Summer of Grand Slamming....and DONE!

It's hard to believe that it is done...I am done.  On Sept 6th I successfully completed the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning a mere 10 weeks after I began this amazing adventure. 

Pre race pic with Nan!

My last race report or rather sad story, was truly my lowest point of the Slam.  Yes, I wondered when, where, and how it would feel to hit this low point and I am ecstatic to report that Vermont was it.  Not that I felt that I could go much lower ...you never, ever know.  There are never any guarantees in this sport we call Ultrarunning.  Having said that, put away your tissue, there will be no tears shed in reading the rest of my Slam story!

So yes, Vermont left me battered and bruised.  So, what did I do?  I got down to business, damned if I was going to go through all of "that" in Vermont and not do everything I could to get myself to the Leadville start in a much improved state. I had 4 weeks after all, the longest break between 100's.  And so it began, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture.  I admit, I was a "bit" freaked out, I was feeling it (strained soleus) ALL THE TIME!  I told myself it was because I was constantly traumatizing the tissue trying to make it better, which was very true but I believed it would help and so I kept with it. (I truly don't know how Ken put up with me during this time....I was completely consumed with this calf thing, thank you baby, you are the best!). I also accepted that I might not be at 100% by Leadville.  Leadville is a very runnable course, lots of packed dirt roads as well as pavement with 3 significant climbs (repeated 2x's).  To tilt the scale in my favor I decided that I needed the added support of trekking poles, courtesy of Roch Horton of Black Diamond as well as fellow Patagonia runner.  I also decided to give my calf issue a name...early on I called it a niggle....now I was calling him Nigel.  Kill em with kindness right, if you can't beat um make friends with them, or something like that...

Keep er rolling!

Thank you for being
there Ken!

With my crew in tow I made it to the starting line, race start 4am August 22nd.  My race strategy would be to go out slow and easy.   Nigel was taped and compressed (couple of Advil for good measure) and we were off.  I saw my crew at May Queen mi 13 and was happy to report that all was good.  Couple scary moments of feeling Nigel as I navigated around the lake in the dark (not to mention going off course, seriously the same spot as last year!)  Big thanks to the runner who realized we were no longer running around the lake!
I began ticking off the miles, not fast but steady.  Each time I saw my crew they would assess me feed me and send me on my way.  Couple of low points with the heat but heck, I new I could do this.

Feeling the love! Photo c/o Tera Dube
Thank you
Gary and Lynn'O for stopping by!

I made it up and over Hope Pass, 12,600 ft with the help of my poles.  I picked up my pacer Johnny'O at the 50 mi turn around and more of the same.  The second time over Hope Pass was a bit of a struggle, not enough O2!  But, unlike last year, I got to the top, had a drink and headed back down the other side with Johnny'O pushing me all the while and with each step I was breathing just a bit easier.

Top of Hope Pass with Johnny'O, Mi 55 Photo c/o Caleb Wilson

And more calories!

Yup that's a hot dog :)

Mile 60 I picked up my second pacer, changed my socks, and yes actually had a couple of bites of a hot dog (same girl that eats Happy Meals!), thanks Nan your the best! Pacer Amy kept me going, taking over where Johnny left off.  Again we were steady to slow and Nigel must have grown bored with me as he appeared to be gone!!!  Last hand off was from Amy to Ken.


There would be no repeat of last year, we stopped assessed our need for clothing, dressed to meet that need and after a bit of time by the fire, we were off.  Somewhere during the course of the race it became clear to me that this race would be one in which I would walk away, healthy and intact.  I was not counting runners or looking at my time.  I started the day not knowing if Nigel would be spending it with me or not and when it became apparent that he was not, I had only enough energy to finish the race.  And so I finished the race, with Ken by my side and the sun was rising.

And done....

Nigel was gone....and I was healthy. 

South Sister Summit pre Wasatch

I had 3 weeks before the final race and I was actually starting to believe that I could race it.  I can't say how excited I was at the idea....I gave myself a week off, and the following weekend found myself hiking Tumalo Mount followed by a Mount Bachelor summit.  I went for a few runs during that week and the weekend prior to Wasatch hiked the South Sister.  To date this was the most activity I had between races if you don't count therapy.  Not that I didn't throw in some PT and MT for good measure :) Life was good!

