After coming home from California, I had two weeks left at the Botanical Garden summer camp. It wasn't my best weeks of running because I struggled to get back in the habit of waking up at 3:45 am to able to run before work.
It also became clear that I wasn't going to be able to afford to travel to San Francisco for the marathon, so that is marathon number 2 off the schedule. I think at this point I need to realize that going for an OTQ this year isn't going to happen.
I decided that instead I would head to Flagstaff for the day and run the 6-hour Parhelic Circle trail race. I love a tied race, so it was the perfect event to jump into to replace the marathon.
Camp finished up, and I still have no job. I have my classes at the community college, but that isn't enough. It's not easy to work out a schedule where I can work part-time at two places and make enough money to support myself. I realize I may have to leave college and take a full-time job. So, I have been applying for full time and part time jobs and so far nothing. It's a little bit stressful.
Since I am not longer working at the summer camp, I invited my now former boss to go with me for a long run at my favorite spot. I love running at Sycamore Creek. It's beautiful, and there is rarely any traffic. The aloneness of it is incredible, but also a little scary so I usually try to drag someone with me. John agreed to go with me, and I am glad that he did. It had to the potential to be awkward since we didn't really know each other, but we got along great, and the conversation flowed easily. I had a great time and got 21.5 miles in. I did run out of water a few miles before we made it back to the car and that wasn't fun. As soon as we started driving back to Phoenix, my stomach turned on me, and I needed the bathroom bad! I drive a little faster than usual to get to that gas station. I really needed a bathroom and a fountain drink!
After coming home from the run, I have been obsessed with developing a plan to run from Sycamore Creek to Horseshoe Reservoir. It looks totally doable, but I am not sure the mileage and how much water I would need. This might be a fall adventure.
I also have another adventure added to my list. Norm and I watched a documentary called Darwin, and now I really want to visit the town. I think I have Hayley talked into it.
Monday:
I left this house with no real plan. The goal was at least 10 miles. My hamstring is feeling a little cranky. I think from all the sitting on Sunday. I run into Nicole Bitter on the canal, and we chat for a few minutes. I manage to get 12 miles done. I try really hard not to think about how stressed I am that I have no job and a minimal amount to my name. I just keep telling myself that there isn't a thing I could be doing at home so I should just enjoy that I have time to run with no pressure to return by a specific time.
I came home and applied for two jobs. Went to the grocery store, which by the way takes forever when you are trying only to spend a small amount of money. I am never rolling in money, but I can usually just buy whatever I want to eat. I really wanted dairy-free ice cream, but I had to wait until I put all the groceries in my cart before I could decide if I had the money for it. Then I spent way too long standing in front of it and agonizing over whether or not to buy it because dairy-free ice cream is so expensive. I am not a fan of all of this.
Tuesday:
Slept in, which meant I was short on time because I had things to do to do. I also woke up to a message from someone who is looking for teachers. Now I have an interview tomorrow.
I went out for a little trail time. I am trying to get the climbing back in and get used to being on the rocky trail. I always feel a little unsure and slow when I have been off the trail for a while.
Wednesday:
I woke up to a rainy day but was not feeling great because it was that time of the month. I was not going to miss the chance to run with storm clouds and sprinkles. I just told myself that I could be as slow as I wanted which worked for a while, but despite wanting to keep going, I finally gave into feeling like crap and headed home.
I had my interview in the afternoon. Things went well, and I am just waiting for the contract to see if everything will work out.
Thursday and Friday:
Uneventful. Just running easy knowing that I am racing on Saturday.
Saturday:
I am running the 6-hour race at the Parhelic Run. Ian Torrance is putting on the race. The race started at noon, so I slept in and made our way to Flagstaff. We left a lot earlier than necessary because you can never predict what will happen on the I-17.
We got to the race, and I checked in. I realized that I had no food with me. Usually, when I am working, I carry a ton of food in my purse, but the bag is empty. Lucky they sell a few things to eat at the Nordic Center. I bought a snickers bar to eat.
Somehow I was under the impression that the race was relatively flat. In the pre-race chat, I find out that I am totally wrong about that. Oops! Off we go. I am basically following the guy in front of me. The race is well marked, but not always a super clear trail. A few times we weren't quite sure, but between the tree markings and the flags, it was usually pretty ways to figure out. I came through loop one in 58 minutes. Norm was taking pictures, which was nice but I needed him to tell him to get my bottle with Skratch. I ask him to get my pack ready and take off on loop two. Here is where the serious climbing takes place, but the reward is some super amazing views. I go up a rocky climb only to find a loose rock descent on the other side. My least favorite. I took it super slow and didn't care. Luckily both of the trails give you a chance to do some flying. I finish the 2nd loop in 54 minutes.
