HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYBODY!!!!

Having a great long weekend of running, helping at races and just hanging out with friends.

Been here in Sierra Madre with Andy and Rocky enjoying the hot weather.

Heading back tomorrow ;-) one more week of long training for San Diego 100 which is in 2 weeks. Next weekend I will be jumping out of an airplane been wanting to skydive forever.

Going with my roommate FJ and my friend Faye and few others it's gonna be a blast.

Enjoy these pictures of Rocky ;-)

FOCUS

Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

THOSE WHO SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE SHOULD NOT INTERRUPT THE PERSON DOING IT.
Me at the start of the Ohlone 131. It was cool , windy and overcast. I thought it was going to rain on Friday but it didn't.
I felt strong on my first 35 miles.
I had weighed my pack before I left and with food, water and supplies it weighed 6.5 pounds ;-( never realized how much stuff I carry when mostly self supported. I carried food for the first 25 miles I had 3 places to get water the first 25.

I think I got home around 9:30 and met up with my pacer Faye who was pacing me through the night back to Sunol where I would pick up Linda who was running the last 64 and Mike who was doing some course marking for 20 with us.
We had a blast it was cold but it wasn't that bad. It did get really cold heading up to Rose peak at 4;30 in the morning.
Faye did an awesome job we had fun ;-)


I met up with Linda and Mike around 9:30 am and we headed out around 10am.
Julia was meeting us and going to run 10 miles back to Fremont with us.
I felt pretty good heading back.
We got back to my house which was mile 99 for me around 10pm. We regrouped and changed. Linda was getting blisters so had to fix them.
I ate, had some awesome miso soup, thanks Jerry.
I visited with Rocky and piled on warm clothes. It was suppose to be a lot colder Saturday night.
We finally headed out the 1 mile back to the start of the Ohlone 50k race mile 100 for me.
We got harassed by a security guard who works for security company for the houses in the area. He has harassed me before. I told him off because he was questioning what I was doing there.



I told him i clearnce to be out after hours ,and he said I wasn't allowed out there I told him to call EBRP or EBRP police. He was on a power trip Linda and I just continued on through the gate. Later I talked to my buddies, Kelly who is the supervisor for Mission peak/Sunol area and Neil who is in charge of Mission peak.
They gave me clearance to be out there along with the parks police who knew I was out there. I always tell them when I am doing my Ohlone 100 or b-day 100+

They said he has no business telling me anything or trying to harass me. The dude messed with the wrong person.

He always follows me when I'm coming down from a run at night in his car. I think he doesn't like woman because he never gives Jerry a hard time.

Once we got going again I got excited to be heading back for the last 50k.

I got really sleepy in Sunol we stopped for a break in the restroom before our big push on to Rose.

I got really sleepy for a couple hours but took a caffeine pill and within an hour I was fine. It was a slow climb to Rose.
Was happy to be standing on the top ,at this point we would have the aid station volunteers cheering us on.

We ran pretty good from the last aid station with 2 miles to go. I knew I could break 48 hours so we ran what we could. Made it to the finish in 47:58 for 131 mile.
It was an awesome journey and I felt no different then I do running 100 miles.

Thanks for all the positive vibes friends. And thanks to my angel Donna Lee who I ran this run for. RIP

"ACCEPT THE CHALLENGES SO THAT YOU CAN FEEL THE EXHILARATION OF VICTORY."

I will and I will also have to HTFU this weekend to be successful at running 131 miles in 48 hours along the Ohlone 50k course going back and froth from Del Valle to Sunol to Fremont several times it's gonna be fun!!!

please check out the HTFU web-site for cool gear .

http:www.htfu.com

"I WOULD RATHER WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE THAN ANY CITY ON EARTH."
It's true I love the wilderness and pulled to it every Summer. I love running, sleeping and traveling along the trails. I loved when I was able to live on the Pacific crest trail for 94 days. It changed who I am. Each April I start feeling it in my my mind and body it tells me I must go and live out along the trails.
This year I will live outdoors at least for 10 days. And I can't wait.

I spent time in Bishop over the weekend and so badly just wanted to strap on my pack and disappear into the wild for a month or more. But I know it's not possible right now so it will have to wait. I will do several 4 day trips to the mountains and at least two longer ones this Summer. But for now I have many races to run.

My friend Faye's sister was planning on running her first 50 miler at Bishop but it wasn't her day. The altitude got the best of her but she still ran farther than she had before. 37 miles, Miki you did awesome and you will finish your next 50 miler.

I'm getting ready to run 131 miles along the Ohlone wilderness starting Friday at 2pm so please send me positive vibes over the weekend. I plan on finishing under 48 hours hopefully 46 hours ;-)

I should do well since I saw my lucky number in Bishop #3 but when you see three 3's it's way luckier. ;-)

“Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.”
This week has been hard. I received horrible news on Tuesdays that one of my favorite students Donna (wearing black and sunglasses next to me in pic) died in a car accident on Friday she was heading to LA to visit her mother for mothers day. The accident was caused by a young girl making an unsafe lane change traveling North, Donna was heading south. In doing this the car next to the girl tried to swerve out of the way but the girls car hit the other persons car and it spun out on to the South side of I 5, and Donna hit that car and was thrown from her vehicle and died at the scene. No one else was hurt. It was such a tragic death that didn't need to happen.
I don't know the full details ,like if the girl was texting or doing something else while driving. It's being investigated.
I have known Donna for a year and I will miss her bubbly personality and warm smile. She was so giving always giving me cards and gifts.
She will be missed by all.

