Trail Turtles

Three for Three - Shannon

2011-05-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

I did 3 races in 3 weekends and finished all 3. I have no clue how I ended up doing 3 races in 3 weekends, but I did. Yes I'm pooped!

April 30th - Apple Blossom Trail Run

This was a 9 mile run through private orchards in Placerville, CA. I decided to do this run this year (2nd annual) because I wanted the chance to run in an area that you can never run on your own, plus it was for a good cause, Hope House of El Dorado County.

My favorite part of the whole course

This ended up being a much tougher race than I had anticipated. It was a cross country event. We ran on pavement, dirt, grass, and whatever else you came upon, which meant some "blind" running was involved. The altitude was about 3000 feet and there was quite a bit of climbing out there. I primarily ran by myself, but I really enjoyed it once we were done with the first loop. That's when we got to run through some forested area (see pic above) and then the apple trees with beautiful blossoms. Oh so pretty.

The worst part of the race was, I developed my very first blister ever on a run - AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH - with one week before my Wild Wild West Marathon. Not happy. Sadly, I didn't know that I was developing a blister (never having had one). I thought it was a rock in my shoe. So I stopped and took my shoe off, losing time, only to discover I had a blister.

I finished in 1:51, 11th of 12 in my age group, 34th out of 39 overall (female). Hey, at least I wasn't last :)
There are NO pictures of me during the race. I guess the photographer got tired of waiting for me to come through or something. There's only me at the start line - Boring.

May 7th - Wild Wild West Marathon

You can read about this fun experience in my previous post

May 14th - Dirty Secret Trail Run

This was the 1st race Pam and I have done together since last summer. WOW! The ONLY reason I decided to do it! Plus it was on a portion of trail that I had never been on, so............... This was a 10 mile run in Cool, CA. It too was a for a good cause - Project Fit a program to bring running to young kids after school in the Sacramento area.

Shannon, Angie, Pam

We started the race with Angie, who is Mindy's sister (my running buddy at Wild Wild West). She is coming off an awful injury and this was to be her first race. She of course, did awesome. Never saw her after we started until I crossed the finish line.

The turtles back together again!

I guess my legs were a lot more fatigued than I had thought and the climbs were really hard. So I didn't do so hot and couldn't keep up with Pam after about 6 miles. Oh well, it was pretty and I enjoyed it!

Ed and me

The best part was having Ed Walsh come down the hill to run me in for the last .1 miles. Ed, too, has been out of running for a while, and he's coming back with a vengeance!

In our age group, Pam finished in 2:07, 18th, and I finished in 2:11, 21st out of 27. Angie is in the younger age group and she finished in 1:48, 13th out of 43. Dang she's fast!

And my buddy Ed, who did the short course, finished first in his age group!! He rocks!

FTR girls rock the Dirty Secret!

I'm done with races and long distance running for a few weeks. I will be doing a 10 miler in late July, but my next big race (and last for the season) is at the end of September and official training for that doesn't start for another month. Yeah! So I'm basically taking a month off (of course there will be some runs in there) and I'm going to focus on weight training, nutrition, and cycling - cause I got me a new road bike! Oh yeah - I'm excited. You can check it out on my other blog - As The Turtle Turns.

Stay dirty!

Wild Wild West Marathon 2011

2011-05-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Can you say brutal? This was an extremely tough, but gorgeous run. It's nothing like the Sierra Nevadas where we have beautiful tree cover, soft pine needled dirt, lots of streams to keep us cool, etc. This is the high desert, wide open, lots of sand and rocks, etc.

The race started in Tuttle Creek Campground. It is very unformal start, our start line was a line drawn in the dirt. I love these kinds of races. Our starting elevation was 5100 feet.

I was so happy to have Mindy start the race with me. Her mom lives in Independance, which is only 10 min away from Lone Pine. Her mom was awesome. She picked me up at 5:30a and took my battered body home that afternoon.

When you start the race you basically climb for 8.5 miles, so there is a lot of walking. The sand was really bad during this time too.

Here we are after a climb. We thought we were done (with the climbs), but apparently not. We got a little tease of a downhill then wham we had to start climbing again. Well apparently, there was some ribbon play on the course and a lot of us took a wrong turn (with ribbons showing us the way) up this hill (that's Mindy right up ahead on RHS).

Luckily we didn't go ALL the way to the dead end, other runners determined that we weren't on the right path and started heading back down. Some even crossed over the wild terrain to get to the correct trail. This little detour took us out of way 1.5 miles GGGGRRRR.

Here we are at the highest point of the race 6500 feet. The road on the LHS is the Whitney Portal Road, the road on the RHS is Hogback Creek Rd and that's the way were going.

After peaking at 6500 feet, you start a 6.7 mile decent. I believe this is where I began to struggle. The elevation was wreaking havoc on my lungs and I was having a hard to taking in a deep breath. My legs were feeling like lead. By mile 12 I could no longer keep up with studette Mindy. I proceeded to struggle the rest of the way. My feet really started to hurt and I just couldn't get the oxygen my lungs wanted. Not to mention the heat was starting to pick up and we were totally exposed.

Here I am at mile 20 of the race. I felt like this skeleton (dead) by mile 20, especially when my watch said I only had 4.5 miles to go, but in reality I still had 6.2. I logged my marathon (26.2 miles) as being finished at 7 hours 19 miles. I really really struggled after that. I couldn't run anymore, even though it was fairly flat. I believe the last mile was the hardest of them all.

When I got within a tenth of a mile from the finish I started running and Mindy got it. My dad did too, but I don't have those pics yet.

It was awesome to have my mom and dad at the finish. Mom made me a sign that says I'm a Trail Turtle Goddess. I think that might be the name of another blog I'm considering starting, which would be about other things in my life besides running. Not sure yet, I have a hard enough time writing this one. :)

Started at 5100 feet, peaked at 6500 feet, finished at 3700 feet, 7 hours 48 minutes, 10th out of 11 in my age group (didn't finish last - woo hoo). Mindy finished 7 hours 7 minutes and 8th in our age group.

So as tough as this race was Mindy and I both said we'd do it again. We had considered the 50k for next year, but after, we both said no way on the 50k, but yes on the marathon. However, some sand training is definitely in order. Plus, I need to wear shoes not so well ventilated. I have some awesome trail shoes designed for quickly drying after going through water, well that wasn't a good thing when you're in a lot of sand. I did have to stop several times to empty my shoes which cost me time. Next year, different shoes. Plus I need to deal with my foot issues before I do this one again. But it's definitely on the calendar for next year.

Thanks again to Mindy and her mom (Mindy for running with me, her mom for driving us to the start line at 5:30a), my mom and dad (for driving me all the way to Lone Pine and back - they're awesome), my aunt and uncle (for letting me crash their pad) and for my training partners who did the distance with me when needed, Ralph and Lisa. Hugs to you all.

For more pics, click HERE.

FYI - I did the Apple Blossom Trail run (9 miler) the weekend before the WWW marathon and developed my very first blister EVER. But the blister was no longer an issue for the marathon, thank goodness.

This weekend I'm doing the Dirty Secret Trail Run (10 miler) with Pam. I just realized that I'm doing 3 races in 3 weeks. Ya, I'm done for a while after Saturday's race. But I'll post about it and the Apple Blossom Run too later.

Stay dirty.

Pacing vs Racing - Shannon

2011-04-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

It's been WAY too long since I've posted, but as usual, life has been crazy and I'd rather be outside or quilting rather than sitting at my computer blogging. But I do miss this, so I promise, I will try to do better.

I have so much to talk about, however, time is of the essence so I'm only going to talk about my experience last weekend at the American River 50 Miler on 4/9/11. No, I didn't run all 50 miles, in fact, I wasn't a racer! I was a pacer! And let me tell you, pacing rocks! So who did I pace? My friend Ralph, who I have been running with now since SNERS. He is faster than me, but he enjoys the scenery just like I do, so he has no problem slowing it down so that I can keep up with him. So, how can I pace someone who is faster than me during a race? Well, here's the secret - don't start pacing your racer until he's already done 26.5 miles, he'll be tired by then, and low and behold, you can keep up withi him. In fact, you might even be a little faster than him!

First, the morning started off with me heading down to the FTR sponsored aid station at Negro Bar in Folsom. Pam and I were super turtles there last year, but this year, I was more concerned about pacing Ralph. Pam was up at Beal's Point being a super nurse. Pam is a nurse by day, runner by weekend, but this weekend, she was volunteering as a nurse at the medical tent for the race. She rocks! Oh and then after her nursing duties what is she going to do? Pace our friend Kym. So we were both pacers for this race!

Pam helping a runner with a bum knee.

Pam being her cute self.

Watching the front runners come through the FTR aid station was fun. Had a good time with all my FTR buddies waiting for Ralph to come in. When he did, he wasn't feeling too good. His hydration was down (it was hotter than we had expected) and his stomach was upset. He knew he had to pull it together, and focused on the mental part of it from Negro Bar to Beals Point (4 miles and where I'd join him on this run)

Ralph coming into Negro Bar

He was definitely looking better once he came into Beals.

Ralph at Beals Point

Now it was time for Denise and I to join him and help him get through the last 23.5 miles, and this is also where you move from paved bike trails to awesome dirt!

I had so much fun being a pacer. I discovered that when you take the focus off of yourself and focus on the main goal of getting your racer to the finish you don't think about what is hurting you.

So having said that, while we were out there climbing hills and rocks and trying to keep Ralph's spirits up, I would jump in puddles, slosh through mud, all the while pretending to be an aiplane as we'd go down hills (this was to get him to run the downhills, didn't always work, but I had fun trying).

Apparently we were having so much fun out there that we could be heard throughout the canyon area! I always say if you're not laughing out there, you're crying! Since I prefer to laugh than to cry, I will do whatever I can to keep the mood fun!

Along the way, there are motivational signs, and at one point, Ralph got tired of them. Here he is letting us know what he thinks about this one - LOL

This might have been around 40+ miles into this race! Can you blame a guy?

When you come off the single track, you come upon Last Gasp, which is 3.5 miles UP to the finish. This is the hardest part. By this point, there is no running, it's all walking. But also at this point you know you've only got 3.5 miles more to go. WOW.

The signs start to show up. 3 miles to go, 2 miles to go, then 1 mile to go.

Denise, Ralph, and me

I still don't how he got up off the ground after going 49 miles, but he did. What a stud!

Denise and I wanted to let him cross the finish line by himself, but he wouldn't hear of it. He wanted us to go through it with him. You don't argue with someone who has gone 50 miles. You just do what he asks. So we did!

His official finish time was 11:59. We were hoping for sub 12 and we did it.

After, we enjoyed a beer and a dip in the canal to sooth the legs (the water was ice - bbbrrr)

Where did we get the beer? Well along the way Lisa was there as well, although, she traveled the distance by car and had an ice chest full of beer for us.

Lisa you ROCK

This is the only pic I have with Lisa, it was on a training run we all did for AR50 and her first 17 miler - we're gonna make her ultrarunner soon! (She's actually agreed to do the SNERS marathon this year! Next we'll have her signing up for WTC 2012!)

Would I pace again? TOTALLY! I actually think I prefer pacing to racing!

Thanks Ralph for letting me experience this side to running! Thanks Lisa for being out there supporting us and of course for the beer.

Next on my agenda? Wild Wild West Marathon in Lone Pine, CA on May 7th. I'm excited and nervous as I will be dealing with much higher altitudes, but it's ok because my friend Mindy will be there with me - WOO HOO.

Stayed turned for my posting about WWW!

Stay dirty

Way Tool Cool....One year later...

2011-03-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

Wow..it's been way too long since I've posted on our blog. Life has been busy, complicated, and has gotten in the way these past several months. But yesterday was a day to remember and I promised Shannon I would share it here.

Shannon and I started this blog a year ago, when we decided to run our first 50K, Way Too Cool. We were so lucky to both get in. Our training was nothing short of adventurous and fun and the training paid off as we both finished strong, and in one piece!

Fast forward a year. I put my name in the WTC lottery hoping for another chance to run this epic trail race. Sadly, I was 184 on the wait list and realized I would not be running.....or would I? I had ditched my training for anything after that. I had planned to run AR 50 but shin splints kept me from that race. So, I sporadically did a few long runs here and there, and a few miles a week; nothing that would constitute for good 50K training. A few weeks prior to the run, I got a call from the RD asking if I'd volunteer as the medical provider at the AR 50 midway point, in exchange I'd get a free ride into WTC. I think it took me one second to scream, "YES"! So WTC training was back on! (early birthday present to me) I was a tiny bit concerned that I might really struggle on the run given the lack of long miles. It was also bittersweet cuz Shannon was not able to even enter the lottery due to a nagging heel problem. But I was fortunate enough to have Kym train with me. We were able to get in a few mid long runs on the course just before the race. For my birthday, Kym got me a pair of Dirty Girl Gators that I'm convinced made me run faster.

Fast forward to yesterday. The weather was perfect. I picked up Dave and Kym and headed up to get a parking spot (about a mile away from the start, ugh). I was alittle nervous about the run, actually more excited about it. I was just so excited to be a part of it with all my other FTR buddies that got in. We saw lots of FTRs that either were injured, didn't get into the lottery or were just not ready to run a 50k. They were out in force volunteering and cheering for us. They are truly the best group of people you'll ever meet :)

First stop was the porta potties. So many potties, so little time to pee...the lines were LONG.

We met over by the infamous Frog for a bunch of pictures with our FTR running buddies.

Dave B, Misha, Kellie, Mndy, Cathleen, Kem, Me

Kym, Gail and I striking a model pose

We headed up to the start and of course took more pictures....

Keira, Misha, Kellie, Kym, Me

Our very clean gators....they sure didn't stay that way!

From right to left: Nancy, Greg, me, Kym, Dave, Mindy, Katy

We missed getting into the FTR group shot :(

And then were were off. Our first creek crossing came very early, I believe this is Knickerbocker creek

The first 8 miles were on the Olmstead loop and besides a moderate amount of mud, it was really beautiful. I found myself running the first 10 miles much faster than I usually do. I felt fantastic and wanted to push it alittle so I wasn't stuck behind slower people (did that come out of my mouth? Aren't I one of the 'slower people'?) I did the first 10 miles in about 2:02 hrs which is fast for me. At the first aid station I found Kym again and we headed out and down the trail towards Quarry Road. Took no time and passed through the aid station quickly, but just a few steps into running on Quarry, my right calf completed cramped up and nearly knocked me to the ground. Stretched and rubbed it out and headed out very slowly. This is the first time I've ever cramped and it was likely cuz I pushed it on the first 10 miles. Caught up with Kym again and we made our way up Dead Truck. The trail heads to the right and runs along the American Canyon trail. I didn't take pics while running, but here's a picture of this section from a previous run.....

This part of the trail climbs up for maybe alittle less than a mile and then heads to the right towards ALT, the next aid station. We were in need of a little motivation on this portion and a runner, Michelle ran with us encouraging us to keep running. So glad she was there! There are lots of signs along the way to provide motivation....

We got into ALT (21 mile mark) and loaded up quickly on food, soup and fluids. We had made the cutoff way ahead of time. The cutoff was 1:30 and I think we got in at 12:50. Kym found new energy from her soup and after this point she was on fire. I started to get occasional calf seizures which would stop me dead in my tracks. I think it was about this time we encountered a very unfriendly runner who would not let us pass and actually pushed Kym. Very disturbing. We played leapfrog with him for a few miles, and then we didn't see him again until the finish (Kym actually passed him right before the finish, Yeah!).

