Barefoot Neil Z - 100 MILE - VR

Okay Neil.  Here it is.

I got my bloody 100 miles in. 

Now it's time for the breakdown.

• 14 mile treadmill run 9/27.
• 10 mile treadmill run 9/28.
• 6 mile treadmill run 9/29.
• 50 mile [woot woot - wanna see my buckle?] trail run.
• 8.2 mile outdoor run [?!!?] 10/8 - only because I got lost.  YAY Emz!
• 13 mile run [12 mill / 1 outside] 10/9!

From the last 1 mile - this morning.

= 101.2 miles
Loved having this VR - to get me focused me after the 50 miler. 

Awesome.

Thanks Neil!

Mint Milanos & Running on water

I remember my childhood like it was yesterday.


I wore Reebok high tops, Vans and stonewashed jeans. My face was full of heavy metal for almost two years and I was cursed with thin, straight hair that closely resembled the color of dirt.

I often recall playing in the backyard with my brother M & his/our friends.  When we couldn't go swim at the "W's" or "P's" place, we'd set up the sprinkler under the trampoline and see who could break a bone first.  Yes, I usually won.  Even though by brother would be jumping off the roof onto the tramp. [?!!?]

We'd run around the "W's" back yard with our friends in the summertime.  Driving ATV's [their backyard was big, big, big], playing shark & running as fast as we could down the hill and trying to continue to run while on water. We'd chomp on broken Mint Milano we'd have bought for 1/2 price while in Logan, Utah & "S's" mom would bring us out the fanciest PB & J sandwiches you've ever seen.


I kept my homework organized in a Trapper Keeper full of bright, sparkly Lisa Frank folders and I l o v e d  those pens that had four colors of ink.

Dinner was 99.4% of the time, a proper, square meal with a meat, two veggies and a starch. RARE was the occasion we'd get take-out.  Usually the 5 for 5 deal at nearby Arby's.  Every day off from school was a know date with Dad at the nearby bowling alley.

Life was good.

And even when it wasn't perfect - it was never bad.

Yes, there were times I'd get in trouble. Occasions when I'd take the "too short" of shorts to school in my backpack and change in the school's crusty bathroom.  Days my "friends" would sell me out to their parents and I'd return home with a parent or two with flaring nostrils.


Somehow I'd always come out alright after that quiet time in my room.

I'd waste time listening to Tiffany, Duran Duran and Debbie Gibson sing while hiding under my 100% cotton sheet, doodling with my Etch A Sketch or noteboook [at varied ages]. Then they'd would come to my room and we'd talk about whatever trouble I was in. After a few serious words, maybe a few tears and a quivering lip - we'd hug and go to the kitchen for a bowl of ice cream navel orange.

Now that I'm a "grown-up", with my kido [stretching the limits at times], I think back to those days, and how hiding under my covers and a hug from Mom/Dad seemed to make it all better.  I try to be as understanding as my parents were [no small task].  One [extra] calming breath & a hug.


Sometimes it really is that easy.
 
Just a little love & understanding can truly be all it takes. 
 
 
**************************************
 
See that, I didn't even mention my buckle today.
 
Happy Friday!

"Danger Zone"

So the Pita & I had a little chat about this last night.

I was thinking [well hoping] the conversation would end with a feeling like this:

But, errrr, ummmm, it kind of went down more like this:

But it was the bigger guy with the fist all mighty in the air.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maverick[Emz]: Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a fly[100 mile run]by.

Air Boss Johnson[Pita]: That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern [calendar] is full.
 
Then something like this was added: [you'll have to put the words in the right order]
 
 . . . . . "  I'll   you   be   we'll   running   can   compare   Vegas   in   me   4pm   while   at   call   gambling   anniversary   stories  .  "  . . . . .
 
He really has been a freaking trooper. 

I mean . . . . 6 marathons in 9 months + crewing one 50 miler.   I am grateful.
 
But the JJ100 is on the calendar for 2011.  You bet cha.

Cure For The Itch - Linkin Park

So this dang race has left me with a mighty itch.

So at noon, I finally got out of my PJ's [what?!  When would you take off your PJ's if you worked from home?] . . . and I got my little cowgirl self into this . .


Wait for it . . .

Wait for it . . . . . .

Ahhh, heck ya.  Now, my day can officially start.

But the weirdest thing happened.

After I wore it at lunch [with my favorite Julie], I started itching.  Head scratching.  nervous shakes, twitching and I once again found myself here. [click].

Then I looked back on the emails from this morning from "RL".  And I had to look at this again.

[drooooooool]

Here's a youTube video from last year. [click]

Okay, so what could be more romantic than celebrating your 12th anniversary while [one of you is] running?!

I don't think I can can't wait until next year.

Ummm, help.

"Fantastic Voyage"

SO here's the dirty-dirty. [details & photos]

This is your official warning.

This 50 miler earned me:

• One sweet buckle
• One dirty bib

• 11 [yes, eleven] awesome blisters.  This is so gross.  Sorry, I'll just post one.  This is an average size - the big one busted. 

