Destin part 1

   The Destin Beach Ultra weekend isn't all about crazy long distance running. To kick the weekend off there is a 5k race for family, friends and crew to enjoy the sun and sand Saturday morning. My friends Diane and Kent who drove in from Louisiana to help crew and my husband all joined in the fun and got those first early miles in on the sand. I watched and helped out the race director, Zane, handing out finisher medals. It was such a beautiful morning with perfect temperatures and conditions. I just couldn't help but think to myself this is shaping up to be a great day. As my crew finished their run they enjoyed a few post race beers and we were off to take on the rest of this perfect day.

    Kent accompanied me to the packet pick up and trail brief at 11am, I think under strict orders from my husband/coach to make sure I didn't use too much energy. The Destin Beach Ultra has created so many long lasting friendships for me and I always enjoy catching up and seeing my long distance family. After that it was back to the condo for my power pre race lunch and nap before the 4pm start. The weather was still picture perfect and beautiful. I was actually a little jumpy, nervous and excited thinking this was shaping up to be a record breaking day! I really wanted the chance. Wow, it's surprising to see how fast the weather can change.

The start time temperature was a perfect 61 with gorgeous full sun, falling into clear skies and nighttime temperatures of 42. I've been on the sand several times before and trained for every detail of this course, I was ready for this race. Ok, because I don't live right on the coast line I did forget one thing...the Wind! The full brute force of Mother Nature and her howling screaming wind decided to pay us a visit. It is extremely hard to train for that kind of strong coastal wind.

 

    When the race began at 4pm it was high tide. Everyone was having a difficult time picking a line to run for the one mile out and back course. If you ran high on the beach you were in the deep fluffy powdery sand or you could run low and deal with the strong surf and your feet staying wet. I chose to stay up higher on the beach. My plan was to break the milage up into smaller parts, finishing every 20 miles under 4hours. Starting out it takes me awhile to settle into a good rhythm. I wasn't worried about losing a little time in the wind because I knew I could make it up on the second set of 20 miles especially since everyone said the wind wouldn't last that long. The wind was a steady 22-25mph with gusts up to 30. I couldn't even hear my crew talking to me unless I was right next to them. Wearing clear vision glasses at night helped protect my eyes from the wind and blowing sand. Talk about a free spa treatment of sea salt and sand microdermabrasion! I came through the first 18 miles in 4:28 and that was not a good start. But I remained focused, positive and determined to push through. I was told that 4 people had already dropped out of the race after only 5 hours. Wow it had only just begun! My legs were really starting to feel the effects of the deep sand and wind pushing me back. I had to figure out quickly how to conserve energy, I decided to power walk into the wind then at the turn around run with the wind at my back hopefully making up some time. Not enough time though, after 7 hours I was still way behind schedule to break the course record or even get close to it at this point. Finding out 3 more people had dropped out, I readjusted my goals trying to stay strong and positive. High tide was receding and exposing the hard compacted sand so it was time to try and take advantage of this new running surface. I got a second "wind" even though Mother Nature wasn't letting up. I had completed 58 miles in 14:30, the sun was rising with a new day ahead and the wind decided to calm down. Finally WooHoo! With a smile on my face all I could do at this point was keep moving forward. My legs were trashed and I was beaten down by the night's constant wind. My crew kept me going throughout the night with hot food and drinks and always encouraging me forward. By 1:30pm on Sunday only 2 1/2 hours remained in the race I was at 78 miles. Digging deep my new goal was to reach 90 miles. My feet had been wet for awhile now and I was feeling a blister begin so I took the time to change into dry socks. It was a big relief but it also cost me some time on the course. No worries though, I knew if I kept up a steady pace I was going to be the Female Winner. I crossed the finish line with 84 miles completed. I was the female winner and 3rd place overall. 

    Stay tuned Destin part 2 blog.... My Amazing husband and crew and Paige the inspiration that pushed me throughout the night. 

Ok here's the deal....

    Training is finished. It's time to rest and do the taper thing, no more early morning long runs, no more speed workouts and no more 1am treadmill runs. I have dedicated an entire year of hard training and sacrifice for this one specific 24 hour run. The goal - to break Connie Gardner's 116 mile record. My races last year have all been training runs, always keeping my eye on the prize... The Destin 24 Hour Event. I will give everything I have and pour all of my energy into this run with every stride. There have been days I'm afraid I may falter and just as many days that I am absolutely confident in myself and my ability to break this record. On Feb 14th starting at 4pm, I will leave it all out there on the sand, my heart, my soul and my guts. In 24 hours I will find out my limits and learn a little more about myself. Win, lose or draw, I will not look back and say what if... there will be no regrets. I know I've trained and worked to the very best of my ability! With all that confidence said... Ready Set Go! 

Houston Marathon

  As a child, I grew up on hog farm in a small town in Michigan. I remember always looking up in the sky when a plane would fly by and my dream was to one day become a flight attendant and travel the world. I worked very hard and never lost sight of my dream and I was able to achieve that goal. Dreams do come true, they require effort and most importantly a belief in yourself. 

   Another dream of mine came true on Jan 19, 2014 when I completed my 10th Houston Marathon in a row to earn the Houston Marathon Veteran status. Being a marathon veteran doesn't give you any special super powers, but I did receive a really cool, totally awesome long sleeve shirt with 10 hash marks on the arm sleeve. 