Next stop was the top of Goat Hill. I'm so glad I've trained on this hill alot in the past. It isn't very pleasant but if you know it well it isn't that bad. We moved steadily up the hill and were SO happy to get to that aid station. More soup, oreos, chips and water and we were on our way. My calf began to seize again a few steps out and I fell far behind Kym. I had to walk/run for about a mile until it settled down, then I ran slow and steady. Before I knew it I was to highway 49 and crossing to the final portion. I looked at my watch and couldn't believe I was going to finish almost ONE HOUR faster than my last year's time! I got up the final hill, onto the straight away and my calf went out AGAIN! I stopped and stretched it, tried to use a stick to roll it, but broke the stick and then started running again. I was determined to run to the finish so I pushed on and was cheered in by the FTRs and friends at a time of 7:38, WOO HOO! 50 minutes faster than last year!

Coming up to the finish

And achieving a PR!

Shannon was there with a beer and a smile....:)

The beer was sooooo good...:)

and I got a cupcake this time....yummmmm!

It was great to see my other buddies that finished earlier and they were all still there! Usually I get in so late that everyone has already left.

from right to left: Kem, me, Gail, Diane

I was pooped and Kym's husband, Dave offered to drive my car home, thank you Dave!

I am so proud of us and all the FTRs who finished this incredible race! Thank you Kym for your companionship, friendship, and for pulling me through the last half of this race! This was such a wonderful experience. So looking forward to Tahoe Rim Trail 50K in July!

Finished this birthday weekend off right with a day at Geri's Garden in Fair Oaks on Sunday.

My friend, Kathy organized a spa day for the girls. We started off with Mimosas for all (check out the napkin).....

Kathy brought other appropriate napkins for the occasion....

We started with amazing foot soaks and foot massages (I needed that, still having dirt embedded in my feet after the run even after scrubbing in the shower). This was followed by facials and massages.

We were a happy, relaxed group after 5 hours of pampering, food and mimosas!

It was a fabulous weekend of fantastic running, bonding with friends and an overall epic way to celebrate a birthday! I am truly a blessed girl!

Unofficial Way Too Cool Training Run

2011-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

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!

Time Passes! Shannon

2011-01-02T09:56:00.000-08:00

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.

Mud, mud, and more mud! Shannon

2010-12-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

"If they can’t be outside they begin to feel run down and out of their element."

Chinese Astrology - Year of the Horse

I've been having fun in the mud! First, last weekend, I went for a mountain bike ride on the Olmstead Loop with Linda, Ralph, and Justine. All three of them are way more experienced than I am MTBing, but they took me under their wing and showed me the way. OMG - I had so much fun.

Me, Justine, and Linda

Linda, Me, and Ralph

I was covered, head to toe in mud, by the time we were done. My bike was even muddier. We had perfect weather for the ride, but it had rained the few days prior and left the trails a muddy mess. It was awesome.

I discovered that I'm a turtle on my bike as well as on my feet. I was always the last one to get to the top or the bottom of the hill. Last going up hill cause I usually had to get off and walk (just like my trail runnin) and last going downhill cause I'm a chicken - LOL.

At the bottom of a long downhill, my legs were so tired, I couldn't hold myself up - LOL

At the end of the creek crossing

I even got to ride through a major creek. It was pretty deep and I watched as the other 3 did it. Well Ralph got off and carried his bike across cause he didn't want to get it wet - just kidding, he wanted to get across quickly so he could take pics of Linda and I attempting our crossing - LOL.

Ralph carrying his bike across the creek

Toward the end of the ride, we had to go through a really muddy area and you had to try to stay to the far right, well, I missed that far right part and got stuck in the mud, so one foot came off the pedal and went deep into the mud past my ankle. Well being stuck, I had to get off the bike completely, thereby putting my other foot in the mud. My feet, when all said and done, looked like I had gone trail running not MTBing. I don't know where my muddy feet pic is, but here's one showing off - LOL

Look Ma, no hands

I can't go on any trail ride or run without enjoying nature and I even got to go on newt patrol. We also saw a decorated tree out in the middle of nowhere - awesome.

Spiderwebs - beautiful

decorated tree

I love newts

All in all I had a blast and I can't wait to get out there again for some more muddy rides.

Skidmarks - LOL

I've been suffering from quite a few different things. First off my foot. I thought I had PF (plantar fasciitis) but it turns out its most likely just a sprain ligament in my heel. Well with a foot problem, comes a gait change thereby causing my back and hips to be out of alignment, plus with the lack of movement (very limited running) my hips have gotten extremely tight. So my back has been hurting A LOT! Plus I've had a shoulder issue for quite some time and my doctor decided it's time I see an orthopedic doc, plus she had me take another x-ray. My appointment isn't until next week with the ortho doc, but my x-ray has come back with arthritis of the AC joint - WHAT? I'm too young for arthritis - this is crap! This must be fixed because I love to workout my upper body, especially shoulders, and I've been limited on what I can do because of the pain in my left shoulder. The ortho doc better be able to fix it!

So anyways, I digress, over a month ago, before my heel pain, I had scheduled a trail run out on the Quarry Road taking us up Goat Hill. Now I know I probably shouldn't have gone out there yesterday for that run, but I had 30 people sign up and I needed to get out on the trails.

The group that was still there after the run - love it

We've had some rain for a couple of days and we expected heavy rains for Saturday. The weather actually held up nicely. There was only a couple of times where we got a downpour, but for the most part we had only sprinkles or NO rain at all. The real element battles came on the trails themselves.

Me toward the end of the run, in pain.

When we hit single track we were running in little streams flowing down the single tracks. Then we would hit the big STREAMS. During the dry season, these are usually just little streams. Not yesterday! We had major creek crossings at least 5 times with water up above our knees. It was fabulous.

Human chains made crossing some of these rushing streams much safer

Pam on one of the crossings

The best way I can share yesterday's run is to share some of the comments by other runners:

First from my fellow Trail Turtle, Pam: “ Absolutely an EPIC run in EVERY WAY! Incredible weather and water crossings, not to mention the many gentlemen FTRs who helped us women across those treacherous waters! Hearing the hooting and hollering from everyone while running down water filled singletrack put the biggest smile on my face the entire day...and Kamran finding his camera, well, it just would've been a tragedy if all the great photos from today were lost. Truly one of the best runs I've ever had...thanks everyone!! ”

These are comments from other FTR members who were out there as well

Diane Cressey (FTR founder): "I think that was THE most fun I've had on a run! The water never stopped...it was coming from above, below and sideways. We were either running through it, against it or with it on the trails. Some creek crossing were deep and swift...thanks to the guys for helping us through them...it was pretty scary. Thank you Kamran and Shannon for hosting this epic run and for David B. for your help and leadership. An awesome run!! WTC watch out...we're ready for anything now!!"

Greg (FTR member): 'Um that was straight up nuts with a huge side of fun. I cannot believe I made so much of an effort to not get my feet wet. LOL It felt so good to pour the rocks out of my shoes and slip on some really dry clothes. Thanks for putting this together. You are all certifiable."

Gary (FTR member): "Cant wait to see the pics, I lost count of all the thigh high streams we had to cross. Some with waterfalls just inches away. Thanks to everyone who helped in getting us all across safely. This run was the best!"

Shannon & Nancy

Pam & Shannon

All I can say is that I'm SO glad I went out, I'm paying for it today with heel, hip, and back pain, but it was so worth it. I'm trying to look at it as my farewell run for the season. I didn't sign up for Way Too Cool 50k 2011 beacause I knew I couldn't start training for it. (and even though Pam got in the lotter for WTC, she didn't get in - she's bummed) So I have no races on the board (until May - Wild Wild West Marathon) and I'm going to do my best to behave and let my foot rest.

Watch for my MTB adventures.

Stay muddy!

To see all of the pics from the Quarry/Goat Hill Mud run, click HERE

Giving Thanks! Shannon

2010-11-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,

"thank you,"

that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

It's Thanksgiving tomorrow so I thought I would talk about it. What is Thanksgiving? What does it mean to you?

There is a lot of history regarding Thanksgiving. We believe that the first thanksgiving was between the Pilgrims and the Indians, however, there is much controversary about that. However, there is no contreversary as to what the purpose was for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was/is about giving thanks for what we have.

In 1621 it was the Pilgrims and the Indians giving thanks for the bountiful Autumn harvest. The Pilgrims then didn't have another Thanksgiving celebration until 1623, to which they celebrated the end of a long drought. In 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Then in 1863, Abraham Lincoln, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.”

Today, in America, the Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance; instead, it now centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends.
Thanksgiving for me is very much about spending time with family. For most of the year we see each other here and there, but usually never all together. But the holidays "force" us to come together on a special day each year to share time with each other.

This year I started thinking, after feeling sorry for myself because of this and that, that it's time to stop thinking about what I'm unhappy about and think about what I am happy about and thankful for.

So, what am I thankful for?

1. My family - I have a very close-knit family that I am extremely thankful for. No matter what crisis someone is facing, we stick together knowing that that crisis too shall pass and everything will be ok, as long as we stick together.
2. My health - even though I'm dealing with some aches that are preventing me from doing what I want to do, I'm still extremely healthy. I honestly believe that I am healthier in my 40s than I have ever been.
3. My job - I may moan, groan, complain, whine, etc, etc. about what goes on at my job, but I am extremely thankful that I have a job, therefore, I have a home with food in the fridge.
4. My freedom - I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the right to speak my mind, to work, to vote, to live a life of a queen (by the standards of many other countries), and to have people (soldiers) willing to sacrifice their lives for me.

5. My life - It's not been an easy life, nor has it been an rough life, but it's been a life full of hard work and love, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. I was brought up with much love and taught that nothing comes easy and with hard work and determination you will survive and even though you may never be rich, you will have EARNED everything you've gotten and you will be LOVED.

As I count my blessings, consider yourself counted!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

What are you thankful for??

Click HERE to see where I got my info on Thanksgiving, if you're interested.

Lessons learned! Shannon

2010-11-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Foot update: I'm still being good and not running. It's been 11 days since my last run! I think I might go crazy! My heel still hurts! I'm icing, stretching, taping, etc. I even went and had a reflexology session over a week ago and then I went had a regular massage on Friday with someone who specializes in runners and they did some shiatsu trigger therapy on my foot. I must say it's feeling a bit better, but I'm still not feeling very optomistic about it healing in time for me to start my official training for WTC. However, I'm not giving up hope!

Now on to lessons learned. Lessons learned about what, you ask? Lessons learned on my bike, yes my biking adventures have begun. I have yet to do anything really exciting on my bike to tell you about, but I thought I'd share what I've learned so far.

1. Hill repeats on a bike are WAY harder than hill repeats on you your feet!

I lead an early morning hill repeat run on Tuesday mornings and instead of canceling I've decided that I will continue to lead the group, however, I will be doing it on my bike. Well last Tuesday was my first session with a hill repeat workout on my mountain bike. We did a nice easy warm up then headed to Decatur Street in Old Folsom. This is a short but steep hill, not too steep, but steep enough to get your heart rate up. I thought, this will be a piece of cake on my bike. NOT! After my first attempt, I thought OMG this is much harder than I had anticipated. My running buddies were passing me up - WHAT?! As usual, I'm still a turtle even on my bike - LOL. I managed to get in 4 hill repeats that day and thought to myself, if I keep this training up I'll have thighs of steel - HHHHMMMM.

2. Reflectors are not cool!

What? What's wrong with reflectors? I'm riding in the dark, shouldn't I have reflectors? My friend Ralph, that same Tuesday morning during hill repeats, lovingly told me that the reflectors have to go. Mountain bikes aren't cool with reflectors. HHHHMMM. After hill repeats, I headed to work and took my bike inside (cuz it's not safe outside) and my friend Tom, who is also a crazy MTBer proceeded to confirm Ralph's statement, and told me that reflectors aren't cool. Whatever! Until I can afford to have a Road Bike and a Mountain Bike, and as long as I'm riding my mountain bike on the streets in the dark, the reflectors stay on.

3. Kickstands are not cool!

What? What's with all this stuff not being cool! Tom totally made fun of me for having a kickstand on my bike. I said what's the big deal? He then proceed to share his vast knowledge about MTBing. Anything that adds weight to your bike, that is not necessary, needs to go. He said my bike was pretty heavy to begin with and that I should try to lighten it up. I aked, "what, my kickstand adds a whole ounce?" LOL. Anyways, I told him he had carte blanche to make my bike "cool" or at least remotely cooler than it is now. So he took off the kickstand and the chain guard. Apparently, you need the teeth of your gears to help you get over logs when you're mountain biking. HHHHMMM, not sure how many logs I'll be attempting to jump over, but ok, I want to be cool. When he handed me the kickstand, I was shocked to feel just how heavy that sucker was. It was at least a pound. Now I know why it was so hard to get up that hill. Sheesh.

4. Riding in the dusk requires a face shield!

Yuck - I'm not sure how many bugs I ate or ended up in my eyes on Wednesday night when I went for a ride around the lake. I started out from Karen's heading toward Hazel on the dirt trail. It was around 4:45 and the sun was slowly going down. On the dirt trail, I battled bugs. Not pleasant.

EEEWWW - this is what I felt like after my ride! Gross!

5. Riding in the dark by yourself on the bike trail is scary!

By the time I ended up on the opposite side of the river heading back to my truck it was dark and it got creepy. I didn't see too many other bikes out and on that portion of the bike trail you can't see the river, which meant you were more inland/shielded from view. Creepy. I won't be doing that anymore.

So that's what I've learned so far. Stay tuned for more adventures in my biking world.

PS - I'm really missing the trails. My feet can't wait to hit dirt again.

Stay dirty or actually right now, stay muddy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Quilt Camp 2010. Shannon

2010-11-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

So since I'm a month behind on my updates, except for Thursday's post about my foot issues - which by the way is feeling better after a reflexology session yesterday - HHMMMM - I might have to keep that up - I will try to catch you up by weeks. The first week is the week of Oct 18th.

This is what it takes to go to camp - LOL

As I indicated on the 14th, I was heading out for a week of nothing but quilting - heaven. Normally my quilt retreat consists of 5 nights with 4 full days of quilting with a group I've been doing this with for 11 years at the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Center in South Lake Tahoe. However, this year, I had the opportunity to save some money and stay at a timeshare my mom and dad have that is only 3 minutes away from Zephyr Point. So my friend Mickey and I set up "shop" inside the condo for 6 nights & 5.5 days of quilting for free :). We took over the condo. We had fabric everywhere.

Because it was just the 2 of us, my socializing was limited, therefore, I got A LOT accomplished and it felt great.

Country Threads - took 1st place for Viewer's Choice at the Brownsville Quilt Show 2011

Samurai Bushido

Santa Wall Hanging

The scenery outside our room was great. We didn't have a lake view as we normally would have at Zephyr, but we had woods, which I LOVE.

We did head down to Zephyr to visit with our group of friends on 2 nights. The first night was just to say hi to our once a year (for the most part) friends and then we came back on Thursday night for a bridal shower for our friend Dawn who was getting married the Saturday we all got back from camp. A lot of fun.

The twins, Joyce and Janet, love my piggy tails.

My MIL, Joan, and my buddy, Mickey

The bride to be - Dawn

I didn't do any running that week, nor did we get very much exercise. The only exercising we got was to walk to the store (Safeway) about every other day - round trip - less than a mile. Oh well, it felt great to relax and the best news, I didn't gain any weight while I was gone - woo hoo.

