Fall: Long Slow Runs

(Trespas, "Dusk" watercolor & gouache, en plein air 2011)

Well, I've been very busy this fall spending a lot of time outside, this alleviates the urge to hibernate a bit and makes the shortening of the daylight more bearable.

After my 40 mile effort at the TARC 12- hour (mid-August) I took a few weeks off  from blogging, power-walking and running and instead I painted, gardened and helped my folks move. By the beginning of September my feet were fidgety and I met up with Kevin Z at the Wapack Race for a fast hike along the Wapack Trail from Windblown to Watatic parking lot. It was clear this was going to be the last opportunity I would have to spend any extended time with KZ before he relocated. We talked and joked and had a grand old time along that seasoned trail. After 9 hot and humid miles, I was cooked and we hitched a ride back to the start. We saw many folks finishing their 18+ mile race and met Julie O and Bill H for an intimate fete.

The Wapack power-hike showed me that if I am "going to get going I best get going." I am registered for the Stone Cat Trail Marathon, I figured that mid-September might be a good time to start longer runs. End-of-September brought 12 miles of wogging through local conservation lands (AVIS and the BCT) the day before my Seacoast Century Ride (100k). This proved to be a complementary endurance pairing! Weather, work and health permitting— Sat. and Sun. back-to-backs would be the theme for weekend training.

Next weekend it was onto the TARC half-marathon; that course was more difficult than I anticipated but good slower to medium effort training regardless! The best part was I got to see many of my TUG pals and catch up with them as I've been out-of-da-loop! 

The following day I chaperoned a student trip with a fellow colleague Mika L-K to the UNO Boulderdash Orienteering Event in Bear Brook State Park. What a sunny beautiful day! I completed a recreational course and had a blast running through the woods like a bobcat. Improving my orienteering skills is a goal of mine for 2012! After talking to Clint M. and his family (who basically owned the results through multiple age groups!) encouraged me, "A little training can go a long way."   I have the trail and woods running down not I just need to refine my map-reading and compass skills. (Photo: Clint and I at the UNO Boulderdash)

The following weekend I could not couple Saturday and Sunday long events because Saturday morning I was possessed by a food poisoning devil. Yuck. I thought I was going to die. I was too weak to move off the bathroom floor for a few hours. So when I am whimpering because my hips hurt climbing over rocks  I will remember that morning un-fondly and know it could be a lot worse.  After exorcising the demons I drove north and warmed by the wood stove while Dave nursed me back to health. On Sunday I was better-than-butter and went out to the Harris Center in Hancock and explored all of their trails and some Tree Farms. I (accidentally and without confrontation) lived up to my surname and trespassed a little, too. Woopsy-doodle. 

 (Trespas, cloud study, oil on canvas, plein air painting, 2011)

Getting Sort of Lost. That  trail was supposed to be well-marked with white circles but was not. Bummerrrr. I'd already been out a few hours so I cursed the mountain, thanked the cairns and determined I was done and heading back to the car as soon as I knew where the knuckle-sandwich I was. When I reached the top I found a young mom and her two toddlers —dressed in playful polka-dot parkas—Letterboxing. One curious little pink-gloved hand began to wave her stamp around as she asked, "Are you sweating?" and the other girl with more motor skills (certainly more than me at that point) stated, "you ran up that? woah." Yay, happy Letterboxers! And I was on my way; all was well again. It's amazing how the universe can present happy things just in time. 

 (Trespas,  Edward MacDowell Lake, oil on canvas, plein air 2011)

After a long week at work and running many hours at a time, I needed a new and relatively flattish terrain on which to run.  On Sunday I enjoyed the crisp air and fast course of the Ghost Trail Rail Trail Race, in Brookline, NH. I opted for "the shorty" and was glad I did as I got to meet some new running folks— Jeff R and his car mates: Jen and the iron man in his mid-60s. I enjoyed catching up with Jen F (thanks for wearing the Gator-Bait Gaiters!) and Melanie. I missed being out there with my ultra pals (Steve L, Norm S.  Officer D and Lil Royster) but knew they had a cold spooky night and were off repairing their garlic garlands.  I snapped this composed photo of Jeff Lane after he finished his 100 miles! Seeing him and Greg  (40+ miles) out on the course several times made the lonely long haunted passages plagued by ghosts and talking Jack-O-Lanterns less foreboding. (Photo: Greg E and Jeff L after the Ghost 100)

