"Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned."
Charles W. Chesnutt
Andy and I had an awesome run at Ridgecrest 50k Sunday, finished in 5:57. It was my 4th fastest 50k time ;-) We had a blast!!! Andy is seeing a Doctor for a heart issue he is having but it's not effecting his running.
The weather was perfect the rain held off and it was even a little warm at times.
I wore a brand new pair of shoes out of the box the Hoka one one. I knew it might not be a smart move but I did it anyways. And let me tell you I love the Hokas they are amazing so comfy and light. My legs and feet felt so good after I didn't feel like I ran at all. I give the Hokas 5 stars out of 5. They are my new favorite shoe!!!

Andy and I played a fun game during the run. I would sing and he would have to name the tune of the song I was listing to on my ipod. Time flew by that's for sure. Looking forward to HURT 100 we will have hours to play that game ;-)

These pics. were from yesterdays run up Mission peak along the Ohlone. I was able to run fast on the down hills with my Hokas and not be afraid. They are super stable and you feel nothing. It all makes sense the concept of the shoe. Would you ride a road big on trails?? No you need fat tires not skinny for the trails. Why not wear light cushion shoes with a wide bottom that creates a stable platform.
These shoes are really awesome.
Check them out at
http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/
You can buy them at zombierunner.com
This weekend I'm trying something new I'm doing an Orienteering event with my roommate should be fun ;-)

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."
~Chili Davis~
These first couple photos were taken on Fridays long run in Sunol. It was an awesome day.

This picture was taken Saturday right after I finished my 13th Quad. dipsea 28 mile race. It was my 4th fastest time in a time of 6:36. The trail was muddy, slippery and wet. It rained off and on with periods of Sun. The weather I thought was awesome, it was perfect training for HURT 100.
These last few photos are from Sunday(yesterday) a little 10 mile recovery run around Maguires peaks in Sunol with Rocky it was a bit on the muddy side but was an awesome day for a 3 hour run ;-)
Next up for me is Ridgecrest 50k in SoCal next weekend. Hopefully the doc. gives Andy the ok to run it. The best part is I get to spend 4 days with my love ;-) Yay for that!!!

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART OSKAR
RIP 1996-2002

I Only Wanted You...They say memories are golden well maybe that is true. I never wanted memories, I only wanted you. A million times I needed you,a million times I cried. If love alone could have saved you you never would have died. In life I loved you dearly, In death I love you still. In my heart you hold a place no one could... ever fill.If tears could build a stairway and heartache make a lane, I'd run the path to heaven and bring you back again. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.But as God calls us one by one,the chain will link again.

RIP
Oskar 96-02 gone but never forgotten. I miss you still my little guy
;-( You are in my heart and I love you Oskar. It's been 8 years since
you went away. See you in the next life. xoxo

"Say what you want and be who you are because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr Seuss
We had a blast working the Spooner cove races for Coastal trail runs last Saturday.
We lucked out with nice weather since it rained all night and a bit in the morning . The clouds parted and the sun came out.
Andy & I worked the aid station then swept the course we had so much fun. The course is spectacular with awesome views.
I am getting excited about running Quad. dipsea this weekend I think it will be number 12 or 13 for me.

I hope everyone has a safe and awesome Thanksgiving. I will be doing what I do best and that is a long run on Thanksgiving. I will be giving thanks for being healthy and alive.

RECONNECT............................
Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real. Deepak Chopra
What a beautiful Fall day for a 30+ miler I think I ran at least 33 ;-) forgot my Garmin and only wanted to run 30 but got swept away and lost in my thoughts and just kept going.
I always try to do my Friday long run alone , it's my time to push myself and just run and have fun. And I love being alone in the wilderness too.
I love not being on a schedule and go out and see where my body takes me.
Tomorrow I will do a 40+ mile run with my friends. Jerry, Mike, Julia and Mylinh & Joe will meet us somewhere along the way.
I hope everyone gets a chance to play in the wilderness this weekend ,wherever you live ;-)
BTW top picture is the New HTFU hoodie it kept me nice and warm this morning.
go to htfu.com and checkout all their cool gear.

Friends

A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view.
Awesome weekend of running. Ran 35 miles on Saturday. Julia started with me and ran around 9 miles with me then turned around she was tired and sore from a weight workout from the two days before.
I continued on and it was a beautiful day. Ran down to Ed Levin/Sandy wool lake It is and awesome place to run to. I forgot how much I like that area.
On the way out I saw tons of hang gliders at one point there was 10 in the air and at the highest launch point there were at least 15 waiting to go.
I was surprised I saw a lot of hikers out there, I ran into a group of 10.
I enjoyed the quite solitude and the alone time with myself to reflect on things to come ;-)
On a 9 hour run you have lots of time to think about life.
I really felt good most of the run, which is nice I didn't really have any low points which means I'm getting stronger and able to push harder ;-)


I ran Sunday with Mike and the weather was a totally different story. We started around 12:20 and it was pouring, we were both freezing our asses off by the time we were on the top of the peak. We decided a 3 hour run was good enough for the day.
There were actually a few people out there which makes me smile knowing we are not the only hard core people out there.

Next Saturday I am taking a few friends on a 40+mile run we will start at my house run to Ed Levin and back to my house then to Sunol and back . If anyone whats to run let me know you can make it shorter and just go to Ed Levin and back 22 miles ;-) or not do the whole thing and do 30 miles or even less.
Have a great day!!

I think Rocky is the most amazing dog; he gives me unconditional love. For me he is the role model for being alive.
wow another gorgeous day to run. I decided to take Rocky on a 6 mile Mission Peak run. I am trying to take him on 2 longer runs a week from 6-10 miles. He really enjoys being on the trail.
When he was younger it wasn't the case. But he has the confidence since he has gotten older and knows what he is capable of, just like a person.
I know he brings joy to people who meet us on the trail. I see them struggling then we pass by and they are amazed, such a small dog can move up hill so well.
I think it inspires them ;-)
Tomorrow I will be out and about with Julia on a 33 mile run it will be a blast since we haven't run together in a while. Looking forward to it.
Ok off to work enjoy your weekend people!

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.