MILANO RUNNING MOM

Dog Days Are Over

2012-02-09T09:23:00.002-06:00

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive
(Dog Days Are Over; Florence and The Machine)

Feb 2011 - I had the honor of volunteering and pacing Andrew at Rocky Raccoon 100. I got my picture taken with Scott Jurek and saw snow. Both a rare sight in Texas. But I caught a fever that weekend in February 2011 that could only be cooled by signing up for the Rocky Raccoon 2012 One Hundred Mile Endurance Race.

Andrew at the 100 Mile Finish 2011

I knew early in my training that I was training to finish under the 30 hour time limit. I am not fast, nor am I that young anymore. I set a goal when I turned 50 to make it my best year ever. I just wanted to finish. All the young and elites can have the sub 24 hour times. I am happy to just finish. Lots of people had given me advice about how to get in and out of aid stations quickly and I had been told at a previous event that I spend too much time at the aid stations. Well, so be it. I run my run and you run yours. That's all we can do. I can't run your pace and I can't run your race. I have to run mine. Sitting down to rest is a good thing from time to time.

My Lucky Number

I went into RR100 with just that attitude. I had told my crew and my pacers that I would be walking the last two loops. I knew it was safer for me. Exhaustion combined with dark meant I would walk, no falling. I'm good with that.

Feb 2012 - RR100 started bright and early at 0600 with a beautiful rainy sky. My twins has asked me if the run would be cancelled due to rain. I remember thinking that was funny as I was getting fitted for my garbage bag/rain coat.

Rockin' the garbage bag on Loop 1

Five 20 mile loops - We got this. I kept my mind positive. An endurance event is more mental than it is physical. I had a crew that could rival that of an elite, sponsored runner. My oldest son Brandon would drive in with his girl friend Stacy from Wichita Falls. My oldest daughter Madison would be there along with my twins and my husband. Then the ringers from Milano would drive in and I would be graced by the heavenly presence of Bruce and Margaret Plentl and my pal Kerry. Kerry and Brandon had agreed to pace me the last 40 miles. Little did they know, that would mean the difference between finishing and quitting.

Lap one - in the rain for most of it. Lots of mud and muck. I wanted to keep my feet dry as much as possible because the thought of cold wet feet for 30 hours was not appealing. I had no plans to stop and change my shoes and socks on each loop. What would be the point? They would just get wet and muddy again on the next loop. (elapsed time 4:17)

100 Miles later and a little muddier

Loop Two - Uneventful. Felt great and ran. Met my crew at the Park Road aid station (4.5 miles from end of loop) and asked them to have a Bocca Burger ready for me at the end of the loop. So happy to see Brandon and Madison there. It was at the end of this loop that I saw Corina and I was soooo happy! She is such a great ultra runner and a wonderful, cheerful and happy soul. She offered me a seat while I ate and that made me very happy. Loved getting off of my feet for a few. (elapsed time 8:54)

Brandon and Madison taking care of me

Loop Three - Still felt amazing. Ran most of it. I fell once when a runner I was passing stepped directly in front of me. I was left with a skinned knee and busted water bottle. I grabbed my lights at DamNation aid station and another shirt on the outbound loop. I got to see Bruce and Margaret at Park Road aid station and got huge hugs as we briefly celebrated the fact I had now run more miles than ever before. I was getting tired when I finished the third loop and knew I would need to keep my brain sharp. But knowing I would have pacers kept me chugging slowly along. (elapsed time 14:34)

Still running, sort of

I was thrilled to find Corina would be pacing me for part of Loop 4 and then Brandon would take over at Nature Center aid station. I LOVED visiting with Corina and she is so inspirational. She has been through so much in her personal life lately, but she still glows with a positive aura. She really gave me the boost I needed to keep going. Mentally I also knew that once I completed the 4th loop, I would be able to finish.

Corina and Brandon keeping me on the move

I picked up Brandon at Nature Center and off we went for the double trip to DamNation. Somewhere in the night, my wheels fell off. My oldest son jumped into action as I literally dozed off while walking and wrapped both his arms around me and kept me awake and moving. He sang cadences he learned in the Navy and he talked and talked and talked. We saw a beaver! A big fat, flat tailed, buck toothed BEAVER! It was cool. On the second pass thru DamNation I began to rally knowing I had seven miles to finish Loop 4. To my surprise, Kerry picked up the pacing duties at Park Road and I said good bye to my son. I have never had such joy in my whole life than sharing the trail with my son. He remarked how he was really surprised to find the Ultra community so NICE! He liked being in the woods at night and he caught the fever. He agreed to run the Bandera 100K with me next January. What has two thumbs and a great big smile? This girl! (Elapsed time 21:42)

Being assisted with my gloves

Before we start with Loop 5 let me say that seeing Bruce and Margaret at Park Road and Dogwood smiling and hugging always lifted my spirits. I was hoping at some point to have gotten on the trails with them but the muddy wet conditions just weren't ideal for Margaret who has a touchy back. One slip in that mud would have put her out and I didn't want that. I adore them both for coming and taking such good care of me. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Brandon and Madison got silly sleepy

Loop Five - Only 20 miles to the finish. Nature Center Aid Station - Gordon Montgomery seeing my sleepy slow moving self offers me Coke. I don't drink Coke. I don't do caffeine. Makes me crazy, okay crazier. He was very persuasive and I downed a small cup of Coke and some Ramen. I actually began to feel better a few minutes later. Ultra rule: Always listen to the veteran runners.
Kerry was great company and pretty soon we were joined by Scott Harper who was sleepy and tired. He was going for the Tejas 300 and needed to make the cut offs just like me. We hung behind Kerry who would occasionally turn around, flash her light at us and tell us to keep up! Do you know how much I love her for that? More than words. She kept us moving. As we were inbound to DamNation I caught a sudden pain in my little toe. Something shifted. I figured I had a blister and it had just popped. But the pain increased. I didn't want to take my shoes off but I would not be able to finish on that toe.

DamNation is known for taking care of runners. And man did they take care of me. Off with the shoe and sock. Blister was dispatched, my foot was dried, powdered and duct taped. New clean sock on and off we went. I had to stop and pee so often that Kerry and I were beginning to worry. Later found out it's "cold diuresis" that causes that. We trudge along and I am beginning to obsess over the cut offs. DamNation outbound tells me I have plenty of time. Off we go, 7 miles to the finish. Kerry is amazing at keeping me moving and she talks just enough. We get to Park Road and I know for the first time I am going to finish. Everyone is there and Corina joins Kerry and I to the finish. She pushes from behind while Kerry pulls from the front. I am still worried about the cutoff. As we get close to the finish Brandon meets us on the trail. We eventually have the whole crew linked arm and arm as we near the finish line. Brandon shouts to the bystanders at the finish line "HERE IF FAWN SIMPSON! FINISHING HER FIRST 100 MILE RUN!" The crowd is rallied and cheering and now I'm about to cry. Suddenly they all turn me loose and I am left to cross the finish line alone. A man is there trying to hand me my buckle but my husband and children and friends are hugging me and I am crying. People are clapping and it all becomes so surreal. (elapsed time 28:52)

Finisher's Buckle

Commentary now: The elites that run these 100 milers in 13 hours are amazing. But they miss all the fun. The real fun starts in the wee hours of the morning when the aid station volunteers and family and friends come together to make sure the runners/walkers make their goals. Everyone is unified toward one goal. The finish line is the spot we are all looking for.

Age group award with my girls

I literally could not have finished without the support of my family and friends. They have no idea how much they mean to me. They stopped their lives to help me achieve a goal. That is pretty darn cool and I have no idea how to thank them. I'm at a loss.

My friend Kerry and Me after 100 Miles of fun!

Thank you everyone that spoke to me on the trail and kept me going. Melissa! Thank you for loaning us the travel trailer. It kept our crew very happy. And thank you also for the awesome signs that filled the trailer and inspired me. Thank you Fiona for loaning me your pants so I wouldn't be so cold. Thank you to my family near and far that sent notes of support and encouragement. Thank you to my family for allowing me the time to pursue this dream. Thanks be to God who gave me the strength and heart to run. I love you all so much.

Please, Come Get Me Out Of Here

2012-01-09T17:27:00.000-06:00

DNF. Runners know the term and many dread it. Even the race director doesn't like to say it when he is giving a trail report before a big run. Three simple letters that can strike fear into any tough heart. DNF. I have a shirt that says "Death Before DNF" I never thought I would issue the words "I'm done". But I did. And this is how my decline into the depths of hell and depression started.

I was so ready. I was so excited. I had trained. I had eaten all the right things. I even remembered to pray. I arrived in Bandera ready to "Give 'em hell" as my dad had instructed me to do. Jeremy Day, a very young ultra runner bad ass had told me he would drag me through all 62 miles of the course. He knew from past conversations, a year ago, that I didn't want to be alone in the dark out there. He slowed way down for me and gave up an opportunity to compete in the USATF Championship to get me thru this race. He is a champion to me.

We made it through the first 50K without too much trouble. My left foot had started hurting right after the first aid station, which was about 5 miles in to the day. I took Tylenol at mile 17 and it began to feel better by the next five miles. Jeremy informed me I was taking too long at the aid stations but he forgets I'm 20 years older than he is. I need potty breaks and I just don't move like lightning anymore. But I was slowing down.

When we weren't more than 2 or 3 miles from the 48 mile aid station I began to get a really sharp pain in my left hip. My foot had gone from achy to really painful to burning. I was thinking about RR100 in four weeks. Wondering if I plodded on through if my foot would recover in time. I was getting really cold and that made everything worse. I ran all day in the bright sunshine and heat with no problems. I don't do cold. At all. I also began to get really sleepy. Not a little sleepy but the kind of sleepy that if you put your head down you don't remember anything until the morning sleepy. That should have been a sign for me that my blood sugar was dropping along with my temp. But I couldn't really think anymore and at that point I didn't care anymore. Maybe if I could have gotten my sugar and my temperature up I would have felt better and continued. But as it was, I sat down at the aid station, looked at Jeremy and said "I'm done". I called Jack and talked to him for a few minutes. He thought it was best for me to drop. He knows me well enough that even if he isn't there, he can tell when I should call it a day.

Reece Catron was crewing for us. He had dropped earlier in the day due to an ankle injury. He told me I was walking like him. He took such good care of me. I should have hugged his neck. Jeremy went on to finish and Reece took me back to the Dude Ranch so I could shower, get warm and wallow in my own self pity. All alone for a few hours.

Sunday I woke up and went to Mass in Bandera but all I could think was, I quit. I sunk into such a depressive mood. I was sure I would need to pull out of RR100. I was also even questioning if I should continue running. Then several good things happened. My husband reminded me that running 50 miles at Bandera is like running 100 miles anywhere else. He also reminded me that not a whole lot of people are running the distances that I run. Then I heard from Kerry. She always lifts my spirits. Always.

Then my friend Corina sent this little note to me after she found out I had DNFd my first 100K run:

Frunner Code: We may have met because of running, but it's not why we're friends. You are an amazing inspirational woman and that doesn't change with a buckle. Much love, -c

Then she sent me this amazing video and told me she thought of me when she heard this song today. What a great refrain!

On my feet I walk, with my legs I run
In my arms I'll hold another day
With my head I think, from my heart I sing
And with my hand to my face I pray

The UPS man just delivered a brand new pair of running shoes to me today. So many signs to keep going on. Someone told me to take a day and wallow in my pity, then get up and go on. I cleaned my fridge today, baked and watched a movie. Yes my foot still hurts, but not as much. No I didn't earn another belt buckle but I did learn a lot. I'm not made of steel and I will try again. Chin up!

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Raccoons and Wild Hares

2011-11-22T16:07:00.000-06:00

Wow! I haven't written two race reports. Yes I have been very busy. So I will keep this brief.

Rocky Raccoon 50K on November 5th - Running pal Kerry and I drove over the morning of the run. Had an early start and got there just in time to grab my number, chip and hit the ladies room. Got to briefly see the lovely White Rock Girls before we took off. Spotted Tony C in the crowd and we started running together. Turned out we would run the whole day together. Also met Michael C and Peter B on the trail. Both amazing runners. Michael had the most amazing story and I want to briefly tell you about it. A year ago he decided he was tired of being fat (his words). Changed his diet from omnivore to vegetarian and started walking then running. He is now over 100 pounds lighter and completed his longest distance to date with us on the trail. I felt so honored to be with him.

Tony, Fawn and Michael

Tony also celebrated his first ultra on the trail that day. Run was uneventful except that I seemed to run out of steam towards the end. Still moved forward and crossed another finish line. Loved seeing the trails in the day light. Those are the same trails I will be pounding my first hundred on in Feb. Loved getting to stay until the end and to see the White Rock Girls cross the finish. Fiona! Congrats on your first ultra!

Fiona completed her first ultra!

Corina we have got to find you a lighter pack. Also got to hang out with Steve and Paula Boone. Two total bad asses when it comes to running. Steve has completed close to 500 marathons and his wife is right there with him numbers. They have also run on 5 of the 7 continents. Of course as awesome as they are they brought along Sock Monkey Boone. He is a super star.

Fawn, Kerry and Sock Monkey Boone

Fast forward 2 weeks to Wild Hare 50 Miler. Spent the night in the loft of the barn at the race site on a cot. Not to shabby for $15.
We knew this run was going to be challenging because the heat and humidity were going to be high on Saturday. However, the last 50 miler I ran I finished with lots of energy and a decent time so I wasn't too worried. I live and train in the heat and humidity.

The course is beautiful and all the climbs are on the back side. Of course, I would whine about this as the day went along. 7 loop course to get the fifty miles done. We ran all the runnable parts thru loop 5. Loop 6 we ran/walked and I planned my first DNF. (Did Not Finish) I got to the camp ground area where the really cool runners were hanging out and cheering for everyone still running. Corina saved my life. She gave me permission to cry, I didn't, but she would not let me quit with only seven miles left to go. Then Jack and girls met up with me. I told Jack I was out of gas and done. He said "You've never quit before, you aren't going to quit now". What? You are my husband. Where is the sympathy? Damnit! Why did I marry you? So I saw Joe P (coolest RD on the planet) and he also offered NO sympathy. He told me to refuel and finish. So I reluctantly agreed to go out one more loop. What was I thinking?

The carpeted hills were still out there. Waiting for me. But before I could get to them I had to do 3.5 miles and get to the next aid station.

I finally make the aid station only to met by John Sharp (Sharpie) a very quiet, reserved man with almost no opinions of his own. He had given me sh** all day and it's really what kept me going. That and Tony not leaving me behind. John taunted me and Joe pushed me and Jack wouldn't let me quit. Tony you are a real saint to slog those last miles with me. All I had left was 4 miles. 4 long miles. Off we went. Walking. The whole 4 miles. It got dark again towards the end. But the light at the end was the campground. Corina's smile and hugs and the cheering of everyone there really carried me the last 1/2 mile.

When you run these things the spectators (you family and friends) get bored and sit around drinking beer and talking. When they cheer for you they have no clue what it can do for your morale. Powerful stuff. *sniff sniff

Okay, My feet were a mess. Jack and the great volunteers fixed me a vegan burger and fetched me a cold beer. I showered and sat. 12 hours and 29 minutes. That's all it took.

Now I have to let my feet heal. Four massive blisters. Two on the soles of my feet. Never had those before.

I've got runs in December and the two big ones still on the horizon. 100K in Jan and 100 miles in Feb.

New Cat resting with me in solidarity

Until then I will rest, heal, train and run. Oh and our new calf is growing quite nicely for those that asked.

Until next time...keep running

Tyler Rose Marathon

2011-10-11T15:09:00.000-05:00

All smiles at the start

Ready to rock those miles!

October 9, 2012 - Tyler Rose Marathon meets Milam County

I learned a lot from this marathon and I am going to share that with you. But first I have some runners to talk about.
Melissa - You had to do most or your training entirely on your own. You worked hard and it has paid off. The smile on your face says it all. I love the fact that before you got home you were thinking of what you were going to run next! I heart you so much!


Check that smile!

Tiffany, between work, school and your internship you have been very busy. Yet you kept at it and now you have another medal for your collection. I love your great attitude! Your mom was terrific. The poster and air horn were fantastic! I am so glad she got to see you cross the finish line.

All smiles!

Courtney! Golden Girl! High School Senior! Super Star! It's all bueno with you! Way to rock those miles and keep smiling! You are a great example for your peers! Way to go!

Super Star!

Rick, You joined us late in the season but you certainly have earned your spot among the Milam County Rockin' Runners! What a beast! Your dedication to your training is amazing! I see a full in your very near future. Plus you have an awesome wife! How lucky can a guy get? You have Jennifer and us!


I'm about to run!

BRUCE! I have never seen anyone work so hard. You never gave up, you never quit. Training was tough. Blisters, heat, early mornings, hard speed work. You did it all! Some you did on your own just to fit it in to your schedule. I love your spirit. You will run a full. I will be there to cheer! Talk about an awesome wife! Margaret your flip chart was the bomb! I love you guys so much!

Conquering those hills!

Kerry - You just finished your third year with me. Every season I am amazed at how much you improve and how hard you drive yourself. You inspire me with every hard earned step you run. Thank you for putting up with me and not getting mad when I push you a little. Light. Happy. Feet.

Kerry having too much fun

Jana, you suffered thru a terrible injury at the beginning of the season and yet you never gave up. I am so happy you are back on the road. Don't be too hard on that cross country team.

When I think of you all individually and as a team I get a little teary eyed. Margaret, you worked so hard only to be shot down. But you are still smiling and I know you aren't giving up. You have a heart of gold.
Training season is officially over for us but we are far from through with our training.

Every season I learn something and this season was no different. I learned that Tiffany does not get to pick the next marathon. I would like something a little flatter please. Where did all of those hills come from?

Aunt Zara, thank you for cheering us on all the way from Colorado. I needed all of that enthusiasm to get over the last hill.

We are going to continue our training. But first we get to take a few days off. I need a group picture of everyone in their Tyler shirts and finisher's medal for the paper.

I am so proud of these runners! I can't wait to see what else happens this season. Some of the upcoming races; SA RnR, BCS, Kingwood, Surfside, and Seabrook. That's just to name a few!

We will start a 5K/10K season in Feb.

Until next time... Keep Running

Runner Down!

2011-09-17T20:55:00.000-05:00

Everyone knows I LOVE my runners. They are the coolest people I know. This group of super cool people work harder than anyone I know. I have seen them have bad days and good days. I have been there thru a few tears and lots of cheers. A few have even called me names. (not always good names) But today I realized there isn't anything I wouldn't do for these people.

0 dark 30 before we ran

We are ready! Thumbs up!

We had a bench mark run on the schedule. 20-22 miles for my full marathon group and 12 miles for the half group. We only had 6 runners that could meet this Saturday. I decided that we would hit the trails at Somerville Lake. I wanted them to have these soft easy trails for running and then a picnic lunch when we were done.

Armadillo

Day started beautifully. We had cloud cover almost the entire day. We logged lots of critters on our "As Seen On Our Run" log. The trees were beautiful.


Fall Colors

Mossy Oak

One thing that was clearly missing - water. Every where the trails went close to the lake, there was no water. The great news is the parks service have installed new bathrooms along the trail and the trails were very well maintained!

Not to bore you with details about the run, suffice to say that 4 out of six of us were back at the cars, getting our lunches out. I kept waiting on Bruce and Margaret, husband and wife team. They were no more than 1/2 to 1 mile behind us when we finished so I knew they would be strolling in shortly. Except they never came over the bridge.

Empty Bridge

Finally Kerry said, "Fawn your phone made a funny noise". I'm thinking the husband is checking our status. Nope, it's a voice mail from Bruce. "Fawn, Margaret is hurt, we need you to come get us". What? Of crap!!!
In the next few minutes I get 4 voice messages from Bruce, they all say the same thing. I'm trying to call him, service is spotty. All I want to know is where they are. I start running. One mile in I see him, my phone rings. It's Bruce asking me if I'm coming. I get him to look up and he sees me coming. I reach him and check his status. He's tired but good. "Where is Margaret"? "I left her under a tree up there" I run another at least 1/2 a mile when I see her laying flat on her back under a tree! She does not answer when I call her name. I'm running full tilt at this point. Finally she begins to move. I reach her and start to cry and then I yell at her! I had asked her a few miles from the finish if she was okay. She apparently lied to me and said yes! She was worried about her husband and didn't want to leave him. UGH! That's my job, I worry enough for everyone!

