Happy New Year

I am going to be a little bit busy this weekend so I wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year!

I could not have asked for a better year than 2011. I am truly blessed to be able to do the things I love, to see our beautiful country, and to meet so many amazing, wonderful people. Life is damn good for me right now!!!

I'm not making any sporty resolutions this year. 2012 is all about fun for me. No pressure, just run & ride however much I want, whenever I want. I plan to race but not taper for anything and just go with it. You know? I'm sure I'll throw in some fartleks here or there and some tempos, of course, because I enjoy them. But no intervals for me. Okay, maybe hill repeats. Gotta love them hills! But I'm not going to do anything I don't want to do. So there. ;)

Personally, I plan to stay in a size 4 (woo! doing the Snoopy dance), pay off my car by summer, save more, travel more, and take my Nikon out at least once a month. I am having some serious air show/car show/botanical garden withdrawals. I also need to corral the M&Ms, whether they like it or not, for updated portraits of them. It was so much easier when they were younger...not!

Anyway, my wish for you is that 2012 be filled with happiness, health, love, and lots of fun. Have a great weekend and good luck to everyone running! Especially all of you doing the New Years Double. I'll be thinking of you all while I run. :)

3 Days From Now

3 Days from now, I will be San Francisco in the midst of running my first 12 Hour race at the New Years One Day!

Part of me still can't believe that I signed up for this. What was I thinking? Ever had those days when you are in the middle of an adventure gone awry and thought "Why do I always get myself into these messes?" I've had a couple of those...this one night in New Orleans (which we won't talk about!) and then a century ride I did on my own a couple of summers ago that I thought would never end or just might kill me. But I made it through both adventures. I'm not sure I'm smarter because of them but at least I have some stories to tell. ;)

Anyway, I signed up for the 12 Hour because one of my goals this year was to become an ultrarunner. I'd hoped to do it earlier in the year but because I had to drop to the Half at Seattle and then signed up for Santa Rosa in August, I didn't see how I could train for one in time. Then I found this 12 Hour and I knew I had to do it.

I also knew that running a 12 Hour would be different than anything I'd done before. With a half or a marathon, you have to cover a certain distance, usually by a certain time - the cut-off. But not with a 12 Hour. It's more relaxed. Whatever you do in that time is up to you and your legs so there isn't any pressure.

Of course, I can't be that "relaxed" person. I should be happy with anything over 50K but no, I had to set a goal of 50 miles for my 12 Hour. Do I think it's doable? Sure. Probably. Oh hell, I don't know but I have to have some goal to keep me focused and moving during it, right? So I put my goal out there in twitterverse and now I'll be accountable for it! Yikes!

But honestly, I'm not that nervous. A lot less so than my first marathon which was a complete unknown to me. Sure, I want to hit my goal but I also plan to have fun, meet my fellow runners, enjoy the sights, and just enjoy running.

Hell, I remember when I couldn't run 12 minutes straight and now I'm going for 12 HOURS! :) What's not to be happy and excited about?

So, here's the plan:

Run/walk (probably a 5/1 ratio until my body says otherwise) for 48 laps. At least. The loop is 1.06 miles and you have to complete a full lap by midnight in order for it to count so 48 is the magic number.

I should wear one of my Jimmie Johnson #48 shirts for this. That would be fun since he's fast and races in circles too, right? :) But I'm going to wear my Run It Fast shirt. It's so soft and comfy and I know it will bring me luck. I also plan to wear capris, and have arm coolers for the day time and arm warmers for the night time. And gloves and a jacket in case it gets cold. Oh, and extra socks and shoes.

I will take my own Gu and Gu Brew but will probably drink water during and take advantage of the foods at the aid stations (including pizza!). We can set up a chair in the park for our gear but since I'm flying, I might bring a towel to put my stuff on.

This is the link to the website for the New Years One Day:
http://wwww.coastaltrailruns.com/nyod_new_year_one_day.html
If you want to check on my progress, they'll be posting hourly updates on it. And they also have a link if you'd like to send me an email during it. Please! :)(my bib # is 1220) I'll have my phone with me but don't know how I'll often I'll post updates to Twitter.

So that's it. All that's left to do is pack and in just 2 days I'll be flying up to the bay!

