6 weeks and counting……

June 10, 2018vtrunnermom 2 Comments

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

~Maya Angelou

I just want to start by thanking all of you who have donated to our Vermont 100 Sponsor Board. We think of you often on our training runs and hope you know that you are on this journey with us. The money raised is going to such a worthy cause. We are so close to our goal of $2500 for Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, we couldn’t have done this without you…many thanks! It’s so exciting to see the board filling up…. its almost go time! Our board will come with us to all the aid stations, reminding us WHO is motivating us on our journey and who WE are ALL helping on our adventure together…..Let’s do this!!!!!!!

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve sat down and typed, it’s always so freeing to let the fingers do the talking. I’ve been really concentrating on my mind and soul these past months. My friend Amanda, owner of Forest Trail Retreats introduced me back to yoga in late April. She is very soothing in the way she teaches and how she guides you through your Yoga, I’m looking forward to continuing classes with her. She will be up at the VT100 conducting yogas classes for you and your family!!! How cool is that?! Emily, my running buddy, also nudged me into coming to some classes with her at Mighty Yoga, where the studio is heated. I loved the connection of my breath to my body, to my mind, and to my soul. Not to mention it’s a kick A$$ workout or if you slow it down, it’s a great practice to do after a long hard run, stretches out those hammies 😉 …..Looking forward to continue my Yoga practices with these ladies. A particular quote I love is “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” I kind of feel my running is the same way, it’s taught me abundant lessons in life. Running has taught me a ton about myself, we are all evolving and adapting everyday, these two seem to compliment each other greatly. This is now in my list of tools that can help relax me……

Circa 2011….Guy’s first VT100….my oh my have the kids grown! Mile 99!!

Another practice I’ve been doing is meditation. I never thought I’d be the type to try it, but after the Runamuck 50k this past April, I was a MESS. Why? I really have no idea. I train, I’m a competent runner, I eat healthy, I’m not competitive (as my hubs and I call ourselves the “blue-collar runners…we are not fast!”) I have an incredible family life, but I do have a TON of anxiety. Growing up, I just thought, hey..everyone is like this…..and I’m finding out as the stigma goes away, there are a lot of people who battle with anxiety! You’re not alone!! I put a ton of pressure on myself, always have, it’s in my genes, I have a family full of perfectionists and people pleasers. Not a bad thing, but it can cripple you if you let it. The thing with ultra-running and most things in life, is things never go as planned…..you have to learn to adapt to any situation thrown at you. In my running it may be the weather, or certain people who heighten my anxiety, questions, like… do I belong here, did I train enough …at the start of the race, these are all things out of my control, so there is no need to create angst from them. My anxiety rears its ugly head in the first 10 miles of a race, sometimes it’s the first mile, sometimes the eighth. My hands get numb, my palms sweat and become tingly, I’m one big nerve and I now am realizing that these are mini panic attacks (I’ve had huge full-blown ones after my accident, these are smaller, but you feel the nausea, the worry, the bang, bang, of the your chest, like you are losing control over your body) My adrenaline is pumping through my body so fast and in the first few miles, even at a slow pace mind you, my heart rate is hitting 180+…..it’s frustrating, but I’m learning new tricks and I’m beginning to lose the fear of the evil monster. So the second tool in my box of tricks is meditation, I’ve been meditating for the past 3 months, on and off, but mostly on. I feel so much better when I have taken the 10 minutes to shut down from the outside world. The app I use is Headspace It’s a free app that guides you through your mediation (his voice is super soothing and British, a win-win), whether your starting from scratch or if you’ve been practicing forever…. I love it, it reminds me to be in the moment, which I feel most of us in the modern world forget to do as well as work on my breathing……..I can’t say enough about it.

Atop of Ascutney……take it all in..be in the moment, just BE

I’m excited to see what the next four weeks bring in our peak training. This is a race I look forward to every year and this year is the 30th Anniversary!!!!!!!! I’m so excited to be part of the race committee, we have some special things planned for you all. It’s like my friend Astrid and I always say…”It’s Christmas in July!” Can’t wait to meet new friends and see my old best pals at Silver Hill……….See you there!

vttrailgirl and I at the Chesterfield Gorge 100k! What a HOT day…..but we survived!

Happy training, happy mindfulness and happy life……..See you on the trails…..

Krista xoxoxoxo

BE Mindful….

A spin around the Sonoran Desert……….Javelina style!

November 3, 2017November 3, 2017vtrunnermom 5 Comments

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”

~John Muir

I think one of the best things about ultra running is reflecting back on the races. Granted, living in the moment is the ideal way to live your life, yet, there is such joy reminiscing about the journey of that one day you tackled.

My Javalina Jundred trek started in the wee hours of October 25, 2017, amid a torrential rain storm in VT. We dropped our boys off the night before our flight at my parents house (Thank you Mom and Dad, they had a total blast hanging with you guys!!!) knowing we’d be leaving super early to catch our six am flight out of Boston. Our flights were great, no problems with connections. We landed in Phoenix around 11am, AZ time (3 hour difference for this East Coast girl). Shuttling over to the rental car, I took in the different landscape, nothing like the green back home, but yet so intriguing. Giant Saguaro Cactus lined the roads and desert as we drove up 17 towards Flagstaff. Our friend CJ, who is also the Founder of Run Far told us you’ll see over six different eco systems on the way to Flag and he wasn’t kidding! He even told us that the Giant Saguaro can take 100 years to grow an arm…..Whoa! We’re not in Vermont anymore!

Immediately after checking in, I turned towards my hubs and said…. “We gotta go hiking!!” We were running on fumes, but the crisp sun shined air got us moving. We can’t sit still. Never have, never will.

I have to laugh at this photo, because we got out of the car and sprinted up the trail and BOOM…..seconds later we felt utterly and completely drunk, and we we don’t drink! Our heads were spinning and my hubby was especially feeling woozy. Then it hit us, this must be some sort of altitude dizziness. We drove up this crazy road to get to this trail and were now around 8-9k in elevation. In Vermont, our highest Mountain, Mt. Mansfield sits at 4,395 above sea level. Our bodies had never felt any kind of altitude. We slowed and took an easy stroll through what I liked to call, the “Candy Land” trail, and regained our bodies back.

candy land trail

had to carve our initials

The night finished off with meeting our friends at Run Far. We had a lovely dinner and chatted about life, races, Run Far, and the upcoming JJ100!! It was wonderful putting the voices to the faces I’ve been working with these past five months. So blessed to have these people in our lives.

