Operation Jack NW

Monday, December 26th, began cold and foggy, but without rain. With the race site just a few minutes from home, it was a relaxed morning. My most important plan for the day was to remain relaxed. I tend to hyper focus on races and this leads to anxiety…and, as any runner knows, anxiety leads to GI issues. Having had my share of those issues, I really wanted a day with as few pit stops as possible. Rising early enough to enjoy a bowl of oatmeal led to a bit of time to check in of Facebook and Twitter—all about staying relaxed, you understand! The time came to wake the hubs for my ride to Summer lake Park. We arrived 30 minutes before start time and he gave me a good luck kiss before heading off to somewhere warm!

I was able to set up my things in the covered area and meet several runners, including a couple more Pdx Running Chicks! A couple of minutes before 8:00 am, the rules were given by race director Steve Walters. And then it was time to move. A total of 41 runners had entered planning to run any number of laps. Two new friends were running a half and another was doing a supported long run for 16-18 miles. I was going the full 6 hours with an eye at a 50k. The course was a 0.95 mile loop around a small park with a pond and bridges, a very enjoyable place to run with asphalt and some concrete sidewalk.

The first 3 laps were hard. The start is always hard for me. It takes time to warm up and with the cold, achy muscles; I begin to wonder if I can accomplish the task before me. After the third lap, I took off a layer and started to really get into the groove. My Garmin beeped at me every 12 minutes. I would walk 1-2 minutes and then run to the next beep. Many others were doing the same, but a few were flying on by me. I love watching faster runners and this was a great course to see them often! I ran by myself much of the time, but enjoyed those laps with others. Time was flying by and I was feeling great! I kept reminding myself there was lots of time left and keep the pace really easy.

Somewhere around 17 miles, my sister-in-law and her family came to cheer. I had been smiling all along, but that sure perked my spirits even higher. Jen came dressed to join me for a few laps. We don’t get to run together often so the company and the conversation were great. She walked when I walked and ran when I ran. Each time we completed a loop, the kids and her husband were cheering. Then hubs showed up, too, with both dogs. Of course, Indy saw me running and had one thought—mom’s running so I get to run. I put the running leash around my waist and he began to pull me along.

Close to noon, I needed to walk a little more and was starting to “feel” my legs. Jen and I walked a bit more of the last lap that she was with me. Then she and her family were off to visit family and hubs took the dog and headed out to return at 1:30 to watch me finish up. A couple of laps later, I was hurting. My right ITB was cramping enough that it would catch and I couldn’t run. Toward the end of the lap, it would catch and nearly give out and the left ITB was starting to cramp, too. I remember looking at the time—12:20. I ran through a variety of scenarios in my mind. Was it too cold on my legs? Did I need some fuel that I wasn’t getting? How was I going to get this stopped to keep moving? The goal was to keep moving 6 hours. Forward progress.

Arriving at the aid station, I told a friend that I was struggling. Rose reminded me that cramps were either fatigue or lack of salt. I really needed that bit of reassurance. I put on some fleece pants, ate some potato chips and headed out to walk a lap. During that lap, I walked, I stretched, I walked some more. Arriving back at the aid station a full 17 minutes later, I was feeling a little better. Some pretzels and a salt tab and I headed back out for another lap. At that point, I knew I could finish. It may mean walking the rest, but I would finish. The 50k had slipped through my fingers, but that B goal was waiting for me!

My mom would have been proud of the walking I did! I didn’t saunter. I bent my arms into 90 degrees and I put one foot in front of the other as fast as I could. And I smiled. The smile was more than just a mind game to bring up my spirits. I was happy. I was excited. I was going to accomplish my goal—even if it killed me—which I knew it wouldn’t. I tried running a couple of times, but man it hurt. And I was walking faster than the run. So I just kept walking. Seven laps. I walked 7 laps with the last 4 at a 14:00 pace.

Jeff arrived near the end and walked the last lap with me. I loved that. And when I crossed the finish line on my last lap, my sister was there, too! I may be a bit obsessive with my running—okay, fine, I AM obsessive—but my family is so supportive. Jeff doesn’t even begin to understand my passion for running, but he was there at the beginning, middle and end. He won’t say it (as that might mean he doesn’t think it is insane), but he is proud of me and happy that I have something I enjoy so much.

Overall, I am very happy at my first technical ultra. No, that 50k did not happen. It was a good goal, difficult, but attainable. I truly believe if my legs had held up s bit longer, I could have made it. However, that B goal was attained. I did keep moving the entire time and completed great than marathon distance. So, yes, it is an ultra. But I can not call myself an ultra marathoner just yet. I will. In time. That ultra is out there. Maybe next fall at Autumn Leaves. Maybe another time. It is coming. I can feel it in the not so far future.

