Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. Walter Elliott

Breaking news: I am no longer going to run Badwater...it's a long complicated story so I will give the short version..Personal issues. I decided I will run it next year in July but not with the race. I will make as part of my 709 mile journey stay tuned for details. So this Summer I will attempt the woman's unsupported record on the John Muir trail and also the Tahoe rim trail. I know it's not the best year with all the snow but I have a month off to have some fun in between hundreds and pacing Andy at Angeles crest 100.
I had a great weekend working at the Mt. Wilson trail race in Sierra Madre and hanging out with Andy and Rocky and meeting a facebook friend Daniela from Germany.

Once again I am very sorry to everyone who helped out and donated to my cause. I will be running for a cause when I do my attempted speed records this Summer. I wish I could be running Badwater but it turned into such a negative thing with a couple people involved. I am truly sorry but will go big next year. Thanks to everyone who always supports what I do and is willing to help make my dreams come true.

OHLONE 131 MILER 49:10

Here's a quick note. I had a pretty good run, but I was slower than last year. I was really sleep during the second night. Even stopped for a 20 min. nap at home. Andy boyfriend was amazing he ran the last 64 miles with me. Chau Pham paced me 32 miles through the first night.
I will write a full report later. Thanks to everyone who sent me positive vibes during my run.

Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the lion or it will not survive. Every morning a lion wakes up and it knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter if you are the lion or the gazelle, when the sun comes up, you better be running.

- African Proverb

Fun times on The JMT/ Half Dome trail. There was way to much snow for us to make it up the face where the switchbacks use to be. If we had crampons we could of went up but without crampons going straight up would of been very dangerous if we slipped. The cables will not be going up until June since it is way to dangerous to get through the snow sections. They can't even send trail workers up yet.
We had a great time left at 5;15 am and were home by 9:30. It's great that it's only a 3.5 hour drive to Yosemite Valley we are very lucky.
El Cap had tons of activity and Camp 4 was full. It's the beginning of the climbing season. I really miss hanging out with all the climbers such a colorful bunch of people with amazing stories ;-)
The weather was great it got pretty warm on the trail. On the way down we decided to go down the Mist trail but got turned around because a guy fell and died there around noon. I still haven't read any reports about the mans death. Very sad.
We made the long climb back up to the JMT junction and headed down the valley there were a lot of people on the trail. I was surprised since school is still in. But I guess it was a Friday.
Saw my friends Bogie and hi wife Edith near the Nevada falls bridge. It was a wonderful surprise.

It's taper time for the Ohlone 131 miler which I will start at 11am on Friday woo hoo

"Respect the distance or the distance won't respect you! It will eat you up, spit you out and make you beg for mercy" - Unknown
I had a blast training in Sierra madre for 5 days. Ran the road up to Chantry and back. And ran out of Baily canyon and ran the Mt. Wilson trail. I love Sierra Madre such a beautiful place.
I got to visit with my boyfriend Andy, I always love spending time with him. Rocky came so the whole family was together.
I got to see George V a few times he is one of my crew guys for Badwater 135.
I am finally getting into this whole road running thing. My body is getting use to it. I still will allow myself a few days a week to touch dirt below my feet. I just have to or I will die.
Heading for some fun in Yosemite Friday hopefully we will run up to Half Dome and it will be snow free ;-) the cables are down so my roommate and I will head up since we don't need a permit until the cables are up.
Looking forward to going to my favorite place.
Ok I'm a busy girl gotta run............

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens

Had an awesome week of running some how managed to run 125 miles for the week ;-) Since I didn't have to taper anymore once I found out I wasn't running McNaughton 200 ;-(. That's ok I am all set to run Ohlone 131 in a few weeks, I will keep up the high mileage until I have to taper ;-)
Had a great run Saturday running in Sunol 28 miles all around ;-)
The weather was awesome for Sundays epic 40 miler to Rose Peak and back my roommate Jerry came along for the fun, we both were a bit tired but toughed it out and finished in 13 hours ;-) we were happy to be out running and enjoying the views of the wilderness.
I will be heading to Sierra Madre on Wednesday morning with Rocky to visit Andy and do some running up Mt. Wilson ;-) I will also do some road running up to Chantry and back should be fun!!!
Rocky is doing great and is back to running again I am very happy he is fine ;-) yay!!!!

