"Perhaps this very instant is your time"

I ran 133 miles in 7 days solid training for Javelina 100 in a few weeks. Also good training for the 24 Rogaine national championship at Henry Coe the week before Javelina. Hey a 24 hour race the week before is a great taper ;-)
I did back to back Ohlone runs 31 miles Friday from Del Valle where I drove and left my car. I ran 30 miles back the next day. I wanted to end with 133 miles for the week that's why I did only 30 on Saturday. I am obseesed with the number 3 and two 3's is better than one 3 ;-)))
Speaking of being obsessed. I will be on HBO "Real Sports with Brian Gumbel on Tuesday October 18th at 10pm. I hope they don't make me look to crazy. It's about passionate and obsessive runners ;-)))
I am really lucky to live where I live to be able to run 31 miles only crossing one road through the wilderness. When I am out there I think of who I use to be and who I have become. Ex drug addict turned Healthy Ultrarunner. It makes me smile.
Today I am thinking fondly of my Dad who died when I was 17 he would be 76 today if he were here. I have his love for the outdoors that's for sure. I love you Dad. One day we will be together again but for now I will live for you.

Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come ;-)

I have been a very busy girl ;-) I am training Rocky Ridge for his first race, it's the Rocky Ridge 5k no lie. I named him after that trail ;-)))
That is next Saturday ;-)))
I did an interview for HBO "Real Sports" show which will air the first time on Tuesday October 18th at 10pm and several more dates after.
Mary Carillo did the interview she was awesome. Chapman Downes is the producer who I worked with he was awesome as well.
The video crew and producer Lauren filmed and followed me at Twin Peaks 50 miler which by the way I finished for the 3rd time with Andy who finished his 4th time. We have the most finishes ;-) woo hoo.

I will be running back to back Ohlone 50k's starting tomorrow the weather looks Summer like. AWESOME!!!!
Ok that's it for now. GET OUT AND RUN!!!!!

Remember that life’s most treasured moments often come unannounced.
I love my little Rocky!! He loves when I am tapering for a race. We go out on the trails together more ;-) I'm not in a rush. Most days I take him out 2-3 miles on the road. But when I am tapering I let him explore the trails more. He hates the up hills but loves to run down hill ;-)
He really teaches me so much just watching him. He has the good life that's for sure. He Came from the streets and we rescued each other. That's really how I feel.
How can you not love a face like his ;-)

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne
Busy running week I needed to get in at least a solid 100 mile run week. Which by the way I did plus more so 104 miles total for this week.
I have Twin Peaks 50 miler with 15,000ft of climb next Sunday so want to be ready.
My runs went well all week felt pretty damn good.
Yesterdays 30 mile was a tough one, but felt good at the end. I did what I called a 6 peaks run. Mission peak-Mt. Allison-Ohlone Peak-Monument Peak-Hang glider Peak-Mission peak.
The weather was fantastic all week.
Looks like we are having a change of weather this coming week. Rain tomorrow ;-( and most likely Tiogo pass will close for the winter since there will be snow. I was hoping to get a Mt. Dana run in again before the end of the season. Oh well I can't have it all.
On the good news side, I was contacted by a producer from HBO for a show called "Real sports'. They are interviewing me and 2 other runners for the show which will air later this month. They are flying out to interview me and do a photo shoot while I am in L.A this weekend.
I am super stoked to get my message out about how you can go from Drug addict Alcoholic party girl to positive athletic clean & sober girl ;-) It's all about trying and being positive.
It's not easy with so many negative people & negative energy out there that I deal with everyday.
I am always working on being the best person that I can be. Some days I fail, but I just pick myself up and keep moving forward ;-)

