Pacing, pacing, racing and bruising

a Couldn't get this picture to go below with the bruising caption

Pacing, pacing: I've got 2 things to say about pacing. 1) I'm not going to Leadville :( Julie called me and doesn't even think she'll make it to 50 miles. After the 50 mile mark, pacing is allowed and that's when I'd be needed. 2) In my post about Mountain RATS, I forgot to mention that I learned a thing or two about pacing myself as someone with Addison's. At Mountain RATS we were busy from the moment we woke up until we fell asleep. The more compulsive of us dreamed about our responsibilities all night too! Being that busy was hard on me as an Addisonian. I did not keep up on fluids and got dehydrated (see racing) which caused my gut problems after I returned. I was exhausted when I got back from the dehydration and fast pace. At home, although I am busy all day, I pace myself. I do active things, sit at the computer, do active things, sit and fold laundry or make phone calls, etc... Before this trip, I did not realize how much I paced myself.

Racing: I did a local duathlon (mountain biking and running) yesterday. I should have heeded the "signs" and not done the race but I did the race anyway. The mountain bike was a challenge becase my gears were all messed up and I haven't ridden much in the last couple of years. I had to use my toe to get the chain to go where I wanted it to go, couldn't use some of the gears at all and it skipped in other gears! Despite all of that, I was the first women duathlete to finish the ride. I had a good crash on the bike, picture of bruise above. I thought the run would be easy since I've been running so much lately.

As I started running, my quads and hamstrings began to cramp. I tried to ignore it. I was passed left and right by everyone as I sat on the ground at the top of the climb holding my legs and swearing up a blue streak. The cramps eased up and I finished the race and hopped in the car. I immediately went to the hospital to get my electrolytes tested. Low sodium and dehydration. Go figure. I guess more Florinef and more sodium are in order. In retrospect, I am sure that the gut problems I had last week were due to dehydration.

Bruising: Here's the bruise from my crash on the bike. It's more impressive in person. (see above for the picture). I am inordinately proud of my injuries.

Mountain RATS, tired and television

I got back from Mountain RATS in Steamboat Springs on Monday. It was a great trip with lots of hard work and lots of laughs but I burned the candle at both ends before I left and during the trip. I got home Monday with a stomach ache and tired. Today (Friday) I'm back to "normal". In the interim, I've been watching a lot of television, popping Zofran and hydrocortisone. Hey all of you Addison's people, I have lots of down days too!

I think I might do a local race tomorrow. We'll see how I feel and if my bike's drive train will cooperate. I'm probably NOT pacing in Leadville, Julie doesn't seem to be interested in me helping her :( I'm so bummed.

Anyway, Steamboat was great, great scenery, great people and lots of motivation to do more and be more with myself when it comes to running, racing and daily life. The 24 participants carried all of their food, gear and ground pads. The staff carried their sleeping bags. They ran 8 miles the first day, 25 miles the second, 25 miles the third and 18 the last. The race ended up at the top of the gondola in Steamboat. I'm always so impressed with how fast the racers are and how hard they work on a "vacation". All I did was give them water and write down their times!

The start of Mountain RATS

Allen Belshaw approaching aid station one during the first stage

Runners relaxing after the first stage

Starting day 2

Karen's wondering how the heck she's going to get so much crap into such a small space.

Reid and I marked the course for the next day. It was tough work but someone had to do it! Thanks John for the loaner bike!

A beautiful sunset. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Scott Jaime starting day 4. Scott ended up winning!

Marc Miller looking cheerful at aid station 1 on day 4. It was a beautiful spot!

Dessa Willie finishing the race!! Yay Dessa!

Reid, Josh and Karen at the finish line.

The racers at the finish line.

Jenna Gruben and I showing off our flair.

Tia Bodington icing a painful foot. Tia's doing the Leadville 100 in a couple of weeks. Go Tia!!

End of July update

CONGRATULATIONS MILISSA AND MIKEJuly 21, 2008: Milissa with brand new Brendan Wyatt (7# 8 oz and 19 inches long). Isn't he cute??? Milissa even let me hold him despite what she knows about me and how I feel about babies. I actually really like this little guy. He sleeps a lot too.

Sorry this post is so long. I've split it up in case you're not interested in reading all of it.

I apologize in advance for not returning emails. If you want to talk to me, email me and I'll give you my cell phone number. If I can figure out how to answer the damned thing, I'll talk to you.

UPDATE:
Hi, I'm on my way to Steamboat (flying, wahoo!) to work Mountain RATS stage race tomorrow (Wednesday). I'll be back home on Monday night. When I get home, there will only be about 30 days of summer left! They will be busy, see "AUGUST PLANS".

AUGUST PLANS:
August 4 - return from Steamboat
August 9 - get my son back from his 30 day backpacking trip
August 14 - 19 Go to Leadville and pace/crew Julie in the Leadville 100
August 23 - 24 Ride 24 hours of Targhee
August 30 - September 1 Run?, volunteer?, cheer people on? in the Grand Teton Races

BIG HIKE #1:
Since I last posted, I've been busy. Paul and I hiked up past the Lower Saddle toward the Grand Teton. We didn't make it to the Enclosure, our initial goal, because we didn't have helmets. The helmet omission was all my doing. Of course I thought the entire hike was flat and smooth, not steep and rocky. Anyone who's hiked or biked with me knows that I always remember everything as flat and easy regardless of how difficult or dangerous it was! The hike was great and challenging. We were running down at the end of the hike and I ended up pitching myself 8 feet down the edge of the trail. My only injury, miraculously, was a scraped finger. Amazing!

ADDISON'S COMMENTS: I upped my HC by a lot (about 20 mg) and I felt great during the hike. I should have doubled my florinef too but, once again, I forgot. Because the hike was so long and demanding (lots of elevation gain and loss), I should have upped my HC during the following day as well. I did not and I paid for it by feeling crappy, tired, mean and out of sorts. It took me 3 days to realize my HC was suboptimal.

A view of the Grand Teton from where we turned around.

Paul going up toward the Lower Saddle of the Grand. That's one hell of a fat rope.

FUN:
For my birthday present, Paul sent Allison and I to a day spa in Teton Village. Allison, Dave, Paul and I dressed up, went to dinner, listened to live music (Isaac Hayden check him out! He is great) and stayed overnight in Teton Village. FUN!!!

Allison and I at my birthday dinner. I look rested from the nap I took during my facial.

BIG HIKE #2:
I wanted to mountain bike with Jo but she decided to ride horses instead. My bike is a death trap at the moment so I was afraid to ride alone but heck, I'll ride it if I have someone to take care of me when I fall off of it. I ran instead. My initial intent was to hike/run up Mahogany to the ridge. I was feeling pretty good so I kept going and went to the top of Garns. It was a great day although I did nearly literally run into a bear right at the beginning of the hike/run. I saw it at the same time it saw me and we ran in opposite directions. I was really scared.

ADDISON'S COMMENTS: I upped my HC liberally and forgot to double the florinef...again. I paid for it yesterday because I was sluggish. When the hell will I learn that I need to up HC the day AFTER big activity?

Elk Flats was covered with wild flowers. It was stunning!

At the top of Garns. Tetons are in the background but you can't see them because of the fire haze (California fires maybe?). See the snow. I'm being tortured with it. It's almost August and I'm running into it everywhere I go.