Behind Every Great Woman is a Man Checking Out Her Ass

Palo Duro 50 Mile Run, Palo Duro Canyon, TX

2009-10-26T20:34:00.002-06:00

Three 50 mile races in 14 days! Despite being tired and a little achy,every foot step is a blessing. Especially when that footstep narrowly missed a tarantula crawling across the race course of the beautiful Palo Duro 50 mile ultramarathon in Palo Duro Canyon, TX, which is just outside of Amarillo , TX. They say they make things BIG in Texas. This must include the spiders.

I managed to tie for third place, along side a friend and running partner of mine. Although bad weather and poor traveling conditions forced me to stay put for my fourth planned 50 miler, I still plan on running at least two more races of at least marathon distance before the year is out.

Here are some cool photos of what the locals call the "Grand Canyon of Texas."

#2 Le Grizz 50 Mile Ultra Hungry Horse, MT

2009-10-14T21:19:00.002-06:00

I love the Le Grizz 50 Mile Ultramarathon! The scenery is spectacular, the RD is very nice, and the course is runnable, and if you are looking to PR at a 50, this is a good course for that.

This year's race presented quite a challenge. A cold front moved through, and it was zero at the start! Hard to believe that I was running in a lush, warm, deciduous forest just seven days ago, and now I was standing in the middle of a boreal forest on an icey, snow covered road. What was even more amazing was that a record number of people showed up at the start! Including an 83 year old man, and a man who ran the race now 28 times! There goes my "now that I am approaching 40 I can slow down a bit " excuse.....

My quads were hammered from Tussey, and I was getting over a cold, but I still managed to finish in 9 hours and 39 minutes, with the help of my husband, and mom, dad, and youngest, (most lovely) sister, who came up to beautiful Hungry Horse Montana to crew and cheer me on. Thanks you guys!!!

Here are some pictures of the coldest le grizz 50 Mile Ultramarathon on record.

Four 50 Mile Runs in One Month. #1 Tussey Mountainback

2009-10-14T21:07:00.002-06:00

The Tussey Mountainback 50 Mile Ultramarathon in Boalsburg, PA was the first of what will hopefully be four 50 miles ultra-marathons in the month of October.

Fall colors and temperatures in the mid 60's and low 70's greeted my crew and I along this moderately difficult course. But the fall colors of Pennsylvania helped make up for any discomfort,( and there was quite a bit) along with great race organization and one very fat timber rattlesnake. I read that a rattle snake's venom is more potent in the fall, and that over the past few decades, their venom has become more toxic. I don't care to find out!

I ended up finishing third female overall, in 7 hours and 56 minutes. Here are some pictures of this beautiful, hilly course.

Lots of Running!

2009-09-15T15:36:00.003-06:00

My how the summer has flown! Before I knew it, it was time for the infamous Leadville Trail 100, Augst 22nd and 23rd. With the help of two dedicated crew members, I managed to cross the finish line just under the 30 hour cut-off in a time of 29:40:16. As far as I am concerned, any time is a good time at Leadville, provided that you finish!

Just two weeks later, I ran a PR at the beautiful American Discovery Trail Marathon in Colorado Springs, CO. I crossed the finish line in 2nd place overall in the women's division, in a time of 3:26:00. My goal was to break 3:30:00, and I did. I really believe that if you believe you can do something, and you train hard for it, you can accomplish it.

Less than a week later, I came in 2nd place yet again at the lovely Mountain Air Marathon. This marathon takes place in lovely Crested Butte, CO., and goes to Gunnison, CO. It starts at 8800 feet, and runs down to 7700 feet. You couldn't ask for a nicer race director, and the post race food and awards were a nice ending to another beautiful day in the mountains. Tim too had a nice time when he got to go fly fishing on the way home.

Its Been a While.....

2009-08-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

It has been quite a while since I updated my blog. Since my last post I have been all over the country, following or running races.

Here are some pictures from the Barr Trail Mountain Race, in Manitou Springs, CO. I was fortunate enough to be a volunteer in this unique race, where all the race's proceeds go back to the mountain, and supports local schools. The day before, I was breathless in Leadville , CO, where I ran the Mosquito Pass Marathon. As usual, I was treated to wonderful Leadville weather.