With awesome hiking tips from CJ and Mallory, we opted not to visit the Grand Canyon (we’re saving that for a grand adventure with our boys) and decided to head for Sedona! Wow, Sedona blew us away! We celebrated our 26th year anniversary together (yup, high school sweethearts) hiking, eating, playing, laughing, shopping, and more eating. It was a phenomenal day. I felt like the luckiest girl alive. Give me some hiking shoes, a good trail, my man and some food, I’m set for life.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The beauty and quietness was quite amazing. We just sat and took it all in………I will never forget our time in Sedona.

Friday we were up early! We couldn’t wait to help man the Run Far booth at Javelina. I would be meeting more Run Far peeps, it was like Christmas in October! Let me tell you, it’s WAY hotter in McDowell Mtn Regional Park than Sedona or Flagstaff. When we stepped out of the car to get to the booth, I felt like I was walking on the sun’s surface. And we were told this is cooler than last year! Yikes!

Run Far gear

setting up

open for business, one of our fearless leaders Mallory and my hubs, Guy

The Run Far team

It was awesome meeting and chatting with fellow runners and telling them the Run Far message. At Run Far we raise awareness about veteran Suicide and PTSD, while raising money for the children of our fallen veterans who have lost their battle at home due to suicide. All proceeds from sales/donations goes 100% to the Sergeant Sean Northcutt Scholarship Fund. We are out running and going beyond our goals to let these children know there are so many people rooting for them and to always know, “Never Give Up”

We got a quick pre-race photo by the photo extraordinaire, Howie Stern and then headed back to our hotel for some rest and relaxation before the big day.

Our race day started at 7 am. Walking to the start I was very calm, which is funny, because I am typically an anxious person. I work on it daily, as it heightened after my horse accident. I however am not competitive when it comes to running. For me, it’s a chance to see the world around me at a slow pace. I consider myself a snail when it’s comes to running, much different than my equine endurance life, I LOVED the competitiveness in that sport, but with running I just love the pure joy it gives me.

We stared out winding through an alley of crew tents and cheering, slowly turning into a single track in the desert. I kept wanting to pinch myself, to enjoy everything my eyes and senses were experiencing. I was running along side my hubs and great friend, Missy. The terrain is totally different from VT. Way flatter, Way hotter, and no humidity. And oh yeah, Cacti. Some people at the start were wearing jackets as Guy and I were already hot, oh dear. First loop brings you to the first aid station, Coyote Camp (4.0 miles in) This came relatively fast as we were gently cruising down the trails. We got our ice bandanas out and filled up our arm sleeves with ice (This is a MUST DO…..it will save your race. Ice on you, not in YOU) filled up our bottles with tailwind and off we went. I was consuming about 17 oz of Tailwind every 45 minutes.

It would be 6.5 miles until our next stop, Jackass Junction. There is a rocky section, so you have to be careful of your footing, mindful not to twist an ankle. I was excited to see this aid station. I’ve heard so many stories about this one, it’s like legends passed down from one runner to another. The volunteers greeted us with cheer and were so helpful filling up ice bandanas and water bottles. I nibbled on a few potatoes before snapping a few pictures. Thanks John Christley for capturing some great shots of us. The sun was starting to get a little stronger in the sky, but we were locked and loaded with ICE. Thank you Aravaipa Running for having so much ICE. This northerner thanks you!

Jackass Junction…about 10 miles in

Our sights were now on Rattlesnake Ranch, 5.2 miles out. I felt really good leaving JA, I always feel on a high as I leave an aid station. So much adrenaline. On this section of the loop we were starting to see the front runners of the 100 coming at us. I have to say, this was such a high for me. Seeing some of the elite racers, so focused, yet so kind. We’d yell, “Great job” and in return they give the same. We were mindful to get to the side, as they were really RACING….it’s quite impressive to witness. The first loop is the longest, it adds about 2 miles or so before you get back to Javelina Jeadquarters. The sun was becoming relentless, but we marched on, we couldn’t wait to check off our first loop!

Map of the loops

Coming into Javelina Jedquarters was a hoot. You wind through camp and literally cross through the finish line and loop around and head back to your aid station tent. Our Run Far family was there helping out with whatever we needed. I actually changed out of my cute stars skirt and into my more comfy, fashionable Inknburn shorts before heading back out. I also grabbed a ginormous sandwich, I was eating!!!!!

Loop two would be reversed of what we just did, minus the 2 extra miles. So our first aid station would be Rattlesnake Ranch approximately 3.7 miles into loop 2. After filling up with yet more ice, you can only imagine how fast that stuff melts in a desert, we trudged on for 5.2 miles to Jackass again. This is where my wheels were starting to fall off. I felt like something was off. I had been drinking my tailwind and determined that I may have added a double dose to both bottles by accident. I knew I needed to drink, but the overly concentrated tailwind was messing with me and the unforgiving sun was really starting to make me feel junky. During races, I normally dry heave. It’s just what happens to me. So I felt the anxiousness creeping up. When this happens, I honestly don’t want to have anyone near me. I pulled back from Guy and Missy and stayed in my bubble. I worked on my breathing and mantras. I thought long and hard about what I overcame at the VT100 a few short months ago (I began dry heaving at mile 7 there, but ultimately finished). Guy could tell I was struggling a bit and chatted with Missy, telling her she should go on, that we were going to walk for a few miles into Jackass. I felt bad not saying goodbye, but I was so thankful for the miles I got in with her. I craved shade, a seat to sit down on, but I knew I had to keep trekking towards the aid station where there would be shade, ice, and a much needed bathroom. I have to thank my hubby again for his sweet friendship, he could easily lap me, but for some odd reason, he loves being out there with me. I truly love running with him. He gives me so much strength and support, he’s been my coach this whole year and I’m forever grateful for his love and guidance on and off the trails.

