Crown King is one of my favorite races so I really wanted to run it again this year, even if I wasn’t trained for it. When I signed up I told Hayley that if I didn't feel like I had trained enough I would run with her. Going into the race it was really looking like a Kristina and Hayley day of fun! But Hayley had come down sick a week or so before the race and it just wasn’t clearing up. On Thursday night at dinner she was leaning more towards not running than running. On Friday afternoon she sent a text message saying she has definitely decided against running. I told her that I would I would walk the whole thing if she wanted, but she did not want.
I knew that I wasn’t racing as in it was an A race. It was a training run and I didn't want to push too hard with another race a week away. That said it was also an opportunity to run an easy racing pace (is that a thing?) and see how I compared to a few years ago when I thought I was in great shape and I ran under 5 hours. When I run these races as a training run the goal is to run harder than a training run at home, but easier than an actual race. At home I can be tempted to stand and rest a bit or cut a run short. If I am at a race I am more likely to work a little harder and I probably won’t stand around. Plus, for me, I find if I want to test out something a training running isn't really the best place. I really need to put it to test in a situation that is as close to racing as possible.
Friday night I was a little moody. I was just feeling nervous about the climbing. I didn't really feel like my climbing was where it should be and I didn't want to totally fall apart at the race. After we went to sleep, Hank kept barking at who knows what and we weren’t getting any sleep. Norm decided to put Hank in his crate. Normally Hank hangs out in his crate and doesn't make a sound, but I guess he didn't like being in there at night because he would not be quiet. Which was fine for Norm because he is deaf in one ear so if lays on the correct side, he can't hear anything. I was up all night! You know how you think, “I should get up…” but you don't. That was me all night. Finally at 3:45, 15 minutes before my alarm was suppose to go off I got up and let Hank get in bed with us. I spent 15 minutes in that hazy not asleep, not awake place before my alarm went off. I turned off and went back to the hazy place.
At 4:30am Norm asked me if I was going to the race or not. I looked at my phone and saw that it was 4:30am and said, “I guess not because I can't be ready in 10 minutes.” Norm left the room and left the door open which meant the kitchen light was shining in my eye. I wasn’t so happy with this. The next thing I know he is bringing me coffee. “I guess I am getting up,” I said in a not so pleasant voice. I mouthed off something about how we didn't even have time to walk the dog. I look Facebook and see a video of someone driving to the race start. I am still in my nigh clothes, in bed, with nothing for the day packed.
I get up and quickly dress and pack a bag. Norm is working in Crown King so I am going to be stuck for a while. I pour my coffee into a travel mug and off we go. I am not even sure we are going to make it to the start. But we did with about 30 minutes to spare, which was enough. I really had to go to the bathroom so I made Norm go get my bib number. I got my pack ready while standing in line, went to the bathroom one more time and headed to the start.
I talked to some people while we waited for the start. The start was a bit delayed, but I wasn’t sure by how much exactly. Off we go and almost immediately my watch feels too loose. I am fiddling with it and chatting with some people. I am in no rush and trying to stay comfortable. This first part out of the park has some decent hills. I say something to Kori, but when I look over my shoulder it isn't Kori. It’s some lady names Marissa. But we start chatting and run together for a bit. At some point I start to pull ahead and I have lost my new friend. I actually was hoping to have someone to run with. All of this time I am still messing with my watch. A couple weeks ago Hank grabbed my watch of the table and decided to make it a new chew toy. This is despite owning a million chew toys. Norm super glued it back together and I keep meaning to order a new watch band, but… So, here I am in a race and my watch won't stay fastened. I keep tightening it and it keeps loosening up. I end up pulling it off my wrist and holding it in my hand for the rest of the race. It wasn’t too terrible, but it was a good thing I had my pack and wasn’t carrying bottles.
I passed some ladies. I passed Lauren Coury, but I knew she would catch me eventually. I was worried about the last 15 miles so I was running what I call easy fast while I could. I passed Nicole Kalogeropoulos (I am really going to have to learn to spell her last name now that she lives in town!) around mile 15. I only remember it was mile 15 because I was worried about how I would do for the rest of the race. She was having some breathing issues and wasn’t running as well as she wanted. Nicole and I would have some back and forth over the last part of this race, but in the end she passed me. I thought about giving chase, but it happened when I was a low point and I couldn't muster the will. I just thought to myself, “well if I can hold on to it 4th place isn't so bad.” Nice attitude Kristina.