I hope you know how much all your support and your well wishes mean to me. Frankly, I've been floored by them. I'll be at the race alone but I won't be running alone. No, I'll be running with thoughts of all of you that day. Good, happy, warm fuzzy thoughts that will make me lighter than air. I hope. :)

Favorite Things of 2011

There's just 5 days left in 2011. Less than 5 days til I begin my journey to become an ultrarunner. Well, I guess the journey started back when I signed up for the 12HR, didn't it? 2011 was quite a journey for me and it had some awesome moments in it. These are a few of my favorite things from 2011:

My 5 favorite runs:
1. The Lost Dutchman Marathon - Because it was the first marathon I ran without having to walk.
2. Day 2 of the Love Me Two Times Challenge - Because I raced smart, didn't slow down when it hurt, and gave it everything I had. Because I got major props from the guys there, I won the women's race, and went sub2. Yeah, that was a good day! If I smoked, I would have had a cigarette after.
3. The Tour of California Mt. Baldy Stage - Because I got to spend the day hiking and running with my friend Kylie on a mountain while watching fast boys on sexy bikes race in the Tour of California. Oh, baby! Serious fun that day. I put in 25 miles of hiking/running that day. Kylie ran more than I did because she was training for the Nanny Goat 24HR. She's the one who planted the idea of a 12HR in my head. :)
4. Christmas 2011 - Because I had so much fun running through the town I grew up in, chasing down Santa, going by the places I use to haunt as a kid w/some fun memories.
5. My Saturday Long Runs - This is kind of cheating but my favorite thing about Saturday long runs is starting out with the stars and watching the day break. I've seen shooting stars, a lunar eclipse, and some glorious sunrises. Way better than tv!

My 5 favorite celebrity moments:
1. Meeting Macca! - Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Seriously, I become a 13 yr old girl when I think about that day. He was so incredibly nice, giving, funny, and humble. Plus, he has a great accent. I could have listened to him all day ;)(signed: bib)
2. Meeting Scott Jurek - One of the stars of THE book that changed the way I thought about running and running shoes...wow. Again, super, super nice. (signed: bib)
3. Meeting Marshall Ulrich - He has done some amazing things and had some crazy adventures and reading about them was/is very inspiring. Plus, he signed my copy of his book. (signed: book)
4. Meeting The FatCyclist - Totally wild that I finally met him after reading his blog for years. (signed: book)
5. Meeting the infamous Joshua Holmes - Saved the best for last. Hey, he was the only one who bought me dinner. No, really, I have to say that watching Joshua run the Vol State 500 was incredible and he was another inspiration in signing up for the 12HR so it was great fun to meet him. Although...he didn't sign anything for me. Hmmm...
Honorable Mentions - Mario Fraioli and Josh Cox replied to my tweets! (I know, I'm a geek :) )

My 5 favorite running related adventures:
1. Visiting the Charles Schulz museum & Snoopy Store in Santa Rosa. One of my staff asked if I had a shrine to Snoopy at home and she's not far off! But when Snoopy is your nickname, you get a lot of Snoopy gifts.
2. Meeting my friend Toni in Seattle and our whirlwind tour of the City - including the underground, the Troll, the Born To Run store, and a hike on Cougar Mountain.
3. Hiking through Zion with my family - totally gorgeous, got to break out my camera, and spend time with my family on a road trip - a total blast!
4. Taking the ferry out to Catalina Island - a beautiful sunrise, dolphins swimming next to us, hadn't been since I was a kid, the possibilities of the day.
5. My running shoe adventure - not a journey to a place but a journey into lighter, more minimal shoes. I've really enjoyed being able to run in really light shoes and so glad I took the leap away from big, cushioned shoes.

My 5 favorite things about Twitter:
1. The running community is amazingly supportive.
2. I'm inspired daily by what others are doing.
3. Someone is always posting links to great videos & articles about running.
4. It makes me feel...normal. :)
5. Best of all...I've made some awesome friends!

Okay, that's it for today. Just a few of my favorite runs/adventures/moments/things from the past year. I KNOW 2012 is going to be even better and I can't wait!

Merry Christmas!

