I'll take a carrot cookie with a side order of PR!!!

Well, it was time for another RACE!  This was one that we have all done before.  I ran it in the fall of 2010 and 2011.  Michele and Kris had run it in 2009 and with me in 2011.  Last year it conflicted with the Race to Robie Creek.  This year....I don't exactly remember why we decided to run it.  It may have been because I needed a half marathon for my marathon training.  I don't remember exactly the reasoning but here we were.

Well, those who run with me know that I am a pretty big race T-Shirt critic. This shirt was long sleeves and better than some of their past ones.  Unfortunately mine was WAY TOO BIG!  I did not realize that they were uni-sex sizes and ordered a small.  I needed an XS.  My biggest gripe about their past shirts was that there was no date on them.  This year they had improved on that issue and I really liked the back.

It looks like we are real prisoners and this is our inmate number, pretty cool design!

Our race chatter actually started a few days before the race day.  Race time was to be 10:00 AM.  We needed to get their in time to get our packets and warm up etc.  I wanted to leave at 8:15 from Michele's.  Kris wanted to leave at 8:45 AM.  Let the battle begin.  I finally offered 8:30 as a compromise.  Then Kris started to send my hate texts yelling at me!

Kris "NOT SURE WHY YOU WANT TO STAND AROUND FOR OVER AN HOUR. IT ONLY TAKES 20 MIN TO GET THERE! :-) BUT WHAT EVER YOU WANT.

Me: "Hey!!!  It takes longer than 20 minutes.  Michele will probably get lost! Don't get snarky!"

Kris: "SNARKY? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM MY QUEEN? I KNOW THE WAY SHE WON'T GET LOST. MAYBE 23 MIN,"

Me: "We need bonding time."

Kris: "WE DO? Well, if that's the reason the BONDING TIME IT IS!!  :-P"

Now I did not know how long it would take, So we agreed on 8:35.  Ironically after we pulled away from Michele's house at 8:37, Kris realized that she had "forgotten" her peanut butter toast. Luckily we were close enough to turn around and go get it.  She ran in grabbed it and got back to the car.  What time did we officially pull out of the driveway at then?    8:45!!  That stinker.

It was raining before we even arrived at the prison.  Michele and I debated several times on what to wear, jacket on or off.  Eventually we both opted for jacket off.  Kris scolded us telling us how cold we were going to get.  We had already made her change out of tights into capris earlier that morning and we were STILL hearing about it almost an hour later.  

Jackets On??

JACKETS OFF!!

While it was rainy and cold we knew we would warm up.  It is easier to run while feeling chilly than it is when you are HOT!

Before the start there was an actual "high speed pursuit" that they staged.  A car drove by really fast being pursued by several police cars with their lights and sirens going.  That was kind of cool.  Then there was a BLAST (gunshot?) and we were off!!  We ran through the prison SWAT team lining the first few yards of the course.

The surface we started on wasn't road, but it wasn't trail either.  It was like a canal access road.  The dirt was soft, rocky and uneven, full of holes.  I was trucking along when all of the sudden....ZING!  I felt a shooting pain in my left knee.  Oh no.

To say the next 5 miles were hard would be a vast understatement.  The sharp pain in my knee would not dull, would not go away!  I even stopped and rubbed Biofreeze on it at mile 4.5.  That did absolutely NOTHING except make my hand smell like biofreeze.  Could I do this?

For this race I had two goals; one that I told everyone, and another that I secretly had with myself.  I told everyone that I wanted to PR on this course.  In 2010 I ran a 1:55:15.  In 2011 I ran a 1:54:50.  So, my goal was to beat that time.  But I also had this "secret" goal.  I really, really, really wanted to break 1:50 and be in the 1:40's.  

When I hit mile 6 in the race, I began to realize that my secret goal was not going to happen.  I began to have doubts that I would be even able to beat my previous time. I did some calculations in my head and figured at the pace I was going, I would be lucky to come in at 1:56.  (Note:  you would think I have learned by now from previous experiences.  Even though I have a college degree in mathematics, I am incapable of doing math on long runs.)

