Slippery Slope

This morning’s walk with Bella had to be a defensive one.  Many who travel my street use it as a means to an end – a connecting road – so they fly.  This morning was NOT the morning for flying.  Bella and I came across a spot where a car clearly rounded the curve too quickly and the ruts in the side of the road told the story of how successful that turned out to be.  We slid across the street (cuz that’s where Bella’s nose take us – back and forth!) and cautiously backed way off when cars did approach.  We arrived home safely but it was confirmation that I would be continuing my bond with my still fairly new treadmill.

The slippery conditions haven’t been solely claimed by the weather.  This week has become a slippery slope where all things that were normal and necessary for a functioning Lisa slipped off the slope completely.  I traveled for work this week, spending a longer than usual period of time in VT and away from my little family.  My normal.  It was a good trip and I love VT, so no real complaints.  But I was on-the-go for what felt like 24x7.

Focusing on the positive:

• I love VT!
• It’s always great to see my VT teammates live and in person – they’re great!
• The meetings I participated in went really well and were very productive.
• The career fair we held in our Waterbury location drew a good crowd and logistically, went very well.
• Enjoyed a couple of really nice dinners with our team.

What I wish had been different:

• One evening of “nothing” would’ve rejuvenated me.
• I definitely did not sleep enough.
• Even one run on the hotel treadmill would’ve been enough to feel like I took care of myself.  With zero miles logged, I felt robbed by the end of the week.
• Because of changed business plans, my hotel (which at first was the perfect location) was a good 45 mins drive from where I needed to be – on 3 occasions.  Back and forth.  Ugh.
• I had to have company on this trip.  It didn’t make sense for 2 of us to drive separately, but boy, it was a challenge being connected at the hip for 4 days, including the ride to and from VT.
• Next time I decide to wear a white top, I will NOT attempt to drink hot cocoa.  Yes, THAT happened.  Just before the career fair meant I walked around all evening with a hot cocoa dribble stain down the front of my cute white top.  Curses.

So today I decided the slippery slope was over.  I got on my treadmill and dialed up a 5 miler (iFit course: Monterey, CA).  And then, after realizing I was feeling a lot better, dialed up another 3.5 miler (iFit course:  Venice, Italy).  Before I knew it, I had run myself right off of the slippery slope, logging 8.5 miles, and feeling very much in control again.

View from my run in Venice (via iFit)

It’s so hard to stop the avalanche once things start feeling crazy.  As my week progressed and I continued to not run, to not take care of myself, to not take the time I needed…. it just snowballed.  It’s like when you eat your weight in Cap’n Crunch cereal (hypothetically speaking of course) on Saturday, so you decide “Well, I’ve already ruined my diet for the weekend, so why not eat a gallon of ice cream too!”.  It’s gravity.  Once you start down that slippery slope, it’s very difficult to pull yourself out of the way of the ensuing avalanche of bad decisions or whatnot. 

Running is funny though; it has a way of immediately stopping that avalanche.  I told myself “I’ll go nice and slow and see how I feel”.  8.5 miles later, I had shaken off all the weight I was carrying from my personal avalanche and was moving forward with a new day.

I might even treat myself to a nap so I can stay up for the Patriots game tonight.  Or not.  Either way, I’m in control again J

To my friends in warmer climates...

Walking stick?  Toothpick for some giant?  Saber tooth from a far-away time?  No…..

Scott - Icicle Model Extraordinaire

Ginormous icicle formerly hanging from our back roof!  Here are the rest of the buggers….

Welcome to New England in January!

My Christmas season in (mostly) pictures

Scott and Me

Mom and Me

Good friend Martyn

Niece Kristin’s first Christmas engaged to Alex

Our dessert table, courtesy of mom’s homemade goodies

All Bella wants for Christmas is her Kong!

Couldn’t get good pictures, but nothing like brightening up the season by supporting my favorite 8 year old Caitlyn at her dance recital!

Meaningful gift from a friend

[**SISU is a Finnish term loosely translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity... SISU is about taking action against the odds and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity. (Wiki)]

Mosaic Christmas tree (3-D) made by Mom’s artistic and loving hands.  Many of the gems come from my grandmother’s jewelry and my mother-in-law’s china.  Priceless!

Some homemade goodness (3 different pastas!) made for us by niece Erin – this carbo-loading MUST have a magic PR cooked into it!

