First Annual Poker Run

Here is the idea.....run a 7 mile trail run.  At every mile, draw a card.  The runner with the best 5 card poker hand at the end...WINS!!  Sounds fun couldn't wait.  Unfortunately our dearest running buddy Kris is under the weather and couldn't join us.  We decided to draw her cards for her and text her each time to keep her in the game.  So ready to go!!!

 We put our Yak Trax in our packs, not sure if we wold need them or not.  We started at the Seaman's Parking lot and headed towards the public trail that leads to Veteran's.  At exaclty 0.09 miles in tothe run we had to stop and put our Yak's on.

Our legs felt very heavy. What was going on?  We were feeling like we were in such great shape for our upcoming 20 mile Wilson Creek Race.  Today was a humble stick slapped across our face.  We dragged the first mile!  At mile one we drew our first card.  What did I draw for Kris?

 HAHA how fitting!  We put it away and drew a new one.  Then we trudged along.  Our legs didn't feel normal until probably mile 4.  They were just so heavy and our calves BURNED!!  Each time we stopped to draw a card, we would text a picture to Kris.  She would text and telll me from where on the pile to draw, then she would say I was a cheater, etc.

We finally hit the downhill section of Veteran's and felt some relief in our legs.  I began to feel a weirdness in my foot fall.  It felt as if I was running on a spring, like I was inspector gadget or something.

I suddenly realized what it was.  Darn it!! My Yak Trax broke. Luckily I carry a small leatherman in my pack.  Just a few minutes and it was ready to go!

As we headed up the last hill we had an eerie sight!  Four big black crows on the trail.  Three quickly flew away but on ehung around. He sat on the fence for quite a while.

It was a bit creepy at first.  Then when we got home I googled what it might mean.

"It is said that if you see just one crow it is considered to be unlucky. If you see two black crows it is said to be good luck. If you see three black crows it is said to mean health. If you see four black crows it is said to mean wealth. "

Hey alright!  I could use some wealth!!

We finished by running a total of 7.3 miles.  Our legs were so tired from running in the soft uneven snow.  Our poker hands ended up like this:

Michele

Jodi

Kris

Michele technically won but she said since she was the "game-master"  she couldn't be the winner.  So, YAY I am the winner!!!

After I had to prove to Kris that I did not cheat, it was time for the gift exchange.  We all are so much alike!!  We ALL bought calendars for each other! Too funny!

Climb Every Mountain....

On today's run it was unfortunate that I had the song "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music in my head.  That did add a whole new level of meaning to the trails today.

We loved our Junk Yard loop last week SO much that we decided to run it again.  The plan was to add a bit more at the end and try to get in 14 miles.  It has been pretty foggy for the past two days, but it made for a beautiful trail run.  We were definitely "Running in a Winter Wonderland" today.

We ran a lot smarter today (if that is ever possible).  We fueled more often and walked the steep hills.  Our 50K training is going pretty well so far.  It was a fun, frosty day!

13.5 miles.  Not too shabby for the morning!

Who knew running JUNK YARD could be so fun!

So since Michele has jumped on the "Let's run Ultra's" train with me, we have been upping our trail mileage.  This run was planned out to be 10-13 miles.  It has been REALLY cold lately here.  Last run we had my hydration pack froze and I couldn't drink.  After gathering advice from other seasoned Ultra runners I got two very great tips....
#1... put the mouth piece and tube in your shirt
#2...blow the water back into the pouch after you drink

With our great advice ready we headed off!

It was a snowy day so we wore our YakTrax, a definite must for winter trail running!  We parked at the Seaman's Trail head and ran the outer loop clockwise.  Then we headed down the canal bank which leads to the trails by Drycreek Cemetery.  I LOVE to run!  So I made a note for everyone to see!

As we ran through Veteran's we decided to drop into the Velodrom.  Didn't think there would be too many bicyclists to contend with and we were right!  It was a great system to run in !  We got onto a trail called Junkyard.  LOVED IT!!  This rail was so awesome!!

Who knew something referring to trash could be so enjoyable...but it was!  We had such a great run today!  We ended up with 12.5 miles and both felt great.  I must say though, all this awesome trail running does make running on the roads worse and worse.  If I could I would trail run EVERYDAY!  But the gas money would bankrupt me.