Another Race Entirely

Last week, I wrote about my indecision over upcoming races and listed several possibilities. It turns out there is an even better option I had completely overlooked, and which I'm grateful to my dad for bringing to my attention: the San Antonio Roadrunnners Prickly Pear 50k.

It's March 9th at McAllister Park in San Antonio. I am super-excited about several things:
1. The course should be relatively flat.
2. It's a good deal closer to sea-level than where I currently live. (USGS lists San Antonio's highest elevation at 1,000 feet while El Paso's is 4,080 feet).
3. Aid stations--there appear to be an abundance. 4 per loop x 3 loops= 12 aid stations?!?!
4. My family. Living five hundred miles away from them means we don't see each other all the time, and I can't wait to visit them!

I'm going to do something I haven't yet done for a long race: set a goal time. I'm hoping to finish the Prickly Pear in under 5 hours and 10 minutes, which is 10 minutes per mile pace. I think that's reasonable...and I can't wait to try!

What's Next?

Answer: I wish I knew.

There are several races coming up that I would love to run, but the unfortunate reality is that I can't run all of them.

Nueces
Rocksprings, TX
Saturday, March 2, 2013
This race offers four different distances: 50 mile, 50k, 25k, and 10k. I'm considering the 50k, and hoping I can talk my family into accompanying me for it or one of the other distances. I need to decide before the price goes up February 9th.

Jack Rabbit Classic
El Paso, TX
Sunday, March 10, 2013
A seven-mile trail run right here in El Paso! How did I miss this last year? And it's reasonably priced at $25. The only downside is that it falls on a Sunday. Maybe I could run fast and still make it to Sunday school...

Bataan Memorial Death March
White Sands Missile Range, NM
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The full Bataan is 26.2 miles, and the honorary route is 14.2. Both distances cost $95. If I'm going to pay that much either way, I would rather run the full marathon. Do I want to pay that much? Not really. Would it be worth it? I'm sure. Could I run both the Nueces 50k and the full Bataan, just two weeks apart? I don't know, but I'm thinking I would like to try.

Cedro Peak Ultra
Tijeras, NM
Saturday, April 13, 2013
If I happen to decide on this race, I'm not sure whether I'll choose the 45 mile distance or the 45k (28 miles).
I'm leaning toward 45 miles as a build-up to a 50 miler eventually, but the elevation and terrain has me a little apprehensive. I need to decide by Valentine's Day, when the registration fee takes a huge jump.

Jemez Mountain 50k
Los Alamos, NM
Saturday, May 25, 2013
As of now, this is the only race on this list that I'm pretty certain about. I want to run the 50k again and improve my time (someday maybe I'll even aim for the 50 miler). This was such a fun, well-organized race that despite the high altitude and lengthy climbs, I can't wait to go back!


I have several great options; the problem is going to be in the choosing. I'm sure I'll narrow it down soon. Or maybe decide to run them all!

Race Report: 2013 El Paso Puzzler Trail Marathon

I intended to write this post several days ago, but better late than never, right?

I can't remember exactly how long I had been looking forward to the Puzzler. Probably since last summer. It finally happened, and it was everything I hoped it would be!

In the hours leading up to the start, I was more nervous than I have been before a race in a very long time. I had been sick the week before, and I was starting to feel a little under-prepared.

Rebecca and me before the start

With my dad, who not only ran the half marathon, but also did the 35 mile bike race the next day!

My anxiety abated after the start. The 30 of us in the marathon left the start at the Bowen Ranch on a wide trail and managed to spread out before turning onto winding singletrack. I had run the first 6 miles of the course before, up to Mundy's Gap at 5,890 feet. I anticipated this would be the most difficult section, being the steepest and highest climb, and it was--I walked much of it. When I got to the top, I was met with cheers and encouragement from a group of hiking teenagers, which was awesome. Anything that can make me smile after a climb like that is much appreciated!

The descent was rough but fun. It was very rocky; near the base of the mountain was an especially treacherous stretch of loose, basketball-sized rocks. I walked most of it to avoid breaking an ankle, thinking the whole time about the next day's mountain bikers who would cover this same ground. I would never in a million years try to bike over those rocks!

