TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

…to old habits … don’t worry, Trailmomma.com is not going anywhere. 🙂

This week seemed a little less crazy and hectic than the week before. Sure we had a bunch of random activities and things to attend to almost every night of the week, but either they seemed less stressful or maybe we are used to the crazy train routine now. Who knows. The Summer has definitely been jam-packed with all sorts of things lately which generally makes us happy, but it also makes us realize how quickly the days are flying by.

The one thing that happened this week that was sort of a surprise to me was the fact that the place I have been going to every morning at 5 am for the last two years closed its doors. Breakout Fitness Folsom closed on Friday. Diane, the woman behind the gym, has decided to go back to coaching and training outside instead of inside. She wants to coach fewer days too. So while she is still coaching, the park where she is now going to hold classes, is a bit too far for me to manage and be able to get to work on time each day.

At first I will admit, this made me angry. I am normally okay at adapting to change but this was MY thing. This was what I did each morning that I absolutely loved and that has changed my fitness in ways I cannot describe. It helped me fall even more in love with TRX and showed how important core work can be (and how far I have to go to get a strong core). So to have this part of my day removed from my routine was a tough pill to swallow.

I want nothing but the best for Diane, I truly do. She has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders whether it was training for something, encouraging me to step outside the box and pursue some things I am passionate about or just improving my fitness she always was a voice of encouragement.

Needless to say, I did some research on my own and located a place closer to my house (I think) that has 5 am classes that are similar to what I was doing at Diane’s. You would be surprised to find that many places (gyms included) do not have early morning class. I guess many people just go to work later or work out after work but those are not options for me. I need 5 am. I also need more sleep but that second part is my own fault.

Wednesday I will be testing out a new gym with new people. Stepping outside my comfort zone a bit and trying something new. I hope it works out. I’ve been talking with Gold Country Girl too about potentially doing our own workouts in the mornings that would involve the same type of things that I did at Diane’s. Gold Country Girl is a personal trainer and has her own clients, but like most personal trainers, she doesn’t get to workout herself if she is coaching others. She, like a lot of women, has to squeeze in her workout before her hubby goes to work in the morning.

Speaking of Gold Country Girl, the Peanut had another swim meet this week in Loomis and once again, Gold Country Girl’s family let us crash in their tent while at the meet.

Tent City
Tent City

The Peanut has been struggling lately with diving. She wants to do it, but cannot get over the fear of the belly flop. Finally, towards the end of the week while at practice, she managed to figure it out. She was determined to try it at the meet this weekend but not from the starting blocks (they are really high).

When her first event (25 yard free style) came up, she looked nervous but she stood on side of the blocks while a lot of the other kids stood ON the blocks. When they said “take your mark” she bent over like a pro. When the buzzer went off, she dove! She actually did it! While probably not a 10 on the dive scale, she actually did it and then she started to swim. You can tell she wasn’t give it her all but she was doing it and she ended up in 2nd place for her heat!

Sporting her new gift from Jersey Dad
Sporting her new gift from Jersey Dad

Vans and I were super proud of her and you can tell, she was proud of herself. Next up was her 25 yard back stroke (which in real-time didn’t happen for another hour or so after the freestyle swim). Not sure what went on in her little head but her mood changed. While standing in line, another kid from the opposing team bumped or hit her (I am sure it was accidental) and this set her off. She started to cry and couldn’t regain her composure. When it was time for her backstroke, she got in pool. When the buzzer went off, she just swam. She didn’t kick off the wall, she barely even moved her arms. You would have thought she was just floating down the pool instead of racing. This killed Vans and myself. No matter what we feel like, we always try and give it our all. I know the Peanut is still young and she can care less about competition (even if it is with herself). As a parent though, it just breaks my heart (and lights a fire in me) because I want to see her succeed. I want her to see herself the way WE do. She is a pretty good swimmer, I would say better than average and even at such a young age, the mind games are playing with her.

She has a week off from any meets so I am hoping this down time, even though she has practice still, will recharge her batteries.

Speaking of recharge, I needed to recharge myself with a little trail run. Gold Country Girl and I had decided that we’d attempt a super early run on Sunday trying to make it home before our kids were awake. I also had to work at the store so I wanted to be home in time to have some down time before I went to work.

We agreed to meet at 6 am at the trail head down the street from my house and conveniently, hers as well. She invited her friend, Mom in Motion who is also going to run this 50K in November. Our plan simple, a two hour run however far that would take us. One hour out and then one hour back so we could all be home.

