TransRockies Race Report – the Rest of the Story (video)

At dinner last night:

Sorry about the last teaser post, but I’ve got so much to share and so many photos…needed to break it up. Plus, I’m behind with work stuff and house stuff and it’s all I had time for at the moment!! Oh, how I wish I could just blog the days away, and do little else.

Now that I’ve written this novel, you better read the whole damn thing. Go grab a beer, smoke, vibrator, whatever will keep you focused.

Before I get started on this long and drawn out journey, I will answer what you all want to know. Did I crap myself? No. In fact, not so much as a skid. My stomach behaved better than it ever has on any run. And let me tell you, this was actually the longest run I have ever been on in my life, including the marathons. It took us 4:35 to cross the finish line for a total of 20.85 miles. This is actually a pretty respectable time for this race!  I will say I did not pee from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Can I get a shout out for DEHYDRATION!?  But I am alive. And I don’t even hurt today!

So, when we left off, Dean and I had just crossed the start line. He told me a bit about the course and how the last four miles were pretty brutal since it would be scathingly hot by that time and it was a gradual climb to the finish. Brutal for him means deathly for me. He suggested conserving a bit for the first half, which was fine by me.  It was a single track, straight up. People were walking parts of it. It wasn’t until we got on a wider straightaway that we found our stride. Dean kept telling me to lead the way and set the pace. Being very new to trail running, I knew this would be a long and challenging day for me.

Some of you with the eagle eye noticed I wasn't wearing trail running shoes. Yep, that’s right. I only found out about this race a couple of weeks ago. I’ve never been a trail runner or worn trail shoes. I bought some, but they didn't work out and I simply did not have time to break in any others. If I was going to be a rookie on the trail, I was going to do it up right in my Mizuno Inspire road shoes. Hell yeah!! I also didn’t have a fancy hydration pack, poles, compression socks, dirty girl gaiters or any of the other stuff the cool kids were wearing. I probably would have gotten picked last on the gym team that day. And beat up later.

The race format is that you run with a partner and you stay with that person the whole race. No running ahead if you’re feeling stronger. You’ve always got your partner nearby. That meant that for the whole race Dean had to slow to my sorry-ass pace. I know there were times when he really wanted to take off, but he just kept saying he was having a great time and enjoying not racing for once. I wonder if he rolled his eyes behind my back. Except he never was behind my back.  He did comment once that it was harder to run “this way” (meaning slow – occasional walking up the steep parts) because he had a tough time settling into a cadence. I personally messed up Dean’s cadence. I might have to get that made into a bumper sticker.

After running uphill for what seemed like a very long time, I looked at my Garmin. 2.19 miles. Are you freaking kidding me? The trail was very sandy making it hard to get your footing. The sun was heating up and the route was exposed with very little shade. This part of the state is quite arid with cactus and sage along much the of the way. We climbed and climbed and climbed. Dean and I talked about all kinds of stuff – training, marathoning, jobs, Greece. There was a lot of time to just shoot the shit. Probably around mile five I forgot that he was DEAN and not just another person. The conversation drifted to our families, future goals, etc.

When I got really winded and tired he would start telling me stories about races he’d run. It was a good distraction. Dean’s stories are not like most people’s stories. If you talk about running the Hood to Coast Relay (197 miles) on a 10 person team, he talks about doing it solo. If you talk about running in heat and sand he talks about running hundreds of miles in the Sahara desert through knee deep sand and 125 degree temperatures over several days. And winning. His legs and overall muscles were also a distraction. I had a lot of time to watch these body parts on the trail since he was in front of me. He is one BIG ASS muscle.

The climb to the first check point at mile 7 was a bitch for me. Very steep. I simply had to walk parts of it. At this point I was mentally in the toilet. I was tired, hot and psyched out about having so far to go. It was freaking 92 degrees! But I didn’t come to this race to bitch and complain. I knew I could do it. I just had those moments you have in a race where you feel kind of hopeless and discouraged. I continued to take my electrolyte tabs, which I think saved me in the end.

