This weekend has crept up on me quite unexpectedly. I'm getting ready for my first adventure race of the year on Saturday (a 12 hour/50-60 mile race) and I feel slightly unprepared. Compared to last year when I was in the best shape ever, this year not so much. I'm just hoping I don't collapse in the middle of the course. How embarrassing would that be?
Surprisingly, I feel more prepared to push it than I was last year. Last year was just a test to see if I could actually race for 12 hours - I was SLOW! This year I have the disadvantage of being sick the past few months, however I feel more mentally prepared to push myself. I'm gonna have to tap into that, because my body is definitely not as tough!
I should have pictures next week, so be on the lookout for an update on my crazy day
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
camping/outdoor 'tips' and interesting tidbits...
Our local paper, the Gazette, totally rocks when it comes to any type of outdoor reporting. I just found this gem on their website - good info with a touch of 'the funny.' Below is a paragraph from the article - I am going to tell all my guy friends about this. Then I'm going to make sure my mom reads it - maybe she'll worry more about my brother than me :-)
THREAT NO. 1: THE Y CHROMOSOME
This tiny tangle of DNA that separates the men from the women is the most dangerous thing in the backcountry. It makes the hairier gender do really dumb things, such as climb mountains in thunderstorms, ski avalanche-prone slopes, and say things like, “Get a picture of me trying to ride this mountain goat.” Statistically, having the Y chromosome makes men three times more likely than women to be injured in the outdoors, and eight times more likely to be killed, according to a study by the Colorado Department of Public Health. Just to round things out, guys are also five times more likely to be killed biking, seven times more likely to be killed kayaking and 17 times more likely to be killed by an avalanche. The Y chromosome may also be a factor in Threat No. 2.
Best defense: Listen to your lady friend.
THREAT NO. 1: THE Y CHROMOSOME
This tiny tangle of DNA that separates the men from the women is the most dangerous thing in the backcountry. It makes the hairier gender do really dumb things, such as climb mountains in thunderstorms, ski avalanche-prone slopes, and say things like, “Get a picture of me trying to ride this mountain goat.” Statistically, having the Y chromosome makes men three times more likely than women to be injured in the outdoors, and eight times more likely to be killed, according to a study by the Colorado Department of Public Health. Just to round things out, guys are also five times more likely to be killed biking, seven times more likely to be killed kayaking and 17 times more likely to be killed by an avalanche. The Y chromosome may also be a factor in Threat No. 2.
Best defense: Listen to your lady friend.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
run forest run!
My sister-in-law likes to say this to me, all because of this story. In my quest for fitness and health, one of the biggest surprises has been the discovery that I love running. Really surprising, as in my-HS-gym-teacher-would-most-likely-suffer-a-heart-attack-if-she-knew kind of surprising.
I can't explain why i love it so much, especially since during most of my runs I can't breathe, my legs ache and I feel like quitting long before it's suppose to end. But then there are those other times, the ones where I feel that high that other runners always talk about. It hasn't happened often, but I remember them vividly. It's kind of like a bad relationship - you know it's bad 99% of the time, but you always come back to that 1% that was good and that convinces you to stay. The only difference... running is good for you.
I am happy to say that I have, once again, made up with running and we are now embarking on a new, albeit slightly different relationship. It's not easy and there have been many tears and lots of pain, but I'm feeling pretty good about our prognosis. I'll make sure and keep you up to date on our progress. Let's hope it's all good!
I can't explain why i love it so much, especially since during most of my runs I can't breathe, my legs ache and I feel like quitting long before it's suppose to end. But then there are those other times, the ones where I feel that high that other runners always talk about. It hasn't happened often, but I remember them vividly. It's kind of like a bad relationship - you know it's bad 99% of the time, but you always come back to that 1% that was good and that convinces you to stay. The only difference... running is good for you.
I am happy to say that I have, once again, made up with running and we are now embarking on a new, albeit slightly different relationship. It's not easy and there have been many tears and lots of pain, but I'm feeling pretty good about our prognosis. I'll make sure and keep you up to date on our progress. Let's hope it's all good!
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