TRAILMOMMA ~ Page 39 of 44 ~ Trail Running + Plant-Based Living = the best adventures

January 4, 2014April 21, 2015

BACK AT BEALS

With Pigeon still out of town, I was left to figure out where and who to run with for this weekend’s long run. Pigeon usually makes our running decisions and I am okay with that as I really don’t mind where we go as long as we’re outside.

Luckily TiggerT was back from her trip to Boston and was actually willing to run with me. She figures that at some point, my mileage will get too high for her or that I will go do some crazy hills in Auburn with Pigeon that she won’t be able to join.

After Wednesday’s run, I was unsure as to how my run with go with my recent digestive issues. I did some reading from my old blog (here) and realized I suffered the same type of things back 2010 (although not as extreme). So in an effort to try and curtail things, I have started taking my probiotic again hoping that will help. My other “go-to” change back in my 2010 training was to drink Ensure before super long runs. I really don’t want to go that processed chemical route again so I am going to see what else I can do. I also used to use PayDay bars as fuel (I know!) so I am going to see if I can make my own PayDay bars at home because Gels/Gu don’t cut it and I really don’t like taking them. I’ve been using Medjool Dates which are great for energy, but not so much when you are starting a run with digestive issues (if you know what I mean).

The new running store in town has some new nutrition products that are much like taking a Justin’s Almond Butter packet but it has a screw top lid to it so you can actually seal it back up and it won’t become an almond butter mess in your pocket. I am tempted to try those as well.

Saturday however, we planned on anywhere between 12 and 14 miles and the course was not too grueling (like Auburn) so I decided to bring some gluten free fig newtons that I bought at the store. Not a huge change from the dates that I was bringing and definitely packaged and processed but I was desperate. The morning was not starting off well tummy wise.

The Peanut is going to a sleepover tonight with some old dear friends. I was up early finishing my breakfast and getting my things ready for TiggerT’s arrival when I see the Peanut fully dressed and coming out of her room. Oh boy. The concept of time is lost on a 5 year old. She was a little upset when I told her she wasn’t going to the sleepover until AFTER dinner but she was content to curl up on the couch with her new blanket and have a little snack. I told Vans that she was up (and dressed) and left with TiggerT.

Having seen all the posts on Facebook, I knew that two Folsom Lake Trail Runner Groups were running somewhere near the same trails, either starting at Cavitt School or running to Cavitt School. The Fleet Feet Training Group was also meeting at Cavitt. In addition, TiggerT reminded me that the New Years Free Duathalon was also over in that general area. So I decided to use my new Poppy Pass and park at Beals Point and run from there. I knew there were useable bathrooms at Beals and it would be nice to see some different trails even if for a little while.

No Lifeguard? No duh. There is no water! Seriously!

We parked. We pottied (yes, I just made that a verb) and we started off. It was cold! Definitely could feel my joints stiffening up at first but soon we were off and running and catching up on lost time.

Luckily TiggerT remembered most of these trails so we could avoid the levee. Once we made it over near Cavitt we ran into Coach Nikon! He coaches the Fleet Feet Ultra Training group but was called into work and was booking it back on the trails. It was nice to see you Coach! 🙂

TiggerT waiting patiently as I made a potty stop (sigh).

Once we had passed Twin Rocks, TiggerT was in new territory. It is very rare for ME to be showing her certain trails and ~~Pigeon~~ everyone knows my sense of direction is sometimes a little off (to say the least). Luckily, Fleet Feet had some pretty pink ribbons tied up everywhere so when in doubt (which was only once and I bet Pigeon can tell you where) I just looked for the ribbon.

Although not technical trails, these trails can sometimes feel a lot harder than they appear. I was starting to feel a little fatigued at points but was still managing to run up the hills most of the time. Finally we made it to the look out which is a perfect place to take a photo and then turn around. 🙂

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The run back was uneventful really. More talking, more running and maybe a little more walking at times. We stopped and filled our water bottles at the horse staging area and just continued on. My legs were feeling sluggish but I kept telling myself that this is how they may feel after 30 miles on them at AR50 and that I just have to keep moving no matter what.

