When I started running, I kept running because I learned that "running" doesn't mean you can't walk! I have increased my running segments but kept my walking segments at about 1 minute. I now regularly go 4-7 minutes without walking during a long run. I've done longer. I'm not afraid to do shorter. When on trails, it often depends on the terrain. On my last long run here in the desert, I went 11 minutes on a run segment.
Well, today, I went a whole mile! That was 14 and a half minutes!! And it felt great!! I would like to point out, this was from 2.5 to 3.5 miles in a 4.7 mile run. And after that stint, I did 2 half miles, the final one up hill.
Moral of today's run: I'm making progress!!!
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Sunday, March 18, 2018
B2V 2018
One of the races that Dad has done for years that I got tired of NOT being able to do is Baker to Vegas. It's in mid-March and I was never able to make it work to get here. So I moved here ;)
WOW! What an AMAZING feat of organization!! Baker to Vegas is an event for Law Enforcement and it is HUGE! This is a 20 stage relay race from outside Baker (a tiny town on I15 on the way to Vegas) 120 miles to Las Vegas. There are 275 teams involved. Each team has 20 runners (one for each stage) and many, many support personnel. There is a catcher and some sort of crew at every stage. I saw as many as 6-8 crew with a team at our stage. Some only had a few. There is a follow vehicle behind the runner at all times. The new runner has to be at their starting stage in time to check-in, warm-up, etc. I heard about and saw several clipboards with many papers - I am sure all in an attempt to organize who went where when. In addition to all the logistics, someone was probably also in charge of making their team competitive!! We talked to a woman representing the NYPD and she estimated that there were probably 50 people with her team. It's not a cheap endeavor! Many teams appeared to sponsored by local businesses and such - signs on their vehicles indicated this. Oh, these teams are from across the nation and further - the Canadian Mounties had a team and team #3 was from Belize!!
There are a lot of categories within a team could compete - all female, mixed, age-related, etc. I saw a lot of law enforcement personnel. There were teams from FBI, PD, Border Patrol, Game Wardens, Crime Labs, etc. There's actually an episode of CSI based on this race (420 Dead Ringer). Runners were all fit, some incredibly so. Their times for that last mile before they got to us ranged from 6-10 minutes or so. Mostly in the 7-8 minute range I think. The results aren't in at the time I'm writing but Twitter told me that LAPD won again in a record 12:37.
Not only do the teams need to be organized but the actual event is incredible. There are 20 stages with hams (us!), medics, timers, sign-in, traffic control (of teams, not really cars though they did some of that too), etc. At any given moment, with stage volunteers and team people, I'd say there were 50-100 people at our stage. Of course, other moments, there were very few team people so it was more like 20-30 - just the volunteers.
Teams started in groups of about 30, every hour. There were 9 starts! The self-acclaimed slower teams start first and the elite really really fast teams start last. This way the start lasts about 10 hours (with sign-in and such) but the finish is considerably less time.
Our job at Stage 5 was different than any other race I have ever worked. We had some ham folks who set up one mile before our stage. They would let us know when runners came by. We then announced it to the masses so that the teams could be get prepared and all set up in the right spot. There were 3 distinct jobs at our table - take down the info from the early warning guys, announce it to the teams, record when runners actually come in to the stage. It got quite chaotic at some moments!! There were precious few moments of non-activity!
Our little team consisted of myself, Dad, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Patty and their son Steven. Patty and Steven aren't hams (yet?!), but they were crucial. Steven did a lot of the announcing and Patty was able to field some of the team questions (though they didn't bug us nearly as much as they could have!) and give moral support. We commented several times that it really took all of us! It would be absolutely impossible to do it alone and incredibly difficult to do it with just two of us. We were able to take breaks when we needed, shift roles, etc. There were four guys down at the early warning set up. One of them was working this race for the 34th time!!
Dad and I left my house before 5 am and got home about 10:30pm. It was a very long day for us and the dogs (who hung out at my house) but SO worth it!! We got to Stage Five about 7:15am and immediately started setting up. And we were busy until 6:30pm. Time went so fast that I swear I blinked and were were waiting for the 275th team! I already can't wait to go back next year!!