Ninja Runner! 

My awesome sister-in-law, Jen.

Crawling to the finish...the hardest part of this photo was getting back up!

Official Stats:

Distance: 27.55 miles

Time: 5:52:50

Overall: 11/41

Gender: 4/19

Garmin Stats:

Distance: 27.84 miles

Time: 5:52:47

Nearly Here...

Yes, Christmas is close, but so is my first 6 hour race! 

I do love Christmas, but will not see any of my family so I am not super excited about it.  I love my in-laws and the big party was last Saturday with a smaller get together on Friday evening.  Yet there is nothing like being with my siblings who know everything about me and still love me.  Those traditions of opening gifts on Christmas Eve while saving the stockings for Christmas morning.  Oh, the fun of stockings!  Mom loved to find the most unusual little things to throw in to add to the laughs.  Christmas is not the same without her...

Okay, on to the race...  Monday morning, December 26th, at 8 am it will start.  Six hours around a .95 mile loop.  Fortunately, it is a pretty little loop and I will get to see the other runners often!  (And there is an actual toilet at the aid station!)  My training is a little haphazard as I just signed up and only had 2 runs over 3 hours.  Those two runs I practiced a run walk technique.  The first was an 8:2 ratio and the second was a 9:1.  Both worked well, but I am leaning toward a 10:2.  Eight minutes of running ends so quick as does only 1 minute of walking.  Of course, as I tire, anything goes to keep moving.  I did discover that walking was almost harder late in the 4 hour run. 

Then there is the fueling...one of my biggest struggles.  PB & J is okay early, but is unsettling later.  Plain old white dinner rolls work throughout.  Bananas worked wonderfully and a boiled egg with lots of salt was delicious!  Nuun is the best for keeping my stomach happy and the trips to the bathroom at bay.  My goal will be to eat and drink.  If my stomach goes sour, hopefully, it will be very late in the race...  Otherwise, I will keep working at it and moving along. 

I really do believe, that if all goes well, I can do a full 50k.  That is definitely my A Goal.  Other than that is getting to the marathon distance.  If everything goes poorly, I just want to keep moving for the whole 6 hours.  For the next few days, my biggest goal is to stay calm and not let the race nerves get me!  That is truly my biggest downfall!.

If you happen to be in Tigard near Summerlake park next Monday, stop by and offer some encouragement or even run a couple of laps!  The fun is almost here!

Did I really just do that?!

I did it.  I registered for my first Ultra...or it may be an ultra...  It is Operation Jack Northwest Run.  Six hours on a 0.95 mile loop.  The great part is the park is a couple of miles from my house and I run there often.  The thing is it is December 26th, yes, a mere 3 1/2 weeks away...  And, uh, yeah, my longest run this year is 16 miles and that was last spring...I think I may be crazy...  Fortunately, I have added a lot of cross training the last couple of months.  So even though my mileage is in the low 30s, I am in pretty good shape for endurance. 

An ultra is on my bucket list.  I was thinking in a year or two, but this one will work.  My A goal is to hit 50k.  That is a pretty aggressive goal since I haven't been training, but I think it is doable.  Other than that I will shoot for a marathon and a C goal of moving the entire 6 hours. 

Excuse me, I need to go work out...NOW!

Live with Gratitude

Live today with thanksgiving.  Not because it is a holiday, but rather as an extension of every day life.  I am no more thankful for my blessings today than I am any other day.  Everything I hold dear can be gonein the blink of an eye. I dare not hold back my gratitude for a single day.  If I do I may miss the simple act of treasuring those gifts.  Giving thanks everyday is a reminder to hold close to the true blessings and letting the rest go.  Today many will gather round the table and give thanks.  May we remember to take that spirit and carry it through every day of our lives.

Sweat Your Thorns Off 5k

Thanks to The Boring Runner, I tortured myself with another race.  Not so long ago I swore off racing, but a virtual race would be better right? 



Indiana Jones & I are ready to head out complete with race bib!

Since I had no thorns, I figured I should at least sweat so I waited until later in the day to head out.  Of course, due to my scattered brain, I started even later than planned...  Got in the car with my favorite four pawed pacing partner (i.e. dog) and did a couple of errands before heading out to Champoeg State Park.  Driving south, I was dreaming about flat paths and how everything was going to go.  Then it hit me...no running shoes...I had left my shoes at home.  No, running in the VFFs on my feet was not an option, so we turned around to get the shoes.  And then off again...



Finally to the park!

