Trailrun WorldMasters - Dortmund Germany

I meant to update my blog before the race was over, but so it goes. I arrived at the Frankfurt airport to meet Mike Smith (male overall winner from Transrockies), his girlfriend Leea, and David (Gore marketer) who was kind enough to drive us to Dortmund (2hrs north). Everyone passed out in the car while with the exception of David. We spent the day resting and in the evening met a few folks from Plan B, the organization that was putting on the event. The next day, I slept and then Mike and I got to go interview with the local newspaper and pick up our race stuff.

On November 6th, we had our first race of three, a 5.1k. I was so nervous for this race (super crazy anxiety dream the night before, that’s how nervous I was), especially as they had me starting #5, right behind Mike (a 2:19 marathoner!). Anyhow I rolled with it, but 20:12 was the best I could manage, which put me in fourth place. The course was a bit like running through a construction site and my descriptions really won’t give it justice. There was a rope for the first steep, short climb a couple minutes into the race. We had a pasta party that followed and again sleep was on the agenda. At 2 am, my body decided sleep was not on the agenda and I spent 3 hours wide-awake. I tried not to stress and just knew it was my body trying to adjust to the time change.



Day two, November 7th, a 35.2k on slightly muddy, leaf covered trails… yay! Before the race, I was told my picture had appeared in the German newspaper. Sure enough there was me at the start of the 5k. Ok so back to the race, I was eager to run a distance I preferred. The 5k was way too short and it seemed to just irritate my left quad and leave me wanting to run more. I ran the 35k somewhat comfortably and tried to just smile, enjoy my surrounding, and take in the fact that I was in Germany!!! I finished in 2:38, which moved me up to second place. Unfortunately, my quad grew a bit unhappier with the running, but sometimes this is how it goes. The evening involved another pasta party, good German beer, which followed with another random wake-up call at 2 am and a few hours of lying awake. This time I was more aware of my quad in those morning hours, but I just tried to think positively.

Day three, November 8th, I woke-up a bit worried, but just reminded myself it was the last day and that it was only a 20.5k. I knew my body would hold up if I could stay relaxed and breathe. Unfortunately, my typical jumping at the start line didn’t prove possible, but my smile was still there. My left leg did hold up and I finished in 1:30, which kept me with an overall second place finish. I finished behind Luminita Zaituc. She is an inspiration. I hope to be out running marathons and trails as quickly as her someday (fingers crossed).

I am writing this from a hotel in Frankfurt. I fly back to the US tomorrow. Time has gone by way too fast. It was such a great opportunity to come here and take part in this event (thanks to Bernard for putting out the invite). Thanks to everyone that helped in the event and took part as well. People were so kind and I apologize for knowing zero German. Next time I come back, I’ll at least have the basics! Danke!


(Me with 1st place, Luminita_Zaituc and 3rd Silvia Balbach)

(Me with the French boys, Martin and Ed, and Mike, who ended up winning!!! Whoohooo!!!)

(Me and Stephan aka Gripmaster)

Germany

So first things first, those who were seeking more information on Germany can find an english version here. Here is what I know, I will be flying from SFO to Frankfurt on November 3rd. I'll be picked up from the airport and taken to Dortmund where I'll take part in a three day staged race. On November 6th, I will do my shortest race since high school, less than a 5k! Day 2, I've got 35k and climbing (ummm, yes I do think this will be my favorite day... yup pretty sure in fact). And day 3, a 20k followed by some good German beer, I assume.

Surprise, surprise, I am nervous, anxious, looking forward to enjoying what I love to do in a new place. I really have no clue what to expect. I don't really know many folks that will be there. Luminita Zaituc will be racing. And two people from Transrockies will be there as well. Either way an experience. Bring on the adventure, 11 hour flight, and my favorite, running!

SF Nike Women's Marathon

(Photos courtesy of SF Gate)

Did yesterday really happen? Here is my recollection. Waking up, eating, putting on my gear (and yes I wore a pair of my trail shoes, La Sportiva Skylites). Next I arrived at the start, nervous, excited, typical prior race feelings. Then we started running. I kept a fast, but comfortable pace. When I arrived at mile one in 6 minutes I realized I needed to settle in a bit more. There I was leading the race, the pace car in front of me, motorcycles by my side, and the nicest woman ever biking near by. She kept being blown away by my climbing. Hills yes SF has them, but they are not like running up a mountain. And I explained that I loved to run up mountains. Before I knew it I was at mile 10. I was in disbelief that I was still leading. A couple 1/2 marathoners cruised past and I was sad when they turned off to finish. Where was everyone else I thought? I came through the half way mark on target for a 2:51. I just kept breathing and enjoyed the encouragement from people I knew, people I didn't know, and seeing all the other women out there running, smiling, and achieving their goals. As I came into mile 17 I saw Rick Gaston. I was so excited to see a fellow trail runner and grabbing a water at the same time turned into a bad mix. I fell. All these times running on trails with roots and rocks and I fall running on a road, go figure. I jumped back up and started running, everyone cheered. It took a bit to get back into a groove, but I did. I slowed down a bit in those last 8/9 miles, but just tried to stay consistent. My legs are not trained for the faster leg turnover and I think they were a bit confused. At around mile 20, I started to realize I might win. Honestly I got a bit freaked out, but once again I just settled in and enjoyed calculating my finish time in my head. I knew if I just stayed at my current pace I would run under 3 hours. Before I knew it there was mile 25 and I thought holy shit this is really happening. I am really going to finish first and all those people are going crazy for me. Part of me wanted to cry, smile, and laugh all at the same time. I crossed through the banner in 2:58 and I was greeted by Joan Benoit Samuelson ,Kara Goucher, my boy, Ed, and a crew of paparazzi. I got my knees cleaned up and then got to spend time with a few other top finishers. Everyone was so nice and down to earth, got to love that! I got to celebrate in the afternoon with friends. I have to say it was a good day. Every time I run I am blown away by how much I love it. By how much potential there is in all of us. By the strength of consistency, trust, and acceptance. And thanks everyone for the super kind words and enthusiasm!!!! Hope all the other women felt that out there yesterday too!

SFGate
In Entertainment
Examiner

Blahs...

I hate the blahs. I've grown to learn they have a way of appearing prior to a race. All I want to do in the week leading up to a race is eat and sleep, sometimes cry. On my runs I typically feel slow as hell. Overall I tend to feel like a lazy slob and worry about being out of shape for the race. But I've also learned that this is how my body prepares, so that race day I am rested, fueled, and energetic. It still sucks getting the blahs. At least it is temporary. Tomorrows race should prove to be the cure.

Yesterday I realized that I needed to fucking knock off the blahs. Saw the chiropractor in the am, did some pilates, yoga, got a massage, went to the city, picked up my race stuff, met Kara Goucher rather randomly, watched a play, and woke-up in a much better mood. Today I decided with my bit of anxiety that I would take a yoga class. It was the best thing ever, not because of the physical aspect, but because it made me mentally relax. The teacher started talking about the drive to be perfect, our human desire to achieve a goal, to achieve the spectacular, but maybe spectacular is simpler. Maybe spectacular is tying our shoelaces, laughing, smiling. Maybe it is seeing how we are already perfect. Seeing that no matter how many races we run, how fast we run them that it is the challenges during the race that make us the strongest. That it is the experience that makes us alive. That no matter what we know, we can always know a moment when we sink into it, except it, and nourish it. I am not saying goals aren't good, that becoming better isn't good. But there will always be goals, we can always be better, and we shouldn't wait to get somewhere, we should experience every step of our lives. Ultimately we should strive for experiences that allow us to be better people and the finish line will come, and then there will be another, and another, and another... (you get the drift). So where am I going with all this, who knows, maybe just rambling.

I know that I will cross a finish line tomorrow. My goal = to experience every single moment until I get there. In what time, who knows, in what place, who knows. When I get there I will not judge, not be a self-critic, but instead embrace the fact that there will be several other finish lines, many more goals, and in the end accomplishments do not create a better life. Embracing who I am, becoming a better person in every moment, loving people, and experiencing every second even when there are blahs, that creates a better life. And ultimately not trying to be anywhere else than where I am at this very moment. So I guess I am sharing this because people have asked me about my training, what I do, etc. At some point I will put out a sample of a week, but really the one thing I have done consistently for every race this year, I have not set expectations. I just go get lost in the moment. I fall in love with hearing my breath, feeling my heart beating, and enjoying different experiences. More to come...

Road vs Trail

I know I've been away from writing for a bit. I've been enjoying day to day, people, births (yes two lovely babies were born in September), and running. My runs typically begin with a 4 mile uphill run on the paved roads in order to arrive where my heart thrives, the trails. I find the transition of the roads and trails vastly interesting. I feel a need to run faster on the roads. I dislike the cars and the visibility. When I am on the trails I don't feel like I am being watched, I am lost in the trees, watching for roots, and more internal with my breathing and my body. When I return back on the roads, I carry that love on the road and typically forget what is underneath my feet. Dirt, pavement, yes there is a difference, but I can still do what I love, run!

On June 22, 2002 at the age of 21, I ran my first marathon, the Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN. I trained myself and I had no particular idea of what time I would run. Ideally around 4 hours. To my suprise I finished in 3:19:49, which qualified me for Boston. So I ran my second marathon in 2003. I didn't think much about road racing and then something in the past few months made me rethink. I've grown curious about returning to the road and seeing what has changed in the past 6 years. On October 18, I'll get the opportunity as I will be racing in the San Francisco Nike Women's Marathon. I am nervous, but then again I am always nervous... that is what racing does to me, but luckily I've gotten a bit used to it. I am looking forward to it and if it goes well I will try for the Olympic marathon trails in 2010 (or I will get my ass into better shape, so I can attempt!). Then again I wonder if I will be completely humbled by the road. Writing that just made me smile. I've got nothing to loose when I do the one thing I know and love and humbling moments are welcomed.