WOW! What an AMAZING feat of organization!! Baker to Vegas is an event for Law Enforcement and it is HUGE! This is a 20 stage relay race from outside Baker (a tiny town on I15 on the way to Vegas) 120 miles to Las Vegas. There are 275 teams involved. Each team has 20 runners (one for each stage) and many, many support personnel. There is a catcher and some sort of crew at every stage. I saw as many as 6-8 crew with a team at our stage. Some only had a few. There is a follow vehicle behind the runner at all times. The new runner has to be at their starting stage in time to check-in, warm-up, etc. I heard about and saw several clipboards with many papers - I am sure all in an attempt to organize who went where when. In addition to all the logistics, someone was probably also in charge of making their team competitive!! We talked to a woman representing the NYPD and she estimated that there were probably 50 people with her team. It's not a cheap endeavor! Many teams appeared to sponsored by local businesses and such - signs on their vehicles indicated this. Oh, these teams are from across the nation and further - the Canadian Mounties had a team and team #3 was from Belize!!
There are a lot of categories within a team could compete - all female, mixed, age-related, etc. I saw a lot of law enforcement personnel. There were teams from FBI, PD, Border Patrol, Game Wardens, Crime Labs, etc. There's actually an episode of CSI based on this race (420 Dead Ringer). Runners were all fit, some incredibly so. Their times for that last mile before they got to us ranged from 6-10 minutes or so. Mostly in the 7-8 minute range I think. The results aren't in at the time I'm writing but Twitter told me that LAPD won again in a record 12:37.
Not only do the teams need to be organized but the actual event is incredible. There are 20 stages with hams (us!), medics, timers, sign-in, traffic control (of teams, not really cars though they did some of that too), etc. At any given moment, with stage volunteers and team people, I'd say there were 50-100 people at our stage. Of course, other moments, there were very few team people so it was more like 20-30 - just the volunteers.
Teams started in groups of about 30, every hour. There were 9 starts! The self-acclaimed slower teams start first and the elite really really fast teams start last. This way the start lasts about 10 hours (with sign-in and such) but the finish is considerably less time.
Our job at Stage 5 was different than any other race I have ever worked. We had some ham folks who set up one mile before our stage. They would let us know when runners came by. We then announced it to the masses so that the teams could be get prepared and all set up in the right spot. There were 3 distinct jobs at our table - take down the info from the early warning guys, announce it to the teams, record when runners actually come in to the stage. It got quite chaotic at some moments!! There were precious few moments of non-activity!
Our little team consisted of myself, Dad, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Patty and their son Steven. Patty and Steven aren't hams (yet?!), but they were crucial. Steven did a lot of the announcing and Patty was able to field some of the team questions (though they didn't bug us nearly as much as they could have!) and give moral support. We commented several times that it really took all of us! It would be absolutely impossible to do it alone and incredibly difficult to do it with just two of us. We were able to take breaks when we needed, shift roles, etc. There were four guys down at the early warning set up. One of them was working this race for the 34th time!!
Dad and I left my house before 5 am and got home about 10:30pm. It was a very long day for us and the dogs (who hung out at my house) but SO worth it!! We got to Stage Five about 7:15am and immediately started setting up. And we were busy until 6:30pm. Time went so fast that I swear I blinked and were were waiting for the 275th team! I already can't wait to go back next year!!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Double Digits Baby!
I haven't written about every run. Just the highlights. And man is this a highlight!!
Last weekend I accomplished 9.4 miles so I decided that THIS weekend would be the very exciting TEN mile run! Except it was supposed to rain :(
Dad and I checked several weather sites several times and concluded that we'd get up Saturday morning and assess. It was not actually raining yet and for the most part, it looked like if it did rain, it would be later and not much. So, I decided I was going to start on the trail. We had a backup plan of sorts if the radar, etc was wrong.
It was cold and wet - nothing falling, but wet. I'm sure you know what I mean. And really, it wasn't THAT cold... it's all relative! I started in a long sleeve shirt and a rain jacket (it's an old one from my bike days, I think it's supposed to be for rain...) with light gloves and earmuffs. When I saw Dad the first time after 2 miles, I took off the jacket and gloves but kept them with me. I left on the earmuffs. Those were removed (and worn around my neck) somewhere before I saw dad again at just under 4 miles total.
