2017 in Review – 2018 in Preview

What. A. Year. Let’s do the numbers. <cue Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal music>

• 1,910 miles run (a new PR!)
• One 100 miler completed (Javelina Jundred race report)
• One 100 miler DNF’d (Mountain Lakes 100 report)
• One 100K completed (Sun Mountain race report)
• Two self-supported runs completed (UPWC 36 mile Owyhigh Lakes Loop, Image Lake to Miner’s Ridge – 50K)
• Two 50Ks completed (Chuckanut race report, Pacific Crest Trail race report)
• One trail marathon completed (Fort Ebey Kettles race report)
• One 26K completed (Capitol Peak Mega Fatass race report)
• Four half marathons completed (My Better Half Virtual race report, Grand Teton & Yellowstone race report, Beat the Blerch race report)
• An awesome runcation in Zion National Park (Day 1 and Day 2)
• 48 whiskies tasted (Lower than past years, but I’ve been focused on running!)

Honestly, it’s been an incredible year for me with all sorts of new accomplishments and PRs. I really need to thank my coach, Jess Mullen of FitFirst, for helping me achieve all of these goals! Her guidance was crucial to my success, and I can’t wait to continue working with her again in 2018.

One huge theme for me this year is gratitude. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – I am exceedingly lucky to have the time, resources, health, support, and motivation to run these crazy distances. It’s not something I have to do, but something I get to do. How lucky am I?! Anytime a run isn’t going the way I want, or I feel lazy, I take a moment to appreciate my circumstances, put a smile on my face, and get moving.

This year I also learned a variety of things. Some of it was specific to ultrarunning, but much of it could also be applied to “real life.” It’s a reminder that this is a journey and there’s always more to learn.

• Core work is important. (Duh, I know.) I didn’t have the strength I needed for the slippery snow during Mountain Lakes 100, but core work added to my training for just a month (~5-10 minutes a day) made a big difference for me during Javelina Jundred. My back didn’t hurt at all – even after 27 hours! I must continue to do core work! (Washboard abs are optional 😉 )
• Mantras work for me. I always thought this (and affirmation statements, etc.) were all a little too…hippy-dippy for me, you know? But, I ended up using some simple statements during Javelina that kept me focused and believing in myself when I was at a low point. I am strong. I am determined. More proof (like it’s needed) that ultras are a mental game.
• Race anxiety IS possible to avoid. Somehow. There were a few races this year that I, shockingly, did not get super anxious before running. Guess what? Those were my best races. Why was I less anxious about those races in particular? Not a clue, but my guess is that the outcome wasn’t as important to me as just experiencing the event. Not focusing on the outcome is exceedingly tough for a goal-oriented person like myself! As many others have said, I need to think of all races as a learning experience and an individual journey. Then no matter what happens, I’ve learned something and quite possibly have an entertaining story to boot. (Perfect to share at a Boldly Went storytelling event, right?)
• Preparedness is imperative, but so is flexibility. Being prepared is in my soul. My job is all about logistics, and I naturally think that way. (May I direct you to my absurd collection of lists and spreadsheets?) However, I’m not as good with rolling with the punches, but ultrarunning really forces you to learn that skill. Perfect races are rare, and at some point, something will go wrong. Blisters, gut issues, hail storm, aggressive goat, whatever. Sure, sometimes you need to have an emotional moment, and that’s okay. After that blast of emotion, however, you have to either throw in the towel or find a solution to your problem. That’s it.
• Focus on what you can control and not the things you can’t. This is related to my point above, but I think it’s significant enough to warrant its own bullet point. During Mountain Lakes, at a low point, I was really pissed about the stupid snow slowing me down. But, there wasn’t anything I could do about it except keep moving and focus on what I needed to do when I got to the next aid station. At Javelina, when my guts decided expediency was the way to go, I was really bummed that it was “ruining” the end of my race. But instead of dwelling on it, I focused on what I could do about it – pound some Pepto-Bismol, run when possible, and be aware of any bushes available to dash behind if needed.
• People are important. I know, it’s obvious, but stay with me on this. Most people who are runners enjoy the solitude of the sport. I certainly do, and it’s often one of the reasons we choose to do it. For the longest time I really thought races were a solitary endeavor. You versus The Race. NOPE. Crew, friends, and complete strangers have all been instrumental in my races in a variety of ways. I couldn’t do it without them. The ultra/trail running community is awesome, and I feel lucky to be a part of it.
• My husband, Adam, is THE BEST. He supports me at home by picking up the slack domestically while I’m out playing (training) in the mountains every weekend. He crews me at races, at all hours of the night, to see me for just a few minutes every couple hours. He’s never once tried to talk me out of doing these adventure runs and races. I am incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful spouse, and I never take him for granted.

So, armed with all of the lessons from this year, what about next year? I have high hopes for 2018! My plans have been altered somewhat by a pesky hamstring tendinopathy that’s overstayed its welcome, but hey, flexibility at work!

We’re planning another runcation, but this time in Joshua Tree National Park in February! I love that we make National Parks our vacation destinations, and I’ve never been to Joshua Tree. I seem to have acquired a recent fascination with deserts (must be all of the Seattle rain.) I’m really looking forward to some sun, desert flora, rocks, and the starry night sky!

In March, Adam and I will be running Chuckanut 50K. I’ve run it the past two years, and will be aiming for a PR this year (weather permitting!)

In June I’ll participate in the inaugural Wy’east Wonder 50 miler in Oregon. This is supposed to be a beautiful course on the east side of Mt. Hood, and I know Go Beyond Racing puts on great races. It should be awesome!

At the end of July/early August I plan on running the Wonderland Trail (~93 miles around Mount Rainier) with friends in three days. I’ve never done any sort of back-to-back like this before, but it’s going to be epic. I love the few Wonderland Trail sections I’ve done before, and this is going to be a fantastic adventure with amazing views.

I’m also going to put in for the Cascade Crest 100 lottery. This is a classic PNW race, and has a great community surrounding it. It also scares the crap out of me with all of the elevation gain/loss. Ha! However, to quote Fred DeVito, if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you! If I don’t get into it, I’ll volunteer, and find another terrifying race to aim for during that time frame.

Another big adventure goal for this year is running the Zion Traverse (~48 miles across Zion National Park) with friends, at the end of September/early October. I’ve done part of it, and could not get over the beauty of the area. I can’t wait to go back.

Really, though, I really just hope to run on some wonderful trails with great friends. <3

Let 2018 begin!