On June 6th we went up to Flagstaff so Enzo and his friend could ride the dirt jumps and do a little riding in the cooler weather while I got in a long run. I had the best track work out I have had in a long time before we packed up and headed out. We took a friend of Enzo’s that had never been camping. We decided to camp at Fort Tuthill since the dirt jumps are right there. As we pulled up to the campground the kid asked if we were going to get jumped while we slept. Ha! I explained that doesn't really happen when you are camping. But I have to admit that I have always thought that camping is an odd concept. Really, you are so vulnerable. I do love camping though and it’s an inexpensive way to see a lot of really great things!
Headed to Flagstaff
Ava is all smiles at Fort Tuhill
Ava working on her Wreck This Journal at camp.
Later Enzo would spend all night terrifying Juan who was already afraid of camping.
On Saturday morning I loaded up my pack and took off on a long run using the FUTS (Flagstaff Urban Trail System). A couple of times I had trouble figuring how things connected, but in the end I got a great run around the city. I ended at Thorpe Park where I was meeting my family. The course markings and a few signs were still there from the Sacred Mountain Run that had taken place the day before on Saturday. I ran the 5K course and I am definitely adding it to my race schedule for next year.
After running the last 2 weeks in Flagstaff I was feeling good about my ability to run at altitude at the Aravaipa Big Pine Race. I don’t usually have any problems when I go to Flagstaff, but knowing that I had two good runs the last 2 weeks was definitely helpful. I was running this race as part of training so there was no taper. I did cut out the vert that I have been doing getting ready for the US Sky Running Series. I was excited about the course. I like loops. I liked the sound of a fast course with smooth terrain. I had a plan to try to negative split the course.
After running the last 2 weeks in Flagstaff I was feeling good about my ability to run at altitude at the Aravaipa Big Pine Race. I don’t usually have any problems when I go to Flagstaff, but knowing that I had two good runs the last 2 weeks was definitely helpful. I was running this race as part of training so there was no taper. I did cut out the vert that I have been doing getting ready for the US Sky Running Series. I was excited about the course. I like loops. I liked the sound of a fast course with smooth terrain. I had a plan to try to negative split the course.
Sinjin and I enjoying the water park.
24 hours of camping with 6 people requires a lot of food.
Friday before the race I spent the day at the water park with Sinjin. I was really careful to not get dehydrated. When we left, Sinjin told me it was the best day he ever had. So if I was a little dehydrated, who cares? As usual we left town late and I was cranky. We had to take 2 cars, which I wasn’t planning on and I was exhausted. A day in the sun had left me tired. Our 2 hour drive to Flagstaff took 3 hours and 20 minutes. Was there an accident? NO! There were 2 big piles of trash on the side of the road from an accident that had happened earlier! We got to Fort Tuthill and no one seemed to know what we were suppose to do. The ranger sent us in the direction of the dispersed camping, but I didn't see anything or anyone that I recognized. Again, I apologize to Hayley for my cranky text messages! I was like a tired toddler that needed a nap. Or a time out. It was 7:30pm and we still had to set up camp and eat dinner. I was also a little stressed because they told us we couldn’t park our cars there and we were using the car for 3 people to sleep in over night. One of these people being my teenage son. (By the way, lots of people broke this rule about the car being at your campsite.)
The older boys took off to go into to town to ride. Ava, Norm and I had dinner and hung out. By the time I went to bed I was feeling more relaxed. Our new REI sleeping pads were amazing! Why did we not buy these sooner? I should have slept really well, but I did not! Some lady at the campground was so loud! Her laugh was loud, cackling and echoed through camp into the early morning. Last week when we camped at Fort Tuthill the ranger made people turn off their generators at 10pm because of quiet hours, but this week they were saying nothing about this raging party? Our dog Maui had to pee twice in the middle of the night. And of course I was worried about the boys sleeping in the car in the parking lot. They weren’t far, but I’m a mom. I worry about stupid shit in the middle of the night.
Saturday morning the alarm went off at 5:30. We went to Starbucks for coffee. I ate a bar, picked up my number and chilled at the campsite. I organized my bottles and fuel and gave Norm his instructions for crewing. It was nice that I would run by the car and he could hand things to me. The first loop went well. The course was well marked and easy to follow. It was NOT what I was expecting. There was no way I was going to negative split this course. My first loop averaged 7:37 pace. When I came through I told Norm I would not negative split this and to expect me to run even each loop. I told him this after I yelled at him! Coming up to the car I see him digging around inside the car. I am trying to run fast and yell his name. Twice I yell and no response, the third time he hears me. I probably cursed at him. Sorry small children at the campground! I was already frustrated because coming in from loop 1 I was running into the runners from one of the shorter races. I am flying downhill and they were climbing uphill. It was not a good combination.