This is going to be a quiet Christmas for me. I don't get to spend it with the M&Ms (my nieces & nephew - Morgan Marie, Madison Michelle, & Maxwell Michael - hence the M&Ms). It makes me sad but I guess I do have to share them with their dad's family. I'll miss making & decorating cookies for Santa with them, putting out food for the reindeer, and seeing their faces on Christmas morning when they come downstairs. Sigh.

So, it will just be me, my mom, my grandpa, and Rocky (my grandpa's crazy Jack Russell) on Christmas. But we're going to have tamales & enchiladas! Mmmm...tamales! Quiet, but good.

I'm spending Christmas Eve at my mom's so I can do my Christmas run in La Verne. My grandma, my parents, and I all grew up in La Verne and it was a pretty cool town to grow up in. Lot of Hometown America memories there. Christmas is fun because Santa and the Fire Department visit every street in town on Christmas morning and they hand out bags with candy, peanuts, and fruit to all the kids. I have pictures from when I was little w/Santa on Christmas morning. As soon as we heard the sirens getting closer, we'd grab our jackets, put on our slippers and run outside to wait. This is a photo from when the M&Ms were little as they waited for Santa to come by my mom's.

I love all the different expressions in this photo. The happy smiles of my mom & sister, the excitement/anticipation of little Maddie, Morgan's skepticism (why, oh why do they have to grow up and stop believing!), and little Max's wary, "I'm not sure about this" one. Just so you know, Max was thrilled to see Santa when he arrived, even more so because he was on old Engine #1 - that kid loves cars/trucks/etc. :)

So running on Christmas morning is awesome because families are out in droves, most still in their PJs, kids with new toys or bikes and everyone is waving and saying Merry Christmas. It's a sense of community that you don't often get these days with everyone always in a hurry to get somewhere. I just follow the sound of the sirens until I find him. Huh, I guess you could say I'm stalking him! But dang it, I've been good this year and I want him to bring me 50 miles (at least) for my 12 HR! Cross your fingers! ;)

I'm looking forward to a nice long weekend, Christmas, my run and spending time with my family. I just have to buy Rocky his present (he loves getting presents!) and I'll be ready!

Confessions of a Runner

As you know, 2011 was my Year of Running. The motto I picked for 2011 was Leap Fearlessly. My goal was to take a leap of faith any time I wasn't sure if I could do something. Run back to back half marathons? Leap! Run a back-to-back marathon/half? Leap! Run 12 Hours? Leap! No Fear!

But the truth is I was/am a little afraid.

You see, 2011 didn't exactly start off all rosy. Back in January I ran the Buffalo Half Marathon on Catalina Island. It was all climbing for the first half which was a little intimidating. I ended up having a really good, strong run that day. I think I was just a minute or so off my half marathon PR but was really happy considering it had the most climbing I'd ever done.
What I didn't tell anyone is that when I was waiting for the ferry to go home a couple of hours after the race, I passed out. Just a few seconds and I was more embarrassed than anything. Especially because someone called 911 and I had some very cute firefighters giving me lots of unwanted attention on the ferry. Seriously, if you only knew how much I hate being the center of attention! And I was holding up the ferry too, no less. Sigh. But they were cute. ;)

Anyway, they took all my vitals, blood sugar, etc. and everything was fine so they let me go ahead and take the ferry home. I think they thought it was running the half marathon that caused me to pass out but I didn't believe that. I'd had Fish & Chips for lunch after wandering around town for a while. I love Fish & Chips but never have it because I always seem to get sick after. But I was on Catalina and I was craving them so I went for it. Well, I ended up getting sick. Psychological? I don’t know. Anyway, I pretty much lost my lunch before getting in line to get on the ferry. Then, we were standing in the sun and it started to get really warm and I just kept feeling worse. The last thing I remember thinking was “oh god, if they don't hurry up, I'm going to lose it again” and the next thing you know, I'm on the ground and people are helping me up and asking me if I'm okay. Weirdly, after that, I wasn't nauseous anymore.

So I knew it was my lunch that caused me to pass out. But still a part of me wondered if I had pushed too hard on the run. I've thought about that day every time I sign up for a race, especially when I know I'll be traveling alone. I think that's why I was so happy my family came to my races this year. It was a little comforting to know that if anything happened, I wouldn't be alone.