I went out on my third loop and a quarter mile or so from the start line, and I was lost. I tried to figure it out, but I couldn't figure it out. I had to run back, and a nice guy named Kyle went out with me. This time it makes total sense, and I could see where I completely blew past the cones and missed the flags. But I have to talk myself out of feeling totally defeated by what just happened. I lost a little time, but it's fine. Except it isn't fine. I realize I don't have any food in my pack. I had a payday bar, but I forgot that I pulled it out and ate it watching tv one night. So now I am trying to keep myself from falling apart over the food situation. It doesn't help that I am not sure how much mileage I need to add due to going back to the start when I got lost. I just have to keep talking myself off the ledge. I have to acknowledge that I am not going to go as fast as I want and do my best.
I made it back to the start line and got a pb&j and some coke. I told Norm I was going to be doing a lot of walking and headed off. I ended up walking a lot of the flat to eat my sandwich and get my headphones untangled. I have a little trick I use when I don't want to run up something. I run and count to 30 and when I get to 30 if I still feel like walking, I will. But a lot of times things have flattened out, or I can convince myself to run a little more. I pass an older gentleman who seems to be struggling. I offer to stay with him, but he tells me to go on. I feel bad to leave him knowing one of the hardest climbs and descent is coming up. But it gives me the push I need to run faster to try to get back to the start and let them now he might need some help.
I had told Norm to have some Advil ready for me. My hamstring was not great, and I probably should have called it a day, but I still had so much time. So I took the Advil and headed out for the 3rd loop. I planned to take it easy, but once I got going, I just wanted to push myself when I could and try to finish as fast as I could. I caught up to the two guys I had been chasing all day and passed them. Next thing I knew one of them was next to me and saying, "Sorry, I told myself I wouldn't get competitive today." The three of us all stopped for water and introduced ourselves. We start running, but Brian takes off. I laughingly tell his friend Jason that his friend really didn't want to get beat by a girl. He says he doesn't think it's the girl thing he just didn't want to get beat by anyone. I have to walk the climbs and tell Jason to go ahead. But when I get to the nice flat and downhill into the finish, I pass Jason and push myself as hard as I can. I finish loop 5 with 40 minutes let in the 6 hours. No way I am going to finish a loop in 40 minutes.
I managed 1st female and 2nd overall for the 6-hour race. It felt so good to be racing again. A huge thanks to Ian for having me at his race. We hang out a bit. I drank a beer. Now I need food fast. We eat at taco Bell – not my first choice, but we are broke, and I need a lot of food. The drive home feels like forever because I am dirty and sticky and gross.
Parhelic Circle was an awesome race. I definitely want to go back. Nordic Village was pretty cool. I would love to go back and stay in a hut.
It also became clear that I wasn't going to be able to afford to travel to San Francisco for the marathon, so that is marathon number 2 off the schedule. I think at this point I need to realize that going for an OTQ this year isn't going to happen.
I decided that instead I would head to Flagstaff for the day and run the 6-hour Parhelic Circle trail race. I love a tied race, so it was the perfect event to jump into to replace the marathon.
Camp finished up, and I still have no job. I have my classes at the community college, but that isn't enough. It's not easy to work out a schedule where I can work part-time at two places and make enough money to support myself. I realize I may have to leave college and take a full-time job. So, I have been applying for full time and part time jobs and so far nothing. It's a little bit stressful.
Since I am not longer working at the summer camp, I invited my now former boss to go with me for a long run at my favorite spot. I love running at Sycamore Creek. It's beautiful, and there is rarely any traffic. The aloneness of it is incredible, but also a little scary so I usually try to drag someone with me. John agreed to go with me, and I am glad that he did. It had to the potential to be awkward since we didn't really know each other, but we got along great, and the conversation flowed easily. I had a great time and got 21.5 miles in. I did run out of water a few miles before we made it back to the car and that wasn't fun. As soon as we started driving back to Phoenix, my stomach turned on me, and I needed the bathroom bad! I drive a little faster than usual to get to that gas station. I really needed a bathroom and a fountain drink!
After coming home from the run, I have been obsessed with developing a plan to run from Sycamore Creek to Horseshoe Reservoir. It looks totally doable, but I am not sure the mileage and how much water I would need. This might be a fall adventure.
I also have another adventure added to my list. Norm and I watched a documentary called Darwin, and now I really want to visit the town. I think I have Hayley talked into it.
Monday:
I left this house with no real plan. The goal was at least 10 miles. My hamstring is feeling a little cranky. I think from all the sitting on Sunday. I run into Nicole Bitter on the canal, and we chat for a few minutes. I manage to get 12 miles done. I try really hard not to think about how stressed I am that I have no job and a minimal amount to my name. I just keep telling myself that there isn't a thing I could be doing at home so I should just enjoy that I have time to run with no pressure to return by a specific time.
I came home and applied for two jobs. Went to the grocery store, which by the way takes forever when you are trying only to spend a small amount of money. I am never rolling in money, but I can usually just buy whatever I want to eat. I really wanted dairy-free ice cream, but I had to wait until I put all the groceries in my cart before I could decide if I had the money for it. Then I spent way too long standing in front of it and agonizing over whether or not to buy it because dairy-free ice cream is so expensive. I am not a fan of all of this.
