The Franklin Mountain Trail run was not in my original racing plan because I typically teach at the community college on Saturday mornings. But this semester I don't have a Saturday class so I was able to add the race to my schedule. I miss my high school students, but I am really enjoying having my Saturdays free.
I have worked really hard to get ready for the US Sky Running series. I am a really good climber, but descending is not my strength. And I typically do better at races where I get the opportunity to use my road speed on the trail. I love sky running, but it definitely doesn’t play to my strengths and I have had to work hard. Early in the week iRunfar put out their predictions for the race. I try to be honest as possible in my blog, but I am just going to say it. I thought I would get a mention. So, I know it sounds like I have an ego problem (and I sorta do) but really it’s this desire to be recognized for working hard. Of course I love running, but I don’t run for fun. I run to compete and do well. At your job, when you do well, you get some sort of recognition, but other than kudos on Strava, no one is telling me how proud they are of my hard work. For me, a mention on iRunfar would have been that recognition of my hard work. But there was also this other thought rattling around in my head. If I did well, who cares because I’m not really “competition.” No hate to iRunfar. I don’t think that they are at home plotting against me. My issues are my own. I get that.
Norm was working for Aravaipa at Javelina Jangover so I was on my own. I decided to bring my daughter Ava and have a girl’s weekend. We left on Friday morning. I forgot about the time difference and we ended up arriving at packet pick up at 4pm and not 3pm for the athlete meeting. I ran into Jim Walmsley and got to chat with him for a few minutes. Ava and I headed to the hotel to check in and get some groceries. I was finding El Paso hard to navigate and it was getting late. But we found a Sprouts, got some groceries and relaxed at the hotel.
I have worked really hard to get ready for the US Sky Running series. I am a really good climber, but descending is not my strength. And I typically do better at races where I get the opportunity to use my road speed on the trail. I love sky running, but it definitely doesn’t play to my strengths and I have had to work hard. Early in the week iRunfar put out their predictions for the race. I try to be honest as possible in my blog, but I am just going to say it. I thought I would get a mention. So, I know it sounds like I have an ego problem (and I sorta do) but really it’s this desire to be recognized for working hard. Of course I love running, but I don’t run for fun. I run to compete and do well. At your job, when you do well, you get some sort of recognition, but other than kudos on Strava, no one is telling me how proud they are of my hard work. For me, a mention on iRunfar would have been that recognition of my hard work. But there was also this other thought rattling around in my head. If I did well, who cares because I’m not really “competition.” No hate to iRunfar. I don’t think that they are at home plotting against me. My issues are my own. I get that.
Norm was working for Aravaipa at Javelina Jangover so I was on my own. I decided to bring my daughter Ava and have a girl’s weekend. We left on Friday morning. I forgot about the time difference and we ended up arriving at packet pick up at 4pm and not 3pm for the athlete meeting. I ran into Jim Walmsley and got to chat with him for a few minutes. Ava and I headed to the hotel to check in and get some groceries. I was finding El Paso hard to navigate and it was getting late. But we found a Sprouts, got some groceries and relaxed at the hotel.
It's tradition at our house to take a selfie in the car before we leave for a trip.
I had trouble falling asleep and slept like shit. I was awake at 3:45am before my alarm even went off. I was concerned about finding the race. At packet pick up I explained that I had driven past where the entrance was suppose to be, but they kept saying I was on the wrong road. We didn't seem to agree about the location of the outlet (my point of reference) to the park. It was just a misunderstanding I am sure, because the park was exactly where I thought I was suppose to be. The race started at 6am meaning it was totally dark so I parked my car and headed to the start, but wasn’t really sure where I was at and hoped I would find my car later. I didn't realize I was parked at an Aid Station, but luckily overheard some people talking.
Ava talking to me while I get ready for the race.
The wind was insane! My phone said 20pmh winds, but later I heard someone say 40 mph gusts. I don’t doubt that! I was not going to make the mistake of starting too far back again so I got up front and took off when we started. We were almost immediately on rocky single track. My headlamp was useless. And I was being literally blown to the ground by the wind. When I wasn't being blown over and down, it felt like my clothes were going to be torn off of me. It was insane. A few times I got knocked down and had to stay squatting down because I could not fight the wind to get up. At one point I came to a bench and sat down just trying to decide if I wanted to go on. It just felt really dangerous. I got up and kept running, but I had no idea how many women had passed me. We got off the ridgeline and I was able to run. It was time to start passing people. I did pass one woman and as I came into the aid station I was told I was 3rd woman. I couldn’t believe it. My plan became hold on to 3rd place and make a move to catch 1st and 2nd after the aid station at mile 14. At this point the tough climbing would be done.
When I came into the aid station at mile 8 I realized that was were my car was at. I could see it steps from the AS table. I had been carrying my iRun hat all morning because the wind was blowing it off my head. I asked the volunteers to leave it at my car for me. I understood it might blow away, but I did not want to keep carrying it. (They did successfully attach my beloved hat to a car door handle and I was able to get it when I finished the race. Awesome volunteers!)
There was one point where you go up and then back down the mountain. This gave me a chance to see where the women were in front of me. I knew I had some work to do, but it didn't seem impossible. I had hurt my ankle in the very beginning of the race and running downhill on it was painful. What I wasn’t counting on was it being so painful to run fast on it. After 14 I should have been running so much faster than I was, but my ankle was not only painful but feeling like it was going to give out under me. Then we went through some crazy, not a trail, where the hell are we going sections. I had been telling myself that when I got to aid at 20 I needed to pick it up. But that didn't happen. Every time I tried to pick up the pace, I started tripping. With Flagstaff so close I did not want to take a fall that would ruin my chance of training or even running that race. I decided I was happy with 3rd place and the goal shifted to hold on to 3rd and do not fall down.