Just two weeks later, I got to run the scenic Silver Rush 50 Mile Trail Run, again in Leadville. Despite a slower than anticipated time, I still had fun, and once again was treated to wonderful Leadville weather, (rain, lightening, hail, thunder, temperature variations, all above 10,000 feet!)

Just one day later, after running and freezing in a hail and lightening storm in Leadville, I was in Death valley, where is was over 120 degrees. It was nice watching the runners from all over the world run and finish the badwater 135. Have to admit, I felt myself wanting to run it again next year........

Soon, I will find myself on the summit of Pikes Peak, as a runner and volunteer for the Pikes Peak Ascent next weekend. You knw you are ready for the Leadville Trail 100 when a training run consists of a run up a 14,000+ feet mountain. lets hope all the runners and volunteers have better weather than last year! There's me, breathless on a training run in Leadville, on Sugar Loaf.

Owls!!

2009-06-18T21:22:00.000-06:00

This afternoon, my husband and I decided we would once again go "owling". Owling is a word we made up for wondering around whatever military base we are assigned, and try and take pictures of owls of various sorts. Although we created a bit of a stir with some well meaning MP's, who took their job of keeping the base and its secrets secure very seriously, ( a big thank you to them for doing such a great job and serving their country))they seemed amused that an "old couple", (hey, Tim's 40, and I almost am. Old to those in their early twenties) would actually go out and take pictures of owls. The following pictures of cute, little burrowing owls, who couldn't wait for Tim and I to leave them alone.

Every Foot Step is a Blessing......

2009-06-16T09:20:00.000-06:00

It has been a while, but here are some photos of some of the races I have run since that 100km in April. Most of them have been training runs for the fast approaching Leadville Trail 100, but despite having a 50 miler on my legs just one week earlier (Squaw Peak 50 in Orem, UT), and a fast 15 mile run the day before, I managed to take third place female overall at the Estes Peak marathon. The Estes Park marathon is one of my favorite marathons to run. It is so beautiful, with great support from the whole community from start to finish, and a friendly race director who loves running.

If you haven't run the Joe Colton races, you are missing out. It is absolutely beautiful, with races of various distances for all runners, and their families. A series of folk music bands played great music out along the course, in the background was the sound of a very spirited Rocky mountain stream. Snow capped mountains, blue birds, and swallows greated the runners too. Great food, a raffle, and more music greated the runners and families at the finish. I ran it on June 13th, taking 6th woman, a slight improvement from last year, and my husband ran it with me.

The next morning I ran the Estes Park Marathon. It is very hilly, with some very prolonged climbs at over 7000 feet in elevation, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. For the women's field, it ended up being a 26.2 mile cat fight between the four leading ladies. Although I was in second place for the first 17 miles, my tired legs just couldn't keep the pace, and I dropped to third. When my husband shouted out to me that the fourth place woman was gaining on me, and she was in her twenties, I was like, "hell no!" and took off, beating her by less than a minute, coming in third. All four of us were less than 2 and 1/2 minutes apart.

A big thank you to the Marshall family for their hospitality, and Tim's family for being there along the course to cheer me on, and for being there at the finish, at one of the most competitive and intense marathons I have run.

Here are some pictures of the past few weeks races:

WSU 100km

2009-04-25T18:56:00.000-06:00

The WSU 100km, (and relay) was my first 100km race. I am so glad I chose this race as my first 100km. Not only was it safe, friendly, well marked and absolutely beautiful, but it was low key and low stress. No noisy, long and dragged out pre-race meetings, just a quiet, peaceful race in the verdant, rolling farmland outside of Washingston State University with a kind and personable race director. Although it was a very hilly course, it was quite runnable, and any physical discomfort could be comforted by the ever changing geology and farmland. The addition of a relay added to the fun, as the relay runners were fresh and enthusiastic, full of support for the solo division.

This race was held near the Washington - Idaho border, in and around Palouse. It started and ended at Washington State University. Running a 100km was a lot different than running a 50 miler, ( of which I have run nearly 50) or a 100 miler. Hitting 50 miles, (in 8:28) knowing I had nearly a half marathon to go was mentally quite challenging. But I managed to run the last 12 miles in just over 2 hours, with a finishing time of 10:35:15. A 1st place female finish, 2nd overall, albiet not a lot of competition. It was a bitter sweet finish, however. My goal was to run sub 10:30:00, to meet two of the qualifications of the 153 mile long Spatathlon in Greece.

