It's Only UP from Here

Today, many runners fulfilled a running dream by finishing the Boston Marathon.  Congratulations to all of them.

Speaking of dreams, the past few weeks have left me feeling as if I must be dreaming. 
Here's why:

---after surviving the epic Diablo Trails Challenge, I flew back from CA (and all of its unusually rainy weather) and was greeted to 3 inches of snow at home the next day.
---three days later, Hubby & I flew across the country again and drove to Zion National Park for a week of hiking and becoming reacquainted with the sun (FINALLY restoring my Vitamin D levels).
--- immediately after flying back home across the country, we did three work- & family-related driving trips to Philly in two weeks.
---a couple of friends are trying to survive difficult personal situations right now, and I pray that, in time, they will be strong and heal.
---a family member, who I, sadly, had not spoken to in several years, needed emergency cardiac bypass surgery last Thursday (we have spoken now and, thankfully, he is doing OK).
---then there's the not-so-insignificant 6 inches of rain that have fallen at home in just over the past 2 weeks; we usually get less than 4 inches in the entire month! We are supposed to get another inch and a half tomorrow :( (my "Big White-turned-Wet-Ball Theory lives on!)

In summary:  I'm exhausted.

The dream has not turned into a nightmare.....yet.

I have been able to get some running in, and I did get to experience almost 55 miles of beautiful hiking in Zion National Park, part of the reason I'm still able to smile :).



This guy makes me smile
Antelope Squirrel - so cute!
Near Red Rock Canyon Nat'l Conservation Area, NV, April, 2011



Running on the trails of our local Water Authority
April 15, 2011

Today, I realized that I needed the following:

Note to self:

WAKE UP!  WAKE UP!  It's time to get into SERIOUS training mode if you are going to be able to get your a$$ up to the top of Pikes Peak in August!

In late March, you became an OFFICIAL entrant, qualifying with a "trailturtle" time in the Big Sur International Marathon in 2009, and your dear husband experienced a brief moment of insanity when he agreed to "run" the Pike's Peak Ascent with you.  Wait 'til he finds out what you've gotten him into THIS TIME.  Yes, you've been through a lot of adventures together, and he THINKS he knows what it means to have YOU as his "ball and chain"...but...if you don't start the serious training NOW......

.......ohhh, let's not think about THAT; let's be optimistic and say:

It's Only UP from Here*:

*The Start--Manitou Springs, CO  Start Line Elevation 6,300 ft

The Finish--Top of Pike's Peak, CO  Finish Line Elevation 14,050 ft (Summit Elevation: 14,115 ft)

The Event--Pike's Peak Ascent**

The Distance--13.32 miles

**The Ascent has very few stretches which are not going uphill with the average percent grade being 11%.

The Date--August 20, 2011 

The Official Header - Thank God I am doing the "Ascent" and ONLY have to go UP 7,815 ft!



The Pike's Peak Ascent Route

So there you have it--my nemesis for the next four months of training.  Wish me luck. 
I'll be putting up the more relevant training details/goals as they happen.
In a nutshell, I'll be trying to improve my mile and 5K speed so that I can cover the first 1.5 miles of the course to the best of my ability and minimize the bottleneck slowdown that will occur once I reach the trail, as well as improve my hill climbing ability and endurance through running/power walking hill work outdoors/on treadmill, stairclimbing/Stairmaster, and cycling/Spinning.  After the first mile, the next 3 miles average 13.4% in grade so I will need to be in peak power climbing shape!!!! Just thinking about 3 miles of over 13% grade and the word "endurance" sends my purebred sprinter 90 percent fast-twitch muscles into spasm.

Anybody else out there in Blogger Land (besides Jill-I hope) crazy enough to be doing this event?  Please let me know--as the saying goes, misery loves company.

Congratulations go out to my friends, Rick and Ron, who both finished the American River 50 on April 9.
Rick just missed going sub-8--wow, great effort and result.  I personally can't imagine going sub-4 for one marathon, let alone for 2 back-to-back near-marathons, plus having to deal with some not-so-ideal trail conditions and difficult grades in the second part.
Ron, along with late-race pacer Katie, put forth a great effort and came in well under the cut-off, despite having only one prior ultra-marathon under his belt.  How's that for insanity.  At least his next Ironman will seem easy now ;).
Katie just completed and celebrated her 100th day in a row of running on Saturday.  More insanity...and inspiration!
Congratulations also to blogger friend, Andrew, who blew away his previous PR in the 5K by about a minute while accomplishing a goal of sub-30 min.  One minute improvement for a 5K is a BIG deal.  He also gets my vote for the most creative and entertaining analysis and presentation of his running stats.


Remember to Celebrate Life Each Day!  Ann