On the final climb big climb before the downhill into Crown King an ATV guy stopped to chat. “You must be really fast because you are really far ahead of the next person.” That was probably not the best thing to tell me. I walked more than I should during those miles. I was so happy to hit the downhill and take off. I really worked hard those last two miles, but it wasn’t enough to make up for all the walking. I had hoped to finish under 5 hours and 10 minutes, but I came in at 5 hours and 3 minutes in 4th place for the women. I am not sure why, but it never occurred to me there would be a master’s division. I was pretty happy to take 1st masters. And although my time wasn’t super fast, I was really happy with it since I have basically been running whatever I want with no real specific training.
But the best part of Crown King is after the race. It’s so much fun to sit around and talk with everyone. I got to catch up with some old friends. It was really fun to get to know Art DeGraw better. He is new to the team. Amazing runner and a really super nice guy. Crown King is still one of my all time favorite races.
I knew that I wasn’t racing as in it was an A race. It was a training run and I didn't want to push too hard with another race a week away. That said it was also an opportunity to run an easy racing pace (is that a thing?) and see how I compared to a few years ago when I thought I was in great shape and I ran under 5 hours. When I run these races as a training run the goal is to run harder than a training run at home, but easier than an actual race. At home I can be tempted to stand and rest a bit or cut a run short. If I am at a race I am more likely to work a little harder and I probably won’t stand around. Plus, for me, I find if I want to test out something a training running isn't really the best place. I really need to put it to test in a situation that is as close to racing as possible.
Friday night I was a little moody. I was just feeling nervous about the climbing. I didn't really feel like my climbing was where it should be and I didn't want to totally fall apart at the race. After we went to sleep, Hank kept barking at who knows what and we weren’t getting any sleep. Norm decided to put Hank in his crate. Normally Hank hangs out in his crate and doesn't make a sound, but I guess he didn't like being in there at night because he would not be quiet. Which was fine for Norm because he is deaf in one ear so if lays on the correct side, he can't hear anything. I was up all night! You know how you think, “I should get up…” but you don't. That was me all night. Finally at 3:45, 15 minutes before my alarm was suppose to go off I got up and let Hank get in bed with us. I spent 15 minutes in that hazy not asleep, not awake place before my alarm went off. I turned off and went back to the hazy place.
At 4:30am Norm asked me if I was going to the race or not. I looked at my phone and saw that it was 4:30am and said, “I guess not because I can't be ready in 10 minutes.” Norm left the room and left the door open which meant the kitchen light was shining in my eye. I wasn’t so happy with this. The next thing I know he is bringing me coffee. “I guess I am getting up,” I said in a not so pleasant voice. I mouthed off something about how we didn't even have time to walk the dog. I look Facebook and see a video of someone driving to the race start. I am still in my nigh clothes, in bed, with nothing for the day packed.
I get up and quickly dress and pack a bag. Norm is working in Crown King so I am going to be stuck for a while. I pour my coffee into a travel mug and off we go. I am not even sure we are going to make it to the start. But we did with about 30 minutes to spare, which was enough. I really had to go to the bathroom so I made Norm go get my bib number. I got my pack ready while standing in line, went to the bathroom one more time and headed to the start.
I talked to some people while we waited for the start. The start was a bit delayed, but I wasn’t sure by how much exactly. Off we go and almost immediately my watch feels too loose. I am fiddling with it and chatting with some people. I am in no rush and trying to stay comfortable. This first part out of the park has some decent hills. I say something to Kori, but when I look over my shoulder it isn't Kori. It’s some lady names Marissa. But we start chatting and run together for a bit. At some point I start to pull ahead and I have lost my new friend. I actually was hoping to have someone to run with. All of this time I am still messing with my watch. A couple weeks ago Hank grabbed my watch of the table and decided to make it a new chew toy. This is despite owning a million chew toys. Norm super glued it back together and I keep meaning to order a new watch band, but… So, here I am in a race and my watch won't stay fastened. I keep tightening it and it keeps loosening up. I end up pulling it off my wrist and holding it in my hand for the rest of the race. It wasn’t too terrible, but it was a good thing I had my pack and wasn’t carrying bottles.
