A day on the Trail FINALLY!

I have been sick for a couple weeks and my running came to a screeching halt because of it.  Michele mentioned that my body could probably use a bit of time off since I have been training so hard.  My goal is to run a sub 4 hour marathon in May and I have a friend who put me on a very intense training schedule.  But, sick is sick.  So, 2 weeks off happened.

This week I finally felt like myself again.  I have desperately missed running the trails, mostly because I enjoy running with my sister and Kris so much.  We scheduled a trail run for Monday morning.

Wouldn't you know it, my daughter got the stomach flu Sunday night!  Before I am a runner, I am a mom.  So I didn't get a chance to join them.  No worries, we will run again Wednesday, Michele decided.  Michele and Kris still did go trail running Monday though.  I heard about it afterwards from Michele.

"Wow, Kris is in peak running form.  She was like a machine going up those hills.  She kept chanting, Where's Jod?  Did she chicken out and was afraid to run with me?" 

"Really, I said.  Well bring it on!"  And so a healthy trash talking, mud slinging, war via texting began.  "This is War!" I texted to Kris.  "Bring it on!" She replied.

The day of our run Michele said her husband gave us 6:1 odds, but wouldn't say who it favored.   I knew, and I planned on making Steve a pocket full of money.  We headed off to run the Seaman's Gulch Trail loops since Kris had never been there

Interesting FACT about this trail system.  I know someone who ran this loop alone one day because her sister was sick and her neighbor was working.  She got bit in the butt by a dog!  True story.

Anyway back to the trails.  Kris was like a race horse waiting for the bell.  She was rearing to go.  Michele yelled "Go!"  Kris took off, but I didn't.  Why?  Because Michele had me in a death hold and wouldn't let go.  Sabotage!  But funny! 

The run was competitive but fun!  I would hit a trail marker post each time I passed it and yell out "DING!" because I hit it first.  Kris would play red light green light with me, although I didn't know she was doing it at the time.  Every time I would turn around to check on her she would start running.  When I turned back and looked ahead at the trail she would resume walking.

After 2.7 miles I declared myself the winner!  A told Kris she needed to concede.  Se yelled, "I will not concede to the CONCEITED!"

As we headed into the last mile, I just let Kris run on ahead.  My wisdom had kicked in while hers had failed.  I knew I was faster, I knew I had won.  I was ready to now to enjoy some time with my sister. Up ahead Kris came to a fork in the trail.  "Which way?" she screamed.  Michele and I laughed and we didn't answer.  "Which way?" she screamed again.  And I mean she was literally screaming!  Michele and I laughed again and still didn't answer.  After a third scream at us she finally headed right.  The funny thing is, you could go either way.

That is when my competitive streak kicked back in.  BOOM. I took off.  I tore down the trail.  Slowly I watched her come into view.  I could tell I was gaining on her.  A quick glance at my watch, 6:50 pace, I can maintain this I told myself.  I was getting closer then on the next turn, BAM there she was!  As I came up behind I called out in a man voice, "On your left"  She stepped aside and I did  a wicked victory laugh as I blazed by.  She held up her hands and called out "I'm out." Victory was mine as I knew it would be.

Kris' Boo-Boos!

So, it turns out that she didn't say, "I'm Out."  She had said, "I fell."  Ooops!  I would've stopped if my hearing worked.  But apparently when running that is another malfunciton that occurs, inability to hear others clearly.  Luckily she was okay.  And she did finally concede my victory!

It was a good day on the trails considering I struggled identifying my left versus my right.  Michele's neck was grinding like sand paper every time she turned her head. And Kris, Kris was her usual wonderful self!

The Tortoise and the Hare... a trail runners version

There are many theories as to what causes the start of a war.  These can include the need for land, resources, racism, global domination.  People spend their lives studying past wars and conflicts, attempting to answer this question and thus prevent future wars from occuring.

Well, I am here to save them all that time and trouble.  I know what starts a war....

SMACK TALK!

 

 

It is a long story, but one worth telling.  The true version of the Tortoise and the Hare.

 

It all began with the Hare, intensely training for a marathon PR next year. 

