It's that time again Catra's Birthday Run. This year I will be out running 43 hours through the Ohlone wilderness. Yep I'm turning 43!!!! Everyone is invited. Start 4:30 am Dec.21 Finsh Dec.22 11:30 pm.

The plan: I will start from Stanford staging area in Fremont at 4:30 am this Friday Dec.-21 I will run along the Ohlone wilderness trail same route as the Ohlone 50k. We will arrive in Sunol at 7am for those who want to hook up there. We will continue on to Del Valle we will arrive at 1:30pm if you want you could run out from Del Valle towards Rose Peak to meet me and my gang of crazies who are all running 100k with me ;)

We will then head back towards Fremont. We should arrive back around 11pm Friday night where we will all run 1 mile to Fast Jerrys house for hot soup.( He is running the 100k as his b-day run he's turning 62) Me and a couple other crazy friends who are planning on running 100 miles with me will head back out at 12am. We should arrive in Sunol at 4am. the park doesn't open until 7am but you could start then and catch us at some point we will turn around at Rose peak. We should be coming back at 11am so you could meet up and head back with us. I should make it back to Sunol at 3pm. I will make it back to Fremont at 6-7pm and head back out then for another 4.5 hours.
As long as you stay on the Ohlone wilderness 50k course you will bump into me. If you plan on heading out and want to see where I'm at just call my cell I will have it with me. 510-585-6559.

Please email me if you want to join catrarunner@yahoo.com

If anyone plans on running out from Del Valle Friday let me know we don't have a resupply there and it would be nice if you could bring some supplies out.

I will have snacks, drinks and goodies at mile 10,52, 62 Jerrys(63),74,94,104, 114 and finish 123.

Hope some of you can make it. it's going to be FUN!!!!

Just a FYI, the East bay regional park rangers and management along with EBRP police know I am out there running my b-day run. I have an ok to do so. If any of you head out after hours and get stopped just let them know you are out to meet up with me. The park does close at 10pm-5am Please carry your permit if you have one.

WHAT IS, IS, WHAT IS NOT, IS NOT. NO AMOUNT OF WISHING OR WANTING CAN CHANGE THAT SIMPLE FACT.

Julia and me heading up Mission Peak on a very cold morning. Julia joined me for 20 miles of my 26 mile run today.
Poor Momma cow, two yellow billed Magpies seem to be hicthing a ride on her back.
Me and a few of my friends below Mission Peak.
Loving life what more can I say.
This is where I will be running through during my 43 hour b-day run next week. Rose Peak is to the right and on the other side is Del Valle,

"All roads lead to Rome! Or in other words all paths lead to the same place. But before those paths lead us to anywhere we have to stop thinking about it and get on with it. This is a time of action and movement. Don’t worry if you make a mistake, we’re not perfect. If you realise you’ve made a mistake then make another choice and get back to the right path. Revamp objectives and approach life from another perspective.
© Stephen Haynes"

THE SCENT OF THE FLOWER IS CARRIED BY THE WIND, ONLY GOING WHERE THE WIND BLOWS, BUT YOUR VIRTUE RADIATES IN ALL DIRECTIONS, TOUCHING EVERYTHING.
Windy run yesterday on Mission peak.
Mission Peak trail
Sun setting behind trees.
On my way down from Mission Peak

"Rash decisions or actions undertaken without forethought could result in a dead-end. Don’t just blindly forge ahead. Re-examine how you have dealt with situations in the past, they may not be the way to deal with things now. Perhaps new thinking, or a new way of doing things, is what is called for now. In spite of everything you will learn from your experience and shake off those blocks or obstacles. Sometimes you need more perspective so stand back and take a second look. © Stephen Haynes"

"WHEN YOU ARE THROUGH CHANGING, YOU ARE THROUGH." hmmm, could this be while I'm always changing, and trying new things and traveling to new places??? I think so.

We had our work party at REI Sunday it was a blast. This is a picture of my co-worker Chantal and me bowling.

Me doing the crossfit WOD with a 10 pound weighted vest
Crossfit yesterday. Our WOD was run 1.1 miles


5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats
for 20 min.
Then run 1.1 miles again.
I did this WOD 3 times yesterday and I also did my first Krav Maga class. I will do Krav Maga 2 times a week, I loved it.
Ok here are my times 1st 15 rounds, 32:51 2nd 12 rounds +6 push ups 34:40 in between Kra Maga 3rd 11 rounds + 6 push ups 34:40
Have a great day..........................

