This is Ashley Johnson.  She is my crew captain for the MS50.  She ran her first marathon in Memphis, TN on December 1, 2012.  I was honored to be able to travel to Memphis to cheer for her.  (This was quite an experience.  My first marathon to attend and not run!)  Although she doesn’t know it, Ashley is part of an experiment.  I have deduced that a huge part of running is mental.  Ashley is one of the most positive and upbeat people I know.  She was excited at the start.  At mile 3 she was all hands in the air.  At miles 13 and 14, a huge smile.  At the finish, she just about glowed.  She looked strong through the race and afterwards.  Chalk one up for an upbeat attitude!!!

I am really hoping to win one a Bani Band!

http://runningdivamom.blogspot.com/2012/12/bani-bands-review-giveaway.html?showComment=1354733006979#c8484691824303086043

Thank You "Claim Your Journey": Q50 Halloween Race

I saw a sweepstakes on Facebook from Claim Your Journey.  I thought it was a sweepstakes to win one of their new new purple and gold Run Louisiana shirts, of which I wanted.  So, I entered.  I didn’t have much hope in winning because I usually don’t win these type things.  I had forgotten about entering.  One day I pulled up Facebook and saw a Claim Your Journey post saying that I was one of two winners.  As I said, I had forgotten about entering so I had to go to Claim Your Journey’s page to see what I had won.  

To my surprise, it was an entry to a Q50 Halloween night trail run.  I was so excited until I looked up Q50 races website and learned that the race was to be held in Mandeville.  I live in Lake Charles.  The race was 5 miles.  It would take me longer to get there than to run the race.  But, I got to thinking.  I’ve always been known as a “serious” runner in that I never ran races just for “fun.”  (My friend, Ursula, says I don’t know how to have fun!  My other friend, Lisa Smith, says that I would never travel to run a 5K.)  I decided that I WOULD DO IT!!!  The next obstacle was to convince my husband.  I told him I had to do it because I had won the entry.  I tried to find someone to run with me, but couldn’t find anybody.  People thought I was crazy to go all the way to Mandeville for a 5 mile night run and then come back.  I felt like it was about time I did something a little on the crazy side.  So, around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 27^th, I headed east to Mandeville.

I arrived at Fontainebleau Park.  Two wonderful ladies met me.  One who is Barbara, an avid Q50 race volunteer.  At first, I felt a little out of place because I was there alone and didn’t know anyone.  But, as runners started arriving, I began to feel better.  Runners tend to be friendly and I struck up conversations with many people.  Those I talked with were quite surprised that I would come all the way from Lake Charles to run that 5 mile race.

It was finally time to start the race.  The race director, Cesar Torres, briefed us on the route and some places to really watch for.  We made our way to the starting line.  Cesar hailed an American flag and we all sang the Star Spangled Banner, a very touching moment.  

Then, we were off.  Now, I had only ran our local trails twice before this race.  That should tell you I’m not an experienced trail runner.  Plus, I had never run the trails at night.  This was totally getting out of my box.  








At mile 2 I literally said “crap, I have 3 more miles to go!”  Can you believe???!!!!  This was going to be a little ole’ 5 mile race!  

The clump of runners finally spanned out.  I ran behind these two women who looked as if they knew which way to go.  It’s a good thing because I didn’t have a clue.  I crossed the finish line at 49:15 which I feel is pretty good based on the fact I had no clue where I was going! The “medal” was a plant!  How unique is that!
  

I will DEFINITELY do more Q50 races.  Cesar Torres is very passionate about these races and this passion emanates from him.  I would recommend that you check out his website for a listing of upcoming races, www.q50races.com.  

Erin Green, President George H.W. Bush, and Me!

"Long distance running is 90% mental and the other half is physical." ~ Rich Davis 

I was thinking about the mental aspect of running as I was preparing for my 21 mile run that took place this past Saturday.  Previously, I found that if I grin real big when I’m getting to the end of a long run, I feel and run a little better.  Do I look like a Cheshire cat?  You bet I do!  But who cares?!  You have to find the mental tricks to get you through your runs, whether they are short runs or long runs.  I really rocked my run Saturday.  I didn’t look at the total mileage.  I broke it down.  First, I went out for a 6 mile run.  It was just a 6 mile run.  When I finished that 6 miles, I let it go.  I went out for a 5 mile run.  It was just a 5 mile run.  When I finished that 5 miles, I let it go.  I did this until I was finished.  I had great runs and I felt great after the 21 miles.  AND, I smiled like a Cheshire cat, because I destroyed that 21 miles!!

Linda Canning, Me and Jason Guidry

This is what happens when you finish your run at dark, can't figure out the flash on the iPhone and are being eaten by mosquitoes!!!

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.  ~ ~ Brian Tracy, self-help author and motivational speaker

2012 Rouge-Orleans:  Ran on Six-Lady Team

Andy Mac:  Advice for 50 mile race

1. The biggest difference I noticed in running an ultra is the amount of walking you do. When most people train for a marathon they want to run the whole way if possible. No one (well no one as slow as me, at least) runs a whole 50 miler the first time. I don't know for sure but I'd guess I walked close to half of my 50 and I finished okay. So one thing I'd definitely recommend is to practice walking as part of your long runs. It is a lot easier to run 30 miles either walking the up hills or walking 1 minute every six or whatever than to just run it straight. 

2. Practice running slow. I still don't feel comfortable running below maybe 9:30 pace, but late in a 50 miler it is important to be able to shuffle along. 

3. Practice walking fast. There's a tendency to just slowly walk during breaks. I like to try and keep up a good pace. In preparing for my 50 I even practiced walking fast on a motorized treadmill. I got to where I could walk at sub 12 minute/mile pace. Of course that's on a treadmill, but still it got my legs used to long, quick strides. I noticed during the race that I was passing a lot of people on the up hills because I could walk faster than they could. 

4. Practice trail running if you are doing a trail race. I didn't, I wish I had. 

5. Worry about your feet. I never had blister problems with long road runs, but really tore up my feet on the trail (also see #4). Next time I'll try NuSkin or Second Skin or whatever and also change shoes and socks during the race. 

6. Practice eating and drinking and carrying water. Very important. 

7. Just keep moving. Depending on the cutoff, you don't have to move very fast to finish a 50 miler. At Ice Age, the required pace was just under 15 minutes/mile. You could hike that fast, although it might be hard to keep it up for 8 hours. But you don't have to run most of it or run too fast to finish; the key is to just keep going.

My "Team Anna Grace" Teammates

The $100 Donation Picture

I am quite disappointed in my training this past weekend.  BUT, this is a new week!!!  I will not relive the past.  I will only look towards the future. 

This past Saturday I was honored to be able to participate on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in the 2012 Denham Springs Warrior Dash.  I want to thank everyone that donated.  I posted on Facebook the picture worthy of my sister and brother-in-law’s $100 donation.  I think my brother-in-law doubted I could/would post such a picture!!  I appreciated being able to shower before going home, especially since I sat on the Atchafalaya for so long!!!