Uncharted Territory

This weekend, I'm going someplace I've never been.
 

Literally, since I've never been to the Catskills.  

And figuratively, as I'm going to compete in a race, and have never feel less prepared.

My "A" race has turned into a race.  

 

This guy?  He's totally lying.  

Survival of the Shawangunks is this Sunday.  I travel with friends to compete in a crazy weird triathlon...A bike (first?) and then four runs with three swims in between.  We carry our shoes when we swim, our goggles when we run.  You have a support crew that is there to help pick up your bike and keep you moving.

And we ONLY MOVE FORWARD.  No going back to home base.  

One way up.  

To the top of Mohonk Mountain.  

In a metaphorical sense, I'm moving into unknown waters in my life, too. 

I've created circumstances that forced change quickly.  Every place I'm going right now is new. 

Pretty scary.  My story is unfolding, whether I'm ready to turn the next page or not.  

I have friends and family to help me navigate the waters without drowning, to pick up my pieces.  So, there's that.  

I've never felt less prepared. But.  I can only move forward.  One way up.  So I can see the horizon again sometime. 

Falling down

This quote...I've always loved it.  I've given it on cards to friends.  I have written it in my journal.  But there's also been something about it.  I want it to say that taking risks is part of life.  It's part of living.


And you don't ALWAYS fall down.  Sometimes, the risks you take have immediate rewards.  




Sometimes, you make yourself uncomfortable and reach out to a new person.  
And you end up with a friend.

Once in a while, you attempt to do something you thought you could not.  

But you can. 

A scary opportunity comes your way, and you run towards it instead of away.  
And it makes you happy.    

You decide to trust someone with your heart, and it is justified.  

Taking risks is part of life.  It's part of living.  The leap of faith is scary...If you fall, get back up.  But you might not even stumble when you land on the other side.  Either way, find your stride and run towards the next daring adventure.  

There.  That's better.  

Shadow of a Doubt

Cast a Shadow Snowshoe Race Report
You are warned...I write too many words...
Saturday, February 7th, 2015

Saturday was the 10th running of Goose Adventure Racing's Cast a Shadow Race.  This crew puts on a solid set of races, and CAS is no exception. The format?  A 6 hour race.  There are relay teams and a solo division.  If Punxsutawny Phil doesn't see his shadow, only laps that are complete before the 6 hour mark count.  If he does...tadah!!  Any lap that starts BEFORE the 6 hours counts.  As long as you finish it.

Danielle and I after the 2014 relay.

Last year, I did the relay with friends Jenn Mullen and Danielle Snyder.  Our team was "First Step is a Doozy!"  And it was.  We had a fine time freezing and heating up and sweating and changing clothes and eating.  That's what happens in a winter relay, right?  I remember looking at the solo
racers and thinking...those people are nuts.  7 people completed a marathon or more.  What? (P.S. I like crazy).

When I laid out my plan for 2015, there was no hesitation, I'd do the solo division of Cast a Shadow.  And my goal would be a marathon.  Because who doesn't do a marathon?  In February.  On snowshoes?  Going into the race, I had a terrible 15 mile run in one back pocket, and a great 18 mile run in the other.  18 miles.  My longest ever on trails.  Hmm.  The week of the race, snow fell.  And fell.  My goal of 26.2 or more...hmmm.  My left hip flexor hurt.  Why, oh WHY did I tell ANYONE my quiet goal of a marathon? Hmm.

Night before the race...4 boys in my house, didn't go to sleep until 2am.  I woke up at 6 to register for ANOTHER snowshoe race.  Good lord.  I would run for longer than I slept.  Shit.

I had put my goal into writing to my friend Mort.  An average 12 minute pace.  45 total minutes of rest, sock changes, potty stops.  Sounded reasonable.  Race day text:  "how do you feel about knee deep snow?"  Great.  Freakin' great.  At least Phil has seen his shadow...extra time for me!

ALL of these people passed me.  Photo:  Ron Heerkens, Jr.

The race began at 2pm.  Light snow fell as we lined up at the start...well, no one really lined up at the start.  NO ONE.  Hell.  Someone should.  So, Robin, Mike M and I moved up.

Here's the start...See all those people behind me?  They all passed me.  That's okay.  I looked really good for Ron's camera for 12 meters or so.

Getting some motivation.  Photo Credit:  Ron Heerkens, Jr

Each loop was...2.3 miles?  Or so?  I don't know.  It didn't matter.  The temperature was good, the snow stopped.  People were happy.  Chatting.  At the end of loop 1, I gave the crew some entertainment.  Falling up the hill.  And AGAIN on loop 2.  I took another racer down with me.  Couldn't let her pass me while I was down, right?  I stopped every loop.  Got high fives.