Here are some great pictures of some of the beautiful horses and farmland that greeted the runners at every turn. A big thank you to all who helped make this great event take place!

Bataan Memorial Marathon

2009-04-06T15:11:00.000-06:00

Out of the nearly four dozen marathons I've run, the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon has got to be one of the most moving and memorable. It is run in memory of the World War II veterans who were forced to march for days in the terrible heat and humidity of the Philippine jungle in 1942. Some of the surviving veterans were there at the start and finish, and one even shared his story with my husband and I.

Bataan is an incredible event. There are several catagories you can run in. Civilian light, civilian heavy, ( carrying at least 35 pounds) military light, and military heavy. Thousands come out to run or march this unique event, held every march on White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The attention to detail in the race race organization is to be both admired and appreciated. Hopefully I will be able to make it out once again next year for this extraordinary event.

Pictures are of my husband and I after the race, another of the marchers as they climb up one of the many long and often sandy hills on the course, and one of a very happy, fat cat after the race.

Carl Touchstone 50km and 50 Miler

2009-03-10T22:29:00.000-06:00

There's something about the way southern men talk that keep drawing me to this great race I discovered in 2007. Anyone who talks with a southern accent can pace me any day!

At any rate, I decided to give the Carl Touchstone 50 another go, this time with my husband Tim, who ran the 50km ,as his first ultra. The women's field was tough, and I didn't think I would finish as strong as I did in 07, and with hotter temperatures in the mid 80's with humidity to match, this course definetly ate its young fast, as nearly a third of those who signed up for the 50 miler opted to wimp out and do the 50km. Can't say I blame them, as I wasn't sure I coud even come in under 9 hours.

After nearly ten years of living in the desert, I was looking forward to the greenery of the course. Unfortunaly the forest service had other plans, and had done a controled burn, forcing the RD to change the course. The new course had numerous mud bogs, and stream crossings, slowing times even further. But one things stands out in my mind about this years race more than anything else: THE WOMEN KICKED ASS! I was 13th overall, and half of the top ten places went to women.

My husband, who quickly found out that runnng ultras is MUCH easier than being married to me, won his first ultra, coming in ahead of the second place guy by over 20 minutes. I am so proud of him. Coming in 6th woman, it's time to work cut back on the Little Debbies and get serious for the LT100.

You Can't Win Then All

2009-02-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

After a miserable attempt at a 100 in Florida last May, The Keys 100,the ROAD KILL 100, as I have named it, due to all the traffic which you encounter the entire length of the Florida Leys, with no safety signs or markings put out by the incompetent RD, I decided to give Florida one more chance, opting for a 100 miler outside of Jacksonville, on an old, unimproved rails to trails path.

Having run on just about every survace imaginable on this planet with the 100+ ultras I have done, I thought, "piece of cake!" Flat, out and backs, and not all the horrible traffic that I encountered at Road Kill.

Indeed, the RD of the Iron Horse was first class all way. A retired Marine, he truly cared about the runners. Unfortunately for me, the well water they served didn't agree with me. No problem, I paid a volunteer a few bucks to get me some water from a gas station, and although slightly weakened from not keeping anything in or down for 30 miles, I began to feel better. Until the cramps started, forcing me to slow my pace, making it impossible to maintain a fast enough pace to stay warm. After 2 hours of uncontrollable shivering, I made the tough choice to call it quits at 75 miles. I hate DNFing a race, but sometimes it's best to stay safe and save your strength for another race. On to the next race....

Although I didn't take any pictures, and have vowed NEVER to return to Florida again, here is a token picture of my beloved cat, Pricess, feeling like her mommy after a DNF.

Sedona Marathon 2009

2009-02-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Having run dozens of marathons, and upwards of 100 ultra marathons, I can say with confidence that the Sedona Marathon, in beautiful Sedona, AZ, is the best organized marathon I have ever run. Never having won a marathon before, I wasn't expecting to win, but I did want to set a PR, which was 3:43. Being an out and back course, it soon became visibly apparent to me that I was in third. Which was fine with me, given that I train soley for ultramarathons. Even when I caught up with the second place female, I didn't plan on winning. But life doesn't always go according to plan. With less than a mile to go, my husband, who had come along with me, yelled out that I was just 20 seocnds behind the first place woman. Could it be possible for me to win a marathon?! With $1400 dollars in air fare prize money, plus hundreds of dollars in restaurant and spa treatments at stake, I kicked it in, and ended up winning by just seconds. The woman in front of me was tough! I honor her for making me work for that overall win, and for her grace and class at the finish line. Although not a course record, I did manage to set a PR, winning in a time of 3:35:52, 1st female, and 17th overall. A huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped make this race a safe and successful victory!

