A Deal with the Devil

And so it goes.  Two weeks ago, I ran my little heart out.

I took a week (ok, 5 days off).  Did some housework.  Did some yard work.  Did some....walking.  And then I ran again.  Cause that's what I do.

I'm ready to take on the rest of the season - which includes a sprint tri in a week, a few half marathons, a few more sprint and Olympic tris, and the big enchilada on October 9 - the Empire Marathon in Syracuse, NY.  My sub 4.  I can taste it.  With a ridiculous run base under me, it's time to get Speedy Gonzales!

Mommy is crazy.

I have a 16 week plan starting June 20 - 3 runs a week, specific speeds, including a not so slow long run, speed work and tempo work each week.  It's doable, with about 30-35 mpw running.  and some tri cross training.

The first week, I'll run a marathon.  WHAT?  Don't normal people do that??  Of course they do (not).  Hear me out.  So I found out I have to go to Las Vegas for work June 22-25 (I know, I live a rough life).  I fly out Thursday, present Friday...and...you guessed it, there's a marathon about 20 miles away from the Strip on Saturday.  Run a marathon in Vegas in June?  C'mon, it'll be fun!  It's aptly called "Running With the Devil" as daytime temps are over 100.  I have a twisted sense of fun.

Obviously, I have no plan to PR this course.  I've set up long runs of 12, 14, 16 and 18 over the next 4 weeks, and plan to do them all mid day (it's supposed to be 90 tomorrow) with a ton of water at a slow pace.  Heat training?  Best I can do in NY.  I think it'll be a fun experience to run in the desert - and for the price ($100 and free travel) how can I say no??  Exactly.

Next weekend - kicking off tri season with the Pittsford tri.  This weekend?  Time with my besties.

It's a holiday weekend and that means family, quality time, some pool time (oh yeah, we bought one of those cool 12' set fast pools - who wants to come swim?), and being together.  And, of course, remembering why we celebrate the day, with a big nod to those that have given their life to ensure we have the wonderful freedoms we do.  Happy Memorial Day!

MOTHER Ducker - MTD 2016

Ahhh, and here we are.  After months of (sort of) prep, I've had another brush with "the ducks".  Three days ago I ran my second ultra marathon with the goal of hitting 60 or (gasp) 62 miles in 12 hours.  Spoiler Alert: It didn't happen.  But I'm not even the slighest bit upset.  Read on (warning, tendency to ramble ahead).

So, two years ago I signed up for "the ducks" on a whim - my friend Adam had done the race and I figured...if I wanted to test out my endurance beyond a marathon this was the spot to do it - with a bathroom break and aid station every mile.  How does one train for the race?  Well, who the heck knows.  12 hours after my inaugural ducks, I had 53 miles, a serious case of GI distress, a few pump breaks (yeah, who does an ultra with a 10 month old??), and alot of new (crazy) friends.  I was hooked.  I couldn't wait for the next year to do 100k,

2015...I decided that being pregnant was more important than ducks.  And even though I know I could have done it and walked for a few hours, lets not kid ourselves.  If I sign up for 12 hours of running pain, I want to get my moneys worth.  Dammit.

2016.  Cue the registration opening...could I do an ultra with a two year old and an 8 month old??  Well, why the heck not (yes, I asked for Greg's blessing first.  I'm not dumb).  I decided to do Ducks to first of all, see what I could do if I improved upon my nutrition, and also to reach that friggin 100k.  Five months later....you guys know the story if you read the blog.  Training for an ultra with two littles is ridiculous.  I had two training plans, the second of which my husband mercifully destroyed on me.  I averaged about 40 mpw running 4 days a week...sometimes breaking up a 16 mile long run  into 3 runs to get it all in while working full time and being a BFing mom to a little.  Why I thought Ultras were less selfish and more doable than an Ironman, I'll never know but....bless my husband.  That is all.  And my flexible work schedule.  Anot not my achilles, which sidelined me a few times too many for my liking,  Thank goodness for cross training - but - needless to say, the training wasn't conducive to a 100k in 12 hours.

Pre Race Happy Feet ladies!

Plan B - beat 2014 mileage.  Anything over 53. Ok, I can do that.  Race week, I tapered well, carb loaded with abandon....mmmmm....cookies, and ignored any talk of inclement weather.  Learning from 2014, when I packed the kitchen sink, I went simple - one tote with clear baggies of nutrition, medical stuff (hello bandaids and immodium), an outfit change, and my breast pump (wait, thats not normal to pack??  Maybe I should look into doing a race when I'm not BFing...food for thought).  And rain gear,  cause F Rochester.

I drove to the site and said hello to some of my ultra friends and a few MRTT ladies going for their first ultra.  Took care of business, ready to rock, and with little fanfare at 7am, we were off (I adore these low key races).