Since coming back, I've been on a roll with my quilting and am wanting to spend more time in my sewing room, so finding time to run, bike, or golf has been tough. Now with my foot problem, I may not feel so guilty about my lack of exercise. Unfortunately, that means I have to be much stricter with myself about my food - YIKES. I exercise, a lot, so I can EAT - I love food.

Anyways, quilt camp was relaxing and I'm really looking forward to next year's camp where it will just be 4-5 of us up in Downieville in a cabin. I can't wait.

You can see all my pics on my Facebook Page by clicking HERE

Stayed tuned for week 2.

Oh the Agony! Shannon

2010-11-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's been almost a month since my last posting - so sorry. However, this posting will be short and maybe not so sweet. I still plan on catching you all up with my awesome quilting retreat and other going ons for the last month, but the one thing that's on my mind right now is pain.

Yes, I said pain. Just before I left on my quilting retreat I started feeling pain in my heel. I played it off as nothing! Ya, we runners do that well. A little pain is normal with running, right? Ignore it and it will go away, right? Well it did! Ha, I knew it. While I was gone for a week (with no running). Only to have it come back after my first run.

Ok, so maybe it's something. After talking with my fellow Trail Turtle, Pam (who is also a nurse), who offered to test my foot pain (of course, I declined cuz I knew what she was gonna do - push on my heel - ouch) she confirmed my worst fears - I can't even say it! I just might be suffering from PF - yikes - no - say it's not so. Ok for all you non-runner people - I know you're dieing to know what PF stands for - Plantar Fasciitis ("PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") - ugh - a runner's worst nightmare (well one of them anyways).

In brief, the plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk or RUN.

Ok, so I come back and start running and I just run through the pain. In fact, once I get going, the pain goes away - but then it comes back after I'm done with my run. At this point in time the pain really isn't that unbearable, well except when I get out of bed, or stand up after sitting for awhile, or........... No really, it's not that bad.

So I start researching every thing I can about PF. Best remedies to heal your heel is ice, tape (sports tape), stretching, and oh yeah REST. What? Don't they know I'm gearing up to start my training for WTC 2011. There is NO time for rest - silly doctors - what do they know? So, ok I start doing the whole ice, tape, and stretching thing. So everything should be just fine since I'm doing 3 out 4 recommendations, right?

Last night I head out for a run with my friend, Linda, on the flatter trails in Folsom. A nice and easy 4 miler. Foot is feeling fine (after I get going). After 2 miles we turn around, still feeling good. We're having great conversation (we haven't seen each other in over a month), it's starting to get dark, so we turn on our headlights, and we continue our nice and easy stride.

All is going good until my "bad" foot slips ever so slightly on an embedded river rock. Now under normal circumstances this is no big deal. We trail runners deal with these kinds of obstacles on every run. Many a times, I have slipped on rocks with not even noticing it. Well last night that little slip caused my heel to scream some very unlady-like words (I'm going to have to have a talk with my heel - potty mouth). I was actually able to continue my run for us to get back to our cars after stretching my calf a bit. I was actually feeling ok until I tried to get out of my truck - OUCH!!!!

Today, still a lot of pain. Although, wearing tennies with inserts does seem to eliviate some of the pain and I'm actually able to walk. Ok with a slight limp. However, I did make the really really really hard decision to not go to my track workout this morning, to cancel a trail run I had scheduled for tomorrow morning, and most likely won't be doing boot camp tomorrow morning either (unless Diane can modify for me).

Along with these immediate cancellations, I'm also going to make the extremely extremely extremely tougher decision to lay off from running all together for at least a month - OMG - did I really just make that public - oh the agony! Instead, I will be on my bike. I won't give up my training, I will only alter it! Hopefully by behaving myself and not doing any weight bearing activities I'll be able to heal my heel in time for my official starting of my WTC training.

I guess I didn't make this too short, did I. Oh well, by now you all know I'm pretty talkative.

I promise to give you another post about quilt camp, etc. And stay tuned to hear about my biking advertures :).

Time! Shannon

2010-10-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

There's never enough of it! So having said that, I'm gonna make this a quickie.

I'm getting ready to head out this weekend to South Lake Tahoe for an annual quilting retreat I attend each year - I've enjoyed going to this particular retreat primarily for the company for the past 12 years. For the most part I only see these women once a year at this retreat. Sadly, this will be my last year with them as I can no longer afford the prices that the group leader is charging. In fact, this year I won't even be sewing with them in the large Dobbin's Hall at the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center because of the price she was going to charge me to just sit and sew for 4 days. Therefore, my friend Mickey and I will be staying in a timeshare up the road, spending our day sewing together. Then in the evening we will head over to the Hall and visit during the evening's show and tell time.

I am truly looking forward to this following week as I will be in a beautiful place with a wonderful friend doing what I love to do most - quilt. I will, of course, get out and do some exercising, but there will be no long runs in my schedule until after I get back.

Since time is short, I'll do a quick synopsis of what I've been up to since my last post. I've managed to get in 1 speed workout, 1 hill repeat workout, 1 gym workout (arms, chest), two 4-miler evening runs, and one 6-miler MTB ride. Not a whole lot, however, I'm feeling good and I'm feeling rested since SNERS.

I also got to take a trip up to my MIL's in Camptonville, CA (known as The Little Town That Could) this last weekend. We then took a trip up to Downvieville where we checked out a new place for us to have our own mini-quilting retreat starting next year. We went to the Sierra Shangri-La and booked a beautiful cabin for next year - we are so excited.

I also hit a milestone in my life last week. It has been 7 long years, and I am by no means done, but I can officially say that I have lost 100 pounds! How do you ask? Sheer perseverance & determination. Why has it taken so long to lose 100 pounds? Because I did it the right way - eating right and exercising - no magic pills, no surgeries! It's not been easy, life always manages to get in the way, but the key is to never give up. I still have 20-30 pounds to go, but I feel great about this huge milestone in my life!

Tonight I will get in an MTB ride, and tomorrow morning I will attempt to get 8 miles in then head over to Diane's Bootcamp for some butt kicking. That will be it for over a week, other than getting in some walks and maybe a run or two while I'm in South Lake.

Till I get back, stay dirty.

Oh and be prepared, I'll be showing some of my quilts next time :)

Finishes! Shannon

2010-10-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

This last week was all about finishes! It all started with my last big long race for the season last Saturday at SNERS (you can read about it HERE). Although I may still do one more race this year, I won't be doing any ultras until March 2011.

Then on Tuesday I had 2 finishes. First I finished up my schooling, which I have not mentioned on this site before, for insurance brokering/agenting. A friend of mine encouraged me to obtain a license to sale insurance as a back-up to my future. Well in order to get a license in California you must first take 40 hours of schooling on Health and Life insurance, then another 12 hours of schooling for Codes and Ethics in insurance. I graduated!! Woo hoo. Now I have to study really hard to take the California Licensing exam - yikes. But I still finished my schooling - yeah.

Next, Tuesday also saw the season finish for my golf league the Twilight Club of Sacramento. We had our final play day and an end of season party Tuesday evening. A lot of fun! You can see all the pics for that afternoon/evening HERE and if you'd really like to read about our little mini tournment click HERE. If you're not a golfer, you'll probably not be interested. If you are golfer, you may still not be interested, but I thought I'd share anyways - LOL.

Yesterday, Mark, myself, and Mark's son, Chris, all took off to Caples Lake, where I put a finish to my kayaking season (not that I had a whole lot of kayaking this season, but still I don't plan on doing any more). We got up early and head out for a 2 hour drive to Caples Lake. I had never been there before, but have heard great things about it. When we got there I was in awe. What a really pretty lake. We first stopped at the little store in the resort area so we could quiz the guy where the best fishing spots were and so I could ask about kayak rentals.

He sent us over near the spillway and we headed out on the Emigrant Lake trail that runs right along the lake. By the way, I want to go back there and run, anyone want to join me?? Anyways, the guys got situated and I took a short walk to check out the scenery. I managed to find a few wild flowers still in the area, but very few. Then I came across a plant that looks a lot like cilantro, however, it had little red berries on it. I have no idea what kind of berries these are - what do you think?

After I got back to the guys, I decided it was time to kayak, it had warmed up a bit, so I was ready. I left them to fish and I hiked back to the car then drove over to the resort area. I asked for a single seater sit atop kayak, however, all he had was a double, but he said it was a good sit atop that was very managable for a single rider and he gave me a great deal on it. $20 and I could keep out as long as I wanted to - woo hoo - can't beat that.

First order of business, take the boys 2 sodas. So I got in the kayak and took off heading toward the boys across the lake. By this time I had gotten hungry and it was time for lunch, so when I got across the lake to them, I got out and had lunch. Then took off to see the lake from all the edges.

I headed to the back cove of the lake and almost made it all the way, but the clouds rolled in and the wind really picked up thus making my progress to the back of the lake a bit more challenging, plus my shoulder was yelling at me by this point as I had gone over 2 miles. I figured it must be a sign and time to head back to the car, so I started back. By the time I had gotten back to the docking area I had gone over 3 miles, my shoulder was not happy, and my tush was all wet, but I had a blast and got some good pics while out there. You can see all the pics HERE.

Now that I'm finished with different parts of my life for now, it's time for new starts. Therefore, this coming week is about starting new, first and foremost will be for me to get back in the gym on a regular basis. I've slacked off quite a bit with my weight training and now that I'm not training for anything in particular, it's time to focus on my strength training. I'm also planning on getting my yoga in on a weekly basis and work on get these short hammy's of mine lengthened. Lastly, I will start my serious focus on studying for the Insurance Licensing Exam in hopes of completing and passing the exam by Dec 1st (there I set a goal date for all to see - keep me accountable people). That's all I'm going to commit to right now as I believe it's going to be tough to stick to that.

So now if I want to have any success in my new beginnings I better get off the computer and do what needs to be done to get 'er done!

Stay dirty!

SNERS Victory! Shannon

2010-09-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

This says it all!

Yesterday was my final hoorah for the year and my first trail marathon, actually first marathon period! I survived and finished - yeah!

If you've been one of our patient readers and have been following my training for this race, you know I've struggled on several runs leading up to yesterday. Well, although those training runs were rough, we learn from them, not to mention, even if they're rough runs, they are great mental training days! If I've learned nothing else about myself, I've learned that I'm a fighter and survivor!

Yesterday morning the weather was perfect, that is good news and bad news all in the same 4 little words when you are talking about a long run! When you start in the dark and it's nice enough that you don't need long sleeves, that tells you it's gonna be warm/hot later in the day.

Early morning happiness
photo by Ralph

There were quite a few of us FTRs running the marathon and we all met up before the start. What a high, knowing you've got lots of friends out there on the trails! I did receive a bummer message before I left to come to the race, Jennifer woke up with a fever and sore throat - NNNNOOO - she was my buddy for the day, since Pam wasn't running this. Now who am I gonna run with? I DON'T want to run this alone!

Ralph is the guy in the black shirt behind me. He was my honorary turtle yesterday. Mindy is the gal in white standing, she also earned an honorary turtle status (although I told her it would only last until she kicked our asses at the next race)

Well Ralph ended up being my buddy for about 18 miles, he earned his honorary turtle status. Unforturnately, he started to slow and feel nauseas, although I didn't realize this until he caught up to me at the Cardiac Hill aid station. He wasn't doing good! He ended up not continuing :(.

However, I didn't have to go on alone! Sitting at the bottom of Cardiac Hill was Mindy, who also was not having a good day. She was going through exactly what I went through on my last big training run out there. Serious nausea, heat, and being alone! She had been sitting there for a while, so she decided she was going to give it a try and keep going. So we started our ascent!

Ok, so this portion of the trail I have never experienced! OMG, now I know why it's called Cardiac Hill. I don't know exactly how far it goes, but it feels as though it goes 5 miles UP! There are false tops, which is cruel! It's all single track and has a lot of switchbacks, so you never know when you're getting close to the top. But you do know you're done when you hit the canal - oh what a sweet site that was! That hill alone is enough to make you rethink if you'd be willing to do this race again!

We had to stop A LOT to catch our breaths on that climb! Mindy was really struggling, but I wasn't gonna leave her alone! No way, no how! Having been in her situation, I know how much you need someone with you to help you get through it! The mental game that happens when you don't feel good and you're alone on the trails - YA NOT GOOD!

When we hit the canal we walked a lot, which actually helped me too. My legs had become really fatigued climbing Cardiac, and I welcomed the walk!

As we came to the end of the canal, I picked up the pace as I knew we were getting close to the FTR aid station at ADO. I was a like a horse to barn. I knew Pam was there and all my FTR friends, I totally got a 2nd wind. I never allowed myself to get too far ahead of Mindy though, and I think she felt the same about getting to the aid station (horse to barn).

Me coming into the ADO aid station - I know I'm a goofball!
Photo by Pam

Me at ADO aid station, feeling good!
Photo by Pam

What an awesome welcome! The cheers from everyone totally gave me a high! I love our group!! Pam was there taking pics, Jenni grabbed my bottle and hydration pack and refilled everything, everyone made sure I had what I needed. My concern was on Mindy and I wanted to make sure she was getting what she needed.

All the way from Cardiac to ADO she was pretty sure she wasn't going to continue to the finish. But she's a fighter and a survivor, and when I asked her if she was gonna finish with me, she said YES, but she needed a few more minutes. I said no problem, you just let me know when you're ready! I was feeling great and motivated, but also patient. I knew I wasn't going to meet my goal of sub 7 hours, but I was ok with that! I was helping a friend and it also helped me as I didn't push myself too hard, therefore, I was feeling really good!

Us leaving ADO onto the finish at No Hands
Photo by Pam

We got going, knowing it was pretty much all down hill from there. I hadn't run this portion of the trail for over a year, but I knew it started downhill and then we'd be exposed on rolling hills. Well, I guess I didn't know that the RD Julie Fingar would send us on a different path - gggrrr. We came to one point where we had to take a sharp left turn and wham - straight up hill - WTF! They lied! It's not all downhill from ADO to No Hands - gggrrrr.

The evil last hill we had to climb before the finish.

Well we started climbing and came across a double marathoner on her way back and she said, if it's any consolation, IT IS all down hill after you clear this hill. I said are you sure? You're not lieing? She said no because she's been walking all the way from No Hands up hill. Well she was right. The nice thing about the change in course is it took us off the exposed rollers and put us on a covered single track that was all down hill. Which is good and bad. By the time we got down to the bottom of this, my knees weren't too happy. But, they shut up and we started on the ugly exposed rollers.

We had to stop once so that Mindy could rest, then we continued on. Running when we could and walking. Then we started seeing the signs. I said we've got to be within a mile of the finish. I came across a sign I wanted to take a pic of and Mindy kept walking. The next thing I know she's yelling "I see it, I see it!" She was seeing the finish line. Well what do you do when you see the finish line within your sights? You start running with enthusiasm, no matter how bad you feel. She took off, then I took off.

Mindy ahead of me on No Hands Bridge coming into the finish chute.
Photo by Pam

Ya, Mindy is faster than me in general, and still faster than me even when she feels like crap! She beat me! But I'm ok with that because she would've beat me even if she didn't feel like crap! We finished with most of our FTRs sitting at the finish patiently waiting for us! It was great! Pam was there, Bryan, Cathleen, and Chris. All of them had finished way before we did and they waited - Thanks!!

