HAPPY HALLOWEEN costume #2 which one do you like best???
ZEN CARD...RENUNCIATION
Each day,
accept
everything that
comes to you as a gift.
At night, mentally give
it all back. In this way,
you become free.
No one can ever take
anything from you,
for nothing is yours.

WOW! this is all so true. You can only be free when you have freedom and you don't have things tying you down.
I believe that's a choice people make. The more freedom you want the less things you need to have.

I have freedom to come and go I have nothing tying me down. It's just how I choose to live.
I need to live in the moment right now.
I got a little ahead of myself the past month but now I'm back to where I need to be. Living each day as if it were my last. And loving myself. I am ready to love, but I sometimes forget most people don't love themselves so they can't love back.

Namaste,
Catra 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...
This costumes is for all my friends that think I'm Super girl. (Justin no need to make me the super girl costume I have it ;).)

My life is for ever changing.. A door closes, another opens. Even sometimes the door gets slammed shut in your face. It can throw your balance off. But I have to remember to remain positive. I have such wonderful people in my life, and I apprectiate them. All of you who read my blog and follow each one of my adventures you all keep me going.

Today I will take time to reflect why things happen the way they do, and learn from the choices I make weather bad or good.

Ok this is costume #1 you get to vote which one I will wear tonight.
Have a great day.
Catra

ZEN CARD......
JOY
Joy is inside
you. Not attainment of
things desired, nor in the
achievement of goals
made, but in the simple
feeling that lies within
you. Know that this joy
is unaffecteed by outer
circumstance, and joy
will be yours forever. 

I'm a winner!!!!!! 1st girl & 4th overall :)
Never in my wildess dreams did I think I was going to win the SF 1 day. First of all I'm a mountain runner, not a road runner. Second of all I just ran San Diego 100 mile trail race the week before.
The weather was perfect, the first day sunny and warm, the views were amazing. There were 100's of people out running and walking along the course. You had to weave in and out of people & dogs. I was happy for the night to come so I could just run without having to pay attention.
I ran a consistent race and remaind positive and motivate the whole time. I only slowed down for a couple hours I think.
There were so many fast woman there so I never considered winning or placing. My goal was to run 100 miles in 24 hours.
Im not sure when I took over the womans lead. My friend and hero Kathy D'onofrio was running a great race but had problems so stopped at 84 miles. I think once I hit 85 miles I was in the lead. I wasn't paying attention to the leader board.
I know Jennifer Ray took the lead at some point I later passed her and she took the lead again. I was just focused on running 100 miles.
I realized the last time I passed Jenn I could win I wasn't planning on walking once I paced her. So I new I had nothing to lose if I pushed the last 7 miles. I thought that would be cool to win this race especially after running a 100 mile trail race the week before.

All during the day, and night, I recived motavating emails from so many of you, who read my blog. It truly inspire me those last hours to push hard to win for all my friends. Thanks to all of you for believing in me.
Thank you Randy for your support. I still can't beleive you road out on your Harley just to go 1 mile with me your the best ever. Oh, thanks to Jason too you guys rock.
Also my friend Lorrie from crossfit came out and ran 5 miles with me. Thanks.

I'm still in shock that I won. I really had to work for this win. If you want something bad enough you can get it. In the end I wanted this win and I got it :)

Thanks to Sarah & Wendell for putting on such a great event the views were awesome. Also all the volunteers were great you guys rock!!! I suggest this race to everyone! The second day it was typical SF weather foggy & cold. Just happy the race was started Saturday & not Sunday.

Next up Javelina 100 this weekend.

Catra

SAN FRANCISCO 1 DAY...so you wanna follow me.

You guys can track my progress each hour. You can even email me. Please send me emails and I will read them on my walk breaks during the run. I'm sure I will need the positive words late in the night.

Zen card...compassion

Feel the pain of
others. Understand their
struggles and
disappointments, their
hardships and inadequacies,
and open your heart to
them. Realize that
everyone is doing the best
they possibly can.
Judge no one. But rather,
cradle all humanity in
your heart.