At the first aid station, I got a burrito from my wonderful husband, who drove/ran all over the place to see me. The next stretch was fun: new scenery, a second wind, and best of all, fairly level terrain. I passed a few people over the next several miles, and finally reached the second aid station. At the start, I could swear I heard the race director say the aid stations were at miles 10 and 22. But right after the aid station, my husband joined me, having parked on the side of a road and run over a mile to find me. And he said the aid station was closer to mile 18 than 22. He's great with maps and directions and distances, so normally, I wouldn't question him. But I was not in a rational state of mind at this point in the race, and when I got upset, he told me he was sure I was right. I'm grateful for this lie; I wasn't yet ready to accept that I had not run 22 miles! An hour later, I realized he was right, or I would have been finished already.

The last 6 miles were beautiful, and I want to run them again to appreciate the scenery, because during the race I was preoccupied with how much farther I had to go, and whether I was lost. There were no runners in sight ahead or behind, and if it hadn't been for some shoe prints I recognized from earlier, I would have been sure I had missed a turn somewhere.

Finally, the finish came into view. I could hear the music, and, when I got a little, closer, my awesome friends yelling for me. I crossed the line in 6 hours, 2 minutes, and 54 seconds, happy to be finished.

Thanks to Rebecca for this picture, and for the loud cheering!

Crossing the finish--I promise I'm running, even though it doesn't look like it.

I'm pretty happy with my time, but I'm also sure I could improve upon it with some more hill training. I was the third woman overall, and I got a cool trophy along with my finisher's medal. The post-race meal was delicious--chicken tacos from a taco truck! This was such a fun race, and if we still live in El Paso next January, I'm sure I will be lined up at the start again!

Epilogue

The next day, my awesome dad completed the 35 mile bike race after running the half marathon. It was his first mountain bike race, and it was impressive to know he biked the same rough terrain I ran the day before. Several of the bike racers we saw had cameras for filming sections of trail. Click here to watch the descent of Mundy's Gap as seen from a mountain bike.

Biking down the boulder-field on the west side of Mundy's Gap

Crossing the finish after 35 miles of extremely rocky biking!

Today, We Salute You...

Remember Budweiser's "Real Men of Genius" commercials?
To be sung to the same tune. Back-up vocalist part in parentheses.

I present to you: Real Runners of Genius
(Reeaaaal Runners of Geeeniuuuuss)
Today, we salute you Mr. Coffee-Flavored-Energy-Gel-Inventor.
(Mr. Coffee-Flavored-Energy-Gel-Inveeeentoor)
With your tasty creation, you managed to combine your three true loves: java, copious amounts of electrolytes, and unappetizingly sticky stickiness.
(I think my teeth are stuck togeeetheeerr)
Now, instead of coffee and breakfast before our long runs, we can tear the top off a plastic packet and slurp down one of your caffeinated, nausea-inducing confections. And carry them with us for those times we need a little extra umph.
(I need some CAFFEEEIIIIINE!)
So run yourself a nice cold ice bath, barista of sports nutrition. Because without you, we would be slogging our miles with a little less energy.
(Mr. Coffee-Flavored-Energy-Gel-Inveeeentoor)


In case you now have a craving for "Real Men of Genius" commercials, here are six in one video. 
Enjoy! (Mr. Giant-Taco-Salad-Inventor is my absolute favorite).

West Texas Bucket List

We are not going to live in El Paso forever. We probably will not even be here much longer than another year. And while I have known that on some level the entire time we have lived here, it struck me this week that there are things I want to accomplish while we live here. Who knows if or when we will live in this time zone again? I have races to run, places to see, and things to do before we leave.
So here is my bucket list. It is by no means comprehensive, and I will probably think of twelve things to add as soon as I hit the publish button. Also, I might not be able to accomplish all of them in the next year, especially the races. But I plan to try, and it's enough to keep me busy for a while!

Races to Run

Bataan Memorial Death March

March 17, 2013
This marathon through White Sands Missile Range honors a group of  World War II heroes who, after being surrendered to Japanese forces, were forced to march for days through the hot Philippine jungles. Their story is worth reading, here and here.

Cedro Peak Ultra

April 13, 2013
Three things:
1. My sister lives near here, so free lodging and a sister visit? I think so!
2. The race is environmentally friendly and all proceeds go to charity (exactly what charity, I couldn't find--worth looking into).
3. And the distance choices are delightfully odd: 45 miles or 45k (27.9 miles). A great stepping stone distance on the way to a 50 miler, or a small step up from a marathon for someone's first ultra!

Jemez Mountain...Round 2?

May 25, 2013
I enjoyed running this 50k last year--my very first (and to date, only) ultramarathon. Or maybe I'm only able to say that now, seven months out from the pain. I would love to go back and run a faster time this year, or even try for the 50 miler...but I also want to try new races in new places. Torn.