There we also saw two women who were section hiking part of the PCT. They were finishing where I had last seen Dad. For now. They planned to start there in April for another few days. Fun, fun. I was tempted to ask them "book or movie" but they seemed like legit hiker people. (Watch the Gilmore Girls revival - that'll make more sense)
The plan was to get to 2N02 and turn around and go back almost to where I started. Each segment was about 2 miles (segments being runs between seeing Dad) so I was doing 5 - not finishing where I started. Once I got there, it was confirmed that as long as I made it back to Highway 18 as planned, I'd have my 10 miles! We were both pretty jazzed!! I was hot so there I took off the long sleeve shirt but kept the jacket tied around my waist. I also ditched the earmuffs for good.
About halfway back to seeing Dad again (mile 8 or so), I put the jacket back on, over my pack. The clouds were rolling in and there was a nippy breeze. Once I got to Dad, I took my pack off and put the jacket on proper. We also discussed the fact that at some point, I'd be running in a cloud. It looked like possibly the rest of the way. Also, we knew I would definitely make my goal. It was fun that Dad was excited as I was!!
I never did run in a cloud. When I got to where I had just been so sure I would, I looked back at where I was and THAT was in a cloud. Weird. But probably good.
I knew this section held a very steep hill before I got to the last half mile or so which was all downhill. I got to the steepest part and ran into a family out for an adventure. It was so steep there, I didn't care; I walked. Also, I had just crossed into having gone further than I ever have. I was tired. And the blisters had arisen.
I pressed forward, running when I could but not much. I kept an eye on my watch so I'd know when I was approaching 10 and so I could make sure I was running at that point. Right?! I was about 10 yards from the top of the hill when my watch beeped 10 miles. I radioed to dad. I stopped and praised God a moment at the top of the hill. Then I let it rip all the way down! Hehe. I'm never very fast.
WHAT A DAY!!! I never really got wet, just damp at the beginning. Never saw mud. My bad toe never hurt! The blisters held off until the very end. As always, I was happy to stop, but had fun while I was doing it!!
Dad took this at almost 9:
Dad is so awesome! He spent his day roaming around the mountain but mostly just waiting for me! It's great having a crew along, but it's even better when they're experienced in this madness and know what to ask, etc. If I'd been on my own, with the threat of rain and all, I might've just sat on the couch all day!! This was SOOO much better :)
Last weekend I accomplished 9.4 miles so I decided that THIS weekend would be the very exciting TEN mile run! Except it was supposed to rain :(
Dad and I checked several weather sites several times and concluded that we'd get up Saturday morning and assess. It was not actually raining yet and for the most part, it looked like if it did rain, it would be later and not much. So, I decided I was going to start on the trail. We had a backup plan of sorts if the radar, etc was wrong.
It was cold and wet - nothing falling, but wet. I'm sure you know what I mean. And really, it wasn't THAT cold... it's all relative! I started in a long sleeve shirt and a rain jacket (it's an old one from my bike days, I think it's supposed to be for rain...) with light gloves and earmuffs. When I saw Dad the first time after 2 miles, I took off the jacket and gloves but kept them with me. I left on the earmuffs. Those were removed (and worn around my neck) somewhere before I saw dad again at just under 4 miles total.
There we also saw two women who were section hiking part of the PCT. They were finishing where I had last seen Dad. For now. They planned to start there in April for another few days. Fun, fun. I was tempted to ask them "book or movie" but they seemed like legit hiker people. (Watch the Gilmore Girls revival - that'll make more sense)
The plan was to get to 2N02 and turn around and go back almost to where I started. Each segment was about 2 miles (segments being runs between seeing Dad) so I was doing 5 - not finishing where I started. Once I got there, it was confirmed that as long as I made it back to Highway 18 as planned, I'd have my 10 miles! We were both pretty jazzed!! I was hot so there I took off the long sleeve shirt but kept the jacket tied around my waist. I also ditched the earmuffs for good.
About halfway back to seeing Dad again (mile 8 or so), I put the jacket back on, over my pack. The clouds were rolling in and there was a nippy breeze. Once I got to Dad, I took my pack off and put the jacket on proper. We also discussed the fact that at some point, I'd be running in a cloud. It looked like possibly the rest of the way. Also, we knew I would definitely make my goal. It was fun that Dad was excited as I was!!