 

 

 The Tortoise and he Tortoise neighbor mocked the Hare, saying things like; "Been there done that."  "You have fun with that." and "I used to think like that too, then I got smart." 

 

 

 

 

But, the Hare dd not listen, she just kept training. 

As winter set in, so did the germs and the Hare fell ill.  She could no longer train.  For two weeks she had to stay indoors and not run.  Meanwhile the Tortoise and her neighbor were running like crazy.  One day the neighbor called the Hare and said, "I ran with the Tortoise today, she is like a machine!"  That is when the scales tipped.

 

 A trail run was scheduled, the Hare was feeling better and ready to go.  But at the last moment one of her baby bunnies fell ill.  The Tortoise and her neighbor ran without her.  Again the neighbor called afterwords. 

 

 

"The tortoise is running so great.  She just tore up the hills.  When she reached the top she started yelling, where's that Hare now?  She chickened out and was afraid to run with me!  What a wimp!  Where's the Hare huh?"

 

NOW, the Hare is angry.

 

 

And thus...all because of SMACK TALK...WAR IS DECLARED!!

 

 

Over the next few days, text messages are exchanged and smack talk accelerates.  Here is a small taste of some of those...

 

"Vegas has the odds at 6:1. But the neighbors husband won't reveal who the odds favor."

"I ran an 8:10 pace yesterday."

"Yeah well I can do that going uphill with a headwind."

"I am going to cage the tiger."

"This is war!"

"War it is bring it on!"

 

You get the basic idea.  It is important to note that most of this was fueled by the Tortoise's neighbor, as it is with most wars.  An outsider fuels the fire.

 

RACE DAY. WAR DAY. DECISION DAY.

 

The hare waits as the Tortoise dances from across the street to get into the car.  She casually mentions that through out history the Tortoise always wins because it is WISER.  Rubbish thinks the Hare. 

 RUB-BISH!

The drive to the trail head includes more smack talk, motivational music and a weak attempt from the back seat by the Tortoise to strangle the Hare.

 

"GO!" shouts the Tortoises neighbor as she holds on to the Hare.  The Tortoise runs off laughing.  Sabotaged! Thinks the Hare, but she bides her time.  Unlike the commonly told "fairy tale" of the Tortoise and the Hare, she has a secret.  See this Hare is not foolish.  She has been running with the Tortoises for years.  So she is not only fast, she is also wise.

 

To summarize the story, the Hare WINS! Was there any doubt?  Now, I will not reveal who is the Hare or Tortoise, but I am sure you can figure it out!

Now, what is the moral of this story?  Well, there are many.  But the main moral is this.  Wisdom alone won't win the race, neither will speed.  It is a combination of the two that brings you success.  I am very grateful to have my "Tortoise" running buddies who have taught me that principle over the hundreds of miles we have ran together.


Also...the Tortoise says to mention that the Hare only won by 3 minutes.  What the Tortoise doens't really is the Hare paced herself and made sure she won without pushing too hard.  Therefore, she would win noe matter what!

Then she ran home and tattled and lied to her Tortoise husband who sent the Hare hate-email:

Dear Hare,

I just never would of thought you would resort to such tactics. My poor wife had thigh, knee and hand contusions from your 'push'.
She said that you just don't play fair. So next time I might have to come and officiate.

Mr. Tortoise.

 

 

 

 

 







Whoever said running isn't educational???

Today we tried out a new route.  We are so close to finishing our goal of running all the trails!!  We ran in the Oregon Trail Reserve.  You can view the map of it at this link: Oregon Trail Reserve.

There were three basic trails in here to follow:

#101 Basalt Trail

1.75 miles

Basalt Trail provides loop opportunities for users of the Oregon Trail Reserve and great views of the basalt cliff the reserve is perched on.

#102 Rim Trail

1mile

The Rim Trail provides a pedestrian-only experience, overlooking the Boise River valley. Users will discover the historic Kelton Ramp located on the southeast end of the trail. Trail also features numerous interpretive signs and three interpretive overlooks.

#103 Oregon Trail

1.12 miles

Trail parallels historic Oregon Trail through the Oregon Trail Reserve. Ruts from the historic Oregon Trail are visible from the trail.