Palo Duro Canyon Ultramarathon

Photo credit: TPWD http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon

One of my favorite state parks, Palo Duro Canyon is gorgeous and I would recommend it to anyone, whether you like to run, hike, camp, mountain bike, ride horses, or just enjoy the scenery. It is about seven hours away from El Paso, just south of Amarillo, Texas, but I figure this is probably the closest we will ever live. And, okay, I really just want to go there. When I found out they have a race in October, I considered it for 2012. The timing was bad this year, but I am committing for 2013. And hoping to coerce convince as many of my friends and family members as possible to come run with me. Three distances are available--50 mile, 50k, and 20k--so there is something for everyone!

Transmountain Challenge/World's Fastest 10k

The Franklin Mountains run north to south through El Paso, cutting the city in half. Transmountain Road is the only route through the mountains, winding steeply up above 5,000 feet and then back down. I hate driving it. Oh, but I would run a race on it! The World's Fastest 10k is March 23, and starts at the top, finishing on the west side. The Transmountain Challenge is a half marathon that goes up and over. It takes place in October, which might be bad timing with the Palo Duro Canyon race, but they have a relay and a 5k as well.

Places to See

Carlsbad Caverns

NPS Photo by Peter Jones

This national park is about two and a half hours east of El Paso in southern New Mexico. My parents took our family here when I was younger, but I don't remember much of it. There is a self-guided tour and several ranger-led tours for a range of fees.
Like many (if not most) national parks, Carlsbad does not allow pets outside of paved surfaces. But I learned while researching the park that Carlsbad Caverns Trading, inside the park, offers a kennel for day boarding so visitors with pets can explore. What a great idea! We have often wanted to take Bruno and Howdy along on our trips, but left them behind because of concerns about how they might limit our activities.

The Grand Canyon

Okay, so the Grand Canyon is not as close as one might think--ten hours from El Paso. But I still think we should visit while we live here, because it's a longer drive from almost everywhere else. The Grand Canyon is one of those places that I just have to visit at some point--it's non-negotiable. I have long wanted to backpack into the canyon. There are also mule outfitters in the park, which sounds like fun!

Things to Do

Hike or Run Mount Cristo Rey

A 2.2 mile (one-way) trail leads to the top of Mount Cristo Rey and its 42 ft sculpture of Christ, at 4,675 feet of elevation. They say it's best to do this in a group because of the trail's proximity to the border.

Wine and Vineyard Tours

El Paso and the surrounding New Mexico area boasts a large wine culture. According to the official Santa Fe travel site, New Mexico is the oldest wine-producing area in the United States. There are a few vineyards and wineries close by and all over New Mexico, which would make for a fun weekend getaway! The New Mexico Wine Growers Association even has a passport program--you can earn stamps and rewards for visiting New Mexico's wineries and wine festivals!

 Climb Guadalupe Peak

NPS photo by William Leggett

 The highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet in elevation, Guadalupe Peak is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, only two hours east of El Paso. We talked about doing this recently, but after a weather check, we realized this might be a trip for spring or summer, as temperatures are low and winds of up to 80 miles per hour are not uncommon. In addition to this 8.4 mile round-trip hike, there are over 80 miles of trails in the park.

El Paso Puzzler

With a race coming up, I decided it might be time to get back to blogging.

On Saturday January 19, 2013 I will be running the marathon at the El Paso Puzzler Endurance Weekend, which takes place in the Franklin Mountains. It bills itself as the toughest race in Texas, and the tagline is "leaving you in pieces." Excellent. Check out the elevation profile and you will see that this is not exaggeration.

A section of the Old Tin Mine Road, one of the trails traversed by the marathon course

In case you didn't suffer enough running the trail marathon or half on Saturday, there is a mountain bike race the following day: your choice of 50, 35, or 13 miles. And incidentally, I know someone crazy awesome enough to do this. My dad will be completing an event they have dubbed "Half Mad;" the half-marathon and 35 mile mountain bike race. I am so excited he is coming out here to participate in this awesomeness, and I can't wait to cheer for him on Sunday during the bike race!

I wasn't sure until recently whether I would choose to run the half or the full marathon, but I completed a 15 miler last week with relative ease, so I have decided to go for the full. Which means I have a few LONG training runs coming up. Wish me luck!

Race Report!

This race report is brought to you by: ibuprofen, ice packs, and my awesome mom, without whom, I would not have made it through the race nor been able to get back home.


This is a long post. (It was a long race). Here is a summary: I did it! I finished the race I set out to run. And...it's still kind of unbelievable to me.