Coming into Jackass, I was feeling crummy, I had just come off a DNF at the VT50, so I really, really wanted this finish. It’s was humbling knowing that I was only 50k into my 100k, essentially half way, feeling like crap. I immediately went and grabbed ice and sponges to cool off. I longed for the chair, please let me sit in the shade. I sipped on gingerale and politely asked the nurse if she could check my pulse. My heart was racing a bit, but she said you’re fine, just sit and cool off. Had a nice chat with a gentleman who was doing pretty much the same thing as me. He told me broth would be served soon, which surprisingly sounded yummy given it was a cool 92 degrees out (I was told last year hit over 100….Holy Hell) Guy was looking for me, as last he knew I was in the bathroom. I forgot to tell him that I was going to sit and chat with the nice comforting nurse, so he began knocking on the porta-pottie “Krista?!?!?!??!” My bad.

Of course I spotted Jim Walmsley from my chair and so wanted to say hi and course take a selfie with him. I’ve love following his running career, he has so much guts to just go for i, I admire that. I whispered to Guy and said, wouldn’t it be awesome to get a pic of us with Walmsley? Guy said, “I already talked to him and asked him when is he coming to run VT????” He needs to come East. So he walked over and asked if we could snap a shot, that it would really cheer his wife up. I have to say, this kid is so nice, soft spoken and genuine. Thanks for cheering this old gal up!

This cheered me up! Selfie with hubs and Walmsley

About 45 minutes had past and we knew we should get out of dodge. The one sweet spot about this 100k is there is really no time pressure. You have 29 hours to complete. But we had a goal, that we wanted to be kinda close to. I can’t tell you how nice my body felt to cool down, fuel up and relax. It’s all I needed to get my temperature down. Leaving Jackass, we knew we’d hit the rocky section again, but it would be mostly downhill into Coyote. I could actually run again! The sun was starting to sink closer to the mountains in the distance. I finally knew we were down to a few hours left of that unwavering sun.

Coming off loop two was a relief! We ran fast through the timer’s mat, changed and refueled for the last and final loop. I have to say, it’s nice knowing where you’ve been. Up hill climb to Jackass and the rocky section, but then we could coast into the finish. Well, after 19 miles or so. The night was a welcome relief. I knew I had some pretty hefty blisters, but I chose to ignore them and my whiny feet. They could wait, especially since I wasn’t going the full 100.

beauty in the night

zombie?

The desert was amazing at night, you could hear the coyotes yipping in the distance, yet at times I felt like they were right behind me! We saw our first Tarantula……she was indeed docile like our friends told us she would be.

Crossing the finish line with your best friend is priceless……….. A little piece of my heart will forever be in the Sonoran Desert. Thanks to Aravaipa Running, the volunteers, and all the runners for making our first time to Arizona freaking amazing!!! Congrats to all who took on the challenge….if you are running Javelina next year, you won’t be disappointed!

meeting Mr. Ultra legend Gordy was incredible….sweet humble man

This girl…rocks!

Jackass party

buckle time

always time for kisses

Until next time Arizona………

Happy Trails and keep inspiring……..

See you on the trails…

Krista xoxoxoxoxo

A glimpse of the trail…sorry it’s so bumpy! Beware of motion sickness 😉

Jay Peak & Beyond……

September 8, 2017vtrunnermom 2 Comments

“It hurts up to a point and then it doesn’t get any worse.”

~Ann Trason

This quote can relate to many things in life, especially Ultra running. This past weekend my family and I ventured to the Jay Peak Trail Run in Jay, VT. Driving up on Saturday, the sky was blue, the air crisp, two eager boys in the back, ready to tackle their 5k.

The boys stride for stride at the start of the Green Circle 5k

What I like about the this weekend is we make it a mini vacation, with a side order of running. The facilities are top notch, rooms are gorgeous, we were lucky to get one overlooking the mountain this year. Great restaurants, a general store, and don’t forget the amazing Waterpark to get your splash on or relax in the giant outdoor hot tub! A must do on Sunday night to soak your tired muscles…….

The boys enjoyed their 5k, but were eager to get to the waterpark afterwards, what kid wouldn’t? The waterslides and lazy river are so much fun…….we had many races against each other…we came to realize that whoever rode down the slide with hubs, was clearly going to win!! Hehehehe

We grabbed a nice lunch at the Pub, it was the most beautiful, picture perfect VT day. Not a cloud in the sky, near 70….you couldn’t imagine any bad weather coming in on the horizon. Yet we knew, they were calling for frigid temps and lots of rain…..EWWW… After getting our packs ready and laying out our gear, tailwind, simple squares for the morning….we chilled and put on a movie and settled in for the evening. Our alarm would be going off at 5:30am.

I thought I was buying oatmeal……maybe the worst pre race breakfast ever!

BUZZ, darn alarm…..I jumped up and started getting breakfast together and making our oatmeal….WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?!?!?!?!? What I thought was oatmeal was some sort of pancake batter thingy. I made mine ultra thin and you can see hubs made his thick. Thank goodness we bought english muffins….

We walked down to the start, it was cool, no rain yet. Some people had rain jackets, others just a tank top and shorts. I decided to go with my Skylight Inknburn tech and Mermaid shorts. I love me some Inknburn……. I don’t love being too hot, I heat up rather quickly while I run, but I did pack a rain jacket. Hubs and I always laugh when we stand around at the start, because as we look around, we have packed the whole house into our packs, and others have nothing. I always feel like I’ll need something and I want to be ready, but boy, I gotta learn to minimize!!!

At the start..go team RunFar

And we were off on our 35.5k, adventure… so a 22 miler with two loops. Each loop has an elevation gain of approximately 3500+ feet. They label these races as Quad Burners and that is 100% true!!! We start off meandering by the lodge and up into a nice slightly elevated groomed trail….climbing roughly 700 ft. Then the BEAST climb, pretty much up the face of Jay. The third mile has an elevation gain of 1200+ ft! In ONE mile!!!! I could feel my legs burning a bit, but the rain was holding off so we could see the majestic view below us!!!

