Me in a gold dress...Never thought I could look good in gold. But I guess I do.
This picture is for my friend Dominic at work. He wanted to see me in a gold dress so I'd I thought I'd post it for him and all of you.
Have an awesome day! 

The Pacific Crest Trail aka PCT

These books are my bibles they will help guide me from Mexico to Canada 2,700 miles.
I will Start in one country and finish in another.
I will pass through deserts and scale high peaks. I will ford dangerous creeks/rivers and snow covered passes.
I will traverse through 24 national forests, 37 wilderness areas, and 7 national parks.
I hope to finish it all in under 83 days. I will be doing it as a team with my friend Julian from France. We are both so excited about our journey. We will start sometime in May depending on how much snow we get in the Sierras this winter.

ZEN CARD....
Humility
The way of the
Earth is to empty
that which is full,
and fill that which
is empty. True
Humility brings
great fortune. 

GOTHIC GIRL
This is a painting of me. I beleive it was circut 1995.
I think the artist was a guy named Mike Anderson.
I've always wanted to put it up. I'm remodeling my room so I will hang it somewhere.
I was digging through my old goth threads, thats the outfit I'm wearing. Funny how I look better in the clothes now than 13 + years ago.
I would say it's the healthy life style change.

ZEN CARD>......Success
success is
not found in what
you have
achieved, but
rather in
who you have
become.

This is so true..I love who I have become.
Have a beautiful day. 

The beautiful Sierras
The days are shorter the nights are bitter cold but I still feel so drawn to the beautiful Sierras.
I know the snow has come, and running into the backcountry is just plan nuts, this time of year.

I will return during the Winter most likely for my B-day on x-mas eve. I will run through the Valley dreaming of my run/fastpack of the PCT through the High Sierras. I will see the Passes in a differant light. I will be armed with an ice axe and crampons and I will assult each pass with an inner strength that I have never used inside me.
I will respect each snow covered pass and thank each one as I safely summit.
This section of the PCT will be the most gruelling. It always is with snow. Any PCTer will tell you so. I have post holed and climbed on my hands and knees in the Summer trying to get to the top of Muir Pass in a snow year.
I am looking forward to the challege of Fastpacking the whole PCT in May.
I know it will change my life forever. Going into the Sierras for days on end always changes you a little. It teaches me to love and be thankful for all that I have.
Have a beautiful day! 

ZEN CARD.....Peace
To create peace in
the world, you must be
unruffled within.
Become tranquil,
walk in stillness, and
act in harmony.
The serenity that
radiates from you will
create peace. 

QUAD. DIPSEA 28 mile race.
Victorias run. I ran this race for a woman who I have never met.
She lives in the Netherlands and has cancer. Her friend Deb writes to my blog.
I thought since she is going through a hard time I would dedicate my Quadruple dipsea run for her.
I had a great run and sent her positive energy and vibes the whole way. I think my time was 6:23. I felt strong the whole way..I ran for Victoria and not for me. I know she will beat her illness and her life will be back to normal.
My thoughts and prayers are with her.
Victoria stay strong, you will win the fight.
Namaste,
Catra 

Hetch Hetchy the best kept secret in all of Yosemite! 

Hetch Hetchy...I bought a map of the area a couple months ago. There are 100's of miles to run out there.
I can't believe it's taken me so long to get back to this beautiful Diamond. I plan on coming out in Spring to run the 26 mile loop around the Dam. Didn't have time today just logged around 8 miles. I will be back! 

BURRRR....This morning is was 28 degrees in Yosemite when I woke up. I decided to head out of the Valley to do my run.
As I drove I thought Hetch Hetchy. I went there once in 1995. It was during my first visit to Yosemite.
So that's where I headed. 

I have logged 1,000 of miles through the Yosemite wilderness. Yes I have spend many miles running and Fastpacking the snow capped peaks behind me 

me just below the cables on Half Dome..It was maybe 45 degrees. Just took my clothes off to pose ;) 

Me on Thanksgiving heading up to Half Dome. I was the only one on the trail. I saw one person heading for an overnight trip to Sunrise. I finally saw people on my way back near Nevada falls four miles from the Valley floor.
I can say I was the only person on Half Dome 11-23-06. I will always remember that. It is the first time in my 4 years of running that trail that I didn't at least see three people heading up to Half Dome. I hope you were all thankful for at least a few things. I know I was! Thankful that I am alive and healthy. 

ZEN CARD......
Unity...
Unite all things.
When all of your
energies are going in the
same direction, great
things will happen. When
you unify others,
success is assured.
Work in harmony
with the way, and all
things will flourish.  

The Girls of crossfit San Jose.
No boys today just the girls.
It was a great workout, here it is.....
Warm up
Fence run
Bkwds back
25 jumping j's
20 windmils
standing stretch(any kind)
25 push ups
20 sit ups
Partner running pulls

WOD....
1 min. each 3 rounds
row no straps
wall ball
box jumps
jump pull-ups(belts)
box push-ups
1 min. rest between rounds.

