept my suit dry for the cool morning that was to come.  Caleb, Jim and Quinn had been out for a rafting trip on the Spokane River and joined us for food at Capone's again. It seemed like two days full of prepping, but we were finally ready for the last sleep before race day. We relaxed around the condo and went to bed pretty early. I think about 6:30.

3:30 am came around and we were up for the last prepping and breakfast before the race. Caleb droves us to transition and we jumped out of the car. It was a busy hour or so dropping off bags, filling water bottles and getting suited up. The crowd made getting around very difficult. Spectators and athletes were EVERYWHERE. Caleb and I dropped off my bike and run special needs bags, which I ended up not stopping for. A tip I took from Tiffany and the pros at the "Secrets of the Course" presentation. In the bike bag I had a candy bar, cookies and a spare tube. In the run bag I had a headlamp and arm warmers. The morning temperature was cold. In the 40s I think. The lake had fog rising from it, since the water temp was in the 60s. Caleb and I walked a few blocks to find a portapotty without a line. I did some business and got my wetsuit on. I was feeling calm and ready. I said my final goodbye to Caleb and mentioned I planned to see him in about 14 and a half hours.


The start was rolling this year. That meant we were allowed a warm up swim and then seeded ourselves based on projected swim time. I planned to swim in one hour and twenty minutes. The music playing on the beach was enjoyable and all the energy around me was peaceful and excited. It was a perfect surrounding of strangers. We started moving forward as a group and then we heard the cannon go off. It was about seven minutes later that I entered the water with about 30 other people in arms reach. We dove in and took off. The lake was pleasant with a wetsuit! I aborted my bilateral breathing to cope with crowds and later decided to stick with unilateral breathing so that I could push my pace and feel like I had enough air. I focused on just making it to the first buoy. Then I focused on the next one and the next one. Before I knew it, it was time to turn, go about 150 meters then turn back towards the beach. I arrived at the beach with only one major hit to the face. I had a chance to breath and jog back to start the second loop. Again the energy and music on the beach were awesome. I enjoyed feeling the earth under my feet and saw that I was right on track for my goal, with the first loop in 37 minutes. The second loop more of the same strategy. I felt a little slower, but didn't worry. I finished the 2.4 miles in 1:19:50 and saw my husband as I ran up to transitions. I was excited to yell my swim time to him!

I was feeling major leg cramping. Pretty much my whole left leg, so my jog/walk to the changing tent was more of a speed walk. I looked for the first seat I could find, plopped down and started adding gear to my body! I had a small belt with a flask in it, arm warmers, bike shorts and a helmet to put on. I loved having a helmet with a visor so I didn't have to worry about sunglasses. It also turned out to be way more comfortable than having glasses on. I saw my husband outside of transition as I was searching for my bike. I took a second to smile and stick my tongue out at him and I was off. The first part of the bike went through town and then along the lake for 6.5 mile out and and then back. It was absolutely gorgeous. A few miles after the turn around I spotted some friends Jennifer and MJ. I was excited to see them looking good. Then we headed out of town on a highway. It was great to do 22 miles without a single turn. Along the largest climb, two miles at a 6% grade, I was passed by a friend, Jimmy. I was feeling pretty good for the whole first loop. After the turnaround it was 22 more miles without a turn. After the turn I saw Jennifer and then MJ again. On the way back we had a three mile climb at 4% grade, during which TJ Tollakson passed me on his second bike loop. Both climbs went smooth for the first loop.


The second loop started out great. I saw Tiffany after her turn around along the lake. It was awesome to yell our love across the street. Once I was out on the highway I started feeling a little sluggish. The hills started to feel much harder. I chatted with fellow riders a couple of times and then chatted with a friend from San Antonio, Lisa. Seeing Lisa lifted my spirits greatly. It was so nice to leap frog with her a few times. I hit the turn around and knew I was in the home stretch. Only 22 miles left to go. I finished the bike a few minutes ahead of my goal in 7:18:47. 15.32 mph average speed. My goal for this race was to execute my run. For that reason, I was conservative on the bike. I told myself several times to, "Just get through it."

