I signed up for the Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 50K as part of my training for JFK. It’s crazy to think that three months ago I wasn’t sure if I could run a 50K and now they’re training runs. Just two years ago I wasn’t sure I could run my first marathon and this was my 10th endurance running event. I didn’t have any time goals for this race, not knowing how technical it would be. I also didn’t taper at all, but I thought if I could come in under 8 hours then it would be a 47 minute improvement over Laurel Highlands and that could count as a good day.

I was up at 4 am to drive to Youngstown, Ohio, for the start of the race in Mill Creek State Park. The stars were out and I was able to watch the sun rise over the rolling countryside. Surely, this would be a beautiful day. The start was cold and as I went down the trail from the parking lot to the start, I hear my name and see Rick Freeman calling me over. Rick is the Laurel Highlands Ultra RD and he has run the Iditarod “Fun Run” (350 miles for anyone who is curious) a few times. He’s well-known in local running circles and his huge grin paired with the button down shirt he’s going to run in put a smile on my face. I still think it’s crazy that people like Rick know my name (and call me over), Ray Zahab wants me to be involved with impossible2Possible (expect an update on that soon, too- we have a call on Tuesday), Runners World contacted me for an interview, and Josh Cox is a fan of my Antarctica facebook page. I don’t get it.

Steam rising off of Lake Glacier at the start.

I make a half dozen other friends at the start and again I am convinced that ultrarunners are a great breed of people. We have a pre-race “meeting” (watch when crossing the street, don’t litter) and the race begins with the RD yelling “START!”

Runners listen to the RD at the Old Log Cabin

We take off down a paved road and turn up to a steep steel staircase, across a park area with tennis courts, football fields and the like and then the fun begins. The trails on this course are moderately technical single track but there are some flat stretches where you can pick up some decent speed. There are also technical climbs that stop mortal runners (i.e. me) dead in their tracks. Descents so sharp that my knees hurt (I’m 26, my knees don’t hurt yet).

Runners run down the second part of one of the first steep hills. Photo courtesy of Joel Button.  

See all those trees? That's the trail. Go to the bottom.

There were inclines so steep that my legs sometimes slip back while I climb.

Up, up, and away

Taking a breather two thirds up a hill. At the top is the "love log." One runner told me that when getting over the log: On the first pass, you get creative, on the second pass, you sit, on the third pass, you sit and contemplate life. He said this on the second pass after I sat to get over it. He bounded over it. I think he clicked his heels.  

Falls on this course are frequent. I don’t know if I saw anyone who wasn’t bloodied from a fall and I witnessed some brutal wrecks. One man was going down a steep incline and all I saw through the woods was a white shirt launch forward about 5 feet and then drop about 10. I can’t believe he came back from it. A 73 year old runner (inspiration!) had duct-taped his wounds! I’m also in awe that I only fell once- and I bounced back quickly enough that the runner behind me commented: “Nice save!” No blood was spilled

The course was a figure-eight broken into 1 large top loop (7.5 miles) and 1 small bottom loop (4 miles) which allowed for aid every four miles (at the top and middle of the “8”). Course volunteers are always great, but I thought the course support was particularly enthusiastic, supportive and helpful. Both loops ran along lakes and had pretty dams with peaceful flowing water.

Pretty dam we ran by several times.

Lanterman's Mill 

The weather was 70 degrees with bright sunshine and there couldn’t be a more perfect day to run. I don’t know how to describe it, but I felt in sync. I have this image of this runner floating through trails effortlessly- Lucas did this beautifully in Annie's Run. The lone runner who runs in perfect form through a serene setting and could be easily picked up and placed onto the pages of a running magazine. I felt seamless- like I was running strong and tall and I was meant to be running on this day. Around mile 29 a veteran of 90 ultramarathons commented on how consistently I was running.

I spent most of the race chatting with fellow runners, but I also enjoyed the quiet points where I was alone in the woods. Locals who I ran into were very kind and encouraging- including an older couple who watched me catch my toe on a rock and both reached out to catch me, although I’m sure I would have inadvertently tackled them both if I hadn’t righted myself first. I also ran into my ex Chris’ sister, Alyssa, and his mom, Kathy. It was around mile 24 and I was getting a little tired so it took me a minute to realize that it was really them and I wasn’t just seeing things. I haven’t seen them in the 6 months since Chris left me for another girl while we were on the ship in Antarctica (with 6 days left on the trip, and he couldn’t man up and tell me the real reason he left me… yeah, it was cold)  and I had mixed feelings about them being there. On one hand, I think they found out I was running the race and came to see me and I really, truly appreciate that. They really are good people. On the other hand, seeing them really threw me for an emotional loop that I wasn’t prepared to tackle. It shook me for about 3 miles until I started to get so choked up that I couldn’t breathe and started to catch my toe on rocks because my mind wasn’t on the trail; thankfully I was able to use some of my mindfulness meditation techniques to refocus my attention and I was good from there. I finally met up with another runner for the last few miles which made them fly. When we reached the clearing to the finish I couldn’t believe we were already done!