Today will be crazy at Whole foods market. It was slow yesterday so the storm will hit today. I can never figure out why people shop the day before Thanksgiving. The lines are long and people get really moody.
My department usually isn't super busy. Most people arn't buying supplements.
Hope everyone has an awesome day.
 

Listen to your body!.
That's what I did today. I did crossfit yesterday and ran 17 miles. This morning I woke up feeling like I was run over by a truck. I stood up and said ouch! So I decided to skip crossfit and do a short 4 mile run.
I know I'm sore from climbing too. It had been over a year since I last rock climbed.

I'm planning on heading back to Yosemite to run Half Dome on Thanksgiving. If anyone is interested contact me and we can hook up for a fun slow run in the Valley. I plan on running both Thursday & Friday. I will also climb Friday.

Zen card...Stillness
When the night is
still, you can hear
the silence. When the mind
is still, listen to the
silence and let it
guide you.

Have a beautiful day!!!! 

I know so many pictures but had to make up for the days I didn't blog.
Just want to say Randy did awesome climbing we had so much fun in the valley.
Yosemite is really the most beautiful place in the world to me.
I'm thinking of heading back for Thanksgiving. Since I have nothing else going on. I was bummed Randy hurt his knee and we couldn't run Half Dome. If the weather is nice this week I might have one more shot to go up the stone before the weather changes. We'll see.
There's always Camping on Diablo which is close.

I'm feeling strong so I will see if I can PR at Quad. Dipsea this weekend. Let me just say it's a short 28 mile race but hard. I always run 20 on Thursday & Friday before the race this way I get some back to back training runs in.
Ok kids here's the Zen Card of the day....
TRUTH..What is, is.
What is not, is not.
No amount of
Wishing or
wanting can change
that simple fact.
 

I love to climb!!!! Ok, now I'm stuck not sure if I should head to the Ditch aka Yosemite Valley or Mt. Diablo Wednesday night.
I think if the weather is going to be nice I'll run Half Dome Thursday and run 5 mile trail to Panarama than climb with my friend Albert after.
I miss the ditch and all the monkeys :(
Saturday is Quad. dipsea race that should be fun.
Life is good. 

Above the fog...How I've missed running Mission Peak/Sunol. I was sore from climbing this weekend and crossfit today but managed to run 17 miles. 

"F" this....
I tend to swear a lot when I'm climbing. It really helps me to move through the cruxie sections!
How I love to dance up the granite. I love getting pumped and sweating. Oh how I love getting Elvis legs...I forgot how it felt, to really be badass.
My second love is rock climbing. Got back to my roots this past weekend. I love being a dirtbag monkey!!!!
Took Randy who had a blast. So proud of you, you did awesome for your first time hanging in the Valley.
I'll write more tomorrow. Gotta get some sleep!!! 

ZEN CARD......
Friendship.
To love people
who love you is easy.
Choose to be everyone's
friend, whether they
like you or not. When you
love and accept
others as they are. You
will have friends
everywhere.

I love this card. It's so true. I have friends everywhere. Friends are great. I'm going with my friend Randy to Yosemite today and we're going to have so much fun!  

Don't you just love my outfit???????
Randy bought me the skirt & shirt when he was in L.A.
I must admit for a boy he sure has good taste.
The scarf I added it's from target. The purse is from my new favorite online store(trashvilleusa.com) and boots are vegan from zappos.com

I can't wait to wear this out to a club!!!
Don't think I'll show up in Yosemite with it..LOL...

Zen card...Loyalty
become loyal to
your intermost
truth. Follow the
way when all others
abadon it.
Walk the path of
your own heart. 

Running Strong.....
I had a good work out at crossfit this morning. I was planning on running 10-15 miles. I decided to just run a really fast 7 miles. It took me 56 min. Which is 8 min. miles. Pretty fast for just finishing a fast hundred miler 3 days ago.

I felt strong. I'm really not sore. I'm so amazed at how fast I can recover from running 100 miles.
Heading to Yosemite tomorrow for some alttitude training. I love running in Yosemite. I'm taking Randy he's never been. I know he will love it.
I will take him on some of my favorite trails. We are planning on going up Half Dome.
Well ,only if it's not wet or icy.
I hope to also do the 4 mile trail/Panorama and Snow creek trail and finish down the falls trail.
Hopefully we will get some climbing in to. 

STILL HIGH ON LIFE!!! No drugs or alcohol needed.
Drug free body!! That's right! My body is a temple and if I treat it with respect it lets me do whatever I want. My mind works together with my body and with both clean & clear I can do whatever I want.

I'm still thinking about all the fun I had this weekend. I forgot to mention ,I think Oklahoma wins the award for the most road kill I've ever seen. I'm sure there was at least 100 dead animals along that route.

Zen Card...
LOVE...
All beings want
to be loved and
accepted.
That is something you
can give to them.
Love completely,
unselishly,
and unconditionally. 