I will be running my Ohlone 131 mile run in her memory next week and will push myself just like she pushed hard in class. She would always tell me this is hard I can't do this but I would push her and make her dig deep. I taught her to never quit. She was tough and she was so very kind. I will remember all the good times we shared. I still find myself crying when I think of her. But I know she wants me to be happy.

Last week in class there were 3 ducks that came and sat down next to me at the park where we workout out. Donna was lying on the ground, in the middle of her push ups. I told her to stop lying there like the ducks. She said just call me Donna duck and I laughed. Yesterday during my run on Mission peak I saw two ducks. Then I came home to take Rocky out ,and we passed by a creek and I just happened to look down, and there was a duck. I know this was Donna's way of telling me she is ok. As you all know ,I have rubber duckie tattoos and collect rubber duckies. Now seeing ducks will mean so much more to me. It will mean Donna is with me. RIP Donna Lee aka Donna Duck

Happy Mothers day to my Mom....
Mom even though you are no longer with me, I think of you every day. I tell you with my mind everything I do and how I wish you were here with me to see me and tell me what to do in life.
Every time I run I know you are there with me watching over and protecting me. I feel you often when I am running the trails. I can smell you and sometimes feel you touch me or call my name when I am alone on a trail.
I am never afraid because you are protecting me from up above.
I love the life you gave me. I love how I take after you I have courage and I am stubborn, and most of all I'm not afraid of being alone.
I was always afraid as a little girl to be left alone. I would lock all the doors and hide in my room.
Now I run wild in the wilderness afraid of nothing. You taught me to love what I do and live life.
I carry you with me everyday in my heart and I will always love you. And I want you to know you were the best Mom in the whole wide world.
Happy Mothers day! I love you!
Todays run on Mission peak 16 miles!

Yesterdays run with Aaron Jerry, Roger, me , Kathy and Mike. 40 mile day!

It's best not to ask ;-)

Mount Diablo run. 32 miles Friday

Hanging out on North Peak!!!

I put in 124 miles this week.

It's now time to taper for the Ohlone 131 ;-) I have 12 days until I run it.

This weekend I will be in Bishop crewing and pacing my friend Faye and her sisiter Miki who will be running her first 50 miler. It's gonna be fun!!!

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
Had a fun 20 mile run before work. Tomorrows run will be 30-35 on Mt. Diablo. Looking forward to kicking my own butt tomorrow. It's always a challenge out on Mt. Diablo since there is not a ton of places to get water out there. Well I better get some sleep so I can be rested for my run ;-) Have a happy Friday everyone!!!!

PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER....................
THINGS THAT SEEM HARD ARE NOT ALWAYS THAT HARD. PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER, AND YOU WILL GET TO THE END.
Awesome run today on the Mission Peak 9 miles total. The weather was perfect.

This morning I happened to turn on the T.V and was flipping channels, I got to the 700 club a religious show and there was Chris McDougell talking about his book Born to run. He was showing the woman how to run barefoot.

Crazy how that book has taken off. I still haven't read it. Chris owes me a copy which he sent but I never got. I am mentioned in the book ;-)

One day I will write my book we all know how many stories I have.

Each time pound the trail there is a story out there waiting in the wilderness.

SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO MATTER...........
We must find time to stop and thank the people who have made a difference in our lives. -Dan Zadra-
Miwok 100k what can I say except WOW!!! It is beautiful, I forgot after running in last years storm, just how beautiful the course is.
I didn't run a PR but ran close 5 min. off. Yeah, I could make up reasons why and how I could of been 5 min. faster but who cares ;-) I had fun sharing the trails with awesome friends.


I want to thank all my friends , FB and bloggers who follow me and support me and motivate me to keep pushing beyond what I think I can do.
I enjoy writing and having you all follow along my journeys in life.

I had an awesome pacer who I enjoyed the last 20 miles, my boyfriend Andy Kumeda was there by my side. I only had one melt down and he was fine with it. Thanks sweetie. Also he took all these pictures ;-)

I saw two weenie dogs the last 6 miles had to stop and say hi. It's always a good sign when I see a weenie dog.

I forget how hard this course can be so runnable but your legs get tired from all the up and down.

I finished in 13:27 and I'm happy with that. I was super happy to meet Udo of Udo's oil at the finish. I use the product and am one of their athletes. So it was cool meeting him since I have been using the product and selling it at Whole Foods for years.

I have been faithfully using the product since March and notice a huge difference in my recovery and how I feel.

It's great stuff.

