Playing too much

Perhaps I have been playing too much.. or just too damn lazy but either case.. here are the last couple of updates.. LATE AGAIN

10/28/09
Hello my little peeps.. this getting older stuff is rough.. sigh... so I dress in a normal sweater and pants to come to work.. you know .. normal clothes... and well I guess I have a heat flash?.... I instantly become 1000 degrees, like someone was holding a blow torch to my body.. like I was being boiled alive in my own clothes.. so now I'm screaming to get out of my sweater …. and pleading with my co worker to give me the shirt off their back.. and thankfully they have an extra shirt - go figure - in their desk.. (brand new)…whew....so I bring up this dilemma to my two "buddies" here and work… and this is what is said,

“You are insane. Maybe if you left a tiny bit of room for air to pass between your clothes and your skin you wouldn't overheat? "

Just call me the human torch..

10/31/09 - Saturday
It is time to play.. this is the time of year that I don’t take any of my racing too seriously and just sign up for a whole bunch of crap and run it… with no direction or rhyme or reason… so like I said.. its play time..

So on Halloween I signed up for the Hatboro Skeleton Skurry 5K.. I debated that morning on if I wanted to run it in costume or not.. and thought it would be sacrilegious if I DIDN’T wear a costume since it was actually ON Halloween.. So I hemmed and hawed about what to wear since I had been too busy to actually make anything .. then I remember I did make the underdog costume last year that I had used at the McGuires Mud run.. so up in the attic I go.. sifting through boxes and viola.. find it and on it goes..

It was another wet, damp, dreary morning.. quite typical for Northeastern weather for the end of October ..


I was kinda proud of myself that I didn’t pick a costume that was hot with all fur and stuff like last years Viking costume.. you know since I was having heat issues... so I got my picture taken with Elvis… got to run next to the corn again....got to beat a cave girl.. and clocked one of my best 5K times 23:37.. alas didn’t place… too many crazy old people running.. but did win a costume award!!!... VICTORY!!

11/7/09 - Saturday
See its really not me… not always.. Joe.. took his friend Jim mountain biking up at Marsh Creek on Saturday… and well to make a long story short.. Joe writes this posting on facebook….

“We are back at the ambulance...er I mean truck; time to go evacuate a broken Standish (his friend)…. damn trees; hate when they jump in front of you like that. I'm not a very good story teller, but I can tell you this: I heard a thump, and then the most blood curdling scream ever outside a movie. When I turned around and ran back up the hill Standish was on his back down the slope; his bike was a twisted mess up the slope, and there was a tree in between the two. I'm going to say because he feels like he's going to puke every time he moves his arm, that he broke his collar bone.”

Later communication provided that his friend is only bent not broken… and will be out of commission for a couple of weeks so then Joe can drag him back out through the woods again…

SO even with all this drama we still made it to the family Halloween birthday party …although the costume contest was fixed.. and my family is completely evil.. handing me the costume award.. me getting all excited.. then snatching it away saying NOPE YOU DIDN’T WIN… whatever…



11/8/09 - Sunday
BECAUSE we do NOT know how to relax… on Sunday, Joe and I headed to Bear Creek to run the 10K trail race (6.2 miles)…this time we were hoping to not have the subsequent circus act and ambulance ride...I mean the bees are all sleeping now... right?

Yeah.. except when there is an unexpected “heat wave”… I swear I almost made him get back in the truck and head home prior to the race when just standing outside our vehicle we were accosted by a bee.. WTF!

But oh no Joe said he had to do this.. and so off we go.. I can only say that Joe is a truly gifted trail runner.. we were together for what, the first half mile, then he just leapt like a mountain goat up those hills and away from me… the day was not without incident… there was a couple falls with some blood.. and ankle twists..and I almost kissed a tree.. but other than that.. fun was had… and he completed the race on his own accord!... Joe actually placed fairly high up in the field.. placing 34 out of 142 runners… very nice.

... so clean up .. head to Mom’s birthday dinner... and then back home to collapse..no wonder I dont have time to write..

Santa's Note

I sent Santa a note:
Dear Santa Claus, My name is Wendy. I am a girl and I am already 43 years old!! I live in the great city of Glenmoore. Of course, that's in Pennsylvania, United States, but I'll bet you knew that!! This year I've been so good that my halo is just a teensy weensy bit crooked!

Santa Claus, some things I might like for Christmas this year are: - HOT TUB; - CASH; and, - SWIMMING POOL.

Santa Claus, I almost forgot to say... Please santa I have been a really good girl and deserve a hot tub and cash this year.

