Ancient Oaks 100

I'm always hesitant to post race reports.  Does anyone actually want to read them?  Am I doing this only for myself?  Whatever.  Here it is!

I had to apply for Ancient Oaks in July.  At that point, I had ruptured the rotator cuff and was awaiting surgery.  The race was scheduled for December 20-21, 2014.  My husband couldn't understand how I could commit myself to a race that I wasn't sure I'd be able to do.  On the other hand, I knew there was no better incentive to train and get back in shape than to have a commitment hanging over my head.

I'm glad I did it.  Ancient Oaks is put on by Race Director, Mike Melton.  It's 29, 3.46 mile loops through the Enchanted Forest in Titusville, Florida.  You pass by your car 28 times so you can have all the comforts of home at your finger tips.  The parking lot is full of music, lights and fun.  People show up at the race to "pace".  Pacing is running or walking with  someone who wants company.

There were tons of Vol Staters there.  I got to hang out with Steve Tursi, my streaking mentor, who just celebrated four years of streaking on Sunday.  Fred M. who just celebrated his 33rd year of streaking in the last few days.  Sheri, Stu (the man who started the race), Robin, Lynnor, Scott K, Scott M, Kyrstin (my new running partner), Mike B, Juan, Marilyn, Jim Schroeder and Jessie.  Best of all, I got to spend a lot of time with my pacer/crew/babysitter, Margie.  She's the best and did a great job with me.  I'd guess she put in 55 miles or so.  Good training for her next race!

Thanks to everyone who made this whirlwind weekend what it was.  Thank you volunteers, thank you husband, thank you ultra running friends and thanks Melton!

An ancient oak

Kyrstin and Jessie.  Kyrstin finished AO and it was her first 100.

Steve, Fred and me

Jim Schroeder and Mike Melton.  The thing Mike is holding is the award all finishers get.  They are colored by school kids and they are all different.

Margie wearing the official Hardman Crew uniform, tiara and apron

Eggs and bacon cooked by Margie, Jessie looks on skeptically

Mike Baker finishing his first 100.  See video below if you want to know what it feels like to finish 100 miles

Kyrstin's message to runners who were behind her

The wonderful Marilyn finishing DFL (Dead Fucking Last) but well under the cutoff!  Marilyn was my crew for R40R

My hero, streaker of 33 years, Fred M

Margie and I about .5 from the finish of the race.  We are on the only "hill" of the race

Done!  PR by 15 minutes.  28:27 or something like that

If you're easily offended, don't watch this video.  It's comprised mostly of swearing.  This is what your body and mind feel like after going 100 miles!

Seven weeks post surgery to current

Surgery pictures, inside my shoulder

The surgeon told me this was going to be a slow recovery and said, "If you think you are going to be different, you are wrong."  I was wrong.  I did think I'd be different.  I did think I'd recover faster than most people.  I did not and have not.

At six weeks, I was allowed to start moving my arm and take off the sling.  The first six weeks after surgery, I was confined to the sling 24/7 except when I was showering.  As a result, all of my muscles cramped up and I was on painkillers.  Bad combo for Dusty.

As soon as I was allowed to move my arm and start physical therapy, I stopped using painkillers (and haven't taken one since) and the pain diminished immediately. Physical therapy has been good.  I picked a great place with fun people.  As you can see from the pictures below, my progress has been slow.

I was cleared to run on October 31st.  I kept doing the mile a day streak and had my 1,000th day of streaking on November 8th.  My first 50k post surgery was Mutual Mine on October 26th.  It was a great race where, once again, I finished Dead Fing Last (DFL).  The second week in November, I was Jim Schroeder's crew for Icarus 6 day.  He did 250 miles in his first six day attempt!  On November 15 and 16, I paced my friend Margie to her first 100 mile finish and I got 50 miles in the process.

Jim Schroeder on the 1km loop at Icarus

Beautiful sunrise at Icarus (Fort Lauderdale)

Margie and I after her 100 mile finish at Wild Sebastian!

Nearly four months postsurgery, I was able to lift my arm to the front over my head!  A few days later, I washed my hair with TWO HANDS for the first time since June 20th.

This weekend, I'm going to attempt another 100 miler.  I may not be in great shape for it but not bad shape either.  When I signed up for it in July or August, my husband thought I was crazy.  I knew I needed something big to motivate me to keep moving and not give up.  It was the right thing to do.

2015 will be full of running and adventures.  All but one of the adventures are tentative.  I am ready to do great things (great things=memorable, not necessarily "great") even if I'm unable to lift my right arm over my head more than three times in a row!

All pictures below were taken beginning six weeks post surgery and I'm lifting my arm to the front.  A few pictures are missing because I didn't have enough clothes on.