I'm finishing - my offical finish time 7:14:03, happy to say I didn't finish last :)
Photo by Pam

They had popsicles at the finish - OMG - that was the best popsicle I've had in years! Pam also had a PB&J and Corona waiting for me! She is so awesome. I wasn't ready for either, all I wanted was the popsicle.

Mindy and I at the finish with our popsicles
Photo by Pam

Mindy and the rest of the FTRs caught the next shuttle back to Cavitt and Pam and I headed to her car. I finished my popsicle, then on the drive back ate my PB&J. YUM! We headed back to the ADO aid station and that's where I enjoyed my Corona while standing in the canal giving my legs an ice bath - wow that felt great.

AAAAWWWWW
Photo by Pam

We stayed there for a bit talking to Diane, then we headed back to Cavitt. Went in to see what was going on. Double Marathoners were coming to Cavitt and only 1 had finished so far. This guy was fast. Pam got a hamburger, and I put my name on the list for a massage with Lily. After Pam finished her burger she headed home and I stayed and hung out with Lily and the gang. Lily is the wife of Coach Nikon of Fleet Feet. Nickname given by Trailmomma and I got to see Coach Nikon come in. I believe he finished 5th overall, 4th man, and 1st in his AG! That was neat to see.

The massage from Lily felt great. I had her work on my upper back and shoulders as they were tight from the hydration pack. I almost felll asleep on her table. I was difinately feeling tired, although I didn't realize it until getting the massage.

Today was a great day. I wish all my runs could be like this. I give a lot of credit to my success on this run to Diane Cressey who has helped me with my nutrition and most recently with her Balanced Runners Workouts. Without these workouts, my core wouldn't be as strong as it is, and I know I would be much more sore than I am. Thank you Diane!! I can say that I didn't hurt at all yesterday, although my hip flexors are little sore today. If you recall from past races, I've been so sore that I had to walk downstairs backward, not this time :)

I'd also like to give huge thank you to my chiropractor who patiently kept adjusting me every couple of weeks cause I consistently trash myself, Dr. Steve. He can't wait for me to take a break :).

Dr. Steve, you'll be happy to know that I am done for the season! I will continue to get in at least 2 runs a week, one short and one no longer than 10-13 miles, but I want to focus on my new pation, mountain biking. I am still considering doing the Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run/Obstacle Course on Halloween, as that will be just a fun and muddy run, no longer than 6 miles. It's on my radar! But other than that, I'm not considering any more races until Way Too Cool 2011. Which I will attempt to get into.

I plan to keep this blog going, although, it will focus on a lot of other stuff than just trail running. Please follow me and my new pation of Mountain Biking, it should be just as up and down as my trail running.

In the meantime, stay dirty!

Mucho mejor! Shannon

2010-09-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

Much better............

Yesterday's Quarry Road was a huge success for me and a huge ego boost! A much needed ego boost.

Me discussing our options on routes and distances to the group

I intended to only do 16-17 miles yesterday, but we ended up doing 19. Which was OK! I was feeling good, the weather was perfect, and I never got left behind (well not for very long anyways). I had plenty of water and plenty of food to keep me going.

Folsom Trail Runners

Fifteen of us started off on the Quarry Road all together, however, Pam and several other ladies had only intended to do 6-7 miles so we left them to head up the Wendell T. Robie trail (part of the Way Too Cool 50k trail). As it turned out, they too did more than they had planned and did about 9.5 miles - way to go girls!

The girls leaving us. Pam giving me a pose. :)

The rest of us (8) kept going on the Quarry Trail till we hit Brown's Bar (also apart of the Way Too Cool 50k). It was truly awesome to be back on these trails. I had forgotten just how much I really like these trails. The creek crossings were very low so easily crossed without getting your feet wet and there was no mud on the trails - so nice.

The start of the climb up Brown's Bar

What made this a real treat was that Nancy and Kamran had never been on these trails and they were in total awe. Their enthusiasm of the trail really rubbed off on me and I had a really good time.

Once we climbed Brown's Bar we connected with the Wendell T. Robie trail heading toward Ball Bearing (the top of). Nice and easy rolling single track, just awesome.

Once we came out of this area it was time for water refills and we headed over to the ALT area for water.

ALT Water stop

Then started our climb toward Dead Truck. As we got to the turn for Dead Truck, we realized that we were going to really exceed our 16-17 mile jaunt and decided to not go Dead Truck as that would bump us up to approximately 21 miles, most of us weren't prepared for 21, so we opted to cut down a side trail that would then connect us to the bottom of Dead Truck, still allowing us to cross one of the major creeks we had to cross during Way Too Cool.

The end of the Quarry Road, the start of our return to the cars
Once again, the group patiently waiting for us stragglers

Once we came out of this area we were now at the bottom of Ball Bearing and at the end of the Quarry Road. Only 5.5 miles to go. I tend to start to struggle at this point. I have a hard time on fire roads, not sure why, but I just do. This portion of the Quarry Road isn't all fire road, but most of it is, so I started to walk a lot more during this time and of course, lost my buddies. But Nancy and Kamran were patiently waiting for me at the last mile and I finished up with Nancy. Thanks Nancy.

All in all just a fabulous run and now I'm feeling better about my upcoming marathon, although, it won't be on these nicely shaded, tree covered trails, but I think I know what I need to do now and will just take it extra easy that day.

Me enjoying ice cold water provided by Jay back at our cars - oh so yummy

Today, Mark and I took a short bike ride in our neighborhood, which allowed us to test our stamina on the New York Creek trail. We only did 5.9 miles, but Mark says that was a much harder ride than riding around Lake Natoma! I totally agree.

I didn't take any pics of flowers this time, so this is provided by Kamran
Thanks Kamran, I always need a flower pic from my runs:)

Have a great week.

Survival! Shannon

2010-09-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a survivor! No matter how bad things look, no matter what is put in my path of life, I always manage to push through it. Oh don't get me wrong - I may whine, I may cry, I may even throw a temper tantrum, but I always come out of it as a survivor and as a result a little more stronger, mentally and sometimes physically.

Yesterday proved to be a day of survival! The night before (Friday) I first had an emotional breakdown due to life's challenges just pushing me to the breaking point. I cried, cried a little more, then said enough! "You know what you need to do, stop with the pity party." However, because of my current mental status Friday night, I didn't sleep well - strike one when heading out for a LONG HOT RUN!

One of the challenges that hit me Friday night was that once again my truck's radiator sprung a leak - what does that mean $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ out the door, that of which we don't have right now. But luckily it's a slow leak, we added some water, Mark filled up a couple of gallons of water and I put it in the back of my truck as I needed my truck for the run. I promised a cooler full of ice and water when runners showed up to ADO after 22 miles in the sun.

Thankfully, I made it up to Auburn nicely, no overheating at all - yeah. Then the next blow came. First, let me step back a minute, I found out Friday night that Pam would not be joining me on the trails (heel pain) - yikes! So I checked with Jennifer to see if she was still going and she said yes - phew - ok I won't be on the trails by myself. Well when I got to ADO, Mary proceeded to tell me that she and Jen would be heading out early to run with Diane Forrest - yikes - I guess I'm alone once again. Now my emotional status is already on the edge, but I said, I can do this and I'll be fine.

Caught a ride down to Cavitt with Marc Meyers and met up with all the other awesome FTRs. We truly have a GREAT group of people.

FTRs rock

So I then decided I need to use the restroom and proceed to jog over to my favorite bushes to pee, which requires me to step over a wire fence. I get done with my business and head back to the group. As I step over the fence, my foot gets caught and down I go, flat on the ground. NICE! I pop up in hopes that no one saw me, ya right, Mike Giomi yells across the parking lot ARE YOU OK! Yes Mike I'm fine! LOL

Me wiping myself off after my rumble with the ground!

Only got a little scraped up, no big deal. Got back to the group and wiped the dirt off of me and wiped my boo boos. Luckily nothing hurt, other than the ego. Only I could fall down before a run! I have no problem staying upright on the trails, but going pee before a run can prove to be challenging.

The bruise from my fall that I discovered after I got home. Today it's much darker!

We all took off and I was quite pleased that I had Nancy and Kamran hanging back at my pace. It was nice to not be alone. We caught up to Leslie, Trish and Kym at one point. Then when we all hit Twin Rocks where we met up with Marc. We all headed out together, and at some point Trishy couldn't take our pace any more and darted off - she's like a little rabbit. Apparently though, she ended up suffering a little by not sticking with us, but she survived and made it back to ADO!

Leslie and I at Twin Rocks

Luckily Mary had dropped water at Horseshoe Bar as Kamran had completely run out and we were all pretty low, but filling Kamran's pack was priority since he had none. Once we had him filled up the rest of us split what was left (as we were the last group), used what ice we could and headed out.

Stopping to enjoy the view

View of the lake

Nice cool area to stop and enjoy!

We all stuck together until we hit Rat Bar, where Leslie had dropped her car as Kym and Leslie only planned on doing 12 miles. They also dropped water there, which was greatly needed. We all topped off our water, had a bite to eat, said our goodbyes to Kym and Leslie and headed out. I was still feeling just fine at this point, mentally and physically.

As we crossed through the Rat Bar area, I needed to make a pit stop so I let Marc, Nancy, and Kamran pass. At that point, I kind of lost them. I wasn't able to catch back up until we hit the oasis (horse watering troph) at Avery Pond. But apparently, Marc could no longer take our pace and had taken off.

Nancy and I looking for the turtles

I love Avery Pond as there are turtles in the pond and every time I go by there I look for them. Sometimes they are really hard to find and sometimes you never see a one. But today we got a tiny bit lucky and I was able to get one pic of one in the water.

Can you see the turtle?

After Avery Pond is when I started to struggle (approx 14.5 miles in). I could no longer keep up with Nancy and Kamran. I started getting nauseous and I knew I needed to eat, but just couldn't force myself to try to eat. I did pop a ginger candy in hopes that that would cure the nausea, as it's done in the past. But it didn't help. I think at about 16 miles, I sat down on a rock and forced myself to eat a quarter of a pb&j sandwich. It went down, but I didn't enjoy it. At that point I thought about crying, but I said nope, better keep moving. Shortly thereafter, I saw horses, that made me feel better, I love seeing the horses on the trails, they are magnificent animals.

The last pic I would take for the day!!

Ok Shannon you're not TRULY all alone out there, and I did have another runner cross my path. But then I was all alone again. By this time, I can only walk, there is no run left in me. The mind starts to really mess with you when you're not feeling good, and you're having a pity party out on the trails by yourself. At one point I heard leaves rustling above me and the adrenaline started pumping. I caught a glimpse of what I heard and I believe it was a deer, because it stopped moving the moment is saw/heard me! But that adrenaline helped me pick up the pace a bit and I actually got in a little run - yeah for me. The runner who had crossed my path earlier was now headed back my way, so that made me feel better too, ok whatever was back there didn't eat him, so all is good!

So now I'm picking up the pace a bit, not much, but some, getting in a little run here and there and before I know it I come around the corner and there's my savior, Jennifer, sitting in the mini creek! I have never been so happy in my life to see someone as I was at that very moment. I immediately sat right down next to her and almost started to cry, but held my composure! We sat for a few minutes while I cooled my temps, sterilized some water, got as much of my stuff wet as possible and then we climbed out of the oasis back into the beating sun and heat. This was at approximately 18 miles.

We proceeded to walk the rest of the way as 90% of what was left in order to get back to ADO was uphill. We stayed on the roads, for the most part, and just hiked our way back up to our cars. I was so happy to see my truck - I DO LOVE MY TRUCK!

And of course I can't do a long ass run without taking a pic of my feet!!

We threw down some towels and layed on the grass for about half hour, snacking and drinking (rootbeer and coke). It felt so good to just lie there in the shade. We chatted and commiserated. She then needed to head down to No Hands to pick up Mary and Annette who decided to go the distance - flippin die hards.

I think I've come to the realization, although I've known this for many many years, that I don't deal well with the heat. Now add running in the heat, with the sun beating down on you, all alone on the trails, yeah it's a recipe for disaster.

I am questioning whether I should try to do the Sierra Nevada Endurance Marathon now. However, I found out that Jen will be doing it, albeit only if the weather stays below 100 degrees. So, I've decided that if she does it, I'll do it, as I know I'll have a buddy out on the trail! This will be my last long run/race for the rest of the year and I won't consider doing another long run race until Way Too Cool in March 2011. It's time to step back and do the other things in life that I truly enjoy - family, quilting and golfing. I won't stop running, just cut way back on the mileage.

Till next time, stay dirty.

Dirt Inspires! Shannon

2010-09-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

Wow - yet another awesome race on an awesome trail!

Dirt Inspires! Women's only Trail Half Marathon takes place in Aptos, California, which is aproximately 3 hours away from the Sacramento area on the coast! (yes, Pam and I had to leave Sacramento at 4:45a, needless to say we were just a little tired) It's in the The Forsest of Nisene Marks State Park, which is absolutely gorgeous. One day I'd like to go back and walk the trails so that I can truly take in the beauty of this trail. 90% Redwood tree cover keeps you nice and cool and rarely the need for sunglasses. Although it was not a hot day, the weather was perfect for a morning race. I was quite comfortable in my Trail Turtle shirt and leggings.

There were 7 of us there representing the Folsom Trail Runners which was really cool!!

The race starts and finishes in the Aptos Village Park which is up the road to the entrance of the State Park. When you start the race, you first have to climb out of the Village Park area, then you continue on a road for approximately 1.5 miles before you get to jump on a single track (which is a climb up), then at mile 2 you come off the single track to your first of 5 aid stations - yes, you heard me right, there are 5 aid stations for this half TRAIL marathon - unheard of!! Then you are back on a fire road for another mile or so, then a short jaunt on another single track, then back on road til you hit aid station #2 at mile 4. The road portions of this run are the hardest for me and I really struggle with them (knees). But after that you are on single track until you come back up out of the "forest" at mile 9.

While in the "forest" area you get to cross creeks. Last year, being the fairly new trail runner that I was, I tip toed through the creeks to keep my tootsies dry. Not this year!!! I plowed through the water around all the other ladies tip toeing through the water. It was a blast. I'm sure I pissed off a few, but oh well, I was having way too much fun! Also during this portion of the trails there is a lot of down hill technical stuff, heavy roots, trees to duck under and go around, tight turns with narrow ledges - awesome, awesome, awesome! I was in heaven! This is what I'm good at. I may be a Turtle and I may have to walk the uphills, but I can fly on the downhills and through the extremely technical stuff. At one point I was stuck behind a few ladies and asked if I could shoot by them, and of course they let me by and I flew! I heard them say, "Wow, you really did SHOOT by us!" LOL too much fun!

Pam & Shannon's blurry pic on the trail

Pam and I stuck together through approximately 7 miles. Pam was struggling with a migraine, but was lucky to get some Excedrin at the aid station at mile 6. However, when we hit the downhill stuff, there was no holding me back.

Coming up out of the "forest" area put me back on the same route we were on to get into that area and I found that to be a major bummer, cause now I was back on the roads - yuck!

I find that I struggle on the flat stuff, especially flat ROADS. I tend to slow down, so I really have to think about picking up the pace, but sometimes its tough. My knees starting talking to me with approximately 2 miles left, but I ignored them. I told 'em I didn't have time to chat and that they needed to be quiet!! LOL - oh if only it were that easy.

