Shannon & Pam, after months of training, officially became ultrarunners with finishing Way Too Cool 2010 (3/13/10). They continue to run the long distances as they continue to challenge themselves physically & mentally. This is where they post those triumphs and also their tribulations.

January 30, 2011

Unofficial Way Too Cool Training Run

Well, it's been a very LONG time since I've posted on the blog. Life seems to have gotten in the way. I hate when that happens. I've been blessed with a few epic runs since my last posting. I thought it was time to post about the latest endeavor on the trails of Cool, California.  Since my decision to nix AR 50 plans due to injuries, I've been AWOL on any kind of formal training. Running has been painful for several months. I did get relief off and on with chiro treatment from Dr. Steve. But I then developed a nasty piriformis and hamstring issue (that was after the achilles tendonitis in the summer). All of this was compounded by the very sedentary job I took back in July which did a number on my back.  I finally made an appointment with the ART/Graston guru that is Justin Lau (why did I wait so damn long again??) After 2 sessions my piriformis and hamstring were nearly back to normal. It also helped that I dumped the sedentary job to resume private practice in Rocklin, yeah!!  In preparation for the training run, Cynthia and I did two 10 milers out in Cool along different parts of the trail.  The fog was just too much and we were happy to see the sun and run in the hills again

Do you see that horrid fog hanging over the valley??


This beats the fog any day!


Cynthia walking towards the light!!


I was very happy to get out of that dreadful fog...can you tell how much I hate fog?

The next week we headed up to run from 3rd gate. I've never run this part before and I can't believe how absolutely gorgeous the trail is up here!





Kinda sad that someone had to deface the sign...certainly wasn't a trail runner!





We ran down to the WST and onto Quarry Trail. At the junction of Main Bar, we came upon a nest of ladybugs...so cool!


So, after these 2 runs, I was anxious to do the training run. I was excited to connect these two sections together. We started out in the cold and fog Saturday morning. There were easily over 100 runners, most of them from FTR!




Sue Booher, Patty Hoffman, Kem McGrath, and I believe that's Julie Fingar ready to head out

We didn't get a chance to do a group pic cuz a bunch of us were in the bathroom line and before we knew it, everyone had started the run.




Mike G and Diane heading into the fog...


Kamran took a pic of Patty and I heading out...


Tracyee heading up with the group...I'm glad kamran took pics cuz I forgot my stupid camera in Dave and Kym's car :(

Not even a mile out, Kym and I had to retie our shoes


The sun started to shine shortly into the run, yay! Just in time to hit the worst part of this run, the flat Quarry trail!


This is a great shot (again thanks Kamran). I think it's Nancy but not sure. I didn't see much of him or Nancy. They did the 12 miler, while we continued on to do 23 miles.


Mary Hays ran with Diane Forrest - they started out alittle earlier so never got to see them, but I love this pic of Mary that Diane took so I stoled it :) This is just below Barbara's memorial bench




Annette, cutie patutie in pink that she is, was out there too. She is such a sweetheart! I wish I could've kept up with her!

This run follows the new WTC course that has you climbing Deadtruck Trail. I actually loved this climb; so much more enjoyable than Ball Bearing. Here is the actual 'Dead truck'


It took about 6 1/4 hours to finish this run. I knew I was going to take it easy cuz I had not done a very long run in over a month. I was pleasantly suprised at how great I felt most of the day. We got back to the parking lot and of course everyone was gone. That's the bummer about being the slowest; you miss the bonding at the end of these epic runs :( Dave was there waiting with a warm car and we headed off to the South Pine Cafe for food.  I am happy to report that I feel great today except for being tired. Tomorrow I start my new job at Mercy and I'm very excited about it.  And I think I'm ready to pace Kym the last half of AR 50!

January 2, 2011

Time Passes! Shannon

Merry Christmas (a little late, I know) and Happy New Years!

As I've mentioned in the past, not only am I a Turtle on the trails, but I'm also a Turtle on my bike, and it would appear that I'm also a Turtle on this blog!  I think I've finally figured out why I don't finish a lot of stuff.  My Chinese Zodiac sign is the Horse and apparently Horse people often don't finish what they start for fear of missing out on the next big challenge (I've also learned that that is a disease called FOMO, Fear Of Missing Out).  I see this a lot in my life.  I am a quilter and I have A LOT of unfinished quilts as I can't wait to get to the next one.  I have a lot of started projects within the house that have yet to be completed, why, because I get bored.  I've also discovered that Horse people love to be out in the air and open spaces, and if we can't be outside we begin to feel run down and out of our element.  This explains so much.