"You've got to follow your passion. You've got to figure out what it is you love--who you really are. And have the courage to do that. I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dream."
FINALLY!!!! Yes after trying to get up Mt. Whitney 2 other times this year I made it. Third times a charm.
In June there was way to much snow and I was not skilled in self arrest so bailed heading up towards the chute.
Just looking at that, I thought going up is no biggie, but coming down I could die.
Try number two was in July, driving out to Lone Pine my roommate got a call the house had been robbed so we drove back home.
This time come hell or high water we would make it up the mountain and we did.
We had a plan to summit Mt. Muir too but the boulder field looked sketchy to me since I was a little loopy from the altitude I think. It is a class 3+ climb which normally I shouldn't have not had an issue but I had a headache and just didn't feel comfortable.
I came to the conclusion later that I need to summit Mt. Muir first then head to Whitney. The 3 reports I read were of people doing Muir first then walking the easy trail to the top of Whitney. Metal note that's what I will do next time.
I was happy to have made my 7th summit with max on my pack. He too has been up 7 times although it wasn't the same Max it was his smaller brother ;-))))
The next day the plan was New Army pass to Langley. My back was hurting pretty much when we got going. My pack was pressing on my lower back and it was uncomfortable. I had slipped coming down Whitney so I must of hurt it then. That's the only thing I can think of.
We headed up to the lakes and to the base of New Army pass. The weather was a bit iffy and it actually hailed a little on us. I saw the clouds forming and was not feeling great about heading up. My back was really hurting but I was still trying to push myself. Some guys were coming down saying they saw lightening. The clouds were looking scary and I realized if I went up and had to out run a storm I couldn't do it since my back was killing me.
I told Jerry to head up and I turned around.
I have spent a lot of time in the Sierras and know that I hate being caught in storms something I have dealt with so many times.
I know the mountains will always be there for me to return. So down I went.

I had fun even though I didn't make Langley I will get it done next time. The Sierras are a magical place for me and they were a huge part on shaping me into the wilderness girl that I am. They helped save me after my mothers death and my divorce. I will spend many more years to come exploring in those mountains.
There will always be a force that draws me into them.
I am looking forward to being out in them next year for 30 days ;-)))

"Pain is your friend; it is your ally. Pain reminds you to finish the job and get the hell home. Pain tells you when you have been seriously wounded. And you know what the best thing about pain is? It tells you you're not dead yet!"
Wasatch 100 #6 not this time. Looks like I'm stuck at number 5 until next year.
It just wasn't my day only made it to mile 53 ;-(

I wish I had taken notice of the early warning signs, I may have finished. But like I always say would of, could of, should of ;-) make no excuses it is what is is.
We run this distance only because it's a challenge we don't know what the day will bring so we set off to do battle with our own demons and sometimes they win.
I felt the early warning signs of a bladder infection coming on last Wednesday but figured it was because I was having my mistral cycle I know TMI. I should of been taking extra UT vibrance and drinking more water but didn't.
I felt strong going into Wasatch #6 for me and #2 for Andy. I was super excited to be running with my sweetie.


The weather was awesome at the start not to cold ;-) we headed up the big climb chinscrapper and I was steady ;-) We made it to Grobbens corner the first aid in good time we were ahead of our split. By the second aidstation I wasn't thinking, i only filled my hand held and not my bladder. Going through the section before Bountiful B it was super over grown I hit my ankle bone on a rock or branch a couple times. It started hurting from all the twisting but I was still moving well.

I was looking forward to my Popsicle at mile 35. by the time we got there I was feeling my bladder pain coming on. I stayed positive and didn't say anything to Andy. Just wanted to drink some cranberry juice at Big mountain where we would see our crew girl Sallie. Who BTW was so helpful ;-)
We were about 25 min. ahead of pace when we left at this point I started feeling worse. I still didn't say anything to Andy. I have run 500 mile of this course so knew if I was feeling this bad now how the hell could I make all the climbs to the finish ;-( I hit a low and got depressed. I wanted to tell Andy but wanted him to go on.
I finally mentioned what was going on and he felt bad for me. I really struggled so I knew he knew, I was in bad shape.
We had plenty of time to finish but that wasn't the issue the pain was getting bad and I was peeing blood. When it happens this early for me in a race I know I can't regroup.
I felt bad because not only was I not going to finish Andy was going to DNF because of me.
He said something that really somehow made me feel so loved. I know he loves me but for him to say he came to run with me to spend time on the trails with me,and that he was going to stop too, because he was here to spend time with me. Made me feel very loved and supported by him. He was fresh and could of easily done well.
My little Peanut is the best boyfriend in the whole wide world. I am the lucky one.

So we stopped at Lambs and headed back to sleep in SLC. And spend some time together.
That night the rest of our gang Linda and Shannon dropped too. George got cut early on. We all went there to finish but it wasn't our day but we were all very happy to have gotten the chance to spend time with the Wasatch mountains ;-)

I will come out of this stronger just like I always do. Everything happens for a reason ;-)

Thanks for all your support friends.