Woohoo go time (wakey time Johnny'O)! Photo c/o Nan

With me at Wasatch would be Ken as my crew as well as 1 of my 2 pacers BUT we also had the company of fellow Bendites Darla and Chris Askew (Dar was racing, Chris was Pacer/Crew)  as well as Johnny'O and Nan from Boise
(part of my Western States and Leadville Pacer/Crew, Johnny was racing Nan was crew)!  This was going to be a blast!  The last race of the Slam and I would get to spend it with an amazing group of friends.
Rocho of SLC would be my other pacer and aside from the crazy detailed advice (thank you Roch!) he gave for the course, he had a great question for me "what's your goal?"....and so I asked him to send me splits for a sub 24 hour Wasatch run.  In his words, "CHEETAH! sub 24 and a possible win..." With this request Rocho sent splits from his Cheetah year 2007! The course had been altered this year and was reported to be 30-40 minutes faster in the last 17 miles.
5 am start and I can hear the voice of Rocho urging me to get near the front in attempts to be on pace once we began the first 4000 ft climb up to Francis Peak @ 9100 ft.  I joined in step with Jenny Capel (who I would spend the ENTIRE day racing with) and we made the climb up to Chinscraper Summit, where I'm told I am 7th female.  This time I am interested in my place as well as my time...what the heck who the hell was in front of me.  We did not walk the climb, I actually thought we moved up the mountain rather well.  Time to check myself, we were only at mile 13, plenty of race left to move up in ranking.  More important was to watch my splits and stay on, not too fast as to leave it all out on the trail in the early miles.  As I ran into and out of aid stations I was on pace give or take 5-10 ahead and I was having a great time!  The Wasatch Front is an amazing mountain range, at any point I would look up from the trail to some seriously spectacular views.

Just one more bite, thanks Chris!

I would pick Ken up at mile 39 which was also the first point in which I would see him.  Only issue at this point was that I discovered a new pain...in my knee and it would pretty much scream at me on the super steep descents...of which there were a few.  Odd. 

Let's do this! Photo c/o Catherine Horton

Mile 39 and Ken, he crewed me along side Chris and Nan and then he took off with me.  Turns out I was 5th (with Jenny in front of me) at this point.  He ran me to Lamb's aid mile 52 keeping me on pace, I was a lil whiny through the heat of the day but he got me there pretty much on pace and intact.  Next up was Rocho, we left the aid station walking, he wanted me topped off with hydration and calories for the following 17 mi trek to Scott's Tower @ almost 10,000 ft. Once we started moving we fell into a rhythm, hiking with spurts of Rocho calling out, "chop chop" as he patted his leg, meaning it was time to trot.  As we ran, he led the way calling out when it was time for me to take some Honey Stinger chews, "if you can take 1, you can take 2".  As we  ran into and out of aid stations he pushed the calories, first it was 1/2 a grilled cheese and next it was a cup of broth.  Roch new the climbs and when to push the calories to get the most out of them.  Ugh, but because he did it with authority, I let him push me and I took the calories....WHAT! Seriously, Ken is a figure of authority as well as my partner but yet...yes the odd dynamic of husband and wife, pacer and racer...
In route to the Brighton aid station I finally got to see a moose, it was around Dog Lake and fortunately already off  the trail, thank you Jenny!  With Rocho knowing where to look I also got to see and touch the famous carving of the "Boxing Bear", as assured by Rocho to give me strength! Excellent! It was much needed as we powered down the hill to mile 74.63 aid station for the hand off to Ken, still on pace for a sub 24 hour (thank you for your great pacing Roch).  I was warned to stay out of the Brighton Lodge Aid Station...too warm and inviting.  It was 10:15PM and I could see the draw.  I instead climbed into Rocho's van where his wife Catherine, Nan and Ken helped me into warmer clothing.  Roch was off in search of more calories for me to consume.  I then did as I was told and walked into the Lodge was weighed in and said "269 out" and walked back out....yup, it was warm and cozy and FULL of runners!

Don't think about it, just eat it! Photo c/o CH

Time for some layers! Photo c/o CH

Next 3 miles would be straight up Catherine's Pass but before that a bowl of soup (eaten outside of the Brighton Lodge aid station)....Ken would be with me to the finish (as well as Jenny :) and other than Catherine's pass we would have Grunt's Pass, a few other short climbs but essentially a fairly runnable section to the finish....or so we thought.  Holy heck these runnable sections greeted us with ton's of loose rocky descents as well as new cut trails, perhaps we were the 1st?? :) But I was good with it all, my legs felt great (knee issue disappeared shortly after it appeared) I had taken care of them on the early descents and had $$ in the bank for these late mile hard descents. AND I was still on a sub 24 hour pace.  Jenny passed me around mi 95 the final time placing me in 4th, a local runner was in 1st, and Darla was 2nd.  My goal for a sub 24 hour was well within my grasp but a podium finish would elude me.
And just like that (well not really), with Ken's urging me to push a bit more, we were done, 23:37:31 a Crimson Cheetah finish and I was officially a Grand Slammer!

