Inspiration - Article Link

This article in Runners World really resonated with me...

http://www.runnersworld.com/advice/the-marathon?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Blog-_-TheMarathon

Inspiration - Video

Inspiration to go for that 50 miler! - Video

The American River 50 miler race is touted to be a great "first 50" but I had reservations because it's so flat and has so much bike path... however, this video draws me to it because it looks like such a well organized and supported event.  There's definitely something to say for crowd support.  And not to mention that there are so many first timers, there must be support in the air...

So it's got me thinking about next year!.... LET'S GO!

Inspiration - Video

Lake Sonoma 50 Mile Race

Inspiration - Way Too Cool Video

Inspiration - Video

Inspiration - Video

Darkness: how ultrarunning can strip away our emotional barriers

Inspiration Video - Lake Sonoma 50 Mile

This race is described as "relentless" and probably NOT a good first 50 miler... but it sure does call to me....

I must also mention what an awesome job JourneyFilm does.  Always.

Destination Races

I've always loved the idea of going somewhere far away for a race.  Lately I've been finding the urge to run/race up in the Pacific Northwest getting stronger.  It's just so darn beautiful!

Check out the video and tell me you don't want to go too!

Inspiration

Can't help but be inspired by Ellie Greenwood's return.  But mostly I really enjoyed her writing:

http://www.irunfar.com/2014/03/starting-from-scratch-ellie-greenwoods-2014-chuckanut-50k-report.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+irunfar%2FwAAy+%28iRunFar%29

Inspiration

This blog post is very timely ..... something to think about.

The ‘Uncomfortably Hard’ Zone – How Much Can We Push?
http://ultra168.com/2014/03/13/the-uncomfortably-hard-zone-how-much-can-we-push/

Inspiration - Link

I'm a geek and I devour blog posts and race reports for inspiration.  I've decided to link to some of these posts so that I can easily find them in the future (kinda like the quotes, but more in depth).  And if you stumble upon my little blog looking for inspiration you will find them too ...

Sometimes I come across a race report, paragraph or just a sentence that strikes me;



Dakota Jones, speaking about Interval training from this article on irunfar.com;

What’s it like? Nose running, spit flying, my vision almost eclipsing, I can feel my heartbeat in my throat. I pump my legs as hard as possible. They feel heavy, thick, swollen. Only the balls of my feet touch the road and as the incline steepens my steps seem to make no progress at all. I can feel the parts of my body that aren’t getting enough blood, like my hands growing colder, and I can feel the invigoration of oxygen in each breath. Everything in my body depending upon everything else, and I’m dying, man. This is it, I cannot keep this up but I have two more minutes and how can I go on?

Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run - Volunteer

Last weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.  It was an all around incredible experience.  Both humbling and inspiring.

Through the woman I met working at Lake Sonoma 50 miler, Cathy, I signed up at Duncan Canyon Aid Station.  Most of the crew camps the night before and then wakes with the sun to prep the aid station.  The aid station is hosted by the Quicksilver Running Group out of San Jose.  And the captain is Kristina Irvin, a 10 time finisher of the WSER. She asked me to be the AS photographer.  How perfect was that!?

I could ramble on and on (and on!) about the experience... but for now, I'm going to link to the photos and let them tell the story;

Duncan Canyon Aid Station Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/tonyaperme/media_set?set=a.10151665820363808.1073741825.680858807&type=1

Duncan Canyon Aid Station Videos:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151667220888808
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151667228728808

Foresthill Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/tonyaperme/media_set?set=a.10151667357673808.1073741826.680858807&type=1

Finish Line Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/tonyaperme/media_set?set=a.10151667553248808.1073741827.680858807&type=3

Finish Line Video:
Pam Smith, women's winner
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151667245053808&set=vb.680858807&type=3&theater


Being around this race made me realize the levels of fitness that are between me and a feat so monumental.  After watching runners cross the finish line I realized you can't really pick who will do well or not, based on how they look... but they are all very fit.  It made me wonder, how is this possible, running 100 miles... in tough mountainous terrain.  How is it possible?  A part of me, humbled, was in awe of these people who took on the challenge.  Another part of me was inspired, and wondered if I could ever feel confident to take on the challenge.  There's a whole lot of fitness to develop, but what became clear is that is possible to change.  So much of the task comes down to the mental game, the heart, the will to keep moving despite the challenges... so I leave the experience with an open ended question...

{sigh}...

I struggle with it... I am so easily distracted and I get down on myself. Last week I did a 10 mile long run. It actually felt good. Even though I am way behind in training for my half marathon NEXT week. I've accepted that it will be tough and that I may not finish {in time, I'll hobble along}..... but all the while... I miss running.. long runs.

Today I came upon this blog post by Anton Krupicka... I find him inspiring;
http://wpblogs.runningtimes.com/blogs/antonkrupicka/2012/02/29/alone/?cm_mmc=RT-_-846234-_-03152012-_-KrupickaAlone

Inspiration Collage

Inspirations - Redwood Park

Dunn Trail, Redwood Park

Inspirations - Redwood Park

One of the reasons that the trails fuel me is the scenery I come upon... I've been running this trail for seven years... but how awesome is THIS!?... It stopped me in my tracks... camera phones ROCK!...

Westridge Trail, Redwood Park