A New Day

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely. Ralph Waldo Emerson
WST 100 was a blast. I was sad that my runner got cut at Devils thumb it was not his day. I was happy Joe's wife Mylinh was still doing great. Since I was there I thought I would pace another runner. I was hanging out with Kathy D'Onofrio's BF Wayne and ask if he thought she would be cool if I paced her. He said Hell ya. She is very picky about who she will let pace her and since she likes me, and she has paced me it would be fine.
She was running 11th woman for a while and she kinda fell apart so I was happy to be able to take her home.
I picked her up at Foresthill and would pace her to No Hands where her 13 year old daughter Ruby would pace her up the hill 2 miles and I would meet them at Robie point. Kathy is amazing no mater how hard it gets she stays positive and she always encourages each runner who passes by. Her feet were hurting and she was moving slow but I knew we had time to make it before 30 hours.
She won the race in 84 & 86 and is still going strong 25 years later. Her fastest time in 18:55 with many sub 24's at WST 100 and her slowest time was in 05 ,29:55. She is a true champion how many fast and famous ultra runners would still keep going, and just finish when they use to win races? Not a lot. She truly loves to run and just is happy to still be running after all this time.

I have always idolized Kathy I have watched every video she has been in and though who in the heck is that little person. She is small but stronger then anyone that I know when it comes to pushing through whatever pain and obstacle that is dealt to her out on the trail.

We passed through HWY 49 and she came alive she started running strong and fast. She passed so many people I counted at least 16 runners. I was hanging on for dear life when she was running 7.5 min. miles to No Hands.
We met Ruby thank god. I got a break and headed to Robie to bring her home with Ruby. Poor Ruby had to run all that up hill from No Hands with her Mom.

She was running fast and we hit the track and me and Ruby fought to stay with her. She finished in 29:06 her 11 WST 100 mile finish.

Kathy I am so proud of you and you will always be my hero. I know have a new name for you. Little Firecracker. You are little with red hair and you exploded like a firecracker at the end.

In a few weeks Kathy will be pacing Andy and I at TRT I am looking forward to spending time on the trails again with my idol.

Face Your Fears
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face... The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it... You must make yourself succeed every time. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
Good luck to everyone running Western States 100. Face your fears and you will finish.
Stay safe my friends.
Look for me in Squaw Valley tomorrow and I will be pacing from Foresthill to the finish.
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful clean & sober b-day wishes. I hold everything you all said close to my heart.
I am thankful and grateful each day that I am a better person today.

Happy 15 year birthday to me...That's right; I've been clean & sober for 15 years.
I have no regrets my past made me who I am today. Without drugs and alcohol I doubt I would of ever become an ultrarunner.I thought I would share some photos of my drug and alcohol years.
DRUGS STEAL SOULS! I read that somewhere years ago, I think it was a Lip service ad it has always stuck with me. I got mine back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJXvqwlH7qc

This use to be my theme song..By My Life with the Thrill kill kult- I live for drugs.

"I live for drugs." "That's great "I freaked out very very badly ,I freaked out on acid."

"That's great "I'm the white rabbit."Here where I sit alone lostHere I will dream,
whyGive me a drink, I need a think nowI gotta rip my stinking brain
"My friends turn me on." "I could never afford it, I would never buy drugs."
"I live for drugs "That's great"I'm the white rabbit."Black boots, highway broads Dope forever, forever loaded Black boots "I freaked out on acid "I'm the white rabbit.
"Here where I sit alone lost Here I will dream, whyGive me a drink, I need a think nowI gotta rip my stinking brain, freaked out very very badly. "I freaked out on acid." "I'm the white rabbits] "Joan? Joan? Bitch! I'm gonna find her, and I'm gonna kill her!"

Crossfit WOD
21-15-9
Kettlebell swings, walking lunges, 400 m run
time: 7:50

Touch the Silence

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose.

We had a blast running up Half Dome and doing a loop out in Hetch Hetchy. I just wanted to post these beautiful pictures for you all to enjoy.
My story and more pictures will follow later. I hope all of you can get a chance this Summer or Fall to visit my other home. I love this place and feel most alive when I am there.


Persevere and direct your energy towards your goals. If you do this and truly believe in what you’re trying to achieve you will be given the power to succeed. Sometimes obstacles should be seen as a test - pass the test and overcome the obstacles and success will be in your grasp. If you are feeling challenged right now examine whether it is due to misunderstandings or perhaps a mistrust. Opportunities will arise to resolve your situations.
© Stephen Haynes

“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
-John Muir-
This is Rocky today after hill repeats. We did a 3 mile pretty hilly run. I want him to be tired since I leave tomorrow and he will be left alone for the first time ever. I know he will be fine. I just hope he doesn't eat all his food at once.

