DETACH AND LIVE..................
Detachment involves present-moment living – living in the here and now. We allow life to happen instead of forcing and trying to control it. We relinquish regrets over the past and fears about the future. We make the most of each day. Melody Beattie
This weekend Andy and I stayed at the Claremont resort in Oakland. It is suppose to be this amazing resort & spa. I won a $500 gift certificate from Whole Foods for winning the Green trek challenge last year. It's a fitness challenge for all the Whole Foods in our region and I won overall.
I would of never paid all that money to stay here. I was not impressed. The room was small and it was noisy. It is an old hotel so maybe that's why. The view sucked. Overlooked the roof and the windows of the other side of the hotel.
The best part was the fitness program and gym. We took every class we could; Pilate's, Yoga, spinning and body sculpt. I have never taken a Pilate's, Yoga or spin class. I really enjoyed the spin class, the instructor was very fit and I bet she has done Furnace creek 508. I love how you push as hard as you can as she leads you through the rides she has you cranking the gears up so you can hardly pedal as if you are riding up hill.

I would for sure take a spin class at a gym again. I did like both the Yoga and Pilate's and would do those once in a while. It's just way to mellow for me. I need to be moving around more. I will stick to running and crossfit nothing can ever take the place of them ;-)
It really is good to try something new. If you don't how will you know if you like it or not.

BE YOURSELF............... Be yourself. An original is always worth more than a copy.

vote vote vote for maiden of the month only a couple days left.

http://www.metalinkshop.com/rate/maidens/127/catra-aka-dirt-diva

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR ME FOR MAIDEN OF THE MONTH........
http://www.metalinkshop.com/rate/maidens/127/catra-aka-dirt-diva
http://www.metalinkshop.com/rate/maidens/127/catra-aka-dirt-diva
Thanks if you already voted just a few more days left. Tell your friends too. Thanks, Catra
IT WILL BE OK................
Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey. Trusting that whatever happens, it will be okay. Elana Lindquist

FREMONT FAT ASS 50K..........
Thanks to all the brave souls who showed up. It was raining all night and morning.The rain decided to stop at 8am just in time for the run.
The sun broke out from behind the clouds for the start of the 4th annual Fremont Fat ass 50k.
It's a fast, flat course with tons of scenery.
I want to thank Chihping Fu who had an aid station out on the course for us with tons of food he stayed out there until the last runner came through. You rock.
I will post a story on the Fremont Fat ass blog as soon as I can
Thanks again to all the rock stars who showed up.

COUNT YOUR FRIENDS NOT YOUR MILES.........
A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. Tim Cahill
Oops I did it again..Yep I took the 100k option, well actually they make you run 67 miles and count it as 100k.
I felt great my legs and head were strong, I was ready for this one. What I wasn't ready for was a bladder infection that was starting at mile 10. F**K!!! It sucked. I held on as long as I could by mile 30 I was peeing blood.
I was suppose to run the whole race with Andy who was going for his 5th Hurt 100 finish.
He didn't want to leave my side(what a sweetie) but I finally made him leave me at mile 45 I think it was. I just knew in my heart I was going to slow him down and he wouldn't finish.
He left and lucky he did because he finished with 30 min. to spare.
I had a blast out there even though I couldn't run down hill much because of the pain. It sucks, that I still get these. I do everything to prevent them. I believe I didn't drink enough water the day before and it was hot out there. Stupid move by me ;-(
I fell 8 times on the course and messed my right knee up pretty good,
I am fine though and will be running the Fremont Fat ass 50k this Saturday.
I want to thank all the volunteers you were awesome especially Roy who just about killed me when he scrubbed the rocks out of my knees after I finish. That hurt bad.
But it needed to be done.
Thanks you to John, PJ and the rest of the HURT 100 group I love you all.
Joel & Steph thanks for the use of the car and Thanks to Patricia Carroll for letting us stay at your house.
Will I be back for #11 of course I will. 6 times 100 mile finish 4 times 100k finish. I will kick butt next year.

HERE I GO AGAIN..................Hurt 100 is this weekend!!!


Ok so I have been to this race 9 times finishing the 100 miler 6 times and the 100k 3 times. I plan on doing the 100 miler and hope for a good race.
This race is not easy you just need to respect the course because if you don't it will kick your booty.
I look forward to this race every January it's a big party that's the only way to describe it. The HURT folks are the best when it comes to putting on a top notch event.
I would love it if all of you can send me positive vibes ,it will help to get me through those bad patches I'm sure.

