Fiery Gizzard Trail Race

MY LEGS ARE SORE! WONDERFULLY SORE! I  was very excited to be racing. I had not raced since July and was ready to get back to it.  There have been some races that I have wanted to do but they always fell at the wrong weekend. When I received the email from John Hardwin that they were doing this trail race, I was pumped!  John is crazy! His races are always fun and he always puts in a little extra to make sure you receive the full trail experience. To make it even more perfect it was on the weekend we would be in Mont Eagle.  I began training using the First Plan.  I love that plan as I only have to run 3 days a week and 4 is my max I ever run so it is perfect. I also like the track work outs but the tempo runs not so much. I felt like I was in pretty good shape going into this race. The week of the race I started with my typical I don't feel good sickies.  This is usually a sign of nerves and a good race but this week I was surrounded with kids at school with the stomach bug, a stepson with the flu and my molar's filling broke the day I left for Mont Eagle. I just knew I would either be sick or in major tooth pain by the time race day dawned   We spent the days before the race hanging in Chattanooga and spending time in Mont Eagle with about 35 of Stewart's extended family.  Let's say I went into this race extremely carbo loaded. I  am still not sure that race took care of all that food!

Race morning dawned and it was perfect.  Chilly but not too cold. John talked to us about staying on the white blazed trails, not getting shot by Hunters, and making sure we did not get lost in the Gorge. He also told us the half was going to be about 14 miles, a fact I was very glad I knew at the end of the race.  My goal was to be top 3 women. I never have a time goal really for trail races. I just try to run the pace that I need to run to stay up front. I started the race in 2nd, moved into 1st followed some guys on a wrong turn and quickly moved back to third as we got back on the right trail and worked my way to first. Where I soon began to realize the 2nd place girl who eventually won was messing with me. She pulled one of my moves way too well. She stayed right behind me until the last mile and a half. It was nice to have someone to talk to. I was pretty sure I knew her plan but thought maybe she was just struggling to keep up.  A couple of times I would pick it up and she was right there. And she ran like a damn Indian. She was so quiet I would think I dropped her and nope she would be there. I even caught and passed some guys during this time and she would go with every surge. Then I knew she was F@&king with me. I have to say once she made the final pass, I was just relieved and had already talked myself into being happy with second female.  This is where maybe my lack of racing or fitness got me. Lack of racing because I had forgotten how to push or hurt and to not  just give up easily.  Lack of fitness because I know now I should have trained on some Hillier trails.  The course was described as few parts having climbing and the rest of it mostly flat on the ridge line.  I trained mostly flat and always forget that Chattanooga mostly flat does not equate to Memphis mostly flat until I am racing it.  I do believe although this chica was 20 plus years younger than me if I would  have ran more at the forest, stanky, and herb I could have beaten her. My legs were tired  We did have some great creek crossings and pretty much hand and knee rock climbing at parts. It was gorgeous!!! More than one waterfall. As we were heading back, I caught up with a guy who was a climber on those trails so he was able to give me a nice play by play of what we had left.  In true hardwin fashion instead of running the trail straight back to the finish, he had us take the climbing acess all the way down and then climb all the way back up. This was hard but great for many reasons. First it was beautiful, we had the huge foster falls waterfall roaring behind us, lots of rock climbers were out on the trail climbing and they all spoke to us, and Stewart, Richard, and Stewart's uncle had hiked down to wait on me which was a big surprise. I was very happy to see them   Although I miss Stewart running and racing  with me he has been an incredible Sherpa these past few months. Even mtn biking on my long runs and carrying all my fuel and he is a great race day supporter.

I was pleased to be second female. Last tri season I decided I would never end a race with should have -could haves and just be grateful that I did the best I could on that day. I also am extremely grateful to have the ability to continue to do what I love. Things could be a lot worse than missing an overall win by a minute.   They had do e sweet awards. We all know I love an award and am always happy when they are a little over the top. I also got a breakaway gift card. Yay for some new racing flats

I am not sure what is next. I had thought about taking it willy nilly for the month of Dec but I also Am looking at the herb parson half and the village creek 25k.  Whatever I choose I continue to work on just enjoying and doing what I love. I. I of course will continue with my new boxing craze until tri season starts

Happy Running!

Training....

 Training these days has been amounting to not much .  I am really trying to take it easy and follow no schedule as I know with Boston and Ironman things are going to get pretty hectic soon.  This is what I have learned about myself and training over the years... less is definitely better and if I do too much too soon, I will get frustrated and burned out.  I have been running 3 days a week to prepare for a trail half marathon on the Fiery Gizzard trails over Thanksgiving weekend.  Super excited as I have hiked part of these trails and they are beautiful and it has been way too long since I have raced and especially on the trails which are my favorite.  I have been doing the First plan and I finally feel like I have some decent fitness.  Not for a 5k but definitely for a 10k to a half.  At least I feel that ways most days.  I can do a great tempo run and then feel like a freight train during a speed work out or vice versa.  I do like that running 12 miles seem no longer like a chore and yes I can finally run the last miles at faster than race pace.  For a while there, I was not sure if I was ever going to get that feeling back.  The long runs just seemed LOOONG and SLOOW and TRUDGING ALONG at the end. Yesterday despite the cold and rain, my 12.5 mile run was good. 

I have been mountain biking some which I love even though my bike is crap, I wreck often and I have thrown myself over the handlebars once already this season.  I continue to mess around at boot camp, lifting weights, and the occasional swim.  I was actually loving swimming and then found out if I want to keep my expensive Brazillian Blow out - I better get out of the pool.  My cheapness won out but I find myself really missing swimming.  So much so that I am trying to decide to get another one in December.  I am polling everyone  in person and I am sure a poll will pop up on Facebook soon.

I have also been going to 9 rounds... my new obsession.  I freaking love it!  I have told Stewart that this may be my last season as a triathlete and I may go into the MIA fighting ring. :)  I love it so much that even though Riley reported my booty looked a little like J-Lo and Stewart said I was looking a little thick -  I continue to go back.  I have told Stewart - please... the words girl and thick should never be used in the same sentence.

After this half, I will goof off even more which is becoming easier and easier for me to do on the training front until January/February where I begin to train for Boston and then I will began my build for tri season.  I really think I will push the start of my tri season until June even though I will miss some good early season racing.  I am just so afraid of wanting to hang up my bike and swim suit by July/August when I should be hitting my peak training.  I am actually really looking forward to Ironman training.  How easily we forget!!

I have also decided to train for Boston as I want to re qualify so all my workouts will be geared toward that pace but then on race day, ditch the garmin, run by feel  and whatever happens happens  as I am not really sure I ever want to go back. 

I have been missing my injured training partner soon and can not wait for him to get back out there.  It is really hard to get out of bed on cold mornings when I am the only one getting up.  Luckily he has started swimming, biking and yoga so running should be able to start soon.  Most of the family plans to run the cross country series this year which should be fun.  I have not done it in ages so it will be fun to mix that in.

As for the cold, I am over it!  My asthma sucks worse than in the humidity and I miss throwing on shorts and a sports bra.  Plus my old lady bones are just frigid. 


Happy running!