Salomon Demo day at Mountain Sports, LTD

 June 8th Mountain Sports held it's first Salomon Demo day and 6 mi fun run at Steeles Creek Park.
I had marked the course at steeles creek the previous day with white chalk arrows and pink streamers for each turn. It was my first "run" back since OD 100  and didn't feel to terrible.
That morning I met Tim, the Salomon Rep for our area at the store and we set up the tent and I made electrolyte drink for the run and the  post run demo/pizza party at the store.

 Tim has a cool car. :)

Then we proceeded to Steeles Creek Park and had about 50 runners come out to run the 6 miles of mostly technical single track.  Almost everyone demoed shoes, or already had on salomons and I thought that was AWESOME!! Tim also had Suunto watches for demo. Those were really popular during the demo. 

 Great looking group!!!! 

 I assigned myself sweeping duties so I could take down the streamers, pick up trash ( leave the trail nicer than I found it) AND to insure no one took a wrong turn or got lost. I had a great time doing this, and the chill pace was just what I needed. It was a great day to just be out in the woods:)

Survived the first monster climb!!! 

                               

 smiling now that they know I'm snapping pics:)

 My friend Dee and I had an amazing time on the trail getting to know each other. We finished and loaded up my car and when Tim and I pulled into mountain sports, we were AMAZED the parking lot was FULL and there weren't any parking spots!!

     so we quickly unloaded so he could set up for the demo at the store.

Tim explaining to Trevor the mantras is built on an S-LAB platform

                                                    Tim and I post demo. Happy we got such a positive response from the community.

Even Jason Suhy came to the demo AFTER he ran the varmint. I made him show me his SHEEP! 

MORE DEMO pics: 

                          the masses got to demo: XR Missions, Speedcross, Crossmax, and Mantras

                                            Like these pics so much, I'm posting some twice.

                          THEN after work ALL of the Mountain Sports LTD kids met for dinner because Whitney is going to Italy for a month! to study pottery making!!   I took my sons jack and todd with me -- they LOVE the mtn sports kids and always have so much fun with them.

        It was a great day and I'm so extremely blessed to be apart of the Mountain Sports family AND the Salomon family. So appreciative of their support and allowing me to be an ambassador for them this year.  I LOVE promoting for Salomon and exposing more people to Salomon running/suunto. Their gear really is THE BEST in the industry, I highly recommend using Salomon and suunto  gear on your next big adventure! You will immediately see the difference ( ambits-- are a way better watch than garmin ever thought of being- especially in determining vertical climbing during a run-- you can look at it on the Ambit itself mid run- and it's pretty darm accurate. Garmin- you have to go home connect it to the computer and half the time it's off- FAIL. ) The Salomon packs are light years ahead of nathan or ultra spire ( the neoprene covering on the hose for the Advanced skin 12 for instance, my water never froze all winter with this pack and I did alot of  long runs in 20F);  Salomon compression Slab series is the gold standard in compression-- with the honeycomb matrix compression it reduces the vibration and is so supportive on your muscles-- zensah and x2u?? nope.
  and I really feel Salomon shoes are the best trail shoes. No matter what distance or condition, there is a Salomon shoe that will work for you. trust me go try a pair. you wont regret it.

DNF at mile 75-Old Dominion 100- thoughts on why I failed and why i'm running it again in 2014

Sometimes even the best laid plans--- 

  I had really done my homework,  even did extra credit, studied hard for 5 months, prepared from virtually every angle , got a great nights sleep and not much test anxiety at all----  confident that things would go well for me. 

well, it's like any " final exam nightmare" The professor proctors the exam, you nervously look around at your classmates, you pick up your pencil and begin: First couple pages are a breeze, you turn the page and wait!! this was NOT in the text, was it on the syllabus?! did you miss that day? you turn to the next page, and the next.. nothing looks familiar. A pit grows in your stomach as you get that sinking feeling, although you are going to try to wing it,  that this could be bad REALLY bad for your overall grade.   :( 

That was pretty much the scenario at Old Dominion 100. I trained very hard for 5 months. I drove up during MMT and ran and drove over parts of the course, I was injury free, I ate super healthy, I tapered. I geeked out over the map, my gear, my nutrition, I assembled my rock star crew of my brother, his wife and brock, I had sophie as my "safety runner" this was going to be like clock work. Grindstone part deux. 