The short answer is that it worked! I executed my run in 4:44. I started out with the goal of 11:30 min/mile and after a few miles I was feeling good. My plan was also to watch my heart rate. I did so for about 1.5 miles before I started dumping ice in my bra to cool me off. It turns out my HR monitor doesn't work when it's covered in ice. Lets just say that with the ice, the weather was glorious! The high was 79 degrees. I ran with runners high for 26.2 miles! The spectators were amazing. I had people yell out my name at least 100 times, since it was printed on my bib.


The course was 6.5 miles out and back, times two. We went through town then along the lake  (same as the first part of the bike) along a paved running trail. Aid stations were packed with volunteers about one mile apart. The lake was lined with boats and cheering spectators. I really pushed the pace heading to the half way point because I knew I would see my husband. I gave him my permission to enjoy his day away from the race. He was able to see a movie, catch a plane tour of the lake and make it back to cheer for me on the run.  It was smooth sailing until the last 2.5 miles. I slowed down a bit, but still felt like I was running the best run of my life. I had a huge smile the whole time. I thanked all 100 people who called out my name to cheer. I chatted as I walked portions of the hills and cheered for other runners and friends. I almost cried with joy with 5 miles to go. I managed to hold it back until the finisher chute. Just before the arch I lost it! I cried like a baby! I came in at 13:36:55!! My heart was full of joy. It was quite the PR from my last 140.6 in 16:20.

I would absolutely recommend this race! Just be ready for hills and be ready to sign up soon after registrations opens. Also, book your room at least a year in advance if you can. The Couer d'Alene resort is right at the finish line. So that would be a great option if you plan far enough ahead.

I also recommend taking a day trip to visit the Hiawatha Trail in Montana. It was a great ride! We went 11 miles down and 11 miles back up the start. There were many tunnels with one being two miles long. Also, if you have an interest in Down Hill Biking, make sure you stay for the following weekend. A near by ski resort offers it, but are not open on weekdays in June. We wished we had been able to do it!
Photos from the Hiawatha Trail.

Nutrition Report: For this race, I hired Jennifer Lentzky, pro-triathlete and nutritionist. I used her help with everyday nutrition as well as race nutrition. I sent her a detailed report of Tall Texan 70.3 and discovered I was under-fueled. Her help really paid off in CDA.

Breakfast: Toast with jelly, coffee, scrambled eggs & lots of water
Pre-race: 12 oz water in hour before start
Bike: Carbopro concentrate in water / EFS gel in a flask -- I alternated with the two, eating every 15 minutes; Carbopro supplements with 2 MetaSalts every hour; Reisen chocolate carmel candy x 5 (this helped me get through the tough miles).
Run: One Gu gel every 30 minutes; Carbopro supplements with 2 MetaSalts every hour;  water in a small 8 oz handheld that I refilled while running from aid station cups.

I elected not to use any caffeine after breakfast. I felt good without it and had not been testing it in recent training.

Tri Team Transport was incredible. Natasha and her husband were awesome to work with! They quickly located a valve extender for me when mine was missing, offered detailed instructions before the event, and were very accessible while in CDA. In addition, they picked up my bike from transition after the race and hand washed it for me. I could not believe they did that! They also let me drop off my tri-bag for transport back to San Antonio so that I wouldn't have to fly with it.

Random Info:
* I mastered peeing on my bike for the first time. And peed on it about five times! I know it's gross, but it sure beats stopping and waiting in a porta potty line.
* Lodging is also available in near by towns like Spokane
* Rental cars are expensive so book early to save money
* Tri Team Transport offers group rates so contact them for more info
* Britton's Bikes frequently delivers bikes to CDA as well
* Ironman is a basically a four day event. Packet Pickup Day; Bike Drop Off Day; Race Day; and Finisher Gear Day. We woke up early for a third day in a row to drive to the village and buy a finisher jacket! This isn't required obviously but is only available the day after the race.
* People say CDA is a great place for kids with playgrounds, food etc at the race area
* I was fortunate to not have to tend to children during the prepping and recovery
* I slept for an entire day after the race!
* Caleb and I stayed at the Coeur d'Alene resort for two nights after the race. It was a beautiful resort. And even though we had a weekday rate, it was still pricey.