• Going to lose my big right toenail and two on the left foot.  Not as bad as I had thought.  Was thinking I had 5 goners.  Not posting a photo of these babies.  Ya, remember feet gross me out [yes, even mine].
• 50 miles done for Neil's VR!
• The most incredible [new] friend and [new] running partner.  You can check out her video from last years race [here].  She is amazing.  I am seriously considering running this with her.
• The right to post my ugliest running form / running face photo.  The Pita last night, "I don't think it's fair you only post the photos that you like.  I think you should have to post your least favorite photo too.".  FINE.  whatever.  Oh ya baby, look at those wrinkles.  That horrible form.  Loving it.

Now a few #'s:

Elevation gain:  7,040

Average pace:  12.34

PB & J's:  3 bagel style [with salt]

Gu's:  zero ---- why eat Gu when you can eat M & M's?!

Aww crap - there was one Gu Chomps

Protein bars:  two

M & M's - lots

pickle juice - one cup

pee stops - one [this actually worried me - but I'm okie dokie]

Cookies - two

Alleve - three

Costco muffin - one

granola bars - three

Mountain Dew - two

Powerades - two

nuun tablets - six

[For Kovas]:

Strategy:

finish...okay fine........

* To take is easy peasy for first 32.
* To walk up any hill that was worse than "average" or  longer than 1/8 of a mile.
* To eat something every 3 miles [after mile 8]
* To plan on walking most of miles 29-32.
* To not fall and break something.
* To shuffle as much as possible.  Tried not to walk as much as possible.
* To finish strong and without a significant limp.
* To finish wanting to do another one. [this was my secret wish].  granted.

This is for Peanut. 

She said you all "would like to see how I ran into/through bushes".

My sweet swollen ankle.

Dang high school injuries.

Okay, I'll try and resume "normal blogging" now.
I loved everything about this race.  Everything.  I just keep replaying it over and over in my mind.  One of the best days in my life, to date.

Thank you.

Thank you for following me on this journey. 

It has meant everything to me.

More Than Words - Extreme

To say, "I don't know where to start." Would be the most understated thing I've probably ever said.

But . . . I don't know where to start.  So let's start with a few photos from Race Packet Pick up.  Was very hard to find.  In the middle of a dirt field.  However, if you were coming from the other direction - it was well marked.

Like this:

Follow the pink Barbie strings, right?!  Awwww, they shouldn't have.

Found the table to pay / pick up.  "You here for the 12?" [nope]  "The 25?" [nope - the 50] "Ohhhhh, okay.  You're only number 27, so far."

[ummmm, yay me?!]

The shirt:

This is all I will say about this experience, for now.  Off to dinner.  Pasta time.  Yum.

I will be doing my RR in songs, for the most part.  Feel free to click on the song name but be sure to come back!

While sitting at dinner, I just kept thinking, "I want to take forever tonight".  Tomorrow was coming a little too quickly.

Then, I kept thinking about how badly I wanted more of my loved ones here with me.  My Mom kept saying I "Wanna Be There" but I just didn't feel this was a great event for spectators.

Enter 4:45 am.

Bring on the horses.

Found "A".  Got our pre-race photo.

Right after this photo was taken [about 45 seconds].  I [no joke] had a horse charge at me, turn his butt to me and then I hear the lady [rider] say "Run away!  Run away!".  The Pita & I didn't think this was a great way to start the morning.  Have I mentioned, I hate horses.  Wait, more like I'm afraid of horses.  This was no bueno.  Face your fears, right?!  I'd just rather do this face to face.  Not butt to face.

Let it rock.

Then I thought of this song, "Ship of Fools".  have no idea why.

Now the first few miles is in a wash.  Lots [lots] of dirt, pebbles, sand & holes.  Ahhhh, so THIS is why people were wearing "gators".  Uggg.

At mile 5 The Pita was there.  "You good?"  I AM, I SAID.  First aid station - YAY!
The pace was good. 

Knowing there were 45 more just like it [actually much, much harder]. 9:30-9:45 pace.

Miles 5-13 ..... Seemed pretty non-eventful.  Was feeling the elevation a bit.

When my Garmin hit 13.  Immediately, I was, "Lost in Emotion".  Thinking really?  Really, I'm only a half marathon into this.  I knew this thought needed to be a fleeting one.  I hear Andrew typing, "SUPERWOMAN".  I remember what I told Adrienne, "I am strong."  I remember what I told KP to do, "say I've got this!".  And by 13.25.  I had wrapped my brain around this thought:

Emz - you are going to be out here all day.  You will not stop.  You want the buckle.  Buck up.  You are strong.  Enjoy the view.  You can do this.

At this point, I am running by or near by "A".  I really felt, I needed someone to pace me.  On the {rare} flat portions, I had a hard time staying steady.  My legs were strong.  I wanted to run faster.  But I knew that'd be stupid.

At 16, "Top Back" came on and motivated me at a perfect time.  I could feel a blister coming about on the top of my right foot.  I put it off [looking] until 20.

The Pita wasn't there, as we had planned.  These roads were few and far between.  I completely understood but was silently sad.  The thought crept in, "Em you're not even half way" - shot that down ASAP.  I'm at 20 and I feel really good.  Yep, that feels WAY better.