Have an awesome weekend.
Catra

Last run before the San Francisco 24 hour run.

Once again I'm asking all my friends to send me positive vibes this weekend as I run for 24 hours around Chrissy feild. If anyone happens to be in San Francisco this weekend stop by and do some laps with me.

Zen Card...Loyalty
Become loyal to your innermost
truth. Follow the
way when all others
abandon it.
Walk the path of
your own heart.

I have done that for the past few years. I am true to myself and follow my heart. I am honest and open. That's just me.
Some poeple don't like that and judge me for it. But I know most of the time it helps others.
Catra 

ZEN CARD....
Concentration....
As a drowning man
wants air, as the lover
seeks their beloved,
this is the way you must
focus on that which
you want. This intensity
of concentration will
remove all obstacles.

Something to think about. I really can relate to this one. So much going on with life that I must remain focused and positive.
Catra

 

San Diego 100 mile run, mile 93..
I was very happy to be at this point in the race.
I still don't know how I do it!
People arn't suppose to be able to run 100 miles through the mountains. It's just blows me away that I can do this.
I thank God each day ,I wake up for the wonderful life I have. I thank him for giving me this healthy body, and mind. My goal in life is to inspire as many people as possible to run or at least get out and hike in the wilderness and try to eat healthy. I know God has a plan for me I feel it in my heart more and more each day.

Have a beautiful day! 

Don't put us in your box! Yeah we ain't your typical 100 miler trailrunner Betty's!

What is an ultrarunner suppose to look like anyways??? I get that all the time you don't look like you run 100 miles. You look like you're a party girl!
I'm far from that...My party days are over. Sure I like to go out to clubs and see bands and dance. But if I had to choose between running and clubbing running would win.
It's always good to have balance in life. I'm finally learning how to have balance.

This is a picture of me and my friend Sarah Dillingham. She had to bail out of the hundred do to injury. That's ok because she is going to run a solo 100 next month and I will help her.
I think she got injured Thursday in the Mosh pit at the Rancid show ;)
So for dropping out she treated herself to a new tattoo. That means I have to get a new one. she's still leading the race in a few more tattoos ahead of me but I'm coming up fast. So you better watch out sista.
Namaste,
Catra


 

"IT'S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY "
Oh and what an exciting journey it was!
I finished my 3rd San Diego 100 and my 7th 100 mile race of the year. My finishing time was 27:29 I was 5th girl. My goal was to run in the 27 hour range and that I did. I didn't wear a watch, so only knew the time of day when I would ask at the aid stations. I knew I felt stronger than last year, and was running stronger. The uphills seemed easier. I owe that to crossfit.

My time was 29 hours last year. Earlier in the race I was coming into aid stations 2-3 hours faster than last year. At one point I was running with a guy who said we were on the 24 hour cusp. I told him to keep pushing and go on ahead. I had no intentions of running that fast. I have the San Francisco 24 hour run this weekend, and another 100 mile race in three weeks. Hey, I love this sport but didn't want to kill myself trying to run that fast, in this race.

My race went well for the most part. Mile 35 I felt a bladder infection coming on. I just had to deal with it and did.
I ran alone the whole race from mile 45 on to the finish. Only three people past me and that was 8 miles from the finish. I had no pacer, or crew, so did feel a bit lonely. Wait I take that back. My MP3 was my pacer and Randy crewed me by texting me and calling in the middle of the night. At one point around 1:45am I was so sleepy I was stumbling around and falling asleep on my feet. I just needed to talk to someone anyone! I thought I will call Randy. So I called him and just said I need to talk so I wouldn't fall asleep. Within a few minutes of talking to him I snapped out of and was able to wake up. Thank god for cell phones.

I slowed down a bit and when I got to mile 94 I knew I had to make up time to get 27:30. ( I ended up finishing in 27:29). I ended up running almont the entire 6 miles. Not easy to do with 94 miles on your legs. I wanted it that bad so just pushed. I told myself you're better than you think you are and you can do it!
Well, I also asked God to guide me to the finish feeling strong. He did.

