6th Annual FREMONT FAT ASS 50K
This year instead of just running 50k during the FFA I decided I wanted to run 42 miles, I asked Linda to join me and she said yes. We started the run from my house in Fremont at 5:30am and headed to Quarry lakes we got there fast and instead of waiting an hour for the race to start we just kept going.
Andy would be running so he had my car and Linda and I would pick up food and head out on our way back.

We saw some of our groups early starters heading out. We got out to Quarry lakes and were able to see the 8:30 starters heading out. I knew we would get caught later in the race by them.
We had perfect cool weather. we were lucky to have Chihping Fu providing aid along the course, we went by him twice.
There was a 5k, 10k and 1/2 marathon going on by Brazen racing they had 1200 runners out there. Sam the RD said we could use his aid which was nice.
I thought my legs would be sore running such a flat course since I don't train flat. But they weren't. Today they feel great. I owe it to my HOKAs these shoes are awesome.
We had around 33 runners this year doing various distances.
I was happy my bf Andy was able to come out and run fast with the fast guys. He enjoyed the course and had a great time.
Next year the race will be held around the same weekend so mark you calender for a fun race that cost nothing.

The strongest oak tree of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It's the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.
HURT 100 2011 It was just not our year. We went into it as a team. Andy and I would run the race together.
It was a very humid this year John the RD said it was 93%, it felt more humid than years past. I felt great going into it.
We were doing awesome the first 2 loops off by a little but still ok. Andy twisted his ankle on the third loop so we walked a bit.
As we headed down to Paradise the trail became very slippery, with 150 feet passing over this section 6 times now it was hard to keep your balance in a few places. I hurt my shoulder/arm somewhere in here. It has bothered me in the past in races, I usually have to take my pack off because of the pain. But really couldn't do that. I needed my water. I didn't want to take any advil yet. I was saving two for later in the race if I needed them.
I am trying not to take them at all after my liver enzyme test came back high a while back. I was taking a lot last year. Now I am not taking them at all unless something serious happens in a race.
I could not believe how great the course was the first two loops now this third one was so slippery and wet. It was dark so we were moving slow trying to stay upright.
I think we both were struggling with some demons.
I was kinda thinking in my head we shouldn't of ran the 24 hour race 2 weeks before HURT that kinda stuff.
We made it to Paradise and were in and out. Andy bought me a little speaker so we attached to the ipod and were having our own little party on the trail.
We made a promise to stay together so when Andy first twisted his ankle he mentioned I could leave but I said no.
I was kinda slowing down I think and I know Andy was doing his math in his head about finishing with time to spare. He mentioned to me he felt bad because he thought of leaving me on the trail which I would of been ok with. But we did make a promise to run this together. As we climbed along and enjoyed views of the city we thought to ourselves maybe we should call it a day and enjoy each other alone in Hawaii and not killing ourselves just to finish the 100k since that seemed like what we would do. We both had no desire to want to to that 7 mile section to get 100k credit since we both weren't feeling great. Plus we would not finish until 7am and loose a whole day being trashed. We thought we could make it to mile 60 and drop but it's still a DNF 54 or 60.
We got to the aid station and we had discussed our joint decision to bail there. We made sure that there were no regrets because we both were fine with hiking to 60 or stopping here.
So we stopped. We both believe things happen for a reason and there was a power stronger than us that decided how our race would go.
Sometimes we don't see it right away.
One thing that occurred to me out there is, I never spend Andy's b-day with him I am usually putting on the Fremont Fat ass 50k. Which Andy always has been fine with. But on the trail I realized it doesn't have to be like that and I just won't run the 50k this year. It is more important to spend special days with those we love. I felt awful knowing the past 3 years Andy has been alone on his b-day.
Had we not dropped none of this would of ever came up.
So see maybe this is the reason ;-)

So I will be spending and celebrating Andy's b-day the whole weekend with him
And the Fremont Fat ass 50k will still go on just a week later.

HURT 100 we will be back. Oh and after we dropped we had a good sleep and snuggle. We ate lunch at my favorite Thai place on the North Shore and helped volunteer at the finish line Sunday to clean up. And we also got to watch the excitement of the last runners coming through. Congrats. to all who started even if we all didn't make it to where we wanted we did our best.

It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
Sir Edmund Hillary
It's that time again I am off to Hawaii to run HURT 100 #11 I can't believe I have been running that race all these years.
I love the course and I most of all love my friends, that I get to see each year.

Please send me positive vibes and follow my journey this weekend.

The course will be very muddy I'm sure this year, but no matter how dirty I get, I will be looking cute. I am bringing all the outfits above. Most likely will be wearing the one on the left top for the race.

This is the link to follow my race ;-)
http://www.ultralive.net/hurt100/webcast.php?bibno=19

Anything in this world is possible and you have the capacity to acquire all that you set your sights on. Believe in yourself, you possess the inner drive to accomplish all of your desires. If you commit yourself entirely to the things you want and maintain the strength to follow through, you will succeed in reaching your goals.

Had an awesome weekend running with friends. Mike, Linda, Jerry and I did a run out towards Sunol from Mission peak and back out to Ohlone College. We ran the YSC trail out over there then went to Mission coffee ;-) and ran the road home.

I feel I am ready to take on HURT 100 for the 11th time. I feel really ready after 135 mile b-day run and an 80 mile training day at New years Eve 1 day.
Kept the miles low last week ran 50 miles and now will just run a few miles with Rocky each day until I leave for HURT 100.
Looking forward to seeing all my friends in Hawaii this weekend.
Ok now off to see my Fascial stretch therapist Dr. Hunt.
HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog..............
The weather has been awesome cold but sunny perfect for running and tapering. This my last week of training for HURT 100. I have been running easy miles 5,3,14,4 tomorrow 10 and last long run 20 miles Saturday then 7 on Sunday.
Need to make sure I am all rested body and mind for HURT 100. Looking forward to heading to Hawaii ;-)

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-- Author Unknown
I just love running with Rocky. I try and take him out at least 3 miles everyday.
I usually take him out after I finish my run, it's my cool down with him.
He loves it when I am tapering for a hundred because that means he can go out long with me since I am on no time schedule ;-)
Rocky is the most amazing dog in the world to me. Everybody loves him ;-)

Live Your Life With Motivation And Courage!

Happy New year!!!
What a fun New years eve. Andy and I ran the New years 1 day 24 hour race.
We both were doing great until the wee hours of the night came and the rain came. We both got slight hypothermia and crawled into the car to get warm. We didn't really have any warm clothes left so decided to rest and see how we felt. Andy had blisters and had no desire to head back out so I decided to stay with him in the warm car.
It was awesome being able to see the fireworks and speeding New Years eve doing what we love and spending it together.

We both have HURT 100 coming up so need to recover for that ;-)
Andy ran 96 miles came in 5th place overall. I ran 80 miles came in 2nd female 11th overall.

Hope you all had a safe and happy New year!!