Rain was at a minimum during loop one

As we reached the top of that climb, we entered the “mossy forest”…as I aptly named it. Gorgeous, rugged, gnarly, rocky, rooted trail. After this brief climb you are almost to the top where there is a cool lodge building. Teenaged boys handing out water, bananas, and such. They looked so cold! Thank you to all the volunteers for being out in the frigid temps to help us runners!!! Much appreciated!!!

almost to the top! Storm’s a brewin’

From there, lots and lots of downhill to reach our out and back down the Long Trail. This is a hard section for me, because as you are making your way down, all the front runners are hiking back up, FAST. It’s difficult mentally knowing it’s about a mile down and then the same mile back up….but there is a cool aid station at the bottom and oh did those Oreos taste AMAZING!!! Thanks ladies……

From the top of the Long Trail section, it’s pretty much a coast home for the last five miles. Nearly all of your massive climbing is done in those first 6 miles, don’t get me wrong, the last five miles aren’t flat, but there are more sections that are runnable. Numerous runners had trekking poles, I think they would have been extremely helpful on the steep downhills, it was hard at times to hold yourself back. As we headed into our tenth mile, the rain started coming down. Luckily we had our rain jackets stuffed in our packs….they kept us warm and somewhat dry, even though our base layer was wet…I did feel warm enough. With eleven miles done, we had the midway aid station at the starting area, and then it was back to the intense climbing and repeating the loop again…….I actually enjoyed it way more the second time, I was tired and my quads were barking, but I knew what was coming ahead and that after six miles, we would be in the clear.

*This is the “mossy trail”…..haha hubs called it an awful trail as a joke…we just kept laughing at the conditions……I have to say it was an epic day! 40’s and rain and mud….best trio for an ultra!!!

I just love this race! I totally recommend it, it’s not easy, but you know you’ve done something after you conquer Jay!!!!!!!!!!! We’ll be back for sure in ’18!!!!

Looking ahead…….I may have, accidentally, maybe, uh, hmm, signed up for my second 100!!!!! AHHHHH…..I’m really pumped for this one, because I will be meeting up with all my RunFar friends. We will be racing the Javelina Jundred in the beautiful desert of Arizona this upcoming October. Hubs and I are flying out together (thank you Mom and Dad for hanging with the boys…..and we get to celebrate our 26 year anniversary of being together to boot <3) Looking forward to meeting the amazing folks at Aravaipa running who put on the JJ100, and to finally meet my fellow RunFar athlete/friends face to face. I’m so proud of what RunFar stands for. Running for them is a constant reminder of our veterans serving our beautiful country. I want to continue being a voice, sharing their message…….getting veterans the help they need with PTSD and mental trauma can hopefully save lives and saves families. RunFar’s mission is to raise awareness about veteran suicide and PTSD while providing scholarships to the children of fallen United States Military service members that have taken their own life. Please take a moment to check out their website, grab a sweet RunFar trucker hat/shirt or send a few bucks their way…every little bit helps…..thank you….

I leave you with a cool video from RunFar….enjoy and keep inspiring others…..

RunFar video

Click on above link to see what RunFar athletes are up to in October…….

See you on the trails…………

Krista xoxoxo

A wee bit windy at the top!!!!

boys cheering us at the finish!!! Best kids ever!

VT100……29 hours, 5 minutes, nine seconds….

July 26, 2017July 26, 2017vtrunnermom Leave a comment

“Keep your dream in front of you. Never let it go regardless of how farfetched it might seem.”

~Hal Higdon

The VT100 and what it means to me….

Family, friendship, heart, horses, team, Vermont Adaptive, never give up, hope, hills, running for those who can’t, willpower, strength, mental toughness, Song, beauty, selflessness, positivity, feet, RunFar, guts, blisters, nausea, tailwind, ginger, memories, happiness, suffering, highs, lows, mantras, finish, happiness

Reflection……. It’s been ten days since I crossed the finish line and I still get choked up about the day. When I reflect back on my VT100 journey……..I will sum it up in two words…..the first…..HARD. This was the most difficult thing (besides being severely kicked by a crazy horse and the three surgeries that followed that accident) I’ve done in my life. As I ran in, I remember yelling out “One and DONE!!!” As the days rolled by, the mind and body forget all that you endured to get to the finish line. I totally equate it to childbirth. The second word to describe my day was, JOY…..my heart was full sharing this experience with the people I love. Learning even more about myself with every mile, inspiring my kiddos to reach for their dreams. It wasn’t just about finishing a 100 miles, it was about feeling whole again after my accident………crazy how time can heal wounds…..

The day for me was made up of many struggles, gratitude, thrills, nausea, highs, lows, family, friends, hills with killer names, volunteers, horses, breathtaking scenery, hope, faith, resilience, owls hooting, darkness (which woke me up after 12am), meandering trails, digging deep, sunsets, sunrises x2, moving one foot in front of the other to finish something I started. I couldn’t have done this adventure without the help of my amazing friends and family (You know who you are…I love you and can’t thank you enough)….They pushed me forward when I thought all was lost, they clapped and gave high fives to raise my spirits, they sent messages with mantras and tidbits to motivate me, they lugged my stuff around from aid station to aid station. All with a huge smile on their faces………It still warms my heart today…

This hug from my son Justin will always have a special place in my heart and mind… It was taken by my pacer Jasmine at mile 99.75. To me, it embodies raw emotion, elation, gratitude, love between a mother and son, hope, determination, and the strength of the human spirit. Justin and his brother, Jase crewed their Dad and I all day and into the evening with their aunties, and they still couldn’t wait to run up the trail to meet me with a quarter of a mile left. The feelings when I saw them came gushing out. They’ve seen me through struggles after my accident two and half years ago. I’ve always been honest with them, and they know that if they set their mind to something, it’s achievable. Thank you Justin and Jase for making your mom so very happy…. i love you xoxoxoxo

Besides the crazy trash in my pack (so many broth cups)…..hehehe…this photo was captured by my best friend Julie at the finish. This is another hug I will cherish for eternity. Separating at mile 40 was extremely hard for us, but I was suffering from nausea for most of the race and was having anxiety about holding him back. He was going after his 500 mile buckle at VT this year, and there was no way I was going to hold him back. We separated with tears in our eyes, with the hope of reuniting at the finish. I am so Damn proud of you Guy for finishing this race 5 times!!!! Such an amazing feat! Guy….. you are my hero, my life, my everything…..I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life and a better dad to our incredible boys. Love you always and forever……xoxoxoxo

Even with nausea I mustered a smile…. because we are so lucky to be able to do something we love….I’m thankful for that…..

Sound of Music….Running with your best friend is the most amazing feeling in the world……….Gosh VT is so beautiful…

Guy and his fearless pacer and sister Elaine at mile 95!! WOW!! They look like they’ve gone a mile!