Best pacing crew ever! Photo c/o CH

"Crimson Cheetah's" Photo c/o Chris Askew

1986 was the first year of the Grand Slam and in total it has been completed by 302 runners, 43 of them female. Of the 43 females I now hold the 4th fastest F combined time, the fastest F masters time, and the second fastest F Slammer time on the Wasatch course.  Not so bad considering I came up with an injury before the 2nd race of the Slam.  Ultrarunning is about setting goals and continuously re-evaluating and adjusting those goals and at times "knowing when to hold them, and knowing when to fold them".  I feel so very fortunate to be a part of this beautiful thing we call Ultrarunning.

Grand Slammer 2014! Photo c/o Chris Askew

I can't thank the people in my life enough for their amazing and unwavering energy and support!  Thank you to my sponsors for taking care of me out on the trails in all of those oh so important ways!....Ken, words can't do justice for how much it means to have you as my partner, my crew, my pacer, my support.

Vermont 100; 2nd race of the Grand Slam

2014 Slammers pre Vermont 100

Vermont 100 and officially halfway through the Grand Slam.

Going into the Slam I spoke of experiencing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows (at some point)…I can only hope (please, please, please) that VT100 was my lowest of lows. My first 100 was in 2011 and I figured out then that I am fairly tough.  Having finished VT100 (my 8th ,100 miler) I have decided that not only am I tough, I am stupid tough!!

What has led me to this conclusion??

03:50AM and feeling good!

I finished WS feeling really good. I came away unscathed outside of some left calf tightness of which I felt for approx the last 25 miles of WS. Post WS I took 5 days off. I purchased a weighted vest and went for a hike on the 6th day, and on the 7th day I went for a run. All was well, I felt an initial twinge in my calf at the start of this run and the tightness released. I continued to workout minimally for the following week with plans to sweep part of the PCT 50 course on the Sat prior to VT100 (VT100 was 3 weeks after WS100). On the advice of Ian Sharman I was only planning on sweeping no more than 12 miles, unless I was hiking. While I was feeling good post WS, he cautioned that come mi 20 of VT100 my legs would likely tell a different story. With intentions of sweeping only a short distance to maintain my recovery plan I ended up not sweeping at all. 2 miles into the run out to where we would begin sweeping, on a slight downhill and with my left leg leading, I landed toes pointed, calf flexed and felt a pull/pinch/niggle….call it what you may and just like that, I was done running. I stopped, called out to Ken while rubbing the source of discomfort but it refused to go away. After a few tears, I hobbled back to the race start and began what I would continue to do for the following week; Ice, compression, Advil, and elevation with a couple of massages thrown in for good measure. Recharge (Athletes recovery lounge in Bend, amazing place!) was kind and sent me to Vermont with a laser stimulator to use as needed. As hoped, my calf felt better with each of the 6 passing days until VT100. I opted to not test my calf prior to race day.

Mi 21, happy to see my crew;
Photo c/o Serena Wilcox

With Advil, Spider Tech tape, and compression sleeves in place I had high hopes come the 4am race start… hopes that were VERY short lived. I made it about a quarter of a mile (yup 400ish yards) when my calf “niggle” reared its ugly head with a pinching/pulling sensation. I moved off to the side of the road and began rubbing it, reassuring the passing runners that all was well when in reality I was freaking out. What the hell was I going to do??? Seriously, not even 1 mile!! I continued to rub my leg; taking a few test steps with the same result as I continued to reassure the steady stream of passing runners that all was well. At 4am it was dark, and with my light at my waist, my tears of frustration were easy to hide. Decision time…my options; quit the race and quit the Slam; continue the race and possibly tear my gastroc and then have to quit the race/Slam; or possibly continue the race without further injury to the muscle and make it to the finish line and stay in the Slam. My logic, I came to Vermont with time goals along with the possibility of a podium finish BUT, the reason I came to Vermont was for the Grand Slam and if I could manage to “finish” VT100 and stay in the Slam then that was what I would do. And so I began my shuffle. "One Step at a Time", just as the temporary tattoo provided by the race stated.  The majority of VT100 is on hard dirt packed roads making my shuffle even more doable. With the ENTIRE field of racers in front of me my shuffle allowed me to gradually rejoin the race.