1,000 days of streaking

Day 1,000 of streaking.  Trying out Yogi's Luna sandals on Ft. Pierce beach.

I made this for me.  Paul sang "Happy 1,000th day of streaking"

Each and every day for 1,000 days, I have run one continuous mile.  The morning of my surgery, the day after surgery, travel days, migraine days and days after running 100 miles or 200 miles or 300 miles.  Some days were super hard to motivate to get my butt out the door and painful either mentally or physically.  Some days were joyful and beautiful.  I think my most memorable was during the Lake to Ocean 100k back in June of 2014.  It was after midnight and I decided to run on the pavement just before the end of the race (nearly every bit of the 100k was on trail).  It was a downpour and cold but beautiful and although I missed the cutoff for this race, I was going to finish it AND get my mile done for the day.  That particular mile felt like a huge accomplishment.

Working at a conference, dressed in business attire, running my mile.  

A view of how haphazard streaking can be.  Crocks, no undergarments, and a big old glass of vodka on a treadmill in the garage, in Idaho.  This was during my first attempt at streaking.  I was running on a stress fracture in the neck of my femur.  

Day 500 of my streak.  Didn't even change my clothes to do it.  See, anyone can streak any time.

Immediately after I ruptured the rotator cuff.  Training for Vol State with a weighted pack and a sling.  A runner and orthopedic doctor friend told me, "Just strap it down, you'll be fine.  Don't try to catch a 16 pound bowling ball."

I would highly recommend that if you have any desire to "streak," do it.  It will give you a sense of accomplishment.  It will be a goal for the day.  Who doesn't need 10-15 minutes of exercise a day? Everyone needs a little exercise every day!  Please consider streaking for your health and well being.  You don't have to run a mile.  You can do 10 pull ups or walk around the block.  Make a commitment to yourself, it's something you'll never regret.

Colleen Woods, my original inspiration for streaking

Joey, Steve and I at Grand Teton Races in 2009 (I think?)

As usual, I need to thank Colleen Woods for getting me started on the streaking kick, Steve Tursi for being my mile a day running mentor and my husband for supporting me and encouraging me (and keeping his mouth shut about his real feelings right after surgery).

When will I stop streaking?  When I can't do it any more.

Eleven weeks since surgery

I have started feeling better since my last whining post.  With increased use, mobility and strength, the pain has decreased to nearly nothing most of the time.  I have been able to sleep as well.  Most notably, my mind has returned to functioning.  All of these things make for a much better attitude and more productive days.

I started physical therapy at six weeks and I think I only have one more week left.  After that, I will be discharged and given exercises to do at home.  My physical therapist recognizes that I'm self motivated and overly compliant.  Speaking of physical therapy, I picked them from my list of seven providers from the insurance website.  I got so lucky.  What a great group of people!!  The physical therapist did not believe shoulder rehab should be painful.  It has not been painful.  Yay!

Our new home on the east coast of Florida is very nice.  We moved from Punta Gorda to Vero Beach.  Vero is more suited to us.  We are in a quiet neighborhood and about fifteen minutes from the beach.  The town of Vero is more diverse and has a lot of museums and activities.  There are a bunch of grocery stores and Sam's Club is just five miles away.  So many of my ultra friends and one of my Addison's friends are close.

I'm not supposed to be running but I, of course, kept my streak going.  After visiting the surgeon at my six week appointment, he told me that I couldn't run because he didn't want me to fall.  Let's just say, I have not yet fallen.  I'm signed up for a race on Sunday and plan to walk the vast majority of it.  I am looking forward to being in the woods with my ultra family.

I am finally catching up on thank you cards and getting projects done.  It's getting easier to hang pictures although I have to put the nail in my right hand, lift my right hand with my left and pound the hammer with my left hand.  At least I sweat less and shake less when I do this!

Overall, I'm feeling so much better.  I'm grateful for those who have stuck with me and supported me.  Thank you to those who have made me laugh through my tears and have encouraged me when I was down.

The pictures below have nothing to do with this post.

Vero Beach sunrise

Sweet, old Dolly

Keiko the pistol

Walk way to the beach

Sunrise

Sunrise

Train tracks before sunrise

Lucky to live here!

Found in my neighborhood during one of my daily miles!

Like Idaho with palm trees

Beautiful, peaceful view out the back of the house

No more grizzlies, just gators

He didn't want his picture taken

Oslo Conservation area!  Trail near my house

I love mud

I love bridges

Panoramic from the "observation tower" at Oslo Conservation area

Sunrise at St Sebastian River Preserve State Park.  The trail SUCKED but the sunrise was pretty.  I will be pacing my friend Yogi in mid-November (surgeon approved)

Also at St. Sebastian.  There's a white tail deer in the middle of the picture but you can't really see it