Hope you enjoy the memories of our 100……I’m blessed to have ridden it on my beloved horses and to have run it on my own two feet…two unbeliveable ways to experience the VT100!!!

All I can say is Dream Big, Dream often, and go find your adventure…….

Happy Trails……..

Krista xoxoxoxoxo

18 days till the big day………VT100 :)

June 27, 2017vtrunnermom 2 Comments

“If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.”

~Les Brown

It’s hard to believe after 9 months of training for the VT100, the intensity is winding down. I think back to the sub-zero degree days, putting on my thick tights, yak trax and occasional snow goggles to battle old man winter. Now a days, it’s all about tackling the humidity and frequent rainstorms. Everyday I wake up, I drive my family crazy…..”This would be a horrible day for the 100, the air is so thick I can’t breathe, it’s like a thick soup!” OR “This would be the best day, sunshine with cool breeze.” Soon, I’ll be stalking Intellicast, looking to see what Vermont has in store for all of us on July 15th. Whatever Mother Nature is going to throw at us, I feel like I’ll be ready……… I’ve run in almost every condition.

Flashback to a beautiful January run…..

I’ve been reminiscing a bunch on my long runs…..remembering funny moments on certain sections of trail or roads that I’ve run with hubs and friends or solo. Memories that I will surely lean on as I’m running the 100. I have to chuckle at the time we found a cool looking green bench swing on a long run. It was 91 degrees and we were coming down a beautiful grass field and viola…. A swing!! I said to hubs, “Go sit and swing and I’ll snap a cool boomerang video of it” Well, he did and proceeded to fall completely over backwards..I missed pushing record because I was laughing so hard (especially after I knew he was OK)……we curse every time we run by that Damn swing……or the time when I saw the same lawn maintenance truck pass me over and over on my long solo run. Hours later the older gentleman stopped and rolled down his window and said “HOW FAR ARE YOU RUNNING, we’ve seen you all day??” I told him 25 miles with a smile and he joked “That’s pure craziness….” “YUP, pretty much!!” I responded.

There have been dog bites, crazy creepy drivers, downpours, intense heat, snow blizzards, glare ice, gorgeous views, scary partridges jumping out of nowhere, incredible single track trails, finding streams to splash and cool off in, tons of pictures and lots and lots of laughter. So. Many. Memories. Of. The. Journey. We’ve trained hard, but we’ve also had so much fun along the way. I never want running to be “work” for me. I want to play, have fun, work hard, give my all, but never lose the joy of running.

I think I can, I think I can

Going up!!? Intense hill we found running the other day

So this week, we’ve started decreasing the intensity of the workouts. We do have a hill climb tomorrow planned, but the long mileage days are coming to an end. I’ve had so much fun learning from others, following their journeys, and truly finding myself. I’m a changed person for it. It’s been an epic adventure and the best part is, it’s just getting started. Go after your dreams and don’t forget to DREAM BIG!!!

A gift

My friend Andrea @ Ultrasandcupcakes sent me this book. Such a sweet and thoughtful gift, especially because she knows I’m headed into taper time or as some call it “taper tantrum” time. The time when the mind can wander and freak out….Did I prepare enough? Am I capable of running 100 miles? I didn’t train as much as this or that person? The little doubt voice who taps you on the shoulder every now and again to throughly flip you out……..I’m super eager to delve into this book and calm my mind and keep myself in check these last two weeks…..So thank you Andrea!!!! You are the best!!!

I’m excited to see everybody soon at the check in!!!!! Silver hill awaits us all……….can’t wait!!!

Silver hill…… and the fabulous swimming pond at the VT100

See you on the trails 🙂

Thanks for following my running journey…….

Krista xoxoxoxoxo

Speed Bump……….with a side order of Redemption…& a lot of purpose!

June 4, 2017vtrunnermom Leave a comment

“If you fall short, you don’t cross that arbitrary line, it doesn’t mean you suck. It just means that you have ambition, that you try to do big heroic things. That’s what matters. A DNF should be a badge of honor. It means your dreams are boundless.

~Mishka Shubaly

Thank you to my friend Andrea for messaging me this above quote after my DNF at Pinelands……really meant a lot….

Memorial Day weekend is best spent with family, friends, and remembering the veterans who have given us the freedom we know today. Driving up to Maine, hubs, the boys and I were super pumped. We couldn’t wait to get there, the drive was smooth, except for the car in front of us on I93 hitting a deer….so sad. I couldn’t wait to see friends and hang out at our little pre race potluck BBQ together, before race day. I have to say, the running community is really special. So much camaraderie and encouragement between everyone. So happy to be part of such a great group of people.

The Grill Masters…Charcoal vs Gas

We went to L.L. Bean and picked up our bibs before heading over to the venue for dinner. Great to see Jen (who is an Inknburn addict, like me) for the first time. So proud of her for running her first 50k!! She smashed it, I think she’s hooked!!! Also got to hang out with my BFF, Julie and her family, and got to meet her lovely friends….So fun hanging with our four running buddies, Jim and Amanda and their adorable boys and Jon and Astrid..it was like VT moved to Maine…

We settled in for the night, and the boys had the movie “Vacation” playing on the boob tube…I heard giggling and reciting of the movie (mostly from the big kid….aka Hubs) as I packed my gear and got stuff ready for the morning. Amanda was sweet to offer to bring our boys to the start of their 25k around 9:30am, since hubs and I had to be there at 5:40am.

The VT crew..hubs, myself, Reeve (what a cutie grabbing my cheek), Amanda, Jim, Astrid, Jon, Hugh, Julie, and Naia before the 50 start. Love these people!!