Before I started my sprint back down the trail I had called the Park Ranger and said "I've got a runner down between Newman's Bottom and the Birch Creek Trail Head". That was awesome! Runner Down! Picture Baywatch without the ocean.

Margaret has slipped her disk and her back is hurting. Not hurting a little, but HURTING! Park Ranger arrives in a cloud of dust and tells us they have called Medic. We convince them to cancel the medic and please just drive Bruce and Margaret back to their car. They finally agree. I run back.

Just got a note that our "Runner Down" is medicated and resting. I love you guys. I ran a great 25 miles today. Bruce I have no idea how many miles you put on your feet. Thank for getting lost early in the day. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one that gets lost out there. You are a crazy super man runner and in a few weeks, you are going to be a marthoner! I am so proud of you.

All of my runners have worked hard this season. You guys are amazing and I adore every breath you take.

This is how Rick looks after 22 miles

22 Mile Smile

Guess Who Turned 50?

2011-08-25T11:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday and Glory Hallelujah! Of course I wasn't always sure God would allow me to see this day, I was pretty wild when I was younger. So I am very happy that He has allowed me to see the error of my ways and change a bit. I'm still wild but in all good ways now.

All five of my children will be sitting at my feet Saturday. Right! They will at least all be here at the same time and posing for a picture. After we have food, beer and help my oldest celebrate his birthday too. He was born on the 22nd of August and I got to take him home 28 years ago today. What a birthday present. Brandon has always been a blessing in my life. Some days he was more of a blessing than others.

What are my plans now that I am 50? My plan is to live long enough to see my beautiful twins grow up and become awesome like my other children. Oh and run 100 miles in Feb. I plan to make 50 my best year ever!

I go back to school on Monday to finish a degree I never got to finish when I was younger. Yes I will be the oldest student there probably but I bet I can out run every one of them. Bring it!

I am now going to make a vegan birthday cake and enjoy some hill work tonight. I already celebrated by running an easy 6 miles this morning. 50 isn't slowing me down. I'm ready to conquer the world and few trails along the way! Woo Hoo!

I feel like the luckiest person on the planet. I have five of the most wonderful kids ever. I have a husband that tolerates me and still talks to me after all these years, I even love my in-laws, how lucky can you get? So we have good reason to celebrate today! Three cheers to life! Hip Hip Hooray!

Until next time... Keep running

A Race Report from the Volunteer

2011-08-08T21:33:00.000-05:00

I love running! I love volunteering! And yes Virginia, there really is a way to combine these things. I have now volunteered at three Tejas Trail events. In Feb I was worked a couple shifts at the second aide station before I paced one of the 100 mile finishers. Andrew rocked those 100 miles all the way to a belt buckle! A couple of weeks ago I answered the call to help at Inks Lake and had so much fun that I went back for more at The Falls.

Campsite at The Falls

Volunteering requires a whole different mind set than running the event. Usually runners are wholly consumed with themselves and getting to the finish line safely and uninjured. But when you are helping you are concerned with every single runner out there. I love knowing that as small as my contribution is, I'm helping someone. It's a great feeling.

I loved sitting around early Sunday morning and getting to visit with Race Directors Joyce and Joe and the gang. Joyce is one of the kindest and most giving people you will ever meet. My first encounter with Joyce came almost a year ago at Cactus Rose when I was checking in before running my first 50 mile running event. She was so calming and assured me that I would be fine. And at The Falls, we got a chance to talk about family and her wonderful marriage to Joe. That woman still has a crush on her husband after 18 years. That is fantastic! Thank you Joyce for being so warm and welcoming.

Joe never puts on a bad event. He cares about the runners and it always shows. There are no details left out and nothing is too small for him to think about and take care of. What an amazing person. And I'm thinking Joyce helps make him even more amazing. I also met Joe for the first time at Cactus Rose the day before the run. He totally understood my fear and told me to just run and have fun. I did and I did.

My best encounter ever with Joe and Joyce was Hell's Hills when they made such a fuss over the kids that ran the one mile kid's run. Great big hearts and lots of love to go around. Thank you guys for being so awesome and for putting on such wonderful events.

Oh, and Joyce, if Joe offers to buy you a treadmill, decline the offer.

Young Gun Neal Lucas

The best part about volunteering is that I get to see everyone from the bad ass top runners to my pals in the back of the pack. Neal Lucas is so young and so full of raw energy, it's a new generation of runners. And his friend that wears the plaid shorts. He never stopped smiling, ever! Ben Martinez and his beautiful entourage made my night. Sharpie and Gordon, so fun to listen to. Eric and Meli running their first trail run together. I just have met so many cool people and all because I volunteered.

Eric and Meli

Of course Salty Banana Jeremy and Joe Tremblay always lift my spirits and I love cheering for them. Thanks for letting me carpool and share a camp site Joe T. I'll be a better navigator next time, I promise.

If you are a runner and you have never taken the time to volunteer I implore you to consider it. Yes I know all about runner's high when you finish a good run. But I also know all about helper's high too. It's just as rewarding and a load of fun. And if you wear a tutu people will smile. Go have fun on your run and then lend a hand and help next time.

Until next time...Keep Running

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

Budget Deficit? War? I've Got Bigger Problems!

2011-07-12T14:02:00.000-05:00

I love growing my own food. Even in a drought. There is nothing better than to walk out into your garden and pick something and then consume it. Yes, sometimes right then and there, just so you can know what summer tastes like. A fresh tomato bursting into your mouth. Watermelon running down your chin. Corn and peas and eggplants just growing and growing, begging you to be healthy and eat them! Jack and I garden using no pesticides of any kind. Organic or not, we don't put anything on our plants. Sometimes we pay dearly for that decision, I'm thinking of the caterpillars that invaded last year.

When Spring arrives and you start your garden you want to plant one of everything. You have know idea what you are going to do with all that food, some of it you don't even eat normally, like mustard greens. But the seed package is so pretty and it clearly grows well in your region. So why not, you could learn to eat mustard greens, right? And then you go to the local Farmer's Market and they have all those plants! Tomatoes and squash, peppers and okra!! Yes, I'm in heaven. Hook me up! I want them all!

But this is where the trouble starts. It's easy enough to plant all of them. But then the weeds start growing. And you think "I'm going to spend one hour a day out there keeping the weeds controlled. But life gets in the way and pretty soon your weeds are taller than your plants. So with your straw hat on and gloves in hand you get out there and find all of your plants. You tackle the weeds, you are the farmer of your own food. Darn I want to be Laura Ingalls!

Then one day you start getting the results of your labor. Cream peas need picking and shelling. Fine, that is why I have kids. Squash, well I can only eat so many, freeze a few of those. Corn, chickens got to it and now we don't have any. Okra, Jack is the only one that likes it, so maybe tomorrow I will pick that. Eggplants are hanging heavy on the FOUR plants I was sure I would need. Mustard greens? Turns out my donkey likes those. And then there are the tomatoes. I have made salsa, ketchup and tomato sauce and the tomatoes just keep producing! Some folks start off trying to give a few away and then they get bold and start checking to see if people have left their cars unlocked. Now when you see your friends they won't even make eye contact. You can tell who has too many tomatoes. They have a certain look about them. It's kind of a shifty eyed farmer look. You'll know it when you see it.

Pretty soon it will be time to plant the Fall garden. That means planting all those squashes that I have great recipes for! I can hardly wait, but right now I have to go out and find the watermelons. I know they are out there somewhere.

Until next time...Keep Running

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-30T22:02:00.000-05:00

Yes I know it was yesterday! I forgot.

Surviving the Summer

2011-06-27T07:36:00.001-05:00

Who stepped on a scale this morning? Yes my number is up since Ultra season ended in April. Only by 2 or 3 pounds but who's counting. ME! We all know that fewer pounds means better running. Every time I look at the scale I feel like I am looking my enemy in the eye. Darn thing just sits there and delivers either good news or bad news. And I act like I don't care one way or the other, and truth be told, I don't really care that much. But I do care, some.

Vivian finishing the kid's run

This Thursday Jack and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. Except we won't really celebrate because he will be gone, again. He left my card and gift certificate on the desk as he left this morning. Should I open it early? I suppose the little girls and I will have our own party.

Saturday I logged a new 5K PR. 22:52 chip time. My last 5K was 24:22 chip time. Yes that is a full minute and a half better. In fact every one of my runners logged a new PR this weekend. I'd like to think it's my stellar coaching but I know it's not. They are all just such amazing people! They are all losing weight and getting faster. Feels pretty cool to just know them!

Wish I had gotten everyone in this picture. But when you cross the finish line in Bremond there is beer, sausage and watermelon. So a few wandered off...


USA Fit Milam County

Rock Stars Bruce and Margaret

Vivian, Riley, Bessie, Cordell getting ready to run!

Bessie snagged 5th place in the kids run. Beat Vivian again, third time in a row. I'm seeing a trend here. Look at the picture above. What is Bessie holding?

Bessie and her winning popsicle

Vivian went for the watermelon, Popsicle combo

When you see pictures like this you realize that life is good. Hot, dry weather and all. So here is my advice for surviving the summer. Watermelon and Popsicle. Yep, it's just that simple. Oh, and keep smiling.

The Flat

2011-06-20T07:57:00.000-05:00

I had the great fortune Saturday of having a flat tire. Now I know that doesn't sound like a good thing but it's funny how these things work out.

I live on a road that encourages flat tires. That being said, I had a flat late Friday. I noticed it while the car was sitting under the car port. So I changed it. I had to leave the house a little before 5am Saturday to meet my running group. We ran 15 miles and I headed home forgetting to get the flat repaired.

Fast forward to that evening when we were headed to Mass. We get the end of the road, 6.5 miles from the house, and discover we have a flat. I then had to tell the husband that the spare was flat too. Not a happy look from that camper. Couldn't reach my daughter via phone. (why do we give then phones?) So because I had on a better outfit for walking back to the house I decided to walk back.

Jack had on slacks and a long sleeve shirt and boots. I was wearing sandals and a sun dress. I am also in better shape and this walk wasn't a big deal. As I started walking I began figuring my pace. I was calculating how long it would take to get to the house to get the truck. And then I realized that I hadn't brought along a bottle of water. It was 106 degrees outside.

Then my rescuer came rolling up beside me. Yes he did look at me like maybe I wasn't completely sane. I told him that was my car at the end of the road with the flat. He offered to give me a lift. I gladly accepted. He drove me ALL the way to my house so I could get the truck. Along the way I found out that he used to be a runner, he has big kids and little kids like me, he has kids in college and he was in general very nice and pleasant, like me! Amazing!

All I could think was "Wow! There really are nice people left in this world"! He didn't have to take me all the way to the house, He went beyond his destination and out of his way. That is being nice. NICE people, do you hear me? NICE!

I'm quite sure that God has given him an extra star in his heavenly crown. That you Gilmer Gaston, you are a ROCK STAR!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T15:21:00.000-05:00

You say Tomato and I say Play Ball!

2011-06-06T11:21:00.000-05:00

It's all about perception folks. I had a professor at A&M share that little tidbit with me. I was in a Health Communications class and we were learning how to help people with terminal illness deal with their impending death. "If you say something that you think is helpful, but the receiving party doesn't perceive it as help, then it isn't". Sounds simple doesn't it?

But there is some unseen switch in our human brain that is always flipped to the on position and it makes us think everything we say is helpful. And as a result we say stupid things and smile because we think we are being helpful. Let me give you some examples please.

You tell your husband that something is leaking. Let's just pretend that it's the water dispenser in the refrigerator. You tell him you have cleaned up puddles twice and would like to have this little thing fixed or turned off. And just for fun, he replies that the kids must be leaving ice there and it's melting. Being the intelligent human that you are, you reply with "That's more water than an ice cube or two". Still the husband finds no need to check this item because clearly what does that silly woman know. So later he discovers a puddle on the floor and asks "Where is this water coming from?". This is where the perception comes in folks. " *$!$!*&@% I told you that thing was leaking and I also asked you to either turn it off or fix it. But obviously you chose not to listen to me. And he replies with "Why are you yelling?" UGH! Perception folks, I wasn't yelling. I was just emphasizing my words. BIG difference.

Now let's move on to another example. T-Ball parents please listen to me. Your children do not like it when you yell at them while they are trying to play. They know they are supposed to catch, throw and run. They don't need you to yell at them. And please do not sigh loudly and throw your hands up in the air when someone's child does not respond the way you think they should. May I please remind you that these kids are 5 and 6 years old. Most of them have never played before. Most do not spend hours in the back yard at home practicing. None of them have scouts looking at them and there are no college scholarships riding on the game. PLEASE allow these kids to have fun and learn the game.

These kids do not perceive your yelling as helpful. They think you are a big, scary, loud grown up that doesn't like them and they think they are doing something wrong. Lighten up folks. It is just a game after all.

I hope I have been perceived as helpful today. That is all.

Until next time...Keep Running

That Will Be Ten Cents Please

2011-06-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

I remember my first trip to the Bryan Library. The building seemed huge. The tallest building I had ever seen before that was the Varisco building in downtown Bryan. I can still recall stepping inside the library for the very first time. The air was cool and the whole building was so quiet. We went up to the desk and I requested my first library card. I felt so grown up walking away from the counter clutching this beautiful card that would open a world of books up to me.

We got to climb that huge staircase to the top where the children's books were kept and then quietly and carefully choose a book. It was an amazing experience. But I was cautioned that if I didn't return my books on time I would have to pay a fine of ten cents. That was huge and my mom warned me to never let my books become over due. Of course that meant I was not allowed to lose the books either. When you are seven years old that is a big deal.

Today the twins got to experience this for themselves. When we moved to Milam County I only used the library a few times. By the time we came here my big kids were too cool to hang out at the library. But once the twins turned three I started taking them to story time. Every time they wanted a book they had to use my card. That all changed today. They each got their own library card! The heavens opened up and the choir began to sing Alleluia! I heard it myself.

Vivian and Bessie score a library card

This time there was no librarian looking down and over little half glasses that were balanced precariously on the tip of her nose. Just a warm friendly woman that smiled and told the girls to enjoy their new privilege. What? Where is the lecture on fines? Times sure have changed. Libraries are smaller and librarians seem a whole lot nicer.

I did lose a book once. I wasn't sure if I was going straight to jail or hell for this offense. It ended up costing my parents about $3. Trust me when I tell you this, I paid too.

If you haven't been to a library lately I encourage you to go again. Dust off that card that is hiding in your wallet between the wrinkled gum wrappers and Taco Bell receipts. The library is still a very magical place. But be cautioned. If you lose a book, my mother will make you pay for it, one way or another.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

That Is A Happy Cloud Hanging Over My Head

2011-06-01T17:43:00.000-05:00

Ever notice that bad things come in threes? What about good things? In my life good things come daily so I can't really keep count. But as amazing as my life can be, occasionally something comes along that just knocks the wind out of my sails. I believe that happens when I get complacent about all the good stuff.

Now when I tell you that good stuff happens to me every day I am talking about simple things. The kids will do something that makes me laugh, my budget comes out in the black (rare), the dog doesn't slobber on my clean pants. You know, simple things. Yes I take note of those because those things matter. In fact without those things I may as well sit on the couch and eat Twinkies all day. Wonder if those are vegan? Is that really even food?

Went to Austin last week with my pal Pam, no kids, and had lunch at Beets and then headed over to Regal Arbor Cinema 8 to see Forks Over Knives. The movie is promoting a whole foods, plant based diet. Yes, that appeals to the vegan in me. We also went to Art on Fifth Street Gallery and caught the Dr. Seuss exhibit. That was worth the drive all by itself. It was a nice grown up day. I don't get those very often. Thanks Pam.

May 22nd we were very shocked to find out that our pastor passed away without warning. Father Anselm Anukum was from Nigeria. He had lots of degrees and spoke at least 4 languages. But mostly he was holy, caring and kind. Our little parish had grown to love him and I don't know how he will ever be replaced. This was one of those events that took my wind from sails. He actually called me his friend but I'm here to tell you that everyone he met was considered a friend.

Let's talk about running! My favorite subject, squeeeeeee! I am still training for the Tyler Marathon in October and of course the big one coming in Feb., Rocky Raccoon 100 miler!

Drum Roll Please! I am thinking of running the perimeter of Texas! Yes all 2850 miles of it! I want to raise money for schools that don't have tracks and to raise awareness about the benefits of fitness for school age children. What do you think? Yes I would need a kick butt crew and LOTS of sponsors.

You think I'm nuts don't you? Well plenty of people have done crazier things and they lived to tell about it. I'd like to raise about a million dollars. Should be a walk in the park. Right? Quit shaking your head at me.

Took the twins bowling for the first time today. Signed up for the Kids Bowl Free program and figured I would take them once a week when we go to town to get groceries. They did quite well. Vivian won the first game and Bessie won the second. That worked out just right.

I am also ready to tackle the nasty food being served up in our school here in Milano. Government subsidized food is not good. Google it, it's gross. Just because kids in this county are poor and the majority are on free or reduced lunch doesn't mean they should be served crap. Of course this is just my opinion. I do have some ideas for solutions but the school board and the superintendent have to be open minded and willing to do things a little differently. When you see tray after tray go in the trash, it's no wonder they are buying junk food offered as a "snack" after school. They are hungry! Let's serve food that's good and good for them! What a concept.

This week: I put up 8 jars of dill pickles, 8 jars of sweet pickles, 2 jars of sauerkraut (it fermented for 3 weeks), 13 jars of blackberry preserves and the twins shelled a huge bowl of cream peas. That's why families need kids. Someone has to shell the peas. Turn on PBS Kids, park them on the couch and prop your feet up. Kids will shell peas as long as the TV is running.

Get up and do something totally unexpected today. I don't know what. You have to figure that out yourself.

Recent reading list: Unbroken, Seabiscuit, Water for Elephants. I would recommend all three.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Thanks Cuz

2011-05-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my cousin Darren, Managing Editor of some silly newspaper called The Eagle in Bryan/College Station I learned that Wednesday is Wordless for bloggers. Pics Only. So Shhhhh.

Don't Be in Such a Damn Hurry!

2011-04-30T06:55:00.000-05:00

When I started running all those years ago I didn't know much about running. Truth is, I probably still don't much about it. Then I started racing or entering events. It was racing to me even though I always fall way behind the front runners. I run my own race as it were. It would be very stupid of me to try and run someone else's race. It's like asking someone to go pee for you. Can't be done.

On really long runs I might start with a group, but I inevitably end up running alone. Your thinking I should try a new deodorant. But I promise it's just my happy pace never matches anyone's.

Stay with me as I jump subjects and then blend them nicely.

Yesterday I went to the zoo. With a Kindergarten class. Yes I volunteered. Willingly. The school will not let parents ride on the bus so a long line of cars had to fall in behind the bus and follow them for the hour and half trip to the place where they store these wild animals. No, not the kids, the actual animals.

I started in the line, driving at a good safe speed (the speed limit) but some parents couldn't stand that and so they passed me. I set the cruise control and continued on. At one point I actually saw a string of 8 cars run a red light so they could stay with the bus. I stopped. Yes it's because I'm smarter than they are! And after all this jockeying around for position on the road behind the bus I ended up getting to the zoo the same time as the bus. Amazing! Stop the presses! What did she say? Yes we all got to the zoo. I did it without breaking any laws. Cool. Yes I think that does make me stand out in a crowd. At least this crowd.

On the way home one particularly speedy parent gave me a look that spoke volumes as he was forced to pass me while still in the city limits! I don't know what the hurry was. When you get back you have to get your kids. I was enjoying the silent ride back. I got to listen to the radio. I guess he likes his kids more than I like mine. Who knows.

Anyway, Mister Ugly Face was pulled over getting a ticket as I made my way back to Milano. What a horrible thing for his kid to see on the way back. What a delightful thing for me to see. Yes I smiled.

So how is running like driving? If you start out too fast you are going to burn up all of your gas/energy. If you just settle in to it and relax you still will get there. You might not be first, heck you might be DFL. But who cares. You still get there. It isn't really the finish line we are after anyway. It's the ride/run that bring us the most joy.

Life is same way. Not that I want to leave you with a wistful tear in your eye but slow down and enjoy life.