Out I go on loop 2. Now I am trying to pass all the runners on the course. Let’s face it – it’s frustrating. Most people are nice and move over. Some people need to turn their music down so they can hear what is going on. I also was giving myself a side stitch trying to say “on your left please” and keep a decent pace. I really try to be a nice person. If I pushed by you just know that I told you I was coming and for whatever reason you didn't hear me. I took a spill (of course) but it wasn’t bad and I was up and going again. The next thing I know is I should not be in this spot yet, I missed a turn. I spent 2 miles agonizing about what would happen and if my day was over. When I got to Norm at the car I stopped and said I have to tell you something. I explained what happened and cried a little thinking my day was over. “I have to tell Nick, “ I said. Norm ran with me to the start line. I told Nick and to my surprise he said let’s look at the map. We decided I would run the loop I missed twice. Happy to be able to continue I headed back out.
The course was really well marked. I have no idea how I missed the turn. Maybe because I was trying to pass people and watch the ground? That is my best guess on what happened.
A mile and half (or so) into my third loop I took one of the hardest falls I have ever taken on the trail. Or ever. I hit my chin really hard. It seemed to me like that was the only thing I hit, but later I would realize that wasn’t true. So I am on the ground and another runner comes up. He offers to help me up. I think I said something along the lines of “I’m ok, you can keep going”. I fully intended to just lay there for a bit. My head hurt, I was dizzy and I was sick to my stomach. I had no desire to get up. But the nice guy insisted on helping me up and walked me to a nearby rock where I could sit. I asked him about my chin, because I really thought it was split open. My chin was only scrapped, but swelling. It really hurt to move my jaw. Once I sat down I realized my ring finger was killing me and swelling. I tried to get my wedding ring off but it was too late. I told the runner who had helped me to go on. He left acknowledging that more runners were coming. I sat for a few more minutes and when I didn't feel dizzy decided to walk back to the start. I ran into a guy on a bike that was coming to check out the sign that I had missed to see if it could be made more obvious. He offered to help me too, but also really needed to get to the sign. After some discussion he decided to go on and I would walk back to the start. I think he was the one that alerted medical that I needed help. By the time I met up with medical I was doubting my decision to not continue. I was still sick to my stomach, but the headache wasn’t so bad. I really didn't want to be a pansy. It’s so hard in the moment to make a decision. Medical checked me out. I asked if it would be stupid to continue. The answer was not stupid. The medic said I could try to finish the loop and see how I felt. But I knew two things. 1. I had to do the loop I missed twice and 2. I just felt like I wanted to vomit – there was no way I was running. In the end, I thought about Enzo. (If you don’t know my teenage son rides street bmx and dirt jumps.) If he fell and hit his head while riding and kept riding I would be so mad at him. Why take that risk? So I went back to the start. Norm was pretty surprised to see me walk up with medic, although considering how much I fall I am not sure why he was surprised.
Back at my tent I knew I had made the right call. Sitting I was fine, but if I started walking around I got really sick to my stomach. Ava decided she was ready to head back to Phoenix (she and I had discussed staying a night by ourselves). As we started to pack up camp, it started to pour rain and hail. We finally got everything packed up. Enzo and his friends took the Prius and headed to a skate park in Sedona (good because I had already been told by medic I was not allowed to drive). Heading home I discovered that my left knee was swelling and my left shoulder was scraped and bruised.
I can’t begin to express my disappointment at having another race fall apart. Especially over something like a fall. Sitting on that rock I thought of all the athletes that competed injured and told myself to stop being a wimp. But talking about the fall with Norm and Enzo last night I realized I definitely did the right thing. I don't really remember anything about falling. I remember passing the guy that helped me up, but that is the last thing I remember until he came up and started talking to me. And even that is a little foggy to me. If you have ever fallen, you know that you usually trip and think oh shit! Or have a memory of falling, or hitting the ground. I have none of that. The medic asked if I blacked out and I said no, but did I? I am not so sure.
So it sucks that I had to call it quits because I fell down. But the good news is that I was running well. No hip pain, no knee pain. I didn't have a bad race. I was having a good race that ended when I fell on my face.
Next up, I’ll be pacing Caroline Boller at Western States! I am so excited for this opportunity and the chance to be at Western States. I’m looking forward to running the Montrail Uphill Challenge. It’s going to be an amazing weekend!
The older boys took off to go into to town to ride. Ava, Norm and I had dinner and hung out. By the time I went to bed I was feeling more relaxed. Our new REI sleeping pads were amazing! Why did we not buy these sooner? I should have slept really well, but I did not! Some lady at the campground was so loud! Her laugh was loud, cackling and echoed through camp into the early morning. Last week when we camped at Fort Tuthill the ranger made people turn off their generators at 10pm because of quiet hours, but this week they were saying nothing about this raging party? Our dog Maui had to pee twice in the middle of the night. And of course I was worried about the boys sleeping in the car in the parking lot. They weren’t far, but I’m a mom. I worry about stupid shit in the middle of the night.