At 20, Had a PB&J with added salt.  Some M&M's and checked the foot.  Ehhh, was ok.  Not great but ok.  Put an ENGO pad on.  [You must buy these if you get blisters.]  AMAZING. 

The people at the aid station didn't like the way my feet I looked.

"You ok?"
Me:  yep. 
"Are you going to stay with her [they asked "A"]?"
[uhhh, hello, I'm right here?!]
A:  ya.

So I figured, now was the time to put on my "Boogie Shoes" and GIT ER DONE.
"A" stopped to fuel at 22.  I kept rolling thinking he'd catch me.

Then at 24 I hear, "Once Clear Voice".  Hey Em!  [YAY ME!]  The Pita.  Another peanut butter sandwich and 1/3 cup pickle juice.  Awesome.  I'm feeling great.  I was so grateful I had, "Someone to watch over me".  Our car was stocked.  And we had ICE.

It was perfectly fine that I had been told, "you smell like *&#%@#."  Yay, then I'm doing something right.  I was a, "Dirty White Boy Girl". 

So, for two miles [that felt like 6] I ran s-o-l-o.

Then, I met up with Shawna at 26.  Game change.  Game on.  iPod off for remainder of run. 

And just in time.

We had 2,450' to climb in the next 2.75 miles with a "View to a Kill" .  Oh, did I mention it was hot?  87 degrees. We talked about everything. Work, religion, marriage, running, food, TMI's [she had some good ones], kids, after race plans . . . where we were going to meet up next for my "next one". Sorry, Mom.



Let's do this.  "Run to the Sun".  My new favorite song.

Okay, this portion was way harder than I had imagined.  Ran maybe a half mile of the 2.75 mile portion.

The Pita saw us coming.

I heard him.  I heard Shawna.  Did I mention she's done this 3 times before?!  "Em, we get outta here and the worst is behind us."  I liked that.

Then with "Every beat of my heart" - I knew we were getting closer to putting this beast behind us.

And we're out!

 Time for new socks.

It felt like I had had a 10 minute shower.  New socks.  Made.  Me. Happy.  More ice.  Another PB&J, more pickle juice, M&M's & a protein bar and . . . 18 miles more to go.  wow.

33 - slam.  Where are my legs!?  33.5 - anyone seen my legs?  Shawna assures me they'll be in my drop bag at 38.  yikes.  "Don't give up".  As if, I would.

Then at 35 "Empire" [sorta hit me like a ton of bricks].  Downhill.  WHAT?!  Rocky downhill. no.  Please no.  There is an art to running downhill.  And running downhill with huge and small rocks?!?! . . . . . I suck at it.  Meanwhile, Shawna is "rocking" it.  She's passing horses.  The rider asks me, "you want to pass?". 

Me:  no actually I'm pretty content staring at your horse's a*s butt.

36 - out of the rocks.

Legs, still MIA.

We see an aid station?!  The Pita?!  What?! 

Me: I thought the station was at 38?

S:  Emily, this IS 38.

Me:  my watch says 36

S: you are the only one using a watch & guess what?  It's wrong.  Welcome to 38.

"There Must Be An angel".

 Legs.  back.

It was more like heaven.  pickle juice, Gu chomps, powerade, 4 nuun tablets.

Shawna starts talking about her first time finishing a 50 - I have to make her stop. I'm crying and I can't breathe.  Let's talk about this at 48-49.  Agreed.

39 - the only pee stop for me.  The hard part was getting the quads to "Get up".

40 - check point.  Yell out to staff . . . .  "#161 & # 162"  Woot woot.  We are here!!  He looks at us like we are nuts.  We are.  Only 10 left.  I'm already going "there" - - I've freaking got this.  I feel like a "4 out of 5".  This rocks.

Wait.  We are cranking these miles out.  Pace picking up.

The Pita at 43!

 And we even had some clouds at 43!??

Oh happy day!

Check point at 47 - sailed through.  We call out, "number 161 - number 162 we'll pass on the water.  But thanks for being here!!" Awesome.  My feet hurt like crazy.

Do I care?  Nope.

Mile 48 - 9:59

Mile 49 - 9:40 - - we can see the trailers.  I'm crying.  Shawna's telling me, "You are killing this.  Let's push a little harder."

I
Love
Her.

I'll do whatever she says.  "Let's do it." [my reply]

Finish line.  Insight.

Here come my stupid arms again. [not sure why, I feel the need to do this.]

Here come the tears. [again].

The best.  Ever.

Got Er Done.

So.

Who's doing it with me next year?!

Oh, almost forgot . . . . The text that made me happy, happy, happy was this one from "A" yesterday . . . 

"I should have asked YOU for advice, ya big jerk! I thought you could "maybe" finish. Most first timers can't handle all the climbing and just snap. You totally crushed it! I saw some really good runners quit/die out there yesterday. Nicely done Emily!".

Day. Made.

Whoomp There IT IS

Yep, wearing it to bed.

Time 10hrs 17 minutes.

I'll take it.