We decided to run towards Folsom Lake, my usual jaunt these days when running local and it was beautiful morning for a run. The trails were quiet, no dog walkers and just a few mountain bikers.

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Folsom Lake
Folsom Lake

The lake was pretty as always but the area surrounding everything is dry and brown. We have had some fires recently in the area and things are getting a little dangerous because all the brush is just dried up. One little spark, and everything could go up in flames.

When we got to the point where we were going to turn around and run back, I decided we needed to take some photos. Pigeon is used to my “selfies” on the trail but both Gold Country Girl and Mom in Motion had not experienced running with me yet (and becoming blog victims).

Gold Country Girl & Mom in Motion
Gold Country Girl & Mom in Motion

After I snapped one of them we decided to try and get a group shot. I personally cannot stand the “arm stretched out let’s take a selfie shot” because no matter what I do, I look like I have a tree branch for an arm and a double chin.

Group Selfie Attempt #1
Group Selfie Attempt #1

Gold Country Girl looks likes a creeper in that photo so we decided try it again ….

Group Selfie Attempt #2
Group Selfie Attempt #2

Okay, not only do we have mega large heads, the flash went off ….

Group Selfie Attempt #3
Group Selfie Attempt #3

That would be the weird arm in the photo trying not to have a double chin pose … this is when I decided that whoever is on the OUTSIDE of the group, needed to hold the camera …

Bingo! Except it is blurry.
Bingo! Except it is blurry.

We’ll get there. We are new at running with each other but come September, our miles on the trails together will increase tremendously as we start training for our 50K.

When we finished our run, we parted ways and I made the trek up the hill to my house. My tummy had started to revolt so I was happy to be done as I don’t think I could have made it another mile!

I guess this is a good start to a week of new things. A longer run with two new friends, trying out a new gym on Wednesday and the Peanut learning to dive. We all need to step outside our comfort zone a little I think once in a while. Try new things. Give it your all no matter what otherwise, you’ll never know what you might be missing.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

 

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CAN YOU TAKE SOMETHING FOR THAT?

Today, as they say in trail running was “epic.” Well, it was epic to me because I got to run in Tahoe on the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 course for the first time ever!

I went to great lengths to be able to run on a Sunday because the Peanut has swim meets on Saturdays now and it was well worth it. Pigeon had emailed that she wanted to run in Tahoe instead of at Michigan Bluff and I was all for it since I missed the TRT Training Runs that happened on Father’s Day weekend (really TRT people? Father’s Day!?).

The Peanut’s swim meet on Saturday was home and her team won (again). The Peanut did okay. She’s been struggling lately and we are trying to help her through it.

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These swim meets last a long time sometimes and I was on my feet quite a bit during it helping get our family volunteer hours.

When Pigeon sent me the logistics for our run, I knew it was going to be a long day as we were meeting at 5 am to make the long drive to Tahoe.

Her wife Missouri chauffeured us all the way to Tahoe, stopping a few times to use a restroom. She brought us right to Diamond Peak where we started to unload. The temps that early in Tahoe were in the 40s and both of us were dressed in tank tops and shorts. Even though we were chilly, we knew it was going to be a super warm and sunny day on the trail.

Diamond Peak is a major hub in the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 as the runners come through here twice, once at mile 30 and again at mile 80. It will be mile 80 that I will start my duties as pacer for Pigeon in her TRT 100 mile quest. It was fitting to have us start our run here today because I would get a good glimpse of my portion of the trail.

We started at that red house.
We started at that red house.

Now I have crewed at Tahoe Rim Trail three times and I have read enough race reports from other runners that have mentioned the climb from Diamond Peak more than once. Words like “brutal” “so steep” “I hurled” have all been used to describe this climb.

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Which, don’t get wrong, is pretty steep and quite sandy/gravely making getting a foot hold not quite so easy. We just power hiked our way up.

My thoughts were “this isn’t so bad” and “really? is this all that there is?” when we reached, what I thought was the top. Pigeon was a little unsure of which way to go so we wandered in a few different directions until she found the trail we needed.

Things changed. All of a  sudden I knew what everyone was talking about.

Barely to the top here.
Barely to the top here but looking down.

It just went up and up and up. We had started at 7 am and it was still cool outside and a bit shady in some places. When Pigeon comes through here at mile 30 of TRT, it is almost 2 pm in the afternoon and scorching. There is no shade. There is no relief from the full sun pounding at you as you continue to make this climb.

Still at the top yet!
Still not at the top yet!