It was super foggy at the start. We settled towards the back of the pack, got the chance to see Heather who was running her VT 100 qualifier!! (She by the way, rocked the friggin course!! Congrats Heather!!) The start was calm and relaxed….we settled into a nice pace around 10 minute miles and then we were doing about 5 miles an hour, for the first 15 miles. It’s nice to bank some time in the beginning when you’re fresh, yet still run smart, which we were. Then the wheels fell off…….. I dropped at mile 20, finishing just the first loop of the 50. I had to stop and use the “forest” bathroom at least seven times (TMI..I know) on the last five miles of that loop, thank you to my hubs for hanging in there with me…our time was really dogging by that point…..I knew at about mile 15 something wasn’t right. I was taking in my appropriate tailwind and bars, but couldn’t keep anything in. My stomach would gurgle, and sharp pains ensued. I tried Rolaids with no relief. My body wasn’t digesting correctly like it normally does. I’ve run lots of 20+ mile runs this year in training, nothing like this has ever happened. Hubs was really worried about me, I could see it in his face. We ran into the aid station where our team tent was. Hubs loaded up with more tailwind and headed out on his second loop, after making sure I was ok. I told him I would sit and rest and see if I could keep fluids/food in. If I could, I would get back out on the course. I had plenty of time. The weather was near perfect (it was the mud that everyone kept talking about, the fields were saturated by the immense rain we’d had). So I sat, ran to the bathroom, sat, ran to the bathroom. Ate and sipped…..I felt like I lived in the gross porta-potties all day…..ewwwwwww. I decided it would be a no go, and made my way to the timer to turn in my bib….wah, wah. I knew my boys were somewhere on the 25k course…..they were flying and it took hubs nearly ten miles to catch them. (The 25k loop is done twice by the 50k and three times by the 50)

my boys on their way to their 3rd 25k finish!!!Beasts!!!

It was nice having friends/family come off loops and see the determination and happiness on their faces. It was a nice distraction for me. One point in particular was when Julie and Naia came off their fist loop on their 50k..both looking to finish their first ultra!!!!!!! I helped Julie with her blisters…and tailwind refilling. I got the nicest message from her after I got back to my hotel room (I was feeling a wee bit sorry for myself….) She wrote…… “For what it’s worth, having you at the tent my first lap made my day and I am eternally grateful for your help and support at that point. Maybe you were meant to be there at that moment…I sure needed you.” This is why I run, this is what it’s all about. Connections, people, friends helping each other, encouraging one another. That really brightened my spirits, when I needed it the most. So Jules (and Naia) way to epically ROCK your first Ultra together, I can’t wait to see where the trails lead you…….love you to the moon and back girlies…..

So thank you to all my friends and family who reached out with encouraging words about VT100. Somedays, the fairytale in your head doesn’t play out. But, I live to run another day with these beautiful people in my life.. and I’m thankful for that!!!!

Hubs at the 50 finish!!! He’s an animal and my HERO!!! Pic by the famous Allyn Genest

Congrats to all who ran Pinelands, we will certainly be back next year, celebrating Memorial Day weekend in running fashion with friends and family…..

Follow Up Since the 50 debacle

After Pinelands, I went to see my Chiropractor, Dr. Beth (who is a complete Goddess and Savior to me and my family) She felt my stomach had not recovered fully from the stomach GI thing I had 5 days before Pinelands (the stomach I learned from her takes 10 days to regenerate…I’m learning so much about how the body works)and that she feels my bloating in my everyday life is from a lack of acid in my stomach…who knew!? The whole time, I’ve been feeding myself Tums, Rolaids, anything to help…which in turn was hurting me worse. I’ve been following her advice: take 1 tbsp of Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with a bit of water before each meal. I’ve felt wonderful this week…

I decided to map out 50 miles on my Strava map and run my own “Brownsville Redemption 50 miler” …as I affectionally named it. I awoke Friday morning a little nervous…I didn’t know how of would feel and I was still a bit worn out from the weekend. Thankfully hubs was going to crew for me out there, bringing me tailwind, extra food, grilled cheese and of course his smile and positive attitude……As I laced up my shoes and headed out the door, I was thinking of my Grandpa Blitt, who had passed away the morning before. He was 95 and lived such a full and exciting life. He fought in WWII, was an incredible artist, some of his paintings would blow your mind……His spirit was with me all day…….I’m forever grateful for that.

There was no fanfare, no accolades, no cowbells….just me, my breath, my every foot fall. The backroads of VT were so peaceful that day, I never saw a runner, biker or horseback rider. I felt as if I were all alone, yet had so much strength wrapped around me. Thank you Guy and Justin who helped and encouraged me throughout the miles…….I’m so grateful for my family always………

50 miles done!!!!!

*************************************************************************************

I’m also excited and humbled to be a RunFar Athlete

This is what they stand for and was taken from their website:

“We believe that the brave men and women who have protected our country respectfully deserve to have their families protected as well. Through the Sergeant Sean Northcutt Scholarship, we will provide educational benefits to the children of these fallen service members who have lost the battle at home. Founder of Run Far, CJ Schneider III, veteran of the United States Marine Corps, is an Ultra Marathon runner whose goal is to bring people together through fitness to raise awareness for Veteran suicide and PTSD”

“Run Far is all about inspiring runners to reach goals that before seemed nearly impossible. It’s for those with dreams of adventure & successes, and for those who want to put a little more good back into this world.”

Donate to RunFar

Sergeant Sean D. Northcutt Scholarship

Sergeant Sean Northcutt, Proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, served multiple deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. After honorably giving 8 years of his life to his country, Sergeant Northcutt was diagnosed with PTSD and depression prior to transitioning into civilian life. After a long fight with these horrible illnesses, Northcutt took his own life on July 20, 2015 at the age of 31, leaving behind a widowed wife and two children.

Sergeant Northcutt lived a life filled with immense pride and discipline in everything he did. He carried himself with the love of his family, country and fellow service members. Northcutt affected many lives in a positive way in his short time on earth. Ideally, those who benefit from this scholarship will emulate the principles by which Northcutt lived, thereby keeping alive the legacy of our fallen Hero, Brother, and Friend.

I’m so excited to be part of the #teamrunfar. Together we can help veterans and their families……every dollar counts….Thank you.

RunFar hats

100% of every purchase and donation goes towards the Sergeant Sean D. Northcutt Scholarship fund.

Run Far hats (they are pretty awesome!!!)…100% of every purchase and donation goes towards the Sergeant Sean D. Northcutt Scholarship fund.

The moral is…..do not give up, do not let thoughts/or failures tear you down. Get back up and fight another day…….

Happy Trails….and thanks for following my running journey….

Krista 🙂 xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Cross-Training…group fun and long runs…..

March 20, 2017vtrunnermom Leave a comment

“With self-discipline, all things are possible.”