Our new treadmill!  We had already talked about getting a treadmill, but I hadn’t had time to research to find which treadmill was best for us.  The best part of this gift is that Scott surprised me with doing the research, purchasing, AND setting it up!  I love the treadmill, but I love the surprise and thoughtfulness the most!!!

Happy MerryThon Half & Jingle Bell Half – two holiday half marathons celebrated with old and new friends.  What’s better than a hot cocoa stop at mile 10?

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!  And here’s to a fun, exciting, healthy, PR kind of New Year – where there are hot cocoa stops just when you need them!!!

Friends don’t let friends drink and….

….register for races!

We know that alcohol often fills us with courage to do or say things we may not normally do or say.  Race registration can sometimes fall into this category.  Many a gingerbread martini or glass of pinot grigio have contributed to a more aggressive than usual list of upcoming races.

So today, I find myself registered for at least 8 races (with the possibility of a 9^th Fat Ass run) that will carry me through May.  And it’s in partial thanks to alcohol.  That and the fact that registering for races is fun and addicting!   

Between working my butt off, getting ready for the holidays, and registering for all these races, I haven’t devoted much time to writing lately.  I do miss it and you!  I’m sure this list of races will provide great content for race reports and other running adventures to share with you. 

Who else is filling up their calendars with races?  

Journey to ultra running

Many people ask, “Why?” or exclaim, “You’re crazy!” when they hear of the distances Scott and I have run.  We might be a little bit crazy, but it’s a craziness that is filled with fitness, adventure, and fun.  So, if that’s crazy, I’m embracing my inner crazy!

But getting to the ultra-distance doesn’t happen overnight. 

Like everyone, Scott and I both started with very short runs that were interrupted by more stopping than actual running at times.  We gasped and cramped our way through those early days just like everyone.  But then something magical happened and it stopped hurting so much.  The cramps in the side or the legs appeared less frequently.  The runner’s high we all hear about was happening.  To us!

After lots of slow races, paces started to improve and so did our confidence.  We each started to feel stronger and with that, started to flirt with longer distances.  10K’s and half marathons became the new google search.  I’ll never forget my first half marathon (Covered Bridges – Queeche, VT).  I trained so hard for that; so hard in fact that I aggravated my Achilles just a few weeks prior to race day.  I was horrified!  Doctor visit, shoe inserts, backing off on running…..I got to the start line.  No world record, but that distance had me hankering for more.  That year, I ran my first marathon (Disney) with Scott by my side!

After many marathons and a couple of years of supporting Scott at StoneCat, I knew I would run this ultra trail race someday.  I remember thinking, “I could do this” as I cheered on runners throughout their 26.2 or 50 mile journey.  Last November, I did it.  I ran the 50 miler with Scott by my side but am hungry once again to challenge myself in a way that only ultras challenge.

A couple weeks ago, we ran Ghost Train trail race (15 mile option).  There was an ultra option as well, but given the craziness that comes with a new job, I opted not to overflow my plate this Fall.  I did have a plan though; run the 15 miler, check out the course (for how easy to follow, etc), and most importantly, scope out how I think I might like running the 7.5 mile out-and-back a zillion times to complete another ultra distance.  Maybe even longer than 50 miles…..

Very cool Ghost Train video!

And this is how the journey goes.  Take a little nibble of a 5K…..chug it down with a heap of half marathon…..take second helpings in the form of a marathon….then for dessert, indulge in the ultra distance!  And within the ultra distance, the sky is the limit!   

So I may appear crazy with my marathons and my 50 miler under my belt, but I felt honored and in awe to share the Ghost Train trails with runners who were accomplishing 100 miles within a 30 hour timeframe…Crazy?  Committed?  Should be committed?  Or just doing what they love and celebrating it with each additional mile?  I’ll take the latter.  

We’ll just have to see how many of those miles I’ll choose to celebrate next year at Ghost Train…J

The smiles on us humans AND pumpkins don't lie.....FUN!!!

StoneCat 50 - Support/Pacer Report

A few weeks ago, I paced Carrie through her final miles at Smuttynose Marathon.  She blew up her old PR by about 15 minutes J  Saturday, I jumped in at mile 37.5 to pace Scott at StoneCat 50 trail race.  He blew up his old PR by about 35 minutes J  Hmmmm, have I missed my calling as a “professional pacer PR achiever”?