Indy & I finally arrived about 12:30 and did a couple miles warm up and a few strides.  And we were off!  I planned an out and back along the asphalt path in the park.  Although not even close to the temps of the non-virtual race in Arizona, it was plenty warm for me!  The sweat was rolling off.  At the beginning of mile 3, I passed an older couple with their granddaughters and the cutest tiny Pom.  Yeah, I know it was a race, but I stopped anyway.  We chatted for a few minutes while Indy greeted their dog and was adored by the girls.  I headed on out to finish up.  Finished in 26:03--a sort-of PR.  (Twenty seconds quicker, but with the extended stop not gonna count it.)  All I can hope is that I win the Female, 43, Running with Dog Division.

The park edges along the Willamette River south of Portland. 

As for the number 23...years ago we numbered our family for a reunion.  Each person was numbered according to when they becam a member of the Barringer clan.  Dad, 1; Mom, 2; oldest sister, 3; etc...   My mom (2) and oldest sister (3) have passed away therefore the 2 and 3.  Put them together for 23 and you have the number of my husband and best friend.  So 23 has become a bit of a specail number to me.

Find a Penny

Find a penny, pick it up and all day you'll have good luck. At least that is how the saying goes.  However, my dad did it a little different.  If he found a penny, he would pick it up.  But instead of hoping for luck, he would attribute it to a lesson from God.  As a preacher, Dad could make almost anything a parable!  He would hold that penny and study it.  Then he would quote Philipians 4:19.  "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Last week, I was running up the last hill toward home.  I glanced down.  It took a moment for my brain to register.  A couple of steps and I realized it was a penny on the road.  I laughed out loud.  It was bred into me.  I stopped, turned around and picked up that penny.  In a whisper, I quoted, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Dad's legacy continues.

On one of our many camping trips. Me, Dad and Melanie

Dad with his dad at Black Pine Lake.

Dad with my brother, Bernie, on Christmas in Aberdeen

Dad loves tractors!  Showing Ben how to drive up Beaver Creek.

One of my favorite memories!  A whole afternoon with jusst me and Dad!

My Own Worst Enemy: A Race Report

I am not going into mile by mile detail about the Helvetia Half yesterday.  The race was very well organized.  I was able to meet Stacie of Impossible is Nothing and saw Amanda of Runninghood as well as a couple of other friends.  The course was even more hilly than I expected, but absolutely gorgeous.  My goal was to run strong and hopefully finish another half under 2 hours. 

Stacie and I after the race. It was her second of 4 halfs in June and a new PR!

With my recent difficulty in racing, I tried some new things this week.  I hydrated very well, ate cleanly and didn't even think about a PR.  I had no dairy later in the week and very little sugar.  My GI system felt great.  I was sure this was going to fix my running runs issue. 

I can blame pollen or asthma or hills or anything else.  Yet it comes down to one thing--anxiety.  In addition to my struggles with depression, I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder).  More information than you may want to know, I realize.  I seem to be able to train through anything without too much trouble--well, except the occasional running runs...  However, put me in a race and I need more porta-potties than a race director can possibly expect.  Put me in a race and my lungs tighten up and I cannot get a deep breath.  Leaving me with a tendency to severe side stitches and asthma attacks. 

Yesterday brought home that it is not my training.  My recent racing issues are clearly mental.  All the positive mantras cannot seem to get me past the fear of being surrounded by people I do not know.  When it is just me and the road, I can run forever.  Me, the road, lots of people and a finish line and I cannot relax. Things were going reasonably well until someone talked to me.  It was a long hill during mile 7 and I was doing my regular race breathing--heavy and shallow.  A woman simply said, "You can do it.  Try to breath deeper."  I smiled and thanked her.  Just that interaction made me emotional.  I tried her suggestion as my side was in bad shape from breathing too shallow.  Just a couple of moments and I had a pretty bad asthma attack.  Enough that I had to sit at the side of the road to try to catch my breath.  I was so grateful for the two people that stopped and checked on me.  Both were so kind.  I finally caught my breath and began to walk.  In and out, slow and easy.  Mouth wide and relaxed.  The attack was easing, but I truly thought I was going to have my first DNF.  My breathing eased so I decided to run walk to the end.  If I started to struggle, I would walk. 

The biggest frustration was that my legs were not even the slightest bit tired.  Those hills were just dragons to slay.  My sword plunged into the dragon's back with each step.  The hills did not beat me.  I was my worst enemy.  I was conquered by my own fear.  That is the reason I feel the most defeated.  The course was not my enemy.  I was. 