 

It was a short run for us but that is JUST what we both needed.  I have been sick and Michele has been vacationing, so neither of us has been putting in any quality miles lately.

 

The run was neat because of the history that was associated with it. 

We stopped quite a few times to read the signs and take pictures.  It is just amazing to imagine those pioneers forging the way across this terrain!

 

And the view on the lookout...spectacular!

 

 

You will notice that there are no pictures of us this time.  Well, we are neither spectacular to look at nor educational!  In fact I think we are dumber from this run despite it's history because f all the power lines that we had to run under.  Michele said they would cause permanent damage and shorten our life span.  We actually held our breath when we ran under the first one.  Not sure what that did to help us.  Then at one point I was asking for direction and said Left?  Michele called out,"Left. Right." 



?????????

So, I just went left.

 

We also got lost (ish) twice and had to do back track because we would end up leaving the trail system.  But, we had a great run. Like we usually do!

A Hidden Treasure

Have you ever been doing laundry and you find a $20 bill in a pant pocket!  It is so exciting!  Hidden Treasure!  Today we ran on a hidden treasure that KRIS FOUND!!  It was wonderful!

Today's trail run changed routes about 5 times before we actually got out of the car.  We went from planning to run a 10  route that is rated as insane, strenuous, and mondo to a nice 5 mile easy run through Camel's back.  We had to have a late start and I had run a 12 miler yesterday.  See we both have an important skill needed in running trails, flexibility.

We parked at the upper camel's back parking lot and headed up #37 Owl's Roost onto #38 the Grove and past the Foothills learning center.  After climbing up Kestral to Crestline we headed left onto Red Cliffs Trail.  We had done this loop on our night time run and it was fun to do it again in the daylight!!

As we ran we decided which trails we were NOT going to run this year.  Some are not really trails, they are more like adventures.  We agreed on every decision!  Anything to avoid the mondo difficult ones!

Red cliffs trail is really cool looking at one point.  It has a unique look to it.

After Red Cliffs we headed across the road and onto Chickadee.  I had never ran it from this direction before.  We saw a lady with two silver gray dogs.  Michele thought they were Silver Labs, but the lady told her they were Great Danes, 3 months old.  As we ran by Michele told me that they "make" Silver Labs now.  I laughed.  "They MAKE them?"  I then told her that they don't make them, they BREED them!  Silly Michele.

Now is where the hidden treasure lies.  To your left as you crest chickadee is a trail called Red-winged Blackbird.  It was WONDERFUL! It had bridges, and arching tree cover, and nice leaf covered paths.  I loved it so much that I did my impression of Kris ad ran with my arms flailing yelling, "I LOVE THIS TRAIL!"  I wish it was a 5 mile long path, but alas it is short!  Definitely a do again!

Doesn't it look wonderful??
 

BUT, despite the beauty of this Hidden Treasure I did have 2 hard lessons learned.

#1)  Do NOT eat a protein bar 30 minutes before a run.  Ugh, my stomach was not happy with me at all!
#2) When your sister/running buddy says to you, "Hey these New Trail Shoes gave me a blister.  Do you want them?" Do NOT take them.  Because when YOU run in them they will then give YOU a blister too!

And so now I have a horrible stomach ache and a blister.

TOUGH GIRL!

So today we decided to tackled HARD GUY #33 .  We had heard a lot of terrible things about this trail and even it's name sounds daunting.  Kris's husband Dan, an avid biker, mentioned that he had NEVER seen a runner on hard guy!  Well, he has never seen Michele and I then.  We are obviously not your typical runners!

We parked at the first Corral's trail head off Bogus Basin Road.  This is a portion we have run before.  We cruised along until we came to the trail head for #33.  Here we go!

This trail wasn't the HARDEST we have ever run nor the steepest.  It did have a lot of climbing and we did do a lot of walking.  The toughest part of the trail was the uneven surface.  It did make it hard to get a good footing ad some parts were very sandy! 





 

As we ran we passed a trail on our right that was unmarked.  Michele said she thought that it was the "Dry Creek" trail that we had heard about.  It is not part of the Ridge to Rivers Trail system so is not on our map.  As we continued to run we could see the trail below us windy around.