I never did run in a cloud. When I got to where I had just been so sure I would, I looked back at where I was and THAT was in a cloud. Weird. But probably good.
I knew this section held a very steep hill before I got to the last half mile or so which was all downhill. I got to the steepest part and ran into a family out for an adventure. It was so steep there, I didn't care; I walked. Also, I had just crossed into having gone further than I ever have. I was tired. And the blisters had arisen.
I pressed forward, running when I could but not much. I kept an eye on my watch so I'd know when I was approaching 10 and so I could make sure I was running at that point. Right?! I was about 10 yards from the top of the hill when my watch beeped 10 miles. I radioed to dad. I stopped and praised God a moment at the top of the hill. Then I let it rip all the way down! Hehe. I'm never very fast.
WHAT A DAY!!! I never really got wet, just damp at the beginning. Never saw mud. My bad toe never hurt! The blisters held off until the very end. As always, I was happy to stop, but had fun while I was doing it!!
Dad took this at almost 9:
Dad is so awesome! He spent his day roaming around the mountain but mostly just waiting for me! It's great having a crew along, but it's even better when they're experienced in this madness and know what to ask, etc. If I'd been on my own, with the threat of rain and all, I might've just sat on the couch all day!! This was SOOO much better :)
 |
| I'm the pink line. Dad's the blue line. I'm not sure what the teal line is! The green/red dot is where I finished. I started upper left. |
Monday, February 19, 2018
Guns? Sanity?
I posted this on Facebook on 2/16 - 2 days after the Parkland FL school shooting.
As my students took a quiz, I pondered how I could make my classroom safer, harder to penetrate.
As I graded papers, I considered who might target and who might be targeted.
As I watched these teenagers work, I questioned how on earth I'd be able to keep them quiet in a scary situation.
As I stood at the classroom door welcoming my students, I wondered how many I could fit inside in the middle of a spree of gunfire.
As I took precautions, I wondered if other people ever have to worry about these things.
Do the people who think anyone should be able to buy an assault rifle ever think about these things?
Do the people who own firearms and worry about government taking them away ever wonder how they'd keep 35 teenagers safe?
Do the parents of the shooters ever ask themselves what they could have done differently?
Do parents ever consider their actions and what reaction their kids might have?
(That last one, I'm guessing, from my friends anyway, are yes)
Know what? I'm not staying silent anymore.
It's not a gun issue. It's not a mental health issue. It's not a discipline issue.
IT'S AN ISSUE!!! It is ALL of the above!!! It's my issue and yours. And WE have to do something.
I'm starting here: https://gunsensevoter.org/
Thank you for reading.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Long run with the runs
Yup, you read that right! You might not want to read this! I won't be graphic, though, promise.
Today I set out on what I hoped would be 7-7.5 miles. I ran to the aqueduct and then down the path (paved side). My goal was to go to the end but I wasn't sure how far that would be. I didn't want to overdo since I had to turn around and go back.
I got to the last road crossing and had gone 3.75 miles. I could see the little building at the end, but again, I didn't want to push myself. So glad I didn't!!
About half a mile later, my gut decided it didn't like me. Unfortunately I was three miles from home!! I found that it was actually worse when I walked so I ran more than I might have otherwise. I knew there was a porta potty at a construction site about a mile from home. Could I make it 2 more miles?! Ugh!! I was on the aqueduct and couldn't exactly "step off" so I had to try. At the next road crossing I looked as far as I could see to make sure there wasn't a construction potty there somewhere. There wasn't. So I plodded on.
I made it to the porta potty just in time. After that, I was fine. I have NO idea what caused the issue. I didn't eat the second half of my Bloks on the run, just in case. I ate them later and was fine. Actually, I've been fine ever since. Last night, I ate Panera. A turkey sandwich. So, guess what? I'm not doing THAT again!! In fact, I'm going back to eating right - i.e. vegan. With occasional eggs and shrimp (SO not ready to give up my shrimp fried rice addiction). We'll see if that helps.
Now I'm recovering with the pooch. Iced my toe. It hurt most of the run. Which is interesting cuz it DIDN'T hurt until the end of my trail run last week. It's all a learning process. Still loving that process!!!