Took some water, some calories every so often.  Changed my socks...They were sopping wet.  Blah.


2 hours in, 10 miles.


Somewhere around loop 5, the little gaiters I wore started to shred.  And bounce around.  Fill up with snow.  And get tight.  Efff.  This became some stupid thing to focus on.  My pebble.


Each loop, I stopped and adjusted them like 92 times.  No kidding.

Photo Credit: John Greene

Loop 8?, and we had to put our headlamps on.  I put mine on my head.  But didn't turn it on.

When I tried, it didn't TURN ON.  Perfect. Progressively darker on that loop, I stumbled, got mad.  Frustrated.  Deer darted in front of me, jacking my heart rate up.  I fell down, 3 times that loop.
When people passed me, I gratefully stepped aside.

4 hours in, 19 miles.  More than I'd ever run on trails!

That was not the case Saturday.
Snowshoes do not look good

Sometime after that, I had my moment with the damn gaiters.  I *might* have overreacted.  I ripped them off in a panic.  Well, halfway off.  THESE were the things that were slowing me down, not my tired legs.  Get them OFF.   Luckily, someone came to my aid, saved me from the evil things.

The rest of the Roads are Poison team, the other racers, friends who came out to watch, Ron the super photographer.  They saved me, too.  One helped me dress, one was on the course all 6 hours.  The others cheered and encouraged.

su-weet!!

Around 5 hours in, I figured it out.  I was going to make it.  I passed Greg, and asked "Is this damn thing over yet?"  "No", was all he said.  I told him then, though, that I was going to hit 26.2  I was at 24 and change.  I couldn't wait to see him on the next loop.

At 5:58, I let out a rebel yell (I DID go to school in New Orleans).  I stopped and made a snow angel at 26.2 miles.  I had done it!!  Crap.  I was still more than a mile from 'home'.  No matter.  I ran the last mile in slowly, but happily.  I saw Greg for the 17th time (or so), and shuffled in.  Every step I took set a new distance record for me.

Humble to be part of this group...several folks did 30 miles!!
The rest of us did 27.5 ish.  Whoohoo!

There were several times I did not think I was going to make it.  Before the race.  And especially during the hours in the dark.  You can prepare and plan.  But inevitably, doubt will creep in.  The people you have around you that believe in you, they know the truth.  But you cannot see it until it's done.  And it was done.

My Garmin said this...I set no land speed records, for sure.  But I achieved my goal.  Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this was one of my favorite days.  I got to spend hours with friends, outdoors, being challenged to keep moving forward toward perceived limits.

Happy Turtle

Midway through last year, I declared (to ALL 4 people that were listening) that 2015 was to be The Year of the Trails.   I wanted a change.  Was I burnt from triathlon?  No, not really.  It's not like was training at top intensity all the time.  I was doing fine, racing pretty well.  I completed my second iron distance tri.  But I did desire something new.  I wasn't quite a Phil, but I wanted to be more Phoenix.

Trail butts at Lucien Morin

Metta and Nellie in the ADKs

As soon as Ironman Coeur d'Alene was complete, I took off my watch and switched my shoes.  I re-discovered the abundance of local parks on foot and on bike.  I took off the watch at first, and just ran. Through meadows and puddles, over hills and bridges.  Sometimes with friends, sometimes with just my dogs. Headlamps, traction, whatever.   

Getting off the road has made running feel new again.  I had lost motivation to get out and run. It had begun to feel like a chore.  And now, I take every chance to get out for a run on the trails.  I feel like a kid, playing in the woods.  Splashing across a creek.  Getting a little bit lost.   Made now Angels.  Had great conversations, deep and funny.  I have met more good people to call my friends.  Taken trips just to see new trails.  Explored places I wouldn't have gone.

Sunrise on the Crescent Trail

Not everything is perfect.  I'm slower than I used to be.  I know, you can't compare trail times to road paces.  But even compared to the trail runs I did a year ago, I'm much slower.  I'm afraid to get on the road with my speedy friends.  I still hurt myself...rolled ankles, sore muscles, strained hip flexors. Running takes a little more planning...sometimes a map, and I can't just walk out my door.  I fall down.  I definitely fall down.  

 

happy like this guy

But it's worth it.  

My Garmin tells me my pace is slower.

My head tells me I'm running for different reasons.
My full heart tells me I'm happy.

A happy turtle.

A happy trail turtle.