It may be hard to see in these pictures but it is down there!  I almost tripped a few times because I was looking down into the ravine instead of where I was going.  "I want to run down there!" I said.  Michele agreed.  We started hatching a plan right then and there.






Since Hard Guy kept CLIMBING and CLIMBING we decided we had the general idea of what this trail was like....a climb.  Although as a side note, Five Mile Gulch makes Hard Guy look lie a beginner trail!  We decided we would turn around ad head back to that trail we saw!  We ended up running about 2/3 of Hard Guy, enough to say we had done it, and don't need to do it again!

SO, we happily turned around at mile 4.6 ish and headed back to that unmarked trail.  Unfortunately, running Hard Guy down hill wasn't as pleasurable as running down hill usually is.  It was a bit too jarring because of the steepness and uneven terrain.  At just over 6 miles we reached the unmarked trail.  Down we go!

This was the greatest trail EVER!  Every once in a while we find a trail that we love so much we want to run it again!  This is one of those trails!  Fabulous surface, easy up and down hills, interesting ,single track, beautiful scenery.  Can't wait to see what this one looks like in the spring!  We eve got to cross a creek!

Well, I crossed the creek fine. Michele had a little trouble.



Beautiful Scenery

Cool Rock Formations


This "Dry Creek" Trail ended at Bogus Basin Road.  Michele had read about it in one of her mountain biking books.  "It should be just a short run up the road to where we parked."  Well, that was not exactly true.  Here we were running on a part of the road that we had never ran before, having no idea how long we had to run to get to Michele's car and at this point we had no idea where the car even was!

It turned out to be about 2 miles.

SO we tackled Hard Guy and in the process found a new favorite trail.  That gives us the self-proclaimed titled of TOUGH GIRL!

And what of Dan the biking "expert"?  Well, when he found out about our adventures he set out that day to try out Dry Creek and loved it!  We are such a good influence on him!

RACE 2 THE SUMMIT

I'm so glad that Michele watches Channel 7 news every night.  If she didn't, we may not have found out about this race!

But since she DID watch the news, we knew about it right away!  It was for a great cause (to raise money for the small town of Horseshoe Bend's schools).   We signed up and started training for another Robie style run.  Uphill to a summit, then down to a finish line!
Click here to find out more about the race!


Michele had of course just returned from a vacation and had not run in several days and Kris had a terrible head cold!  What a pair those two were.  I was in the mood to really race this one!  I needed to redeem myself after the cursed Robie Creek run.  Kris said she would stay with Michele.  Here is how our conversation went:

Kris, "If I wasn't a true friend I would beat your heiny to the finish line!"
Me, "Are you blaming the fact that you won't beat me on the fact that you're a good friend? Ha Ha."
Kris, "Friendship comes before fame."
Me,"Apparently blood doesn't come before fame."
Kris, "I guess not, what a shame."

We met at the Home Depot parking lot and then drove in to Horseshoe Bend.  Between Michele complaining how out of shape she was and Kris complaining that she couldn't breathe out her nose I felt like I was in a doctor's office.  These two were hilarious!  The race start was chilling but luckily stocked with LOTS of porta Johns!

Sleepy but ready!



Putting our timing chips on!
 

Ready to Run!

Then Michele says, "STOP WITH THE PICTURES!"

 





 

SO, since Michele and Kris were running this race for "fun", that would leave one to ask, what was Jodi running it for? TO RACE!!

 

I have recently had a friend start training me for the nest year's Great Potato Marathon.  We set a goal to run it under 4 hours (that may be a foolish goal).  So, after working with him the week of this race I was PUMPED to run!  I was grateful that Michele and Kris had each other so I could really push it!!

 

 

So, when the race started I did just that, I pushed!  This blog will include 2 versions of the Half- Marathon; mine and the dynamic duos.

 

 

Jodi's Experience:

 

I took off fast but tried to reign it in a little.  I have been burned many times taking off too quickly!  The weather was perfect!  It was a chilly start, which I like.  I tried to not look at my watch for what pace I was going and to instead just run what felt good.  After about the first mile the road turned and we started the incline.  From here it was 6 miles at a steady climb.  I felt okay, well actually I felt GOOD!  I even had a guy compliment me on my socks!