Today I set out on what I hoped would be 7-7.5 miles. I ran to the aqueduct and then down the path (paved side). My goal was to go to the end but I wasn't sure how far that would be. I didn't want to overdo since I had to turn around and go back.
I got to the last road crossing and had gone 3.75 miles. I could see the little building at the end, but again, I didn't want to push myself. So glad I didn't!!
About half a mile later, my gut decided it didn't like me. Unfortunately I was three miles from home!! I found that it was actually worse when I walked so I ran more than I might have otherwise. I knew there was a porta potty at a construction site about a mile from home. Could I make it 2 more miles?! Ugh!! I was on the aqueduct and couldn't exactly "step off" so I had to try. At the next road crossing I looked as far as I could see to make sure there wasn't a construction potty there somewhere. There wasn't. So I plodded on.
I made it to the porta potty just in time. After that, I was fine. I have NO idea what caused the issue. I didn't eat the second half of my Bloks on the run, just in case. I ate them later and was fine. Actually, I've been fine ever since. Last night, I ate Panera. A turkey sandwich. So, guess what? I'm not doing THAT again!! In fact, I'm going back to eating right - i.e. vegan. With occasional eggs and shrimp (SO not ready to give up my shrimp fried rice addiction). We'll see if that helps.
Now I'm recovering with the pooch. Iced my toe. It hurt most of the run. Which is interesting cuz it DIDN'T hurt until the end of my trail run last week. It's all a learning process. Still loving that process!!!
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Attempted Yoga
In Texas I visited a yoga studio right down the street from the house as often as I could. The last several times I went, I went to a "restorative" yoga class. It was awesome but more about stretching and relaxing than balancing and such and what most people think of with yoga.
There aren't a lot of options for yoga here in the High Desert. There is a studio several miles from our house. Cost plus distance just doesn't seem worth it. BUT there's a gym not too far away that has yoga (and other) classes as part of membership. And it's cheap - for a gym. $20/month. So I decided to do a free-trial and try a class.
I came home and walked Slugs a little (got the mail) and watched Ellen. I wasn't sure how long signing up for the free trial would take, nor how crowded the class would be so I left earlier than I needed to - 4:30. I fed Slugger right before I left.
The class was great. I liked the instructor very much. Unfortunately, I didn't like the gym atmosphere. Even though we had soothing music on, we could still hear their obnoxiously loud music. And I jumped every time someone dropped a barbell/weight.
I did find it interesting that I was MUCH better at balance poses than I had been previously. I'm blaming the running! I could actually almost feel like I was doing tree pose instead of floundering like I used to. So YAY!
When I got home, Slugger had eaten an entire bag of potato chips. Guess he doesn't like me being gone in the evening either.
I have the exercise room all set up now so I'm going to try yoga at home for a few weeks. If that isn't working for me, I'll try the yoga studio.
There aren't a lot of options for yoga here in the High Desert. There is a studio several miles from our house. Cost plus distance just doesn't seem worth it. BUT there's a gym not too far away that has yoga (and other) classes as part of membership. And it's cheap - for a gym. $20/month. So I decided to do a free-trial and try a class.
I came home and walked Slugs a little (got the mail) and watched Ellen. I wasn't sure how long signing up for the free trial would take, nor how crowded the class would be so I left earlier than I needed to - 4:30. I fed Slugger right before I left.
The class was great. I liked the instructor very much. Unfortunately, I didn't like the gym atmosphere. Even though we had soothing music on, we could still hear their obnoxiously loud music. And I jumped every time someone dropped a barbell/weight.
I did find it interesting that I was MUCH better at balance poses than I had been previously. I'm blaming the running! I could actually almost feel like I was doing tree pose instead of floundering like I used to. So YAY!
When I got home, Slugger had eaten an entire bag of potato chips. Guess he doesn't like me being gone in the evening either.
I have the exercise room all set up now so I'm going to try yoga at home for a few weeks. If that isn't working for me, I'll try the yoga studio.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Getting Motivated
For Martin Luther King Jr weekend, I decided to go to Big Bear to see Dad and go for a trail run. Since I had a 3rd day, I'd still have time to do household chores and such.