The first 3 hours were pretty perfect.  I kept around a 10 minute mile, stopping for a drink every other loop and a bite of either watermelon, potato, or grapes on alternate loops.  I listened to music.  I chatted.  I enjoyed it.  My mom and my uncle showed up to cheer me on, which was pretty awesome - always excellent to see a friendly face!!

At mile 20, I implemented some strategic walks (on the ever growing "hill" on the course), and hit the bathroom for my first pit stop.  Somewhere between mile 25 and 30 I stopped to pump, I don't remember where.  This would be impressive save for the fact that my friend Amanda actually walked a loop while pumping.  I am in awe of her bad assery.  Hit mile 30 at 6:05 and felt pretty good.

About mile 35 my achilles started acting up and I hit some ibuprofin.  I know myself well enough to know that if I took a break, I was done, so I kept on truckin'.  10 to 11 minute miles became 13-14, and thatw as fine with me.  I made a few more friends on the course...some Ironmen, some ultra newbies, and a gentleman who was prepping to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.  Yikes.  I enjoyed  the RWG runners that alternated arrying the American flag while running....I ran a lap behind them just for the beauty of it.  I remembered again why I am so damn lucky to be able to do this.  And then, at mile 37, my husband and kiddos showed up, which was icing on the cake.  I pulled over for some baby lovin and chatted briefly with my cousins that came to say hi (my family is awesome).  

The art of running in the rain!

I hit mile 40 about 8 hours and change  in and started to do some mental math.  I wasn't too sure about hitting 60 but knew if I kept it up I could PR.  Then, the random rain showers that had been coming in and out all morning hit hard.  Wind, driving rain, and yuck.  Stop?  NO WAY!!  I ran through it, hung tight, wisely abandoned my childish otions of mud puddle jumping, and changed my shoes at mile 45.  Hit mile 50 at 10:33.  I knew I had at least 55 in the bag, but also knew I was done running.  My achilles was yammering, my body beat.  I drank some coke (which I never drink) and it was nectar from the gods.  I thanked my lucky stars that I had had no GI issues to date, and clocked in mile 50 with my friend Amanda, who had just finished her double and was ready to call it a day.  I'm a stubborn ass, so I knew at that point unless I broke something, I was going to get all the damn pain that I paid for - all friggin 12 hours of it.  My friends Liz and John who came to support me toward the end, along with my mom who came back, gave me an oooh- rah, and I was off, equipped with a jacket!  to walk those last 5 miles.  Until I reached lap 53, and the jokers from trailsroc drinking beer on the hill encouraged (ok, mocked) me to run up it.  Dammit I did.  I averaged about 15 minute miles for the last 5 miles, walking every step but that stupid hill.  And I love them,  Whoever they were.  On lap 56 I found a friend for the last .2, who encouraged me to run it in with him.  Eff my body.   I ran in the last few hundred meters, a big smile on my face.  I finished in 11:57, with 56.67 miles, good enough for 5th female and 18th overall.

Swag and mileage awards

I was exhausted.  Slightly hypothermic.  A mess.  And beyond content and excited with what I did.  Did I make 100k?  Nope.  Still a goal?  You betcha.  But I know that I gave it my all, and for where I am in my life, and the circumstances leading up to MTD....I feel pretty darn awesome.

Except stairs.  Those still suck.  But butt scooting is super in fashion.

A big thanks and hug to everyone that helped make my day great - my family, friends, ultra ladies, and new friends I met on the course - I am so inspired by everyone  from those that completed their first marathon to the winner, who clocked 77 miles and set the Canadian National record for men 55-59 (seriously, what a feat!!) and of course, Gil Robs, the RD, who always puts on a first class event.

MTD 2017?  We'll see.  Now its time for some lower mileage, like a few marathons in the next 4 months :-P

 Yikes I'm twisted.

Month 8: Biz is standin....(yeah yeah yeah!)

I give up, you little shit.  You're growing up too damn fast!!  This month has been like a whirlwind....you had so many firsts and you are just on fire!!  Please slow down.  Please??

Size - About 19 pounds....you are almost out of 9 month clothes and into 12 months in pants....you are so tall, girly q!!  Maybe volleyball in your future?  Hmmm.  More power to ya, hun.  Mommy loves the game but has no coordination.  If you take after your mom maybe you have pole vaulting in your future!  On second thought.....never mind!

Likes: All the food.  REAL food, not baby food, thank you.  Playing with your bro.  Swinging in your swing outside.  Playing all on your own with the floor piano and making music!  Pretty much everything amazes you lately.  You have totally stopped being a baby and are taking the world by storm more and more every day.  I simultaneously love it and it breaks my heart.  Funny how time flies, isn't it??