I will admit I had thoughts of just pulling back and taking walk breaks.  If I wasn't going to PR then what was the point.  I said a prayer in my head pleading for strength to do this.  And then I just plugged along.

Suddenly, I saw the sign for mile 10.  Hey, 3 miles left.  I can do this. I can finish! In fact I realized the chance to still PR existed.  I had done enough hard training runs that I in fact knew I could pick up my pace.  Besides I figured the faster I ran the sooner I would be done!  So I put my head down, stopped looking at my watch and began to push.

It was GREAT weather for a race.  There was constant rain and a breeze but no heavy winds.  I would much prefer that over a blazing sun.  I did not ever get cold, in fact I worked up quite a good sweat.  At mile 12 I reached the "killer" hill that is on this race.  I dug into the last reserves I had and just looked at my feet as I headed up.

Turning the last corner, I could see the finish line.  About 2 tenths of a mile to go. I finally stole a look at my watch.  I could not believe what I saw.......

Michele also loved the weather.  She has been following some of my marathon training an has really increased her pace.  She said near the end she started to pace with a guy.  He really helped push her in.  She even ran the entire hill!!  I was standing under the tent shelter trying to warm up.  I was soaking wet, all the way down to my shoes!  My dry clothes were in her car.  I thought I had until around 2:10 before I started looking for her.  Suddenly I saw her coming across the line!  I wasn't there to cheer her in!  I tried to run towards the finish but couldn't.  My knee was now iced and wrapped in syran wrap.  It was so stiff and sore that even walking hurt.  I hobbled towards her just as she was getting her finisher medal.  

She did AMAZING!  She came in at 2:05:35!  That was a PR for this course for her!! We then cheered in the guy who pushed her in!  

Thankfully I was able to FINALLY get on some dry clothes.  We huddled back in the tent to wait for Kris.  She said not to expect her a second before 2:30.  SO we tried to get warm while we watched them hand out awards.

When they got to my age group they announced "Third place with a time of 1:47:31, from Middleton, Jodi Meine!" That's right!  Not only did I PR on this course, I destroyed my previous time by over 7 minutes!  The best part was that I achieved my secret goal.  It was a big time mental victory as well.  And further evidence that I am incapable of doing math when running.

I was so proud of myself and of Michele and....Wait! Here comes Kris!!  We cheered on that gal as she trotted in at a 2:28:10!  WOW!  We are one rockin group of runners today for sure!!!  I told Kris we needed to check if she placed in her age group but she said, NO.  And we got ready to leave.

Michele had some yummy Carrot Cake Victory Cookies and a baby sprite for our celebratory drive home!  We all PR-ed for this course and had an awesome time!

I must say I have the greatest running partners around!  As I type this my knee is killing and I am hoping it feels better soon!  The results are in (see them here) and wouldn't you know it......

Kris got SECOND in her age group!!  When will she learn to just listen to what I tell her to do???

STATS:

111 Half Marathon Finishers

57 Women

19 Jodi's Age Group

13 Michele's Age Group

5 Kris' Age Group

Jodi......Age Group 3rd.......Gender Place 8th.....Overall Place 38th

Michele ....Age Group 5th....Gender Place 23rd......Overall Place 68th

Kris .....Age Group 2nd.....Gender Place 39th .....Overall Place 89th

WE ARE FABULOUS!!!!!

 One more really neat thing.....as I was driving home, the clock on the car hit my race time!!  :)

April Fool's...Kickin It Old School!!

Michele and I have been trail running together for just about 2 years.  When we first started, we knew nothing! The only runs we knew of were, Mtn Cove (because of the Les Bois 10K) and Rocky Canyon Rd (because of the Race to Robie Creek).  The most used and well known trail was Camel's Back and Hull's Gulch as a loop.  We would park at the Camel's Back parking lot, run up Hull's Gulch, then back down into Camels Back on what many refer to as the "highway".  We knew nothing else so this is what we did.  Eventually we learned that it was EASIER if we went the other direction.