When we reached the Cavitt dirt road at Granite Beach, we saw the duathlon people. We cheered and TiggerT turns to me and says “you want to run some trails back?” At first I had no idea what she was talking about but she was going to skip the Cavitt Road in lieu of some trails that skirted along the bluffs a little. So I said yes and followed her …

Um yea, TiggerT’s sense of direction is about as good as mine! We turned right when I think we should have turned left and climbed up this monstrosity right back to Cavitt Road! Ah well, it was worth a shot.

I love running with TiggerT because she is full of random knowledge about our area, nature, astronomy whatever! She’ll stop and look at something and point stuff out to me all the time.

My own personal little tour guide if you will. I love it.

It was bound to happen but at some point I hear “TIGGERT!” Once again, she knows someone on the trail, shocker. 🙂 My running partners are like celebrities.

We made it back to the levee area and started running, without realizing it, on the levee. OUCH! The gravel on that thing is harsh. We made it as far as we could and dipped down onto some trails. The trails we were on brought back memories of the days when we raced the Folsom Lake Trail Runner Series at Beals. It was kind of cool to run them again.

By the time we made it back to the car, my garmin said 13 miles. That was good enough for me. I know I should probably be in the 18 mile range by now, but my old training plan says 8 to 12 and after Wednesday’s race in Auburn, I want to come back slowly. I’ll wait for Pigeon to return before heading out for 18 miles. I also have a Dr. Lau appointment this week and I need his magic to fix some aches and pains that I have had lately. 🙂

When we returned home, Vans was in the garage with the girls and Squeaker was mastering a new talent.

Ramps!

Ever since my run in Auburn, she has been asking to return to the skate park. 🙂 Vans is a happy daddy. The girls were thrilled to see TiggerT too. They showed off for her a little bit.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and gets a chance to do something outside, no matter what kind of weather you may have right now. I know the east is being hit with snowstorms lately, but it really does do a body good to get some fresh air into your lungs to blow out those cobwebs and clear the mind.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

January 1, 2014April 21, 2015

RESOLUTION RUN 2014

Today I had my first official race of 2014. I wasn’t going to do this race this year but plans changed and I found myself sans running partner on a perfectly beautiful day to run.

I ran the 10k last year with TiggerT and recall vividly telling myself Â “thank goodness you didn’t sign up for the 10 mile option.” The course is pretty brutal if you are not used to running these trails. The course is ALSO brutal because it follows NEW YEARS EVE!!! Granted the race start time is 1:00 PM so there was no waking at some ungodly hour but we did have some company at the Trailmomma house and I made some of my two favorite dishes for these friends who do not typically eat the same way that we do. These dishes however, taste wonderful with a great glass of red wine, which we also had in the house and of course you can’t have New Years without champagne!

Needless to say, soon after the ball dropped on tv I was out like a light. Squeaker woke up at her usual time despite my best efforts to keep her entertained in our bed while I tried to go back to sleep.

Vans and I decided that all of us would make the trip to Auburn despite Squeaker’s nap time being smack dab in the middle of it all. It kind of worked out because as soon as we hit the road, she fell asleep. Ahem, I have NO idea where she gets THAT from. 🙂

Vans dropped me off at the start line so that I could check in and get my race stuff. We had 15 minutes until the race started. Once I got my stuff I found where he had parked and luckily it was near a spare porta-potty! I quickly got in line and by the time I was out I heard the announcer say there was 5 minutes until race time. The four of us hiked up the hill to the starting area and I got into the crowd.

The start was very informal. Basically it was “ready, set, go!” The 5k, 10K and 10 milers all start together and head towards the road and then down the hill. I immediately remembered some of the course. Oh boy. Once on Damn Hill the 5k/10k runners went left and the 10 milers went down down down Damn Hill. Damn Hill is the same hill that you run UP in the American River 50 Miler – you can read about that race here.

Soon I saw the arrows not only pointing down the hill, I also saw them pointing up which could only mean that we were to run down Damn Hill and then back up again. I know I need this training eventually but today was not the day I was anticipating it.

My legs felt fantastic. My ankle felt fantastic. My stomach? Um, yea that did not feel so wonderful. Definitely a by-product of New Years Eve indulgences but also something I have been struggling a lot with lately.

My abdomen was growing larger by the minute. I was bloated and just feeling off. I tried my best to not think about it and to continue drinking my water. Luckily I did not have that sloshy stomach feeling. For this race I didn’t bring any fuel except water in my one handheld and 2 SCaps. Did I mention it was WARM? I mean like tank top and shorts warm but I was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and my compression socks. The socks were borderline too much but I think they really helped keep my ankle situation in check.