Also please spread the news about the poster and have people vote and please vote if you haven't. thanks!

http://www.blackwoodspress.com/dirtdiva/

COURAGE TO TRY..................
It takes as much courage to have tried and failed as it does to have tried and succeeded. Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A message from Catra:

“Help me choose a photo for my upcoming... Pin-up Poster & Event Calendar!”

Hi... it’s Catra,

I have a quick favor to ask.

For the longest time people have been asking me to publish a poster or calendar with some of my photos from my blog... and I’m finally going to do it!

I‘ve partnered up with my friend “Erik the Black” from Blackwoods Press to bring you some kick-butt Dirt Diva merchandise!

Here’s where I need your help...

We are working on designing a new poster. Actually it’s much more than just a poster. It’s also going to include a 2010 calendar with all of the trail races and events that I plan to attend. (Hope to see ya there!)

But first, we have to choose a photo for the poster... and I don’t know which one to use!

So, I was wondering if you could help me out by voting on which one of these posters you like best.

It’s super easy. Just take a look, and then scroll to the bottom of this page and VOTE for your favorite.

Thanks a million!

Catra

http://www.blackwoodspress.com/dirtdiva/

I WISH YOU PEACE...................
I wish you sunshine on your path and storms to season your journey. I wish you peace in the world in which you live. More I cannot wish you except perhaps love to make all the rest worthwhile. Robert A. Ward
I had my amazing friend and Ultrarunner Clifton Carter tattoo me today. I want you all know how amazing he is and actually everyone at his shop are very very talented. He is very much a perfectionist when it comes to tattoo.
I have been tattoo by many artist over the years and I must say not one of the artist at Lighthouse tattoo has a ego or attitude.
I have been tattooed in shops where you do feel uncomfortable being there and everyone has an ego.
Not at Lighthouse. I highly recommend getting your next tattoo here.
Nothing but top notice work.
Thank you Clifton for the beautiful work and I will be getting more from you my friend.
check them out on facebook they are located on Geary st. In San Francisco.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Francisco-CA/Lighthouse-Tattoo/197878967144

SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY.............
Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome. Arthur Ashe
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY...............
I was in Socal with Rocky and Andy we spent New years eve at Lucky's with Vinne, Cara and two other friends.
New years day Andy, Rocky and I went to the Rose bowl parade. that was so fun I have watched many times on T.V as a little girl but always wanted to go so I finally got to.
Andy came down with the flu that day so was out of it for the next 4 days.
I was fine , I went on a long run Monday but that night it hit me hard. I threw up a few times throughout the night.
I slept most of Tuesday and decided not to drive back Wed. morning because I was still sick. I slept a few hours yesterday afternoon. I felt well enough to make the drive back home this morning. I still can't eat any solid foods but am feeling better.

We are just lucky we were sick now instead of next week at HURT 100.
I hope everyone had an awesome New Years eve.
I have taken 2 weeks off from my crossfit gym and was going to go back this week but since I was sick I will do my wods from home and start working out with my group at unlimited again after HURT.
The thing I love most about crossfit is if you have the right equipment you can do it at home or you can pretty much do a crossfit wod anywhere. Even when I don't go to the gym I still try to do 3 wods a week.

DEFINE YOURSELF....................
Accept no one’s definition of your life. Define yourself. Harry Feinstein
Life is always good when I can get out and run. I have been very busy with personal stuff. I want to start the New Year off with fresh air, so I can breath again.
I am taking action and control and I will start off fresh.
I will be heading to Sierra Madre on Thursday after work at 5:30pm with Rocky. We will make it in time to ring in the New Year with Andy. I will stay in SoCal until Jan 6th. I have to be back to work that day. I have 17 more training days until HURT 100. Can't believe I have been running that race for 10 years. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends.
I had a great run/WOD today. Ran 7 miles . Every mile I did 50 squats and 50 Lunges. I call it the leg killer because by the end my legs are killing.
I am just doing crossfit on my own until the middle of Jan. just no time to go since I have been traveling and I have been running a lot. I just can't make it to the noon class. But I still check the web-site and do my wods from home since I can work them in, in between my run or during my run.
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New year. I am looking forward to a New Year.

THANK YOU.....
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. Meister Eckhart

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”
“It takes a long time to grow young.”

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.”

Woo Hoo tomorrow is my 45th B-day I have been living on this earth for 45 years. It hasn't always been easy but I can say i love life. I am looking forward to an exciting year filled with fun adventures and epics.
Remember.
LIVE LIFE LOVE LIFE...................

