-
If you are an athlete or a frequent spectator - listen up. The race is not done just because the pros are finished. There are still athletes on course and you need to be aware. That means look both ways before crossing the street - especially along the bike course. Thanks to two clueless, idiot spectators my mom now has a broken collarbone and a ruined summer. They walked right in front of her within sight of T2 at the KA 70.3. There was nothing she could - crashed right into them. She lost conciousness when she fell so doesn't remember. Seeing a strange number and the message 'I'm in hospital' is not something I wish for anyone. BE CAREFULL AT THE RACES - even if youre just watching.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts to run by

-
 Less then 24 hours until the start of my 6th 100 and I find myself pondering all the things. There’s a lot that can happen over 100 miles and while I have a plan, we all know what happens to most plans! But I also have some new thoughts to focus on while wandering the woods looking for tents with food.  Control what you can control. This one is the easiest. Some things - like gear, drop bags and snacks can be controlled. I can neatly pack my drop bag, knowing that I planned for contingencies with the gear contained. I can control the amount of effort I put out on the climbs and control the pace on the runnable sections as to not blow my legs up. I can manage my temperature by carrying the right gear and being smart about when I put on or take off clothes. All of these things are things I’ve practiced. If it’s something I can alter the outcome of by changing my actions, then I can control it.  Manage what you can’t control. And then there are other aspects of races that a...
the full story...

A long way on foot - Sheep Mountain Endurance Run

-
Image
Fifty miles is a long way - regardless of how you travel. As I was training and preparing for Sheep Mountain Endurance Run, I knew that it would be a long day - I knew that there would be ups and downs, that the plan would have to be fluid and goals adjusted mid-race. That is the nature of endurance sports and the people who achieve are the ones who can go with the flow and find the ability to turn things around if they do go south. Obviously, for my first 50, I was hoping for nothing but smooth sailing - with no dark spots, no demons and smiling the whole way. A girl can always hope, right? Runners assembled for the start Photo - Human Potential Running The sun was just starting to brighten the clouds as we walked to the starting line with nearly 100 other runners. The race director went through a few things, noting that there had already been some DNS's due to the elevation and to be smart. Smart... Most people would say smart would mean not doing something like a 50 mile ...
the full story...

Mortality

-
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'” - Hunter S. Thompson It seems such a trite quote, but true at the same time. Life is about the journey - the adventures along the way, the failures and successes. A life well lived is a person with stories to tell, taking the chances along the way that will provide fulfillment. You don't realize how close we are teatering to the edge until something happens that affirms our mortality.  In eleven years of practicing physical therapy in a nursing home setting, I've had my share of experiences with death. Never close though - far enough removed to be touched by the passing but not affected. Sometimes it's expected and everyone says "it's for the best. They are happier now." Other times, it's not and we are all shocked...
the full story...

Oracle Rumble

-
Image
 After the one day of trying to do as much course recon as possible, I was more than a little nervous about the race. There were some super fast women on ultra signup and most of them were local. They would have prepared much better and maybe even have gotten on the course a few times. Except for a few miles in the middle, it was all a huge mystery as to what the next 50 miles would bring. The biggest key would be trying to run those first trending downhill miles smart so I would have something left for all the hills in the middle and end.  The bus ride out to the start was long. Any time they have you loading the busses at 0530 for an 0730 start, you know it’s gonna be long! And it was - from Oracle State Park, all the way out Willow Springs road to Freeman Road. If you’ve done the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo mountain bike race, you know how long and bumpy Willow Springs can be! Now go even further and do it on a school bus. There was no napping at all on that drive. Instead I lis...
the full story...