I knew my one disadvantage was going to be the legendary "heat" of Old Dominion 100. I had heard  stories of high drop out rates/ low finish rates. But I had a plan: I drove to asheville a couple times a month and did bikram yoga all winter and spring. I sat in the sauna and steam room ( even did some exercises in the sauna) at least once a week.  Deep down I was worried as the temperatures this spring just never seemed to warm up. We had an unseasonably cool spring in southwest Va. Even 7 days before Old Dominion, I ran bill gatton freedom 5k before the gu clinic, it was 40F at the start. 

Also, I had never ran really long distances in extreme heat.  I know 2011 Highlands sky 40 it was 80F and I was dunking my head in the ice bucket at every  aid station. The next year, it was much cooler with high 60F an I ran an hour faster. I completely attributed the weather ( and knowledge of the course) for getting in there so much faster. 

So what would 100 miles in 90F and 90% humidity feel like?? I had no idea. I had a bucket, told my crew to get ice. I made sure I had bandanas  to tie with ice around my neck. made sure i had plenty of S!caps, Gu brew tablets and filled my hydration pack with smart water. 

 I still really felt like while it would be an epic challenge and extremely hard, I knew I could finish. I'm tough. Im tenacious, I can take a beating. I can be positive when it hurts like hell and keep moving. 

  I arrived at woodstock fair grounds on Friday to pick up my number, it was 95F and the sun was just blazing. It seemed to surreal. I wondered how I would feel at 4pm 24 hrs from that point running in the sweltering heat.  I immediately dismissed it from my mind, knowing I would get that experience soon enough, no use worrying about it.
 I was great to see so many people I knew at the racers meeting. I love the "family reunion" feeling I get at ultras.  I love the community I'm apart of.  you hear that? I love you guys. all of you.
It was very interesting to get the historical background on the race. ( 2nd oldest 100 miler in the US behind Western States) and hear the founders of the race speak and tell their story.

 after the race, brock, brian, tammy and I went and ate italian and then I went back to my hotel and was in bed by 8pm. I didn't even take benedryl and I slept great.  I woke up at 1:30 ( alarm for was 2:45) so I just laid there and thought about the journey that lay ahead. 

 I checked in at 3:50, and was excited to start. It was about 67F at the start and humid.  by the time I was climbing up woodstock gap, I was drenched in sweat. 

I tried to run conservatively as I could.  I can pinpoint a couple of things I may have done wrong beginning of the race.  maybe should of dialed back my effort one min per mile slower. AND I didn't start using S!caps until about mile 20. I should of maybe started right out of the gate? 

As the sun rose and we began running on exposed roads in the sun, things just started going south as far as I began to realize I wasn't going to have a redletter day. This was going to be a HARD day.  I stopped and told my crew  at mile 31nI didn't feel right, and after wasting ALOT of time at the aid station,  let a girl from asheville pass me and I was now in 3rd place. I left with 2 popsicles, and decided to keep moving forward... things had to get better, right??  WELL I ran like CRAP this section-- saw a timber rattler at mile 38, talked a guy from Manhattan to death about the differences between southern and northern indian culture during a climb up peach orchard ( which was this burned down section of forest that was just exposed, hot as hell, looked like hell and depressing as hell)  THEN BOOM!! we started to descend-- I felt good again. I started running,  passed the girl from asheville, and was back in 2nd.. and on the hunt to get my mojo back. it was fun again. It was hot but  at the aidstations, I was just trying to tie ice around my neck and even put ice down my shirt and sports bra to just sit there and melt. try to get my core temp down.  I get back to my crew in good spirits at mile 56. 