Oldest son Brandon came home to find his house on fire yesterday. Lost a good deal of what he owned. He did save his bicycles and vehicles. Stuff can be replaced. I spent the evening and night crying for his loss and happy that he was okay. I love you Brandon. Thanks for being okay.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

NatureFest 2011

2011-04-11T09:19:00.001-05:00

We had so much at the Nature Fest in 2010 we just couldn't wait to go back and see what they would do for 2011. This year we wore our sunscreen and packed a picnic lunch. The food vendors at NatureFest aren't very Vegan minded. We also entered pictures the Photography contest this year. I wasn't sure that our little Canon could compete with some of the big guns but we had some fun pictures and thought it would be a fun experience for the kids. Little did we know that it would be a learning experience in more than one way.

Learning about Archeology

When we arrived the first thing we noticed is there wasn't nearly as much as there had been the year before. Much fewer vendors and it appeared much less hands on for the kids. We went to check in where the kids were given little back packs to hold all their stuff and a trash bag. The kids are asked to pickup and recycle trash through out the day. For my competitive group it became a contest. Trash! Score! We filled our trash bag, put it in all the assorted recycle bins and got a 2nd bag.


Butterfly Tattoos

We all scored free butterfly tattoos while we learned about the different stages of the life of a butterfly. The kids made butterfly mobiles. Now this was a very labor intensive project that required glue and staples. This same lady did pine cones rolled in peanut butter and bird seed last year. Those were fun and easy to make but VERY messy. So she left messy behind and went for time consuming. Wonder what she will do next year? The girls enjoyed it completely and we just sat in some nearby chairs in the shade. Win-Win. We wandered down and around and got some Burr Oak acorns and saw Horn Toad Lizards. Then we had our picnic under a beautiful shade tree.


Napping Geese

We did get to see lots of live animals and some stuffed. The Game Wardens were there with a trailer that showed a lot of animals that had been confiscated from hunters or taxidermists. It's against the law to possess certain animals or shoot them out of season. Some people get caught and it turns into a learning tool.

Game Wardens Trailer


Game Warden confiscated Deer

Mexican Free Tail Bat

Texas Alligator

We also got to see a Mexican Free Tail Bat and an alligator that wandered up to the Fire School at A&M in College Station. Now the biologists haul it around as a teaching tool. Poor thing had it's mouth taped shut. I felt sorry for him.

Smokey Bear

Honey Bees

Then we saw honey bees and Smokey Bear made an appearance. The girls also made plaster animal foot prints and we looked at some native Texas grasses that don't require much water.
It was finally time to go check out the photo contest and attend the award ceremony. Turns out my Uncle Carl, Jack and Bessie took home ribbons. Vivian and I didn't score this year and it turned into a learning lesson for her. You just can't win everything. Kids today are taught that everyone is a winner. It's a hard lesson but she is already talking about next year. So here is the recap of the photo contest. My Uncle Carl won 3rd place in Landscape and Scenery for this shot.

I thought it should have been first, but they didn't ask me. A picture I submitted under Jack's name got most Creative title. Night Shift showed leaf cutter ants destroying one of my flower beds at night. So he got the ribbon but I came up with the title. Then Jack got 2nd in Landscape and Scenery with a picture I took with my iPhone on an early morning run and 2nd in People in Nature with the picture, Winter at the Beach. But the big prize went to Bessie for a picture of a yellow flower. She took first in Plants and Best of Show. She was so excited! Vivian however was not to thrilled. But she was happy when she got to be in some of the pictures.


Fall in Kurten


Winter at the Beach

Best in Show

Night Shift, Most Creative Title

2nd Place - People in Nature

2nd Place Landscape and Scenery

One tired kid - Vivian

Overall we had another real fun day and the kids were tuckered out at the conclusion. They are moving Nature Fest to Rockdale next year. And yes we will be there again.

Roots, Rocks and The Cowardly Lion

2011-04-03T18:06:00.002-05:00

***WARNING*** - there are lots of pictures in this race report. Special note for Kerry - No tears!

Hell's Hills proved to be more fun than I have had all season. My "season" for running starts in October and ends in April. I started this season running 50 Miles at Cactus Rose. It was a great run and I learned a lot. I ended my season running 50 miles at Hell's Hills in Smithville Texas. This run was not unlike other runs. Always the same and never the same. But the best part of this run was the end. I'll tell you why later.

We arrived Friday for packet pickup and the kids run.


Start Line for 1Mile Kids Race

So five little kids lined up to run a mile. Check Bessie leaning on the starting line! Cracked me up. She kept telling me she didn't want to run. So I was cool with that. Then when the kids started pinning on their bib numbers she wanted in. So I was also cool with that, of course.

Off they went with the Race Director (RD) showing the way on his 4-wheeler. We waited and the first one out was a little girl being led by her mom. She was the only one that had a parent running with her. The rest of the parents felt bad for her. I felt pretty confident that my kids would not get lost on a one mile course being led by a 4-wheeler. If however they were to get off course I was even more sure I could find them.

The next kid coming out of the woods around the corner was Vivian. Typical. We knew she would do well, she always does. So I'm cheering her on to the finish when I realize that it's BESSIE!

Check this cool running gear!

Bessie has never beat Vivian in a foot race. Ever. So now I'm stoked for Bessie. She's a little confused where to finish but she crossed the tape for a smooth second place finish. Then out comes Vivian, talking to a little girl named Madison. They had found each other at the same pace and decided to chat it in to the finish.

Chatty Runners

It was a fun race and all the kids had fun. The RD gave them each a medal and Lizard and of course a nice cold drink of water.

4 of the 5 finishers

Then we headed to the hotel which meant the girls had to swim. As my friend Mike D said "If there's a pool, kids must swim - it's like gravity"

And even though the water was cold they had fun. We think fun is was more important than core body temperature.

We had a strict lights out at 8pm so I could be ready for the 5am start the next morning. Up at 3:15 am and met at 4:00 am by Matt (@raceforothers) who was kind enough to give me a lift to the race site so the kids and Jack could sleep a little. I am nice after all. I have to mention that we had a GREAT meal at Cedars in Bastrop. If you are ever through there I suggest you stop.

Our day started very humid and stayed that way. But I'm not complaining. We had cloud cover the entire day! No brutal sun beating us into submission. If you are friends with Corina on Facebook I encourage you to look at her pictures or see her album here. She has an amazing way of capturing the spirit of these events.

My run - When I started running I noticed immediately that both my feet hurt. I was a little confused by this. It was dark and I was struggling with my head lamp because I wore a different hat than I normally wear. Rookie mistake that I should not have made. I was trying to start at the back of the pack to make sure I didn't go out to fast. But in doing that I ended up eating a lot of dirt. The trails were dry and dirt was in the air.

Fall #1 - I went down hard and uttered a very dirt word. It's hard to see all the roots but this was my fault. Some sadistic course coordinator thinks that putting cheery little signs on the trees is a good idea. I looked up to read one and went down hard. So I cussed the sign too. My fault. Trail rule #1 - If you look up, you're going down. Still dark.

Fall #2 - I don't know what got me but I went down hard. My language did not improve with this fall. I must say that I was now afraid of falling again. Only because I didn't want to break something and have to stop due to injury. Still dark.

Fall #3 - A man passed me and we chatted just briefly. And then he fell. Hard. I stopped and we checked him out and he was good to go. Then I promptly fell, AGAIN! He apologized and said he must jinxed me. I swore yet again. Then I asked God to send my gaurdian angel to keep me from falling anymore. I didn't fall the rest of the race. It was finally getting light out. Why didn't I bring my angel along for the whole ride?

One elbow and two knees (thigh not pictured)

Even with my gaurdian angel keeping me upright I was afraid. I had lost my courage and slowed my pace to an almost crawl. So I began to chant a new mantra. Run With Courage. I straightened my shoulders and ever so slowly picked up the pace. I finished the first loop of three in 3:28. Not great but not bad. I was pretty sure I was DFL (dead F***Last), but I didn't care. But the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz came to mind and I knew that's who I had become suddenly. I was not happy with the new me so I kept chanting. Run with Courage over and over until my courage slowly, ever so slowly, returned to me.

Somewhere out on loop two I began to get lapped by the elite 50 milers and the now the 50K runners were out on the trails. I didn't care. My only goal for this race was to finish the season without an injury.

Also somewhere along the way on loop two I ended up in a place that should not have been and finished the 2nd loop in two hours. I like to think I'm a sleek Kenyan runner but I knew that was wrong. I also knew it was wrong because there was an aide station that I never made. So I literally grab the RD and tell him I have screwed up. I almost cry but then I think of Kerry and turn off the water works. He tells me to calm down. Ugh, it's like having my mother with me. He said "I know you didn't do it on purpose. Now go back out and run that loop again. When you get to the spot, screw up again and finish the loop. No DNF". Sweet. I could have hugged him. I was terrified he was going to make me stop and take a DNF. So I went back out and I when I returned there was seven hours on the clock. That's more like it.

End of 2nd loop, 7 hours in

I have a HUGE amount of energy going into the 3rd loop. I know where not to screw up and now I'm just ready to finish. I am also sure I am the last person to start loop three. Then I see Julie and a couple others headed back out and it gives me some solace. One guy they call Sharpie was singing at the top of his lungs as we started out on Loop 3. He was so entertaining. And miles in, even though he passed me, I could hear him singing in the woods. Later on I passed him. He was walking by then and no longer singing. The trail can be a beast.

I had practically begged the North Texas Trail Runners (NTTR) to not leave until I finished. I didn't want the finish line to be a desert town when I came in. As I crested the last hill I saw they had taken the tents down at the finish already.
But my family was there and a loud chorus of NTTR runners. I was actually running for the finish line. Not crawling. I had an incredible amount of energy!


My finish line crew

Now this next part takes me by surprise. I had passed a couple people on the way in which meant I would not be DFL. That made me very happy. Turns out I was the 5th female overall to finish. WHAT? The timer is explaining this to me as I try to tell him he must be mistaken. Turns out there were still quite a few runners still out there.

5th overall female, what?

Why am I standing like that? Jack got my shower bag and I showered, changed and then started the best part of the day. I sat down with my family and all of the NTTR runners and had a cold Shiner beer. This is the first time I have ever stayed and chatted and enjoyed watching other runners finish. It is by far the best part of trail running. But usually people don't wait around for me to finish. But this time they did and it makes me tear up thinking about it. We cheered for all the other runners that came in. It was so magically fun! Glorious is a better word. And you could tell they appreciated it.

That's me in the red shirt in the red chair

Stories of the trail

I love all of you more than I can say. Corina, Greg, Fiona, Tracy, Michelle, Sarah, Julie, Julie, Dat, Libby, Jeremy, Matt, and Joe from College Station. I know I forgot someone and I'm sorry. You guys made it a perfect day for me.

We were all sharing our food and beer and a few trail stories.

Friends that Run

So I brought home some hardware this season and I am stunned at what I have done, but thankful for a God that allows me the strength to run.

Here's my season:
Cactus Rose 50M - October - 14:31 55th out of 92
Dallas Marathon 26.2 - December - 4:40 (I was so sick that day)
Bandera 50K - January - 7:14 1st in age group
Surfside 50K - February - 5:20 3rd overall female
Rocky Raccoon - February - 40 miles - Pacer for Andrew who ran the 100 mile
Grasslands 50M - March - 12:21 3rd overall female
Hell's Hills 50M - April - 11:24 5th overall female

I've had a fun season and I thank you all for coming along for the ride. Now to dial back a tiny bit and start training for the next season. October will be here before you know it!

Until Next Time...Keep Running

I've Gotta Calm Down!

2011-04-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

Quick pre-race note:

All of my life I have been a very active person. And by active I don't mean a runner. I mean HYPER. I do every thing at top speed. I rarely notice anything going on around me because I'm moving full speed ahead. All the time. My mother said "Calm Down Fawn" more than should be allowed by a parent. Used to drive me nuts, still does. On top of my high speed hyperness I also have to do things a certain way. I have a smallish amount of OCD. Thing have to be orderly. I put things on the belt at the grocer in the order in which I want them sacked. I organize my dishwasher. There are lots of others but you get the picture. One of my biggest pet peeves are people that can't park straight. The vehicle being crooked sets off alarms of all kinds in my head. And if I had the physical strength I would lift the vehicle and straighten it. That's how much my brain can't tolerate it.

Well, this morning I hit our truck with our car because the truck wasn't parked straight! I broke the tail light on the truck and the rear view mirror off of my car. I always back into my space in the car port. Always. I have to. It's one of those things.

When I called the insurance and told them what happened she said "I get more of these calls than you'll ever know". She then said "It's always the man's fault". DID YOU HEAR THAT? Learn to park straight. Your disorder throws my order into chaos!!!!! And apparently not just mine!

Now why should I let something like this bug me into high blood pressure and stroke zone? I have no idea. I can't help it. It's my nature. Truly, it's my nature. And all of this takes place while I am trying to get ready for my last run of this season. And you want to know why. Because the bus came early. And who drives the bus? A MAN!

Now I don't want you to think I am mad at all men. I'm not. Just those that don't have to courtesy to recognize my orderliness and try and comply with it. And will I let a silly thing like a broken mirror ruin my weekend? Probably. I can't help it. But after running 50 miles tomorrow it will seem a whole lot less significant. I can promise you that. The run puts it all in perspective.

So until next time...Keep running

Sandlands 2011 Race Report

2011-03-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

It's deceiving. Don't buy into the hype. It's not Grasslands. Yes there was grass. There were also cows and horses and lots of large animal poop but it wasn't called Cowlands or Horselands or Pooplands. There were also lots of gates to open and close. Gatelands? Nope. It should have been called Sandlands 2011. There was more loose sand than you can find at a beach and yet I could not find the ocean. I looked. A few half dried ponds but no ocean. Late in the day I thought about putting myself in one of those ponds. I couldn't figure out how to do that without getting my shoes wet so I passed on the chance. As a kid we swam in our ponds during the summer. That was a lot of fun.

So let me give you this race report without too many details. I know people that can write about what they ate at every aid station and recall the race mile by mile. Not me. I just remember the high and low points. Everything else is just running.

We knew we were in for heat. The high was predicted to be around 80. We started the morning at 60 degrees. I'm fine with the heat. I've lived here my whole life. It gets hot, deal with it. I have trained in the heat of the summer. Long 25 and 30 mile runs in August and September. I know heat. Look back on this training run. It was hot! So I wasn't worried about the heat. I know how to hydrate. Glug, glug, glug.

We did start in the dark but by the time we finished the first out and back loop (4.8 miles) I was done with the head lamp. The day had dawned and I was feeling F I N E. Then the real fun started. Finished the second part (13.5 miles out and back) no problems. Still felt great. Before the 3rd loop (out and back 12.8 miles) ended at the 50K mark I was cussing the sand. I had also lost momentum about 25 miles into this. I stopped to help a man who was walking very slowly and was completely out of water. Some of the aid stations were a little far apart considering the heat but that's part of the package deal called trail running. You get what you get. So I stopped running to walk with him and get him to the next aid station. He couldn't talk because his mouth was so dry. I stayed with him at the aid station and for another mile past the station. He began to come back to life. So I boogied on but by then I had lost my mojo. So I stopped to stretch and try to get my mental game back. It was then that Jeremy and Kevin (two BA runners that I'm totally pleased to know) passed me. I figured I led for the first half they could have the second half lead. Ha! They did in fact keep that lead and crossed the finish line an hour before me. Told you they were BA. (Bad Ass)

I started the next out and back loop (10.4 miles) knowing I had to be back before the 5pm cutoff or they weren't going to let me continue. I wanted to stop and dump the sand out of my shoes but I didn't have time. I just kept repeating over and over again "All you have to do is make the cut off". Then about a mile or so from the end of that loop I began to pray I would miss the cutoff. I was out of gas and wanted to quit. I kept trying to think about how I would explain that to my kids and my runners. How do you tell them you DNF'd when there was nothing wrong with you, except you were tired. I couldn't come up with an answer. That was when Alberto passed me. He asked me how much farther we had to go? I told him we were close and he said we had 12 minutes to get there. Crap! Too bad for me. Guess I'll have to stop. But around the next corner I was there.

That's when the RD (Race Director) kicked into high gear and started talking very loudly to me. It was exactly what I needed. He got my trail light for me and got me something to eat and drink. With three minutes to spare and 8.9 miles left to go I burst into tears. He was so sweet. He told me not to over heat and slow down my breathing. With the tears now over, a renewed energy and an RD that I'm now in love with I started the last 8.9 mile loop. Now my only goal was to get off the trail before dark. I saw Alberto sitting down just off the trail and I was scared he was quitting. I didn't want to be out there alone. I knew he and I were the last two that were going to make the cutoff. He was simply dumping the dirt out of his shoes. He didn't want to do that at the check in because he might have missed the cut off. I waited until the next aid station to empty my shoes and socks. And I lost a good five pounds of dirt right there. The volunteers at that aid station were so awesome. They put duct tape on my raw sand papered heels and helped me get my shoes on again.

Sand is not good for your heels

From that point I only had five miles to go. I missed my family. This was the first time no one had traveled with me. I needed my family there. But I also knew I was learning to endure a whole new way. Getting to the finish line was not going to be a great without Jack and the kids there but I was going to finish. But I also thought about the runners that I have had the privilege to coach. They inspired me from so far away. I could picture each of them at some pretty tough points in their training and they never quit. How could I?

And sure enough I finished. 2nd to last, and 3rd female over all. All other females had quit or didn't make the cutoff. So I walked away with some hardware! Alberto gutted it out and finished and got a nice kiss from his wife. Winner every time.

I put sunscreen on twice during this event and still got burned.

I have not slept well since the run. My heels are swollen and my skin hurts. But I still feel like a million bucks. Jack likes my trophy and he thinks I should have worn my VFFs instead of my Innov-8s. He might be right but it doesn't matter anymore. I walked away and had a Shiner Blonde beer when I got back to the hotel. The taste of success!

Belt Buckle and Trophy from Sandlands 2011

Will I ever run Sandlands I mean Grasslands again? NO!!!! I'm sorry, I meant HELL NO! Unless that RD asks me and then I'll think about it.

Until next time...Keep Running

The 4 Rs

2011-03-15T16:06:00.000-05:00

Run, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Yeah, yeah we have all heard it. We have all thought it’s a great idea. If everyone would just do it! *smile*

Jack and I love to recycle. We collect all of our plastic, paper, glass and tin (canned goods). We dutifully haul it to the recycling centers. Scraps from the kitchen goes to the composter or chickens. I have my own shopping bags and we grow our own food. Yes, we are green. Feeling like a slacker? Get on the green train and ride along.

This post is about the Reuse part of the three Rs. Jack, being in construction, picks up things from time to time, and me, being a runner finds things on the side of the road from time to time. I wouldn't say we are scavengers but we look at other people's junk with a discerning eye.

The background for this project: I had been telling Jack that I wanted a large satellite dish so I could make a pond in one of the flower beds. He brings home a small dish from a hotel they were working on. It's cute and made a great pond. But I wanted a BIG dish! You know the old ones that people still have in their yards because they are waiting on Aliens to contact them?

Jack and Zackry found one (after I put the word out). In the mean time, on a run one day, I saw a small satellite dish in the ditch. I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it. We drove back later and picked it up. I think I would have looked a little odd running home with it. You can see the results here.

So once Jack saw how cute that worked out and how much it enhanced our flower bed he was hooked. He brought home two more of the small dishes. I cautioned him that we didn’t want to start looking like a Sanford and Son remake around here.

Over the last two weekends Jack has been repairing the torn liner in the big pond. Dogs! I casually suggested that a waterfall would make it "pop". He rolled his eyes. But later that day we had a waterfall that ROCKED!

Now I want one of the old mesh satellite dishes. I'm going to make a swing. So if you know anyone with a big mesh dish....

So when you aren't running you can reduce, reuse and recycle. Those are my 4 Rs. What are yours?

Until next time...Keep Running

Making Banana Pancakes

2011-03-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

Woke up at 7 am this Sunday morning. I don't remember the last time I have slept so late. Went to church last night so I really had no need to get up early except that I'd like to run 20 miles this morning. That will be my last training run as I prepare for my two 50 mile runs that are two weeks apart. Debating about wearing my VFFs or Innov-8s. Can't decide. But I have a couple of days to brew on that.