   The Houston Marathon weekend starts out with the expo on Friday and Saturday and the race on Sunday morning. There are plenty of vendors selling everything from shoes, clothes and gear to multitudes of running knickknacks and baubles. Bring your credit card and stay awhile for your gear shopping dream. There is plenty of information available about upcoming events around the country. The local running groups are also represented, so you get to catch up with people you haven't seen in a year. That is always fun because of the shared crazy passions for running. This year was my 11th Houston Marathon so I finally got to wear the special veterans bib preprinted with my name and the 10 years as a participant.

It didn't help me run faster but it did give me an extra smile for the effort. Sunday morning at 4:30am my friend Kevin showed up at our doorstep to drive my husband and I downtown to the Convention Center for the start of the race. A benefit that is greatly appreciated and a treat not to have to deal with traffic and parking. Another huge hug and thank you Kevin! It's a tradition he has done with me every year that I have participated. It should also be pointed out that Kevin is not really an early morning guy! It makes his efforts that much more special. He also follows me around the course to 5 or 6 different spots cheering me on with his great enthusiasm. 

    I ran the Marathon this year with a fellow runner and the founder of the Snowdrop Foundation, Kevin Kline. He was pacing a young lady, Lisa, who flew in from Michigan to run her very first marathon and they asked me to tag along for awhile. We all ran together and got to know each other a little better. Around the halfway point I gave them a few more words of encouragement and left to run ahead. This was a training run for me, getting some good work in for my big goal race in Destin. I did make my required stops for a beer at the Michelob Ultra beer truck at mile 21 and at mile 25 for another beer with the Harley Davidson group. WooHoo! Traditions make everything better. I always feel a special excitement seeing so many spectators along the course cheering the runners and calling out their names. Wow, very inspirational! I saw and ran next to some of the other veterans who were wearing bibs that had 26, 30 and even 35 years of running. Very Cool! Maybe some day I'll get there too, dreams and passions are amazing to have, just believe in yourself. When I crossed the finish line a volunteer put a finisher's medal around my neck and congratulated me on a great race. I picked up my finishers tech shirt, a commemorative etched mug and got my picture taken. Number 11 complete!! Can't wait for next year. Sign me up, I still have a ways to go to get to that 30 year Bib!

   A very special Congratulations to Lisa on completing her very first marathon and to Kevin Kline for pacing her and allowing me to be a small part of her experience! 

Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Team

      I hope my race report was informative and maybe even inspired a few others to consider participating in one way or another at the next 55 Hour  event at the end of the year. You can find out more about the event at snowdropfoundation.org

    I need to give special thanks to each of the many volunteers who worked around the clock and made this event so incredible while keeping in mind the purpose and children of the Snowdrop organization. Everyone of them provided the runners with smiles, encouragement and the ability to solve any problems necessary while making each and every runner feel like they were All there for them personally! That can be a tall order and not always easily done. Truly an amazing group of people.

Kevin and Trish Kline -creators of The Snowdrop Foundation

Patty Godfrey -Race Director 

Kevin Godfrey - Chuckwagon Chief Cook

Robert Smith with TTR chip timing and crew

The medical aid staff 

The crew who worked exceptionally hard getting the course repaired from the rain 

All of the other volunteers who worked tirelessly as well 

My husband and I will be back next year to run again and to help raise funds for this amazing cause. 

To all of the volunteers who I could not mention by name, we will make it our goal to meet each one of you, thank you and not forget your names.

See you in December!

The Buckle

       Beyond any realm, reach, or reality.... completing 100 miles with my husband, going stride for stride and crossing the finish line to earn our belt buckles together was truly an awesome and unforgettable experience. 

 The Beginning ......

  ** In 1955, the late Wendell T. Robie with a party of five horsemen rode the Western States Trail from Squaw Valley, Ca over the northern Sierra Mountain Range to Auburn, Ca proving that horses could still cover 100 miles in one day. He subsequently founded the Western States Trail Foundation and organized the annual Western States Trail Ride, also known as the Tevis Cup “100 Miles – One Day” Ride. The prize for crossing the finish line was a handmade belt buckle. In 1974, Tevis Cup veteran Gordy Ainsleigh joined the horses of the Western States Trail Ride to see if he could complete the course on foot. Twenty-three hours and forty-two minutes later Gordy arrived in Auburn, proving that a runner could indeed traverse the rugged 100 miles in one day. Receiving his belt buckle prize. In 1977, 14 men from four states participated in the 1st official Western States Endurance Run, which was held in conjunction with the Tevis Cup Ride. Now the two events are held on separate weekends. The Western Stares Endurance Run is the oldest, most sought after and one of the hardest 100 mile races. Aways reaching its full entrance quota and draws athletes from across the nation and around the world. All trying to collect a belt buckle of their own. 

  ** the above paragraph was taken in part from the Western States Endurance Run website WSER.org  

    Trail running has evolved and become a popular way to test the limits of the human body and spirit. Now running a 100 miles in most race events allows you a more lenient cut off time to still receive a prized belt buckle.

  

 My belt buckle was earned at a very unique and amazing event. The Snowdrop Ultra 55 Hour Race allows all entrants plenty of time (55hrs) to run, walk or crawl to 100 miles. The Snowdrop Foundation helps raise awareness and funds for Pediatric Cancer Research at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.