View from the finish line

At the end of the day, I came in at 7:22, 1 hour and 25 minutes faster than Laurel Highlands! The vet of 90 ultras who commented on my form also said that he considered this a hard and technical course (I guess I’m biased by Laurel’s difficulty) and said that on another course we could finish 2 hours faster. Although there were flat parts where I could run fast (“fast” being relative, of course), my Garmin says the elevation gain over 31 miles was 12,000 feet; RunningAhead.com says it was 18,000 feet. Either way, I guess my experiences running in Pittsburgh have altered my perception of “flat.” I’m proud that I ran so strong without a taper and I’m psyched to be reaping the benefits of my training. This race didn’t hurt like shorter races have and I ran strong until the end (I realize this might mean I need to start running harder).

With new ultra runner friends at the finish. Me, Joel and Bob. I later found out it was Bob's first ultra. Congrats!!   

Finishing so strong made me feel tough. I have this mental image of a woman running through the woods, getting dirty, tackling hills, roots and rocks, and being strong, beautiful and graceful all at once. I am certainly not very strong, I make no claims to being beautiful and I am surely not graceful- but floating through the woods today made me feel like I was all of the above. Today, running set me free and helped me realize that I’m becoming person I want to be. I hope there are more runs like this in store- if nothing else I’ll certainly seek it in this race next year. This was one of my favorite races and I’ve already recommended it to other runners.

Race Pros:

• Great course support and accessibility

• Frequent restrooms. Not porta potties, restrooms, located about every 2 miles.

• Gorgeous course

• Great packets, probably the best I’ve gotten. For $40 race registration, I got a fuel belt(!)* , a tech shirt, and lots of Hammer products and other goodies.

Possible Improvements:

• The trails were poorly marked with ribbons and flour. The ribbons were pulled off the trees by passersby and the flour became thinned out towards the end. One runner commented that it was the poorest marked course he had run. At one place, about 10 other runners and I missed a turn the first time and I redirected runners who ran right past it the second and third times. I think this allowed two runners to cut the course because I left them in the dust on one loop, they never passed me (I didn’t make any stops and it was single track so I couldn’t have missed two runners passing me) and they somehow leapfrogged ahead of me to the next aid station. It was sketchy, but ultimately running is a race against yourself and I hope they didn’t cheat themselves out of an honest run.

My favorite course marking  

• No medals! Really? One of the race organizers asked: Do you really need another medal? No, I don’t. Honestly, I’m running out of room for them and I’m not sure how to display them without it being showy.  But it’s nice to mark an accomplishment (and it helps me keep track of races). If I don’t need a medal, how about a diploma? I could use another one of those right about now. Could you please fast forward me to Doctor, Mr. RD?

When I ran the Antarctica marathon I fund raised for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Due to the incredible generosity of friends, family and Active.com community members, I was able to raise more than $5,000 for injured Marines and their families. I know that I took my obligation to the organization very seriously. Even a few dollars would be more than they had, but I frequently worried about raising "enough" to make a difference. A few of my running friends are taking time out of their busy schedules to do good for others and I wanted to support them in their endeavours by sharing their organizations:

Ashley: Etgarim

Ashley and I went to college together, and now we're both getting our Ph.Ds in clinical psychology studying addictions. Ashley rocks at life and is as sweet, beautiful and athletic as she is smart (sorry boys, she's taken). Her goal is to raise $1,800 for Etgarim via her participation in the NYC Marathon.

"Etgarim (which means challenges in Hebrew) was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization by a group of disabled Israel Defense Force (IDF) veterans and rehabilitation experts. The principal aims of the organization are to enable children, adolescents, and adults with special needs to realize their optimum potential, to enhance their abilities, and to integrate within society at large. These aims are achieved through outdoor and adventure training. Through educational rehabilitation, Etgarim facilitates personal growth, enhanced self-confidence, the nurturing of excellence, and improved self-esteem. To date, Etgarim has opened up a new world and a variety of options for over half a million Israelis. Today over 5,000 children and teenagers with different disabilities participate in its activities, as well as 700 adults from over 100 communities around Israel.

Today there are some 50,000 special needs children in Israel. Their disabilities range from physical disabilities to autism, Downs syndrome, trauma, and paralysis. Of those 50,000, Etgarim reaches only 5,000. This year Etgarim has set itself the goal of expanding the programs to reach even more children."

Click here to support Ashley and Etgarim.