"Don’t try to weigh things up or make a hasty judgement, the time is not right. Things haven’t yet had time to establish themselves so judging them too soon would be a waste of time and energy. Let things and situations have space and time to evolve. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Problems or obstacles that have been in your way will either resolve or dissolve as time goes by. This would be a great time to do a kindness or a charitable deed for someone less fortunate than you. This will be energetically replaced with a valuable piece of information. © Stephen Haynes"

"This is living"
I give thanks each day for my life. I give thanks that I have a healthy body and wonderful friends. This time of year I do get sad wishing my Mom was still with me. She was such a Holiday person always so festive. Christmas is just not the same without her.
I know she is always with me , I feel her spirit around me each and everyday.
Another wonderful Newt picture by me.
Happy girl at the end of a long day.

"All is evolution, all is cyclical, therefore endings lead to new beginnings. You cannot begin without an end. If you cannot let go of the past then the past constantly recreates itself. Look now to the future and the paths to your goals will again become clear. Obstacles or limitations will be surmounted and lost or forgotten opportunities will again be presented. Success is now within your grasp but realise that to maximise that success new ways, or new methods, could make life so much easier. © Stephen Haynes"

MORE HETCHY HETCHY FUN!!!!!!!
Linda, Jerry & Catra
Yummy Ice. Hope I don't get giardia again :0
Max hanging out having a Clif shot.
Snow Angel that's me!!!!
I think I'm on the trail, I hope I'm on the trail.

HETCHY HETCHY TRAIL RUN SATURDAY.
We arrive Saturday at 8:am only to find the gate leading down to Hetch Hetchy closed. A few minutes after 8am a water department worker drives to the gate. He tells us the Rangers will come up as soon as they check the roads. Shortly after a Ranger drives up and gives us the all clear since we hav 4 wheel drive.

Road leading down to Hetchy Hetchy. We are up high so there was snow, but as soon as we got low there was very little.
Judge Linda & Dirt Diva. Yes we are freezing our butts off at the start of the run.
Yes we will be climbing all the way up to the snow today..Burrrrrrr
Judge Linda, Fast Jerry & me standing at the base of the Falls.
Hey look everybody this time there is water coming down the Falls. Three weeks ago there was nothing.

"I AM THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEM"

POSTER CHILD FOR FIT AFTER 40!!!!!
THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD.
I BELIEVE IT'S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT CAPRICORNS. THE OLDER WE GET THE BETTER WE LOOK. I KNOW A LOT OF CAPRICORNS AND IT'S TRUE!!!!
Just trying to look tough, but I'm really not ;)
So looks like only 3 brave souls will head out to Hetch Hetchy tomorrow. Everyone else wimped out because of the weather. Should be an exciting and fun day!

"There is a power at work that is not seen but nevertheless exists. When we are unable to deal with, or change, our situation this unforeseen power comes to our aid. So expect difficulties or obstacles to be transformed or even neutralised, but in all cases with a positive outcome. There is nothing to fear at this time, it is only a process, as the old gives way to the new. Without change growth cannot occur. The right ideas or actions will become apparent. © Stephen Haynes"

Quarry lakes/Alameda creek trail run.
You should always try and have fun when you run. I like to mix my runs up when I'm alone doing sprints from one tree to the next. Lately I have been doing three crossfit exercises when I'm running. It goes like this run 1 mile(on short runs up to 8 miles) Longer runs I will run 5 miles and do the work-out. then do three crossfit moves doing 33 reps( I have a thing for the number 3). I usually do box jumps on a bench, burpees, air squats, push ups using the bench and lunges. I need to buy a jump rope and carry it in my pack so I can do double unders.
Happy running heading to crossfit after a 10 mile run :)
Box jumps aka bench jumps
Walking lunges. Bad form my knee should not be that far foward.
Air squats in Quarry lakes on a cool crisp evening.
Beautuful Quarry lakes at sunset....................................

"Change, disruption or obstacles could be the order of the day! There is a reason for each of these occurrences but in general it can be said that the way in which you are doing things, or viewing things, has to change. Very often the universe takes a hand and helps you by clearing away the debris of the old, but be assured that what is right, essential or just plain needed, will remain in place. In all cases be calm in the face of these unexpected events and just know that everything is going to be all right. © Stephen Haynes"

HETCH HETCHY HERE WE COME........
For anyone who is interested ,me and a group will be doing a 26 mile loop out in the Yosemite area This Saturday Dec. 8th.
Hetch Hetchy is the turn off, right before you enter the park gate, on the 120 from Manteca. We will be meeting at 8am. The gate opens at 8am and closes at 5pm that's why we are starting early.
We start at the O'Shaughnessy dam to Lake Eleanor rd/trail junction then climb to Miguel Meadow juntion, up Lake Eleanor cut off up to Beehive follow Jack main Canyon to Lake Vernon through Tiltill valley than by the waterfalls Rancheria, Wapama. Back to Eleanor rd to O'Shaughnessy dam.
Let me know if you're interested. If the weather is super bad we might not go. I think it should be ok. Please let me know who will be going catrarunner@yahoo.com
so far there is 7 going.