Anyways, I made it to the finish line upright and not in too much pain. I was really disappointed when I saw my time! This was the second time we did this race and this year I'm in much better shape, better trained, 14 pounds lighter, ran through the water, pushed the hills, etc., etc. and I finished 20 seconds SLOWER than last year - WHAT??? How can that be???? Can someone please explain this to me, because I'm completely flabergasted by this!

Shannon finishing

Pam finishing

Next year, I've got something to prove!!

Shannon & Pam with their finisher's medals

This weekend brings my last long run before the Sierra Nevada Endurance Marathon at the end of September. We are running point to point from Granite Bay (Cavitt Middle School) to Auburn (ADO - Auburn Damn Overlook). I'm actually looking forward to it, although there are some really tough areas on this trail, I'll be with some awesome people, so I know I'll have a good time. I'm planning on leaving my truck in Auburn with a cooler full of water and beer - oh yeah!!

Have a great dirty weekend!

All for fun! Shannon

2010-08-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was all about fun. On Saturday (8-14-10), I headed to Napa with 3 of my friends to play golf at the Chardonnay Golf Course. What a beautiful course! Played 18 holes, not so good, but I still had a great time. After playing we went into Napa for dinner. I didn't behave with my eating, but again, I had fun! We got home really late which made it very hard for me to get ready for the next day.

From Left to Right, Shannon, Julie, Liz, and Patti

I can't remember the hole this was, but this was our view from the tee box down to the green. Par 3 and we all hit the green - YEAH

The vineyards - a regular view for us on the course

Sunday (8-15-10) was all about the Tahoe Flume trail. What a beautiful trail. I had never been up there, so I had no idea what to expect.

I met up at 7a with Susan Booher in EDH. We headed up 50 and made great time. We ended up at the Spooner trailhead at just about 9a. Pam was there waiting along with a few other FTRs. As we all got ready, more awesome FTRs showed up. We ended with a nice size group.

Our clue from Sue Boo to continue on this path

We took off and started with a nice downhill decent, however, that was short lived and we proceeded to hike uphill for 4.5 miles until we hit Marlette Lake. This lake is absolutely gorgeous. We hung out there for a bit. Chatting and snacking. Pam also decided to give our newest gadget a try - the Steripen. It works great, because it's been a week and we're still alive - yeah.

As we started off again, I noticed a few guys out in the water in float tubes fishing. So asked if they had had any luck. One guy said he had caught too many to count. Now I know all about fish stories, I'm married to a fisherman. So asked him if he was serious and he said he was. (The truly neat thing about this is that the only way to the lake is to hike or bike. They hiked in their float tubes on their bikes using a baby trailer to hold all their gear). So as we continued on, sure enough you could see the fish in the water. Huge trout. Beautiful.

We soon hit the actual Flume Trail. We had decided that we would only go out for time versus distance today, so we actually only went about a 1/4 of a mile on the Flume, but it was gorgeous. I definately want to go back.

Of course on the way back, I really slowed down. So I am able to see more of nature, of course, and saw this cute little guy chomping away on a nut.

And of course all of the beautiful wildflowers.

It was a beautiful day for an awesome hike/run.

And as usual, here are my beautiful toes after the run. Aren't they gorgeous? They sure do tell a story.

Til next time, stay dirty!

To see all the pics from the Tahoe Flume run click HERE.

Training runs continue! Shannon

2010-08-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, 8-8-10, I gathered up some of my favorite running buddies, who were available, and we headed out to do 14 miles (7 out, 7 back) out on the trails that I'll be running during the Sierra Endurance Marathon at the end of September. I decided I wanted to run a part of the trail that I've only been on once before, so we met up at Rattlesnake Bar and headed toward Auburn.

I met up with my awesome Trail Turtle Buddy, Pam, and Mindy, Nancy, Patty, and Patty's hubby Ed, who I have renamed "Super Ed" for his rattlesnake wrestling abilities (keep reading).

The day couldn't be better for a run. We started at Rattlesnake Bar which is a different starting point for us, typically this is our turnaround point for when we start at Twin Rocks, so it was kind of cool to do something different. The first thing Ed pointed out to us was the BIG kitty paw prints on the trails, looking awfully fresh. However, the prints were leading in the opposite direction from the way we were headed, so we figured she had gone down for water early in the morning. That's our story and we're sticking to it.

Rattlesnake Bar is the start of where Folsom lake leads into the American River, which was flowing beautifully.

Shortly into our run, Nancy took a spill, but popped up with only scrapped up elbows, thankfully. Along the trails the blackberries are ripe and perfect for picking, so that's what we did.

From left to right - Nancy, Pam, Mindy, & Patty

Then as we're all enjoying the trail, chatting, having a good time, without a care in the world, Ed stops us in our tracks! There is a big ole rattlesnake on the trail, standing guard, not wanting to move. HHHHMMMMM, we're only a few miles into our run, we can't just turn around now, but there is no way around this wascally wattlesnake. So Super Ed takes a branch and attempts to get it to move off the trail. It started to work. The snake slithered toward the downslope side of the trail (this is good) but then it stops with tail still on the trail. HHHHMMMM, so Super Ed keeps attempting with the branch, nada. So he tosses water on the tail having heard this is a good way to get them to move. Yeah, Mr. Rattlensake didn't like that too much and the tail started a rattlin! I've never seen a rattlesnake rattle it's rattler in person before nor have I ever heard it before in person. Pretty cool stuff! Of course my grandmother would disagree with my interpretation of a rattlesnake being cool, but that's another story.

So Super Ed went back to the branch and managed to get the bugger slither down the side of the hill while still making his (snake) music. (Pam attempted to get a video of the action, but you can't hear the snake, and most of what you see is Ed's tush). Once Ed felt it had gone far enough down, he walked past, then Patty followed, and then the rattling got louder which spooked Patty. Ed stopped dead his tracks and Patty started pushing him. It was all quite comical, but at the same time very serious.

Ed decided it would be best if we stepped up the side of the hill as best as we could as far away from the snake as possible. So we did as we were instructed and moved on our merry little way. You rock Super Ed!

Patty and Super Ed
with Nancy and Mindy in the background

We continued our run, with no more rattlesnake wrestling needed, but more berries needed to be picked. So that's what we did.

From left to right - Nancy, Pam, Patty, & Mindy
HHHHMM they're almost in the same exact order as earlier.

The most exciting creature we came upon after the snake was this cool little Preying Mantis. I just think these little guys are awesome!

All in all this was a very successful run. We didn't quite get in our 14 miles, it was more like 13-13.5 miles, but that was close enough for me. I really, really appreciated everyone who came out to run with me as I train for this marathon. As it turns out, Nancy is also training for it and Mindy is considering it. Don't worry, I'll get her to do it - peer pressure works wonders in the trail running world ! LOL!

Me and Nancy

This weekend brings golf in Napa with my golfing peeps, and a run in Tahoe on the Flume Trail with my awesome Trail Turtle buddy, Pam, and other FTRer's.

The Trail Turtles

Have a great weekend and get dirty!

Squaw Mountain Run 2010 - Shannon

2010-08-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

WOW! That's it! WOW! What more can I say about climbing 2000' in 3.5 miles on an absolutely beautiful day? WOW!

It was gorgous and hard! This was no RUN it was a hike! But a great hike.

Mike and Julie Giomi were kind enough to let me ride along with them and we got up there really early. So we enjoyed a Starbucks while we waited. Eventually it became time to go get our bibs and on our way back started running into other FTRs - woo hoo.

Julie & Mike Giomi

The start

Mike, Susan Booher, and Julie at the start line

The run/hike was tough and I got left behind as usual, but I had my iPod so I was good. I got myself into a groove and just kept plugging my way up the hill. It took 1 hr 11 min and I came in 29th out of 36 in my Age group and 391st out of 520 - see I'm not always last :)

The hike was so worth it. The views were spectacular and of course the prize for making it to the top was a beer mug and beer, of course!

The awesome FTR group at the top

Me with my winnings

Till the next race, here's to you!

More pics can be seen HERE

Blood Sweat Beers! Shannon

2010-08-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

You know, life just keeps getting in the way of me keeping up in the blog world. If it's not work, family, or playing, my computer goes on the blitz. But here I am and here I will continue to come, even if it's only a few times a month. I really want to do better here, but...........

Anyways, last weekend was the Blood Sweat Beers Trail Run up in Auburn. I had originally signed up for the 10.4 miler, however, I had suffered from some kind of funky virus (swelling, joint pain & fatigue) the week leading up to the race. So I decided it would be best to downgrade to the 5.7 miler, since I hadn't gotten in any running for a week and my legs were just jello. I'm glad I did!

The FTR's were there in full force, we were totally representing our awesome group. A couple of our members brought pop-up canopies, we had our FTR banner, and we took over the end of the parking lot.

(photo provided by Jenni Edge - FTR member)

I'm smack dab in the middle, sitting, white shirt

Before the race, brothers Dan and Dennis Folk, found me and we took pics.

Dennis and Dan

Me and Dan

They were both boldly doing the 10.4 miler, their first trail race (boy were they in for a surprise - don't worry they survived, and at least Dennis is willing to do another one, forgot to ask Dan if he would - LOL).

The BSB is a tough course. To me, it's not a true trail race because there is way too much pavement involved.

You start off on pavement for about a half a mile (downhill), then you hit a single track (up hill), then you hit the arroyo and stay along it for about a mile. This was the prettiest part of the race, as far as I was concerned.

(photo provided by Jeffrey - FTR member)

Once you get off this you head straight down an awesome, technical switchback, another favorite of mine. However, this race seemed to have a lot of trail running novices, and I got stuck behind several runners that don't know about moving over when you're the pokie puppy holding up the train. Trail running is a lot like driving, if you've got more than 5 cars (runners) behind you, it's time to pull over and let 'em pass. So I got a little discouraged not being able to do what I love most, fly down the hills. So as soon as we came out of the steep switchback we hit a road, and I took off. I didn't want to be anywhere near the novices as I knew we were coming to another single track that was going to go downhill again. When I got there, I did what I love to do, I flew!!

Then WHAM you come to the bottom of that and you're now on a fireroad that starts your ascent back to the start. You climb, and climb, and climb. No more flying for Shannon, it was now all uphill and walking. There isn't much left for running, but when it did flatten out or tease with a little downhill, I ran. But with jello legs (virus) I didn't have much for the climbs. Once I came to the top of the final, ugly hill, it flattened out to take you into the finish and I ran as fast as my tired legs would take me.

I finished in 1 hr 21 minutes, 37th out of 61 in my age group, 255th out of 341 overall.

Not to shabby for having been sick the week prior.

I grabbed some food and a beer (you get 2 for finishing - woo hoo) even though I wasn't feeling like I deserved a beer, not to mention it was only 10ish in the morning still. Wobbled over to the FTR tents and plopped in my chair.

It felt good to sit.

(photo provided by Jeffrey - FTR member)

I only drank half of mine :(

I was glad it was over!

I'm feeling much better now, thankfully. Now it's time to gear up for the Sierra Endurance trail marathon that I will be doing at the end of September. Here come the long runs again.

But this weekend I'm heading up to Squaw Valley to do the Squaw Mountain Run/Hike. I'll most likely just be hiking as it's 2000 feet of climbing from start to finish (a lil over 3 miles). I don't see much running happening tomorrow. But a bunch of us FTRs are going, so it will be fun.

Sunday I'll get in a long run with Pam and a few other friends. Hopefully Pam's heel holds out. I need my trail buddy!

I'll post again after the Squaw "run" as I'm sure I'll be taking tons of pics.

You can see all the pics for BSB HERE.

Stay dirty!

Tahoe Rim Trail - FTR rocked the Rim!!

2010-07-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

TRT 50K was the final long race/run in my plan this year. I began to get alittle concerned about completing this ever since my heel began to bother me weeks ago. On the last 20 miler before the race, I suffered intense heel pain 15 miles in and barely squeaked out the last 5. I finally decided to go see Steve Long, chiropractor (and fellow FTRr) who worked on my back, hips and heel. I also got weekly massages from Shannon at Massage Heights. The heel started settling down a bit and I felt nice and loose; ready to run 32 miles. It didn't hurt that I was also off work for 4 weeks prior to this race. These last weeks have been emotionally draining; my practice which I worked hard to build, closed, and I found myself unemployed. I was blessed to be hired on by the VA. But there was alot of sadness over losing my patients and my staff. Running for me these past few weeks has been much needed therapy. This race was sort of a mark of new things in my life, and I was viewing it as a metaphor as to how the next phase of my life would go - I was nervous.

Diane and I headed up Friday afternoon and got into Carson City where we hooked up with the rest of the FTR group for dinner.

We had a blast! Lots of laughing, even without any alcohol :) Got to meet Trish's other half, Aaron (loved his sense of humor!) and their new addition, CeCe - such a cutie pie! After a great dinner, we headed back to get to bed early - wake up time was 3:45 am, ugh! Fortunately I slept well and we headed down to the lobby to meet up with our posse. Mike G took this pic of us. He was supposed to run but hurt his back a week before. It was so nice to see him get up early with us to see us off!

We piled onto the bus and headed for Spooner Lake. We were all giddy with excitement, taking lots of pictures in the bus.

We met up with a few more people at the start, used the facilities and found a place to drop our bags. Posed for a few more pics, then headed down to the start.

(trish anticipating the pain ahead!)

The sun was just rising and we started out. The weather was absolutely perfect; alittle chilly and breezy. My goal was to take the start nice and easy, which I did. The altitude didn't seem to be bothering me at all. I settled into the back of the pack where I feel most comfortable. Kym and I partnered up and took our time. The trail was beautiful from start to finish. We felt good heading into the first aid station where we saw Dave (Kym's husband) coming back. He was running just a short distance.

(Dave took this pic of us early on)

We moved quickly through the aid stations which were about 6 miles apart. The volunteers and food were first rate.

We began the climb up to Marlette Peak and the view took my breath away. The pics don't do it justice!

The run down the other side was incredibly fun. We were doing pretty well when we came up to Tunnel Creek the first time. Then we hit the Red House Loop which consisted of a very steep down hill, long flats, then a constant, unrelenting climb back up.

That took alot out of us. We came into Tunnel Creek the 2nd time and saw Diane sitting with ice on her knee. She had to drop due to knee problems. That was disappointing and I thought for a minute that I might drop cuz my heel was absolutely killing me. But Kym and I fueled up, said our goodbyes to Diane, and we soldiered on. More climbing ahead.

We took a video during this part of the trail

Kym was not feeling good and started to slow a bit. I put in my Mp3 headphones and cranked up the music. At the top of the climb, I got a 2nd wind and tore down the trail into Hobart with Coldplay's Viva La Vida blaring in my ears. While I was getting my 2nd wind, Kym started to feel sick. She was eyeing the Jameson at the Hobart aid station, but only posed with it (didn't drink any :)

(she was feeling alittle like this wilted flower)

She started to suffer quite a bit after leaving Hobart and had to take it easy. It was tough not running on some of that singletrack, but there was no way I could leave her feeling that way. She pushed on even though she felt like crap and had to throw up three times! She's a stud...I think I would've quit had I felt that bad.

The climb up to Snow Valley Peak was amazing....again my breath was taken away. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this trail.