Love, Wendy
*******************
AND HE WROTE BACK:
#1, Rudolph Way
North Pole, Canada
HO HO HO

Glenmoore, Pennsylvania
United States Friday, November 06, 2009

Merrrryyyy Christmas Wendy!!

Thank you for sending me your email all the way from Glenmoore! The Net sure is wonderful because now I can get emails from Glenmoore and around the world in the blink of an eye. Even Rudolph gets emails... from pets! Why, here's Rudolph right now! HO!! Ho!! ho!! He just asked me to say 'Hi!' to you!

Jumping Jingle Bells, Wendy! Are you fibbing to ol' Santa Claus?!? You can't possibly be 43 years old already! Why it seems like only yesterday that I was leaving presents for a certain little girl and here you are now, practically one of Santa's elves! (*grin*)

Sorry the presents the last little while probably haven't been quite as exciting as they were when you were a little girl but, well, you know how these things go (*wink*). Anyway, Santa's glad to see some of the 'older kids' (not to mention anyone in particular!) still take the time to write. I also hear you've been a really good girl. (Of course, you won't mind if I do a little checking, will you? HO!! Ho!! ho!!).

Let's see what you put in your letter for Christmas wishes: 1. hot tub; 2. cash and; 3. swimming pool. HO!! Ho!! ho!! Those ARE good presents Wendy! We've been so very busy this year that I hope you won't be too upset with me if you don't get everything you want for Christmas.

Oh yes, before I forget Wendy, the elves really want you to visit my new blog! It is called Santa Claus' Christmas Blog. My blog is all about Christmas, life at the North Pole, and me, Santa Claus ! You can even write messages to me and see what others have written. I can hardly wait to see what you write!

Oops! I guess I shouldn't have had that last cookie because a button just popped right off my suit. I better go see if Mrs. Claus has any thread left! ho!! Ho!! HO!!

Take care Wendy and don't forget to come back and visit me here at EmailSanta.com on Christmas Eve!! And remember... only 49 more sleeps until Christmas!!

BFF (Best Friends Forever :),

SANTA

****************
Here is a great, fun website for Christmas... http://www.emailsanta.com/
.. Can't wait.. 49 days until Christmas! Oh and by the way I didnt write this.. amazingly enough.. but it was soo funny I just HAD to post it... you can actually create one of your own letters online too... and track Santa...

...............Santa better leave me some good loot..!

Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon

Last weekend, Joe and I traveled the 4-1/2 hours to New York to run a race called the Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon.. that would be 13.1 miles on hills and trails, oh and yeah LOTS OF MUD.

The finisher medal would be a small stuffed gorilla...just remove the fact that we would be driving almost 5 hours up and then back to run.. you have to think of the WHOLE package.. the fun ride up in the torrential rain, the bumper to bumper traffic, booking a hotel right next to the Albany airport..(hey, to my credit it was NOT even close to the tarmac!), and the 5 hour drive home after running for 2 hrs without showering… yeah.. it’s the WHOLE PACKAGE!

We made it to our hotel by late afternoon on Saturday and got checked in and did our usual.. Joe hooks up the computer, curses that he cant get online, spends 10 minutes figuring it out.. I change and go to hot tub and pool and so on.. it’s a ritual by now.. and we love it.

Joe actually did manage to slink down to the hot tub and pool and make an appearance.. although they didnt need to try and boil us alive, we did relax and then changed and went to dinner.... I love actually getting away.. its just really nice to be in a different environment and to actually get to sleep. (away from the dog and cat)… shame we actually have to PAY to get sleep...but sleep we did.. although we still woke up at 3:30 am.. oh well.. least we could go BACK to sleep.

On Sunday, the rain had stopped, and the temperature had dropped, A LOT... It was actually cold enough to probably snow but since there was NO possibility of any moisture being left after the almost 2 inches of rain the day before, we awoke to just a really COLD but clear morning.

The ride to Thacher State park only took about 20 minutes and it was beautiful. The leaves were brilliant in vibrant colors of orange, red, yellow and gold. As we trucked up the mountain in our big old gas guzzling vehicle… we kinda look out the windows at the elevation.. and made a little crazy snicker... “Gee hope we don’t have to RUN UP THAT..” (stupid PA folk)
Joe’s goal for the day was to actually FINISH this race and avoid the circus act and subsequent ambulance ride from the last trail half marathon (Bear Creek.. you know.. bee death sting and all).... I did try to ease his apprehension a bit (about possible bees) stating that its too cold for them.. I mean they die or something in the winter.. right? (I have really no clue but it sounded good, have you ever seen a bee in the winter, NO… ).. but least we had his EPI pen just in case….