Bandera 100K Race Report - My first 100K

Bandera 100K Race Report - My first 100K

I run when it's hot - I run when it's cold. I run when I'm tired - I run when I am not. I run when I'm happy - I run when I am sad. I run.

On January 12, 2013 I exchanged an extraordinary experience for a day of my life!

I spent Friday night at Hill Country State Nature Area settling in to sleep in my car (it's quite a large car). Tiffany joined me and we enjoyed some laughs and catching up before we crawled into my boat to sleep on air mattresses. Someday I might graduate in camping to a sleeping pad, but for now I'm sticking to the air mattress! We went to sleep at 8:15! Score! Woke up at 6:00 and opened the door to find drizzle! We prepped for the race and began to run into friends at the park.

7:30 am rolled around and we were off for an adventure! Tiffany headed off to run a 50K in a smoking good time of 6:39! And I spent almost the whole day with friends Carrie and Jessica. The first loop was very muddy! At times my feet would stick to the ground. And at others the mud would accumulate like a giant clown shoe on each foot!

Tiffany, Mel and I at the half way point.

Carrie enjoying the overlook on Sky Island

At 3:30 pm we rolled through the half way point. I seemed to be riding a second wind and feeling great! We spend 10 minutes or so talking to friends and eating some solid foods. I saw Tiffany, my coach Melissa Whan and few other friends. The support was great! When we headed back out for round two, I surprised by running buddies with my energy level and thankfully carried that though the 50 mile mark. It helped that every mile over 31 was a PR to celebrate! This excitement fueled me on!

Carrie, Jessica, and I at the top of Carin's Hill

Sunset on the course

Around 45-48 miles in Jessica was feeling sick. She made it to the Crossroads Aid Station and decided to drop as she couldn't keep anything down.

Carrie and I added some warmer clothes and headed out for the Three Sisters. Those 5 miles were tough. We stopped back at Cross Roads and I made the mistake of eating 3 quesadillas and 2 small cups of ramon noodles. I never run well on a full stomach and this full stomach made me tired!

My excitement waned around 54 miles. I struggled to walk. For the first time I wasn't sure if I would make it to my goal of 62 miles. I was so close and yet so far. The thought of walking 20 plus minute miles meant that I would be out in the cold, dark, wind for three more hours. I reached "last chance" the final aid station at 57.5 miles. I collapsed in a chair next to my running partner Carrie who had run ahead to warm up in the protected and heated aid station. I fought tears and wondered if I would be able to run any more. I asked a simple question to those around me, "Is it worth it to finish?" Together, Carrie and the volunteers all answered with an assuring, "Yes!"

What my running buddy looked like

That was all I needed to hear. I stood up and headed out. Carrie gave me a couple of tylenol pills and helped me get my headphones out. I assured her I would be fine without her and she departed into the cold. With music on, I hiked with determination up Carin's Hill. At the top of the hill, I forced a run, and it worked! I was running again! I had a new pacing buddy right behind me. He looked just like Lily's dad from How I Met Your Mother! I ran, walked, hiked the last 4.5 miles with him right behind me. My doubt was gone and my run was back! I passed about 10 people once my run was back. I ascended the last climb on Boyle's hill and text my husband that I had 3 miles to go and I would make it. I crossed the finish line with an official time of 18:01 around 1:30 am.

 

It was a long day, but so very worth it! Tejas Trails volunteers are the best! And running with awesome friends can't be beat!

The next morning I made good friends with 20 pounds of ice in my bath tub! And my recovery is going very well! I think my brain has returned now that it's had 48 hrs of non-running!

Carrie working her way down Lucky Hill 

Jessica finishing off Lucky

Working our way through the mud