Then we slowly fell in love with the trails, bought the Ridge To Rivers Trail Map and last year successfully ran EVER SINGLE trail in the 152 miles system!  That is in fact what started this blog.  It is cool to see how far we have come!  We used to get lost, write trail head numbers on sticky notes or on our hands so we knew where we were going.  Now we know, and we just go!

So, we thought it would be fun to go back to the start and run our old loop.  We rarely do this loop anymore because honestly there are so many better ones out there!

It's amazing that is is the first day of April and we are already in Capris and short sleeves for our runs!  We were really warm too by the end!  We had both run a really hard run on Saturday, me 18 and 16 for Michele. Our legs were really tired after only one recovery day.  Michele was also feeling under the weather, like she may be coming down with something.  SO, we took it slow and just enjoyed ourselves.  We did have a great time too.  It was very Nostalgic.  Sometimes you just need those types of runs.

This is the "W" sign when it is time to walk!

Beautiful day to run!!

The Grove

Secret Bathroom

Fast Cory Jump

Water was really flowing today

Michele is sick

We refer to this part of Hull's as "little Zion"

It was all in all a good run.  We ran slow and easy and had a good time.  I swear at "little Zion" I did about 10 Fast Cory jumps before Michele figured out my camera.  It's a miracle that no one happened to pass by to look at us strangely.  The best part of running Lower Hulls was because of all the warm weather the stream is starting to run.  We had a beautiful nature musical to accompany us as we ran!

So this run wasn't funny or filled with new discoveries.  It was a very reflective run to see how far we have come as runners, and how much further we want to go!!

MARCH REPORT

RUN HARD, RUN FAST

BE THE BUNNY

March Rock hoppin' with sole!!

This is the theme I came up with for this months group themed trail run.  When I texted it to Michele and Kris a few days before the scheduled run, they both admitted they were perplexed and not sure what was going on in my head.  But after today's run was over they understood completely!! 

So the first part of the theme is obvious once you get a look at us....

Yes, I got us all matching running shirts. It is important that you note in this picture that we are wearing long sleeved shirts underneath, that is important later on.

The next part of my theme has several meanings.  "Be the bunny."  First it refers to my and Kris' duel on the trails last November.  You can read about it here.  Secondly, it is obviously because Easter is in a few days!    And the third reason comes up at the very end of the run, therefore the very end of this blog entry.

The last part of the theme is pretty clever I think!  I chose our trail run to be in a system of trails at Table ROCK.  The trails that we ran all had the word Rock in them; Table ROCK loop, ROCK garden trail, ROCK island trail, Table ROCK quarry trail.  We were "Hoppin" on the rocks because every mile we switched who was leading.  Michele and Kris took my theme a bit too literal. 

That just gives you a small glimpse of what some of our crazy trail runs can be like!!

So we started on Tram Trail which is a beastly uphill climb for quite a while!  It was me, then Michele, then Kris.  Michele was telling Kris to pretend she was riding a bicycle in high gear!  That meant take smaller steps and work your arms!  I kept thinking this is a good prep work for the bruneau beast 20K which is coming up in a couple weekends!  We walked a lot. It's a killer to start your runs with an immediate steep hill slapping you in the face!   We have a sign for walking.  You hold up both hands making a "W" with your fingers.  That's a walk for sure!!

After awhile we started to get really warm. We stopped to get a drink and Kris said she was going to run out of water!  It's March 28th, 40 degrees and we are roasting!  We are those crazy girls who ran an 11 mile race that started at 1 degree below zero and LOVED it!  ( see the race report here)  Well what should we do?  There was complete consensus, those long sleeves had to come OFF!  And come off they did, right there on the trail. Hope no one is watching!!!

I was nice enough to take "G" rated photos of this strip show! 

WOW! We felt much better!  It was so wonderful!  First mile done, time to HOP!  I went to the rear and Michele took the lead.  This was a new experience for me because I usually run in front.  I thought it would be fun for us to rotate around.  Well, I did a lot of walking during this mile.  Kris is probably yelling at her computer screen as she reads this too!  But I did.  Face it, I am younger and a tad faster.  But hey,it was uphill and the walk wasn't a terrible idea.  