Dragged myself from bed and turned iTunes to shuffle. Jack Johnson begins to sing Banana Pancakes. If you aren't familiar with the song it is a sweet love song. He sings it's raining, no need to go outside. We can stay in and make banana pancakes, lalalalala. I love this song. It also inspired me to get in the kitchen while the rest of the house slept. I made my own, vegan, version of banana pancakes. I warn you in advance, these are actually healthy. But man were they good. You want to make them vegan you can, you want to make them for omnivores you can. You'll see your options below.

In a bowl mix:

1.5 cups of flour. I used 1/2 all purpose and 1/2 whole wheat. You can use all whole wheat. I have also made these using Spelt flour. Very good.
3T Ground Flax Seed (optional, but I always use it)
3t of baking powder
1T of raw sugar or whatever kind you use

1t salt

Now in the blender toss in one or two ripe bananas. Depends on how bananaeeee you want your pancakes.
add 1.25 - 1.5 cups of Ancient Grain Milk. I buy mine at HEB. You can also use Almond, Oat, Cow whatever. How much milk you use depends on how thick or thin you want your pancakes.

In a small bowl mix up the equivalent of one egg using Ener-G egg replacer. Or if you eat eggs, crack an egg and put in the blender. Otherwise mix the replacer and add to blender.
I also add a couple shakes of ground nutmeg to the blender. You can use cinnamon or both or nothing.

These are your pancakes after all. Blend.

Pour the liquid into the bowl of mixed up dry stuff. Mix thoroughly. At this point some folks will add 2 or 3 T of melted butter to the batter. I don't. But you can add melted Earth Balance or whatever kind of butter you use. Pour small amounts on the hot griddle and serve with your favorite pancake topping. Peanut butter, syrup, agave nectar, the list goes on.

Everyone walks away happy.

Did you remember to spring your clock forward? Crazy but like all good sheep we do it.

Until next time...Keep Running

Here we go Again

2011-03-09T06:33:00.000-06:00

Here we go again. Those crazy Catholics will be giving up stuff for forty days. Forty whole days! All the way until Easter! Imagine that. Silly people. Yet we persist. Every year we welcome Ash Wednesday by putting on sack cloth and sitting is ashes. We fast and we pray. We try to suffer and we want you to know about it!

I tried explaining Lent to my six year old girls. They are great little Catholics in the making. They know their prayers and know how Stand, Sit, Kneel in all the right places. But this year I decided they could join us in Lent. I started this conversation by trying to explain what Lenten season was and how we believe that Jesus gave up his life for us. And that is why we spend these 40 days trying to learn what suffering is about. Catholics are good at suffering. It's what we do. Learn it early and accept it.

I then told the girls that I had chosen to give up all treats of any kind during Lent and to add extra prayers to my daily routine. The backseat got very quiet. Then I told the girls that they should consider giving something up for Lent this year. Again the back seat was very quiet. So I tossed out some suggestions. "You could give up sweets like mom". Quiet. "You could get ready for bed a few minutes early every night so you could add extra prayers to your day." Quiet. "You could give up playing Mario on the Wii." "No!, Not Mario!" Wow, touched a nerve there didn't I?

I told the girls to give it some thought. Bessie spoke up. "I could give up the lettuce on my sandwich". Stifling a giggle I explained how I didn't really see that as a sacrifice. "I could give up naps." Again, let's talk about sacrifice. You have to give up something that means a lot to you. "Oh, okay". "What about your pillow pets. Want to put those away for forty days." No. Alrighty then, give it some thought.

Silence. Finally Vivian spoke for the first time. "Sweets, I'm giving up sweets." Bessie chimed in with agreement. YES! Score. They picked a good one and came to it on their own.Some kids only give up chocolate. We are going for the whole sugary enchilada here. God help us!

Now we begin our forty days. Pray for me please. Pray for them please as we walk this beautiful Lent together.

And, no I'm not giving up running.

Until next time...Keep running

Junk in the Trunk

2011-03-01T12:39:00.000-06:00

I have to say thanks to Greg Spears, pastor of Milam County Cowboy church for turning on the light bulb in my head for this blog post. His wife is a phenomenal runner and I feel really blessed that I know these people.

I've been running on and off for many years. I started running the first time to replace smoking. My oldest son was about 3 at the time. He's now 27. Yes I gave up running a few times over the years to deal with family and school and depression and over eating. But running has been like a BFF for me. She never leaves me, and she waits patiently for me to return. I didn't start entering events until about 8 years ago. I had wanted to enter a few before but never really thought I was good enough to actually enter an event.

But one day someone told me to enter several 5Ks just so I could gauge my improvements. So I talked a couple of my kids into going with me and we entered a 5K. I was right, I wasn't good enough to enter these things. But it lit a fire in me. I wanted to be better. So I started setting goals. And as I entered these things and reached goal after goal I began to get quite a collection of shirts and medals and other stuff. I kept tossing it all in a drawer. Never to see the light of day again.

I have seen people frame their bib numbers and wear their finisher medals for a few days post event. I love that! I think it is fantastic and no one on this planet is happier for them and their accomplishments than I am. I LOVE when other people cross a finish line and reach a goal or finish a dream. It sets me on a cloud. And I'll let you in on a secret; I love it because I know how they feel.

But back to my drawer. Why do I chunk all that stuff in a drawer? Why wouldn't I show it off and brag a little. I've certainly trained hard and earned every little thing in that drawer. Is it my Catholic guilt that keeps me from bragging? Maybe. My mother always told us to be humble. I try, it's hard when you are as cool as I am though. If you know me you know that's funny.

The great Saint Francis of Assisi said "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words". I love that quote. And it explains my drawer. I'm not training hard so I can brag. I'm training hard because it's what I love. It's all about the run. Not the junk. It's all about the finish line, not the schwag bag. It's all about the run. And if it inspires you to make steps toward a starting line then that makes my day! That's what's it's all about. I will do everything humanly possible to get you where you want to be.

I want to inspire you to change your life, to run or to walk. To push yourself to a new level. To eat right, to be happy, to tackle demons. To be the person that I know you can be. To the person you know you are.

Maybe when I'm old and don't remember anything anymore my grand kids will open that drawer and ask me about that stuff. Maybe I will remember the stories that go with each and every one of those precious hidden gems. What I really want to remember is ever single blog I've read and all of you that I've met and run with and walked with and cried with. You are the true prizes in my life. Thanks

Surfside 50K 2011

2011-02-27T10:20:00.000-06:00

I love writing race reports. I get to sort of re-live my race day. But I try and write them as soon as I can because I have a tendency to forget what happened. Which may explain why I keep signing up for these darn things.

Jack had Friday off so we were able to get to Surfside plenty early. Most races where I travel with Jack and the kids we get there late and I get frantic to get checked in and then I get pissy. Not good for anyone. My goal this time was get there early enough to walk on the beach and have an early supper. Mission accomplished! We took about a 2 mile walk on the beach with the kids and then walked to supper. Lights were out by 8:30 at the hotel. We stayed at the brand new Ocean Village Hotel, right on the beach and about a mile from the starting line.

Race morning started with me getting everyone up and moving. And of course I had to make breakfast for the girls. Jack never helps on race morning. I got to the starting line with only a few minutes to spare. I got to see Tiffany and later Kerry. They were starting at 8:00 with the marathoners. The 50K runners started at 0700.

There just isn't a lot to report about this race. We ran up and over the big bridge twice and then the rest of the race was entirely on the beach. We ran down to San Luis Pass and then back again. I stayed at a steady pace and Jack and girls met me about every two hours up and down the beach. They gave me a peanut butter sandwich at about mile 12 and then later I got a strawberry and cookie from them. Families were all up and down the beach. This is why I keep returning to Surfside. Your family and friends can drive up and down the beach all day to watch you and cheer you on. Big city marathons don't offer the same accommodations. You might see your family once, if that, and usually just at the finish line. At Surfside my girls get to run across the finish line with me. That is so much fun!

My left foot started hurting with about 6 miles to go. If I walked through the water stops the pain was almost unbearable. I thought I was going to have to quit, it hurt that much. But I noticed if I ran it didn't hurt. So I didn't walk anymore water stops. I ran the rest of the distance. Normally I will spend 30 seconds or so walking through the water stops. But not after my foot started hurting. Then my right knee buckled on me once and I almost went down. I don't think I said a bad word but the guy in front of me stopped and turned around and asked if I was okay. I really don't remember saying anything, but maybe I thought it really loudly.

I saw Jack and the girls with 4 miles to go and they gave me some Tylenol and I hit the port-a-can. After that it was all running. "Just finish, you can hurt when you are done", kept circling in my head. Amazing how that works. Jack told me they were headed for the finish line. That also really let me know just how close I was.

Alone for the last 4 miles and just chugging. One mile at a time.

After crossing the finish line nothing hurt anymore. Amazing. But today I'm a little sore on the top of my foot and my calves and Achilles are talking. But once I do a little yoga that will be gone. I ran the entire distance in my VFF KSO and also PR'd in the 50K distance by almost 2 hours! What a difference a course makes!

Had a great time as always at Surfside. Darryl puts on a great race and I have a new carry on bag. Part of our race day schwag. Can't beat that anywhere!

Now to get ready for Grasslands.....

Uninvited

2011-02-24T06:19:00.000-06:00

"But this is not allowed, your uninvited, an unfortunate slight". Thank you Alanis Morissette.

I know I'm behind on the updates. I apologize. I have spent the last few weeks dealing with some uninvited guests. I have been trying to hang on and deal with it. That's my nature. I rarely ask for help. Who would I ask? Husband is gone more than home and my friends have their own uninvited "things" to deal with.

Where to start? We'll start with Vivian. She brought home a lovely case of head lice from school. No I'm not embarrassed. We didn't do anything wrong. It just happened. Yes they are creepy and itchy. I have picked through that kids head like a momma monkey. I have washed, in hot water, everything that would fit in the washer. What wouldn't fit got a ride to town and got washed in the commercial washers at the Sunshine Laundry. That was quite an experience. Save that for another blog. Vivian has been treated twice now. Looks like we have a good handle on these terrible little scalp biters. And for the record; Pillow Pets placed in the dryer after a good wash will be extra fluffy once dry.Uninvited.

Leaf cutter ants are back and in full swing. I have done more research on these than an entomologist. Jack just wants to find a poison that will wipe them off the planet. But you know I don't like that. And so he continues to battle The Dreaded Leaf Cutter. Uninvited.

Depression has reared it's ugly head in my life again. Haven't seen my old friend in years. Running generally keeps it locked out. I think my old hormones are stirring things up. Who knows? But I recognized the symptoms right away and set to work. I don't allow depression to take hold of me as it once did, years ago.

I simply recognize it for what it is and then gently ask it to go. I don't try and fight with depression. I simply, quite literally have a conversation with myself. "Hello depression. You are not my friend and I have not asked you back into my life. We divorced years ago. I acknowledge your presence and now need you to go. You're uninvited."

I try and keep a good perspective on it and my running gives me the clarity to see depression coming and the clarity to remove it from my life. Running has saved me in more ways than one. I know, most people that know me have now gasped and said "What?" I know, I know. No one loves life and everything it offers more than me. But depression is a chemical issue. Not "I'm feeling sorry for myself" issue. I'm almost 50 years old. I'm sure I have pre-menopause issues. So worry not. Everything is good.

Please do not think that I am making light of this. I know people that suffer from seasonal and life long depression. I used to have a friend that knew when I was losing grip. She would find me home, on the couch, in a puddle of tears, for no reason. Then six weeks later I would find her the same way. She saw the ugly bugger in me because she suffered the same pain. I know depression can be horrible. I also know that you can take control and not allow it to ruin your life or your waist line.

I have my precious beautiful faith, my precious beautiful children and my precious beautiful running. "Depression, I am to damn busy for you, you'll have to take a number and get in line.

It's time to get the garden planted. Some of it it is already in the ground. But the rest is now tilled up and ready for new seeds and plants. We are going to can a LOT this year. Look out!

Surfside 50K this Saturday! Woot! Post pics and race report later. gotta cross the finish line first.

By Now You Know What I Did

2011-02-08T09:26:00.000-06:00

A few months ago I was asked by a friend if I would pace her at the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail run. If you know me, you know that I didn't hesitate. I said YES! I never turn down a chance for a good run.

If you don't know what a pacer is, let me explain it a little. A pacer for an elite runner is someone that keeps that runner focused and on pace for a first place finish in under 13 hours. For runners like myself and those I know, a pacer is someone that keeps you focused and fed and awake during your 28-30 hour slog through the woods. It ain't always pretty. But when you are determined to get to the finish line you need a pacer to run or walk with you those last 40 miles. It is such a great honor to be asked to pace someone. I was thrilled!

Then along came the Bandera training run and my friend Lynne was injured. It became clear that she was not going to be able to run at Rocky Raccoon. Word got out and I was asked by someone else.

This was a runner I had never met but knew only through the social media world of Twitter. @keeponrunning AKA Andrew Edwards was flying in from Alabama and needed a pacer. He had run this course before. Several times before. He had DNFd (Did Not Finish) six times and finished twice.

He always seemed to DNF at the same point, mile 60 when it's dark and getting cold. The thought of running alone all night is not appealing to many tired runners. So I jumped at the chance to pace him. I also signed on to volunteer at the aid stations while I waited for Andrew to run the first 60 miles.

If you are a runner and you have never volunteered at an aid station I highly recommend it. You will not only have fun but you will have an insight as to what the runner's need as they come in to your station.

I got to help several runners rub out cramps and fuel and hydrate. I fussed at a few for not drinking enough. They knew I was right. But sometimes you have to hear it. I got to use my stick and roll out the back of a 79 year old man. He climbed aboard a picnic table and I worked him over. When you help someone get back on their feet and going it is a wonderful feeling.

But back to Andrew. I drove to Huntsville Friday night because Andrew offered to buy my dinner if I came to the trail briefing. You know I never turn down food. The weather was crappy! Cold, ice and snow. School was closed Friday due to unsafe traffic conditions. Several runners were not going to be able to get Huntsville. But I got there and enjoyed a lovely meal with Andrew. And I got my picture taken with Scott Jurek.


Scott Jurek and Me! Squeeee!

So as the day progressed I got to see Andrew at the aid stations and then I was able to gauge what time I would start pacing him. As it turned out we started running at 8:50 pm. Except we didn't run. Andrew needed to walk. I was happy to do whatever he needed. I was there for him, no matter what. My job was to get him to the finish line. But then I got cold. I was dressed to run. So at mile 80 I had to stop and put on more clothes. I also stuck hand warmers in my gloves. But while Andrew was waiting on me he got cold. So we had to get pants on him. Off we go for the last 20 miles.


Mile 43

I know without a doubt that Andrew is going to finish and to keep his brain functioning he kept checking the time to see how much time he had left. Doing math did the trick for him. We told stories through the night and talked and talked. Hard to believe but you can get sleepy and do the head nod while upright and moving.
He did a phenomenal job of getting fluids and calories. I got him some chocolate milk for mile 80. All the other times he drank Honey Milk. Gut made of steel I guess. He wouldn't go inside the aid station tents. It seemed he was afraid if he went in he might never come back out.

Mile 90

The sun came up and the root covered trails were nice to see. Looking at the trails all night via head lamp gets old quick. The roots seems bigger in the night and the climbs seem longer.

But before we knew it there was the finish line. Andrew asked me to cross the line with him but I didn't. This was his run. He had just finished 100 miles in 28 hours and some minutes.

Finish Line

Now I know you non-runners can't figure this out. My own husband keeps asking, Why? I can't tell you why. I can tell you that I can't wait to cross the finish line of a 100 mile run. Andrew couldn't wait to get his buckle. Yep, that's all your get. A belt buckle. For running 100 Miles. Something to hold your pants up with.

Belt Buckle!

Oh he got a few blisters too.

Added bonus

But you don't do it for the buckle. Not really. You do it to test yourself. To test your limits. To see what you are made of. To see if you are tough enough. And on this day, even though the elites had long since finished and gone home, this day Andrew was a winner. I'm proud to have been part of his moment and so happy I got to help a few other runners along the way. Ultra Runners. Nice.

As an added bonus, completely unnecessary and unexpected, Andrew gave me a wonderful and generous gift card to Amazon. I now have 8 new books headed my way. I love Amazon. Thank you Andrew.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Fawn

Veganomicon Review

2011-02-08T07:59:00.000-06:00

I joined a vegan cookbook review club a few weeks ago because I wanted to try some new recipes and see what other vegans are enjoying and staying away from. I have enjoyed reading so many vegan blogs but I must say that Cook. Vegan. Lover. is very thorough and very fun so I jumped at the chance to join other vegans reviewing cookbooks.

The first book we were asked to review was Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.

This recipe book is laid out very well. Great Table of Contents, How Tos and Cooking Terminology. I enjoy books that take the time to explain some things. Like the best way to cooks grains and vegetables. Just because I have been cooking these things for a long time doesn't mean I don't have something to learn.

Now off to the reviews.One note; My reviews are quick and to the point. I see no need to get technical telling you if it was easy or hard, good or bad. But I will take more pictures next time.

The first thing I made was Snobby Joes. The kids like Sloppy Joes and I was hoping these would be a hit. Instead of meat the recipe called for Lentils. BUT the recipe didn't say what type of Lentils. I finally made the decision to use red and green. The final result was edible but barely. Not something I would make again or recommend. They were dry and mushy. My kids ate them under protest and I really was not happy with the outcome. The left overs were fed to the chickens. They loved it. Go Figure. No pictures, sorry.

The next thing I made was Portabella Salad with Spicy Mustard Dressing. Let me just say, OM Gosh! This was sooo good! I loved it. The flavors danced around in mouth and made me oh so happy! The husband also liked it but stopped short of dancing with joy. He leaves that part to me.

You have to marinate and roast the portabellas which is easy and smells so lovely.


Marinated and Roasted Portabella Caps

The dressing was snap to make and no confusion. You do have to go to another spot in the book to find the marinade recipe but not an issue for me.

This could have been a meal by itself for me. But I also made Skillet Gnocchi to go along with this beautiful salad. Husband and kids require more than salad for supper.


Portabella Salad with Spicy Mushroom Dressing


Vegan Skillet Gnocchi with Portabella Salad

If you are looking for a staple salad or one to serve to your non vegan guests, this is it. Vegan or not you will love this salad.

My last recipe for the review was Potato Mushroom Blintzes. It is listed under Brunch in the cookbook. I made it for lunch on cold, rainy day. I do not have a Crepe pan so I just used a non stick skillet. The crepe recipe was easy to follow and I can easily see how you could put your own spin on the filling.

Everyone in the house loved these. Yes even the picky husband and kids. I didn't serve anything else with these except fruit. I did not make the optional mushroom gravy but you can bet I will next time. So easy and so good.

All in all I have fallen in love with this cookbook and it remains on my cookbook stand. I am always leafing through it and can't wait to try more and more things from it. Two thumbs up.

Guess What I Get to Do?

2011-02-04T09:55:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update before I head out the door.

I have been asked to pace Andrew Edwards at the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile Trail Run this weekend. A total bad ass ultra runner from Alabama. He is also a new dad. I had the privilege of being there, via twitter, the day his daughter Samantha was born. Very cool experience.

I was originally supposed to pace Lynne Harkey who had to drop due to injury. But Andrew scooped me up and rightly so. I'm a mom!

As my pal Dorthybitestoto says "I have decided that ultrarunners should always have a mom on their crew. She'll make sure you're well-fed; she'll make sure you have a friend to run with; and if someone has to wipe your ass at mile 97...Trust me, you want a mom."

Except for that last part I'm totally there for Andrew.

Well Mother Nature threw as for a loop by dumping snow all over Texas last night. Many runners are now stranded and unable to make it to Huntsville for this run. But I will be there with signs in hand and cheering on all the runners who are brave enough to get there.

But for now I need to pack my pacer bags and head to Huntsville. Andrew is running 100 Miles of awesome trails. I only have to go with him the last 40 miles. But I will be there the whole time. Eating, napping and cheering him on. And when he gets his buckle at the end I will be cheering louder than anyone else.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Guest Blog from Lisa Aguilar - Banderawesome

2011-01-18T13:19:00.000-06:00

I have asked my running partner to share her Banderawesome experience with you because I knew it would be inspired. She is a tough runner that has fallen in love with trail running. And without further ado, I bring you Lisa.