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

So I'm sad I won't be running McNaughton park 200 miler. Rocky being sick last week and his expensive vet bill really didn't help much. I thought how the heck can I afford to go? Both Andy and I decided that the unplanned expense was enough to make us realize it's best not to go, and that we could do it next year. As it turns out now there is no way Andy could go since something with a project he is working on came up, and he needs to be here.

Like I always say everything happens for a reason.
Rocky is doing great I take him Saturday for a vet check.

So since I am very well trained I will keep my miles up and get ready for my annual solo Ohlone 100, I think I am going to run 131 miles again since I'm not running McNaughton 200. I just need to work it out for a night pacer Friday night and I would need to have someone pick Andy up at the airport Friday night.

Hopefully I can get it all worked out. Andy is pacing me the last 64 miles it should be fun.
This weekend should be a good training weekend starting tomorrow with a 20 miler, Saturday 30 & Sunday 40. woo hoo!!!! the good news is I don't have to taper for a couple weeks ;-)

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
My furry son had me freaked out this weekend. Wednesday night he knocked some things off a dresser but my roommate said he didn't think anything hit him. He seemed fin running on Thursday. Thursday night he knocked over my hamper. I took him running on Friday 4 miles he seemed ok. I went and got my hair done and came home and I noticed the white area of his left eye was bloody red like a vessel burst.
He was moving his head weird and I thought maybe something did hit him in the head. I rushed him to the vet. I just assumed he got hit in his head above his eye.
They needed to do x-rays and blood test and keep him over night. The head looked good no fractures. So they just kept him to watch him and gave him something for the swelling.
He seems to be doing well the eye still is red and he's taking antibiotics and pain meds. Good news he's on the mend bad news no running or vigorous walking for a week. He sees the doctor on Saturday and hopefully he will be able to get out for a short run soon.

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
- Steve Prefontaine

Yes I know this picture looks odd. After all these years we have found the wrecked truck out on Mission peak. Actually I have only been looking for it for maybe 3 years. A few weeks ago I was on my run when something caught my eye in the distance. I thought could this be the mystery truck I have been looking for? The story is two young boys where driving and lost control on a sharp turn and the truck flipped and they died. I think it was around 1968-1971 that it happened.
I told my roommate where I saw it in the distance, i didn't have time to go find it. He ended up climbing down to it.
I wanted to go to it on our 20 mile run Friday so we did. What an epic to get to it. Super steep and lots of poison oak. Jerry had carved his name in the truck last time so this time he carved mine. It looks like the last person who was down there and carved their name was in 91.
We still don't know the full story of who the boys were and what they were doing out there.
We ran on a cow trail to discover a new area in the Sunol its a secret so I cant tell you where it is, but in a couple weeks the most beautiful wildflowers will be popping.
Saturday Jerry and I ran the Western Pacific marathon in Fremont. It was at Quarry lakes and followed the Alameda creek trail. I had already run 60 miles for the week and had run 20 miles the day before. I was just wanting to run it as training and planned to run 10 miles home too.
I surprised myself after not running a marathon for 10 years I ran 4:20 5th woman 2nd in my age and 16 overall.
Jerry took first in his age and 15 overall. We had a blast.
Brazen racing puts on a first class event with food every couple miles and the finish line set up was amazing. And the medals were beautiful.
Ran a total of 115 miles for the week. This week will be my last big training week for McNaughton 200 mile run. I'm feeling pretty good about running 200 miles, lets see what this week brings.
I love this last photo of me sizing up the competition. LOL

"The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost


I did it! I finished my 4th Umstead 100. Wasn't my fastest time but I still managed to push hard at the end to go under 23 hours. My time was 22:58.

I will write my report later which includes a deranged lunatic who attacked a few runners, I saw him but he knew better then to mess with me ;-)

Oh BTW way Andy PR'd he ran 18:33.
Stay tuned for more.