Upon exiting our vehicle, we noticed right away it was VERY COLD up on this “mountain” and windy… so we would have to rethink our gear. We went with long pants, hats and gloves... Glad we did.. because although we were a bit warm say in the first 2 miles .. by mile 5 or so we had cooled down and we were downright comfy by late in the race...

The course was great it was a single loop that brought us back to the start at mile 6 (for the squirrel runners).. this first loop had a one mile up hill, a small stream crossing, and a few chain saw loving ghouls that jumped out at us.... and then for those who were doing the full half marathon.. there was another loop that was a bit more technical and a lot more muddy..

I started to question why do I always, well almost ....always pick the LONGER runs when there is an available shorter run???!... SIGH.. something definitely missing in the brain pan.

Joe and I had stuck together for only the first mile or so.. and then he ran ahead..which we knew he would.. he would end up beating me by 17 minutes.

We did see each other at one point during the race at a slight out and back section around mile 7/8 .. I had to round a corner to head down the section and he was coming out of it.. we passed each other right at the intersection.. that’s probably like one in a thousand chance…makes you kinda wonder how come we cant win the lottery.. .

So yes I power walked most of the steep uphills.. learned that LONG ago.. makes the race much more enjoyable, and I didn’t trip anyone.. swear.. she fell on her own and I was no where near her…and I did ask her if she was ok… and she was…

I will make this statement again.. I have made it before.. who ever said trail running is better for you.. sure… minus the broken bones, sprains, face plants, poison ivy, bees, thorns and smelling like horse shit.. sure I guess trail running is better…

So with about two miles to go.. just wanting to get this over with… I pick up the pace… and I notice this guy starts to trail me.. which of course makes me run faster… so now its me trying to shake off the moose.

No matter what I do.. I can NOT shake him… I jump logs he jumps.. I go into the woods off the main path he does too… (I only went off the path slightly seemed the better option than going over the wooden bridge, which the bridges were like sheets of ice…)

.... I run straight through the mud bogs and he does too…not that he is NOT suppose to be following the same path but I can sense he is following my exact route…

As I round a corner I come upon a couple who were tiptoeing around the mud… like.. HELLO>> HERE I COME… and so I go CRASHING through the mud bog.. spewing mud and slime all over them.. they were NOT happy …of course I am covered too.. but what could I do??!!.. stop and get out a hanky and wipe them down?..... I guess I should have said I was sorry... but I was out of breath.. and the freaking moose was still behind me and I WANTED to drop him like a bad habit…….

As I hit a steep turn, I completely lost my footing on the mud and went sliding to the left… screaming… I felt like a marshmallow being shot out of an air gun.. somehow I came out of the turn in tact with no blood or bruising…

With a mile left I entered a clearing and a nice FLAT section.. and then I die... my legs don’t want to move.. BUT ITS FLAT I tell them.. and they want no more part of this… and then the moose passes me… and then the couple I soiled PASSES ME.. I saw them smile... and the smile on my face got wiped right off!!!

… and then the fun ended.. 2 hours and 15 minutes …I cross the finish line... I see Joe and got my gorilla finisher medal. ...
Joe had finished in a phenomenal time of one hour and 58 minutes…SWEET!

Now to drive home… smelling like horse shit.. life is good!


PS: I thought so highly of the organization that put on this race and the fact that I love running races up North, I joined the Albany Running Exchange .. it's a group who has members of all ages and abilities, some local, some from other states. I had always wanted to join a running group that was just right, one that was perfect for me… and they are it!......oh and yeah they have a sweet looking jacket too…

Although it was pointed out to me (by one of my beloved friends)… that I was a little nutty and the only reason I wanted to join a running club that was 4 hours away in the next state was because I don't like people….hmmm...oh really…

PSS: look at this... I found this race that my new running group is putting on in July in NY… I like this part:
PASTURES..... You will go through CATTLE GRAZING PASTURES. All gates must be secured behind you. We will have rope loops to place over the post. We cannot let the cows out under any circumstances. And please do not step on any red newts!

How can you say that I don’t belong to this group!!!

Tanning

So I know... tanning.. tanning beds... BAD.. but sometimes a gal needs a little sunshine..

So on Wednesday, I thought I could use a bit of rays and stopped to tan....my tanning place has the beds you lay in… like a coffin...so I am in my coffin, looking forward to 10 minutes of peace and quiet.. and I feel something on the back of my leg.. I think to myself.. must be sweat… (you know when you start to sweat it sometimes turns to water and runs down the leg)…

Well then I feel something near my back.. hmmm.. I must be sweating lots... then something moves on my arm.. WTF! ....I jump up out of the coffin (mind you I am butt a-s naked).. thankfully in my own room.. and it’s a fly.. of course now I am swatting at the fly, my eye protection has fallen off and the ultra violet light is now piercing a hole through my skull.. freaking stupid... I finally lay back down..get myself comfy again ... and...