  I go on the ATV section.. and here I realized I probably needed gaiters.. I started getting alot of sand in my shoes.  I felt the abrasion in my socks and feet almost immediately. argh!  but I run on anyway,
trying to get to my crew at mile 64. I can reflect back now and tell everyone I did NOT eat enough at this race at all. I think because of the heat, I didn't feel like eating, and because of my frazzled mental and emotional ups and downs all morning and after noon ( of me just trying to not be sick) I didn't eat my GU or real food the way I usually do for my race. I did drink alot of soda, but that most certainly was not enough calories. by 64 when I see my crew.. I'm tired, hurting, feet are blistering up and I am getting down.  I totally see  how having pacers from mile 50 on REALLY help in a 100.. because by mile 64 I was in a bad place there alone.
I pressed on to mile 75 knowing I would pick up sophie.. but things just kept going south..  blisters, I felt my hydration was WAY messed up and I was bonking my hiney off.  what do you do?  WELL, I was SUPPOSED to dig deep, be tough, over come adversity, rise to the occasion. That's what I do right? positive, bouncy jenny! Well, instead-- I mulled, I pouted, I thought about all the bad things that have happened to me in my life  , I thought about how unjust and unfair the world is even when I try to be nice, positive  to everyone-- why can't ALL people be nice to me back?  why can't EVERYONE LIKE ME BACK?  I thought about all the hours I spent away from my kids to get ready for this race, and here I was death marching and acting stupid.   and then I thought I'm just so miserable and unhappy in life that even running in the woods doesn't bring me joy anymore.  I had an episode similar to this at hellgate, only I was with mark and christian i was going off about how much I hated the devil trail and rocks,  and they made me EAT.  and immediately I started running better, but I had no sweet CAT friends to run with o tell me to eat. I just had my miserable self, my bad attitude and the mosquitos and flies tormenting me to death.  it was getting dark when I got to mile 75, I had calculated it in my mind the pace I needed to break 24-- it was doable. I could finish-- but may have to just go to the ER and get fluids and maybe cathed ( had this weird issue that developed I couldn't pee but really felt I needed to and was drinking like CRAZY--  and my bladder was extremely full and I knew it that was HELL to run with)  but I was just in such a state of dehydration, lack of calories, bad bad blisters and bunch of other issues. my brother pulled me aside and told me he was worried about me and my safety-- and I agreed.  stick a fork in me. done.  and I was relieved.  I felt I had pushed and pushed for 45 miles of feeling yucky... my body was just not cooperating.  AFTER I stopped running and was able to sit in the AC of the car and cool off, when I got back to the hotel I was able to pee. and it was ALOT ALOT and BROWN-- it was so disgusting.  my poor kidneys
 I hated dragging sophie all the way out there and she not pace me.  had I dropped earlier she could of ran with Keith. and I felt terrible about that. :( sorry keith! glad you broke 24 anyway!! you are my hero!!

 okay, so one week later-- YES I did the right think dropping. no regrets.  I had a bad day. I wasn't acclimated and didn't know how to handle extreme heat running like that. and it kicked my butt. it kicked ALMOST EVERYONE's BUTT.  and I am SUPER happy for the people who finished. That took a tremendous effort, and I can only imagine how miles 75-100 sucked hard.
do I want to run OD 100 again? YES probably next year. I feel learning the HARD lessons  I have, knowing 100% of the course--  definitely I would be stupid not to go try it again.
what did I take away from this: I'm not superhuman. I'm not bulletproof. cut me, I bleed. I have good days, I have bad days. My life isn't perfect, but neither is anyone else's.  You can work super hard and have  goals and things not work out-- that's okay it's what you do afterward that is important.. if you get knocked on your hind end to you stay on the ground? NO!  you pick yourself up, regroup and move on to the next goal. That is what I'm doing.
this summer I'm going to just geek out on Iron Mtn Trail. All. Summer. Long. if you need me, that is where I will be. running IMTR 50 end of august and pinhoti 100 in nov ( and praise the Lord it will be cooler-- even a freaky warm day will be 70F)
Thank you to EVERYONE for all the positive thoughts, messages, prayers before and after the race.  I feel so extremely blessed by the amount of wonderful people I have in my life. You all inspire me everyday to be a better me. LOVE YALL!