Amazing countryside;
Photo c/o Serena Wilcox 

I finally saw my crew at mile 21, interesting how it’s the familiar faces that strike straight to the heart of your emotions. While it was easy enough to share with complete strangers my calf “niggle” dilemma in a matter of fact manner, it took only one look from my sister in law for the tears to surface. I think at this point I held it together for the most part, telling both her and Serena (crew and pacer for the last 30 miles as well as local resident) that my calf had flared up and that I was going to give it what I had to get to the finish. They plied me with Advil, bio-freeze, some calories and hydration and watched me shuffle away.

At the pre race briefing the 2014 Slam pack gathered. I picked up a cool bandanna created by Brad Bishop, fellow Slammer. For the race I decided to tie it to my hydration pack. The idea was to help identify fellow Slammers on the trail. It worked and what a nice touch. I passed a runner who saw the Bandanna and he shared his story of having registered for the 2014 Slam but was unable to finish WS which effectively took him out for his quest of the Grand Slam. With his DNF at WS he still planned to show up and race the last 3 races, and try again for the Slam next year.

Just a small smile please asked my crew!
Photo c/o S.W.

Another runner heard I was going for the Slam and shared with me his goal of attempting the same one day. And then there were those who knew of the Slam and were in awe that I was attempting it. These are the stories that feed the soul of us runners and unbeknownst to them they helped to keep me going. And going I did. Each time I saw my crew, they took the absolute best care of me they could. They would later share that they truly felt helpless and had no idea of how to help me. I can only hope that I conveyed to them the value of just having them out there. They helped me change socks, drain blisters, ply me with Advil, bio-freeze and give me a hug when I needed one.


Mi 70 and the beginnings
of my right quad bruise :(

Not a natural gait, but happy that
Serena would be joining me!

Serena finally joined me at mi 70 providing me with some much needed distraction. VT100 is a unique race in which runners are at times sharing the roads with horse and riders running the same race. Due to the hazard of the horses, music was not allowed. This meant I was stuck with only my thoughts…how I would have loved some upbeat tunes to fill my head and drown out my thoughts. My body was a wreck, my hip flexors were killing me as well as my groin from the external rotation of my left hip.  This was due to my inability to push off with my left foot, instead I would approach the hills with the side of my foot, protecting my calf.  My right quad was toast, it was doing all the work my left leg refused to do, all the climbing as well as the impact of the downhills....Finally, when I was close to my breaking point and upon my request, Serena and Carrie helped me onto a cot at Bill’s Cabin aid station mi 88, they removed my socks and shoes, elevated my legs and for a brief 5-6 minutes, I rested. They also consulted with Ken back in Oregon, who told them to let me have my 5 minutes and then get me back out there. Yup tough love from afar is what my fella gave me. And so they got me up after my brief rest, I drank some much needed coffee, took a bite of a grilled cheese sandwich and got back at it. The going was slow as I was only hiking at this point, Serena was a saint and yes, finally, I made it to the finish line. Carrie was there waiting and I walked straight into her arms and let the tears flow, finally letting the physical and mental guard that I had been holding in place for so long drop away.

Right quad post race---

And so yes, I am tough…..stupid tough. With my almost 25 hour VT100, I have had to let go of my time goals for the Grand Slam and you know what, that is okay. The Grand Slam is an amazing feat all on its own, if I can recover from my injury and see this thing through to fruition, I will be damn proud of myself.

Feeling very fortunate to have finished Vermont 100, I am happy to say that I will be toeing the start line for the 3rd 100 of the slam, Leadville 100 Aug 16th!

25 hours later I rested....

I can not tell Carrie and Serena how much it meant to have them out there for me.  They made me smile when I had no reason and helped to relieve some of the weight of my internal struggles when I was at my lowest. Thank you.  Thank you to the race volunteers for taking such great care of me as I came through their aid stations and always with a smile on there face.  For Harvey and Shasta, thank you for remembering me from the registration and giving me that great hug before you sent me on my way to get to that finish line.
As always thank you to my sponsors for providing me with the perfect gear, supporting me as I chase after my crazy running dreams! Patagonia; UltrAspire; Julbo; Honeystinger; Blackdiamond. While physical health is not a guarantee come race day, your gear can be.

Grand Slam/ Western States 100-- 1 down 3 To Go!!

Yes this is a blog post....not a photo album but what can I say I like pictures!