Lucky for us, it was still a bit cool outside, I was fresh but Pigeon had run mega miles this week and started out with some tired legs. Most of all, we had not seen each other in a bit so we had lots to talk about to occupy our climb.

Some not so happy flowers at ALMOST the top of the climb.
Some not so happy flowers at ALMOST the top of the climb.

I realized I was taking a million photos at this point because Lake Tahoe was just growing in size behind us as we continued climbing. I have snowboarded at Diamond Peak before and it finally hit me when we got to the top, that this was the very run that we board down most of the time because it gives the most spectacular view of the lake.

The top!
The top!

It was neat being at the top because we found a nifty snowboard chair off to the side and since I have only ever been here before ON a snowboard, I found it appropriate and worthy of a photo.

Snowboard Chair!
Snowboard Chair!

Soon it was time to continue on though. My tummy had been rumbling since we started which wasn’t a good sign. I had to duck off the trail once already and I could feel another visit coming on soon. This is a popular mountain bike and trail runner trail so I knew we wouldn’t be alone out here.

I also knew from studying the race website that the distance from Diamond Peak to Tunnel Creek was only 5 miles. Pigeon had promised me 20 miles yet Missouri was picking us up at the bottom of Tunnel Creek in 5 hours. That meant, Pigeon and I were running past Tunnel towards Hobart which is exactly what I will be doing with her come race day.

At some point, we determined (well, Pigeon determined since my math sucks) exactly when we’d have to turn around and head back.

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We just followed the very rocky terrain and kept a pretty good pace since it was runnable. You did have to watch your foot placement though as the rocks blend into the sandy ground. Throughout the day I would find myself clipping a toe on various rocks sticking up out of the ground. Pigeon clipped a few too but I definitely win the award for the day.

Still smiling!
Still smiling!

As we were running along, we ran into a guy who was training for the Tahoe Rim 50 mile race. He was fast and motoring along. We chatted a bit and then he was off telling us that he had a couple runners behind him.
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As Pigeon and I ran through what would be the Tunnel Creek aid-station we rounded the bend and followed the trail. We saw our runner guy up ahead just killing the switch backs. At one point, I thought he was turning around even though he said he was running all the way to Spooner Lake.

Turns out he ran up a side trail called the Sand Harbor View Point. I asked about it and he said we should do it because it is the most photographed section of all of Tahoe. Pigeon had done it the week prior and had debated whether or not to take me up but seeing how I was a photo-fiend on this run, she just had to take me.

So UP UP UP we climbed again. It definitely was a hike up but it was well worth it once we reached the overlook.

Sand Harbor below.
Sand Harbor below.

Sand Harbor is a great beach. We’ve been there before and we’ve brought Be-Well-Run and her family there as well just a few years ago. It was incredible to see it from that vantage point.

Some selfie action at the vista.
Some selfie action at the vista.

We stayed and fueled a bit here and Pigeon indulged me by taking all the million and two photos that I wanted.

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But soon it was time to start moving again. She had been eating and fueling while I was taking all my photos so I had some catching up to do. I started to eat, drink and run at the same time but quickly came down with a painful side stitch that wouldn’t go away. I was also starting to trip on a few of the rocks here. My legs were apparently starting to feel tired.

The trail leading from the vista point.
The trail leading from the vista point.

Towards Hobart we ran along with all the mountain bikers also going in that direction. I am very impressed with those who mountain bike this section of trail. It is not easy to run let alone ride a bike.

I just kept following Pigeon trying not to fall but the views were so gorgeous at times that occasionally I would  stub my toe on a rock making a loud thud which would make Pigeon turn around to see if I was okay.

On about the fourth toe stub, she finally said, “Can you take something for that please?” Like I had a headache or something and could magically take a pill to stop me from tripping. We started laughing. I took a salt tab just to appease her a bit but we kept on running towards Marlette Lake.

Marlette on the left and Tahoe on the right.
Marlette on the left and Tahoe on the right.

When we got to the section that overlooks Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe the winds really picked up. A few mountain bikers were also sitting here enjoying the views and taking some photos.

Me with the lakes
Me with the lakes

We had a few more miles to go before our turn around so we didn’t stay long at this point. It was a little too windy too.

The next section was very uphill with some more technical rocky stuff to try and not trip over. I was feeling okay, maybe a bit tired but just breathing the Tahoe air really made me happy. I have not been to Tahoe in quite a while, so I have been missing this and was happy to finally get a bit of Tahoe Love.

