MISSION PEAK.................

Can someone please tell Summer that it's actually Fall :-)
What an awesome morning to run 70 degrees at 9:30 and it's November.
I'm actually not complaining. I will take the nice weather why I can.
Ran 15 miles and every 2 miles I did 50 squats and 50 lunges a good ass and legs workout for sure.
I suggest you all get out on the trails today since we have this beautiful weather. I am headed to work soon.
I can't believe the amount of trash people leave on my trail I picked up 7 pieces of trash. Make sure when you are out on the trail to always try to pick up 3 pieces of trash like I do. We can make the trails a more beautiful place!!!

MY CHOICE MY DESTINY..............

My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.
Elaine Maxwell

People Are Like Stained-Glass

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween. We did, I went to Andys with Rocky for 5 days it was great to get away. We were very busy since Halloween is Rockys holiday. He wore his hot dog bun costume again and it was a hit. I was a harlequin girl again and Andy a peanut.
We got some trail running in took Rocky up on the Mt. Wilson trail. That dog loves to run.
Andy took me to see Nightmare before Christmas in 4D in Hollywood that was fun.

We mostly hung out in Sierra madre. Friday they had the costume parade for kids we took Rocky ;-)
Sunday we went down Algeria street in Sierra Madre. It is a street that all the homeowners deck their houses out for Halloween and they block off the street thounds of people come to look at the displays.
Andy drove back with me and Rocky since he had to fly out for work in Atlanta so we spent the night in San francisco.
We had such an awesome time together. looks like me and my sweetie won't see each other until Ridgecrest 50k race ;-( Being apart really makes us appreciate each other and we know how much we love each other. We really have so much fun when we are together he can really make me laugh.
Ok now I need to start training for HURT 100 ;-)

But first up heading to my fascial stretch therapy session with Dr. Hunt ;-)

SET MY EYES ON THE PRIZE..........And along the way I got my mojo back..............
Ran Javelina Jundred this past weekend. I was excited to be back and was going to wear a costume for the first time. It is always held around Halloween and they encourage the runners to wear costumes. It's sort of a Halloween party with a hundred mile race thrown in.
I saw the award for best female prize and really wanted it all I had to do is #1 wear a costume #2 remain in the costume the whole 100 mile race and #3 finish the hundred miler.
I did all 3 and won the prize.
I went into the race lacking the confidence I once had since the last 3 hundreds went bad. Western states I got pulled mile 85 due to medical issues.
Had been having on going hamstring issues which limited my range of motion at AC 100 along with bladder infection early on. Made it to mile 75 and dropped because I could no longer lift my right leg.
Rio del lago 100 still having issues but figured I could gut it out. Wrong my head wasn't in the game ,either was my body, it failed me with a bladder infection and me starting my menstrual cycle and slight hamstring issue. So I was out at mile 80.

During this time I had met John Vigil who is a Chiropractor that is licensed in Fascial stretch therapy. He turned me on to this and he worked on me. The first time I noticed a huge difference. He is in Vegas so I had to find someone where I lived to do the work on me. There are only 6 licensed in Cali. and lucky for me Dr. Colle Hunt is close so I went to him for two sessions. Since then I have not had any pain what so ever on my right hamstring. I had been living with a dull pain off and on for two years. Now I have zero pain.

I had John work on me while I was in Vegas a few weeks ago after running a Rim to Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. I have had only 4 sessions so far and it has cured any issues that I once had. I go to Dr. Hunt next week for my 5th session.
I was just a little nervous going into the race wondering if I should give up running 100 mile races since I have always said when its no longer fun I will quit doing them.
I must say I had a good run felt good most of the way. I decided not to push hard and just finish.
I love the course since it's 15 mile washing machine style loops. You get to see the runners and encourage each other.

I got my awesome pacer Shayna at mile 70 and she kept me going the whole way.
I felt strong and was having fun.
I thought it would take me 26 1/2 hours and to my surprise I PR'd the course, I ran 25:39. I was super happy to have found my lost Mojo out on the course in the desert.
I want to thank the RD's Jamil & Nick for putting on a very well organized event. Also thanks to all the volunteers for being so awesome. And thanks to Justin for letting Andy and I crash and your pad and all my friends for helping get me in and out of the aid stations and my awesome pacer Shayna.
Be thankful for having a healthy mind and body. I know I am.

This was my 5th hundred mile finish for the year and it was the 72nd time I have run 100 miles .

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
Denis Waitley
I had a super fun weekend. Andy, Rocky and I camped on Mt. Diablo Friday night and worked Mt. Diablo 50k on Saturday.
We had a few Raccoons visit us during the night but we all slept well in our tent.