Tuesday:
Slept in, which meant I was short on time because I had things to do to do. I also woke up to a message from someone who is looking for teachers. Now I have an interview tomorrow.
I went out for a little trail time. I am trying to get the climbing back in and get used to being on the rocky trail. I always feel a little unsure and slow when I have been off the trail for a while.
Wednesday:
I woke up to a rainy day but was not feeling great because it was that time of the month. I was not going to miss the chance to run with storm clouds and sprinkles. I just told myself that I could be as slow as I wanted which worked for a while, but despite wanting to keep going, I finally gave into feeling like crap and headed home.
I had my interview in the afternoon. Things went well, and I am just waiting for the contract to see if everything will work out.
Thursday and Friday:
Uneventful. Just running easy knowing that I am racing on Saturday.
Saturday:
I am running the 6-hour race at the Parhelic Run. Ian Torrance is putting on the race. The race started at noon, so I slept in and made our way to Flagstaff. We left a lot earlier than necessary because you can never predict what will happen on the I-17.
We got to the race, and I checked in. I realized that I had no food with me. Usually, when I am working, I carry a ton of food in my purse, but the bag is empty. Lucky they sell a few things to eat at the Nordic Center. I bought a snickers bar to eat.
Somehow I was under the impression that the race was relatively flat. In the pre-race chat, I find out that I am totally wrong about that. Oops! Off we go. I am basically following the guy in front of me. The race is well marked, but not always a super clear trail. A few times we weren't quite sure, but between the tree markings and the flags, it was usually pretty ways to figure out. I came through loop one in 58 minutes. Norm was taking pictures, which was nice but I needed him to tell him to get my bottle with Skratch. I ask him to get my pack ready and take off on loop two. Here is where the serious climbing takes place, but the reward is some super amazing views. I go up a rocky climb only to find a loose rock descent on the other side. My least favorite. I took it super slow and didn't care. Luckily both of the trails give you a chance to do some flying. I finish the 2nd loop in 54 minutes.
I went out on my third loop and a quarter mile or so from the start line, and I was lost. I tried to figure it out, but I couldn't figure it out. I had to run back, and a nice guy named Kyle went out with me. This time it makes total sense, and I could see where I completely blew past the cones and missed the flags. But I have to talk myself out of feeling totally defeated by what just happened. I lost a little time, but it's fine. Except it isn't fine. I realize I don't have any food in my pack. I had a payday bar, but I forgot that I pulled it out and ate it watching tv one night. So now I am trying to keep myself from falling apart over the food situation. It doesn't help that I am not sure how much mileage I need to add due to going back to the start when I got lost. I just have to keep talking myself off the ledge. I have to acknowledge that I am not going to go as fast as I want and do my best.
I made it back to the start line and got a pb&j and some coke. I told Norm I was going to be doing a lot of walking and headed off. I ended up walking a lot of the flat to eat my sandwich and get my headphones untangled. I have a little trick I use when I don't want to run up something. I run and count to 30 and when I get to 30 if I still feel like walking, I will. But a lot of times things have flattened out, or I can convince myself to run a little more. I pass an older gentleman who seems to be struggling. I offer to stay with him, but he tells me to go on. I feel bad to leave him knowing one of the hardest climbs and descent is coming up. But it gives me the push I need to run faster to try to get back to the start and let them now he might need some help.
I had told Norm to have some Advil ready for me. My hamstring was not great, and I probably should have called it a day, but I still had so much time. So I took the Advil and headed out for the 3rd loop. I planned to take it easy, but once I got going, I just wanted to push myself when I could and try to finish as fast as I could. I caught up to the two guys I had been chasing all day and passed them. Next thing I knew one of them was next to me and saying, "Sorry, I told myself I wouldn't get competitive today." The three of us all stopped for water and introduced ourselves. We start running, but Brian takes off. I laughingly tell his friend Jason that his friend really didn't want to get beat by a girl. He says he doesn't think it's the girl thing he just didn't want to get beat by anyone. I have to walk the climbs and tell Jason to go ahead. But when I get to the nice flat and downhill into the finish, I pass Jason and push myself as hard as I can. I finish loop 5 with 40 minutes let in the 6 hours. No way I am going to finish a loop in 40 minutes.
I managed 1st female and 2nd overall for the 6-hour race. It felt so good to be racing again. A huge thanks to Ian for having me at his race. We hang out a bit. I drank a beer. Now I need food fast. We eat at taco Bell – not my first choice, but we are broke, and I need a lot of food. The drive home feels like forever because I am dirty and sticky and gross.
Parhelic Circle was an awesome race. I definitely want to go back. Nordic Village was pretty cool. I would love to go back and stay in a hut.
Nordic Village
These yurts are so awesome!
Norm does not have a career as a photographer
Ian Torrance and me after I finished.