Stats:

Official Time: 2:12:36

Overall: 1262/2731

Gender: 579/1692

Age Group: 104/262

May Summary

March Miles: 132.6

2011 Total: 513.3

Stationary Bike: 1x for 15.8 miles

Walking: 4x for 11.7 miles

Strength Training: 7x

The Good: Started the month with 2 weeks of great training and good mileage...  My long runs were good, especially the misdirected one.  Had a great tempo and one good interval workout.  Also started some serious core work with a medicine ball!

The Bad:  The last two weeks I missed runs and strength training workouts.  My mileage dropped from 36 miles the first week to 21 the last and it was NOT a cutback week.  The dark skies really made it hard to get out the door.  I miss my sunshine!

The Ugly:  My eating--sugar and high glygemic carbs were my downfall.  I added a couple of pounds and that was NOT in the plan!  All of this led to GI issues that changed my runs twice.  Had to quit on an interval workout and shortened another run.  Here is to a better June of writing down EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth!

Races:  Just the Up the Lazy River 10k.  Still gaining perspective, but truly believe my fueling non-strategy was a big culprit.  Next up Helvetia Half on June 11th!

Mind Games (A Race Report)

Maybe you remember my description of the Up the Lazy River 10k--a great big, giant, killer hill just after mile 3.  Of course, I last ran it in '09 when I had been running less than a year.  The hill killed me.  That is what I remembered and took with me on Monday morning.  The problem with that is I had made this huge hill into the obstacle of the entire race.  I had forgotten all the other rolling hills.  And, the aforementioned hill was not as big and bad as I remembered.  In fact, it was much smaller than many hills I run on a daily basis.  Yet, I could not recover mentally. 

Hubby and I were at Mary S. Young Park early.  The weather was perfect for racing, cool and cloudy, but no rain.  My warm up went very well.  Easy jogging followed by dynamic stretching and some strides.  After I gathered my packet, I met one of our own great bloggers, Teri from (Long) Road to Paradise.  I did not recognize her and actually thought it was someone else.  She is as great as her posts and I enjoyed visiting for a few minutes.  She was co-race director so she had plenty on her plate!

A couple of concerns about the race were bothering me.  The hill... and the fact that my Garmin was not working.  I couldn't decide if I would race better without it or would I miss the feedback to keep me motivated.  This was going to be 10 kilometers of "running by feel."  That would be great if I had really practiced it. 

The first mile felt really good, of course.  I crossed the mile in about 8:30--faster than I would have liked, but not bad.  Mile 2 and 3 continued on a positive note just a bit slower than the first mile.  Just after the water station at mile 3 you turn a corner and meet the hill.  It took me by surprise. 

Why?  I don't know.  I knew it was there.  But it took the wind out of my sails.  Even as I was going up, I realized it wasn't as bad as I remembered.  Yet I just couldn't get my mind around it.  The plan was to take it easy the first of the hill and attack the last third.  I couldn't.  I walked most of the hill. I got passed by a guy running his first 10k while pushing a double stroller with toddlers.  Ouch!

The top of the hill was there with a sharp left turn.  I kept pushing and talked positive.  I would focus on someone ahead of me, but I was pretty alone on this stretch.  I passed mile 4--split 10:00.  Nothing that I could not recover from.  My quads were burning.  My side started to ache.  My lungs were working hard, but fine.  One of these days it will all come together.  I knew a PR was going to be really tough at this point.  It became harder to push through.  I kept passing walkers that had started before the run.  There were no runners to latch onto.  No one was coming up behind to push me forward.  I think that made it more difficult to hold on.  I passed mile 5 and knew a PR was not possible. 

The last mile was just me trying to hold on.  I would slow then push.  I knew I was getting close to the end.  I kept telling myself that it was almost over.  After all, I can do anything for just a few more minutes.  Then it was there--the finish line!  Push, push, push!  I crossed in 56:18, more than 1:20 off my PR.  Rats. 

A day later and the disappointment fades.  A few hours goes a long way to bringing perspective.  Not a great race, but not terrible.  I do think my Garmin would have been helpful to help me start a bit slower and help me push in the late, lonely miles.  Overall, I cannot complain.  I can only take the lessons learned and move forward.  However, I do think I would rather train than race.  I train great, but often race poorly.  Sigh...

Poor hubby!  He gets bored waiting for my races.  He does prefer 5 and 10ks to marathons though.

Ready to race!

The race is the Master's Championship for the club so all masters age groups are just one year.  I got 2nd of 2!  Wooohooo!

In Honor & Gratitude

Today I ran a race and spent time with my hubby.  I could do this because so many have sacrificed for my freedom.  All I can say is thank you.  Thank you to my brother, my nephew and my uncles for their service.  Thank you to all men and women who have served past and present.  Thank you to all the loved ones that have been left home to wait and hope.  You have my deepest gratitude.