MOTHER ROAD 100.....
Ouch that Mutha hurt!!!
I am no road runner I tell ya!!! I only signed up because it was a one time event.
I'm not sure how, but I ended up running 4 100's in 4 weeks. I wasn't even planning to. I owe it to my good friend and Dirty girl Xy Weiss. She ask if I would run Javelina with her. If I did it would make three in three weeks and I would run Mother road making it 4 in 4 weeks.

I knew I could run 3 100's in a row. I have done that a couple times. In September I ran 3 in a row, had three weeks off than ran the 4 in a row.

I just want to say thank you to Thomas Hill the RD and all the other people who helped with the race they were all very nice and helpful.
Many runners had crews, you were able to have your crew follow you the whole 100 miles.
I want to thank everyone who helped me don't remember names but you all know who you are. I know Thomas's crew was very helpful. I remember it being in the low 30's and I was cold and one of his guys gave me an extra jacket which was very nice.
I had no idea during the race I was going as fast as I was. I just hoped to finish in 26 hours. I must admit I was afraid of running 100 miles on asphalt. I wore my Montrail Hardrocks and they were great. I wore them during the 24 hour run in SF as well. Who says you can't wear trail shoes on the road?? I say you can!
It took my usual 6 hours to get into my zone. That's when my body & mind know yep she's doing it to us again 100 miles.

I came into the 50 mile check point in 10 hours and thought I'm doing pretty good. I didn't wear a watch infact all of past 4 100's I wore no watch. I ran in the moment and never thought to far ahead.

This race was special I was running for a poster to my blog anon-embarassed. He is fighting a drug addiction which I know he will win. I did it 12 years ago and now look at me.
There were points in the race during the night where I was so cold and I was suffering and just wanted to curl up inside a nice warm car and sleep. I couldn't I had to suffer because I know any amount of suffering I was enduring it was harder for anon. I had to stay strong and tough for anon. I had to beat that Mother road. Trust me I asked myself many times what the HELL am I doing running on this freakin road???? I'm not a road runner. I never run roads. Each time, I got the answer I was looking for. I'm running for anon-embaressed. If I can do this he can get clean & sober and he too can win the fight.
I also know my job in life is to inspire those around me so I just keep moving forward and stay positive.

I am so touched each time I run a race. I am so touched by the volunteers who spent all day, and night in the freezing cold to help us along the way. The small towns we went through. These people knew nothing about ultrarunning , they treated us all so well. Many of them saw me on the news the night before and said you're the famous girl we saw you on T.V. I stopped and got my picture taken with a lot of them.
Dan the weather man who interviewed me ran Mother road as his first 100 he finished. Great job Dan.

It was crazy running along the road there were times when you had no shoulder. and had to jump out of the way of trucks getting very close. I want to thank all the Law enforcment people for being there to help slow some of those people down.

It seems lately I am a second half runner. Once it got dark I picked it up this is where I noticed I started passing people. From mile 70 on I don't think anyone passed me.
As I got closed I had no idea what time it was. I thought maybe i might break 24 hours. I came through the finish line and was surpriased I ran 22:51 and was 4th place girl. I was so happy with my time.

I'm still amazed at how well my body & mind work together and I can do what I do. I believe it's positive thinking and all the prayers and positive vibes my friends send.
Thanks to all my friends for your kind words of encourgement and those phone calls and messages you all leave in my darkest hours in the middle of the night during my runs. When I listen to those it gives me the lift I need to keep going.

Anon-embaressed I ran for you and I kicked ass for you. Stay strong & positive just like I did during our run. I ran for you!!! You can stay clean & sober. I have faith in you even though I don't know you. 

Mother road 100 here I come!!!!
Many of my 100 mile race's I dedicate to friends or loved one's who are sick or passed away.
I also dedicate some of my hundreds to complete strangers who have died. It's just something I do. Ultrarunning can be a selfish sport. It's all about me the runner. I try to make it about someone else I try to think about someone else when I'm out there for so many hours. I want to try and touch lives and help people, through what I do.

This week I got a post to my blog from someone who goes by Anon-embarassed.
He was crying out for help to me. He needed my help. He is suffer from a drug addiction. I felt his pain I know what he's going through. He had no one he could tell and asked me for help.
I sat down and read what he wrote over and over.
I cried because I knew what he was going through.
I gave him the best advice I could. I told him to get help, and I also told him I would run Mother Road 100 for him this weekend.
I have been thinking about him since he posted to my blog.
He posted back thanking me for my advice and he did seek help. He also went out for a run and he decided to set a goal for himself and run a 50 mile race next year.

It made my life to know that I could help someone during such a dark and depressing time.
I may never meet you anon-embaressed, but I want you to know I care about you enough to run 100 miles for you, and to dedicate my run for you hoping this will inspire you to move forward, and stay positive. Anon you can run away from those demons just like I did 12 years ago.
Drugs steal souls but you can fight back and keep your soul...Don't give up the fight you can win.
Namaste,
Catra