Monday I went for a walk to free the dead from my legs and extensively explored the woods by Dave's.  What's an outing for this Trail Pixie if I don't get lost? I found myself bushwhacking up the side of the mountain using a stone wall and a stream to find the Class A road that led back to the farm. Home, Sweet Home.

 

(Trespas, Just Over There, oil on canvas, plein air painting 2011) 

Thanks to Jeff R for the motivation to post again!

Everything But...

I recently opened an e-mail from a running friend who asked, "HOW are you and WHERE have you been?!" It prompted me to post;  I am touched he noticed my absence from that "scene."

 While landscape painting, 

I spotted this frog resting on a hydrangea leaf. 

This summer's been filled with nearly everything BUT regular running. Exercise-wise I've biked, hiked, power-wogged, paddled, swam, and run a tad (despite a bum hip).  I volunteered at the June MS Cape Cod Getaway, camped, gardened, visited friends and relatives, and painted (ceilings and canvases). My days are full.

Pine trees are difficult to paint, so many needles.

(Conifer, alla prima en plein air o/c, 5 x 7, 8/11)

 

Jolly Green Giants.

 After VT 100, Steve L asked me if I was done (or something like that) with the ultra distance. No, I'm not done—just taking a break. There's a difference between quitting, stopping and even pausing. My "pause" started with a Doctor's "required time-out" and is now more of a spiritual choice to seek balance and foster renewal. Trail running —at any distance (but the longer the better)—brings me joy and I will return to it soon, very soon. I needed a break from its many facets, so I took one. Meanwhile I am cultivating other interests—and responsibilities. One of which is cleaning out my folks' attic and helping them relocate after 35 years.

The pull-down ladder in the garage ceiling that I used to EMPTY the attic, box-by-box. If it wasn't nailed down, I took it down.

Thirty-five years of accumulation in three days.

No, we can't take it with us.

I enjoy the 50k distance, especially when there is no time-cut-off stress. While I believe my body and mind could finish a 50 mile (still smiling) and perhaps a 100k (more poker-faced), I will "pick races my own size" for the time-being. For the longer stuff I'm delighted to help pace/crew/volunteer. Helping others achieve their goal(s), any way I can, brings me joy.

 My Cucumbkles. 

How did we all end up here? 

When I see someone running (or racing), I am reminded of how fortunate they are to be out there and capable of doing whatever they are doing—at any distance or speed. I am refreshed to know I am a part of something larger than my purview. I try to be present, have grace, and not take anything for granted. An instant can change everything.

 Blueberries picked by kayak!

This Saturday are Trail Animals Running Club's summer 6- and 12-hour events. I originally signed up for the 6 hour but switched to the 12 hour; I will need that extra time to enjoy what I hope is a long, slow and happy walk. My plan is to "carry on" for as long as my hip and ankle hold strong. If I feel like running a little or some, I will honor that, too. This event is about follow through, respect, sharing time with friends, and basically rekindling a love for "the scene."

Vermont 100 2011

VERMONT or BUST

I took this photo of Steve last year at the finish of his first VT 100. 

I don't have a 2011 photo. But the only difference would be that when I saw him this year well-rested at the finishing area, he had a huge grin versus that "sun-in-the-eyes," a.k.a., "ITBS" cringe as illustrated above.

Going to VT100  was a healthy choice;  just what I needed to perk up my running enthusiasm by reuniting with old and new friends and lending a helping hand and upbeat energy. The long time that passed since I saw (or trained with) my TUG pals felt like a decade. To start, my time-off to heal various body parts was called out of hibernation when Steve reminded me of my offer to help pace him in his 2nd VT 100.  I started to train again with some regularity, which felt good, to see if I could help versus hinder him with his run. Several hot, hilly and horse-fly filled runs in the woods later, I knew I could be there and be a positive presence for him. 

