Monday, January 31, 2011

January - baby step into the new year..

January

Weight start 132.6

Weight finish 132.2

Miles ?? no good tally for the month, jumble of hikes, runs and snowshoes.

Not much weight down just looking at it. But my weight did rise during the month then started to drop. I like to think that I was adding some muscle then started to shed some fat. I feel better for the most part, so it’s all good.

I have been eating better for the most part. I have been getting away from breads, butter, creams, and a bit less sugar. I hardly eat red meat any more, not on purpose… just lost interest in it for the most part. I have started eating more seeds, grains and beans for filler and instead of meats and breads.

I did not take part in Sherpa Johns running streak this year (run 2 miles every day). The streak last year left me very frustrated and sore. It left bitter taste in my mouth that has not gone away yet. Of course that led me to not running very much at this month. But I did get out a couple times on snow shoes and a few snowy hikes. I modified one pair of running shoes with screws. I have only used them once and they did work well. Then there was snowdays, that involved pushing the snow-blower around and shoveling. I did a few random days of P90x work outs and other small workout days. I even got on my xc skate skis once.

Highlights including :

-A group Snow Hike up Bog Mountain in Wilmont NH

-A group outing to Pittsfield VT and snow shoeing on some of the Snowshoe marathon course.

-And to end the month with a Bang was Leah’s Bear Brook Winter Fat Ass event. A good size group turned out for the event. We had 8 people on snow shoes, 2 on skis and a little dog along for the trip. The plan was a 9 mile loop, with optional cut offs. I had the goal of getting 5 to 6 miles in. But due to the mysterious trails I ended up doing 11.5 miles with the rest of the surprised group. We were all thrilled and excited with the accomplishment when we finished. But I do admit I was whining a lot, upset and in pain on the trail. My legs brought me to tears at one point before for going ‘numb’ for awhile. Sorry for being a poop :-(

But Cheers to Leah’s Dad and his GF for having beer at the end for all of us! And a Cheers to Leah for putting on a great event and a great post event meal!! I do look forward to going out to Bear Brook again! (I just have to do a little research and map reading so I have a better understanding of what is what)

Hopes for the next month: Continue to improve my diet. Working on getting sugar cravings down!! I have some new foods and reading material on order already.

More consistent about work outs.

Log more running miles!!

Looking forward to Josh's birthday run on the 26th!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Where it all started...

Why I did I start this running thing?

Back in the late winter/early spring of 2006 is when it all got started. For two months I had struggled along trying to run a little. I never had run at all except to play games. Why start now? It's not like you have to be able to run to get by in this world. One big reason was I wanted to be able to run with my boyfriend, Josh at t
he time, in a race someday. I didn’t tell anyone that was why, but it was the main reason I started to run every spring. But it never got very far with it. Most would think I was just trying to get in shape and loose weight like everyone else in this country. The other main reason that stirred in mind was just having the ability to be able to run if I wanted to and if I Needed to. It bothered me that it would be very difficult to run away from or chase something if I had to.

That year had been going good for a change. Josh showed me a great website that has training programs for all kinds of workouts from lifting to running. I started the beginners running plan. Exercise Presciption.com I did well following its training plan until I got sick. After I got better I started running again for a couple of days but crashed and burned on a frustrating Saturday run.

I didn't run at all that following week till Saturday. I threw the training plan out the window and just ran. I decided if I felt bad I would walk. At each quarter mile mark on my two mile loop I decided to push on and ended up running the whole two miles!

This may not seem like much at first. But this was the first time I ran two miles without stopping to walk! It wasn't untill a couple days later, when I had finished a one mile run, I realized this is the first time in my life that I could remember ever running a mile! I never ran in school or for fun when I was younger, except when playing games. I never rain the whole mile in gym class. I did cross country skiing for a year but even that did not involve much running. I had accomplished something!

Shortly after that I some how convinced myself to sign up for my first race… I bit off more then I should have. I signed up for a mini triathlon: 2 mile run, 5 mile paddle with a portage in the middle, and 14 mile bike. Josh kinda gave me a look like I was crazy but was eager to do the race himself.

Race day came quickly and I was not ready but was not going to back down and I was determined to stick threw it. It was early June, cool and pouring rain with no chance of letting up all day.

To me, this is where being part of Team Robert started. Our friend Rachel came along to help us out and take pictures. She did an awesome job sticking it out in the rain with us the whole day. She got great pre-race picture of Josh and I. Josh looks happy and excited and I look petrified.