Thanks to all my friends who send vibes and positive energy when I'm running my 100's.
Thanks to Randy for inspiring me and being patient and understanding. You're the best :)
Namaste,
Catra

The look of a very happy couple!
I'm on my way to San Diego. I hope everyone has a awesome weekeknd.

Zen Card...Balance
The center is not
always the point of
balance. When you find
that place where
Balance is
achieved, peace will
result in all situations.
There is no conflict. For
everything rests
without strain.

Looks like I hae finally found balance in my life. Thanks to you Randy.
Namaste,
Catra
 

I don't want to fall in love...
I would like to tell you I would like to say
That I knew this would happen, that things would go this way
But I cannot deceive you, this was never planned
I know you're the right girl, but do you think I'm the right man?
Right face, wrong time
She's sweet but I don't wanna fall in love
Too late, so deep, better run cause....

This is a song from my new favorite bands.
She wants revenge.. I highly recomend giving it a listen. The sound is very 80's Gothic.

What a perfect day for my last run.. I head out to San Diego tomorrow morning.

I want all the vibes I can get at 3am Sunday morning..
Namaste,
Catra

Please send me positive thoughts & vibes this weekend....
I' running San Diego 100 this weekend. I'm excited!!!!
Sorry this is short but I'm off to work.

Zen Card....community

Understand
that you will
be like those with whom
you surround
yourself, your
enviornment is stronger
than you are.

So very true. Only surround yourself with loving caring people.
That's what I do. 

The look of a determined bowler ....
See I don't just run all the time. Here I am at the Boardwalk bowl in Santa Cruz on Sunday. I forgot how fun bowling is.

Bowling is a good form of tapering for a hundred.

Today I was going to take it easy at crossfit and just modify the workout. Well i didn't. I hope come Saturday at 5am I will be feeling strong at the start of SD 100.
Randy you're the best ever for turning me on to crossfit.

Zen Card,,HARMONY
Restore harmony.
Create peace in
all situations. Rather
than pushing the river.
Flow with it.

This is perfect for me right now.

Have a perfect day everyone.
XOXO,
Catra

TAPER MADNESS....
It's so hard for me to taper. I just want to run, run, run! I know if I just chill my 100 miler will go well. Today I wanted to run longer but, I only ran 4 miles.
I will run 3 miles tomorrow and 5 on Thursday.
I'm looking forward to running San Diego 100. I just love running 100 miles. I just can't explain why. It's a feeling inside me.

ZEN CARD....HAPPINESS
Happiness
comes from within.
If you choose to
be happy, no one and
no thing can
ever take that
happiness from you.

WOW! This is so true. No matter how many energy vampires come
into our lives and try to suck our energy, we don't have to let them if we are happy.

Have a beautiful day :) 

WARNING: Climbing is a dangerous sport. You can be seriously injured or die.
I love rock climbing and bouldering. Yes, I know the risk. I have a plate & 7 screws in my right arm holding my ulna together. It reminds me everyday that climbing is risky.
I love moving up the rock working the problem linking each move like a puzzle piece.
It's a great work out. I suggest going to your local climbing gym and trying it. It's something the whole family can do together.

Zen Card...Grace
The beauty of grace is that you receive blessing for no reason.
As above, so below.
Practice random
acts of grace. Give to
others for no reason,
offer kindness to those
who are undeserving, love
those who no one else
loves. Practice grace. 

Woo Hoo!
My tattoos on my legs
are finally finished.
Am I getting more tattoos you ask, of course.
Julio will draw up my next designs in a couple weeks.
It will be a design of a necklace Randy gave me.

Zen Card...EGO

Those who say they
know, do not know. Those
who say they do not know,
also don't
know Therefore,
be quiet and let your
actions speak for
you. They speak for
you. They speak much louder than your
words anyway. 