We rushed to get up on Diablo Friday before the gate closed so all I had was an apple to eat and Andy bought a sandwich for Saturday but ate it for dinner.
In the morning I drove out to get some food and espresso for us.

We worked the race all day and Andy swept 5 miles and I swept 9. The weather was awesome.
All the runners did great and it was fun helping out.
Sunday the weather sucked so we didn't get to take Rocky up Mission Peak instead we hung out and drove to the Cemetery where my parents are buried it was my Dad's b-day do brought flowers and a pumpkin.

We went to the movies to see Social Network, it was good ;-)
I took Andy to the airport this morning. We will see each other again on Thursday in Arizona we are both running Javelina hundred this weekend it's going to be a blast!!1

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. ~John Muir,
Here are a few pics. from my Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim 50 mile run. It was a blast. There must of been 50 runners out on the trail along with around 300 hikers. It was a very busy day in the Canyon that's for sure.
Jerry, Mylinh, Joe and I started together butI wanted to run down pretty fast so took off after 15 min.

I waited for Jerry somewhere along the trail and we stayed together most of the way going to the North Rim.

The weather was perfect I think high was 88 and it wasn't cold like last year on the climb out.

I felt good most of the way, we took our side trip to Ribbon falls which is a must see.
We finished in 16:42 was was 2 hours faster than last year ;-) I had a tough time climbing out last year this year I had more energy.
The last two miles on both climbs are the crux for me.

It was awesome seeing all the headlights at night snaking there way up the trail. Just like in a race at night ;-)
We hung out in the morning on Sunday but headed back to Vegas to get a room close to Mt. Charleston so we could do a run out there. It was beautiful out on the trail and it was nice and warm, last year was really cold.
We finished our run and I had an appointment with Dr. John Vigil in Vegas he introduced me to Fascial stretch therapy it has healed my hamstring issue I was having for a couple years.
There are not to many people doing this therapy but I am sold on it. It truly worked for me I have had no issues in over 30 days no if a sign of dull pain.

We ended our trip by jumping off the Stratosphere 900ft that was awesome. Thanks Jerry that was one of the funniest things I have ever done ;-)
If you are in Vegas people make sure to do the jump it is a blast!!!!!

Oh and I visited with one of my best friends Paul Williams who I lost touch with 17 years ago. It was like we were never apart. Looking forward to visiting him in Vegas again soon!

This weekend Rocky, Andy and I will be working Mt. Diablo 50k at Juniper aid station make sure to say hi to us ;-)

BRAND NEW BEGINNING...........Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.Marcus Aurelius

This video is from last weekends Back to Back 50ks on the Ohlone wilderness trail.

I'm heading to Vegas tomorrow running Rim To Rim To Rim in the Grand Canyon with friends this weekend super stoked that a bunch of friends from SoCal will be there.

It's gonna be a blast. Sad that my boyfriend Andy Kumeda won't be joining us. We will do a couples getaway in May there, I want to show him the Grand Canyon. He just ran a PR at St. George marathon 3:14 I can't believe how speedy he is with no training he is one of the most amazing runners I know.

We will run Mt. Charleston on Monday & do the Skyjump off the Stratosphere. I am so excited about the trip. Hope you all have a very exciting weekend training or racing or just hanging out with the ones you love.

WHEN YOU LOVE LIFE, LIFE WILL LOVE YOU BACK!

I have busy weekend back to back 50k training runs starting tomorrow on the Ohlone 50k course. I made this little picture video of last weeks 10 mile run with Rocky and 20+ mile training runs with Jerry and Mike. There are also pictures from the Muir house.

Update on Baby calf Liberty. The owners Virginia and Jim are going on Vacation and they have no one to feed her 3 times a day so they have decided to adopted her out to their 2 Grand sons. She will be moving to Modesto by the end of the week. I went by to see her today which will most likely be the last time. I will check to see if she is still there after my run tomorrow.
I am happy for her since she seems so lonely. She will be spoiled I'm sure. I am just happy I saved her and now these two boys get to enjoy her and take care of her and watch her grow. Just like I did when we had cattle, sheep a pig and a horse.
Ok off to work enjoy ;-)