..the M-F-er comes back!!!... Now he is mad.. and he is trapped in the coffin with me .. oohhhh ugh.... i flip off the coffin lid and grab a towel and start swatting everything in sight, banging the tanning bed and wall.. I am sure the lady who is working downstairs at the front desk is wondering what the H-ll is going on... this is SOO ruining my peaceful alone time.. !!!

UGH!!.. finally thinking I rid myself of the demon I lay back down, heart rate calms, I start to enter my place of peace, deep breathing.. relax.. and then the buzzer goes off.. cooked.. time up..

SIGH.. I get out and there the fly is... all smashed up under my a-s….

Great Stuff

Been soo busy that I forgot to write..here are some bullets:

Womans 5K for Breast Cancer was on Saturday, October 17th – 40 degrees and pouring rain.... 5,000 woman had signed up but only 2,200 actually came out that day. It was soo cold that it took 10 minutes after the race to thaw out the toes. Great cause and thankfully I picked the actual run and didn’t have to walk in the stuff.. I mean get done quick and change...something to be said about speed! http://www.womens5kclassic.org/
results: https://www.lin-mark.us/results_files/reswomen09.htm


Truck is smelling like death again.. I guess something crawled up inside and died.....now WHY does it feel the need to die INSIDE my truck!!? I am sure it's a sight ...me gasping for breath... head out of window.... heading to work.

Last time Joe and I could not find the carcass.. the smell appeared to emanate from the vents.. we checked every inch of the truck, inside and out.. NADA.. thankfully in the summer the heat mummified it within a month.. this one may take a bit longer.

So not to have a dull moment.... on Monday I come home to a vulture, a headless carcass, and a dead bird… somehow I don’t think I need to go into any more details.. I have concluded that since we all know there are no coyotes in PA that there must be a chupacabra out there...........

(Chupacabra: describes a strange breed of wild dog. This form is mostly hairless and has a pronounced spinal ridge, unusually pronounced eye sockets, fangs, and claws. It is claimed that this breed might be an example of a dog-like reptile. Unlike conventional predators, the chupacabra is said to drain all of the animal's blood (and sometimes organs) through a single hole or two holes.)

I am soo locking myself inside and NOT going out.. EVER… I am seriously thinking I need an exorcist... Amity has nothing on this!




Whew.....well, Joe and I are heading up to Albany, New York this weekend to do the Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon on trails.. should be a blast.. this time he better NOT freaking end up in the hospital! ...and he better not get lost!


Of course the whole reason we are going is because ...I want to get a gorilla finisher medal.. yeah.. so there is a sane reason to drive 4-1/2 hours to NY, rent a hotel, run in the woods, and then drive the 4-1/2 hours back…

Tussey 50 Miler Championship Race

50 Miler

Saturday, October 3, 2009
(click on Tussey Mountain title for link to website)
A week ago I went up a mountain....10 hours later came down... this is that report

Distance: 50.2 miles

Time: 10 hours 3 minutes

Total running time on Garmin: 9:36:36 (pace 11:28) withOUT breaks

Total time for race 10:03 (12.03 pace) this is official time WITH breaks

Difference of 26 minutes for breaks
HR: Avg 155 Max 184

Leg 1: Start: 7:00am
Leg #1: Three Bridges, One Leg-Breaker
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Mostly gently climbing, with some steep ascents.

Projected time: 7:35am Total miles 3
Actual Time: Time: 7:33 am
Foggy and cold (46 degrees) at start. I was bundled up w/hat, gloves, jacket. I purposely lined up in back, no hurry, going to be a long day. As I looked around I noticed that no matter what happens today, I was here and I was attempting something that wouldn't have been possible three years ago, and I was excited. Bring it on! Then we were off. Of course, no matter how slow you intend to go, you never go that slow and so that and a combination of having to scale Mount Everest, I instantly was lacking oxygen and was wondering what the heck I got myself into... it was not even three miles in the race with 47 to go and I want to lay down and die. By mile 2, I had to take off the jacket, gloves, arm warmers and hat and was waiting to pitch them at the aid station drop off bag.

I did run the ENTIRE way up.. some people started to walk but I thought if I walked already that may screw me up mentally so I ran, and cursed, this is really messed up. The first place girl stopped at the first aid station to change out of her gear and I passed her.. for 1/10th of a second I was ahead of her...
Mile 1) 9.55 (up)
Mile 2) 11.08 (up)
Mile 3) 11.25 (up)
Break: 1 min (put gear in bag – hat, coat, arm warmers). This segment took 32mins to run with a 1 min break = 33.00
************************************************
Leg 2:
Leg #2: Down to the Swamp
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.0 miles; easy
Topography: Downhill to level; gravel.