Grand Slammers 2015

Timeline for publishing this post was 3 weeks....why? Because Western States 100 is the first race of a series of races referred to as the Grand Slam.  You may have read mention of this in my previous posts.  For those who do not know, the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning consists of officially finishing four of the oldest 100 mile trail races in the U.S. all in the same year.  Might as well call it for what it is...all 4 races actually occur with in 10 weeks!!!
So, added to my excitement of running Western States for the 3rd year in a row is the beginning of an epic adventure.  An adventure that will challenge my mind, body and soul in ways I am unable to even imagine.  Some call me crazy and possibly in need of medication, but for me this is living!

Little WS training!

WS prep consisted of  my now traditional Memorial Day training camp, 3-4 days of quad pounding runs on the WS course while spending time with great running peeps!  The training went as anticipated minus 1 digger,  and I even picked up a new nickname...."Funsize" :) thanks Matt Keyes! 

Photo c/o Joe McCladdie

Additional training included Black Butte repeats, Pilot Butte repeats, Aubrey Butte....I think you get the picture.  This year my focus was quad strength, last year I suffered from quad death and lost what felt like an eternity in time due to this, maybe it was my training or perhaps it was the 106+ temps in the canyons.  Either way, my plan was to eliminate the factor I could control.  Physically, I was looking pretty good for WS, no real injury but rather what had become a chronic piriformus issue (self diagnosed of course) which when irritated extended into my hamstring.  This only prevented me from doing speed work or upbeat tempo workouts (ha, while I know these w/o's would be of benefit...my heart was not broken).  Additional focus was on my core, hiking, and going into WS healthy and fit, knowing that after WS I would be recovering and maintaining between the rest of the races.
5 am start and what a day!  The women's field was stacked; I placed 8th last year in a time of 21:44 and my PR was 20:28...my goal for today was sub 20 hours and a top 10 finish.

Let's do this!

Best crew!

I started out easy, hiking and jogging the immediate 3.5 mile climb up the Escarpment before settling into a steady pace.  I spent some great running miles with Meghan Arbosgast, she knows how to run this race well and I decided she would be safe to stay with in the high country.  Unfortunately Meg's was having a rough go of it and I moved ahead at about mi 22...although half expected her to re appear using her speedy downhill legs.  I saw "Team D" at mi 30..."Team D" consisted of my hubby, my sis in law and some friends from Boise.  Ken and John would be my pacing team and Carrie and Nan my crew.  "Team D" looked like a professional pit crew, spraying me with sunblock, feeding me my chocolate milk and fruit bowl, replacing garbage with new stingers, an ice bandanna and new bladder for my hydration bag and then sending me off.  Yes, sent off, Ken pretty much kicked me out of my pit row.

Enjoying the day!

Before long I was enjoying the trail with another friend, Adam from MN along with another fellow Slammer also from MN, Jordan.  What fun! Seriously, things were going well and I was feeling good.  I think at this point I was 8th F but it was early.  The aid stations came and went; the volunteers were as amazing as ever, cheering us runners in and then giving each of us individual attention.  It was great to get a hug from RD Craig Thornley at Last Chance AS mi 43.3.  I left the AS with the words of "you know what's coming next don't cha"....that's right Devil's Thumb!  With the fire of last year, the swinging bridge had yet to be constructed and so lucky us, a cable was placed across the water to aid in the crossing.

Photo c/o Facchino Photography

This provided a well needed cooling prior to the climb to the top of the thumb.  As I was making the climb I passed Emily Harrison and while I was hoping to find some of the speedy chicks in front of me it is always tough to do so when they are struggling...we were not even to the half way point.  Emily ended up dropping at mi 55.  I next saw my crew at Michigan Bluff mi 55.  As always this puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

Pit Row

Great pace Nan!

More of the great crew support and this time Ken trotted with me a bit as I drank my chocolate milk providing me with some updates.  I would see my team again at mi 62 and so I decided to wait on the flask and I took a few gels for my calories.  Oops, wrong choice.  I should have taken the flask or even more Honey Stinger chews.  As I was needing calories on the climb out of Michigan Bluff I took a gel and it triggered the always dependable gag reflex.  I quickly spit it out but it was too late and within moments I lost all that yummy chocolate milk.  So much for more calories.

Refreshing dip in the river!