The race started and we jogged off into the cool rain. We promptly slid to the back of the pack. Josh stayed with me trying to encourage me to go faster. I was trying! My chest felt tight and hard to breath. Nerves most likely. We got to the boats and into the water we went and began to paddle away. Josh was easily keeping just ahead of me in his canoe calling me on, to keep pushing. I struggled in my nice light kayak to keep up. My hands ached because of the cold and constant slipping grip since it was so wet. When we got to the portage Josh scurried across the road with the canoe on his back easily. I hoisted my kayak on my shoulder for a bit. Rachel was there to get a picture then she helped me carry the kayak across the road and back into the water.

At the ended of the kayak section we had to scramble out onto a steep bank into knee deep water. There were a lot of people on hand to help. Usually it is shallower but because of the rain the river was running high. As it was, the Army Corps of Engineers that controls the dam up river was already holding back the water so the race could happen that day.

Rachel was there again to help us transition from kayak to bikes. Josh and I were off onto the last section on mountain bikes, yes on a road course. We peddled and peddled some more. Josh always ahead calling and leading me on. What few racer that were left behind us soon passed us on their road bikes. It didn’t really bother me; I knew I was as good as finished. With about 3 miles from the finish I had to jump off my bike, briefly, to walk a bit of a hill because my legs felt so stiff and tired. Josh gave a yell back, No walking! You are almost there! Walking was not that much better. I hopped back on and slowly ground out the last few miles. Near the finish Rachel was there again soaking wet in the rain to get a picture.

We crossed the finish line and people were still out there to cheer us in. We got a congrat’s for Rachel and I got a hug from Josh. In a post race fog we loaded the bikes on the truck. We went in and changed in to dry clothes had some post race food as we milled around the crowd in the school. We saw some results on the way out. I finished 3rd in my category… so what if there was only 3 of us in it…

That was my first race. I didn’t race again until October…

That race engrained in me the first feelings of a running family, a team. Rachel, an accomplished utlra runner, had put aside her day and comfort to help and encourage us in the pouring rain. Josh had stuck with me at my slow pace to encourage me threw the whole race. He could have easily finished an hour ahead of me but instead unselfishly helped me. I saw the different types of racers that day to. I saw the elites out to win, but I also saw the families out there having fun with there kids, and even their dogs!

Welcome to Team Robert, an Ultra Family!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Racing threw the Year!

Here is my hope full race schedule of the year. Hope you can join me some of the races whether to run it or cheer. I will be part of Team Robert and Hillsboro Trail Runners along with team me :-)

This years main goal is to set PRs(Personal Record) at all my races. I didn't not set any last year. I want to be able to run this years Vermont 50 races with the ability to finish. Which simple means better training.

(some dates have not been set in stone yet, hence the TBD)

2011 Races

March 5th 2011
2011 Pittsfield Snowshoe Marathon
Pittsfield,Vermont,

April 17th 2011??(TBD)

The Muddy Moose Trail Race
Wolfeboro NH

April 2011??(TBD)
EMS 5k Fun Run
Peterborough NH

April 2011?? ??(TBD)
Mud Muck Moose 5 Miler
Bartlett NH

May 7th 2011
The Wapack 21 mile option
NH to MA

May 28th - 29th 2011
Pineland Farms 25K
New Gloucester, ME

June 5th 2011
Pittsfield Peaks Ultra Challenge
Pittsfield,Vermont,

June 17 to 26
Maine camping vacation!
Not a race but still important!!

July 8th 2011??(TBD)
Hillsboro Balloonfest 5k
Hillsborough NH

July 16th 2011(Maybe)
Wicked Wildcat Wander 5.8miles
Charlestown, NH

July 16 to 17?(Maybe if needed)
VT 100 Volunteering?/crewing?
Brownsville VT

July 30 or 31 (Maybe) (TBD)
Fox Forest Fat Ass 50K (1 of 2)
Hillsboro NH

August 27 or 28 (Maybe) (TBD)
Fox Forest Fat Ass 50K (2 of 2)
Hillsboro NH

September 11th or 18th 2010(TBD)
Pisgah Mountain Trail Race 50K
Chesterfield NH

September 25th 2011
Vermont 50 Mile Ultra Run
Brownsville VT

October 9th 2011
Harpoon Oktoberfest 3.6miles
Windsor VT.