A windy Rocky Mountain Double Marathon

Number 61. Ironically, that was both my bib number and my 61st race of 50 miles. (actually this race is 52.6). I was hoping for a PR, but with a bad stomach after accidentally drinking gatorade at mile 22, lasting for almost the entire remainder of the race, and with no crew except for the last 13 miles, and a strong headwind on many of the sections, it just didn't come together. I did manage to take 2nd place female though. Not bad for having run another 50 miler in Bishop CA just two weeks ago.

This was my fifth time running this course, and it never gets any easier. The scenery is beautiful though, and I even got to see a young moose run across the race course. But with wind and long climbs, this can be a challenging race, not to mention the loneliness. I saw a total of three people, only so briefly, for about 20 miles. Rude ATV drivers made parts of this race aggravating too. It is sad to see what ATV's are doing to so many wildlife areas across the country. From the looks of many of the riders, I think perhaps they should have been out running too.

Still, despite the difficulties I encountered during the race, I am still grateful for every footstep, no matter how lonely it is.

Getting Older

Yikes! Turning 39 yesterday wasn't easy. A friend of mine told me that getting older is both painful and expensive. I think she is right. When my youngest sister called me to wish me happy birthday,she, always being the positive one, told me, "but think of all the experience you have now!" Well, trust me, I would much rather have a few less wrinkles than some of of my "experience." ( of which is being detailed in my upcoming book, due out next spring)

There are some experiences that I would not trade for anything, and those are the lessons I have learned out on the trails running, both alone, and with friends. The trails and my true friends have been there no matter what. Through the good times, the bad, when I was broke,insecure, grumpy, happy, first place, last place, on the thin side, on the chunky side, real boobs, fake boobs,married, not married, addicted, and sober, thanks you guys! I love you all!

I "celebrated" turning 39 by running two races. The Bishop High Sierra 50 in lovely Bishop, CA, and a local 10km in Colorado that actually went through the zoo. Although it was rather painful to see caged up animals, I know that the zoo does a lot of good to restore the wildlife that is endangered. Both races had great volunteers and scenery, so a big thank you to all those who made it happen. Finally A run out on the Waldo Canyon loop in Colorado Springs, CO, with some great shots of Pikes Peak in the back ground soon to come.