The trail back
The trail back

As you can see from the above photo, there is not much shade on these trails. You are pretty much in the sun. Some of the sections that I ran with Pigeon are also the sections I would do if I was going to do the Tahoe Rim 50K which is one of my bucket list races.

The run back was not that exciting, except for the fact that I finally bit it and actually fell. One too many stub my toe on a rock moments had me diving head first almost as if I was sliding into third base.

Pigeon busted up right there on the spot and pulled a total Trailmomma with “Can I get your photo? Wait. Are you okay?” I was fine. I just scraped up the palms of my hands and my right leg but it wasn’t too bad at all.

Fresh Trail Rash
Fresh Trail Rash

I just wanted to keep moving and Pigeon was happy that I was getting all these kinks out now and not on race day. She was sure to tell me that come race day if I fall, she will check to be sure that I didn’t hit my head on a rock or have any protruding bones but for the most part, she isn’t stopping.

The exposed trail back to Tunnel Creek
The exposed trail back to Tunnel Creek

It was a gorgeous day despite my fall and my tummy problems. It was exactly what I needed. It was nice to see the course and see the terrain. I know what is runnable and what might not be. No matter what it is hard to tell with Pigeon. When I pace her during the race, she will have 80 miles on her legs and in theory should be pretty tired. But I know her and I know her strength. Something tells me that I will be struggling to keep up with her on these last 20 miles of the race.

I am looking forward to the day. It will be EPIC for sure.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

 

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HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY SQUEAKER

Squeaker
Squeaker

Dearest Squeaker,

Today you turn three years old. Where has the time gone?! Seriously. It really did feel like yesterday that I felt you kicking the crap out of my insides every single time I turned on PINK when driving. It felt like last week that we were snuggled all comfy in your recliner chair with our beloved Boppy having a little “mid-night snack” (FYI I still have that Boppy, I cannot part with it). Wasn’t it just the other day that you started rolling all over the house (you never crawled, you rolled on your side faster than a log rolling down a hill).

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Squeaker you have truly undoubtedly changed our little family, for the better. We skipped baby-proofing 101 the first time around but you, you bring that element to a WHOLE new level (example: coming out of the bathroom covered in band-aids that you “discovered” in the super high medicine cabinet).

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You awake with a smile and a giggle almost every morning. You were my “baby that slept from day one” for SO long … (um, what has happened?). 🙂

You refused to try a bottle for four long agonizing months which was very stressful for a momma who wanted to go and escape for a run once in a while (not to mention Daddy Vans who was left home with a hungry cranky Squeaker).

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Long commutes? No problem. You chit chat the entire 40 minute ride home about everything and anything that enters your amazingly smart little brain.

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Surprisingly no one has ever asked me why we call you Squeaker. When you were born, your throat did not fully close and therefore you really could not cry (not the way most babies can). You could only “squeak.”  You also had a difficult time swallowing and you hated being swaddled. Sleeping in the pack and play in our room was horrible for you so we moved you to your crib which caused great anxiety within my sleepless mommy brain. I wanted you near me. I wanted to ease your pain but you never had any. You have been independent since the day you were born!

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You challenge us, you frustrate us and you make us laugh. You, Squeaker, are the whole package in one tiny little body.

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You have always been a great “eater” (minus that thing with the bottles, but who can blame you on that one). To this day, your appetite is insatiable at times and you LOVE LOVE LOVE Whole Food’s black bean burritos.

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You follow your sister around like she is gold. Yet you can tease her just like an older sister and you can still milk the snuggles and hugs when you need them.

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Your body never stops moving and your mind never stops turning. You process everything you see and you annunciate better than any kid I know (what 2 year old can fully say the name Enrique?)!

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You love your bike and you love tutus and the color pink! You love playing outside with the wind in your hair … sometimes without underwear on (my little free bird).

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No matter what,  you have an unstoppable twinkle in your eye, a smirk beyond all smirks and fire inside you that I pray will never ever blow out. When I look at you, I smile. When I watch you sleep, I sigh. When you tell me that you love me, my eyes tear ever so slightly because my love for you knows no bounds.

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Your humor is astounding (and catchy). At the tender age of 2, you could grasp sarcasm and dish it out like no one else.

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You are fearless at times and yet know how to pull the shy card to get what you want. Nothing is too big for you to climb, ride or descend.

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We are the lucky ones Squeaker. Lucky to have you in our lives every day. Your spirit is infectious and your spell hypnotic. Everyone loves you. The world is your oyster, an unchartered map, an adventure that I hope you enjoy and that fulfills you.