ITS NOT ABOUT BEING RIGHT OR WRONG...........
Let go of your attachment to being right and suddenly your mind is more open. You’re able to benefit from the unique viewpoints of others, without being crippled by your own judgment. Ralph Marston
More fun pictures from my 45 hour b-day run. Did I tell you I was sick when I was out there. Crazy how during the run even though I was coughing up phlegm and blowing my nose constantly my energy level seemed fine. Most people mentioned to me, you shouldn't be out there if your sick. But I know if I go out and run, I will feel better in the end. And I did.
I thought of my sister a lot who passed away from a drug overdose. When it got tough I kept moving thinking about her struggles and living on the street in and out of jail. I fought and pushed hard. That was how she had to live her life.
I often get depressed after running a 100 miler or this case 130 miler. You are so high from the huge accomplishment but then it's over. But the good news HURT 100 is just around the corner in less then a month. I will be running it for the 10th time. The past 3 years I have only finished the 100k. 2010 will be my year to shine.
I want to finish the 100 and I will. Knowing my next 100 is coming up I won't be sad for long.
I ran 4 miles today and felt great. Tomorrow I will pack, I am driving with Rocky to spend my b-day and Christmas with Andy. We will leave Thursday morning.
I hope you all get to spend time with those you love.
It's a special time and no one should be alone during x-mas. Have a Happy Holidays.

IT WILL BE OK.............
Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey. Trusting that whatever happens, it will be okay. Elana Lindquist
What a fun time I had. My 45 hour birthday run was a success, not because of me but because of my friends. Each person who paced me or emailed me or FB'd me played a very important role in my journey.
Even those who just simply thought ,positive thoughts for me helped . When you have positive energy around you and in you you will succeed.
Thank you to all my pacers, Linda , Clifton, Julia, Jerry, Joe, Mylinh, Rocky and Mikey Mike.
Clifton thank you for coming out at night to be with me for a few hours. You are an awesome person. Linda thanks for coming out and spending a ton of hours with me in the beginning, I love that you talk a lot it kept me going and going ;-). Julia my friend it was great to have your company and listen to your excitement of going back to school next year. You have joined me at most of my b-day runs through the years and means so much to me.
Jerry thanks for talking and telling me stories you kept me moving along when I wanted to slow down at 64 years young I want to be like you when I grow up ;-)

Rocky my little wonder dog kept me moving when I would get home to base camp. Had he not been there it would of been hard to motivate myself, to add some extra miles and hours through my neighborhood. He was really into being out at night with me while waiting for my next pacers to get to the house.
Joe& Mylinh you guys are the most awesome husband and wife team you guys had the hardest part late at night, in the cold for 8 hours. You always both have great stories you both kept me moving even though I slowed down a lot.
Mikey Mike you have been on so many of my crazy adventures you have seen me do things no one has done or wanted to do before, you have been an awesome mentor to me over the years and most of all a great friend.
You were with me for my first hours for age b-day run when I turned 40 and you paced me at the end there and now you have joined me once again for what I said would be my last hours for age run 45. You as always are an amazing pacer and I had so much fun. It was cold in the beginning and foggy but it turned out to be a great day. You never think twice about following along with me during my run. The tour of the cemetery and a quick Starbucks break make our runs together fun.
Our wacky encounter with the birds. And spotting and watching coyotes 1 and 2 was fun. Oh and the mister know it all on the bike, that was funny. Then you spotting coyote #3. Those were highlights for me.
I had a blast.

Even though many of you were not there. I felt you there. Just being able to connect via FB was fun. I know a lot of you, and a lot of you I have never met but feel a connection because of your kind words or comments. I want you to know it is those little things that kept me going.

Ok so your wondering how the heck can I keep going for 45 hours. It's because of my friends and my positive thinking.
I felt pretty good the whole 45 hours I did sleep after 36 hours of being a wake(24 hours into the run) for 45 min. ;-) and I slept once again after my 48 hour of being awake(36 hours into the run) 45 min.
Those naps proved to help during this event, normally I wouldn't sleep at all but remember it wasn't like I woke up and started the run like in years past. I started at night after being up already for 14 hours. I never got sleepy on the trail and body felt great my energy was fine because I made sure that I ate often. I didn't drink as much as I should of. But still felt ok. I just feel dehydrated today.
I am still high from this run. I really have yet to meet anyone who runs hours for age, I'm sure they are out there but haven't met them

Ok I did tell all my friends this would be the very last time I would run hours for age but, I already have to say I will do it again next year ;-)


Thanks again for everything my friends!!
I ended up running 45 hours, 130 miles ;-) success ;-)


Have a fantastic holidays everyone ;-)

This why I started doing birthday challenges
http://birthdaychallenge.com/