Nice Kitty!

2009-02-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

After running the Avalon 50 and Calico Ghost Town 50km back to back, it was time for some much needed R&R. Here's a great picture of her and her mommy sharing some "huggy-buggy time" and one of her helping me pack for a race. This weekend it is off to beautiful Sedona, AZ, where I will be running the Sedona Marathon as a final long training run for an upcoming 100 miler later this month.

More 2008 Christmas Memories...................

2009-01-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Although long past, 2008 Christmas was one of my happiest memories of the year, along with completing the Death Valley Double Crossing of 292 miles in a record time. Here are some more Christmas pictures. Badwater and Double Crossing pictures are soon to come..........

Happy New Year!!!!!

2009-01-06T09:17:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year everyone! What a year it has been already. After my tradition of running in the new year with my husband, we soon found ourselves in the desert once again, this time in Henderson, NV, to run the Run With An Angel 50 Miler.

Run With an Angel is a very hilly course that takes you alongside Lake Mead, and into some fabulous desert scenery. If you've ever lived in the desert, you know it can be windy too, but fortunately this course is out and back, so if luck is by your side, you will only have to run into the wind once.

I wasn't sure what to expect at this year's race, given I'd not logged in the miles during the previous weeks, spending them in the icy northwest with family, eating way too many Christmas cookies. I wasn't in the mood to compete, and was about 7 minutes slower than last year at the turnaround point, putting me at fourth place woman. Apparently the rest and good home cooked food paid off, and my competitive instinct kicked in; I was able to finish about 30 minutes faster than last year, setting a PR of 7:48:13, coming in first place overall woman, and seventh overall. A HUGE thank you to my husband Tim, who efficiently and patiently crewed for me the entire way, and drove us both safely back to New Mexico in one nasty snowstorm.

Getting Ready For Santa!!!!

2008-12-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy last couple of weeks! I got to help crew a man who ran/walked across the United States for a week in Arizona, set a PR at the High Desert 50km in Ridgecrest, CA, and have been busy wrapping presents, baking goodies, and getting ready to travel for the holidays. But Princess and I thought we'd share a few pictures of us together. She LOVES Christmas!

Blue Springs 50 Mile PR, and time for a short rest!

2008-11-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

I've never thought of myself as a competitive runner. Sure, just like everyone else, I get that happy, devilish rush that occurs when I pass someone, but for the most part, I simply consider myself to be a serious recreational runner.

I know there will people who will disagree with me, having taking off over 14 hours from the previous women's Death Valley Double Crossing record , made by Rhonda Provost in the mid-1990's, and also breaking a 21 year standing record for a woman going from Badwater, CA to the summit of Mt. Whitney. Admittingly, it has been a very good year for me. However, deep down inside, I know the truth, which is that there are a lot of very talented runners out there that could clobber my double crossing time, given the right crew, the right weather, and of course, Mt. Whitney's good graces.

However, on October 26th, 2008, I decided to through caution to the wind and run competively. I chose a low-key 50 miler in Blue Spring, MO, the BS50, as it humorously called. There was no list of entrants, no elevation map, no jet fly overs or screaming crowds, no stupid chip timing, just a small group of people doing something they loved doing; running!

Basically the course was flat, on a wide bike path, consisting of several out and back spurs in different directions. I liked this, because I could see if I was catching people. Although a few minor bathroom issues kept me towards the back for the first 20 miles, the slower pace allowed me to eat and process more calories, which paid off big time later on. I ended up winning the women's 50 mile division, and came in second overall, less than 9 minutes behind the overall winner. If I had only had a crew.......or maybe if I didn't run a 50 miler and marathon back to back the previous weekend I might have won overall. One thing is for sure, it is time for a two week active rest/rebuilding phase.