So what does this have to do with being a Turtle with the blog.  Well, I'd rather be out doing something fun or in my sewing room creating, than sitting here at the computer writing this blog.  However, having said that, I do enjoy writing this blog, but because I have so much to say, I procrastinate starting it.  Therefore, it takes a while for me to compile in my head what I want to say.  LOL then I sit down and write something completely different than what I had intended.  Oh yes, I am a Pisces too.  I'm either going upstream or downstream and sometimes I'm caught in a whirlpool!

Anyways, lets get on to some fun stuff.  The Folsom Trail Runners had their 2nd Annual X-Mas Lights Run on Christmas Eve Eve (12/23).  Of course, I'm still dealing with my heel pain, so I opted to ride and offered to sweep.  Luckily I have some awesome friends and Ralph and Linda opted to ride as well.  So we decorated our bikes in battery powered X-Mas lights and headed to the run.

Not the clearest pic - Linda, Me and Ralph

Ralph and I

I'm wearing my "I'm here for the Beer" Bondiband - No I didn't get any beer :(

My handlebars
What fun.  We ended up having approximately 70 runners, 7 dogs, and 4 bikers on this run.  We started in Folsom at Karen's bakery and headed toward Dovewood Court in Orangevale.  Dovewood Court is famous for every house being abuntantly docorated and each house having a different theme.  There was Whoville (my fav), Margaritaville, Bethalahem, Snoopy and the Gang, Spongebob & Patrick, Disneyland, etc.etc.  So as I mentioned above, we had a very large group, well, we aren't the only ones attending this little shingding.  There are cars and limos all trying to get to Dovewood, 100s and 100s of people walking.  It's almost overwheliming.  But extremely beautiful.


I love the Grinch!
We finished up our run/ride with cookies, cuties, hot cocoa, and hot tea.  It was an awesome night!!

You can see all the FTR X-Mas Lights Run pics HERE

Christmas was wonderful.  On Friday (X-Mas Eve Day) Mark and I spent the afternoon with our oldest granddaughter (13), Krystal and my stepdaughter (Mark's daughter), Stephanie.  We took them to lunch and to the mall.  Krystal wanted Vans for Christmas so we took her to the Vans store and got her some turquois vans and a t-shirt.  She was happy.  I had also gotten her a CD she really wanted and she was stoked about that as well.

Krystal with her new CD

Stephanie with her new gloves
Justice enjoying her stocking goodies
Christmas morning was spent with the rest of the family.  My 2 daughters, Destiny & Skyla and their respective boyfriends, Kirk and Mark.  My youngest granddaughter (9), Justice. My mom and dad, Marie and Bill.  Justice, of course, made out like a bandit, scoring big time in the present department.  As for the adults, we decided a long time ago, that we would draw names to help in the finance department.  Once you turn 18, you now draw a name for gift giving instead of having to buy for everyone.  So we each got our respective gift, then we played a white elephant game.  We all bring an extra gift, hopefully unisex, then we draw numbers and go in order, with stealing another's gift high on your priority list.  It is so much fun.  Mom and I always have a few extra gifts for those kids who can't afford to bring a gift and we had 2 extra gifts left over, so we played X-Mas bingo.  Loads of fun.  Christmas was very good!  I love my new slippers!

New Years was uneventful for us, as usual.  We are fuddy duddies when it comes to that as we can't seem to stay up that late, so we were both asleep by 9p.  I did wake up at midnight to the neighbor kids having fun outside.  Luckily, my neighbors are awesome and had the kids back inside within  10 minutes and all was quiet again.

I'm now praying for 2011 to be the year I want it to be.  I'm hoping I can find the patience I need to get this heel healed up and stay on track with my weight loss.  I still have 30 pounds to go and right now I'm struggling with motivation.  Right now my Pisces is swimming downstream and I need it to move upstream.  This heel injury has me in funk, but I'm doing my best to stay positive and keep my motivation up.  It helps to have friends and family who keep me moving forward to help me cross that finish line.

Happy new years!  Here's to a healthy 2011.

Stay healthy.