If tears could build a stairway,
And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
And bring you home again.
~Author Unknown

Here I go again Umstead 100 this will be my 4th time I have run it. Hope to get another sub 24 there. I love this race the people are awesome and it is a true test since you run a lot it's not like the mountain 100's I run where you get rest breaks. You have to make sure not to go out to fast since it is flat that's hard.
I plan to enjoy this run I will be thinking of my Mom and running for her since the race will be on the 9th anniversary of her death.
I will use her positive attitude and love of life to get me through.
I love and miss you Mom.

I paced Linda McFadden last weekend at Buffalo 100 that was fun. It was very cold but she did awesome as always.

Ok I would love it if you all sent me positive vibes during my run I will need them. Thanks xoxo

From my Mom............
Please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near
I’m everything you feel, see and hear.
My spirit is free but I’ll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight.
I’m the brightest star on a warm summer night.
I’ll never go beyond your reach
I’m the warm, moist sand when you walk on the beach.

I’m the colourful leaves when winter comes ‘round
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond.
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you see in the spring.
The first shiny raindrop that storm clouds bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you
Talk to me and I will listen.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees.
And you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep
I’m the smile you see on a stranger’s face
Just look for me………
I’m every place!

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."
Mark Twain
Sunday Andy, George and I ran with Pat DeVita the oldest legacy runner of the LA marathon she is 77. She placed 3rd in her age and finished in 6;43.

Ok this was my first marathon in 10 years and last time I ran LA marathon it was 11 years ago. What are the chances of it raining again 11 years later. Yep the last time I ran it it was raining for the first 19 miles but it did let up.
This year that would not be the case. The rain started as soon as the gun went off.

We couldn't find Pat at the start so our plan was for Andy to get in his coral in case she started early and look for and wait at mile 3.
I stayed with George and ran looking for her since we started near the back. I took off on George and said I would run ahead and wait at mile 3.

I meet a few bloggers in the morning Bob who is from Japan and was trying to when his age at 60. He won last year, he ended up finishing in 2nd this year.

Met Zachary who read about me in Born to run, he was running his first marathon in five fingers. he finished ;-)
So we got to mile 3 where we waited for George, I saw a guy running with a watermelon on his head a real one. I saw a guy running with an Alhambra bottle on his back accepting donations for the victims in japan. I saw groups of young kids running. I saw old people , I saw walkers I saw blind people. There was even a 400 pound man running it. And there was even the bass player of one of my favorite bands running Flea from the red hot chili peppers. I was amazed at all the different people running for different reasons. Me i was running for my friend Vicki DeVita who lost her fight with cancer in November. Pat DeVita is her mother so that was why I was there.
George came up and we told him to go on ahead and look for her. We had cellphones so could call if we spotted her. Andy and I waited for a long while finally I spotted Pat with her daughter Sherry and her friend Liz. Yay!!! She was so happy we found her and felt bad about the mix up on where to meet. Didn't matter we were all together running in memory of Vicki.

The weather was really bad but Pat never once complained just kept pushing through. I was so inspired by her determination and will power to just keep going even though the conditions were awful.
We finished in 6:43 and it was an awesome feeling knowing I got to help push her along. She was very happy we were there. She commented it would of taken her 8 hours had we not been there to motivate her. My goal now is to run LA marathon with Pat DeVita every year in Vicki's memory.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
- Lao Tzu

Coyote Springs 50k race in Las Vegas. We had a blast.
I feel at 14 miles and slowed down a lot. Hurt my knee and hand but still managed to finish. I was hoping to run 6:15 but instead was happy with my 7:10 finish.
Andy of course was speedy and finished in 4:57.
We had a great time on our trip saw Cirque du soleil O it was amazing.
We stayed at Aria sky suites it was the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at, I think that room went for 500 bucks a night. The drapes opened when you walked in. It was a beautiful place. We also went to Sinatra's for dinner and they even have a vegan menu.
It was awesome spending time with Andy without feeling trashed after running 100 miles. A little 50k is nothing for us so we are fresh and able to have fun without hobbling around ;_)
Congrats to Carmella on finishing her first Ultra!! Woo HOO

Ok next up helping at Coyote two moons 100 and running the LA marathon with friends ;-)

"Well, we knocked the bastard off !" Edmund Hillary, on first climbing Mount Everest

Some people get excited about meeting Rock stars in person, not me! I get excited meeting badass people who do amazing things like Tim Medvetz who climbed Mt. Everest!
I was running down Mt. Wilson Saturday and I hear someone call my name. It was Tim Medvetz one of my idols. He is on his quest to climb the seven summits. He is raising money and taking wounded vets. up mountain peaks. i think that is awesome. Here is a link to his site. hero's project
http://www.theheroesproject.org/

I think what Tim is doing is amazing. I am going to get the pleasure of hiking with this badass in a couple of weeks.