Projected time: 8:15-8:21am Total miles 7

Actual Time: Time: 8:08 am
YIPEE, LOVE THE DOWNHILLS, I came out of transition and just floored it, knowing I was heading down and went down FAST, WAY to fast. I was THANKING GOD for the down hill, but knew I should not be running this hard. But I am such a child, my quads were screaming but I felt phenomenal and I couldn’t stop. I came into the next aid station happy and thrilled to see candy corn, grabbed a couple pieces and headed back out, 7 miles done. Sure ok I should be thinking ok, still like 43 to go but nope I was just like 7 down lets keep it coming.....
Mile 4) 9.25 (down)
Mile 5) 8.40 (down)
Mile 6) 8.42 (down)
Mile 7) 9.01 (down)
Break: 1 min (candy corn). This segment took 35 mins to run with 1 min break = 36.00

****************************************************
Leg 3:
Leg #3: Race to the Beach
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.8 miles; easy
Topography: Fairly flat; gravel and then finishes on paved road.

Projected time: 8:55-9:07am Total miles 11
Actual Time: Time: 8:48 am
SCREAMING, this next section kept the downhills coming but offered some rollers which I loved because I had enough momentum from the down to get up and over them with little effort, can’t believe I am up to mile 11 already. Doing a happy dance, I am clearing these miles and feeling good, now this is what I am talking about. At aid station #3, had half bottle of perpetium and stretched, and ate candy corn!
Mile 8) 9.04 (down)
Mile 9) 9.15 (down)
Mile 10) 9.30 (down)
Mile 11) 10.00 (up)
Break: 3 min (sat, drank half bottle perpetium, refilled heed and water bottle, stretched). This segment took 37.50 mins to run with 3 min break = 40.50
***************************************************

Leg 4:
Leg #4: Three Up, Three Down
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 6.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Gently rolling, with several long hills.

Projected time: 10:05-10:27am Total miles 17.2
Actual Time: Time: 9:55 am
HELL. Ok so you can WIPE that smile right off my face. I had foolishly used up my quads on the last two screaming down hills and rollers and now I was expected to run UPHILL, ridiculous..yeah a mile up hill WTF!

The hills were as bad as they looked. Yeah some twisted sole forged this road to the heaven, I had to walk some, ... you want me to die.. ! OH YEAH. I ran with another Ironman for a bit, he had never done a 50 miler either. Walk breaks are GOOD.

I noticed however, that Ironman was being stubborn and not stopping at the aid stations.. I stopped.. I aint a fool... and I still managed to catch back up to him. Take note of this because I will pass this man at mile 30 and never look back. There is something to be said about taking those couple minutes as a break.

I HATE HILLS…just for the record.... then I realized HEY.. I am at mile 17, cool and my time is good! At the aid station more candy corn and refill water bottle.

At the aid stations when you came in they would call out your number, I was number 38 and then yell ULTRA.. and then everyone would turn and clap and yell encouragement. Was kinda REALLY embarrassing. They would then write down my time for that segment (good way to keep people honest)...later on they would ask you random questions I am assuming to see if you are still with us.. like whats your name, I dont know...
Mile 12) 9.55 (down)
Mile 13) 10.55 (up)
Mile 14) 10.28 (flat)
Mile 15) 12.15 (up)
Mile 16) 13.48 (up)
Mile 17) 10.26 (Down then up)
Break: 1 min (candy corn, refill water bottle). This segment took 1 hr 6 mins to run with 1 min break = 1.07.00
************************************************
Leg 5:
Leg #5: The Breeze
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.4 miles; easy
Topography: All downhill or flat.


Projected finish: 10:45-11:07am Total miles 20.6
Actual Time: Around 10:28am counting breaks
GRATEFUL, very nice and grateful for the down hill, my body had no problem adjusting to going back down hills, I was so happy to be able to run full tilt again, especially getting towards mile 20. One of the forethoughts in my mind was.. least I got my 20 mile training run in. And I still felt good. Amazing, my Ironman buddy was still a little ahead of me and again went through the aid station without stopping, fool.

I stopped at aid station 5 to drink my perpetium, eat some candy corn and go potty, and to stretch. So perhaps took 4 minutes at this station but it was needed. Nice folks let me jump ahead at potty so I didn’t have to lose more time. Very cool. And YEAH I caught up to the Ironman again..
Mile 18) 9.35 (down)
Mile 19) 9.35 (down)
Mile 20) 10.08 (down)
Break: 4 min (sat, half bottle perpetium, refilled heed and water bottle, stretched, potty). This segment took 29 mins to run with 4 min break = 33.00


*********************************************
Leg 6:
Leg #6: Made in the Shade
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; moderate to difficult
Topography: Gently rolling with some moderate climbs.