 

After climbing for about 3.5 miles, I started to get tired.  I started to question whether or not I could keep up this pace I had set for myself.  This is when the training I had received a few days prior helped.  Kyle (my trainer) had me run the fastest mile that I could on the track.  He ran it with me and when I started to feel like quitting he talked to me about things to do.  One of those was to forget about everything but my stride.  "Just focus on your stride."  So I did that, when I began to feel like walking, I simply focused on my stride.  And it worked!

 

After another mile of running a great thing happened.  It turned out that two of my friends were running a water station.  How wonderful to round the bend and hear people cheering your name!  It was a great shot in the arm to keep my going and a wonderful surprise! 

 

THE SUMMIT

 

 

 This picture was taken by Kris.  The Yellow banner is the turn around point.  Reaching the summit was so rewarding! Because I now knew it was all downhill and I am a good downhill racer!  So I took off and really started to open it up!  I knew eventually I would get a chance to see Michele and Kris as they were going up and I did!

 

 As I passed Michele, she did exactly what she had promised NOT to do!  "Jodi, you are the 11th female Now GO!"  She has done this to me before, but last time she MIS-counted!  Today she was spot on.  How do I know.  Truth be told I had counted too!

So, since I love to run downhill and I cold see three ladies in front of me, I decided to go get 'em!  I ended up averaging a 7:25 minute mile pace on the remainder of the race and passed those 3 ladies.  Unfortunately there were no more ladies to be seen.





At the end of the race (which ended up being 13.7 miles!!!)  we had to cross a bridge.  This bridge was about  15 yards long.  Not a big deal EXCEPT.....THE ENTIRE BRIDGE WAS A CATTLE GUARD!  As I approached the bridge a guy standing there yelled, "Fast Quick feet!  Don't slow down."  So, I assumed he was talking to me so I did just that.  I made it across without really slowing down!  I even passed a guy on it!


Finally the finish line was in sight.  I was right behind a guy and this teenage boy yells out, "Hey lady pass him!"  So, I did.  I sprinted in and passed him!  I was surprised by my time!  My official time was 1:59:35! And that's for LONGER than an actual half-marathon.  At 13.1 miles my time was 1:51:43!  I was truly proud of myself and felt great!  My overall stats:

OVERALL: 35th place
GENDER PLACE: 8th
AGE GROUP PLACE: 3rd

Not bad for a run in Horseshoe Bend!

The Dynamic Duos Experience:

Michele and Kris took off laughing, sore and unable to breathe through their nose.  Their main focus was to just get up the mountain (and be able to breathe while doing it).  Although the race start was chilly, Kris reminded Michele that it would get hot soon.  Michele didn't catch the joke and started to comment about the sun rising an it is a good thing they are almost to the top.  It wasn't until Kris laughed and reminded Michele about our training run on the road that Michele realized what Kris meant. Ha ha!


If you do not understand the reference here, you need to look back at previous blog posts.

 





They stopped on the way up to see the donkeys (something I NEVER saw).  The fence was down and Michele said, "Why don't they come out?"  Kris replied,"Because they can't figure out why a bunch of dumb people are running up hill when they don't have too. They are dumbfounded."

Michele and Kris also came upon the water station being run by ourfFriends Holly and Brian.  They stopped and chatted for a couple of minutes with them.  She asked if they had seen me and really took their time.  They began to run again and Kris said she felt like they were finally getting their momentum she HAD to stop to take a picture of some "elite" runner who came barreling down the hill.  Isn't she nice?  I am so grateful for the pictures too!  Otherwise Kris would have had a faster time had she not stopped.

This race was also another case of Kris to the rescue of the distressed and dehydrated!  A pregnant lady was passing out.  They stopped and Kris gave the lady her last goo.  What a girl scout!

Near the finish line I took the camera and ran ahead so we could have some nice pictures of the Dynamic Duo finishing in all their glory!

I am not allowed to post their finish time.  So, I will instead say, they did great and they had fun!

It was perfect weather for the race and a nice course to boot. 



I'll run with you...IF I can find you in this CEMETERY!

