Hotter N Hell 100- Wichita Falls, Texas 08/28/10

This weekend we headed to Wichita Falls to ride and run.  Bruce and Allen rode the 100K on Saturday.  They both did really great- there were a TON of other bikes, it was hot and very windy.  There was even some very serious accidents (one that required Life Flight)- thank goodness they were not involved in any.   They finished in time to shower and go get some lunch!  Denise and I met them at (2) rest stops (the only 2 that they stopped for).  It was a great day, but I was really glad that I was not riding. 

On Sunday, Allen and I ran the 1/2 Marathon trail run.  Bruce, Denise, and Paul ran the 10K trail run.  The weather is MUCH nicer in Wichita Falls in the morning than in Houston. It was in the high 60s with very low humidity at the start.  I told Allen the night before that my plan was the run the entire race (no walk-breaks) as it was only a 1/2 marathon and I would walk at rest stops, and steep uphills.  Let me just say that Allen thought that was a CRAZY idea.  I convinced him that it was a good idea and we both used that race plan for the day.  I ended up running a little faster, but he did ride 62 miles the day before and I did nothing.  Paul won 3rd place in his age group- which was great considering they grouped all of the 60+ runners together and he is a bit older than 60.  Big Congrats Paul!  Bruce and Denise both had good runs and enjoyed the course. I am impressed that anyone can run a trail race the day after riding 62 miles. I finished in 2:07- not bad for a pretty tough course.  Good enough for 2nd place in my age group. 

There were several people there doing the "triple threat"- that is an 11 mile Mountain bike race on Friday, riding the 100 mile on Saturday, and running the 1/2 marathon on Sunday. NUTS!   Bruce is now convinced that we need to do the triple threat next year.  I do not know what is wrong with him.  But maybe...  At these biking events, you never know who you will run into along the way.......

Woo Hoo!

What does it say about the unbearable Houston climate that I am super-excited about 71 degrees?  I was super pumped this morning- the humidity was also lower.  This combination resulted in about a 8.5 minute pace for my five miler.  Heavenly. 

I am headed to Wichita Falls this weekend to run a 1/2 marathon trail run.  I am going there to support Bruce and Chief Chia who are riding a crazy 100K  (62) miles on bikes on Saturday, and running on Sunday.  Nut Jobs the both of them.  I will be (wisely) hanging with Denise on Saturday-- saving myself for the run on Sunday.  I am hoping for lower tempertures and humidity.....

I'M BACK!!

I am so happy to report that: I AM BACK BABY! 

I was able to run this morning at Memorial Park, and (more importantly) was able to keep my usual pace.  I ran my ususal five and did not feel that I was going to die.  I think that I have finally kicked the cold out of my body.  I am looking forward to this weekend--  I have a half-marathon in Whicita Falls that Allen promises is challenging.  BRING IT ON.  :-)

Saturday, August 21 - 20 miles of training fun

So what could be more fun than running your 20 mile training run with a head cold??  I felt the cold coming on around Tuesday and skipped my normal Thursday run in order to get additional rest. I knew that I had a long run this weekend and I really wanted to do it. However, when I showed up at 4:00 A.M (yes, that is correct, 4 AM) for our 20 mile training run on Saturday, I was not really anticipating a good time.  Anytime that you are running your long runs in the summer in Houston Texas, you are running in the heat.  Most likely if you are running long in August, you are running during a heat advisory (last Saturday was no exception.)

So, I show up, looking like death (and not feeling a lot better) to see my friends all dreading the long, hot, sticky run.  We took off and were determined to keep our pace slow (we actually did)- thanks Michelle.  :-)  We made it through the first 10 miles with no real issues.  I could not believe how good I felt.  It was amazing. No symptoms at all!  I joked that the virus decided to find a less active and less crazy host!  The next seven went by pretty quickly and we all realized that we would be finishing the full 20 today.  Allen was doing his usual stand-up routine to keep us entertained (Denise is a saint.)  We ran into Bruce as we were headed out for our final three and he turned around with us.  Allen and Bruce hung back a little and Michelle and I ran ahead.  It sure felt great finishing that run! 

I am constantly amazed at the wonderful people that I have as running partners.  I would never have been able to wrap my mind around that run without my buddies there to distract me.  Thanks guys!

I did remain in bed for the rest of the weekend.  Head cold is trying to hang on......

Race Calendar 2010-2011

So I spent the better part of my day deciding my race calendar for this season.  Here it is:

• Cactus Rose                100 Mile                         October 30, 2010
• Wild Hare                    50M / 50K                     November 20, 2010
• Texas Trail                   50K*                              December 11, 2010
• Bandera                       100K                              January 8, 2011
• Rocky Raccoon            100M*                            February 5, 2011

* Time goal races

Who else is in?  I know that I have a few crazy friends who may be up for some of these races....