GU NUTRITION CLINIC AT MTN SPORTS

May 25th Mountain Sports was kind enough to let me host a Gu Nutrition Clinic at the store to promote  my nutritional sponsor for my running, GU ENERGY LABS.

I was first introduced to GU when I was a freshman at ETSU in 1997 when i ran track, fred warren the head men's golf coach gave me a case of "just plain" and "vanilla bean" and I would take them  immediately BEFORE practice or events.

Well, This company has travelled far in the past 16 yrs. Developing a range of electrolyte replacement powders, tablets, Recovery powder, gel in more solid form ( GU CHOMPS) and Gel containing Amino Acid (  GU ROCTANE) in addition to the traditional Gu formula.

Downtown Bristol was hosting a Memorial day weekend 5k called Bill Gatton Freedom 5k. This is an annual event, very well organized, it benefits MS research and MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION ( 2 WONDERFUL CAUSES)  I've seen the race participants #'s grow every year, so thought it would be awesome to have the Gu clinic in conjunction with the race. So Gu was nice enough to donate swag to the runners from the Freedom 5k who came to the clinic. These runners were gifted with not only Gu samples but their choice of  Defeet Socks with the Gu sunburst logo or a headsweats brand running cup with the GU sunburst embroidered on it. EXTREMELY NICE. THANK YOU GU ENERGY LABS!!

 I strided out the 5k in 21:25, 4th overall female ( for a 5k! ) and  won my age group. I felt good, I pushed a little at the beginning because of the cool weather I feel. it was 40F at the start ( we have had an usually cold spring until last week)  but where I was running old dominion 100 the following week, I decided to just keep it under control, and that the race was what I needed to "get the wiggles out" and spent the rest of the time after the race, telling everyone to come to mtn sports for the GU clinic.

my good friend, Kathryn and I at the finish line/awards ceremony post race. 

 I pull up to mtn sports after the race and the parking lot is already full!! ( I had set up the tent, tables  and made the GU BREW at 6am that morning with the help of mark and steve) So all had to do was get out the samples and swag and VOLIA! let the fun begin! We were absolutely slammed for a couple of hours. I never got to give a formal presentation, but each person that came through i got to explain the difference in each product and what their specific function was. Many of my friends from the running, trail running, ultra running, mountain biking and road biking communities came to the clinic that day, ( the mtn sports crew said they thought about 75-100 runners from the 5k came into the store that day alone)  and we had many different conversations about fueling and I just discussed how specifically I personally fuel during an ultra, and another conversation I felt I had over and over was the difference between GU original and Gu Roctane. 

Sampling the goods!! 

  it really meant alot to me my friends ( you know who you are !! and you guys are AWESOME) who came out to support me that day. I really hope everyone can see I'm trying to make a more positive impact by promoting ultrarunning, trail running, and just being active outside in general.  I'm Trying to get as many people involved in the sport as I can.  I know what a positive difference it's made in my life, and I just love sharing my passion with others.  I'm so grateful for my job at Mountain Sports, it never really feels like a job. Extremely happy to get to learn  all about the retail side of the outdoor industry.  LOVE IT.

let me say a couple things about GU Energy:
This is a company where GOOD people work. This isn't a huge company, yet they do BIG THINGS, and accomplish a lot.   Most of the employees are athletes just like you and me: runners, bikers of all levels of speed who just love being on the road or trail and love what they do. They were kind enough to share their swag and samples they needed for expos, tradeshows etc with me do this clinic. Because the event I did at mountain sports isn't pre packaged or "canned". It was something in the end, I completely felt  strongly compelled to do to promote for GU,  get more runners and trail runners to Mountain sports, and establish more of a community there at the store.  I am so humbled, appreciative and THANKFUL for the people at GU energy who helped make this happen and who shared so I could do this event The  GU clinic was AWESOME, I know it exposed more people to their products. SO,  my readers-- BUY GU!! because these guys are AWESOME, and make AWESOME endurance nutritional products.

Power to the Tower 50k and other adventures in OD 100 training

 its been awhile since I've updated my blog! just wanted to catch everyone up to speed for april.