Dislikes: Sleeping at night.  Cutting teeth.  Having your nose wiped.  Not being able to walk yet.  Bud, I'm all with ya on the last 3 but sleep at night is delicious.  Ca we please talk about that???

Sleep: Oh kiddo.  We hit this regression hard.  You've been up every 45 minutes to hour at night for the last few weeks.  Although, to your credit, you are cutting 4 teeth right now, which is sucky and I wouldn't wish on anyone.  I'm feelin ya, Biz Biz.  But....2am is such a nice hour for sleeping.  I promise.  And I promise that Mommy isn't the only one that can fix it, K?  (AKA I will give you $20 for every night you wake Daddy up.  Promise. .....but lets keep that between us girls, k? )  Crap.

Eating:  Everything.  You tolerate purees, but you really love crackers, pasta, bananas, tofu, and baby pancakes.  You also adore carrots and yogurt, but you would prefer to feed yourself thankyouverymuch.  And you are still a champ at bfing, but if you bite me one more tim, you little shit, I swear Ill....well there's an empty threat :-P.

Milestones/Firsts:
Standing.  Just happened a few days ago!
Crawling...you are better at going backwards, but forward works sometimes too!

Real food.  See above.
Mother's Day.  What a perfect day with both my awesome kiddos.  You totally completed it!!

Best Moment: Watching you start to explore the world around you.  You want to see everything, taste everything, touch everything.  And you love your kitties.  You and Meb are already best buds.  It's awesome to see you experience everything the first time kiddo...I love it!!!

Looking Forward to:  Summertime fun time.  We are going to the zoo this weekend, and you are already signed up for swimming lessons.  We have so much fun planned between races, camping, Stoeybrook, Alex Bay and so many other things.  I can't wait!!!

I promise.

Not to blog more.
Not to post "x" a week.
Not to stop freaking neglecting the six of you that read here.

I do.  I have ideas, I have thoughts.  I know you all want to know how my 30 mile run went 3 weeks ago (It hurt.  But I needed it.  And thank god I did it, or I would be crapping my pants about Saturday!).  I know you want recipes (I have them.  Some kick ass summer salads, an easy coffee cake and a delicious diabetic cranberry bread).  I KNOW you want to know about the kiddos (Biz's 8 month update WILL be posted this week, I promise!!).  And whats up about those races, Miss "I love to train?? (Yep.  Mind the Ducks 12 hour is this weekend.  And yes, I did sign up to run a marathon in the middle of the fucking desert in June).

My beautiful "distractions" :-)

Caught up?  Nah, I know it.  One would think that a taper would afford me the time to actually chat on a forum I sorely miss and love communicating on.  But Ill tell ya.  Life with a full time job and two kiddos and half a work crew and family drama llamas and training 50 miles per week well....I have to sleep sometime.  maybe for 2 hours :-P.  But the BLOG.  I know it.  Please bear with me, I promise I'm not gone for good!!!

I don't have a recipe post in me right now - the pics are on my camera and the recipe is scrolled on notebook paper....I wont forget it.  I also dont have a thought provoking race post in me and THANK goodness Biz doesn't "turn" 8 months for 3 more days!

So, how bout them ducks??  You got it.  I am officially "tapering" although after Greg tore up my plan, I really have been winging it with about 40-45 mpw over 4 runs.  I maxed out at 30 miles 3 weeks ago, which I wisely took the day off and ran on the course.  Almost 6 hours later, we got it in and shockingly I felt decent after wards.  Hungry and sore, but not falling over dead.  Yay me!

so, the race is 5 days away.  And back in 2014, I had a bit more time to navel gaze.....yeah, screw that.  Ive got a few runs, a massage tomorrow, and I'm basically packing a cooler and some extra shoes and hair ties.  This isn't a vacation, its a frickin race.  I plan to have some back ups, but in my car.  I dont need to pack a tent or clothes for a week just to haul that crap back to my car!  I also don't have planned crew - I would love to have some ooo-rahs support, and I will love you if you come out.  But I completely understand if you don't think watching me run around in circles for 12 hours is top on your to do list.  (I respect you, lol).  I havent checked the weather.  Why would I? Everyone else is!!

I did do a few smart things.  I broke in 3 pairs of shoes perfectly, in case of water spills (MOM) or in case of life.  I ordered a travel pack for my breast pump (12 hours IS a long time).  I scheduled a massage.  And NOT a dentist visit so I can, ya know, carb load and not lose 5 pounds race week.

Last time, I managed just shy of 54 miles on race day.  I think I was better prepared physically (who trains for this shit with a 2 year old and 8 month old??), but I think I'm better prepared mentally this time around.  12 hours without being responsible for anyone but me?  Doing what I love best?  With people as crazy as me?  Sure, Ill run around a pond for that.  Or 60 times (I hope).

Cheers.