We got to the top about 3:15pm and quickly started heading down. The trail was gorgeous, but rocky so running it consistently was tough. Once down alittle farther into the trees, we were able to run a bit more. Kym slowed again and I continued running. The trail was smooth, fast, and switched back and forth through the trees. I was told it was 5 miles from Snow Valley Peak to the final aid station, but it felt alot longer. I stopped a minute to make sure I was going the right way and a 100 mile runner came up and assured me I was going the right way. He had run it last year and said this part always seemed to go on and on. He and I ran together until the next aid station. When I got to the bottom, Dave (Kym's husband) was waiting to run her in, so I went ahead and sprinted the last 2 miles to the finish. I was greeted by my dear friend, Maureen. She had moved up to Nevada 2 years prior and had introduced me to hiking the Sierras. I finished in 11:27, woo hoo!! I was so happy to have completed this race and felt great at the end. I met up with Diane and Sue Boo at the end. Kym came in just a few minutes after me. I'm so proud of us! This was one epic run, although I hiked most of it :) I initially said I wouldn't do it again next year, but never say never....I'm already dreaming about doing it again!

And I started the new job today.....so far so good!

Blood Sweat & Beers Training Run 7-10-10 - Shannon

2010-07-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

First of all - we had a huge turn out for this training run (minus my turtle buddy, Pam)! FTR's Rock!

I'm smack dab in the middle - blue shirt, white cap

What a challenging course!!!!

We started out at 7a and it was already warm. I had never run this route before, so I didn't know what to expect. I did get a taste of some of this when we did the ADO to Rat Bar and back a month ago, but not this exact route. The training run was for the upcoming Blood, Sweat & Beers Trail Run happening on Aug 1st. There are 2 distances happening for this race and I'm scheduled to do the long one (10.4 miles). So our training run also consisted of both distances, and yes, I did the long run.

We first headed out on the old dam road (Auburn), then hit a single track that took us into China Bar where we hit the aquaduct. We stayed on the aquaduct for about a mile, then we had a steep, challenging switchback to go down - I love the down!! Once we came out of that we were back on a road for a very short distance, where we took a right turn back onto the trail that took us down some more. Here is some of the view from this point.

These rocks were just stacked up like that. Thought that was kind of cool.

Of course, I'm always in the back of the pack and I was the volunteered sweeper. But of course, I had no clue where I was going, so I was quite please that I had my awesome trail veteran, Ken Crouse, sweeping with me.

This is the 2nd time Ken has been my hero! And I'm sure it won't be the last!

After this part, we were once again back on pavement, but now we start the climbing!

And we climbed, and we climbed, and we climbed some more.

I honestly believe there is more climbing than going down.

After you're on this for awhile you finally hit the Cardiac Hill bypass, which continues to climb, but at least you're on the dirt again.

Then you end up back out on the old dam road which takes you out to the old dam area. I'm gonna leave the rest of the details for my actual race report.

All in all it was a good run and I managed to have yet another neausea-free run. YEAH.

You can see all the pics from our training run HERE

This weekend Pam is doing the Tahoe Rim Trail 50k with several other fellow FTRs.

I, however, am not! As it's my anniversary weekend and we're heading up to Lakes Basin area for some hiking and rest.

Blogging to follow next week by Pam and myself.

Have a great weekend!

Still here! Shannon

2010-07-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to put the word out - the Trail Turtles are still HERE.

With the summer weather, we've both been really busy with lots of stuff! But, yes, we are still out there hitting the trails.

Last weekend we did 20 miles from Granite Bay to Horseshoe Bar, which was very nice. After having a couple of really rough long runs in the heat, this time we both did very well. Although, Pam's been suffering from foot pain, and this time it did start to bother her. But we both successfully ran a nausea-free 20 miler in the heat. YEAH.

You can see more pics HERE (my pics have yet to be uploaded, computer issues at home - WAAA)

I've started biking and am now addicted. I've even gotten my hubby out there with me, which is really nice.

What started this new addiction, you ask? FTR, Bryan, put on a a Tri-4-Fun a few weeks ago. This was a very low key, lets just get out there and have some fun get-together. We met at Negro Bar and started off with an hour run on the trails, then met back up at the picnic area on the beach, then headed out for an hour bike ride. Now I hadn't been on a bike for many years and had no idea how I was going to do. After some bike mechanical issues (chain kept falling off when I shifted gears) I proceeded to ride around the lake (11 miles), in one gear, with no problem with taking the hills (running ultras has developed me some strong legs :o). Then we met back up at the picnic area and proceeded to kayak for an hour and a half. What a blast. I had never kayaked before and I had a great time. I realized how much your core is invovled with kayaking - what a workout.

Me and Linda Bombe getting ready to go :)

Me coming in

To see more pics of this really fun event, click HERE.

So since that weekend, I've been hitting the bike trails for a ride each weekend. Of course, got the bike repaired, have purchased another mountain bike, and just enjoying the time out on the bike trails. Next, I'm going to dare to mountain bike for real - in the dirt. Watch out people, I'm dangerous.

Along with trail running and biking my DH and I have finally started working on our hallways. This was a project we started 3 years ago - stripping the wallpaper proved to be more trouble than we had anticipated. Apparently, this wallpaper must have been the original wallpaper put up when the house was built in the early 60's and they must've used cement to put it up - sheesh. So needless to say, we got discouraged and only worked on it rarely over these past 3 years. Well we dove in this last weekend and it's looking good. We've gotten most of it painted, but doing the staircase ceiling is going to prove to be yet another challenge. It's really high up - yikes. But we're motivated now, and we'll get it done.

This weekend Pam is in cycle down mode getting ready for TRT and she's going for a hike with some friends. I, on the other hand, am gearing up to start my training for Sierra Endurance Trail Marathon, but I have a few smaller races coming up. The first being Blood, Sweat, and Beers on Aug 1st and the FTR's are having a training run this Saturday on the course for the race. There are 2 distances and I'll be doing the 10 miler. Can't wait to see what's instore for me on 8/1. Since I'm kind of familiar with the area, I know that beer will be needed after the race, so I'm thinking I better bring an ice chest for Saturday too :)

Next weekend is my anniversary weekend and DH and I are heading up to Gold Lake Lodge which is in the Gold Lakes Basin Recreational Area (Tahoe National Forest) just above Sierra City/Downieville and we'll be doing a lot of hiking (on parts of the Pacific Crest Trail) and fishing - I promise I will blog about it when I get back. Also next weekend is Pam's TRT 50k. She too will HAVE to blog about it. So be watching, we'll get back on the blog scene, even if it's only a couple of times of month during the summer weather.

Stay cool and dirty!

Tahoe Rim Trail Training Run

2010-06-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I posted...but Shannon made me promise to post after the TRT training run , so here goes. I started to get nervous about this run when I checked the website and it was suggested to bring traction devices and trekking poles. So I decided to get some Yaktrax before Diane picked me up Saturday morning. I got a pair for both of us, but it turned out we didn't need them after all. Diane, Marc, Mike and I headed up Saturday morning to get acclimated. Diane scored a great condo in Squaw from a client and it was perfect for our weekend adventure. We headed up about noon, got to Squaw in the afternoon and hung out in the Squaw Valley resort area. The weather was gorgeous and we were surrounded by snowcapped peaks

Resting the tootsies

While there, we ran into a guy that was filming a commercial for Squaw Valley, Mark Jennings, from Passport to Adventure fame. He was a wealth of information on all things Squaw. If you get a chance to see this show on PBS, watch it! Marc was asked to hold the mic while the shooting took place; he handled that job like a pro :) We headed off to dinner at a pizza and pasta place, then headed back to get ready for the next day.

The following morning, we were greated with incredible weather and a front row spot at the start. The snow was pretty significant this year, so Dave C had to alter the course alittle bit, which took out about 6 miles. So, the plan was to get at least 20 miles up there. We headed out from Spooner Summit off Hwy 50 heading towards Spooner Lake. We hit the first aid station at about 5 1/2 miles. The trail took us through beautiful groves of Aspen trees.

We then headed down towards Spooner Lake and decided to go left to the famous Flume Trail. Had to get through some water first

We then headed onto this famous trail..the views are unbelievable. I can't describe it, so I'll just post the pics

Mike took some great pics, here's a link to those: Mike's pics

We did an out and back on the flume, heading back to Spooner lake and up the somewhat snowy hill (only place there was some moderate snow) and then back to the aid station. The options were to go up towards Snow Valley Peak, which was a 1400 foot climb, or go back the way we came. Diane's knee was giving her trouble, so she and I opted to head back.

The run ended perfectly with a spread of great food, yum!

This was such a great run! I was able to stay with my buddies most of the way, which is such a treat (cuz they're really fast). But I think they ran slow so we could all stay together :) I feel a bit more prepared to do the 50K in July, but I know it's going to be the toughest run I'll do this year!

Very happy camper :)

Link to garmin info

Another long hot run!! Shannon

2010-06-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday (6-6-10) Pam needed to do 22 miles, and as her fellow Trail Turtle/Training Buddy I am obligated to be out there with her :). Of course, after the Western States training run the previous weekend, I wasn't looking forward to another long run, in the heat. But, I will never let my Turtle pal down.

A large group of us (FTRs) met up at the Auburn Dam Overlook (ADO) and headed down toward the river.

It was a beautiful day.

We started early to try to beat some of the heat.

The views heading down to the river are just awesome. I did take it easy going DOWN as I didn't want to over do it like I did early on the previous weekend.

Here's Pam still happy!

We came across a lot of wildlife this day. We first saw a deer crossing the road, which is no biggie around here, but then she ran back across. We figured she couldn't get through where she wanted to go. But as we got closer we discovered that the reason she had to go back was because of her baby. Her baby was having trouble getting down the steep hill to the road and WE were too close. So she ran back up the hill and baby turned around to go back up with momma. Pam tried to get a pic, but all she got was the top of momma's head.

However, our wildlife adventures didn't end there.

We then came across this lizard who appeared to be injured, so we moved him off the trail, hopefully he was able to recooperate and move on.

Then we came across this little fella. It's a baby, but still very dangerous.

Then we got to Avery Park and discovered the pond is filled with turtles. What an awesome sight.

I decided that since there were 4 of us sticking together, that I wouldn't run the full 22 miles. I'd do 20. When we got to Rattlesnake Bar, Mary and I stopped and walked while Pam & Kumi continued on. I was feeling really good and I didn't want to push it. It was really starting to heat up.

When Pam and Kumi came back we headed back toward ADO.

Still feeling good, but Pam was not. The heat was getting to her.

Then at mile 15 it hit me like a ton of lead. I got really nauseaus.

I don't know why. HEAT! That's the only thing I can think of.

So I struggled, Pam struggled, Mary had no issues and Kumi couldn't take out slow pace anymore and jetted out of there.

When we got close to the bottom of our climb back to ADO I decided to try a ginger candy. I had heard they work for nausea. I thought, what can it hurt. If nothing else, it might help me throw up and then I'd feel better. Well within 15 minutes of sucking on the candy, my nausea had gone away. OMG! I wish I had dared to try the candy the weekend prior.

IT WORKS!

Ginger!

As we climbed up, I looked up Cardiac hill as this is where I will have to go when I do the Sierra Endurance Marathon in September.

Ya, I'm not looking forward to it.

I also, decided that I don't care for this portion of the trails (ADO to Rat Bar). It's too open, not enough tree cover. And this is where I'll be smack dab in the middle of the day during that Marathon. YIKES.

So that's it in a nutshell - last week's run.

This weekend I'm hitting the links instead of the trails. I'm playing in the Ladies Invitational (golf) up at Cold Springs in Placerville.

Pam, on the other hand, is doing the Tahoe Rim Trail Training Run (26 miles in the altitude). I've told her she's REQUIRED to do a blog update on Tuesday (her day off) about her experience.

So look for her post and I'll post as well about my tournament.

Have a great weekend.

Stay dirty!

Western States Training Run Day 2

2010-05-31T23:37:00.000-07:00

Training has started for the Tahoe Rim Trail 50k and first on the agenda was the WS Training run (20 miles) from Foresthill to Rucky Chucky. Carpooled up with Marc and Maria and headed to the Foresthill Elementary School where we hooked up with some friends:

Shannon and I met up and we were off. The day was gorgeous, but definitely warming up quickly so the armwarmers got chucked pretty early. I was alittle worried about the legs since I cycled 25 miles the day before. However, I did have a great massage after my ride which worked out alot of kinks. A few weeks prior, we ran 16.5 miles, starting at Michigan Bluff and running to Devils Thumb and Deadwood canyon, then back. This involved some hillacious climbs and long descents. I knew this run would be MUCH easier and it was :) We ran down beautiful singletrack, paralleling the river.

The trail was mostly gentle downhills, with some steep uphills thrown in for fun. This one was an exposed dirt road that seemed to never end. Shannon's hip flexors were rebelling so I told her to walk backward for a bit.

Here we are at the top of this horrible hill

Our first aid station actually was before this climb and was star studded. I made TT take a picture with us:

We crossed a few streams, but the one just before our final aid station was like an oasis. I spent quite a bit of time in the water. Ice baths are really underrated!

I lost Shannon just prior to the Rucky Chucky aid station. This aid station was at mile 15.5 and headed by Ken, fellow FTRer. I ate lots of potatoes, chips, water, and anything else I could stuff in my face. I knew we had a brutal 3 mile climb to the top and wanted to fill the tank before that. I love aid stations!

At the start of the final climb, I hooked up with a gal from Seattle who had run the prior days' run and was pacing her friend for WS. She kept me company up that terrible hill. At the top we headed onto a beautiful singletrack and although I was completely exhausted, I started to run and actually felt better.The trail leveled off and passed through a beautiful high meadow

We also passed this boarded up house/barn...out in the middle of nowhere.

I finished in about 5 hrs 20 minutes. Got to the finish and downed a hotdog and coke, hopped on the bus and headed back. I worried about Shannon; I didn't know how she'd do on that last terrible climb. But she pushed through and finished. She again shows her metal!

Goonies never quit! Shannon

2010-05-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

Or at least in my case - Trail Turtles never quit.

Yesterday's Western States training run kicked my tushy! My lack of training reared it's ugly head during yesterday's brutal run.

The day started out beautifully. A lot of FTR's were at the school all primed and ready to go. Pam and I are ready to go.

The start of the run was awesome - all down hill! First 3 miles - no problemo! Beautiful scenery.

Pam looking good on the trails!

As we started with some accents, I started to lose Pam, there she goes!

However, she was so sweet that she would stop periodically and wait to see if I was still coming.

We then hit this awful climb.

I thought this one would never come to an end. Pam suggested that I try to walk up it backwards, sideways, whatever way would work. And I did. But of course, I lost her here too.

But she, once, again, was waiting at the top of the hill for me. She took a couple of pics and I'm hoping she posts them soon.

By this point my legs are pretty trashed and that climb caused my stomach to start talking to me. So after this brutal hill, what goes up must go down and yes we started descending again. I struggled, but managed to get down the hill while watching some strange person in Pam's body fly down the hill! If you know Pam, she's not the bravest going downhill. Our norm is she's good on the uphill and I'm good on the downhill. Yeah, somebody was masquerading around in Pam's body yesterday because she took those downhills by the horns and rode 'em like nobody's business.

Needless to say, I lost her once again. But found her at an oasis.

Here she is stting in the water cooling down. There were several other girls there and we were having our own little pool party!

This was the last time I saw Pam!

I couldn't keep up with her and I did a lot more walking. Now when you're out on the trails, by yourself, in the heat, with an upset tummy, you're legs are sore, and no iPod, your brain tends to play tricks on you. As I was walking along a trail I looked up in front of me and I see this brown thing in the middle of a bunch of green and my first reaction is - it's a naked Ewok! You know, from Starwars.

Either that or it's a small Big Foot!