Next aid was Bath Road and I was happy to see Nancy waiting to make the short trot into Foresthill with me.  She worried that somehow I would drop her in the 1.4 mile trek, fear not Nan, you were solid! More of the same from my crew at Foresthill as well as Johnny'O joining me for the next 18 miles!  All was going super well, passing Emily had moved me up to 7th F and while for a brief stint I had caught up with Nikki Kimball, the call of nature aka bowels, had me tucking into the bushes while she moved ahead.  I was told both Nikki as well as Kaci Lickteig were 5 to 10 minutes up on me.  The downhill run to the river was uneventful for me which at this point of the race is a super positive thing to be experiencing.  Johnny'O kept me going, reminding me of all those things you start to slip on at this point of the race.  To the river we ran where Ken was waiting on the opposite side.  Meet and greet with my fella and up the road we went.  Feeling pretty good we trotted the majority of the road to Green Gate; almost caught you Nan (she was running in front of us to prep what I would need at the crew spot).  One more weigh in, pit crew attention and Ken and I were off falling into step with Adam Condit and his pacer Joe Uhan, who might I add knows pretty much all the words to every Katie Perry song!  I was running well at this point, Ken was pushing and I was responding.  I was over my 20 hour goal by about 25 minutes and while I was running well, a sub 20 did not look likely....and I was okay with it.  I was having a solid race,  nope no complaints from me.  We came into Browns Bar, the Rogue Valley Runners aid station; love these guys, a lil TLC and they too sent me off. Slower pace than before but still feeling relatively good, I was still tolerating nips off my flask.  Hwy 49, one last visit from my crew and on to No Hands Bridge and up to Robie Point.  We followed the freshly painted foot prints to the white bridge where the rest of my crew joined for the final sprint (jog) to the track.  Nope, no sub 20 hour but I had a solid run.  There are always post race reflections on where you can improve and this race is not different....and lucky me, F7 means I get to come back next year!  But for now I will place my focus on my next race, Vermont 100; July 19th!!

Not sub 20hr but moved up a spot to F7 and had a great day!

Always a huge thank you to my crew and pacing team, you guys rock!

Gear Review:

• Velocity shorts aka bun hugger.....loved them!
• Fore Runner tank
• Patagonia wool socks; performed great in the heat as well as the water.
• Patagonia EVERlong; the toe box with the soft mesh on top was perfect for all the downhills.
• UltrAspire Spry; lightweight with a 1L reservoir
• Julbo Access Zibra lens; excellent for the sun and the shade as well as under a visor!
• Honey Stinger chews: great for about half of the race before they get too sweet.
• Black Diamond headlamp/ waist pack: I used the light only at my waist and it was perfect.

Best partner ever!

Thank you to my sponsors who help support me in what it is that I love to do!

Mini Grand Slam Prep Part II....

Let's do this (pic confirms it, I am "lil" d)! Photo c/o Glen Tachiyama

You know those special runs you have where everything feels effortless, feet are light and agile, legs are fresh and fast, stomach is solid..well....today was one of those days, lucky me!
We had a crazy nice day for the Peterson Ridge Rumble 40 mi, blue skies, 32 degrees, sourrounded by local running peeps and a sane start time of 8AM as compared to the 4AM start of the Gorge 100k.   Add this to sleeping in my own bed pre race night and BAM! The combo to a great race!

Blue bird skies! Photo c/o Paul Nelson

We took off and although I was towards the front of the pack, I managed to not see a post in the center of the trail until it was unveiled by the runner in front of me and WHAM, within 400 yards of the start I performed a nice endo/ yard sale!  Runners from the front and back were kind enough to stop and help pick up the pieces including Ken, who was a bit concerned but all was good and we were off again.  I fell into pace with Darla and after some introductions Kristina from MT.  We were holding a pretty good pace 7:30ish.  I was feeling good, the sun was out and the trail was flat.  While I thought perhaps I was going a bit fast I was feeling good and  fI (we) continued on. 

Amazing trail, great company! Photo c/o Paul Nelson

We cruised through the first aid at 7 mi, Dar and I pulled away from Kristina and continued on with a few of the boys, Ken included.  I was happy to have the company as by mile 10 I had already tried to go the wrong direction twice and was called back by the kind hearted runners behind me.

Love running with Dar! Photo c/o Glen Tachiyama

By mile 14 and with a small out and back I was in the thick of it with the runners.  Mixed in with the early start runners and within a few miles runners from the 20 miler and then from almost out of no where the speedy front runners who apparently had gone off course....all inspired me to run faster.   By mile 20, I was on my own.  I made the long climb up to mi 28 aid station, greeted by Rod Bien and Chris Askew (Fellow Bendites) and swapped my hydration pack with a handheld and a flask.  Today, unlike at the Gorge, I stuck with my Honey Stinger chews, eatting a couple every 20 min or so, and drinking Coca Cola at the AS.  Solid combination, no lows and no stomach issues.  The flask I picked up was a mixture of salt, coconut water, Carbo Pro powder and chocolate GU, easy for sipping.... sounds yummy right? :) I did put it in the freezer the night before and it was still chilled and kinda tasty! With 12 miles to go no problem, I had been running steady and feeling good.  Sure my legs were starting to feel tired but nothing unexpected, I had been running hard and they should be tired. 

