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!!!

Lisa, Dan, Me and Linda

Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.  -- T. Alan Armstrong

I ran the trails at Sam Houston Jones State Park for the second time yesterday.  I was glad to have along some friends:  Dan’s friend, Lisa; Dan Duncan; and Linda Canning.  This was Lisa’s and Dan’s first trail run.  I am enjoying the trail runs.  It is so peaceful and the forest sounds are my music.  The experts advise that you run as much as you can on the terrain you will be racing on.  That’s why I’m running the trails.  I appreciate the trail support.

I’m still finding it difficult to fit in the extra miles with my work and family obligations.  But, I have my eyes on the prize!!!

Tif, Me, Brayden and Douglas

I'm finding the hardest thing about training for the 50-miler is the time requirement for the increased mileage during the week. Instead of running 3 – 4 miles on my weekly runs, I'm running 5 - 7. More mileage = more time. I live in a rural area which is not conducive to running.  Therefore, I go into town to run which is not real convenient.  I might need to invest in a good treadmill.

Me and Julie Meche, Base Camp Coach

“Good things come slow, especially in distance running.” – Bill Dellinger

Houston Marathon - Douglas, Me and Brayden
The highlight of this marathon was getting George Bush, Sr.'s autograph!

 If the thought of running your full workout is too much to bear, just suit up to run around the block. Chances are, once you're outside, you'll start to feel better and put in at least a few miles.

I start almost every one of my runs this way!

Sam Houston Jones State Park

The MS50 is a trail run.  All of the experts advise to try to run as much as possible on the same terrain as your race.  So, my co-runner, Linda Canning, who is experienced at running the trails at Sam Houston Jones State Park, was gracious enough to go with me on my very first trail run.  Can I just say that my first trail run was absolutely wonderful!!  I usually run with music, but no need on this trail run.  The woods were music.  I could hear the rustling of leaves and the squirrels running up and down.  The good Lord spared me the snakes.  Before I knew it, the run was over.  I have fallen in love with trail running.  The only sad part is that I won't get to run them as much as I would like.  It is about a 35 to 40 minute drive from my house to the park and we are losing daylight.  I am so glad that I discovered the joy of running trails!

My Team Crossing Finish Line at Rouge-Orleans

Runners are more than people who run.  Runners are family.  Whether it is people that you see on a consistent basis or those you’ve met through social media, runners are family.  Runners readily encourage one another, help one another, give advice to one another, basically, do whatever it takes to help one another succeed.  I have never heard a runner shout at another, “Go ahead, stop.  You don’t need to cross that finish line.”  So, if you need some encouragement, get in with a group of runners!

Saturday morning's long run was such a relief from the hot humid Saturday mornings of the past.  It rained!!! For my entire 18 mile run, the Lord favored me with raindrops.  Just so you know that the body doesn't always do what the mind tells it, the water on Bank Street was higher than ankle deep.  As I was running down the middle of Bank Street, I kept telling myself to get on the sidewalk.  Did I???? NOOOOOO!!!!!!  I just kept on telling myself that I was practicing for the maybe rain at the MS50!  I'm not so nervous about it raining during that race now!