Irondequoit Bay

This year, I built a plan for my racing that started out with a 5K snowshoe and finishes up with a 50 mile trail run.  Everything on my calendar has dirt in it. Even for Seneca7, my team let me have the leg that goes off-road.  A dirty girl? That's right.  

Want to hit the trails?  There are many great options. #TrailsROC has weekly group runs and GREAT races all year. Medved hosts group trail runs in the spring, as well as an offroad race.  Goose Adventure Racing has an exciting race calendar.  Fleet Feet hosts many trail races and runs throught the year.  Finger Lakes Runners Club has a robust calendar, as well!  Come play in the dirt.  Be a happy trail turtle.

No need to go around the puddle.  

How long has this been here?

Reading This Makes Ewe Smart

Smart sheep make good stuff - SmartWool gear review I

I attended the Medved Winter Open House in December, where the theme of the day was "WE DON’T HIBERNATE!!”  There, the SmartWool tech rep  Brandon Lee talked about the heritage and technology that SmartWool is putting into their product lines.  Specifically, the PhD lineup.  This line is designed to keep you comfortable from head to heel in all kinds of conditions.  Brandon kept coming back to ’98.6’…meaning the pieces are all meant to keep your body temperature regulated and dry.  The wicking properties of wool are pretty amazing, too…I've come back with fuzzy ice on the outside of my shirt, but I’m comfortable on the inside.  Go Far.  Feel Good.

Don't be this guy

Last month, I published “My Favorite Things – Winter 2015 Edition”, where I picked three pieces of gear that I couldn't live without this season.  In addition, I've have worn at least one piece of SmartWool every single day for the past month. Why?  I am in love with this company.  From their socks to their sheep to their ethics.    So, here are three products I have put to the test.

1. The PhD Run Wind Tight (~$140)  To reiterate my love for these pants (they are one of my 3 favorite things this winter)…these tights incorporate windproof panels in the front to keep your muscles toasty.  The fabrics used are a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers – taking advantage of the best of both worlds.    Read a little more here.  The details include reflective zippers at the ankle, as well as several other accents to keep you visible.  And the back pocket can hold my iPhone4 and my car key securely.  These tights are worth their price tag.  They really are.  I've worn them for at least 20 outside workouts, and I can’t complain about anything.

   

   Hill Repeats (AKA sledding)

2. The PhD NTS Light 195 Wind Zip Shirt (~$120)  SmartWool’s baselayer collection is classified by the weight of the fabric per square meter.  The 195 g/m2 is considered their ‘lightweight’ fabric.  It’s soft, stretchy, and conformable.  Then, add the cute patterned wind panel in the front and you've got a really versatile piece.  I've worn it as a base layer under a windproof jacket for colder days (we've had a lot of them!), and alone on days 25 deg+.  The zipper is large enough to make a difference, so you can cool down when things heat up. 

   

   This is NOT me.  I just couldn't find anyone
   to take my picture at 5am this morning!!!

3. 3)      The PhD HyFi Training Headband (~$30)  Unless it’s REALLY cold, I tend to prefer headbands over hats.  My other headbands are all fleece…and while warm, don’t stay in place very well, and tend to get sweaty.  Also, my ponytail can go wherever it wants!  So, this piece has gotten a lot of play.  It’s snug but doesn't make my eyes pop out, and keeps my ears warm.  Also, it prevents that stupid mark I’d otherwise get from my head lamp on morning runs.  Vanity. 

   

   sporting the HyFi at Frozen Assets (Photo:  Ron Heerkens, Jr)

These three pieces all get an A rating from me.  And while the SmartWool pieces may cost more, I think they earn their keep in my collection.  

Adventure Awaits...Get Lost!

Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures

Recently, on a cold, windy, craptastic day, I skipped my workout, ate poorly, and proceeded to beat myself up about a few things.  It was a Phil day.  Definitely not a phoenix day.  I sat at my soul-crushing cubicle (yes, I was feeling that dramatic) and saw my coffee cup. 

So.  What.  But it was a coffee cup given to me by a friend.  And it was filled with coffee that Bob made for me that morning.  From a French press (which is the best way to make coffee)  that I use because that’s how my mom makes coffee.  Coffee that conjures memories of time with my sisters, my track-biatches, my friends. 

And then I told myself to get over myself.  And I did.  I posted on Facebook a single question: “What simple pleasure will keep you sane today?”

My answer was good coffee in a fancy up and polka dots.  

Seriously.  That is what I found pleasure in at that moment. 

More than two dozen other responses filtered in…

Zappa…putting away Christmas things…running…eating chicken pot pie…looking at the snow…talking with friends…sharing a cup of coffee. 