We will be home Saturday night. So it's not like I'm gone very long. I would never leave him more then one night alone.
This was our view on our loop. This is a flat section. We got to visit the horses. I really am grateful to have Jerry as a friend. It's hard to rent a room with a dog. Rocky and Jerry love each other so it's perfect.
I gotta get ready for work. Jerry and Rocky will hangout together since Jerry took the day off.
By the look in the picture Rocky won't be doing much of anything today.


Don’t overload yourself with any more thinking. This is more a time of resting before action takes place. Intellectual reasoning only leads to frustration or leads you away from the direction you should be taking. As this is a re-orientation period take time to evaluate your goals, they may not be the same goals that you started with. Trust your feelings more, future success is at hand.
© Stephen Haynes

Patience

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today I ran with Julia for 2.5 hours. We started from my house at 6:30am. We had a blast. We ran on the Mission Peak trail and I wanted to cross country up to ridge to see if I could get to my house from there. I figured out I probably could but was running out of time so went back on the trail.
Friday Jerry, Julia, Radu and myself are heading to my favorite place. We will run Half Dome Friday. It will be the 56th time I have been up it.
I can't believe I have been up that stone so many times. I spent months there at a time when I was married and would go up it almost everyday.
I just love that place.
Foggy that's what it was today. The sun is finally out. Should be warm in Yosemite for our 2 days of running.
Things are not always what they appear, so examine everything carefully. What looks very positive could be negative and what looks negative could in fact be positive. The universe is a strange place and so things don’t always have to go according to your plan to actually be beneficial. This is a time to rely upon the Self, so examine and let go of support systems that no longer serve you.
© Stephen Haynes

Let Go

Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding on to. Unknown
This morning Rocky and I walked with Jerry to the bus stop. We then headed out on a 2 mile run.
I came home and headed back to the Lawler av house to clean the room.
I got a call from someone who wanted to buy my Futon. And wanted to come by at 1:30.
I decided instead of running up Mission Peak I would explore my new hood a little more. I did about 7 mile run on the roads. I actually use to hate roads but since I have to run 2 miles on the roads everyday I would embrace the road now.

I explored and looked at all the beautiful monster homes in the area where I live. Thinking how can they afford such huge places. I also noticed a lot of them are for sale.
I found a Hill that I named Hetch Hetchy hill and did repeats up and down six times. It has a great view of the bay area, and of Mission Peak from here. I noticed a couple nights ago this is were people come to watch the sunset.
These Pictures were taken on top. The Hetch Hetchy reservoir runs underneath it. Funny I will be running Hetch Hetchy on Saturday and thinking how cool... the water is running underneath where I stand, on my little hill where I live, and it travels all the way from the Sierras to get here.
These are just fun pics I took on top of the well , below is the water from the Sierras. There is some pretty interesting graffiti on the well.

The Hetch Hetchy water runs below here,. There is Mission peak in the background.
Look there is even a stable and four horses in my neighborhood. How cool is that??? ;-)

Guidance

All you need to do to receive guidance is to ask for it and then listen. Sanaya Roman
The Ohlone indian grinding stones. Every time I take this route to visit the stone I feel the energy from the woman who spent hours here. It is amazing that this is still here out in my wilderness area.

Well I'm in my new home. I am renting a room from my very good friend FJ aka fast Jerry. I already feel a sense of calm and peace in my soul. This will be a positive experience. I am excited to share some fun adventures with Jerry this Summer. First one will be Friday, a few of us will be running Half Dome Friday and camp out near Hetch Hetchy that night. Then we will do the 29 mile loop around Hetch hetchy. It should be fun.

I think Rocky is happy here too. He really likes Jerry, so it will be great.

I never realized all the stuff I had until I moved. I am getting rid of a lot but still have tons, :-)
This Picture was on Saturday it was cloudy and foggy on the peak. We had fun Mike is on the left and FJ is in the middle.
This Sycamore tree is around the corner from my new house. Jerry said it is the oldest or second oldest in the United States. I will look into that to see. If it's true that is cool that I live right near it. It has a little swing on it so of course I had to launch myself from it ;-)
This was on Sunday Mike and I took a ranch road and did some explore. It was cool but dead ended 2.5 miles into it. I still think there is a way to Allison Peak from this area. I say another fire road I will try with Jerry at some point to see where it goes.
I'm hoping the weather warms up soon. Sounds like it is by the end of the week. Just in time for Yosemite.