"Wilderness is not only a condition of nature, but a state of mind and mood and heart."
~Ansel Adams~

Friday night was a fun night run in Yosemite with Linda & Julia. We ran out from Tiogo rd to Tamarack flat campground to El Cap look out and back 25 miles.
We could see the fire near Forresta and the sunset was awesome. I saw a lot of bats on the run along with a couple scorpions and lots of centipedes
;-)The weather was perfect just a long sleeve shirt was needed ;-) never got very cold.
It was one of those run where I just reflected on life and where my journey has taken me. I was lucky to be able to discover Yosemite after I got clean & sober and feel in love with it in 1994. I really became connected to Yosemite and the wild places it has to offer in 2002 when I spent weeks on end here mourning the loss of my Mom.
I basically lived out of my car and ran up Half Dome every day and to Clouds rest and beyond. I explored alone. It was a peaceful time and healing time.

The place has holds so many memories it is where I first rock climbed it was where I met my x-husband. It was where I met so many amazing climbers and people who loved life. It was fun being a dirt bag there off and on a few Summers.

It will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been my personal get away. It teaches me something each time my feet hit the trails there.

Ok Wasatch 100 is coming up fast. Next Friday I will head out to run and hopefully get finish #6 there.
Please send me positive vibes next weekend.

Heading to Sierra madre with Rocky tomorrow to visit Andy woo hoo looking forward to seeing him ;-) have a great weekend.

Happiness is never stopping to think if you are.
Fun times in Yosemite with my Co-workers Ashely & Maryann. We had a blast. My roommate Jerry came too.
I love showing people one of my favorite places on earth ;-) it makes me happy.
We spent two days and packed in the fun stayed at Camp 4 the famous climbers camp. Showed them all around the valley ;-)
We also all climb Mt. Dana 13,050 ft in Tuolumne the girls both made it to the top. I was impressed by them. We all made it safely up and down.
Look forward to running in Yosemite Friday with my friend Linda. Just a couple more weeks until Wasatch 100 ;-) woo hoo

Stevens creek 50k

Ran Stevens creek 50k yesterday and it was all good until 4.5 miles with I fell. I was running downhill fooling with my ipod not paying attention, and bam. I went sliding on my left side. My hand and thigh got pretty shredded. I was ready to bail, but jumped up and cleaned the blood up a bit and kept going.
I was much slower then I had wanted to be but was happy to make it to 20 miles in 4:45. I was kinda thinking of quitting there, but the winner Jean was so helpful at getting me what I needed I somehow just kept going.
At this point it was getting hot and I knew it was going to get ugly. I could tell how bad people were looking that it was going to be tough climbing back out from the turn around. When I saw my friend Fast Jerry not looking so pretty, I thought yikes !!!I hope I can make it back out and get to the finish ;-)
I was happy to finally get to the turn around. I refueled and got ice in my bandanna to put around my neck. My energy was totally gone, and I just inched my way up the steep climb. I only had 6.5 miles to go but it was brutal.
I was exhausted on that climb and pretty much walk most of that 6.5 miles to the finish. I did pass 4 people in that section so was happy ;-)
I finished in 8:19 didn't think I could be so slow running a 50k but after falling and having run a hundred miler the week before I was happy I made it.
The best news was my new Stinson B's were awesome!! My toenails that were ripped almost all the way off at Headlands hundred last week were fine. In fact my legs and feet never hurt at all. It was my energy from the heat and not eating that zapped me. Congrats' to everyone who ran Stevens creek 50k. And thanks to the RD Steve Patt for putting this run on ;-)))

HEADLANDS HUNDRED
31:43 woo hoo I finished my 3rd HH mile run. It wasn't easy but come on it's a hundred mile race and I wouldn't do it if it was ;-)
I was having a great run until mile 32 when my left toe hit a rock it felt like my toe got ripped off ;-( it really hurt but I regrouped and just kept going.
I knew Jerry was coming to pace me so I thought I will call, him and have him, bring my raid light running poles. I manged to start running again after I figured out it wasn't broken just throbbing and swollen. I knew I needed to change to bigger shoes at mile 50.

The weather was over cast , foggy and drizzly the whole time except around 2:30 on Sunday when I finished.

I picked up my first pacer Jerry at mile 50 he kept me going with all his stories he kept my mind off the issues I was having. I started having bad stomach pains for a stretch. I ended up taking an antacid and it helped for most of the run.
I realized it's hard to run with a headlamp in the fog. Since I needed both hands for my poles I wasn't using a hand held.
I had been shooting for a sub 30 hour finish but knew it wouldn't be my day so I just changed it up to a sub 32 hour finish ;-)
You always need a back-up plan when running ultra marathons ;-

I picked up Julia for some girl time for the last 25 miles she kept me going with games; like what each of us would do if we got $100,000 bucks. She also told me stories about reality shows on T.V and some other wacky stuff that I can't even remember but she kept me going.

I blamed her for getting us lost 2 miles before the finish. But we weren't lost. It was just my whacked out mind thinking I was.