My mom and I arrived in Los Alamos on Thursday. It is a friendly little town at 7320 feet of elevation. They are all about physical activity: bike lanes and sidewalks everywhere, a ski area, an outdoor ice rink, and hiking trails accessible from the center of town!

That afternoon, we drove to find the start and the two aid stations where my mom would wait for me during the race, and then went to pick up my packet. I got a great shirt and a beautiful poster, showing a section of the trail that burned in last year's Las Conchas fire.

On Friday we did a little bit of hiking before attending the pasta dinner and pre-race briefing that evening.

The 50k started Saturday at 6:00 am with cool, breezy weather. The check-in and start were very low-key, but I was nervous anyway, and feeling nauseous. I had choked down a granola bar and some grapes for breakfast, but I should have eaten a little more before the race started. This being my first ultra, the start was pleasantly different than most other races I have run: no gun or airhorn to signal the start, and no one took off incredibly fast.

I managed to trip and fall after only two or three miles, but other than scraping my knee and being embarassed, I was fine. The first aid station was around five miles. I still had plenty of water, so I took an orange slice and kept running. Oranges must have magical powers; I felt instantly awesome and wished I had grabbed three or four slices. It didn't last long, though; the nausea came back. By this point, we had started gaining some elevation via a switchback climb, and I knew I had better make myself eat something. So while walking up the switchbacks (I walked most of the uphill portions, along with many other runners), I nibbled a few pretzels and ate a package of CLIF ShotBloks.

My mom was waiting at the aid station at 10.4 miles, which I reached in about two and a half hours (much later than I had estimated--she waited a long time for me). She handed me a fruit cup while I refilled my water, and then I headed out again.

The section between the second and third aid stations, at 10.4 and 16.4 miles, was the toughest overall: it was almost entirely uphill to the top of the Pajarito Ski Area, above 10,000 feet in elevation. The climb was so steep in places I was using trees to pull myself up. All the runners I saw at this point were hiking rather than running this long, steep climb. I tried to eat as I hiked, and I ran anytime the trail took even a brief turn downhill or across level ground. During the two hours this stretch took me, I contemplated several times dropping out at the 16.4 mile aid station--I felt that bad. The nausea I was experiencing and the trouble I was having breathing and going uphill at the high altitude was causing me to have serious doubts about my ability to finish this. But then we started going downhill. It was steep, straight down a ski run, but I was so grateful to not be going up anymore that I was almost certain I could finish the race now.

My mom was waiting at the ski lodge aid station. Even though I was feeling better, I must have still looked bad, because one of the EMTs at the station hung around to make sure I was okay. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to eat, and finally ended up devouring some grapes and some Salt & Vinegar kettle chips (thanks Rebecca!). My mom sent me off with a peanut butter sandwich as well, which didn't appeal for some reason--after a couple of bites, I chucked it into a bush.

 

After this aid station, I continued to feel better, and I remembered wishing I could let my mom know how much better I was doing so that she didn't worry. The scenery was beautiful the entire way, but at this point, because I wasn't as miserable, I was really able to enjoy it. There were three more aid stations to pass through, and the last one was my favorite. Cardboard signs led up to it, saying "Just ahead: Last Chance Saloon!" "Last Chance for Beer and Pumpkin Pie!" and "Last Chance to get spiffed up for that finish line photo!" It was great. There were two more miles to the finish, and even though the advertised beer and pie sounded amazing, I just drank some soda and kept on going.

My official time was 9:08:14. (All the results can be found here). I wished I had stopped my watch at the aid stations, to get a better idea of the amount of time I actually spent covering the thirty-one miles, but it didn't occur to me then. 

I was so glad to be finished that it didn't sink in immediately. And it's still kind of unbelievable to me, that I really ran that far and achieved this goal.

I have so much to be thankful for in this. Foremost, for the Lord's help, for being with me when I felt alone out there. For my mom, who woke up at the crack of dawn, waited hours in the morning wind and afternoon sun, provided indispensable support, and took awesome pictures. For my sister, my dad, and my friends, who provided encouragement and believed in me. And for all the awesome aid station and race volunteers who kept us all going.

There were times during the race that I thought, "This is it. This is the longest I'll ever go, no more long races, I'm done." I was in pain then. I don't know if I have already forgotten how bad some of it was, or if I'm just crazy, but I'm already looking for another challenge. I want to  know, maybe, how fast I could run a 50k on flat ground, at a lower altitude. Or if I could (someday) run a 50 miler. But for now, I have some recovering to do. And a lot of laundry.