I just want to thank all of you who post and read my blog. Now that I'm settle I will be able respond back more often

Beginnings

Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities. William Bridges
Got my hair done today..It's been awhile I use usually get it done once a month but it's been a few. I put the funky colors in myself but it was time to get rid of it. Don't get me wrong I love pink but I get bored easy, so back to Pink flamingo in the back and a mix of high lift light blond at the roots with gold weaved in the front and dark purple bangs.
Julia is awesome at color and cutting. If anyone ever wants their hair done by her I can give you her contact. She gives the ultrarunner/crossfit discount to my friends.
She is also an ultrarunnert and crossfiter :-)
The move is going well. I have so much shit it's not funny. Once I get all my stuff there I am going to sell lots of stuff I don't need.
Tomorrow we will hit the trails at 10am and then I will move more stuff later in the day. have a great weekend.

Don't you love the new do????

Aim High

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will land among the stars.
I hate fucking move it's a pain is the booty. I didn't realize how much stuff I have accumulated over the years. I am throwing away a lot of my past as I go. I have so much stuff I saved from a couple ex-boyfriends time to clear it out. even stuff from my ex-husband. I don't need it. I am moving forward. I will save just a few things. I have the memories in my head so I don't need to read stuff or look at all the pictures. Haven't looked at them in years anyway. I will just save a few that can go in my book when I write it.
My workout today was a 3 mile run and tabata abs. Oh and moving 25-30 lb boxes from my room to my vehicle out of my vehicle and into my new place where I am renting a room.
I will make time to run at least 1, 20 miler over the weekend in between moving. I know I am at least running 12 with Mike Palmer Saturday but I will trick him, and turn it into 15-20 ;-) shh don't tell. He has plenty of time to taper for Western states 100.

Ok today is Goth day at work me and the lead singer Willis and Guitar player Micheal of Insolence are the closing crew. When we work together we go with a theme. Last time it was camo day. So today we will be wearing all black.

Make sure to check out their web-site. They are an awesome band
http://www.powerslaverecords.com/insolence.html

"People should learn endurance; they should learn to endure the discomforts of heat and cold, hunger and thirst: they should learn to be patient when receiving abuse and scorn; for it is the practice of endurance that quenches the fire of worldly passion which is burning up their bodies." -Buddha-

I love this saying. I carry it around with me. I wrote it down when I first started running ultras and it didn't make scene to me until years later. I look at it from time to time to remind I should not complain and remain calm and focused during my ultras.
This picture was painted by Mike Anderson like 15 years ago. I was at his house and he took the picture. A year later he showed up to the salon I worked at with it. I'm not sure what ever happened to him.
I was going to sale it at my garage sale Sunday, but maybe I will keep it. It reminds of how far I have come.
Happy Birthday Peggy..You are gone but never forgotten you did'nt have an easy life the drugs took your soul, but never your heart. You often wondered why it was so easy for me to stop using drugs and get clean & sober. It was because I found running. You always said you were proud of me for running and staying clean. You always did so much for me when we were kids. I was the weak little girl and you always protected me. I have so many good mermories. You are one of my angels, and now you see why it was so easy for me, when you come and guide me on the trails in my races. I will always love you my dearest sister.

Crossfit WOD, it's an ass kicker.
I called it "Peggy" after my sister who passed away, today is her b-day...
15 min. as many rounds that you can do of:
5 Kettlebell swings
10 pushups
15- squats
20 situps
I did 12+ 15 squats.

SAN DIEGO 100 MILE TRAIL RACE. FINISH TIME 28:51
Andy Kumeda and Catra Corbett

I am happy to report the race went pretty well until mile 85 when I felt a blister coming on, on the ball of my left foot. I also got one on my left second toe.

The race was unseasonably cold. It was overcast, foggy, windy and cold on Saturday. It was very windy at night and there was even rain reported on the peak that we climbed at mile 80.
Andy and I ran the whole race together. I was going for my 5 year finish and Andy his 6th.
We were both very cold at night so hardly talked just moved forward and hoped the weather would get better.
Catra Corbett and Andy Kumeda heading into the night!

On Sunday morning the fog lifted and it got sunny are bodies warmed up and we were happy.
The last 5 miles I stopped to pop a blister and the pain went shooting up my left foot. I laid there and cried for a few minutes thinking I can't walk it hurts. I took 2 advils and got up.
Andy gave me a hug and said you will be fine.
Off we went within a few minutes I was fine. I pushed hard up those hills and shuffled down hill, and on the flats. I was happy we were getting closer.
finish line Catra Corbett, RD Scotty Mills and Andy Kumeda

I knew once we were at the spring we had 3 miles to go. At one point Andy said we could break 29 hours. I thought no way. I am horrible at math during a hundred but he knows how to pace us well. So I thought I want under 29 hours.
Catra corbett and Andy Kumeda at the finish!!