Today's run consisted of two different trail systems.  The idea was to park at the Veteran's Trail Head (by the Veteran's Cemetery off Hill Road).  I was parked on the canal access road, because I couldn't see the trail head parking.  I thought it weird that I had beaten Michele there.  So I called her.
 "Where are you?" 
"I am at the Cemetery."
"What part?"
"The part off Horseshoe Bend."
"That's the wrong part."
"Where are you?"
"At the bottom."
"I haven't seen any trail heads."
"Are you driving in the cemetery now?"
"Yes."
"Do you think the trail head is IN the cemetery?"
"I don't know I'm looking."
"Okay, here I come too."
So, I started my car and headed in to the cemetery, looking for the trail head AND my sister.  We are still on the phone.
"Okay," I said, "I am looking for you."
"I don't see you yet."
"There is no way we are running through a cemetery today."
"This is weird."
"Oh there you are!  Do you see me?"
"Yes!  Why are you driving on the wrong side of the road?"
"I didn't know that cemeteries had a right side of the road."
"Dork."
"Okay let's get out of here."

As we headed back to the canal road where I had parked we saw a sign that read Veteran's Trail!  Hooray.  Little did we know THEN that we could have driven down that road and that is where the trail head parking was.  Oh well.  The canal bank served us just fine.

It was consensus that we both had to use the bathroom.  I was getting my water out of my car and turned around to find Michele gone.  The canal was noisy and I couldn't hear her when I yelled, "Where are you?"  No answer.  "Michele?  Where did you go?"  Still no answer.  I stepped away from the canal a bit and tried one more time, "MICHELE???"  I heard her frustrated reply, "I'm in the weeds!"

Oh haha, bathroom break!  Silly me.

From here we ran along the old Hill road to avoid traffic.  We then turned left on Seaman's Gulch Road to the trail head that's on the right side of the road. In this system there is a loop of trails that you can do several directions.

So the way we went was the following:
Start to the right of the water tower and then turn left at the tower which is part of  #110 Seaman's Gulch Trail.  This trail was very steep and quite the climb!  On the trail post someone had placed an inhaler.   Next we went Left onto #112 Wild Phlox.  This looped us back to the water tower.  This time we headed straight at the water tower on the other section of #110.  When we reached the trail markers we went right on #111 Valley View.  This looped us back to #110.  We went left and headed back down to where we had just been.  Not shown on the map is a Public Access trail.  We headed left on this instead of going back to the water tower.  This allowed us to run all the way back to old Hill road without having to run on Seaman's Gulch Road again.  This was a happy accident that we found this public trail because running on the road was a bit unnerving! Some people can be rude on the road and not give you any space at all!

We got back on old Hill road and ran back to where the car was. This entire portion of the run turned out to be about just over 6 miles.  From here we headed down into the Veteran's Trail head parking area (that we didn't know existed before).    We then ran the systems of trails in this area.  Veteran's Trail is very sandy, some parts quite deep. The hill climbing was tough but that could also be due to the fact that we already had over 6 miles behind us.  The loop we did was as follows:
Veteran's Trail #114, Left on #113 Big Springs Loop.  Then you come to a crossing of trails, we headed left onto #116 REI Connection.  Michele said it reminded her of the Military Reserve connector.  When we reached the top of the last hill we were at the Velodrome area.  We had to run on the ridge for .15 miles to get back into the trail systems. then we went right on Rabbit Run #115. Finally we went left on #113 until it met up again with #114.  At this point we had a pretty good view of the flag at the cemetery. This was from behind it of course.  We stayed on Veteran's rail which and it took us right back to the car.

It was a great run!  A feel good, I love the Trails type of a run.  We saw a man running with a little tiny dog.  It was more like the man was running and dragging the poor dog behind him!  There were a lot of holes on Rabbit Run.  My guess is that they were badger holes.  Not a trail you would want to run at night unless your goal is a broken ankle!

THe air quality was pretty poor today.  Michele could tell and it bothered her a bit.  I told here she should've taken a puff on that inhaler we saw.  Knowing her luck it would have probably put her in convulsions....so it's best that he didn't.

This is a system of rails that we LOVED and will definitely run again.  A HUGE difference from last week!