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
— John Muir
Busy and fun weekend ;-)I ran 20 miles on Diablo in the heat with my roommate Jerry. We had fun except when I got a bladder infection ;-( guess I wasn't drinking enough water, it happens.
We planned on going to the John Muir house after our run.
We headed to the John Muir house after the run got there and found out it was a no fee day. Lucky us. It was really cool to visit his house and walk around where he once walked around. I even hugged John Muir's favorite tree. I suggest anyone who loves nature to go visit his house. He did alot for the places I love to run , Yosemite ;-)
Sunday was Rocky's big day. The plan run/hike 10 miles from Sunol to Fremont with me and Mike. Mike and I would run back later after we ran home with Rocky to pick up my vehicle in Sunol.
Rocky did awesome even though I would never suggest taking your dog out in the heat. I knew we would be done before 1pm and I brought lots of water and let him set the pace. I kept him wet down and he drank a lot of water.
I wasn't drinking because I wanted to make sure he was fine.
He made the 10 miles in a time of 4 hours not bad at all for those little legs. Rocky made me proud ;-)
Mike and I headed back up in the heat of the day it was hot!!! Made it back to Sunol in one piece thank GOD!!!
I decided to take Mike over with me so I could show him Liberty the calf I saved.
We got there and met Ben, Virgina's son he was going to feed Liberty and asked if I wanted to watch, I said of course. He brought the bottles out and said do you want to feed her?? I said yes and was so excited, it tuned out to be an awesome day with an awesome ending.
She is getting so big and I just love her. I will be happy to see when she gets a mommy hopefully soon so she can be a happy baby ;-)
Thanks Ben for letting me feed baby Liberty it meant a lot to me ;-)

Enjoy your day friends ;-)

Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.

Yay it's getting warm again. Tomorrow it's suppose to be 90 ;-) lucky me since I'm training for Javelina 100 miler. I will also be running a rim to rim to rim in the Grand Canyon on Oct. 9. It will be fun ran it last year and just loved it!

Yes I was actually falling in this picture I set the timer and ran back and fell ;-)

Make sure you order one of these rockin HTFU jackets they come in men & women's sizes.

They will be awesome for Winter can't wait for mine to show up. They only have a limited supply so go online

http://www.htfu.com

SLOW DOWN..............................

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast-you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

That's what I was doing when I was running Thursday and came across this baby calf who I rescued, her mother died within hours after giving birth to her. She has a name and it's Liberty, I made a difference. I could not get a hold of the rangers out of Sunol so I called my wonderful friend ranger Neil, who is on sick leave.

If he did not answer I was going to carry Liberty down off the peak and to my house until I was able to get a hold of someone.

Neil answered and called the rancher Jim who didn't answer but Neil left a message. He told me to leave she would be fine, and she would stay near her Mom.

When I got to the road Neil called and said Jim called and was on his way.

I was happy since two weeks before I found a dead mama with a baby half way out they didn't make it. My little Liberty would be fine.

I headed to work and after work went to the Ohlone college farm area and saw baby Liberty just fine in a pen.

Virgina, Jims wife and also owner of the cows and Bulls on Mission peak and the surrounding area emailed me to thank me. We wanted to meet each other so I headed over in the morning with Rocky. They were very grateful. It made me feel good. I have known Jim for several years he always sees me running around but I had never met Virginia. These people have 450 cattle out there and really truly care about all of them.
I'm just happy I was there to save that little one ;-)

Rocky seems to be on a roll these days he did back to back long runs 7 miles up Mission peak Saturday and 8 miles on road & trail Sunday.
I may be running a 5k with him Saturday if they allow dogs, emailed the RD just waiting to hear back.
I'm now in training mode for the Rim to Rim to Rim run in the Grand canyon next month. I am also planning on running Javelina hundred next month.

I went for a physical yesterday, I go back in two weeks to go over my blood work.
I have my first appointment with my fascial stretch therapist today. Looking forward to that.
My hamstring seems to be fine. I am thinking with fascial stretch I will be better then ever
Ok it's time to finish getting ready for work, I have a new group of Get fit students to train today, it's the first day of the new class woo hoo.......

PROBLEM SOLVING..............
The way to remove darkness from a room is simply to turn on a light.
In the same way, to rid yourself of any difficulty, concentrate on the solution rather than the problem.
Life is full of surprises so we must just go with it and be happy we make it through another day ;-)
I love this horse Oreo she is funny, she loves drinking out of my water bottle, I stop to visit her, her mama Honey and the old horse silver a few times a week with Rocky on one of his 3 mile routes, we are always sure to bring apples for all of them, although Oreo is pretty damn bossy and usual ends up eating a couple of them.
Hey if anyone knows what kind of skull this is let me know. I'm thinking cow? But looks different then ones I have seen.
I'm getting a massage today woo hoo.
I also found a Fascial stretch therapist in San Jose who I have an appointment with on Tuesday.
I learned of this from my friend Dr. John Vigil he is a chiropractor in Nevada and does this work on his clients.
He stretched me out before Rio del lago 100 and it really helped. I had no issues or pain until mile 75 and that was in one session. So I think adding this into my routine will help for sure.
There are I think 7 people in California who are trained in this Therapy here is a web-site to find out more.
http://www.stretchtowin.com/
Ok time to get ready to go for my massage. Have a great day ;-)

FOCUS ON NOW............
Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you are going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.
Sometimes life has a different plan and you have to roll with it.
Seems my life is having many different plans lately.