Lisa's Bandera 50K – Race report

If I could use one word to describe the experience of running my first 50K in Bandera, it would be AMAZING!

I was inspired to do an ultra marathon after helping crew for Fawn on her first ultra in Bandera back in October. Fawn is such a role-model for women and I stand in awe of what she is able to accomplish.

I also stand in awe of God, as I was able to see what He has created upon traversing the landscape of the 50K. It was a very different experience than running marathons on the streets, and I found that I thoroughly enjoy the terrain of trail running. I don’t think that I will ever run another marathon on pavement!

I learned so much about myself while walking, running, climbing, crab-crawling the 31 miles of God’s creation! I didn’t know that that Lisa existed, and now that I do I am simply overwhelmed at how I lived without knowing her! God has taken very good care of me….of course, my mother’s prayers were a big part of all of that!

I love to run and I can’t imagine my life without the opportunity to do so. With that, I would like to end this report with a big shout out to God, who has lead me to this point of my life….being able to say that I conquered (with His help of course) the trails of Bandera, albeit slowly, but nevertheless….conquered!

God willing, I will do it again next year!!!! – ¡Si Dios quiere!

A Perfect Vegan Storm

2011-01-16T17:42:00.000-06:00

Sometimes in a human life a whole series of events conspire to change you from what you were to a whole new you. I believe that to a certain extent. I think that we could call it by a lot of different names. Maturing, growing up, and my favorite The Change. And maybe there doesn't actually have to be a whole series of events to cause this change. Perhaps it's just the way the world spins us around.

I made a decision about this time last year to become a vegetarian. And over the last twelve months I slowly became vegan. It was an easy decision for me. What hasn't been easy are all the questions and looks I get when people find out. My husband is still not sure what is wrong with me but he quietly sits by and watches it happen.

This decision has been coming on for a several years now. I was considering it when I found out I was pregnant with the twins. Decided not to make changes until after I had finished nursing them. Then when I started training for marathons I talked about it again. Now that the big kids are gone, everything started coming together.

One of the most wonderful things is happening as a result of my decision to remove animals from my diet. My little girls are getting on the bandwagon. I made vegan barbecue and Bessie came over to the stove and asked me if it was plant based. Score!

They are trying things they haven't tried before and they are starting to enjoy new flavors. Celery with peanut butter seems to be a new favorite. When I was a kid and wanted a snack my mother would say "Get a piece of fruit". My kids eat more fruit than just about anything else. It hasn't all been peaches and almond milk though. I have fixed some things they don't like. But I have scored cool mommy points with other things. And what my family is quickly discovering is that there isn't hardly anything I can't turn around and make vegan.

I don't try to sneak things in either. I just tell them what it is. They have been very open about trying new things. They are also very open about telling me what is good and what isn't. But at least they try. They prefer Almond Milk to Soy Milk. But the Oat Milk makes my homemade bread luscious!

Tonight we are having vegetable soup with crispy carrot bread. Perfect for a cold rainy Sunday.

So just a note for those that are wondering what it has been like since I publicly declared I was a vegan... It's been WONDERFUL! I always tell my runners eating is a HUGE part of their success. The right fuel will help them cover the miles. Yes it's a little more work but the payoff is huge. Plus I'm not eating out so I'm saving money. And no it isn't more expensive for me to be vegan. It's all about planning. Yes I'm getting plenty of protein and I know all about B Vitamins. No, I'm not trying to lose weight. No, I don't miss bacon. Yes, that means no eggs or cheese. I think that covered everything.

Being a vegan has made me fall in love with food in a whole new way. The wonderful blend of flavors and the adventure of trying new things is fantastic! Plus the added bonus of seeing the twins enjoy new flavors and knowing they are healthy. Gosh life is good down here in Milano. Can't wait to get my garden in the ground this year!

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Slaying a Few Demons

2011-01-10T18:02:00.000-06:00

If you read my race report about Cactus Rose you are aware that I was not happy with my results and vowed to try again. But I had doubts that I would run in Bandera again. Time is a great eraser of bad things. And pretty soon I was excited and ready to run Bandera again. I had a few Cactus Rose demons to slay.

This time I was joined by Lisa and Lynne and both were running the course. Lisa and I signed on for the 50K (31 miles) distance and Lynne committed to the 100K (62 miles) distance. We are in high spirits as we head to Bandera on Friday. I packed food so that my new Vegan diet would not be a pain on this trip. Hard to find vegan anything in a town that is supported by the hunting business.

Once in Bandera we listen to the trail report and hear about the 100% chance of rain for Saturday night. We are worried about Lynne being out there in those hills when it rains and talk about what it might do for her time.

Pasta dinner was great mostly because we didn't have to cook. The atmosphere around this trail run is very different from Cactus Rose. At Cactus Rose you have to completely support yourself at all aide stations. During Bandera aide stations are fully stocked with volunteers and tons of food choices, including this dinner the night before.

We arrive Saturday morning and everyone is ready to GO! And go we did. Each distance is running a separate trail so Lisa and I head up the hill to our starting line and Lynne stays behind to start with the 100K runners. Lisa and I run into some North Texas runners that I know via Twitter and the Dallas White Rock Marathon.

Julie, Sarah, Corina, Fawn, Lisa

What a great group of runners! I love you guys!!!!

Lisa and I make the first aide station with no problems. We also make the second aide station with no worries.We stopped a few times to enjoy the view and talked about how awesome it is to be runners and get to see the things we were seeing. Yes that included a beautiful sunrise!

Here is where things begin to change. At the 10 mile mark for us (2nd aide station) we see Lynne. That is very surprising because that is only the 5 mile mark for the 100K runners. She tells us she has decided to do the 50K run with us. She doesn't want to be in the hills when the rain comes later in the day. I am stunned that she isn't going to run the 100 kilometers. She is a veteran ultra-marathoner and it never crossed my mind she would drop distance, but I didn't blame her. I wouldn't want to be out there in the dark and the rain.

We decided to run together. Lisa in between us we take off. I have the lead. And it was then that the Cactus Rose Demons began to talk to me. I increased my pace and before I knew it Lisa and Lynne were no where in sight. I debated about waiting for them at the 15 mile aide station but decided I NEED TO RUN!

And run I did. No great land speed records but no walking either. I climbed and descended and continued to chase my inner demons. I refused to be afraid of this course. I refused to let this course defeat me. I had to own this course! I fell between the 15 mile and 20 mile mark. Fell hard. I was daydreaming and that's what happens. It's the nature of the trails. I got up after saying a very bad word and tried a few steps. Things hurt but I could run. I briefly acknowledged God who was giving me strength and thanked Him for the humbling wake up call.

You should see my shoulder and elbow

When I get to mile 20 I know I have this in the bag! On I go, all alone. I reach the last aide station with 5 miles to go and get water only and take off. I feel like I'm flying. I know I'm not. But I feel so strong and so alive. Nothing hurts! I keep waiting on something to hurt but nothing does. My training is paying off. My attitude was kicking demon a** and taking no prisoners! I feel like a RUNNER! I have been passing people for the last ten miles and I seem to absorb their energy as I go past them.

I begin to speed up, I think. At least it feels like I'm going faster. Finally the finish line! The clock says 7:14. Not a record shattering time, but it is AMAZING to cross the finish line. Demons slayed!

They hand me a medal and then someone asks me my age. I tell her 49 and she says "I have something for you". I hear her but walk off anyway. I want to go back out and find Lisa and Lynne. My Catholic guilt is weighing heavy on me. I should not have left them.

I wait and wait and still no Lisa and Lynne. Guilt is getting heavier. I sit with Julie (North Texas) and we wait on Corina, Sarah, (pictured above) and Lisa and Lynne. The lady that asked me my age finds me and hands me this.

Apparently I have come in first in my age group. Now I have to tell you I was a little surprised and actually keep waiting for them to call and tell me it was a mistake. But for now I have a little ant. Reality check: I came in first in the 45-49 age group after the top three 45-49 Masters winners. So really 4th in my age group but there is no double dipping in the awards.

Lisa and Lynne finish about 1.5 hours after me. We head to the Dude Ranch to shower and eat. We decide to go on home instead of spending another night. The folks at the Dixie Dude Ranch were once again so kind to us!

Quick note on Corina and Sarah. They didn't finish until after dark! They had everyone scared to death! In fact Julie was coordinating with the Race Director to send out a search party when they finally came across the finish line. Nothing like a little drama to make an ultra run ultra fun!

Lisa and Fawn

I may have broken my arm in the fall. I have all the symptoms. But I'm going to wait another day before I go have it checked. Lisa and I are ready to do this again. We will be running Hell's Hills 50 miler on April 2nd.
And who knows what's after that. But before April, I am running another 50K at Surfside. I can hardly wait!

Until next time...Keep Running

It Really Is Simple, Trust Me

2011-01-02T07:43:00.000-06:00

Goal setting. Every year we are pressured by EVERYONE to set goals on New Years Day. Now don't get me wrong. I've nothing against setting a few reasonable goals. But most people don't set reasonable goals. And then when they fail they throw in the towel and call it a year. The truth is...(top secret message coming, get out your Little Orphan Annie Decoder Ring) You are allowed to set goals anytime you want. Don't let peer pressure force you into saying you are going to run across the U.S. in your VFFs.

But, if that's your thing and you have the time and money...Go For It! It's not my thing and I don't have the time nor the money for it. But I do LOVE my VFFs! Those aren't mine in the picture.

I made some pretty interesting dietary changes in 2010. No, I wasn't trying to lose weight. That's something I gave up on years ago. In 2010 I ran 2011 miles, so you would think I would have seen the pounds fly off. But when I look back in my runner's log on Jan 1, 2010 I weighed 122.5 pounds, On Jan 1, 2011 I weighed 121.5 pounds. I lost a pound in a year!!!!!! Let it not be said that I didn't lose weight in 2010. The changes I made were strictly for health.

And I want to thank several bloggers for your encouragement and recipes as I transformed myself from vegetarian to vegan. This is still a work in progress. I have to learn meal planning so I don't get stuck eating salad.

Vegan Bits, Vegan Dad, Sunshine Palate, Natural Papa, JL Goes Vegan, Cooking For a Vegan Lover and Bankrupt Vegan.

There are plenty more vegan blogs that I should be following but this is what I have for now. And for the record: Yes I am eating well balanced meals. No you don't have to eat meat to be healthy and no I don't mind if you eat meat. Yes my husband is still an omnivore and the twins are mostly vegan.

I did a few things in 2010 that I have never done before. Now typical of my personality I have to figure out how to go bigger and better in 2011. But I am also going to turn 50 in 2011 and maybe it's time I settled down and started acting my age. I ran several long back to back runs in 2010 to prepare to run 50 miles in Bandera. On two consecutive weekends I ran 30 miles one day and 25 miles the next day. I cried when I completed the first 30 miler. It was my longest distance to date. When I text my oldest daughter to tell her I was done she told me I was her hero. That made me feel amazing. When I told my dad what she said he replied "mine too". I cried again. My dad said I was his hero. That is pretty damn cool.

I did complete Bandera and you can read about that here. And I am going back to Bandera in a week to run 50 Kilometers. Plus two more Ultras are on my schedule.

I watched my twins grow another year and they have made me laugh more times than I could count. They are the true rock stars in my life.

My big kids are taking more and more steps into adulthood and that can be scary for mom. But I am so proud of them. Buttons are busting everywhere.

Jack got the greenhouse built and we are sure to grow and kill many a plant now. I look forward to the spring garden because I can finally get fresh, organic produce right out of the backyard again.

So back to goals for 2011 - Stay healthy and injury free. Watch my kids. Love my family. Get an iPad. Be happy.

It's really that simple.

Until Next Time...Keep Running

With a Family Like Mine...

2010-12-26T08:19:00.000-06:00

That is a real tree decorated by real five year old twins

To start with my first Vegan Christmas wasn't nearly as cool as JL Goes Vegan's first vegan Christmas. But I do the best I can with the family I have.

My husband in an attempt to ignore my change of eating life style bought me another M&M candy dispenser. College boy who picks up on things rather quickly asked "Mom, do you even eat M&M's anymore?" To which I replied "No". And the husband looked confused.

This is the same husband that year after year puts lottery tickets in my stocking. I have asked him to just give me the money because none of the tickets have ever won anything. So I would prefer to just get the cash. Oh and as a side note, this year's tickets were no good either.

So back to the food. I kind of went on strike this year. No one was helping me with anything and I kind of threw my hands up and said, if you people want to eat you are going to have to cook your own meal. So again my quick thinking College Boy said "The ham sounds easy, I've got that". Husband volunteered for potato duty. That left me with rolls, green bean casserole (vegan of course) and desserts (all vegan).

I purchased my first Tofurky a few days before and I was looking forward to trying it. I made my own gravy and my own potatoes. Jack would have put butter and milk in all of them had I not made a dramatic sigh and said something. He's not as quick as College Boy. The Tofurky was great and I didn't have to share. Bonus.

I also made a Dump Cake using vegan butter. It was better than the Vegan Cheesecake that I burned.

Grandma BJ has a tea party with Vivian

College Boy and Daddy also have tea

All of this was taking place while the little girls played with their new Lady Bug Tea Set and the College Girl lay sick in my bed. Neither one of us had gotten much sleep. Which may explain why I was grumpy.

The in-laws came to town and we ate until we had eaten too much. Then we taught Grandma and Papa how to play Wii. That was the best part of the day by far.

Grandma BJ Bowling

Papa Frank beat all of us

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and I wish for you a Blessed New Year. Now we are just waiting on the 3 Kings. Oh and I get to run today!

Until next time...Keep Running

A Very Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T21:54:00.000-06:00

Even though the twins are nearly six this is really their first Christmas. And by that I mean this is the first year that they are grasping the concept of both the religious and the secular part of the holiday. They know we are celebrating the birth of Jesus but we celebrate by asking Santa to bring us something. It's confusing even to me.

Every year I wish I could give all five of my kids the best Christmas ever. But that Christmas happened over 2000 years ago. I can't top that even in my dreams.

There is a new runner in our group that is so enthusiastic about her faith and her running that it's easy to get caught in her energy. It's also fun. She sings joyfully after a run and jumped joyfully when we talked about Christmas. She's actually a much younger version of me. Full of energy! Of course when I was her age I think I was more energy than joy. She is just plain awesome.

Tomorrow I will take four of my five children to town so I can buy a trunk full of groceries for a big Christmas meal. Part of the celebration I guess. I'd rather sit and visit with family than kill myself cooking and cleaning. Or better yet, just go run. But I'll cook and I'll clean and maybe sneak in a run. This will be my first Christmas as a vegan. Something I have been moving towards for a while. And oddly, something that seems to scare the omnivores in my family.

I wish, every year, that I could take all the kids to someplace that has snow. I'd like for them to have a White Christmas. In our part of Texas when we do get snow it's a brief encounter.

Time for me to find the joy in these last few days leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Lord. Glorious and Awesome! I am looking forward to another Christmas Eve Mass and Christmas Day with my family.

Peace on Earth and Joy to the World as we prepare to celebrate a very Holy Night.

Until next time...Keep Running

Our Final Three Winners!

2010-12-19T17:34:00.000-06:00

Cherloo, Zinziberaceous and Tiffany!

E-mail me with your contact information.

There were our winners:

Cherloo - Gluten Free

Tiffany - Pecan

Zinziberaceous - Agave Almond

KingsofTexas - Almond

Margaret P. Cashew

Prizepuzzle - Austin Manna

Final Drawing Today for Dad's Premium Granola

2010-12-19T11:54:00.000-06:00

We are drawing for the final three bags today! Be sure and get your name in the hat.

Dad's Premium Granola is the best on the planet and it's made right here in Texas!

How do I enter and get my hands on this yummy stuff?

First visit Dad's Premium Granola and leave a comment on this blog which flavor you want to try. Not all the flavors are on the website, so I will list them at the bottom of this post. And yes there is a Gluten Free Pecan!

Second, if you have a Facebook account head over to Star Farmers Market and "Like" them. This increases your chances of winning.

You can also get your name in the hat by posting on Twitter @milanorunner "I want to win Dad's Premium Granola for Christmas"

When you're all done come back here and leave a comment and let me know. I sure hope you win. BUT if you don't there's more good news! If you buy Dad's Premium Granola and refer a few friends to buy, then Dad's will give you free granola! Use the contact button on Dad's website to get all the details. The first time you buy use code R001.

Flavors available: Pecan, Almond, ~~Cashew~~, Agave Almond, ~~Austin Manna~~ and Gluten Free Pecan
(Austin Manna has pecans, almonds, cashews and coconut)

Good luck and Merry Christmas from Star Farmers Market, Dad's Premium Granola and the Whole MilanoRunner Family!

Until next time...Keep Running

Drawing Three Today

2010-12-17T08:15:00.000-06:00

If you have already entered and not won then you are still entered for the other 4 drawings!

Dad's Premium Granola will make your yogurt happy. Put on a happy snack face and try this today!

How do I enter and get my hands on this yummy stuff?

First visit Dad's Premium Granola and leave a comment on this blog which flavor you want to try. Not all the flavors are on the website, so I will list them at the bottom of this post. And yes there is a Gluten Free Pecan!

Second, if you have a Facebook account head over to Star Farmers Market and "Like" them. This increases your chances of winning.

You can also get your name in the hat by posting on Twitter @milanorunner "I want to win Dad's Premium Granola for Christmas"

When you're all done come back here and leave a comment and let me know. I sure hope you win. BUT if you don't there's more good news! If you buy Dad's Premium Granola and refer a few friends to buy, then Dad's will give you free granola! Use the contact button on Dad's website to get all the details. The first time you buy use code R001.

Flavors available: Pecan, Almond, ~~Cashew~~, Agave Almond, ~~Austin Manna~~ and Gluten Free Pecan
(Austin Manna has pecans, almonds, cashews and coconut)

Good luck and Merry Christmas from Star Farmers Market, Dad's Premium Granola and the Whole MilanoRunner Family!

Until next time...Keep Running

Second Drawing!

2010-12-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

And the winner is...@prizepuzzle (Emily N.)!

Don't forget we will have 4 more drawings for more of Dad's Premium Granola. It's the best granola on this planet!

How do I enter and get my hands on this yummy stuff?

First visit Dad's Premium Granola and leave a comment on this blog which flavor you want to try. Not all the flavors are on the website, so I will list them at the bottom of this post. And yes there is a Gluten Free Pecan!

Second, if you have a Facebook account head over to Star Farmers Market and "Like" them. This increases your chances of winning.

You can also get your name in the hat by posting on Twitter @milanorunner "I want to win Dad's Premium Granola for Christmas"

When you're all done come back here and leave a comment and let me know. I sure hope you win. BUT if you don't there's more good news! If you buy Dad's Premium Granola and refer a few friends to buy, then Dad's will give you free granola! Use the contact button on Dad's website to get all the details. The first time you buy use code R001.

Flavors available: Pecan, Almond, ~~Cashew~~, Agave Almond, ~~Austin Manna~~ and Gluten Free Pecan
(Austin Manna has pecans, almonds, cashews and coconut)

Good luck and Merry Christmas from Star Farmers Market, Dad's Premium Granola and the Whole MilanoRunner Family!

Until next time...Keep Running

Granola Giveaway Continues Today.

2010-12-15T06:01:00.000-06:00

A new winner will be announced this afternoon! Congrats to Margaret P on grabbing the first bag during our Christmas Give Away!

If you have already entered then no need to enter again.

Remember we are giving away one of every flavor of Dad's Premium Granola.

How do I enter and get my hands on this yummy stuff?

First visit Dad's Premium Granola and leave a comment on this blog which flavor you want to try. Not all the flavors are on the website, so I will list them at the bottom of this post. And yes there is a Gluten Free Pecan!

Second, if you have a Facebook account head over to Star Farmers Market and "Like" them. This increases your chances of winning.

You can also get your name in the hat by posting on Twitter @milanorunner "I want to win Dad's Premium Granola for Christmas"

When you're all done come back here and leave a comment and let me know. I sure hope you win. BUT if you don't there's more good news! If you buy Dad's Premium Granola and refer a few friends to buy, then Dad's will give you free granola! Use the contact button on Dad's website to get all the details. The first time you buy use code R001.