Karl's Run for Clean Water

I know Karl from running the Marine Corps Marathon. A Naval Academy alum, to the best of my knowledge, Karl has succeeded at everything he has put his mind to, but remains humble about his accomplishments. One of the most consistent and dedicated runners I know, Karl's goal is to raise $7,500 for clean water by running the Las Vegas Marathon.

"Every week, millions of women and their children walk more than 14 miles just to get water for their families. Most of this water is contaminated, but it's the only water they have. They take the chance of catching diseases like bilharzia and schistosomiasis (parasites) - with every sip. There's nothing they can do to change it.

100% of all donations go directly to water projects, and each donation is "proved" when projects are complete. A $20 donation will provide clean water for one person for twenty years."

Karl's donations are being matched. Click here to help support Karl's Run for Clean Water.

Toby: Outdoor Outreach

I know Toby through Active.com. As community development specialist and endurance expert extraordinaire, Toby has given me lots of great advice and nudged me towards ultra running and triathlons. Toby isn't running anything in particular for Outdoor Outreach, but I'm not sure he needs to: in the last few years, Toby has raced nearly every race distance, including two 100 milers and an Iron distance triathlon. Toby's goal is to raise $1,000 for Outdoor Outreach.

"Outdoor Outreach programs support underserved youth in San Diego County who are at risk for school dropout, substance abuse, violence and unintended pregnancy. This is the only agency in San Diego and one of just a few in the country that utilizes *outdoor physical experiences *to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults. Watch the video.

Some ideas of where your donation(s) goes to the below:

1. Support 15 youth at a surf camp in southern California $500.00

2. Purchase snowboarding lift tickets for 13 youth $250.00

3. Send one youth on a multi-day climbing trip to Joshua Tree $100.00

4. Transportation for 1 surf trip $50.00

5. 1 pair of rock climbing shoes for youth participant $25.00"

Click here to support Toby's fund raising efforts for Outdoor Outreach.

In an effort to de-stress, relax and catch up with friends, I went on vacation last week before starting what is surely going to be a brutal semester. Seeing friends and family, laying on the beach, grilling and drinking good beer were surely highlights of the trip and just what the doctor ordered.  I brought some workout clothes but planned on taking it easy since my body had been feeling so beat up. The person with whom I was staying got me hooked in with the local tri club and on Friday I joined them for an open water swim. You may or may not remember my last open water swim: the disastrous Pittsburgh triathlon. Honestly, I wasn’t too worried about this open water swim but every once in a while I’d have a flash of worry: what if something similar happened again?

The triathletes that I met before we started were fantastic. In particular I befriended Theo, an ultra runner who seemed anxious about getting in the water since it had been a few years. We headed to the water which was idyllic. The air temp was a balmy 90+ degrees so the 71 degree water felt perfect. Swimmers told me to keep an eye out for mating sharks and rays. Snorkelers were checking out fish. The sun was starting to set behind the rocks. I couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

It was really beautiful! I really got to swim here!!

I start to swim and head out to the ¼ mile buoy. I hear the seals on the beach and I see bright fish darting around. The buildings on the sides of the hills are gorgeous. I can’t believe this counts as a workout! Why doesn’t everyone do this all the time?! We continue on to the half mile buoy and I feel great so I consider heading out for two miles instead of one, but I didn’t want to keep my friend waiting while I finished up. As we head back towards the ¼ mile buoy, every time I look up to sight, Theo is right next to me reassuring me that we’re on course. I couldn’t believe how attentive he was and I couldn’t appreciate more that he swam with me. I later learned that he busied himself during his swim looking up for swimmers ahead and back for swimmers behind. I can’t begin to comment on how nice it was to have a friend in the middle of the ocean!

I get back to the ¼ mile buoy and an Ironman comments on what a perfect day it is. I honestly can’t imagine anything better and I respond that it is much better than the Alleghany River. Of course Ironman’s friend is a Steelers fan and in the middle of the ocean we start to talk football. I LOVE it!! We finish up the swim and I felt so refreshed and I was trying not to beam ear to ear because I felt dumb for being so happy over something so simple. But it was wonderful. I could have swam the two miles for a better workout, but I finished in time to start to watch the sun set.

!http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3875788243_263e251416.jpg!

The sunset was incredible. This picture doesn't do it justice. The sun's reflection made the water a crystalline blue and the pinks and reds were vibrant.

This swim afforded me the opportunity to play in a beautiful place on a beautiful day, chat with incredibly kind people and regain my confidence in my open water swimming ability which is huge since I want to tackle more triathlons. One quote that I love for training is “I do today what you won't, so tomorrow I do what you can't.” My long boring swims in the cold pool at school aren’t always rewarding, but because I put in the hard work in Pittsburgh, I could enjoy a beautiful swim on vacation and days like this make it all worth it.