At the top of the climb was the blessed check point. I poured water on my head. I drank GU Brew and took in some GU Chomps. I realized that Dean had not been drinking anything on the trail and very little at the aid station. I think he had a half a banana. I asked him about it. He said he doesn’t drink much when he runs because he doesn't feel the need for it and doesn't sweat a lot. WTF? Here I am sucking on my Camelbak, huffing and puffing, pouring sweat. This guy really is superhuman. Believe me when I tell you that. He is also one of the nicest people on the planet. He was kind, patient, easy on the eyes. Overall he exuded great energy. And muscles. Did I mention muscles?

The next few miles were a breeze. Mostly downhill, no sand. Then we started the up and downhills that would take us to checkpoint two at 14 miles. I had some tough moments along this part too, but once I hit the half way mark, I started to perk up. I love being just beyond the half way mark!! It is when you are closer to the finish than to the start. When you can taste the end.

The rest of the miles ticked by in a haze of conversation, gunning up hills, and sweat. At the last aid station I had some Coke (as in cola. I already did my cocaine that morning) – something I’ve never done, but with only 4 miles to go I didn’t give a shit. If I puked or crapped, so be it. A volunteer poured ice water down my back. Dean suggested stuffing ice into my sports bra like he’s seen some elite women do. Since I’m so elite, I did it too. If only. I have to give a shout out to the support along this race. The nicest and most helpful people. When you came into a check point they would ask what you needed and take over from there – filling your Camelbak, getting you e-caps, you name it. They were a real energy booster!

I only farted loudly once and it was when he was telling someone a story about the Big Sur Marathon. I don’t think anyone heard it.

Coming into the finish:      

Call me fist pump Beth. I’m so cool:     

BFFs:

Pointing at my boob:

The guy in the white sunglasses is running with Dean on Stage 2. Check out that bicep:

Sitting in the river post race. SO cold – better than an ice bath. I bet those guys’ balls were shriveled to nothing:

Pus anyone?

Told you it was hot. Gross. I came home and poured this into my salt shaker:

At the camp for the race. Tent city. I was glad to be going home to my bed:

My biggest fan. Couldn’t do any of this without him!

The kids getting ready to try the Gore-Tex wind and water proof gear in the rain/wind booth:

With the kids at the end. He was so sweet with them. Signed their shirts and books, told them he wanted to run with them if they ever came to San Francisco:

A HUGE thanks to Gore-Tex, Outside PR (Kelly and Devon - we love you!!) and Dean for giving me such a great day. And the schwag ain’t too bad either (Timex watch, gloves, jacket, tech shirt, coffee mug, shoe warmers/driers, handheld bottle, Salt Stick tabs, GU stuff, trail running book, running hat, gear bag):

  

Lessons learned:

• The studs who do all six days of this race are insane. Maybe I can be like them someday
• Dean is all that. ‘Nuf said.
• You can push through about anything. As they say, your body wants to give out long before your head. Let your mental strength take you through the tough times. Know that you will hit peaks and valleys. Don’t let the valleys make you stop or quit. The peak is just around the corner.
• Keep taking risks. Continue to do that that which makes you uncomfortable. Continue to live fully! Feel that fear and do it anyway.
• Run with someone much faster and stronger than you (I recommend Dean K). You will push yourself way harder and the sheer humiliation of being slow will keep your ass going.

My Bucket List

I'm sitting here debating whether to cook chicken for dinner that is one day past the due date. On one hand, I hate to waste the $ I spent on the chicken. On the other hand, salmonella is not my favorite weight loss technique. WWYD?

Ulyana tagged me. You know, that bucket list tag that is going around. Three things you must do before you die. I have given this a lot of thought. To the point of putting myself on my death bed and asking myself as I lay dying, "What regrets do I have? What have I not done that I wish I had?" Sure there are a bazillion places I'd like to go (Morocco, Thailand, Zimbabwe to name a few) and many goals I'd like to achieve (Boston), but what would make me feel truly incomplete if I didn't get to do it?

Am I taking this too seriously? Here's my best shot at what I must do before I bite the big one:

1. Meet my grandchildren. No, silly, I do not have existing grandchildren I haven't met because their parents do not feel I am a good influence. I am talking about my future grandchildren who have not yet been conceived. Or at least they better not have been conceived last Saturday night in the backseat of a Prius. But likely it would not be a Prius because those gas pedals stick and my kids would not be stupid enough to get into such a car. Anyway, I am already excited to be at my kids' weddings and to be a huge part of my grand babies' lives. I just hope I live long enough to meet those ShutupandRun offspring once removed.