I felt pretty good coming into the race, got a massage and had been rolling out and doing trigger point on my hamstring.
I even had Dr. John Virgil do fascial stretch therapy on me. My legs were ready but was the rest of my body?

I felt great pretty much most of the way started getting a bladder infection at mile 35 I knew it was coming on and I thought great, I don't need this ;-(
I of course am always prepared for one in case. I had cranberry juice and was flushing it out by drinking tons of water.
Kathy D'Onofrio paced us from mile 55 to the school. We wasted a lot of time changing shoes and washing our feet. I think I should of just kept my shoes on that I was wearing but changed like I always do.
But for some reason my feet were more swollen and my shoes felt tight with my think socks.

We got to cavitt school around 11:40 I think we still had plenty of time to get to the next cutoff. I sat down and felt a warm gush yikes, I just started my period so I ran to the bathroom grabbed some paper towels and shoved them down my skirt.
I started having cramps really bad. The hamstring was doing ok. But my neck and shoulder were bad. I had both John and Kathy work on it.
We headed out with John I was moving ok not as fast as I would like to. At some point I got in my head that there was a cutoff at Willow creek and I thought there was no way way we could make it.
By the time I got to Hazel Bluff my hamstring started hurting I was moving slow and getting cold. I forgot my warm jacket at the school and had a thin on on.
I became very sad maybe because my hormones were out of whack with me being on my period. I never have had my period start in the middle of a race before. It usually starts after I finish.
I got to willow creek and was really cold and knew it would be colder going to the turn around. I decided to stop thinking I wasn't going to make the cutoff eiher which they extended and I would of made it since they were going to let everyone finish who made the cut off at mile 67. I was told later.
Andy asked if I wanted him to stop too, I told him to go on without me.
I wish that aid station allowed crews, because Kathy would of got me going. I know Andy was dealing with his own issues and didn't push me to go on but really it wasn't his job.
Looking back I could of kept going but I was so whacked out about not making it to Hazel bluff in time, in reality I had plenty of time. Also m
being really cold didn't help matters.

I still had fun no matter what!!! And each time I fail I become a better person I think.
I made it to mile 80 which is a long way.
It was a bad day for a lot of people but we went as far as we could and were smart enough to stop when we needed.

Getting a massage tomorrow which I need. Still working on getting my hamstring 100% its almost there.
Have a great day!!

Each Day is an Entirely New Creation - Enjoy it!

I will never under estimate what Rocky can do!
I decided that Sunday I would see if he could make it to the top of Mission Peak .
It has been at least 2 years since he has been to the top.
I use to take him at least twice a week when I first got him. It then became once a week then once a month. I could tell he didn't like going because if he was off leash he would run back to the car.
I officially stopped taking him the day he would not even go through the gate he put on the breaks and that was it.
I have taken him on the short loop which ends up being 5 miles, we do that like once a month. He's fine with that.
Since I have been living 1 mile from Mission Peak for the past 15 months I take him for a 2-3 mile almost every day.
Last week he ran 6 miles which impressed me, so I thought it was time to see if he could make it to the top.
Rocky is 8 years old and in the past has had some leg issues from jumping.
I have had him on glucosamine, MSM and fish oil. I really think it has helped his overall health.
I thought for sure on the hike/run I would have to carry part way. Boy was I wrong he did it by himself. Mike lead the way Rocky in the middle and me in the rear. We saw Mr. Half Dome Rick who wrote the book on Half Dome. He was training for a Half Dome hike. we hiked a mile with him, it was great seeing him.
Rocky was no slacker he moved well. He only made once stop at the garbage cans below the summit for a rest in the shade.
He moved up those rocks so well I was really impressed by him, it is a struggle for most people and with his short legs he managed to pull himself up and over the big rocks.
I had tears in my eyes when he reached the summit, how could I ever think he couldn't do it. He tough me a lot that day about pushing through, something I forgotten about.
He made a lot of friends at the top where we relaxed and enjoyed his Mount Everest summit aka Mission Peak.

I am running Rio del lago 100 Saturday and I will think of Rocky and I will push through to the finish!!!
Rocky made it up in around 1:35 and down in 35 min. running/hiking time. Total time from start to finish 3 hours. We hung out at the top for close to an hour.
I plan to start taking him up once a month. Just a side note I took him up the Ohlone college side which is more of a gradual incline and has more shade and just a short gravel road section.
Rocky's paws get trashed up the front side from the long gravel road.
Today he even went out for a 2 mile run/walk and he seemed fine.
Oh and when we took him up it was the first time I was able to have him off leash on a trail and he followed. He was also able to run down the whole way ;-)

Give your pets a hug and don't ever under estimate what they can do!