Of course, nothing like that has happened at any of my other races. I've run good and hard since then…harder even…and been fine. Still, the Death Valley/Vegas weekend…worried. And the 12 Hour race…worried. But I'm not letting that worry keep me from taking the leap! I am going after what I want and I'm not letting fear hold me back.

I think the one good thing that came out of that day is that I do pay much more attention to my body and how I'm feeling while I'm running. I think I've raced and run smart this year because of that. I KNOW what I’m capable of. I KNOW what my body can do and how it reacts and what it likes/doesn't like. So maybe passing out that day was a good thing.

I read an awesome blog yesterday by Ashley (@UltraChixUnite). She is an amazing ultrarunner and she’s had some challenges this year, dealt with a lot of really bad stuff. But in her post she said:

Running Ancient Oaks 100 taught me a couple things. One is that I should always trust my gut. As long as I am in line with my thinking, I should never listen to anyone else’s negative opinion about my running. I spent far too much time in my young life worrying about what other people think of me. This year taught me that nobody else’s opinion really matters but my own. I knew I could run 100 miles, and despite what anyone else thought: I was right. When people say that I’m obsessive, crazy, and stupid for running so much, I just laugh it off. Running is a huge part of who I am, and I will own that from here on out.

And that really resonated with me. I am lucky that I haven't had too many doubters in my life when it comes to my running but there have been some. I've been called crazy and obsessive. But I KNOW what I can do so don't tell me I can't do it. I know because I'm listening and I'm running smart. I know I can do this 12 Hour run. Oh sure, it's gonna hurt. But in a good way.

New Years One Day…I'm coming for you. Watch out!

My Favorite Music to Run/Ride To

I just downloaded Good Feeling by Flo Rida (video is a little wild). I have a good feeling this will become a fave. ;)

I don't always run with music. In fact, I probably ride with music more than run with it. By the way, if I do, it's only with one earphone in unless I'm on the PET (Pacific Electric Trail - a bike/hiking trail that connects our local communities).

But sometimes, I use music as a bribe when I run - when I'm tired or it's really cold out or when it's windy. I also like to listen to music before a race to get pumped up.

My criteria for my favorite songs is easy. My favorite songs either make me want to dance or they make me want to strut or they have lyrics that mean something to me. A lot of them are oldies, but goodies.

Without further ado and in no particular order...my fave running/riding songs:

1. Around The World / Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk from Alive 2007

This is my favorite part:
"Work It Harder
Make It Better
Do It Faster,
Makes Us stronger".

I love the cheering crowd and the energy in this song!

2. Running Up That Hill by Placebo

Kate Bush did this originally but I like this version better. My favorite part is:

"And if I only could,
Make a deal with God,
And get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems"

Even if I'm not listening to this song while running a hill, I think of "with no problems". It makes hills seem a little easier.

3. Dissolved Girl by Massive Attack

Sadly, I think if I had a theme song, this would be it. Still, when I listen to this song, it makes me feel like this:

It's a reminder that I need to put on my leather boots and kick some a$$ because now I know I'm ready to take on anything. Because I still want more...but more for ME...more running, more travel, more adventure...more life!

4. & 5. Stars & Not So Manic Now by Dubstar (both Way Out West mixes)

I couldn't find the exact version of Stars on youtube but this one is pretty close. Anyway, you get the gist of it. Both of these I like because they are so fast. Great when I want to pick up the pace!

6. Motivation by Kelly Rowland (Rebel Rock Remix)

This is my favorite part:

"And you’re almost there
You can do it, I believe in you baby
So close from here"

Just another fast, fun song to run to, plus it has a great title.

7. No One Lives Forever by Oingo Boingo

Come on, it's a classic. Love them! I also like to run to Just Another Day but this one is my favorite. Don't forget:

"So celebrate while you still can
'Cause any second it may end.
And when it's all been said and done . . .
Better that you had some fun"

8. When They Come For Me - Linkin Park (explicit)

This is another song that makes me feel bad a$$. Great beat and makes me "tough" it out when I feel like slacking.