I was running out of water at mile 24 or so. I thought there was suppose to be an aid station. I stopped to ask the guy behind me if we were suppose to see an aid station. He said he thought so and then he pointed to a buried cooler. Maybe it’s water only. I open the cooler and yes! Water! Thank G-d I stopped to ask him. I had no idea I should be looking for a cooler.
A few miles from the finish I came up behind a guy and we started chatting. I probably should have passed him and tried to run those last few miles faster, but I was enjoying talking with him. I was having fun. So I stuck with him. As you climb up to the finish there are people looking down on you. “My daughters are waving at me” he said. Then I could hear people yelling his name. It was steep so we were walking but hearing his daughters, I said “Okay, we run now, let’s go.” And we ran the last bit to the finish. One of my most fun finishes for sure.
I switched back to my Saucony Kinvara for this race. I just don't love trail shoes and I do all my training in the kinvara. I also stuck with the Nathan handheld. It's my favorite bottle. I am also back to using Skratch more for calories. It just works the best for my stomach.
When I came into the aid station at mile 8 I realized that was were my car was at. I could see it steps from the AS table. I had been carrying my iRun hat all morning because the wind was blowing it off my head. I asked the volunteers to leave it at my car for me. I understood it might blow away, but I did not want to keep carrying it. (They did successfully attach my beloved hat to a car door handle and I was able to get it when I finished the race. Awesome volunteers!)
There was one point where you go up and then back down the mountain. This gave me a chance to see where the women were in front of me. I knew I had some work to do, but it didn't seem impossible. I had hurt my ankle in the very beginning of the race and running downhill on it was painful. What I wasn’t counting on was it being so painful to run fast on it. After 14 I should have been running so much faster than I was, but my ankle was not only painful but feeling like it was going to give out under me. Then we went through some crazy, not a trail, where the hell are we going sections. I had been telling myself that when I got to aid at 20 I needed to pick it up. But that didn't happen. Every time I tried to pick up the pace, I started tripping. With Flagstaff so close I did not want to take a fall that would ruin my chance of training or even running that race. I decided I was happy with 3rd place and the goal shifted to hold on to 3rd and do not fall down.
I was running out of water at mile 24 or so. I thought there was suppose to be an aid station. I stopped to ask the guy behind me if we were suppose to see an aid station. He said he thought so and then he pointed to a buried cooler. Maybe it’s water only. I open the cooler and yes! Water! Thank G-d I stopped to ask him. I had no idea I should be looking for a cooler.
A few miles from the finish I came up behind a guy and we started chatting. I probably should have passed him and tried to run those last few miles faster, but I was enjoying talking with him. I was having fun. So I stuck with him. As you climb up to the finish there are people looking down on you. “My daughters are waving at me” he said. Then I could hear people yelling his name. It was steep so we were walking but hearing his daughters, I said “Okay, we run now, let’s go.” And we ran the last bit to the finish. One of my most fun finishes for sure.
I switched back to my Saucony Kinvara for this race. I just don't love trail shoes and I do all my training in the kinvara. I also stuck with the Nathan handheld. It's my favorite bottle. I am also back to using Skratch more for calories. It just works the best for my stomach.
3rd place award made by the Tarahumara. Really cool!
If you love running in Phoenix, but just wish we had more rocks, Franklin Mountain is for you! The technical, rocky trail was relentless. For me, this made it the hardest Sky Race I did this summer. It is mentally exhausting. But it was also a fantastic race! The volunteers were so amazing and nice. The aid stations were well stocked. The other runners were also super nice. A huge thank you to the guy who stopped and gave me a ride to my car after the race! I really had an amazing experience.
The ankle is in bad shape. It’s swollen, bruised and hard to walk on. Hopefully it heals quickly. We bought crutches so I can stay off it since it seems to start swell up even worse any time I try to walk around on it.
The ankle is in bad shape. It’s swollen, bruised and hard to walk on. Hopefully it heals quickly. We bought crutches so I can stay off it since it seems to start swell up even worse any time I try to walk around on it.
What started as just my ankle is now my shin and foot too. And the swelling is much worse now.
In even better news, Hayley let me know today that I was mentioned in iRunfar. Yeah! And I am first in the sky running series. Double yeah! And while I have worked really hard I have to thank some people. Mark Cosmas at iRun in Phoenix has been so supportive. I always know I can count on Mark to help me make decisions about shoes and equipment. Thank you to Charlie Boeynik at Cadence Physical Therapy for all the support and help. Charlie understands what running means to me and was key to my recovery from injury. Thank you to Squirrels Nut Butter! This the best product ever! I never chaffe or get a blister using this product. Plus, it smells great and works for any and all skin irritation. Thank you to Aravaipa Running! I love being on the racing team. It is such an amazing experience and be able to talk to people about the Aravaipa Races that they have done. It is an honor to have people tell me their awesome experience at an Aravaipa Race.
I am so happy!
Next up, Flagstaff Sky Race. It’s the championship race of the season. It’s been my training plan to peak at this race and so far the plan has been working so … fingers crossed. I have also decided to add the USATF Master’s 15K championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I will fly to OKC and drive to Tulsa with my mom. After the race I will go back to OKC with my mom and spend some time with my parents and younger siblings. Then I’m headed to Desert Solstice to try to break the 50K record. It’s my favorite distance and I’m really excited about this race!