Scott & Bella                                 Scott, Larry, and Andy

Saturday started out crisp and displaying a sky filled with gorgeous stars.  Since StoneCat starts at 6:15 a.m., the stars were joined by a sea of headlamps.  I had Bella with me as I kissed Scott and wished him a good race.  At lap 4, the plan was to join Scott for his “victory lap”.  The buzz of the runners, the sound of the bagpipes, and the distinct whine of impatient Bella told us the start of StoneCat 2013 was near!  Right on time, the runners were off, disappearing into the dark Willowdale forest.  That’s when Bella and I sprang into action!

For the next couple of hours, Bella and I leapfrogged between the aide stations.  The race staff sure got to know us and Bella loved the extra attention.  They provided hot soups, a variety of water, Gatorade, and coke, and of all things, sizzling bacon!  Bella and I cheered runners on all morning like it was our job.

Looking strong Scott!

After we saw Scott at the second aide station, I took Bella to her favorite doggie daycare.  She’d get some great play time with a bunch of her puppy friends and I’d gain some freedom to enable me to pace Scott later on.  Before I knew it, my leapfrogging and general course support was complete and my work as pacer began in earnest.  By the time Scott completed lap 3 and was ready to pick me up, the temperature had risen to well over 60 degrees.  November in New England – go figure.  Fortunately, I had packed running attire for every season.  Armed with Gatorade and Gels, I lead Scott back into the woods.  

Having run StoneCat 50 last year, I was keenly aware of the degree to which the latter miles can mess with the runners.  Hoping I wasn’t sounding like a bossy wife, I doled out advice and commands as I thought he needed.  Scott knows what to do and what not to do, but there is a certain delirium that sets in somewhere after mile 37.5….

Our lap came together nicely, neither of us fell (during that lap), and we made a great team.  I’m so glad I had my own StoneCat experience to draw from.  I think it made all the difference in the world, because…

Scott PR’d by 35 minutes!!!!!

2013:  50 miles @ 9:21 (34th place)

2010:  50 miles @ 9:54 (51st place)

A number of times on the course and afterwards, Scott thanked me.  But honestly, I was so happy to help in any way I could.  For me, what a bonus to get to support, cheer, and pace – all in the same race.

Scott had a great training cycle, was thorough in his fueling strategy, and planned for everything possible (including packing plenty of salt tablets, which were critical on this warm day).  I’m so proud of his drive, his discipline, and his strength.  And once again, as a pacer to a runner achieving a new PR, I feel like I got another small moment amongst something big for my best friend in the world.  So Scott, you did all the work…I was just there to remind you J

Friends are gifts

Last week, my nieces’ friend/classmate/fellow athlete was killed in a car accident.  She was driving with two other friends in the car, apparently lost control, and hit a tree.  She died at the scene.  Fortunately, her two friends, though injured, are expected to survive.  Unfortunately, it is believed that none were wearing seatbelts.  A beautiful young 16 year old….gone in an instant.

This terrible tragedy brought some sad memories flooding back for me.  Back when I was about 22 years old, I lost my friend Ellen in a car accident.  Driving home alone, she hit a tree located in the highway median strip.  This bright, bubbly, beautiful, funny girl was gone.  I looked up to Ellen.  She was a few years older than I and was just so great to be around.  We worked together, but we laughed together more.  On that Friday, I remember waving goodnight to her and offering the casual, “See you Monday!” It was a week before Christmas and it was far from festive, with Monday never arriving for Ellen.

I have friends who have come and gone through normal situations that are a part of life.  I have friends who I’ve reignited the flame with; I have friends I had to let go of because the relationship had grown toxic.  I have work friends, running friends, puppy friends, and of course, Facebook and Blogger friends.  I smile at the unexpected text from a friend that simply says, “Hi” or “I miss you”.  Through my old and my new friends, I feel truly blessed.  Friends like Ellen were perhaps only meant to come along in a short, but meaningful way.  Others like my nieces’ friend will stay frozen in time as a youthful 16 year old.  Both were gone too soon, but I believe both packed such a punch, that even though their lives were short in length, what they brought us was something big enough to remember for a very long time.

The other night, we had a surprise visit from a friend and her children.  Actually, we technically never saw them.  They knocked on the door and fled.  But before fleeing, they left this –

They made our night.  And I think we made theirs….by not catching them!

When we give ourselves wholeheartedly to friends and receive the same back, it’s such an amazing and satisfying feeling.  Gifts are meant for giving, but with friendship, it is meant to be given and received – at the same time.

Friends are truly gifts.