~Theodore Roosevelt

After my running setback in January, I learned a lot about my personal training. Don’t over do it! Period. Expand your horizons. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to run all the time, but learning to balance your training is key. After the big dumping of snow we got on Tuesday from Stella2017, we got out to do some snowshoeing in the deep powder up at Ascutney Trails. Wow! What a workout….what I like about snowshoeing is you get the intense training, without the pounding on your feet and joints. I realized even more how much my body needs to heal and recoup after each run. Below I found a great chart on the calories burned while snowshoeing. I don’t have the running snowshoes, so I fell into the walking in hilly powder category, but without poles. I really enjoyed it, if you have snow near you, it’s a great asset to add to your training program.

Running with friends is WAY more fun…so grab a buddy or four and head out….Saturday, we got the chance to meet up at our house and venture out for a 6+ miler with great friends. I love the chatting, catching up, and hearing about friends upcoming races. So excited for vttrailgirl, who is heading out for her 100 miler at Umstead in a few weeks….pumped to hear all about it. After running we shared a yummy breakfast spread, catching up more with each others lives and reminiscing about funny stories of days gone by. Can’t wait for the next group run, I heard there may be chili!!! 🙂

Brownsville Runners…happy to running again with these great peeps! Missing a few who hope to join in soon….

Today I finally got my longest run in to date since my injury in January…. 17.4 miles!!! Feeling like this whole 100 adventure may be back on track. Before our run we used Fully Charged, a pre exercise Ignitor from Hammer Nutrition. It’s said to help increase energy and endurance, aid in reducing fatigue, promote mental alertness, help alleviate muscle soreness and provide antioxidant support. It had a very mild cherry taste and went down easily. I felt it would be a great chance to try it on my longer run. We followed the directions and drank 8 oz of it before we hit the road…. Hubs and I started out from our house en route for a 8.5 mile loop. It’s great if you have multiple loops from your home, where you can run back to and create a”mock” aid station to start and train your body to eat and rehydrate. We started out in thicker jackets, it was chilly, but the sun was lovely. Any direction we start from our house is always uphill, so up we went, chipping away at the miles. I went through one 17 oz bottle of lemon Tailwind and felt great, no weirdness in my stomach from the Fully Charged, phew! We descended down into our “aid station”…grabbing our prefilled bottles of Tailwind (this time Mandarin Orange) and bonk breaker bars and headed back out…only staying for a few minutes. Our next loop was about 9 miles (we ditched the jackets and ran in long sleeve tech shirts)…more uphill…but we ate our bars as we climbed….leaving an “aid station” is always a little bit of a letdown, but as the bars hit our stomachs, the energy was coming back. I knew I’d burn about 2000 calories, so I was making sure to refuel enough. (hubs had played in a basketball tourney yesterday so he was running on tired legs, he’s such a stud!)

a little smooch mid run…

This is one of the most beautiful roads we run on, with Mt. Ascutney in view…..here we knew we had about 5 miles till home. A little voice in my head said…”you’d still have about 88 miles to go in the 100″…oh boy…..”shhh miss negative nelly”…”ahhh sunshine and kisses..much better” The last miles ticked by, our legs and body finding our groove….coasting into home. I couldn’t be happier about how I felt, my ankle felt and my stomach felt on this run. The next two days will be rest days for me, very important days on the training schedule….remember that.

Overall, great training for the week…a night run, snowshoeing, group run, core and long run…..happy girl….

running down a dream…..

Hubs enjoying the fresh powder…..

heading to mile long field………

I hope your week of training went well. Happy Spring BTW……Anyone out there going to the Runamuck 50K? Hope to see ya there, less than 3 weeks!…..happy training..

See ya on the trails…. xoxoxoxoxo

Krista 🙂

Night running……

March 14, 2017April 12, 2017vtrunnermom 6 Comments

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.”

~Vincent Van Gogh

Night running….. mystery….. the unknown…. darkness….peacefulness….calm. Night running is wondrous. It seems as though the world has stopped for a brief moment in time. No hustle and bustle. All is silent. The houses twinkle in the distance, the sounds of animals waking up, the moon illuminating the way. The hills seem to melt under my feet, my mind unable to see far ahead to the next climb approaching. There’s a sense of lightness, calmness, tranquility, and ease.

This was our first night run of the season, earlier than normal, usually we plan an epic overnight run to prepare the boys of Brownsville for the VT 100. I was so giddy….excited for the longest run in some time for me, and a night one to boot!! A date night with the hubs, if you will.

A dog stick to ward off scary canine at night

Cool heel lights we picked up…they work great!

Have you ever ventured out in the night to run??? I’d love to hear your experiences! We only had two cars pass us (gotta love country living)…probably thought they were in an episode of the twilight zone with our blue and pink lights flashing. Our tailwind turned to slush, but we unscrewed our caps and had lemon slushies along the way…yum! Coming out of a trail around mile 5, we heard a man and his dog in the distance. Naia (as we heard him call her) was very curious as to why crazy, colorful, humans were approaching her. The man yelled, “Are you walking or on horseback!!??”…we said “We’re running! Nice night for it, huh…….um…is your dog friendly???” She was a love bug, wanting to give us kisses. Phew! Hubs was recently bit while running, hence the pic of him with the “dog stick” just in case. We followed the moon, who was playing peak a boo with us between the trees, lighting the way. The stars were abundant last night….a bit of quiet before the storm.

the beautiful moon lighting our way

the nor’easter is in full force as I type..

Things to remember

Always snag a running buddy or let someone at least know where you are going.

Carry a “dog stick” just in case

Bring fuel/food (preferable tailwind for hydration and my go to.. Luna & Clif bars and my most favorite SIMPLE Squares..

Always wear reflective gear and some sort of blinking light, if on the roads

Headlamp

Dress warm if you live in the arctic like me….layers, layers, layers

Bring camera…iPhone

Have fun and Enjoy!!!

A few must haves….

A little video of our fun…..Warning! Might be a little trippy with the flashing lights…hehehehe

See ya on the trails……. xoxoxo

Krista 🙂

Training days and tidbits…….