Projected finish: 11:45am-12:21pm Total miles 25.9
*Need to arrive by 1:00 for cut off
Actual Time: Around 11:29am counting breaks
UGH, SPIT. So I made the cut of by a lot of extra time but this was just a really nasty section, what is that??? 5 miles up hill??.. WTF!!!!!! walk, run, walk run, give me a freaking rope… CRAZY STUFF...I stopped at the aid station to get candy corn and didn’t stay long, maybe a minute or less. WALKING is the best thing in the world!
Mile 21) 10.07 (flat)
Mile 22) 11.30 (up)
Mile 23) 11.50 (up)
Mile 24) 12.43 (up)
Mile 25) 15.38 (up)
Break: 2 min (sat, candy corn, stretch refill bottle). This segment took 1 hr 1 min to run with 2 min break = 1.01.00
********************************************
Leg 7:
Leg #7: Miles from Nowhere
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.9 miles; moderate.
Topography: Uphill, flat, then gently rolling.

Projected finish: 12:40-1:23pm Total miles 30.8
Actual Time: Around 12:32pm counting breaks
YOUR KIDDING RIGHT!?? Do you think the uphills could stop now… COME ON GIVE ME A BREAK... I mean how is it still possible to be going up!!! Temp was now in the high 50’s, low 60’s, still nice. I don’t know what to say but I was soo happy to get to mile 30 and still be in one piece, all I could think of was what Joe said about getting to at least 30 miles and then every mile after was extra.

I stopped for about 4 minutes at aid station for perpetium and candy corn.. this is the longest I have ever run in my life and my legs were still on and I only had 20 miles to go!!! YAHOOO…. EASY STUFF... HA… right when I crested the hill and headed down I not only passed the Ironman, I passed three other guys, something to be said about efficiently burning fat! I am a rocket!
Mile 26) 12.54 (up)
Mile 27) 15.30 (up)
Mile 28) 10.58 (down/up)
Mile 29) 10.51 (down/up)
Mile 30) 10.31 (down)
Break: 4 min (sat, half bottle perpetium, refilled heed and water bottle, stretched). This segment took 59 mins to run with 4 min break = 1.03.00
************************************************
Leg 8:
Leg #8: A Flash of Civilization
Mileage/degree of difficulty:2.8 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly flat, then gently rolling.

Projected finish: 1:10-2:00pm Total miles 33.6
Actual Time: Around 1:07pm counting breaks
KEEP IT COMING, the down hill and rollers kept a coming. I felt like a butterfly… I pretended I was one I put my arms out to stretch them.. I AM A BUTTERFLY! I am sure down right C-R-A-Z-Y... something surely dropped me on my head when I was little because I was loving every bit of this run..sure I was crazy but who cares..I am doing it! I FREAKING RUNNING ....!!!

Running alone, amongst the chipmunks, lizards, birds, and other wild life, I could smell the pines, hear the streams, smell a wood stove burning, life was in fact really good. God has soo blessed me and I have now been running for around 6 hours now, SWEET.

A girl about heather’s age, young, who was on one of the relay teams passed me and slowed to tell me I was her hero.. wow, to think I can matter to someone so young, that’s just really cool, I had to think about that for a bit. Woman have come such a long way from being told they couldn’t run this far, to being some of the best ultra runners in the world, amazing.
Mile 31) 10.35 (up/down)
Mile 32) 12.18 (down/up)
Mile 33) 11.35 (up)
Break: 1 min (sat, candy corn, stretch refill bottle). This segment took 34 mins to run with 1 min break = 35.00
********************************************
Leg 9:
Leg #9: Head for the Lake
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 2.9 miles; easy.
Topography: Begins uphill, then gently rolling and downhill.

Projected finish: 1:41-2:37pm Total miles 36.5
**Need to arrive at 36 miles by 3:38 pm for cutoff
Actual Time: Around 1:47pm counting breaks
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the downhills, every mile is a blessing, started to appreciate that I have been out here moving for almost 7 hours straight. I noticed that when the fire road changed to regular road it made me feel like my teeth were going to explode out of my skull, the pounding on regular pavement was tough.

I stopped mid run to play with a beautiful orange lizard. Not even thinking the sucker could be like poisonous. Yup, crazy for sure. INFANT! I passed an apple orchard and thought about snatching an apple. Found a really cool feather.

