Talk About 'Get Your Sled On'

The Mountain Marathon has plenty of time to groom their trail like this before next Saturday...  I think I would definitely be able to get a PR if this was the case...

Seriously so fun....  I'm gonna build one here tomorrow to practice.  : )

Three Things Thursday

1.  It made it to the fridge... fridge cover art space is sacred... just sayin'...

2.  It snowed last night in Capital Forest.  It's snowing right now in Capital Forest... just sayin'...

3.  I'm still on Paleo... the revised Paleo for Athletes version...  Dean eats 6,000 to 10,000 calories a day... just sayin'

Dean the Machine

I'm sure you've heard about the next amazing journey that one of our own is taking...  Dean Karnazes is once again putting his ultra skills to the test.  He has joined forces with LIVE! with Regis and Kelly to bring attention to childhood obesity and running across America.  For three months he will be running 40 to 50 miles a day!!!!  Two marathons a day, every day, for three months straight.  Seriously.  I can't even believe it myself.

I just finished reading 50/50 and was so impressed with not just his running but his genuine kindness of spirit.  You can go here to see more about this challenge that he's taking on as well as dates and locations where you can run with him!!!  I'm expecting EMZ to run with him in March and Kovas to run with him in April and of course to give us reports...

So amazing.  You can also follow him on facebook as he will update and share experiences along the way.  This will definitely be something I want to follow to see how he survives this challenge!

Will you follow?  Do you care?  Do you think he's crazy?  Do you think his body can handle that kind of mileage for 3 months?  Let's hear it...

Attn: Management

Could someone in Olympia, WA please take care of this.  I'll be there in a week and a half to run your trails in Capital Forest and would sincerely appreciate having muddy trails...not snowy, icy trails.  I will check in early next week to see the progress you've made with this current dilemma.

Thank you,

Racing Dawn

The Manly Bracelet

Yes, I purchased a manly bracelet while in Huntington Beach.  When I met up with Chris K. he proceeded to show me the balance test.  I was sold.  Hook, line and sinker.  So back to the Expo we went to find me one.  This is the one I bought.  I wish I would have gotten a white one but whatever. 

I immediately put the bracelet on and thought this was going to be a saving grace at the race.  Not only keep me balanced, but keep the flu at bay.

I wore it on race day and I actually felt great.  Towards the end of the race I had some lower back pain, some right hip pain and a little pain in my right hammie.  I chalked it up to fatigue and races and mostly was just grateful that I wasn't vomiting.

Into recovery week my back pain got worse.  The right hip progressively got worse as well as the connecting muscle tendons from IT band up to my hip on the right side.  I know.  Crazy.  So I thought to myself...  9 marathons, I probably need a little tune up.  I went to my chiropractor, whom I haven't had to visit for 2 1/2 years, and got all lined up.  He told me to come back this last Monday, so I did.  Once again I got the works:  cracked, stretched, popped and some electrodes. 

Still this right side of my body was bothering me.  Nothing has been helping.  I've continued my running/training through all of it.  This morning I had a treadmill run of about 8 miles and my right leg seriously felt like I needed to disconnect it and put it out of it's misery.  While running, something caught my eye. 

The manly bracelet.

Guess which wrist I've been wearing it on.  Guess which side it has not left since the moment I put it on the night before the race.  Did you write down your answer?  Should I make you scroll down to see if you're correct?  Ok... You're right.  I've had it on my RIGHT side.  The side that has been killing me for the last week and a half.  So I thought I'm not going to take it off, I'll just switch it to the left side.

I kid you not...within five minutes the pain had all but disappeared.  I know.  I wouldn't believe it if it hadn't happened to me.  I have a scheduled chiro appointment tomorrow and I seriously don't even think I need to go. 

So my conclusion is that yes, these things have an effect on the body.  I checked the website and it said nothing about being lopsided, but I think I must need to wear one on each wrist to stay truely balanced.  Wearing one continually on the same side is detrimental to my well being and overall health.  When I told J of my findings he said that when he's noticed basketball and baseball players wearing them, they have one on each wrist.  He maybe should've mentioned that to me at the Expo...

Quite the marketing ploy EFX.  Can't just buy one...

Whole Lotta Love

I

TRAIL RUNNING

Yes, I've said it before...  I love hitting the trails.  I haven't had much opportunity to run any lately because they're all covered with snow.   And also, as some may know, I've had a hard time deciding on my spring races...

Well the decision has been made!  Yay!  I will be heading to the PNW in March, Capital Forest, Washington to be exact.  I'm going to run THE MOUNTAIN MARATHON...  and let me tell ya, these organizers know how to put a little fear into someone.  Here's a little excerpt from the description:

'The trail in March will likely be VERY muddy. There will likely be standing water in some

places – up to a foot deep (might not be a bad idea to pack an extra pair of socks to

change into at the turn-around). The trails are some of the most technical (roots, rocks,
cinder blocks, etc.) Capitol Forest has to offer.  Believe us when we say this race will leave you crying for mommy....'

I can handle a little mud.  And along with a rockin' race tee, we get one of these in the race booty...

That's right.  A trucker's cap with a tagline yet to be decided...  Nice touch, right?

So who's in?  Who wants to join me for a nice trail run through knee deep mud?  It's gonna be a blast!!!!  And here's some elevation charts to look at to help make up your mind.  This is just the back half...  Don't worry there's some downhill... : )

Another amazing thing about this race... We will be given a red/white/blue ribbon to pin to our bib #. What is this for? To show solidarity for a troop of US soldiers stationed in Afghanistan that will be running the Hillbilly Half with us ‘remotely.’ They will be running 13.1 miles with us on raceday on a .4 mile course on their base. We want to show them that we support them and are thinking of them running their race while we run ours! So you know, Guerilla Running will be sending these soldiers all of the race booty (shirts, hats, finishing medals) to congratulate them on their victories!  How amazing is that!!!

And if all that can't convince you...how bout these pics...

Absolutely gorgeous.  So come on y'all...  come join me for THE MOUNTAIN MARATHON or if looking for a shorter distance, you can run the HILLBILLY HALF!!!  (It's March 5th!)

Yee Haw!!!



Question of the Day

It's past breakfast time, missed my meal. 

So inner dilemma: 

Should I have my usual morning protein shake even though it's now mid-day

or  should I inhale this...

Well, from the picture I guess we have our answer, since there is only a quarter of the round left... 

And before you start gettin' all over me about Paleo... remember, it's recovery week...  Let a girl have a treat or two...

And seriously who can refuse a fresh loaf of sourdough bread straight from Fisherman's Wharf? 

I heart Boudin...

Have a great weekend!