Ahhh...The most beautiful rock formation in all of the world.
Half Dome.
Last night I got to hang out with some old friends who I haven't seen in over 13 years. It was great. It was great to see we're all still alive after getting caught up in drugs back in the day. Right now I'm all about reconnecting with old friends.
Today I will hang out with my oldest friend Tom. We've known each other and each others families since I was 7 years old. We hung out a lot in the 80's. Lived together for a little bit in the 90's.
We some how lost contact. I think it was me, and my drug use.
So I think the last time I saw him was 15 years ago. You know myspace is good for finding old friends. That's how he found me.

Have a great day & maybe think about reconnecting with an old friend. 

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13th....
Life is a test. Today I went to snooze my alarm on my cell phone and I guess it turned off. I missed crossfit class :( I had to pull the chip out of the phone, seems to be working ok.
I forgot the painters were coming to finish painting the house and they need to paint my room today. I have like 5,ooo things going on. I ask if they could wait until 1pm they agreed, thank god.
I have like a million pictures on my wall I had to take down and move stuff around. Had to also move stuff around the bathroom so they can paint it to.
I know if I just let stuff go and give it to God it will work out.
I moved everything then went out for my run and I did the crossfit work out. Randy told me what it was so I knew what to do.
He has it posted on his blog http://www.rjkeener.blogspot.com
Just in case anyone whats to do the work outs he will post them Mon.,Wed.,& Fri.

The work out kicked my butt.
Today should get better, going to get my tattoos finished and I get to see Randy tonight :) Oh and I get a massage woo hoo.

This picture is of me near the Merced river when I was heading out of the Valley yesterday I took it. I always look so much happier after a good long run.

What a beautiful day!
Perfect for a run up Half Dome. If you haven't been to the top I suggest you get your butts up there. If not this season, then next season. The snow hasn't started yet so there's still time this month. I could not beleive how many people were up there today. At the top, there were 17. And still people on the way up.
I can tell my upper body is much stronger thanks to crossfit. I pulled myself up the cables no problem. Usually my arms get sore.
I feel like I'm ready for San Diego 100 next weekend.

Zen Card... suffering
The cause of
all suffering is
craving. Desire things
that you do not
have, and suffering will
follow. Realize
this and peace will
be yours. Suffering
will disappear and
contentment
will reign.

It's a good one to think about! 

Zen Card..Wisdom
Treat everyone and everything with loving
compassion.
When you see no differance
between the sacred
and the profane, the saint
or the sinner. That is the
ultimate wisdom. 

Some people stop to smell the rose's, not me I stop to do some push ups ;)
I've decited to start incorporating my crossfit exercise's into my shorter runs(anything under 20 miles). I picked 5 spots along the trail to do what I did in my crossfit class today. It was fun. Here I am on Mission Peak doing my push ups.
A man came over to to me on one of my exercise stops and ask "what are you doing"?. I said "my crossfit work out"! He said why? I asked why do you hike? He said becouse it's good for me. I said that's my answer for what I'm doing trailrunning/crossfit work out. He smiled and said , ok.

Tomorrow I will go to Yosemite for the day to run Half Dome. Should be as beautiful as ever. Yosemite is my heaven. I love it!

Have a beautiful day! 

Zen Card of the day.....
Zen mind.
Experience all things with the enthusiasm of a child, as if you were seeing it for the first time.
This is the zen mind.
Always new, always aware, always that
of a beginner.

What a great zen card, I will practice this during my next 100, next weekend San Diego 100.
Have a beautiful day ;) 

Having fun on my 33 mile trail run today :)
Running 33 miles after crossfit isn't for everybody. But hey I'm not everybody. Yeah, I was sore. Mile 27 I was feeling the heat and my quads and gluts were hurting. It's all good though, pain is pleasure ;)
Zen card.. Friendship
To love people who love you is easy.
Choose to be everybody's friend, whether they like you or not.
When you love and accept others as they are, you will have friends everywhere.

Hey now I know why I have so many friends :) 

Me & Randy on a 7.5 mile trail run.
Looks like Randy got sucked in, he loves trail running. That's good for me. I got sucked in to crossfit because of him. We are just showing eachother what we're passionate about. Good thing we both like each others passions.

Life is wonderful!