What do you think?

Come on, I'm not the only one who has had hallucinations on the trails!!

Ok, so at this point all I want to do is quit! I'm now out of the single track and on the fire trail with less than 2 miles to go to the Ruck-a-Chucky aid station. I know Ken is there and I'm thinking ok, you can just call it a day and hitch a ride back with Ken.

Then as I'm walking and struggling here comes someone who passes me up and I look at her and she, of course, is running and she's doing it on a prosthetic - hello! If she can do this, darnit, I should be able to do it.

Not! I tried to shuffle along, but just didn't have it in me. So I continued to wallow in my self pity and walked. Then I saw Ken coming over the hill. Pam had sent out to find me. He said luckily he didn't have to go to far. He and another gal walked with me to the aid station. It was nice to have the company.

The people at this aid station were awesome (the first aid station was lacking on moral support and help with filling the bottles). They had ICE - I love ice! They put ice in my hydration pack and filled it with water. I got ice in my 2 waist bottles and put water in those too. I ate what I could, which wasn't much.

I asked Ken what the last part was like and he said it was all uphill and wide open (no cover). HHHHMMMM. I can quit right now or I can push through. After the awesome encouragement from the volunteers and getting ice, etc. I felt like I could do it.

So off I went.

OMG!

It was awful! It just climbed, and climbed, and climbed. At some point there was a bench under a tree. I stopped there for a few minutes and just rested. But then got up and kept going. At this point it got prettier. I was no longer on a fire trail but back on single track with a little shade. It had flatten out a bit which was nice, but I just couldn't run any more. I walked.

As I'm walking along I looked down at my hands and they were white. White? They should be pink or red, but no they are white. I tried to make a fist and it hurt. I looked at my left hand and my rings were looking a little tight. I apparently was retaining way too much water. HHHHMMMM

Well thankfully by the time I started stressing out about this, I was almost done. I came up out of the single track to a road - looked left and right because there were no ribbons or arrows and spotted to my right some tents and thought, that must be the place to go! So I walked to the finish as there was absolutely nothing left in the reserves.

I was so happy to see Ken there as he was getting ready to leave and offered me a ride back to the school. YEAH! I didn't have to wait for the bus. I was so grateful because all I wanted to do was go home! However, when I got back to the school I saw Diane Forrest and that made me feel better.

I discovered that there were free massages happening, and because it took me SSSOOOOO long to finish (6 hrs) there wasn't much of a wait. So I put my name on the list. I am so glad I did. I asked her to work on my hip flexors and apparently she was putting so much pressure on them that she ended up pulling something in her shoulders. So my butt broke the massage therapist! NICE! But anyways, she was able to work out some of the soreness and I was able to walk normally again. Today on the other hand is a totally different story.

This is what I did after I got home. Lounged on my back porch on the swing with a beer!

Today I am really sore, quads and calves especially. But, I will survive and I have learned a very valuable lesson - never attempt the WS trails again without being properly trained!

Will I do it again, absolutely, I need redemption!

Stay dirty!

HHHHHMMMMM - Shannon

2010-05-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Ok so Pam and I have been seriously MIA from the blogging world, well at least I have been! I haven't even stalked Facebook in a month. I have been sssssooooo busy! In my last post I talked about my vacation to Lone Pine. Well I took 4 days off from work to take that trip and it took me til just this week to finally get caught up. 3 weeks for 4 days!! HHHHHMMMMMM

Anways, this will be a quick catch up posting.

Since my trip I've golfed 3 times. First was at Cold Springs for their member/guest day

Then with my Twilight League at Cordova GC.

Then Mother's Day with my hubby and mom and dad at Sun City Roseville.

I have run with Pam only 3 times :(. We had a really nice 12 miler out at Twin Rocks on May 8th. The weather was beautiful and the trails in great shape.

This past weekend I was up in Grass Valley for the Nevada County Relay for Life. This is a 24 hour event to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. For the past 4 years I've made and donated a quilt to raffle to help raise money. You can see the quilt in the pic. I take my granddaughter, Justice, with me as it's our annual "camping" trip. We spend the night out there in a tent. Loads of fun! This year, however, was very very cold. We actually got a tad of snow before we got about 15 minutes of rain. But that was it for wet weather, which was nice, because we were expecting a day of rain.

Every year, Justice draws the winning ticket. This year the winner was Gwen Corbett. Gwen is the woman who donated the fabrics and pattern to me this year. She is also originally from Camptonville, CA. Which is pretty cool because my team is the Camptonville Buddies!! The quilt has gone full circle.

Running certainly has taken a back seat this month, which is a real bummer. The weather has been so unpredictable with lots of gloomy rainy days and along with my heavy workload, has caused me to be in a terrible funk. I'm hoping to get out of this real soon.

Today I head over to a quilt shop to work on a quilt with my friend Mickey. Then I'm golfing this afternoon with my hubby, Mark. We haven't really golfed together all season except on Mother's day. So it's a golf date for us.

Sunday I'm doing the Western States Training Run with Pam. I'm really nervous about it since my longest run since Folsom Point is the 12 miles I did with Pam back on the 8th. Now I'm heading out on Sunday to do 20 miles. Yikes. All I can do is just put one foot in front of the other and be ever so thankful that we are expecting 80 degree weather this weekend. NO RAIN! YEAH.

So get outside people and enjoy this awesome weather we're gonna get this weekend.

Happy Memorial Day!

Wild Wild West! Shannon

2010-05-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

This post is way overdue. Here is why. Before I left on my trip to Lone Pine I broke down and bought myself 2 new cameras. Yes you read that correctly - 2 new cameras. My goal was to get a small, compact camera that took really good pictures to take on my runs with me. In the past I've borrowed my daughter's (Destiny), but she wasn't giving it up for this weekend, so I decided I better just go get one. Well what a pain in the arss that was. I won't go into all the details, but I had too much time to look at all the cameras and decided I needed a bigger one with a stronger telephoto lense for taking pics and video of my granddaughter, Justice, when she's in her school performances.

Ok, so what does all this have to do with my delay in posting? Well, apparently these new cameras do take awesome pics and (this is just MHO) the resolution is really high. So with this higher resolution, when trying to download the pics to my poor pathetically slow laptop, I ran into my laptop being even slower and then locking up. Well I got the pics downloaded, but now everytime I try to work within the file where the pics are, the computer goes coo coo. So, because I wanted to post pics with this post, I've procrastinated. But I'm here now to try to get my computer to behave long enough for me to post a few pics. So here goes nothing.

Dad, mom, me, and daughter Skyla

(pic taken at Mt. Whitney Portal)

We (my mom, dad, and youngest daughter, Skyla) left Thursday morning and had to head south, because the weather was too bad to go through Reno. There is no direct route to Lone Pine. It's on 395 and you either have to go up then down or down then up to get to it. The shorter/faster route is up then down. On the drive I played with my new cameras and let me tell you I LOVE THEM BOTH. I was able to take really good pics while we were driving. Just for fun, here's one of a train. We're going 70 mph mind you.

Anyways, it took us 8 hrs to get to Lone Pine. It's been approx, 35+ years since I've been back, but the memories came floading back. I spent a whole summer there and experienced a whole lot during that summer (chased by a nuerotic rooster, kicked in the chest by a pony, fell off a horse a couple times, etc, etc. Ya fun times LOL). A lot of places change, put Lone Pine hasn't. It was great!

When we got there it was extremely windy, but the views were great. This is the view from my aunt and uncle's home:

My Uncle Brad and Aunt Sandy have lived in the same house all these years and raised 5 kids. My Cousin, Marjianne, now lives in the house next door to them with her 4 boys, Gregory, Brad, Nicholas, and Edward. My cousin, Marie, drove up from Las Vegas with her boyfriend, Carlos. And my other cousin, Aspen, drove up from San Diego. It was great to see them all under happy circumstances.

(upper right pic - Marjianne, upper left pic - Carlos & Marie, lower right pic - Aunt Sandy, lower left pic - Uncle Brad)

On Friday, my dad and Uncle and I decided we were going to attempt a round of golf at the local golf course - Mt. Whitney GC. Mind you it was still really windy on Friday. The winds were blowing up to 15-20 mph at some times. Well we did it. We managed to play 18 holes and had a really good time. However, I will admit, that after 9 holes, I could no longer pull/push my cart. So I loaded my bag up into the cart my dad was in and I continued to walk while he drove my clubs around for me. It worked beautifully!!

The closest point you see on the snowcapped mountain is Lone Pine Peak, Mt. Whitney is to the right, behind it. Even though, the pic makes Lone Pine Peak look taller than Mt. Whitney, it's only because it's closer.

Saturday morning, the main reason I had decided to make the long trip to Lone Pine, the Wild Wild West Marathon (put on by the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce), was happening. The race offered 3 different distances - 10 miles, marathon, and 50k. My original intentions were to do the 50k, but after discussing it with several experienced runners, it was advised that I not consider that distance because of the elevation (topping out at 6500 feet) and having never run in that elevation, it wouldn't be wise. So I decided on the 10 miler to get a taste.

It started at 6a and this was my view --------->
Absolutely beautiful morning, however, very very cold. I had on 3 layers, ear muffs, and gloves. This race was very low key. So low key that the start and finish line for the 10 miler was drawn in the dirt - not chalked, not tape, not ribboned - drawn like you were when you were a kid - "I dare you to cross over this line...".

We started promptly at 6a - all distances. I started in the middle of the pack. I've decided that starting in the middle is better than starting in the back. If you're the same pace as other runners, you'll never be able to pass them, and they'll never be able to pass you, therefore, you won't come in last - get it?? Using my noggin now! Of course that only works on those runners who are paced the same as you :)

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The first glance at a map of the course that I got was the night before when I picked up my registration bag. But even then, if you've never been anywhere on the course, a map doesn't really tell you anything, anyways!!

We started off at a slow jog and then I quickly realized that that wasn't going to last. We started out on an uphill climb and continued on the uphill climb for 2.66 miles - we started at an elevation of 5124' and peaked at 6318'. Yes, I walked 99% of it. I had no choice. I quickly discovered what running in higher elevations means, at least running uphill - your quads start to burn much quicker and your lungs are more constricted, not too mention the cold windy air doesn't help the lungs either.

We started on a fire trail for about 2 miles, then we hit single track, which had us weaving through brush and climbing rocks, ah just like back home.

I did also get a very small taste of extreme technical downhill and a water crossing, but that was it. After we climbed back up out of this little gully, it was wide open fire trails pretty much the rest of the race :(

After we peaked it was all down hill for the next 6 miles. I was in heaven. I was able to run the entire time, except for the pit stop I had to make. Now when we're out on our local trails, the worst thing you really have to worry about when you need to make a pit stop is not squatting into poison oak. Out there in the Eastern Sierras, you don't have to worry about poison oak, but you do gotta worry about squatting into a cactus or a snake, however, it was too early and too cold to have to worry about the snakes. The other problem you have to worry about is that the only privacy you'll find out there is a passing tumble weed. Ya, finding privacy was a challenge. LOL

I was a little bummed that I had to make the pit stop, because I lost ground. I had managed to "pick off" a lot of runners on the downhill (my specialty - downhill) and while I was busy behind the largest bush I could find several runners went on by. But I'm happy to say that I managed to jump back out in front of all of them at the next aid station - phew!

After the downhill blast from 6318' to 4646' I again had to start climbing to get to the finish which was back where we started at 5124'. However, this climb did offer some rolling ups and downs so I was able to run more on this climb then in the begining. I'd say 75% walking.

A very small portion was on the road and since it was up hill, I decided I could take a pic and one of the runners came up behind me and offered to take my pic - cool

By this time I had shed one layer (that was it for the whole race)
(and no, I don't own any other running clothes - LOL)

I had to make sure I ran across the finish line, even though it was a steady uphill incline to get to the line drawn in the dirt. So with about a tenth of mile to go, I pushed it. Not too hard mind you, just enough so that I was actually running across the finish and shuffling. Well my quads were on fire and my lungs were burning as well and the feeling of queeziness made it's appearance, but it didn't last long and I was so proud of myself, especially once I realized how many people were still behind me. I had no idea how many people were doing the 10 miler, and I still don't because I have no idea when the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce will post the results, but as I was driving out of the campgrounds, I was passing runners still coming in. WOW. Lil ole me didn't come in last - woo hoo!

Post finish pic :)
The group behind me is the where the finish line is :)

I finished in 2:25, which I'm very pleased with! Next year (or the following year, not sure if I'll get to go next year) I plan on doing the marathon distance since you only have to climb another 200 feet to peak at 6509' I figure, I can handle that. As long as you walk up hill and run all the downs, this race is very doable.

I will say, that even though the pre and post race information is extremely lacking, the race itself was very well organized. They had 4 aid stations just for the 10 milers. The first aid station was my favorite:

Love the skeleton wearing the Wild Wild West Marathon t-shirt

I will definitely be back!

Since I was done with the race by 8:30a, we were able to spend the rest of day site seeing, we went to the Whitney Portal and to the Eastern Sierra Museum in Independence.

The Portal was georgeous and Skyla and I fell in love with the waterfall

Sadly come Sunday it was time for us to pack up and head back home. It was a great trip and I can't wait to do it again.

I have to thank my wonderful parents for driving me down and practically paying for everything - love you both tremendously.

And to my pretty baby girl, Skyla, for coming down with us and being my photo bug twin - she and I both love taking pics and we both got into the moment. There are alot of nature shots and museum shots that got taken :)

Yes, she is old enough to drink!

Sorry this is so long, but a lot happened in 4 days!!

I will finish by saying that I would never give up our Western Sierra's with all the trees and poison oak for the desert rich Eastern Sierras! I love our trails!!

Stay dirty!

Restored...in Cambria

2010-05-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

After my 2nd 50K (2 50Ks in 6 weeks, yikes!), the Folsom Point 50K last weekend, I was starting to get alittle burned out with running. After the race, I think I said something to the effect of "I don't wanna do long runs for awhile". My friend Kathy and I had a trip to Cambria planned for the weekend and I was ready to get out of Dodge. We headed to the coast Thursday morning and got into Cambria early evening. Checked into the Fog Catcher Inn. The ocean was incredible. I love this part of the coast, very rugged and gorgeous. I forgot my camera and had to use the crackberry for pictures. This picture doesn't do the view justice.

We headed out for some wine tasting in town, stopping at Fermentations, which was a totally charming shop with the most interesting things, including canned 'Frog Balls'. These are actually pickled brussle sprouts and are SOO good! I got a jar for my dear friends and neighbors, Marianne and Greg for watching the beast, Bella (who didn't seem to miss me at all..she got alot of bonding time with her favorite man, Greg). Friday morning we started with a 2 mile run/walk on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean. Then it was off to Hearst Castle. Again the photos don't do this place justice, especially the view of the top.

This place is so huge, there are multiple tours of different parts of the house and grounds. We took the Experience Tour which covered some of the grounds and part of the first floor of the house.

On our way home from the Hearst Castle, we stopped at a beach famous for elephant seals. These guys beach themselves just twice a year to shed their coats. They looked like giant pieces of driftwood.

Friday night we headed to Moonstone Cellars and had some more fabulous wine. In addition, the local massage therapist, "Tamar", was giving free chair massages. Ahhhh, wine and a massage, now THAT'S relaxation! Saturday morning we headed back out to the beach for a 4 miler and then home to reality, boo hoo! It was an awesome weekend and just what Kath and I needed after some very stressful weeks at work.