When it finally leveled out a bit we picked up the pace. HOORAY!!  I started to run again.  I had only gone a few steps when Kris started to yell at me, "Quit running so close behind me! If I fall you are going to land on top of me!"  This is funny for many reasons.  #1 Kris does fall, a lot.  #2 I was NOT that close behind her.  I was the same distance as she was from Michele. We started to banter back and forth about it.  "I can hear you right behind me!" "I'm not that close I'm just a loud breather!"  Finally, Michele had to stop because she was laughing so hard she couldn't breathe!  She said we argue like an old married couple!

Well, that adds spice to the run. She knows we love each other!! And to prove it on the final ascent I pushed Kris from behind to make it easier! Haha!

As we headed deeper into the ROCK trails, we passed some large cliffs that had been vandalized with spray paint.  Michele commented, "Hey too bad we don't have some paint we could write our names.  But, that's almost Vandalism."
ALMOST?  I asked, It IS vandalism.  Yes, proof that sometimes on a trail run our brain cells and common sense get left behind.

The rocks and trail we ran on was so interesting and picturesque. It is the first time I had run Table Rock Quarry Trail in it's entirety.  I LOVED it.  We stopped for a bunch of photos!

Headed down into the "QUARRY"

Chillin' on the ROCK stairs

Queen of the ROCKS!

I love this huge ROCK that Kris is holding up with one hand!!!

YES! We actually saw a bunny ON THE TRAILS!!!

We got ready to take trail 16B.  There were some bikers starting on the same trail.  Michele asked, "Are they going to let us pass?"  Because according to Michele we are now FASTER than people on bikes.  And if you wondered, NO they did not let us pass and they were long gone in a hurry.  

It was now Kris' turn to lead.  She was mad because Michele got the only downhill and it was climbing up again!  Whenever she would walk I would hold up my "walking sign" with my fingers and dance.  This was mostly because Michele was now behind me so I had an audience so to speak.  Then I would just stop and let Kris get ahead of me.  I would do a countdown from 5 to 1 and then start running.  After doing this three or four times Michele shoved me in the back and yelled, JUST GO!  But hey, I didn't want to walk.

This was a great day and an even GREATER run!  The 4.75 miles took us WAY longer than anyone would guess but we had so much fun doing it.  It is so nice to get out for a run without worrying about a pace or a training goal or an upcoming race.  We ran because it was fun.

I have recently found the blog of a runner named Cory.  He always has these amazing jumping pictures.  I decided to try my own "fast Cory" leap.Not as good as his but I will work on it!! (Check out his blog photos here.)

As we winded back down towards the trail head we found this little rock tower left by someone.  Michele called it a "Hoo Doo" stack that Rainbow Indians used to make.  It is quite possible that at this point she may have been dehydrated and hallucinating.  But regardless of what it was, we each added a small stone to the stack.

My current marathon training has gotten so intense the past few weeks that I have forgotten how FUN running was.  I am so grateful that I have these two crazy ladies around to help remind me!

And as promised the final reason that this was called....Be the Bunny.  A special peanut butter treat waiting at the car.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Last thought here:  Kris says she is not mean, that is just her normal.  You don't want to see her be mean!

No sleeping in for these girls!!

Well it is SPRING BREAK!! That means I do not have to wake up at 5:45 AM to get my kids up and moving for school.  It's a week of sleeping in!  So why am I up.....

To TRAIL RUN OF COURSE!!!

I happily will get up at any time in the wee hours of the morning if a trail run is my reward!  

I had been cooped up indoors all week with a sick daughter! Her health was such that I could not leave the house for any purpose unless my husband was home. Because of that,  I had to suffer some dreaded treadmill workouts!  My body just does not respond well to be run like a hamster on a wheel!  And my brain goes nuts!!   My feet were just itchy to hit some real ground and get a movin!

So I was so excited that she was feeling better and I could sneak out for some real running!  I would have gotten up earlier but I don't like to run in the dark!