Feeling the trail....and loving it! Photo c/o Glen Tachiyama

Running on my own at this point I was paying extra attention at any crossing to support my staying on course so when I caught a glimpse of something, and wanting to be sure it was not a ribbon, I looked back, ( bad call) catching my toe on a rock, WHAM on the ground I found my self...fall #2! Crazy, I don't usually fall (I was 0/2 at SOB 50mi and Gorge 100k).  I dusted myself off, spit dirt out of my mouth and with a shake of the head was off.  While in solitude I was enjoying the beauty of the day, the views were amazing, skies were pristine, I was feeling good and...in the lead :)
Just past the point of the pic above....yup fall #3....what the hell! This time I was not quite unscathed, as it was superman style and downhill both shoulder sockets felt impacted and my quads raked across some rocks...one more spit....maybe 6 miles to go at this point...time to get er done and that I did.  11th overall and 1st female! A most excellent day out on the trails, how lucky am I!

Flying across the finish line :) Photo c/o Animal Athletics

 What a beaut of a day, thank you Sean Meissner for a great race and to the volunteers!  As well as all the runners out there supporting this event for the Sister's High School Cross Country team!
So I will be thinking about this come Slam time (admittedly this was a very SMALL test)....What did I do right during my recovery?

• 3 days rest post Gorge 100k
• 2 of the 3 days spent at Recharge; recovery boots, ice/hot rotational soak
• Easy running with 1 strong 12 mile tempo run on the weekend in between races.
• And of course hydration, nutrition and rest.

What was dialed for the race:

• Patagonia Strider Short and Fore Runner Tank
• Ultraspire Spry 1L and 20oz handheld
• Julbo Trek with Zebra lens

What I would do differently....review the course!

Next up WS 100 the 1st of the Grand Slam races.....
Join me on my journey....See you in June!

Mini Slam; Grand Slam Prep....

Let the good times roll! Photo c/o Paul Nelson

Having NO idea of what might be in store for me this summer with attempting the Grand Slam, I had an opportunity to do my own mini slam as a trial run.  This mini slam would give me an idea on how my body/mind might handle the short turnaround between races.  Gorge Waterfalls 100k, March 30th followed by Peterson Ridge Rumble 40 mi 2 weeks later on April 6th!  The Gorge had about 12,000 feet vert of super technical running while the Rumble has about 5,000 ft of vert and a fairly fast course.
Ken decided to join me on my adventure and signed up for both races.  We stayed at McMenamins Edgefield (awesome place to stay if you have not tried it out!) in Troutdale about 13 miles from the race start.  Finishing off  the race party was Ken's sister and brother in law, Carrie and Roy, who joined us for the weekend to do a little 100k crewing. While Edgefield provides a wide range of fun activities to partake during your stay, with a 4AM race start, Ken and I were in bed by 9:30PM.  Nope no movie, no soaking tub, and definitely no sampling at the whiskey bar, or the martini bar....just one beer from the tap house before bed!  Our hopes (rather stupid I admit, McMenamins is a place to party....not sleep) of a good nights sleep were dashed with the sounds of all the jovial patrons until around midnight when we finally drifted off.  Alarms sounded at 2:15 and while some guests were just making their way to their rooms, Ken was making his way to the lobby for our much needed coffee, in attempts to jump start our brains. 


Cruising into the 50k turn. Photo c/o Paul Nelson

Almost without realizing how we got there, we found ourselves at the race start....this time we were toeing the line, sporting the Rocho special, Black Diamond headlamp at the waist as well as on our heads (killer set up!).....we were not going to miss the race start today and we were definitely not going to be running around without headlamps with 3 hours in the dark!  40+ degrees and drizzling and we were off, not so bad.  We were hopeful that while we knew we were going to get wet, that perhaps the weather Gods would be kinder to us than they were to the 50k runners on Saturday.