So, with my next 50K not until July, the focus will be on getting stronger and faster. Tuesdays will alternate between hill repeats and intervals with FTR in the morning, then racing on Thursdays. I had a PR of 29:55 on the short course at the Folsom Lake Trail Run Series April 22nd and I'd like to whittle away a few seconds. Not fast to most, but anything under 30 minutes is fast for me :). I'm so happy spring weather is finally here!!

Folsom Point 50k - Shannon

2010-04-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous day we had out in Folsom yesterday. OMG way too pretty!

Our 50k start time was 7a, which I was very happy about! The earlier the better, I say. Mark dropped me off at about 6:20a, so that he could come back using the parking placard. After getting registered and getting my schwag, I saw Pam and I was able to put my stuff in her car. As we were getting ready this was our view.

Sunrise at Folsom Point

Here we are just before the start. Aren't we cute?!

The race was very small. I think there was a total of 25 of us. But they haven't posted the results yet, so I can't confirm it. I like the small races. No big hoorah. In fact our start line was a dollie (hand truck) with a pink ribbon on it. LOVE IT!

The start took us across the levee, which is about a mile long. I don't care for the levee, but in retrospect, it was nice to have the easy warm up. After the levee we hit the trails.

Here Pam is cursing her Garmin. It stopped working for some reason.

Pam and I had company for this run, fellow FTR Lindsay. She is nursing some knee issues and was running at our pace. I lead the pack of us until mile 10. At mile 9, tromping through some mud, I pulled something in my right tush, which, of course, slowed me down. So at mile 10, Turbo Turtle Pammy couldn't take my pace anymore and jumped out in front of me. At about mile 11 Lindsay asked to pass. I managed to keep up with them until we got to the New York Creek aid station, manned souly by fellow FTR, Ed Walsh.

Fellow FTR, Ed Walsh

Here we are at the New York Aid Station, Lindsay, Shannon, & Pam

We took off and I was able to keep up with them until we got to the Finch Aid Station. After the Finch station, I took the lead for a little while, and then both girls passed me up and I no longer could keep up. But I was ok with it. I felt very content with being out there by myself. I was just enjoying the peace and sunshine.

Even though we haven't had too much rain lately, we still had some mud to get through.

2.4 miles to the turn around point - woo hoo

Self portrait (not the most flattering) with backdrop of my view as I was running the trails.

I was such at peace that I couldn't help but stop a lot and take pics of the beauty I was experincing. I can't explain it, but yesterday was a run of serenity for me.

Black butterflies were out big time yesterday and I found that they were very attracted to my royal blue Trail Turtle shirt.

Speechless

When I hit the the turn around at Salmon Falls, Pam and Lindsay were there. We got our hydration paks refilled, fueled up and headed back out. The girls were talking about jumping in the water where the lake came up close to the trail. I didn't know where they were talking about. But when we got there, they took a right turn and headed straight for the water. I continued on, knowing very well that they would catch up to me.

Pam & Lindsay heading for the lake.

Sure enough, after about 1.5 miles, the time came that I had to pull off the trail for a pit stop. It was at that time that the girls passed me up. I was sorry that I couldn't let them know because they were worried about me when they got to Ed at the New York Creek aid station and I hadn't gotten there. But Pam figured it was because I had to make a pit stop, but she was still concerned (love you too Pam).
After leaving Ed, I felt pretty good. But then that tush pull started tweaking me in different areas, but I pushed through it and the pain went away. I was in such a serene state of mind being out there, I was so engulfed with all the flowers, butterflies, trees, etc. I felt like I was out on a nature walk instead of a race. I was in awe!

A solo California poppy in all it's glory!

I have a thing for "odd" trees and I just love this tree. It stands all by itself and it makes a statement.

Wildflowers in full bloom

So being out there by myself for the last half of the race was a blessing for me, I think. I had time to do a lot of thinking and I had a really good time. I had some aches, but I was feeling really good. I had brought my iPod, just in case I got left in Pam's turtle dust, but I didn't need or want it. However, after I crossed over the marina, I decided I better plug myself in to push me through the last 3.5 miles. And it worked.

My wonderful hubby and awesome step-daughter came out to cheer us on and they were at the end of the levee, so they got pics of Pam coming across and of me as well.

Pam

Shannon

When I got to the levee, I decided to pick it up. My goal was to run across it without stopping and do it on average of 11 minute mile. I managed to do that. I ranged from 10.5 to 12 minute miles, slowing down a bit toward the end, but seeing my family there really helped me push it through to the end. It was funny as I passed Mark and Stephanie and got off the levee, I stopped and walked to adjust something and Mark yells, hey no breaks, and Stephanie said, leave her alone she just ran all the way across the levee, dang!

They're awesome.

I finished in 8 hrs 1 minute. WOW. I will say though that it wasn't a complete 50k. It measured out to be 29.5 miles. I can't really compare this race to Way Too Cool because of the different terrain. It would me like comparing an orange to a carrot. Sure they're the same color, but they're completely different shapes and species. What I can compare is my average mile. At WTC (which was 30.5 miles, 1 mile longer) I averaged 17:13 minute mile. Yesterday I averaged 16:18 minute mile. Which is pretty good, considering that average includes 3 pit stops, and a lot of butterfly watching. If I had behaved myself and took it more seriously and hadn't needed to pull off the trail 3 times, my time would have been better. But I don't care. I don't trail run to be fast or to beat anybody. I think I try to improve on my times, but I don't really think I care. I trail run because it's so beautiful to be out there. And if it takes me longer than everybody else to finish, then so be it. I'm ok with that. I did finish last :)

Pam & Shannon, finishers of their 2nd 50k

Today I feel good. My hip flexors are a little sore, but nothing too bad. It probably helped that I came home, took a shower to wash off all the mud, then took my epsom salt/bubble bath to soak the tired muscles. Then I rolled my feet on a golf ball, then rolled my tush on a tennis ball. That was painful, but needed and it paid off. Only the hip flexors hurt today. WOO HOO!

Stay dirty!

To see all the pics click HERE

Happy Earth Day! Shannon

2010-04-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is by far my most favorite holiday. Ok, so it's not really a holiday, but it should be. I like it because it's not commercialized and it's point is to bring awareness to everyone how important Mother Earth is to us. Of course, we should be doing this every day of the year, but we live in a society that believes that Mother Earth will continue to provide for us no matter what we do to it. But I won't get on my soap box, I will just share with you my Earth Day celebration.

As with most holidays, you don't always get to celebrate on the DAY of the holiday and that is what happened to me yesterday - the official Earth Day! However, I did get to celebrate in a small way. I went out to the Folsom Lake Trail Run Series for race #1 of the Spring series. I celebrated by running a very fast (for me) 3 mile trail run. I averaged a 10:27 mile. WOW! That is really fast for me. I finished 53rd out of 78 overall - not too shabby. Turbo Turtle Pam finished 50th - you go girl! However, I am truly, truly impressed with our age group totals. I finished 7th our 15 and Pam finished 6th! WOW!! The best we've ever done. WOO HOO!

And in the spirit of Earth Day I wore the brightest green shirt I could find. I love my Nike 5k 2009 neon green shirt!!

We're off!!

Pam is directly behind me to the right. She doesn't stay there long. This is the only time I'm in front off her. After this she was out in front of me the whole way.

See you can't even see me anymore. I think I'm right behind that guy in the red shirt.

This is heading back. As usual this Trail Turtle was out there by herself. But it was ok cause I was on cruise control.

As usual Diane put on a fabulous race and I'm looking forward to running in more. If you want to see more pics, click HERE.

So, back to Earth Day. I usually celebrate Earth Day by planting a plant. My favorite thing to plant on Earth Day is Jasmine. Mainly because I love the smell and it's really hearty. I need hearty plants because I'm usually busy doing too many other things than to care for my plants.

This was an Earth Day jasmine I planted several years ago. I love it. It's my favorite. It's just below the steps to our front door and it has taken over the railing. LOVE IT!

This is a jasmine I planted a couple of years ago in our backyard. It's taking over the upper deck railing. Again, LOVE IT.

This year I decided to try a couple of different things. Since I couldn't do my planting on Earth Day, I decided to plant 2 plants to make up for it.

This is a Salvia. A purle flower that attracts butterflies.

This is Rosemary. I've attempted Rosemary before but something happened to it. One day I went out to check on it and it was completely gone. As if it had never been there. No dead stump or anything. So I'm thinking hubby pulled it up thinking it was a weed. Ya, he'll never do that again! Rosemary is a very hearty plant as well, plus it just smells really good!

Tomorrow, Pam and I head out for our 2nd 50K. This time it's in our backyard. Folsom Lake. I love these trails and I know it won't be as hard as Way Too Cool, but 31 miles IS hard no matter what trail you're on. I'm a little scared as I haven't been as diligent about my training as I was with WTC, but I'm gonna take it easy and not push it. There are no cutoffs for this one, so that stress is not there this time. So I'm going to enjoy this race. I know Turbo Turtle Pam will take off at some point, leaving me in her dust, which is ok!! I'm bringing my iPod this time and if I feel the need for some musical encouragement, I'll have it handy. Mark is planning on being at the finish line again this time, so that will be another encouragement for me.

So, wish us luck, and tell me what you did for Earth Day, if anything. I'd love to hear about it.

Stay dirty!!

Fifteen! Shannon

2010-04-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

Fifteen? What is fifteen? Well it depends on what the topic is. Running, money, time, dates, ......

Well I will start out with running. This weekend is our cycle down weekend before our 50k next Saturday. So we ran a total of 15 miles. 10 miles on Saturday and 5 miles on Sunday. Both days were absolutely beautiful and the runs were great. I did learn a valuable lesson on Saturday during my run.

Since we were only running 10 miles, I figured I didn't need to worry about my fuel. WRONG! Normally I eat every 4 miles. Well I did have my homemade gel at 4 miles, but I didn't have my normal 1/2 PB&J for my 8 miles. I figured, I don't need to eat at 8 miles because we'll almost be done. Only 2 miles left. Ya well lesson learned. During the 8th mile I got really hungry and started feeling the "bonk". My pace slowed and I got really tired. I survived, made it back to my truck and inhaled my banana and chocolate soy milk. I felt better. However, I did start to feel queezy about 20 minutes later and was wiped out the rest of the day. Not cool. Lesson learned! Always, always, always, follow your fueling protocol no matter the distance!!!

Today's run was nice, we started out at Karen's and took it easy running the flat stuff. Loved it. We saw a lot of fellow FTR's out there today, that was nice.

While out on our runs Pam and I have a lot of time to chat and solve problems, wether they be our own or the problems of the world. That's what we do, all trail runners, we talk and solve the problems of the world!

I mentioned to her that I was looking in my backyard this morning and told my husband we were one step up from trailer trash! Kind of harsh, I know, but that's how I felt. I told him we were lazy. He said do you mean "me" and I told him, no, both of us. Neither one of us want to deal with the "unpleasant" stuff of owning a house, a car, a boat, a pool, etc.

He and I have a problem. We're both pack rats! Growing up we were both taught that you don't throw it away if it could potentially be used SOMEDAY! Even if it's broken, you might be able to fix it. Ya, we have a lot of "broken" stuff that might some day get fixed. NOT!

I know we have this problem, but it's hard to break old habits. So anyways, I was talking to Pam about it and she too has some of the same tendancies and we both decided we would work to motivate each other to "clean up" our lives at home. We were very good at motivating each other to train for WTC and we're continuing our motivation for future runs, why not motivate each other to better our lives as well.

I told Pam about a program I used to follow that really helped me when I first moved up here, and the premise is 15 minutes! If you just spend 15 minutes a day on whatever task you have, before you know it, that overwhelming project will be done. She liked it and agreed, we can DO this.

So, feeling very motivated after our 5 mile run and solving the problems of the world talk, I came home and decided that my 15 minutes would be spent on an antique hutch I have in the kitchen that seems to be the catch all for all the junk. I manage to keep our dining room table pretty clear, but because of that, the hutch gets the brunt of the crap.

I tend to throw, kitchen related items there, but hubby likes to stash other stuff there, like the latex gloves we've been using for the hallway walls that we're still "working" on, magazines, flyers, newspapers, etc., etc., etc.

So I set my timer for 15 minutes and I dove in. I was able to toss quite a few newspapers and old flyers (Leslie's Pools mostly), old shelled walnuts, a few "broken" items waiting to be glued back together (not, tossed), but the find of all finds was this large assortment of vegetable seeds and flower seeds. HELLO, when did we get those. Cool just in time for planting that garden we MIGHT get to this season. HHHMMM

So when my timer went off, I stopped. But then I had to wipe down a few things which took me another 4 minutes. So 19 minutes total and this is what I got done!

Not too shabby. I'm more than halfway done with this section of the hutch. 19 minutes did a lot. Tomorrow I will set my timer for 15 minutes and finish the right side!

We all have areas in our lives that we close the door to, shove in a drawer, etc. We all have the "junk" drawer (which by the way ours is the middle drawer and right drawer on this hutch). Is it time for you to clean out that junk drawer, the closet, etc.? Set you timer for 15 minutes and go start, you'll be amazed at what can be accomplished in 15 minutes.

Let me know where you'll spend your 15 minutes today.

Having way too much fun to be sober! Shannon

2010-04-12T11:59:00.001-07:00

I mean really!! Way too much fun!

We were Super Turtles on Saturday for the AR50 FTR's super hero themed Aid Station. We were the only ones to dress up. But that's ok, because we had a lot of fun!!

Here we are coming to the rescue!!

I'm not sure who we're rescuring, but gosh darnit we're gonna rescue somebody!!

Why, you ask! Because we're SUPER TURTLES!!

Here I am performing very important Super Turtle duties. I am directing traffic to make sure that all the awesome runners safely make it to the Aid Station. I know I saved lives today!

After using all our super powers on Saturday to make sure the runners had everything they needed to get to the next aid station, we went for a beautiful Newt Patrol Training Run up in Cool. Pam has already posted some of the really pretty pictures from the day, but I thought I'd share a few more.

This is a baby newt that "we" rescued off the path. The "we" is a royal we because Ed and Diane were always up front doing the moving for us. :)

Isn't he just the coolest? I love his eyes!

I was having so much fun on our run, and I was feeling really good, that when we hit Dead Truck Trail, I was able to take on the beast and redemption. During WTC, Dead Truck kicked my toosh! But not on Sunday. I got down that trail in record time. It felt great!

When I came to the stream crossing at the bottom of the beast and started walking through the water, I stopped. That water felt so good to my feet, that I just stood there! Then I thought, hhhhmmm, impromptu ice bath! So I put each knee in the water for about a minute, wow, it felt great.

When the rest of the group showed up we continued on and had made the decision not complete our 24 miles, which meant no Ball Bearing. Oh bummer! NOT!! Because of this, I was extremely happy and posed for Pam at the bottom of BB in front of the pretty flowers. (She actually wanted me to lied down on the rock and pose - LOL)

Yes, I am a weirdo, I know.

We finished up this run in the rain, which I really enjoyed. I splashed through streams, no puddle jumpers needed, and just enjoyed it. We then headed over to South Pine Cafe in Auburn for brunch. YUM!

As you can see, this weekend was a lot of fun! This is what trail running is all about. It's not about going fast, winning races, etc., etc.. It's about getting out there with nature and soaking it up in all it's glory. We are blessed to live in an area that gives us all this so close to home!

Can't wait to see what next weekend's run brings us.

Stay dirty!