ROCKY ROAD 100 WE FINISHED!!!!
The race started out wet and cold but mother nature was nice, she decided that she would not let loose with the winter storm that was expected that day. She decided to be nice and give us good running weather.

It did rain for a few hours at the start but it was not bad. I started my run off trying to keep tattoo Joe in my site. I was able to keep him in view for the first 15 miles but he than slipped away. I decided to run with my good friend Linda McFadden since we were both a bit tired we knew we could motivate each other. God knows we have logged hundreds & hundreds of mile together over the years. She is also my crew Captain this year for Badwater.
We enjoyed chatting about the past, present & future to pass the time.
I enjoyed being able to see everyone so often. The course was hilly than was on web-site it said 8000ft of climb but was 12000ft ;-) I thought I could run it under 23 hours but realized I was slower.
Andy was really hammering this run I could not believe how well he was running. He kinda fell apart 40 miles into it , he was not peeing and had a stomach ache. I knew at some point he would catch me and than we could run together.
The course was made up of 7.5 miles out than back for 15 miles each round trip.
That's a lot of out and backs ;-))I did enjoy watching my idol Ben Hien kick some serious ass out there. He finished in 16 hours and change. He took several years off from racing but came back a couple years ago.
A couple years ago at San Diego 100 he ended up in the hospital with kidney failure. He was in the hospital for several days. This was his 100 mile come back since that occurred. He ran strong all day. I was even happy to see he's human and he walks too. He has such a vibrant personality and is so out going. I was happy he won ;-)
I stayed with Linda until Andy caught me at the turn around mile 75 for him mile 60 for me. He was happy to run with me since he was alone all day. Linda kept going and slowly pull away.
I was excited to reach mile 75 because my pacer Carmella would start with me. We reached the start / finish area mile 90 for Andy 75 for me and took off with Carmella we would only be with Andy for 5 miles than he would turn around alone the last 5.
I was feeling good wearing my Hokas although I am not really trained to run flat my legs were getting slow ;-),
I was fine with that. I was not eating and was having some stomach issues and I know I didn't drink enough but oh well. It wasn't hot so that was ok.
Carmella and I just chatted away, she is awesome and is on my crew for Badwater, it was the first time I had met her in person.
I felt bad because I slowed down so much.
When I reached mile 90 I was so happy, Carmella stopped to check on our friend Molly who was having issues. I came in to the start/finish area and checked in and out, I didn't stop I took off like a rocket for the next 3 miles than I fizzled out. Carmella finally caught me and we continued on to the turn around the last 5 miles to the turn around seemed long.
We made it, now only 5 to go. I shuffled along and stayed positive I knew I had this one in the bag.
I was happy to see that finish.
I want to thank Charlie and Rob and all the volunteers for putting this race on. Also thanks to Carmella for pacing me and all my friends who sent me positive vibes.
I believe this was the 75th time I have run 100 miles gotta go back and check for sure.
I finished 4th female in 25:22.

I LOVE MY HOKAS........That's right!! these are the most amazing shoes ever invented.
I absolutely love the Mafate but now they came out with the Bondi B road shoe, which by the way many are wearing on trails. I to will test them on trails but will be sad when the white shoes get dirty ;-( the guys model is dark color.
I wore them yesterday day, and boy they are as light as a feather and your feet will feel like you are running on marshmellows.

People are always asking me about them, but the best thing you can do is test them for yourself. They are carrying them at the Boulder running company which you can order online. They will soon have them at zombierunners too. So get them while they are hot. They will sell out fast.

I am running Rocky road 100 this weekend so please send me positive vibes friends. Have a great weekend ;-)))