Palo Duro Canyon 50 miler and the Duke City Marathon: Another great weekend of running madness.....

2008-10-19T13:54:00.000-06:00

One of the best things about being a military spouse is getting to run all the different races in the various parts of the country you end up moving to every two to four years. Now that we currently live in the southwest, I am able to run more races in Texas.

I love going to Texas for ultras! I can't wait to cross the New Mexico border just to see the Texas Rangers wearing their cowboy hats while out on patrol. And without exception, every race I have run in Texas has been well organized, generous, and friendly. The Palo Duro 50 miler on the 18th was no exception. With their well stocked aid stations, and well marked course, and with the much appreciated help of my husband Tim who crewed for me from start to finish, I was able to take second place woman in this very scenic race. If you are looking for a good first time 50 miler, or just a fun, safe, end of the year race, I highly recommend the Palo Duro Canyon 50!

The following day I ran the Duke City Marathon in Albuquerque, NM. Although it wasn't a PR race, perfect fall weather made for another solid marathon finish.

11th at Arkansas Traveler 100!!!!

2008-10-19T13:31:00.000-06:00

OK. 11th to last, that is. Severe chafing problems almost forced me to drop, but either out of stubborness or pure stupidity, I duked it out, and made a very painful, bowlegged finish.

Despite getting my ass handed to me, I really had a great time. I met up with old friends, made some new friends, and finished a very challenging 100 with no crew or pacer. Fortunately, the volunteers at this race went above and beyond in their efforts to encourage me to finish. And a big thank you to Robin for her humor and company going up that mountain with all the bear poop at night, although what is shared on the trails, stays on the trails, for sure!

Here I am with some of New Mexico''s finest ultrarunners at the pre-race meeting. Thanks Ian for the great shirts!

Off to Arkansas Traveler 100!!!!

2008-10-01T19:43:00.000-06:00

Tommorow I leave for the great state of Arkansas, to run the Arkansas Traveler 100 for the first time. Hopefully, all the training and races I have done this month, (four marathons and one 50 miler, the scenic but very challenging Run Rabbit Run in Steamboat Springs, CO) will pay off.......

Oh, did I mention I have the most beautiful, cute, adorable cat in the world??

Three Marathons in Three Days!

2008-09-02T16:21:00.000-06:00

Labor Day Weekend was a blast!

The weekend started out with Tim and I running the Creede Mountain Run, in beautiful Creede, CO. Although it is only 22 miles long, it takes you up and over the continental divide, giving you some breath-taking views. (pun intended) He ended up finishing fourth overall, and I finished 2nd female overall, in a PR of 4:52:00, (approx).

On Sunday we found ourselves in lovely Breckenridge, CO. I ran the notoriously difficuly Breckenridge Crest Marathon. It is very technical, and takes you up and over the mountains surrounding Breckenridge, at altitudes of over 12,000 feet. It took me over 7 hours to finish, and was by far the most difficult of the three races. Many runners commented that the BCM was harder than the Pikes Peak Marathon, and I would have to agree! But is is absolutely one of the most beautiful marathons I have ever run!

Finally, on Monday, I ran the American Discovery Trail Marathon, in Colorado Springs, CO. With somewhat tired legs, I still managed to PR, and qualify for Boston, finishing 7th female overall. I loved the point to point course, and the very runnable Sante Fe Trail it was held on.

A big thank you to Tim for being there at every race, and to all the volunteers who helped make these three races possible!!

On Sunday we found ourselves in Breckenridge

CUTEST CAT EVER!!!!!

2008-08-26T19:30:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "gosh, I wish I had such a fit and trim, cute, cuddly little cherub of a cat like Anita!" Not only is she cuter and better than your cat, but she fits well in shoe boxes too. See! There really is more to my life than running.....

2008-08-04T12:10:00.000-06:00

Running Across America in 2009 or 2010

2008-08-04T11:51:00.000-06:00

For years now, I have been considering running across the United States. Depending on sponsorship, weather, and finances, I have decided to run across the United States in either the fall of 2009, or spring of 2010. I will run it solo, with crew support. More to come soon......

Princess the 20 pound cat helps me with race report

2008-08-02T19:02:00.000-06:00

I'd rather be out running than writing or blogging. Fortunately Princess is helping me complete my Badwater Double race report, which I might actually have done before next year's Badwater!