Going down the hill I don’t think I passed very many people. Eventually we turned and entered some trails that were all up hill leading us back to the same paved Damn Hill road. I had some spring in my step. The ups were definitely my favorite part of the day. I am really beginning to enjoy them. Pigeon scolds me sometimes to conserve my energy by walking up the hills but I have the power and I even have some speed when it comes to climbing up the hills. I can’t power hike for crap so why not run?

The girls were waiting for me ….

I passed a lot of people on these climbs. When back on the paved road, I continued to run as much as I possibly could and found myself running more than I have in the past. I did end up hiking some of it, especially past some horses who were out for a walk.

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The rest of the course was a lot of ups and downs and stuff. I vaguely remembered these trails but suddenly the trail I was on connected with all the other runners and it happened to be the same route that Pigeon and I take on our runs (at least lately). I immediately perked up. I used to not like running the same trails but this time, it was a relief because I knew exactly what was coming and where and whether or not I could run it.

I ran. I ran all the ups and would take a breather at the top and then continue on. I was definitely struggling with my tummy and trying not to think about it but I was also passing quite a few people (guys). It felt good.

Then we came to the section of the trail that I always complain to Pigeon about. It is the trail that leads us back to the Overlook. It just is so windy and when you think you’ve reached the end, there is another single track climb right there in front of you. It can be a little defeating.

However, I heard something. I heard a cow bell. Now this is not totally unheard of in the Sacramento region, we are called a Farm Town for a reason, but I knew this bell and I knew the person ringing it! My girls!

There she is!

My girls were right where the trail enters the parking lot. I still had to run up the hill and back to the overlook but just seeing them really made me happy.

You can see in the photo above how bloated I am!

I finished the race and was spent. I was definitely out of breath, so much so that I couldn’t even talk to my long time friend and old running/pacing friend Big D! She was a sight for sore eyes for sure. I had sprinted up the hill to the finish line because I was afraid the woman I had passed earlier in the race was close behind!

After the race, we wandered over to the skate park which is also at the overlook. The girls wanted to show me their tricks. Apparently this is where they were hanging out while I was running on the trail.

I love my “crew” to pieces. Squeaker really had a blast in the skate park but was slowly growing tired. Her ability on the bike has greatly improved. Peanut opted for the scooter and was actually going over some ramps or whatever at the park. I think Vans was super duper proud and excited. 🙂 I even got to watch him skate which I haven’t seen for a very long time.

For me, the first of the year started off great. A nice trail run where I was able to push myself a little bit and still overcome some issues (that I need to get dialed in) and spending the day with my family. What more could I ask for?

I will leave you with those two recipes that I made on New Years Eve, just in case you were curious. 🙂

For an appetizer I made Oh She Glow’s Easy Flaked Almond “Tuna” Salad. Vans loves this stuff (so do I) and my guests really liked it too. It is super easy to make as well.

For our main dish (which was small since we’d all been snacking on apps for over an hour) I made With Style and Grace’s Stuff Acorn Squash with Quinoa and Pistachios. I added some vegan sausage that I had to the guests’ dishes though (mixed in with then quinoa and pistachios).

Well there you have it … our New Year’s Day in a nutshell. What did YOU do on New Years? What WILL you do in 2014? I have a list of a few things I’d like to try and incorporate more. I don’t really like the term “resolution” because it kind of gives off the impression that you try somethingÂ for that particular year. Still, I do think we should all take a minute and think about 2013 and the things we could have or should have handled or done better.

I wish you all a wonderful 2014! And let the count down to the Winter Olympics begin!

~ Trailmomma

December 31, 2013April 21, 2015

ON MY OWN

“On my own … pretending (s)he’s beside me ….” if you know me, you know I love the story of Les Miserables but even more so, I love the MUSIC! I sing and play it often either while washing the dishes or giving the girls a bath. The Peanut, on more than one occasion has sighed, “is this Les Mis again mommy?” when the aforementioned song/verse plays.

Well this past Sunday, I truly was “on my own” as the song says because Pigeon had a family emergency to tend to and had to miss out on our run. Knowing that I had to get significant miles in but also knowing that I truly didn’t want to drive anywhere, I set out for an adventure around my own neighborhood.