So we moved as fast as we could we even past 5 runners the last few miles.
My feet hurt but my heart was happy. I was happy how lucky I was in my life to be given such a gift, to run 100 mile races even back to back. I was also so thankful that I have someone who I am so in love to do this with. It really isn't about the time it is about the love Andy and I share, it's about us and how we are an amazing team together. When one is down the other is up and positive. When one is crying the other is telling stories to make the other one laugh.
Sure Andy is faster than me, but he said he would rather run with me than run a fast time. He enjoys running races with me, well most of the time ;-)
Andy Kumeda that's why I love you. You're the best.

The Path to Wealth

Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on your economic well-being than any other single factor. Paul Hawken

Be Yourself

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm heading to SoCal at 3pm today. Off for another adventure. Please send Andy and me Positive vibes Saturday and Sunday.
My feet are about 65% healed today. So each day they are getting better. I will just stay positive and focused to get through San Diego 100.
Have a great weekend.

Now's the Time

And finally, I want to acknowledge that making changes in your life is never an easy task. The key, however, is not to get caught up in the distance you have to go to get to where you want to be. Nor should you despair over the amount of control you have over your circumstances. Progress is made in the small, intentional steps, and chances are, you have more power than you think. By focusing on little steps you can take every day, the progress you make will motivate you to continue your journey, and eventually, you can go wherever you want to go. The important thing is simply to begin. Stephen Cherniske,
The feet are 50% better, tomorrow should be 75% and by race day Saturday 100%.
I have kept them dry and just keep apply benzion tincture to them and zeasorb powder to them. There are still a couple that are draining. They are in between my first and second toes and my left pinky toe. Taking the day off from work yesterday helped.
I will loose my left big toe nail, and second toe nail. You can't tell in the picture but during my race they got ripped up when I hit a rock.
I did go out and run 1 mile since it was national running day. Had to run ;-) ran with Rocky. Felt ok I could barley walk yesterday so I am healing fast. Going to get some homeopathic medicine at work called cantharis its awesome for blisters. I use to use it all the time, forgot about it.
I hope you will all send Andy and I positive thoughts this weekend. I will be going for my 5th finish at San Diego 100 and Andy for #6. He is going to run the whole way with me. I feel sorry for him cause I'm going to be slow.
Most important is that we have fun.

CROSSFIT WOD
Tabatas...
sit-ups (19)
squats (21)
the number is the lowest score.

33:36...That was my finishing time, for my 6th annual Ohlone 100 miler.
All the pictures were taken yesterday. I had some great friends out helping. Jerry, Mike, Julia,Linda, Mylinh and Joe. Thanks to all of you.
Linda ran with me the first 12 miles. Mylinh and Joe were out there running the 50k but we didn't really run together much. I left them after backpackers some where.
I was calm and relaxed most of the time. At times it felt effortless to be running so far. I planned for a sub 34 hour finish. But the whole time never knew really what pace I was running. I just knew I wanted to be to the start of the last 50k by 2:30am which I was. I left at 2:20am for my last 50k.
Julia was awesome through the night. I was on my own for the last 21. But I knew the Volunteers who were camping out since Saturday would be waiting for my return.
Jurek had pink lemonade at Maggie's for me at mile 40 and it was awesome. I knew I would have some again at mile 89.6 again.
I tried to call Andy at Rose peak my last time on the top. But he didn't Answer ;-(
I was having a down moment because my feet were hurting. I just sad up there cried and regrouped.
Got to Maggie's and changed socks.
Headed out and was on my way to the end.
My goal was to stay ahead of the lead runners and not let them pass until Shleplers rock. The 1st place guy caught me near Johnny's pond. No one else caught me until I was heading down Satan's pit. Which was fine. I had a blister explode in my shoe. It was painful. I popped two advil and limped down the trail.
In like 7 min, the pain went away and I was fine.
Two runners that were cheering on the racers decided to head back with me to the finish.
Holly and Gary were their names they were awesome just having someone to talk with those last few miles was great. They were awesome.
Jo Lynn was a mile up from the finish and ran in with me too. Thanks girl for being out there you lifted my spirits.
Thanks to all of you who text me through my run. It lifted me to the finish. Thanks ;-)

I do have some blisters and am soaking my feet and putting cream on them. I will just keep that up. They should be fine for SD 100 this weekend.
I did bang my foot on a rock 4 miles from the finish and it pull two toe nails up. Ouch I know.
I will tape my feet up good for SD this weekend and change socks 4 times so that should help get me to the finish.
The good news is my legs are not really sore. Usually they are trashed after the OWT 100 but not this year.