I passed some ladies. I passed Lauren Coury, but I knew she would catch me eventually. I was worried about the last 15 miles so I was running what I call easy fast while I could. I passed Nicole Kalogeropoulos (I am really going to have to learn to spell her last name now that she lives in town!) around mile 15. I only remember it was mile 15 because I was worried about how I would do for the rest of the race. She was having some breathing issues and wasn’t running as well as she wanted. Nicole and I would have some back and forth over the last part of this race, but in the end she passed me. I thought about giving chase, but it happened when I was a low point and I couldn't muster the will. I just thought to myself, “well if I can hold on to it 4th place isn't so bad.” Nice attitude Kristina.
On the final climb big climb before the downhill into Crown King an ATV guy stopped to chat. “You must be really fast because you are really far ahead of the next person.” That was probably not the best thing to tell me. I walked more than I should during those miles. I was so happy to hit the downhill and take off. I really worked hard those last two miles, but it wasn’t enough to make up for all the walking. I had hoped to finish under 5 hours and 10 minutes, but I came in at 5 hours and 3 minutes in 4th place for the women. I am not sure why, but it never occurred to me there would be a master’s division. I was pretty happy to take 1st masters. And although my time wasn’t super fast, I was really happy with it since I have basically been running whatever I want with no real specific training.
But the best part of Crown King is after the race. It’s so much fun to sit around and talk with everyone. I got to catch up with some old friends. It was really fun to get to know Art DeGraw better. He is new to the team. Amazing runner and a really super nice guy. Crown King is still one of my all time favorite races.
Don Solberg was 1st master's for the men. I laughed we were the tallest and shortest competitors. Not quite true, but he is REALLY tall!
In case you care about such things.
The drive out of Crown King back to Phoenix almost makes me want to run back to town.
It's no joke out here! Be careful people! We think it was an ATV accident.
goSunday morning Brandi and I got up early to leave for Sedona. I wanted to get a run in because I felt great, no soreness at all, but I was on a mission. I was going to the Humane Society of Sedona. There is dog at the shelter named Ken that is 9 years old. He seems to be having a hard time finding a home. The shelter has a #cuddlewithKen campaign. If you follow the shelter on social media you can get updates with a picture of Ken and a caption that read “No one came to cuddle with Ken yet today.” Or if you go and cuddle with him they will post a picture of you and announce that you came to cuddle with Ken. Brandi and I were headed up to cuddle with Ken. We also were there to meet a girl named Rhasta. I had seen her picture and her story and I was obsessed. We had been looking for a friend for Hank. If you know anything about Hank you know it will take a while, like probably a couple of months, but he can eventually be friends with other dogs. I was also looking for a mountain partner. I really wanted a dog I could take with me in the mountains this summer. Hank is not that dog, for a multitude of reasons. Don't get me wrong, I love Hank! But we all have our strengths and our weaknesses in life.
Do you see that face? It was love at first sight!
We got to the shelter 15 minutes before it opened and stood at the door hoping they would open early for us. They didn't. At 10am we went in and told them we were there to cuddle with Ken and meet Rhasta. Ken was on a visit with a potential family (it didn't work out so you can still go cuddle with him or better yet take him home!) We went to the play yard and they brought Rhasta out to meet us. A very sweet and shy girl, Rhatsa is a Rhodesian Ridgeback that was left in the play yard with a note saying her name and that her family was moving and couldn't take her and that she was good with kids and other dogs. It was written on the back of an old Starbucks gift card holder. I loved her instantly and adopted her. They told me at the shelter that she tends to latch onto one person. She was also very skinny because she wasn’t eating at the shelter. She did amazing on the ride home and has been an excellent addition. Until Hank becomes accepting of our new friend we have to keep him separate from Rhasta. This means that Norm and I now spend all of our time at home in separate rooms, even sleeping so that no one is left out or sad.
Still no big racing plans. Right now I am recovering from a nasty fall that I took at Running Up for Air Colorado this morning, but that is a story for another day.
Still no big racing plans. Right now I am recovering from a nasty fall that I took at Running Up for Air Colorado this morning, but that is a story for another day.
I was clearly a little more excited about this adoption than Rhasta was.
Let's all take a minute to admire how beautiful my girl is!