The Ridge Loop of Death that I have run so many times was first on my list. I haven’t done that route in quite some time and I know that it will give me a solid 7 miles or so complete with some climbs. I managed the climbs fairly well too.

Once back where I started I ran towards Browns Ravine. These trails that are over by Lake Folsom are truly a beautiful secret close to our house. On my way there however, I realized that I needed a pit stop and unfortunately, none of the parks that I ran by, had any restrooms. Instead, I ran up a big hill to my local Safeway.

Once I was done, I decided against running back to the trail head I had intended and instead ran down Green Valley to the marina. I crossed the light at the marina and made my way onto the trails. The last time I ran these trails I ran with Pigeon. At first I was a little unsure of my route but eventually realized it is quite impossible to get lost and on the weekends, the trails are pretty populated with people so running solo wasn’t a huge deal.

Folsom Lake

This trail really lends itself to some pretty awesome views of Folsom Lake however our water level is so low right now, that in the photo above, you can barely see the lake. Hopefully the rain they are calling for next week, actually arrives. We need it.

My legs were definitely feeling okay on this run compared to my run last weekend with Pigeon in Auburn. I was really dragging and my legs felt especially tired. On this run, my legs felt great but my stomach was battling something. It wasn’t happy needless to say.

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I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately on different methods, diets and ways of training. I think down the road I Â am going to experiment a little bit here and there. I have a sensitive stomach as it is and there could be many reasons as to why as well as probably many different ways to combat it. It could also just be the fact that I have Celiac and always will have issues.

Once I made my way out of the trails and back to the concrete jungle that resides between Folsom and El Dorado Hills, I made my way back towards my house via the sidewalk.

It also has many many steep hills like the one above. I’d love to say I ran up these, but I didn’t. I shuffled when I could but for the most part, my body was saying ‘you’re done’ for now.

All said and done though, I ran about 13 miles total. All by myself. I enjoyed that some miles were roads and some were trails as I am too chicken to go venture to Cool or Auburn by myself and run. Pigeon can tell you, the chances of me getting lost are pretty likely.

Without my regular training partner and without TigerT my OTHER training partner I was forced to get the miles in all by myself. This week will be another adventure of sorts. New Years Day I have a 10 mile race in Auburn (The Revolution Run). Originally I had not planned on doing this race as Pigeon and I were planning a run but since she is tending to her family right now, I am left to fill the miles by myself and decided that I couldn’t skip yet another run in Auburn.

This weekend will bring back the return of TiggerT and I am contemplating taking her on the same journey I had this past weekend, hopefully minus the trip to Safeway.

I wish all my readers and family a very happy and safe New Years. Generally I am not a fan of New Years, or at least I am not a fan of going out and this year we are spending a nice evening at home with a few friends coming over to celebrate. That is just the way I like it.

Whatever your goals are for 2014 I wish you patience and perseverance to conquer them.

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

December 23, 2013April 21, 2015

IT CHEEPED

This weekend Pigeon and I continued with our training by heading out to Auburn for a long run. We have not been to the Overlook since well before Thanksgiving. I admitted to her early on in the run that my motivation was lacking lately and that I had hoped that this run would bring back that excitement. Running up in Auburn always seems to ignite something within that gets me excited about the running and racing road ahead.

We met at the Auburn Dam Overlook or ADO at 7:30. Waking up was really hard for me. I was just tired and it seemed so cold in our house that I figured it had to be colder outside. I decided to wear my Athleta Relay Capris for this run. I have never worn capris or tights on a long run before, not even for CIM. I wanted to give it a try to test how hot I might be on the run.

There were not many car at the overlook when I arrived but I saw Pigeon’s car. We pretty much both jumped out, changed out of warmer clothes and started off down the trail. I didn’t bring any gloves which normally is fine as I tend to take them off anyway but today I was carrying a water bottle which mean my hand would be holding a cold bottle. Ouch. Pigeon had gloves. I went digging into my car and I found my weight lifting gloves that I keep in the car for my Breakout Fitness workouts. Basically they are gloves minus the finger tips. I don’t typically care what I look like when I run, I just throw on some stuff (usually I match) and go. Well these gloves not only matched they totally worked at keeping the palm of my hand warm while holding the bottle. Pigeon laughed at me but it was okay. I actually kept the gloves on for the entire run too.