 What I've been into: ran a VERY well organized first year 50k ( the non ultra distances were also held last year) put on by my good friend, phil horner, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Kingsport, Tn. The course, about 32 miles, was about 7,000 ft of climbing and about 85% single track. It was a hot day and very challenging course. I felt great and was really running well, but as the day grew warmer, I felt I needed to dial back my efforts, and once hearing I was an hour ahead of the second place female. I kinda went into training run mode. ( first hot day of the year,  ( 80F broke records for high temps that day, and I was feeling it--) took a wrong turn up the mtn about a mile from the finish and got a bonus mile my garmin was 33 miles at the finish. ended up running 6:33:46. so good for the win, great time on my feet and great heat training for OD 100. win- win.  I highly recommend this event. it's in between terrapin and promise land (phil was careful and mindful not to conflict with LUS and I feel that is commendable) ,  FUN primarily all single track, plentiful aid stations,  and the finish line was AMAZING, food, beer soda, and rocking music. 

Phil and his crew did an amazing job. It would be so awesome to see more familiar faces out there next year. I think it takes guts to undertake RDing an ultra ( and phil did a stellar job) , and i know he would greatly appreciate the support of the local ultrarunners from SWVA and NETN. So please put this on your calendars for next year. :) 

                                               love my mason jar!! :)

                                   Blurry finish line pick!! I wore my Salomon S lab 5 soft grounds for this race and  they were amazing. The S Lab series really works well for me.  I wore my Advanced skin 12 hydration pack and SOO glad I opted to carry a pack. I would of DIED out there with just a handheld.
     for my fuel, I used aidstation fare, GU roctane, GU chomps,  GU brew electrolyte tablets. ( I just eat them) and GU brew recovery drink post race. :)  took a couple S! caps during the race because it was so hot.
 I'd like to thank Salomon and GU  and Mountain Sports, LTD for all their support:) truly am appreciative for all the do for me!  Them believing in me, has given me the courage and enabled me  to chase my dreams this year. Very thankful.


  OKAY ASIDE from the 50k I've been doing alot of THIS:

AND ALOT OF THIS: 

                                             Been out there with jack and todd doing this THREE OR FOUR     EVENINGS A WEEK:

 SOME OF THIS: 

                                                     aren't they cute in their MSL hats?

ALOT, ALOT, ALOT of THIS: 

   

                                                 And then I really try to do THIS as much as I can too:

 Really excited for MAY!! I have alot of cool things coming up this month: TAPER for one! 

Pacing Marlin Yoder at MMT:) MAY25 Mtn sports and I are hosting a GU nutrition clinic following the Bill Gatton freedom 5k in downtown bristol, Va. HERE is a link to more info. Hope to see you guys there!! :) 

barkley voyeurism

  Last weekend, I had what I considered the girls trip of a lifetime. Sophie Speidel and myself drove up to Frozen head State park to help crew, spectate, camp, run and geek out at the Barkley Marathons.

This race is it's own entity. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It was created based upon a now half flooded prison located on the race course. James Earl Ray, the man who assassinated Martin Luther King Jr, escaped into the surrounding mtns. He ran for 55 hrs but only made it 9 miles away. The race director thought to himself " I could at least go 100." so thus the barkley marathon was born. "100" 60,000++ elevation on unmarked trails. One must navigate the loops with a map and compass and hit 11 controls ( books you tear out pages-- you much have 11 pages when you return from each loop to start again)  with a 60 hr cut off. And as of 2013, 14 finishers. Entering barkely --it's a well guarded secret. common knowledge it costs 1.60 and a license plate, but the only way to enter is to ask a veteran barkley racer, and 99% of the time they will lead you down a rabbit hole.

This race becomes an obsession for many racers. It's been my observation that Barkley Virgins usually have a tough time.  but they come back.. they almost always come back the years later to improve where to get credit for the fun run ( 3 loops) or to get closer to being a finisher.