Dad got into the planning for my trail run and ended up being my crew! He dropped me at the dump road and I headed toward Canada. He would then pick me up where the PCT crosses VanDusen Canyon Road, about 6 miles later.
First, I had to run through the burn area from the Holcomb fire last June. It was stark and bare and just sad. Dad and I have hiked this section before and it's like a completely different place. I have pictures somewhere of the foliage that was so prominent and beautiful. Now I felt like I was on the moon or something. Sandy ash everywhere. I could see Baldwin Lake the entire way. Until I got to the side of the mountain that I needed to go up.
The trail went up with a couple switchbacks for about 2 more miles. It was rocky which I hate. I did a LOT of walking. I felt like I was dancing along the rocks, kinda power walking. But I did it and I knew that once I got to the top it would be worth it. And it was!!
Once I went over the top, I was able to run quite a bit. It was SO pretty and peaceful. There were quite a few snow patches. Some just a stride or two, others longer. I think the longest might have been 20 yards. And mushy snow because it was warm. My shoes got a little wet but I'd prefer that to scary icy snow.
It was mostly level or downhill at that point. It was AWESOME!!! Man, I want to live there so bad so I can run on trails all the time!!! But really, I think that running roads is good for me too. One, it makes me appreciate trails when I get to them. Two, it's different so it exercises muscles differently. Three, life isn't perfect.
I had a radio with me so I was listening to the BB Repeater the whole time. I chatted with Dad at about 3.5 miles. He was going to meet me along the trail to see how I was doing. I hadn't been on this trail though so I didn't really know where that point was. It was so much fun to be running strong down a hill and look up and there's Dad!! We walked a bit and chatted. I had a mile or so to the road. I set off running. He walked back to his car hoping to beat me to the "finish"!
This part I'd been on and recognized several portions. I finished with 6.9 miles!! I felt FANTASTIC!! I was tired and was happy to start but that "runner's high" had already settled in and I'm still feeling it!! I could almost forget about the mountain I started out going up!
It SO motivated me!! Let's DO this!!! Whatever THIS is 😉
Dad got into the planning for my trail run and ended up being my crew! He dropped me at the dump road and I headed toward Canada. He would then pick me up where the PCT crosses VanDusen Canyon Road, about 6 miles later.
First, I had to run through the burn area from the Holcomb fire last June. It was stark and bare and just sad. Dad and I have hiked this section before and it's like a completely different place. I have pictures somewhere of the foliage that was so prominent and beautiful. Now I felt like I was on the moon or something. Sandy ash everywhere. I could see Baldwin Lake the entire way. Until I got to the side of the mountain that I needed to go up.
The trail went up with a couple switchbacks for about 2 more miles. It was rocky which I hate. I did a LOT of walking. I felt like I was dancing along the rocks, kinda power walking. But I did it and I knew that once I got to the top it would be worth it. And it was!!
Once I went over the top, I was able to run quite a bit. It was SO pretty and peaceful. There were quite a few snow patches. Some just a stride or two, others longer. I think the longest might have been 20 yards. And mushy snow because it was warm. My shoes got a little wet but I'd prefer that to scary icy snow.
It was mostly level or downhill at that point. It was AWESOME!!! Man, I want to live there so bad so I can run on trails all the time!!! But really, I think that running roads is good for me too. One, it makes me appreciate trails when I get to them. Two, it's different so it exercises muscles differently. Three, life isn't perfect.
I had a radio with me so I was listening to the BB Repeater the whole time. I chatted with Dad at about 3.5 miles. He was going to meet me along the trail to see how I was doing. I hadn't been on this trail though so I didn't really know where that point was. It was so much fun to be running strong down a hill and look up and there's Dad!! We walked a bit and chatted. I had a mile or so to the road. I set off running. He walked back to his car hoping to beat me to the "finish"!
This part I'd been on and recognized several portions. I finished with 6.9 miles!! I felt FANTASTIC!! I was tired and was happy to start but that "runner's high" had already settled in and I'm still feeling it!! I could almost forget about the mountain I started out going up!
It SO motivated me!! Let's DO this!!! Whatever THIS is 😉
 |
| One of the snow patches. The only pic I took cuz I was having so much fun! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)