Congrats. to everyone who ran at Miwok 100k ;-)

The mountains are calling and I must go.
-John muir-
This time of year my mind and the heart wander back to 2007. That is when I set out to hike the Pacific crest trail from Mexico to Canada 2,600 miles long.
I made it 2,000 miles had to quit because of giardia and I hurt my knee.
The end of April is when the main heard start.
I will keep all these amazing people in my thoughts and prayers while they take on this epic journey. Not all will make it to Canada and everyone will have to skip some areas this year because of closures.
I will be out there spreading some trail magic out in Tuolumne and Sonora pass.
So PCTers when you see the girl with fusia hair, tattoos and piercings it will be a good sign. I will have fresh fruit and cold drinks waiting for you at the trail head.
Good luck to the class of 2010.


Somewhere near Idyllwild ;-) alone and having fun!!
Ok my friends it's my big weekend, I'm running Miwok 100k so please send me positive vibes and energy Saturday as I run this race.
Thanks to all of you for following my wacky blog. I love you all ;-)

POSITIVE ATTITUDE.............
"HAVING A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE IS ASKING HOW SOMETHING CAN BE DONE RATHER THAN SAYING IT CAN'T BE DONE."
Sundays fun run I was only planning on running 20 miles, but somehow ended up with 26 miles ;-) Funny how that happens.
Yeah I got to run with my friend Faye who is a lot like me we love the outdoors and doing crazy things in the wilderness, oh and most important she loves the color pink ;-)
Her sister Miki was up from SoCal and they were going to run 30 miles since Miki is training for her first 50 miler. She is running Bishop and Faye is running the whole thing with her. I am planning on going to crew and pace them, and to get a little heat training in for Ohlone 131 .
Jerry joined us for the climb up the peak but since he wasn't wearing any pink we had to kick him out of this Pink club ;-)
The weather got hot by the time we got to Sunol. I climbed 2 miles up and turned around. The trail was and obstacle course of orienteering people blocking the trail, lying on the trail and some weren't carrying water. These people were pretty rude.
I got down and was looking for whoever was in charge, the person wasn't around. The person working the table didn't even know where the water was for the people to fill up. Not that I own the trail but when someone is running down hill I move out of the way. I was asking nicely too. They were to concerned with finding the box of whatever and the clicker. I have no idea I just heard people talking.




I headed back to Mission peak and was super dehydrated from the past few days. I was sucking down water.
It was really getting warm.
I was happy to see Mark Tanaka running down the trail. I thought I feel safe now since there's a doctor on the trail. Always nice to know if you epic ;-)



I made it back home in around 7 hours. Jumped in a cold shower regrouped and waited for the girls to text when they got near the junction of the peak to head down.
Rounded Rocky up in the 83 degree temps, and headed out to the gate a mile away.

We got there but the little guy had to take a break and with cookies in my hand he kept moving. He took a nap under the bench at the trail head. When the girls showed up he was ready to head home. he ran strong all the way back.

I put in 113 miles of training last week so hopefully I'm ready for a good run at Miwok 100k this weekend.

RUN FAR ENOUGH.............
Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.

Saturday was another awesome day of exploring. I had planned on taking a old trail that the park wants to reopen. Just wanted to see what kind of work needs to be done on it. It's called the Welsh creek trail. It connects with Flag hill and goes down to Welsh creek road.

Jerry joined us just to Sunol at we met up with Julia who was going to do a short 2.5 hour run with us. Me and Mike would run the full 30 miles.

The weather was perfect and warm.

The welsh creek trail was amazing. It is now my favorite single track in Sunol. It's 2 miles of pure bliss. The trail is obviously other peoples favorite trail. The trail has not been on the maps in at least 9 years. But you can tell it's traveled on quite a bit. It is only hard to follow in 3 places. There are the old metal trail arrows that point the direction to go. There are several down trees that need to be removed but I hardly doubt it would take very long to get it ready to open for public use.

They are already using it. There was a trail project planned but somehow got cancelled. I am going to talk to ranger Neil and get a group of us Ultrarunners who need trail work to do work on it.

It is on the new map/permit so check out that trail if you have time. I am going to do a loop of it in a couple weeks with Maguires peak loop. It will be a 40 mile run I think.

Mt. Diablo wildflower run..........Friday ;-) I took all these photos on Friday on Mt. Diablo. I ran 35 miles of trails 10. 5 hours.
I came home and ran 2.5 miles with Rocky so ran 37.5 miles :-)

I ran up Diablo, North peak, Mt. Olympia and Eagles peak. It's actually my 4 peaks run but since it there was so many wildflowers I will call it my wildflower run this time. I plan on running on Diablo every Friday . It's very challenging and lots of climbing. This time of year I love running out there. You just have to make sure to carry plenty of water.

I hope other bloggers get a chance to go out on Diablo in the next few weeks to see all the flowers. I counted 20 different varieties and stopped counting after that.

The weather was perfect, warm and breezy. I saw very few people out on the trails. That's why I love Fridays out there. Not tons of people