The list of finishers is a compilation of what I consider athletic excellence a tier above mere ultrarunning.  Here are some finishers that I have the honor of knowing: David Horton: won hard rock 100 several times, transamercia twice, former AT speed record, PCT speed record-- THE godfather of east coast ultrarunning. Andrew Thompson:  former AT speed record holder 47 days, "do or die" style record setting, and his barkley race reports are THE BEST imo- and he has an extensive knowledge of wildflowers! When I mislabel flower pictures on FB, he is the first to help me out:P -- Jon Basham--  9th barkley finisher, former Colorado trail speed record holder, Long trail record holder, many many ultrarunning accomplishments und and helluva nice guy. (  he and his wife hilary has THE BEST aidstation at Grindstone 100-- best breakfast burrito and muffins i've had in my life!) Travis Wildeboer: adventure racer, AT through hiker, long trail record holder and now 14th Barkley finisher.

Sophie and I were full of excitement as we drove to the park, hoping for an early start so maybe we could see 2 loops. We get to the park and go to the gift shop for some goodies and trail maps.  Excitedly get to the camp ground and find the group of VHTRC runners who were running.  Gary Knipling, sophie and I almost immediately decide to go for an 11 mile trail run in the rain, so we can see some of the course terrain, quitters roads, and trails of the park.

 Quick stop to pose infront of the iconic yellow gate that is the start line/finish line

 


We had so much fun exploring! and learning!!! that was a very fun run in the rain and fog. We get back to camp and clean up, and begin to socialize during the chicken dinner! I was lucky enough to get a piece of Laz's famous chicken. THANK YOU!! It was so cool to meet so many characters that have been associated with this event over the past 15 years.  I just tried to really meet as many people as I could and wrap  my noggin around the culture of this race, and the people that are all apart of it.

 here are some pictures of camp:






That night sophie and I went to bed at 9:47 ( early) because we were anticipating the conch to blow ( after it blows, the racers have exactly one hour before start time) any time that night.. well, the night came and went and we both were up at 4 and 5AM wondering when is the race going to start?! you could cut the anticipation of the camp with a knife it was so palpable. Finally, at 8:04 the conch sounds
                          Keith and Mike ready to roll!

                              here are some start line pics:

 after the start, we cleaned up camp, and got our running clothes together so we could run to RatJaw to see the runners ( namely, the VHTRC runners keith, mike and eva) come through. Barkley has very strict rules that the race is self supported, you cant take anything from the runners, you can't give the runners anything, you can't TOUCH a runner while they are on the course,  or they may get DQed. 

 I get to the top of the mtn, and froze for couple hours with GUY and RUDY!!!

                                                 Guy and Rudy -- they aren't really  best buds-- they are just trying to keep warm!!  haha just kidding, it was cold and windy up there! and Guy didn't bring enough turkey sandwiches for everyone.. thought we were going to have a food riot up there!

 the view from the top of the climb up Rat Jaw.. this is SOOO much steeper than it looks

 Rudy is freezing so bad his teeth are chattering! 

Keith  and mike Reach Rat Jaw

 myself, Sophie and alyssa at the top of rat jaw. alyssa's husband Travis is the 14th barkley finisher. 

Then after our runners when through, we went back down the mtn ran back to camp, and stayed until Eva came through, she had a snafu with missing pages and had to go back out.  Then unfortunately, sophie and I had to cut our barkley experience short because of family obligations and it being easter the next day. I would of LOVED to have stayed there the entire race and seen nick and travis finish. However, in my heart, I know I did the right thing by being there with my kiddos Easter morning. 

post barkley impressions: WOW. anyone who finishes is not only super smart and mentally strong and can stay full on engaged for 3 days running in the woods, they are SUPER STRONG athlete. This is NOT like mindlessly following streamers in the woods. barkley is the next level of something practically unobtainable. I can easily see how people can get so fixated and obsessed with this race. 

 I will definitely be back next year in some capacity, whether crewing or......... maybe try to run a loop or two?? maybe??  probably crew and try to learn more about it. :) 

ALL IN ALL it was THE BEST girls weekend I think I could ever have. Thank you sophie for being you-- I'm so happy I can share super fun memories like this with you, and we can be dorks about ultrarunning when it's just us, and its ALL GOOD:)  ((HUG)) xoxo..