Just about to the 50k turn around!
Photo c/o Paul Nelson

The race was an out and back, same course as the 50k runners...only of course we would be running it twice.  We started at Benson Park and began the long 1500ft climb up and over the trail for Wahkeena falls over to Multnomah falls...it was pitch black and while you could hear the roar of the water I wondered at times if it was better that I could not see; first because you were going straight up and in the dark you could not tell how far you had to go, second because we were warned of narrowness of the trail and to take caution. At points, should you fall...you would not be getting back up!  With that in mind, I trotted along the rocky, muddy terrain with utmost caution.  Ken was with me, which was nice.  I was hoping that we would get to spend some good miles together.  In a 100k it does not typically take long before you are running by yourself and while I knew it was going to be a long day of running I hoped to at least share his company for parts of it.
I emerged into the daylight unscathed and came into an aid station to see the smiling face of Katie Bien, she was out on the course crewing her hubby and fellow Patagonia runner Rod "Bandit" Bien.  I saw Carrie and Roy at the 20 mi aid station.  Carrie was taking care of Ken who came in just in front of me and I put Roy to work refilling my fluid while I ate a gel.  Asked how I was doing .... "getting my ass kicked" was my response.  I was staying on my feet but wow, not easy.  I had not anticipated ALL the rocks and adding the mud and the wet slick moss to the combination, I was feeling completely worked earlier than I hoped.  The course description advertises amazing scenery, passing by multiple falls, and moss covered hillsides, with little elves and everything....all very true and I even tried at times to take in the views but for my own safety I ended spending the majority of the time with my
eyes on the prize...the ground and not falling.



Watch out for that....rock...Photo c/o Glen Tachiyama

With that in mind I was holding out plugging in my music until the turn around....yup that was my carrot.  Just get to the turn around and I would be rewarded with some tunes!  On my way to the 50k point Ken shared one of his gel flasks, I was eating Swedish fish and jelly beans and found that my gut was not happy with the combo and even though the gel flask didn't settle great, it was easier to get the calories in with.  At this point I decided to go with only gel calories as they would give the biggest bang for the buck.  With an out and back I also had the opportunity to see the lead runners.  As the lead runners flew past (Rod appeared to be having a great race, 2nd place, and Yassine was looking good in 4th) I found Ken and I in 12th and 13th place, I was F2 at this point and was able to see that F1 was about 4 minutes up on me. 


One of the amazing falls! Photo c/o Glen Tachiyama

The turn around came and went and as Ken and I were still running within shouting distance of one another I opted for no tunes.  I came into aid station mi 40 and forced down some gel, refilled my pack and was off.  I went a short distance and stopped for a pit stop in the bushes and with a sour gut told Ken to go, I was fine and was going to plug in my tunes.  That would be that last time I would see Ken for the duration of the race....although with the many switch backs he would continue to hoot and holler at me :)


Feeling tired and looking tired
Photo c/o Paul Nelson

Sadly, my music malfunctioned after only about 20 minutes and the remainder of the race was spent we me and my thoughts and not very entertaining thoughts...."damn the rocks", "I remember this muddy section", "hope my knee does not get worse", "I think I will go through the brier bush instead of the mud bog", "common gut take a few more calories", "if this trail gave away I would be okay with that", and the best on yet..."did that switch back sign really announce that I am at 3 of 11 switchbacks to get to the top"!!!



 Next thing I knew I was running (trotting) down the final hill.  It was about 4 in the afternoon and  although I did get a few odd looks from the day hikers, I think the runners in front of me pre warned them and they all graciously stepped out of my way. 

Leaping to the finish line!
Photo c/o Bandit Bien

I finally made it to the finish line 12 hours and 20 minutes later.....2nd Female, 13th overall and with Ken 3 minutes in front of me.
James Varner RD greeted me at the finish along with Ken, Carrie, Roy, Katie and Rod (M2) and all I could do was shake my head and laugh.  What an amazingly tough race!! 
Thank you to Rainshadow Running and RD James Varner for putting on a great race and all the volunteers who took amazing care of us crazy runners coming through the aid stations....and of course Carrie and Roy for spending 12 hours out in the cold with us :) Love you guys!
What worked well:
Roch Horton special Black Diamond lighting system
Patagonia Houdini jacket (great in the early hours and compact enough to fit in the front vest pocket)
Patagonia Cap 1 long sleeve shirt
Patagonia wool socks (wet feet most of the day and no issues)
UltrAspire Spry 1L hydration vest

What did not:
Swedish fish and Jelly beans (should have stayed with honeystinger gels and solid food earlier in the race)
Ipod not set up correctly

Next up Peterson Ridge Rumble .....