We left the pacing very open and the first time I saw Steve was at mile 47 (Camp 10 Bear).  Lucid and chipper, he reported he felt better than he did last year. I think he added something to his Vermont Maple Syrup fueling system that made a difference the first 50 miles. I asked him if he'd like me to pace later and he said, "yes." I promised to be at Bill's by 12 midnight and would wait. What I didn't know (until later) was that Steve was sick the week prior and perhaps started his 100 dehydrated. He wisely decided to drop at 100k distance, at about 8:30 pm.  concerned for his kidneys (there's a long wait list to get new ones; why risk it!!!).   100K is NOT TOO SHABBY! I didn't know he'd dropped until a radio official at Bill's called and checked at around 2 a.m. A lot can happen in this distance, especially slowing down after sundown. I figured Steve's pace dropped, especially in those sneakers with no fewer than approx. 4, 220.349 miles on them ... (and they're still good).  Steve made the right choice for his health and future running/racing. Too, bad I didn't get to light his way through the woods until dawn but there will be other miles to keep.

Damon and Cheryl Lease gave me a ride to Bill's from Camp 10 Bear and I got to see so many folks come through—too many to mention. I headed into the barn as Mark Kruger and his pacer, Paul Y, were making their way into the darkness. Mark looked fresher at mile 88 than anyone else up to that point (except for maybe Norm Sheppard, who seems more alive as the miles build).  Mark was on pace for a sub-22, which blew me away! I'm glad I encouraged that dynamic duo to connect for VT and that it worked out positively.  I settled in and volunteered a bit, rested less and hopefully made the runners feel "good to go." Kevin and Michelle darted into the room and were off like race horses; they paced two speedy women (Patty and Sara) who appeared all business and finished sub-24!  I think they spent less than one minute at Bill's for their weigh-ins and fueling. 

Up to a certain point in the night, many runners I observed were hanging out perhaps longer than usual. These were the (experienced?) folks who were certain "to buckle."  They had time to spare. 

 NO, not that kind of buckling.

The atmosphere was light-hearted, no morbid zombie faces and only one medical cot occupied.  After the possibility of a sub-24 hour, the energy at Bill's shifts into what one person referred to as, "the Morgue." I didn't sense that because I was too giddy and silly with greeting running friends and acquaintances. While I didn't shuffle with Steve, I feel good about being a smiling and familiar face for folks, when they possibly need it most.

Ginger arrived and we waited for her husband, Michael Menard and his pacer Julie O'Mara. I waited for Steve (still didn't know yet). While we waited I was able to see many running friends like Dave McDermott who was having a blast with his first 100. His pacer, Suzie was full of laughs. Here we are sporting some animal prints:

 Suzie in Moeben Sleeves  (l)

Me in my City Cat Running Dress by Nuu-Muu (r)

(photo by VT 100 finisher, Dave McDermott)

When Micheal and Julie came in they were alert and full of life! Yippee! Micheal was relaxed and made his first 100 appear as if he were born to run this. They both wore Hoka's! One One with the Trail! Ginger and I headed back to start/finish and I watched the sub 24's finish (woot Dave M!) and then hit the bag for a few ZZZZZZ. During my slumber I missed Christine Matthieu, Jeff Lane and Micheal Menard finish! Steve and I caught up, he was smiling and apologetic about my having to wait. NO worries! And after some R & R with Julie and Steve and other friends and acquaintances, I was back in NH by noon! 

It was a so great to spend time with Theresa R and to meet her friends Meghan and Aliza, to cheer on Amy Lane and her pacer Jen G Fields, and to share some conversation Jack Pilla and Joe Carrara. Jack informed me know that the video I captured of him winning the VT 100 in 2009 was getting a lot of air time on a local station,  WCAX.com . Thanks for letting me know, Jack!  Here's the LINK.

Happy healing and training to all!