Thanks to all of you for sending me positive thoughts. This was my 78th finish of 100 miles or more. Time to start training for Wasatch 100 which is next month ;-))

Also thank you to the RDs Micheal & Sarah of PCTR awesome job. Thanks to all the volunteers but most of all thanks to my pacers Jerry & Julia who got me to the finish. And thanks Mikey Mike for coming out to see me finish and giving me a ride home ;-)

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."

Headland hundred ready or not here I come! I will be running Headland Hundred this weekend going for my 3 finish. Looking forward to it.
I have been trying to adjust being back in Fremont. I love Sierra madre and the East side of the Sierras. Glad I got to spend time on the trails with all my friend during my vacation.
I hope to get back by next month to do Mt. Langley and of course New Army pass again. I might even do Whitney in October ;-)
Ok everyone send me those positive thoughts this weekend while I am running HH ;-)))

"When everything seems like an uphill struggle, just think of the view from the top"
Pacing and crewing the Angeles crest 100. So this year I didn't sign up for AC 100 since I was suppose to be fastpacking the John Muir trail. That didn't happen so I decided to come to Sierra Madre and hang out with my boy friend Andy Kumeda.
I also volunteered to pace him the last 25 miles of AC 100 and crew him.
I have only crewed and paced a few times for him, since we both are usually in the race.
He had a goal of under 27 hours and I knew I could help him reach it. With me crewing I could get him in and out of the aid stations so he could just focus on running.
Andy ran a great first 50 miles. The only issues he had was cramps because it was hot out there. He also wasn't eating a lot but I know that can be hard when you don't feel well. My friend George was running but didn't make a cutoff so decided to join me and help me crew along with Rocky ;-) he was a huge help as always.
Andy picked up his pacer Sharon at mile 50 she is fast and would keep him on his goal. I really knew since this would be the fastest Andy had run AC in, that by mile 75 he would have some issues. He is tough but I knew having run this race 7 times myself that the real race begins at mile 75. You have a few more huge climbs in there and it's tough because you are tired and sleepy.
I picked Andy up around 11pm.
I knew I had to let Andy regroup on the climb up Mt. Wilson and not push him hard just listen to him and keep him moving. He only stopped a couple times but only for a few seconds. He kept saying he wanted to sit at the top. He had rocks in his shoes so I told him at the top he could sit and take his shoes off. We got to the top and he sat and cleaned the rocks out of shoes and got moving again.
I just kept talking to keep him to keep him moving. I brought along an IPOD and little speaker so I played music and sung along to him.
I finally decided it was time to push him the last 9 miles. I looked at my watch and thought I needed to pick up the pace. He kept saying he didn't care about his time. But I did ;-) he trained hard for this and it was up to me to motivated his ass. So away I went running ahead singing out load dancing on the trail. I would run ahead and wait for him to catch up ,just like a game of cat & mouse. It clearly worked because he got going.
Andy worked hard and he trained hard and it all paid off in the end. His time was 26:33 a huge PR on the course for him he placed 18th overall.
I was very happy I was able to give back to Andy and help be a part of his success. I was also proud of Rocky for being such a good dog while crewing the first 50 miles. It was truly and honor watching Andy and all my friends run AC 100 congrats. to all who finished and to those who didn't finish you all gave it your best.

Next up for me Headlands 100 on August 6th. I guess I better train hard this week ;-)))

Use your talent (everybody has one) in anyway you can. Don't keep it for yourself like a miser - spend it like a millionaire! Lucy MacDonald

I am still out traveling. I was in Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne, Reds Meadow and Horseshoe meadow training for the past week. We were suppose to do Whitney but it was put to an abrupt halt. On our way to Lone Pine my friend Jerry (who I rent a room from) received a call from a neighbor who was feeding his cat that the house was broken into. We had to rush home, it really sucks because no one deserves to have this happen to them. Jerry is such a nice person and for someone to steal from him is just not right. I really don't have much so they only tore apart my room pull all the drawers out they found nothing. They were looking for cash and Jewelry. Our friend who is a judge thinks it was a person who has been in the house, like a repair man or someone like a delivery person.
You also never no who is reading what you right so I won't say where I am until after I have been some where. We also have the alarm working and will always have a house guest staying when we are away so it won't happen again.
It's really sad that someone could be so desperate to do this to people in the end their Karma will get them.
Busy week training still, I will be crewing and pacing my boyfriend Andy at his 6th AC 100. I know he will rock the course.
I will post more pictures as soon as Andy fixes my computer it won't let me load my pics. ARGGG