UH-OH

Emma kickin' it at the beach after Zoe and I blew up on our run.

Zoe and I took to the course yesterday morning at 0900. We hoped to run for three hours while checking out the terrain of the 30 mile fundraising run for the Congo Women. We were armed with two water bottles, three duck and potato crunchy treats and three Gu's. Zoe asked that I carry this time and she promised she had next time. As we got out onto the parking lot of the Pittock Mansion, our starting point, I realized we were at the top of a very large hill. I didn't mention this to Zoe as we made our way to the trail head. My concerns were correct, the first 2 miles of the course would be downhill, a rather steep, swithcback trail to be exact. At roughly the .5 mile point into the route we crossed Cornell and were on the familiar territory of Lower Maclay and more down hill.

We didn't let this disrupt our energetic descent and progress. After descending we, what else? started climbing again. My plan of "walking the hills" to conserve energy was out the window. I had no intention of walking the 30 miles and this is what I'd be doing with that plan. I needed another plan. Zoe suggested sucking it up and running the whole thing. We climbed to the top of Fire lane 1 then had a brief snack , drink (myself from a water bottle, Zoe opted for the mud puddle) we continued down into the canyon. Then we continued up, out of the canyon, and finally we turned around at 90 minutes. We continued out ups and downs with a low point being a very long attempt at audience participation from Cake during their rendition of their song Jolene? I can tell you the first thing after writing this blog that sucker is coming off the ipod! Painful. We finally arrived at the 2 mile UPHILL finish. We walked. I'd like to say I tried to run it. I jogged parts, but mostly I walked. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least. I'd believed I would finish this 30 mile run in five hours. Now I know I will be lucky to complete it in 6 hours. I don't even like being on my bike for six hours. This will be an accomplishment in mental strength for sure. I'm hoping on the day of the run, the companionship and cause will carry us through. In the meantime, I will not be training on the flat and easy Leif Erickson any longer. We are heading to the hills...care to join us?

Rest Day!

Today Zoe, Emma and I took a recovery walk on Leif Erickson. I felt really good after yesterday's long run and felt I could have done another 30 minutes...which is what we will do next week. The girls are going to sleep and play in the sun while I commence to many hours of studying today. Beautiful sunny day.

Slug Tempo Run

Emma stayed home dreaming of snowy hills while,rainy and cold, Zoe and I tempo-ed our way through wildwood trail. After two days off, yes, that's one too many, my legs felt sluggish and heavy. But running with music for the first time on trails...did help. My next long run is looming already only two days away! I work tomorrow and will run easy, then hills on wednesday. With only three weeks left until the Captain's exam my life is simplifying quickly. Wake up, eat, walk dogs, study, run, eat, study, make unnecessary bothersome calls to friends as procrastination tool, study more. Of course I can't help thinking about the trail run in June. I'm more excited and motivated to train for this than being a Captain...but it's also more fun.

I'm looking into renting the old firehouse for a fundraising party June 2. Anyone seeing this and wanting to attend let me know! Back to the books. Peace. K

150 minutes

Scott, Caleb and I set off at about 8am for our 2.5 hour run. We were holding just under 9minute miles on the way out and just barely over 9minute miles on the way back. Caleb had to zoom off ahead because his lungs are made from something else entirely than Scott's and mine. I think he finished the 16 miles about 15 minutes ahead of us. As for the training day I felt good. Zoe did about 20 miles and wrestled with Emma for hours afterwards...so I guess she felt good too. I must admit that I didn't accomplish much else today. I did clean the house, walk the dogs...Emma needed her turn, and avoid studying until now...well after the entry. It was really cool to have two people to run and laugh with for most of the run. I'm hoping to make that a re-occurring theme of the long run days. 60 plus degrees, the windows are open and it finally started raining a nice spring rain. Will lift weights and work tomorrow. Thanks. K

Rest

The girls and I joined Kelley for an easy 50 minute walk/jog since it was a recovery day. Emma is still not so sure 50 minutes counts as recovery. It's the second day of hitting the books hard. I hope to get at least 7 hours in today. After four hours at home I needed a little social interaction. I joined little black cat at the Albina Press for a soy latte and some light reading of assorted Chief's memos. Lovely.

long run

week two: Today Brett joined Zoe and I on an easy two hour run. Brett felt it necessary to show his superior fitness by riding to my house from Lake Oswego prior to our run as well as riding home afterwards. But this blog is about the girls...so enough about that.

Zoe was in fine form kicking mud up from beginning to end. At Ronda's advice I now give her a bit of snack when I take my gu. She seems to agree whole-heartedly with this new plan. I felt sluggish at the start of the run after hills with Caleb the day before and a squat workout two days before. But about 20 minutes into the run I felt good for the remaining hour out. Coming back the mud and hills were taking there toll. I would tire easily but recover quickly. For the last 20 minutes I felt strong and could have run another 20 minutes at least. So far the only really fatigued body part have been my feet. I'm careful to stretch those arches well after running...don't want that plantar faciitis to return!

Emma had a nice chase at the park today and enjoys her bone as I type. Zoe is under the table reminding me that dinner time is 39 minutes away. The photo is of emma and I before the run this morning. Day off tomorrow. More time for studying! Good times.

Indian Beach

Pledge

I failed to mention, if you want to pledge your money through me, for the run, please contact me by email and I will give you my address. Then I will bundle the checks and send them off. Make the checks out to Run for the Congo Women. Thank you. Have a great day.

Training Day one

Today Zoe and I hit the trail for a longish hour and forty minute run. After working two days in a row and having a pretty rough night last night; up at 1230, 3:30 and 5:45 the run was good mental practice for moving through the fatigue. I'm officially setting up the link to Run for the Congo Women for anyone who would like to donate money for the cause. Please go to the website and read about the program and the strong women it supports. Keep June open for the pre-run party and fundraiser...it'll be fun and crazy in some way...still working on that! Cheers.

http://www.runforcongowomen.org/donate.php