Started to have a little cramping in the legs, nothing that I couldn’t ignore or make go away by changing my pace. At the aid station I told the girl my feet were on fire, she said she had ice, I said no way I am taking off these shoes, I sat and drank my perpetium, and stretched and went potty.

While stretching I heard an emergency call come through the aid station walkie talkie saying runner down between mile 40 and 41. A woman on the relay team, appeared to be asthma related. (she was ok but the fact she went down made me question what the next section would be like)…I got up and check out the next section..my eye balls popped out of my head.

HEINOUS, no wonder she was down! UGH.. I got myself together and heading out to battle the next 5-6 miles of hell.
Mile 34) 13.01 (up)
Mile 35) 11.35 (down)
Mile 36) 11.16 (down)
Break: 4 min (sat, half bottle perpetium, refilled heet and water bottle, stretched, potty). This segment took 36 mins to run with 4 min break = 40.00
*********************************************

Leg 10:
Leg #10: Are We There Yet?
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; difficult.
Topography: Flat, gently rolling to more serious ups and downs.


Projected finish: 2:50-3:51pm Total miles 41.8
**Need to arrive at 42 miles by 5:00 pm for cutoff
Actual Time: Around 3.13pm counting breaks
HELL, HATEFUL, WORSE THAN HELL, I have a list of who I need to find that put this in here because it is JUST WRONG! At this point, I was lucky I could walk, let alone having to run and walk. When the elevation pulls at you walking, that ain’t cool.

Started to have some more cramping and had to stop occasionally and stretch. On one particular stop, I thought I would stretch my calf. SCREAMING IN AGONY, I thought my leg would fly off, it started flipping out (the calf muscle was contracting), I grabbed my leg and screaming in pain I got it out and realized um NO SUDDEN changes in movement!

So I got myself moving forward again.. and using every bit of mental strength I could muster I concentrated on NO PAIN.... this will NOT stop me.. and it went away.. My nutrition was working, which was a plus, and then I came to the vista.
Mile 37) 11.41 (up)
Mile 38) 13.55 (up)
Mile 39) 13.19 (up)
Mile 40) 13.48 (up)
Mile 41) 16.54 (up)
Mile 42) 12.57 (up)
Break: 4 min (sat, half bottle perpetium, soda, refilled heet and water bottle, stretched). This segment took 1 hr 20 mins to run with 4 min break = 1.24.00

**********************************************
Leg 11:
Leg #11: Climb to the Vista
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.0 miles; moderate/difficult.
Topography: Progressive ups and downs.

Projected finish: 3:35-4:51pm Total miles 45.8
Actual Time: Around 4:18pm counting breaks
UGLY, just when I think we cant go any higher… I encounter this craziness, this was an out and back section.. two miles out and then two miles back. This part of the road was actually more like trail and you had to watch for stones and your footing on a section of it.

I came up on a guy who was slightly ahead of me who turned around and said, “Hey didn’t I see you before?” (I am thinking I don’t remember but I said sure I bet), and he said, “You were like WAY AHEAD OF ME”… (meaning that I was NOT now).. and he continued to run ahead of me.. IF I had a fork I would have impaled it into his brain.

There was a beautiful view after you reached the peak of this section, it was UTTERLY breath taking, I actually yelled out loud, “OH MY GOD, is that not the most gorgeous thing ever!” and the person nearest me said this was his favorite part of the race. So we both walked and looked.. I wish I had a camera… I am understanding what this run is about..

I saw a couple of gals on the other side of the road so they were about two miles behind me. I could tell they were ultra girls by their numbers.. I wasn’t planning on being competitive but knowing they were there and NOT wanting to be passed with say a few miles left, my competitive spirit took over and well I just couldn’t stop. Being hunted is so NOT COOL. UGH.

NOTE TO SELF: I shouldn’t have sipped that soda at the last aid station, stomach issues, not good.
Mile 43) 15.45 (up)
Mile 44) 13.13 (down)
Mile 45) 14.29 (up)
Mile 46) 10.52 (down)
Break: 1 min (candy corn, soda). This segment took 54 mins to run with 1 min break = 55.00

**********************************************
Leg 12:
Leg #12: Trucks Use Lower Gear!
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.2 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly downhill, winding.

Projected finish: 4:10-5:51pm Total miles 50.0 **Need to arrive at 50 miles by 7:00 pm for cutoff
Actual Time: 5:03pm
NO STOPPING NOW...., NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT, downhill! So NO fooling, I literally ran my legs off for the last three miles. I ran by my 89 year old buddy (whose relay team was Old Men of the Mountain) he was doing this last leg (4.2 miles) and he looked really strong, I yelled for him to hang tough.. god bless him.. man I hope I aint doing this shit when I am his age.