2. Take my children to Greece and show them where I used to live. This was such an amazing time in my life. It is a dream of mine to show the kids what I experienced. I'd like them to feel what I felt, but that is just the control freak in me talking. Of course the bigger dream is to expose them to life beyond America. To let them know how big the world is and how small our little corner of it is.

(My brother and I in Athens. I'm 12 years old. Do you like my skirt?)

3. Throw away day old chicken Run either the Athens Marathon or the Great Wall Marathon.

Why Greece? Well, I think that is fairly obvious. Besides the fact that I have a personal connection, it is the original marathon and commemorates the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield at the site of the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C. As a runner, you finish at the original Olympic stadium. The course is actually 27.06 miles (WTF??) and 12 miles of it are quite hilly. I hope I'm a stud by then.

Why China? I'm just drawn to the history of the Great Wall. Much of the marathon is actually comprised of steps (hello knee replacement). Plus, my brother is moving (back) to Beijing in 2011, so I will have free lodging and a ride. If you have any doubt how cool this marathon is, check out this video and you too will be sold.

There you have it and I hope it was vastly fascinating.

Here are my taggees. If you've already done it or hate it, disregard.

Mother Runner

Mollie

Steve Q.

Christina

Brutalism

Clair

Drinking: Oregon Chai Tea

Greece vs.Grease

So I promised a review on Oikos Greek yogurt. Stoneyfield Farms was kind enough to send me coupons for several free samples.

I went with the vanilla flavor. The thing I love about Oikos, is that unlike most yogurts, it has little sugar in the flavored selections. Some vanilla yogurts are ridiculous with many many grams of sugar per serving. Kind of defeats the purpose of eating yogurt, don'tcha think?

Let me start by saying I'm not a big fan of yogurt. Not a big fan of any dairy foods except major 1/2 'n 1/2 in my coffee and cheese on anything.

Also let me start by saying, I was lucky enough to live in Greece for four years from the ages of 12 to 16 years old. There was one summer, I believe it was when I was sixteen, that I took several trips to the island of Mykonos. Breakfast everyday for me was a cup of plain Greek yogurt drizzled with island honey and topped with fresh cantaloupe, honeydew and berries. It was a heavenly and divine mixture that I will never forget.

In fact, Greece was a time I will never forget. I mean, who gets to do this? My dad, who worked a very humdrum job for the Social Security Administration in Baltimore, MD, came home one day and asked if we wanted to go to Greece. My response, being twelve and very into my own little world, was to say "No, that's okay, I already saw it." You may remember the movie came out in 1978.

So we, a family of four who had never traveled further than Cincinnati, OH were plopped down in the middle of Athens to fend for ourselves. Well not totally. My dad worked for the American Embassy, so we were given a house in the hills outside of Athens, and my brother and I attended the American Community School. Four years is a long time, so it's impossible to reconstruct the experience totally, but some of the clearest memories are: travel and more travel, meeting some of the best friends of my life, learning to speak Greek, experiencing forest fires and earthquakes, watching my dogs be poisoned to death, going on a "pilgrimage" to Jerusalem and the nude beaches on the islands. Despite these things, day to day life was probably pretty similar to day to day life in the US for a teenager: homework, social angst, after school activities. We had a small black and white TV, and the only shows on in English were "Fame" and "Little House on the Prairie," (which the Greeks called "Little Hut in the Valley.")

But back to the yogurt. As I said before, I liked that this yogurt was not overly sweet. It can best be described as tangy. The thing that stood out the most was the consistency. This has got to be the creamiest yogurt on the planet. If you don't know, Greek yogurt is different and special because it is strained so that all water is removed. This leaves the yogurt extremely thick and seemingly decadent. Stoneyfield Farms can use nonfat milk and by using the straining system, can get a yogurt that is so thick and creamy that you think you are eating something incredibly fattening. It is an art!! For me, the consistency was similar to sour cream. Overall, very good and very authentic. A great healthy option with lots of protein.

I am headed to yoga today to work out some of the kinks from my race on Sunday. My muscles are still pretty stiff and sore. It took quite a bit out of me. I did find out I came in 6th out of 50 in my age group so I was psyched about that!