If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
~Author Unknown

Here I go again Umstead 100 this will be my 4th time I have run it. Hope to get another sub 24 there. I love this race the people are awesome and it is a true test since you run a lot it's not like the mountain 100's I run where you get rest breaks. You have to make sure not to go out to fast since it is flat that's hard.
I plan to enjoy this run I will be thinking of my Mom and running for her since the race will be on the 9th anniversary of her death.
I will use her positive attitude and love of life to get me through.
I love and miss you Mom.

I paced Linda McFadden last weekend at Buffalo 100 that was fun. It was very cold but she did awesome as always.

Ok I would love it if you all sent me positive vibes during my run I will need them. Thanks xoxo

From my Mom............
Please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near
I’m everything you feel, see and hear.
My spirit is free but I’ll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight.
I’m the brightest star on a warm summer night.
I’ll never go beyond your reach
I’m the warm, moist sand when you walk on the beach.

I’m the colourful leaves when winter comes ‘round
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond.
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you see in the spring.
The first shiny raindrop that storm clouds bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you
Talk to me and I will listen.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees.
And you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep
I’m the smile you see on a stranger’s face
Just look for me………
I’m every place!

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."
Mark Twain
Sunday Andy, George and I ran with Pat DeVita the oldest legacy runner of the LA marathon she is 77. She placed 3rd in her age and finished in 6;43.

Ok this was my first marathon in 10 years and last time I ran LA marathon it was 11 years ago. What are the chances of it raining again 11 years later. Yep the last time I ran it it was raining for the first 19 miles but it did let up.
This year that would not be the case. The rain started as soon as the gun went off.

We couldn't find Pat at the start so our plan was for Andy to get in his coral in case she started early and look for and wait at mile 3.
I stayed with George and ran looking for her since we started near the back. I took off on George and said I would run ahead and wait at mile 3.

I meet a few bloggers in the morning Bob who is from Japan and was trying to when his age at 60. He won last year, he ended up finishing in 2nd this year.

Met Zachary who read about me in Born to run, he was running his first marathon in five fingers. he finished ;-)
So we got to mile 3 where we waited for George, I saw a guy running with a watermelon on his head a real one. I saw a guy running with an Alhambra bottle on his back accepting donations for the victims in japan. I saw groups of young kids running. I saw old people , I saw walkers I saw blind people. There was even a 400 pound man running it. And there was even the bass player of one of my favorite bands running Flea from the red hot chili peppers. I was amazed at all the different people running for different reasons. Me i was running for my friend Vicki DeVita who lost her fight with cancer in November. Pat DeVita is her mother so that was why I was there.
George came up and we told him to go on ahead and look for her. We had cellphones so could call if we spotted her. Andy and I waited for a long while finally I spotted Pat with her daughter Sherry and her friend Liz. Yay!!! She was so happy we found her and felt bad about the mix up on where to meet. Didn't matter we were all together running in memory of Vicki.

The weather was really bad but Pat never once complained just kept pushing through. I was so inspired by her determination and will power to just keep going even though the conditions were awful.
We finished in 6:43 and it was an awesome feeling knowing I got to help push her along. She was very happy we were there. She commented it would of taken her 8 hours had we not been there to motivate her. My goal now is to run LA marathon with Pat DeVita every year in Vicki's memory.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
- Lao Tzu

Coyote Springs 50k race in Las Vegas. We had a blast.
I feel at 14 miles and slowed down a lot. Hurt my knee and hand but still managed to finish. I was hoping to run 6:15 but instead was happy with my 7:10 finish.
Andy of course was speedy and finished in 4:57.
We had a great time on our trip saw Cirque du soleil O it was amazing.
We stayed at Aria sky suites it was the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at, I think that room went for 500 bucks a night. The drapes opened when you walked in. It was a beautiful place. We also went to Sinatra's for dinner and they even have a vegan menu.
It was awesome spending time with Andy without feeling trashed after running 100 miles. A little 50k is nothing for us so we are fresh and able to have fun without hobbling around ;_)
Congrats to Carmella on finishing her first Ultra!! Woo HOO

Ok next up helping at Coyote two moons 100 and running the LA marathon with friends ;-)

"Well, we knocked the bastard off !" Edmund Hillary, on first climbing Mount Everest

Some people get excited about meeting Rock stars in person, not me! I get excited meeting badass people who do amazing things like Tim Medvetz who climbed Mt. Everest!
I was running down Mt. Wilson Saturday and I hear someone call my name. It was Tim Medvetz one of my idols. He is on his quest to climb the seven summits. He is raising money and taking wounded vets. up mountain peaks. i think that is awesome. Here is a link to his site. hero's project
http://www.theheroesproject.org/

I think what Tim is doing is amazing. I am going to get the pleasure of hiking with this badass in a couple of weeks.

ROCKY ROAD 100 WE FINISHED!!!!
The race started out wet and cold but mother nature was nice, she decided that she would not let loose with the winter storm that was expected that day. She decided to be nice and give us good running weather.

It did rain for a few hours at the start but it was not bad. I started my run off trying to keep tattoo Joe in my site. I was able to keep him in view for the first 15 miles but he than slipped away. I decided to run with my good friend Linda McFadden since we were both a bit tired we knew we could motivate each other. God knows we have logged hundreds & hundreds of mile together over the years. She is also my crew Captain this year for Badwater.
We enjoyed chatting about the past, present & future to pass the time.
I enjoyed being able to see everyone so often. The course was hilly than was on web-site it said 8000ft of climb but was 12000ft ;-) I thought I could run it under 23 hours but realized I was slower.
Andy was really hammering this run I could not believe how well he was running. He kinda fell apart 40 miles into it , he was not peeing and had a stomach ache. I knew at some point he would catch me and than we could run together.
The course was made up of 7.5 miles out than back for 15 miles each round trip.
That's a lot of out and backs ;-))I did enjoy watching my idol Ben Hien kick some serious ass out there. He finished in 16 hours and change. He took several years off from racing but came back a couple years ago.
A couple years ago at San Diego 100 he ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. He was in the hospital for several days. This was his 100 mile come back since that occurred. He ran strong all day. I was even happy to see he's human and he walks too. He has such a vibrant personality and is so out going. I was happy he won ;-)
I stayed with Linda until Andy caught me at the turn around mile 75 for him mile 60 for me. He was happy to run with me since he was alone all day. Linda kept going and slowly pull away.
I was excited to reach mile 75 because my pacer Carmella would start with me. We reached the start / finish area mile 90 for Andy 75 for me and took off with Carmella we would only be with Andy for 5 miles than he would turn around alone the last 5.
I was feeling good wearing my Hokas although I am not really trained to run flat my legs were getting slow ;-),
I was fine with that. I was not eating and was having some stomach issues and I know I didn't drink enough but oh well. It wasn't hot so that was ok.
Carmella and I just chatted away, she is awesome and is on my crew for Badwater, it was the first time I had met her in person.
I felt bad because I slowed down so much.
When I reached mile 90 I was so happy, Carmella stopped to check on our friend Molly who was having issues. I came in to the start/finish area and checked in and out, I didn't stop I took off like a rocket for the next 3 miles than I fizzled out. Carmella finally caught me and we continued on to the turn around the last 5 miles to the turn around seemed long.
We made it, now only 5 to go. I shuffled along and stayed positive I knew I had this one in the bag.
I was happy to see that finish.
I want to thank Charlie and Rob and all the volunteers for putting this race on. Also thanks to Carmella for pacing me and all my friends who sent me positive vibes.
I believe this was the 75th time I have run 100 miles gotta go back and check for sure.
I finished 4th female in 25:22.