Unofficial Way Too Cool Training Run

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

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


This beats the fog any day!


Cynthia walking towards the light!!


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

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





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





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


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




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

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




Mike G and Diane heading into the fog...


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


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

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


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


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


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




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

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


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

Time Passes! Shannon

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

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

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

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

Not the clearest pic - Linda, Me and Ralph

Ralph and I

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

My handlebars

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

I love the Grinch!

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

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

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

Krystal with her new CD

Stephanie with her new gloves

Justice enjoying her stocking goodies

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

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

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

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

Stay healthy.

Mud, mud, and more mud! Shannon

"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