My legs were stiff. My back has been giving me problems all week and I think the tight muscles in my back are streaming down the back of my legs and hitting my hamstrings. Not totally uncommon. It was definitely hard to feel free and flexible on this run.

At one point we saw three deer just walking across our trail. Shortly after we saw Diane Cressey and stopped for a quick hello. Then we rounded a corner and continued on when all of sudden I heard some rustling in the bush next to me which caused me to jump which caused whatever was in the bush to jump too and take flight and it started chirping quite loudly. I flew even higher which caused Pigeon to do this crazy ballerina move in the air. She really got some air between herself and the ground, I was quite impressed. She was like “What!? What is it?!” totally panicked at whatever had scared me. I yelled, “It cheeped!? It cheeped!” She stops and looks at me, “It cheeped? Don’t birds CHIRP? Not cheep?” We laughed and I still stand by the fact that little birds can “cheep” it is the action verb of “chirp” … um yea, sticking with that. 🙂

Back to the run, we ran over No Hands Bridge and up the hill towards K2. I have not run up K2 since I ran with Pigeon and Be-Well-Run two summers ago. It felt a lot easier climbing this time than it did before which made me feel a little better.

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We eventually found ourselves at the Cool Fire Station where I made a brief pitstop. Then it was back towards ADO. When we hit the down hill section leading to No Hands Bridge Pigeon took off. She was just coasting the downs and I wanted to as well but had this nagging feeling in the back of my head (fear?) that I didn’t want to roll my ankle again. With my hamstrings and back slowly cramping up, I was just a little hesitant. I long for the day when I can fly down that trail though. It’s just a great trail with easy footing (minus a few rocks and roots).

Once we hit No Hands Bridge we stopped so I could stretch out my back and my quads which like I said, were really feeling super tight. I think at that point, Pigeon realized her quads were not feeling as springy as they might have felt at the start.

The trail back to ADO from No Hands was long and slow. We did walk/hike quite a bit both of us just feeling the day’s work on the trail. I just have to be patient with myself and realize that one run doesn’t determine my fitness and one run two weeks after a road marathon (that I didn’t train for) shouldn’t feel like a total walk in the park.

The run this weekend did accomplish something though, it motivated me and got me excited about running again. I am looking forward to my workouts this week which I have to do solo but I promise myself I will do despite it being holiday week and not having to work a few days this week.

As with most holidays, I am sure everyone is feeling some stress. Just remember to be patient with yourself, life and others. Not every day will be an easy training day.

Squeaker: I love you SiSi! I love to follow you, copy you, break your toys and annoy you.

Peanut: Leave me alone.

🙂

~Trailmomma

December 20, 2013April 21, 2015

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

December 14th was the one year anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown Connecticut. I saw the stories online talking about the families who have lost loved ones on that horrible day asking that the media respect their wishes and stay clear of the town, school and their lives. All they wanted was for people to do some random acts of kindness.

This struck a chord with me as I used to do such things on a moment’s notice. I didn’t wait for the holidays but lately it seems I find myself doing them less and less.

I decided that needed to change so while at Starbucks the other day I bought a gift card and gave it right back to the woman at the register. I told her that Â I wanted to buy whoever came up next in line a cup of coffee and to tell them to please pay it forward.

On the actual anniversary of Sandy Hook, the Peanut and I did our own special Random Act of Kindness. I won’t lie, I was inspired by a friend on Facebook who had this happen to her last year. I purchased a card and a small gift card. Inside the Â card I wrote that I was honoring Allison N. Wyatt age 6 who attended Sandy Hook. From what I had read about Allison, she loved art (just like my Peanut) so I wanted to do something in her memory. If could have done 26 random acts of kindness that day, I would have but I hope that the couple we handed the card to would in turn do something in memory of another child lost.

I’ve seen and witnessed a lot of Scrooges on the roads and in the stores lately and it really started to bother me. If we can make one person smile by doing something out of the pure kindness of our hearts, then I think that is the greatest gift one can give.

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It doesn’t have to involve money either. I have a friend who offers to walk their neighbor’s dog. You can take out someone’s trash or even return their trash cans closer to their house so they don’t have to walk. Use your imaginations and use your heart. The next time your temper rises consider the person you are about to scream at and think about what they might have going on in their life at that moment. Show some compassion.

Happy Holidays.

~Trailmomma

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