March 12, 2017March 13, 2017vtrunnermom Leave a comment

“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul”

~John Muir

As I sit and write on this blustery March day…..wait…what!?! MARCH?? Feels more like January around here in Vermont. After a few weeks of pretty mild weather (we hit close to 70 degrees), old man winter is not loosening his grip on us. We are supposed to get dumped with 12-18″ of the white stuff on Tuesday. This kind of weather makes it challenging to get runs in for us Northerners, but as long as you dress for it, you will be just fine. I’m sporting my crane tights in the pic above from InkNburn. They are my most fun tights I run in, you will definitely be seen by motorist or deer, have no fear!! I love how comfy they are and of course the hidden large pocket in the front for carrying my phone, never miss a fun shot on the trails. The weather doesn’t bother me too bad (hmmmmm, as I write tho, I’m dreaming of summer days, please have mercy!), I’m not a treadmill girl, can’t wrap my head around it. I’d much rather feel all the elements thrown at me…of course at the VT 100 in July, I’m sure I’ll be wishing for these -10 windchill days when I’m melting like a snowcone in Phoenix (couldn’t help myself, I love Mrs. Doubtfire) In VT, we definitely get a little bit of everything……..

Four weeks from yesterday will be the Runamuck 50k!!! First race of the season!!!! I can’t wait to finally run with my friends and family, it’s feeling more real as my training runs are going well! Fingers crossed! Pretty please with sugar on top! Excited to meet Kimberly, a fellow blogger whom I met through our love of InkNburn. She has a wonderful blog called Kimberly on the Run. It’ll be fun to meet up in person as we toe the line in South Pomfret, VT. She is lightening fast, so I better talk quick, hehehe. She is a superb runner, mom and friend. I love all the connections I’ve been making through my running. My sister-in-law, Elaine is also running the 50k, this will be her first ultra. She’s been a wonderful crew and pacer for my hubs (her brother) throughout the 6 years he’s done the VT 100. So I’m ecstatic to see her find the love of running and join the ranks of all us crazies…..I hope we can all do a photo-op together!!! Hint hint…..

Friday, hubs and I got in a nice five miler. It was cold, but sunny and we decided to run to in our town forest and trek on some of the fun trails. We seriously have a playground around us. It’s nice to see the ice melting, can’t wait to get back to them on a regular basis. Running on trails is so different from the roads, every turn is a new surprise. As the seasons change you around you, you feel subtle differences in yourself as well. Hubs and I are working to intergrate core routines into our training. I found at Runner’s World, a great list of core exercises. I really want to add strength to my runs, something I can pull from when I’m feeling weaker at the VT100. During our run, we pondered life, did planks and bridges and were just goof balls. If you can’t bring fun into your training runs, then you are missing out. I want my runs to be focused but equally entertaining as well. It’s a great stress reliever out there, use your time on the trails to unwind. As I run, I feel the layers peel off and I begin to feel lighter….

Hubs pondering life……mid run…

Another site I’ve been following is Bigger than the trail. Tommy and his wife, Amber are raising awareness for mental health. One in five Americans suffer from mental illness, yet only one in 50 seek help. They are running the Bryce Canyon 100 miler in Utah and are raising $1 for every vertical foot of gain in the race, 18,000!! They are looking to improve the lives of others struggling with mental illness…wanting to stop the stigma of it and start changing the world together #biggerthanthetrail. Bigger Than The Trail partners with individuals to provide opportunities for education, support, and treatment. I received my pin, that I proudly wear on my running pack, a reminder to keep the conversation going. As a former sufferer of panic attacks (I now have tools to help me), I understand the impact it can have on one’s life. No one should suffer alone. Join the movement. Be the impact.

#biggerthanthetrail

Tidbits………

This is for the ladies….I’ve finally found a way to wear my hair running….drum roll please….the double ponytail!!! I suffer from migraines, so just the slight pull on my head will produce one. This is a way to achieve the ponytail, without the heavy weight on top of your head….phew. Another life hack checked off….

I was sad not to become a Tailwind Trailblazer for 2017, I think they had thousands apply. Kudos to all who made it, and thank you Tailwind for taking the time to reach out to all who applied personally, such a nice touch. I am such an advocate for their product, I won’t run without it in my water bottles. I love the Lemon and Mandarin Orange flavors the best. The VT50 last year was the first time I really ate throughout, and I accredited it to Tailwind. This will be my one and only hydration for all my races. End of story…..If you haven’t tried it yet… do…….you won’t be disappointed!

On a side note, the aroma of maple syrup is abundant in my kitchen right now. Hubs and our boys are boiling again today on our stove…who knew you could boil 2o+ gallons of sap inside the walls of your home?! Of course we haven’t seen our electric bill yet and there is a bunch of condensation pooling up on the ceiling…..but dang, that fresh syrup is yummy!

boiling…p.s. I want that hat!!

Lastly, InkNburn is holding a 30% off sale store wide. The discount will reflect in your cart. Great chance to stock up on some favorites! They are moving locations, making room for new designs….their clothes are happily Made in the USA and the only running clothes I love to wear!! Boom! Don’t forget to mention you heard it from your favorite InkNburn Ambassador, Krista

Our playground…

Keep on training, be goofy and just enjoy your beautiful life…..we only get one ride around this wondrous planet….make it unforgettable!

Thanks for following my running journey….See ya on the trails…….xoxoxox

Krista 🙂

Running…oh, how I’ve missed you……

March 2, 2017March 6, 2017vtrunnermom 4 Comments

"A run begins the moment you forget you are running." 
~Adidas

Think about this quote…Have you ever gone for a run, and truly forgot you were running?? I have, it’s wonderful. I hope you have experienced this too…. it’s an incredible feeling when you forget your worries, let your guard down, halt the nagging voice, let go of the rat race of life and just purely enjoy the sound of your feet along the road, the sun on your face and smell and sounds of the forest around you.

I was out for my first “real” run back since my tendon/ankle injury. It was a haunting, foggy morning in the hills of VT, and I was so thankful to be in the moment. Something I’m personally working on everyday. Staying in the MOMENT. Running has a way of releasing negativity, building confidence and achieving pure bliss if you let the emotion of it take over. Thinking back to my high school cross-country team, I don’t ever think I felt the above quote…maybe I was too young, or too naive to understand the true impact running can have on a person. I loved my team, my coach, but I didn’t LOVE running. It took me years to grasp the lure running can have on a person. It provokes this inner fire in me, a zest for adventure and provides hope. I feel at peace when I run, I feel comfort, but most importantly, I just FEEL.

I’m happy to be running again, but I’m taking it slow. I don’t want to risk re-injury. Just being away from it for six weeks was hard enough. I think when you are detached from something you love, it’s that much sweeter when it returns to you. I feel complete out there, like I’ve found my way home.