A quote that I like came to mind throughout that day.   Life doesn't have to be perfect.  Some days suck.  But there are moments when you can decide to see simple pleasures around you for what they are.  Little gifts that you can accept. 

Want a cup of coffee?

Are you Phil or the Phoenix?

Every morning.  No matter if you want it or not.  A new day starts.  Sometimes, it feels like you’re stuck reliving the same crap you went through the day before.  And sometimes, it’s a new beginning.  Which is it today?  What will it be tomorrow?

I’ve gone through times in my life, like most people, when I have felt like  Phil Connors in Groundhog Day.  

When you don’t want to get out of bed.  

You don’t want to go to work.  

It seems like there’s really no point.  

The same stupid things will happen.   

You will get to the end of the day and feel like nothing really changed.  

don't let the rodent set your direction

And then, you go to bed knowing what it will feel like in the morning.  Crazy like Bill Murray’s hair.  As stupid as letting Punxsutawney Phil drive your car. 

For me, thankfully, those times haven’t last long.  I feel bad that it generally takes me a while to identify that I've fallen apart, and my family and friends around me have been picking up the pieces for me.  Thanks to good people and good medicine, usually, I've been able to get out of my own way.  

burnt out, or burn up?

Then, there are the days when I wake up and I know that I can leave yesterday behind.  Because I am the bird instead of the rodent.  Do you have those days?  The days where you know you can redefine yourself if you want.

The legend of the phoenix is pretty compelling. The phoenix dies by fire, in most stories.  It is reborn from the ashes of it's former self. This is how the beginning of a day should feel.  It's the reason that I feel compelled to wait for the sun to rise and kindle the fire within me. So I can burn up and start again.    

I admire those around me who have redefined themselves. They have gotten burnt out in a bad cycle, but also burned up like the legend of the phoenix.  They set a new direction for themselves.  A friend left the corporate world and started her own business.  My sister followed a dream and moved overseas.  Another got out of a relationship that was destroying her family.  Left a job that sucked.  And on and on.  

Tomorrow, February 2nd is Groundhog Day.  When you wake up, will you be Phil, or will you be the phoenix?  Either way, it is what you do each day that matters most.  If you do the same things, you'll feel like Phil.  If you choose to rise up and attack the day, you can be the phoenix.  

My favorite things...Winter 2015 Edition

My plan is to profile a few of my favorite items each season, and here is the first edition!

This winter has been a challenging one here in Rochester.  It got off to a mild start, but has progressed to be one of the most bitterly cold seasons in a quite a while...

There have been many days where miles run exceeded the average temperature at which I ran them.  

While the weather has made some folks retreat indoors, you CAN negotiate winter with a few key pieces.  Here are 3 of my top picks for this season...there's still time to find them at your local store to get the best out of the next month or two and be ready for the next winter, too.  

1)  My Buff!!

If you don't know what a Buff is, you need to.  A very simple concept...a seamless tube of material...that can be turned in a bazillion different things.  Most of the time, I use this as a face mask, but I have also turned it into a beanie cap, a head band, and a balaclava.  

A few of the suggested ways to wear a Buff

I have three different Buffs...the Classic, the Reversible Polar, and one from the National Geographic series.  Here I am with my tie dyed Classic, and my black reversible Buff.  Both have been invaluable this winter.  They keep my face protected from the wind, and warm my breath on the coldest days to make my lungs happier.  The Reversible is so warm, I have only worn it running on the coldest of days, and use it quite happily during downhill skiing.  

20 degrees and off for a run

10 degrees and happy on XC skis

2) My Kathoola MICROSpikes!!

The Kathoolas helping me negotiate some snowy steeps.  

Last year, I bought these beauties...

Look at that GRIPTION!  (yes, it's a real word.  ask my son)

They are not cheap, but worth the dollars.
My MICROSpikes have accompanied me on nearly every trail run this winter.  I've climbed snowy rollers, icy steeps, and traversed packed flats.  The spikes have helped me keep my footing on some pretty gnarly.  I love them!!  This past weekend 6 out of 8 people who ran 18 miles with me had them on.  They are more aggressive than my YaxTrax Run traction, and perfect for winter trail or packed snowy sidewalks and roads.  NOTE:  You don't want to wear these on dry pavement for very long, but they are easy to slip on and off if needed.

3)  My SmartWool Phd Run Wind Tights

HOLY MOLY.  These things are good.

I attended a Winter Workshop at Medved Running and Walking Outfitters (my local run shop in Pittsford, NY) last month.  The regional tech rep for SmartWool, Brandon Lee, was one of the speakers.  He extolled the virtues of the super smart sheep...