A reflection of myself in a mirror

This wisdom card is perfect for what is going on in my life, this explains what i've been going through ;)

"Get ready, I repeat, get ready, as the wheel is about to turn and an old cycle end and a new cycle begin. A new way of doing things is about to commence. The struggle will now be over as life rapidly turns into something much better. Sometimes there has to be havoc and chaos while a new order is established. Don’t get stuck on how it ought to be, let things go the way they will - this will bring you much good fortune. Don’t forget to say thank you for this chance to begin again. © Stephen Haynes"

Crossfit and Alameda creek 12 mile run...............
crossfit WOD......5 times for time...500 meter row and 400 meter run.
I finished in 23 min. Than went out for a 12 mile run along Alameda creek.


Graffiti under a bridge. I guess I wouldn't really want to be running out here late at night when the gangstas R around. To be honest I think a lot of this stuff is painted by wanna be hoods, young kids who just are trying to be cool
Me running strong coming back from my turn around point near the Bay.
Trying to out run the clouds.
Practice makes perfect me taking time out to do 33 box jumps or in this case bench jumps.
Doing a cartwheel, need to work on my form. Actually the rocks were cuting my hands..OUCH!!!
Had to take a picture in front of a word, a lot of people call me ;)

"Not all opportunity is good opportunity, so pick and choose wisely out of the opportunities that will soon be presented. This is a time to be considering the future and putting down strong foundations that will lead to success. If you build the foundations correctly success will follow easily. If you don’t take time to lay the foundation correctly then your plans are likely to fall down. Don’t delay or prevaricate at this time. Propitious happenings are afoot. © Stephen Haynes"

ATALANTA ATHLETICWEAR.................................
WWW.SKIRTGODDESS.COM
I had a blast this weekend working with the skirt goddess herself Heather. I worked the atalanta athleticwear booth at the CIM marathon. It was fun, saw lots of ultrarunners picking up there bibs and cruising the expo. I was excited talking to many marathoners some running their first. I remember how excited I was too. Met many people who have seen me in magazines or read my blog.
Please check out Heathers web-site it is a woman owned company and is from the Bay area. Her products are made right here is the USA. These days it's almost impossible to find products made here. These skirts are great I love them. Just tested out the skirt with capris and the long sleeve shirt. Ran 12 miles round trip in them yesterday to work and home. I love that she came out with the capri pant skirt perfect for cold rainy days. The shirts are great little thumb holes to keep hands warm.
Guys skirts are perfect skirt for your girls. www.skirtgoddess.com
Check out her stuff and make sure to tell Heather I sent you.

Me & sillililli(GB) from runners world & blog. Finally met this beautiful soul in person. Girl I hope you ran strong. It was a pleasure meeting you.
Michelle & me. I also know Michelle from the runnersworld forum. I hope you had a great run and I hope your Dad is doing much better it was great meeting you & your hubby. I need your email addy for my b-day run. email me catrarunner@yahoo.com

"Let yourself see what is not apparent, in other words, take a look under the table! It is sometimes highly enlightening when you turn things upside down or look at them from another perspective. All experience, good, bad or indifferent, is strangely good experience as it is only with time that you begin to understand why you had to have that particular experience and what the ultimate purpose was. We’re not in control of everything so, now and then, take a hands-off approach and let the universe have a go. © Stephen Haynes"

FRIDAY AUBURN RUN WITH JULIA!!!!!!
Julia & I having fun....................
Waiting for Julia at the top of K2..............
Julia and I being goofballs
Julia & I looking oh so bad ass...............
Monkey girl, I gotta always find something on my run to climb. The rope was a bit sketchy..........

"Rash decisions or actions undertaken without forethought could result in a dead-end. Don’t just blindly forge ahead. Re-examine how you have dealt with situations in the past, they may not be the way to deal with things now. Perhaps new thinking, or a new way of doing things, is what is called for now. In spite of everything you will learn from your experience and shake off those blocks or obstacles. Sometimes you need more perspective so stand back and take a second look. © Stephen Haynes"