9. Heartlines by Florence & The Machine

There are quite a few songs from Ceremonials that I like to run to but this one is my favorite. I also like Strangeness & Charm, Spectrum, and Bedroom Hymns. All of them have quick beats. And I like to sing to them while I run. Yes, I'm THAT girl! :)

10. Walk The Walk by Poe

I love, love, love Poe. I wish she had done more than 2 albums. This is my favorite Poe song to run to. It reminds me that I can't just talk the talk, I have to walk the walk! My favorite part:

"You got no sense of nothing not even a time or a place
Then suddenly you hear it it’s the beat of your heart
And for the first time in your life you know your life is about to start
Oh yeah, bring it on"

Bonus - Ok, everyone has at least one song on their playlist that they are embarrassed about or don't want to admit to. My guilty secret...I listen to Can't Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus on the run. Sad, but true. Coyotes can't be caged though. We have to be free!

"I wanna fly,
I wanna drive,
I wanna go
I wanna be a part of something I don't know
And if you try to hold me back I might explode
Baby, by now you should know
I can't be tamed"

Shh, don't tell anyone. Okay?

So there you have it. My 10 favorite songs (and one guilty secret) to run to. I have a lot more in my playlist, of course, but these have become my staples. If you see a runner girl stopped at a light, dancing and singing, it's probably me listening to one of these songs. :) It's okay, you can pretend like you don't know me! I would. ;)

What are your favorite running songs? Any guilty secret songs? You can tell me. I won't tell a soul.

My Support Team - My Friends

In my last post, I wrote about the support my family gave me during my Year of Running. They aren't my only support network though. The people listed below have helped and encouraged me all year and I am lucky to have them in my circle.

I am very grateful for:

Jason – I have to start this off with Jason (@jasonfitz1), of course. Hiring him as my coach last December was one of the best running decisions I ever made! I couldn't be more thrilled with how he developed me as a complete runner: stronger, more endurable, faster! Not only that, but he had to put up with some crazy curveballs I threw at him this year: the back-to-back half marathons, my bike crash, the whole Death Valley Trail Marathon/Vegas Rock & Roll Half weekend. It seemed every time he turned around, I was signing up for another race! He gave me advice when I needed it but let me do my thing. Who knows how crazy I would have been if he hadn't been the voice of reason a few times. So a big THANK YOU to Jason. If you haven't visited his site, you should. Lots of great info there.

My friends - Kylie, Libor, Toni, Amber, Mondi – because they've been with me through thick & thin, literally and figuratively. They remind me how far I've come when I get frustrated and are the best cheerleaders a girl could have. Their unending support and encouragement is just what I needed this year. Especially Kylie & Libor who are crazy endurance athletes (multiple Ironmans, 100 milers, insanely long bike trips). They push me to do more with their adventures.

The Comp Edge guys (Mark, John, & Roc) – My LBS guys get a shout out because they keep my bikes smooth & rolling and I know that cycling has helped my endurance and recovery this year. Plus, they are easily impressed with my running (since they don't run) and often brag about it to other customers. :) And…they are like a rolling cheering section since I often see them out riding while on my long runs and they yell, cheer, and whistle and make me laugh (and that always gives me something to look forward to on the long runs…not to mention I am crushing on Roc ;) ).

My staff – who put up with my daily running/cycling talk (and learned a whole new language so they could understand me!) and still ask me if I ran that morning or how my long runs were or celebrate my races with me. They cover for me while I’m out of town for races and I know that they have my back while I’m gone so I can have fun!

My boss - who lets me take time off to race and also covers for me while I’m gone.

My twitter community - these tweeps make me: laugh, want to RUN more, want to BE more, and get faster so I can keep up with them. I couldn't list everyone but I really appreciate all of the daily love/encouragement/laughs I get reading your tweets.
@bmleub <--my chocolate/peanut butter twin
@heidiruns <--hardcore MARATHONER
@lifeisarun <--hardcore MARATHONERS
@dimunitiverunr <--determined runner across the pond
@bayou <--super speedy and his appropriately named site - Run It Fast)
@smithbend <--also super speedy!
@naturalrunstore <--they also make my feet very happy - Natural Running Store)

I'm probably forgetting lots of tweeps and for that I apologize. Just know that I am inspired daily by all the runners, cyclists and triathletes on twitter. One of the most important things I learned this year is that if you can dream it, you can do it. And reading all the tweets by runners who are running PRs, qualifying for Boston, setting records, running ultras, and surviving less than ideal running conditions (DWR & LVR&R) has sparked all kinds of dreams and ideas for me. Thanks for that!