Brandon talking wool

Metta LOVES when I do this.

Did you know ONE Merino sheep can make 42 SmartWool socks??  Or 14 shirts?

The wool used by SmartWool is Merino wool.  For 20 years, the company has some beautiful ways to use the best of what nature has to keep me dry, comfortable, and warm.

So, I decided I needed to expand my horizons beyond the SmartWool sock.  I DO rock their socks, btw.  So does my dog.

I got myself some essential pieces.  I have happy things to say about all of them.  But I HAVE to tell people about the SmartWool PhD Wind Tight.  I have worn the tights for almost every run I've done over the past three weeks.  They have been downhill and cross country skiing with me, hiking, and biking.  I think I tallied a full days worth of hours in them so far. The best things about these tights:

• The extra wind panel in the front has kept me warm on runs down to 0 degrees F.  Previously, I've had to wear two pairs of tights.  No joke.  You know when you put these on there is something different.  They block the wind from your quads and knees.  Two places where I've come back from a run pink and cold.  
• I wore the tights for a collective 10 hours (or so) before I washed them.  They didn't smell.  Nope.  They were just dirty...salty...and needed a bath.  Then I wore them for another 10 hours and washed them.  They kept their shape and elasticity perfect during those hours and after washing.  Did I say they didn't stink?  My lycra tights would have by then.  
• The waist panel is nice and wide, with a drawstring.  Incredibly comfortable, with no hitching up needed.  They don't roll when you sit down.  They are cut really well. 

YOU NEED THESE TIGHTS.  I promise.  They won't help you out of bed on a cold morning, but you'll feel much better when you're out in the cold dark windy mornings.  You'll stay happy longer with that cute little man on your legs.   

Night climbing at my local ski hill.

It's cold? You don't say... (week in pictures)

This week in Rochester, Winter (with a capital W) kicked in.  Snow, bitter cold temperatures, wind chills below zero.  You know what?  Bring it!!  A lot of the people in my circles don't hibernate.  They put a bunch of clothes on and go outside.  This is what this week looked like for my friends...

Bob sports his ice beard...

#TrailsROC on the canal training for Beast of Burden

Medved Hot Chocolate Runners

Winter Warriors braving the cold (and then dark) half marathon conditions

My own winter adventures started Saturday, Jan 3rd, with a trip to Harriet Hollister Spencer Park for Frozen Assets 'snowshoe' race.  While there wasn't enough snow for the snowshoes, we all strapped on our spikes and ran in the woods.  It's a great course, winding through a gem of a state park.  Great views of Honeoye Lake partway through, too.  

Then, my family suited up for some runs at Bristol Mountain.  Jackson and Emmett have been skiing for the past two seasons, and we'll head to Vail later this year.  Need our ski legs!!

Bristol Mountain

Sunday dawned (well, it was before dawn), and I had somehow convinced a handful of people to explore the Crescent Trail.  Ostensibly, it was to celebrate a moment of weightlessness and sunrise starting one minute earlier...The trail wasn't sporting much snow, but it still felt like winter out there.  Here is the crew, enjoying 'zero gravity' on the top of Chair Hill on the trail.  

floating!

I took a few days to recover, and do some indoor swimming and biking.  Because gravity was still in effect.

No track work for my Wednesday #runninginovals crew, which is the normal routine.  So I took to the trails of Ellison and enjoyed the fresh snow and moonlight.  I didn't even need my head lamp. Which is good.  Because the batteries died.  The girls and I (Nellie and Metta) even got to bump into two friends out there, as well.  

frosty paws

Next up was Wednesday's Hot Chocolate run at Medved.  There were some warriors that came out to brave the snow.  Good stuff. Snot icicles and all.  

Ninja Bank Robber Runners

everything is frozen!

Friday was a trail run with my friend Athena at Tryon in the morning.  So cold, though, that Athena's phone couldn't even take pictures.  But the conditions were great!  Downhill skiing in the evening, which is where the photo of snow-beard-Bob comes from.

 

Saturday brought a run with the Medved winter training group on the canal (with a great sunrise) and a trip to Harriet Hollister Spencer park to enjoy some XC skiing, running, and sunset watching...

sunrise on the canal

The sunrise was astounding...as you likely know, I am in love with sunrise.  The world gets a 'redo' every.single.day.





I'm really not so good at XC skiing, but it's fun, and such hard work.

*must* selfie

first time on these in a year

ten feet tall

And it's time to 'chill' now

So.  The thing is.  You just have to get out there.  And I'm glad that some of my friends and my family are just as happy to have winter here with us again.   My tribe doesn't hibernate.  And neither do I.