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Happy 3rd Birthday Squeaker. May your day be full of laughter, play-doh and singing. My world revolves around  you and my life would be incomplete without you.

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You complete our family in more ways than you can ever imagine. You keep Vans on his toes (which he needs) and you are the “bestest” friend your sister could ever ask for in life.

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We look forward to what the future brings and how you will grow. I am not sure we will be able to keep up with your antics and shenanigans but I look forward to trying. Happy Third Birthday my beautiful girl. Never settle. Never give up. Never be anyone other than you.

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Happy Trails Birthday!

~ love Trailmomma

 

 

 

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HARD WORK PAYS OFF (THE PEANUT’s SECOND SWIM MEET)

As I mentioned in my last post, the Peanut is now on a swim team which makes finding time for long trail runs a little harder to manage. She practices almost 4 sometimes 5 days a week (whether with the team or at Steve Wallen Swim School) and has a meet every Saturday until August.

VIRB Picture

This past weekend was her second swim meet and her very first “away” meet (visiting the Sierra Sharks in Cameron Park). What is new for the Peanut is also new for Vans and myself. We are not used to this sort of thing as neither one of us was ever on a swim team. Soccer? Sure! I know all about traveling to tournaments and playing two games in one day (3 or 4 on a weekend) but I was never the PARENT in that situation. Dear Dad, I am sorry for all those crazy hot tournaments that you drove me to … luckily you didn’t have a 2 (almost 3) year old Squeaker to drag along with you. Poor kid!

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It was one HOT weekend but the Trailmomma family rallied like troopers. Thank goodness for GCRS Girl and her family. They are veterans of the swim meet and truly help us out in a way that I cannot even describe.

We arrived at the pool, found GCRS and family and set up our little camp. The kids immediately go into “what cool snacks did we pack” mode. Swim meets = eating lots of random snack and junk food.

The Peanut was listed in two events again, the 25 yard freestyle and the 25 yard back stroke. When it came time for her freestyle event we made our way down to the pool. Unsure of the set up, we noticed that they had regulation diving blocks instead of the mini-ones the 6 and Under kids are used to.

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Vans and I separate and each move to one end of the pool. This race, the Peanut was swimming towards Squeaker and myself. I saw her shake her head and refuse to get on the block … that’s ok, they are not required to jump from there.

When the buzzer blew, she jumped and started swimming. I was cheering so loud hoping that she could hear me under the water. All of a sudden, I notice that she’s one of the first few reaching the wall! She touched the wall and the timer turned to me and said “She got first place!” What?! My Peanut had swam FIRST in her heat!! She came out of the pool and I told her that she may have won AND that she beat her previous time by almost TEN SECONDS!!! Huge accomplishment. She was glowing.

She was given a bead from the coaches for achieving a PR. I think she was more happy with the bead than the new time!

Even Squeaker was proud of her!
Even Squeaker was proud of her!

Next up was her back stroke. Once again, all four of us made our way down to the scorching hot pool. Poor Squeaker was barely hanging in, she was so hot.

Starting in the water, the Peanut was put into lane 5. We were told by GCRS Girl that lanes 4 and 5 are reserved for the “fastest” of swimmers. When the buzzer went off, the Peanut pushed off the wall and started her back stroke. She stayed almost 100% straight and I saw her looking for the wall near the end. Instead of giving up and kicking (like she has done in the past) she reached and moved her arms another stroke touching the wall! She was first place AGAIN! She also got another PR by just a hair this time too! Who IS this kid? 🙂

A winner that's who!
A winner that’s who!

Apparently losing a tooth and getting a short summer hair cut made all the difference in her strokes this race.:)

Numero uno!
Numero uno!

When she got her bead, we also treated the kids to smoothies and icies (the post race ritual now I guess).

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Once we were home, I blasted into full force mode. Lunch for the girls, nap for Squeaker and a hot hot run for me. I just needed to get few miles in and it was blistering hot outside so I picked what I thought would be the shadiest route.

6 miles later I arrived home completely drenched but I felt better. It was probably the toughest 6 miles I have done in a while.

I saved some energy because I knew on Sunday I would be running with Pigeon and we were planning to do 10 to 12 miles.

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So dry. So hot.
So dry. So hot.

Our goal was to start at 6:30 am and run some of the same route I had on the day prior. Pigeon was kind enough to come run in my hood knowing that I had to work at 10:30 am.

When she arrived I was having some shoe difficulty but soon we were off and noticing how warm it already was at just 6:45! Ouch.