Flavors available: Pecan, Almond, ~~Cashew~~, Agave Almond, Austin Manna and Gluten Free Pecan
(Austin Manna has pecans, almonds, cashews and coconut)

Good luck and Merry Christmas from Star Farmers Market, Dad's Premium Granola and the Whole MilanoRunner Family!

Until next time...Keep Running

We have our first WINNER!

2010-12-13T17:10:00.000-06:00

We held our drawing the old fashioned way. I wrote every entry on a sheet of paper. If you entered more than once via the rules then I wrote your name on more than one paper. Bessie drew the name at 5pm. Now remember that once you are entered you won't need to re-enter again for the other drawings.

Our winner is: Margaret P. Contact me and I will tell you how to get your yummy Dad's Premium Granola!
Good luck everyone on the next drawing. We will draw again on Wednesday.

Christmas Give Away Begins Today!

2010-12-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

Right before Thanksgiving I visited Star Farmers Market in Rockdale, TX. Terry and Sharon have wonderful Texas produce, vegetables, flowers and a fun pumpkin field maze every fall. I was there visiting Amy and looking at all the wonderful canned fruits and jellies made from locally grown fruits when she introduced me to a new granola, Dad's Premium Granola.

Right out of Austin Texas! Dad's comes in 6 wonderful flavors and there is no added extra junk! It's all yummy! Don (Dad) has been kind enough to send along all six flavors for a Christmas Giveaway.

I will be selecting random winners every other day to receive a bag of Dad's Premium Granola.

How do I enter and get my hands on this yummy stuff?

First visit Dad's Premium Granola and leave a comment on this blog which flavor you want to try. Not all the flavors are on the website, so I will list them at the bottom of this post. And yes there is a Gluten Free Pecan!

Second, if you have a Facebook account head over to Star Farmers Market and "Like" them. This increases your chances of winning.

You can also get your name in the hat by posting on Twitter @milanorunner "I want to win Dad's Premium Granola for Christmas"

When you're all done come back here and leave a comment and let me know. I sure hope you win. BUT if you don't there's more good news! If you buy Dad's Premium Granola and refer a few friends to buy, then Dad's will give you free granola! Use the contact button on Dad's website to get all the details. The first time you buy use code R001.

Flavors available: Pecan, Almond, Cashew, Agave Almond, Austin Manna and Gluten Free Pecan
(Austin Manna has pecans, almonds, cashews and coconut)

Good luck and Merry Christmas from Star Farmers Market, Dad's Premium Granola and the Whole MilanoRunner Family!

Until next time...Keep Running

Don't Try This At Home

2010-12-06T12:56:00.000-06:00

Before I even begin my race report I have to send congrats and kudos to the Milam County runners! You guys trained so hard and did every thing I asked of you. You worked hard and you totally rocked it in Dallas! I am looking forward to our next stage of training together.

Now on to this race report. This a race report of all the things you should never do. Listen to your coach and do what she says not what she does.

Our weekend trip to Dallas started like all my trips where the husband and twins are coming along. We started out late. I like schedules and lists and when we are late I don't like it. Even if it means nothing bad will happen, I just don't like it. But we left 15 minutes later than I had planned and here is the reason why. TwinA (said "twinuh") wanted an egg sandwich with no bread. Huh? TwinB (said "twinbuh") didn't want eggs, she wanted an omlette. Huh? I was so confused about what they wanted for breakfast. Finally we all agreed that they wanted an omlette with cheese. So I dutifully fixed Jack and the girls omlettes. Only to watch the girls NOT eat! UGH! So I tossed some peanut butter crackers in the car and finally got everyone out the door. Jack ever calm and patient and me a screaming maniac. So I take in a deep breath and agree that what happens, happens. I'm all good. I've got a great book to read and hopefully the twins will sleep.

We get to Dallas earlier than planned. I guess Jack does know how long it takes to get there. That still doesn't mean I was wrong. Any number of things could have gone wrong and delayed us. But I was very excited to get to the All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum and meet a whole host of Twitter runners and their families. Seeing people and hearing voices makes them real. The food was good and the twins had pancakes for lunch. Would have been easier to make them for breakfast but I was out of baking powder.

I enjoyed meeting everyone and snapping a few pics.


Beautiful Kris the cheerleader!


Lovely Corina also cheers!


Twitter Runners! Woot!


Doesn't even look nervous about qualifying for Boston!

Right after lunch is when trouble started brewing. I began to get aches and chills.Went to the Expo while Jack took the girls around to enjoy all the fun stuff in Fair Park. I did not stay very long at the Expo. It was over crowded and I was not thrilled being forced to go through all the vendors. Packet pick up should be an easy in and out for those that don't want to or don't have time to go through the expo. But Dallas has it set up so that you have to walk the entire length of the building to get from packet pick up to shirt pickup.

It was at the Expo that my non-stop adventure in the bathroom began. Gathered up Jack and the girls and sat in the sun to try and warm up. The girls watched the musical fountain and I have to say that was really fun.


Twins enjoy musical fountain 2010 Dallas

Went to the hotel and got some Advil in me and thought it must be nerves. I didn't even recognize (or I was in denial) that I was actually getting sick. I continued forward. I was exhausted by the time we met everyone for supper. Enjoyed my dinner but it didn't hang around long.

Got two hours of sleep thanks to a husband that snores and daughter that grinds her teeth. Could not get warm. Chalked it up to weather. Met all the runners in our group the next morning and we caught the hotel shuttle to the starting line. That was nice. In Dallas you must pay every time you want to park your car.

Lisa and I kept moving that morning to try and get warm. I did get to take a picture with other Marathon Maniacs. Hope someone sends me one. Trying to stay warm before the start proved quite a challenge.

I did not get to start with my pace group but I was cool with that. Lisa and I started together and stayed together the first few miles. She finally went off with the 2:10 half marathon pace group and eventually passed them. I finally found the pace group I wanted a few miles out and tried to stay with them. Problem was I was hitting every porta john in sight. My gut was active. Between the nausea and the diarrhea I was in super failure mode. But I kept repeating my mantras over and over again. "You can be sick when you cross the finish line" and "You can rest when you are done."

I finally lost the 3:50 pace group around mile 17 and thought about a DNF. But I figured if my runners could finish, I could too. Even if it meant walking. So I started walking and then I would run when my stomach would settle. I drank water at every aid station. I was seriously dehydrated and peeing blood.

By Mile 24 I knew I would finish. But between 17 and 24 I had serious doubts. But I would think of my runners and start my mantras and each mile just ticked off.

I was disappointed to see my last shot at Boston go down the tubes before I turn 50. I wanted to qualify before that magical age. But I guess it's not to be. I can always try again next year. I still want to run a sub four hour marathon and I'm capable of it. I've come so close! Bus this marathon handed me a 4:42 and I can say I finished.

Pushing water today to try and pee clear and not dark. So listen to me when I tell you that if you are sick the day of the marathon you should not run. Just chalk it up to destiny and live to run another day. Now I have some serious recovering to do. Bandera 50K on Jan 8. I'm ready! Well almost.

Until next time...

Keep Running

Vegan Tamales - I Rocked This!

2010-12-01T14:22:00.000-06:00

Okay folks, I did it! I have made my own version of Vegan Tamales. I am so excited to share this recipe with you. And if you are one of the lucky few coming to the potluck tomorrow night you will get to try these in person. I am so excited!!! Oh, sorry, I already said that. But you get my drift. I'm a very happy chick right now.

These shall be called "Fawn's Vegan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales"
If you require precise instructions beyond what I offer feel free to drop me a line. I will happily answer your questions.

Here's what I started with:

Simple Ingredients

Organic Vegetable Broth

Corn Grits or Polenta

Black Beans - Rinsed and drained

Corn - fresh or frozen

Sweet Potatoes - baked

Onion

Garlic

Cumin and Chili Powder

And Corn Husks

PREP

You have to soak these corn husks in water. I soaked mine several hours but next time I will soak them overnight. Makes them much easier to work with. Plus I am told different brands will be easier or harder to work with. So go experiment.

I baked the two sweet potatoes in the microwave and then set them aside. I wanted them cool enough to scoop out without burning my fingers.

I minced my garlic and chopped my onion.

NEXT.

I cooked the polenta using the vegetable broth instead of water. I mixed 4 cups broth with 10 ounces of dry polenta. Boil the broth, add the polenta, stir, turn the heat way down. Five minutes, your done.

You have to let this cool so you can handle it.

When your polenta gets cool enough to handle you are ready for the next step. I rolled the Polenta into little balls so it would be easy to handle. Keep a bowl of water handy to dip your hands in. It can get sticky. A little water takes care of that problem.

Put a little olive oil in the skillet, add the garlic and onion and saute until is tender. Add the beans, corn and sweet potato. Season with your cumin and chili powder. This is to your taste but a little goes a long way.


I wish you could smell this!

Get that all stirred and smelling yummy. Feel free to taste as you go. My friend Lynne dropped by in the middle of her run and she thought it was very yummy.

Stuff the Husk

Here is the tricky part. I encourage you to have fun with this part. Don't be a Perfect Pete. No one cares what they look like. They care what it tastes like.

I know your asking "But how did you do that?" I took a small ball of polenta and gently mashed it onto the corn husk. Fun actually. If you have kids, let them do this part. Then just drop a little filling on it and roll it up.

Some of mine have open ends, some are closed on both ends. Some came out long, some in squares. Matters not.

After you get them all stuffed you have to steam them. Schools of thought vary widely but steam them about 45 minutes.

Final Step

EAT THEM!

Okay, I want to know what you think.Will you try them? You can stuff these with anything that makes you happy. Tamales are associated with fun. Groups get to together to make them and eat them. Tamales mean fun. Mine are going to a potluck tomorrow night. Refrigerate or freeze left overs. Enjoy.

Until next time...

Keep Running

Vegan Virgin

2010-12-01T06:04:00.000-06:00

As I make my way from vegetarian to vegan I am having to really get educated. Going from omnivore to vegetarian was pretty easy. And I have felt great benefits from it. So I know there will be even greater things come from this new transition of going vegan. That's right folks, no animal products.

I learned something yesterday about refined sugar. In the U.S. over 50% of all cane sugar produced uses charcoal made from animal bones in the refining process. To that I say, ewwwwwwww! And since I don't know which refined sugar is animal free I am having to really re-think some of my running treats. I reward myself for especially difficult runs by having peanut M&Ms while I'm running or really hard days by having a Blizzard or Sundae at McDonald's. So now I have to learn how to replace those treats.

But today I am going to make Vegan Tamales. I live in the south and we consume a lot of tamales this time of year. I love tamales and I won't be left out. I have scoured the internet to find the perfect vegan tamale. I haven't found one yet. So I am going to try this on my own. And what I have decided is, as long as I get something inside the corn husk it can be considered a tamale.

Tamales have a long history as a nice little food that could be eaten on the go. Soldiers in Mexico carried them even before the Spaniards came. They have a long history and depending on what part of the world your in, they come in many varieties. That being said I am making my own.

I will be blogging about them and including pictures. I can hardly wait to tell you how great or not great they are.

Until next time...
Keep Running

It's That Time Again

2010-11-22T15:47:00.000-06:00

Bessie's Tree is changing color

The big T is upon us. Yes I know that many people look forward to it. They get a few days off and eat a little extra and even are encouraged to nap. But me, not so much.

You guessed it. I'm tapering again. Marathon season is upon us and my training and tapering are in full yo-yo motion. Run over 50 miles one week then run only twenty the next and even fewer the next.

You might guess that because I have tapered before that I would be used to it. Maybe even look forward to it. But you'd be wrong. I like when I'm out there pushing myself and my limits.

I love dreaming of my next run. Wondering how I will do.
Thinking about all the other training I will do in between runs, trying out new core routines and studying about nutrition are all good things, but they aren't running.

When I'm running, I'm just running. No restrictions, no ties that bind. That's why I LOVE to run. Even when it gets hard. Especially when it gets hard.

So here I go on another two week taper. This too shall pass. At least I have Thanksgiving to keep me occupied.

Looking forward to having the college kids home and all the family that is coming. That's the best part.

Current race schedule:
Dec 5 - Dallas - 26.2 miles

Jan 8 - Bandera - 50 kilometers
Feb 5 - Huntsville - Pacer for Lynne for last 40 miles
Feb 26 - Surfside - 50 Kilometers
March 27 - Austin - 10K
April 2 - Smithville - 50 Miles

Until next time...Keep running

The Voice of This Generation

2010-11-17T06:01:00.000-06:00

A student in my youth group wrote this for veterans day as part of an assignment in speech class. Please feel free to leave your comments. I'm interested in what you have to say.

Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?

            If you study American history you will find amazing tales of heroes and soldiers, inventors and innovators, stories of ordinary men and women who met the challenges life gave them head on. Every time the odds were against them, and yet every time they, as a people, rose to the occasion. Now, it is my generations turn to step up, to take the reins of the future of America. Will we rise to the challenge as our elders and ancestors did before us?

            The answer is a resounding no. The vast majority of kids my age live incredibly easy lives with little to no hardships, at least relative to the hardships of the past. As a generation, we are immature, petty, stupid, and lack the patriotism and spirit of America. It seems that the desire to do whatever it takes in the pursuit of happiness, which was once so prevalent in American identity, has been replaced with a sense of entitlement.

            I have no doubt that we have a role in America’s future; I just have serious doubts about having a positive effect on it. I see the beginning of a slide into Panem et Circenses, a Latin phrase which means “Bread and Circuses”. By the blood and sweat of our ancestors we have achieved a point in our culture where we can afford to be obsessed by entertainment and food and forget important values. It was the cause of the collapse of Rome, and it can be the cause for the fall of America into a shadow of its former glory if there are not immediate changes to the attitude of my generation.

            America is defined by its current citizens, not the citizens of the distant past. If the future citizens of America are spoiled, self-centered brats, then I fear for the future. Maybe it would be better if my generation had no hand in America’s future at all, and we were just scrapped. There are surely a few diamonds in the rough of my generation, but I am not sure it is worth the cost to find them. Even with the contributions of these “diamonds”, I have little doubt that my generation will be seen as an embarrassing blunder in American history at best. At worst my generation will be remembered as the ones that were asleep at the watch. The ones who let freedom die.

            It only takes one generation to cripple a nation indefinitely. In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” My generation does not realize how fragile freedom is. We think of it as something that has always been and will continue to be, regardless of what we do. My generation sees freedom as something that used to be fought over, but not in this day and age. This day and age freedom is seen as a given, when in fact it is more at risk than ever before.

            Perhaps I am too hard on my generation. Maybe we are just going through the phases of adolescence, and the cruelty and pettiness will fade. Throughout American history we see that the American people are unique in their ability to take the poor and weak and turn them into the strong and prosperous. It is amazing, wonderful even, that throughout all of our history we have had such hardy and heroic figures, many of which behave completely contradictory to human nature in their honor and selflessness. But this trend cannot last forever. Eventually, we will run out of heroes. They will be crushed under the weight of the apathetic. The lazy. The arrogant. The ones that feel everything they have, they are entitled to as a right, not a privilege. It is my hope that my generation is not the one to make a reality of this nightmare that haunts me.

Padraic Sieber

This Cactus Rose Does Not Quit

2010-11-01T14:28:00.000-05:00

My last blog post was titled Runner's Hell. It was all about the dreaded taper. Runner's train to run and the week before a big event you actually do very little running. It's hard sometimes not to run. But little did I know how hard it was going to be NOT to run.

Lisa, Madison and I left all bright and early Friday morning. (after I took Madison to get a flu shot) Spirits were high and I was filled with goals and optimism and arrogance. Yes I was a bit nervous because I had never run 50 miles and I didn't know what this course would be like. But I was confident too.

We stopped at Chili's in Schertz and had a great lunch. Out waiter was excellent and Lisa would not share her guacamole. Everyone was in a great mood and the day was beautiful.

Arrived at the Hill Country State Natural Area , got checked in and got our park pass for the car. Some folks were camping but we had gotten a room at the Dixie Dude Ranch. We decided to go check in at the dud ranch and then return for the trail briefing later. The staff at the Dixie were so awesome. They did everything they could to make us comfortable and meet our needs. We were going to be leaving before the chickens were up and so they gave us access to the main lodge so we could microwave our steel cut oats and make coffee for Lisa and Madison.

Nice dinner in Bandera that night and then off to an early bed time. We did shop around in Bandera for a bandanna for me and a staple gun for Madison. Bandera has a True Value store that has just about everything.

Arrived at the race site ready to go the next morning. Headlamp in place and "Team Fawn" was full of hugs and support. Madison had made shirts and posters to help with the support. More about her awesomeness later.

Before I know it I am off and running, in the dark with about 160 other crazy people. My head has managed to retain all of the advice passed down to me by veteran ultra marathoners Lynne, Kate, Deb, Jeremy and Peter. Most of all I have confidence in my training. I know I can do this. Run smart.

I love hearing the chatter among other runners when an event first begins. I run the first 5 miles easy as a lark. Then 10 miles, nothing to it. In fact I am beginning to wonder what all the hub bub was about. I am about 20 minutes behind my projected goal of a 10 hour finish when I leave the second aide station. But I'm not worried. I did not wear my Garmin at this event. I did not want to keep track of the time or the miles. I was concerned how my brain would react to seeing slow times.

Third aide station I'm still feeling great and things are rocking right along. Mile twenty comes and goes and at mile 25 I get Madison to dump some rocks out of my shoe. My gators aren't doing a great job. I have now fallen farther behind my time goal but my crew tells me to not think about time and so I don't. I'm half way there and not worried about finishing.

At mile 30 I tell Lisa I ran into a mountain goat that refused to go where we had been. We laugh, spirits are high and it's all good. I'm feeling a little tired but I got this, no problem.

At mile 35 I cry and tell my crew I'm done. I can't do it anymore. Jack and the girls are not at this aid station and I am very disappointed not to see them. Madison and Lisa did a great job at turning my head around. Lisa puts her hands on my shoulders and tells me I'll hate myself if I quit. Madison then says, "No, quitting is not an option, you can do this". The course does get easier after mile 35 but it doesn't seem easier because fatigue is now a factor. I'm walking more than I'm running. Slipping on rocks, turning my ankle and cussing the damn thorny bushes that have scratched my legs all to heck.

Somewhere before mile 40 I make my second trip to a tree and when I come back to the trail I begin to run with a man that is doing the 100 miler. He actually holds out his hand to help me down a few of the more brutal downhills. He talks a lot and it helps me a lot. We then run onto a young man that has just fallen. He gets up and dusts off and now we are a threesome. We make the mile 40 aide station determined to finish this. But not before I cry one more time. Lisa, I love you is all I can say. My girls and Jack have met me about 1/4 a mile before the aide station and run in with me. At this point I can no longer drink anything but water. My stomach is a mess.

I leave one of my new friends at the aide station with his wife. She has brought him a hamburger and onion rings. Stephen, my other new friend, and I take off. We are determined to finish and we will. My new goal is to finish before dark. I do not want to run in the dark again. I arrive at mile 45 with one goal. Finish. I grab my headlamp and Jack decides to finish the last five miles with Stephen and I. I can no longer run. I am power walking. My left foot hurts and is shooting pain up my leg when I run but not when I walk. After a couple miles into the last leg Jack now says he understands what has been taking so long. In fact he says "If anyone asks what took you so long I'm going to punch them in the mouth". That was funny because he was on an easy section.

14.5 hours after I started I finished. Humbled with no more goals. Finished. Tired and exhilarated.

Turns out Stephen is a freshman at A&M and I have promised him a trip to Freebirds. What a wonderful young man. A great athlete and clearly his parents have a lot to be proud of. His sister was there for him. I'll tell you again, their parents have a lot to be proud of. It was nice running and walking with him those last few miles.

Madison - I love you with all my heart. You are the best daughter a mom could have. You and Lisa kept me going and made me believe I could do this. I love my ultra mom shirt and can't wait to wear it. The glittery posters were icing on the cake. You can be my crew chief anytime and I hope you will be again someday. I love you and I am so proud of the young woman you are becoming.

Lisa - You are a great friend to put up with me, especially when I get crazy ideas or cry or get grumpy. I can't wait to crew for you someday. I heart you Lisa even when you don't share.