The last half mile was exceptionally tough..I thought I would pass out right before the finish line. I was pushing myself faster than I think I had ever pushed my body before. I actually knew it was getting close because I could hear ringing in my ears, and I was super focused, I saw nothing but the finish line.

DONE, I stopped running and looked up..wow.. I went up this mountain 10 hours ago........ and came back a different person..........
Mile 47) 12.05 (up)
Mile 48) 8.58 (down)
Mile 49) 9.32 (down)
Mile 50) 9.31 (down)
*Need to arrive at 50 miles by 7:00 pm for cutoff
Break: 0 min. This segment took 39 mins to run with 0 min break = 39.00

****************************************************

The FINAL Results:
http://www.tusseymountainback.com/results/Results_2009.pdf

SIGNED UP: 68 people signed up for the Ultra
• 53 men
• 15 woman

DNS: 5 people did not start (3 men/2 women)
*********************************************************************
STARTED: 63 people started the Ultra
• 50 men
• 13 women

DNF: 5 people did not finish (2 men/3 women)

FINISHED: 58 people finished the Ultra
• 48 men
• 10 women

My placing was:
• 5th Women’s Masters (out of 7 women masters)
3rd Age 40-44
• 8th Overall in Womens (out of 10 women who finished)
• 49th Overall (out of 58 men/women)

http://www.tusseymountainback.com/results/Results_USATF_2009.pdf
Page #2: is the USATF Women’s Open placing
Page #4: is the USATF 40-44 Age group placing
Page #6: is the USATF Masters placing

Tussey Mountain 50 Miler

Saturday, October 3, 2009
(click on Tussey Mountain title for link to website)
..and the silence.....
..........yes.. but of course silly people..yes I'm doing a 50 mile ultra run... in a week.... now trying to figure out when I will scream mommy.......if you sit around and wait for death...you surely will die......

Course Elevation Chart Total:

Leg 1: Start: 7am
Leg #1: Three Bridges, One Leg-Breaker
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Mostly gently climbing, with some steep ascents.

Projected time: 7:35am Total miles 3

Leg 2:
Leg #2: Down to the Swamp
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.0 miles; easy
Topography: Downhill to level; gravel.

Projected time: 8:15-8:21am Total miles 7

Leg 3:
Leg #3: Race to the Beach
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.8 miles; easy
Topography: Fairly flat; gravel and then finishes on paved road.

Projected time: 8:55-9:07am Total miles 11

Leg 4:
Leg #4: Three Up, Three Down
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 6.2 miles; difficult
Topography: Gently rolling, with several long hills.

Projected time: 10:05-10:27am Total miles 17.2

Leg 5:
Leg #5: The Breeze
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 3.4 miles; easy
Topography: All downhill or flat.

Projected finish: 10:45-11:07am Total miles 20.6

Leg 6:
Leg #6: Made in the Shade
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; moderate to difficult
Topography: Gently rolling with some moderate climbs.

Projected finish: 11:45am-12:21pm Total miles 25.9
*Need to arrive by 1:00 for cut off

Leg 7:
Leg #7: Miles from Nowhere
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.9 miles; moderate.
Topography: Uphill, flat, then gently rolling.

Projected finish: 12:40-1:23pm Total miles 30.8

Leg 8:
Leg #8: A Flash of Civilization
Mileage/degree of difficulty:2.8 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly flat, then gently rolling.

Projected finish: 1:10-2:00pm Total miles 33.6

Leg 9:
Leg #9: Head for the Lake
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 2.9 miles; easy.
Topography: Begins uphill, then gently rolling and downhill.

Projected finish: 1:41-2:37pm Total miles 36.5
**Need to arrive at 36 miles by 3:38 pm for cutoff

Leg 10:
Leg #10: Are We There Yet?
Mileage/degree of difficulty:5.3 miles; difficult.
Topography: Flat, gently rolling to more serious ups and downs.

Projected finish: 2:50-3:51pm Total miles 41.8
**Need to arrive at 42 miles by 5:00 pm for cutoff

Leg 11:
Leg #11: Climb to the Vista
Mileage/degree of difficulty:4.0 miles; moderate/difficult.
Topography: Progressive ups and downs.

Projected finish: 3:35-4:51pm Total miles 45.8

Leg 12:
Leg #12: Trucks Use Lower Gear!
Mileage/degree of difficulty: 4.2 miles; easy.
Topography: Mostly downhill, winding.

Projected finish: 4:10-5:51pm Total miles 50.0

**Need to arrive at 50 miles by 7:00 pm for cutoff

Elevation Change: