Train Low, Race High

After having a solid race at Table Rock, I was 9th in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup series and thought I had a shot at placing for prize money (top 5) if I went to Utah for the final race in the series, the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase in Park City, Utah. We made a last minute decision to go for it and booked the last flight available. A would-be 2 hour direct flight into Salt Lake City turned into a 2.5 hour flight to Denver and then another hour up to Salt Lake City and in my bed at 2 a.m. Thursday night.

My biggest concern for this race was being at altitude. The start was at 7,000 feet and climbed to over 10,000 feet at the top of Jupiter Peak. The typical formula is train high and race low. Unfortunately, my house in Bellingham, Washington sits at a modest 20 feet. Hmm...this was going to be a challenge.

Friday morning while Tad was out running the course, I tested out a 4 mile jog. Within 45 seconds, my heart was trying to escape the confines of my chest. Hmm...this was going to be a challenge. I walked the climbs and ran back down. Tad finished up a couple hours later and filled me on the infamous scramble. I was nervous about the height and any possible drop-offs. He assured me that it "wasn't so bad." Our plan, then, was for me to lead up the mountain from the start to the top of the second peak and then hopefully open up enough of a gap to be able to finish well.

Emma, Susan and me at the start.

The gun went off around 8:15am and the climb began immediately at the base of the Payday chair lift. I had a couple exchanges with Emma Garrard who had the early lead and then at 2.5 miles I took the lead and opened a gap. The course was very well marked by the crew and volunteers of Mountain Trails Foundation. I held the lead as we started up the scramble to the top of Jupiter Peak. As it turns out, my fear of the height was a non-issue. Instead, the issue was that my legs suddenly started shaking and decided they were done climbing. My arms tried to pick up the slack as I struggled to get to the top on all fours. Soon, Susan Minneci passed me. Usually if I am passed on a climb, I focus on the person's back and try to maintain contact. Because it was so steep, I was staring at the heel counter of her Hoka's. That was short-lived. I was elated to reach the flag pole marking the top of Jupiter Peak, but my oxygen-depleted heart sunk when I saw Tri-County Peak looming ahead.

The Scramble

The race uses the name "steeplechase' to signify the "hurdle" of peaks as if they were two barriers on the track. Susan had a 30 second lead at this point, but my biggest goal was just to get to the top of the second summit. When I finally crested the top, I was so happy. I could have finished there and been thrilled with my performance. Instead, the actual finish was another 8 miles away.

Whee! No more climbing!

The first mile of the descent I was just glad to be going downhill, but then 2 miles later, I didn't want anything to do with a hill - be it uphill or downhill. Somewhere in there (things were getting fuzzy), Emma passed me. With 3 miles to go, I latched on to one of the La Sportiva crew. Thank God he was there. I think he was as ready to be done as I was. The two of us almost took out an inconsiderate mountain biker as we bombed down the hill. I followed him all the way to the finish where we hugged and high-fived jubilantly, celebrating that we could stop running and sit down in the shade. I ended up 3rd female (3:48 behind the leader, Susan) and 4th overall in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series. Overall, it was a satisfying day. I met many great people, gained a lot of racing experience and won $1,500.

Thank you, again, to the race directors, volunteers and the Mountain Trails Foundation for a well-organized, unique and challenging event. I'm ready to do it again... I just need 364 days to recover. Thank you to La Sportiva for sponsoring some of the greatest trail races in the country through the La Sportiva Mountain Cup Series and for supporting mountain racing. Thank you to Inov-8. My Roclite 268's came through again. They are amazingly versatile, from the rainforest of the Pacific Northwest to the coast of California to the mountain peaks of Utah.

Emma, Maria, Susan

I was right about one thing: it was a challenge!

 *Tad Davis photos

If You are What You Eat, I'm "Beet"

It was a bittersweet weekend. The US Mountain Running Championships took place in North Conway, New Hampshire on Sunday and I wasn't there. After being off for 4 months at the beginning of the year, we didn't feel that I had enough time to adequately prepare in order to be competitive, especially with such an elite field.

I still wanted to run a national-class trail race without having to make a big trip out east. The plan at the start of the year was to compete in the Sportiva Mountain Cup races, but with my injury, I missed out on the early races that were closer to home. We chose to compete in the second to last race in the series, the Table Rock 27K which is hosted by Inside Trail Racing in Stinson Beach, California. This race was going to have solid competition and it was a chance to gain experience with a longer distance. Before I knew Caitlin Smith, the course-record holder and 2:41 marathoner, was racing, I thought my main competition would be Alison Bryant (La Sportiva) whom I've raced in the past at shorter distances.

View of Stinson Beach with a mile to go.

We left Seattle early Friday morning and we were pulling in to Stinson Beach by noon. The town seemed oddly familiar before I realized that I had been there before on a day trip before running the 5K at Stanford in college. I remember my college friend, Alison Spiker, raving about the awesome lunch we had after our run along Highway 1. Tad and I were anxious to find the spot for lunch after our course preview.

While Tad ran up, I walked two miles up the infamous Dipsea steps that I would be running down the last mile of the race. My first thought was that these steps are hard to walk down, let alone alone run down, let alone race down. Afterwards we headed to the Parkside Cafe for a delicious lunch.  I got a beet and arugula salad-yum! I wanted to eat as many nitrates as I could. (Studies have shown the nitrates in beets to increase endurance.)

Did I mention they have an awesome beet & arugula salad?

The next day, we drove to a different section of the course and ran a 7.5 mile loop on the beginning of the Dipsea trail and ending on the Coastal View Trail. Within the first mile I was nettled (see Enough Mettle to Nettle) . Then the trail opened up and we went from running on soft rooted forest trails to dusty scrubby hillsides. Coming around a turn I saw what I thought to be a bunny rabbit the size of a dog sitting in the middle of the trail. It turned out to be my first encounter with a jackrabbit. It took off and led us down the trail. Then we drove back to Stinson Beach to eat at the Parkside Cafe. I got a beet and arugula salad-yum!

Race morning (and the week leading up the race) I was more nervous than usual because this was going to be my longest race distance yet. Between my nerves getting the best of me and the hairpin turns on Highway 1, I couldn't stomach my usual pre-race coffee. I got to the starting line at 8:30 a.m., said hi to Alison Bryant, introduced myself to Caitlin Smith and we were off. The race starts with an 1,800 foot climb in 2.5 miles and then meanders its way back down to 20 feet before climbing again to 1,400 feet and then dropping to the finish. Caitlin went to the lead with Alison on her shoulder and I was a few steps back for the first half mile. When the climb got serious, Caitlin slowed and Alison took over. As the climb got steeper and tougher, we dropped Caitlin and started to pass the men that were walking. I was surprised that Caitlin was no longer a factor once we crested the mountain. I followed Alison at a comfortable pace until we reached the first aid station at 10K. I  didn't realize this whole time that Caitlin was chasing us down at probably 6-flat pace. I was caught with my pants down as she blew by. Tad yelled out, "Go with her!" I felt like Forest Gump when his teammate handed him the football and yelled, "RUN!" OKay!

Ready to be done!

I took off after her and the faster I ran, the further ahead she got. Before long I was all alone on a hillside with wind blowing sideways, thick fog and 50 switchbacks to navigate. At mile 11, my legs were shot. It took everything I had to keep running up the second climb. Alison told me later that she was running me down on the climb. Luckily, once I made it to the top, I got a second wind from the ice water at the aid station and got rolling again for the last 5K. The Dipsea steps turned out to not be an issue and I made it to the finish in one piece in a time of 2:25:31 with Caitlin about 6 minutes ahead with a new course record by two minutes and Alison just over a minute back.

I staggered into the shade, sat down and missed the quick awards ceremony. Whoops. Next time I will not assume that a competitor of Caitlin's caliber could be so easily dropped early on in a race. Well done, Caitlin!

A big thank you to race director Tim Stahler for a course that was well marked, challenging and beautiful. Inside Trail Racing events are definitely going into my race calendar. Thank you to all of the volunteers for your friendly encouragement and for the ice water at the last aid station- it was the best I've ever had. Thank you to Inov-8 for my Roclite 268's. They were FANTASTIC for this particular course. Loose gravel, wet muddy patches, lots of steps- no problem!

After a brief cool down and a change of clothes, we went back to Parkside cafe for the last time. Guess what I got... No way, I'm sick of beets and arugula! I got poached eggs with toast- yum!

*Congratulations to Joe Gray and Morgan Arritola, the 2013 U.S. Mountain Running Champions and the rest of the team that will represent the U.S.A. in Poland at the World Mountain Running Championships on September 8th. Go U.S.A!

Kicking off the Cobwebs at Echo Valley

How do you like them apples?

After running consistently for a couple weeks, it was time to start thinking about racing. Evergreen Trail Runs hosts a series of trail runs showcasing some of Washington's finest landscapes. As my 2013 racing debut, we chose to sign up for the Echo Valley 10K in Chelan. Echo Valley is the "wine country of Washington" and Chelan (pronounced like the "she" in "shepherd" and "lan" as in "oh my land!") is a top vacation spot for Washingtonians due to its endless sunshine.

Tad and I took the beautiful drive through North Cascades National Park a couple weekends ago to check out the course. Once on the other side of the mountains, the climate changed drastically from wet, moss-covered rainforest to dry, sunny and desert. All around are vineyards, apple and cherry trees.

Warming up in the Inov-8 Terroc 308

The trail system at Echo Ridge has over 20 miles of smooth dusty trails with views of Lake Chelan, the Enchantments, Pyramid Peak and the Okanogan Highlands. The 10K course totaled 900 feet of elevation gain and the trails were very runnable. You could really get moving on them unlike the trails in western Washington that are gnarled with roots, rocks and mud. This was going to be a perfect race for dusting off the cobwebs after 4 months off with an Achilles injury.

Echo Valley was sponsored by Vindu Lac of Chelan, one of the top Wineries in the region, and was named “Winery of the Year” in 2010. Race participants were treated to special deals and discounts at Vin du Lac’s tasting room and restaurant, including 20% off all wine, and 10% off all food and merchandise. Naturally, we took advantage of this and bought 2 bottles of wine - a white and a red.

Top of the 900ft climb

We camped out the night before - something I have never done, but it worked out just as well as staying in a hotel. The early rising sun had us up at 5am and after hanging out at Starbucks with coffee and a bagel, we headed to the course. The 50 mile race was already going on when we arrived and the 50K was to start at 8:30am, followed by the half-marathon and the 10K at 9:30am. I decided to race in the Inov-8 F-lite 240's and they turned out to be perfect for this particular hard-packed terrain. The 240's are unisex, but their performance fit was very comfortable. I stayed conservative at the start and then at a mile I passed the first man to take the overall lead. The rest of the race I ran solo, following the extremely well marked ribbons and arrows. When I came through the finish, I was treated with a bottle of wine and congratulatory hugs and handshakes. My time of 44:02 breaks the previous women's record by over 6 minutes. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect debut after being off for so long. The effort was perfect for my current fitness level and the distance stressed my body enough, but not too much. This was my first race since December and it feels so good. Today I am so full of joy and gratitude.

First Finish in 6 months!!!

This calls for celebration!

 A big thank you to Roger Michel and Jerry Gamez for organizing and directing such a great event. I look forward to participating in more Evergreen Trail Runs in the future for the fun, the camaraderie, the challenge and hopefully, more wine.

Girls on the Run

Pre-run butterfly stretch.

On Saturday, I ran with a participant in the Girls on the Run Program during their celebratory, non-competitive 5K. According to their website, Girls on the Run “encourages positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms.”

Mehar & me

Before the run, the girls were full of energy running around in pink capes and race numbers that were all “#1.” My running buddy was Mehar, a sweet and spirited soon-to-be 6^th grader who, in addition to running, plays the piano and dances hip-hop. She really impressed me with her mature attitude and bold goals of one day running the Boston Marathon. Most of the girls around us would alternate walking and sprinting, but my buddy was smooth and steady for the entire 3 mile run. Even when she felt like walking, she kept on going. As we ran we cheered on the other girls ahead of us and behind us, we received high fives and encouragement in return. Mehar told me that she could never imagine running in long braids and a pink cape if not for the confidence and self-esteem that this program instilled in her.

Coming into the finish

My brief experience with Girls on the Run really touched me and inspired me to be a part of it next season. This is yet another example of the power of running. Go, Mehar!

*Tad Davis photos

Review: Inov-8 Roclite 275 GTX

I had the opportunity to test out the Inov-8 Roclite 275 GTX a couple months before they became available for public purchase (you can now find them on the Inov-8 website under Products, Off Road). These are an updated version of the popular female specific shoe. The first thing you'll notice is that the previous mesh upper has been replaced with a much stronger mesh material. This should significantly decrease the likelihood of an upper blowout due to extended use as well as trail hazard (rocks, sticks, etc.) cuts and tears. The heel was designed to be narrower to match the shape of the female foot. It has good cushioning with a lower than average differential. This is a great training shoe and perfect for long runs in wet slippery conditions. The sole of the shoe was developed using rock climbing rubber technology to optimize grip in wet conditions. The GORE-TEX lining keeps my feet warm and dry running the wet Pacific Northwest Chuckanut trails as well as hiking high elevations on the North Cascade trails still covered in 5 feet of snow. This has been one of my favorite pair of Inov-8s because it is so versatile, comfortable and reliable. 

Adventures in the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks

Tad and I took a week-long camping trip to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It was my first visit to the parks and certainly not the last as their incredible awesomeness left a lasting impression on me and a yearning for more.

We flew into Vegas and stayed in a resort where we enjoyed amenities such as indoor plumbing and hot showers before embarking on our adventure

The first sun my feet have seen in months.

It is impossible to go to Vegas and not try your hand at gambling. There is even a casino in the entrance of K-mart. We went into a random casino after dinner and got out as quickly as possible. I don't know, but sitting for hours in a smog of cigarette smoke drinking alcohol and concomitantly losing money does not appeal to me. But hey, to each his own.

We lost $10.00 in less than 90 seconds...

While at the Grand Canyon we hiked down South Kaibab, across the canyon on Tonto Trail, and up Bright Angel for a total of 13.3 miles, according to my Garmin. 

A lone cactus. 

Don't fall off, Tad!

View from South Kaibab.

I have some training to do before I break the R2R FKT.

We left the Grand Canyon and drove four hours to Bryce Canyon National Park where the temperature dropped 20 degrees. While making dinner, an abrupt hail storm started dropping huge ice balls into our pasta and forced us to grab everything and run to the car for shelter.

Isn't this supposed to be fun?

Pasta with tomatoes and ice balls, yum!

After a cold night in the tent, we were not in the mood for making breakfast on our camping stove. We spoiled ourselves with pancakes and coffee next to a fire in the Lodge. 

Overnight low of 30 degrees.

This is more like it!

We hiked the "Figure 8" loop which took us through Navajo Loop, Peak-a-boo and Queen's garden with stunning views of the hoodoos.

Water stop.

Tad on the edge.

The hoodoos.

In a quick 90 minute drive and a couple thousand feet drop in elevation, we were at Zion National Park. We woke up that morning at Bryce with 30 degree weather and snow and now we were in shorts and a pleasant 72 degrees and sun. We hiked the legendary Observation Point which climbs several thousand feet and shows off unbelievable views of the parks massive sandstone cliffs.

Tad and I at the top. 

Coming back down.

After watching some YouTube videos and some disturbing accounts of people's experiences on Angel's Landing, we decided to scratch that hike off of our to-do list and hike the West Rim Trail instead. We were not disappointed.

Looking at the infamous (and terrifying!) Angel's Landing from a safe distance.

A plateau on the West Rim Trail.

Nobody else around to take our picture.

It's hard to believe a tiny river is responsible for this.

One of the many rock mountains.

I wasn't ready to return home, but after another night in Vegas, I couldn't get back fast enough. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore these places on a very intimate level. I like to be fit and competitive and receive all of the attention and accolades of a great running performence, but there is something special about being in such a spectacular place with no time frame or agendas. Just me, a trail and an appreciation for life. What a gift!

The Colorado River.

Enlightened Perspective

Today marks three months since the start of my injury. I have had many injuries in the past, but none that took more than six weeks to heal. I am doing better than last month, both physically and mentally. I still have days when I am overwhelmed with grief, but not nearly as often as in previous weeks.

There are a couple of reasons for my improved well-being:

1. Boston. In addition to courage, benevolence and love, horrific events like the Boston Marathon bombing generate an enlightened perspective. I am blessed. I did not lose a loved one. I am lucky. I did not lose a limb. I am grateful. I did not have to experience first hand the sights and sounds of terror that will haunt many people for the rest of their lives.

2. Hiking. Within the last couple weeks I have been able to go on some local hikes that really represent the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. It’s not the same as running, but it gets my heart  beating and lifts my spirits. When I am not running I feel so disconnected to nature. Sometimes when I am out hiking I get the urge to roll around on the ground to reconnect and immerse myself in something that is so pure and wholesome.

3. Hope. God willing, I really think that I will be running within the next  couple weeks. The thought of going out for a hard run makes me squirm with anticipation and puts a smile on my face. I can’t wait to fly over the trail and push myself to exhaustion.  

There is no doubt that I will return to running with a greater sense of appreciation and love for the sport. I will be more determined than ever to work hard to reach my goals, but also take time to celebrate the little victories along the way. It will be nice to be me again. 

*Photos courtesy of Tad Davis