I am not happy with my results and that means I'll do this again someday. Maybe I'll do this course again but not for a while. You can not run a large percentage of this course and that is hard on a runner's mind. My bruised and swollen feet need a few days to think this though. But I can tell you that I have already been looking at race websites today. Cactus Rose is tough and Joe Prusaitis puts on a good run. But the thing I come away with more than anything is how awesome ultra runners are. What a great family to now to be a part of. I feel honored to call myself Ultra Mom now.

Runner's Hell

2010-10-22T15:34:00.000-05:00

I have been talking about it almost as much as I have been dreading it. Runner's Hell or as the experts call it; The Taper. The dreaded taper. I look forward to tapering as much as I might look forward to running 20 miles on the treadmill. In a windowless room. With no fan.

As you might expect there is a perfectly logical and valid explanation for "The Taper". Dun dun dun. Can you hear the music? Suspenseful.
Runner's World Magazine describes "The Taper"'' this way;
"The primary aim of the taper should be to minimize accumulated fatigue, rather than to attain additional physiological adaptations or fitness gains." In other words, it's time to chill."

Chill? Chill what? I have been training like a mad woman. Hard back to back long runs, cross training with Jillian and Yoga out the wazoo. Falling down on rocky trails, scaring wild hogs and deer. Getting lost and dealing with low blood sugar and dehydration. Now I'm supposed to chill? Okay, here's me chillin'. Oh wait, that wasn't me. Never mind. That was some other sane and lazy runner.

The nightmares have already started. In one dream I showed up in jeans and kept getting the wrong chip timer and my crew was lazy and wouldn't help me. And if my nightmares aren't bad enough, other people are having nightmares about my run. Flip flops and hair curlers. What does that mean?

Do I stand a chance when I toe the line next Saturday? 50 miles is a long way to run. Have you ever driven 50 miles and said "I should try and run that sometime?" Of course not, unless you are a runner. And not every runner wants to go that far. I have been asked more than once why I want to run 50 miles. Maybe because someone told me I couldn't. Maybe just to see if I have what it takes. Am I tough enough?

Death before DNF. (did not finish). One step, one breath. Just to the next aid station. You are tough enough. This hill can kiss my a**. Mantras are a necessary tool in the arsenal of any runner. All runners know that their mental toughness counts for more than the physical.

My favorite mantra? One day I will not be able to do this. Today is not that day.

Stay tuned and I'll let you know if I survived. This road chick is ready. And when I'm done, you can just call me Ultra Mom.

Until next time...keep running

P.S. And for those that relay the contents of my blog to others, make sure you don't misquote me. You know who you are. Love Fawn

2010-10-11T14:42:00.000-05:00

Veggie Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Crust

2010-10-10T17:49:00.000-05:00

Veggie Pot Pie with Sweet Potato Crust

Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/2 to 3/4 cup more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking power
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 Tablespoons cold butter or margarine, cut into small pieces
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes (from about 3 small roasted sweet potatoes, or one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained) Much better to use freshly baked in my opinion.

For Filling:

14 1/2-ounce organic Veggie Broth
1 1/2 cups whole or low-fat milk (I use Plain Almond Milk)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups mixed frozen Organic Vegetables (I get mine at HEB)Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

For Crust:

Step 1

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, salt and thyme. Use two forks or clean hands to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the mashed sweet potatoes and mix with your hands until the mixture comes together and forms a soft dough. Gather the dough and press it together into a ball; then flatten it to form a disk. Place the dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or zip-lock bag and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

For Filling:

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-9-inch glass baking dish (or any oven-safe baking dish that will hold about 1 quart) with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Step 3

In a medium-size pot, combine the veggie broth and milk. Gradually whisk in the flour, making sure the mixture is completely smooth. Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Add the butter, garlic, onion and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, whisking continually until the mixture begins to thicken. Stir in the frozen vegetables and cook for 20 seconds. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the salt and pepper. Pour the filling into the reserved baking dish from Step 2 and set aside.

Step 4

On a clean counter top or pastry mat that's been lightly floured, roll out the dough until it's about 1/4-inch thick and roughly 10 inches square using more flour for dusting as needed if the dough is too sticky. Place the rolled-out dough over the baking dish (from Step 3), trim excess dough and crimp the sides by lightly pinching the dough along the edges to seal the pot pie and form a decorative edge. Cut a couple of small vent holes in the dough on the top of the pie with a knife and bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes until the crust is lightly browned. Allow the pot pie to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving so it can set.

As a side note: There is no reason you can't add a whole variety of different veggies to this. I have also added mushrooms. Whatever is in season will be good in this. I also add a little bit of red pepper.

2010-10-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

On a hot day in August of 1983 I gave birth to my first child. A few days later I took this child home, on my birthday. Before he was born I was really clueless about love. I had made so many mistakes and blindly floundered in the dark many times in the name of love. Oh love, so sweet and so bitter.

No one had prepared me for the overwhelming feeling of unconditional love that I would feel for this small, squirmy, helpless child. And by overwhelming I mean suffocating. But not suffocating in a bad way. I could barely breathe my heart was so filled with love. And I couldn't figure out what to do with that much love. But for his whole life I have loved him with that same unconditional love.

When child number two came on the scene I was sure that I would be ready. But nothing prepares you for this feeling, not even having other children. You don't think there is anyway you could love another human being as much as you love the first born, but WHAM! it hits you when they are born and you lay eyes on that beautiful gift. Of course beautiful is all relative when you go back and look at baby pictures.

And so time passes and now I have five children. I love them all equally. Hard to believe that I have the capacity to love five individuals with the same amount of love, but I do. Through the years Jack and I have sacrificed many times so the kids could have something they needed. I have always thought of the children first. Always.

So why is it, no matter how much we love them, no matter how much we sacrifice for them, at some point they think we don't want them to be happy. At some point they have all hated me and never wanted to speak to me again. I have cried in my room many times out of sight at the pain they have caused my heart. I have never wanted anything but the best for my kids. And now in hindsight I can see I clearly went about things all wrong.

But here's the catch; I have never been able to turn my love for them on and off like a faucet. So to my big kids, go out and make your mistakes and learn from them.

For those of you raising kids, beware. At some point they will hate you. And you just have to keep right on loving them. No matter what.

For those of you that have raised your kids, go ahead and have a good laugh.

Two Great Women, One Sad Chick

2010-10-05T16:01:00.000-05:00

At the unexpected funeral of my friend Jonathan Warden many years ago his cousin remarked that it occurred to him that Jonathan no longer had to worry about paying bills. At the time I thought that was a good thing. Peace at last, right? Even though Jonathan was a newlywed and in his early 20s it seemed that not having the weight of earthly stress on his shoulders was a good thing. Of course all of us left behind had pain and stress at his unexpected death.

Since that date I have said good-bye to two grandmothers. I was glad that these two women, both in their 90s, were finally at peace. No more physical suffering. But I mourned deeply. I loved my grandmothers dearly and miss them deeply.

I've quietly wept at the loss of my uncle and two cousins. People I knew but wasn't close to. Still I was overcome with such a sadness.

I've also had to bear the pain of saying goodbye to my grandfathers. Men who were so special to me that even now when I think of them, I miss them, all these years later.

August 16th of this year we had to say a sudden good bye to Aunt Margie. No more pain and suffering for our out spoken and wonderful Aunt Margie. But for those of us left behind we still miss her and it hurts.

Yesterday, October 4th, my dad had to make an anguished and painful decision to say good bye to the woman he loved for more than twenty years. I watched the pain on his face and the face of her son. I felt honored to be there as she took her last breath knowing that she now is resting. No more sickness, no more pain. I still have plenty of pain and sadness to go around. Enough for the whole world to share.

Of course I have had the horrible task of telling my kids each time someone they love has passed. It's been quite a burden. I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I would just rather that I would never have to do this again.

Five year old children don't take bad news like grown ups. They get very sad, ask a few questions and then move on. Later they come back and ask a few more questions. My big kids seem to internalize it all. Grieving in their own ways. I guess we all do.

So I've said goodbye to Aunt Margie and yesterday we said goodbye to Miss Patti. On Oct. 14 we will gather for a memorial and let everyone say goodbye. We will carry on with our earthly pain and stress with a void that we don't know how to fill.

In the mean time I feel honored to have known these two great women. But this road chick also feels very, very sad.

Praying...

Until Next Time...Keep Running

Fawn's Great Adventure

2010-09-06T14:17:00.000-05:00

Most people that know me would agree that my life is an adventure. There is always something going on in my world. It's almost always good too. I never really thought of my running as part of that adventure until one of the runners that I coach told me she looked forward to hearing about my trail runs because they always seemed like adventures. So let's talk.

But first a story. A parish priest asked the congregation if anyone was celebrating an anniversary. One older couple stood and told the pastor they were celebrating 50 years together. The priest asked the couple what their secret was. The husband told the congregation that through out the years anytime they would quarrel or get upset he would go outside and stay there until everything had calmed down. The priest and the congregation all applauded and then the man said "I've spent more time outdoors than indoors over the last 50 years". Bwahahaha. Go ahead and laugh, you know it's funny!

Okay back to adventures with Fawn. Please feel free to use my experience to save yourself the trouble of learning it on your own. As you know I have taken on the challenge of running 50 miles on October 30th. So I have been trail running on weekends to get much needed experience.

I started out running the trails at Lake Somerville. It takes me about an hour to get there from where I live. My friend Yolin met me there the first time I ran at the lake to give me a tour and a few details about the trails. I was running 21 or 22 miles that day. I instantly fell in love with the trails. Nice wide, semi maintained trails. We started early to beat the heat. Yolin ran the first 4 or 5 miles with me and then left me on my own.
A little further up the trail I met a man going in the same direction. I can not remember his name but he asked me if I was an ultra-runner. "Not yet" I replied. So we began to chat. Turns out he was an ultra-runner and even is a race director for an ultra run in North Texas. We talked about food and other things and then I went on ahead of him.
I saw him again on my way back later in the day. He was out of water. He still had a few more miles to go before he could refill. I offered him a swig of mine. He turned it down. I hope he made it out okay.

The trails are nice but beware the wild hogs. They scared me pretty good. Now I'm used to them but they still scare me. The deer and I scare each other also. But for the most part this run was uneventful.

But let me tell you, the next time I ran out there I got lost, ran out of food and water and got really mad at my husband. Because even though he wasn't there, somehow it was his fault. I ran 27 miles total and got water from some hand pumps at the horse troughs. I figured it takes a few days for a stomach bug to make you sick, so I knew I wouldn't get sick before I got off the trails at least. I dreamed about the chocolate milk and watermelon waiting for me in the car. I was determined not to die on these trails and have some wild hog drag my bones off. I called the husband when I realized I was lost and asked him to read the map for me. My blood sugars were low and I was grumpy. I got out my compass and gave him my coordinates. It took him forever to give me directions! Why couldn't he just "sense" where I was and just instinctively know how to get me turned around! Men!

I eventually got off the trails and lived to run again. So being the tough (dumb) runner that I am, I decided to run another set of trails at Bryan Lake one Sunday. These are mountain bike trails. I was only going to run 20 miles. This should have been a snap. These trails are split into West and East. So I took off on the West Loop first. Great run! Took a few pictures and ran through six thousand spider webs, give or take.Obviously I was the first one on the trails that day.
I got off that set of trails and headed to my car to grab some fruit and then run the East Loop. Everything was going great until I came out where I stared about 4 miles in to the run. Damn, how did I do that? No idea, so I took off down the trails again. This time when the trail zigged I zagged. And then I got completely lost.

The only high point was running in to some mountain bikers who were equally lost. We tried to help each other but it was pointless. It's my destiny to be lost on a run. I can't count how many times I have looked around and realized I was lost. Again my blood sugars got low, I got grumpy and called the husband, again! I asked him to check out the map and see if he could help me out. Again he did it all wrong! I hung up the phone and was so mad at him. Why? Couldn't really tell you, but I knew this was his fault! He tried to call back, I muted the phone. I saw the lost bikers again. Yes they were still lost. I found a trail I was familiar with and followed it backwards. I hope those guys got out, I never saw them again.

Oh, I didn't tell you! On the East Loop I fell twice and stumbled plenty. Squashed my banana on the first fall. Two bloody knees later I emerged at the trail head. Went straight to my car to eat and get a drink. I was so proud of my knees. I showed them to everyone!

So you see if you run with me you can expect to get lost. It just wouldn't be fun any other way.

On a sad note, Jack's Aunt Margie died on August 16 from a heart attack. She was so awesome on this earth. I can only imagine what she's got those saints doing in heaven. We love you Aunt Margie and miss you. May God's perpetual light shine upon you.

Until next time...keep running

Where Have I Been?

2010-08-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

Summer vacation has come and gone again. I always come back and promptly get depressed. I wish I could live at the beach or at least have enough money that I could go anytime I wanted. I dream of having a front row house on a beautiful beach somewhere in Texas. The problem with that, besides the money issue, there are no beautiful beaches in Texas. This year we were there during a full moon and got to see the moon on the ocean and experience high tide.The ocean is different every year that we go. Different and the same all wrapped up in one.

Of course the twins are different each year. They are growing and getting cuter and bigger each year. Looking at each year's beach pictures are so much fun. The one thing that stays the same with them though, THEY LOVE THE BEACH! In fact when we come home they want to know when we can go back.

The big kids showed up for only a small part of our trip this year. They have school and other responsibilities now. Of course Zackry was really cool to stay back at the farm part of the time and watch over our critters and collect eggs. I love our little farm, except at beach time. Then I wish we had no animals that needed feed and water.
In the mean time I'm thankful for a college boy that comes home for summer. Even if he is a bit wild.

Madison has been busy logging hours at A&M this summer. She will be a sophomore when school resumes in the fall. Very proud of our newest Aggie. She came to the beach this summer and did a lot of sleeping. Got her out occasionally though and I think she had fun.

Things around here are hot and dry. Training is coming along one mile at a time. I still have the 50 Mile Cactus Rose on my schedule for October.
I had an interesting and educational run last Sunday.There were 26 miles listed on my schedule and I was geared up and ready to go. I didn't get any sleep the night before because we found a scorpion in the nursery, That meant that the twins were asleep in my bed and they sleep like acrobats. I stayed in bed until 5:00 am instead of getting up at 4:00am. It takes me an hour to drive to the trails so I should have been on the road by 5 but I didn't leave until 6 something. I started running close to 7:30 on a day that predicted 102 degrees for the high. First mistake. Should have started earlier!
I was running groovy and happy until mile 14 when I realized I had gotten lost on the trail. I'm famous for getting lost. It really is a sad thing to be famous for. We always schedule in extra time on my trips just to get lost.
There I am at mile 14 and I have to call Jack and get out my compass. He consults the trail map and gets me going again. Thank goodness for cell phones. By the time I get turned around I am at mile 17 with 10 miles to go. So I already know that my run is going to be more than 26 miles.
I have to stop and refill my Nathan Hydration pack in the horse trough. My groove is gone and it's hot and all I want is out!

I got to mile 25 and walked to mile 26. The heat was rising, I was dizzy, getting chills and decided that dying on the trail all alone would not be okay. So I jogged the rest of the way out except the uphill. I walked. I was happy to see my car. I always have a cooler in the car with Light Chocolate Soy Milk and fresh fruit. I dove in! Once my sugar got back to normal I stretched out and felt like a million bucks.I enjoyed the drive home and my running high carried me all through Monday! Gotta love running!

Easy 20 miler this weekend and then the miles pick up again.

Looking forward to buying school supplies for the twins.2 in college and 2 in kindergarten come fall. How exciting is that!

Until next time...keep running

Sharing a Link

2010-08-05T14:22:00.001-05:00

Garmin Contest

Recipe for the week of July 12 2010

2010-07-12T17:42:00.000-05:00

This recipe was shared by Denise Morra Steffenhagen. My Aunt's Sister in Law. She is off the grid and off the hook with her veggie burgers. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Walnut Veggie Burgers

Combine 2 cups of water
1 Tbsp of flaxseed meal or oil
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup of soy sauce(optional)
1/2 tsp sage(optional)
1/2 Tbsp basil(optional) and bring to boil.
Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups old fashioned oatmeal.
After an hour make into 8 patties and either bake on oiled cookie sheet for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or fry them.

I'm So Excited!!!!

2010-07-12T17:35:00.000-05:00

This is the week at my house that we are counting how many more nights we have to sleep before we can go to the beach. For the twins, now five, this will be their fourth summer trip to the beach.We are busy making our list and crossing off the dates on the calendar. Yes I am as excited as they are. Maybe more. Thanks to our good friend Melissa we will be staying in her travel trailer at Mustang Island. After the hurricane wiped out Crystal Beach it kind of left us in a lurch as to where to stay. Mustang Island turned out very nice last year so we are going back again this year. We are going to see some folks we met last year there as well. It's all shaping up nicely.

The hardest part about any trip for my family is getting someone to live out here and take care of the animals. It's the one time of year I wish I didn't have animals to take care of. They require attention in the morning and at night. Ugh is all I can say.

I have enjoyed some great food this week thanks to friends that shared some great recipes. I am going to share one of those recipes in my next post.

Ultra training is going well. I ran 52 miles last week. I'm slow but steady. My goal is to cover the miles and finish. I have no illusions that I will win, place or show.

We picked up a copy of the school supply list today for the little girls. I love shopping for school supplies when the kids are little. It's just so much fun!!!! It's the getting up, having breakfast and getting there on time that I don't like. Getting to do this all over again certainly has its ups and downs.

Okay, time to make pizza.

Until next time...Keep Running

Recipe for the week of July 5 2010

2010-07-06T08:22:00.000-05:00

This is short and easy breakfast. I got this idea from a running friend. We both have lots of garden tomatoes and I have an abundance of yard eggs.

Garden Omlette
Eggs whites or whole eggs
fresh spinach
fresh tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
salsa optional (required in Texas)

Beat the eggs or egg whites with a little soy milk or regular milk
pour in pre heated skillet that you have sprayed with cooking oil
when almost done add the spinach and tomatoes
yes you can add cheese
fold it over
Serve with grain sprouted toast, tortillas and or fresh fruit.

Great, easy, healthy breakfast!

Enjoy

You Failed? That's Great!

2010-07-06T07:57:00.000-05:00

What's the hardest thing you have ever done? Was it something that engaged you both mentally and physically? Occasionally we do something that just requires everything we have mentally or spiritually or maybe just physically.

I think about my Aunt Brenda who survived Hodgkin disease TWICE! It took everything she had to physically to be a survivor. I am so in awe of her and all that she has accomplished.

Or my friend Mark who has been clean and sober for thirty years. That took everything he had physically, mentally and spiritually. And he is an awesome runner to boot. And props to his wife who fought the spiritual battle on his behalf many times.

You would think that my own running would be somewhere on the list of the really hard physical things I've done but my running falls under the mental challenge column. And I am in constant spiritual warfare with the world and her many devils.But by far the hardest thing I have ever done...drum roll please...is let my children learn from their own mistakes.

For those that follow my blog and know me you know that I am the very proud mom of 5 fantastic kids. Brandon born in 1983, Zackry 1990 Madison 1991 and twins Vivian and Bessie in 2005. And as I have watched each child grow I have had to learn to step back and allow them to fall, fail, triumph and rise again.

What a beautiful sight to see your child rise from the dust they created. If only they had listened to me they wouldn't have had to go through this or that. But if they had listened then perhaps they wouldn't have turned out so smart and so cool.

I can't help but wish they didn't have to learn anything the hard way or the long way around. But as I think back, my greatest lessons came from failures.And those are always the ones I remember the most. All great inventions came as a result of a failure somewhere along the line.

My parents were really good at letting me fail. When I was younger I used to think they just didn't care. But now that I'm in their shoes I can see they were just letting me learn. That or they had just given up trying to tell me anything. There is a slight stubborn streak that runs in my family.

Running is what I do, it's not who I am. I am a parent. A very very very proud parent.

Until next time...Keep running

Short and Sweet

2010-06-28T08:46:00.000-05:00

Some weeks I go and on. This week, not so much.

I have more to do than I can say grace over. The good news is, I get half of July and half of August off. I plan to spend that time not doing nearly as much. As a good Catholic I understand that suffering is in my DNA. I gladly suffer knowing that the reward at the end is good. In this case, that reward is vacation.

All the farm animals and children are doing fine. We have a green house now. Some assembly required. Ugh! Like everything else in my life, one project spawns another project.