Saturday morning the alarm went off at 5:30. We went to Starbucks for coffee. I ate a bar, picked up my number and chilled at the campsite. I organized my bottles and fuel and gave Norm his instructions for crewing. It was nice that I would run by the car and he could hand things to me. The first loop went well. The course was well marked and easy to follow. It was NOT what I was expecting. There was no way I was going to negative split this course. My first loop averaged 7:37 pace. When I came through I told Norm I would not negative split this and to expect me to run even each loop. I told him this after I yelled at him! Coming up to the car I see him digging around inside the car. I am trying to run fast and yell his name. Twice I yell and no response, the third time he hears me. I probably cursed at him. Sorry small children at the campground! I was already frustrated because coming in from loop 1 I was running into the runners from one of the shorter races. I am flying downhill and they were climbing uphill. It was not a good combination.
Out I go on loop 2. Now I am trying to pass all the runners on the course. Let’s face it – it’s frustrating. Most people are nice and move over. Some people need to turn their music down so they can hear what is going on. I also was giving myself a side stitch trying to say “on your left please” and keep a decent pace. I really try to be a nice person. If I pushed by you just know that I told you I was coming and for whatever reason you didn't hear me. I took a spill (of course) but it wasn’t bad and I was up and going again. The next thing I know is I should not be in this spot yet, I missed a turn. I spent 2 miles agonizing about what would happen and if my day was over. When I got to Norm at the car I stopped and said I have to tell you something. I explained what happened and cried a little thinking my day was over. “I have to tell Nick, “ I said. Norm ran with me to the start line. I told Nick and to my surprise he said let’s look at the map. We decided I would run the loop I missed twice. Happy to be able to continue I headed back out.
The course was really well marked. I have no idea how I missed the turn. Maybe because I was trying to pass people and watch the ground? That is my best guess on what happened.
A mile and half (or so) into my third loop I took one of the hardest falls I have ever taken on the trail. Or ever. I hit my chin really hard. It seemed to me like that was the only thing I hit, but later I would realize that wasn’t true. So I am on the ground and another runner comes up. He offers to help me up. I think I said something along the lines of “I’m ok, you can keep going”. I fully intended to just lay there for a bit. My head hurt, I was dizzy and I was sick to my stomach. I had no desire to get up. But the nice guy insisted on helping me up and walked me to a nearby rock where I could sit. I asked him about my chin, because I really thought it was split open. My chin was only scrapped, but swelling. It really hurt to move my jaw. Once I sat down I realized my ring finger was killing me and swelling. I tried to get my wedding ring off but it was too late. I told the runner who had helped me to go on. He left acknowledging that more runners were coming. I sat for a few more minutes and when I didn't feel dizzy decided to walk back to the start. I ran into a guy on a bike that was coming to check out the sign that I had missed to see if it could be made more obvious. He offered to help me too, but also really needed to get to the sign. After some discussion he decided to go on and I would walk back to the start. I think he was the one that alerted medical that I needed help. By the time I met up with medical I was doubting my decision to not continue. I was still sick to my stomach, but the headache wasn’t so bad. I really didn't want to be a pansy. It’s so hard in the moment to make a decision. Medical checked me out. I asked if it would be stupid to continue. The answer was not stupid. The medic said I could try to finish the loop and see how I felt. But I knew two things. 1. I had to do the loop I missed twice and 2. I just felt like I wanted to vomit – there was no way I was running. In the end, I thought about Enzo. (If you don’t know my teenage son rides street bmx and dirt jumps.) If he fell and hit his head while riding and kept riding I would be so mad at him. Why take that risk? So I went back to the start. Norm was pretty surprised to see me walk up with medic, although considering how much I fall I am not sure why he was surprised.
Back at my tent I knew I had made the right call. Sitting I was fine, but if I started walking around I got really sick to my stomach. Ava decided she was ready to head back to Phoenix (she and I had discussed staying a night by ourselves). As we started to pack up camp, it started to pour rain and hail. We finally got everything packed up. Enzo and his friends took the Prius and headed to a skate park in Sedona (good because I had already been told by medic I was not allowed to drive). Heading home I discovered that my left knee was swelling and my left shoulder was scraped and bruised.
I can’t begin to express my disappointment at having another race fall apart. Especially over something like a fall. Sitting on that rock I thought of all the athletes that competed injured and told myself to stop being a wimp. But talking about the fall with Norm and Enzo last night I realized I definitely did the right thing. I don't really remember anything about falling. I remember passing the guy that helped me up, but that is the last thing I remember until he came up and started talking to me. And even that is a little foggy to me. If you have ever fallen, you know that you usually trip and think oh shit! Or have a memory of falling, or hitting the ground. I have none of that. The medic asked if I blacked out and I said no, but did I? I am not so sure.
So it sucks that I had to call it quits because I fell down. But the good news is that I was running well. No hip pain, no knee pain. I didn't have a bad race. I was having a good race that ended when I fell on my face.
Next up, I’ll be pacing Caroline Boller at Western States! I am so excited for this opportunity and the chance to be at Western States. I’m looking forward to running the Montrail Uphill Challenge. It’s going to be an amazing weekend!