It was windy and pretty cold.  We were surprised by a skiff of snow on the ground!  But it was hardly any, so no worries!  At least that meant the trail would be frozen with no mud!  We stared out at the last parking lot on Mtn Cove road and headed up to Buck tail.  

It was quite cold once we got moving.  It made me wish for a beard.  Michele laughed when I told her.  We have many times on the trails wished for beards to protect our faces from the cold wind.  Luckily we have never acted on those wishes.  We are still beard free!



As we climbed up Shane's my calves were on fire!!  In my mind I was re-writing "This Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys.  My version was:
MY CALVES ARE ON FIRE!!!!!! (repeated over and over and over)
I blame it on the fact that I was forced to tread mill it a few times. Finally we crested Shane's and began our descent.  My calves were super happy!

From there we headed down Ridge Crest and Toll Road.  Normally I FLY down these hills really fast,  Michele keeps telling me that one day I will fall, but I haven't yet!  Anyways, I decided to take it easier down today.  We even made up our own little mantra for the hill..

"EASY PACE, STEADY EDDY, IT'S NOT A RACE"

I feel that this was important for me to do today because I could feel the start of a cold coming on and pushing it may not have been the wisest ideas.  So we eased up and enjoyed the run down.  When we came out to Mtn Cove we ran the trail and took one more turn.  This time up Elephant loop.  We have done this one before and really liked it.  Adding this in would put us closer to 8 miles.  Though after completing it, we both agree that going counterclockwise would be cooler.  Must remember that for next time!

It was a good trail run today.  It happened to be my son's 15th birthday and yes, he was still asleep when I got home.  Being a mother of four ages 17 - 9 does have it's joys and also it's stresses.  It's nice to have  running as an outlet.  Running with my sister has made it even better.  So many of my problems are solved out while I run!  For each mile logged, I've grown. I always tell people that running is my therapy, it keeps me sane!

I keep wanting to try new runs and new challenges.  I am setting some pretty lofty goals for the next year.  I am hoping for a lot of encouragement and support from those around me, especially my sister who happily endures them with me!

Why is the first mile always so tough??

It's always a great day when the weather is cooperating and you can hit the trails!  Today was such a day. I pulled up to Michele's house in a great mood!  I chose to wear my BRIGHT neon yellow jacket that is sunny and cheerful.    I jumped out of the car and Michele is already outside yelling...."why do we always match? Is it in our DNA?"  Funny, she is wearing the EXACT same color.  Hey it's her house, she can change.  But she doesn't.  Secretly she wants to be like me! Matchey Matchey!

We headed out to Camel's Back today for an easy 5.5 miler.  We parked at the lower parking lot and headed up towards the nature center.  Both of our legs were burning and we felt so tired.  I looked down, only half a mile!?!?!  Why is the first mile always so hard on the trails???  Finally at 1.5 miles I stop feeling like I'm breathing like a 500 pound biggest loser contestant on day one.  Man it always seems this way!!  Of course we usually do start with an uphill, so....

The trails were in great condition!  As we headed down Redcliffs we praised ourselves for running smart.  "No sense rolling an ankle!"  We also agreed that Kris would be running this dumb if she were with us... no wonder she falls so much!

At the end the trail, the red cliffs were very bright! And in fact, Michele and I were actually glowing. Michele felt like it was some weird nuclear reaction.  We were seriously glowing!!  Of course it didn't register to me that I should take a picture...duh!

Headed up chickadee we passed two guy runners.  As they passed one said, "Nice colors! hey you should have called us."  My first thought was "weirdo, I'm not going to call you to run with us!"  But then it registered to me he meant since we were dressed alike.  I can never come up with witty response on the fly when I'm running.  My brain cells deplete when I'm out there.  A few minutes later I came up with a ton of come backs, but alas, they were long gone.

So what did we learn today? It seems there is always something to learn out there on the trails.  Today I learned that Michele's fast-slow is pretty close to my slow-slow.  That makes us really good running partners! :)  I also learned that local dog owners were less responsible last year than the year prior.
I really feel sorry for the person whose job it is to keep track of this!

And finally, when Kris doesn't run with us our runs are a bit more laid back, quieter, less exciting and not as violent!