Stay out of the heat, work in the garden, run, love on the kids. Blah Blah Blah

Have a great week, see you on the other side

Until next time...Keep running

Two Roosters And A Pig Walk Into A...

2010-06-20T14:19:00.000-05:00

A lot can change in a week. Heck a lot can change in a day. But sometimes the biggest changes take place so slowly and sublty that you hardly even notice.

A great example of that, is kids growing up. Every parent has experienced this phenomenom. Your children are born and then in the blink of an eye they are grown. And as parents we just stand there and wonder what the heck happened.

Watching my garden grow is a lot like that too. You spend a lot of time getting the rows all ready, carefully planting your prize seeds. Then you wait for what seem like forever for your plants to make a debut. Finally their little sprouts pop up out of the soil you so carefully put on top of them just a few weeks ago. And then comes the real wait. Waiting on the fruit of your labor. And before you know it you walk outside and BAM! there are vegetables everywhere!. In the beginning your friends and neighbors are just as happy as you. But pretty soon they start hiding from you.

Running is like that too. Progress is slow and fast. It happens before you know it. Slow build up runs that turn into a life time of love. I love running as most of you know. I also love to teach/coach others so they can learn to love it as much as I do. In the beginning you don't love it. You dread it. You alsmot hate it and you are always afraid of it. But if you keep plugging along, before you know it, your running without pain, agony or thinking. Long miles, hard work and a payoff that seems like it comes quickly. But just like kids growing up it takes time, more work than you can imagine and lots of love.

Ran 18 miles this morning, about 40 for the week. I got so wet with sweat that my shorts caused me some very uncomfortable chafing. Even I'm still learning. Compression shorts may be the answer,

Now it's time to talk turkey or in my case rooster.

I have two roosters, lots of hens, donkeys, ducks and one pig. Of course we have to mention the kids and dogs too. So we basically have a Texas Zoo out here. Wild creatures are always wandering in and around the place. Snakes are never welcome. The husband was actually home to kill one for me yesterday. Better him than me. It takes a couple hours for me to unpucker after I have to dispose of a snake.

So back to the roosters. I was only supposed to have one rooster. But in the last order of day old chicks that I got at the end of January apparently someone new at sexing them was on the line. And now that they are five months old it's clear we have two roosters. My Old Rooster didn't need replaced. He was doing just fine by himself. Happy to rule the roost and the barnyard. New Rooster is now crowing and trying his luck with the ladies. They don't like him and Old Rooster has kept him in check.

Then we got the pig. Finally something New Rooster could pick on and not get pecked back. New Rooster likes to attack New Pig. New Pig is so startled by this that he usually looks for someplace else to go when New Rooster starts acting all cocky. Poor pig. Now New Pig has moved the ducks and chickens out of his way when need be and they all scatter as planned. But New Rooster isn't afraid of the pig. Which confuses not only the pig but me as well.

I've decided that the New Rooster is either really brave or really stupid. Don't you know people like that? All scruff and noise but really nothing under the surface. Someone that scares and confuses everyone for no reason.

But just like my daughters when they argue I try to stay out of it if I can. Eventually New Pig will be really really pig compared to New Rooster and I think the bully will be put in his place.

I have a bully in life and I'd like to get really really big and put an end to it. But instead I just look for somewhere else to go. I don't have any fight in me. And I know from expereience that turmoil is not caused by God. I feel like there will come a time that my bully will meet her Maker and that will be the end of it. I'm even okay being the brunt of her misplaced anger if I can spare someone else the diatribes. Maybe in a way I'm kind of taking one for the team. That really makes it easier to take up my cross and continue. But still when I run I dream a little of a showdown. A showdown where all my words are eloquent and come out just right. I imagine I am witty and sarcastic and am able to end everything peacefully. And if that doesn't work I imagine I am able to pull off a perfect roundhouse kick. Not really but sometimes when I run my imagnination can get out of hand.
I'm actually perfectly peaceable. Mostly. Almost always.

Until next time...Keep Running

Have You Seen the Hills That SHE Carries?

2010-06-13T10:17:00.000-05:00

There is a story that gets circulated from time to time in one of those "Forward to All" e-mails. It's about a man that complains to God that his cross is too heavy for him. The Lord takes the man to a room full of crosses and tells him he may choose another one. The man walks around the large room and looks at all the crosses. There are crosses in this room of all sizes but they are all really big. None of them really appeal to the man. Then he sees a really small cross in the corner. He selects this cross and is quite pleased with his choice when the Lord tells the man that is the same cross that he wanted to trade. Once he got a look at everyone elses cross his didn't look so bad afer all.

Well let me tell you about my cross. I am a devout Christian Catholic and I am also a devout runner. Yes I'm a devout mom too, so no grief there please that I didn't list that before running. Bleh!

When a runner begins to really add up the mileage eventually you have to add hill training to your routine. Hills are the work of the devil I think. I have always struggled with the up hill climb and controlling my descent. But over time I've conquered every hill out here, and trust me, I've got some hills out here. In fact as my form and strength improve my hills get easier. I no longer have to walk any portion of a hill. In fact I trained myself to go faster on hills. At any given event passing people on hills became a game for me. I love hills. I am strong, hear me roar!

Then one day I decided I was no longer content to run "simple" marathons. I want to run an ULTRA marathon. Ultras are really anything over 26.2 miles. My first ultra goal is a 50 miler. And like all new things that I tackle I try to talk to everyone I know that has some knowledge to impart. You know what ultra wisdom they have for me? Walk the hills. What? Walk? ME? No way, I'm King of the Hill! Roar!

But walking hills is very smart when you are running 50 or 100 miles. It conserves energy. Doh! Energy, that's the stuff you need to get to the finish line silly. So as I take on my daily runs I am training for more than an ultra and here is what I have learned. Getting to the top of the hill so you can continue on course is the goal. Now if I run up to the top of the hill or walk to the top I'm still getting to the top. One way I get there faster, the other way, I get there with more energy. But either way I am getting to the top.

How do I want to arrive? Raising kids, living life, it's all about the hills. I'm going up there anyway, so I just have to decide how I want to get there. Sometimes I don't have a choice. I have to run to the top, it's my nature. But sometimes I am smart enough to slow down and walk to the top, Sometimes I'm walking my hills holding the hands of two little girls that need me to slow down and show them the world. Other times I am running to the top to catch up with my bigs kids who are leaving so fast.

My faith is the same way. Walking or running I am going to accomplish the same goal. Or at least I hope I will accomplish this goal; get to the top. That's the ultimate Ultra Marathon with the ultimate prize.

I encourage you to look at your hiils, one hill at a time. Instead of thinking of them as a heavy cross, check out the cross someone else is carrying, look at the hill they are climbing. Maybe yours isn't so bad after all.

Until next time...Keep Running

Recipe for the week of June 7 2010

2010-06-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

Summer is here and that means everyone who has a garden has lots of squash and zucchini. While it's true I eat most of mine raw, I live in a family that likes theirs fried. So I meet them in the middle and I bake it.

Easy Baked Zucchini

Wash the Zucchini
Slice in half long ways
Brush the meat of the veggie with a little olive oil
Sprinkle with salt and pepper
Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese. Fresh makes a difference.
Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes.
Serve

Yellow Squash Baked

Wash and slice the squash, about 2 pounds
slices should be 1"-2" thick
Add 3 T of chopped onion (I always add more)
Stir in 1T of Tabasco sauce and some salt and pepper
Sprinkle in some parsley (fresh is nicer)
Add 3 eggs, beaten
Mix 1/2 cup of butter into 2 Cups of cracker or bread crumbs
Sprinkle on top
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes

I Knew This Would Happen

2010-06-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

Guess what? Summer has ridden in on a hot bed of humidity. Welcome summer sweat! Ran yesterday morning at 0630. Got home two hours later drenched! It wasn't even that hot. Had cloud cover the whole run.

This was by far my most peaceful run. Picture this: Sunday morning, very early, humidity so high it's hard to breathe. I am several miles into my run when I realize that not a single car has passed me. The morning is so quiet that I can hear cars out on the highway. Horses are grazing and not a single dog is barking. I begin to get that Twilight Zone feeling. I stopped for a few seconds just to listen to the morning. Birds are making their early morning voices heard. I pass the two houses that usually have barking dogs and even they were quiet. The humidity sucks the life out of everyone and everything. With 1.5 miles left of my 12 mile run a truck sort of drifts past me. It seemed surreal. They waved at me. Not a Texas Truck wave, you know, index finger raised slightly on top of steering wheel, but a hand out the window actually in motion. It was weird. I was glad to get home and get my wet clothes off. But I don't think I will ever forget how quiet that run was. Wish they all could be like that. Well, with out the humidity part.

As I said summer is under way here in the great state of Texas. My big kids are settling into a routine. Zackry is taking summer classes at the local college and Madison is gearing up to go to Santa Fe and hang out with FooFoo before she starts her college career. Madison, not FooFoo that is. Ha! The twins just want to play in the water all the time. Who can blame them?

Ultra training now enters week three. It's actually week four but I repeated week 2 because I missed a long run. Suffice to say my running/training is going to be taking a lot of time in the next few months.

Stay hydrated folks!

Until next time...Keep Running

Just when you thought it was safe...

2010-05-31T15:22:00.000-05:00

Life sometimes gets so busy that I forget to stop and enjoy the moments. This past weekend our oldest daughter Madison graduated from High School. We had volunteered to help with Project graduation plus the house was going to be full with family coming for graduation. I also had a couple good runs on the schedule. I had a lot to do, not a lot of time to do it in, and I needed to make sure I ate right and slept so that my 15 miler on Sunday wouldn't be a complete dud.

Friday started out well enough. Got up at 5 so I could get my Level Three of the 30 Day Shred done. Great workout for a non-running day. Headed off to town to get manicure, pedicure and pick up things for the house and Project Graduation. Then I headed to the school to help decorate. That's when my car decided enough was enough. Everything, including the air conditioner shut off. Everything that is except the engine. I pulled over and called Jack. He and Madison came to get me and we arranged to have the car towed to the shop. I got a new belt. Should have had the oil changed while they had it. Darn it!

Graduation was at 8pm and I had promised the family dinner by 6pm. At 4:30 I was calling the house and asking different folks to do different things. My dress got ironed and dinner got cooked. When I blew through the door it was all done. Except the clean up, of course.But my big kids came through and really showed me what awesome kids they are. We gave Madison her black and white Converse shoes that she was hoping to get to wear to graduation. Very cute.

Stayed at Project Graduation until midnight thirty and finally got in bed at 1:30. Jack snored ALL night so I got zero sleep. I finally got out of bed at 5am. Around 6am I went out for a seven mile run. Family started arriving and getting up again. Spent most of the day just talking and doing very little. Went to church and out to eat Saturday night. Very nice since my mom and her husband were kind enough to pick up the tab.

Wanted to start my 15 mile run at 6am but my mom told me they were coming back out at 7am. I knew I couldn't run 15 miles in an hour so I thought I would just delay my run until they were gone. They didn't get to the house until after 8. I cooked breakfast. After they left Brandon got ready to leave. I finally got to start my run at 10:15 and 85 degrees. Took 2 liters of water and a bunch of strawberries.

The heat began to kick my butt about mile 8 or 9. I started taking walk breaks. I drank all two liters of water, ate all my strawberries and got home weighing four pounds lighter. Have some extra water to drink today. Couldn't stop eating M&Ms yesterday. Yoga on the schedule today.

Encountered four dead snakes and a dead raccoon on my Sunday run and more buzzards than I could count. I was getting a bit paranoid they might be watching me.

Now that Madison has graduated she's feeling all grown up and ready to fly the coop. Zackry is home for the summer from college looking for a summer job. It was nice having all five kids in the house again but it is also nice when they go on their way too. Three down, two to go. It's kind of frightening to think that I have to go through 1st to 12th again. Those sweet years, those teenage years, UGH!

Just when I thought it was safe, I have to do it all over again! I hope I do a good job or at least a little better job than I did with the big kids. So this fall I will have two in college and two in kindergarten and one that is just all grown up. God help us all.

Until next time...Keep Running

Back on the Soap Box

2010-05-25T09:47:00.000-05:00

Every day when I go out for my run I head down the "driveway". I use my driveway, 3/10 of a mile, as my warm up and cool down. I never record the mileage. But today I realized that when I start my runs I never hear or really see anything significant on the way down. But I always hear and see things on my way back up the driveway after my run. Amazing how much clarity a little exercise can give you.

This morning I could hear coyotes howling and I laughed a little at the thought of what they might be saying. "Coast is clear, she's home now". This morning I also heard so many different birds singing that I couldn't count them all. I didn't hear any of this when I started my run.

I have found that my runs really do keep me from going over to the side of insanity. These runs help me to sort things out, keep things in perspective. I also use these runs to visit with God. Sometimes we have lovely two way conversations, other times it's just me whining and God patiently listening.
.
It seems lately there is never enough money in my bank account and as of late my spiritual account seems to be lacking faith. The Bible tells us that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. Mustard seeds are pretty small. So when I'm feeling a little spiritually bankrupt I remember that tiny little mustard seed.

God also tells us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. That's why I have always tried to make my kids understand that this short ride on earth isn't the prize. I don't "push" my kids to be number one at everything they do. I encourage them to be and do their best, but I don't do everything for them. I know some moms who aren't going to know what to do when they don't have a kid to cater too. Maybe they'll move into the dorms at college and continue catering to their little darlings.

I am prouder of the fact that I have taught my kids to do for themselves and stand on their own two feet than I ever would be if they were Miss Everything or Mr. Everything.

Some parents don't believe that their kids can succeed without their help. To me that says to the kids "You can't do anything unless I help you" In other words, "you really aren't that good". These same parents blame everyone and their dog if their perfect child ever gets in trouble or doesn't come out on top. The kids are never made to take responsibility or how to handle disappointment. Some parents just don't have faith in their child's abilities.

I try to say to my kids, good luck, I'm here if you need me but I will not run all over the country for you, I will not do your homework for you, I will not fight your battles for you. If you screw up, it's your fault not everyone around you. Learn from it, fix it and grow. Do I ache inside for them when they are learning? You bet. Do I wish they would just listen to me and avoid making the same mistakes I made? For sure.

I don't throw my children to the wolves without training either. I believe that I am the first and foremost teacher for my children. I don't rely on the school teachers or Sunday school teachers to pass on everything the kids need to know. That's my job as a parent. School and church are supplements.

I love my kids more than the oxygen I breathe. But I love them enough to let them learn. I love them enough to let them try. I trust them enough. God gave them to me but only on a loan. They ultimately belong to Him. I can't let them or Him down.

Until next time...Keep Running

Dear Helicopter Parents,

2010-05-20T10:04:00.000-05:00

I want to make sure that I give you some background before I step onto my soap box.

When I was a young girl my parents had a very clear set of rules and expectations and we had an understanding. If I didn't break the rules I didn't get in trouble. It was a simple program and easy to follow. My siblings and I knew that punishments could range from a good scolding to a spanking. There wasn't a lot of in between. Part of our parents expectations were that we were to be well mannered and well behaved. Show courtesy, don't interrupt, say please and thank you and excuse me. Punishment for not being well mannered was as swift as punishment for breaking rules. My mother never said "Wait until your father gets home". She was more than capable of keeping her three closely spaced children in line. (my brother and sister are twins and I came along 12 months and 8 days after they were born) My sister and I helped in the house. We ironed, we cooked and we cleaned. My brother helped outside feeding animals, burning trash and whatever else needed done outside.

My parents also made something else very clear. If you got in trouble at school you got twice the trouble at home. And Lord forbid if another adult told them they saw you being rude, disrespectful or breaking rules. My parents did not jump to our defense. They didn't tolerate B.S. and we knew it. And for the most part we were pretty good. I wasn't great but I was pretty good. Fear of parents is a good motivator.

Things are different now. If some knot headed kid does something at school or anywhere else you better be prepared for the parents to blame everyone but the kid. Today's kids can't seem to do anything wrong in their parent's eyes. I actually can see my kids faults and have always been willing to let them fail so they can learn a lesson. That might sound mean by today's standards but my kids have done pretty well so far. And it isn't easy watching my kids learn some lessons. If they would just listen to me their lives would be so much easier! But they have to learn and sometimes you learn your best lessons by being allowed to try.

*Stepping on to my soap box with mega phone in hand*

I live and run on rural country roads. Dirt roads. Everyone out here knows me. I might not know them but they all know me because I run. EVERYONE out here slows down when they approach me. I should say everyone EXCEPT one high school student. This student blasts me with dirt and rocks as they break the speed limit of this county road every morning. Now if I picked up a handful of dirt and rocks and threw them at this student the mother would be on the phone to lawyers and lawmen. Yet this rude insolent young person who has never been taught manners is allowed to pelt me. And there is nothing I can do about it except vent in my blog. And I can add this note:

If you are a helicopter parent that thinks your student couldn't possibly do anything wrong, I encourage you to open your mind and your eyes. Our planet would be so much nicer if parents went back to being the disciplinarian and raising the expectations of your child's behavior. Yes I'm thrilled that Johnny and Susie can swing a bat or dribble a ball but I would be much happier if they had manners and their parents had expectations beyond the high school sports level.

*Stepping down now*

Until next time...Keep Running

Recipe for the Week of May 17, 2010

2010-05-17T17:01:00.000-05:00

Ting Dip

Graduation is upon us and everyone is having a party. This is a party favorite every where I go. In fact it is so popular that I began to take copies of the recipe with me every where I took it. When I ask what I can bring more times than not they ask for this dip. You can always use low fat sour cream and cream cheese in this dip and it is just as good. I promise. I double this recipe every time I make it.

1 - 8oz cream cheese (softened in 2T milk)

1 - 4oz Dried Chipped Beef chopped in small pieces. (You find this in small jars around the canned meat)

1/2 Cup Chopped Green Pepper

2 T Onion Flakes

1/4 t Pepper

1/4 t Garlic Salt (You can use powder if you want to reduce the salt)

1/2 C Sour Cream

1/2 C Chopped Pecans

Mix and put in oven proof Dish. Melt 2 T Butter add chopped Pecans and spread over mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

You can serve this with a variety of chips and crackers.

First Week of Ultra Training Complete

2010-05-16T18:23:00.000-05:00

I have officially entered training for my first ultra marathon. I will attempt a 50 Mile run in January. I'm nervous and excited all at once. I'll keep you posted as my miles increase. I may change my mind before it's all over. But for now I feel good and I'm injury free. Forward is the direction I'm headed.

Youth group is in full fund raising mode. We are going to cook and sell chickens in June. Garage Sale in July. Always scrounging around for donations. I need another guardian angel. It's going to take a lot of money to get us to Spain in 2011.

Madison is off on her senior trip. What a great tradition at her high school. Graduation is just around the corner. Hope the weather cooperates.

Zackry comes home for the summer this week. I always look forward to seeing him. But when it's time to go back he and I are both ready for him to go.

Lots going on and I hardly know where to start. Actually I'll start by making a list.

I'll add the recipe of the week later.

Until next time...Keep running

Recipe for the Week of May 10 2010

2010-05-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

I love sorbet and you will love this one. It calls for Pitahaya which you can buy in stores that specialize in Latin American foods. You can use prickly pear but you have to deal with seeds and thorns. I have also made this with Mango. I found this recipe in The Food of Texas cook book and felt the liberty to try other things with it.

Pitahaya Sorbet
1 Cup Pitahaya pulp (or 4-6 pitahaya or prickly pears)
1 Cup of Water
1 1/4 cups sugar - I use organic cane sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (wash your limes before you squeeze them)
1 egg white
pinch of salt

Peel the Pitahaya carefully and cut into chunks. Place in blender and process until smooth. The tiny black seeds don't have to be removed. Simmer the sugar and the water in a small pan over medium heat to dissolve sugar. Cover and refrigerate or set in bowl of ice to cool. Beat egg whites and salt until stiff but not dry. Whisk into cooled pitahaya mixture. Pour into ice cream machine and freeze.

Now if you want to take this to the adult level you can use the following recipe:

Pitahaya Margarita:
1/4 C Pitahaya Sorbet
1/4 C fresh lime juice
2 T Triple Sec
2 Oz Tequila
1 C Crushed ice or cubes

Toss it all in the blender and pour into chilled cups. Enjoy responsibly.