We ran a few local trails over towards Brown’s Ravine. The first thing we see as we entered Brown’s was a gaggle of turkeys. TONS of them. All over the place and they had babies with them. Great, baby turkeys. The local turkeys are procreating, just what I needed to know!

Camouflage turkey heads
Camouflage turkey heads

As we ran I noticed neither one of us was really running like our usual selves. It just seemed like “work” to run. Folsom Lake looked gorgeous though and is definitely filling up with water (slowly).

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We saw quite a few FTR runners on the trail too. When my Garmin Buzzed 5 miles I stopped. I told Pigeon that we were at 5 and if we head back now, we’d have 1o. “I said 10 or 12,” Pigeon replied. “Ok, are we doing 12 then? We can run to the levee and that might give us a enough,” I say.

“What do you want to do?” Pigeon replies. “Man, if I had a quarter I’d flip it and let that make our decision.” I say half jokingly. “I have a Gu packet!” Pigeon says “Let’s flip that.”

When in doubt, flip a gel!
When in doubt, flip a gel!

Yes, that is totally a scientific way of making a decision when out on a trail. PowerGel side up we continued on (aka Powering On) if it was the back of the packet, we were turning towards home.

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Onward we went, all the way to the levee (which really wasn’t much further than where we had flipped the packet). 🙂

The run back was a struggle. Our energy was low, the temps were rising but we still had our sense of humor. We talked about our plans for Tahoe Rim and for some future runs. It as nice to reconnect with Pigeon as it has been a few weeks.

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What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and having what should be a short easy run turn into something that feels like a marathon in a sauna while breathing through a straw is a good thing. It brings your brain and your body to a low point and it is how you react to that low point that matters. We could have given up and called Vans for a ride home but we didn’t. We hiked onward trying to lift ourselves up. Pigeon is not training for an easy race in July. She will hit low moments and who knows where those moments will strike. They could very well be on a flat easy section. It is how we handle those moments that matters.

As the Peanut has demonstrated recently, hard work in practice will produce good results. So get to work. 🙂

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Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

 

 

 

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PEANUT’S FIRST SWIM MEET

I normally blog about my running adventures but since my big 32 mile run on the Western States Trail a few weeks ago, my running has been few and far between. That doesn’t bode well for my training to pace to Pigeon at Tahoe Rim in July, but it does bode well for the Peanut!

GO EDH TAZ!!
GO EDH TAZ!!

The Peanut had her first official swim meet against the Folsom Sea Otters last weekend. As I had mentioned in this post, her mock meet did not go so well. She only swam one of her two events (she was disqualified for the freestyle).

She was nervous going into the meet but Vans and I explained to her that the meets are not a race against other kids, they are a race against herself. To a 6 year old that is difficult to understand.

Waiting on the Ready Bench!
Waiting on the Ready Bench!

The sweet heart that she is, she made friends with her opponents while sitting on the Ready Bench. When it was time to go, she made her way to the starting blocks. She was in lane 10, rated last place as a result of her DQ from the mock meet.

When the buzzer went off did exactly as she was told to do … she jumped in and swam as fast and as hard as I have ever seen her swim! Her side breathing was quick and barely noticeable which for her is a huge accomplishment!

She swam and swam and swam! I cheered, Vans cheered and even Squeaker cheered! She made it! She finished 8th out of 10 swimmers! She now has a time to compare against (42 seconds). She popped out of that pool so happy and so proud. Vans and I are so proud of her.

Heading to the starting area.
Heading to the starting area.

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Next up was the 25 yard back stroke, the Peanut’s favorite. She got in the pool, she put on her goggles and when the buzzer went off she swam! Straight as an arrow this time all the way to the other side! 35 seconds later she was done! She had done the back stroke a full 11 seconds faster than she had at the mock meet! NOW she understood. NOW she was comprehending the concept of beating her old time.

Our little swimmer!
Our little swimmer!

I surprised the Peanut with the above sweatshirt. Even though she has a team swim cap and a team swim suit … now she has a team sweat shirt to keep her warm and dry between heats.

The Peanut’s next meet is tomorrow against the Sierra Sharks. Her first away meet. Once again, I am tabling my scheduled run to be her supporter. She has been to tons of my races over the years, so it is the least that I can do for my little mermaid.

Enjoying a post race icey.
Enjoying a post race icey.

Vans, Squeaker and I are just so darn proud of her! We love you Peanut!

Official Member of the EDH TAZ swim team 2014!
Official Member of the EDH TAZ swim team 2014!

 Happy Trails Swimming!

~Trailmomma

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